TdU 2010 - the fun begins !! (and my first clipstack)

[steveoc]

Just riding back from the sth hills today and heading to work, I find this big commotion happening down at Glenelg Cycles near the Buffalo.

Lots of news cameras and things there, and a bunch of about a dozen riders. Seems Ag2r La Mondiale have got into town and are heading out on a training ride. They just happen to be headed along my regular commute, and there are a small bunch of local riders tailing the bunch .. so I tack myself on the tail of the tail and enjoy the ride. The local riders all look like pretty competent and experienced riders.

Beautiful day by the beach, and its fun to ride along in the same group as the pros.

We get a couple of escort vehicles too - news cars with hazard lights going off and big cameras hanging out the windows. Since Im on the tail end of the pack, you might get to see a good shot of my ass tonight on the news

But then we get to the turn off where the esplanade turns back to Mil Rd .. and the Ag2r riders look a bit confused, and then head up onto the PSP along the beach front. Not a good idea - its not ideal road bike territory there (as we shall soon see). Covered in sand, paving cracks, wild dogs and feral children. BAD idea. Much better to head back to Military Rd and hit the big straight. But I dont speak French, and its not like anyone is listening.

So off they head, and the taggers tag along.

At this stage, a couple of riders from Ag2r drop back to hold the local guys off the main pack, and the other pros sprint off along the path and have some fun.

Their star rider - hard to tell, but it may be Rinaldo Nocentini or Cyrill Dessel ? - tiny little guy with hips the width of my seatpost, is doing crazy moves along the path dodging light poles and almost doing powerslides on the sand swept pavers.

Anyway, we come up to the boatramp (where you really need to stop for traffic), and suddenly the guy immediately in front of me - a local lad on a nice new-ish Orbea, clips one of the bollards and goes ass over tit pretty hard . We are not going fast, but I barely stop in time, and then in all the excitement forget to unclip as well. Never had that happen before. Next thing I know, there is a big mess of 2 of us plus 2 bikes all tangled together .. and of course a nice little public audience to witness the whole embarrassing thing.

No damage to the bikes (thats the first thing we checked). His bike lost a bit of the saddle and some damage to the bar end, but everyones wheels were spinning true, so thats the main thing. Hope its all OK. When we got up, there is blood everywhere - streaming down arms and legs .. but I cant for the life of me feel where its all coming from. Oh well - back on the bikes and continue the journey.

Hey - if the guy on the Orbea is a BNA reader - sorry mate, hope your bike is OK and the rest of the ride was good for ya !!

The best thing about having a minor stack is the adrenalin hit that you get. A good rider will hop back on his bike immediately and proceed to put in an awesome 10k TT time without a hint of lactic burn after such a minor spill. Its almost worth deliberately coming off the bike in an embarrassing way just to get the bonus adrenaline boost. Good fun actually continuing the ride, spinning along nice and fast without a care, and as you overtake the cars along the esplanade you can see them look at you ... and then look again, as there is this rider absolutely streaming with blood and a big smile on his dial. hehe. How many bonus Euro points do you earn for riding whilst covered in streams of fresh blood .. whilst maintaining the correct tanline, and wearing sunglasses over your chinstraps ? Its got to be worth an extra point ?

Get to work and clean up - no real damage, just a huge chunk of road rash off the left elbow, and what looks like a gouge mark from the other bloke's handlebar ends on my right forearm. (I remember now that the bar end protector on his bike had popped off in the impact.)

Enough about me and my clipstack of disgrace.

Main point is - the circus is back in town as of now, and riding along the Adelaide beach front for the next couple of weeks is genuine Pro Euro Zone. Enjoy !!

[MichaelB]

Glad to hear you are OK !!

They must be wondering what is going to hit them over the next 4 days starting tomorrow.

39 degrees Friday
41 degrees Saturday
41 degrees Sunday
41 degrees Monday

Sweat city !!!!!


BTW, what is PSP ????

[steveoc]

I think it stands for Principle Shared Path ... a place for sand, rocks, seagulls, broken glass, bollards, blind people, kite flying, dogs, etc.

Luckily, I have some pictures in my archives of the actual spot :

The esplanade at Glenelg North - good road to cycle on.


Esplanade turns right at the end to continue on to Military road. Along the beachfront is the 'PSP'. Notice the sign clearly warns that this path is only suitable for those without feet and hands .. or bicycle shaped objects. This is not the place you want to take a road bike.


A slight rise before crossing the boat ramp road. There is a well concealed bollard right in the middle of this path at the top - so sneaky that it cannot be seen till you are right on top of it.


Im really glad the bike is OK - was mostly concerned about buckling the front wheel and needing to get it trued before the coming events. The local bike shop's service department is completely booked out till the 20th Jan at the moment. Very pleased with these American Classic wheels - they are still spot on true despite all the curb hopping and today's stack. Actually - the back wheel ran it's first B-grade crit a couple of weeks back, and came through that fine.

The road rash is actually a lot deeper than I throught - its a bit sore now, and still bleeding. There is no skin on the elbow at all ... it looks like something you might find in the window of the butchers shop ... Ouch. Think Ill go for a swim tonight and get some seawater on it.

[rustychisel]

I'd be inclined to think 'and now you know why the pro teams aren't thrilled with domo riders joining them on training rides', but I know you're just caught up in the excitement and wouldn't do anything silly, Steve. Would you??

[steveoc]

I'd be inclined to think 'and now you know why the pro teams aren't thrilled with domo riders joining them on training rides', but I know you're just caught up in the excitement and wouldn't do anything silly, Steve. Would you??

Exactly. I was honestly just hanging off the back of the pack to catch a free draft on my way to work !!

[rustychisel]

I wasn't casting nasturtiums, and I know you explained it wasn't your doing, you just got caught up in it.

PS: team leader for AG2R/La Mondial is Martin Elmiger

[Wino]

I wasn't casting nasturtiums, and I know you explained it wasn't your doing, you just got caught up in it.

PS: team leader for AG2R/La Mondial is Martin Elmiger

Nice malapropism.

Is "casting nasturtiums" the ancient cycling activity of covering the ground with flowers so that falling cyclists have a fragrant bed upon which to cushion themselves?

Steve glad to hear the bike is ok and I'm sure you'll heal quickly.

[steveoc]

I wasn't casting nasturtiums, and I know you explained it wasn't your doing, you just got caught up in it.

Nah - actually I was being a bit of dick, putting the hammer down to keep in touch with a bunch of strangers. I did ask myself 'Why are you doing this Steve ?, this undisciplined behavior is NOT on your training spreadsheet !! Stop it now before laughter turns to tears ...'

I do feel embarassed for clipstackinto into a guy who was literally upside down right in front of my nose, but there was nothing to do to avoid it.

PS: team leader for AG2R/La Mondial is Martin Elmiger

Ah OK. Its very hard - Im going by face of the guy that I saw up close and personal bouncing around at Glenelg Cycles without helmet and sunnies .. and trying to match that to various images.google.com searches. The closest overall resemblence I could find to match it was Marco Pantani. Maybe he is back, with Elvis as the Director Sportif ? I really dont know

[steveoc]

Note to self - add to essentials pack to be carried on ALL RIDES from now on :

- Small rag soaked in Tea Tree Oil, stuffed into a sealed money bag. Natural disinfectant. I use this out bush all the time - put it on nicks and scratches to stop them turning into large tropical ulcers within a day or so. The stuff works, and cuts heal up quick with it.

- Elastoplast spray on plaster. Tiny 30g bottle, sprays on and works wonders. Not cheap though - I think its about $18 for the quality stuff. Will completely seal a large area of deep road rash, stop bleeding and keep out infection.

- Small tube of superglue. Bit extreme but - if you have a major stack and end up with a serious cut .. and its going to take time for the ambo to arrive ... superglue can save your life from blood loss by providing an instant closure of the wound. Thats what it is originally designed for - field use in the military to patch large tear wounds and stop them bleeding until they can be evacuated back to medical help.

- 1 set of surgical gloves .. in case you have to help someone else with a bad cut.

All up - about 60g of extra gear for an effective 'puncture repair kit' for the engine. Something to think about

Just yesterday (6 Jan) I think it was - a young cyclist went over the guard rail on Old Mt Barker Rd and ended up way down the embankment somewhere. It took a while for emergency services to attend, and then they had trouble accessing her where she was. If she was unlucky enough to have torn open something major on the way down, she may well have bled out. And that location is close to services and in no way remote. Hmmmm ...

[Richard.L]

I wish i got up that early (as it is school holidays) and could keep up with you guys to join in following the pros
.

[MichaelB]

.....
- Elastoplast spray on plaster. Tiny 30g bottle, sprays on and works wonders. Not cheap though - I think its about $18 for the quality stuff. Will completely seal a large area of deep road rash, stop bleeding and keep out infection.
. Hmmmm ...

Like that idea. Especially to stop infection, but I guess it depends on how dirty it is already. Nedd to give a wipe with the TTO first !!!

Always have 2 pair of latex gloves - primarily for servicing a flat and keeping hands clean, but a good backup idea for helping others as well.

[MichaelB]

...
Just yesterday (6 Jan) I think it was - a young cyclist went over the guard rail on Old Mt Barker Rd and ended up way down the embankment somewhere. It took a while for emergency services to attend, and then they had trouble accessing her where she was. ...

Reports in paper that it was a 14yo female cyclist from Kanmantoo. Other cyclists on scene looked after her. Apparently hit a rock which caused the crash at Devils Elbow

Ended up using Chopper to lift her out, but no reoport on what the injuries were. Was training for some U-17 Chanmpionships with brother and another cyclist.

[rustychisel]

two words... target fixation.

It might (probably) was the last corner before you leave the road and re-enter the bike path to go under the Freeway. The corner is a tight enough right hander, so that fits with going over the guardrail, but it's still a major exercise.

Anyway, seeing something on the road and avoiding it are two differing things. Target fixation is real and needs be considered. Either that or she was following directly behind another rider descending (which is really a no-no). Hope she isn't too injured and makes a full recovery.

[bepboy]

Steve, thanks for sharing the story. Interesting and shows how easy it is to get caught out. I have ridden that path and it is treacherous on a road bike. Hope the bike is good and you heal quickly.

[Sharpie]

That path = mountain bike for me, that said I have had a few runs through there on the roady. It makes you want to ride fast though and it's a little to dangerous (to the others on the path) to be doing that.

[shiv]

I take that short cut on the odd occasion, usually when its windy and i cant be bothered suffering past that stink farm, its not perfect for roadies but can be very helpful to the eyes at times

[DanielS]

Reports in paper that it was a 14yo female cyclist from Kanmantoo. Other cyclists on scene looked after her. Apparently hit a rock which caused the crash at Devils Elbow

Ended up using Chopper to lift her out, but no reoport on what the injuries were. Was training for some U-17 Chanmpionships with brother and another cyclist.

Follow up here: http://sa.cycling.org.au/default.asp?Page=36082

Happy to read that she was lucky to escape without serious injury!

PS - cool story steveoc

[brauluver]

Reports in paper that it was a 14yo female cyclist from Kanmantoo. Other cyclists on scene looked after her. Apparently hit a rock which caused the crash at Devils Elbow

Ended up using Chopper to lift her out, but no reoport on what the injuries were. Was training for some U-17 Chanmpionships with brother and another cyclist.

Follow up here: http://sa.cycling.org.au/default.asp?Page=36082

Happy to read that she was lucky to escape without serious injury!

PS - cool story steveoc

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/stor ... 01,00.html

some video here.

poor kid, must have been bloody scary.

Pleased to hear she is relatively unscathed.

[apv]

Saw the silence lotto team riding along this morning as I was doing the jt cycles triathlon on militry road, they seem to be in white jerseys now?

[Richard.L]

Saw the silence lotto team riding along this morning as I was doing the jt cycles triathlon on militry road, they seem to be in white jerseys now?

This should get you upto date http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=22034

[apv]

Saw the silence lotto team riding along this morning as I was doing the jt cycles triathlon on militry road, they seem to be in white jerseys now?

This should get you upto date http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=22034

thanks, looks alot better then the previous version.

[Clydesdale Scot]

lets get behind this worthy project from the Port Adelaide Cycling Club

Okay, after some consultation, our obscure pro of choice is:
107. VICHOT Arthur FRA
Riding for Francaise Des Jeux.
There is little information on the internet about Mr Vichot, however it would appear that this is his first season on a UCI protour team. His best result is 2nd in the Circuit des Ardennes last year.
Here is his French Wikipédia page: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Vichot

So - everytime you see Vichot - yell his name!
Year 8 and 9 french class tell me that pronunciation would be with a soft "ch" and a silent "t": e.g. "vish-oh"
Or yell "Bravo Vichot", "Allez Vichot", "Bonne Chance Vichot" etc.

[steveoc]

lets get behind this worthy project from the Port Adelaide Cycling Club

Okay, after some consultation, our obscure pro of choice is:
107. VICHOT Arthur FRA
Riding for Francaise Des Jeux.
There is little information on the internet about Mr Vichot, however it would appear that this is his first season on a UCI protour team. His best result is 2nd in the Circuit des Ardennes last year.
Here is his French Wikipédia page: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Vichot

So - everytime you see Vichot - yell his name!
Year 8 and 9 french class tell me that pronunciation would be with a soft "ch" and a silent "t": e.g. "vish-oh"
Or yell "Bravo Vichot", "Allez Vichot", "Bonne Chance Vichot" etc.

Thats excellent !!

Spray paint on Fox Creek Rd - "Allez Le Roi Vichot"

[Sumichino]

I ride that path along the beach all the time, the only real trouble is making sure you don't try to do too much over the sandy patches. Usually easy to stay above 30km/h which is better than fighting the constant headwind on military road(the headwind runs both north and south). Heaps keen on getting Arthur Vichot's signature as well, hopefully he'll come away with the Ochre.

[steveoc]

I ride that path along the beach all the time, the only real trouble is making sure you don't try to do too much over the sandy patches. Usually easy to stay above 30km/h which is better than fighting the constant headwind on military road(the headwind runs both north and south). Heaps keen on getting Arthur Vichot's signature as well, hopefully he'll come away with the Ochre.

Its not just me then is it ? That road always has a headwind, no matter what direction you are heading in. Weird !!

Looking forward to seeing Vichot take the Ochre - its pretty much a done deal at this stage going on current form.