HP Tour de Kids team

» TDK 2007 - Day 7 - A Mountain Conquered

We split into 3 groups - the slow, the slower and the slowest. The enthusiasm for racing exhibited during the past couple of days had well and truly dissipated and today would be all about survival. Many of the riders had the scares of 5 years ago when only 13 riders from a possible 28 made the final climb to Thredbo. The others were ferried up the mountain in the support vehicles with their heads bowed in defeat. I must say, this group had a different "feel" about it. There was a high degree of confidence and willingness in the peloton, primarily due to two factors:

1. Technological Advancements: many of the riders had brought a climbing gear (a 27 or 29 tooth gear on the back cluster). This gear significantly reduces the resistance or power required by the rider, effectively allowing them to "spin" up steep inclines. This technology was not available in 2003 when the tour last ascended Dead Horse Gap (the final ascent).
2. The Shame of failure: the riders who didn't make the climb in 2003 have never been allowed to forget it. The video and photographic images of cyclists being "chauffeured" up Dead Horse Gap is imprinted in the memories of the 2003 tourists. Those who failed have constantly been reminded of their shortfall by those who succeeded in conquering the mountain. Being a member of this "soft" club was not a comfortable position and for many Saturday March 17th 2007 provided the opportunity to finally cancel their membership

» TDK 2007 - Day 6 - The End is Nigh

Compared to yesterday, Day 6 of the Tour de Kids was a walk in the park. We set off around 8am for the Snowy country town of Corryong, a ride of 150km’s.

Today’s ride followed the mighty Murray River for most of the journey. Mighty in a sense of what could be if it only had water in it. In most places the river was reduced to a small central stream of water but if flowing would be ten times the size. We also came across several farmers with their cattle in the “long paddock” making the most of any available grass.

» TDK 2007 - Day 5 - A Long Hot Day

Today was the HP team duty day and the pressure was on to run the day smoothly. Duty entails carrying the walkie talkies and making sure the peloton observes etiquette. Our stops have to be controlled and timed to make sure we hit our destinations in time and minimise the time in the sun.

» TDK 2007 - Day 4 - Coooking and Carnage

Two words best describe today - long and hot. With a maximum temperature on the road of 41 degrees the riders certainly needed to refill their water bottles regularly.

» TDK 2007 - Day 3 - See ya later Tassie!

» TDK 2007 - Day 2 - HP boys are “bringing sexy back to the peloton!”

The day 2 blog and you are thinking “what is he talking about?”. Well, Ross mentioned the HP “kit” and how we are the best looking bunch of riders getting around at the moment and we were rewarded (and I use that term very loosely) at the dinner on day one. The UBS team were in charge of “awards” for the night and decided that HP was the Gucci Crew, and needed to accessorise. As a result pink feather boas, lipstick, hairbands and balloons tied to helmets’ were compulsory for the team today. I think the picture tells the story, don’t you?

» TDK 2007 - Day 1 - Windy Undulations

» TDK 2007 The start of another adventure!

Well the time has finally arrived and we're off to the Tour de Kids 2007 charity ride. This year three HPers are riding - Ged Collins, Jason Ward and Ross West (me). Jason is riding his first tour, Ged his 2nd and I'm in my fifth.

» TDK 2006 - Day 7 – Gloucester to Newcastle (the home stretch!)

» TDK 2006 - Day 6 - Armidale to Gloucester ...the longest ride

» TDK 2006 - Day 5 - Dorrigo to Armidale...how wind can affect a ride ;)

» TDK 2006 - Day 4 : Grafton to Dorrigo ( incl the coffs big banana!)

» TDK 2006 - Day 3 : Lismore to Grafton (big river country)

» TDK 2006 - Day 2 - Gold Coast to Lismore (via NIMBIN!!)

» TDK 2006 - Day 1 - Brisvegas to the Gold Coast

» TDK 2006 - On your mark...get set...