Dear Visitor,
Saturday Morning Shop Ride
Our Saturday morning shop rides will now leave at different times to accommodate for this cooler weather. The faster ride will leave from the shop car park at 6am and the slower paced ride will leave from the shop car park at 6.30am. These will continue to finish at the same time of 8am.
End of Financial Year Sale
We are having an End Of Financial Year Sale with 20% off the original prices on all 2012 model bikes and 20% off all accessories!! What a bargain. Come in and see the boys for some great deals!!!
Tour De France
Next month sees the 100th edition of the world’s most famous cycling race – The Tour de France!! A very exciting time in the world of cycling. To mark this historic occasion we will be hosting a Tour Night where you can come and watch the race with fellow cycling enthusiasts while be waited on by I-Ride staff. Stay tuned for more info.
Cooler Months
I-Ride has a new shop winter kit that will land in store at the end of next week. Come in and see us for all your winter clothing needs. Remember to keep safe during these winter months and if you are riding at a time when visibility is not at its highest, lights on your bike are essential. We have a wide range of these plus more safety gear and accessories.
Maxxis Super Series 4Hr MTB Race
Round 3 of the Maxxis Super Series was a 4hr event held at Murrenbong Scout camp which is approximately a 2 hour drive from Toowoomba. Dennis Bullpit, Darren and I ventured to this event to try out the new track. We met Hallam Brooks there who was already set up and raring to go. Laps were 7.2km and the aim was to complete as many as you are capable of within the allotted 4 hours. Hallam and Darren both came 5th in their categories while Dennis came 30th and myself 25th in our category. At the end of the 3 round Hallam is placed 2 overall, Darren 3rd overall, Dennis 45th overall and I sneak in just above him at 42nd overall in our categories. A great day was had by all with heaps of fun on the journey there, during the race and the return trip home with plenty of banter and light heartedness. The next and final round is just over a week away and will also be held at the Murrenbong Scout Camp but with a slightly different course. Anyone who is interested in joining the A-Team of MTB riders please contact me.
Sandy Dolley
Cairns 70.3 Half Ironman 2013 by Sara Dolley
Like most of my races it all started with some silly talk after a long ride over coffee at Jilly’s with my training partner Rachael Hamblin. Yep we signed up to compete in the 2013 Cairns Half Ironman, this would be our first half ironman and I could not think of a better person to be doing it with or a better place. With Mooloolaba Olympic distance race done it was time for Coach Peter Watts (Wattsy) to change the program and get me ready for the long distances.
Before we knew it June was here and we were on the plane to Cairns. Turning up in Cairns on Thursday to a reasonable heat it gave us time to settle in, build bikes and do a little bit of training over the course. Being so far from the ocean I was keen to get out and swim in my new wetsuit and get a bit of saltwater acclimatization. As I would over the next few days, I ran into Peter Sullivan who very nicely gave me a little pep talk and made sure I was ok for the swim practice, I can't thank Peter enough for being the friendly face I would keep seeing in a sea of strangers.
Race morning was here before I knew it, bike was racked, race bags are in and nutrients organised. A quick kiss and encouragement from my ever patient husband and I was off, a last second hug from Rachael's husband, Scott Hamblin, at the start and there was no turning back. I settled in nicely to the swim and decided to just take it easy remembering the aim of the day was to learn from the race, pace well and nail nutrition. The joke of the competitors was the critters in the ocean, the swim was a wetsuit swim not due to the cold but because of the jelly fish, there was also talk of crocodiles in the ocean and this was brought to the mind with ‘Beware Of Crocodile’ signs everywhere. About 2/3 into the swim I had a sharp stinging sensation to my neck and I tried to wipe it in mid stroke. That's it - 3000 people in the water and I am the one who gets stung by jelly fish. Had a bit of a chuckle when I realise the new wetsuit is rubbing against my neck making it sting in the salt water.
Out of the water and 550m run into the tent at T1 for a quick wetsuit removal, sunscreen and helmet on and off to the bike racks, I had the routine in my head as to how to do this but pure habit: you see a chair so you sit down which makes taking a wetsuit off pretty hard. On to my bike and off we go. I found this transition quite quick and easy. I knew where Sandy would be and looked for that last minute encouragement as I went past then it was just Sparkles and I for 90km. The ride went well and the course is just amazing, the ocean view was breath taking. After the turn around point it was head down and off to Yorky's Knob. Now Cairns is approximately 1600km from Toowoomba so you can imagine my surprise when a guy in a TLD kit goes flying past me. I think I even yelled out something like ‘A TLD in Cairns you have to be kidding.’
Off the bike and onto the run and just as I had been warned the heat on the cane fields was pretty hot. Wattsy had included some long runs off my long rides in training and I was so grateful of that as I had a some idea of what to expect. I decided early on that I would walk the Aid Stations to ensure that I got enough fuel, water and ice into the body. This worked great and I was traveling fine. I was traveling well until the 10km mark when it started to get tough. I won’t lie and I had to use a lot to keep going. It was around this time that I turned my thoughts to 3 amazing guys that have encouraged Rachael and I the whole way. These guys have completed multiple Ironman races and their help and support has been just amazing. So as I am trying to block out the pain and keep the legs going I think of John Francis, Matt Needham and Steve Copelin. These guys had no doubt in their minds that I would complete this race and that was enough to keep me going. At one point I actually wished I had a set of bells on my shoes and paid Louanne a thought as it was her love for this race that made us pick Cairns for our first Half Ironman. These thoughts got me to 16km and the thought that only 5km more and I would be finished, I tried to think of my favourite 5km loop at home and this helped me again. With the last turn and above the clapping and cheering I hear the voice of a lady that got me into this mess to begin with, Rach and Scott were jumping and yelling my name. I felt amazing. Big high fives to Rach and I headed into the last turn to the finish shoot. The boys also told me to enjoy this moment and I did. I had the biggest smile as I knew I was finishing my first Half Ironman. Just as I reached the banner once again above the noise I hear ‘Go Aunty Sara" as my little nephew hung over the fence yelling his encouragement. At the end I was ‘caught’ buy a lovely lady who asked if I was ok and I was. As we walked to recovery I burst into tears, I reassured her this was pretty normal for me.
Out of recovery and I saw my Dad first and his smile said just how proud of me he was, then I saw Sandy and burst into tears again. My sister and nephew were there, it felt so good to finish with family around. Paddy, my 5 year old nephew thought I had gotten second because I got a medal and I didn’t have the heart to tell him otherwise.
My first Half Ironman done and for at least half of the race I thought of the wonderful people who I train with, what they have done and their belief in me.
My first Half Ironman and I am grateful for a coach who taught me the love of the sport and allowed me to grow each year.
My first Half Ironman and I am so incredibly lucky to have a husband who puts up with me and who gives me so much support.
My first Half Ironman and I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with any one else but Rachael.
My first Half Ironman not bad for an old chick who turned 45 this year.
My first Half Ironman - 6 hours 13 minutes and 16th in my age group.
Bring on Mooloolaba 70.3
Thank you all,
From the I-Ride Team
info@bikesiride.com.au | 07 4637 8522
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