Beach Road Cyclist :: Victoria’s on-road cycling community

Simon Gerrans.com: Tour de France - Stage 15: Embrun to Prato Nevoso, 183km - 21 July 2008 By Simon Gerrans

You spend so much time dreaming about winning a Tour de France stage as a professional bike racer that when the moment comes you are not ready for it. I can vouch for that after the most amazing ride of my life - even as I write these words I am still coming down from my win today in the first Alpine stage of this year’s Tour. Sadly, I have to say that I am still coming down literally as well.

It is 8pm - two and a half hours after I crossed the line at the end of the 15th stage from Embrun to Prato Nevoso in Italy - and I am still in a team car slowly edging our way in a traffic jam down the very mountain that I had just raced up on my bike to produce the greatest moment of my cycling career. Unbelievable!

My Credit Agricole teammates have long gone in the team bus, but as I have discovered, the day is a long way from over - especially as the stage winner. As soon as you cross the finish, you are rushed from one thing to the next.It is a whirlwind. You don’t even get the chance to let the joy of winning sink in. To be honest, the idea of winning a Tour stage was one that I had only dreamed about.

• Join the Simon Gerrans Appreciation Society facebook group!

Road Cycling.com: Gerrans Wins Stage 15 of Tour; Frank Schleck Takes Maillot Jaune
Simon Gerrans (Credit Agricole) has won Stage 15 of the 2008 Tour de France. The Australian took a three-up sprint at the end of a day-long break to win the mountainous, 183-km ride from Embrun, France to Prato Nevoso, Italy in 4:50:44. Egoi Martinez (Euskaltel) and Danny Pate (Garmin) finished second and third, respectively, at 0:03 and 0:10. Schleck surged away from Cadel Evans (Silence) in the final km and took the maillot jaune from him. (More in link)

Bayside Leader: Cyclist’s road plea (10 June 2008)

Vicky White, who was injured on Beach Rd wants cyclists and drivers to share the road.

Vicky White collided with an open truck door when riding along Beach Rd in Black Rock on April 17.

A cyclist injured when she collided with an open truck door has pleaded with riders and motorists on Beach Rd to take extra care.

“I just think especially where it’s a really quick road and the traffic goes quite quickly along that road you just need to be really aware,” Vicky White said.

Ms White, 26, was riding along Beach Rd in Black Rock on April 17 when she struck an open truck door (Bayside Leader, April 22).

She was knocked unconscious and seriously injured her shoulder.

Both drivers and cyclists needed to realise all road users had responsibility for both their safety and the safety of others, Ms White said. [Read more →]

CycleSport Victoria: Victoria to host champions of cycling

Cycling Australia today welcomed the joint announcement of the Steering Committee for the 2010 UCI Road Cycling World Championships and confirmation Melbourne will host a round of the UCI Track Cycling World Cup Classics for the next three years.

“Cycling has experienced unprecedented growth in Australia over the past few years in both participation and interest and these truly international events will provide an opportunity to further showcase our sport in Australia,” said Mike Victor, OAM, President of Cycling Australia.

“We are delighted with the support the Victorian Government is providing and look forward to working with them to deliver outstanding events on both track and road.

“The World Championships Steering Committee will be chaired by former Victorian Premier, Stephen Bracks and includes a wealth of talented individuals representing sport and business,” said Mr Victor. “We’re confident they will deliver a truly exceptional World Championships.”

2007 ProTour Champion and Tour de France runner up Cadel Evans says he’s looking forward to racing the World Championships at home. [Read more →]

Join cyclists worldwide in a silent slow-paced ride (max. 12 mph/20 kph) in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways.

Australian rides are planned for Sydney, Bowral, Bendigo, Canberra, Melbourne, Mount Isa, Townsville and Adelaide.

Why we ride

To HONOR those who have been injured or killed
To RAISE AWARENESS that we are here
To ask that we all SHARE THE ROAD

From the Ride of Silence site:

A little history of this ride and how it came to be….

The 2003 Ride of Silenceâ„¢ at White Rock Lake in Dallas drew 1,000 cyclists through word of mouth and email communication over a period of only ten days. There was no registration, no fees, no t-shirt. Local media reported the ride to be incredibly moving as these cyclists rode in silence, occasionally wiping away a tear or patting a friend on the back.

The 4th Melbourne Ride of Silence will start at 10am, Federation Square, Saturday 24th May 2008. Please contact infoATwoj.com.au if you can assist marshalling the ride on the day or assist with ride promotion.

• Read here for a roundup of the 2007 Australian Ride of Silence.
• Ride of Silence category where you can read previous years reports.

            

Saturday 12 April 2008: Fed Square to Brunswick Velodrome.Front up at Fed Sq - 11.30 ready to ride at Noon. Entry: $10

All riders eligible to win fantastic prizes which will be raffled at the conclusion over a cold beverage and hot food. Just by riding you could win: Stu O’Grady signed jersey,Velocity Track Wheelset, Velocity Deep V’s, Fyxomatosis print, Custom Melburn Roobaix crumpler bag and other portage goodies, Chemex Coffee maker and coffee from Coffee Supreme, bright things from Knog. The usual loving from Shifterbikes. 250 rider limit so get there early. Spread the word - See you in Hell! More at: www.fyxomatosis.com