Oaks Day - Bellevue Foundation style

Jody and Silla from Bellevue Foundation decided to raise money for Monash Childrens this year and organsied an extravagant event for Oaks Day. It was lovely to see so many women dressed up with hats and fascinators. I enjoyed being part of the fun and representing our Hospital.

Not working - spending!

A few days off work meant the chance to get out of town and support my husband in his quest to conquer mountains. Bright is one of our favorite towns to relax in and we were spoilt with gorgeous weather.

I was thinking ahead to Oaks Day so had to find somewhere for a manicure and pedicure - got the last appointment in Bright I think. $$ for the local economy.

As David set off on a epic Sunday morning ride, I headed in the opposite direction for the Myrtleford Fun Run. It was a beautiful 12.6km course described as having a few undulations. I was well ahead of target pace and made friends with another girl at the same pace. That lasted until 8km when the heat and a steep "undulation" had my heart racing and I had to back off the pace. I was still very happy with my time and made a whole heap of friends with the Wodonga Athletics club runners who Chris introduced me to. We headed off to Gapstead winery for coffee and a biscuit. It was their annual wine sale so I stocked up and "saved" more $$$ before eating lunch, in the sun, on the grass, with the live entertainment.

I raced back to Bright just in time to meet David and cool off his legs in the river.

Just in case you think, all I do is spend money, I did get on my bicycle to ride to Harrietville to meet David on his way back from Mount Hotham. I had to stop at the Bright market for an hour to spend $ and stock up on caramelised balsamic and other yummy goodies!

Tuesday was a quiet one in the hammock (between showers of rain) before driving in to Wangaratta to catch my train back to Melbourne. The train was cancelled - but a coach took us to Melbourne where mum and dad picked me up and got me safely home.

Bright Boot Camp

"The Bright Boot Camp is structured around either the serious recreational rider or club racing rider who is looking for a challenging four days of riding. Not intended to be an easy four days the Camp is focused on helping improve your fitness and general wellbeing as a cyclist. We provide informative lectures on improving cycling performance. Riders that have attended the camp regularly go up a racing grade soon after it." - Cycling Inform

Cathy and I packed up the Troopy on Friday and headed off to Bright. The weather forecast was fine, with some showers forecast for later in the long weekend.

Saturday 3rd November - 78km
7:15am start for 40 crazy cyclists, as we head up Mt Buffalo. Today is grading day, our results determine our groupings for the rest of the weekend.


I am graded into Group 3. Afternoon and evening lectures including body maintenance (apparently I need a new one) and altitude training.

Sunday 4th November - 136km
The longest and hardest day of the camp. Over Tawonga Gap and up to Falls Creek. David H. provided the pacing for our group. Lots of snow visible on the summit. It was a huge struggle to get back over Tawonga Gap on the way home but fortunately it's all downhill from there.

Monday 5th November - 124km
Probably, the toughest day - up Mt Hotham. I asked to move up to Group 2 as Group 3 were not going all the way to the top. The group gave me an easy tow to Harrietville where Michael and I got a head start on the rest of the group. It got very windy as we climbed higher. The views are amazing from above the snow line. Riding the descent was awesome - it's the reason I climb ;)

Tuesday 6th November (Cup Day) - 110km
At last an easier day. Some chose the shorter coffee ride to Mytleford , but I'd never ridden the loop so off I went. Lisa and Ollie looked after me in Group 2. As per yesterday, I took it easy during the early flatter sections to save some energy for the climbs. After some useful advice from Lisa, I set a PB up Tawonga Gap. Extremely happy after 3 days of very solid effort.

An amazing weekend - great company, highly organised, unbelievable weather and I learnt a lot from some very experienced cyclists. Now, to lose a few more kgs...

PS. And thanks to my beautiful wife who supplied the massages, coffee and a good laugh when required :)