Junior Program Climbing through the Clouds.

It was early on a beautiful Monday morning as young cyclists, parents, coaches and assistants prepared to depart for the second Eildon Training Camp, to be based out of the Rubicon Outdoor Centre. Driving up through the stunning Yarra Valley and Black Spur, we all shuddered as we passed the devastation caused by the Black Saturday fires in and around towns like Healesville, Narbethong and Buxton, and the surrounding hills - hills that some of the group would spend hours in while on the gruelling ride to Lake Mountain.

After gathering at the Centre and claiming our accommodations, we wolfed down what was to be the first of many magnificent meals, and gathered in full riding-kit for the first of six planned rides. In succession, each group (including support vehicles and riders) gets briefed about the upcoming ride, are rallied together, and out they go....Group1 (22kms), Group2 (45kms) and Group3 (70kms). And so it went for four exciting days.

With talks and discussions at night about training programs and the importance of recovery, bunch riding skills and etiquette, nutrition, race-preparation and equipment, not to mention hilarious de-briefings about the rides during the day, it was a week to immerse yourself in a "fair dinkum" cycle training environment.
The weather held up extraordinarily well, with only a low, long fog delaying the ride start on the final morning. This only enhanced the grandeur of spectacular scenery which surrounds the Centre and routes we travelled - open rolling hills, tree-lined country lanes, the Goulburn River swirling away down the banks, and the majestic tops of the ranges out to Jamieson and Fraser National Park, overlooking a somewhat depleted Lake Eildon.

This countryside, and our growing familiarity with the roads, has whet the appetites of all those who'll ride in the BBN Eildon Junior Tour, coming up on the 4/5th July. The local traders, residents and drivers, all contributed to the safety we experienced, and we're much indebted.

For every rider, there was something great to come home with. For Emma, it was learning to use the gears on her road-bike for the first time. And Aaron, who stormed up Skyline Rd three times for a total ride distance of almost 150k's, following an equally punishing Lake Mountain ride the previous day.
4 days, 400 healthy meals, 25 junior riders, 10 volunteer parents/coaches and many thousands of strong road kilometres in the legs of those riders, you can be assured that the Blackburn Cycling Club juniors are motivated, primed and ready for a very exciting road season.
Please give them, and the BBN events they'll compete in, your support as the season unfolds.

Richard Stringer