2012 kicks off for Team POWERADE

Well today was the first ride for the team in 2012 but more importantly it was the first ride in our new POWERADE strip and how good did we look!!! I've said it before but I just want to say a big thanks to Brad for organising the kit which looks great.

The lads checking out the new kit before the start....how good does it look!!!

13 riders turned out for the ride which Brycie had decided needed to set the tone for 2012 a tough 80k ride with 3 major climbs and some good hard flat sections.

Craig was struggling with getting out of bed so met us after the Settlement Rd climb which made some of the lads think he was just saving his legs for the Sandgate sprint later in the ride.

Settlement Rd dusted off the climbing legs for most people with Rowan and Jase showing some good early season climbing form.

Samford range proved less testing and we had a fast run down into Samford village. By now Macca was starting to have second thoughts about how good an idea this ride actually was but as always his spirits remained high as we conquered the final major climb up Eatons Crossing Rd.

Things settled into a nice tempo as we headed to the bay and the Sandgate sprint. The Powerade train was looking good and drew more than the occasional glance from other riders as we passed them. The peleton left Craig the reigning Sandgate champion out the front for as long as possible but soon enough Rowan launched an attack it is was on with more than one roundabout taken with three riders abreast!!!

Craig jumped on Rowan's wheel and that's all the help he needed as he held off a fast finishing group of Adam, Greg, Jase and Gav.

Rowan deserves special mention for the pain he dished out on the way home as he put a few of the boys in the hurt locker as he went into time trial mode and ramped up the pace.

Coffee at Conti Cafe was a welcome finish to the ride and how good did we look in the new kit!!!

A great way to start 2012 with many many more good rides ahead of us.