Cycling in Alice Springs, Australia.

“Oh, there’s a velodrome there?! Really!” A lot of my local friends had given me that surprise remark once they figured out that I’ll be doing some track riding during my trips. A small city named Alice Springs, simply called “Alice” can be found just about in the middle of Australia. The plane ride leaving Sydney will give you a chance to see the vast emptiness until the plane is ready to land three hours or about 2,500 kilometers later. A lot of people say there’s nothing out there, not for me, not for a few…

It can get very hot starting from November to a few months after and very temperate temps at the middle of the year. Yes, it was HOT when I was there last Thanksgiving till mid-December giving new meaning to the festive season. Surprisingly, it was manageable and not a big deal. The sun beats down its heat rays from sunrise to sunset and can stay hot till later in the night. Occasional thunderstorms and bursts of rain can dramatically cool off this tiny city. Naturally, this summer season, the opposite of the northern hemisphere is also off season for bike racing….  I’m so grateful of my Alice Springs bike buddies who would graciously let me borrow almost everything I need just to get on the bike. All I needed to bring were my cycling paraphernalia. Without my buddies, I would never experience cycling out on the tough roads of Alice and at their velodrome. Thanks Mike, Brandon, Steve, and many more!

The roads are long without needing to stop…. Because they just never end! Some here asks me if it’s dangerous especially when the road trains passes by while bike riding… Frankly, I don’t recall any of these long behemoths passing me. During my visit a couple of years ago, I even talked to a driver for a few minutes at a street corner before he continued on with his long drive tagging up with another road train.  My bad, we weren't really having a conversation! All I asked, “How you doing mate?! Where you heading to? And the guy started his talk…. I just didn't understand any word that came out his mouth, but I knew it was still English… somewhat. All I said and reactions between his moments of break was “u-huh”, then a few more “u-huh” later”, add a few nods, a smile, and a “see ‘ya” to finish it off. So, out of the many types of trucks, you have to know which ones to avoid… road trains that move live stocks! Here’s one of them! Can you smell it?

The roads are just a bit rougher because the asphalt just melts a tiny bit as summer keeps lingering around. But I tell you, this is spin paradise! You bet they race out on these roads like any other places. And if off road cycling is what you prefer, this cycling paradise will fill your cravings as well. Maybe the week long Mountain Bike Enduro held annually will tickle your fancy. Locals love their green and yellow striped jerseys. Add their accents and unfamiliarity to Speedplay, Cliff bars and GU gels made me really feel that I’m down under and away from my usual roads. Alice Springs Velodrome is another phenomenon at this remote city. It is actually very comparable to San Diego and Hellyer’s 333 meter outdoor concrete track! They have races and training programs a few times a week for all ages just like velodromes in California. Here’s a nice pic after finishing up Friday night racing.

Their track program is just perfect! Good job Billy and Reg! One of the junior’s mom is a Filipina and was still good with her Tagalog but with a strong Aussie accent mixed in. I tell you, just like the local track scene here, parents really count a lot in junior racing! My appreciation goes out to all parents for supporting junior cyclists! The latest notable was 2012 and 2013 Northern Territory Track Titles Event were held at this track. Did I say I really admire their junior training and races?

As only a few may know, this is where TJ Mathieson trained to eventually earn medals at US Elite Track National Championships, clocking in fast times in his Flying 200-meter and Kilometer Individual Time Trial, a few UCI races, and World Cups a couple of years ago. Here’s a photo of TJ with Giddeon Massie, and Andrew Lakatosh winning the Team Sprint competition. Photo courtesy by Pat Benson. Taken from 2012’s National Track Championships held at Velo Sports Center.

Because of Alice’s summer heat, the air is dry which makes you reach for your water bottle as often as you could. Beyond that, the local track cyclists and visitors like me are very thankful of having a velodrome to use. The only thing I was not able to do was to visit the local bike shops since I couldn't make it before they close at around 5 pm during the weekdays, earlier on Saturdays, and might as well forget Sundays. Prices on anything here are three times more expensive so expect anything related to bicycles to be at that inflated cost too. Can you imagine how much a bar tape would cost, energy bars, gels, CO2, inner tubes?! At least they can do online shopping but don’t expect much of a difference because everything is expensive anywhere in Australia, top it off with the shipping cost.

Here’s a photo of the men of Alice Springs Velodrome during TJ’s comeback visit. This was taken last November 2012 by Mark Guzman.

I miss that place, I miss their hospitality, I miss their friendliness, and I can easily miss my bike buddies there. Thanks TJ for hooking me up with these great people. Because of them, I just can’t believe to have done so much road and track time the two times I was there. I’m really hoping for more.