Hi All,

When it was time to compile a report for our Annual Halls Gap Training Camp many things went through my mind about how to write it and from which angle. So i will start with a few fantastic positives.

The sponsors - Aussie Bodies and Body Torque were fantastic. Aussie Bodies supplied every-bodies recovery foods for the week and I am sure you would all agree that it was sensational to have that supplied for us. It does and it did make a differnce to the way we were all feeling when the training got a bit hard towards the end of the week. I cant thank then enough other than to say if you liked what they provided go and support the company and use Aussie Bodies.

Thanks also to Brendan Grenfell a.k.a (choppa) who came up from Body Torque and brought up a sizeable amount of gear that was on offer and also to provide a sample of the new Tri-alliance Gear which looked great also. Body Torque are producing all of our team gear for the season and it is all available to buy now from the website.

The weather up there - well what can i say - it snowed on the way up there and that has never happened before. It was one of the coldest days on record the day we drove up there, but believe it or not it wasnt to bad in Halls Gap. We managed to avoid a lot of the rain over the 5 Days, but this year the wind replaced the rain. There was really only one day in the morning when we were out riding when it was just plain bloody freezing.

This year we had new camp owners - and they i think had to get used to the amounts of foods that some of the athletes ate. Although i think you would all agree that the food and the amounts of it were exceptional. I dont know one person who went hungry and or needed more - my congratulations to the camp staff - just outstanding.

The training venue being Halls Gap was again sensational. I dont think you will find a better training venue, with quiet roads and fantastic tracks and hill climbs. And the wildlife on the camp - there are more kangaroo's and Deer than you would find in any Zoo.

The Training - This year i made a concerted effort to try and cater for every level attending the camp and i think i succeeded. At the end of the camp itself we had 3 coaches and a great many motivated people who were always willing to help out people a little less experienced than themselves.. We had a high level of Elites and Junior Elites along with the Geelong High Performance Team who all looked sensational in thier team gear. And it was great to see so many beginning new faces here. Most from the Melbourne Squads which was a great indicator that the word is getting out there, that these type are just a fantastic team training experience. I hope you all enjoyed it.

And lastly - My Soapbox. I ummed and ahhed about doing this one, but it had to be said. Just to give people an idea of what the training camp was going to look like. We had two great guest speakers locked in. On the Monday prior to the Wednesday start date we had 42 people as confirmed starters for the training camp. Some i actually rang to confirm they were still attending - they all said yes. Of this early number 27 people had paid deposits. Over 12 had not paid anything at all or were well past the due date, this alone was not acceptable given the camp was advertised 4 months in advance.

Of those 15 people who were attending (confirmed i might add) only 1 turned up. This was absolutley disgraceful and disrespectful and showed no appreciation of all the work that goes into organizing an event of this size! Blunt - Yes! True - Yes! And one reason why people like myself do not wish to organize any more camps like this at all. Camp Acacia has a 35 person per night minimum and we had 27 paid for the 5 Days - you do the math!

So next year - should i run it, I am not sure. There are a core group of us that love it and come back every year, have done for 5 years now. We are so well looked after up there, you wonder why you would ever want to come home.

I need feedback about this because to run it the same way is not financially sustainable. One suggestion floated - was to have it in the second week on September, not August to try and capture a little warmer weather and to give people a little more time to try and prepare for the camp itself, and maybe it would fit in a little easier with the start of the season proper - what do you think!!!!!!!!!

You can send you feedback to jarrod@tri-alliance.com.au

All in all - for the people that were there what an experience once again, it snowed riding up Mount William, something that even though i was gasping i will never forget. The rush of coming home from Dunkeld on Sunday with Big Stephan on the front driving a bike train that would rival a tour bunch - to see the girls from Melbourne conquer Mount Willliam, to some an unatainable goal IS the reason why this camp is worth running and coming to. I want to run it again - but do you want me to, becuase things will have to change.

Happy Training throughout the year and i hope to see you all next year.

Cheers

Jarrod