I arrived back in Australia right in the middle of the Spring Racing Carnival series (the horse racing, for those in the US), so there is a great vibe going on in Melbourne. The great weather is starting, people are out partying and enjoying themselves, and, going to the races! I was lucky enough to be able to join my friends to go to the Melbourne Cup, the biggest race of the year - big enough to warrant a public holiday!

We kitted up in suits, and actually scrubbed up quite alright! We had a spot in the Nursery section this year, and were lucky enough to have a camper van in there (courtesy of the VIS). The girls did a heap of food preparation, and we were fully decked out for the day, which makes things more enjoyable for sure!

Here is the setup we had for the day:

Inside the camper van there was a newspaper that featured some of our crew, so Narelle posed here for me to make a good blog photo!

It is heaps of fun dressing up in formal wear, something cyclists don’t do on a regular basis, so i thought i should show what some of the outfits looked like. Here is the very recently crowned Sun Tour Champion, Matty, with Meg, and Narelle and Jez.

We had a great day, and it was great to hang out with everyone again, as we haven’t really had the chance to all get together since we have arrived back in Melbourne. The weather was great too, which always helps! I think since i have been home, all but one day has just been absolutely perfect. It is great riding weather too, so now that training has commenced for 2008, it is great to enjoy the perfect weather while riding along the beach each day! My next post will be about Beach Road, as Leigh requested!

Here is a typically well dressed couple (well, not a couple, but two friends), with James modelling his nice suit, and Rahna showing off her cool outfit too. It is funny how it has become such a racing tradition for the chicks to accessorise with hats and fascinators on their heads, but it makes for a good look.

Here is a bunch of good looking lads all suited up; Jez, Leo, Sharpie, and me:

The area we were in is actually a carpark, and there is no view of the track. It is a bit of a trade-off; see the races, and pay top dollar for food and drinks, or bring your food and drinks, be a part of the party atmosphere, and watch the races on the big screen:

For me, i like seeing the horses, but the screen is just as good anyway. It really is a great day for Melbourne, and now that the Spring Racing Carnival is over, we are already looking forward to next year!

Some people go to a lot of effort to dress up in wacky costumes, and here are a couple of lively-dressed lads:

I thought people might be interested to see what sort of crazy outfits people wear, and these could even be said to be subtle compared to some others!

So as far as the betting went, i broke even, to the dollar - thanks again to my beautiful girlfriend Keally! Last year by picking a number, without knowing any horse names, she won me some good money, and this year, again without knowing a single horse’s name, helped me win back all the other money i lost!

When she called, i asked her to pick a number, and she said 24, so i put all my left-over money for a place on 24, and it lead all the way, to finish third! Wicked! Matty reckons in all his experience with betting on the horses, the only sure thing is beginners luck, and for the second time in two Melbourne Cups, that has worked for me, so i agree with the theory!

Next week i plan on a post for the riding in Melbourne, our great city here in Victoria. I will hopefully have a few good photos, and also, finally, write in response to Stu who asked about training rides! I am sorry it has taken so long, i can get a bit lazy at times, but it is on the way!

Well dudes, have a good one, and i hope to see you out on the road!

Laters…