Well weekends here, tomorrow off to Sydney. Specifically the Regatta centre at Penrith for the Sydney Road Champs. 100k's of fun going round and round. Looks like the weather going to be sh!t...hopefully there's some wind too.
At this stage the families coming for the day's outing too. I'm hoping to catch up with an old friend who owns The Bike Barn. I haven't seen Robbie in a couple of years...just before wee man was born. So it's a good chance to catch up and talk some sh!t.
Sunday is scheduled for a mtb ride. I'm hoping to get out to Sparrow, I didn't make it last week cause the wife was using the car. So I ended up doing laps at Stromlo....yeah kinda over that at the moment. Itching to get out to Sparrow, haven't been in a couple of months.
Finally sat down and nutted out a plan to build some more form this week. For the last few months I have been flying by the seat of my pants with no real defined structure. Well the plans there now to build some more depth... I should be end up with a CLT of 130ish in the about five weeks.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Rings
Well these arrived in the post today, about a month after I ordered them from Greenspeed.
"The Pup" 39 tooth
New Big Dog 53 tooth
In all the years I have been riding this is the first time I have actually bought a new set of road chain rings. And boy was I in for a shock I got a little bit of change from $AU340.... I choose TA Specialties because they are available in two colors (hey image is always important!) and AFAIK they invented the system of a single sided fixing system for the big ring that Shimano is now using on it's 7900 group set.
So getting them out of the package the first thing I was struck by has how much machining had gone into the production of the big dog... really impressed! But I think it's the fixing system where the secret is
Backside of the "Dog"
Setup
I had to remove the SRM cranks to get the other small chain ring off. This is a bit annoying but if you have the tools it adds only another 5 minutes to the process.
Removing the existing rings was another 2 minutes, and setting up the new rings another minute. Getting the new bolts to thread correctly was the biggest problem. It took me two goes, as I didn't want to cross-thread the chain ring. So second time lucky and it was all back together then back on the bike.
The end result
The shifting in the stand was fantastic but will have to wait till Saturday for an on the road evaluation.
"The Pup" 39 tooth
New Big Dog 53 tooth
In all the years I have been riding this is the first time I have actually bought a new set of road chain rings. And boy was I in for a shock I got a little bit of change from $AU340.... I choose TA Specialties because they are available in two colors (hey image is always important!) and AFAIK they invented the system of a single sided fixing system for the big ring that Shimano is now using on it's 7900 group set.
So getting them out of the package the first thing I was struck by has how much machining had gone into the production of the big dog... really impressed! But I think it's the fixing system where the secret is
Backside of the "Dog"
Setup
I had to remove the SRM cranks to get the other small chain ring off. This is a bit annoying but if you have the tools it adds only another 5 minutes to the process.
Removing the existing rings was another 2 minutes, and setting up the new rings another minute. Getting the new bolts to thread correctly was the biggest problem. It took me two goes, as I didn't want to cross-thread the chain ring. So second time lucky and it was all back together then back on the bike.
The end result
The shifting in the stand was fantastic but will have to wait till Saturday for an on the road evaluation.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Revenge shall be mine!......muuuhahaha
Sorry got carried away with the title again ;)
Earlier in the year Big Jase has handing me my a$$ everytime we did a long endurance ride(+3hrs).
Now that I have more k's and racing in the legs I thought I would repay the favour today. The plan for the day was the Bakery ride (~80km) then head off for a top up and end up with about 5hrs for the day.
So I met up with Jase and Kev at 6.30 for a 7.00am start with the bakery bunch. The cruise through to the start of "The Gallop" went smoothly. I spent alot of time riding next to Kev and was impressed that for a MTBer, a) he can ride in a bunch without killing people and b) the level of effort he was putting in given the amount he's been training for 24hr worlds recently. We had a run in with a car about 1/2 way through...it got halfway up the side of the bunch saw the traffic island coming up then tried pulling into the side of the bunch to squeeze past the island....needless to say there was much swearing and gesturing from the riders...I think the driver got the point!
The Gallop was a bit more interesting, due to the amount of wind around. Wind can be a friend or foe depending on which way it's blowing. It takes years of experience till you get to the stage where it's second nature making corrects for it through bunch positioning, it almost gets to the stage where you ignore it.
Today was one of those days, watching people scrabble around in the wind wasting energy.
Talking to the other two after we regrouped, Kev made it through to the first sprint (I'm impressed!), Big Jase...well lets just say he decided to investigate the berm on one of the exits of a round-about (I'm sure he'll tell the world about this one)
After the we regrouped in Civic at the end of the Bunch ride, we decided to do a long loop home via Corin. Once we reached the turn off from Stromlo I thought it was time to turn the intensity up a couple of notches and test the other two to see where their fitness was at.
I was talking mental bets as to who would crack first, Jase or Kev? I thought Jase given Kev's superior drafting skills but it turns out I got it was Kev. By the time we reached the top of Pierce's Creek we crested and looked to be in la la land. Now this is a place I've been to many times, and it's never pleasent. Your emotions run riot one minute your focused and determined the next you just want to kill yourself and actually consider crashing just so you can stop pedalling.
It's always nice to have someone there and especially good if they'll pace you home! So this is what I decided to do while Jase went off up the road by him self. It's not an esay job doing this as you have to work out what pace the other person can maintain both on the flats and going up hill. After some trial and error I worked out about 200w was right and Kev could hold the wall and not drop it.
We caught back up with Jase just before the Corin turn-off, and Jase says "He's doing a lap to the top and who's coming?" I know I'm in, Kev he's off home. So at this point we go our seperate ways. It's about now I decide to really turn the screws and see what Jase has left. On the bottom portion of the climb I ramp it up and pull away and am soon out of sight. I decide to continue to the top pushing as hard as I can. All up it takes 30 minutes to crest the KOM line at the top of the climb and then I start the stopwatch on Jase. After about 6 minutes I start thinking, must be a flat tire so I start to turn around to head back down and Jase comes around the final corner. Back down and home, all up 160km for the day in 5.5hrs. A good effort! The forms starting to come...finally!
Earlier in the year Big Jase has handing me my a$$ everytime we did a long endurance ride(+3hrs).
Now that I have more k's and racing in the legs I thought I would repay the favour today. The plan for the day was the Bakery ride (~80km) then head off for a top up and end up with about 5hrs for the day.
So I met up with Jase and Kev at 6.30 for a 7.00am start with the bakery bunch. The cruise through to the start of "The Gallop" went smoothly. I spent alot of time riding next to Kev and was impressed that for a MTBer, a) he can ride in a bunch without killing people and b) the level of effort he was putting in given the amount he's been training for 24hr worlds recently. We had a run in with a car about 1/2 way through...it got halfway up the side of the bunch saw the traffic island coming up then tried pulling into the side of the bunch to squeeze past the island....needless to say there was much swearing and gesturing from the riders...I think the driver got the point!
The Gallop was a bit more interesting, due to the amount of wind around. Wind can be a friend or foe depending on which way it's blowing. It takes years of experience till you get to the stage where it's second nature making corrects for it through bunch positioning, it almost gets to the stage where you ignore it.
Today was one of those days, watching people scrabble around in the wind wasting energy.
Talking to the other two after we regrouped, Kev made it through to the first sprint (I'm impressed!), Big Jase...well lets just say he decided to investigate the berm on one of the exits of a round-about (I'm sure he'll tell the world about this one)
After the we regrouped in Civic at the end of the Bunch ride, we decided to do a long loop home via Corin. Once we reached the turn off from Stromlo I thought it was time to turn the intensity up a couple of notches and test the other two to see where their fitness was at.
I was talking mental bets as to who would crack first, Jase or Kev? I thought Jase given Kev's superior drafting skills but it turns out I got it was Kev. By the time we reached the top of Pierce's Creek we crested and looked to be in la la land. Now this is a place I've been to many times, and it's never pleasent. Your emotions run riot one minute your focused and determined the next you just want to kill yourself and actually consider crashing just so you can stop pedalling.
It's always nice to have someone there and especially good if they'll pace you home! So this is what I decided to do while Jase went off up the road by him self. It's not an esay job doing this as you have to work out what pace the other person can maintain both on the flats and going up hill. After some trial and error I worked out about 200w was right and Kev could hold the wall and not drop it.
We caught back up with Jase just before the Corin turn-off, and Jase says "He's doing a lap to the top and who's coming?" I know I'm in, Kev he's off home. So at this point we go our seperate ways. It's about now I decide to really turn the screws and see what Jase has left. On the bottom portion of the climb I ramp it up and pull away and am soon out of sight. I decide to continue to the top pushing as hard as I can. All up it takes 30 minutes to crest the KOM line at the top of the climb and then I start the stopwatch on Jase. After about 6 minutes I start thinking, must be a flat tire so I start to turn around to head back down and Jase comes around the final corner. Back down and home, all up 160km for the day in 5.5hrs. A good effort! The forms starting to come...finally!
No racing this weekend
Title says it all no racing. So a longish ride this morning, probably the bakery ride plus a bit extra. And tomorrow will be a hit out on the MTB around Sparrow Hill.
This week I haven't touched the bike much just through various things (work, having to go to the bank twice)so have pulled up after last weekend really well.
Next weekend it's off to Sydney on Saturday for the Sydney Road Champs, but other then that I really, really want to race my MTB somewhere....so the next MTB race isn't till the CORC race next month at Kowen, then the Working Week 8hr the weekend after that.
This week I haven't touched the bike much just through various things (work, having to go to the bank twice)so have pulled up after last weekend really well.
Next weekend it's off to Sydney on Saturday for the Sydney Road Champs, but other then that I really, really want to race my MTB somewhere....so the next MTB race isn't till the CORC race next month at Kowen, then the Working Week 8hr the weekend after that.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
NSW Master Champs
Saturday was the Nsw Masters Champs held at Moruya on the coast. Arriving in the little town about 12.30 I was surprised just how warm the weather was a balmy 20 degrees with just a touch of wind. I was later to find out that the weather in Canberra for the day was very average with a top of about 12 degrees for the day.
Everything was very laid back for the registration with alot of the age groups already having raced earlier in the day. We seems to be using electronic timing alot more this year so I had to spend 5 minutes attaching the timing chip to the bike.
I rolled over to the start early and listened to their briefing to make sure there were no surprises out on the course. After that I rode down to the crit tack and started warming up on that. Coming back at the designated start time we line up and get told that there will be a 15 minute delay due to a couple of the age groups being slower then anticipated on the course. So back down to the track and some more warming up.
For the most part there wasn't alot of bling on show, a couple of SRM's one set of lightweights and a set of edge rims, a parlee frame a couple of Pinerello princes but nothing to flashy.
We get called back to the start line and set off for the course. The first 2km through the out skirts of town are neutralised. Around onto the course and we are pulled over and some more waiting ensues to ensure the gap to the next group isn't too small and we will catch them.
Finally we're off and rolling down the hill for about 3km to the turn around then the false flat drag back to the start line. No attacks go down and it looks as though everyone is riding conservatively. I had heard whisperings that the course is hilly so I'm riding the 39t as much as possible to save the legs and keep some snap in them. Right hand turn and off down another hill for about 1.5km through the causeway at the bottom, bunny hop the concrete lips on either side (just to show I have some mtb skills!). Then the 4km drag up to the other turn around. Again on the 39t saving the legs. By this stage I work out the fireworks are going to go off back up to the finish line. A couple of riders slip off the front on the descent back to the cause way dangling out in front by about 100m. Into the climb back to the finish I punch in from 5th wheel as the road starts to steepen and pinch. I fly across the gap, I know I have at least one person on my wheel, as I catch the two in front the guy behind kicks around me and tries lifting the pace as the road starts to flatten.
I go again and catch his wheel into the next portion of the climb. We trade turns back up to the start finish and turn the corner into the downhill. I turn around and at a rough count there are only about 10 riders left from the 17 starters.
On the descent I manage to slip off the front with a Randwick-Botany rider and we are soon joined by his team mate. Normally I would be concerned if I was out numbered like this in an open race, but for the time being I just have to work with the other two to try and establish a gap.
We are caught on the drag back up to the start finish and another two riders get off the front including a Randwick-Botany rider. This is a problem as his two team mates refuse to work after this and starting sitting on. The middle portion of the race really just consisted of attrition with our group reducing to 7 and two up the road extending their gap out of 1.45mins. About halfway through the Randwick-Botany rider up the road disappeared, I'm not sure whether he came back to us or pulled out either way only one rider remained out front with two laps to go of the 17.5km circuit.
Because the Randwick-Botany riders now had no one up the road they started pulling turns and slow but surely we started reducing the gap to the lone rider. With half a lap to go at the final turn we got a call of 45sec and as he came back to us you could just see the lone rider was close to snapping.
With everyone pulling turns on the downhill to try to bring the gap back before the final 1.5km back up to the finish. Through the cause way for the last time and the rider is still dangling off the front but only just. A couple riders try lighting it up the climb but I'm hanging back waiting, for the final 300 metres.
We go through the 300 metre to go mark, and I kick with everything left to try and get up to the rider still just in front, I know I have someone on my wheel but have no choice. Wait for them to jump or try racing for first place if we catch the lone rider. Well I come up short, The lone rider make it to the line but only just. Me I get jumped for 2nd place as I have nothing left from trying to bridge the gap, so have to settle for 3rd.
Everything was very laid back for the registration with alot of the age groups already having raced earlier in the day. We seems to be using electronic timing alot more this year so I had to spend 5 minutes attaching the timing chip to the bike.
I rolled over to the start early and listened to their briefing to make sure there were no surprises out on the course. After that I rode down to the crit tack and started warming up on that. Coming back at the designated start time we line up and get told that there will be a 15 minute delay due to a couple of the age groups being slower then anticipated on the course. So back down to the track and some more warming up.
For the most part there wasn't alot of bling on show, a couple of SRM's one set of lightweights and a set of edge rims, a parlee frame a couple of Pinerello princes but nothing to flashy.
We get called back to the start line and set off for the course. The first 2km through the out skirts of town are neutralised. Around onto the course and we are pulled over and some more waiting ensues to ensure the gap to the next group isn't too small and we will catch them.
Finally we're off and rolling down the hill for about 3km to the turn around then the false flat drag back to the start line. No attacks go down and it looks as though everyone is riding conservatively. I had heard whisperings that the course is hilly so I'm riding the 39t as much as possible to save the legs and keep some snap in them. Right hand turn and off down another hill for about 1.5km through the causeway at the bottom, bunny hop the concrete lips on either side (just to show I have some mtb skills!). Then the 4km drag up to the other turn around. Again on the 39t saving the legs. By this stage I work out the fireworks are going to go off back up to the finish line. A couple of riders slip off the front on the descent back to the cause way dangling out in front by about 100m. Into the climb back to the finish I punch in from 5th wheel as the road starts to steepen and pinch. I fly across the gap, I know I have at least one person on my wheel, as I catch the two in front the guy behind kicks around me and tries lifting the pace as the road starts to flatten.
I go again and catch his wheel into the next portion of the climb. We trade turns back up to the start finish and turn the corner into the downhill. I turn around and at a rough count there are only about 10 riders left from the 17 starters.
On the descent I manage to slip off the front with a Randwick-Botany rider and we are soon joined by his team mate. Normally I would be concerned if I was out numbered like this in an open race, but for the time being I just have to work with the other two to try and establish a gap.
We are caught on the drag back up to the start finish and another two riders get off the front including a Randwick-Botany rider. This is a problem as his two team mates refuse to work after this and starting sitting on. The middle portion of the race really just consisted of attrition with our group reducing to 7 and two up the road extending their gap out of 1.45mins. About halfway through the Randwick-Botany rider up the road disappeared, I'm not sure whether he came back to us or pulled out either way only one rider remained out front with two laps to go of the 17.5km circuit.
Because the Randwick-Botany riders now had no one up the road they started pulling turns and slow but surely we started reducing the gap to the lone rider. With half a lap to go at the final turn we got a call of 45sec and as he came back to us you could just see the lone rider was close to snapping.
With everyone pulling turns on the downhill to try to bring the gap back before the final 1.5km back up to the finish. Through the cause way for the last time and the rider is still dangling off the front but only just. A couple riders try lighting it up the climb but I'm hanging back waiting, for the final 300 metres.
We go through the 300 metre to go mark, and I kick with everything left to try and get up to the rider still just in front, I know I have someone on my wheel but have no choice. Wait for them to jump or try racing for first place if we catch the lone rider. Well I come up short, The lone rider make it to the line but only just. Me I get jumped for 2nd place as I have nothing left from trying to bridge the gap, so have to settle for 3rd.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Old B@st@rd Champs (Moruya)
Race No. Name Time Place
16 Jared MILLS 2:04:25 1
2 Simon CHRISTOPHER 2:04:29 2
9 David RAE 2:04:31 3
15 Matthew LUCAS 2:04:32 4
13 Samuel GILBERT 2:04:44 5
6 Gerard DONALDSON 2:04:44 5
7 Ryan O'NEILL 2:04:46 7
Write up to follow.....
16 Jared MILLS 2:04:25 1
2 Simon CHRISTOPHER 2:04:29 2
9 David RAE 2:04:31 3
15 Matthew LUCAS 2:04:32 4
13 Samuel GILBERT 2:04:44 5
6 Gerard DONALDSON 2:04:44 5
7 Ryan O'NEILL 2:04:46 7
Write up to follow.....
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Beginning of the slow decline...
Tomorrow marks the beginning of my slow descent into old age. Tomorrow is my first race ever in a masters category. Cycling Australia introduced a Masters 1 category for the first time this year to align with the rest of world.
When I was alot younger and just getting started with road cycling I can remember the guys racing masters. These were the people that used to take the young ones under their wing and introduce the basics of how to ride, train and race to the up and comers. It was a steep curve at first as there are alot of lessons to be learnt, etiquette, discipline, strength, and skill.
I always swore that when it was my turn, when I reached masters I would faithfully pass on all the lessons I have learnt over the last 16 years. Thinking back it's come around a lot sooner than I imagined it would. When you're young, strong and really don't know any better you just think you're going to stay that way forever. But over the years I have learnt to train harder and a lot smarter then when I was younger and I look forward to passing these lessons on.
The race tomorrow is at Moruya on the South Coast, a total of 90k's. Because of the number of enteries we have been allowed our own start time rather then be rolled in with the Masters 2's. Looking at the start list there are no real standouts in those that have entered so should be a fairly even race. I have no idea as to the terrain so it could be rolling to hilly or completely flat...guess I find out tomorrow.
Sunday is an MTB orienteering race with Big Jase. 6hrs to find as many markers as possible then make it back to the start. I think we kinda entered this as a joke but have the feeling that when the gun goes the race faces are going to go on....no more smiles
When I was alot younger and just getting started with road cycling I can remember the guys racing masters. These were the people that used to take the young ones under their wing and introduce the basics of how to ride, train and race to the up and comers. It was a steep curve at first as there are alot of lessons to be learnt, etiquette, discipline, strength, and skill.
I always swore that when it was my turn, when I reached masters I would faithfully pass on all the lessons I have learnt over the last 16 years. Thinking back it's come around a lot sooner than I imagined it would. When you're young, strong and really don't know any better you just think you're going to stay that way forever. But over the years I have learnt to train harder and a lot smarter then when I was younger and I look forward to passing these lessons on.
The race tomorrow is at Moruya on the South Coast, a total of 90k's. Because of the number of enteries we have been allowed our own start time rather then be rolled in with the Masters 2's. Looking at the start list there are no real standouts in those that have entered so should be a fairly even race. I have no idea as to the terrain so it could be rolling to hilly or completely flat...guess I find out tomorrow.
Sunday is an MTB orienteering race with Big Jase. 6hrs to find as many markers as possible then make it back to the start. I think we kinda entered this as a joke but have the feeling that when the gun goes the race faces are going to go on....no more smiles
Thursday, May 14, 2009
So Whats up?
Haven't had a lot to write about this week so thought I wouldn't dribble on about some aimless sh!t.
News of the week is I am probably off to Brisbane for 3-6 months to work on one of our major projects...well it is either that or face redundancy...and that would put a major dent in my riding and drinking finances ;)
So like every other major company at the moment we are making cuts to reduce expenditure and with a current lack of work coming into our Canberra office my name came up. So after some discussions with my wife we decided it was better to be pro-active and move to one of the major project teams and hope things pick up down here then face a redundancy, given the current financial climate.
Looking on the bright side, I get to go to somewhere I haven't been before and it's alot warmer! Also I get flown home every 2 weeks. There are a couple of downsides...but I'm trying not to dwell on them at the moment.
News of the week is I am probably off to Brisbane for 3-6 months to work on one of our major projects...well it is either that or face redundancy...and that would put a major dent in my riding and drinking finances ;)
So like every other major company at the moment we are making cuts to reduce expenditure and with a current lack of work coming into our Canberra office my name came up. So after some discussions with my wife we decided it was better to be pro-active and move to one of the major project teams and hope things pick up down here then face a redundancy, given the current financial climate.
Looking on the bright side, I get to go to somewhere I haven't been before and it's alot warmer! Also I get flown home every 2 weeks. There are a couple of downsides...but I'm trying not to dwell on them at the moment.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Karma Kicks in (Cootamundra Handicap)
Prelude
My life pretty much runs in a straight line, neither positive nor negative. With just the occasional blip up or down. Nothing major, nothing significant. But this last week, pretty much everything that could go wrong has, both at work and some personal things too. By the time today rolled around, I just could not give a sh!t in regards to riding my bike.
There are just times where everything else just presses in, and no matter how much riding you do it just doesn't make up for everything else.
Saturday
Turning up in Coota is bit like going backwards on the metropolitan scale by two clicks. It's a country town and truth be told it's one of the few I actually enjoy going there. This year we elected not to race both days due to weighing up cost versus return for both days of racing.
Prior to the race, I had been think whether I could remember the last time scratch had ridden through the field and in the 4 years I have ridden they haven't come close once!
Sign on, hand over licence, get numbers. I start throwing the bike together and one of the rear brake pads pops out of the holder. Cause I need more stress right now! I spend the next 10 minutes quietly cursing and forcing the pad back into the holder. Getting it back in a bit or relief and time to get changed, choke down a can of creamed rice and roll around to the start.
Waiting in the start area, chilling watching all the bikes roll past. I notice that the number of people using SRM's has increased and there are about 5 with them on the bike, and a couple of power taps.
We get the call up with two minutes to start. We're starting 2 minutes behind second block and two minutes ahead of scratch. The name of the game in a handicap race is to catch those in front, while staying away from those behind. Scratch had 15 riders and we had 22, I figured we would get caught about 30k's in given the gap, and the normal way block rides.
We get the call to the line, 30 to go then OFF!
Handicap Racing
The first part of a handicap is about establishing a rhythm for the bunch and settling in. This race has a hill climb situated 5k in so getting warmed up, settled in and prepared for about 5 minutes of pain is important. Last year I rode off scratch for this race and we were pull 50kph to the base of the hill and 30kph up it. I was pulling 500w on the first 90 seconds of the climb before exploding spectacularly. This year I managed to get over the climb and settle in back on the flat.
The race pulls a right hand turn before the railway lines at about 20k and what was a tailwind turns into a cross wind from this point until another right hand turn another 20k up the road back to Coota. By this stage the bunch was working in a consistent manner maintaining 41-43kph in the cross winds. We can see the commissars car of the bunch in front so there is a bit of a carrot there.
There is another climb at about the halfway mark and I can normally storm up this climb due to being warmed up and happy by then. this year was no different. One of the riders launched up the climbed, and due to the fact I raced against this guy back in NZ I knew he was a really good rider worth not giving any rope to. I bridged up on the climb, and the aim was to try and get to the bunch in front before we went over the top. No dice! we miss getting across and the gap back to the chasers isn't far so I turn off the gas across the top and sit up. However the first to catch up isn't my bunch, but scratch towing everyone else.
It's now game on! Staying up at the front and out of the gutter so as not to miss any breaks. Down the road, right hand turn at the round about, and the final leg back to Coota. Head wind so the speeds good a touch. Time to make sure I'm up near the front. Using the gutter, and gravel shoulder I make sure I'm up there up and over Deer hill. Then we catch the final bunch, so that's it it's on for young and old. Scratch and front markers, and there in lies the problem the two shouldn't mix. Back markers are used to riding the last 10k at speeds in excess of 50kph front markers aren't!
Karma kicks in!
With just on 5k to go someone in the first 15 riders touches a wheel and absolute carnage ensues. I have been riding over 15 years now have never seen anything like this. 100 rider bunch 40 riders go down! I am the first rider to pull up and not pile in on top of everyone else. I keep it up right and vertical, I somehow catch a rear wheel from the left that snags the bars and pulls the bike onto the ground. Riders pile in from behind, at least another 4 or 5 put I'm kinda just stand there sans bike just hoping no one hits me from behind...and then it'over.
I try to dis-entangle my bike from the one that has hooked the handlebars but no joy so I lift the to up over to the verge and gently dis-entangle the wheel and my handlebar. 90 seconds of trying and it's done. I mount up and try to restart, um no chance! I get back off and check the rear tire and this is the damage,
A bit of a hole!
To pull up in time and not pile on top of everyone else I had to shred the rear tire....literally! The road cut through the tread, through the casing and even through the base tape on the under side!And this is where I started to consider Karma. Given everything that went wrong this week, I would honestly say that I would gladly trade it for not being involved in this crash. I saw at least 1 destroyed front carbon wheel, three ambulances were called to check the injured...so all up I consider myself pretty luck walking away (literally I walked 1.5k in sock before I got picked up) by destroying a $130 tire.
My life pretty much runs in a straight line, neither positive nor negative. With just the occasional blip up or down. Nothing major, nothing significant. But this last week, pretty much everything that could go wrong has, both at work and some personal things too. By the time today rolled around, I just could not give a sh!t in regards to riding my bike.
There are just times where everything else just presses in, and no matter how much riding you do it just doesn't make up for everything else.
Saturday
Turning up in Coota is bit like going backwards on the metropolitan scale by two clicks. It's a country town and truth be told it's one of the few I actually enjoy going there. This year we elected not to race both days due to weighing up cost versus return for both days of racing.
Prior to the race, I had been think whether I could remember the last time scratch had ridden through the field and in the 4 years I have ridden they haven't come close once!
Sign on, hand over licence, get numbers. I start throwing the bike together and one of the rear brake pads pops out of the holder. Cause I need more stress right now! I spend the next 10 minutes quietly cursing and forcing the pad back into the holder. Getting it back in a bit or relief and time to get changed, choke down a can of creamed rice and roll around to the start.
Waiting in the start area, chilling watching all the bikes roll past. I notice that the number of people using SRM's has increased and there are about 5 with them on the bike, and a couple of power taps.
We get the call up with two minutes to start. We're starting 2 minutes behind second block and two minutes ahead of scratch. The name of the game in a handicap race is to catch those in front, while staying away from those behind. Scratch had 15 riders and we had 22, I figured we would get caught about 30k's in given the gap, and the normal way block rides.
We get the call to the line, 30 to go then OFF!
Handicap Racing
The first part of a handicap is about establishing a rhythm for the bunch and settling in. This race has a hill climb situated 5k in so getting warmed up, settled in and prepared for about 5 minutes of pain is important. Last year I rode off scratch for this race and we were pull 50kph to the base of the hill and 30kph up it. I was pulling 500w on the first 90 seconds of the climb before exploding spectacularly. This year I managed to get over the climb and settle in back on the flat.
The race pulls a right hand turn before the railway lines at about 20k and what was a tailwind turns into a cross wind from this point until another right hand turn another 20k up the road back to Coota. By this stage the bunch was working in a consistent manner maintaining 41-43kph in the cross winds. We can see the commissars car of the bunch in front so there is a bit of a carrot there.
There is another climb at about the halfway mark and I can normally storm up this climb due to being warmed up and happy by then. this year was no different. One of the riders launched up the climbed, and due to the fact I raced against this guy back in NZ I knew he was a really good rider worth not giving any rope to. I bridged up on the climb, and the aim was to try and get to the bunch in front before we went over the top. No dice! we miss getting across and the gap back to the chasers isn't far so I turn off the gas across the top and sit up. However the first to catch up isn't my bunch, but scratch towing everyone else.
It's now game on! Staying up at the front and out of the gutter so as not to miss any breaks. Down the road, right hand turn at the round about, and the final leg back to Coota. Head wind so the speeds good a touch. Time to make sure I'm up near the front. Using the gutter, and gravel shoulder I make sure I'm up there up and over Deer hill. Then we catch the final bunch, so that's it it's on for young and old. Scratch and front markers, and there in lies the problem the two shouldn't mix. Back markers are used to riding the last 10k at speeds in excess of 50kph front markers aren't!
Karma kicks in!
With just on 5k to go someone in the first 15 riders touches a wheel and absolute carnage ensues. I have been riding over 15 years now have never seen anything like this. 100 rider bunch 40 riders go down! I am the first rider to pull up and not pile in on top of everyone else. I keep it up right and vertical, I somehow catch a rear wheel from the left that snags the bars and pulls the bike onto the ground. Riders pile in from behind, at least another 4 or 5 put I'm kinda just stand there sans bike just hoping no one hits me from behind...and then it'over.
I try to dis-entangle my bike from the one that has hooked the handlebars but no joy so I lift the to up over to the verge and gently dis-entangle the wheel and my handlebar. 90 seconds of trying and it's done. I mount up and try to restart, um no chance! I get back off and check the rear tire and this is the damage,
A bit of a hole!
To pull up in time and not pile on top of everyone else I had to shred the rear tire....literally! The road cut through the tread, through the casing and even through the base tape on the under side!And this is where I started to consider Karma. Given everything that went wrong this week, I would honestly say that I would gladly trade it for not being involved in this crash. I saw at least 1 destroyed front carbon wheel, three ambulances were called to check the injured...so all up I consider myself pretty luck walking away (literally I walked 1.5k in sock before I got picked up) by destroying a $130 tire.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Draggin' Arse
Well I put off writing this up as I'm not really that happy with the result for Sunday. I registered a big fat DNF. It seems my body was happy to be pushed hard for one day, but due to cold I have got I just couldn't recover properly for Sundays stage.
All up for the day I rode about 100k (to and from the race, and a bit of the stage) so I did get some quality riding in. This week is about turning the legs over to get the miles in, and shaking off this cold. I'm feeling quite a bit better today so it's on it's way out.
Saturday is a handicap race at Cootamundra. Given my lack of road racing and general poor showing I might actually get put off a reasonable mark and not scratch for once.
Sunday is a bit of MTB riding, after I have given the wife a lie in and breakfast in bed (Mother's Day).
On a side note it looks as though the house is sorted from our end. A price has been agreed and now the lawyers and the bank are away doing their thing. To be honest it's gone really smoothly and painlessly compared to some of the horror stories ypu hear.
All up for the day I rode about 100k (to and from the race, and a bit of the stage) so I did get some quality riding in. This week is about turning the legs over to get the miles in, and shaking off this cold. I'm feeling quite a bit better today so it's on it's way out.
Saturday is a handicap race at Cootamundra. Given my lack of road racing and general poor showing I might actually get put off a reasonable mark and not scratch for once.
Sunday is a bit of MTB riding, after I have given the wife a lie in and breakfast in bed (Mother's Day).
On a side note it looks as though the house is sorted from our end. A price has been agreed and now the lawyers and the bank are away doing their thing. To be honest it's gone really smoothly and painlessly compared to some of the horror stories ypu hear.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Canberra Tour- Stage 1
Well today went better than anticipated...I didn't explode like over ripe up the first KOM climb. In fact I finished with the main bunch and was turning the screws up the last couple of climbs, averaging 436w up the Three Sisters Climb for 5 minutes. Not too bad for someone who can't breath freely and who's head is floating in the clouds at the moment ;)
The day wasn't entirely incident free, the magnet on the front wheel knocked the SRM speed sensor off as soon as we turned out of Stromlo, this necessitated a panic stop so as to minimise the chances of catching the cable in the front wheel and ripping it off. A chase back through the convoy drafting off the wheel vans and I was back safety in the bunch.
The turn around at the far end of the course was a surprise as I thought we were going all the way up to the end of the seal. A bit of a disappointment as by this stage I warmed up, settled in, and was looking to put the hurt on someone on the climb.
Another lap later and there were quite a few more people in the "hurt box" and not through my doing.... A break had gone up the road but wasn't looking threatening. The gap didn't blow out to more then about 40 seconds, I gap I knew could close with an explosive effort out of the crossing. Up the first Sister and moving through the bunch, over the top and a bit of respite. Hitting the Second sister it was time to jet out of the saddle and gassing it. Gaps starts rapidly closing, half across, 2/3 thirds and the power starts going. I back it off as I know that another group is going to come up and there is no point to pushing it to the lights out stage.
Sure enough the call is right, a second group comes through an I latch onto the back and try and survive the final of the sisters. Over the top and bunch can smell blood! There is always an under-current when the bunch know the catch is eminent. Sure enough, guys that previously hadn't been taking turns are rolling through and inch by inch the gap closes. Then comes the flurry of last minute attacks, I never quite understand these as the gap is going to be shut down, and if your going to hit the bunch you wait till the moment the catch is made then launch with whatever you have left.
Gruppetto Compacto onto the crit circuit and a bit of sprint finish. Job for the day done! Finished with the main group, and haven't spent too much energy.
The difference between A-grade and B-grade is huge both in the tactics and intensity. I was never under pressure the entire day, and I am only feeling about 75%yet still survived.
The SRM file shows an average of 241w for the 2.5hrs and only 2000kj burnt so the intensity certainly wasn't there.
My Precious....
I was saving in reserve the use of these wheels, so that if I survived the first day and was feeling OK and needed a lift I had these to put on....
1kg of carbony goodness!
These are made by Carbonsport, a company who in 2003 told Lance Armstrong "No we won't give you a free set of our wheels, and if you want them for the tour you had better add your name to the 5 month waiting list and pay your 2500 euro!". That year Armstrong rode a set of Lightweight wheels in the tour and he paid for them out of his own pocket like every other rider who has lusted over a set off these.
They are a remnant from when I used to race road alot more seriously, and are the stiffest, lightest wheels money can buy. In the 2.5 years I have owned them I have ridden them less than a dozen times and reserve them for "special occasions".
The day wasn't entirely incident free, the magnet on the front wheel knocked the SRM speed sensor off as soon as we turned out of Stromlo, this necessitated a panic stop so as to minimise the chances of catching the cable in the front wheel and ripping it off. A chase back through the convoy drafting off the wheel vans and I was back safety in the bunch.
The turn around at the far end of the course was a surprise as I thought we were going all the way up to the end of the seal. A bit of a disappointment as by this stage I warmed up, settled in, and was looking to put the hurt on someone on the climb.
Another lap later and there were quite a few more people in the "hurt box" and not through my doing.... A break had gone up the road but wasn't looking threatening. The gap didn't blow out to more then about 40 seconds, I gap I knew could close with an explosive effort out of the crossing. Up the first Sister and moving through the bunch, over the top and a bit of respite. Hitting the Second sister it was time to jet out of the saddle and gassing it. Gaps starts rapidly closing, half across, 2/3 thirds and the power starts going. I back it off as I know that another group is going to come up and there is no point to pushing it to the lights out stage.
Sure enough the call is right, a second group comes through an I latch onto the back and try and survive the final of the sisters. Over the top and bunch can smell blood! There is always an under-current when the bunch know the catch is eminent. Sure enough, guys that previously hadn't been taking turns are rolling through and inch by inch the gap closes. Then comes the flurry of last minute attacks, I never quite understand these as the gap is going to be shut down, and if your going to hit the bunch you wait till the moment the catch is made then launch with whatever you have left.
Gruppetto Compacto onto the crit circuit and a bit of sprint finish. Job for the day done! Finished with the main group, and haven't spent too much energy.
The difference between A-grade and B-grade is huge both in the tactics and intensity. I was never under pressure the entire day, and I am only feeling about 75%yet still survived.
The SRM file shows an average of 241w for the 2.5hrs and only 2000kj burnt so the intensity certainly wasn't there.
My Precious....
I was saving in reserve the use of these wheels, so that if I survived the first day and was feeling OK and needed a lift I had these to put on....
1kg of carbony goodness!
These are made by Carbonsport, a company who in 2003 told Lance Armstrong "No we won't give you a free set of our wheels, and if you want them for the tour you had better add your name to the 5 month waiting list and pay your 2500 euro!". That year Armstrong rode a set of Lightweight wheels in the tour and he paid for them out of his own pocket like every other rider who has lusted over a set off these.
They are a remnant from when I used to race road alot more seriously, and are the stiffest, lightest wheels money can buy. In the 2.5 years I have owned them I have ridden them less than a dozen times and reserve them for "special occasions".
Friday, May 1, 2009
El Saltamontes- First Ride Review
Well given that I wasn't allow to go to work today.... so as not to spread whatever disease I have, I was at home all day. Yesterday I built El Salt and I thought it would be a bit rude to waste the opportunity to go for a ride during work hours.
So about 11 O' clock I dressed up in my finest and headed out for a gentle lap around Stromlo. This was to serve three purposes. The first was to get acquainted with the new bike, and second to have a bit of a blow out before tomorrows race, and thirdly to take my mind of the race tomorrow.
Throwing a leg over the bike for the first time and pedalling more than 50 metres, the first thing I noticed is the active rear suspension. Coming off a Giant Anthem this is a bit like night and day in terms of perceived efficiency. But after a few minutes it was something I really didn't notice.
The big change however was just how plush the ride felt. This is something I have been searching for a bit with the Giant and it hasn't happened. It initially felt like one of these....
A Couch...that was how comfortable it felt!
I have found that if I can stop my body getting beat up too badly over the course of a race I can really produce higher power output for a lot longer. Therefore I am willing to sacrifice a margin of efficiency for increased comfort.
The second thing that came through immediately when you performed an acceleration was just how stiff the frame was. I guess the best way to describe it was it felt like there was no flex at all, none, zero, nadda when you were sprinting out of the saddle. As I said in my posting yesterday, the frames tubing is a similar size to Cannondale...massively over sized and thin walled, this provides strength but also does not gain any excess weight. The other thing Ventana have done is to add gussets in the critical areas to reduce flex and improve strength.
Bottom Bracket Junction...Just look at the reinforcement!
Seat tube Gusset
Head tube Gusset...and those "Electric Sex Welds"
Out on the trails you really do notice how this extra strength comes into play. Hammering the "Beginners DH Course" down the backside, I really just flew over everything, to say that the bike was confidence inspiring was an understatement.
The other thing I will talk about a bit was the handling of the bike. From what I had read I was expecting slow steering but accurate compared to the Anthem... what I got was just as quick but with the precision of one of these
A Scalpel
Something that has annoyed me a bit about my riding at Stromlo was the uphill switchbacks. These should be easy enough, but I have never been able to take them with any real speed. In fact every bike I have owned up to this day has really struggled with tight and twisty/ turny. But not now! Oh no. the El Salt can carve the tightest lines through those corners, before it felt like it I even tried to lean/ turn the bike through those arc I would end up on my a$$...and in a couple of cases I have but not any more.
So after I got home I did a bit of searching and came up with an answer as to how the El Salt performs it's magic which is completely opposite to what was in my head. I was thinking on the way home the angles on the frame were more relaxed then the Anthem allowing more precise and stable handling but it turns out to be the complete opposite. The angles are in fact 2 degrees steeper for the seat tube and a degree steeper for the head tube. Now in the past I have always rubbished the tweaking on angles as in pertains to road bikes calling it a bit of black magic bull shit they used to sell their frames. But I can honestly say now when it comes to MTB's I'm a believer it can make a huge difference to the way a bike handles.
In summary after taking the new bike for a 60k ride I think is would make one of the ultimate enduro bikes. And by enduro I mean 100k+ where comfort, and predictability become more important that riding the latest rocket sled being ridden by the likes of Todd Wells or Julian Absalon. I couldn't find a bad trait in the bike in the short blat I took it for, but what really impressed me was the predictability of it's handling the entire time. I believe that when it come to enduro's this is one of the qualities everyone should need in their ride.
So about 11 O' clock I dressed up in my finest and headed out for a gentle lap around Stromlo. This was to serve three purposes. The first was to get acquainted with the new bike, and second to have a bit of a blow out before tomorrows race, and thirdly to take my mind of the race tomorrow.
Throwing a leg over the bike for the first time and pedalling more than 50 metres, the first thing I noticed is the active rear suspension. Coming off a Giant Anthem this is a bit like night and day in terms of perceived efficiency. But after a few minutes it was something I really didn't notice.
The big change however was just how plush the ride felt. This is something I have been searching for a bit with the Giant and it hasn't happened. It initially felt like one of these....
A Couch...that was how comfortable it felt!
I have found that if I can stop my body getting beat up too badly over the course of a race I can really produce higher power output for a lot longer. Therefore I am willing to sacrifice a margin of efficiency for increased comfort.
The second thing that came through immediately when you performed an acceleration was just how stiff the frame was. I guess the best way to describe it was it felt like there was no flex at all, none, zero, nadda when you were sprinting out of the saddle. As I said in my posting yesterday, the frames tubing is a similar size to Cannondale...massively over sized and thin walled, this provides strength but also does not gain any excess weight. The other thing Ventana have done is to add gussets in the critical areas to reduce flex and improve strength.
Bottom Bracket Junction...Just look at the reinforcement!
Seat tube Gusset
Head tube Gusset...and those "Electric Sex Welds"
Out on the trails you really do notice how this extra strength comes into play. Hammering the "Beginners DH Course" down the backside, I really just flew over everything, to say that the bike was confidence inspiring was an understatement.
The other thing I will talk about a bit was the handling of the bike. From what I had read I was expecting slow steering but accurate compared to the Anthem... what I got was just as quick but with the precision of one of these
A Scalpel
Something that has annoyed me a bit about my riding at Stromlo was the uphill switchbacks. These should be easy enough, but I have never been able to take them with any real speed. In fact every bike I have owned up to this day has really struggled with tight and twisty/ turny. But not now! Oh no. the El Salt can carve the tightest lines through those corners, before it felt like it I even tried to lean/ turn the bike through those arc I would end up on my a$$...and in a couple of cases I have but not any more.
So after I got home I did a bit of searching and came up with an answer as to how the El Salt performs it's magic which is completely opposite to what was in my head. I was thinking on the way home the angles on the frame were more relaxed then the Anthem allowing more precise and stable handling but it turns out to be the complete opposite. The angles are in fact 2 degrees steeper for the seat tube and a degree steeper for the head tube. Now in the past I have always rubbished the tweaking on angles as in pertains to road bikes calling it a bit of black magic bull shit they used to sell their frames. But I can honestly say now when it comes to MTB's I'm a believer it can make a huge difference to the way a bike handles.
In summary after taking the new bike for a 60k ride I think is would make one of the ultimate enduro bikes. And by enduro I mean 100k+ where comfort, and predictability become more important that riding the latest rocket sled being ridden by the likes of Todd Wells or Julian Absalon. I couldn't find a bad trait in the bike in the short blat I took it for, but what really impressed me was the predictability of it's handling the entire time. I believe that when it come to enduro's this is one of the qualities everyone should need in their ride.
Under the radar
This annoncement was made the other day and no one seems to have picked up on it yet....
"With the devastating bushfires in Victoria still fresh in the minds of many, Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA) announced that the previously postponed 2009 Marathon Championships have been rescheduled for Bendigo on September 20.
The Championships race will be hosted by the Bendigo Mountain Bike Club at the Golden Triangle, which gets its name from the rich gold rush heritage of the Bendigo region including Castlemaine, Daylesford and Bendigo.
"Tagging the Golden Triangle with the Australian MTB Marathon Championships will provide a boost to the local economy affected by the February fires and the economic downturn," said John Harvey, President of the Bendigo club. "To have a event of this significance in the region will be great opportunity to increase the exposure of mountain biking to the local and regional community and an opportunity to showcase some of the unique mountain bike riding opportunities within the area."
The Australian title will be awarded at the end of the 105km event. Entries will open online on July 1"
"With the devastating bushfires in Victoria still fresh in the minds of many, Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA) announced that the previously postponed 2009 Marathon Championships have been rescheduled for Bendigo on September 20.
The Championships race will be hosted by the Bendigo Mountain Bike Club at the Golden Triangle, which gets its name from the rich gold rush heritage of the Bendigo region including Castlemaine, Daylesford and Bendigo.
"Tagging the Golden Triangle with the Australian MTB Marathon Championships will provide a boost to the local economy affected by the February fires and the economic downturn," said John Harvey, President of the Bendigo club. "To have a event of this significance in the region will be great opportunity to increase the exposure of mountain biking to the local and regional community and an opportunity to showcase some of the unique mountain bike riding opportunities within the area."
The Australian title will be awarded at the end of the 105km event. Entries will open online on July 1"
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