Sydney Weather - make up your mind....

Well, its been a few weeks since my last confession - I mean blog. So what has happened. Well, lots really, and not much at all. Confused - me too!
It started out to be a good month. I've been training pretty hard, and got in the miles as needed. After my first race, I was really keen to get back into it. But lately the weather has had more of a say in that.
7th February 2009
Sydney absolutely scorches. At about 2:30pm I checked the weather, and its 38C outside - yep on a calibrated thermometer. Not wishing to push my luck, I decide to give racing a miss for the week.
14th February 2009
Rained, rained, and plenty of it. Racing is cancelled due to the track being flooded in some places.
21st February 2009
Rained in the morning, and then as if right on cue, 2:30pm down she came again. I waited a little longer, bike already in car ready to go for a 4pm start. BTi called and said he wasn't going to spectate, and it just got harder. In the end I didn't head to Heffron, but heard the following morning on the Club Waterfall Ride racing was again cancelled.
So. I'm looking forward to some more settled weather, and some decent days so I can get my butt back into racing. Yes, I'm frustrated.
Club Rides
Lately I've been heading to Waterfall with the Club bunch, and let me tell you, the pace has been on from the start. A few weeks ago, they changed the roll-off from the front of the bunch. Instead of the front two riders rolling off (one left, one right) to the back of the bunch, everyone now rotates as if in a massive team time trial, rolling from front right, to front left, to second wheel left etc, etc, after doing a 5-10 minute stint on the front.
Yesterday, the bunch was sitting comfortably on about 40km/hr heading out around the Bay. I dropped my chain at the top of Taren Point Road on the way out. I was forced to chase (my fault) and just got back on the bunch at the highway after Sutherland. I then got cut off from the bunch at the highway when another rider baulked at the crossing after the lights, and a stream of traffic meant the bunch got away again, this time I didn't get back on until I reached the Service Station back at Sutherland. Coming home, was quick, with an occassional slight tailwind, but we were back in the Park at 9:10am, and I'd averaged over 34km/hr for the day.
All good training, and the weather looks promising for next Saturday! Well, so far.

Back into Racing - Race 1, 2009

Well, after missing regular Saturday racing at Heffron Park since July 2005, I was back on the weekend. A little nervous to be back, but hoping for a good ride. I was given a start in C Grade - back where I left off.
As per usual at Heffron, it was windy, blowing a solid Nor'Easter, which meant a great tailwind down the main finishing straight, but also a block headwind on the back of the course.
Race Distance 28.5km, my Average Speed 34.3km/hr
(not bad given A Grade was under 38km/hr, B Grade just over 35km/hr)


I felt like I had a good race, and paced myself well. I cornered really well after the first 2 laps, which was really pleasing. I had to chase a few times when the bunch split up, but was okay to bridge across. Unfortunately, I mentally switched off with 2 to go and missed the bunch jumping on the B Grade breakaway that had just passed by - illegally of course. The pace was then a little too high for me to get across into the wind on my own. That was the only disappointing part. Still finished in the top half of the original starters, and about 45 seconds after the winner.
Good news was BTi was in my corner offering support. Not sure why he yelled out "attack Greggie, you've got 'em" after only 4 laps of 14, but I'm sure it was a tactical measure to put everyone else off. Thanks BTi. Good to see you are on the mend - as slow as it is.
BTi telling the Commissaires I've been doing heaps of miles and shouldn't be in C Grade
I hope it isn't as windy next week, to test my legs out even more. And maybe the Zipps....