Christmas Pudding Races

Location: Heffron Park
Grade: C Grade
Race Distance: 26.3km (13 laps)
My Average Speed: 35.0km/hr (45:00 mins)
Placing: 7th in Bunch Finish (1 off front)
Conditions: Windy, SE, headwind down the main finishing straight, but tailwind on the back of the course, pretty strong. Temperature about 29C. Sunny.

Fairly big turnout for the last RBCC race for 2009. As many as 30 starters in C Grade meant a big bunch.
From the start a rider from Sutherland hit off the front. He gained about 50m on the first lap. I rode to the front of the bunch and brought him back into the fold. On the second lap he attacked again. This time I chased off the front, and the 2 of us managed to get about 100m on the chasing peleton. As I got onto his wheel, he kicked again and I was stuck in no-mans land for the next 3 laps, him not getting too far away, and me not losing ground to the peleton. Eventually, I resisted and fell back into the fold knowing I couldn't bridge across on my own and another 8 laps on my own would possibly prove fruitless. We never saw him again, winning by about half a lap.
Rider off the front on Lap 1

On the left, I begin chase

All back together - Lap 2

Apologies - no photos of me off the front - the photographer couldn't believe it, and missed the opportunity of a lifetime!

Once back into the peleton, I felt pretty strong, comfortable doing a turn every now and then, and chasing down the minor breaks that happened all race.
Coming into what should have been 2 laps to go, we got the bell. I was well place in about 6th wheel. At the top of the straight, it was going to be a bunch sprint of about 12 riders for 2nd place. I hesitated for a moment when I should have gone from a long way (300m) out. No-one would have been expecting it. Instead it turned into a bunch gallop where I finished 7th overall. Pretty happy with that. What was more surprising was the fact I was on the drops in the sprint. I hope this was a natural instinct after weeks of track riding. Still having 3 gears left I crossed the line fairly happy with my ride.
Mid-race - back in the peleton

Presentation Night
Friday Night was the Annual Presentation Night for the Club., I wasn't expecting to get any trophies this year from lack of racing, but went along for the commeraderie anyway.
A little bemused, I won a trophy for getting 3rd in the C Grade 1 Lap Time Trial in April (see club-champs-round-1)
Can't help bad luck sometimes, but I'll take it.
Rumour has it I've been promoted to B Grade for next year. Okay, now the miles and training have to increase if I'm to make any sort of impact there.
Smarty

Track Cycling

Well, as you are all aware by now, I've recently taken up track cycling. The new bike is fantastic, the set-up all but perfect for me. In some ways, I wish I could transfer the set-up over to my road bike.
In recent weeks we have been doing 70-80 lap (330m laps) of paceline work, followed by 3-4 lead-out sprints to finish off. The bigger guys are working me over a bit, but I'm finding it is pushing me along and teaching me more tactics than I could have otherwise imagined.
Tempe Velodrome - concrete track, 330m
I'm gradually learning how to handle the bike, learning to pedal far smoother than I ever have, and this is leading to a better ride on my road bike, too. I'm running a 50x15 (90inch) setup at the moment, but looking at getting a new 48 chainring in the new year so I can run from 81-96inches with my 14,15,16 cog combinations - although 96 is probably far too big for me.
Hopefully, in the new year, more riders will attend the sessions and we can get down to some racing. For the moment though, I'm content to learn and do laps learning more from those around me. For $5 a session, and pretty much one-on-one tuition, who wouldn't.
Smarty

Comeback Race 2

Ah, the blogs starting to flow thick and fast now! I must be getting a life back!

After a very calm and serene morning, I headed out to Heffron for a couple of races on Saturday. As I left home at 2pm, the wind just started to pick up, and by race time was pretty full-on - it is almost as if the wind wakes up when the clock strikes 2pm! But you wouldn't expect anything different for a Heffron Race Day, would you?
So what has happened in the last week. Well, along with almost zero sleep, a stomach bug that has me 3kg lighter in 4 days, and a very stressful week at work, and some personal issues, I set the bike up with the trusty Zipp Speed Weaponry fast wheels, and I'd say I was due to fly on the weekend. Either that or crash.

Race 1 - C Grade Club Championship Crit - 12km
Race Report
Location: Heffron Park - Club Championships
Grade: C Grade
Race Distance: 12.2km (6 laps)
Conditions: Windy, NE, tailwind down the main finishing straight, but block headwind on the back of the course, pretty strong, again. Temperature about 25C. Sunny.

Unfortunately, due to a washout earlier in the year, a shortened Crit was held before normal Saturday racing. I was a little concerned about the shortened format, with a lack of racing expecting a fast and hard race. From the outset, I was on the front and thought, "Lets blow this race apart". Mid-race (okay only 3 laps, but the pace was on) I was feeling really comfortable. Coming up to the bell, I had the field stretched and ready to produce that rarely seen, but often talked about, Smarty Surprise Attack, when, pffft - rear puncture at 45km/hr! Race over. Bugger!
Calm at the start

Race 2 - Saturday Race - 28km
Race Report
Location: Heffron Park - Club Racing (Cat 4)
Grade: C Grade
Race Distance: 28.5km (14 laps)
My Average Speed: 35.3km/hr (48:30 mins)
Placing: 12th in Bunch Finish
Conditions: Windy, NE, tailwind down the main finishing straight, but block headwind on the back of the course, pretty strong, again. Temperature about 25C. Sunny.

So after replacing a $16 tube with a nice little glass slash, I thought I'd give the afternoon race a go as well. Why not.
So the race started as any other. I dropped my chain and went straight out the back end of the peleton. This wasn't meant to be my day. Even felt like doing the bike discus at one time. Luckily, the pace wasn't too fast and I got back on before the end of the first lap. I settled onto the back of the bunch and felt quite comfortable. The pace wasn't overly fast and I could counter any changes in pace - maybe the first race warmed me up properly. Unfortunately, the 30 strong bunch was really tough to work through towards the front, and a bit hairy at times too. I managed several times to get into the front 8 riders, only to lose ground when the front riders sat up into the wind. I just decided that today I would finish with the bunch, no heroics of last week and see how I fared.
So, quite quickly 8, then 10 laps passed, then the bell-lap. Still hanging on, feeling quite strong, I forced my way through the field at the netball courts only to be pocketed. Backing off and going around lost me a lot of ground, but I sprinted the full length of the straight catching many in front of me to finish 12th. I'll take that, this time.
Typical sitting in.

And again...

This comeback is going to be up and down me thinks.

Sculptures by the Sea

On Sunday, I had arranged to go and see Sculptures by the Sea.

The weather didn't seem too bad when we met at 12:30pm, and, with Golf Umbrella in hand as insurance, we decided to brave the elements to put a little culture in our lives!

Between Clovelly and Tamarama the weather looked like it may hold off, with only a little light rain falling. Unfortunately, it did get harder and put a bit of a dampener (pun intended) on proceedings as we got to the Bondi end of the exhibition.

We headed back to Bronte for a coffee and chat for a while before heading home. Could have been a great afternoon, but for the weather. Couldn't believe the day before and after were almost perfect. C'est le vie!

Below is one of the photos from the exhibition. If I get a bit of time and the weather is okay, I hope to go back and get a few more photos of some of the other sculptures I really liked.

Comeback Race

Race Report
Location: Heffron Park - Club Racing (Cat 4)
Grade: C Grade
Race Distance: 28.5km (14 laps)
My Average Speed: 34.6km/hr (49:30 mins)
Placing: OTA
Conditions: Windy, NE, tailwind down the main finishing straight, but block headwind on the back of the course, pretty strong. Temperature about 25C. Sunny.

After far too long off the bike, and racing being non-existent since April, I thought I'd throw caution to the wind and have a race straight away. In previous years, I've trained hard to get fit before heading back, but have suffered anyway in my first race. May as well get the "Sufferfest" over and done with.

So the race started as any other. I settled into the bunch and felt quite comfortable. The pace wasn't overly fast and into the headwind along the back of the course was okay for me.
On lap 8 there was a kick in pace that strung the bunch of 28 starters out in a single line. Down the finish straight doing 45km/hr in single file, there was an abrupt drop in pace that had me go from mid-field, straight through the bunch to the front. Bugger!
Ah, what the heck. Drop the shoulders and plowed on getting a maximum gap of about 15 metres on the peleton, but it closed down quick enough into the headwind. But no-one came through. One-and-a-half laps later, I was till on the front, but now slowing a little, there was an attack from the bunch, and unfortunately, the lack of racing meant I just couldn't accelerate fast enough to stay with them. Out the ar$3, dropped after 10 laps.
Still managing to keep going, I finished race distance, about half a lap behind the winners.
This comeback could take longer than I first thought.

November Already

Well, it has been a really long time since my last entry, but unfortunately not much to tell. A couple of things spring to mind:

1. Bike Layoff
Since my last post, I had a lengthened layoff from the bike - work enforced. I actually had from mid April until late September without stringing more than 2 rides a fortnight together. So much for my year of racing. Well, I'm back on the bike again now, and knocked over about 800km since the resumption. Still a long way to go, but we'll get there!

2. Mates Coming & Going
Hamster
Well, the Hamster was in town last month for a fleeting 2 week visit. He managed to get 2 rides in with the boys - hopefully he will update his blog with the details shortly, and I'll post a link. The first week we headed down to Far Kurnell (don't say it too quickly) for an 80km round trip. Ham suffered, but managed to keep it mostly together. The next week we had a social ride with a Pacific Highway run and a Bobbin Head climb for a coffee at Turramurra. Both enjoyable rides, and a great catch up. We also managed a few social outings, where many a beverage was consumed - even by me!
BTi
Next BTi informed us of a 3 month transfer to Las Vegas for work. He left in late October and will return mid January next year. I think the idea is to make this a permanent position, so we could lose another of the boys overseas shortly. Lets hope not, because France 2010 beckons.
Guys, miss you heaps.

3. Track Cycling
Well, after the excitement of track cycling mentioned in my last blog entry (yeah, I know it was in May), I went out and bought myself a second-hand track bike. Nice bike, and for you folk (and you know who you are!) you will notice the bike is NOT white. Came with carbon cranks and a 50x15 and 50x16 setup on the flip-flop hub.

I had my first training session last week, and had a ball. Still a lot to learn, but looking forward to tomorrow night to give it another run. All I really need to do to this bike is get some alternative gear setups so I don't blow-up being over-geared or end up spinning-out being under-geared. Maybe a 48 chainring and a 14 cog will do the trick. Time will tell.

4. 2009 Gong Ride
Well its that time of the year again, and the Gong Ride has come and gone. About 20 riders from work participated, so a pretty good turn-out, but we are looking to build on that next year.
I left home at 5:30am, and we (myself and some guys from work) were delayed a bit at the start so we didn't get away until just after 6:30. The weather was fantastic. We had a tailwind all the way down, which is always good, and kept the temperature down enough to be pleasant. I was really happy with how I rode. 2 hours 50 minutes for the 84km journey, and considering the start was really slow with so many riders, I still rode almost as fast as last year. Its made me more determined to increase my training and get into racing again before Xmas.
Oh, nearly forgot: when I was riding along the new bridge section at Coalcliff, I glanced to my left over the ocean - which looked very inviting. To my amazement, and those around me, there were 2 humpbacks breaching and tail slapping just out to sea. Unfortunately, too far out for a photo, but it was spectacular. Awesome!





We had a fantastic barbeque at the finish and it really capped off the ride well. Everyone seemed really happy with it. I'm glad the extra effort getting this organised paid off.


I had to give a lift back to a couple of guys, so we didn't leave down there until after 2:30pm and I got home just before 5 - mental note Dave, this is still a better option as you would agree. As I said, a long day, but one I have really enjoyed.
Till next time, ciao.

Dunc Gray Training Session

As a celebration of a mate and work colleagues (Gerard Rummery) 40th Birthday in late April, he hired Dunc Gray Velodrome and a coach for a few hours of track cycling fun, and luckily I was invited along. This was my first time on a fixed wheel bike, so it was going to be a lot of nerves and excitement to start with, but what a venue to learn on!
Here is my trusty stead for the day. It costs about $20 to hire the bike which is then setup for you by the coach - all you need is your own pedals and shoes. Having a Cycling Australia licence also discounted the cost of the day.
For those in the know, this was the only bike in my size, and appropriately "white"! I felt at home from the start. Gearing was for junior riders 48x17. Very small, but plenty of fun.

After entering the centre arena, Gerard tests his track stand technique.

A break in proceedings. We had just finished some skills training that takes you to the top of the banks at either end of the track. For the record, they are 42 degree inclines. It is interesting that in the region of the red line, the bank is noticeable and you can feel uneasy. As you get higher up the bank, I felt more at ease. Maybe it was the proximity to the angle transition at the duck boards? Who knows? Another point for the uninitiated, when cruising around at the fence, don't look down the slope, it is then you realise how high up you are and how steep the banks are!

What a load of crazy fun track cycling action was had at Dunc Gray! Big, hilarious excitement for all, not mention the lactic overload due to very small gearing and trying to out-do each other.

Here's some video footage from the day. Gives you a bit of a sense of the scene taken by one of Gerards mates, Stuart.

Barry, Our Trainer
A font of track cycling knowledge + folklore. He had some great tips and training beta for us, but he also had some terrific anecdotes about cycling and cyclists he'd come across. Here he shares some of that Old Guy Gold with the eager young pups: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSKcwyTx1ts

After the training and lessons were done, we were set loose to do some hot laps just to burn ourselves out. Here we started out doing a 4km Pursuit, as each tired and dropped off, we waited until the leaders came around again, jumped back on and kept going until the legs just couldn't keep the pace. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbw-QNvGbbI

Fantastic morning ride. I reckon we covered about 15km, but on small gearing it left the legs feeling very heavy indeed.

Time for a track bike this summer?? Very tempting. Very tempting indeed! Even considering switching over those old Shamals to track wheels. Stay tuned.