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.

Race 3, 2009

Race Report
Location: Heffron Park - Club Racing (Cat 4)
Grade: C Grade
Race Distance: 28.5km (14 laps)
My Average Speed: 36.3km/hr (46:45 mins) (Ave lap 3:20)
Placing: 8th - bunch sprint for 3rd (2 away)
Conditions: Windy, S, headwind down the main finishing straight, but tailwind on the back of the course, consistent, no gusts. Temperature about 23C. Overcast.

After the Club Champs 1 Lap ITT (see previous post), I stayed around and did the usual Saturday race at 4pm. After warming back up again, the legs felt okay, but noticably a little stiffer than earlier. I had also left the Zipp wheels on, and now would be interesting in a bunch race how they handled the wind and cornering.
On the start line, Gerard Knapp gave me a tap on the shoulder. GK rejoined the Club recently and has had the occassional race. Today we were both in C Grade together.
From the gun, I settled to the back of the group, lantern rouge, while the legs got properly warmed up to race pace, and I conserved as much as possible for later in the race - good plan. After 2 laps, there was trouble brewing at the front of the race and I had to move forward just in case a breakaway tried to form. On lap 3 this is exactly what happened. 3 guys broke off the front in what would almost prove to be the break of the day, as 4th wheel cracked and lost ground tailing everyone off with him. Stuck in 6th wheel, I started the chase, and was gradually bringing them back, but with little support. On the 4th lap, the break started to faulter a little and it all just about came back together when another rider attacked, bridged to the front rider, and we never saw those two again, but we wound in the others. After all the attack/counter/chase of the previous laps, I believe GK got dropped, and we later lapped him with 2 laps to go.
I spent a lot of time on the front of the race after lap 4. Very little help, with most intent on a bunch sprint for 3rd. Not me, I wanted to shell as many as possible, and almost succeeded serveral times but for lack of help. Too often, I would be on the front into the block headwind down the finish straight only to have someone sit on my wheel, or worse still, sit up as they got to the front so it all came back together.
In the end, it did come down to a depleted bunch sprint for 3rd, where I had very little left in the tank and rolled across the line in 8th place, holding off 2 others trying to come over my shoulder.
Still, I enjoyed the race and spending time on the front doing the majority of the work can only make me stronger. But better still, the 2 in the break (10 laps off the front and slowly catching B Grade) will likely be in B Grade next week.

Club Champs - Round 1

Race Report
Location: Heffron Park - Club Championships
Grade: TBC (Gradings for 2009 done off this event)
Race Distance: 2.02km (1 lap)
My Average Speed: 38.05km/hr (3:13 mins)
Placing: TBC
Conditions: Windy, S, headwind down the main finishing straight, but tailwind on the back of the course, consistent, no gusts. Temperature about 23C. Overcast.

Let me start by saying the following - "C'est la vie"....

After getting to Heffron a little earlier than expected, I registered and was 7th on the start list. I went out for my warm-up and did my mandatory 6 laps, getting used to the wind and prevailing conditions. While a bit windy, but atleast consistent with no gusts, the Zipp wheels didn't feel bad and I decided to go for it with them on.
After what I considered a good warm-up, the start time came around, and the first rider set-off. When I rolled up to the start line, the next to start, the time keepers noticed a small problem with the timing, so they delayed my start by about 5 minutes to get this corrected. I was completely focussed, and now I started to cool down and think about other things.
Anyway, after sorting the timing issue, we restarted.
5, 4, 3, 2, 1, go!
Out of the blocks I felt really good, and started to hammer down the short straight leading into the "squircle". Looking up, there were 10 people walking side-by-side down the track. Yelling at them, they just stopped and looked at me, oblivious to the dangers of me bearing down on them. As I got closer, they still hadn't moved out of the way, and when two kids decided to run across the track, I was forced to brake from a building +40km/hr down to about 18km/hr to miss them. You can imagine the words that came out of my mouth! That section is just so important to set-up for the rest of the lap. Race over....
Getting started again, the angry pills had kicked in, and I got going pretty quick, but the momentum was lost. Down the back straight with the tailwind I could only get up to 45km/hr, and then, entering the front 400m straight into the block headwind, I gave it everything sitting on 38km/hr. At the line, the legs were just turning to jelly, so timed perfectly.
Finish time 3:13. Take off about 5 seconds for the delay and I could have broken my PB of 3:08 done a few years ago in perfectly still conditions.
While I was offered a re-run by the Commisaires, my legs and lungs (pursuiters cough) were just not up to it and so the 3:13 stands. Good thing is, I know I was much faster than that.
"C'est la vie".

Latest Happenings

Not much to talk about really. Been riding, working, riding, sleeping, working, not necessarily in that order or priority. Seems like an endless merry-go-round.

The last few weeks I haven't raced due to either prior commitments, poor weather or lack of enthusiasm. But I have been getting out with the Club on the Sunday Waterfall ride. These rides are now just plain fast, what was once a very quick ride (back in Centennial by 9:15am) is now very much the norm. The last 3 weeks we have been back in the Park sipping coffee by this time. And, I've been doing work on the front of the bunch each week, and doing turns in the paceline back to Sutherland. Needless to say I'm getting stronger and faster each week. While not at the top of my form, I can see it from here, and know what needs to be done to get there.

Last weekend BTi and I did a Saturday roll out to Kurnell. It was good to get out for a slightly more casual and social ride for a change. Before setting out, I put the Zipp wheels onto my bike to give them a good roll out. BTi is still suffering with his neck, but this doesn't seem to deter him from riding, even though he obviously suffers by the end of the ride. Naturally, breakfast was compulsory at the First Drop. Riding home after brekky, GK drove past, and gave us a bit of a serve via text message - secret miles he claimed! Of course, I left my camera at home for the day, so sorry no pics.

This coming Saturday (04 April 09) is the first of the Club Championship rounds for the year - the dreaded Heffron 1 lap - 2km of all out effort (I can almost hear Hamster saying "Only 2 more back breaking kilometres to go" in that dodgy French accent). Gradings for the year will be based on this, so lets see how I go. I'm hoping to go close or better my personal best of 3:08, and that should put me into B Grade again. I've got some form on the board, and the Zipps are primed, so now it is just up to me to put in and "have a go" on the day. I've come up with the following cunning plan - "Go hard, and then go harder". Will update next week with the result.

I've also started to put together a plan for Open Races this year. My first target will likely be the Cootamundra Haycarters in early May. A group from the Club is going down at Easter for a sneak view/recon of the course, and then for the race a few weeks later, so it could be a couple of good weekends if I can get onboard.

Race 2, 2009

Race Report
Location: Heffron Park - Club Racing (Cat 4)
Grade: C Grade
Race Distance: 28.5km (14 laps)
My Average Speed: 35.7km/hr (48:00 mins)
Placing: 6th - bunch sprint
Conditions: Windy, NE, tailwind down the main finishing straight, but block headwind on the back of the course, although not as bad as previous weeks. Temperature about 27C. Sunny.

After a few weeks off due to weather (see previous blog) I was a little nervous at the start. I settled into the back of the bunch early to get the rhythm of the race.

After 3 or 4 laps a few riders were starting to feel the pinch so I moved up into the middle of the bunch so I didn't get tailed off. I gradually moved into the top 6 riders at the front of the bunch after a minor split happened on lap 6, and I wanted to make sure I was in the break if it happened and stayed away. Unfortunately, after bridging across and doing the hard work, it all came back together again about half a lap later. On laps 7 and 8 I did one big turn on the front of the bunch, for 2 full laps, stretching the field out. When the next rider attacked on lap 9, the bunch started falling apart, but I was in the lead group of 10 or so riders.

With 4 laps remaining, the attacks came thick and fast when we had the tailwind, but I didn't feel in any danger at that time. On lap 12, a young rider and myself were on the front driving the bunch, but unfortunately we couldn't get away. Coming up to the bell, the usual attacks occurred, but they were easily covered by the time we hit the headwind on the back half of the course - it was going to come down to a bunch sprint.

Exiting out of the netball courts, I found myself a little boxed in, and when the jump came, I lost about 4 bike lengths. Still, I managed to get free at the top of the straight and gave it my all chasing the leaders, even though the race was already lost. The good thing was that I was slowly catching them so my speed is slowly coming back (max speed 55km/hr). At the line I'd finished 6th and about 30-50 metres behind the winner.

This week I felt far more comfortable in the bunch than my first race. I felt I paced myself well, moved through the bunch when I had to, read the race, and cornered better than the first week which was really pleasing. It feels like everything is coming back together and now my confidence is up for next week. Maybe I'll even have a go at creating a breakaway.