Maybe I should start shaving

The picture looks bad, but my knee has come up OK. It won't hold me back anyway.

Another crit over in a blink. It was a good one and great turn out, lots of big boys out which was good to see. The track was on the lower end of Majura with some twisty trails which don’t really favour me. But I decided to try and get a good start.


Sitting in the second row, and we were off, it was all out to the first corner, and managed to keep a reasonable position into the single track as I took it wide and gained another position going in. I was in 7th and considering there is about 6-7 people on each row I was happy. The first lap was a blur just managing to keep up with the rider in front, but I dropped a couple of meters. I knew there was a big gap behind, and as I went to put a bit in I really had no top end. So I kept my position and back into the ST. Basically that was how it stayed every lap I lost a few meters in the single track I knew I had a good gap and only really did what I needed, for the following laps. Until the last corner I had a few meters of my gap still there and thought I’d just punch it out over the last little section. But as I exited the ST over a little dip I moved my weight too early and lost the front end. Jase was nearly on top of me by the time I was getting up nearly clean me up. I ended up losing 2 positions, luckily Jase really did not lose any, but that’s crits.

I have to say again, such a great crowd out there, everyone is encouraging and it is great to see. The Onya Belco/Civic did another great effort.

So this weekend I’ll have a weekend of riding for myself. Bunch ride Saturday morning followed by a MTB ride Sunday. Final preparation and build for the Kona, so it will be a big one. Then I’ll look forward to some tapering ;).

Highland Fling

What a fun weekend, some disappointments but overall an enjoyable weekend.

Saturday was spent getting organized and working it all out. My first fling and making sure I knew exactly what was happening to ensure I knew what was happening in transitions etc.

I originally set out to complete the 100 mile, it started off at a fast pace, I put some in but went back to being conservative at I knew it was a long one. We were still keeping a good pace, till the open paddocks riding up a hill I had no idea what was happening. Riders were riding at me charging down the hill. Till a few guys said wrong way head back so we did into the congestion, and some walking.

Back on it, and continue on some fire road, I find Arran a fellow FTP rider and we switch positions back and forth a few times, as we head for the transition area. Looked at my watch as I cross knowing I had 5 minutes and make my way through. Kendra was waiting for me swapped packs, new bottle, a lube and I was right to go again. I head out for the next 54k’s and it was not long before Arran and I were together again. We worked our way down through some fast fire road then single track etc etc…. till I go to change gear and heard a snap and no change. Bugger, my rear cable snapped and it was straight to the small one. I pushed it hard up and over a few hills, but I knew it would be too big a gear for me. So with some work I got the cable hooked back up with some easier gears but still limited.

So I was trying to get back on it as I worked my way through single track, but I knew it was going to be hard. I found the climbs hard and walked a bit due to the gears, but found my average speed was dropping to a point where I knew I would struggle to make the cut off for the second loop. I pushed on to the open fire road and tried to make up for lost time, but coming in I knew I would not stand much chance of making it. So I decided to head back for the 110k finish. Kendra was there waiting and tried to talk me into keeping on going but realistically I had dropped 2+km/h in average speed due to gearing and I had to maintain my current average for another 54k’s. So it was time to enjoy the ride back, there were a few 100milers taking there time and cutting the distance short so I was not alone. Found it pretty nice just taking my time making my way through the 50k’ers. Headed back in to lots of cheers with people thinking I was the first 100miler back which I was but just frustrated I had not done the distance, and confirm with Huw, he was expecting Denis.

So my first fling done, there is always a hollow feeling when you have not completed what you set out for. But realistically with some issues I was having in the week leading in (and still there) it might have been the better option leading into the Kona. I hope I’m sorted by then, I need and due for a good one ;).

Overall it was a great race and there was a good atmosphere to it especially around town. Not sure if I’ll be back next year though, with the Worlds in October. It’s always nice to have a break after a big one.

Thanks Kendra and Neil for being at the transition zone, it made things allot easier.

My first Dirt Crit

I got to say it was good fun.

Going from racing 24 hours to a 10min crit seemed a bit odd. But anyway I thought I would give it a go and something I have been meaning to do for a while now, I just never really got there. Now with no excuse’s it is good to get the Club Lime jersey out there a bit more for some weekly racing.

It was a bad start I must say, a guy in front had a bad one leaving me dodging him and dropping back. Really I have no idea how many riders were behind me going into the first single track but it was not many. I rode past Dan who had a slight mechanical and then worked my way down to the fire road for some overtaking. I passed 5-6 riders, and being the only stretch where I could overtake next lap I got 3 more, then another 2 and coming up to the finish I managed to get another. I ended the race to finish 11th, it does not seem that great, but I think it was pretty good for a first effort anyway.

It was an awesome race and very social. Might have to have another go next week and try for a better position on the start ;).

Fitz's

What a ride, I was in this one for fun and training and that is what I got. I must admit I was tempted to go for something longer than the 105k but considering my schedule I think I picked well.


With a most relaxed start I wanted to stay to the front of the pack down to the cotter as I hate descending in big groups. The climb out of the Cotter was a solid effort, I was just hanging onto the wheel in front, not putting in a huge effort but just to stay there but realized at the top there was only 5 of us left. We rode to Tharwa, turned around without much of a break and headed back to see the gap. It was not much only 1 minute, and it was not long till we saw Karen, it was quite funny really seeing little Karen leading this big group of about 30 guys behind her just sitting on her wheel.

The last climb before heading to the Cotter Mr McAvoy put a bit of effort in and split us up. I really was not ready for it at the back and dropped right off. I noticed the group was split into 3, 2 groups of 2 and then me. I had used all my power beans when it was my turn at the front, so I rode the last 25k off my base hoping that the following group would not catch me. But I did manage to get in contact with the 4th rider at the last checkpoint but it did not last long. I ended up finishing in 5th to a big cheer from the Mumnuts (onya girls), all done in just over 3.5 hours. Jase finished 2nd, behind a guy that did no work at the front, one reason to hate road race’s ;).

After the ride I promised a mate (Brownie) I’d come back and ride the last section with him. So I headed back after re filling my bottle and grabbed a couple of softies. By the time I got to Uriarra it was heating up in a big way, so I drank my solo and kept going. I got to the intersection at Brindabella road saw a couple of riders in the shade and that was a good excuse to stop for a bit. I kept going but saw Brownie only a few km’s down the road and was keen to get back out of the heat. I was expecting a nice easy cruise back but Brownie had other idea’s smashing it along the flats, he must have got a bit of extra motivation from somewhere. But heading back up the 3 sisters was hard it was 42+ degrees’s and was glad when a volley offered to refill our drinks as I was running out quickly. So we were back on it again and finished it off. Close enough to 150k’s for me and a little de-hydrated and sunburnt but it was all good fun.

As it seems the ride revealed that I have not yet solved the issue I had at Worlds, although I have no pain it is obvious my preventions are not working. So hopefully with a few emails I can find out some answers. It has come at a bad time with the 100mile fling this weekend and hopefully it will be OK and come good, but I need it sorted before the Kona for sure.

Other news I entered into Worlds last Sunday, having another go at my age group. No doubt it will be the toughest 24 hour competition the Worlds has seen so it is bound to be a beauty.

A sad day :(

Well today I said goodbye, to my Rocky Mountain. It seems pretty sad getting attached to a bike and then selling it. But the Rocky has been one special bike, it's seen 7 solo races, many team events and it has never put a wheel wrong. Kendra even shed a tear as it found a new owner. Hopefully it will give Jamian a new passion, and hopefully the rig will be able to keep up with his kids.
I've now entered a new event the Husky Enduro. Should be great, Matt from blackheart is organizing it, he competed at the Worlds, can't wait to check out the tracks.

Scott 24 hour 2009

What a race, it was a strange one for sure. I had a lot of fun at this race, but I think it was due to my team, campsite friends, and most of the other riders out there.

This year’s race saw the return of a single loop track which took in some nice but technical tracks, with a change in the course throughout the night. I liked it, but there seemed to be too many riders, and not enough overtaking room to get the full experience.

I put my hand up to head out first, and I knew it would be, go out hard or have a wait with the congestion. So I went with the go hard option, and as the gun went people went into chaos pushing here and there body’s dropping to the ground everywhere I went into survival mode rather than run as hard as I could. But I made to my bike safely and got going up the fire road. I hit the single track with a little wait for a few minutes and then I was on my way on the climb in a big line and just waiting to make the most of fire roads to pass. This was pretty much the rest of the lap, we were holding a pretty good speed for the most of it so it was still good fun.

The fun continued throughout the next 2 laps then it was time to have an extra break. Through the night we decided to do spit shifts and while Karen and I had a nice little rest, Grant and John would put in a few. I don’t think I really got any sleep but it was a good rest, and before I knew it I had to get ready again.

This was my second night lap but the other one had some daylight so it was nice to do it under lights. I got past the downhill section and looked into a gully and there was a guy with blood everywhere, what the….Anyway he had a few people with him, so I told them to take a seat while I ride on to the check point to get help. I thought it was closer but I finally found it and past the details on and chatted to those awesome vollies for a bit. I got back into it passing riders I had passed before, and it was great to hear one go, “good onya for stopping mate have a good one”. I always like friendly riders like that. But on I went and finished it off.

Next lap was back to the day lap which I preferred, I took it easy had a chat to Kendra as I passed her on the climb, and made my way down the barrel. I did the figures during this lap thinking that there is most likely 1 more for me to do to make it 6 and 21 for the team.

I love the last lap, I went out for a good one and it was brilliant. I have fun pushing fairly hard and also at one stage riding in a group of 3 just chatting and enjoying company of 2 other rider who were strangers. It was a great way to finish it off.

So thanks to all who kept me company throughout it all as it was just as good social experience as it was a riding one. Plus it was great to have a fun team where all did there best they could do.

Well done to Kendra, who pulled off some great laps over the challenging course. It was good to see her giving it a good go, and coming back with a smile.

How good is Hiran at Radical lights he setup Kendra’s team the Mumnuts, fitted them out with lights for the race. They even got stickers with there names on them. Check it out. The lights did a great job and were the brightest I’ve seen.
http://www.radical-lights.com/

 
More pictures to come.

Home town advantage

Well it's in Canberra hmm hopefully I don't get to sick of Stromlo by the time the race comes ;).

The racing season is almost here

As I’m in my last week of hard training before it’s time for recovery I’m really trying to stay with it. I’m on the edge of dropping power at the end of each day’s intervals, but with only a few days to go I’m keen to carry it through. Early nights and good food has been a friend this week.

Last weekend was a killer set especially with the weather. Saturday was a disaster; I went out knowing it was not going to be good but needed to just do it. I decided some Tharwa loops would be the go as they are close to home if it turns too bad. It went very bad, my first lap I had hail, a head wind where I thought I was going backwards, an attack of a black and white flying object, then a flat close to home and I gave in and that was where I headed. Sunday I was not going to let the weather get the better of me. Luckily I had organised a ride friend at 11am, but with me getting out the gate before 8am left me with no choice but a 7 hour ride. Worked a treat, 3 hours in, I was semi keen to head home but with some fresh legs turning up I had no choice but to keep my pace up and keep it going till 2pm, thanks Karen for smashing me on the hills ;). Rolling down to the car park I saw some familiar faces it’s the Mumnuts including Kendra who is on her skills camp for the weekend. I thought I was good being out in it for so long but they were in it all weekend, tough chicks. So then I headed off for a casual cruise back home.

Now the Scott is creeping up very fast, and with a move from a 2 man team to a 4 mixed team, I’m looking forward to a relaxed race. Karen and Grant are great riders, and no doubt we will have fun. With bigger races on the horizon it was always going to force me into a relaxed one. But at least with a 4 person I can afford to try to put in some quicker laps, so bring on the fun, and a little hurt ;).

Time is ticking till we find out where the 2010 World 24 hour will be, we should know by lunch time Saturday (with the change of hours over there). I have mixed emotions being at home will be great but I don’t expect it to feel like a World event being here for some reason. But in Brisbane or should I say 2 hours out of Brisbane I would not expect the crowds to be that excited. I know it will be huge and bring a whole new level of endurance racing to Oz. It will be a ripper for sure hopefully some great hype will see some good crowds. I expect some big names to be tempted with the challenge, but bring it on; it will be great to see Solo 24 racing get bigger. It’s not a ride of who can last the distance now, it has really turned into a race for 24 hours, I can’t wait….

Here is a nice pic for this time of year, it takes the right nest to be able to tip 90 degree’s and keep those eggs from falling out.