It's been a big year this year, and I am really happy to achieve some great goals I set myself at the beginning of it. I had always had my doubts of pulling it off till about half way through, and then some rain came and slowed up the racing and I was back to thinking maybe I would not get it. I wanted to race or have an event per week on average, which seemed a big task, but with joining the actvets, in the end it was not as hard as what I expected. The club has been great with weekly crits over the summer period and road racing about every second weekend, combined with mountain bike racing and various other events by the time 2012 comes around I should have 57 in the bag, (52 not including DNF's and charity rides).
Sometimes there is no better training than racing, and although some of these races would not be as hard as some of the training rides out there, they had a purpose. With many years of 24 solo racing I felt I needed something different in my training, I was always focused on hours in the saddle, below threshold efforts, and every time it seemed to come time for some intensity I'd either have a little break or become sick. I improved but it seemed like a 1/2 yearly groundhog. So after settling in C grade, and really knowing how my training should shape like, I decided on doing my own program. Fenner had been training me for over 2 years and he had been a great coach, but I just felt like I needed something different and not feel like those numbers or workouts were my sole goal. Instead my goal was to move through C grade and into B, and possible A (BTW A grade Vets is not a true A grade). My daily goals were still based on numbers but depending on what I felt like my weakness was, or what I wanted to improve on, or what I needed to do around my racing my efforts were logical and it seemed my improvements were coming and I was enjoying the training and racing.
Various MTB races came and went but it seemed I either had a load of fun or no luck, falling sick just before and during the National solo's was one race I wanted to do better in but luckily I only put in a small 10 day build for it. But the highlight was the Mont 24 in a fantastic team it was really good fun, and good to put all my effort into 1 lap at a time knowing I had time to recover, so much fun. Things went quite during winter but still some road racing to be had, but a load of work on the trainer, but thankfully Cadel kept me entertained for some of that :). But when the racing picked up again I moved to B grade on road and was pushing at another level, mentally I had some confidence to push hard and then go that bit more. I road not thinking about what efforts I had to do tomorrow, and just raced for today. I had established a solid quick build for the Garmin 24, and I was really happy where I was at and ready to enjoy it, and that is what I did. My year racing on the road has finished with being moved up to A grade (due to my racing tactics more that results I think), and with 1 A grade crit done and finishing mid pack my "grade goal" got smiley and star stamps all over it.
So I’m happy looking back, I have had some solid gains in area's that I have really needed. My riding has come a long way, which included allot of fun, somehow I just need to transform some of that to the dirt. 2012 will be another year and I think it is time to get dirty again and race more off road. At least riding off road I'm not being told to shave my legs or wash my bike ;). This year is not over, 1 more race to go on New Year’s Eve; it is going to be a load of fun pairing with Grantley for the wicked wombat. I can't think of a better way to finish it off, as I'm keen for more racing like this next year.
Race numbers:
Road Crits: 22
Super Crits: 4
Road Races: 10
Time trials: 2
Team 24's: 2
Solo 24's: 2 (1 DNF)
3-4 hour MTB races: 2
7-8 hour MTB races: 1 (DNF)
XC races: 2
Multiday races: 2
Marathon MTB: 1
Gravity XC: 1
XC Hill climb: 1
Dirt crits a shameful: 1
Charity events: 3
Still to come a pairing 8 hour with unlimited laps per person so essentially will be an 8 hour riding with a mate (apart for the first lap).
Definately lacking the 7-8 hour racing on offer, and marathons.
The most coolest and weird moment, is rocking up to Canberra Hospital checking out a mate and riding a full hot lap of the bike paths (from the hospital) of Lake BG within an hour.
So time for new goals, different training strategies again, and no doubt more improvements. I must admit the 3 hour and Gravity events on offer does sound great and maybe just what I need.
Merry Christmas everyone hope you are enjoying some time off work, to work off the eating season :).
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Garmin 24: back to the roots
I was very keen for this race it had all the right ingredients and just what I needed. Over the past few years solo 24's have become a serious thing, doing 2 Worlds put myself in the serious mindset, and I was keen to bring it back to basics.
The mindset was hard to escape, I had problems with my top fuel, wheel issues, tyre sealing issues, felt like every day I was setting up some tubeless wheels. We got to the event on Thursday night in time to put up the marquee and mark out a spot for Bellcha. Friday was filled with laps of the course, setting up the new wheels with tubeless again, and getting some great food in. Early Saturday morning and we were awake with a storm which continued till nearly race start.
It started with a loop around a grass paddock and a little of the usual chaos but as soon as we hit the newly cut in singletrack, the gaps formed between the riders and we were slipping and sliding on what was obviously going to be a deteriorating track. We looped around through a few rain showers just being a pilot and either trying to get grip with the rear tyre to climb a slight incline or have a fine balance of keeping the bike in the right direction or losing control. I knew chain suck was the order of the day so kept it in the mid ring. Some parts of this seemed madness and I kept coming in thinking they would put a stop to it for safety. But they kept us out, there were many bodies going nowhere on the track, some crying on rocks, and reports of broken bones. I remember my rear wheel overtaking my front, and digging mud from my stays and tyres, but when my lap time blew out to 2 hours for 17k's I felt like a shell. With the energy sapping mud, and food and liquids of about 80g of carbs per lap, I was shaking and needed more. I had only used the top fuel, as there was no way I could enjoy myself on the track knowing I was damaging 2 bikes including my new superfly. So the top fuel needed a good clean, and I needed food. It seemed like I was sitting for 10 minutes, but an hour went past and my mind was still in serious mode it wanted to go out, but then it clicked. I knew if I went out it would not be fun, I knew if I waited sorted myself out I'd be back and could hit up some fun laps as the course dried a little. So I showered, washed the bike, ate more, and had a little sleep.
I woke up and thought, I'm good to go, I should be out there. I got up checked it all out cheered Brett as he came through and got ready to hopefully see if I can catch him for a fun lap with a mate. It took me a couple of laps but came into transition and there he was, and out we went. It was great to chat, and catch up on what had happened, I think it was the most fun I've had in a lap of a 24 solo. 3/4 of the lap in we did get split with traffic so I decided to keep going, to transition, and a few more laps and I was done with a smile on my filthy face. I did not realise it at the time but I don't think I would have enjoyed it unless I got that break. As much as I hated the mud it did bring me back to why I do these things and it is not to race. I had meet some fantastic new mates, Kendra and I made the 24 into something we needed after the seriousness. It had everything the tough stage of the first 9.5 hours and the fun stage of the last 7.
Seems I was not the only rider in this mindset of it's got to be fun. Nice one Rhino: http://www.enduropulse.com.au/articles/event-wraps/479-slipping-n-sliding-at-the-garmin-24-hour
A huge thanks to Kendra she kept me out there when I wanted to be, but always knew everything I needed. She gave up an extra long weekend only to spend it around bikes, mud, and rain. Brett for being Brett always a great bloke to be around, and really good to see him tough it out and get a great result. All our neighbours at the race, they were such good company and always willing to lend a hand or spray bottle ;). Also Onya Bike Belconnen, I know they spent allot of time on the old trek to get it running perfect and I had no issues with it (after replacing rear wheel) they really do a top job prepping a bike to work flawlessly.
Some cool stats which I did not know till the results:
My 2nd fastest lap was the last lap.
Last 3 lap times were less than 20 seconds difference.
Bellcha and I were the fastest solo riders out there after sunrise, obviously having too much fun, and the rest definitely helped me.
Great work by Chris Hanson for the win, this guy definately has some skills and knows how to ride in the mud. It was great being pitted next to him, Gav and crew,impressive team.
I don't think I will ever believe a forecast again, 5-10mm yeah right.......
Some nice photo's by Sue Hanson
The mindset was hard to escape, I had problems with my top fuel, wheel issues, tyre sealing issues, felt like every day I was setting up some tubeless wheels. We got to the event on Thursday night in time to put up the marquee and mark out a spot for Bellcha. Friday was filled with laps of the course, setting up the new wheels with tubeless again, and getting some great food in. Early Saturday morning and we were awake with a storm which continued till nearly race start.
It started with a loop around a grass paddock and a little of the usual chaos but as soon as we hit the newly cut in singletrack, the gaps formed between the riders and we were slipping and sliding on what was obviously going to be a deteriorating track. We looped around through a few rain showers just being a pilot and either trying to get grip with the rear tyre to climb a slight incline or have a fine balance of keeping the bike in the right direction or losing control. I knew chain suck was the order of the day so kept it in the mid ring. Some parts of this seemed madness and I kept coming in thinking they would put a stop to it for safety. But they kept us out, there were many bodies going nowhere on the track, some crying on rocks, and reports of broken bones. I remember my rear wheel overtaking my front, and digging mud from my stays and tyres, but when my lap time blew out to 2 hours for 17k's I felt like a shell. With the energy sapping mud, and food and liquids of about 80g of carbs per lap, I was shaking and needed more. I had only used the top fuel, as there was no way I could enjoy myself on the track knowing I was damaging 2 bikes including my new superfly. So the top fuel needed a good clean, and I needed food. It seemed like I was sitting for 10 minutes, but an hour went past and my mind was still in serious mode it wanted to go out, but then it clicked. I knew if I went out it would not be fun, I knew if I waited sorted myself out I'd be back and could hit up some fun laps as the course dried a little. So I showered, washed the bike, ate more, and had a little sleep.
I woke up and thought, I'm good to go, I should be out there. I got up checked it all out cheered Brett as he came through and got ready to hopefully see if I can catch him for a fun lap with a mate. It took me a couple of laps but came into transition and there he was, and out we went. It was great to chat, and catch up on what had happened, I think it was the most fun I've had in a lap of a 24 solo. 3/4 of the lap in we did get split with traffic so I decided to keep going, to transition, and a few more laps and I was done with a smile on my filthy face. I did not realise it at the time but I don't think I would have enjoyed it unless I got that break. As much as I hated the mud it did bring me back to why I do these things and it is not to race. I had meet some fantastic new mates, Kendra and I made the 24 into something we needed after the seriousness. It had everything the tough stage of the first 9.5 hours and the fun stage of the last 7.
Seems I was not the only rider in this mindset of it's got to be fun. Nice one Rhino: http://www.enduropulse.com.au/articles/event-wraps/479-slipping-n-sliding-at-the-garmin-24-hour
A huge thanks to Kendra she kept me out there when I wanted to be, but always knew everything I needed. She gave up an extra long weekend only to spend it around bikes, mud, and rain. Brett for being Brett always a great bloke to be around, and really good to see him tough it out and get a great result. All our neighbours at the race, they were such good company and always willing to lend a hand or spray bottle ;). Also Onya Bike Belconnen, I know they spent allot of time on the old trek to get it running perfect and I had no issues with it (after replacing rear wheel) they really do a top job prepping a bike to work flawlessly.
Some cool stats which I did not know till the results:
My 2nd fastest lap was the last lap.
Last 3 lap times were less than 20 seconds difference.
Bellcha and I were the fastest solo riders out there after sunrise, obviously having too much fun, and the rest definitely helped me.
Great work by Chris Hanson for the win, this guy definately has some skills and knows how to ride in the mud. It was great being pitted next to him, Gav and crew,impressive team.
I don't think I will ever believe a forecast again, 5-10mm yeah right.......
 |
| Look out for Charlie (Gav and Jacci's son) 24 minute race winner, I don't think I saw him off the bike |
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