Writing retrospectively about the race at Mt. Buller is a bit surreal, considering the devastation from the bushfires in Victoria since then. I passed through the town of Wittlesea during my trip (due to a 140km detour – I have no sense of direction) and can attest to how dry and hot it was the weekend I was there. This expanse of brown with temps around 46 degrees a week before the ‘black Saturday’. Needless to say I spent most of my time there in my hotel room in 24 degree comfort, also making use of the spa and pool facilities – there are some perks to the travel!
My accommodation was at the bottom of the mountain so I drove daily to Mt. Buller village for practice, which was around 7pm when it was still 30 degrees. On the day of the race the bitumen had melted and I could feel it sticking to the tyres of the rental car.
They say you don’t get what you deserve, but what you expect. Well I expected to be tired and have an average race and guess what…? It was 36 degrees for our race and the course was twisty with plenty of climbing. The dust was black and at the end of the race you looked like you’d been rolling around in a campfire. At 1500m the altitude had an effect on those of us living at sea level, which we also get when racing in Thredbo.
Finishing 7th it was my worst result of the year but I narrowly extended my series lead and planned to have a week off training – my first in two years. The initial couple of days were the hardest then I settled into it, enjoying the sleep-ins, extra energy at work and lack of grumpiness. My daughter wondered who I was and what I had done with her mother J
The next and final round is in Glen Orchy, Tasmania which I am chuffed about. Tassie one place I have been dying to visit for about ten years, so to race there will be fantastic.
It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
National MTB Titles - Canberra 25th Jan 09
Heading to Canberra I was a bit apprehensive about how the body was recovering. Backing off the volume and just working on short periods of intensity I hoped to avoid a repeat of Ballarat. The Mt. Stromlo track is one of the most technical tracks and the course used for Nationals is the same as the World Cup course I raced last September where I finished 7th and first Aussie.
Arriving on Friday morning I headed straight out to the course to cut a couple of laps before the midday heat. The main talking point was the second of two scratchy descents - the Hammerhead. Being the so-called 'A line' it is the most direct way down and the quickest - if you survive! The 'B line' was also pretty sketchy and longer. I had a small crash there (see, I'm now rating my crashes) in practice, just picking the wrong line and not paying enough attention. Although many people were riding the rock-face drop-off of the Hammerhead (a lot of them unsuccessfully I may add), I went with high percentage riding...ok, I wussed out.
After another couple of laps on Saturday afternoon and a relaxing and at times hilarious dinner with friends that night, I was feeling good for race day on Sunday at 11am. The coolest day in Canberra of our stay, it was perfect racing conditions. The start was fast, beginning on the bitumen criterium circuit before climbing the fireroad and into the singletrack ascent. After locking bars with another rider and ending up in the dirt I settled into 6th spot and started to work my way into the race.
By the second and third laps Zoe King and I were having a good tussle for third place with some friendly shouldering in the single-track - all good practice for Europe! By the fourth and final lap I'd pulled away and looked good for the bronze before almost being brought down by a kangaroo which bounded into my front wheel. I can't complain that MTB racing is boring!
Grabbing third place and getting the opportunity for another champers-shower from Rowena Fry on the podium was a great buzz near the end of a solid domestic season. I now fly back to Brisbane in time to see my daughter off for her first day in Year 1, before travelling to Mt Buller for another national round in 6 days.
Arriving on Friday morning I headed straight out to the course to cut a couple of laps before the midday heat. The main talking point was the second of two scratchy descents - the Hammerhead. Being the so-called 'A line' it is the most direct way down and the quickest - if you survive! The 'B line' was also pretty sketchy and longer. I had a small crash there (see, I'm now rating my crashes) in practice, just picking the wrong line and not paying enough attention. Although many people were riding the rock-face drop-off of the Hammerhead (a lot of them unsuccessfully I may add), I went with high percentage riding...ok, I wussed out.
After another couple of laps on Saturday afternoon and a relaxing and at times hilarious dinner with friends that night, I was feeling good for race day on Sunday at 11am. The coolest day in Canberra of our stay, it was perfect racing conditions. The start was fast, beginning on the bitumen criterium circuit before climbing the fireroad and into the singletrack ascent. After locking bars with another rider and ending up in the dirt I settled into 6th spot and started to work my way into the race.
By the second and third laps Zoe King and I were having a good tussle for third place with some friendly shouldering in the single-track - all good practice for Europe! By the fourth and final lap I'd pulled away and looked good for the bronze before almost being brought down by a kangaroo which bounded into my front wheel. I can't complain that MTB racing is boring!
Grabbing third place and getting the opportunity for another champers-shower from Rowena Fry on the podium was a great buzz near the end of a solid domestic season. I now fly back to Brisbane in time to see my daughter off for her first day in Year 1, before travelling to Mt Buller for another national round in 6 days.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Ballarat - National Road Race Titles
DNF - possibly the dirtiest acronym in racing. Did not finish. Although in Road Racing it's more common due to the strategy component and advantage of staying with the bunch, the only experience I've had with it is when I've seriously crashed on the MTB.
With a heavy program leading up to the MTB Nationals in a fortnight, I'd been feeling pretty tired and the legs were achey. I thought a week to freshen up for the road race would be enough though.
The Bunninyong circuit is tough with a 3.5km climb each lap for 10 laps. It was a hot day and with racing starting at 1.30pm hydration was important but difficult with so many riders going through the feed zone together. I missed two bottles which may have contributed to the cramp-a-thon which began on lap 4 in my left quad. By lap 6 when the pace was on I couldn't stand on the pedals without both calves and quads spasming. Having lost the lead bunch and wanting to fight another day, I rolled over the start/finish line and off the course. Making it to a rival team's tent, their director had to phone my director so they could push me up the hill to the team car - any remaining trace of dignity well and truly erased!
Time now for catching up on some sleep and resting before the MTB nationals in Canberra. I plan to overdose on massage and antioxidants (preferably from dark chocolate!) and to arrive at the start line relaxed, healthy and ready to tear it apart.
With a heavy program leading up to the MTB Nationals in a fortnight, I'd been feeling pretty tired and the legs were achey. I thought a week to freshen up for the road race would be enough though.
The Bunninyong circuit is tough with a 3.5km climb each lap for 10 laps. It was a hot day and with racing starting at 1.30pm hydration was important but difficult with so many riders going through the feed zone together. I missed two bottles which may have contributed to the cramp-a-thon which began on lap 4 in my left quad. By lap 6 when the pace was on I couldn't stand on the pedals without both calves and quads spasming. Having lost the lead bunch and wanting to fight another day, I rolled over the start/finish line and off the course. Making it to a rival team's tent, their director had to phone my director so they could push me up the hill to the team car - any remaining trace of dignity well and truly erased!
Time now for catching up on some sleep and resting before the MTB nationals in Canberra. I plan to overdose on massage and antioxidants (preferably from dark chocolate!) and to arrive at the start line relaxed, healthy and ready to tear it apart.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Geelong - National MTB Round 3
Arriving in Geelong on a sunny Thursday I began cutting laps of the You Yangs track that afternoon. It was definitely the most technically demanding track so far – and the most fun. The more notable features were an ascent up a rock face, long sections of narrow wooden bridging and some tricky rocky descents.
Two days later Geelong had received a years worth of rain in two days! Just getting to the registration area involved wading through mud and puddles a foot deep. Howling wind and driving rain – at least the last round was warm! Luckily, apart from the muddy start/finish area most of the course held up well.
After a good start I had a nervous first lap, overcooking two corners and falling to third place. I moved to second only to fall heavily soon after. A large wooden bridge descent became very slippery and my bike disappeared from under me. The planks were covered in ‘chicken wire’ to provide some grip so I now have a corresponding pattern on my right hip.
Climbing well on lap two and back in second place a strong gust of wind blew some of the course-marking tape into my bike, wrapping around the front wheel and handlebars, stopping me dead. Trying to untangle it covered in mud, my hands numb and shaking cost me almost a minute and I fell back to 4th place. It was discouraging but I felt really strong and was determined to work my way back into the race.
The next two laps I focussed on working the climbs and being smooth on the descents to take out second place. I achieved my goals of riding consistently and going into the National titles holding the series lead – worth a bit of mud and mild hypothermia I think!
My next race is the Australian Road titles in Ballarat on January 10. A course suited to mountain bikers with 10 laps of hills. I can't wait!
Two days later Geelong had received a years worth of rain in two days! Just getting to the registration area involved wading through mud and puddles a foot deep. Howling wind and driving rain – at least the last round was warm! Luckily, apart from the muddy start/finish area most of the course held up well.
After a good start I had a nervous first lap, overcooking two corners and falling to third place. I moved to second only to fall heavily soon after. A large wooden bridge descent became very slippery and my bike disappeared from under me. The planks were covered in ‘chicken wire’ to provide some grip so I now have a corresponding pattern on my right hip.
Climbing well on lap two and back in second place a strong gust of wind blew some of the course-marking tape into my bike, wrapping around the front wheel and handlebars, stopping me dead. Trying to untangle it covered in mud, my hands numb and shaking cost me almost a minute and I fell back to 4th place. It was discouraging but I felt really strong and was determined to work my way back into the race.
The next two laps I focussed on working the climbs and being smooth on the descents to take out second place. I achieved my goals of riding consistently and going into the National titles holding the series lead – worth a bit of mud and mild hypothermia I think!
My next race is the Australian Road titles in Ballarat on January 10. A course suited to mountain bikers with 10 laps of hills. I can't wait!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)