"My legs had a slow leak"

NSW ITT Champs Sunday 27 July

Without question this was the worst race of my life. It has taken me a little while to decide if I would put anything here about it, but figured if I only wrote about the good stuff, the few people that bother to read this might think I am some sort of freak that only ever does well! To give you some perspective and convince you that I am not exaggerating, I was so far behind the other riders Matt was asking the officials if they had heard of any accidents on the course! Oops, it was a bad day!

I am not going to go into details, but there were a lot of things that went unnoticed during the week that contributed and a lot of lessons learnt from the experience of Sunday- so it wasn't a complete waste!

A special mention to Matt, Susie, Dean and Glenn for helping me put it all in perspective and get over it. (The title of this post is courtesy of Glenn when we were briefly dissecting what happened, quite fitting!)

In other news, Matt and I, and a number of people from the lab, attended Rob and Alicia's wedding on Saturday (see photos). The bride looked stunning and Rob scrubbed up pretty well too :P. The ceremony was lovely, held at the Catholic church in Holt, followed by a very fun reception at Old Parliament House. After Sunday's effort, I regret that we couldn't stay longer at the reception, from all accounts it was a blast!

L to R: Rob; Alicia with her Dad; the happy couple; the bridal party- Paula (Rob's sister), Claire (Alicia's sister), Alicia, Fr Michael, Rob, Anthony (Rob's best mate), Sebastian (Alicia's brother).

"Did you two play trains?"

CCC Mini Mike- 52km scratch race, Sunday 20th July

Today was my first road race back. Until today the longest ride I had done on the road was 55km, so I wasn't all that keen to race the 83km Iron Mike. I met up with Narelle to cruise out to the race and on my way to meet here noticed the temperature at the ABC studios- 3C! It was cold! Especially cold compared to Dapto yesterday!

After a bit of "discussion" with the club president about my grading for today- normally I would ride women's A grade, but given I hadn't seen a hill in months I thought it would be better to enter a race that I could finish then start a race knowing I was probably going to pull out.

The Women's B race had about 12 people start and we stayed together until the climb out of Uriarra Crossing. Surprisingly I got out of the crossing pretty comfortably and was feeling pretty good along the false flat. We rolled along at a pretty comfortable speed to where we thought we should be turning around. Gracie (Miesel-Dennis) and I commented that we thought we should have seen the other bunches ahead of us and that it was odd we hadn't. Down into Condor Creek where the turn around should have been and there was no one there! This was the advertised turn around, but obviously wasn't what was actually happening today! The turn around ended up being about 5km further down the road at the end of the sealed road, and, incidentally up another hill! That climb felt pretty good, I found a good rhythm and away I we went, again dropping some more girls.

After the turnaround there was a long descent along road that hadn't seen any sun and it was cold! In fact it was at this point that I realised I hadn't really gotten warm and was wishing for spectators, a la Le Tour, to hand me a newspaper ;) Back along the false flat and we were a group of 5 through the crossing. I was heading towards the box as we began the ascent of the three sisters, but was determined to make it to the finish with Gracie. Over one sister and then the second, that was alright, backed it off a little for the third one and was pleased to be over them; the bunch was down to 4. Gracie had been looking to go off the front as we went over each of the hills, but I didn't have the hill legs. There was one more rise in front of us and the suggestion was made that we could drop the other 2, knowing that it was relatively flat for the final 7 km away we went. We left the other 2 girls with ease and continued to play trains all the way to the finish. My intention had been that the 2 of us dead heat over the line, but I didn't realise that Gracie had run out of gears (U17 restricted) before the line and I ended up about a 1/4 wheel ahead- sorry Gracie!

Oops, I had burgled B grade women, not really my intention, I just wanted to be out racing!

Overall pretty happy with my first race back, and first win in the Onya jersey. My body held up to the ride in the hills pretty well, seems as though I haven't lost too much from being confined to the ergo. My wrist was a little sore and swollen, which had been expected after the conversation with Phil on Friday, but I think in the long term this would have been very good for building the strength up again.

Found Susie hanging around the finish line and decided that I was still cold and it must be time for coffee! Despite opting for the shorter race, I managed over 90km for the day and about 4 hours of ride time. I will sleep very well tonight :)

Timetrialing in the sun

Illawarra Club Time Trial Championships, Saturday 19th July.

It was an early start to the day to make sure we got the obligatory trip to the Farmers Markets done before heading off to Dapto. There was also a quick trip out to Onya Bike Belco to grab some new sunglasses and shop jersey- thanks for opening the shop early Mick! Then the Tardis was packed with everything that I needed for the race along with Matt's parents who were coming along to watch.

Matt's mum and dad, Alan & Sandra- up there amongst my top supporters!

The 2 and a bit hour drive ended up with a temperature change of about 10 degrees- I still can't believe how much warmer it was on the coast compared to Canberra. I had packed all my longs and my wind vest and ended up racing in just my skinsuit! The trip took a little longer than anticipated so it was a bit of a rushed warm up and prep, but it was alright in the end.

Right: They're nice sunglasses! Thanks for the Serfas Miradors Mick, they're awesome!

It was about 26min after the first rider went off that I was away- the long course riders had headed off first for their 2 laps and I was about the 5th last away.

There was a cracking tail wind to get us going for the first 5km, which helped make up for the shortened warm up. At 4.5 km the course took a sharp right and headed along for another 4.5 km, but with a bit of a head-crosswind and a bit more undulating. Just after the bend a guy who, from his number, should have started about 1 min after me, came past- where did he come from?!! I kept with him pretty much until the turn around atop of a little steep bump then had to recover a little and away he went. The return along that stretch of road had a bit of tail-crosswind so a good chance to get some recovery and my legs were feeling pretty good despite the undulations. It was along this stretch that the guy from 30sec in front of me, whom I had caught on the way out, started to hang around and annoy me! He was obviously stronger on the hills, but I was getting away the rest of the time. Was a bit distracting but also helped to drive me as I was not going to let him pass me and get away! Back through the left hand turn and onto the final 5km. Whilst I think this was overall downhill, the same cracking tailwind from the way out was now a block headwind to the finish line. I was still feeling pretty good and managed to stay focussed on keeping in front of this guy hanging around my rear wheel! Despite my best efforts the wind pulled my average speed d0wn- I as aiming for 40kph but had to settle for 39kph in the end, must have been Susie's wheels that made the difference there! The final 100m to the finish line involved an all out sprint from me to ensure that this guy who had been hanging around from getting over me at the end (yes I know I had already beat him, but there were people there to watch me and you have to look good for them!!).

I told you, you are not going over the line in front of me!!

Above left: Only 29mins to go!

I think I can safely say that I had nothing left at the end of this race so I had timed it all well and all in all I was pretty happy with how it all panned out. The bike ran like an absolute treat, except for the bars moving due to the very very rough road! In the end I was about 5th fastest overall from a mainly male field, and I was happy!

This morning's process was reversed and the Tardis got us home in time for Ana's graduation party.

Four days, and counting!

That's how long until my first race back, and I am a little excited! It will be my first race on the "weapon" and will hopefully make the last 7 weeks spent training on the ergo in the shed worth it!

I took the new bike out on the weekend to check the set up and make sure everything was all set for racing on. And, with only one slight mechanical issue requiring minor adjustment to the rear derailleur, it was perfect. Not only does this bike look fast, it goes fast! It was such a great feeling to a) not just be out of the shed on a bike but b) to be on a bike that just felt like it wanted to go fast! Seriously, I cannot wait to race this bike on the weekend.

Am also pleased to report that I wasn't as apprehensive about being out on the road as I thought I may have been. To bring some of you up to speed... about 2 months ago I was hit by a car while out training on my bike (car failed to give way to me on a roundabout). On the whole I was pretty much OK, except I had broken my left wrist in about 7 places in both the ulna and the radius. Other than that, some minor lacerations and a lot of bruising to my lower body. I spent 3.5 days in hospital- 2 days waiting for surgery and then recovering. The open reduction, internal fixation, where they put a metal plate and 7 screws in, took 4.5 hours. They had originally thought it was going to be about 1.5 hours of surgery but it was much worse than anticipated when they opened it up. The image on the left is a scan of the X-ray taken post-op.


After that there was a lot of frustration as I struggled to get things done with one hand! In the end I was in a cast for 4 weeks and a splint for 2. Once the splint went on, physio started to get the movement back in the joint which had pretty much seized up. I had about 2.5 weeks off training and then started to smash it up on the ergo 5 days a week and in the gym the other 2 days. The splint has been off for almost 3 weeks and the range of motion in my wrist has improved dramatically, to the point where I was allowed to get back on the bike a week earlier than anticipated. I still don't have complete movement in my wrist, but it is getting better and I am starting to be able to bear weight with my left hand again. It also stands up to being on the bike pretty well, so long as I steer clear of the big bumps!
The image on the right is the 3 inch scar on my left arm that makes me look like a bit of an emo! There were 12 stitches along there after the plate had been put in.



That's all for now. Next time should be a race report!!

Take care and have a great day ;)

New Weapon

After much anticipation and extreme gratitude to Mick at Onya Bike Belconnen, I got to bring my new weapon home today!! The BMC TT02 time trial bike is my new weapon of choice and it is currently pride of place blocking the front door- hey it means I can look at it will I type this (did I mention that it also spent the day in my office at work instead of in the car!!)


The next job is to get the set up right before NSW ITT on 27th July. Hopefully the weather will be good over the weekend so I can get out for a spin on it. Up before that is the Illawarra TT Club Champs on 19th July. As usual, my mechanic supreme (and love of my life) Matt will be along to make sure the bike runs to perfection and to look after me- he is an expert at both and I wouldn't have got anywhere without him!!

A brief update on my wrist. Phil (my physio at Atlas Physio, Braddon) is very happy with how the recovery has gone so far, to the point where I was allowed to ride to work today for the first time in 6 weeks! Despite the very miserable winter weather, it was so good to ride to work rather than take the bus!! I still don't have full mobility back in all directions and I am still lacking a bit of strength, but it is definitely almost there.

So there you have it. Post number one complete. A huge thanks to Mick and all the guys at Onya Bike for helping me out with the weapon. Be sure to watch this space to see how well it performs!

2008 Road Results

March 2008- Stockinbingal 37km HCP 4th overall and First Female

May 2008- NRS Murwillumbah Elite Women's Time Trial 2nd

(There was a bit of time spent off the road and in the shed due to injury...)

July 2008- CCC MiniMike RR- 1st
July 2008- Illawarra Club TT Championships 1st non-club member, 5th overall, fastest female

August 2008- Australian Cycling GP Elite Women's Time Trial 6th

October 2008- Vikings Cycling Club Stromlo Ladies' Night Crit- 4th
October 2008- Riverina Championships Time Trial D-grade 1st
October 2008- Riverina Championships Road Race D-grade 7th

November 2008- Canberra Times Tour de Femme- 1st

Awards:
CCC Criterium Series Overall Pointscore 07/08- 3rd
Tour de Riverina- Best Female

2008-09 Track Results

Dec 08 Victorian State Track Titles Scratch Race..........................Silver
Dec 08 Victorian State Track Titles Individual Pursuit.................Fourth
Dec 08 Victorian State Track Titles Points Race.............................Silver

Dec 08 Revolution 4, Melbourne Scratch Race................................8th
Dec 08 Melbourne Cup on Wheels Elimination................................4th
Dec 08 Melbourne Cup on Wheels Scratch.......................................4th

Nov 08 NSW State Track Titles Individual Pursuit........................4th
Nov 08 Clarence St Cup Elimination..................................................1st

Nov 08 Oceania Track Champs, Adelaide Scratch Race.................1oth
Nov 08 Oceania Track Champs, Adelaide Omnium........................9th


Nov 08 Wagga Wagga Golden Wheel Sunday Wheel Race.............4th