Road Race #2: SFP to Uriarra Homestead to Coppins Crossing to Camp Sturt and back to SFP ~80 km
Sunday morning 4th July 2010
The final stage of the tour started in very thick fog and hence very limited visibility and it stayed that way for about two thirds of the race. Needless to say the descents into Uriarra Crossing were with trepidation by the bunch!Coupled with the alertness required to navigate the fog, today’s stage was all about position, position, position. Unfortunately, I lapsed a little on this one.
On the way back from the homestead I found myself in a position that I wasn’t happy with, much too far from the front of the bunch. This in turn meant I was too far at the back of the bunch when the split happened up the three sisters. And, the chase was on. Luckily the chase group formed quickly and (mostly) everyone was prepared to work hard. We chased hard and at times it looked promising that we might get there. But, that was not to be. In the end our chase group came in about 2 ½ minutes behind the front bunch.
In the final wash up I was 16th overall, a little lower than I was hoping, but still a result that I am pretty happy with. It was a tough weekend, but I am definitely seeing some major improvements in my climbing and overall tour racing, so I really can’t complain.
Next up, defense of my NSW ITT title, bring it on!
Jul 10, 2010
Jul 9, 2010
DBR Women and Juniors' Tour- Day 2 cont
Criterium
Saturday 3rd July 2010 Afternoon
Prior to the start of the afternoon stage, Brian and I discussed the weather. It would seem that it had been around 0 celcius when we had started the morning stage! Wow, I thought it was warmer than that, but then I am kind of used to training in -5 celcius. We then discussed what the mercury was doing then, at 2pm. It had made it to double digits... it was 10C!!! That settled it, short sleeves it was!
The crit went something like this: pace on, pace off, pace on, pace off, pace on, pace off. It was clear very early on that no one was going to be allowed to get away and so long as you were in a decent spot in the bunch you would get sucked along when the attack was chased. Apart for rolling through my turns accordingly early, I ventured to the front in the second part of the race and tried to lift the speed. I wasn't trying to get away, just to try and flick a few people off the back and thin things out a little.
Pretty sure any effect I, and the others who had tried a similar thing, had was eroded when 2 local roos ventured onto the track with 2 laps to go. Race neutralised until Skippy and friend were out of the way! Anyone dagged previously, back in the bunch. Hmmm. Oh well, that is racing in the bush capital!
As anticipated, it was a bunch sprint. Unfortunately thanks to Skippy I was not in the best position and to do a fair bit of moving through the bunch before the last half lap. In the end, I started my sprint from where I wanted, but just ran out of legs before the finish to roll across in 7th.
It really is all about position, position, position. Never satisified unless there is a posium involved, but I can't be disappointed as I rode the race I planned to race and ticked all the pre-race boxes.
Saturday 3rd July 2010 Afternoon
Prior to the start of the afternoon stage, Brian and I discussed the weather. It would seem that it had been around 0 celcius when we had started the morning stage! Wow, I thought it was warmer than that, but then I am kind of used to training in -5 celcius. We then discussed what the mercury was doing then, at 2pm. It had made it to double digits... it was 10C!!! That settled it, short sleeves it was!
The crit went something like this: pace on, pace off, pace on, pace off, pace on, pace off. It was clear very early on that no one was going to be allowed to get away and so long as you were in a decent spot in the bunch you would get sucked along when the attack was chased. Apart for rolling through my turns accordingly early, I ventured to the front in the second part of the race and tried to lift the speed. I wasn't trying to get away, just to try and flick a few people off the back and thin things out a little.
Pretty sure any effect I, and the others who had tried a similar thing, had was eroded when 2 local roos ventured onto the track with 2 laps to go. Race neutralised until Skippy and friend were out of the way! Anyone dagged previously, back in the bunch. Hmmm. Oh well, that is racing in the bush capital!
As anticipated, it was a bunch sprint. Unfortunately thanks to Skippy I was not in the best position and to do a fair bit of moving through the bunch before the last half lap. In the end, I started my sprint from where I wanted, but just ran out of legs before the finish to roll across in 7th.
It really is all about position, position, position. Never satisified unless there is a posium involved, but I can't be disappointed as I rode the race I planned to race and ticked all the pre-race boxes.
DBR Women and Juniors' Tour- Day 2
Stage 2- 37km Road Race
Saturday 3rd July 2010 Morning
A nice covering of fog was in order for the start of the day, though it had largely lifted by the time we started. A short road stage in the morning had the potential to be fast and furious but with a crit in the afternoon I think most people were content to sit back and wait for someone else to do something.
The first half of the race was pretty uneventful. We were all still largely together after the first u-bolt and heading into Coppins Crossing. Unfortunately this is where I realised that I hadn't adjusted my brakes and that they weren't as responsive as I would have liked for a technical descent into Coppins Crossing in the bunch. I let myself drift to the back of the bunch where I would be a little more comfortable and would have a little more time to react.
At some point after the second u-bolt Amy Cure and Jo Hogan slipped off the front and left the bunch to chase. But in a strange twist they decided not to follow the lead car when it turned right to head for the finishe and instead went left. They ended up coming in about 4 minutes after the bunch.
As for myself, I chased hard and ended up finishing with a small group of others, 24 seconds down. And, the first thing I did when I was done was adjust my brakes!
Saturday 3rd July 2010 Morning
A nice covering of fog was in order for the start of the day, though it had largely lifted by the time we started. A short road stage in the morning had the potential to be fast and furious but with a crit in the afternoon I think most people were content to sit back and wait for someone else to do something.
The first half of the race was pretty uneventful. We were all still largely together after the first u-bolt and heading into Coppins Crossing. Unfortunately this is where I realised that I hadn't adjusted my brakes and that they weren't as responsive as I would have liked for a technical descent into Coppins Crossing in the bunch. I let myself drift to the back of the bunch where I would be a little more comfortable and would have a little more time to react.
At some point after the second u-bolt Amy Cure and Jo Hogan slipped off the front and left the bunch to chase. But in a strange twist they decided not to follow the lead car when it turned right to head for the finishe and instead went left. They ended up coming in about 4 minutes after the bunch.
As for myself, I chased hard and ended up finishing with a small group of others, 24 seconds down. And, the first thing I did when I was done was adjust my brakes!
DBR Women and Juniors' Tour- Day 1
Stage 1: 15km ITT
Friday 2 July 2010
The weather on Friday had been so promising. It was still and the sun was out. The weather man had forecast showers, but they weren't due until late. I figured with a start time of 2:10 I would be safe from rain. How wrong I was. 2 minutes into my warm, I was scrambling to get my bike under cover and wondering if my long sleeve skinnie was going to be enough!
Little did I know that this was just the start of the weather consideration for the weekend!!
But, this weather is all part of the fun of living here and despite it all, I wasn't too troubled by it.
By the time I started it was raining proper and trying to snow. I opted to go with bare legs and a good covering of goanna oil. And I am pleased to say that worked a treat.
I had one of those rides that just felt awesome. If you are a cyclist, and in particular a time trialist, you will understand that. It was one of those rides where the pain is pure pleasure and you get to tick all the boxes. In hindsight there are things that might have been done a little better, but at the time, it all felt right.
I was one of the earlier starters so it was a long wait to find out what the final result was. There were time checks coming from the turn around, but as it is a course that I generally negatively split I wasn't being mentioned much. I was pretty much all packed up and ready to head off when the preliminary results went out- 2nd overall to Amy Cure and 1st elite female! Not a result I was expecting, but happy to take that! However, that was a preliminary result and it wasn't quite right... they had forgotten Jo Hogan who had slotted between myself and Amy. Still on the podium, so not complaining at all!
That was all the motivation I needed to get through the rest of the weekend!
Friday 2 July 2010
The weather on Friday had been so promising. It was still and the sun was out. The weather man had forecast showers, but they weren't due until late. I figured with a start time of 2:10 I would be safe from rain. How wrong I was. 2 minutes into my warm, I was scrambling to get my bike under cover and wondering if my long sleeve skinnie was going to be enough!
Little did I know that this was just the start of the weather consideration for the weekend!!
But, this weather is all part of the fun of living here and despite it all, I wasn't too troubled by it.
By the time I started it was raining proper and trying to snow. I opted to go with bare legs and a good covering of goanna oil. And I am pleased to say that worked a treat.
I had one of those rides that just felt awesome. If you are a cyclist, and in particular a time trialist, you will understand that. It was one of those rides where the pain is pure pleasure and you get to tick all the boxes. In hindsight there are things that might have been done a little better, but at the time, it all felt right.
I was one of the earlier starters so it was a long wait to find out what the final result was. There were time checks coming from the turn around, but as it is a course that I generally negatively split I wasn't being mentioned much. I was pretty much all packed up and ready to head off when the preliminary results went out- 2nd overall to Amy Cure and 1st elite female! Not a result I was expecting, but happy to take that! However, that was a preliminary result and it wasn't quite right... they had forgotten Jo Hogan who had slotted between myself and Amy. Still on the podium, so not complaining at all!
That was all the motivation I needed to get through the rest of the weekend!
Jun 18, 2010
Don't die wondering
McDonald's Classic Criterium Wagga Wagga NSW, 13 June 2010
I really like the crit circuit around Wagga CBD. A little bit technical, a little bit undulating and if you can get away the potential to not be seen around some of the corners!
After the handicap the day before, there seemed to be a few tired legs around the place. The race was set to be 30 minutes plus 3 laps, with intermediate sprints at 10 and 20 minutes. After the first 5 minutes I decided that I wouldn't contest the intermediate sprints and would save myself for the final sprint.
The race was without incident, although with such disparity in the skills and speed of the mixed bunch it was imperative to keep alert. On the whole, it was a pretty easy crit as far as they go. I made the mistake of not setting the clock on my computer so I wasn't sure how long we had been going/how long to go, so was hesitant to try and get away for a solo win or at least a solid attack to mix things up. In the end I waited patiently in the bunch for the final lap.
Unfortunately I forgot to pack my sprinter reflexes and when the guys next to me started to organise their 2 man train I didn't react. In fact I waited much too long to launch my sprint, despite being in excellent position in the final corners, and in the end I ran out of course before I made my way up the podium places :( In the end I finished 6th- off the podium and out of the prizemoney!
So many what if type questions... Next time I will remember to pack the sprinter and then I won't die wondering!
I really like the crit circuit around Wagga CBD. A little bit technical, a little bit undulating and if you can get away the potential to not be seen around some of the corners!
After the handicap the day before, there seemed to be a few tired legs around the place. The race was set to be 30 minutes plus 3 laps, with intermediate sprints at 10 and 20 minutes. After the first 5 minutes I decided that I wouldn't contest the intermediate sprints and would save myself for the final sprint.
The race was without incident, although with such disparity in the skills and speed of the mixed bunch it was imperative to keep alert. On the whole, it was a pretty easy crit as far as they go. I made the mistake of not setting the clock on my computer so I wasn't sure how long we had been going/how long to go, so was hesitant to try and get away for a solo win or at least a solid attack to mix things up. In the end I waited patiently in the bunch for the final lap.
Unfortunately I forgot to pack my sprinter reflexes and when the guys next to me started to organise their 2 man train I didn't react. In fact I waited much too long to launch my sprint, despite being in excellent position in the final corners, and in the end I ran out of course before I made my way up the podium places :( In the end I finished 6th- off the podium and out of the prizemoney!
So many what if type questions... Next time I will remember to pack the sprinter and then I won't die wondering!
Jun 14, 2010
Handicap by name... Handicap by nature?
McDonald's Classic- 83km Handicap
Wagga Wagga NSW, 12 June 2010
Again reminded why I really dislike handicaps! They are an absolute gamble- a result very much depends on the rest of the people in the bunch and the days that you are good won't necessarily be reflected at the end of the day.
The McDonald's Classic Handicap was one of those days that could have been so much more. Right from the gun the bunch was a shambles. Everyone was looking at each other as if it was the final 5km and waiting for someone else to make a move. For neither love nor money would a paceline get organised. And the men certainly didn't want to listen to the lone female in the bunch! Needless to say, the bunch blew itself apart within the first 10km!!
That left 73km to go... in the wash up after the hill that killed my bunch, I was in the second group with, I think, 3 further ahead. We chased hard and I think in the end we got back together. It is hard to tell, I found out later that the bunch ahead of us also disintegrated in about the same place as mine. The chase went on until we were caught at about the 35km mark. Making the most of the increased bunch size I took the opportunity to feed, but then we turned into the cross wind... cue a number of us getting flicked off the back of the bunch.
And so it went on. Chasing in small bunches, chasing solo, and ending in a small bunch. The biggest frustration of the day was that I felt awesome on the bike. I went over the "hills" like they were flat and was generally having a good day, I just didn't have anyone sharing that with me. I think that is probably the biggest handicap of these races...
Wagga Wagga NSW, 12 June 2010
Again reminded why I really dislike handicaps! They are an absolute gamble- a result very much depends on the rest of the people in the bunch and the days that you are good won't necessarily be reflected at the end of the day.
The McDonald's Classic Handicap was one of those days that could have been so much more. Right from the gun the bunch was a shambles. Everyone was looking at each other as if it was the final 5km and waiting for someone else to make a move. For neither love nor money would a paceline get organised. And the men certainly didn't want to listen to the lone female in the bunch! Needless to say, the bunch blew itself apart within the first 10km!!
That left 73km to go... in the wash up after the hill that killed my bunch, I was in the second group with, I think, 3 further ahead. We chased hard and I think in the end we got back together. It is hard to tell, I found out later that the bunch ahead of us also disintegrated in about the same place as mine. The chase went on until we were caught at about the 35km mark. Making the most of the increased bunch size I took the opportunity to feed, but then we turned into the cross wind... cue a number of us getting flicked off the back of the bunch.
And so it went on. Chasing in small bunches, chasing solo, and ending in a small bunch. The biggest frustration of the day was that I felt awesome on the bike. I went over the "hills" like they were flat and was generally having a good day, I just didn't have anyone sharing that with me. I think that is probably the biggest handicap of these races...
May 24, 2010
Mini break
I guess you could consider 3 days in a row of the bike a mini-break! My brother got married on the weekend so we headed on up to Queensland (sans bike) for his wedding. It was a lot of fun and I am definitely refreshed and ready to hit the road!
Here are couple of shots of the couple and my super-cute nieces :)
My brother and his girls! (l to r: Janika (bridesmaid, Phil's god daughter), Kylie, Gracey (niece 2) and CJ (flowergirl, niece 1)
Happy couple :D
CJ after we convinced her to smile!!
Here are couple of shots of the couple and my super-cute nieces :)
My brother and his girls! (l to r: Janika (bridesmaid, Phil's god daughter), Kylie, Gracey (niece 2) and CJ (flowergirl, niece 1)
Happy couple :DCJ after we convinced her to smile!!
May 17, 2010
Sometimes I feel like this!
There is a little bit of content at the start that might upset some...
I know it is advertising, but I actually find this little mouse kind of inspiring :)
I know it is advertising, but I actually find this little mouse kind of inspiring :)
May 10, 2010
Are you faster than...
A triathlete... well, yes. But, I am not faster than myself!!
Vikings ran an autumn time trial series over the same brutal course that we had been using over summer. It was billed as Cyclists vs Triathletes with the intention of increasing numbers at races. I am not sure how successful this aspect was, but it was a nice idea.
I managed to make it to 2 of the 3 races, but as much as I hate to say it, they were somewhat disappointing appearances. The first one out, the inner scientist took over over analysing and holding me back at different parts of the race. The time that week wasn't completely disgraceful, but it was slower than my best times over this course.
My next appearance was at the last installment and unfortunately this happened to be the weekend after the ill-fated Canberra Tour weekend and I was still not 100% recovered from my illness. Needless to say that the time posted this time around was a long off my best. I will also add that rolling away at 8:30 am in late autumn is fraught with peril- the fog from the top of the 3rd sister to the turn around was so thick I couldn't see more than a couple of metres in front of me and for safety's sake washed off a lot of speed on the fastest part of the course.
But, it is not all doom and gloom. I did win the series and laid claim to being faster than a triathlete (is that really something to be proud of??) My name is now engraved on the trophy for the series (I hope the time isn't, I am really unimpressed with it. Maybe they will take my time from pre-Nationals!!) And to top it off I scored a gift voucher to one of the local bike shops. Really can't complain, but... well, the whole over-achiever thing strikes again!
Thanks to Vikings CC for a fun series and TLC cycles for supporting the initiative.
Vikings ran an autumn time trial series over the same brutal course that we had been using over summer. It was billed as Cyclists vs Triathletes with the intention of increasing numbers at races. I am not sure how successful this aspect was, but it was a nice idea.
I managed to make it to 2 of the 3 races, but as much as I hate to say it, they were somewhat disappointing appearances. The first one out, the inner scientist took over over analysing and holding me back at different parts of the race. The time that week wasn't completely disgraceful, but it was slower than my best times over this course.
My next appearance was at the last installment and unfortunately this happened to be the weekend after the ill-fated Canberra Tour weekend and I was still not 100% recovered from my illness. Needless to say that the time posted this time around was a long off my best. I will also add that rolling away at 8:30 am in late autumn is fraught with peril- the fog from the top of the 3rd sister to the turn around was so thick I couldn't see more than a couple of metres in front of me and for safety's sake washed off a lot of speed on the fastest part of the course.
But, it is not all doom and gloom. I did win the series and laid claim to being faster than a triathlete (is that really something to be proud of??) My name is now engraved on the trophy for the series (I hope the time isn't, I am really unimpressed with it. Maybe they will take my time from pre-Nationals!!) And to top it off I scored a gift voucher to one of the local bike shops. Really can't complain, but... well, the whole over-achiever thing strikes again!
Thanks to Vikings CC for a fun series and TLC cycles for supporting the initiative.
May 3, 2010
Such a fine line
Canberra Tour
Friday 30 April- Sunday 2 May
This weekend, of all weekends, I lost the battle of the work-bike balance. With no indicators prior, I can only assume that the stress of the last couple of weeks at work finally caught up with me :(
I raced on Friday and even though I was about 4 minutes down (who was responsible for having us finish at the top of Honeysuckle Creek?!!) I was really really happy with how things had gone on the day. I had had some very specific personal goals to achieve and I ticked all the boxes. I was totally geed for Saturday's stage.
I did all the right things for recovery. Had a lovely evening relaxing with Davina, her Dad and Matt. And got to bed in time to ensure a good night's sleep. It all came undone at about 630 on Saturday morning when I woke up feeling like I was swallowing razor blades my throat was so sore, a resting HR that was through the roof and swollen glands. A phone call to Brian confirmed that I was not to get on a bike. Hello cold, goodbye racing weekend.
I know it wasn't an event that was well suited to me, but I was really looking forward to the challenge of the weekend and learning as much as I could from it. C'est la vie, that is about all I can say.
Well done to all the girls who raced so well. Jo Hogan for taking an impressive win, Lisa Jacobs in second and Bron Ryan in 3rd. Bec Domange has a good write up as well. To the guys that I fed in Saturday's stage, I hope that you achieved what you were aiming for.
Time to rest up and come back bigger and better (figuratively, not literally!)
Friday 30 April- Sunday 2 May
This weekend, of all weekends, I lost the battle of the work-bike balance. With no indicators prior, I can only assume that the stress of the last couple of weeks at work finally caught up with me :(
I raced on Friday and even though I was about 4 minutes down (who was responsible for having us finish at the top of Honeysuckle Creek?!!) I was really really happy with how things had gone on the day. I had had some very specific personal goals to achieve and I ticked all the boxes. I was totally geed for Saturday's stage.
The profile for Friday's stage- what a nice way to finish a race!!
I did all the right things for recovery. Had a lovely evening relaxing with Davina, her Dad and Matt. And got to bed in time to ensure a good night's sleep. It all came undone at about 630 on Saturday morning when I woke up feeling like I was swallowing razor blades my throat was so sore, a resting HR that was through the roof and swollen glands. A phone call to Brian confirmed that I was not to get on a bike. Hello cold, goodbye racing weekend.
I know it wasn't an event that was well suited to me, but I was really looking forward to the challenge of the weekend and learning as much as I could from it. C'est la vie, that is about all I can say.
Well done to all the girls who raced so well. Jo Hogan for taking an impressive win, Lisa Jacobs in second and Bron Ryan in 3rd. Bec Domange has a good write up as well. To the guys that I fed in Saturday's stage, I hope that you achieved what you were aiming for.
Time to rest up and come back bigger and better (figuratively, not literally!)
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