Tortoise vs Hare

The good people from the Vikings Cycling Club have a 3 race series for summer, known as the Hilltop Finishes. As the name suggests, the race finishes on a hill top. I missed the first one, which finished at the Tracking Station, but was told that the race up Corin would be good for me, even if just for training.

The 830 start was perfect for this time of year, although after the torrential downpour the night before, the humidity was pushing 97%!

Women’s A grade was combined with Men’s C grade and we rolled away about 90 seconds behind the A/B grade men. For the first 20 km we stayed together quite nicely, although I realised after that we had actually dropped the other girl who was racing. With a bit of wind around and the impending very long climb, there was little incentive to try for a break away.

The hares in the bunch (ie the dudes) started playing silly buggers and attacking each other about 1km in to the 14km drag to the rec centre. Knowing there was an awful long way to the top, I chose not to partake in this. I was also busy getting my ice cold bidon from expert soigny, Matt.

Patience was going to be key to getting to the top, as far as I was concerned. I found myself a tempo that I could maintain all the way to the top and set about my tortoise approach to climbing. My pace was faster than training pace and attacking over the crest of each of the rollers ensured that slowly but surely I was able to pick off the boys in front of me! At times it was even a bit stealth like!

End of the day, patience was a virtue and I even surprised myself being able to attack from the KOM mark from Canberra Tours gone-by. I missed 5th by 10 seconds- perhaps I was a little too patient! I was the first woman home and in the end I wasn't as far down as I might have been at this time last year! I like progress!!

And if you know me, you will know that I am not known for my hill climbing. After this, however, I reckon there might actually be an inner climber and they might be ready to come out and play!

Just for fun, here is the speed and altitude profile from the race.
That is a lot of climbing at the end!

The straw that (almost) broke the camel

National Individual Time Trial


This is an image of rhinovirus (about 9 billion of these could fit on the head of a pin!). It is one of the viruses responsible for the common cold.

It is amazing how rapidly months of training can come unravelled from something so small.

The signs were there on race day- elevated resting HR, a couple of things not quite right in my warm up etc- and I ignored them all, attributing them to pre-race anxiety and excitement. Afterall, the indications from the days before were that I was in for a cracker.

As I set out on my 27km journey it didn’t take long to realise something really wasn’t right and it was going to be a long day. It took all the mental strength I had to make my legs turn and make the most of what had been dealt to me. I had done the work and I wasn’t going to leave anything on the course. It was going to be tough, I had no power and no speed.

Of course that attitude took a bit of a battering as I was caught on the hill by a fast moving Amanda Spratt and an even faster moving Ruth Corset. I dragged myself over the top of the hill, which is also when I started trying to cough up a lung! And set about re-catching my minute marker (I had passed her around the 15km mark) and putting in a decent final 5 km. That final 5km hurt- a lot, but it was respectable and that was all I wanted. I don’t think I have ever been so relieved to be over the finish line, but I was also incredibly devastated that my ride had been so utterly awful.

Trying to hold myself together I warmed down, packed the car and got out of my wet kit. It wasn’t until I was safely in the Tardis that I allowed myself the tears of bitter disappointment before making my way to mum and dad’s.

It wasn’t long before I became aware of the razorblades in my throat. The signs that I had been ignoring earlier were starting to make sense, and I finally understood what the problem had been... I had a cold.

I am still absolutely gutted from what could have been. The organisers had rated me highly enough to start me 11th from the end and I could barely scrape into 30th! For each person who will judge me on this number there is someone who knows this is an uncharacteristic performance, will ask and will sympathise. In hindsight maybe I should have sat this one out, but it is a long way to travel to DNS and I learnt far more about myself and how tough I can be than I would have otherwise.

And at the end of the day, it is just a bike race. (Thanks Lyn!)

Massive thanks to Brian and MaryAnn Simpson for everything leading up to the event and on race day. Mum for expertly driving the follow car on her first attempt- ie thanks for not running me over!! And Matt for my shiny new disc wheel :) (I will tell you about that some other time)

Making my list and checking it twice

(Sorry I did write this well before Christmas but I haven't had a chance to post it.)

NSW Track Championships- Individual Pursuit and Omnium

After the frustration the Points Race the week before I was determined that my remaining events of the NSW track championships would be better.

Whilst a silver medal in the pursuit would be considered a good result for many, for me it was a disappointing night. In short, it wasn’t my evening and my times were disappointing. The biggest achievement of the night was recognizing a number of issues that have probably been present since I started riding the pursuit, but we will have to wait until next season to rectify those.

Three days later it was back to Dunc Gray for the Omnium. With 6 very different events to get through in one day the key to surviving the day was to have my head in the right place and to be organized. Matt, the super soigny, was on hand to ensure I was fed, hydrated and that right gear was on my bike for each event. Supercoach Brian was on hand with race tactics and guidance, and I had my list of things to achieve in each round.

With the above combination, the result was domination of the event. In summary I won the flying lap, the 2km Individual Pursuit, the Points Race and the Scratch race. I was second in the elimination race and 3^rd in the 500m TT. The highlights including getting the flying lap text book accurate, riding schedule for the pursuit and taking complete control of the scratch race. By the time we got to the 500m I had sufficient points buffer that I only had to finish the event to take the gold- which is probably just as well as a) the 500m is my worst event and b) I was starting to get a bit fatigued!

Three events and a complete set of medals from the NSW Track Champs this year. More importantly, a lot of lessons learnt and things to improve.

The weight of expectation

Some days I am my own worst enemy. I am sure that there are very few athletes that wouldn’t be able to relate to that. Sometimes you will set the expectation on your performance so high that the journey to the result is well below capability. These are the most frustrating days and this weekend I had one. It is one thing to be physically underdone, but to work against yourself is the toughest reality to face. The final result may not have ended up being any different, but you know that you didn’t give yourself the best opportunity to ensure that it was the best you could have done.

It is necessary to have goals and to have determination and the confidence to back yourself. It is the ability to balance these factors without creating unrealistic expectations that make a successful athlete. It is when the balance is out that weight of expectation becomes too much.

NSW Points Race Champs may not have gone my way, but I know where things went wrong and am determined to overcome that and come back to the boards flying! In the meantime, I will accept the bronze and be grateful, given how I feel I performed, that I achieved any sort of result.

ENOUGH WITH THE RAIN ALREADY!!!

But a good opportunity for a product review!

Jet Black Fluid Turbo Trainer 2010 model

Last year I told you about the JetBlack Trainer that I had. Due to a design issue and a piece being lost, which rendered it unusable, I got the 2010 HydroGel Fluid Trainer. Since it has been raining continuously on the Eastern Seaboard of Australia for the last week, I have had ample opportunity to really critique this machine (we have been in drought for the rest of the year so I haven’t really needed it!!)

In a nutshell I can tell you that this trainer is awesome! The information from the website is pretty accurate (although I can’t vouch for the numbers provided). I hope that you find my comments on the points in the product information helpful. If you have any other questions, please flick me an email and I will see if I can answer it.

(NB: This is in no way a paid assessment of the trainer, nor do I have any commercial interest in JetBlack or other sponsorship arrangement- although JetBlack if your reading this...!!)

• Fluid Trainer with HydroGel Roller

• New Roller with Special HYDROGEL Composition creating a new type of contact between your bike and the trainer

• HYDROGEL Roller for increased tire grip, giving ultimate 'on road' feel while training indoors, with no slippage at the roller

This contact is great. The feel is a little bit tacky initially and the first 5 minutes may take a little bit of grinding to get through as the viscosity of the gel improves, but once you are off and going, it runs really well.

The ‘on road’ feel is not quite there- maybe I am just used to riding on rougher roads! But the ride is pretty smooth. The claim of no slippage at the roller is true enough, providing you have the “extra cap-bit” screwed down on to the base to ensure that the screw for the roller can’t come undone as I have had happen a couple of times- not the end of the world, just means you will at first slip and then have no resistance!

• Reduces Noise By 55% and Tire Wear by 25-30% - great for indoor training at home

• Super quiet and smooth

The noise is definitely reduced compared to the 2009 model and other trainers I have used. I haven’t done any active noise measurements so can’t really say if it is 55%, but it is pretty quite. The only caveat to this is that the first 5 or so minutes can be a bit noisier as the gel warms up. Once you are into a good rhythm it is relatively silent. There is still a little bit of a hum but if you have things set properly nothing that your ipod won’t drown out!

As for tyre wear, that is pretty well reduced, again no actual measurements to verify this claim. Like all trainers there is a bit of squaring that happens over time, but if you are only on there for a short time and infrequently you may not notice it. I have a spare wheel that I use with an older tyre that I don’t use on the road. I can tell you that the wear is less than on the 2009 model that I had.

• New CNC'ed head for more efficient cooling

I am not entirely sure what this means, but the unit has stayed pretty cool and has never been notably hot to the touch when I have finished the session.

• Smooth progressive resistance - Trainer automatically adjusts resistance when you change gears or increase speed. Adjustment levers are a thing of the past!

This is really very true and is awesome. The resistance is so efficient that I rarely need to use the big chain ring and can get through a wide vairety of different sessions using just the rear cassette.

• Fluid Trainers increase pedalling performance by helping you develop a circular pedal action

The smoothness of the roller and hydrofluid is what makes this happen. As already noted the first 5 or so minutes can be a bit tough, but once things are running the rear wheel always runs smoothly. Still doesn’t mean you can be lazy with your pedalling, but makes it easier to not be in squares if the equipment is not working against you!

• Progressive resistance 5 watts to 900 watts

I no longer have an SRM but I would be really interested to see how this claim and the callibration on the box actually measure up.

• Dual retention system for solid, precise wheel alignment & stability

The unit is super stable and can handle intense short sprint efforts (although if you are a track sprinter you might be looking at something else anyway). I have never had any problems with wheel alignment, and don’t expect to with the adjustment mechanism and width of the roller.

One additional comment, make sure you pick up a riser block from your LBS when you take one of these home; I think they now come with one, but double check as you will need it.

All up I think I would say 4.25/5 for this unit. It is excellent value for money. It is stable, it is reasonably quite, once the fluid is warmed up it is smooth and the resistance is great. The only problems I have found are the initial warm-up phase (but that passes) and the roller unscrewing (but that is rectified by tightening the extra cap, which is what it is for!).

Full Steam Ahead!

Wow, we've been back for a touch over 3 weeks already! Training has been full on and I have to say I am mighty pleased with how well things have come back up!

I do enjoy this time of the year, usually! The nights are long enough to get loads of bike time after work, it is not so hot that you need fresh bidons every 30 minutes and the pollen has buggered off! Tuesday night track racing is in full swing and the boys are providing some excellent competition! Wednesday night crit racing is on and as always is a good mid-week hit out! And if it will kindly stop raining the weekends are perfect for time in the hills!

There are some important races for me coming up and it is all building well for nationals- both road (January) and track (February). And I will have some exciting news later in the week!

All I can say is bring it on!

(I know that someone has been photographing Tuesday nights, I am not sure who... stay tuned and I might find some photos!)

It's so much easier if you use your head!

Wagga Wagga Golden Wheel
13-14 November

Knowing that I was somewhat underdone and still on antibiotics, a double header racing weekend was going to a big ask. I was prepared for that mentally and as agreed with Brian, if it got too much then I would call it a day.

The story of the weekend was consistently finishing in the place just off the podium! Whilst this is frustrating, it is in no way disappointing given the state I was in. In fact, despite the lack of results, it was technically some of the best and smartest racing I have ever done! Which is more of a confidence boost than most results would have been (although the $ would have been good!)

The weather gods were kind to me on Saturday and just when I was really starting to feel my lack of endurance (I had made it through 4 events, including some pretty harsh marks- thanks Baz!) the heavens opened! That was the end of day 1.

Day 2 was equally as ominous but the weather gods weren't playing nice for anyone. Even with a re-jigged program, I only got one race in before we were all drenched! There was no Golden Wheel result nor a Rules Club Wheel Race this year. But we will all be back in February to finish what was started and this time I will have my head and my legs working together...

Back to Reality

3 weeks after setting off overseas we found ourselves heading home. This timeframe also meant that I had about 6 days of bike cramming to be ready to race at my favourite race of all time- the Wagga Golden Wheel Track Carnival! Surely 3 weeks off, which included 7 days trekking at altitude just meant I was going to be super fresh to race, right?!

The first ride back was like slipping on an old pair of slippers and I was so glad to be back on my bike. It was looking good for a good impromptu prep for racing on the weekend, until things went pair shaped.

A ride from work to BundaDome, all of 3 km, with a HR pushing high E3 suggested something wasn’t quite right and I was dutifully sent home from the track with no racing. Wednesday and things were no better. In fact they were worse with the gastro infection that I had had when we were in Phuket, and that had started to simmer away before we got home came back with a vengeance. Couple that with a mild chest infection and it was off to the doctor for me.

Being a microbiologist, I had a fair idea what was going on. The most important part of the conversation with the Dr, after he had prescribed some god-awful broad spectrum antibiotics, was “Can I race my bike on the weekend?” “If your lungs and gut are up to it.” That was enough for me. I was going to race in Wagga (besides the accommodation was booked).

The drugs did their thing. My legs did their thing on Thursday at the track and I wasn’t as shabby as I thought I would be. An easy roll around with MiffyG on Friday morning and I was itching for the weekend!!

Going off in the offy

The impetus for this trip was Tom and Sab’s wedding. With one being Danish and the other Indian, they wanted somewhere in between for family and friends to travel and the solution was Phuket. More specifically Katathani Beach Resort. This place was fantastic. Whilst I am not normally a sucker for 5 star resorts, for a couple of days of sitting around and doing nothing except relax and drink mojitos, Katathani was fantastic! From there it was on to Nepal for some trekking and immersion in Kathmandu. Rather than bore you with words, here are some pictures; enjoy!

The bride, looking stunning, escorted by her brother; Happy couple during the vows; yes there was an elephant involved, and ice swans!!!

Photos from Nepal

Big waterfalls, steep stone stairs, big mountains, temples with Buddha eyes and monkeys. Oh, Nepal you are country full of juxtaposition and amazement

(More photos are available here)

M.I.A.

I know it has been a long time between posts. But there was a period of time that I was merely going through the motions of riding my bike, trying to keep my head above what was going on at work. Consequently there wasn't much to say.

To get out of this rut, I went and got a new job. One that is far more rewarding and enjoyable and far less stressful. I will post a story on the effects of stress on training soon as it was an "interesting" experience.

Shortly after starting said new job, I went on holidays. Annual break time- woohoo! Good friends of ours were getting married in Phuket so we made the most of being half way to anywhere from Australia and went to Nepal for 2 weeks. All up, away for 3 weeks and despite getting sick, twice, it was an awesome experience. More on that in a later post.

Now we are back. The Wagga Golden Wheel track carnival- my favourite race of all time- has been and been washed out! I will post on that soon! And it is full steam ahead in preparation for the Nationals season!

Promise to be back soon with some interesting tales for you!