4 am and I've not yet managed to get to sleep.....luckily I'm off work for another 2 days, so hopefully I can catch up before my nose hits the grind stone again.
So..my result....
Originally my goal was for some where between 38 and 39 km. I thought that was a pretty good distance when comparing with what the younger age grades had managed.
Then on November 4th a Pom, Carole Gandy, rode 39.224km. This was more than I'd been aiming /training for and for a couple of days I was in turmoil...should I bother going ahead given that the target had shifted, or what. In the end I decided to continue although realistically I knew that distance was beyond my current capability.
My goal shifted to:
1. finish the hour
2. create an Australian record
and that's what I did. My distance was 37.5km...150 laps....2 laps shy of being within my original target.
Was it the hardest thing I have ever done? well apart from trying to produce the obligatory sample for dope testing...yes.
Would I do it again? hmmm!..
So, its wrap up time on this topic, although my blog will continue as I chase other cycling challenges during 2008...I might have to compete against women 8-15 years younger than me, but there's still life and a competitive spark in this old lady....might race MTB again.....
If anyone knows how to get rid of calf cramp while riding a track bike..could you let me into the secret???
Anyone want to buy a Colnago dream track bike( see the poster a coupla posts back)...small size and a Zipp disc..the sort you can ride road or track.
Huge thanks must go to my track side team..David, Lawrence, Alex and Ben..you were gold standard. Top team.
Also my sponsors, Spoke(n), Inspired Orthotic Solutions, Croydon Leisure Centre and Torq
Showing posts with label one hour. Show all posts
Showing posts with label one hour. Show all posts
Tuesday, 27 November 2007
Friday, 9 November 2007
16 days to go
So 16 days to go and the flyer is out ..woo!hoo!
You'll know which is me from my last post! Wrong bike and wrong skin suit..so apologies to my sponsors but I had to get a pix quickly and there was no time to set up in the correct gear. It's a printed out and then scanned copy of a VERY large pdf file, so the quality is a bit down.
You'll know which is me from my last post! Wrong bike and wrong skin suit..so apologies to my sponsors but I had to get a pix quickly and there was no time to set up in the correct gear. It's a printed out and then scanned copy of a VERY large pdf file, so the quality is a bit down.
Thursday's workout was very good, but obviously I overexerted my powertap wheel as it wouldn't work last night! So a new battery is called for..unfortunately I only discovered its demise when I started the workout....gnashes teeth.
The weather is looking good, warming up gradually and not dropping too far over night...
I sent an email round to "everyone" at work to drum up some vocal support and to ensure that I don't give in to the temptation of throwing in the towel mid ride if not hitting the mark I've set for myself, cos while people might understand the temptation and reasoning, I just gotta keep the hero/legend rep up!!(hehe!)
Besides, why go through all this agony and not complete the task?
Saturday, 27 October 2007
R&R and One Hour Update
Back home again after a whistle stop tour of the Red Centre of Aus..Uluru, Kings Canyon and Alice Springs were where my beds were and along the way I visited Kata Tjuta,Uluru and did the rim walk of Kings Canyon. And after a series of days when I had to get up early to see the sunrise over each of those, this morning I agitatedly woke up knowing I had to see the sunrise over....!?Croydon??!! Reminds me of a coupla years ago on returning home after a long holiday, waking up in my own bed and not having a clue where I was....scary and perhaps a hint of what Alzheimer's dementia might feel like.
My knees held up well, despite the somewhat cramped space in the bus (and I'm a shorty) and the seemingly endless steps, but my hips are still protesting that I did too much climbing and descending.
I am now sporting a mini sun tan and proud of it. The weather was very kind..nice and warm and not the exhausting heat I'd expected. On our first night we were lucky enough to witness a rare and spectacular thunderstorm over Uluru, with horizontal as well as vertical lightening. So no jaw dropping sunset views, but something even better something much less witnessed. The next day the air was as clean as it could be..real genuine fresh air...brilliant.
We saw a coupla lizards, kangaroos and camels, galahs, parrots and many raptors 
Back home then and its time to re-evaluate my position WRT to my Hour Record attempt.
The situation is this: I'm not as fit as I should be. The wheels fell of the bus during July-early September when I was doing 2 jobs and August-mid September when I was in the thrall of BPPV. The result is that instead of gaining strength/fitness I have actually lost it which is well and truly demonstrated by my Performance Management chart in Cyclingpeaks. Whether my current fitness is enough to take me through to a result I can be happy with is the question.
Sooooo. On Tuesday I will do the first of a couple of tests on the track and in conjunction with my coach will decide whether I go ahead in November or wait until March. I've told my coach what I consider my lowest acceptable distance is and given her instructions to assess the situation objectively for me since any decision I make will be clouded by emotion/obligation. So Tuesday's test will give me either a definite "no" or a "maybe". Luckily she and I are both on the same page here.
As I said to Fixmawheel...I'm not confident right now and its a lack of confidence that is reality based, not stage fright. Looking at the blue line, which is the Chronic training load you can see that I have a peak just left of centre, then a drop and then starting back up again only to commence a relentless downward slope. For those unfamiliar with cyclingpeaks..this only represents the workouts done with a power meter on; some of the gaps are rest days, others are with HRM or yet others PE/nekid. The pink line is the acute training load, the green is the stress balance (rest) and since form =fitness+freshness, my green line is fine, my blue line is not.
Saturday, 20 October 2007
Post Worlds comments
This year's World Masters Track champs for me was more of a social occasion than a real attempt to win a jersey, although part of me was sorta expecting better results than I managed. However, really and honestly, I hadn't put in the work to deserve a good pursuit time. Either that or the dreaded "end of improvement/downward spiral" has hit and hit hard.
It was really great to get together with about 20 other women racers and work out a campaign, a plan of action to get the UCI to change its elitist, misogynistic attitudes to us and hopefully out of that meeting we will end up with a web page, a forum and a committed group of "pioneers" willing to help to drag women masters track racing into the future as equals with the men.
It was also good to put faces to names/nicknames on the Fixedgearfever forum and blogs. Hi Jeff!
There was an interesting issue WRT being dope tested after a world record and the lack of speed the UCI display in acknowledging the record. For instance, the UCI still hasn't ratified Darren King's record set in March 2007 and so when someone broke the *old* record this week (not Darren's), a long conversation ensued when he refused to have a test at the huge cost of ~$800, since unless Darren's test comes back positive it would be a total waste of money.
Women's World records can only be set in 10 year increments, so when Terry Roach set a 500m TT record in W55 it was/may be a non event..why pay for a record that may not be even acknowledged.
The women's 2 up team sprint has to have a min age of 60!!!!!!!!!!! which means a team of 2 young ones..is there any wonder few entered. The men's 3 up team sprint has a min age of 135, which equates to an ave age of 45..so why is ours 30? My suggestion is 80 or even 85..which gives you an older plus a younger woman or 2 middlies.
When changes were requested, the response by officials is "the UCI are running this now". But we all know that the UCI really don't see us as REAL competitors. Bring back the UCI Masters Commission I say. AND make sure we have a riders representative on the Sydney organising committee....bring back the victory circuit ride!!!
IS THERE ANY WONDER at our irritation at the UCI.
I only competed in the TT and Pursuit and then on Thursday did the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb...well worth the $179..although I would not have been so ecstatic about it had it been raining. Highly recommended.
I expected to be suffering in the legs the following day and was surprised not to be. The steps were not deep ones, so maybe that was why, I surmised. But today after sitting in the car for the 10 hour drive from Sydney to Melbourne, I am now creaking and the cold I've been fighting for 4 days, has taken hold.
I was glad to have been in an apartment rather than a hotel room or a cabin in the Tourist park..thanks Lorraine for pointing me in the right direction for that. The drive to and from Parramatta was longer than preferred but the luxury of the apartment made it well worth while.
So now I have 37 days until my hour attempt ...my lack of form over this last week has put a dint in my confidence and so I will see in about 3 weeks if I will go ahead with the attempt in November or wait until early next year.
It was really great to get together with about 20 other women racers and work out a campaign, a plan of action to get the UCI to change its elitist, misogynistic attitudes to us and hopefully out of that meeting we will end up with a web page, a forum and a committed group of "pioneers" willing to help to drag women masters track racing into the future as equals with the men.
It was also good to put faces to names/nicknames on the Fixedgearfever forum and blogs. Hi Jeff!
There was an interesting issue WRT being dope tested after a world record and the lack of speed the UCI display in acknowledging the record. For instance, the UCI still hasn't ratified Darren King's record set in March 2007 and so when someone broke the *old* record this week (not Darren's), a long conversation ensued when he refused to have a test at the huge cost of ~$800, since unless Darren's test comes back positive it would be a total waste of money.
Women's World records can only be set in 10 year increments, so when Terry Roach set a 500m TT record in W55 it was/may be a non event..why pay for a record that may not be even acknowledged.
The women's 2 up team sprint has to have a min age of 60!!!!!!!!!!! which means a team of 2 young ones..is there any wonder few entered. The men's 3 up team sprint has a min age of 135, which equates to an ave age of 45..so why is ours 30? My suggestion is 80 or even 85..which gives you an older plus a younger woman or 2 middlies.
When changes were requested, the response by officials is "the UCI are running this now". But we all know that the UCI really don't see us as REAL competitors. Bring back the UCI Masters Commission I say. AND make sure we have a riders representative on the Sydney organising committee....bring back the victory circuit ride!!!
IS THERE ANY WONDER at our irritation at the UCI.
I only competed in the TT and Pursuit and then on Thursday did the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb...well worth the $179..although I would not have been so ecstatic about it had it been raining. Highly recommended.
I expected to be suffering in the legs the following day and was surprised not to be. The steps were not deep ones, so maybe that was why, I surmised. But today after sitting in the car for the 10 hour drive from Sydney to Melbourne, I am now creaking and the cold I've been fighting for 4 days, has taken hold.
I was glad to have been in an apartment rather than a hotel room or a cabin in the Tourist park..thanks Lorraine for pointing me in the right direction for that. The drive to and from Parramatta was longer than preferred but the luxury of the apartment made it well worth while.
So now I have 37 days until my hour attempt ...my lack of form over this last week has put a dint in my confidence and so I will see in about 3 weeks if I will go ahead with the attempt in November or wait until early next year.
Saturday, 15 September 2007
Adrenalin, lists and forms
Adrenalin hit the body yesterday as I started the official process for my one hour record attempt..I filled in the form that Cycling Australia has provided and parted with $330.
In my email kicking the process into gear, I mentioned that the UCI insistence on calling Masters Records "World Best Time" was, in this instance not only downright ridiculous but also semantically incorrect.
The form arrived and it's title is: "Australian Record/World Best Performance Application Form".
Me, I'm going for a RECORD.
So having filled out the form and consequently in fully anal retentive mode, it was time to start making a packing list. Well not one list but 2. One for October, one for November, because part of the said affliction is that you plan well ahead...meticulously.
So I'm one happy little vegemite..on holiday, not dizzy and making lists.
Ahhhh, life is good.
In my email kicking the process into gear, I mentioned that the UCI insistence on calling Masters Records "World Best Time" was, in this instance not only downright ridiculous but also semantically incorrect.
The form arrived and it's title is: "Australian Record/World Best Performance Application Form".
Me, I'm going for a RECORD.
So having filled out the form and consequently in fully anal retentive mode, it was time to start making a packing list. Well not one list but 2. One for October, one for November, because part of the said affliction is that you plan well ahead...meticulously.
So I'm one happy little vegemite..on holiday, not dizzy and making lists.
Ahhhh, life is good.
Monday, 20 August 2007
Congratulations Kevin!
Kevin Gill beat the World Hour record at his age grade by nearly 2000m. He had trouble with the commissaires getting fussy about the saddle being too far forward and they may have muttered also about the weight of the bike..but no scales. And he DID IT!!!
The bad side is that now my coach wants the treble...her, Kevin and ME!!! groan..the pressure, the pressure. So with my motivation high, the pressure on (thrive Liz, thrive) and the BPPV fading into history..its now onto the next phase and Alex returns home on Wednesday so I get my home based support team back.....
FSA.....FULL STEAM AHEAD
The bad side is that now my coach wants the treble...her, Kevin and ME!!! groan..the pressure, the pressure. So with my motivation high, the pressure on (thrive Liz, thrive) and the BPPV fading into history..its now onto the next phase and Alex returns home on Wednesday so I get my home based support team back.....
FSA.....FULL STEAM AHEAD
Friday, 17 August 2007
100 days to go! to the UCI its a World Best Time, to me its a Masters World Record
This week after seeing the Graeme O'bree film I've had a stomach dropping realisation of what I'm trying to do and as a result have been wondering WHY I'm doing this to myself!! Rest days allow far too much reflection time!
I'm trialling double discs, but think I'll probably stick with 4 spoke with a Shamal on the spare bike. Thanks to Brad Robbins for glueing the tyre on the 4 spoke..quote.."it'll self destruct before that tyre rolls off"! Brad has agreed to help with mechanical aspects on the night and I have David James track side as my bully boy. David already has great experience of hurling insults at me as I try not to die in the pursuit. I've also got quite a few people coming track side to lend vocal support....... I've bought 2 new chains of superior quality..Izumi V and Vertex HKK. they'll be fixed to be the right length for the gearing I'm using (probably 51/15, maybe 50/15) and will be at a length that gets the wheel as close to the seat stay as possible.
Brad told me there was a UCI ruling about how close to the seat tube the wheel can be, but my chain stay isn't that short as to be anywhere near failing on that rule. The rule I will need to be careful of is the nose of the saddle being 5 cm behind the bottom bracket...mine is 2.5cm and I'm claiming the short arses' morphological get out rule. The worlds is a month prior, so if it passes there I'll be fine.
After a week of either being off the bike totally or on light work with very little by way of big efforts, I'm now back into effort mode but up until yesterday with little enthusiasm. Then all of a sudden everything clicked again! Weird. Why? why down and then why suddenly up?
I can come up with a list of reasons why down: less than perfect health, tired, overworked, missing Alex's support at home, not competing in either the Deutschlandsberg in the Masters Cycling Week , or the UCI World Masters Road Championships both in Austria, as I have for the past 5 years..but why suddenly up? search me!
The UCI is getting under my skin about womens grading at the track worlds..I'm getting a fair amount of emails from irate competitors regarding this. The UCI insist on all the age groups, including the oldest having a certain amount of competitors before it can run as a class. I mean, how encouraging is that for the older women in the World Track Champs where the oldest class is 50+. Its not.
What happens is that older women are disinclined to travel since they are wildly disadvantaged by having to ride against MUCH younger women. Of course the boys club that is the UCI will then point to the attendance numbers and say...told you it wasn't worth having an older women's class.
There are many options for putting this right and one that has been put to me is this:..in the event invitation, rather than offer a 50+ class, offer all the classes up to say 60-64 with the proviso that classes will be joined if there aren't enough competitors. If classes have to be joined say for arguments sake as 50+, have medals for each class within the joined group. So you end up with a 3 person podium for the 50+ group..and gold medals/jerseys for the winner in each older age group. The "terminal"(!) age groups need encouragment and admiration for still being very competitive....not discouraged and sidelined. Grrrh!
I have contacts in USA, UK, SA, NZ and Germany and am thinking I might get a petition going..or an email blitz, or something...anything! too late for this year of course......
Today is the day one of my coach's other athletes makes his attempt on the world hour record...Go Kevin, Go!
I'm trialling double discs, but think I'll probably stick with 4 spoke with a Shamal on the spare bike. Thanks to Brad Robbins for glueing the tyre on the 4 spoke..quote.."it'll self destruct before that tyre rolls off"! Brad has agreed to help with mechanical aspects on the night and I have David James track side as my bully boy. David already has great experience of hurling insults at me as I try not to die in the pursuit. I've also got quite a few people coming track side to lend vocal support....... I've bought 2 new chains of superior quality..Izumi V and Vertex HKK. they'll be fixed to be the right length for the gearing I'm using (probably 51/15, maybe 50/15) and will be at a length that gets the wheel as close to the seat stay as possible.
Brad told me there was a UCI ruling about how close to the seat tube the wheel can be, but my chain stay isn't that short as to be anywhere near failing on that rule. The rule I will need to be careful of is the nose of the saddle being 5 cm behind the bottom bracket...mine is 2.5cm and I'm claiming the short arses' morphological get out rule. The worlds is a month prior, so if it passes there I'll be fine.After a week of either being off the bike totally or on light work with very little by way of big efforts, I'm now back into effort mode but up until yesterday with little enthusiasm. Then all of a sudden everything clicked again! Weird. Why? why down and then why suddenly up?
I can come up with a list of reasons why down: less than perfect health, tired, overworked, missing Alex's support at home, not competing in either the Deutschlandsberg in the Masters Cycling Week , or the UCI World Masters Road Championships both in Austria, as I have for the past 5 years..but why suddenly up? search me!
The UCI is getting under my skin about womens grading at the track worlds..I'm getting a fair amount of emails from irate competitors regarding this. The UCI insist on all the age groups, including the oldest having a certain amount of competitors before it can run as a class. I mean, how encouraging is that for the older women in the World Track Champs where the oldest class is 50+. Its not.
What happens is that older women are disinclined to travel since they are wildly disadvantaged by having to ride against MUCH younger women. Of course the boys club that is the UCI will then point to the attendance numbers and say...told you it wasn't worth having an older women's class.
There are many options for putting this right and one that has been put to me is this:..in the event invitation, rather than offer a 50+ class, offer all the classes up to say 60-64 with the proviso that classes will be joined if there aren't enough competitors. If classes have to be joined say for arguments sake as 50+, have medals for each class within the joined group. So you end up with a 3 person podium for the 50+ group..and gold medals/jerseys for the winner in each older age group. The "terminal"(!) age groups need encouragment and admiration for still being very competitive....not discouraged and sidelined. Grrrh!
I have contacts in USA, UK, SA, NZ and Germany and am thinking I might get a petition going..or an email blitz, or something...anything! too late for this year of course......
Today is the day one of my coach's other athletes makes his attempt on the world hour record...Go Kevin, Go!
Sunday, 12 August 2007
The Flying Scotsman
Parts of this film were very uncomfortable for me because I was suddenly aware of the enormity of what I am trying to achieve. Naturally my efforts and any hoopla around it are puny when comparing it to male elite level, but....while those scenes were happening I quailed.
The film itself was a little threadbare. I didn't feel any of the characters were defined enough and for the cyclists in the audience the actor's physique was very unconvincing. It was also a bit disconcerting to see a hobbit as his manager. Well... he did keep his shoes on.....!
We had free tickets from CyclingVictoria, the people sitting next to us got theirs from Beyond Blue ; for the session we attended at 11 am the cinema was almost empty.
Overall opinion..disappointed. Not a film I'd travel far to see.
The film itself was a little threadbare. I didn't feel any of the characters were defined enough and for the cyclists in the audience the actor's physique was very unconvincing. It was also a bit disconcerting to see a hobbit as his manager. Well... he did keep his shoes on.....!
We had free tickets from CyclingVictoria, the people sitting next to us got theirs from Beyond Blue ; for the session we attended at 11 am the cinema was almost empty.
Overall opinion..disappointed. Not a film I'd travel far to see.
Sunday, 15 July 2007
Endurance Training, MTBO and hour record people
Resting up after a 4 hour ride through an undulating part of rural Victoria I'm musing all about recovery. Personally I'm poor at structured recovery techniques beyond dragging on the compression garment (skins) and/or lying/sitting with my legs elevated. Apart from eating and drinking heaps...after all isn't that one of the reasons I go for long rides???
I recently found an interesting article which claims to debunk the recovery method of dunking oneself in a tub of iced water. I'd have to say there's NO way you'd get me to do that even if I was told it was the key to a certain rainbow jersey/world record/gold medal... I can't even bring myself to take a cold shower! so they can debunk as much as they want...wont make any difference to me!
Methods do change though; stretching has gone through many re-incarnations but a couple who visit my gym at the same time as me are set somewhere in the stone age. Their idea of stretching is ballistic to the nth degree and is so painful to watch I have to take my glasses off so I can't see them properly; I'm waiting for his hip adductors to tear. The gym manager says they've tried to explain the more modern approach but apparently he's a martial arts person from way back and knows what he's doing(!).
Alex is in Poland now, check out the blog..that's him in the pale blue Spoke(n) gear.
So to today's ride, designated LSD. It was a "Tour de Rural Industries" an interesting ride from a scenery POV but VERY undulating..check out the elevation by clicking at the bottom of the map. We passed agistments, wineries, many many ducks, nurseries, cheese places (well we went through Gruyere, so we're assuming there), vegetable farms, berry farms and dairy++. We also passed the Sylvan dam which is now 89.8% full. My gears decided to play up by going into "auto change" mode, which made me think twice about standing up on the pedals and on one hill the chain slipped off the chain ring completely. If I'd had any idea how to fix it, I would have done so, but I don't ...I just ride the thing. Intensity factor and Training stress score are w-a-a-y high and so they should be, the way I feel right now.
And finally, Shirley Amy has gone public and has decided she WILL go for the hour record for 55-59 yr olds. Shirley and I have crossed paths many, many times on road and more recently on the track; she is a strong rider and I have no doubts that she will create a good record.
I now have the correct stem for Stewy the blue bikey and that will be fitted tomorrow, with a visit to the velodrome on Tuesday am. If I can find someone to help me pump up the Ghibli's I think its about time I gave them an airing.
133 days to go.
Tuesday, 5 June 2007
Dedication or OCD and a definite date for THE attempt
Sitting spinning in front of the TV at 530 this morning, when it was so cold I was wearing my long fingered gloves, my breath was puffing out in clouds and my nose was dripping, I got to thinking..am I dedicated, stupid or do I have obsessive compulsive disease?? Hmmm! Depends on who's making the comment I guess.
Australian winters are by no means as bad as those I experienced in the country of my birth...England, but here in Melbourne where the temperature fluctuates wildly you never have a chance to acclimatise to one before it changes...4 seasons in one day..thats us. However it is now definitely and officially WINTER and I know that to be true since every time the HRM goes on I have to suppress a scream. (warm body/cold strap).
My sister is visiting Australia in time for both the Track Worlds and my World Hour Attempt (pls note the caps!) and since she is returning to UK on Nov 28th I have now absolutely got to commit to a date...so providing all goes well its ..Monday November 26th 5pm-6pm Melbourne time.
Here is a pix of Stuey the bluey with his new bars..not the best of pix; more are bound to follow.
The bars will need to be cut down and of course its minus the Ghiblis, but we're getting there.
Music is my next task..what to have blaring out over the PA system. Some Rammstein for sure, Queen, AC/DC, Bush, Chumbawamba for a bit of humour..I'd sort of thought start light with a spinning type of beat gradually working into heavy, dynamic angry music, .....any thoughts, suggestions?
And while we're talking music...am I the only person who's got ears that ipod ear plugs wont sit in???..i must have at least 6 sets and they all fall out, including the ones shaped like an old fashioned behind the ear hearing aid. DOH!
Australian winters are by no means as bad as those I experienced in the country of my birth...England, but here in Melbourne where the temperature fluctuates wildly you never have a chance to acclimatise to one before it changes...4 seasons in one day..thats us. However it is now definitely and officially WINTER and I know that to be true since every time the HRM goes on I have to suppress a scream. (warm body/cold strap).
My sister is visiting Australia in time for both the Track Worlds and my World Hour Attempt (pls note the caps!) and since she is returning to UK on Nov 28th I have now absolutely got to commit to a date...so providing all goes well its ..Monday November 26th 5pm-6pm Melbourne time.
Here is a pix of Stuey the bluey with his new bars..not the best of pix; more are bound to follow.
The bars will need to be cut down and of course its minus the Ghiblis, but we're getting there.Music is my next task..what to have blaring out over the PA system. Some Rammstein for sure, Queen, AC/DC, Bush, Chumbawamba for a bit of humour..I'd sort of thought start light with a spinning type of beat gradually working into heavy, dynamic angry music, .....any thoughts, suggestions?
And while we're talking music...am I the only person who's got ears that ipod ear plugs wont sit in???..i must have at least 6 sets and they all fall out, including the ones shaped like an old fashioned behind the ear hearing aid. DOH!
Monday, 14 May 2007
Testing, testing
May 13th..Diggers Rest to Toolern Vale 20km TT.This was my first race after the Nationals and my first race with a new coach. It was also 1 week after having to take time off work due to suffering from a bad cold which attacked my sinuses and having essentially lost 4/5 days of training .. so I was not on top form. This showed up in my heart rate, which I could not get up to its usual level. I normally TT at 159/160avg topping out at 164 ( my max is 172), but yesterday was in the mid 150's avg with a top of 159bpm. My speed was also VERY average..however, taken in context I guess I did okay....9th out of 19, 1st women, 1st on handicap and a course record!
The course was s'posed to be flat, but with a head wind and a slight uphill drag over the final km's to the turn around, it certainly felt anything but. Close to the start there was a nice hoon down to a creek crossing, which on the way back had turned into a VERY nasty medium sized pinch which caused me to go to my biggest gear (44/21) and to regret that I'd not changed to my usual road bike 39/25 gearing.
My year's race program has been finalised:
May
26 Macclesfield RR handicap
June
3 TT Kew Boulevard ? distance not >20km
16 RR Yarra Junction
July
1 TT Kew Boulevard
21 Yarra Junction TT 25km undulating..very
August
5 TT Kew Boulevard
12 TT Diggers Rest 20km flat
September
2 TT Kew Boulevard
8 Victorian Masters Road TT Champs
9 Victorian Masters Road Race Champs
23 Club TT Champs Steels Creek19km
October
16 World Masters Track Champs..TT
17 World Masters Track Champs..Pursuit
18 World Masters Track Champs..Scratch
November
26 5pm World Hour Record attempt, which as I write this is 195 days away!
I'm having an interesting time with Cycling Australia..I've sent 3 emails officially telling them that I plan to do the One Hour Record and when, only to be told to let them know officially!!!!! and of course mega importance was attached to the fact that its actually NOT a record its a "World Best Time"!!!.... My understanding is that historically we weren't allowed to call it a record as we didn't get drug tested...however, testing is now obligatory ...so.......!
Thursday, 26 April 2007
Our Newest National Treasure
Who? what?!
Stuart O'Grady of course...what a legend! and apparently a nice guy too..the winner of the Paris Roubaix..."THE Hell of the North", a race ridden in part over cobbled roads in the back blocks of northern France . Roads that are normally only traversed by tractors and farm carts, that were marched on by Roman soldiers centuries ago and that now are protected as part of that country's national heritage.
I've just read the quote Stuart's Director sportif tacked up before the race, a quote that I had in front of me at at work when I first started going overseas to compete in the road and track world championships. Its a quote I think of when I have doubts about what I'm setting out to achieve and especially now as more and more people are being made aware of my plans.
Its too long for my quote of the day and is really not just for the day anyhow.. so here it is:
Stuart O'Grady of course...what a legend! and apparently a nice guy too..the winner of the Paris Roubaix..."THE Hell of the North", a race ridden in part over cobbled roads in the back blocks of northern France . Roads that are normally only traversed by tractors and farm carts, that were marched on by Roman soldiers centuries ago and that now are protected as part of that country's national heritage.
I've just read the quote Stuart's Director sportif tacked up before the race, a quote that I had in front of me at at work when I first started going overseas to compete in the road and track world championships. Its a quote I think of when I have doubts about what I'm setting out to achieve and especially now as more and more people are being made aware of my plans.
Its too long for my quote of the day and is really not just for the day anyhow.. so here it is:
"It is not the critic that counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles. Or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement. And at worst, If he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
— President Theodore Roosevelt, "The Man in the Arena", Paris, 1910
Sunday, 15 April 2007
Bling, eye candy or bike porn
While riding around the 'burbs yesterday, the imminent birth of my companion's Llewellyn bike came up as a topic followed by a deep philosophical moment or 60. Would it best be described as bling, eye candy or bike porn and on a scale of compliments how do the 3 descriptors rate. Is porn higher than eye candy?? where does bling sit? can a bike be all three?Personally I think bling is flashy (polished lugs or head stem perhaps), eye candy is good to look at (great paint job, nice geometry) and bike porn is what you drool over and would like to buy but just can't quite justify it to sig other...or indeed yourself(!). My friend says BT's are bling, (he's got one so is allowed to say that!) but that his new bike was going to be A++ bike porn. However his description of the colour and polished lugs make me wonder if "bling" ain't more accurate.
Naturally, none of MY bikes are bling! Although come to think of it, the Blueboy is VERY...well...blue.
Bluey behaved very well in his first public outing and, riding a 49/14, I cruised around the track for a planned 30 laps at close to one hour pace. Noice. 3 more Sundays doing that sort of testing, upping the laps by 10 each time and then no track for a while.
The horizontal dropouts have given up the unequal fight, shedding excess paint and so no work needed there; the wheel aligns left/right much better than the Colnago where gear changing and consequent wheel replacing was a major chore and a royal pain. Might give the Ghibli's an outing next Sunday. Hmmm.
Somebody drooled over Bluey's aero seat post so maybe he's partly bike porn. Hey, LM, is a Teschner bike porn or bling?!!
Thursday, 12 April 2007
1st date with the blue boy
My Tuesday day off was a chance to pick up the Ghiblis, to take the Blueboy to Spoke(n), have the final bits attached, check on a weary son and his sore knees and get over to DISC for a test run. We weighed him and with training wheels (+ powertap hub) he comes in at a cachectic 7.6kg..might have to deal with an underweight bike when its all set up.
While over at DISC I spent some time talking to the staff to alert them of my plans and to discuss possible times. Seems like 5pm one Monday late in November will be the time. This actually works well as the velodrome will be at its warmest and friends can get over from work in time for the final stages when I'll really need the support.
So to the first run...this was all done without any formal measuring so was on a "what feels okay" basis. First task was to drop the seat down by a huge amount..the seat tube length is quite a bit longer than the Colnago although the top tube isn't. Then the seat angle and the set back needed adjustment as my knees were touching my elbows ...hmm, I'll have to retrieve my Look ergo stem...must need stretching out a bit.
The next task was to check with a different rear wheel to see if the tight fit was a wheel or a frame problem and...its a wheel problem. A call to the wheelbuilder, Richard Sawaris at wheelbuilder.com via Skype quickly sorted out the problem and now I have to ask the better half to grind away a few mm's of aluminium on the non-drive side. How good is Skype? I can talk to my wheelbuilder in America, my coach and my family in UK at no cost and since I have a webcam, I can hold up the wheel to the camera to ensure we're talking about the same thing...brilliant.
So the next task is to get the ergo stem and sort out the front end. The wheel grinding will have to wait til Phil gets back from visiting rels in WA. Sunday's session on the track will give me a chance to do more position testing and to very briefly see how he goes at full pace.
And finally.. looks like I'm booked up next Easter for another crewing period as Ben feels he can do better. His build up over the last 6 weeks was patchy due to having to house hunt for weeks and then move house in the week before the race.
While over at DISC I spent some time talking to the staff to alert them of my plans and to discuss possible times. Seems like 5pm one Monday late in November will be the time. This actually works well as the velodrome will be at its warmest and friends can get over from work in time for the final stages when I'll really need the support.
So to the first run...this was all done without any formal measuring so was on a "what feels okay" basis. First task was to drop the seat down by a huge amount..the seat tube length is quite a bit longer than the Colnago although the top tube isn't. Then the seat angle and the set back needed adjustment as my knees were touching my elbows ...hmm, I'll have to retrieve my Look ergo stem...must need stretching out a bit.
The next task was to check with a different rear wheel to see if the tight fit was a wheel or a frame problem and...its a wheel problem. A call to the wheelbuilder, Richard Sawaris at wheelbuilder.com via Skype quickly sorted out the problem and now I have to ask the better half to grind away a few mm's of aluminium on the non-drive side. How good is Skype? I can talk to my wheelbuilder in America, my coach and my family in UK at no cost and since I have a webcam, I can hold up the wheel to the camera to ensure we're talking about the same thing...brilliant.
So the next task is to get the ergo stem and sort out the front end. The wheel grinding will have to wait til Phil gets back from visiting rels in WA. Sunday's session on the track will give me a chance to do more position testing and to very briefly see how he goes at full pace.
And finally.. looks like I'm booked up next Easter for another crewing period as Ben feels he can do better. His build up over the last 6 weeks was patchy due to having to house hunt for weeks and then move house in the week before the race.
Monday, 9 April 2007
Crewing for Australian National 24hr Solo MTB Championships
Home again after a marathon haul - an exhausting time for all, rider and crew alike.
Ben was going great guns; his best position was 7th, but then at about the 14hr mark his knees started to play up as they had in previous 24hr races. This time he wasn't going to ignore it and end up spending mega time at the Physio and munching anti-inflammatory pills so he went slower and finally decided to take a long break. The next day he managed another 6 laps and ended up 14th, 3rd in his age category and may have qualified to go to the Worlds if he wants to. He did well and I'm proud of his efforts.
From my point of view it was interesting to see the preparation some riders and crews had put into their race and 2 in particular stick out as being of interest to me. One was the eventual winner who had all his food requirements worked out to the last gram. He didn't choose what he wanted to eat, he was told by his crew who scientifically plotted how much of each nutrient he needed to keep going. He had 4 crew members - the chief (his wife), gofers (parents) and a mechanic plus 3 bikes...all of which he needed, multiples of all clothes, glasses, equipment etc etc . Everything was labelled and nothing was left to chance. He had worked out what speed he needed to ride and what he could manage and his pacing was spot on. He refused to be sucked into competing with the early flier whose initial speed we all knew could not last, caught him after about 12 hours and ended up beating him by over a lap.
The other riders crew were also very efficient although amusing to watch..it was good to have something interesting to look at during the wee cold hours of the morning. It was a bit like a formula 1's crew swarming around their car..he'd ride into the transition area and one person took off his glasses and replaced them with a clean pair, someone else did ditto with food in his pockets, someone did ditto with his bottles/bidons, someone else had a cleaned and lubed bike ready, someone else fed him a cup of something to drink and someone took the photo. He was well up in the placings after at one point being behind Ben so although needing a rather large crew, his method worked.
So all both riders had to do on the day was...ride, everything else was done and decided for them. What I take away from this is - plan well, find a good crew and method that works for you, test it and once you're happy with it change nothing.
My rest is over..now into recuperation. The bike is slowly being built up and I have already discovered 2 things..1. I'll have to get a new stem made as the head tube is pointy at the front and my current stem just wont fit and 2. the rear wheel is hard to get into the horizontal drop outs, a problem I had with my powertap wheel and the Colnago, although not quite so dramatically.
Ben was going great guns; his best position was 7th, but then at about the 14hr mark his knees started to play up as they had in previous 24hr races. This time he wasn't going to ignore it and end up spending mega time at the Physio and munching anti-inflammatory pills so he went slower and finally decided to take a long break. The next day he managed another 6 laps and ended up 14th, 3rd in his age category and may have qualified to go to the Worlds if he wants to. He did well and I'm proud of his efforts.
From my point of view it was interesting to see the preparation some riders and crews had put into their race and 2 in particular stick out as being of interest to me. One was the eventual winner who had all his food requirements worked out to the last gram. He didn't choose what he wanted to eat, he was told by his crew who scientifically plotted how much of each nutrient he needed to keep going. He had 4 crew members - the chief (his wife), gofers (parents) and a mechanic plus 3 bikes...all of which he needed, multiples of all clothes, glasses, equipment etc etc . Everything was labelled and nothing was left to chance. He had worked out what speed he needed to ride and what he could manage and his pacing was spot on. He refused to be sucked into competing with the early flier whose initial speed we all knew could not last, caught him after about 12 hours and ended up beating him by over a lap.
The other riders crew were also very efficient although amusing to watch..it was good to have something interesting to look at during the wee cold hours of the morning. It was a bit like a formula 1's crew swarming around their car..he'd ride into the transition area and one person took off his glasses and replaced them with a clean pair, someone else did ditto with food in his pockets, someone did ditto with his bottles/bidons, someone else had a cleaned and lubed bike ready, someone else fed him a cup of something to drink and someone took the photo. He was well up in the placings after at one point being behind Ben so although needing a rather large crew, his method worked.
So all both riders had to do on the day was...ride, everything else was done and decided for them. What I take away from this is - plan well, find a good crew and method that works for you, test it and once you're happy with it change nothing.
My rest is over..now into recuperation. The bike is slowly being built up and I have already discovered 2 things..1. I'll have to get a new stem made as the head tube is pointy at the front and my current stem just wont fit and 2. the rear wheel is hard to get into the horizontal drop outs, a problem I had with my powertap wheel and the Colnago, although not quite so dramatically.
Tuesday, 27 March 2007
One Hour plan update
Although yesterday's racing was less than stellar for me, I managed to advance the cause of the one hour attempt a bit further.
I spoke to Karen O'Callaghan who is an International Commissaire. Apparently Anna Wilson organised a doctor friend oversee her drug testing sample and all Karen had to do was chaperon her to the surgery and check out the toilet to ensure all was legal..no hidden phials of "clean" urine stashed anywhere. I think it's a bit less laid back now and I imagine the doctor would have to be registered with ASADA
The other athlete also wanting to do this has plans to go to the world road champs in August and do the attempt after that. Bearing in mind we want the weather to be neutral and the timing of the road worlds in August and the track worlds in October, we think November will be the best time, although late September might be worth a thought. Either at a weekend or a week day evening.
The other thing is that I've bought a pair of Ghibli's..I was just letting people know I was in the market and someone knew of a pair for sale! Expensive but. Hmmm! I'll now have to put my Reynolds road racing wheels and my Corima 4 spokes up for sale to help pay for the Ghiblis . Also the Colnago frame and forks if the "Blue" is good.
I spoke to Karen O'Callaghan who is an International Commissaire. Apparently Anna Wilson organised a doctor friend oversee her drug testing sample and all Karen had to do was chaperon her to the surgery and check out the toilet to ensure all was legal..no hidden phials of "clean" urine stashed anywhere. I think it's a bit less laid back now and I imagine the doctor would have to be registered with ASADA
The other athlete also wanting to do this has plans to go to the world road champs in August and do the attempt after that. Bearing in mind we want the weather to be neutral and the timing of the road worlds in August and the track worlds in October, we think November will be the best time, although late September might be worth a thought. Either at a weekend or a week day evening.
The other thing is that I've bought a pair of Ghibli's..I was just letting people know I was in the market and someone knew of a pair for sale! Expensive but. Hmmm! I'll now have to put my Reynolds road racing wheels and my Corima 4 spokes up for sale to help pay for the Ghiblis . Also the Colnago frame and forks if the "Blue" is good.
Sunday, 25 March 2007
Coaching and coaches
I've only ever had one coach for my overall cycling fitness and stayed with him for 5 years (although I have also had track specific input at various times from John Beasley, Paul Parker and Carey Hall...thanks guys). He is very good and gradually brought my fitness levels up in those 5 years, peaking me at the vital times..playing my fitness like a well tuned violin. But once I decided to concentrate on track racing I knew I had to make a change as I felt I had to have a coach who had raced track and therefore understood the practical specifics of track racing. We parted on amicable terms and I will always be grateful to his help in my successes which include 3 rainbow jerseys.
This year's training would have been quite different anyway as I'm aiming for one thing only whereas previously my aims have been all over the place - from a 500m speed fest to a 45km road race and everything in between.
So now I have my new coach's basic plan in front of me and straight away I can see it's very different. I will have no problems adapting since I enjoy a challenge and feel invigorated by this particular change, but it underlines how important it is to plan well ahead and not make huge changes just before a major event.
Planning ahead becomes difficult when your target date moves around!! When and where this particular event will take place is something I hope to sort out very soon. I can easily state my preferences but I also have to book the venue and find officials, who will also have their preferences....
When?
1. November/December after the Worlds for...weather warm, against..I'll be down after the Worlds
2. **September before the Worlds: will be peaked, weather variable, will be tired for the Worlds
Where?
1. Sydney..Dunc Grey...great track no friendly support, warm weather
2. **Melbourne..DISC... good track plenty of support, variable weather (4 seasons in one day)
On balance I think the support is more vital for me.
This year's training would have been quite different anyway as I'm aiming for one thing only whereas previously my aims have been all over the place - from a 500m speed fest to a 45km road race and everything in between.
So now I have my new coach's basic plan in front of me and straight away I can see it's very different. I will have no problems adapting since I enjoy a challenge and feel invigorated by this particular change, but it underlines how important it is to plan well ahead and not make huge changes just before a major event.
Planning ahead becomes difficult when your target date moves around!! When and where this particular event will take place is something I hope to sort out very soon. I can easily state my preferences but I also have to book the venue and find officials, who will also have their preferences....
When?
1. November/December after the Worlds for...weather warm, against..I'll be down after the Worlds
2. **September before the Worlds: will be peaked, weather variable, will be tired for the Worlds
Where?
1. Sydney..Dunc Grey...great track no friendly support, warm weather
2. **Melbourne..DISC... good track plenty of support, variable weather (4 seasons in one day)
On balance I think the support is more vital for me.
Friday, 23 March 2007
20 min test Beach Road March 2007
This first attempt at screen capture using "King Kong" freeware is smaller than I wanted and looks out of focus. Guess I'll find a better way of doing it!The dip at 34 minutes is circling the roundabout at Beach/Balcombe road and okay the test is 4 seconds shy of 20 minutes, but right at the end a set of pedestrian lights were red, so I had to pull the plug. The undulations in the road, traffic and the stiff southerly all accented the normal stochastic nature of power graphs, so maybe I will chose a flatter road next time.
Wednesday, 21 March 2007
UCI strikes again
**&%$!!!
I've just heard that no-one is allowed to do an attempt at the World Masters Champs. I also have to pay for my drug testing if I'm successful, which is $650...arrrgh!
Since I can't do it at the Worlds I guess I might have to think of the Vic Champs in Jan, the Aus Champs in March or just solo any time. Can't say I fancy solo...need an audience I think. Or perhaps piggy backing onto the Worlds..by which I mean the day after they finish.
Anyhow today I've made a formal application to CA in order to "open the dialogue", after all this is something that has to be planned well in advance.
Guess this means I may have to pay for international commissaires, velodrome hire etc etc.
More thought needed. Might have to take up a collection ...!
Better tell the coach.
I've just heard that no-one is allowed to do an attempt at the World Masters Champs. I also have to pay for my drug testing if I'm successful, which is $650...arrrgh!
Since I can't do it at the Worlds I guess I might have to think of the Vic Champs in Jan, the Aus Champs in March or just solo any time. Can't say I fancy solo...need an audience I think. Or perhaps piggy backing onto the Worlds..by which I mean the day after they finish.
Anyhow today I've made a formal application to CA in order to "open the dialogue", after all this is something that has to be planned well in advance.
Guess this means I may have to pay for international commissaires, velodrome hire etc etc.
More thought needed. Might have to take up a collection ...!
Better tell the coach.
Sunday, 18 March 2007
More Testing and advice from someone who already been there
18/3/07
Sunday is the day for a 3 hr stint down at the track with other Masters but today my legs are still recovering from yesterday's efforts so I don't expect to be too good. Last night I also stayed out late watching the Australian Madison champs at Vodafone. The timing of the event was bad, not only was the Grand Prix Formula 1 racing on but there was also a huge swimming meet next door. So the crowd was very poor and the top elites were away for the World track Champs in Spain. Great racing though although we did have a giggle trying again to imagine how it would work out if women had to race the Madison!!
Yesterday I fiddled with the position of the extensions of my bars as they just didn't feel right and it worked..I felt much more comfortable. Its amazing how such a minor alteration can play such a huge part in success/failure. Using 52/15 gearing I cruised around the track at the pace I wanted without too much difficulty for 15 minutes. No ipod, no music, nothing.
Then I decided to re-acquaint myself with my pursuit speed since that race is 7 days away and what a farce that was. I managed to over cook myself to an alarming degree going out from the gates like a steam train and shooting round the second lap as if I was being chased...19sec from 125m-375m No! no!, pursuit, not a 500m TT duh!
Anyhow if the pursuit is beyond me it looks as though the 500m TT wont be, my 2 start laps were the best I've done for a while, laying down 660watts to get off the line, probably shoots the BP up through the roof and ruptures a few blood vessels... so I might just be in for a PB; the World Record for 60yr olds is 42.262secs. And, yes I know 660 watts is nothing special for others, but it is for me.
Chris Hunt was there and as he's done the hour record...does he still hold the Australian record??? I felt he should be able to help. His first comment was DO NOT do the 60 minutes in training...nope, not planning on that. what he did suggest was do motor pacing. Aim for a higher time than you are currently.
The 2 Ghiblis that should be mine were on show ..sob, double sob. Got an ad on Fixed Gear Fever although I don't expect anything from it .
Now for a week of even more careful preparation. I'll try to dial in my pursuit speed over a couple of short sessions. Legs are dead now..rest is definitely on the cards. Legs up, Skins on. Oh and watching "The Biggest Loser" a no-brainer show about people losing weight..just my intellectual level right now.
Sunday is the day for a 3 hr stint down at the track with other Masters but today my legs are still recovering from yesterday's efforts so I don't expect to be too good. Last night I also stayed out late watching the Australian Madison champs at Vodafone. The timing of the event was bad, not only was the Grand Prix Formula 1 racing on but there was also a huge swimming meet next door. So the crowd was very poor and the top elites were away for the World track Champs in Spain. Great racing though although we did have a giggle trying again to imagine how it would work out if women had to race the Madison!!
Yesterday I fiddled with the position of the extensions of my bars as they just didn't feel right and it worked..I felt much more comfortable. Its amazing how such a minor alteration can play such a huge part in success/failure. Using 52/15 gearing I cruised around the track at the pace I wanted without too much difficulty for 15 minutes. No ipod, no music, nothing.
Then I decided to re-acquaint myself with my pursuit speed since that race is 7 days away and what a farce that was. I managed to over cook myself to an alarming degree going out from the gates like a steam train and shooting round the second lap as if I was being chased...19sec from 125m-375m No! no!, pursuit, not a 500m TT duh!
Anyhow if the pursuit is beyond me it looks as though the 500m TT wont be, my 2 start laps were the best I've done for a while, laying down 660watts to get off the line, probably shoots the BP up through the roof and ruptures a few blood vessels... so I might just be in for a PB; the World Record for 60yr olds is 42.262secs. And, yes I know 660 watts is nothing special for others, but it is for me.
Chris Hunt was there and as he's done the hour record...does he still hold the Australian record??? I felt he should be able to help. His first comment was DO NOT do the 60 minutes in training...nope, not planning on that. what he did suggest was do motor pacing. Aim for a higher time than you are currently.
The 2 Ghiblis that should be mine were on show ..sob, double sob. Got an ad on Fixed Gear Fever although I don't expect anything from it .
Now for a week of even more careful preparation. I'll try to dial in my pursuit speed over a couple of short sessions. Legs are dead now..rest is definitely on the cards. Legs up, Skins on. Oh and watching "The Biggest Loser" a no-brainer show about people losing weight..just my intellectual level right now.
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