Broken spoke!!! Did my big huge powerful legs break it?? Doubt it. 45 minutes out and I hear that wonderful pop and feel the bike slow right down. Of course this was on the crest of a hill. I've been running Mavic wheels for the last couple years and I have to say they are amazing. The only problems are a grand total of 3 broken spokes, 1 on each wheel set.
No other option but to turn around and head back to the house. This was not a bad thing in the end. My feet were freezing. For some reason mother nature was in a crusty mood yesterday. The sun was out but it was just an illusion of being warm outside. The wind was relentless and the temperature was hovering just above the freezing mark and dropping.
new socks and wheels and I'm off again. I'd promised the Tri club to help do some tech training on the time trial course in the evening. I had the cross tires on so decided to take the fun way over to the course. Gotta love mix up things with some gravel.
After all was said and done I finished up with just over 3.5 hours on the bike. My feet did thaw eventually. I'm looking ahead at the weather this week and I have this strange feeling that I'm going to have some very long indoor rides this weekend. Blaww but its better than 5 hours in the rain.
Later
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Mansfield O Cup
Ok where to start. First off I did race and I did finish!!!!! Yeah for me!!!!
I have never felt like a fish out of water but I was full of dumb questions today. Found a few friends that are O cup masters. First thing was feed zone. I'm so used to the endurance stuff where solo racers have their own pit area. The feed zone was only about 40 feet long and would be packed with people. Awwww don't worry about it.
Do all the prerace crap and warmed up. Considering the 3.5 hour ride yesterday the legs felt pretty good. Sitting in the start area I'm seeing alot of faces and I had a few of those what are you doing racing a short race questions? I asked that myself a couple times.
I was in the 35-39 age group so watch 4-5 groups leave before us with 2 minute intervals between each. Managed to get staged on the front line. Of course the nerves kick in . Deep breathes. I'm focused on my line up the first hill. Did I mention that we start with a .5 km long hill right out of the start. Great way to split up the group.
Go!! Hit my line and pushed. I wanted to be near the front at the top of the hill before the first section of single track. Did one better and had the lead coming over the top. Not knowing where my race pace endurance is at I knew I still had to ride some what smart. Of course I still had that attitude. Right full out if you blow up you blow up. I played right in between those two thougths. I was passed about half way through the first lap but kept him in sight and held his wheel going into the next climb.
The pace was stupid fast. I knew there were fast guys that are hanging in the sport class. It was less than half the lap and we started to pass the 30-34 guys.I felt good, ok honestly I was thinking holy crap this hurts. Coming into the timing tent I'd dropped to 4th but in sight of 3rd. Did I go to hard to early? Would I hold on? Does it take me an incredibly long time to warm up and feel good?
I would say the last was definitely true. First feed zone. Meg spots me and calls out my name. I really didn't think I would go though as much fluid as I did but I'm glad we had extra bottles ready. Perfect hand off with a smile.
Still in 4th and feeling the rhythm. I'm catching more and more of the slower riders from other age groups. Everyone was really good about passing today. I caught a up with Mark about half way through this lap. We pushed each other for the next few kms. Mark was still having some early season legs happening. Gotta go. On certain switchback sections I would see 3rd place and start counting the time between us. Should have been breathing.
This was where I made my one mistake on the course. Fast downhill into a couple tight bermed singletrack turns. With the right line you can come through it and hammer in the big ring. If you were off, well, this lap I missed the line. Got caught in my big ring. I;m really surprised no one caught me there as I grunted for a about 10 seconds trying to get going. The rest of the lap was smooth.
3rd lap, feed zone, another bottle another long climb. Of course now I'm starting to find my rhythm and I'm running out of time. I start to really push things. Not much time left now. I'm not gaining on 3rd but not losing time to 5th. No worries. Yep had to happen
About 2km out from the finish line I noticed that my brake handles were a bit high. HMMM Maybe the last hour and a bit of anaerobic has distorted my vision. Last km is where I figure I was luck. For the 2 long climbs the pay off is one hell of a wild downhill section. Lets just say that loose handlebars on the flats is one thing, at 45km/h its a little scary. Hit the bottom of the hill stood up and hammered the last .25 kms into the finish. I'm done, that hurt.
Ok so here is what I thought. Holy crap that hurt. An 8 hour solo hurts alot less. My average heartrate was 181. I finished 4th in my division and I'm feeling pretty trashed That was so fun.
I'm very happy with my results. I have to give Meg a huge thank you for today. You were amazing. I do have a new respect for short course racers. It is a sufferfest. Maybe after the 24hr Summer Solstice I'll focus on the shorter events for the rest of the season.
I'm trashed, early to bed. I finished, I'm happy.
I have never felt like a fish out of water but I was full of dumb questions today. Found a few friends that are O cup masters. First thing was feed zone. I'm so used to the endurance stuff where solo racers have their own pit area. The feed zone was only about 40 feet long and would be packed with people. Awwww don't worry about it.
Do all the prerace crap and warmed up. Considering the 3.5 hour ride yesterday the legs felt pretty good. Sitting in the start area I'm seeing alot of faces and I had a few of those what are you doing racing a short race questions? I asked that myself a couple times.
I was in the 35-39 age group so watch 4-5 groups leave before us with 2 minute intervals between each. Managed to get staged on the front line. Of course the nerves kick in . Deep breathes. I'm focused on my line up the first hill. Did I mention that we start with a .5 km long hill right out of the start. Great way to split up the group.
Go!! Hit my line and pushed. I wanted to be near the front at the top of the hill before the first section of single track. Did one better and had the lead coming over the top. Not knowing where my race pace endurance is at I knew I still had to ride some what smart. Of course I still had that attitude. Right full out if you blow up you blow up. I played right in between those two thougths. I was passed about half way through the first lap but kept him in sight and held his wheel going into the next climb.
The pace was stupid fast. I knew there were fast guys that are hanging in the sport class. It was less than half the lap and we started to pass the 30-34 guys.I felt good, ok honestly I was thinking holy crap this hurts. Coming into the timing tent I'd dropped to 4th but in sight of 3rd. Did I go to hard to early? Would I hold on? Does it take me an incredibly long time to warm up and feel good?
I would say the last was definitely true. First feed zone. Meg spots me and calls out my name. I really didn't think I would go though as much fluid as I did but I'm glad we had extra bottles ready. Perfect hand off with a smile.
Still in 4th and feeling the rhythm. I'm catching more and more of the slower riders from other age groups. Everyone was really good about passing today. I caught a up with Mark about half way through this lap. We pushed each other for the next few kms. Mark was still having some early season legs happening. Gotta go. On certain switchback sections I would see 3rd place and start counting the time between us. Should have been breathing.
This was where I made my one mistake on the course. Fast downhill into a couple tight bermed singletrack turns. With the right line you can come through it and hammer in the big ring. If you were off, well, this lap I missed the line. Got caught in my big ring. I;m really surprised no one caught me there as I grunted for a about 10 seconds trying to get going. The rest of the lap was smooth.
3rd lap, feed zone, another bottle another long climb. Of course now I'm starting to find my rhythm and I'm running out of time. I start to really push things. Not much time left now. I'm not gaining on 3rd but not losing time to 5th. No worries. Yep had to happen
About 2km out from the finish line I noticed that my brake handles were a bit high. HMMM Maybe the last hour and a bit of anaerobic has distorted my vision. Last km is where I figure I was luck. For the 2 long climbs the pay off is one hell of a wild downhill section. Lets just say that loose handlebars on the flats is one thing, at 45km/h its a little scary. Hit the bottom of the hill stood up and hammered the last .25 kms into the finish. I'm done, that hurt.
Ok so here is what I thought. Holy crap that hurt. An 8 hour solo hurts alot less. My average heartrate was 181. I finished 4th in my division and I'm feeling pretty trashed That was so fun.
I'm very happy with my results. I have to give Meg a huge thank you for today. You were amazing. I do have a new respect for short course racers. It is a sufferfest. Maybe after the 24hr Summer Solstice I'll focus on the shorter events for the rest of the season.
I'm trashed, early to bed. I finished, I'm happy.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
3 times a charm? 3 strikes and you're out? Things come in 3's? Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me, Won't get fooled again. Ok I know the last one doesn't flow but the concept is the same. 3rd race of the season is tomorrow. Short race, about an hour and a half. My attitude right now is will I race and will I finish?
Bike is packed in the loaner car. Back in a Subaru. Still not impressed right now with the crap involving my car. More on that another time depending on the outcome.
My legs are a little sore and tired today. 3.5 hour ride that ended up being a bit harder than what was planned. It didn't help that I could still feel the indents in my legs that Dr. Bill left in them yesterday. Why the hell does everything beneficial hurt so much? Awww suck it up.
They are calling for great weather conditions for tomorrow and I've heard that the course is pretty fast with nothing in it that has to be prepped for. This is going to be the first test of the XC Carbon. I'm looking forward to it.
Race report and pictures tomorrow. I'm hoping that this report will not be full of swearing again!!
Bike is packed in the loaner car. Back in a Subaru. Still not impressed right now with the crap involving my car. More on that another time depending on the outcome.
My legs are a little sore and tired today. 3.5 hour ride that ended up being a bit harder than what was planned. It didn't help that I could still feel the indents in my legs that Dr. Bill left in them yesterday. Why the hell does everything beneficial hurt so much? Awww suck it up.
They are calling for great weather conditions for tomorrow and I've heard that the course is pretty fast with nothing in it that has to be prepped for. This is going to be the first test of the XC Carbon. I'm looking forward to it.
Race report and pictures tomorrow. I'm hoping that this report will not be full of swearing again!!
Friday, April 25, 2008
Sandbagger. This is what I expect to hear this weekend at the first O-cup. So I'm putting my defence out there early. I have never raced in an Ontario Cup Race so by their rules I have to start in sport class.
Trust me when I say that I don't want to. Not to lower the ability of anyone in this division. There are some crazy fast riders out there. I've been so focused on the long distance stuff that short races never even came into my race schedule. This year it was more of the why the hell not!!!
I honestly would rather race in Expert or Pro Elite and finish mid pack than go into the Sport class and be mentally thinking that it's not fair that I'm here. I'm not saying that I will win these events. BUT, Everyone that I race against in the endurance events all race at the upper levels. I know that I will have to work my ass off to do well and I'm used to catching people after a few hours having less than 2 hours will be a whole new thing for me.
I am looking forward to the race this weekend. I skipped my workout tonight. Lots of stress with the car. I won't go into it yet because I'm hoping things will be resolved very quickly. I think the legs are happy with the extra day off the bike.
Later
Trust me when I say that I don't want to. Not to lower the ability of anyone in this division. There are some crazy fast riders out there. I've been so focused on the long distance stuff that short races never even came into my race schedule. This year it was more of the why the hell not!!!
I honestly would rather race in Expert or Pro Elite and finish mid pack than go into the Sport class and be mentally thinking that it's not fair that I'm here. I'm not saying that I will win these events. BUT, Everyone that I race against in the endurance events all race at the upper levels. I know that I will have to work my ass off to do well and I'm used to catching people after a few hours having less than 2 hours will be a whole new thing for me.
I am looking forward to the race this weekend. I skipped my workout tonight. Lots of stress with the car. I won't go into it yet because I'm hoping things will be resolved very quickly. I think the legs are happy with the extra day off the bike.
Later
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Finally got a bit of trail time in today. I'm into a recovery week so the plan was 1.5 hrs of max zone 3. That went out the window pretty quick, I was having to much fun. My excuse was forgetting my heart rate strap. If you don't know the numbers you can't follow the numbers right?
It's felt like a long time since I've been in single track. The feel came back quick and with the first O cup less than a week away I figured I better get a little bit of trail riding in.
I had to bring the Molly Monster, she saw the XC come down and went nuts. She still knows what bike she gets to come and which ones she is sitting on the deck.
So first thing, I love my bike!!!! I only raced the XC Carbon once at the end of the season and I was really out of it at that time. This bike as stupid scary fast and climbs amazing. I can't wait to race this monster.
Back to the ride. Things are feeling great, eyes are getting used to the quick response needed in the trails, the body is smooth on the pedals, flying through the trees. Awwww single track.
About 35 minutes into the ride things changed. Tom's forest is one of my favorite trail systems. I know it like the back of my hand. Well someone broke my hand and moved things around on it.
Being a township forest means its pronened logging. HMMMM kinda funny that I see this on Earth Day. The guys have trashed the place. I spent the next 25 minutes on and off the bike trying to find the trail. They really did a number on the area and half the system is now not ride able. I didn't go into the other grid but I'm hoping its fine.
They could have at least left the trail clear and piled it to the sides. Looks like I will have to find another playground. Anyways, great ride when I was riding. Bike is ready for the weekend, legs are ready for the weekend. Hoping that my racing bad luck has come to an end.
It's felt like a long time since I've been in single track. The feel came back quick and with the first O cup less than a week away I figured I better get a little bit of trail riding in.
I had to bring the Molly Monster, she saw the XC come down and went nuts. She still knows what bike she gets to come and which ones she is sitting on the deck.
So first thing, I love my bike!!!! I only raced the XC Carbon once at the end of the season and I was really out of it at that time. This bike as stupid scary fast and climbs amazing. I can't wait to race this monster.
Back to the ride. Things are feeling great, eyes are getting used to the quick response needed in the trails, the body is smooth on the pedals, flying through the trees. Awwww single track.
About 35 minutes into the ride things changed. Tom's forest is one of my favorite trail systems. I know it like the back of my hand. Well someone broke my hand and moved things around on it.
Being a township forest means its pronened logging. HMMMM kinda funny that I see this on Earth Day. The guys have trashed the place. I spent the next 25 minutes on and off the bike trying to find the trail. They really did a number on the area and half the system is now not ride able. I didn't go into the other grid but I'm hoping its fine.
They could have at least left the trail clear and piled it to the sides. Looks like I will have to find another playground. Anyways, great ride when I was riding. Bike is ready for the weekend, legs are ready for the weekend. Hoping that my racing bad luck has come to an end.
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