2009 race season is barely over, actually it's not but on chalkboard it says it's finished, I'm already starting to think about what I want to do for 2010. Do I focus on the short races or the longer. Do I travel more? or less?
One of my first plans for 2010 is a race versus travel time ratio. If it takes me longer to drive there then it will to do the race itself, it won't be on the 2010 schedule. Now of course I do drive very fast and I ride sometimes slow so this is something that needs to be google mapped, recalculated on map my ride, then drawn out with crayons on a cardboard box all the while I have the calculator going so fast that it always has an e at the end of the numbers.
For Ontario Cup I'm going to race with who I should be, unfortunate timing of bad weather, bad legs or not actually going to the race did not give me enough points to move to Elite at the end of the season I think I missed it by 5 or 6 points. Mountainview was supposed to be the place to do it but I blew up so hard I melted my helmet. I'm a hair disappointed but the end goal for me moving up was to make it even harder for Andrew to lap me.
So I'll be racing with the Master Experts for 2010, these guys are crazy fast still but I may even see a few top 10's finishes playing here. There will be no more comments of senior citizen in senior expert. It was a little strange that I was the only one in that division with grey hair.
Now the cool thing with moving to the ME division. Less traffic, a lot less traffic. This year we left the start corel dead last since senior expert is the black sheep of the Ontario Cup. The half step between Junior Elite and Senior Elite. Which means leave last and battle past every division to get open trail, Ok I didn't battle but grunted my way along but there was always traffic.
Master Expert leaves just a few steps behind Elite. Everyone at the front is fast, this could be fun. Of course I will not be focusing on Ontario Cup races again this year. It will still be a training ride with a bunch of friends. There will be races I do and races I skip depending on what is in the cards for that month. This also means that I get to have fun battling it out with my buddy Jeremy. This season we ran pretty close finishing times. Looks like it could be a fun season with just that alone.
So what will be my main focus for 2010. I have a few ideas right now, I've had two sponsors suggest things, friends suggest things, Mom suggest things, even my bikes hint on a few things. I'll tell you tomorrow, not that it's a big surprise but I've run out of time and almost out of coffee.
Time for work.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Where do we go from here??
Yep at the end of the scheduled race season. What do I do, where do I go??? No training, free time. I'm going crazy already with to many spare minutes in my life.
My thoughts are cross are just that, thoughts about them. You may see me at a race but until this cold has gone completely and then at least one week after that you will not see a cross bike between my legs and a number on my shoulder. Intensity is not in the cards for a couple weeks.
This month is a complete free for all, got a great letter from Heather yesterday that she sends all her athletes at this time about taking time off and this even includes not riding. Gasp!!! but she is right. Getting off the bike, letting the body 100 percent recover is so important both mentally and physically. Of course that is easier said in done. A bad habit is hard to break. Of course the weather is cooperating for this, rain, rain rain, wind, rain, cold and more rain. I'm motivated to go out there, are you???
It's funny that I would think that not training would give me all this free time but October is already filling up. Thanksgiving will be a fun trail ride with the Mountainview Cycling Club. This is a ride a little regroup, chat, laugh, try that again followed by a beer or two in the parking lot type ride. Remember those??? The Monday Night Something crew has the first annual not on a Monday night camping tripped planned for the end of October. One member who will remain nameless has a fear of camping and is bailing on it. He even says his dog is afraid of nature.
I'll finally get to do the many projects around the house that I have been looking at. Lots of interior painting, fall clean up, and very shortly firewood to move. The last one is not something I'm looking forward to.
My body itself feels amazing again. A trip to Dr. Bill's yesterday has me standing up straight and not in fear of stairs. Time to start back into the yoga again. Mother Nature can't stop me from doing that.
Work time, busy day folowed by checking out a house with Mom. This could take up my off season also.
My thoughts are cross are just that, thoughts about them. You may see me at a race but until this cold has gone completely and then at least one week after that you will not see a cross bike between my legs and a number on my shoulder. Intensity is not in the cards for a couple weeks.
This month is a complete free for all, got a great letter from Heather yesterday that she sends all her athletes at this time about taking time off and this even includes not riding. Gasp!!! but she is right. Getting off the bike, letting the body 100 percent recover is so important both mentally and physically. Of course that is easier said in done. A bad habit is hard to break. Of course the weather is cooperating for this, rain, rain rain, wind, rain, cold and more rain. I'm motivated to go out there, are you???
It's funny that I would think that not training would give me all this free time but October is already filling up. Thanksgiving will be a fun trail ride with the Mountainview Cycling Club. This is a ride a little regroup, chat, laugh, try that again followed by a beer or two in the parking lot type ride. Remember those??? The Monday Night Something crew has the first annual not on a Monday night camping tripped planned for the end of October. One member who will remain nameless has a fear of camping and is bailing on it. He even says his dog is afraid of nature.
I'll finally get to do the many projects around the house that I have been looking at. Lots of interior painting, fall clean up, and very shortly firewood to move. The last one is not something I'm looking forward to.
My body itself feels amazing again. A trip to Dr. Bill's yesterday has me standing up straight and not in fear of stairs. Time to start back into the yoga again. Mother Nature can't stop me from doing that.
Work time, busy day folowed by checking out a house with Mom. This could take up my off season also.
Monday, September 28, 2009
More 8 hour stuff
I'm milking the race for things to write. Why? Because I'm still tired!!! After spending the day hobbling around in fear of stairs I was still trying to think of something creative. I ended up drinking beer!!! So I've just got more little highlights of the race to put up.
Peter spent time before and after the race telling me all about his adventures in the states and the great places he was riding and racing. You bastard!!! Now I want to go. I also gave him the full run down on Michigan.
Mark Summers still impresses me every time I see him on a bike. He was hobbling when he finished but he was still smiling and happy. I think the Summers family is the happiest family in Ontario cycling.
The weather, mother nature was awesome!!!! Rainbows and butterflies with trails made of chocolate!!!
Speaking of trails, I have a new dislike for hay. I know they needed to use it on the long downhill to keep things from eroding but I was forced to stop and pull it out of my derailleur multiple times in fear of jamming.
I used every gear on my bike during that race and I needed every single one. Yes I love shifting, I'm good at it, I do it lots. That wonderful click sounds so nice when I see a single speeder grunting it up a climb. I only asked one single speeder if he wanted to buy a derailleur during the race. Come on Jason, you know you want one!!!
The morning of the race I weighed 155.5 lbs after the race I was 157.8lbs. What??? Can you say my hydration and nutrition was perfect. Pretty much have it dialed in now, Infinit is the only way to go. Now the next morning after many, many trips to the washroom during the night I was down to 151.3 lbs. I'm back to 155lbs this morning. Yes I weigh my self more than a 15 year old girl that reads Cosmo.
I'm still sick but I think I pedalled the worst of the cold out of me.
After being anal and staring at the results and lap times, I'm really happy at the pace and consistency of the lap times.
When I lapped Peter I think he even wanted me to beat Steve for the overall. Now if Steve happened to be riding a Misfit instead of a Specialized that was converted to a single speed I think I may have caught a branch in the front wheel when I went passed him. Maybe, maybe not.
I really want the orange jersey that the overall winners of the three 8 hour races got. Orange is the new yellow???
I'm still sore and achy this morning and I'm bailing on the Monday night ride. Normally we would have perfect conditions for it. Rain, thunderstorms, wind and cold but right now I'm really not to interested in playing in that so I'm opting for one more day of rest before I start riding again.
Time to go do the day job. Promise to come up with something more interesting tomorrow.
Peter spent time before and after the race telling me all about his adventures in the states and the great places he was riding and racing. You bastard!!! Now I want to go. I also gave him the full run down on Michigan.
Mark Summers still impresses me every time I see him on a bike. He was hobbling when he finished but he was still smiling and happy. I think the Summers family is the happiest family in Ontario cycling.
The weather, mother nature was awesome!!!! Rainbows and butterflies with trails made of chocolate!!!
Speaking of trails, I have a new dislike for hay. I know they needed to use it on the long downhill to keep things from eroding but I was forced to stop and pull it out of my derailleur multiple times in fear of jamming.
I used every gear on my bike during that race and I needed every single one. Yes I love shifting, I'm good at it, I do it lots. That wonderful click sounds so nice when I see a single speeder grunting it up a climb. I only asked one single speeder if he wanted to buy a derailleur during the race. Come on Jason, you know you want one!!!
The morning of the race I weighed 155.5 lbs after the race I was 157.8lbs. What??? Can you say my hydration and nutrition was perfect. Pretty much have it dialed in now, Infinit is the only way to go. Now the next morning after many, many trips to the washroom during the night I was down to 151.3 lbs. I'm back to 155lbs this morning. Yes I weigh my self more than a 15 year old girl that reads Cosmo.
I'm still sick but I think I pedalled the worst of the cold out of me.
After being anal and staring at the results and lap times, I'm really happy at the pace and consistency of the lap times.
When I lapped Peter I think he even wanted me to beat Steve for the overall. Now if Steve happened to be riding a Misfit instead of a Specialized that was converted to a single speed I think I may have caught a branch in the front wheel when I went passed him. Maybe, maybe not.
I really want the orange jersey that the overall winners of the three 8 hour races got. Orange is the new yellow???
I'm still sore and achy this morning and I'm bailing on the Monday night ride. Normally we would have perfect conditions for it. Rain, thunderstorms, wind and cold but right now I'm really not to interested in playing in that so I'm opting for one more day of rest before I start riding again.
Time to go do the day job. Promise to come up with something more interesting tomorrow.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Hardwood Fall 8 Hour
I'll be honest, I really didn't know what was going to happen yesterday. If this was a day of registration type race I probably woundn't have gone. Woke up still hacking and having a hard time breathing. But because I'm such a cheap ass I was not giving up $85!!!!
Did the last of the car packing as my failed attempt of steel cut oats cooked, pre race food tip from Watson. I was rushing as I measured out the mix and the steel looked a little more like, I don't know. I ate them anyways.
Rain was in the forecast, it was cold, toque cold. Hey I'm sick already so why should I worry. Heather (the greatest coach), her boyfriend Jason and I were all going to use the same transition pit so a little maneuvering of cars and gear and we were all set up to go. I was always looking around to see who was here. Did a half assed warm up, rode up the start hill. The legs felt questionable. I had two thoughts on how to race today. Leave smart and a little slower than normal and be consistent or go full out and hope I hold on. Like I have any self control.
I was second row with about 35 rows behind me. If I blow early I'll get trampled. So I pretty much went full out off the line, like usual. When I pre rode the course last weekend I thought the first 6-7 minutes of the course were boring, not today, it was perfect amount of climbing and a couple technical lines of single track to break up the pack. I was right on Paul Loughran's wheel. He was the biggest threat out there taking 2nd at the other two epic 8's A couple of team riders got into our mix.
The big highlight of this lap for me was riding with Don Gain from the Barrie Cycling Club. We started racing at Hardwood about the same time 8 years ago and we used to battle it out all the time on the same trails we were riding on today. I'd said that to him, Do you remember how simple it was for us a few years back, that was followed by Wait this is still a lot of fun, it just takes longer.
Back to the task at hand, I noticed that Paul climbs much more aggressive than I do and would pull away on the climbs by a few seconds but I would get right back up on his wheel in the technical section and in a few places pass him and put a few seconds on him. I started making my game plan. We came through 1-2 on the first lap. The next lap he pulled away up the climbs putting about 15 seconds in to me. No panic, it's still early. As I thought might happen I caught up to him in the technical and we came through the lap together again.
3rd lap was about the same until the technical. I pushed it a hair and put some good gaps into him. by the time the lap was done I was up 30 seconds. I've always known that I'm not the greatest climber but more that I don't attack hills. That's why I'm a mediocre Ontario Cup racer. Technical is my strength, one thing with an 8 hour is how much the course will change over the length of the race. Technical is very important.
At this point my legs started to hurt, I started to tell myself go until you can't turn the cranks, last race of the year. Seemed to help, ok not really they still hurt but I was not getting of the bike except for the timing tent area. Oh and my wonderful attempt at pulling my timing chip out, dropping my timing chip, try and stop with out getting run over to get my timing chip, run back and grab the timing chip and finish the lap. All this happened as Glen was commentating over the P.A. " Matt, what the hell are you doing!!!" Of course I made a scene and was running with my arms flailing in the air. I was having fun!!!
At the end of the 5th I was leading all the solo's but I kept getting a glimpse of a solo plate, it wasn't Paul. Heading out on the 6th he caught me. Steve Chapman is an Elite Ontario cup racer and I had heard something about him before the race. Mainly that he's fast. What took the stress down, single speed under his feet. Ok keep your pace. We rode together that lap chatting. Maybe talking to much because coming down a fast single track section in a line of riders I didn't respond quick enough as Steve hopped over a stick that had rolled into the trail on a 45 degree angle. Yep, I nailed it and had the front wheel come out. Took a few seconds to get going again. Nothing broken, nothing permanent. It took me a good part of the next lap to regain my focus. I have a huge bruise on my inner thigh.
The next few laps I just rode my pace, I was feeling really good. The rain held off, I was climbing strong and steady. Going down hill fast again. I kept asking Mom how big a lead I had on 2nd. She would never tell me. Probably so I didn't go into cruise control but she started to ask me when I was going to catch the single speeder!!!! Yep she knows how to motivate me. Shut up and pedal, ok those are my words. A little shot of coke (pop) and I was off.
A lap or two later and I caught Steve. We both had huge leads over 2nd so we rode a good chunk of our lap together. Nice guy, going to be a doctor, hopefully he stays in Canada. The next lap I had rode away from him only to have him come back and pass me. A little battle had begun. Coming into lap 13 we were close but he told me he was shutting down quickly. I said I would stay until he popped or slowed down to much. One of the last climbs we split. I have never ever been so happy to have a granny gear!!!
Started lap 14 and I debated, do I hammer or cruise it. Screw it, last race of the scheduled season lets see what's left in the legs. I pushed the climbs as hard as i could, I told myself to push what I wouldn't normally and recover on the single track. I shocked myself . I was also smiling and giggling a little with the results of the day. I had fun and had a great race.
Crossed the line 1st in the under 40 and 1st solo overall. Found out after only 6 teams did more laps than I did. I was never concerned about my fitness level, I know it was there but the cold was in the back of my mind the whole time. My body is paying for it this morning. I'm expecting to get a relapse but I really don't' care if I do. It's officially the end of the mountain bike race season.
Some highlights to me at this race.
It didn't rain!!!! The stump that I nailed 2 years ago and broke ribs at this same race is still there, I stared at it with a lot of focus every single lap.
Heard Watson yelling at me for something when I went through the timing tent, a few hours later it was Jacob and Liz. Still don't know what anyone said but will find out.
I watched Glen make a racer do 10 push up for not dismounting before the line at the transition tent. I came close once in the remount area and actually jumped back off my bike ran 3 more feet then got on. I didn't want to take a chance.
I got to race the way I need to, being able to talk with people. I'm not the most social person unless I'm on my bike. I had a great time.
Thank you MOM, AGAIN!!! for everything.
A little props need to be put out. Anyone looking for a coach. Heather is the woman to talk to if you want to do endurance racing. Under 40 winner, me, over 40 winner Mike Mazza are coached by her, oh and she happened to destroy in the women's division. Congratulations Heather. Jason will go after the single speed for next year once his girlfriend starts to whip him into shape.
Congratulations to Paul, I was looking over my shoulder for you the whole race, you made me keep the pace up. Steve for a great battle, made things interesting and fun. Mike Mazza, buddy awesome result today. Everyone over 40 better watch out for this guy. Everyone else I talked to out on the course including a few doing their first solo. Great job.
Ok, I really need to eat again!!! Infinit is the best race fuel on earth but right now I want something solid. I only used Infinit for the whole race plus 3 drinks of pop and had zero energy loss!! I could have kept going with no energy problems
Full race results are here. Click the results link at the top. More tomorrow.
Did the last of the car packing as my failed attempt of steel cut oats cooked, pre race food tip from Watson. I was rushing as I measured out the mix and the steel looked a little more like, I don't know. I ate them anyways.
Rain was in the forecast, it was cold, toque cold. Hey I'm sick already so why should I worry. Heather (the greatest coach), her boyfriend Jason and I were all going to use the same transition pit so a little maneuvering of cars and gear and we were all set up to go. I was always looking around to see who was here. Did a half assed warm up, rode up the start hill. The legs felt questionable. I had two thoughts on how to race today. Leave smart and a little slower than normal and be consistent or go full out and hope I hold on. Like I have any self control.
I was second row with about 35 rows behind me. If I blow early I'll get trampled. So I pretty much went full out off the line, like usual. When I pre rode the course last weekend I thought the first 6-7 minutes of the course were boring, not today, it was perfect amount of climbing and a couple technical lines of single track to break up the pack. I was right on Paul Loughran's wheel. He was the biggest threat out there taking 2nd at the other two epic 8's A couple of team riders got into our mix.
The big highlight of this lap for me was riding with Don Gain from the Barrie Cycling Club. We started racing at Hardwood about the same time 8 years ago and we used to battle it out all the time on the same trails we were riding on today. I'd said that to him, Do you remember how simple it was for us a few years back, that was followed by Wait this is still a lot of fun, it just takes longer.
Back to the task at hand, I noticed that Paul climbs much more aggressive than I do and would pull away on the climbs by a few seconds but I would get right back up on his wheel in the technical section and in a few places pass him and put a few seconds on him. I started making my game plan. We came through 1-2 on the first lap. The next lap he pulled away up the climbs putting about 15 seconds in to me. No panic, it's still early. As I thought might happen I caught up to him in the technical and we came through the lap together again.
3rd lap was about the same until the technical. I pushed it a hair and put some good gaps into him. by the time the lap was done I was up 30 seconds. I've always known that I'm not the greatest climber but more that I don't attack hills. That's why I'm a mediocre Ontario Cup racer. Technical is my strength, one thing with an 8 hour is how much the course will change over the length of the race. Technical is very important.
At this point my legs started to hurt, I started to tell myself go until you can't turn the cranks, last race of the year. Seemed to help, ok not really they still hurt but I was not getting of the bike except for the timing tent area. Oh and my wonderful attempt at pulling my timing chip out, dropping my timing chip, try and stop with out getting run over to get my timing chip, run back and grab the timing chip and finish the lap. All this happened as Glen was commentating over the P.A. " Matt, what the hell are you doing!!!" Of course I made a scene and was running with my arms flailing in the air. I was having fun!!!
At the end of the 5th I was leading all the solo's but I kept getting a glimpse of a solo plate, it wasn't Paul. Heading out on the 6th he caught me. Steve Chapman is an Elite Ontario cup racer and I had heard something about him before the race. Mainly that he's fast. What took the stress down, single speed under his feet. Ok keep your pace. We rode together that lap chatting. Maybe talking to much because coming down a fast single track section in a line of riders I didn't respond quick enough as Steve hopped over a stick that had rolled into the trail on a 45 degree angle. Yep, I nailed it and had the front wheel come out. Took a few seconds to get going again. Nothing broken, nothing permanent. It took me a good part of the next lap to regain my focus. I have a huge bruise on my inner thigh.
The next few laps I just rode my pace, I was feeling really good. The rain held off, I was climbing strong and steady. Going down hill fast again. I kept asking Mom how big a lead I had on 2nd. She would never tell me. Probably so I didn't go into cruise control but she started to ask me when I was going to catch the single speeder!!!! Yep she knows how to motivate me. Shut up and pedal, ok those are my words. A little shot of coke (pop) and I was off.
A lap or two later and I caught Steve. We both had huge leads over 2nd so we rode a good chunk of our lap together. Nice guy, going to be a doctor, hopefully he stays in Canada. The next lap I had rode away from him only to have him come back and pass me. A little battle had begun. Coming into lap 13 we were close but he told me he was shutting down quickly. I said I would stay until he popped or slowed down to much. One of the last climbs we split. I have never ever been so happy to have a granny gear!!!
Started lap 14 and I debated, do I hammer or cruise it. Screw it, last race of the scheduled season lets see what's left in the legs. I pushed the climbs as hard as i could, I told myself to push what I wouldn't normally and recover on the single track. I shocked myself . I was also smiling and giggling a little with the results of the day. I had fun and had a great race.
Crossed the line 1st in the under 40 and 1st solo overall. Found out after only 6 teams did more laps than I did. I was never concerned about my fitness level, I know it was there but the cold was in the back of my mind the whole time. My body is paying for it this morning. I'm expecting to get a relapse but I really don't' care if I do. It's officially the end of the mountain bike race season.
Some highlights to me at this race.
It didn't rain!!!! The stump that I nailed 2 years ago and broke ribs at this same race is still there, I stared at it with a lot of focus every single lap.
Heard Watson yelling at me for something when I went through the timing tent, a few hours later it was Jacob and Liz. Still don't know what anyone said but will find out.
I watched Glen make a racer do 10 push up for not dismounting before the line at the transition tent. I came close once in the remount area and actually jumped back off my bike ran 3 more feet then got on. I didn't want to take a chance.
I got to race the way I need to, being able to talk with people. I'm not the most social person unless I'm on my bike. I had a great time.
Thank you MOM, AGAIN!!! for everything.
A little props need to be put out. Anyone looking for a coach. Heather is the woman to talk to if you want to do endurance racing. Under 40 winner, me, over 40 winner Mike Mazza are coached by her, oh and she happened to destroy in the women's division. Congratulations Heather. Jason will go after the single speed for next year once his girlfriend starts to whip him into shape.
Congratulations to Paul, I was looking over my shoulder for you the whole race, you made me keep the pace up. Steve for a great battle, made things interesting and fun. Mike Mazza, buddy awesome result today. Everyone over 40 better watch out for this guy. Everyone else I talked to out on the course including a few doing their first solo. Great job.
Ok, I really need to eat again!!! Infinit is the best race fuel on earth but right now I want something solid. I only used Infinit for the whole race plus 3 drinks of pop and had zero energy loss!! I could have kept going with no energy problems
Full race results are here. Click the results link at the top. More tomorrow.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Almost happy
I finally rode yesterday. 3 days off the bike, 4 days sick, still some strong traces of the cold meant I rode like, ummm , like shit. Took the Molly Monster with me to Copeland forest to try and get every part of mountain biking working en a very short time. The lungs and legs on the hills, Things did start to feel better except for the flem being hacked up and the fact my chest is really sore from all the coughing and sneezing.
Now the technical side of things, Yep I rubbed a ton of trees, rode off the trails and pretty much got bounced around for almost an hour. Copeland is much more technical than anything at Hardwood but I still felt like a complete rookie. At least there was no one around to watch and laugh. Molly even dive bombed me a couple times when she was sick of the stop and go. I did ripe the berms though, I rode up them first. Coasting is much more fun.
Speaking of mountain biking and more the race season. Lots of people have started writing their year in review as they are done. Here are a couple AWI VV As for me in 48 hours my officially scheduled mountain bike race season for 2009 will be closed. Holly Crap that was fast!!!! There are a few random events that I may or may not do but they will probably be on the single speed. I do have a 29er that I should play with.
Of course there is cross season which I will be deciding the morning off depending on what time I get up, what the weather looks like, how much alcohol I consumed the night before, how much coffee I've consumed that morning etc on which ones I race. The CX6.5 is all ready to rip of course the pilot may not be.
The count down has begun, 24 hours from this point I'll be heading to Hardwood Ski and Bike for the last hurray of the season. It's going to hurt, they always do. The beer always tastes better.
Time for work!
Now the technical side of things, Yep I rubbed a ton of trees, rode off the trails and pretty much got bounced around for almost an hour. Copeland is much more technical than anything at Hardwood but I still felt like a complete rookie. At least there was no one around to watch and laugh. Molly even dive bombed me a couple times when she was sick of the stop and go. I did ripe the berms though, I rode up them first. Coasting is much more fun.
Speaking of mountain biking and more the race season. Lots of people have started writing their year in review as they are done. Here are a couple AWI VV As for me in 48 hours my officially scheduled mountain bike race season for 2009 will be closed. Holly Crap that was fast!!!! There are a few random events that I may or may not do but they will probably be on the single speed. I do have a 29er that I should play with.
Of course there is cross season which I will be deciding the morning off depending on what time I get up, what the weather looks like, how much alcohol I consumed the night before, how much coffee I've consumed that morning etc on which ones I race. The CX6.5 is all ready to rip of course the pilot may not be.
The count down has begun, 24 hours from this point I'll be heading to Hardwood Ski and Bike for the last hurray of the season. It's going to hurt, they always do. The beer always tastes better.
Time for work!
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