October 23, 2011

Just casually

Ok. So I haven't blogged much. But that's cause I haven't really been doing anything. And for those of you that don't already know, I am back riding for Pushbikes. Seeing I'm working there it makes it easier to be riding the bikes we stock. So I will be out on giants and focus bikes from now on.

I did the short track series which was really cool. I didn't have a lot of form for it but I noticed a difference in my form at the last race so I am improving. I just need to get into the mindset of training again. Although, I'm just taking this season casually and I'm not worried about results etc. I'm just going to have fun and do my best to train while working full time.

June 11, 2011

Winter up date...

Long time no blogging. Haven't blogged since nats and I raced the second round of the cyclocross series today so I thought it was about time for an up date.

I took a big break after nationals. Pretty much going straight into nothing. Which was always the plan. The plan being to have a good rest, then do some running for training for the MT Isobell challenge, the night racing world champs, the cyclocross series and any thing else that popped up. I followed this laid back plan well to begin with as I got out on a few good hill runs. Then the night racing started and that caused some problems. The first race I crashed resulting in a DNF and a battered body. I recovered for the next week where I had built up a SS to race the rest of the series on. I never test rode it before the race which was a bad mistake, seeing it was slapped together which oldish parts. As I was warming up for the race I put the gas on to test out there gear ratio I was running. The chain slipped massively sending my quad flying into the handle bars and knocking me off the bike. This hurt a lot. But I got up and prepared to do the race. But, I got caught up in another crash at the start of the race landing on the same quad and dropping my chain. Once I got the chain back on I was in last and very sore. Again resulting in a DNF. My injured quad turned out to be a hematoma. And having one of these before in my other quad I knew I was going to be out for a few weeks at least. Also with the hematoma being so close to the knee I didn't want to damage my knee by riding on it too early like I was warned about last time. So, I went back to doing nothing again and losing even more fitness. I was hoping my leg would come right for the MT Isobell challenge but I still couldn't ride on it let alone run so I flagged that away. The the next event on me plan was the first round of the cyclocross series. Again I wasn't able to do this so I had to settle for a spectator/marshal which was extremely hard. Watching everyone having fun in the mud was demoralizing! A couple of weeks after the first round I got back out on the bike for the first time. Just an easy spin on the road. My leg held up ok but I knew if I raced on it how it was I would fell the pain after. So I put off the next few night races in hope that I could race at round 2 of the cyclocorss series. This worked out to plan (finally). Today was the day of that race and right now I am felling pretty good. My leg is a little sore, but I think that is just because I have lost a lot of muscle in it and so it is taking longer to recover that my other quad.

More on the actual race ae, instead of my boring health issues. I raced my roadie at this one. Being a fast and dry course I could get away with it, and it would feel wrong riding my mtb. I started ok, keeping up with a few of the guys on mtbs for the first lap. But the stream crossings and ruff ground lost me time, places and energy. After the first lap I was pretty tired. My laps were getting slower as the race went on. The road bike was a slight disadvantage. The slicks cause me to crash and lose a few places, but he main issue was my lack of speed. seeing I had been off the bike for while I was quite slow. But I wasn't too tired at the end which proves I still have some general fitness.

Hopefully now seeing I can ride I will get some more fitness back so it isn't going to take as much to get race fit next summer. The next report won't be so far way so it wont end up as long as this one, I promise. I do want to keep who ever reads these things riveted.

March 5, 2011

2011 National Champs

Ok, so the big one. It was on like donkey kong, in the mud. I was fairly relaxed for this race considering it was nationals. I wasn't expecting much from myself as this season has been quite unsuccessful, mainly due to myself and starting to work full time. Also with it being a mud feast there is always going to be some sort mechanical issue. I had an ok start. Bettering my seeded position. As we hit the first hill the pace was pretty hot, not too hot to touch but I decided it was better to pace myself. This worked well and heading into the second lap I was gaining on other riders. This carried through to the third lap but on the muddy decent I crashed twice in the space of a few meters (much to the enjoyment of friends watching, so I was told after). I didn't lose any places here but I lost a fair bit of time. Then once I hit the next hill I realized that the inevitable had happened. A mechanical stopped me from using my bottom gears. So I was pushing some big gears from here and being held up slightly because I had no choice but to go fast. Heading out onto the 4 lap I dropped my bottle in the feed zone which I was desperate for so I could attempt to clean my bike a bit with it. As I got onto the main hill I thought I would try changing down a few gears but noooo. So I ended up running it. After this, I was toast! When I got to the tech zone I took the opportunity to fix my bike as best I could. I used Paul's air compressor (thanks Paul) to blow as much of the dirt and mud out of my gears as I could. Here is where I found out my hanger was bent. I bent it back with my hand till it seemed to work. Then I was off again. Now a fair way back through the pack compared to where I was before. I wasn't riding for long until I got bad cramp. I collapsed on the track and massaged it out but as I went to stand up again...

But the cramp came back,
I thought it was a goner,
but the cramp came back.
It just wouldn't stay away.

This repeated a couple of times before I managed to ride again. Once I got back to the start finish after that shocker of a lap I called it quits. My legs were routed, my bike wasn't in great condition and I was so far back through the field I just didn't see the point.

It was a bit disappointing really as I was feeling the best I had all season and I was in a good position. 4th u23 and closing down on 3rd. But seeing my mind was in a relaxed, no worries state I was accepting of my unfortunate race.

Congrats to Carl! He had a mean race. Wish I could have watched the race.

Also thanks to Bergamont bikes and Endura clothing. You guys were great support throughout the season. And my parents for helping out where ever they can.

February 18, 2011

Christchurch nats round 4 (final)

This race went pretty good. I had a pretty good start. A little faster than I wanted. But I wasn't feeling too bad. Well until I started the climb on the second lap. I went backwards fast! I couldn't keep my bike going in a straight line. I was about to pull out but I said to myself " you haven't even done 2 laps you pussy!" So I carried on and forced myself to recover on the next half of the climb. After the long DH where I was catching/making up time the most I recovered well and was feeling a lot better on the 3rd. I was riding quite consistent. But again, the same as last week,  I started to fade in the last to laps. My last lap got worse with cramp setting into my legs. But I managed to finish strongly. And Brent had some gear problems on the last lap which pushed my into 6th place. A good result to end the national series.

Nelson nats round 3

I was loving the course for this race. Much better in the dry than in the wet like the last 2 years. And they shortened it with less climbing which suited me. I knew I wasn't going to have a great one because I don't have anywhere near the form I want/could have. I had a pretty good fast start but that soon kicked me in the arse! I faded pretty quickly but managed to hold some alright pace through the middle of the race. But then on the last 2 laps the cramp hit and I had nothing left. The last lap was horrible. I was finding it hard to get out of the seat. Quite a few riders past me on this lap. Ash got onto my wheel on the last DH and we went into the finish straight together. I was very keen not to sprint but when Ash came round me I thought I should give it ago. But nothing happened so ash beat me. At least I didn't get lapped. Looking forward to racing at home next week!

January 28, 2011

Vulcaniser - 3rd, not too bad considering.

I was really buzzing for this race. I hadn't ridden it for a few years so I was totally Vulcaniser deprived and for those of you who have felt this too you will know the pain and suffering I was going through. Again mother nature showed her hatred for the Vulcaniser and let the rain pore down. But I recon it made it more fun. Shame Mother N, that backfired. I rode a practice lap with Anton. Anton had on Medusas and I had Aspens. Anton rode everything and was either turning and still going straight, or wheel spinning and going no where. (sorry about the italics, my computer decided that it wanted to write in them) So I decided that it was best just to have a bit of fun and not take it too seriously. I pretty much had no warm up so the start and first lap felt horrible. I was second into the single track behind Anton But he just pulled away and my legs didn't want to turn the pedals. Getting into the muddy part of the track I realized that it had become ride able. So I went to get my race face back on but it had fallen out of my back pocket and I had to wait anther lap to pick it up. After I got it back I started to fell a little better and rode to a solid 3rd place. Anton taking it out and Brad coming through the pack to take 2nd. I reminded myself that a good warm up is very important.

Napier - national XC cup round 2

Average! That best sums up my race. First day of practice I crashed on my first lap, buckled my front wheel and badly bruised my chest on a tree stump. I managed to get my wheel straightened so I was back on track. The next day was a lot better (as in no crashes). Felt ok on the track although the main climb was looking a little daunting. Race day rolled up and we had to be out of the backpackers at 10am so we were hanging out at the track in the insane heat drinking gallons of water. Being out in the sun and heat all morning really drained my energy. I felt like I could go back to sleep. I got into my warm up earlier than I normally would just cause I was bored of waiting. I was seeded at the back for the race. As I had no UCI points. I had I pretty good start considering my starting position and carried that on for the first couple laps. But then had a crash on the 3rd lap and burped air out of my front wheel. I got more in and set back out on the track. I was then on my own so I had no one to push me. Soon the heat got to me and so did the cramp. I was getting slower and slower. On the last lap I collapsed on the main hill cause of cramp. I stopped and stretched my legs to try and get rid of it. I said to myself "I will attempt to get up the hill again but if I can't then I will have to pull out." I got going and surprisingly I got up the hill. It was tough. Hardest hill I have ridden this season. From the top of the climb to the finish I couldn't get out of the seat or else my legs would cease up with cramp. I rode across the line, fell on the ground and stretched again. Not a good race at all. I think I drank too much water and flushed out all the electrolytes in my body. Next race I will try drinking less and see if that makes a difference.