tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915165951514583572024-03-05T03:13:14.125-08:00 LOGAN xc racer HORNLogan Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17341946735442081071noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591516595151458357.post-52112762979188947582013-06-29T23:58:00.000-07:002013-06-29T23:58:03.114-07:00CHCH CX round 1 Brilliant day out in the sun after the week of rain and sleet. It would have been nice to have some snow on the ground to bring another element to the race, but the organisers did a great job with the course design. It was a hard slog through the soft grass and mud. Ben Oliver pushed me all the way and it wasn't until the last lap that I got a small gap. I only just held it to the finish after I slipped on an off camber section. Feels good to win the first round. Now just to keep the training up and keep improving. Next race for me is the first round of the Blenheim series on the 7/7Logan Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17341946735442081071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591516595151458357.post-62875862091942000702013-05-07T14:59:00.001-07:002013-05-07T14:59:19.494-07:00Mt SomersThis was the last mtb race of the season for me. It was meant to be on the 21st of April but because of the rain they postponed it a week latter. I was looking forward to racing in the mud and rain but it was still quite wet a week latter. It was quite windy the day of the race too and unfortunately it was a head wind around most of the course. I got straight into it from the start and rode off the front. It was hard heading straight into the wind on your own but I was just in a good rhythm. Four other riders started to work together and pulled me back in after a few kms. I rode with them for a little while then attacked them on a pinch climb. I got a gap and held it to the base of the main climb. From here I pulled away and extended my lead till the finish. A nice way to cap the last race of the season off with a win and see how I was feeling after having a rest after the national series. Thanks to all the organisers for holding the race and donating the proceeds to the Ronald McDonald House. Logan Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17341946735442081071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591516595151458357.post-69463397359879327642013-03-09T17:49:00.000-08:002013-03-09T17:49:57.654-08:00racing updateHaven't posted anything for a while. Haven't quite found the time between racing, training, work and general life. I have just finished a block of racing over four weekends so I will give you a quick update on each...<br />
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National round Auckland-This was probably going to be my race of the season. I felt the best I ever have and was riding really strong but unfortunately I didn't get a result to suit. I didn't have the best of starts and some how managed to land on my seat so that it moved on the seat clamp and was on a crazy downward angle. This wasn't too much of a problem though as I moved up the field quickly and by the 3rd lap I was riding in 3rd/4th spot with Carl Jones. Anton and Dirk were out the front as usual. I was feeling strong and confident, riding within my limits but I had a nasty crash. I'm not totally sure how it happened because it all went so quick. I just lost my front wheel on a loose corner and that was that. I tried to carry on but when I fell I heard something "pop" in my shoulder and I was finding it hard to hold onto the handlebars. I got back to the tech zone and got my gears working again. Then headed off for my next lap but my shoulder and grip was getting worse. I tried to stop and stretch it out but it didn't help. So I finished that lap and waited to get 80%. It was disappointing not to get the result I was capable of but I was very happy with my form.<br />
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Nationals Rotorua - So this is the race which the whole season revolves around. I was very confident going into this race after the way I was riding the weekend before in Auckland. I was near the front up the start climb and feeling comfortable. Near the top of the climb just before it heads into the single track. The guys in front sat up a bit so I took my opportunity and nipped into the single track in first place. I don't know what happened from here. I just had no energy and my legs felt really stiff and heavy. Everyone was sprinting around me, I tried to react and go with them but nothing was happening. I came through at the end of the first lap in 15th place. Still not feeling great. But I wasn't about to give up seeing it was nationals, I had focused my training on this day and my parents had travelled around the country to support me. I just settled into a rhythm and started to pick off riders. I never really felt great and was only riding at the pace I was practising laps in. But in the end I crossed the line 5th U23 and 8th elite. The result wasn't too bad but I know it could have been better.<br />
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Kiwara Classic-This was the first year I did the new course. And it was brutal! We started with a fairly easy pace down the road but when we hit the first climb Brad put the hurt on. It all split up pretty quick. Myself, Ben and Brad were still together at the top. We had a short decent and breather before we started the next climb. And again Brad went balls out. Ben and I both lost his wheel and Brad was off. He kept pulling away and finished 2mins in front in the end. Good ride Brad. Ben and I rode together until we got back down to the valley road to find Craig had caught us back up. We rode together well and kept pushing the pace right up to the top of the final climb. I put in an attack on the last small pinch climb which left Ben and myself to battle it out to the finish line. I started the sprint a fair way out from the line but managed to hold Ben off to claim 2nd overall. It was good to feel my form again after my disappointing nationals a week earlier.<br />
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Pass to pub-I had never really had a good result at this race before so I wanted to make this year my race. I had some tough competition in Brad Hudson and David Coventry. We took off fast and Brad went straight to the front and had me on my limit for the first 10mins just trying to hold his wheel and not get dropped. It was soon just us two and we started to work together well and had a good rhythm going. We both pushed each other hard on different sections of the course but neither got away. The course followed a ruff river track for the last 5mins. We were still neck and neck at this stage. I almost messed up my finished as I miss a marker and Brad got a gap on me. I pulled it back just before we popped out of the river and could see the finish. I got the jump on Brad on the final corner and came away with the win! I was very happy and was pushed right to the finish. I was a great way to finish off my season.<br />
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So the last few weeks have had their good and bad moments. But all in all it has been my best season to date and I feel like I have more in me. The day after race day I have been feeling little if no fatigue so my training has been doing it's job. I have myself and Andrew Barlow to thank for that. I wrote my own training programmes this season but I had great advice form Andrew to follow. I was hoping to go to Oceanias but getting the time off work wasn't looking great and it was going to cost a fair bit. So I flagged it away for this year. I will give it a good nudge next year when it's in NZ. There is still a few more races this season but I think it's best if I have a bit of a rest and then I can train up for the Cyclocross season which I have missed so much this summer. I can't wait to get back into it. Hopefully get myself the Elite national tittle!<br />
<br />Logan Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17341946735442081071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591516595151458357.post-1425035616106537742013-01-16T17:43:00.000-08:002013-01-16T17:43:34.226-08:00Bluff Nationals round oneI won! Great way to start the National series. I had a bit of luck with Anton having chain trouble which meant I could take the win. I am quite happy with the way I rode considering the course was one long climb and downhill. I prefer two or three shorter climbs. I had a strong start coming from the back of the grid entering the single track in 5th spot. The pace on the 1st lap was pretty hot and I died a bit near the top of the climb, but the rest of my laps were fairly consistant which is a good sign of my form. When I finished I thought I came second. This was because the U23's were racing at the same time as the elites. But little did I know some of the U23's had decided to race in the elite category. One of them being Dirk, who I knew was U23 age so I thought he was leading. So really I was the 2nd fastest U23 rider. But I will still take the win. I was circulating in the top 3 placing in elite so that's a good result too. I even got the speak to the press after the race which is a first for me. It got published in a couple of papers and on cyclingnews.com. That may seem pretty miner to some people but everyone starts there sometime. I still feel like there is plenty of room to improve before nationals. So I have some very hard training planned before I head up to Auckland and Rotorua. Logan Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17341946735442081071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591516595151458357.post-2429001961336926982012-12-10T15:13:00.003-08:002012-12-10T15:13:40.589-08:00Hanmer HammerheadThis one didn't go to plan. I ended work the day before with a slight niggle in my throat and woke up the morning of the race and it was pretty sore. I still decided I would still race because I really enjoy the course and we had already planned to stay over night in Hanmer. I knew I wouldn't be at my best but I was just going to see how I could cope. I started okay and was up with the front group. My legs didn't feel great (probably struggling from a poor nights sleep), but I was hoping they would come right by the second lap. I didn't get a chance to find out unfortunately. 3/4 of the way through the first lap a rider fell off in front of me which in turn made me come off. As I got riding again my chain kept jamming. I stopped and went to fix it. I got it untangled but the links had bent and it was unrideable. Not a great way to start my Giant xtc advanced sl's race season. But considering how I was feeling I was happy to be with the front guys on that first lap. And in the short time I rode it the bike was awesome! Very stiff, and fast.<br />
Now the sore throat is a bad cold. I am on the better side of it but have lost my voice. Luckily there isn't anymore racing for a while so I can just recover to full health and get back into the training.Logan Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17341946735442081071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591516595151458357.post-60478651699739918802012-11-28T18:29:00.002-08:002012-12-05T23:36:19.231-08:00Ok, so I now have my computer back after leaving it behind when I was on holiday, haha. Time to update the race report bank. I have been racing every weekend for the last few weeks so I will try to keep them brief.<br />
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Timaru 6hr solo...<br />
Super fun race. Never got board of the track. Kept dialing it in all race. I felt really strong in this one. It was myself and Phill Patterson setting the pace at the front for the first third of the race with Craig Tolson following close behind. I just kept the pace fast and consistent throughout the race. I was riding on my own for the second half and extended my lead right till the finish. I came in with 5mins to spare, completing 15 laps. 1 lap ahead of second. I also had the fastest average speed of the whole event including all the teams. <br />
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Hanmer Springs, Spring Crusher...<br />
This was a brutal climbing course. I was really looking forward to this one because I had never done it before and I wanted to compare myself to the best riders in Canterbury over a hilly course. The race went straight into a tough climb and by the top a small group of myself, Anton, Kyle Wood, and the Oliver brothers had formed. We stayed together for a while. Kyle went back after getting held up on a technical section and I think his chain dropped off? So the four of us were left. I got dropped slightly on one of the longest climbs but pulled myself back just before the top. The Olivers were just too good and knew the tracks too well to keep up with on the descents. Before the flatter section they opened a 30sec gap on myself and Anton. Anton had trouble with his seat post and had to stop a couple of times. I pushed hard on the flat and got back on the Olivers wheel. Only to be dropped again on the next climb. But again I caught them back up just before the last climb. By this stage I was stuffed so I had nothing to give when we started to attack up the climb. I finished 20sec of the Olivers and won open men. I am happy with that ride and my form.<br />
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LongBeach Coastal Classic...<br />
Had a good race at this one, finishing 2nd behind Anton. About a minute back. There was a decent group of us for the first part of the race until the first major river crossing. I pulled a good turn on the front before hitting the river crossing then rode through it (I was the only one who did) so I was puffing pretty hard after it. But just at that point Anton attacked. I tried to stay with him. But I was maxed out. Craig Oliver was there too but we couldn't hold his wheel. Things may have been different if I hadn't gone hard up to and through the river but I will never know. Brad and Ben caught up to Craig and I so we started to work together. I lead into the next technical beach section and after it I looked back and had a good 200m lead. I thought about sitting up and waiting but figured I would take the risk. I pushed on alone. I never closed the cap to Anton but it didn't open either which I am pleased with. I did open the cap back to 3rd so I finished comfortably in 2nd. <br />
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Things are looking good for me this season. I'm feeling stronger than I ever have and training is going well. My new race bike has just arrived today so that will give me an advantage, plus a hole in my wallet! Next up is the Festival of cycling Crit. Riding the road scene for a day should be fun. Then It's the Hanmer Hammer Head. Logan Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17341946735442081071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591516595151458357.post-89175691282292936372012-10-06T22:50:00.000-07:002012-10-06T22:50:12.302-07:00UpdateSo I have had a few things going on lately. I recently went up to Auckland and passed the Shimano mechanics course so I am now qualified to work on bikes which is pretty cool. Also I have just moved into central Chch with my lovely partner, Shannon. For those of you who don't know her yet I'm sure you will meet her at some of the races this season.<br />
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Just over a week ago I was hit by a car while riding to work. I got hit on my left going through a roundabout. Luckily I came out with no major damage but my bike was destroyed. Snapped through the frame in 4 places! The driver's insurance is covering it so should be all good and I will have a new bike soon. I obviously had some time off the bike to recover and let the bruising go down. But today I went out to the short track racing. It was only my second time on the bike since the accident so I planned just to see how my injuries held up first, then decide to ride or watch. I felt good and had no pain so I started the race. The first few laps went well and I was up in the front group and finding the pace fast but comfortable. Until Phil made an attack. I stayed with the others up the hill on that lap but the lungs couldn't keep up with the legs. So I settled into my own pace and rode home in forth. I felt like my legs were strong but it was just the fact that I pretty much hadn't riden for over a week so the tank was empty. Also eating donuts and sticky steamed buns at the Riccarton markets that morning wouldn't have helped either.<br />
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I'm looking forward to getting back into the training mode and after a week of solid riding I should be up the front at next weeks short track.Logan Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17341946735442081071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591516595151458357.post-19589624367054235212012-08-18T23:35:00.001-07:002012-08-18T23:54:32.164-07:00CHCH CX round 5 Steam SceneWe had a last minute change of venue for our final round. Living Springs, our planed course destination was flooded from the recent rain. So it was a fast and flat course out at steam scene. The ground drained a little too well but there was one section of mud which proved quite tricky in the latter laps. I had a good hard first lap and increased my lead from there. Until I pinch flated riding over some railway lines. Getting a little too cocky and riding them too fast. I tried my puncture repair gas foam thingy but that didn't work. Luckily (If you can say that after getting a puncture) my dad was right there and he was looking after my keys. So I grabbed them off him, run to my car and put a new tube in. By this time my race was over but I wasn't too worried because I already had the series won overall. I got another couple of laps in but not sure where I finished up in the end. It was a great series and I won an awesome trophy, a medal and a pair of TRP brakes! Can't think of a better way to spend the winter. Thanks to all the guys behind the scenes. Great effort. Hopefully next year I can find some time to give your guys a hand. Logan Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17341946735442081071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591516595151458357.post-45009979405996788672012-08-18T23:16:00.001-07:002012-08-18T23:16:11.445-07:00CX national series round 5 ChristchurchFor this round we were racing in Hagley park in the centre of my home city. We had a bit of rain over the week so the ground was very soggy and the course went through some nice wet bogs. Also had some stream crossing so it turned into a very nice muddy feast, which was welcomed seeing we hadn't experienced the true elements of cross racing. Our newly crowned national champs, Gary Hall and Kim Hammer-Hurst made the trip down. I was hoping to hang onto Gary for at least a few laps but he just had too much gas for me and I lost his wheel before the end of the first lap. So I stayed in 2nd for the rest of the race just pushing myself as hard a I could. That's where I finished up. Conceding just over 2 minutes. I am pretty pleased with that but would have liked that time cap to be a little smaller. Looking to close that cap at the final round in Blenheim. Logan Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17341946735442081071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591516595151458357.post-78114920494862453132012-07-28T23:41:00.004-07:002012-07-28T23:41:50.694-07:00CHCH CX round 4 Halswell QuarryI'm going to make this short because I'm so tired after the race today. Dayle made a burtily fun course. I was on the limit form the gun. I rode well and felt strong but never managed to run the whole hill. My legs were screaming at the top begging me to stop but all they were getting was walking pace. I lead from start to finish and held a good cap the whole race. Looking forward to next weekend for the Christchurch round of the national series. Hope I can continue with my form and get some good points towards the series lead so I can finish on the podium after the final race in Blenheim.<br />
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Suffering at the top of the climb<br /><br />Logan Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17341946735442081071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591516595151458357.post-41821633326201227282012-07-10T01:16:00.001-07:002012-07-10T01:16:27.563-07:00Cyclocross National Champs - NapierI made the trip up to Napier for the main event of the CX season. It was well worth it. I finished first U23 and 3rd in the elites. Feels awesome to say I have a national tittle. Technically I crossed the line in 4th but the 3rd placed rider was an Australian so I could still clam 3rd place in NZ. I had to battle so hard for that 3rd place. I pushed myself further than I ever have before. Which is another good point to take out of the race. I was riding with Dan Warren for most of the race. Only edging him out for the 3rd spot on the last lap up a quad burning step section. I was on my limit the whole race. I don't know where the energy came from that pushed me through that last lap but I'm glad it was there. The course was super hard and had a bit of everything. A perfect course for a national event. The event was also run great. It was better and more official than our mtb nationals and this is only the first time cyclocross nationals have been held. I'd like to give Andrew and Gaby Barlow a big thanks for organising transport for me while I was up there. And also to Dave Molloy for lending me his carbon wheels and tyres. I definitely need them!Logan Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17341946735442081071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591516595151458357.post-18948288883379530092012-07-04T22:40:00.001-07:002012-07-04T22:40:14.787-07:00Round 2 CX national series QueenstownThis was the first race of the national series for me. I was really looking forward to it and hoping for a good result after a 1st and 2nd place in our CHCH CX series. I couldn't get the day off work on Saturday so I had to fly down on Sunday morning before the race. It worked out well because Dave Molloy was able to take my bike and gear down then pick me up from the airport. Thanks Dave! The race was run well and it was a fun, windy and technical course. It was very cold and frosty. So to start off with the ground was rock hard and slippy. And with the sun coming out and riders out on the course it was giving us even less traction. Also there were two icy stream crossings which created some good mud bogs. We all did a timed hot lap to get a seeding for the start of the actual race. My plan was too go hard but save energy. All I wanted was to get a front row start. I got the 3rd fastest time which I was happy with. Especially seeing I lost the front wheel once and slipped on some ice which rolled my ankle abit. The race came up fairly quickly after that. I had an ok start, holding my seeded third position for the hole shot. From here I found myself switching places with 4th while only being a couple of wheel lengths off 1st and 2nd place. Pro rider and husband of Katie Compton, Mark Leg Compton had set the pace and pulled off the front on his own. Soon he was hunted down by Wellington rider, Alex Reval. Who caught and past Mark then stayed there to finish first. At about the halfway point I was riding with our national champ, Dan Warren. We weren't too far of Mark who was currently in 2nd place. Through one of the more technical parts of the course, the "Specialised spiral" I managed to get a cap on Dan. In this section there were two boards. I was hopping these while the others I was riding with were running them so I could carry a lot more speed through the section. This helped me throughout the race. After getting past Dan I kept the power on and bridged the cap to Mark. I stayed with him for a half a lap. Then knowing I only had one more lap to go I pushed past Mark and again opened a cap through the " Specialised spiral". So now I was 2nd and I held it to the finish. I am very happy with that result and it gives me confidence going into National Championships this weekend in Napier. So far this week the pre and training was gone well. Really looking forward to racing my first cyclocross national champs!Logan Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17341946735442081071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591516595151458357.post-76943635033626907762012-06-24T00:43:00.003-07:002012-06-24T00:43:54.331-07:00Christchurch CX round 2Great race out there today. Course was soo much fun. Best CX course I've ridden. Although I haven't ridden many. Quite different but in a good way. Rode well and felt pretty good. I feel like I have improved from the first round but still plenty more to do. I finished 2nd today behind a fresh new Christchurch resident, Andrew Barlow. He has come down here from Napier where CX is much bigger. So I was pleased to be with him for the first few laps. I had a bit of trouble being held up with lapped riders and Andrew got a small gap on me. After already pushing hard just to stay with him I didn't have the energy to bridge the gap. He got maybe 30sec on me by the half way point but I started to feel a bit better and kept that gap from getting any bigger for the remainder of the race. Nearing the end I was able to dig it in a bit more and finish strong. Looking ahead I have the Queenstown national round next weekend followed the national champs in Napier then the 3rd round of our Southerncross series in CHCH. So I have plenty on. <br />
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One of the different sections of the course. Running through a hay stack??? <br />
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<br />Logan Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17341946735442081071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591516595151458357.post-5707249400324969432012-06-10T03:00:00.001-07:002012-06-10T03:09:19.873-07:00Christchurch CX round 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Had a good race today at the opening round of the Christchurch Cyclocross series today at living springs. Managed to get the win. Total full body workout! Had cramp in my arms and hands to the point where I had to get my dad to open my hand for me at the finish. Definitely something to work on before the next race. But still great fun. My Focus Mares bike was awesome! Didn't hold me back what so ever. Can't wait for the next race and to build my form. I'll be making some uci legal hops so I can get my rabbit style dialedLogan Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17341946735442081071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591516595151458357.post-42838755709848343132012-05-26T01:54:00.001-07:002012-05-26T01:54:55.561-07:00No such thing as an off seasonSo, seeing I'm back into a training routine and coming into some form I thought I'd get back into the blogging scene. Now some may think 'Coming into form now? It's the off season.' Well, I have a theory which I'm bringing into play this winter. That theory being, carrying form and fitness out of winter and into summer is extremely beneficial. The last two winters I've sat on my arse and gotten fat and slow. Then when summer comes around I have a huge amount of training to do if I want to be fast. So if I'm fit in winter I'll be faster in summer. If I look back to the last season I had which was actually good it would be the 2010 season. In the winter of 2009 I went to the world champs, so I was training all winter. Unfortunately that training didn't show at worlds and I felt slow and had a shocker of a race. But all that effort I put in in the winter really showed in 2010. We see the same thing happening with all our international athletes. They train and race hard here in summer then go overseas and train and race hard while we are in winter. These are the guys and girls who are always winning. So I'm going back to putting a good effort into my training in winter so I'll be a force to be reckoned with in summer.<br />
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I am training this winter for the next mtb season in summer but also training for something that is just as fun, cyclocross. I'll be getting round Canterbury and NZ as much as I can trying to get some great results in the new Canterbury and NZ CX series and hopefully the national champs. Also doing some duathlons which I use to do a lot of back when I was a junior. <br />
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I have been up to a few things lately, the classic winter workout "Bluedog night racing world champs". Where each one I have raced so far I have won open men. So pretty happy with that. And just today I have completed the MT Isobell challenge for the first time which is an off road duathlon. It has an insane hill run to begin with then a mtb to finish off. I have wanted to do it for the last couple of years so getting out there this year was great. I finished 4th open men and 9th overall. But the thing I'm most happy with is getting the 3rd fastest bike time. Only being beaten by Anton and Brad who were both in teams. So I had the fastest ride time of all the individuals. The only thing that really let me down was the decent on the run. I don't have the technical skill or commitment to run like the others that I was with. I lost a number of places and minutes coming down off the top of Mt Isobell. Oh well next year with more practice I'll be up there on the podium!<br />
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Basically the jist of this is, I'm back and enjoying training more than ever and finally getting my head around training while working full time.Logan Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17341946735442081071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591516595151458357.post-54460629110281451072011-10-23T12:56:00.000-07:002011-10-23T12:56:49.325-07:00Just casuallyOk. 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.<br />
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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.Logan Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17341946735442081071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591516595151458357.post-55585550873864992162011-06-11T23:55:00.000-07:002011-06-11T23:55:19.301-07:00Winter 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.Logan Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17341946735442081071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591516595151458357.post-16019361454541733442011-03-05T16:34:00.000-08:002011-03-05T16:34:43.799-08:002011 National ChampsOk, 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...<br />
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But the cramp came back,<br />
I thought it was a goner,<br />
but the cramp came back.<br />
It just wouldn't stay away.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Congrats to Carl! He had a mean race. Wish I could have watched the race.<br />
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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.Logan Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17341946735442081071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591516595151458357.post-869199312776199942011-02-18T22:34:00.000-08:002011-02-18T22:34:11.237-08:00Christchurch 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.Logan Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17341946735442081071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591516595151458357.post-28980376389243541532011-02-18T22:24:00.001-08:002011-02-18T22:24:23.155-08:00Nelson nats round 3I 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!Logan Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17341946735442081071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591516595151458357.post-24290916133315053332011-01-28T23:55:00.000-08:002011-01-29T00:02:30.658-08:00Vulcaniser - 3rd, not too bad considering.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1T1eUcNX3XwJiSY7JxbUda2ntrlMlmrNC53OcoAtqQ6ywtNIGqA_29SRIOq6Ipe6H05CSijJZM_3Ek24Llw05WFHi38DJODMj7obo2JsNlSRWxjw9N4ozvZuBI6gBKSGH8bIIonlIxsy/s1600/Vulcaniser+23.1.11+042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1T1eUcNX3XwJiSY7JxbUda2ntrlMlmrNC53OcoAtqQ6ywtNIGqA_29SRIOq6Ipe6H05CSijJZM_3Ek24Llw05WFHi38DJODMj7obo2JsNlSRWxjw9N4ozvZuBI6gBKSGH8bIIonlIxsy/s320/Vulcaniser+23.1.11+042.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>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 <i>was either turning and still going straight, or wheel spinning and going no where</i>. (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.Logan Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17341946735442081071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591516595151458357.post-29458749760281354712011-01-28T23:36:00.000-08:002011-01-28T23:36:08.610-08:00Napier - national XC cup round 2Average! 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.Logan Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17341946735442081071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591516595151458357.post-10140717002475106672010-12-03T22:14:00.000-08:002010-12-03T22:16:00.802-08:00Festival of Cycling 2010 - MTB Elite<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0rIx-BK3elw9WGUmDNerQA26tJckLzoUl4bph_O-OERPx8263RtNBZGb8dkv8erumOLUCpaH8PvP_z-JoQ2JImdRpkI6_QdX4NZPEWaBZ7OviskvD3i16floAJBZSyKiKPFElU3AbegS/s1600/Festival+of+cycling+mtb+2010+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0rIx-BK3elw9WGUmDNerQA26tJckLzoUl4bph_O-OERPx8263RtNBZGb8dkv8erumOLUCpaH8PvP_z-JoQ2JImdRpkI6_QdX4NZPEWaBZ7OviskvD3i16floAJBZSyKiKPFElU3AbegS/s320/Festival+of+cycling+mtb+2010+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>For this years race Andrea organized us to ride up through a farm and then join Rapaki near the top. So less road and a much tougher climb had me slightly concerned about the day in the saddle. Plus a top notch NZ field meant it was going to be extra painful. But my home town, my home tracks, should provide that much needed advantage right? Not today, but more on that latter. Let me take you back to the time we were on THE CLIMB. The start was fast at times around the road, but it seemed to settle down as we got closer to where the fun begun. I was sitting comfortably up the front and I soon found myself in 3rd. The pace was fast and I was pleased to be where I was. On the 2nd pinch climb (which was a decent pinch) most riders got off and ran/walked. I didn't want to do this as it always rapes my calfs. While riding up I moved into 2nd just behind defending champ, soon to be 2010 champ and fellow Bergamont Endura team mate Brendon Sharrat. Although that sounds very good I was actually totally stuffed by the time I got to the top. And then I realized that it kept climbing after that! Maybe If there was some downhill after it I might have been able to recover earlier and still been in contact with the leaders. But instead one by one riders past me until I was back in 6th. Brad Hudson, now being just in front of me gave me someone to hold onto. This ended as soon as we dropped on to Rapaki. Brad pulled away slightly and by the top he was on a mission! Objective - to hunt down and pass all other riders. So, I was on my own. And this is where the home town advantage NEVER kicked in. I was so tired from the climbs that I couldn't get focused on the single track. Slow riding and silly mistakes brought my confidence to an all time low. After a decent time of no real climbing while on Greenwood I started to feel better. By Captain Thomas I was pretty much fully recovered and was able to put in a satisfying descent. Lastly, I had the flat road to dominate then it was all done and dusted for another year. I am very happy with my 6th place. One place down on last year but in a tougher field. And I can feel that I am faster than last year. Right now, as I write this I am feeling surprisingly fresh. Probably go and do a few hour easy tomorrow. So I know my endurance is good. I just can't help thinking that if I had walked/run up that pinch climb, would I have saved energy, would I have held that top 3 position?Logan Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17341946735442081071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591516595151458357.post-78886172044362141092010-11-29T15:05:00.000-08:002010-11-29T20:59:04.207-08:00ATS Longbeach Coastal Classic - 2nd for the 3rd timeLongbeach rolled on around again for another year. Even though it is pretty much a flat race, I still quite enjoy it and I have done It every year it has been held. About a week before this race I was feeling really good on the bike and I could feel a big improvement in my fitness. But then a tough week at work with massive sleep loss put me on the back foot. I was struggling to get my training for the day done and I had to revise the week in preparation for Longbeach. Seeing I was feeling very tired I thought a result was unlikely in this race. And to make matters worse I only got 6hrs sleep the night before!<br />
I got to the event venue with good time on race day. After I had registered I went straight to the main river crossing to check out lines. I thought, "I will ride it like a would race it." and burst in at speed. Before I could even get into the water I found myself up on the front wheel after it sunk into the soft gravel. So the decision was made to run it. Race start came along quite fast. So not a lot of waiting around which was great! I didn't want to have a fast start so I could save my energy and I could be a dirty roadie and sit on for a bit. This worked out well, I was on the back of a 5 man group (same top 5 at finish). It was Phill, Kyle, Brad, Anton then me. It all split up pretty soon at the first stream crossing. No one got away from anyone too quickly. It all slowly pulled apart throughout the race. I moved into second early on and held it from there. Kyle had gone off the front and was moving out of sight. Brad was close behind me but slowly dropping. Then Anton caught up to Brad and they started to pull me back in the last few kms. But I held them off to take 2nd overall and first junior. Anton came in 3rd, Brad 4th and Phill 5th. I was very happy and surprised with my result. 2nd seems to be common but unlucky for me. Although there is nothing wrong with coming 2nd. Hopefully I will get a win there one day. My training is working well and the future season is looking bright. We will see how I go on the hills this Saturday at the festival of cycling. Could be a different story.Logan Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17341946735442081071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591516595151458357.post-64331957953736971772010-11-01T15:38:00.000-07:002010-11-01T15:38:49.503-07:00Timaru 12hr - rinding for the CycleryI got invited to ride for the Cyclery team (Timaru bike shop) at the Timaru 12hr this year. I was very happy to do this because otherwise I would have been doing the 6hr solo and I would be in so much pain right now. I still had stitches in my hand so my control wasn't great but the course wasn't too technical so I coped all right. I started for the cyclery and my plan was to try and lead into all the single track because I knew that's where I would lose the most time because of my hand. So, I had great start leading all the way to the single track and up the first climb. But seeing I haven't done a lot of intensity training by this stage I was pretty much gone. Anton attacked at the top of the climb and I surprised myself as I stayed on the wheel. But as we slowed up Brad did another sneaky attack and that was the end of me. I lost the wheel so I couldn't draft on the flat section. I got slower and slower throughout the lap but did hold my 4th position. It wasn't the greatest of starts for the team but it put us in 2nd place 12hr team which we held for the rest of the race. The rest of my laps were quite good. Pretty consistent and I started to feel better after the 6hr mark. The first 6hrs took forever and the last went too quick. And at about the 6hr mark one of our riders, Tom, had to stop because of his continuing knee problems. It was a good fun race and we did very well considering the problems we had. Oh, forgot to mention that Simon got a puncture on our last lap and had to run to the finish, and Cameron burped his tyre on his first lap and had to stop and fill it up. I can now take a lot out of this race and apply it to my training. Thanks to the guys from Timaru and the Cyclery for the great race/weekend!Logan Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17341946735442081071noreply@blogger.com0