is how Im feeling after the 6+6 and a big weekend in Sydney. Been too tired to ride in the mornings, and its to windy during the day for riding, which is when Id usualy go for am XC ride, but I have no forks. So as you can see, things have been a bit lazy. Because I got my forks from America, the warrenty can't be covered in Australia which means Im probably not going to have forks for a few weeks now, which is pretty annoying because it means I cant race at stromlo on the weekend.
I start school next week and I have a nee trainign plan:
Monday - Rest
Tuesday - Cotter/Uriara in the monring and gym in the arvo
Wednsday - Bunch ride or hill climbs or intervals (somthing hard but short)
Thursday - Gym, maybe XC ride
Friday - Cruisy ride or XC ride
Saturday - Bunch ride plus hills or race
Sunday - Long endurance ride or long XC ride or race
This means I get some long rides in on Sunday and tuesday with a rest in between, and the other days I do more strength training, or recovery.
Next race is the Canberra Tour which im looking forward to. Not sure what my stratergy will be, but Im going to try and take out the KOM points, and I guess Ill see where I stand throughout the race and make a decision based on that. Then Ill have a break for 3 weeks during may and start some base training to peak in September.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Not so 24, but totaly solo
Well firstly, we got 3rd at the Mont the other week. We were leading, but i broke my chain and had to wait till someone came past with a chainbreaker to get it fixed. Then tom got held up for about 10 mins after someone broke their leg and finaly I was 5 mins late for an transition. So we came thrid by 20 mins and lost about 25 due to mistakes, 15 of which were mine.
But who cares about the mont, The 24hour solo champs were on over the weekend. I was racing the 6+6 hr in under 18s. There were 3 of us plus about 10 others in open. At the start i was about 3rd wheel for a little while until about halfway when i went off on my own and finished the lap first. I stayed in front for the rest of the day opening up a 20 min gap between me and 2nd place. However, I noticed my forks were really stiff and my wrists were killing me. I stoped to let some air out of my forks, but it didnt change anything. I asked the BMC guys (the use the same forks) and they said ask the bike shop. Shane from bike culture said this happens with these forks some times, I wasnt in the mood for details, and said to finish the day and put some new forks on for the last 6 hours. I couldnt handle the bumps down the hills and lost 5 mins. On sunday I got off to a slow start and after about 3 laps Taylor Charlton (2nd place) had halved the gap to 7.5 mins. I stepped on the gas and after about 3 more laps I had gained 90 seconds and was starting to get confident that he wasnt going to keep the pace up all day. Soon it was up to 15 minutes and with only 2 hours to go I knew I had the win. I kept on lapping but I was getting pretty tired and slowed down to about 35 min laps. But I had moved to a 20 min+ gap. the last 3 laps were tough, I had no energy and was pretty sick of riding the same track. But the last lap I just cruised around ticking off each section that I wouldnt have to ride over again any time soon. I finished with a smile on my face and 17 mins ahead of Taylor and about 3 laps up on Chris Cady. Its not a huge race like nationals, but its the biggets race Ive ever won on my own and it was bloody tough. Its given me a big confidence boost and taught me alot about racing longer events.
But who cares about the mont, The 24hour solo champs were on over the weekend. I was racing the 6+6 hr in under 18s. There were 3 of us plus about 10 others in open. At the start i was about 3rd wheel for a little while until about halfway when i went off on my own and finished the lap first. I stayed in front for the rest of the day opening up a 20 min gap between me and 2nd place. However, I noticed my forks were really stiff and my wrists were killing me. I stoped to let some air out of my forks, but it didnt change anything. I asked the BMC guys (the use the same forks) and they said ask the bike shop. Shane from bike culture said this happens with these forks some times, I wasnt in the mood for details, and said to finish the day and put some new forks on for the last 6 hours. I couldnt handle the bumps down the hills and lost 5 mins. On sunday I got off to a slow start and after about 3 laps Taylor Charlton (2nd place) had halved the gap to 7.5 mins. I stepped on the gas and after about 3 more laps I had gained 90 seconds and was starting to get confident that he wasnt going to keep the pace up all day. Soon it was up to 15 minutes and with only 2 hours to go I knew I had the win. I kept on lapping but I was getting pretty tired and slowed down to about 35 min laps. But I had moved to a 20 min+ gap. the last 3 laps were tough, I had no energy and was pretty sick of riding the same track. But the last lap I just cruised around ticking off each section that I wouldnt have to ride over again any time soon. I finished with a smile on my face and 17 mins ahead of Taylor and about 3 laps up on Chris Cady. Its not a huge race like nationals, but its the biggets race Ive ever won on my own and it was bloody tough. Its given me a big confidence boost and taught me alot about racing longer events.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Slow Days
Last two weeks have been a bit on the slow and lazy side. Ive been pretty tired and not feeling all that good on the bike. Sunday was a shocker of a ride. I decided to ride to the top of Corrin dam and back. I flet ok going up the hill, but when i got to the bottom, I had had it, and still had about 50km to go. i dordeled home feelign sore and miserable. There have been a few rides like this lately, hopfuly it will pass soon.
There have been a few change to the XC bike. Ive out some new Mantiou R7 MRD forks on t which I havnt been able to use too much, but they feel pretty good so far. With the lock out on, they are rock hard, and they are 320g lighter than my old forks. I just need to get a bracket for my stupid 180mm brakes. Ive also re built my hub with new cones, axle and bearings. I think I did a pretty good job, but the cups are pretty worn and I can feel a new hub coming on in 6 months.
On the race front, ive got the mont coming up this weekend, kinda looking forward to it, but Im not looking forward to haveing only a week to recover before the solo nationals. However, It would seem Im racing on my own in the under 18s 6+6hr, so I probably wont need to be super fit. After that Im taking a bit of a break and going to syndey, before the Canberra Tour. My first big road race.
So thats all for now, Ill tell you how the mont went on monday.
There have been a few change to the XC bike. Ive out some new Mantiou R7 MRD forks on t which I havnt been able to use too much, but they feel pretty good so far. With the lock out on, they are rock hard, and they are 320g lighter than my old forks. I just need to get a bracket for my stupid 180mm brakes. Ive also re built my hub with new cones, axle and bearings. I think I did a pretty good job, but the cups are pretty worn and I can feel a new hub coming on in 6 months.
On the race front, ive got the mont coming up this weekend, kinda looking forward to it, but Im not looking forward to haveing only a week to recover before the solo nationals. However, It would seem Im racing on my own in the under 18s 6+6hr, so I probably wont need to be super fit. After that Im taking a bit of a break and going to syndey, before the Canberra Tour. My first big road race.
So thats all for now, Ill tell you how the mont went on monday.
Friday, March 20, 2009
No time means no blogs
This is why this is my first blog in a few weeks. Whats been happening? well the earliest 'event' that i haven't talked about was the ride to goulburn. A few weeks ago (the long weekend) me, pete, nath, dave and andy C began an epic ride to goulburn and back via the old federal hwy. At lake George we met a Hungarian rider called Tomash (I probably spelt it wrong, but you get the idea), apparently he does huge rides each weekend and he came along with us for the day after he caught us at LakeG. It was a rough ride going out with a gentle inclination up to goulburn, some very long gravely shoulder lanes and a slight head wind. After a stop at the Greengrocer bike store and cafe (which was a little overrated i thought, maybe I was expecting too much) we made our way back, with a nice tail wind, we averaged 45km/h coming back. By the time we got to the old Federal hwy again I was pretty buggered, but in hind sight, I think it was more in my head than anything, but I still managed to get home after 200km+.
Last Sunday saw the return of Nicholas Wilson to the CORC Club XC series after missing the last 3 races. I raced A grade to maintain my second place in the series. I was off to a good start in 2nd/3rd place, but I missed a corner and had to let 3 people past. I got back to 4th place and led 5th place for 2 laps, when I decided to make a move in a section I was good at, But coming of the top of a fats climb, I clipped my pedal into a tree stump and went over the bars, and i had been dropped. I tried to catch up, but mentaly, I was beaten when Tom Walter passed me. I decided to finish the race just for the points, but ended up getting bumped down to 3rd overall.
So that's all for now, will get back to you all in a few days.
Last Sunday saw the return of Nicholas Wilson to the CORC Club XC series after missing the last 3 races. I raced A grade to maintain my second place in the series. I was off to a good start in 2nd/3rd place, but I missed a corner and had to let 3 people past. I got back to 4th place and led 5th place for 2 laps, when I decided to make a move in a section I was good at, But coming of the top of a fats climb, I clipped my pedal into a tree stump and went over the bars, and i had been dropped. I tried to catch up, but mentaly, I was beaten when Tom Walter passed me. I decided to finish the race just for the points, but ended up getting bumped down to 3rd overall.
So that's all for now, will get back to you all in a few days.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
A month late?
The last two or so weeks I have been feeling really good. Like the fittest Ive ever been. Ive been doing relay well in the road crits and the bakery bunch, and on sunday I did 110km+ and felt fine for the whole ride and for the rest of the day. So I feel like Ive peaked a month late for Nationals. But to tell you the truth I dont think my fitness held me back at nationals, it was my skill and a flat tyre.
But moving on, Ive started ACTAS now. Its been pretty good, alot of focus on core strength and Ive come away feeling sore all over after it, but in a good way. I think this will relay help me from getting a tired back, and keep my upper body strong through races. Only problem is I have had to cut back my already short single shift at work.
On sunday, Nicks Annual Fantastic Tour of Honysuckle Creek took place, it was me pete and andy c. It was a beautiful morning and we just cruised out to Naas and then I smashed my self up the hill enjoying a nice long steep climb in the beautiful Namadgi National Park. We stopped up the top and had a munch before coming back down probably the fastest Ive ever gone. That hill is so stupidly steep, I couldn't brake hard enough into the corners, I was having so much fun. Coming back through Tuggeranong and then along Adelaide Ave, we started a team time trial back and I felt great, just powering along.
On the race front, the marathon champs have bee canceled so my next big race is the 24hr solo championships. I will race the under 18s 6+6 hour. I'm keen to do better than last year and hopefully win. I think Ive had a lot more experience, and I'm alot fitter now so I will do well this year. After that, Ill train for the the Canberra Tour. A 2 day road race around Canberra and then at the end of may, Capital Punishment, a 100km mtb race from Sparrow hill to Stromlo.
So that's all for now, catch you all later.
But moving on, Ive started ACTAS now. Its been pretty good, alot of focus on core strength and Ive come away feeling sore all over after it, but in a good way. I think this will relay help me from getting a tired back, and keep my upper body strong through races. Only problem is I have had to cut back my already short single shift at work.
On sunday, Nicks Annual Fantastic Tour of Honysuckle Creek took place, it was me pete and andy c. It was a beautiful morning and we just cruised out to Naas and then I smashed my self up the hill enjoying a nice long steep climb in the beautiful Namadgi National Park. We stopped up the top and had a munch before coming back down probably the fastest Ive ever gone. That hill is so stupidly steep, I couldn't brake hard enough into the corners, I was having so much fun. Coming back through Tuggeranong and then along Adelaide Ave, we started a team time trial back and I felt great, just powering along.
On the race front, the marathon champs have bee canceled so my next big race is the 24hr solo championships. I will race the under 18s 6+6 hour. I'm keen to do better than last year and hopefully win. I think Ive had a lot more experience, and I'm alot fitter now so I will do well this year. After that, Ill train for the the Canberra Tour. A 2 day road race around Canberra and then at the end of may, Capital Punishment, a 100km mtb race from Sparrow hill to Stromlo.
So that's all for now, catch you all later.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
$40 laps
Ill get to the weekend in just a second, But first to last weeks road crit. It was just me and Dave racing last week and not the biggest feild but enough riders for a proper race. 3 riders got away at the start and despite some half assed attempts from a few riders, the bunch didnt catch them. with three laps to go, i got on daves wheel with the intention of staying there until the end. It almost fell apart when someone tried to pass me on the inside of a corner when I was already on the edge of the road with about 4 riders on the outside, our bars and arms were clashing and there was alot of yelling, but we all made it through. By the tme we got to the sprint I had droped of daves wheel but was still at the front of the bunch. I was behind the guy that alomost knocked me of earlier, and couldnt get around him, but ended up taking 8th place, which is the first time I have placed.
Now to the sydney 24hr. It was decided that I would do the first lap which I guess I was cool with. I lined up at the start and it was raining and the track looked muddy. I got a good start and was even leading for a little while and came through as the first ride rider in our catagory. The track was bloody fun. Started with a very steep techy climb then a long fire road section and then some wicked muddy switch backs through a swamp followed by a scary drop down a rocky, slippery gully. the rest of the track was a bit boring for this kind of race but the two bits of single track were bloody fun, worthy of a national round next season perhaps. so by 7pm we were leading by 3 laps but our bikes were fucked and riding at night was going to be a bit full on so we stopped. Luckily, shortly after the race director decided to stop the race until 7am the next day. We started the next day 1 lap up and opened it up to 2 laps by the end of the race. To give you an idea of how bad it was out there though, by my first night lap I needed new front brake pads, in that 1 lap, I managed to almost completly wear them out in a 10km (25 min) lap. But It was a fun weekend anyway and we arnt too tired to ride either. I would like to say thanks to JetBlack for sponsoring us and helping bring down the price of a very expensive race.
Tonight I start the ACTAS program and I dont think I have nayraces for a little while now, so Ill let you all know when somthing cool happens.
Nick
Now to the sydney 24hr. It was decided that I would do the first lap which I guess I was cool with. I lined up at the start and it was raining and the track looked muddy. I got a good start and was even leading for a little while and came through as the first ride rider in our catagory. The track was bloody fun. Started with a very steep techy climb then a long fire road section and then some wicked muddy switch backs through a swamp followed by a scary drop down a rocky, slippery gully. the rest of the track was a bit boring for this kind of race but the two bits of single track were bloody fun, worthy of a national round next season perhaps. so by 7pm we were leading by 3 laps but our bikes were fucked and riding at night was going to be a bit full on so we stopped. Luckily, shortly after the race director decided to stop the race until 7am the next day. We started the next day 1 lap up and opened it up to 2 laps by the end of the race. To give you an idea of how bad it was out there though, by my first night lap I needed new front brake pads, in that 1 lap, I managed to almost completly wear them out in a 10km (25 min) lap. But It was a fun weekend anyway and we arnt too tired to ride either. I would like to say thanks to JetBlack for sponsoring us and helping bring down the price of a very expensive race.
Tonight I start the ACTAS program and I dont think I have nayraces for a little while now, so Ill let you all know when somthing cool happens.
Nick
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Hot hilly fun
So until this weekend Ive been doing the usualy rides, dirt/road crit, scottsman etc. But yesterday me pete, dave, dapre, nath, ian and dad (sort of) went for a ride to Lake George. it was up early (again) meeting at dickson. we cruised up the federal hwy until the turn off to the old federal hwy. Ive never been a huge fan of the old federal hwy but ive only ever done the first couple of Kms to the top of the first hill, after that it was beautiful. Nice fast smooth road, lots of trees, no cars and some pretty ok climbs and lots of triathletes for some reason. we cruised along having a great time until we got to lake george. we stoped and had a chat and decided that we would just come back the way we came rather than via bungendoor or somthing. The ride back was just as fun, smaching it along the smooth flowing roads.
This morning I decided to ride to the cotter up to the top of the Condor Creek climb back to the cotter and then home via coppins crossing. I didnt remeber how hot it was outside and hoe long the ride was without coppins crossing, which was eventualy cut out. It was another fun ride. I puched myself pretty hard up the bigger climbs and got through about 4 700ml bottles of water. I smashed my self and by the time i passed stromlo on my way home Id had it, i just cruised home feeling very hot, sweaty, and hungry. In total Ive done about 7 hours of riding this weekend, which is a pretty good start to my endurance training.
This week, ive got the road crit on wednsday, the thursday im punishing everyone by setting the track for the dirt crit (a one lap ride to the top of the pines and back), and then the sydney 24hr on the weekend.
This morning I decided to ride to the cotter up to the top of the Condor Creek climb back to the cotter and then home via coppins crossing. I didnt remeber how hot it was outside and hoe long the ride was without coppins crossing, which was eventualy cut out. It was another fun ride. I puched myself pretty hard up the bigger climbs and got through about 4 700ml bottles of water. I smashed my self and by the time i passed stromlo on my way home Id had it, i just cruised home feeling very hot, sweaty, and hungry. In total Ive done about 7 hours of riding this weekend, which is a pretty good start to my endurance training.
This week, ive got the road crit on wednsday, the thursday im punishing everyone by setting the track for the dirt crit (a one lap ride to the top of the pines and back), and then the sydney 24hr on the weekend.
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