Race Report Thread

trek52
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Re: Race Report Thread

Postby trek52 » Mon May 02, 2016 1:46 pm

NSW Masters Orange M3 = 3rd

Went out on the weekend after a pretty good few months of training with high hopes. M3 was a bloody strong field to say the least, the circuit was pretty easy imo apart from the finish.

I hung around and did what I needed to, Peter was very clever and sent a mate up the road so the race was very different than what I expected. I thought it would turn into an absolute smash fest with only 10-12 of us left but with the break going it didnt turn into that and with 10 km to go there were prob 30 of us left and all back together.

The finish is a 200m hill at about 10-12% maybe a bit more with about 200m at 3% to the finish, perfect for me. Any I was cramping for some reason and thought I would stay in the top 5 over the climb and let loose over the top. All planned until 1/4 the way up the hill some bloke stopped pedalling in front of me and I lost all momentum. Went from 750w to 110w and back to 950w in the space of 8 seconds :( not what you want 300m out. At this stage I had no choice but to keep going and try to hold on. With 100m to go I was at least 20 m in front only to cramp and blow with 50m to go. Ended up 3rd, and not really happy but racing is racing. Everyone always says they should have won but this time I really believe I should have. Less than 1 sec between the top 3 with 0.01 between 2nd and 3rd. Oh well not taking away from the guys that won, they beat me fair and square.

CBF riding the crit and went home.

Some interesting stats
215w ave power
310w NP
1 min ave power 820w
30 sec ave power 940w
last 50m power 80w :(

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jules21
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Re: Race Report Thread

Postby jules21 » Mon May 02, 2016 2:58 pm

Gunlock wrote:Northern Combine Tom Proberts: C Grade

Had my first C grade (and also my first Northern Combine) race today out at Essendon Fields. Hotdog circuit with a pretty sketchy u-turn at the far end.

Average Power: 284W
Max Power: 1,088W
nice work mate. those are good numbers!
trek52 wrote:NSW Masters Orange M3 = 3rd

Some interesting stats

1 min ave power 820w
30 sec ave power 940w
those are ridiculous numbers. that's huge!

I rode Vic club teams state time trial champs yesterday. I over-estimated my ability somewhat and allowed myself to be put into a team that was above my level. I recently did a personality profile test and found that my type placed a low emphasis on the concept of time and punctuality. this has also been my experience. I find it very difficult to prepare for TTs in a timely manner. this time I ran out of time and didn't have a chance to change over to my race wheels, so rode the race on my cheap wheels - the rear one with a dodgy tyre that I use specifically for the stationary trainer. not good.

basically I was in the hurtbox from the gun, partly as I didn't finish off my warm-up and only got the pre-warm up session done, from which I'd since cooled down. the team waited for me to get back on and then we went - again. straight back in the hurtbox for me. it was a 37km course, advertised as 43km (last year 42 and 50km, respectively - figure that out). I lasted until 22km in then pulled the pin. it was very blowy and although I spent most of the time when I was in contact with my 3 teammates nicely sheltered, it just seemed very hard.

for a few moments I just rolled along, then decided I may as well hit it for the rest of the ride. my HR trace shows I didn't get back up to where it was when I was hanging on, about 5-10 bpm lower. I averaged 38.6 km/h for the ride, which was 40 km/h for the part where I hung on and 36.6 from when I rode solo.

a bit disappointed in myself, I haven't quite sorted my TTing yet. our team didn't medal but we/they weren't too far off. the winning team had ridiculous hitters in it so we were never going to trouble them.

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Gunlock
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Re: Race Report Thread

Postby Gunlock » Mon May 02, 2016 3:44 pm

Vic Clubs TTT - Elite Men

Like Jules i raced the clubs TTT yesterday in the elite male category. Looking at the other teams entered we were never in the race for the win - our team was made up of B and C graders while the other teams included VIS athletes, current and former state TT champs and A grade heavy hitters.

We lost our first rider super early on, about 3km in, who called out for us to just go after we slowed to get him back on so we really couldnt afford to let any others drop from then on. Pretty happy with how we communicated from there to keep everyone together for the next 35 odd kms. About 25km in and two of the remaining 3 (one of which was me) were really starting to feel it and our third rider did an amazing job on the front into the wind to keep the speed up on the run home.

Ended up coming in second last, which was one better placing than i expected. I was pretty nervous in the lead up to the event given how outclassed we were and feeling like i was the weakest rider and not wanting to let the team down but in the end it was a pretty fun (if pretty hard) day even with the pretty horrible conditions.

Vitals:
Time: 58:29
Distance: 37.8km
Average Speed: 38.8km/h
Max Speed: 61.8km/h
Average HR: 172bpm
Max HR: 183bpm

Edit:: Pretty sure the combination of cold, wet, wind and exhaustion has made me an ideal candidate for getting sick. Feeling pretty wretched today.

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KGB
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Re: Race Report Thread

Postby KGB » Mon May 02, 2016 3:59 pm

cerb wrote:
KGB wrote:Apparently riding a maximum of 80-90km at a time isn't the best way to train for a 110km RR!
I'm about to enter my first RR in 3 years, and only my 5th RR ever. This really is my main concern! I have zero experience of doing race speeds for anything further than 55km, so it will certainly be interesting...!

KGB wrote: MMAS2 Criterium
It was very obvious that a break would be made and around the 15min mark there were 4 guys out front. One big hitter was left and I was waiting and watching for his move.
...
Normally I'm careful not to go that deep but I knew this was the move to follow so it was a bit "all or nothing".
...
I recovered for a few laps and then made it into a break of two, then joined by a third. Unfortunately we were chased down with ~5min remaining.
...
I basically stuffed up the sprint and rolled across somewhere around 10th which was the 5th MMAS2 rider (1/2 were combined into the same race).
So the break at 15mins got brought back I take it? Pretty early time to go for a break if there is a big bunch on a non-technical course?
Haha, yeah, I was starting to get little twinges and cramps from about 60km and was just biding my time from that point. I was well fueled and hydrated but I knew when we hit the hill at the end of the lap I wouldn't be able to grind over the top with the bunch. Taking it easy in the bunch, while at race speeds, still requires some good legs! Just get in there and look after yourself and aim to learn and have fun. I've been racing for 25 years but after that race I've got a really clear idea of what I need to do for next year.

Most of the crits were ending up with a break going clear in the first ~1/3 of the race. That takes most of the hitters out of the bunch and leaves a "weaker" (no disrespect) field that needs to really cooperate well to drag the break back. In our case, the break was maybe 100m up the road and we pulled them in a little bit but after my suicidal attempt to get across (one guy actually made it and stuck there) they were gone for good. They won by 45s or so. The cross winds made the bunch a bit slower too.
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ft_critical
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Re: Race Report Thread

Postby ft_critical » Tue May 03, 2016 8:02 pm

KGB and Trek52 good efforts. I was in M4. I entered on the last day as a result of the disc injuries to my L4 and 5. I felt fit, but had only raced once since the injury. So there are all the excuses out there. I love the feel of the Masters and catching up with all the riders each year. Pretty much there is a core cadre of riders competing.
We had over 60 in M4 and the pace was the same as M3. There were about 6 very strong riders who had come up from M3. A few twilight M4'ers commented that the standard had been raised significantly and this is true in my opinion also.
I was running a wet setup with Durano Race tyres. This allowed me to move up in the gutter and deal with the poor road surface well. 3 laps, moderate wind, drying roads, 7 or so 2/300m lumps of between 4.5 and 11% per lap, a fast down hill of ~10k and a grind up for 10k in a 31 K lap, 1k vertical in 85k...
Up the 10km grind on lap 1 I thought we were working hard, I glanced down, 415w just to sit in the bunch, 'right, so it is going to be like that then,' I thought. We drove hard on the rise before the main climb. And of course went even harder on the 11% climb. It kind of reminded me of the top of the Mur de Huuy, steep then a flattening uphill drag to the line. I concluded about half way up that I am not Valverde. I was working hard but had a little in reserve, sitting in the middle of the field I was happy with my position. I passed a few riders and maintained contact with the rear of the main bunch. Or did I? As we crossed the start finish I realised that the group of 8 or so had been gapped by only 10m. Suddenly I was on the front into a downhill through the town of Molong. I was holding the gap but I was on the limit, not recovering, and no one would come through.
The race from here was horrible. I pulled hard at FTP for a full lap, working with others then working by myself as riders dropped off. There is a character called 'Crafty' who announces these races, he is a bright and funny guy. As I crossed the finish line on lap two having ascended the 'wall' for the second time he pointed a me and then screamed into the PA system, "look everyone, see the decimation in M4! The Peleton has been completely smashed.". The were some oohs and ahs from the crowd and my moral was not significantly uplifted by this experience.
Lap 3 was completely alone. My back was killing me and I had burned out my legs. I don't know how many of you have experienced how horrible, lonely, painful and embarrassing it is to finish a dropped rider? Some inner bloody mindedness keeps you going. Going for 33rd place. First time out of the top 10 at State but still a finish.
So I set a new max HR by some 6bps. That was the only record I think.
But I love racing my bicycle.

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Derny Driver
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Re: Race Report Thread

Postby Derny Driver » Tue May 03, 2016 8:17 pm

ft_critical wrote: I don't know how many of you have experienced how horrible, lonely, painful and embarrassing it is to finish a dropped rider?
haha many times. Character building stuff.
But its just a race, and there will be another one next week, next month, next year. And you will be a 'master' for another couple of decades too so there is plenty of time to get that big title you seek :wink:

I was going to come up to watch / mingle / socialise / coach but decided against it due to the weather. But Ive seen the results and talked to lots of people - anyone who went top 10 must have been superb because there were some well credentialled and very fit riders who finished mid pack or worse. Hats off to Matt for his excellent result.

I did have a long chat about tactics with one of my Team Pursuit ladies the night before her road race, she got silver despite mis-timing her effort in the finale. But that was the only joy from my club. Sutherland seemed to be on the podium a lot?

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Re: Race Report Thread

Postby Tarquin » Tue May 03, 2016 9:30 pm

I was in the masters 1 & 2 road race.

Big day arrived, New South Wales & Aus Capital Territory State Masters.

Men's masters 1 & 2 are run as a combined race, I'm not sure why they do it but it means there is a decent peloton of about 70-80. We had to do 4 laps of a classics style course, some shortish climbs with a few punchy bits and quick descents. 110km and 1200m climb.

Heavy rains overnight and light drizzle treated us since we are having a bit of a drought. No fun for racing. I rode two laps of the course last week so knew it was going to be hard. I didn't bother warming up, always plenty of wheels on the first lap to follow. We had to cross train tracks twice and they had put rubber matts down, I was worried about these being a bit of an angle in the wet but turned out OK, no fallers.

First lap I was happy to sit on the back and do nothing. I lost the bottle from my seat tube mount which had my electrolytes, the first 10km was rough as guts, OK when you can pick a line but no choice but to hit bumps and patches in a bunch. Not the greatest start, but at least with it raining it wasn't too hot. Ate my muesli bar after half an hour as thought it might be the only chance I got. Then things got a bit confusing, there was a break up the road, the commissare came alongside and spoke to the bunch. I'm not too sure what happened but I think they neutralised the race for the next 10km, I think we may have been close to the finish of the Masters 6 race hence they wanted to slow us up a bit.

Second lap it was on, rain stopped and the wind picked up, giving a headwind then a nasty crosswind on the climb for the backside of the course. I saw two guys from my club go out the back as about 30 riders got shelled on the climb. I rode in the wind which was tough, the right side of the bunch was sheltered and like 50w+ less effort. To get there meant riding on the wrong side of the road as it was almost single file in places fanned out. Most of the bunch on the wrong side but commissare didn't do that much. After the climb came a short descent followed by a 13-15% punchy climb with a false flat to the line this was only a 90 second full gas effort in the saddle at first until the road dried, getting out the saddle just gave me wheelspin. Too much tyre pressure and Vittoria 23mm tubs not so great in the wet.

The third lap eased a bit and the break blew out to nearly 2 minutes and a second bunch of 4 or so formed. I just sat in the rear of the 20 or so that were the remains of the peloton, made sure I was eating. Got myself over all the hills and out of trouble.

Last lap the gap had come down, the group started to work, almost everyone was rolling, I did a few turns and we took a minute back pretty quick. Went back to the middle of the bunch as why work for someone else.. Got into the headwind and started to catch the breaks ahead as they had blown up a bit. Final climb they were all within catching distance, I got on the front feeling good ramping the pace up from 30-32 to 36kmh and was tapping out a good tempo but wasn't getting much help. Sat back in second or third wheel, get close to the top and one guy comes round quick but get on his wheel and sit on. Someone else comes round hard, I crank it to get on his wheel burning my matches here, before the descent to the final climb.

There were three ahead going into the last 500m two from the first break who had a good gap and one from the second break from Oliver's foods who had a small gap but who was pro, I was second wheel in the peloton but the other guy on the front sat up sharpish and the guys behind who had a draft came over the top of us. Ground away up the steep bit trying not to go too deep, back in the saddle for the false flat (probably still 5-6% but felt flat after 13-15!) I picked up a few places here, everyone doing their best Tommy V faces. Over the line 18th in the combined race which gave me 10th in Masters 1 +25 seconds. Two up the road who won from the break were both masters 2, the one in the middle from Oliver's was masters 1. A really strong guy from Onya Giant who did a lot of the chasing got a deserved 2nd.

Pretty happy with my result, maybe I could have sat on more on the last hill, or attacked and got a gap. I thought the bunch might have split there in the wind, and moving to the front was probably worth the energy burn, 5-10 seconds advantage being on the front compared to last wheel. Maybe I was dehydrated which hurt me a bit, only one bottle for a 3 hour race not good. Kept it rubber side down, first rider from our club, and finished so I'm happy :) my mate was more pumped than me about my result, I just wanted a sit down and a drink.

111.3km inc the neutral start, 1200m elevation, 37.6kmh average, 74.5kmh Max. No power data as race wheels! 3 gels, 1 muesli bar, 1 banana and a bottle of SIS which felt about right, eat the solid food towards the start (laps 1 and 2) then go for one gel a lap. Finished and drunk a whole Powerade like it wasn't even there so definitely dehydrated!

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queequeg
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Re: Race Report Thread

Postby queequeg » Wed May 04, 2016 1:16 pm

ft_critical wrote:There is a character called 'Crafty' who announces these races, he is a bright and funny guy. As I crossed the finish line on lap two having ascended the 'wall' for the second time he pointed a me and then screamed into the PA system, "look everyone, see the decimation in M4! The Peleton has been completely smashed.". The were some oohs and ahs from the crowd and my moral was not significantly uplifted by this experience.
I got a similar introduction to Crafty (aka Paul Craft) last year during the Cervelo Masters at HEZ (Rnd 2). I'd only been racing for the grand total of 2 months at the time, so pretty much as green as you can be. The previous month I'd come 16th in MMAS3 at the Sydney Road Titles, which was my first race outside of the EC Dragway, and I had backed that up with Round 1 of the Cervelo Masters the same weekend, placing 4th in C Grade.
Anyway, I'd never raced at HEZ before and we had a 2pm start. My initial plan was to sit with the bunch and then try for a solo break 2 laps out. Being a bit green, I got suckered into going a bit early (3 laps out), but because I made my attach just after we'd gone around the first corner from the start/finish line, nobody saw it happen. When I came around to the start/finish line after the 7km out and back loop, I had almost caught up to the B Grade bunch, and as I crossed the line I hear crafty say "Rider 521 is off the back, he's a dead duck and won't be getting back onto that group. His race is over". By the time I had gone to the far end and done the U-Turn back to the finish line, I'd gained another 50m on B Grade, and as I approached, crafty was still giving me stick about the gap. As I crossed the line I yelled out to him "I'm C Grade!".
I think Crafty's jaw dropped, as I was some 800m off the front of C by then, and he says "Are you solo off the front of C???!!!!!!". I'm like "Yep, see ya!", and I took off up the road after the B Grade bunch.
When I came back around the next time, I'd dropped the B Grade bunch and Crafty was all fired up...at least, he'd looked up my rider number time and was calling out my name lol.
Sadly, on the 3rd solo lap the wind on the course really picked up, and when I made the final turn it was into the most brutal wind I had ever experienced. I was at Max HR pedalling as hard as I could and was still only making it to 25km/h. I held on until about 50m past the final U-Turn, and had nothing left in the tank for the 400m sprint to the line, rolling over with the bunch. So close, but so far. My consolation prize was being awarded most aggressive rider.
Ironically, commuting home the following week, who do I bump into....Paul Craft. Turns out he's a school teacher around the corner from my house lol.
'11 Lynskey Cooper CX, '00 Hillbrick Steel Racing (Total Rebuild '10), '16 Cervelo R5, '18 Mason BokekTi

trek52
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Re: Race Report Thread

Postby trek52 » Wed May 04, 2016 3:28 pm

if you are coming tonight mate i can tell you the approved cycling term for what you did at Hez :)

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queequeg
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Re: Race Report Thread

Postby queequeg » Wed May 04, 2016 3:38 pm

trek52 wrote:if you are coming tonight mate i can tell you the approved cycling term for what you did at Hez :)
I'll be there tonight...probably the best outcome from the Hez race was finding out what my actual Max HR was lol Funny thing about racing, nobody gave me a handbook, I just got released into the wild without a clue on what I was doing (and I still have no clue!)
'11 Lynskey Cooper CX, '00 Hillbrick Steel Racing (Total Rebuild '10), '16 Cervelo R5, '18 Mason BokekTi

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KGB
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Re: Race Report Thread

Postby KGB » Wed May 04, 2016 7:28 pm

Good write ups from ft_critical and tarquin. DD, you are right about sutherland, they seemed to be on every podium this time. Flemmo was super strong in his crit.

Tarquin, we must have been side by side at some stage in the RR. I was on the back of the bunch for the majority of the third lap but was pretty toast and gave it up at the start of the 4th. I'm the little guy from southern cross.
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Re: Race Report Thread

Postby ft_critical » Wed May 04, 2016 8:08 pm

Okay my second story then QQ. Beaumont Rd crit, there is some slowish guy in Central Coast Kit who drifts into the bunch just before the bottom hot dog corner. As I roll past I politely suggest that he stay out of the faster bunch. This grey and orange bearded face glares back at me. The grey and orange beard is wrapped around a mouth that is suddenly and agressively speaking. But there is this black foam-covered thing in front of that mouth, connected to a piece of plastic joining to an earpiece... "Whooooo - the - hell - are - you?" Blasts out of the PA system at the start-finish line. Oh gosh, I realise it is Crafty doing an in race commentary - as in he is riding around in the race providing live commentary. "There goes rider 24, bound to be dropped shortly..." Not making friends was I☹️

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Re: Race Report Thread

Postby Tarquin » Wed May 04, 2016 9:13 pm

KGB wrote:Good write ups from ft_critical and tarquin. DD, you are right about sutherland, they seemed to be on every podium this time. Flemmo was super strong in his crit.

Tarquin, we must have been side by side at some stage in the RR. I was on the back of the bunch for the majority of the third lap but was pretty toast and gave it up at the start of the 4th. I'm the little guy from southern cross.
Probably, if I was on your wheel then I'd have been doing something wrong as id have been getting no draft from the wind!

I'm a tall guy, black/grey Rapha, black Cervelo, deep Enves. Dragging 80kg+ up that finish was no fun.

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Re: Race Report Thread

Postby Strawburger » Thu May 05, 2016 12:04 pm

I was in the M3 bunch at orange. Definitely a step up from M1-2's! Strong field and tough going that opening 10kms. Gutted I flatted 20mins into the race. Soloed for 2hrs and finished 20+ mins back. Felt great and the finish suited me. Oh well, next year...
n=10 (2013 & 2004 roads,2010 track,2x 2009 foldups,1990 hybrid,1992 trainer,2007 rental,1970's step through,1980's zeus)

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Re: Race Report Thread

Postby jules21 » Thu May 05, 2016 12:26 pm

Strawburger wrote:I was in the M3 bunch at orange. Definitely a step up from M1-2's! Strong field and tough going that opening 10kms. Gutted I flatted 20mins into the race. Soloed for 2hrs and finished 20+ mins back. Felt great and the finish suited me. Oh well, next year...
have you shaved your legs yet? :)

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Re: Race Report Thread

Postby ft_critical » Thu May 05, 2016 1:03 pm

Derny Driver wrote: And you will be a 'master' for another couple of decades too so there is plenty of time
Yes DD, this is true. Such an old rookie!


Good report from Tarquin too, thanks for that.

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Re: Race Report Thread

Postby Strawburger » Thu May 05, 2016 9:34 pm

jules21 wrote:
Strawburger wrote:I was in the M3 bunch at orange. Definitely a step up from M1-2's! Strong field and tough going that opening 10kms. Gutted I flatted 20mins into the race. Soloed for 2hrs and finished 20+ mins back. Felt great and the finish suited me. Oh well, next year...
have you shaved your legs yet? :)
Hahaha, no. Still the only one in the bunch with hair on the legs :) still copping plenty of comments from Kev90210 aka the commisaire.
n=10 (2013 & 2004 roads,2010 track,2x 2009 foldups,1990 hybrid,1992 trainer,2007 rental,1970's step through,1980's zeus)

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ItsDank
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Re: Race Report Thread

Postby ItsDank » Sat May 07, 2016 9:06 pm

Odd Spoke B Grade Race Report



Back again, easily my favourite race in Sydney as Heffron's surface is rubbish and my legs aren't a fan of the hills at West Head. First Odd Spoke with a B grade entry after Xplora felt that I had perhaps won a bit easily in C grade last time (all lies, I had 5 Sydney CC riders pulling me along :p ).

It was a nice and toasty 6 degrees and the decision to wear a base layer and arm warmers was probably the right one. From the gun there was a two man breakaway and after the third lap I took it upon myself to help bring it back. With a rotation of 3 to 4 riders up front, the breakaway was brought back on lap 5. The prime came and went on lap 6, I didn't even bother contesting after my time on the front and I spent the last 6 to 7 laps just hanging mid group, hoping no one else went on the attack. The surging was fairly relentless with nice 300-400w up hills and around 600-700w to get back on after exiting the corners.

On the bell lap I attempted to make a bunch of places (like...30 or so) and dived deep into the matchbox just to keep up with the 10 to 15 riders on the pointy end of the race heading into the main straight. Unlike C grade, there was no lull, bunch up and then sprint, it was all out carnage from the last corner all the way to the line. I started my sprint way too far back and I didn't give up, my legs just gave in, there was literally nothing left in them after an hour and a half on the rivet.

Long way to go fitness wise and some smarter racing would have or could have made all the difference. A selfish part of me would like to think that someone else would have worked to bring the breakaway back but then again, if everyone thinks that way then every breakaway would be successful. The fitness gained from the race will be invaluable, it's hard to exert yourself physically like that in training or on the turbo.

Another excellent edition of the Odd Spoke, will have to wait a while till the next one :)

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Re: Race Report Thread

Postby Xplora » Sat May 07, 2016 11:55 pm

Nice Dan, you are definitely in the right grade based on that video. The early break was quite strong and the 3 riders were swapping off and really wanted to make it stick, if you didn't dig in and make your intentions to chase very clear, they would have stayed away all day. I had a chuckle at the power figures - I was hitting the same figures on Thursday at a 12 hour event (more below!). The circuit demands some power just to hold wheels through the back sections, the higher grades just need you to cope with, and recover from, those surges better. Keep at it, if you contributed to the chase for a couple laps and could still kick for a top 10 (in a bunch of 40+) you will get there faster than you think.

Endure for a Cure 12 hour SMSP charity "race" - 2nd overall, 373kms.

Short and sweet, after a previous attempt was lost. This was my 3rd outing, and I wanted to win. I had done some long rides to build fitness back through summer, but had been doing heavy 3-5 rep weight sessions for a couple months trying to improve my kick for A grade crits. Not the best prep, but I carb loaded and did my best.

First 3 hours were spent at 35kmh average. WOW. We were paced by a number of A graders and possibly NRS guys towing the large bunch, and they just kept going and going. I did a few turns but I knew how long this was going for. It was an impossible pace to maintain, but I held on knowing that the harder option was a slower bunch, or worse, solo. I had initially planned to break after 90 minutes to lap the bunch (45 minute TT) based on last year's 30kmh bunch pace, but at 35 this was never happening. So I sat on as best I could - despite our lap times being under 6 minutes several times.

Saddle endurance is the biggest issue in these events IMO. It's really hard to sit down for that long. You can't take breaks, even a 30 minute lunch break is 4-5 laps. You can't make that up... so I planned for my team to bring me water, gels, etc. This didn't quite work. I lost my water bottle, and was paying the price for going so hard... I had done 280 kms in less than 8 hours, and was 3 laps in front. So I went in twice, once for a leak and once to grab water and a garmin charger. I lost a lap unnecessarily looking for a water bottle... fatal error.

Because saddle endurance is the key, the important thing is following wheels. I committed bigtime to keeping the bunch together, so each time I had a bunch to go back to - but you have to time your return to the track to rejoin the bunch! That's why I lost a lap - I decided to ignore the bunch and use up some of my lead.

And there things went backwards a bit. I had some cramping issues at 7 hours, but got through easy enough (have a gel and powerade ready every hour!) but I had lost all my solid glycogen reserves for attacking so I had to just sit in with whoever was rolling. I went from a 1hr average max of 37kmh down to 25, and 1st place was sucking a wheel like a demon with 90 minutes to go. I had given it everything but I had mentally lost it after 9 hours with 310 on the clock, believing I had an unstoppable lead. I crawled around, and managed some tempo in the last 45 to try and hold the lead but it wasn't to be. I was doing granny gear 39-25 up the back hills, nothing left.

If you are looking at these kinds of events, do a lot of 160-200km rides, even flat ones, in the same temperatures, to find out how you cope. I don't drink much, but I can sense when I am flatting and a gel will push me through. It's mostly tricking your brain, so test yourself out. I can't eat too much, or I feel sick. See how you go.

Also, do a 3 or 4 hour TT as hard as you can, to see how you respond to that. I did one in the last fortnight and it was invaluable. You can expect you will be doing much of the ride in Z1 or low Z2 - it's physically not possible to avoid that - but you might need to spend long periods of time in Z3 and Z4 at threshold to stay with the bunch and maintain a higher speed for later - especially in an event like mine where all competitors are not obligated to race for the entire 12 hours. I found it tough to know that I was probably going to suffer burning matches following wheels that would simply go home after 4 hours - the only consolation was that I could back myself.

Final thing - assuming you have training and nutrition nailed down - be organised. You need to know everything is prepared in advance, you can't afford to lose time. I was prepared to piss on the bike. I was prepared to almost puke carb loading. But does the car have fuel? Are your sleep patterns tweaked to wake early enough? Do your ride buddies know how they can help you in detail? Are they on board to help? My guys were willing to help, but just didn't know what was required at the moment I needed it.

I had resigned myself to not taking on 3 Peaks because I couldn't handle the training required - it ruins your kick which you need to race bikes. I think I'll add this to the list. I'd be keen to help pace riders or tow them around at 30kmh for a couple hours, or run water etc because I think the event is valuable, and it has attracted better quality at the "pointy end" while being accessible to the hubbards. I'm pleased that I've helped be a part of the pointy end, with 2 podiums in 3 years, but my heart is on a crit course even if my legs are built for endurance. If you are keen on donating to child cancer research, send me a PM and I'll get you a link. It's about the kids, even if some people are only focused on the riding :lol:

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ft_critical
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Re: Race Report Thread

Postby ft_critical » Sun May 08, 2016 8:53 pm

ItsDank wrote:Odd Spoke B Grade Race Report
So there might be an opportunity with Paul Sherwin and Phil... You have a good voice over technique, it came across really well. Thanks for sharing.

On another note, I have noticed from your podium photo that you do appear to be trying to achieve that 'Assos-guy' look :D

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ItsDank
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Re: Race Report Thread

Postby ItsDank » Sun May 08, 2016 9:28 pm

ft_critical wrote:
ItsDank wrote:Odd Spoke B Grade Race Report
So there might be an opportunity with Paul Sherwin and Phil... You have a good voice over technique, it came across really well. Thanks for sharing.

On another note, I have noticed from your podium photo that you do appear to be trying to achieve that 'Assos-guy' look :D
Well I've got a better chance of commentating the TDF than participating in it, so there's that :p

Image

Image

Very close haha, I don't pose in my bibs topless though, that's where Assos man gets a little too exposed for my liking.

trek52
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Re: Race Report Thread

Postby trek52 » Mon May 09, 2016 8:17 am

Odd Spoke Sat 7th A grade 3rd
I went out with my head not in the game, was peaked for the masters the week before and pretty much had last week off the bike, thought a race might get me back in the game.
Anyway I felt good and went stupid just kept attacking and attacking in order to hurt people. After about 35min of that myself Eddie and Naz finally got away and spent the next 40 min swapping off to the end where I didnt bother to much with sprinting and took 3rd.
I have got to say that if we are advised a race is 70 min and a lap I cant figure out how it ends up 80 min plus a lap !!
For 1:24
Average power 291w
Normalised P 362w

So yeah it was hard !!

cerb
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Re: Race Report Thread

Postby cerb » Mon May 09, 2016 9:12 am

trek52 wrote:Odd Spoke Sat 7th A grade 3rd
Normalised P 362w
So yeah it was hard !!
Nice racing - pushing the pace repeatedly til people are hurting, then going for a long breakaway yourself is a tough tactic. Your fitness obviously wasn't bad after a week off the bike. ;)

362W NP really is a tough race!!

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jules21
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Re: Race Report Thread

Postby jules21 » Tue May 10, 2016 3:15 pm

race report - Melb Uni Trophy - B gr. at Sth Gisborne.

8 laps of the Sth Gizzy course, with the Dalrymple Rd climb always makes it a tough outing. the weather on Sat was beautiful - nice and sunny, which was a welcome contrast to the bitter cold, rain and hail that we faced last year. it's an exposed course on the rear side. it wasn't all in our favour though - the wind had really kicked up. we'd be tackling the climb with a howling head/cross-wind - and nowhere to hide.

the neutral lap went smoothly - I liked the pace up the hill, although my HR was still getting up to the red zone. it was gonna be interesting to see how long I lasted. the rest of the course is mostly recovery, including an 80 km/h tailwind assisted descent. then lap 1 - and someone decided to test us. as a bigger rider against some real whippets, I struggle to hold them as the short climb ramps up. I became detached, but not by too far - 30m?

at the crest of the climb, the road is exposed and you feel the full force of the howling cross-wind. this is to my advantage - as the whippets seek to recover from the climbing effort and buffeting from the wind. I keep the hammer down and pace myself back on.

recover.. and hit the climb for Lap 2. mercifully the pace was a bit gentler - although this is very relative. there is a breakaway rider ahead, but no organised chase. the course is too brutal and riders aren't spending biccies chasing - just surviving until the next lap's climb. no one wants to go too deep, too early. I have no ambitions of controlling the race and plan to just hang on.

this goes on for a few more laps until about Lap 6 or so when someone puts the hammer down and again.. I am gapped. no panic, a big effort right down the hill into the cross-winds - with a bit of assistance from cars following the peloton - and I'm back on again. I'm hurting though. we descend the front side of the course - aero tuck, no pedalling - 80 km/h. then the bunch slows as the road flattens.

I'm convinced I'm going to be dropped on the next climb - so I keep going. the bunch doesn't chase. I build a small gap - 20 seconds? all I want is to hold it long enough to make it over the climb - I won't be able to chase back on this time. I get caught near the top, but the bunch takes it easy and I am not dropped.

finally, the bell lap - and I'm still in touch. about 1/2 the field has been dropped - this is beyond my expectations. I put in a half-hearted dig leading up to the climb - there's no way I'll figure in the finish and someone else is off the front now - we're racing for 2nd. my dig goes nowhere - shut down. we hit the climb and the pace ramps up - I'm done. I limp home - pretty happy to have been there near the end.

I sleep in the arvo and don't head out on the bike on Sunday. my body is shattered after only ~2 hrs of max. efforts up the hill and into the wind.

here is a vid of the A graders ripping it up:
https://www.facebook.com/mucyc/videos/1294388837255636/

cerb
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Re: Race Report Thread

Postby cerb » Tue May 10, 2016 3:41 pm

Nice job getting around that climb Jules! I looked at the profile for that race and was like 'errrm, no thanks!'

One of my team mates was in the A-Grade race and said the wind decimated everyone... Five riders got away somewhere in/just out of the neutral zone and he got dropped from the first chase bunch on the road after 5 laps.

350W/20min, 320W/1hr power for someone ~62kg and he got dropped like it was nothing... The chasing bunch wasn't even managing to close the gap to the leaders!

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