Friday, August 31, 2007
Last post.
This years 24 hour is the beginning of a new era, with no defending champion or past champion the title is open to who ever steps up. I respect all competitors who will undergo this challenging journey and wish them all the very best. As it is the beginning of a new era in endurance MTB racing i have nicknamed the event "CHAINFIRE". I suggest you bunker down and get ready for "CHAINFIRE" because we are about to light up the track. What ever the outcome we are all better for the experience. It is time to "Live the Dream", Yes, Now, Do it.
Aussie riders dinner
Had a relaxing day today and took in some local sights with the family.
We finished the day off with a get together of everybody who is over here for the 24 hour world champs. Their was about 30 of us at the dinner. It was good to have a chat drink some beer and meet everyone and their support crews. After talking to all the riders i think their will be a swag of medals again. They all seem happy and are confident they will do their best.
Tomorrow we have rider briefing and registration.
If you want to know how to get live updates of the race log onto http://www.ftf.com.au/ for all the details.
We finished the day off with a get together of everybody who is over here for the 24 hour world champs. Their was about 30 of us at the dinner. It was good to have a chat drink some beer and meet everyone and their support crews. After talking to all the riders i think their will be a swag of medals again. They all seem happy and are confident they will do their best.
Tomorrow we have rider briefing and registration.
If you want to know how to get live updates of the race log onto http://www.ftf.com.au/ for all the details.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
My new bike mechanic
Just got baack form the local bike shop. The bikes are now primed and ready for action.
Wednesday in Monteray
I finally managed to upload some pictures - this is Lombard St in San Fran - apparently it is the curviest St in the worldYesterday i met Joel and Bob who are staying at the same hotel. They are from Canberra and Joel is racing in the under 25 category. They are missing their transport, so in the morning i gave them a lift out to the course for a quick look at the track as i was already meeting up with Craig Peacock.
Track description: The track is hard and fast, some descents we broke 70km/h. The whole track is open with no shade. Parts of the track are a bit sandy and they have put straw down to help with traction and stop you sinking in. Their are 5 short steep and 3 long climbs at a moderate e grade. Their is only 1 long downhill single track section that is heaps of fun and i will look forward to this part of the track every lap. The course is 20km long, has 550m of climbing and takes about 1 hour per lap.
During the day it gets really hot out at the track. I'm also told it can get really windy. The conditions remind me of the Kona 24 hourat.
This afternoon i went and had a massage - it was just what i needed to complete my pre-race training.
I'm heading down the local bike shop(Sports Centre Bikes in Monteray) now so Rob can have a look over my bikes before race day. He has also agreed to look after my bikes for the whole race, which is awesome and puts my mind at ease.
Track description: The track is hard and fast, some descents we broke 70km/h. The whole track is open with no shade. Parts of the track are a bit sandy and they have put straw down to help with traction and stop you sinking in. Their are 5 short steep and 3 long climbs at a moderate e grade. Their is only 1 long downhill single track section that is heaps of fun and i will look forward to this part of the track every lap. The course is 20km long, has 550m of climbing and takes about 1 hour per lap.
During the day it gets really hot out at the track. I'm also told it can get really windy. The conditions remind me of the Kona 24 hourat.
This afternoon i went and had a massage - it was just what i needed to complete my pre-race training.
I'm heading down the local bike shop(Sports Centre Bikes in Monteray) now so Rob can have a look over my bikes before race day. He has also agreed to look after my bikes for the whole race, which is awesome and puts my mind at ease.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Monteray
Arrived in Monteray safe and sound after learning to drive on the right hand side of the road. The weather is a sunny 23 and the accommodation is great.
I am trying to load some photo's and hopfully will have them up soon.
After we settled in we took a drive out to Laguna Seca for a look at the track and pit area. I've been a bit on edge the last week (nerves) and after looking at the course it is pretty daunting. It is open and exposed to the wind, the hills are steep and their is no shortage of them.
Training tip : The best way to kill nerves is to have a look at the course, assess the terrain and conditions. After assessing the course, finding the key points, cross reference these to the training you have done over the last few months. If your training matches your assessment of the course you can relax and go into the race confident you will race to your full potential.
I am trying to load some photo's and hopfully will have them up soon.
After we settled in we took a drive out to Laguna Seca for a look at the track and pit area. I've been a bit on edge the last week (nerves) and after looking at the course it is pretty daunting. It is open and exposed to the wind, the hills are steep and their is no shortage of them.
Training tip : The best way to kill nerves is to have a look at the course, assess the terrain and conditions. After assessing the course, finding the key points, cross reference these to the training you have done over the last few months. If your training matches your assessment of the course you can relax and go into the race confident you will race to your full potential.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Saturday in San Francisco
I got up early (6am) and headed back over the Goldengate Bridge into the hills. I did a couple of loops today at a solid tempo. You climb about 600m an hour here. On the way back I raced a tram car up Hyde Street. Hyde Street is about 500m long and climbs 150m, that’s over 20% grade. This received a huge cheer from the passengers and was a solid end to another great ride.
We headed out after breakfast to tour Alcatraz but all the tours were booked until Monday. So I suggested we walk over to the Goldengate Bridge. Little did Kate know this was a 20km walk along the foreshore - 4 hours later we had seen and walked the bridge, Kate and Mitchell had also completed their pit crew training.
Tomorrow we head down to Monteray to settle in before the race.
We headed out after breakfast to tour Alcatraz but all the tours were booked until Monday. So I suggested we walk over to the Goldengate Bridge. Little did Kate know this was a 20km walk along the foreshore - 4 hours later we had seen and walked the bridge, Kate and Mitchell had also completed their pit crew training.
Tomorrow we head down to Monteray to settle in before the race.
Friday, August 24, 2007
San Francisco
We arrived in San Francisco after a 15 hour flight. Mitchell (the dancing baby) was really well behaved on the plane and danced the flight away in his bassinette to the amusement of the other passengers on the plane.
We checked in to the hotel put the bike together and went for a little roll around the city. The roads here are in pretty bad condition, so I’m glad to have the MTB.
Day 2: I got up early and did a session on the rollers out by the pool before we went to have a look at the city. We caught the cable car down to Fisherman’s Warf and had a look around. From there you get a great view of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. There is also a large colony of seals lazing in the sun.
From there we walked up some massive hills to the top of Lombard street – the curviest street in the world. Then we walked over to Union Square, where I played with Mitchell in the park while Kate went shopping on 5th Avenue.
Day: 3 Slept in a little but headed out by 8am for a ride over the Golden Gate Bridge. I was told to head left after crossing the bridge for a scenic hilly loop ride. It sure was hilly and incredibly steep but the legs didn’t seem to mind. I came back to the hotel via Lombard Street -entertaining the tourist by riding up the hills.
We checked in to the hotel put the bike together and went for a little roll around the city. The roads here are in pretty bad condition, so I’m glad to have the MTB.
Day 2: I got up early and did a session on the rollers out by the pool before we went to have a look at the city. We caught the cable car down to Fisherman’s Warf and had a look around. From there you get a great view of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. There is also a large colony of seals lazing in the sun.
From there we walked up some massive hills to the top of Lombard street – the curviest street in the world. Then we walked over to Union Square, where I played with Mitchell in the park while Kate went shopping on 5th Avenue.
Day: 3 Slept in a little but headed out by 8am for a ride over the Golden Gate Bridge. I was told to head left after crossing the bridge for a scenic hilly loop ride. It sure was hilly and incredibly steep but the legs didn’t seem to mind. I came back to the hotel via Lombard Street -entertaining the tourist by riding up the hills.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Chase The SUN
It was time to put the finishing touches on the worlds preparation. I was confident we could get the money up for grabs after setting some PB's during training leading up. Russell Collete(Kona) was taking a well earned break which provided a perfect opportunity to team up with fellow Giant rider Murry Spink.
Great morning with the temperature perfect for racing. The first lap was brutal as Jack and Jason (Felt racing) pushed me hard for the first half a lap before i was able to hold it in the red zone for the rest of the lap to gain a handy lead.
Murry continued where i left off extending our lead further. From then on i just seemed to relax and really enjoy the trails. I had one minor hic up breaking my front derailleur on my 2nd last lap, leaving me with one option "ride the big dog home".
Murry finished it of for us taking line honors, making it 3wins from 3 races in the serries.
I thought the series was a great success and look forward to the next one. Hope you all enjoyed yourselves as much as i did. I will be updating on how things look and feel on the lead up to the 24 Hour Worlds in Monteray. For now though a couple of easy days to recover before flying.
Great morning with the temperature perfect for racing. The first lap was brutal as Jack and Jason (Felt racing) pushed me hard for the first half a lap before i was able to hold it in the red zone for the rest of the lap to gain a handy lead.
Murry continued where i left off extending our lead further. From then on i just seemed to relax and really enjoy the trails. I had one minor hic up breaking my front derailleur on my 2nd last lap, leaving me with one option "ride the big dog home".
Murry finished it of for us taking line honors, making it 3wins from 3 races in the serries.
I thought the series was a great success and look forward to the next one. Hope you all enjoyed yourselves as much as i did. I will be updating on how things look and feel on the lead up to the 24 Hour Worlds in Monteray. For now though a couple of easy days to recover before flying.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Bendigo 6 hour
The day started well with the sun poking its head out early for a great day of racing.
Everyone was able to set up on the side of the track which made for a good atmosphere each time you came around.
The race started on time with a frantic pace after someone overtook me down a hill. After the first lap i wish i had the dually for the course was pretty bumpy. For the next 4 hours i was able to maintain the lead in the overall bike race before the Specialized train caught me. In the end i took the win in solo men which has now cemented the series for me. I had a great time and look forward to the next event.
Someone asked how i was leading the race for so long? So here is a training/racing tip to pass on to everyone. The more efficient and smooth you ride the longer you can maintain your pace. Sounds easy, no it's not. Every little acceleration bad line or bobbing around while climbing is costing you energy. If you wish to ride more efficiently and smoother you have to slow down your riding while training and work on your lines, body position through corners, braking before corners not during, and learn to carry momentum which is the single most important thing on a mountain bike. You can't learn to do this while you are going flat out, you have to slow down and teach the body to do it automatically.
Good luck and enjoy the trails.
Everyone was able to set up on the side of the track which made for a good atmosphere each time you came around.
The race started on time with a frantic pace after someone overtook me down a hill. After the first lap i wish i had the dually for the course was pretty bumpy. For the next 4 hours i was able to maintain the lead in the overall bike race before the Specialized train caught me. In the end i took the win in solo men which has now cemented the series for me. I had a great time and look forward to the next event.
Someone asked how i was leading the race for so long? So here is a training/racing tip to pass on to everyone. The more efficient and smooth you ride the longer you can maintain your pace. Sounds easy, no it's not. Every little acceleration bad line or bobbing around while climbing is costing you energy. If you wish to ride more efficiently and smoother you have to slow down your riding while training and work on your lines, body position through corners, braking before corners not during, and learn to carry momentum which is the single most important thing on a mountain bike. You can't learn to do this while you are going flat out, you have to slow down and teach the body to do it automatically.
Good luck and enjoy the trails.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Weekend at Kooralbyn
Photo: Evan Jeffery
Photo: Evan JefferyI had another big week of training and still had a 12 hour race to come on Saturday. A visit to Rosanna Remedial Massage Thursday night sorted out my legs and all was set for Saturday’s race.
I arrived in Brisbane at 9.00am and met up with Craig Peacock. We picked up the hire car and headed off to Kooralbyn. We stopped briefly in Beaudesert for a hair cut (always good to support the local economy) and to pick up supplies.
By the time we reached Kooralbyn the temperature was climbing to the expected top of 27oC - very nice but a shock to the system.
After lunch we headed out to have a look at the race track. My first impression - fast, dry and hard like concrete. These were perfect conditions to test my new tyres from GKA Sports (GEAX Mezcal 1.90 a dry fast rolling race tyre.) before the worlds. The course was 11km long and didn’t have much climbing.
I had a good nights sleep and woke up early feeling ready to race. I didn’t know how the race would pan out so thought the best tactic would be to just ride tempo lap on lap off with Belle and see how things went.
The race started on time and I managed to get a good start behind Andrew Bell for the first lap. For the next 6 hours we did lap on lap off having fun trying to style it up for Even Jeffery who was their taking heaps of photos.
I arrived in Brisbane at 9.00am and met up with Craig Peacock. We picked up the hire car and headed off to Kooralbyn. We stopped briefly in Beaudesert for a hair cut (always good to support the local economy) and to pick up supplies.
By the time we reached Kooralbyn the temperature was climbing to the expected top of 27oC - very nice but a shock to the system.
After lunch we headed out to have a look at the race track. My first impression - fast, dry and hard like concrete. These were perfect conditions to test my new tyres from GKA Sports (GEAX Mezcal 1.90 a dry fast rolling race tyre.) before the worlds. The course was 11km long and didn’t have much climbing.
I had a good nights sleep and woke up early feeling ready to race. I didn’t know how the race would pan out so thought the best tactic would be to just ride tempo lap on lap off with Belle and see how things went.
The race started on time and I managed to get a good start behind Andrew Bell for the first lap. For the next 6 hours we did lap on lap off having fun trying to style it up for Even Jeffery who was their taking heaps of photos.
The next 6 hours the bike just seemed to roll faster and faster - Duncan from DIY MTB said it would take some hours of riding to run in the new enduro bearings. By 6pm it was time for lights. My new Enduro Blast light from Nightlightning turned night into day and made the last 3 hours no different from riding during the day.
Overall the race went exactly to plan and I had another win. My nutrition was perfect (special thanks to Dad and Marlene for taking time out from their holiday to feed me), my GIANT ADVANCE worked a treat and allowed me to finish the race in great shape and ready for the next one.
Thank you to Two Wheel Promotions, the volunteers and all competitors for an enjoyable event.
Next race is the 6 hour in Bendigo 12th of August.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
