Since i got back i have hit Jeff,s Shed regularly stepping up the weight training focusing on creating more strength and power for the xc racing coming up. While i was away Jeff has updated his training equipment, now with a full range of Kettle Bells. These are the single most effective piece of training equipment i have ever used.
Jeff has being training me now since 2000 and he still shows me new and improved ways to train the body for our sport. Every so often he makes breakthroughs that are incredibly affective for our sport. Jeff has a diploma in Human Movement which is why he is able to Analise our sport and then put together such affective training sessions.
If you are interested in learning more about how to cross train to improve your MTB riding Jeff has sessions during the week and a Sunday afternoon class at 5pm that will finish you off for the week and set the standard for the next one.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
6 Hour at Officer
Well first week back on the bike and finishing it of with a hit out at Officer. I teamed up with Jim Hsu for some speed training in the Fat Tyre Flyers 6 hour Enduro. It was a pretty laid back affair with all of us still feeling the drain of last weekends 12 hour. The course did not let us down with some fun single track and sharp punchy climbs. Laps were quick (under 20mins), so lap on lap off was tough but affective training. Both Jim and I had done a 5 hour ride around Kinglake and Yarra Glen the day before so we were always going to feel the step climbs by the end of the day. We finished 4th in the 2 man category behind some very good opposition. Thanks to the Fatty's for a new fun track and another great event.
With no races for me until the Mont i will be clocking some big miles over the next few weeks training with Joel Reed and Jason Jackson to keep me honest and the riding tough.
With no races for me until the Mont i will be clocking some big miles over the next few weeks training with Joel Reed and Jason Jackson to keep me honest and the riding tough.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Werribee 12 Hour
No better way to get back into riding after a short break, than to have a race. An email from the Felt Team a week earlier asking if i would like to race with them at Werribee was just what i needed after things went pear shaped at the worlds.
With it all hush hush that i would be racing with the Felt team, i wandered around chatting with everyone pretending i was just there to watch. The race started and Jack buried himself to open the bank account by wining the prologue. Jason and Ash took the pressure off me by sending me out with a good buffer. After not ridding for 2 weeks the first lap was a shock to the system. To my surprise i was only 20 seconds off fastest lap (incredible what rest can do). Being so close to the fastest lap i thought i would have a shot. With a clear lap i was able to do this adding to the days bank account. Into the night and the Specialized Team not far behind we had to keep punching out the quick laps and by the end i was feeling the toll, cramping the whole way round my last lap.
In the end we had a win and an enjoyable day. The new lighting system from Nightlightning provided plenty of light for us to set the fastest night laps. My Giant Advance made the rocky course easy to negotiate.The Geax tyres were fast and bomb proof yet again.
Also i would like to congratulate Ben Randall an his Solo win. Looks like i will have even more competition from now on.
Now if you want to know how fast it was at the 24 Hour Worlds. Imagine starting a 24 hour race as fast as my first few laps and then just trying to maintain that pace for the rest of the race (no joke).
With it all hush hush that i would be racing with the Felt team, i wandered around chatting with everyone pretending i was just there to watch. The race started and Jack buried himself to open the bank account by wining the prologue. Jason and Ash took the pressure off me by sending me out with a good buffer. After not ridding for 2 weeks the first lap was a shock to the system. To my surprise i was only 20 seconds off fastest lap (incredible what rest can do). Being so close to the fastest lap i thought i would have a shot. With a clear lap i was able to do this adding to the days bank account. Into the night and the Specialized Team not far behind we had to keep punching out the quick laps and by the end i was feeling the toll, cramping the whole way round my last lap.
In the end we had a win and an enjoyable day. The new lighting system from Nightlightning provided plenty of light for us to set the fastest night laps. My Giant Advance made the rocky course easy to negotiate.The Geax tyres were fast and bomb proof yet again.
Also i would like to congratulate Ben Randall an his Solo win. Looks like i will have even more competition from now on.
Now if you want to know how fast it was at the 24 Hour Worlds. Imagine starting a 24 hour race as fast as my first few laps and then just trying to maintain that pace for the rest of the race (no joke).
Monday, September 3, 2007
24 Hour World Championship MTB Race
Well the 24 hour championships have been raced. The team had mixed results with some outstanding achievements. There were 3 age group world titles won by Australians and a number of podium finishes. They were Joel Denny under 25, Jeff Toohey 30-35 and Craig Peacock defending his title 40-45.
For me it didn’t turn out the way we would have liked but that’s racing. I felt great on the start line, ready for a good performance. I was first in from the run and lead them out on the first lap. The pace was set so I backed of a little. Kelly went up the road about half way round the first lap and I remember saying “I’II see you later” to which Tinker replied “no you won’t” and went off after him. My heart rate at this stage was 184bpm and it was 30+degrees, so I had no choice but to back off. They put time into me for about the next 6 hours but then I was holding and by midnight I had the gap at about 12 minutes and was still feeling good in third and confident I would catch them.
Unfortunately I had used too much endura in training before the race and we ran out by Midnight. Then at about 2am my battery ran out as I was heading out so I had to go back to the pits for a new one. When thing stuff up they really stuff up. Kate was over picking up my drink bottle and the battery I grabbed was dead, so back to the pits to try again. This time I got it right. About half way round that lap I just lost it in the head. Carl had found me wondering the track and walked me back to pit lane (Many thanks).
I take full responsibility for what happened and make no excuses. For the race I feel I peeked perfectly but on the day they were better. In all races there are critical points in them you either get it right or it’s over. For me midnight was this point as I was gaining time on 1st and 2nd .To run out of endura was a big mental blow. The next was the battery incident. These two blows where just too much for me to deal with at the time, the lesson to learn: make sure they don’t happen as it is too critical for success.
I am disappointed I didn’t tough it out and hang on for 3rd but it didn’t happen. For now I will take a well earned break and then look at the next lot of races - who knows maybe next year everything will go perfectly and I will be able to hold it together. Never give up and stay focused on your dreams. Finally congratulations to Tinker who at 47 has won his 1st World Title.
I would like to thank all my sponsors and people that made this possible. They were:
GIANT BIKES perfect bikes (light and responsive), NIGHTLIGHTNING (long range even spread light perfect for those fast fire road descents), GKA Sports (fastest tires I’ve ridden), D.I.Y MTB (fast, smooth bearings), My incredible wife Kate for her support, Rob who looked after my bikes, Jeff’s shed for his overall body conditioning, Craig Peacock who showed me a way to monitor training and how to peak for an event, Rosanna Remedial Massage, The Australian Brick and Blocklaying Training Foundation, and our families.
For me it didn’t turn out the way we would have liked but that’s racing. I felt great on the start line, ready for a good performance. I was first in from the run and lead them out on the first lap. The pace was set so I backed of a little. Kelly went up the road about half way round the first lap and I remember saying “I’II see you later” to which Tinker replied “no you won’t” and went off after him. My heart rate at this stage was 184bpm and it was 30+degrees, so I had no choice but to back off. They put time into me for about the next 6 hours but then I was holding and by midnight I had the gap at about 12 minutes and was still feeling good in third and confident I would catch them.
Unfortunately I had used too much endura in training before the race and we ran out by Midnight. Then at about 2am my battery ran out as I was heading out so I had to go back to the pits for a new one. When thing stuff up they really stuff up. Kate was over picking up my drink bottle and the battery I grabbed was dead, so back to the pits to try again. This time I got it right. About half way round that lap I just lost it in the head. Carl had found me wondering the track and walked me back to pit lane (Many thanks).
I take full responsibility for what happened and make no excuses. For the race I feel I peeked perfectly but on the day they were better. In all races there are critical points in them you either get it right or it’s over. For me midnight was this point as I was gaining time on 1st and 2nd .To run out of endura was a big mental blow. The next was the battery incident. These two blows where just too much for me to deal with at the time, the lesson to learn: make sure they don’t happen as it is too critical for success.
I am disappointed I didn’t tough it out and hang on for 3rd but it didn’t happen. For now I will take a well earned break and then look at the next lot of races - who knows maybe next year everything will go perfectly and I will be able to hold it together. Never give up and stay focused on your dreams. Finally congratulations to Tinker who at 47 has won his 1st World Title.
I would like to thank all my sponsors and people that made this possible. They were:
GIANT BIKES perfect bikes (light and responsive), NIGHTLIGHTNING (long range even spread light perfect for those fast fire road descents), GKA Sports (fastest tires I’ve ridden), D.I.Y MTB (fast, smooth bearings), My incredible wife Kate for her support, Rob who looked after my bikes, Jeff’s shed for his overall body conditioning, Craig Peacock who showed me a way to monitor training and how to peak for an event, Rosanna Remedial Massage, The Australian Brick and Blocklaying Training Foundation, and our families.
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