Well i haven't done much riding since the 6 hour. Mitch had his first birthday today and is walking everywhere, getting into everything. Because of this he will be spending the weekend with his grandparents, hopefully they can bring him into line, but will probably encourage him and spoil him rotten.
I saw Phillip from Rosana Remedial Massage today for a tune up before the big race. It appears he has been doing some work on my competition Andrew Bell as well.
I will be running two light systems from now on, one the bike and one on the helmet. A new Digital Blast from Nightlighting arrived this morning. This will give me so much light it will be like riding during the day time which should also minimise any drop off in speed at night.
Anyway i better get more sleep cause I'm not going to get any Saturday night there are warewolfs in the forest.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Condition the body to handle pain and disconfort.
Well after the weekend i have decided to have a go at the Kona 24 Solo. I have been taking it relatively easy since the Mont and thought i would test my fitness on the weekend.
Saturday i was up at 3am and home by 10:45am with a solid 220km under the belt. This ride started in the Dandynongs and finished with the Hell ride and gave me some uncomfortable saddle sores.
Backing up on Sunday i headed up to Ballarat for the last round of the Enduro series . This was a tough 6 hour ride with about 3000m of climbing and the temperature above 30. This ride should have hardened me up a bit as i found it difficult to get comfortable on the bike and after the 4 hour mark took it very easy even having a dip in the creek. I only managed 4th but was able to take the Enduro series win for a second year.
I have always wanted to win the Kona Solo but it has always been at the end of the year and i have normally had enough of the solo stuff and enjoyed the team enviroment for a race. This year though i feel the need to harden up and just do it.
Saturday i was up at 3am and home by 10:45am with a solid 220km under the belt. This ride started in the Dandynongs and finished with the Hell ride and gave me some uncomfortable saddle sores.
Backing up on Sunday i headed up to Ballarat for the last round of the Enduro series . This was a tough 6 hour ride with about 3000m of climbing and the temperature above 30. This ride should have hardened me up a bit as i found it difficult to get comfortable on the bike and after the 4 hour mark took it very easy even having a dip in the creek. I only managed 4th but was able to take the Enduro series win for a second year.
I have always wanted to win the Kona Solo but it has always been at the end of the year and i have normally had enough of the solo stuff and enjoyed the team enviroment for a race. This year though i feel the need to harden up and just do it.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Listen to your body
Leading up to the Mont and just after i have been feeling pretty tired. I haven't felt like doing long rides on the weekends and have been skipping normal rides. This i have learnt is a sure sign i need some rest. It has been a big year with not much of a break so every time i skip rides my body has been shutting down more craving the added recovery. This has made me feel a bit lethargic without any go. If you ever feel this happen to you, take it easy for a week or two and get plenty of sleep. 2-3 weeks later you will find yourself in better than expected form and raring to go again.
Liking to shock the body back into things i will be heading up to the last round of the Enduro series at Ballarat on Sunday. A lazy 6 hour MTB ride in the heat should remind the body what it is all about and will be good preparation for the Kona 24 Hour.
Liking to shock the body back into things i will be heading up to the last round of the Enduro series at Ballarat on Sunday. A lazy 6 hour MTB ride in the heat should remind the body what it is all about and will be good preparation for the Kona 24 Hour.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Adelaide xc .
I raced the first round of the National xc series in Adelaide on Saturday.
The race was at the purpose built MTB Park at Eagle Hill. The park is the best MTB facility i have ridden in Australia. The trails are well made with a natural fun feel. The xc track had everything. It climbed from the start then went into a series of jumps and then into a long flowing section of single-track, some fast undulating single-track then ending with a long decent and short climb back to the finish.
Having flown in on the day i didn't have a chance to pre ride the course. With the course drying out from the overnight and morning rain i was looking forward to the race. After a good warm up i started on the last row. Heading up the first climb i was sitting on Sid's wheel in the top 15. When the opportunity to pass came Sid jumped hard and i tried to go with him. I made up a few places but was been held up in the single track. Then the rain came again making sections of the track quite difficult. I pulled away on the riders behind but was unable to catch the ones in front. With one last effort i chased hard on the last lap only to stray slightly off line entering the single-track with 5km to go slashing the rear tyre. I kept riding with it going down, gassing it when it got too flat and loosing a place just before the finish line. I managed a top 10 finish which is a good start.
Packing my bike and washing it for the flight home, the pouring rain couldn't wipe the smile off my face as that was one of the best xc tracks i have ever ridden/raced.
The race was at the purpose built MTB Park at Eagle Hill. The park is the best MTB facility i have ridden in Australia. The trails are well made with a natural fun feel. The xc track had everything. It climbed from the start then went into a series of jumps and then into a long flowing section of single-track, some fast undulating single-track then ending with a long decent and short climb back to the finish.
Having flown in on the day i didn't have a chance to pre ride the course. With the course drying out from the overnight and morning rain i was looking forward to the race. After a good warm up i started on the last row. Heading up the first climb i was sitting on Sid's wheel in the top 15. When the opportunity to pass came Sid jumped hard and i tried to go with him. I made up a few places but was been held up in the single track. Then the rain came again making sections of the track quite difficult. I pulled away on the riders behind but was unable to catch the ones in front. With one last effort i chased hard on the last lap only to stray slightly off line entering the single-track with 5km to go slashing the rear tyre. I kept riding with it going down, gassing it when it got too flat and loosing a place just before the finish line. I managed a top 10 finish which is a good start.
Packing my bike and washing it for the flight home, the pouring rain couldn't wipe the smile off my face as that was one of the best xc tracks i have ever ridden/raced.
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