Well I was told that I could'nt win the championship on my AVCC licence and I didn't.
Its a shame in some in some ways since the course today was really to my liking, had some real hills in it and was generally pretty fast and I seem to prefer it when its fast rather than just plain 'gutty'. Still I was in the 'money' yet again and I beat the two guys that squeezed me out yesterday.
More of that later. I was a little surprised at how big deal the event was today and the VWF really did a great job, but then I think they are probably the most organised of all the bodies in Belgium. So it was almost a mini world champioship really, guys from all over on the start line, well all over Europe and me anyway.
There were some things that amused me before the start, not the least my friendly 'jury' lady telling me that she had told all the other riders as they signed on that they can ignore me for the championship. Yeh right!
I was flagged down by a group of ladies as I was rolling around a few minutes before the start because they wanted to take a close look at my jersey. So fellow GVCA'ers our jersey is officially a babe magnet, well maybe not babe's!
What was more ego building was the number of people who said to me before the start that they thought I was the best sprinter in the field and they thought that I should have won yesterday, well I agreed with should have won yesterday but I don't have a handle on being the best but I do think that certain riders are now very wary of me, which is probably not a good thing.
The start / finish area was a classic Belgian race environment, cigar smoke, beer, hot dogs, hamburgers, onions, frites it was great, cos there was a pretty decent crowd as well. I have soem photo's but lack the means to get them onto my PC here.
The course started with 90 degree right 50m after the start, straight up a hill about 4/5% for 1km, then a fast slightly down hill run, the road twisting right and left but mostly fast corners, then 90 degree left straight into a savage block headwind ( I really didn't like this bit) for about 700m, then 90 degree left into a cross headwind for about 1km that turned into a fast downhill into a 90 degree left, still slightly down hill for maybe 500m, then a 90 degree right down a steep ramp and then immediately up an equally steep ramp, 90 degree left the wrong way through a roundabout (shade of Le Tour) then a 1km straight cross wind into a 90 degree left for 300m with a tailwind, 90 degree right for 100m into a 90 degree left (wrong side of a roundabout) then up a 200m ramp (about 6%), 90 degree left onto the home straight (straight into the block headwind), 300m to the line.
So I generally enjoyed the long uphill, I was able to move up quite easily there most laps, I enjoyed the fast stretches, but I'm not as strong as the top guys into the wind but I can do it, I cornered as quickly as any body, better than most and on this course there were no corners that I didn't do well.
The race started in the rain and the boys were very respectful of the corners in the wet, more so than I wanted to be especially the fast downhill left hander which we were approaching at about 60 clicks basically I flew down the outside every time into that, it was a good test of carbon rims and swisstop brake blocks, they work fine absolutely no qualms.
For the first 4 laps (of 8) I concentrated on just staying near the front but not getting too involved, if I'm honest I had set myself to go 4 laps and call it a day but at 4 laps down I was OK and rolled down my arm warmers since the rain has stopped. With 4 laps down the race pace started going up a notch as more and more groups tried to get away.
At this point I should mention that all the top guns were there from the day before, plus a few others, one guy that I remembered from my last visit, a total maniac on hilly course but can't sprint plus a whole host of visiting dutch riders so there were quite a few fresh legs in the race.
My two protaganist from yesterday were there, one was easy to spot he's the Belgian champion, so no mug, and a very strong bike rider but not as quick in a straightline as me, I was getting some respect from him, the other guy turned out to be a bit of a mongrel, three times he tried to ride me into a wall at 50 clicks, the first time I thought he had not seen me but after that....
Coming up to two to go there were four away, I was busting my b.... to across this guy was on my wheel, attacked me at the top of the downhill, but then started braking he seemed to be happier at 50/55kph, I moved around him very happy to go into the corner at 60kph, he tried to push me into the wall of the terrace houses whipping past my right ear, he got shoved out of the way, I dropped him going through the corner and chased the break almost to the finish line when a group of six came up with my 'mate' in tow, he immediately attacked and I managed one 'last' effort to latch on the back. At this point we are 50m off the back of the front group, then we got into the usual nonsense where we aren't going to work together we are going to attack each other to get across on our own. Well I didn't I was just hanging on for awhile, I really had tried very hard to get across.
Anyway we are going nowhere but the front group wasn't either, moving ahead again just about 20 second away, very frustrating. We came into the last lap still jumping about but making no progress. Coming up the last ramp before turning onto the home straight I moved onto my 'mates' wheel, he launched out of the corner with me on his wheel, I went past him, he sat up, I went 10m futher the sat up myself turning to indicate to him that it was just to easy. I think that situation might run through the next few races.
I'm not sure but I think I may have done better than anybody else that raced on Saturday, not that counts over much when you are finishing 8th!
I'm definitely having a few easy days now.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
I was robbed!
Well I thought so anyway, no really dangerous moves but very effectively squeezed at the finish from both sides so I had to brake when I should have been just flowing through the middle. To rub salt into the wound cos I was braking over the last 40m I even got nipped for 3rd, bugger, from that excellent feeling when you know you have the legs of everyone in the sprint to fourth in a blink! Double bugger I know I won't get too many chances like that.
From the way the first two shook hands, I think they knew exactly what they had done, or maybe I'm being paranoid. I would probably have done the same, but boy I really rode the sprint well so I'm disappointed that the chance slipped by.
Anyway back to the beginning. I wasn't going to race today until checking the details for the race I had intended to ride on Sunday, its billed as the European Championship so I worried that I wouldn't get a start so I raced today.
As it happens, my friendly lady that runs the sign on and the judging, told me when I came to the table to collect my money, that I should start tomorrow, I can win the race, but not the championship. She also said that I should tell the other riders that too so they would ignore me when I broke away. Fat chance, of me breaking away or of them letting me.
Today's weather was overcaste but about 22c so ideal except for the wind that got stronger and changed direction while we were racing. A tree actually blew down on the back straight while we were racing. While I was doing a warm down lap it started spotting with rain, so we were lucky, the next races weren't.
The course was fairly straightforward, 8 x 7km laps. From the start line it was straightish, the road moving left and right quite a bit with a headwind, into a fast 90 degree right that was onto what I was thinking as the back straight, about 2km and tailwind, I enjoyed this stretch, up a little ramp and straight into a 110 degree right into a 500m straight which was into the wind, 90 degree right another 2+km straight that turned itself back into the wind, 75 degree right for 400m, then 90 degree right into what was the home straight, with about 1km to the line straight back into the wind but the houses did give some shelter. At 300m to there was this savage traffic calming ramp that threw the bike up into the air, 10m across the top of it, then whack back down again. At 150m to go there was some building works which squeezed the road down to one lane then the finish.
To be honest I was sort of hoping that with a championship the next day some of the 'guns' might take a rest. No chance every good rider that I have come across so far was on the start line, no easy ride then.
It was very nice to get some 'hello's etc before the start, including a 'hello Ray' from the strong man from the strong team I mentioned earlier in the blog. While I was doing my warm down lap I was chatting to a Dutch guy, they always speak good English, who was trying to get me up to Amsterdam next weekend to ride a big criterium, I will have a look at it but its probably further than I want to travel.
To be honest some of these guys are so strong I find it really difficult to go blow by blow with them. Today I never managed to move off the front with a reasonable looking group, I was always bridging on my own. When I was doing it down the fast back straight it was no problem, I have loads of speed but anywhere I was out in the wind it was a real struggle. I remind you of how the races go here, somebody launches out after a break away group and they batter themselves to get there, if you happen to jump on their wheel, you attack them when they start to fade, no working together, so that's why I try to get the job done with my speed, cos I'm not as physically strong as these guys.
So the race was attack and counter attack all the way, at two to go I was suddenly aware that there were 3/4 riders still in the race that I didn't know where there. From there it was just rider after rider launching off, as soon as one was brought back, the next went, I was hanging on saving my legs for a sprint, hoping that the group would be intact cos I never had it in me to get off the front on my own, in anycase they weren't going to allow that and I knew it.
I didn't mention the last corner, it was the one on the course that I just didn't seem to get quite right, it seems that there always (at least) one, today it wa the last. I think I'd be a lot happier if we just took them no brakes, I think some of the guys brake unnecessarily, however on the last lap it was fine, everybody left, 15 I think, was absolutely full on.
I had moved up into the last corner and came out of it moving to exactly where I wanted to be, right in the mix but not at the front, it was a strong headwind finish. During the race I thought that bloody hump in the road would play some part, I was right, somebody tried to attack onto it but they were soon blown away, coming past the road works, third, I got that wonderful feeling that comes with realising that the two riders in front of you are at max and you haven't really opened up yet. Of course I then picked it to blow straight through the middle, you know the rest, bugger again.
I guess if I had been a 'real' sprinter I would have carried on and hit one or both of them on the way through, maybe a headbutt? but I'm a long way from home with only one bike, one set of wheels and definitely one body.
Real shame I don't suppose I'll get many chances like today, still for a second or two it was a great feeling.
Maybe I'll race tomorrow although I know I shouldn't.
From the way the first two shook hands, I think they knew exactly what they had done, or maybe I'm being paranoid. I would probably have done the same, but boy I really rode the sprint well so I'm disappointed that the chance slipped by.
Anyway back to the beginning. I wasn't going to race today until checking the details for the race I had intended to ride on Sunday, its billed as the European Championship so I worried that I wouldn't get a start so I raced today.
As it happens, my friendly lady that runs the sign on and the judging, told me when I came to the table to collect my money, that I should start tomorrow, I can win the race, but not the championship. She also said that I should tell the other riders that too so they would ignore me when I broke away. Fat chance, of me breaking away or of them letting me.
Today's weather was overcaste but about 22c so ideal except for the wind that got stronger and changed direction while we were racing. A tree actually blew down on the back straight while we were racing. While I was doing a warm down lap it started spotting with rain, so we were lucky, the next races weren't.
The course was fairly straightforward, 8 x 7km laps. From the start line it was straightish, the road moving left and right quite a bit with a headwind, into a fast 90 degree right that was onto what I was thinking as the back straight, about 2km and tailwind, I enjoyed this stretch, up a little ramp and straight into a 110 degree right into a 500m straight which was into the wind, 90 degree right another 2+km straight that turned itself back into the wind, 75 degree right for 400m, then 90 degree right into what was the home straight, with about 1km to the line straight back into the wind but the houses did give some shelter. At 300m to there was this savage traffic calming ramp that threw the bike up into the air, 10m across the top of it, then whack back down again. At 150m to go there was some building works which squeezed the road down to one lane then the finish.
To be honest I was sort of hoping that with a championship the next day some of the 'guns' might take a rest. No chance every good rider that I have come across so far was on the start line, no easy ride then.
It was very nice to get some 'hello's etc before the start, including a 'hello Ray' from the strong man from the strong team I mentioned earlier in the blog. While I was doing my warm down lap I was chatting to a Dutch guy, they always speak good English, who was trying to get me up to Amsterdam next weekend to ride a big criterium, I will have a look at it but its probably further than I want to travel.
To be honest some of these guys are so strong I find it really difficult to go blow by blow with them. Today I never managed to move off the front with a reasonable looking group, I was always bridging on my own. When I was doing it down the fast back straight it was no problem, I have loads of speed but anywhere I was out in the wind it was a real struggle. I remind you of how the races go here, somebody launches out after a break away group and they batter themselves to get there, if you happen to jump on their wheel, you attack them when they start to fade, no working together, so that's why I try to get the job done with my speed, cos I'm not as physically strong as these guys.
So the race was attack and counter attack all the way, at two to go I was suddenly aware that there were 3/4 riders still in the race that I didn't know where there. From there it was just rider after rider launching off, as soon as one was brought back, the next went, I was hanging on saving my legs for a sprint, hoping that the group would be intact cos I never had it in me to get off the front on my own, in anycase they weren't going to allow that and I knew it.
I didn't mention the last corner, it was the one on the course that I just didn't seem to get quite right, it seems that there always (at least) one, today it wa the last. I think I'd be a lot happier if we just took them no brakes, I think some of the guys brake unnecessarily, however on the last lap it was fine, everybody left, 15 I think, was absolutely full on.
I had moved up into the last corner and came out of it moving to exactly where I wanted to be, right in the mix but not at the front, it was a strong headwind finish. During the race I thought that bloody hump in the road would play some part, I was right, somebody tried to attack onto it but they were soon blown away, coming past the road works, third, I got that wonderful feeling that comes with realising that the two riders in front of you are at max and you haven't really opened up yet. Of course I then picked it to blow straight through the middle, you know the rest, bugger again.
I guess if I had been a 'real' sprinter I would have carried on and hit one or both of them on the way through, maybe a headbutt? but I'm a long way from home with only one bike, one set of wheels and definitely one body.
Real shame I don't suppose I'll get many chances like today, still for a second or two it was a great feeling.
Maybe I'll race tomorrow although I know I shouldn't.
Friday, July 15, 2011
What a difference a day makes!
Waking up this morning the weather couldn't have been more different, going to bed early with rain and drizzle, waking up to clear bluse skies, fantastic.
Two hours today a cross between an easy endurance day and pre race day in terms of effort. Probably more like a Fartlek day, doing a bit of a mix, just doing what I felt like at the time, all very relaxing and I felt a heap better for a having a complete day off the bike.
I even did a bit of exploring today, it was such a nice day that I tried a couple of new roads today just to see where they went. For such a populous place with some very busy places, Its truly remarkable that you can also find some really really quiet places, just you and the birds, a few cows and a lot of horses, brilliant.
I decided on my ride that I wouldn't race on Saturday, I would race on Sunday and then Wednesday, however just checking the detail I see the race that I had selected for Sunday is the European Championship, so I may not be able to start, I know I can't take the title but if I go along and then can't start that would be a bummer. So I will race tomorrow just to be sure.
There are two (nearby) races to choose from, one is on a course I don't really like or more precisely I don't like the finish, the last 200m turns through 90 degrees, I'm not super keen on those, so I'll go to the other in Appels, either one is only 15 minutes away.
I would have preferred another day before a race but I don't not want to race this weekend. So midday in Appels is where I'll be tomorrow,
Two hours today a cross between an easy endurance day and pre race day in terms of effort. Probably more like a Fartlek day, doing a bit of a mix, just doing what I felt like at the time, all very relaxing and I felt a heap better for a having a complete day off the bike.
I even did a bit of exploring today, it was such a nice day that I tried a couple of new roads today just to see where they went. For such a populous place with some very busy places, Its truly remarkable that you can also find some really really quiet places, just you and the birds, a few cows and a lot of horses, brilliant.
I decided on my ride that I wouldn't race on Saturday, I would race on Sunday and then Wednesday, however just checking the detail I see the race that I had selected for Sunday is the European Championship, so I may not be able to start, I know I can't take the title but if I go along and then can't start that would be a bummer. So I will race tomorrow just to be sure.
There are two (nearby) races to choose from, one is on a course I don't really like or more precisely I don't like the finish, the last 200m turns through 90 degrees, I'm not super keen on those, so I'll go to the other in Appels, either one is only 15 minutes away.
I would have preferred another day before a race but I don't not want to race this weekend. So midday in Appels is where I'll be tomorrow,
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Total rest day
Well I knew I was going to have a very easy day today but steady rain interspersed with heavy rain convinced me that a complete day off the bike is exactly what I needed.
There are a few things that I might have done if the weather had been more cooperative, indeed if the weather had been nice I would have gone for a nice cruisey bike ride just to turn the legs over, but with the rain that hasn't stopped all day I decided the first day of the British Open Golf on TV was compelling this morning, followed by the Tour for 4 hours this afternoon, both watched while laid out on the bed. Can't be more restful than that can it!
Nice dinner this evening and early to bed, the weather forecast is better for tomorrow, I hope it is going to be.
There are a few things that I might have done if the weather had been more cooperative, indeed if the weather had been nice I would have gone for a nice cruisey bike ride just to turn the legs over, but with the rain that hasn't stopped all day I decided the first day of the British Open Golf on TV was compelling this morning, followed by the Tour for 4 hours this afternoon, both watched while laid out on the bed. Can't be more restful than that can it!
Nice dinner this evening and early to bed, the weather forecast is better for tomorrow, I hope it is going to be.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Race day - Koeklare
In reality I knew I shouldn't race today, the racing's hard and I know from past years that 3 races in 5 days is not sensible, my body doesn't recover.
However when I decided that I would race I was thinking of two factors, one that due to my lack of racing this year and particulary no racing for a month just prior to coming here, I know I need some racing in my legs to sharpen up. Secondly since a day of heavy rain was forecast I decided that if I was going to get wet I might as well race! As it happened it was a dry race. Of course I love to race, that's why I'm here, its just better fun when you are competitive.
The drive over was easy, a bit longer in K's than I normally do but all on the freeway until the last few K so a really easy journey. So I was in deepest West Flanders, home to many of those iconic Belgian 'bergs', like the Kemmel. Today's course was pan flat. As I drove into the village, I realised that I'd raced there before, in fact I was 2nd the last time I rode when the sprint suited me fine, about 2km straight run into the line. This year different course, totally different finish, not so good legs either!
I went to sign on, the ladies running the sign on remembered me. I had been a bit sneaky with the sign on inasmuch for reasons not clear to me they ran the O50 race first followed by the O60 race and finally the U50 race. So by turning up at the sign on after the O50 race had started sticking me in there was not an option. So after a conflab with the chief official, he agreed I should start in the O60 race. Not sure why they started the O50's at 3.0pm, there were only 20 in their race, but surely most of that field will be working? The O60 race had I think 49 and started at 4.30pm, the U50 race started at 6.00pm and had about 70 starters. In both the other races the winning break went off the line and were never caught.
The weather was very overcaste but didn't rain, pretty cool about 16c and very windy.
The course was quite frankly a bitch! Immediately after the start/finish line was a 90 degree right hander down a straight that meandered left and right and had street furniture alternating left and right side, every 50m, for about 750m. At speed this straight had only one line for a single file bunch because you couldn't move either side to move up cos you faced a wooden post and some vegetation. At the end of this straight was a 90 degree right followed by another 90 degree right in about 50m, onto a headwind straight slightly shielded by a grove of trees, this was about 300m long followed by a 90 degree right onto a narrow road that was straight into the headwind for maybe 500m, 90 degree right onto a 300m stretch that bent left, then into a 90 degree right, 30m into a 90 degree right, straight into a left, leaving a 131m to the line (measured by my SRM). So you can see why it was a sprint that didn't suit me very much at all with 3 corners in the last 200m.
The circuit was supposed to be 3km (I think it was 2.8k) and we definitely had 20 laps to race. I was also paying attention but we got a lap board from about 8 to go.
My legs were not good from the start, I felt really flat, analysis of my SRM shows that whilst it wasn't very hard in terms of wattage, my heart rate remained low, for me a sure sign that I am tired.
Anyway, I was thinking after 7/8 laps that I would pull out but then reasoned that I was still in the mix, holding in about 10th place but not really enjoying it but that I should knuckle down.
In short although I felt pretty average it would have been better if the race had been harder. Time and time again a 'selection' of 8/10 of the strongest riders forced itself off the front, only for it to ease up and some of the lesser lights rejoined. Problem was the rejoining riders kept coming round and trying to slot in at the front, so there was a continuous selection of dead wheels to worry about everytime it arced up,very irritating. I would have been much happier if the pressure had stayed on, it would have been easier as well.
So we had a bunch that was a nice manageable 8/10 riders one lap and unwieldy 25 riders the next. It was such a narrow course, moving up was very very difficult almost everywhere.
We were moving quickly through 4 and 3 to go, with the hardcore of around 10 maintaining the leading places, everybody else in their rightful places, behind and out of the way. Really flew through 2 to go and then as we were coming through the headwind section coming up to the bell we stopped, so savagely riders needing to break hard to not run into wheels, consequently we are swamped with a bunch of riders that quite frankly from there just got in the way, so difficult was it to move up.
Going through the bell we had one rider about 50m off the front 20 chasing hard so that we are in a line with me way to far back, picking of riders in each corner then we got into the last k it was just so difficult, with that complex of corners in the last 200m, you had to be there or very brave. So all of a sudden we had riders deciding they were opting out of the sprint coming back at you whilst others, me, are still trying to press forward.
To cut it short, I was never in a good enough position to win, we blew past the breakaway rider and by straightlining the last left hander by bunny hopping the curb, using the pavement for 20m to pass riders, passing one rider in the short straight, I managed 6th. I think on another day I might have been strong enough to take it out from about 1000m out but not today. So from feeling pretty average I think I'm quite pleased with the result and now I'm definitely going to have 2 days break before my next race, I hope I'll be fresher by Saurday.
However when I decided that I would race I was thinking of two factors, one that due to my lack of racing this year and particulary no racing for a month just prior to coming here, I know I need some racing in my legs to sharpen up. Secondly since a day of heavy rain was forecast I decided that if I was going to get wet I might as well race! As it happened it was a dry race. Of course I love to race, that's why I'm here, its just better fun when you are competitive.
The drive over was easy, a bit longer in K's than I normally do but all on the freeway until the last few K so a really easy journey. So I was in deepest West Flanders, home to many of those iconic Belgian 'bergs', like the Kemmel. Today's course was pan flat. As I drove into the village, I realised that I'd raced there before, in fact I was 2nd the last time I rode when the sprint suited me fine, about 2km straight run into the line. This year different course, totally different finish, not so good legs either!
I went to sign on, the ladies running the sign on remembered me. I had been a bit sneaky with the sign on inasmuch for reasons not clear to me they ran the O50 race first followed by the O60 race and finally the U50 race. So by turning up at the sign on after the O50 race had started sticking me in there was not an option. So after a conflab with the chief official, he agreed I should start in the O60 race. Not sure why they started the O50's at 3.0pm, there were only 20 in their race, but surely most of that field will be working? The O60 race had I think 49 and started at 4.30pm, the U50 race started at 6.00pm and had about 70 starters. In both the other races the winning break went off the line and were never caught.
The weather was very overcaste but didn't rain, pretty cool about 16c and very windy.
The course was quite frankly a bitch! Immediately after the start/finish line was a 90 degree right hander down a straight that meandered left and right and had street furniture alternating left and right side, every 50m, for about 750m. At speed this straight had only one line for a single file bunch because you couldn't move either side to move up cos you faced a wooden post and some vegetation. At the end of this straight was a 90 degree right followed by another 90 degree right in about 50m, onto a headwind straight slightly shielded by a grove of trees, this was about 300m long followed by a 90 degree right onto a narrow road that was straight into the headwind for maybe 500m, 90 degree right onto a 300m stretch that bent left, then into a 90 degree right, 30m into a 90 degree right, straight into a left, leaving a 131m to the line (measured by my SRM). So you can see why it was a sprint that didn't suit me very much at all with 3 corners in the last 200m.
The circuit was supposed to be 3km (I think it was 2.8k) and we definitely had 20 laps to race. I was also paying attention but we got a lap board from about 8 to go.
My legs were not good from the start, I felt really flat, analysis of my SRM shows that whilst it wasn't very hard in terms of wattage, my heart rate remained low, for me a sure sign that I am tired.
Anyway, I was thinking after 7/8 laps that I would pull out but then reasoned that I was still in the mix, holding in about 10th place but not really enjoying it but that I should knuckle down.
In short although I felt pretty average it would have been better if the race had been harder. Time and time again a 'selection' of 8/10 of the strongest riders forced itself off the front, only for it to ease up and some of the lesser lights rejoined. Problem was the rejoining riders kept coming round and trying to slot in at the front, so there was a continuous selection of dead wheels to worry about everytime it arced up,very irritating. I would have been much happier if the pressure had stayed on, it would have been easier as well.
So we had a bunch that was a nice manageable 8/10 riders one lap and unwieldy 25 riders the next. It was such a narrow course, moving up was very very difficult almost everywhere.
We were moving quickly through 4 and 3 to go, with the hardcore of around 10 maintaining the leading places, everybody else in their rightful places, behind and out of the way. Really flew through 2 to go and then as we were coming through the headwind section coming up to the bell we stopped, so savagely riders needing to break hard to not run into wheels, consequently we are swamped with a bunch of riders that quite frankly from there just got in the way, so difficult was it to move up.
Going through the bell we had one rider about 50m off the front 20 chasing hard so that we are in a line with me way to far back, picking of riders in each corner then we got into the last k it was just so difficult, with that complex of corners in the last 200m, you had to be there or very brave. So all of a sudden we had riders deciding they were opting out of the sprint coming back at you whilst others, me, are still trying to press forward.
To cut it short, I was never in a good enough position to win, we blew past the breakaway rider and by straightlining the last left hander by bunny hopping the curb, using the pavement for 20m to pass riders, passing one rider in the short straight, I managed 6th. I think on another day I might have been strong enough to take it out from about 1000m out but not today. So from feeling pretty average I think I'm quite pleased with the result and now I'm definitely going to have 2 days break before my next race, I hope I'll be fresher by Saurday.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Another recovery day
Boy I think I needed it too.
Decided to go and ride the 'other' canal route I ride but avoiding the industrial side of Aalst, I did that Ok, realised I'd missed a turn but decided to wing it anyway. I thought I was way to the right of where I should be but finished up riding more or less a circle but at least I finished up at the other canal so had my recovery ride OK. It was beautifully sunny today and very hot out of the wind, not that there was much chance of that on the canal.
Biggest obstacle apart from getting lost, again, was the advent of the organised bike tours that use the myriad of marked bike trails, many of which travel for at least part on the canal roads. These rides have a leader with fluoro jacket and a loud whistle, plus a tail guard or whipper in! I had to negotiate 3 of these armada's today, two coming towards me, one I had to overtake. The thing is we're talking about 30/40 grannies ( and a few grandad's) bearing down on you on their 50kg street bikes taking up the whole width of the path, with a fair amount of wobbling, scary stuff I can tell you!
I think I'm going to race tomorrow with the OVWF in KOEKELARE MOKKER which is further away than I normally go but since 90% of the drive will be on the motorway it will still only be about an hour. There are two things that might go against that; as I write this blog its raining and I believe the forcaste is wet and windy tomorrow, having said that I'm fine in the wet, just adjust the tyre pressure and normally good in the wind. Also the OVWF was the organisation that 'promoted' me to the O50 race after the riders complained that I was spoiling there races the last time I was here! I won't get up in the O50 race.
So we'll see how tomorrow pans out, I thought I would race tomorrow because I think I still need races and racing tmorrow with then give a full 3 day recovery for a Saturday race.
Decided to go and ride the 'other' canal route I ride but avoiding the industrial side of Aalst, I did that Ok, realised I'd missed a turn but decided to wing it anyway. I thought I was way to the right of where I should be but finished up riding more or less a circle but at least I finished up at the other canal so had my recovery ride OK. It was beautifully sunny today and very hot out of the wind, not that there was much chance of that on the canal.
Biggest obstacle apart from getting lost, again, was the advent of the organised bike tours that use the myriad of marked bike trails, many of which travel for at least part on the canal roads. These rides have a leader with fluoro jacket and a loud whistle, plus a tail guard or whipper in! I had to negotiate 3 of these armada's today, two coming towards me, one I had to overtake. The thing is we're talking about 30/40 grannies ( and a few grandad's) bearing down on you on their 50kg street bikes taking up the whole width of the path, with a fair amount of wobbling, scary stuff I can tell you!
I think I'm going to race tomorrow with the OVWF in KOEKELARE MOKKER which is further away than I normally go but since 90% of the drive will be on the motorway it will still only be about an hour. There are two things that might go against that; as I write this blog its raining and I believe the forcaste is wet and windy tomorrow, having said that I'm fine in the wet, just adjust the tyre pressure and normally good in the wind. Also the OVWF was the organisation that 'promoted' me to the O50 race after the riders complained that I was spoiling there races the last time I was here! I won't get up in the O50 race.
So we'll see how tomorrow pans out, I thought I would race tomorrow because I think I still need races and racing tmorrow with then give a full 3 day recovery for a Saturday race.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Mendonk Race another flipping sprint 2nd!
I decided to race today despite preferring to race every third day, I found my recovery just isn't complete if I race too often, especially at the moment when I don't think my body is 'race hardened' but I'm getting there.
Today was nice and warm, 25c, much less wind, but its never not windy in flat flanders, a bit like Gippsland in that respect but very unlike it in every other respect. For instance when I was driving to the race today I passed through the heavy industry area on the outskirts of Ghent pretty ugly but every country has one of these sectors. If you understand where Ghent sits in the country, the site of ocean going ships docked makes you look twice even though I've seen often enough before, the waterway sysem is just so impressive.
I've raced at Mendonk before, winning the bunch sprint for third in 2009, to be honest there are courses I much prefer but the finish does suit me to a T. The course is so complex its difficult to describe but the first two thirds snakes across narrow concrete farm roads before coming onto the finish straight with maybe 2km to the line. There are so many changes of direction with most of the straight bits being between 200m and 500m, some of the corners are pretty difficult with the washed out gulley's on the side. I nearly lost it on one of these with two laps to go when a particularly tall chap caused me to change my line at the last minute so missed the turning in point, and there was only one!, consequently I was running out of road on the way out and had to stand my bike on its nose to avoid the drop off! There were a few 'comments' from behind, of course I had to apologise and do the right thing by closing the gap I had left.
That's why I ride the smallest bike I can get away with, with the longest stem that I can buy, small bikes are more nimble than big ones.
I started the race thinking that my legs weren't great and I would go to half way (8 lap race) before I got involved, do what I have to, but remain calm, save my legs. A factor in all my races so far has been the presence of a particularly strong team with 5/6 of the strongest riders, they have dictated the racing loading up the breaks, then defending their team mates, consequently it seemed prudent to only expend my efforts in response to break groups that had 2/3 of these guys in it.
I jumped across to two breaks in the first laps! so much for my plan. But I felt good there were some spots on the course where my speed was a real asset, what I lacked was the ability to sustain it for too long. I knew my FTP (threshold) wasn't where it could be but I am able to arc it up for 60/90 seconds to bridge gaps very well. So I concentrated my efforts in bridging gaps to everything that looked promising, but nothing stuck even though there were 10 attempts each lap.
Consequently we were all together starting the last lap. Unfortunately we didn't get a last lap call, unusually for me I didn't have a grip on where we were in the race. Others were in the same boat but the lap was full on and I was definitely getting a bit jaded jumping out of those tricky corners, thinking we were coming round to the bell I was trying to save my legs as much as possible.
We came onto the home straight in three groups still in the hunt with a single guy about 100m off the front, I was in the third group saving my legs, we all came together, apart from the one guy, at 750m to go so I was on the back, I should point out there were 12/15? in the group. At 600m I'm thinking these guys are setting up for a sprint, at 500m to go I'm looking to move up but just like Saturday, I was going fast but not yet sprinting, at 350m I committed down the right overtaking many, at 200m to go I knew I was blocked there, cut back into the middle, found a gap, moved through one guy still in front of me, I had to cut right (or left) to take him. As I moved up on him he moved across me to the barriers to block me, so second again!!! third in the race.
I had to hang about to get my prize money in the biggest tent I have ever been in, the 'Festent', wher they party big time. This tent seated over 600 people, I was there far too long and counted the seats! had a stage, a dance area, a big bar with seperate seating and an indoor archery butt! Yep archery and it was incredibly popular, people turning up with their own bows and all the kit, amazing stuff. But it was incredibly hot in there and to be honest, I had enjoyed the race, well almost, and should have just left the money for the WAOD funds, it wasn't worth waiting an hour for I can tell you.
One of the up points is that more and more of the guy are at least saying hello now, but English is a problem for most of them.
Before the race I bumped into a brit, he's 81, looks great and races in the over 70's. I coached his son at one stage in the 80's good bike rider but never went on with it, apparently he's a swim coach now.
I'm ready for another rest day tomorrow.
Today was nice and warm, 25c, much less wind, but its never not windy in flat flanders, a bit like Gippsland in that respect but very unlike it in every other respect. For instance when I was driving to the race today I passed through the heavy industry area on the outskirts of Ghent pretty ugly but every country has one of these sectors. If you understand where Ghent sits in the country, the site of ocean going ships docked makes you look twice even though I've seen often enough before, the waterway sysem is just so impressive.
I've raced at Mendonk before, winning the bunch sprint for third in 2009, to be honest there are courses I much prefer but the finish does suit me to a T. The course is so complex its difficult to describe but the first two thirds snakes across narrow concrete farm roads before coming onto the finish straight with maybe 2km to the line. There are so many changes of direction with most of the straight bits being between 200m and 500m, some of the corners are pretty difficult with the washed out gulley's on the side. I nearly lost it on one of these with two laps to go when a particularly tall chap caused me to change my line at the last minute so missed the turning in point, and there was only one!, consequently I was running out of road on the way out and had to stand my bike on its nose to avoid the drop off! There were a few 'comments' from behind, of course I had to apologise and do the right thing by closing the gap I had left.
That's why I ride the smallest bike I can get away with, with the longest stem that I can buy, small bikes are more nimble than big ones.
I started the race thinking that my legs weren't great and I would go to half way (8 lap race) before I got involved, do what I have to, but remain calm, save my legs. A factor in all my races so far has been the presence of a particularly strong team with 5/6 of the strongest riders, they have dictated the racing loading up the breaks, then defending their team mates, consequently it seemed prudent to only expend my efforts in response to break groups that had 2/3 of these guys in it.
I jumped across to two breaks in the first laps! so much for my plan. But I felt good there were some spots on the course where my speed was a real asset, what I lacked was the ability to sustain it for too long. I knew my FTP (threshold) wasn't where it could be but I am able to arc it up for 60/90 seconds to bridge gaps very well. So I concentrated my efforts in bridging gaps to everything that looked promising, but nothing stuck even though there were 10 attempts each lap.
Consequently we were all together starting the last lap. Unfortunately we didn't get a last lap call, unusually for me I didn't have a grip on where we were in the race. Others were in the same boat but the lap was full on and I was definitely getting a bit jaded jumping out of those tricky corners, thinking we were coming round to the bell I was trying to save my legs as much as possible.
We came onto the home straight in three groups still in the hunt with a single guy about 100m off the front, I was in the third group saving my legs, we all came together, apart from the one guy, at 750m to go so I was on the back, I should point out there were 12/15? in the group. At 600m I'm thinking these guys are setting up for a sprint, at 500m to go I'm looking to move up but just like Saturday, I was going fast but not yet sprinting, at 350m I committed down the right overtaking many, at 200m to go I knew I was blocked there, cut back into the middle, found a gap, moved through one guy still in front of me, I had to cut right (or left) to take him. As I moved up on him he moved across me to the barriers to block me, so second again!!! third in the race.
I had to hang about to get my prize money in the biggest tent I have ever been in, the 'Festent', wher they party big time. This tent seated over 600 people, I was there far too long and counted the seats! had a stage, a dance area, a big bar with seperate seating and an indoor archery butt! Yep archery and it was incredibly popular, people turning up with their own bows and all the kit, amazing stuff. But it was incredibly hot in there and to be honest, I had enjoyed the race, well almost, and should have just left the money for the WAOD funds, it wasn't worth waiting an hour for I can tell you.
One of the up points is that more and more of the guy are at least saying hello now, but English is a problem for most of them.
Before the race I bumped into a brit, he's 81, looks great and races in the over 70's. I coached his son at one stage in the 80's good bike rider but never went on with it, apparently he's a swim coach now.
I'm ready for another rest day tomorrow.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Sore legs today, very much a recovery day.
Definitely have sore legs today so my ride was very cruisy, 2 hours along the canal, more or less dead flat, just spinning the legs. I'm going to race at Mendonk tomorrow afternoon and thats a course that definitely has narrow farm roads on it with lots of corners, so plenty of sprinting out of corners tomorrow. If I remember correctly the local farm traffic had made deep drop offs on either side of the road at all the corners, fine if you're in a tractor but very definitely 'exciting' if you get it a little wrong on a bike.
I was thinking about yesterdays race again and I wish I was better with words to more adequately describe how it really is, if you haven't been in a Belgian race its almost impossible to imagine how different it is from an oz (vets) race. Attacks go then riders will jump across one at a time til the front group is formed then its up to the riders in the bunch to jump across themselves, preferably hitching a ride on somebody elses wheel, there is no chance that the bunch will work together to pull back a break. If you are crossing a gap and have somebody on your wheel, then if you pull over to invite a turn this will illicit an immediate attack, if you don't pull over then as soon as you start to slow the rider sitting on your wheel will attack anyway.
Even in the break its all about continually 'testing' the others, there is a sort of cooperation buts its normal to jump through when you hit the front, none of the slick short turns of a Oz handicap, here the turns are long and hard and only when the rider at the front starts to falter is he relieved by the next rider charging through, got to love it, real racing.
Thats why I was getting quite into in the last couple of laps when the the whole race was attacking everbody, so to speak. It is a style of racing that ensures that only the strongest are there at the finish. I'm not sure too many of my normal peer group would enjoy, at least until they got the hang of it. It is why that a small country like Belgium punches above its weight in world terms.
The other thing I was thinking about yesterday, while I was watching the next race, the team strips are fantastic, really colourful, loads of advertising, they all look just like the pro's. Mind you I did spot one team that had 'camo' shorts as part of their colour scheme, different it definitely was maybe not quite as tasteful as some of the others though.
I waited to collect my prize money, I don't always, we're not racing for sheep stations, but with the VWF (yesterdays race) I pay 2 euros deposit on the number, so I had 12/15 Euro's coming. I like signing on with the VWF, the ladies speak English and are very organised. The race HQ was the ubiquitous village bar, with the bar at the front and I guess a function room at the back connected by a corridor say a metre and a half wide, the mens urinals were situated here, no screens just two urinals fixed to the wall, so you had to pee here with men, women and children brushing past you.
So I'm now lying on the bed watching GC favourites crashing out of the tour, I hope Cadel satys upright.
I was thinking about yesterdays race again and I wish I was better with words to more adequately describe how it really is, if you haven't been in a Belgian race its almost impossible to imagine how different it is from an oz (vets) race. Attacks go then riders will jump across one at a time til the front group is formed then its up to the riders in the bunch to jump across themselves, preferably hitching a ride on somebody elses wheel, there is no chance that the bunch will work together to pull back a break. If you are crossing a gap and have somebody on your wheel, then if you pull over to invite a turn this will illicit an immediate attack, if you don't pull over then as soon as you start to slow the rider sitting on your wheel will attack anyway.
Even in the break its all about continually 'testing' the others, there is a sort of cooperation buts its normal to jump through when you hit the front, none of the slick short turns of a Oz handicap, here the turns are long and hard and only when the rider at the front starts to falter is he relieved by the next rider charging through, got to love it, real racing.
Thats why I was getting quite into in the last couple of laps when the the whole race was attacking everbody, so to speak. It is a style of racing that ensures that only the strongest are there at the finish. I'm not sure too many of my normal peer group would enjoy, at least until they got the hang of it. It is why that a small country like Belgium punches above its weight in world terms.
The other thing I was thinking about yesterday, while I was watching the next race, the team strips are fantastic, really colourful, loads of advertising, they all look just like the pro's. Mind you I did spot one team that had 'camo' shorts as part of their colour scheme, different it definitely was maybe not quite as tasteful as some of the others though.
I waited to collect my prize money, I don't always, we're not racing for sheep stations, but with the VWF (yesterdays race) I pay 2 euros deposit on the number, so I had 12/15 Euro's coming. I like signing on with the VWF, the ladies speak English and are very organised. The race HQ was the ubiquitous village bar, with the bar at the front and I guess a function room at the back connected by a corridor say a metre and a half wide, the mens urinals were situated here, no screens just two urinals fixed to the wall, so you had to pee here with men, women and children brushing past you.
So I'm now lying on the bed watching GC favourites crashing out of the tour, I hope Cadel satys upright.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Race Aalst
Much much better race result today at Aalst but more of that later, first I need to catch up with yesterday when I seem to have had a mental abberration and missed my blog entry!
My only excuse was I got a bit out of synch with some shopping and other essential housekeeping stuff.
I did a 2 hour endurance ride in the morning mostly sat in the middle of my endurance range but added a few hills surges just to keep the race 'systems' awake and because I felt todays race may have some hills in it. A few things struck me when I was out, not literaly you understand, but to highlight the respect that cyclists generally get on the roads here, there were 5 seperate motorists that had edged across the bike path ready to do a turn or whatever, they all gave way and reversed back out of my path. I'm guessing that law says I have right of way, but would a motorist get out of your way like that in Australia? I think not!
Discovered another little problem while I was being domestic in the afternoon. I have usually got my petrol at the little gas station in the village where I stay, it used to be one of the few where someone came out and pumped gas for you. Not anymore like all the other garages I have seen, they've gone fully automated, which means no body manning the place and a definite understanding of cryptic Flemish to work the various options!
Fortunately a young chap who spoke pretty good English came to my rescue, after two women I first asked for help gave me some funny looks and a blast of Flemish. However the bl.... machine wouldn't take my credit card, most shops don't either, they only accept Belgian credit or debit cards, a real pain in the bottom. There was a machine that took cash notes, which I had, but I couldn't have negotiated the machine and the pump without the help of my new Belgian friend. The difficulty is that all banks won't give me cash and again the one that I had been using in the village is gone. Actually with the fallout in European banking its distinctly possible that the whole bank has gone!
Anway to catch up with today, the race was at Aalst which is only 5 minutes away, I thought of riding there and back which would have been no problem, just like the old days in fact, but it was drizzling here in the morning so I opted to go in the car. It didn't rain in the race.
The course was entirely in the town which in my experience is relatively rare, so no narrow concrete farm roads at all.
The course started more or less straight for about 750 metres, then a sweeping down hill left into a 90 degree right hander, 200m then a 90 degree left hander, then a wide straight for about 2km which was straight into the wind and for me the hardest part of the course, then a 90 degree left hander, 200m and a 150 degree right hander, this was a real close your eyes and commit job, 100m then a 90 degree left immediately into a 90 degree right hander that basically bought you onto the home straight which climbed at maybe 3% up through the finish. The problem here was all though it was 'straight' it was littered with wiggly bits, street furniture, taffic calming 'humps' and was one lane wide. I didn't really consider it a sprint for me, I'm much better when they're straight and fast, I can usually find a few extra KPH of a fast start, I'm not good at 'punchy' sprints.
So we were off, 39 starters I think I heard and the race caller was giving me, or at least Roy Rodez, a bit of a build up. This was a very very hard race, there were some very strong guys who were using the headwind straight to try and smash the race and another lot trying to kick out of the series of corners leading to the home straight. I tried to be a bit conservative for the first half of the race and got really involved in the second half of the race since I wasn't thinking it was going to be a sprint finish.
I lost count of the number breakaway attempts I tried or actually succeeded in getting into only for it to come together again, usually minus one or two rider, Coming round tto the bell on the headwind straight the whole race was in ones and two's along that straight, it was fantastic racing, nobody could sit on. This was repeated on the last lap and three guys were dangling off the front maybe 10/12 chasing, unfortunately they held on, just, cos the rest of us were fighting tooth and nail through every corner.
Through the 150 degree corner I think Casey Stoner would have been proud with how far I managed to lean the bike over (and gain3 places), however the infighting got a little more literal shortly after as riders were bouncing off each all over the place as the sprint kicked off in earnest at 500m to go. Now the thing is that I never actually sprinted, I couldn't get through so I was sitting back going fast with load left in the tank, with 50m to go there was a gap on the right and I was through, if it had been 60m I would have won the sprint, but in any case there were 3 away, however I said I would need a few races to pick up, so far I've been right so I hope theres more to come.
My only excuse was I got a bit out of synch with some shopping and other essential housekeeping stuff.
I did a 2 hour endurance ride in the morning mostly sat in the middle of my endurance range but added a few hills surges just to keep the race 'systems' awake and because I felt todays race may have some hills in it. A few things struck me when I was out, not literaly you understand, but to highlight the respect that cyclists generally get on the roads here, there were 5 seperate motorists that had edged across the bike path ready to do a turn or whatever, they all gave way and reversed back out of my path. I'm guessing that law says I have right of way, but would a motorist get out of your way like that in Australia? I think not!
Discovered another little problem while I was being domestic in the afternoon. I have usually got my petrol at the little gas station in the village where I stay, it used to be one of the few where someone came out and pumped gas for you. Not anymore like all the other garages I have seen, they've gone fully automated, which means no body manning the place and a definite understanding of cryptic Flemish to work the various options!
Fortunately a young chap who spoke pretty good English came to my rescue, after two women I first asked for help gave me some funny looks and a blast of Flemish. However the bl.... machine wouldn't take my credit card, most shops don't either, they only accept Belgian credit or debit cards, a real pain in the bottom. There was a machine that took cash notes, which I had, but I couldn't have negotiated the machine and the pump without the help of my new Belgian friend. The difficulty is that all banks won't give me cash and again the one that I had been using in the village is gone. Actually with the fallout in European banking its distinctly possible that the whole bank has gone!
Anway to catch up with today, the race was at Aalst which is only 5 minutes away, I thought of riding there and back which would have been no problem, just like the old days in fact, but it was drizzling here in the morning so I opted to go in the car. It didn't rain in the race.
The course was entirely in the town which in my experience is relatively rare, so no narrow concrete farm roads at all.
The course started more or less straight for about 750 metres, then a sweeping down hill left into a 90 degree right hander, 200m then a 90 degree left hander, then a wide straight for about 2km which was straight into the wind and for me the hardest part of the course, then a 90 degree left hander, 200m and a 150 degree right hander, this was a real close your eyes and commit job, 100m then a 90 degree left immediately into a 90 degree right hander that basically bought you onto the home straight which climbed at maybe 3% up through the finish. The problem here was all though it was 'straight' it was littered with wiggly bits, street furniture, taffic calming 'humps' and was one lane wide. I didn't really consider it a sprint for me, I'm much better when they're straight and fast, I can usually find a few extra KPH of a fast start, I'm not good at 'punchy' sprints.
So we were off, 39 starters I think I heard and the race caller was giving me, or at least Roy Rodez, a bit of a build up. This was a very very hard race, there were some very strong guys who were using the headwind straight to try and smash the race and another lot trying to kick out of the series of corners leading to the home straight. I tried to be a bit conservative for the first half of the race and got really involved in the second half of the race since I wasn't thinking it was going to be a sprint finish.
I lost count of the number breakaway attempts I tried or actually succeeded in getting into only for it to come together again, usually minus one or two rider, Coming round tto the bell on the headwind straight the whole race was in ones and two's along that straight, it was fantastic racing, nobody could sit on. This was repeated on the last lap and three guys were dangling off the front maybe 10/12 chasing, unfortunately they held on, just, cos the rest of us were fighting tooth and nail through every corner.
Through the 150 degree corner I think Casey Stoner would have been proud with how far I managed to lean the bike over (and gain3 places), however the infighting got a little more literal shortly after as riders were bouncing off each all over the place as the sprint kicked off in earnest at 500m to go. Now the thing is that I never actually sprinted, I couldn't get through so I was sitting back going fast with load left in the tank, with 50m to go there was a gap on the right and I was through, if it had been 60m I would have won the sprint, but in any case there were 3 away, however I said I would need a few races to pick up, so far I've been right so I hope theres more to come.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
RECOVERY DAY
I must admit my legs were a little sore this morning so a leisurely recovery ride along the Scheldte bike path was the order of the day. It was a bit windy so it wasn't always that easy but I managed to keep it spinning for a couple of hours watching the scenery, checking out the massive canal boats that deliver stuff all over. The owner/operators of these canal super barges live on board and basically go where the load takes them, they carry their car (sometimes two and a pleasure boat) on the roof of the accomodation part. I'd love to see how they get the cars off, it would take a big ramp, possibly by crane? Fascinating stuff but the bow waves that these boats put up is enormous, I guess a testimony to the power units that drive them. Anyway watching them this morning kept me amused for an hour or so while I rode along side.
Bit of a problem with the race programme, there were three races for me that show in the master calendar as being in a place called Burst which is a 10 minute bike ride from where I am staying so I was thinking that would work for me, the first is on Friday, unfortunately when I went to check the detail, a number of races seem to have been dropped off the schedule for these days, mine included - major bummer. I could probably get up in the 50 race but I don't think that's a good idea, so I'll have to rethink the schedule I think but in anycase there will be no race tomorrow. I was going to race Friday then again Sunday or Monday, now it will be Saturday and Monday for sure. The course for Monday's race I finished 3rd the last time I raced there so hopefully I will be getting good feelings in my legs by then.
Bit of a problem with the race programme, there were three races for me that show in the master calendar as being in a place called Burst which is a 10 minute bike ride from where I am staying so I was thinking that would work for me, the first is on Friday, unfortunately when I went to check the detail, a number of races seem to have been dropped off the schedule for these days, mine included - major bummer. I could probably get up in the 50 race but I don't think that's a good idea, so I'll have to rethink the schedule I think but in anycase there will be no race tomorrow. I was going to race Friday then again Sunday or Monday, now it will be Saturday and Monday for sure. The course for Monday's race I finished 3rd the last time I raced there so hopefully I will be getting good feelings in my legs by then.
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