I've been a bit slow about getting a report in for this one what with all the festivities and me being lazy. Vicky and I headed over to Hetton Lyons Country Park, a regular Cyclo-X venue, for round 3 of the NECCA.
I always enjoy the courses at Hetton, they tend to be fast, in good condition and imaginative, not to mention that you can even have a hot shower afterwards! As ever the fields where a good size with about 40 riders in the Senior race which was last to run. Vicky was struggling for motivation as she was the sole female in the field and so simply had to finish to win, i was not expecting great things as i had not raced in over a month and this would only be my third cross of the season, I've also been maintaining my strict regime of never training on a cross bike.
Despite having muscled in to start at the front of the grid i got my usual quality start and was about 40th going into the first corner, i just cannot get the hang of clipping into SPDs, probably practice would help. In a race made interesting by off camber frozen turf which was nigh on impossible to ride i spent my time riding a steady tempo and climbing as high as 6th place going into the final lap. Two riders kicked past me on the final lap and i couldn't up my rhythm, i have a bad enough kick during the race season, in December I'm just stuck in diesel mode and can't respond to anything. I was pleased with 8th overall and enjoyed the blow out, i also achieved my race objective of not falling off which is more than can be said for most people in the treacherous conditions, i lost count of the number of people i passed on the ground.
Vicky tooled round in training mode and used the event to practice her bike handling skills, being a lighter (or possibly the lightest!) rider made the icy conditions almost impossible at times and she was often forced to tackle sections of the course on foot (not always much easier).
All in all an enjoyable day and another chance to fly the KeswickBikes colours, I'm sure we'll be back on (and off) the cross bikes a few more times this season. Have a good new year.
Saturday, 29 December 2007
Wednesday, 26 December 2007
dave has gone all cross
i decided that this year to get what i really want for xmas i would have to buy it myself which led to the purchase of a cyclocross bike and after a couple of hours playing the mud on boxing day im looking forward to the cyclocross season ahead and getting back into racing which i miss terribly.
and with the imminent ordering of my track bike ill be spoilt for choice as to whether to stay nice and warm indoors or go out in the mud?? also my new de marchi winter jacket came tody which is well toasty so i would advise getting one, and the pockets are enormous, always a bonus to fill with food, so after the mileage thats left to do this week ill be on a weeks break before starting the cross the day after my birthday in january, i cant think of a better present. ill keep the blog updated with progress in the cross/ track/ other amusing or interesting events. might even get some photos in.
and with the imminent ordering of my track bike ill be spoilt for choice as to whether to stay nice and warm indoors or go out in the mud?? also my new de marchi winter jacket came tody which is well toasty so i would advise getting one, and the pockets are enormous, always a bonus to fill with food, so after the mileage thats left to do this week ill be on a weeks break before starting the cross the day after my birthday in january, i cant think of a better present. ill keep the blog updated with progress in the cross/ track/ other amusing or interesting events. might even get some photos in.
Monday, 24 December 2007
Plans for the Year Ahead
Am currently planning my 2008 calendar. Why does it seem to be that there are some months with nothing and then Mountain Mayhem, the National Road Race Champs and then the Marmotte all run consecutively? Answers on a post card please.
Other than that, haven't been racing, as there haven't been many races to do...will be doing the couple of cross races that are left in January, and then it will be looking towards the early season RTTC-Rudy Project Time Trials and then Road Racing! Wohoooo. OOoooh, and I have decided I am going to try some Triathlons this season, there are two main reasons: a) I would like to be a well-rounded individual, not just legs with twigs poking out the top (body, arms ect.), b) I have discovered I am still counted as a juniour in Triathlon terms, yeeeeeeey!
Other than that, haven't been racing, as there haven't been many races to do...will be doing the couple of cross races that are left in January, and then it will be looking towards the early season RTTC-Rudy Project Time Trials and then Road Racing! Wohoooo. OOoooh, and I have decided I am going to try some Triathlons this season, there are two main reasons: a) I would like to be a well-rounded individual, not just legs with twigs poking out the top (body, arms ect.), b) I have discovered I am still counted as a juniour in Triathlon terms, yeeeeeeey!
Sunday, 23 December 2007
Well, finally managed to get round to posting a blog!! It's hard to find time to do it when every minute of the day seems to be taken up with either work, family of training.
Very jealous reading about everyone's tales of biking up endless passes with the sun beating down. Although the weather has been very cold here, I've actually been enjoying getting out over the past couple of weeks. It's been nice not to have to battle against a head wind and torential rain. As a result training is going pretty well - getting a reasonable number of miles in and it's actually structured for once rather than just pushing mysef every time I go out!
In terms of competing over the winter, I'm not going to do any Cyclocross as my dodgy ankle (a fell running injury) wouldn't take the stick. I've been doing the local West Coast Trailquest league which is as ever good crack and a hard 2.5 hour blast on a Sunday each month. I've been competing as a pair with Paul Cornforth and so far we've won both events. The night series has brought mixed fortunes. The first event started in Cleator Moor and after half an hour I found myself completely lost on Flat Fell (turns out it's not that flat!) - another couple of mistakes and a couple of over the bars resulted in a fairly dismal result. The second event last wednesday from Cockermouth was more succesful despite having an intermittently frozen free hub. The event was a 1 hour trailquest around town followed by a time trial (strictly a trailquest round a set course for legal reasons). I was 3rd after the TQ but managed to get the fastest time on the time trial which based on the way the point scoring worked meant I won!
The next TQ is on the 6th of January so if anyone fancies giving it a go let me know.
The first real event of the year which Andy and myself are aiming for is on the 19th of January which is the Strathpuffer - a 24hr MTB race near Inverness. Potential for 24hrs of pure suffering depending on weather. Even if the weather is good there'll probably still be at least 20 hours of suffering. We're competing as a team of four with Ben Bardsley and Paul Cornforth being the other members of the team. Should be a good team and I'm sure there'll be some good banter even if it is dark for 17 hours and likely to be several degrees below freezing.
We're currently struggling to get an entry for the Transalp which was our main focus for the year. We weren't fast enough to get one of the 300 online entries so fingers crossed for the next chance where names are drawn out of a hat on 7th of Jan for the last 200 places.
Hopefully Alistair will get a ride sorted over Christmas so that we can all meet up.
Happy Christmas
Very jealous reading about everyone's tales of biking up endless passes with the sun beating down. Although the weather has been very cold here, I've actually been enjoying getting out over the past couple of weeks. It's been nice not to have to battle against a head wind and torential rain. As a result training is going pretty well - getting a reasonable number of miles in and it's actually structured for once rather than just pushing mysef every time I go out!
In terms of competing over the winter, I'm not going to do any Cyclocross as my dodgy ankle (a fell running injury) wouldn't take the stick. I've been doing the local West Coast Trailquest league which is as ever good crack and a hard 2.5 hour blast on a Sunday each month. I've been competing as a pair with Paul Cornforth and so far we've won both events. The night series has brought mixed fortunes. The first event started in Cleator Moor and after half an hour I found myself completely lost on Flat Fell (turns out it's not that flat!) - another couple of mistakes and a couple of over the bars resulted in a fairly dismal result. The second event last wednesday from Cockermouth was more succesful despite having an intermittently frozen free hub. The event was a 1 hour trailquest around town followed by a time trial (strictly a trailquest round a set course for legal reasons). I was 3rd after the TQ but managed to get the fastest time on the time trial which based on the way the point scoring worked meant I won!
The next TQ is on the 6th of January so if anyone fancies giving it a go let me know.
The first real event of the year which Andy and myself are aiming for is on the 19th of January which is the Strathpuffer - a 24hr MTB race near Inverness. Potential for 24hrs of pure suffering depending on weather. Even if the weather is good there'll probably still be at least 20 hours of suffering. We're competing as a team of four with Ben Bardsley and Paul Cornforth being the other members of the team. Should be a good team and I'm sure there'll be some good banter even if it is dark for 17 hours and likely to be several degrees below freezing.
We're currently struggling to get an entry for the Transalp which was our main focus for the year. We weren't fast enough to get one of the 300 online entries so fingers crossed for the next chance where names are drawn out of a hat on 7th of Jan for the last 200 places.
Hopefully Alistair will get a ride sorted over Christmas so that we can all meet up.
Happy Christmas
Thursday, 20 December 2007
No Rain In Spain... And Mainly on the Turbo Train(er)
As the title suggests, sub zero temperatures have severely limited my riding since I returned from what, rather grandly, be called the KMB training camp.
During the course of the week I shed 4 kg, probably on the first day's utter shoeing from Ali and Neil over 3 large passes. I bucked my ideas up seriously after that and was actually starting to feel like a cyclist at the end of the week. I always find that after an utter disaster of a day the best thing to do is remind yourself tomorrows another day and your first chance to put it right, and i'm getting it right now.
Back to Cumbria and i've been tapping out really easy 4 hour base rides at the weekends, largely on main roads due to icy conditions, and (stunningly for me) staying off the hills. I'm feeling better every ride and just about to go onto a rest week timed conviniently for Christmas (coincidence? Don't you believe it). After that i can start to put some tempo work into my rides on the road and the turbo.
And speaking of Turbo training... I have now exhausted my collection of cycling DVDs that i watch through the winter months of sweating it out on the home trainer. Donations or recommendations welcome. Something really exciting and inspiring, i'm thinking, like the Pantani retrospective or some burly guy shouting "motivational" slogans. Wait a second... Good God! Thats.. Thats Andy Wrigleys music!
During the course of the week I shed 4 kg, probably on the first day's utter shoeing from Ali and Neil over 3 large passes. I bucked my ideas up seriously after that and was actually starting to feel like a cyclist at the end of the week. I always find that after an utter disaster of a day the best thing to do is remind yourself tomorrows another day and your first chance to put it right, and i'm getting it right now.
Back to Cumbria and i've been tapping out really easy 4 hour base rides at the weekends, largely on main roads due to icy conditions, and (stunningly for me) staying off the hills. I'm feeling better every ride and just about to go onto a rest week timed conviniently for Christmas (coincidence? Don't you believe it). After that i can start to put some tempo work into my rides on the road and the turbo.
And speaking of Turbo training... I have now exhausted my collection of cycling DVDs that i watch through the winter months of sweating it out on the home trainer. Donations or recommendations welcome. Something really exciting and inspiring, i'm thinking, like the Pantani retrospective or some burly guy shouting "motivational" slogans. Wait a second... Good God! Thats.. Thats Andy Wrigleys music!
Tuesday, 11 December 2007
Just thought i'd leave my first comment on the new blog! Sounds like you had a great time in Spain... whilst we where all riding in freezing rain and wind! I've been trying to knock out the miles over the last 3 months, but a pulled muscle in my left bum cheek, followed by a chest infection, have managed to force 3weeks off. I've been back riding again, getting the 180-200 miles a week in plus a gym session; a weird site as i go with a runner, so there are two little weedy kids surrounded by men chocablock with muscle! well thats all i can think of for now, so hopefully i'l hear or see from you soon
Monday, 10 December 2007
No Rain in Spain!
So, back to good old England it is then. Pity that. Spain was rather nice, around 25degrees most of the time, which I'll be honest with you here, I can cope with. Phil, Ali, Neil Withington (Anderson Racing) and I have just spent seven days in Estopona, on the South Coast of Spain.
My main objective for the week was to do base training, just riding easy and having plenty of time for rest and recovery. I had been advised to do no more than 3hours a day, as the road season is still a long way off, but this was actually quite difficult to manage, it was such a joy to ride over there, so easy to get out and stay out, that I didn't want to stop riding. Having other people to ride with was also a huge benefit, not only did it mean there was always someone to hide behind if it got windy, but it made the time just fly by too. Having only ever trained on my own before this was a revelation!
Having done very little research on the area we were going to be riding in, it was a little suprising to find that the only non-major road that took us away from our apartment was a 15km long pass, which lead to...more passes. I personally love riding in the hills, so this was all good with me. If we wanted to do easy miles on the flat then we went along the main coast road which was rolling and had very tolerant drivers. It can be all to easy in this area to look at the map and take a 'short-cut' which turns out to have about 2000metres of climbing.
One of my major downfalls is my lack of ability to eat and drink the amount I should while riding, so this is something else I was really concentrating on 8while in Spain, Torq bars and gels along with Sports Beans were all the order of the day, just need to actually drink something along with them now...
At the end of every ride we all had the joy of riding back up the road to the apartment, a 'lovely' sweeping, extremely steep, hill which I'm sure on a number of occasions we could have done without.
All in all, a really good week, and definately an excellent oppurtunity to get some miles in while the weather has been so dreary in England. Perhaps the most important thing of all about the whole trip? My bike survived the two flights without being crushed, dented, chipped or otherwise harmed, wohooo!
Weeeell, most of the time (Gibraltar in the background).
My main objective for the week was to do base training, just riding easy and having plenty of time for rest and recovery. I had been advised to do no more than 3hours a day, as the road season is still a long way off, but this was actually quite difficult to manage, it was such a joy to ride over there, so easy to get out and stay out, that I didn't want to stop riding. Having other people to ride with was also a huge benefit, not only did it mean there was always someone to hide behind if it got windy, but it made the time just fly by too. Having only ever trained on my own before this was a revelation!
Having done very little research on the area we were going to be riding in, it was a little suprising to find that the only non-major road that took us away from our apartment was a 15km long pass, which lead to...more passes. I personally love riding in the hills, so this was all good with me. If we wanted to do easy miles on the flat then we went along the main coast road which was rolling and had very tolerant drivers. It can be all to easy in this area to look at the map and take a 'short-cut' which turns out to have about 2000metres of climbing.
One of my major downfalls is my lack of ability to eat and drink the amount I should while riding, so this is something else I was really concentrating on 8while in Spain, Torq bars and gels along with Sports Beans were all the order of the day, just need to actually drink something along with them now...
At the end of every ride we all had the joy of riding back up the road to the apartment, a 'lovely' sweeping, extremely steep, hill which I'm sure on a number of occasions we could have done without.
All in all, a really good week, and definately an excellent oppurtunity to get some miles in while the weather has been so dreary in England. Perhaps the most important thing of all about the whole trip? My bike survived the two flights without being crushed, dented, chipped or otherwise harmed, wohooo!
The views while riding were pretty good.
Weeeell, most of the time (Gibraltar in the background).Monday, 3 December 2007
Rain, rain, rain
the last few weeks all seem to have something in common, there hasnt been a dry ride in them, this recent 250 mile a week flurry of activity has been a bit damp but hopefully will pay off in the coming season. as a result im a bit jealous of peoples trips to spain but looking forward to getting a track bike to do some of the friday night leagues on the velodrome. (warm and dry) for now its off into the rain.... again. talk soon.
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