Just rev - there ain't no brakes!

Tuesday 16 August 2011: First ever track race!! Been wanting to try out track racing for a while now, and finally built up the courage to give it a shot. 

Photo of an indoor cycling track

Brunswick club did a great job organising those races and the social atmosphere in the centre as you waited for your turn was really good too. Did 3 races - first and third were scratch races, where we did a set number of laps on the indoor cycling track and everyone would sprint for the finish. Race 2 was a points race, where there was 1 intermediate sprint (for points) and 1 final sprint. 

Brings me back to how it all started - SKCC's been organising "Try the Track" sessions since May - and I've been going out to DISC in Thornbury once a month. From having to hold onto the handrails just to clip into the bike, to gaining the courage to get onto the top of the track, to remembering to continue pedalling, to learning how to slow down and stop when there're no brakes - there was heaps of learning to be done - and it sure was exciting once you start learning them one by one. Once I started training with a squad,  I was then really keen to start racing.


The racing experience was entirely different compared to the road. For one, holding your line's extremely important (well, same goes for the road though you do have more room to manouvere), and it really was a true test of bike handling skills. The nature of the track with sloping angles (the steepest sections are 43 degrees - same as ski fields!)  meant that everyone wanted to be in the sprinter's lane as it was the shortest route to take. If you're up the top, you end up riding a longer route - that said, strategies do come into play as to why riders are up the top.


And - no brakes!! Track bikes have a  fixed rear wheel - "fixies"-  and you can't back pedal either. That effectively meant controlling your speed to hold onto someone else's wheel - and remembering to continue pedalling when you cross the finish line, or else, you'll see a rocket flying off the top of the handlebars! So there's the no brakes, no back pedalling, tight lanes, steep slopes - well, add in a couple more other riders around you jostling for a spot - that's track scratch racing. Two words - adrenaline and fun!! 

So I managed 5th in all 3 races - which isn't too bad for a first time. I was on a hired bike where the gears were way too small - and I was revving like a mad person when everyone else with bigger gears stood up and sprinted on the last lap. Well, just like the little kids on restricted gearing. High cadence is definitely a great skill to pick up though, and when you're forced onto a smaller gear - you just gotta spin! 


Definitely looking forward to heaps more track races ahead - there's so many disciplines - sprints, scratch, pursuit, points score, keirin - well, the time will come to try them all. Right now - have just ordered a new track bike to keep my roadie company - can't wait! This whole new dimension of racing bicycles is sure to keep me loving it and to continue chasing the next challenge ahead!

 

Fast and furious

Sunday 14th Aug 2011: Vic Criterium State titles at Eastern Gardens down in Geelong. It's sure been a while since I raced a criterium, but  mention the word crit, and I'd jump straight at it. 


The body and mind was still pretty tired and hadn't quite recovered from the race the day before. Nevertheless, I was really looking forward to the day's race. The chance to race with some of the best women in the country - nervous yet excited. 

At the start line (Photo by David Heatley)

After signing up, I did a couple of warm up laps of the 1.8km course, making sure to take note of the wind direction and the little climb on the course. As with all state titles, I had to put on a race number on my bike - that itself was enough to bring up a little nerves as I fiddled around trying to get the number in the right position. ( Note to self to find one of those clamps those other elite cyclists have). 


10 minutes before the start and everyone started gathering around the start line. I hurriedly downed one my gels, hoping the sugar and caffeine would wake me up a little. The fog had lifted and it was turning out to be a warm summers day in the middle of winter. As the girls started surrounding me, I realised there were so many of them - and everyone looked super pro! Ok..breath..


The marshal started counting down the time. 2 mins. 1 min. 10s. 5,4,3,2,1. Bang!! Everyone immediately jumped and surged forward. Woa!!  I barely had time to clip in, got caught behind someone, and very quickly found myself sprinting and chasing the peloton down. Probably should have paid a little more attention - I sure did not realise there was no neutral lap. 


At each corner the bunch would slow, and then immediately surged out of the corner. I was right behind the bunch, and constantly found myself trying to chase them down each time. I was spinning like a mad person and could barely change my gears quick enough. Each time I caught them, I sat right behind for a while, before the next corner, and it was the same process over and over. Slow down - massive surge - click, click, click - come on legs, rev faster. I sure had forgotten how fast crit racing, and it definitely was a little shock to the system.


And so lap after lap - I was constantly chasing and surging. The peloton was spread right across the road, and I couldn't quite decide who's wheel to sit on. It was funny that the fast pace was actually making me pretty sleepy as well with all the lactic acid built up. About 3/4's into the race, my right ribs starting hurting so bad and I was just about to throw up that I had get out of the drops onto the top handlebars. And in a blink of an eye the peloton was gone. As I tried my best to spin off the massive stitch, I realised it was almost impossible to chase them down, and decided then to pull out of the race. I hadn't quite prepared well for this race - thinking it was short and I could pull it off - well, big mistake. 

And so I finally had  my first DNF in a race - I rarely ever give up and always try my best to finish a race - this time I thought it was probably wise given my sleepy state could have been potentially dangerous in the bunch, and throwing up on a bike sure wouldn't be too pretty a sight. 


Nevertheless, it was definitely an awesome experience to race amongst the best girls in Australia. I had recorded my fastest average speed ever in a race, and have definitely set some new goals and new benchmarks to work towards since then. I did end up picking up a lot of tips and skills after on where I went wrong in the race (thanks heaps David!)  - will definitely remember them for the next crit. Just seen the new summer calendar and criterium racing season isn't too far off! Time to start polishing up those bike handling skills for the new season.




 

Psychological barrier

Saturday 13 Aug 2011. Today's race was one of those where I can barely recall the details.  My mind wasn't at it. The day seemed to have passed by in a blur. I had lost it and it was pretty much game over before I had even begun. 

Having planned this race as one of the bigger races on my road racing calendar, I woke up this morning all ready for the race. I was really looking forward to working with 2 of my other team-mates - looking forward to having a great race - feeling confident for a position.

I rocked up to the rego desk still having a laugh with one of my mates when the news broke - "You're racing in the next grade up." "What??" No, I totally wasn't prepared. "There's a small field of 8 - a lot of the elite women are racing somewhere else." No. "We've bummed one of your other team-mates up too." No. I continued to try to argue my way out of it. I took a quick glance at the start list and first thought was that they were trying to make numbers.  "It'll happen at some point." Well, I haven't won a race in the grade below yet. At some point..yes, just not today. It's way too early.  "It's not my decision - go ask so and so."  I knew it was pretty much a lost cause, a lost argument from there on. 


I paid up the race money, took my race number, and was still trying to come to terms with reality. I tried as best to prepare for the race, slowly dawning my kit, shoes and helmet on. I pretty much just stared at my bike - heart no longer at it. My body was cold, there was no adrenaline. Nothing. Too much anger at the organisers, too much emotion,  a lot of doubt, a lot of dissapointment -  I had lost focus, I had completely lost the game. Though having previously done 2 other bigger races, the hard hit of today's news had completely shattered me.


I rolled up to the start line mind in a jumble of thoughts. Started the race. Can't recall much. A few k's in, I realised I had even forgotten to start my bike computer. There was a breakaway. At one stage, we got caught behind the men that had passed us. I wasn't even paying attention to the wind direction, to what I was doing. An attack in the last km. I tried to jump on, but as the lactic acid started building, I mentally wasn't strong enough to hold it. Couldn't fight it. Not like I normally could. And then, it was race over.  Didn't get out for a full blown sprint.  Rolled pass the finish line in 6th. Dissapointed not from losing the race, but dissapointed from losing the mental game.


And so today was just one of those stumbling blocks. Being a good athlete is not just about physical strength - it's having the mental strength to push through when things get tough. It's having the desire for the win - and a lot of times getting the win is about how much you want it, how much you believe in it. 

A mistake made, a lesson learnt. Time to get over it, time to hunger for the next win.  Another big race tomorrow - and this time I'll be ready. Ready to race. Ready to give it all. There's no time for emotions - it's all about split second decisions - all about commitment.