Discovering..

Tues 27th Sept: A couple of weekends off racing - a little breather to focus on the training has been great. An awesome new coach, new training program - I'm just loving this sport more and more each day. Constantly learning new things, constantly being inspired by other great cyclists in the sport, constantly discovering more about myself as a cyclist, and constantly becoming more in-sync with my bike.  Off late, been discovering heaps of amazing rides across the other side of town too, which certainly is a nice change of scenery from good ol' Beach Road.

A Sunday morning ride to Sugarloaf Reservoir, Christmas Hills  - amazing scenery.

Oh..and finally I've my very own track bike! Finally time to say good-bye to the trusty old hired fixies.  Had my first spin last week and it certainly was a whole world of difference to be finally riding my own bike. Still working out a couple of adjustments and trying to get the perfect setup. A millimeter difference certainly makes a huge change to how comfortable I can get on the bike. Learning to be a track cyclist has been a whole new challenge too - from learning about gear ratios, to fixing chainrings, turning wheels over and changing sprockets to learning how to ride the track, where to dive down, when to stand up and finding the optimal cadence. 

Bumble Bee - my new track bike with a test saddle on.

 Each session be it on the road or on the track has been an exciting new discovery. It no longer is just about riding along or just training hard - but it's become a whole new discovery curve and am enjoying every session on the bike. Not just the riding, but the new cycling friends I meet each day, the old cycling war stories that never fail to amaze me, the cycling books, videos and websites that I've come to discover, the various advice I learn from the different riders with tonnes of experience in the sport - each one of it is a journey of discovery. And I'm certainly lovin' every minute of it. 

Well, training aside - definitely looking forward to getting back to racing this weekend. One full road racing season done - looking forward to my first full season of criterium racing - the SKCC summer crits are back in town!! 





 

That sweet feeling: Get out of da Saddle!

Saturday 10 Sept: Hawthorn Trophy Race at South Gisborne circuit. The last road race for the season on the calendar for me. I had yet to win a women's race. One more chance this season. Gotta give it my best shot.


Somehow, I was feeling relaxed and confident that day. A couple days of taper meant the legs were feeling fresh - really fresh. I had raced that circuit earlier in July after a holiday - ended up getting dropped a couple of laps into the race on the climb. Ah yes, that dreaded 1.1km 5.6% climb. Just seems to go on for ages. And multiple repeats. Nah - no negative thoughts today. I've stuck to the training throughout winter - I'm going to finish strong today. Going to get to the bunch sprint.  Just gotta focus. 

Rolling out of the startline on neutral lap (Photo by Shane Miller)

With the starting line filled mainly by the SKCC chicks and most of us knowing each other, it was a pretty fun atmosphere at the start line. The first 4ks including the climb were neutral  - and with a strong wind that day - everyone started rolling turns and working together. Having now  done a few road races, I used that opportunity to work out the best line to take on each section of the course. 


And so 7 laps of the 8.5km circuit. 7 hill climbs. The race started out at an easy pace, and as soon as everyone got into the rhythm, we started rolling turns. Nearly everyone played a part in keeping the turns smooth. 


The 1.5km 3.4% descend was one word - fun! I took off from the peloton on each descend - crouching fully into the aero position, no energy wasted - zooming down the road - feeling the rush of adrenaline from the cold wind on each one of them. And after each one, I sat up - had some drink or some food to eat and waited till the peloton rolled close. With the strong winds - today wasn't one to attempt a breakaway. I'd pull turns up the front, push the pace just a little higher each time I was up there - but held back on attacks that were going to deplete my energy.  I wanted that bunch sprint - really wanted to get to the end. 

Somehow the hill today wasn't as bad as it seemed a few months ago. In recent months, I had discovered a climbing technique that best suited my riding style - and found I could continuously spin the pedals over. Rather than thinking 'oh crap, not another climb' - I was relaxed today - and thought 'i've been training hard on climbs, it's just like riding a heavier gear.' Unlike previous races where I would be hanging out the back, with a cross-wind, I actually found it easier riding up the front and pulling the peloton on each climb. Funnily enough, it actually felt better setting the pace. 

Lap after lap after lap. These sorts of races are both physically and mentally draining. Doing the same loop over and over again was good in that I could tell where the best lines were - at the same time, it was long enough that I really had to be absolutely focused to stay in the race. 2 laps to go - time for some final fuel before the finish. I needed all the energy I could get for a power sprint finish. 


Final lap - legs were still feeling good. I tried to attack. Attack once, attack twice, and a third time. Could not quite get a break. 'Patience, patience - save it till the end!' 5ks to go - the last climb of the day before the finish. Someone else took the lead on the climb and started to push the pace up. I immediately jumped on - and was 3rd wheel down. We managed a small break. I was starting to breathe hard. HR was starting to race. Hmm...shouldn't have attacked too much earlier on.  'Just relax - don't tense up- put all that energy into the legs.' I tried as best to focus on spinning over the pedals, and relaxing my breathing - and held on to the break.


Just before the peak, I caught a glimpse of the finish line a few hundred metres ahaed. With every ounce of energy I had left, I got out of the saddle and jumped. I managed to just kick away from the 2 riders I was with and sprinted for the finish. The lactic acid had built up so quickly that I had to momentarily sit down. In between the hard breathing and my mates cheering on the sideline,  I could almost picture my track coach yell 'Get out of the saddle!!" I saw the line. With one last kick, I stood up again and gave it everything I had. 


And finally - the past few months of training - I have been waiting for this one moment.  That sweet feeling of victory of finally being the first across the line. Finally achieved the goal I'd set out for this season. Finally.


With the rest of the podium winners after the race

Setting goals are definitely important. Work, sport, life, study - whatever it is. Realistic goals, well-defined goals- yet ones that will push you that one bit further. Along the way there will be falls.  But yet, it is to stand up each time, learn from each one of them - and continue believing, continue thriving. And when you finally achieve them - there's nothing sweeter than that feeling of winning. And so a milestone finally set- a goal achieved. A new one's already lurking in the air. I'm already dreaming of that finish. It's time to start training - and continue believing.

Sprint!

Sat 20 Aug: Sun-filled weekends are starting to fill the air - spring and summer's nearly here - for club racing in Aus, well that means criterium season's just around the corner!! Mention crits - and there's almost a sparkle in my eye, a grin across my face. Big pelotons, tight corners, multiple laps, bunch sprints -it's fast, and there's heaps of adrenaline!!

As soon as I heard Blackburn Club was organising a Women's Grade crit out at Casey Fields, a purpose built criterium course, I jumped at the chance to race. Traffic was heavier than expected, and I only ended up managing a 1 lap warm-up. Corners were long on this course - meaning having to soft pedal through some, and the head wind out the back straight wasn't welcomed either. 

  

The race started out at a fairly decent pace - a few attacks were launched but the bunch always managed to pull them back. With everyone holding their lines well, it made for a good race. It was tempting to attempt a few attacks, but knowing I didn't have much of a warm up, the leg muscles probably wouldn't welcome those jumps. Ok, sit tight. 

35 mins. 2 more laps to go. Focus. HR was starting to race. The long laps were really testing my patience. Final lap. I got up near the front. Ready to go any moment. Out of the last corner, I stood up and sprinted. Oh no - way too late. I was already over-revving and didn't even have time to click into my sprint gear. 4th place. Not too bad for a first time on the course 

Being chased down (Photo by StillWatersPhotography)

The excitement had already started to build up, and I was keen to have another crack. The men were starting right after us - I quickly popped down a few lollies and off I was on another race. This time round, I was already well warmed-up and decided to throw in some attacks. And so attack after attack after attack. Someone would go off the front - I would chase and attempt a 2-man break. There was one break where I went off with a young kid - we ended up working together for about 2 laps before being brought back by the bunch. Good on those kids with restricted gears - gosh, they would be flying if they had the same gearing as we did.

Last lap - position - focus on the wheel in front. Out of the last corner, I was already in a full blown sprint. 50m from the line - didn't realise a rider had gone earlier. Battling for 2nd place. Someone swerved - my front wheel fliipped 30deg - lucky I managed to yank it back upright. Phew. Ended up 3rd place - and I was on a total adrenaline high.

2 races back to back - 2 places - maybe I would have needed 2 more races to place 2nd and 1st. =)

Been slowly building up the engine - and now it's about building up the experience. Different races, different tactics, different riders - each and every race has their moments, their excitement, their learning experience.

Can't wait for summer crit racing!! 

Winners are grinners (L-R: James Dunn (Canard), myself, Michael Holder (MelbUni))