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.

Team Time Trial: Chasing the Llama

"Smile of pain with team-mate Von" (Photo by Shane Miller)

Sunday 24th July - it was pouring rain when I got out of bed. Hmm..should I race? It sure didn't look like that rain was going to stop anytime soon. I had just only recovered from a viral infection. Hmm...the body was feeling a little tired.


Nah, no excuses, I have to. It's about commitment. There was no way I could let my team-mate down. We had been planning this for weeks. Supposedly a 3-women team, unable to find a team replacement meant we were down to 2 people - Von Micich and I.  All we needed were 2 people to finish, well, we were going to start with 2, and definitely finish with 2. 


And so, I began the drive down to Bunninyong. It was pissing down all the way there. And Bruno Mars' "The Lazy Song" started playing on the radio. Gosh...so much temptation to turn around.  No. Just like how I would in bike races, I started counting down the number of k's till I arrived. 


Upon arrival, we immediately got together and signed up. The air was cold, but the rain had just stopped, and the sun was just trying to break through the clouds. Phew.  It was pleasant surprise to have Gaelene, the SKCC Women's Cycling Organiser, there to set up a marque for us to warm up under. 


SKCC 2. SKCC 2. The guy on the microphone had started calling us out. "Only 2 of you?" he asked. "Yes!" we piped. "Watch out for those hills out there!" he replied. "Yes, we'll be fine!" 


5, 4,3,2,1..off we went. Having done a recce of the course, Von led us out - and soon we were on our way. A couple of revs in, and finding the right gears, we both settled into a nice rhythm. One of us would pull up the front for a while, the moment the speed started to lull, the other would drive up the front. We both knew each other's strengths, and played it out as best as we could. 


As we kicked over one of hills, it was a nice surprise to see Shane Miller on the side road with his camera in hand. "You're doing well girls!" It was pity his team had pulled the pin on him that morning - and so he ended up being our spare's vehicle, support guy, camera man - all on 2 wheels! As we rode pass him, he would jump on his bike,  and stay a little behind shouting out words of encouragement. Come a hill, he would then zoom pass us, and ride up a few hundred metres in front - and it soon became about chasing the Llama down. 


20ks in - we were doing really well. I was sure glad that we had fixed our TT bars on - zooming down the hills on TT bars was just plain awesome! As we rounded the bend with 5kms to the turnaround point - I was starting to spin out. Click down, no one more, one more down. We had a massive tail wind on our backs.. brilliant! Well for 5ks that is. 


The moment we turned around - smack! A massive head wind in our faces. Immediately our speed was less than half of what were pushing just a few minutes earlier. Hands on TT bars, backs fully aero. And with only 2 of us, it was going to be a tough. Whenever either was pulling a turn in front, it was copping the full blast. Just getting up to pull a turn was tough, holding it was even harder. "It'll get better once you hit the corner!" Shane screamed behind us. Spin, spin, spin. 

Phew, it sure felt better once we hit the 30k mark - next challenge, the hills that we had just came flying down! That massive head wind had sapped a lot of our energy, and now, the countdown began. 


My gut was really starting to play up from some weird virus I had caught 2 days before. All I could do was just lean over the bars, suck my drink bottle bit by bit,  and tried my best not to throw up. Just focus on the road in front. Just focus on chasing down Shane. Just focus on Von's wheel.  "15ks to go!" Von yelled out behind. It was great to have a team-mate's support. 


Up ahead in the distance, we saw our longest and biggest climb of our day. Oh..my..gosh.. "Just pace it up!" And so, in silence, heart rate racing,  only the sound of our deep breaths - we both slowly but surely spun our way to the top. Phew. Down the hill, up the hill. More undulations. We both started trying to laugh off whatever tired-ness we had.  When we caught and passed one of the men's team in front of us, that really lifted our spirits!


Not long more. Kicking over the last hill, and as I was just about to throw everything into the last 2ks, I saw the finish line up ahead. Hm..sooner than expected!  We both drove as hard as the legs would allow us - and crossed the line together. 

We ended up finishing 4th - piped by a mere 28s from 3rd place. Although just a little short, we were both absolutely stoked with the result. Knowing we weren't on the best machines out there,  both of us having only taken up racing in recent months, and with only 2 starters, our aim was to give it our best shot. And we sure did!! 


The feeling of finishing  a race well with a team-mate brought back good ol' memories of my younger days with my handball team. Winning races is sweet, but winning with team-mates is an even sweeter feeling. Thanks Von for the awesome  support along the way, the encouragement to keep pushing through and for sticking it together right till the end. And the Llama, Shane - massive thank you for supporting both of us all the way through - it really made a difference!!

"With the rest of the SKCC chicks that took part" (Photo by David Heatley)

Woodend: All about focus!

I woke up on the right side of the bed that morning - body was feeling great, I had a good week of training behind me, I was feeling somewhat confident, and was just really looking forward to the race that day. 

The circuit: Woodend. Some small pinches, nothing too long - great! Getting somewhat lost on the way, not having an idea what the start time was, nor where the start line was - well, a sunny day and meeting some good mates made up for all the morning's hustle. 

All ready for the day's race (Photo by Marisa Farell)

The ride out to the start line made for a great warm up. The race finally kicked off and I was in a group of about 15 or so riders. Unlike the week before, I only had 1 other SKCC ally today. The usual chit-chat to start off, before some early attacks were launched. A solo rider was soon off on his own, but the groupetto held pace always keeping the solo-rider in sight. 

The race course was a little dodgy - with potholes all over the place, and gravel around all the corners. I made a point to keep on the outer side of the peloton to allow room to manouvere. As we started hitting the short climbs - it soon became an attack-lull-attack regime. This week, I was certainly ready for those attacks! 

Going into the 2nd lap, an unexpected rider broke away from the peloton. He slowly drifted away from the group -  Could this be my chance of another duo break?  As we hit a section where there was slight cross-wind, I kicked and managed to jump away from the group. Hands on drops, fully focused on the road in front, I was soon off on a solo chase. Spin, spin, spin. Shut up legs. Spin, spin. 

Pretty soon I caught up with the solo rider, and after sitting on his wheel for a while, I signalled for him to roll turns. Alas, after a couple of minutes, the peloton started coming closer and closer. The wind had gotten the better of us - and we were soon re-grouped with the peloton again.  

The next 25ks saw a few more attacks - and riders not really wanting to pull too long a turn. The pace was increasing, and having done a few attacks up the front, I was starting to tire. "Just focus on the wheel in front..just focus.." An attack would go off - should I jump? No, let someone else jump. Another attack - should I jump? No, be patient. Just focus. 

Finally, with 1km to go, I jumped onto a break. 500m from the finish, there was a nice short pincher. And the pace blew. Riders started attacking - everyone was out of the saddle. All the guys were powering through. I stuck in as long I could, but a bunch of 4 soon gapped about 2 bike lengths in front. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see another rider trying to come over me.

Just focus on finish line! As his front wheel drew an inch in front of mine,  I gave one last kick and sprinted. 100m, 50m..come on...just a bit more. 5th place - yess!! Ah..nothing like the sweet feeling of adrenaline from a sprint. Next race - Team Time Trial!

South Gisborne - a race of attrition

"In a world of suffering" (Photo by Marisa Farrell)

8.5km loop with a nasty little 1km pinch in the middle - this race was set to be a tough one. Multiple laps of this course - it was going to be a race of attrition.

A nice and sunny day for racing, though a nasty head-wind on the climb signalled a tough day out on the bike.
A strong St Kilda Cycling Club presence was certainly felt across the grades, and I was sure proud to be dawning the club kit that day. Nevertheless, being the only girl in the huge field of men surely brought out the usual nerves.

The race kicked off on a nice pace - and with winds constantly changing directions througout the course, I tried to stay in the middle of the peloton as best as I could. We had the usual cyclist who would attempt to overtake on the wrong side of the road, but the men were certainly more aggressive and constantly yelled at him to get back in. I had managed to ride with one of the guys on a training ride earlier in the week, and tried to stick on his wheel.

About 3 laps in, a solo break tried to get away. It was a fella SKCC rider, and I knew something was amiss when we had 2 guys up the front holding the pace of the peloton. Nevertheless, the pace quickly pushed higher and I was slowly being pushed to the back of the peloton. As we hit the hill on the lap, I felt my back wheel locked, and just could not find the right gears. Jelly legs - arghh..- probably from too much good food from my recent trip to Malaysia. =p

I quickly tried to suck some drink in and started chasing the peloton down. I had one other guy rolling turns with me, and we managed to keep the peloton at 10-15s in sight. Seems small, but with 2 people trying to close a gap on a peloton of more than 15 riders, the battle just got tougher and tougher. Halfway through, it was my turn to pull and I tried kicking in hope of closing the gap before a tight corner. As I approached the corner, I looked behind - oh no, I had just lost my ally. He had pretty much disappeared off the course. To wait, or not to wait...hmm... A couple of head turns, I knew he probably had given up, I had to chase solo.

Hands on drops, head down - I tried to focus on pushing through the headwind. I tried digging in on the climb in hope of making the time, but I was starting to run out of steam. Pretty soon, the peloton in another grade passed me. A couple of riders cheered me on to not give up, but the energy was slowly diminishing and I knew I had to eat something if I was to finish the race. Once the peloton in the higher grade caught my grade, it was pretty much race over as the guys started to push the pace higher.

Well, giving up is never my thing, and with less than 17ks to go, all I had to do was focus on 1 lap at a time. Every corner I turn, I was hoping to catch a glimpse of the bunch - but soon they were no where in sight. I was quickly running out of k's to chase. Ended up finishing just over a minute down. Well, races of attrition on lapped courses are tough - but yet, you certainly come out a much stronger rider.

3 Day Tour!

"Leading out the peloton" (Photo by Unknown)

Have been battling off winter colds, and the training is slowly starting to load up. A little late post, but my first tour over the Queen's Bday long weekend is definitely worth a write up.

Had been really looking forward to this tour - The Northern Combine Clubs (NCC) 3 day tour! Getting the training right, the taper right, the eating right - it's still a lot of trial and error at the moment though. After tonnes of emails, we managed to book a place out at Kyneton - an old farm house on one of the race circuits. Brilliant!

Left after work Friday night, and 6 of us were staying at that place. Dark roads meant a couple of wrong turns, before we finally arrived. Place was huge - lots of hallways, no hot water (luckily that fixed itself the next day), and my weekend housemate Shane scaring me with ghost stories of the toilet. Ah well..it was still good to have a place to stay without having to do the daily commute back to Melbourne.


Stage 1: Lancefield (60km)
Having raced on this course a few weeks back, I was feeling pretty confident for the first stage. With a strong field of 23 riders, the Women's B Grade looked set for some good competition. I had 8 other SKCC Development Squad chicks racing with me, so it certainly was great fun. The first 15km saw myself and 3 of my other squad-mates, Von, Nadine and Marlena setting the pace of the bunch. I decided to launch a few attacks to warm up my cold toes, but with a tail wind, most of the peloton stuck together. It wasn't until after the climbs after Newham that the peloton started splitting up. Hearing half the field breathing hard, I dug hard and launced a break right after the KOM. Hands on drops, back fully aero, I rode hard..and was soon flying off downhill. This immediately saw the field split up.

Knowing that I still had 2 more days of racing to do, I sat up and waited - ending up with a 12-rider breakaway. The start of lap 2 was much easier, with no one wanting to launch further attacks. I was happy to sit up in the peloton and discussed tactics with my team-mates. Final 15kms saw the pace increasing again with riders launching attacks, but the peloton always reeled them in. With a downhill finish, I dugged hard again in the last 5ks and ended up carrying a 5 rider break. Alas, I took the lead too early, and was over-geared into the wind, thus ending up losing the sprint at the line settling for 2nd place.

"Battling out the sprint on Day 1" (Photo from 3DT Facebook Page)

Stage 2: Kyneton (6km)
Day 2 from the Kyneton Saleyards. First up: ITT - not really my cup of tea. The clock was running fast that morning. I made sure I was ready way before my start time after witnessing some of the guys missing theirs. I had some new toys to play with - TT bars and a friend had lent me his set of Zipp 404's (thanks Gav!). 3,2,1 - go! I quickly revved into gear and was soon chasing down my 30s rider. A strong cross-tail wind meant it was going to be a fast ride. Thoughts were battling in my head - ouch my leg's are starting to hurt, ouch I hit another bump - forget that, just stay as aero as possible. I soon caught my 30s rider - yess! Alright, now to drive hard for the finish line. And just in a blink it was over. Time to spin out the lactate acid and prep up for stage 3.

"At the start of the ITT" (Photo by Gaelene Snelling)

Stage 3: Kyneton- Sutton Grange (71km)

After fuelling up with food and some rest, it was time for the Kyneton-Sutton Grange out and back loop. There was a strong tailwind on the way out - which was nice for the tired legs. Winning intention today. Being day 2, everyone had already started to know each other, and a few laughs and chatter were going around - which definitely made things a lot more relaxed. As we hit the climbs, the peloton starting splitting apart - I made sure I stuck it out with the front bunch. At the turnaround, we ended up with a 12-rider bunch. Tailwind out, meant the dreaded headwind home. At the KOM, 2 riders started breaking away. I knew they weren't going to ride for each other, and with a strong headwind, I let them off, though never letting them out of sight. 20kms to go - the 10 of us worked together and started reeling them back in. Riders caught, now 12 of us. The last 10ks - things started to get messy with a head and cross wind from the right. No one wanted to pull a turn for too long. Some riders started riding across the white lines.

10kms to go - my team-mates let me through to the front of the peloton to battle out the sprint. Before I knew it, I heard team-mate Von screamed "there's the finish line!!" - it was 6km earlier than expected!! Oh crap, I still had a mouth full of power bar. I was on 2nd wheel - good position with 500m out. All of a sudden, the much bigger yellow jersey rider pulled up on my right, yelled 'piss off" and shoved me hard. What the???? I was forced into the white lines, and with no room to move I had to pull back. Still in a bit of a shock, I didn't stand up, came under into the wind, and ended up in 5th. It was true chaos with riders sprinting on the wrong side of the road. I was pretty dissapointed at losing the sprint and having let my team-mates down. But I knew rules were rules, and that I had played a fair game. Time to get over it quick - I still had 1 more day of racing!

"Ready to go on Day 3" (Photo by Gaelene Snelling)

Day 3: Kyneton-Pastoria (60km)

I awoke to find the prelim results discounting me 20s from my TT time. They had somehow got the timing wrong. No time penalties for riders breaking the white-line rules either. A word with the commisaire said he'll try to get my time back, but no promises. I was starting on 5th in GC. Today's course had 3 laps of the unforgiving 2.5km Bald Hill climb - it truly was a survival of the fittest test. Again, strong winds and a couple of climbs soon saw riders dropping off. Both the KOMs saw the climbers way off the front, with the peloton chasing them down on the downhill stretch. Assuming my protest was not received, I knew I had to launch a solo break for a chance of the podium. In the last 20ks, the final 8-rider break worked together rolling turns. I quickly sculled down Gel #2 in prep for my break - well, it turned out to be a big mistake! Instead of feeling better, I started to feel sick. I knew soloing wasn't going to happen.

A rider from another club came up and offered to ride for me - all I had to do was just focus on the wheel in front! 4km to go - the climbers attacked up Bald Hill. Sick as I was, I jumped onto their wheels. 4-man break into the finish. 50m just before the peak - I got dropped. My legs just refused to move. I dug hard with whatever I had left in me and gave chase on the downhill - ending up finishing 4th. I ended up collapsing in a heap after the finish line - and spewed my guts out. I had people offering me all sorts of things from muesli bars, to more gels, to coke! Thanks guys - but that really were the last things I wanted to see. It turned out to be dehydration from the caffeine - well certainly something to learn for next time!!

Wrap-up:

My first tour - done!! It certainly was great fun - I had made heaps of new friends, and the tour itself was a great learning experience. I took out 4th overall, and was pleasantly surprised at being awarded a Good Sportsmanship Award, which was sponsored by one of the sponsors, Sukkie.

Sure, I was a bit dissapointed at missing out on a podium and not winning a stage. But I have always stucked to my believe - that fair play and competing in the spirit of the competition was more important. And these things will certainly matter at the bigger races in the future.

Tour races are certainly a different game. You go to bed convincing yourself that the next day will be a better day, you wake up wondering if you'll make it through the day's race. It was certainly great to have the encouragement and support of my coach, the SKCC Dev Squad, my friends and some lighter wheels to use courtesy of BikeNow - thanks guys, you're all awesome!!

"With the SKCC chicks that won stages" (Photo by Gaelene Snelling)

One tour down - next tour in 6 months time.