Wednesday night and it was off to Eelmore again. Perhaps opting to race within 48hrs of suffering from a particularly violent stomach bug was not the best option, but then again I had been to a job interview in the interim, so racing should have felt relatively low-stress!
Where to begin? Stick with the bunch? Check. Couple of laps on/near the front? Check. Get stuck out of position on final corner and slide back to mid-bunch mediocrity? Check. Become increasingly frustrated at lack of progress as a 3rd cat? Check.
Annoying. I really hope to have the opportunity to get to another circuit soon.
Thursday, 28 May 2009
Thursday, 21 May 2009
Jellied eel
It's becoming a habit - Wednesday night is Eelmore night! Yet again I found myself travelling down the A3, past Guildford, over the Hogs Back and down to Aldershot. It's a similar route to that I used to take when I worked at Nokia in Farnborough years ago - a relaxing drive with very few holdups considering that I usually go in rush hour.
I won't repeat my views of the circuit again here otherwise I will sound like a moaner! The riding however seems to be better controlled than at some other circuits, and the standard is generally higher - there's some agression, but less of the shouting and language. The behaviour seems a bit more mature, even though there are plenty of younger riders.
About halfway through last night's race I found myself at the front into the headwind on the front straight. OK, let's see how the legs feel, I thought, and upped the power a little bit. I fully expected to look behind me and see the bunch strung out, so was surprised to find I had opened up a reasonable gap. OK, don't panic Captain Mainwaring, keep going. I lasted 1.5 laps before slowing to see if anyone was going to join me. Eventually I was joined by two other riders - one pushing the pace and one sitting in. Great, if we work together we might have a chance to keep this going. I made an effort to pull through and my legs just told me to forget it. Oh dear, back to the bunch for us all!
Three laps to go and I move into the front 10 or so riders - exactly where I want to be. Final lap, still in top 5 or 6. Back straight, holding position well. Final corner, at speed, still in top 5. Front guy slows drastically out of the corner, now we're all playing silly buggers messing around before the inevitable bunch sprint. Sod this, I feel like Fabian Cancellara, I'm going to burst out of the bunch and go for it from 800m out - I'm off! Great, victory is mine, eat my dust! 600m out - oh, hang on, I'm not Cancellara. I'm 2nd. 3rd. 4th. Bunch come steaming past. Finish near the back. Cursing. Schoolboy error. Legs of jelly.
I won't repeat my views of the circuit again here otherwise I will sound like a moaner! The riding however seems to be better controlled than at some other circuits, and the standard is generally higher - there's some agression, but less of the shouting and language. The behaviour seems a bit more mature, even though there are plenty of younger riders.
About halfway through last night's race I found myself at the front into the headwind on the front straight. OK, let's see how the legs feel, I thought, and upped the power a little bit. I fully expected to look behind me and see the bunch strung out, so was surprised to find I had opened up a reasonable gap. OK, don't panic Captain Mainwaring, keep going. I lasted 1.5 laps before slowing to see if anyone was going to join me. Eventually I was joined by two other riders - one pushing the pace and one sitting in. Great, if we work together we might have a chance to keep this going. I made an effort to pull through and my legs just told me to forget it. Oh dear, back to the bunch for us all!
Three laps to go and I move into the front 10 or so riders - exactly where I want to be. Final lap, still in top 5 or 6. Back straight, holding position well. Final corner, at speed, still in top 5. Front guy slows drastically out of the corner, now we're all playing silly buggers messing around before the inevitable bunch sprint. Sod this, I feel like Fabian Cancellara, I'm going to burst out of the bunch and go for it from 800m out - I'm off! Great, victory is mine, eat my dust! 600m out - oh, hang on, I'm not Cancellara. I'm 2nd. 3rd. 4th. Bunch come steaming past. Finish near the back. Cursing. Schoolboy error. Legs of jelly.
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
Surrey Hills - what's not to like?
I managed to get out into the Surrey Hills on Sunday for the first time in several weeks. I even managed to get up early to join the London Dynamo 8am ride - usually I'm a slacker and go for the 9am ride which is nice and sociable, although a little slower. The weather forecast promised rain showers in the afternoon, but sunny intervals in the morning - yeah!
Sometimes it's good to take a break from the usual routine (my usual routine has been flatter riding out to Chertsey of late). I had forgotten what a great place the Surrey Hills are for riding. The route out from SW London is flat and uneventful, although at least the roads aren't too busy. But once you get out to the country lanes there are literally hundreds of options to choose, from the well-trodden (well-ridden) 'standard' routes including Box Hill, Leith Hill, Ranmore and Hungry Hill to the lesser-used climbs, many of which I still can't name. I would struggle to find quite a few of them again too, despite having ridden them a few times. One of the many benefits of joining a club is that you have access to riders who have been cycling the hills for years and know some fantastically quiet and picturesque climbs.
Anyhow, we'd just got over Hungry Hill (Coombe Bottom) when the rain which had been promised for the afternoon arrived early. So we took a very slow descent down wet, recently (badly) resurfaced roads towards Shere and set off in the direction of Peaslake. We didn't get far - the heavens opened for a torrential downpour, forcing us to shelter under a tree for a few minutes before giving in, turning back to take refuge at the tearooms in Shere. As we huddled together, teeth chattering, we tried to detect any break in the low, dark, water-laden cloud cover. Nope, none. Looked like rain had set in for the day. I felt quite sorry for the riders struggling around on the Evans sportive ride - of all the days to have an introduction to the Surrey Hills!
A couple of the Dynamo riders decided to tough it out in the tearoom, resigning themselves to the fact that they would have to drink coffee and eat many, many cakes! The other more foolhardy members of the group decided to press on with the return journey - after all, once you get to a certain point of saturation how much worse can it get? We decided on a shorter route up to Ranmore Common, including a really nice little climb up (I think) Colekitchen Lane, although it could have been Critten Lane - when you have so much water and grit in your eyes and your teeth sound like castanets you stop caring about exact routes. From there we pressed on over Box Hill and then took the faster route home via Epsom - usually a glorious run with a south-westerly pushing you home where you can bowl along at 25mph or over nearly the whole way from Box Hill to Epsom, but today a war of attrition with standing water, spraying mud, cold conditions and skiddy, gravelly road surfaces to contend with.
Still, I was home by 12:20, having taken in a lap of Richmond Park on the way just to try and warm up and make the final journey a round 60 miles. That meant arriving home just in time to tuck into a big bown of rice and meatballs prepared by my lovely wife. The kids had a good laugh at my legs when I took my socks off (seriously white feet) and insisted on taking a picture!
Sometimes it's good to take a break from the usual routine (my usual routine has been flatter riding out to Chertsey of late). I had forgotten what a great place the Surrey Hills are for riding. The route out from SW London is flat and uneventful, although at least the roads aren't too busy. But once you get out to the country lanes there are literally hundreds of options to choose, from the well-trodden (well-ridden) 'standard' routes including Box Hill, Leith Hill, Ranmore and Hungry Hill to the lesser-used climbs, many of which I still can't name. I would struggle to find quite a few of them again too, despite having ridden them a few times. One of the many benefits of joining a club is that you have access to riders who have been cycling the hills for years and know some fantastically quiet and picturesque climbs.
Anyhow, we'd just got over Hungry Hill (Coombe Bottom) when the rain which had been promised for the afternoon arrived early. So we took a very slow descent down wet, recently (badly) resurfaced roads towards Shere and set off in the direction of Peaslake. We didn't get far - the heavens opened for a torrential downpour, forcing us to shelter under a tree for a few minutes before giving in, turning back to take refuge at the tearooms in Shere. As we huddled together, teeth chattering, we tried to detect any break in the low, dark, water-laden cloud cover. Nope, none. Looked like rain had set in for the day. I felt quite sorry for the riders struggling around on the Evans sportive ride - of all the days to have an introduction to the Surrey Hills!
A couple of the Dynamo riders decided to tough it out in the tearoom, resigning themselves to the fact that they would have to drink coffee and eat many, many cakes! The other more foolhardy members of the group decided to press on with the return journey - after all, once you get to a certain point of saturation how much worse can it get? We decided on a shorter route up to Ranmore Common, including a really nice little climb up (I think) Colekitchen Lane, although it could have been Critten Lane - when you have so much water and grit in your eyes and your teeth sound like castanets you stop caring about exact routes. From there we pressed on over Box Hill and then took the faster route home via Epsom - usually a glorious run with a south-westerly pushing you home where you can bowl along at 25mph or over nearly the whole way from Box Hill to Epsom, but today a war of attrition with standing water, spraying mud, cold conditions and skiddy, gravelly road surfaces to contend with.
Still, I was home by 12:20, having taken in a lap of Richmond Park on the way just to try and warm up and make the final journey a round 60 miles. That meant arriving home just in time to tuck into a big bown of rice and meatballs prepared by my lovely wife. The kids had a good laugh at my legs when I took my socks off (seriously white feet) and insisted on taking a picture! Friday, 15 May 2009
Routine enquiries
Most people have some sort of routine they follow before and after a race or sportive. I know this from a) talking to other riders and b) reading about routines on blogs and cycling forums.
Now the idea of a pre-event easy warm-up and a post-event leisurely series of stretches, warm bath, steak with pasta and a quick snooze on the couch in front of the telly sounds great, but in reality there are riders all over the world who could only follow this routine if they made some pretty serious lifestyle changes.
My typical pre/post ride routine for a day of racing or sportive action goes something like this:
- Wake up as the alarm goes off, having slept really, really badly (I think this might be pre-race nerves). Feel as though I only got to sleep 10 minutes ago. Sneak out of the bedroom, trying not to wake my wife up so she can at least get another 30 minutes of sleep.
- Get the kids up, washed and downstairs for breakfast. Breakfast service in the main kitchen at the Savoy is probably easier than in the Franzini household. There are only 3 children, but they all have the culinary demands of Michael Winner combined with Sally Albright (played by Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally). Orders come in for cereals at different times - Shreddies, Rice Crispies, Oatibix, Cheerios hidden under Shreddies (what?!) - along with toast, various spreads, eggs cooked in different ways and milk (heated, non-heated, slightly heated) whilst I peel and cut fruit. Spend at least 10 minutes encouraging everyone to eat their fruit before the myriad second courses that I am now rushing around to prepare. Suspect that some of the fruit is being surreptitiously 'droppped by accident' under the table.
- Rush upstairs and get cycling kit on, throw all the stuff laid out carefully the night before into a bag, think about showering and decide against it (to save time) and wash face/clean teeth. Wonder why I'm feeling a bit faint...
- Rush downstairs and make a coffee (large, strong). Search around for something decent to eat in the debris that is the remains of kids' breakfast service - end up settling for Shreddies hidden under Cheerios with slightly heated milk (even I'm at it now).
- Kiss the kids goodbye. Kiss wife (now awake with all the noise) goodbye. Explain about the pile of uneaten fruit on the kitchen floor under the table. Explain that, although I am leaving her with the kids for most of the day, I have at least tried to do as much as possible before heading out. Get a look that says "I do this every morning. It's no big deal".
- Head out to the race or sportive. I'm definitely quite relaxed about sportives now, and treat them as long club rides. Racing still gets the heart fluttering though. Especially road racing, which has a real buzz about it.
- Ride the event. Return home in a state of euphoria / exhilaration / exhaustion / despondency / self-loathing (choose at least two).
- Dump bags and bike in hallway. Down a half litre of Yazoo chocolate milkshake from the fridge (this definitely helps me avoid sore legs the next morning - I've discovered this by following totally unscientific methods).
- Shower (quickly). Change and go downstairs to search for some sort of food. Settle for a cheese sandwich with mango chutney. Try to ignore the kids' pleas to go to the park (for at least 10 minutes).
- Give in and take the kids to the park to either (a) play football (b) help them ride their bikes or (c) take part in running races. Run around feeling fit and healthy compared to a lot of the dads there, but suspect that my legs will give way at any moment. Feel constantly thirsty and finish the kids' water from their beakers.
- Return home in time for the kids' tea. Hover like a vulture whilst they eat, asking "don't you want that?" at two minute intervals to each of them in turn. Hoover up any leftovers.
- Then normal evening routine of getting the kids to bed, sorting out an evening meal with my wife, collapsing on the sofa for an hour, then bed and sweet dreams.
Sometimes I question all the effort involved in racing. The actual race is often the easiest thing!
Now the idea of a pre-event easy warm-up and a post-event leisurely series of stretches, warm bath, steak with pasta and a quick snooze on the couch in front of the telly sounds great, but in reality there are riders all over the world who could only follow this routine if they made some pretty serious lifestyle changes.
My typical pre/post ride routine for a day of racing or sportive action goes something like this:
- Wake up as the alarm goes off, having slept really, really badly (I think this might be pre-race nerves). Feel as though I only got to sleep 10 minutes ago. Sneak out of the bedroom, trying not to wake my wife up so she can at least get another 30 minutes of sleep.
- Get the kids up, washed and downstairs for breakfast. Breakfast service in the main kitchen at the Savoy is probably easier than in the Franzini household. There are only 3 children, but they all have the culinary demands of Michael Winner combined with Sally Albright (played by Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally). Orders come in for cereals at different times - Shreddies, Rice Crispies, Oatibix, Cheerios hidden under Shreddies (what?!) - along with toast, various spreads, eggs cooked in different ways and milk (heated, non-heated, slightly heated) whilst I peel and cut fruit. Spend at least 10 minutes encouraging everyone to eat their fruit before the myriad second courses that I am now rushing around to prepare. Suspect that some of the fruit is being surreptitiously 'droppped by accident' under the table.
- Rush upstairs and get cycling kit on, throw all the stuff laid out carefully the night before into a bag, think about showering and decide against it (to save time) and wash face/clean teeth. Wonder why I'm feeling a bit faint...
- Rush downstairs and make a coffee (large, strong). Search around for something decent to eat in the debris that is the remains of kids' breakfast service - end up settling for Shreddies hidden under Cheerios with slightly heated milk (even I'm at it now).
- Kiss the kids goodbye. Kiss wife (now awake with all the noise) goodbye. Explain about the pile of uneaten fruit on the kitchen floor under the table. Explain that, although I am leaving her with the kids for most of the day, I have at least tried to do as much as possible before heading out. Get a look that says "I do this every morning. It's no big deal".
- Head out to the race or sportive. I'm definitely quite relaxed about sportives now, and treat them as long club rides. Racing still gets the heart fluttering though. Especially road racing, which has a real buzz about it.
- Ride the event. Return home in a state of euphoria / exhilaration / exhaustion / despondency / self-loathing (choose at least two).
- Dump bags and bike in hallway. Down a half litre of Yazoo chocolate milkshake from the fridge (this definitely helps me avoid sore legs the next morning - I've discovered this by following totally unscientific methods).
- Shower (quickly). Change and go downstairs to search for some sort of food. Settle for a cheese sandwich with mango chutney. Try to ignore the kids' pleas to go to the park (for at least 10 minutes).
- Give in and take the kids to the park to either (a) play football (b) help them ride their bikes or (c) take part in running races. Run around feeling fit and healthy compared to a lot of the dads there, but suspect that my legs will give way at any moment. Feel constantly thirsty and finish the kids' water from their beakers.
- Return home in time for the kids' tea. Hover like a vulture whilst they eat, asking "don't you want that?" at two minute intervals to each of them in turn. Hoover up any leftovers.
- Then normal evening routine of getting the kids to bed, sorting out an evening meal with my wife, collapsing on the sofa for an hour, then bed and sweet dreams.
Sometimes I question all the effort involved in racing. The actual race is often the easiest thing!
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
Eelmore again...
So, another night out in the glamour-spot of the South East, Eelmore near Aldershot. Another night churning round a circuit hidden in the trees off the Fleet Road. Whilst I do find the circuit itself a bit tedious, the crowd that turns up is pretty friendly, and the races have also been quite fast (average speed is quite high considering how much the bunch slows down round each of the harpins). I don't think the E12 race put too much distance between the groups this evening, so it was definitely faster than last time.
And my result? I came in 11th, maybe 12th - not that it is really relevant, the only thing that matters is that I was outside the top 10. I got stuck behind a rider on the final corner who seemed to be quite hesitant, so I lost all my momentum and had to sprint to catch the sprint, then try to sprint again - hard work! Again my positioning rather than my stamina let me down. One day I will crack it!
I rode my Scott training/commuting/winter/workhorse bike tonight, which is fitted with a (rented) Powertap, so although it is heavier and doesn't ride as well as the Isaac I was at least able to see some racing stats for the first time in a long while:
Av speed: 24.53 mph
Max speed: 34.04 mph
Av power: 283W
Max power: 1184W
5 second peak power: 1100W
Av HR: 161 bpm
Max HR: 174 bpm
And my result? I came in 11th, maybe 12th - not that it is really relevant, the only thing that matters is that I was outside the top 10. I got stuck behind a rider on the final corner who seemed to be quite hesitant, so I lost all my momentum and had to sprint to catch the sprint, then try to sprint again - hard work! Again my positioning rather than my stamina let me down. One day I will crack it!
I rode my Scott training/commuting/winter/workhorse bike tonight, which is fitted with a (rented) Powertap, so although it is heavier and doesn't ride as well as the Isaac I was at least able to see some racing stats for the first time in a long while:
Av speed: 24.53 mph
Max speed: 34.04 mph
Av power: 283W
Max power: 1184W
5 second peak power: 1100W
Av HR: 161 bpm
Max HR: 174 bpm
Friday, 8 May 2009
Eelmore 3/4
Wednesday evening started with a fairly long drive to the Eelmore driver training circuit near Aldershot for the VC Meudon Cycle Kingdon 3rds/4ths race. Entering the circuit was slightly odd - you turn off the road, down a short dirt track and then drive straight onto the circuit itself. I was very worried there might be a race going on (often the junior races are run before the senior event) and really didn't want to turn onto the road only to see a bunch of youngsters heading my way. I was sure that they would have a marshall on the entrance if a race had started though.
At the sign-on I found out there was an E12 race that would be running at the same time. This is pretty common on circuits, and can sometimes cause absolute mayhem if the 3rds are lapped and try to subtly hang onto the back of the E12 bunch for a bit, as apparently happened the week before. I just had time for a few laps of the circuit prior to the start - two sweeping hairpins and two straights - that's it! It was wide with a decent surface though, so seemed like it should be one of the safer circuits. It was also going to be my first race as the sole London Dynamo rider in the bunch. We're a big club and this rarely happens.
During the warmup I was passed by an enormous rider on a Viner who looked a dead ringer for Magnus Backstedt. Hang on - Viner, Magnus Maximus Coffee sponsorship, well over 6' - it was big Maggy. Thank God I'm not in the E12 race, I thought!
Anyhow, the race - hmmm. Not the most inspiring place to race, and with a severe headwind down one straight there was never much chance of a break sticking. The other straight turned into a tailwind tearup as we hammered along towards the hairpin at breakneck speed, playing a game of chicken with the braking. It all boiled down to the predictable bunch sprint which was won by a Hillingdon rider I think. I was about 25th or so (i.e. out of contention by the time the sprint started). Hopeless positioning again. So although the circuit was not the most interesting I think I'll be back - I should be able to do better there.
And big Maggy? He rolled over the line at the back of the E12 bunch looking as though he hadn't a care in the world!
At the sign-on I found out there was an E12 race that would be running at the same time. This is pretty common on circuits, and can sometimes cause absolute mayhem if the 3rds are lapped and try to subtly hang onto the back of the E12 bunch for a bit, as apparently happened the week before. I just had time for a few laps of the circuit prior to the start - two sweeping hairpins and two straights - that's it! It was wide with a decent surface though, so seemed like it should be one of the safer circuits. It was also going to be my first race as the sole London Dynamo rider in the bunch. We're a big club and this rarely happens.
During the warmup I was passed by an enormous rider on a Viner who looked a dead ringer for Magnus Backstedt. Hang on - Viner, Magnus Maximus Coffee sponsorship, well over 6' - it was big Maggy. Thank God I'm not in the E12 race, I thought!
Anyhow, the race - hmmm. Not the most inspiring place to race, and with a severe headwind down one straight there was never much chance of a break sticking. The other straight turned into a tailwind tearup as we hammered along towards the hairpin at breakneck speed, playing a game of chicken with the braking. It all boiled down to the predictable bunch sprint which was won by a Hillingdon rider I think. I was about 25th or so (i.e. out of contention by the time the sprint started). Hopeless positioning again. So although the circuit was not the most interesting I think I'll be back - I should be able to do better there.
And big Maggy? He rolled over the line at the back of the E12 bunch looking as though he hadn't a care in the world!
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
Buggy Hell - Shattered Crystal Part 2
So, another evening at Palace, another speed-fest, another early retirement! I had planned to go along simply to watch and support a couple of the Dynamo riders, thus saving my legs for an Eelmore race the following evening, but before I knew it I was lining up to hand over my £10 and pin a number on. A big mistake - there is no room for half-heartedness at Palace, no hiding in the pack for a couple of laps, no letup in the relentlessness of that bloody incline.
I managed to secure a position mid-way back in the start line, fumbled clipping into my pedal, found myself in the last third of the pack going into the first corner, and that was it - race over. You really have to be near the front at the start to avoid all the riders who either haven't raced at Palace before (and go slowly round the corners on the first lap) or have no cornering skills to start with. I wasn't near the start and paid the penalty, struggling round with a bunch for about 10 laps before calling it an evening and saving my legs for the next day. Edit: of course, if I was really good I would be able to swoop past the dropped riders and re-join the main bunch...
There was a bizarre incident on the first lap - second corner (the easiest on the circuit) and a rider fell - just seemed to topple sideways. Then later in the race another rider did exactly the same thing at the same spot! I looked at the corner - no gravel or oil, no holes in the surface - very odd.
I still have to figure out how to get some success at the circuit that is the hardest interval session most riders will do all summer! And just to round the evening off nicely, yet again my legs got bitten to hell before the race by the raging bloodsuckers that inhabit the Palace!
I managed to secure a position mid-way back in the start line, fumbled clipping into my pedal, found myself in the last third of the pack going into the first corner, and that was it - race over. You really have to be near the front at the start to avoid all the riders who either haven't raced at Palace before (and go slowly round the corners on the first lap) or have no cornering skills to start with. I wasn't near the start and paid the penalty, struggling round with a bunch for about 10 laps before calling it an evening and saving my legs for the next day. Edit: of course, if I was really good I would be able to swoop past the dropped riders and re-join the main bunch...
There was a bizarre incident on the first lap - second corner (the easiest on the circuit) and a rider fell - just seemed to topple sideways. Then later in the race another rider did exactly the same thing at the same spot! I looked at the corner - no gravel or oil, no holes in the surface - very odd.
I still have to figure out how to get some success at the circuit that is the hardest interval session most riders will do all summer! And just to round the evening off nicely, yet again my legs got bitten to hell before the race by the raging bloodsuckers that inhabit the Palace!
Friday, 1 May 2009
Oil couture
I've been using Chain-L oil on my chains for the past 3 months. The change from Finish Line Lube was brought on by frustration at mucky, wet-looking chains that attracted dirt faster than Pig-Pen. Setting off with a clean and freshly-oiled chain, only to return after 4 hours in the Surrey Hills with the chain covered in filth and sounding like a coffee-grinder was starting to get on my nerves.Apparently Chain-L was tested by numerous messengers in New York amongst others, so I figured if it was good at dealing with city grit then it should cope well with Surrey Hills slurry and dirt. It's a thick and sticky oil (no solvents) which goes on better if warmed a bit. It seems to coat the chain really, really well too and you can wipe the chain dry to remove surface dirt without removing much of the oil. Good stuff, the longer I use it the more I like it. The only downside is the smell - very sulphurous, not a bit like a quality perfume...
It is also the first cycling product that my wife has given the thumbs-up to - clever packaging!
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