Friday 530pm 2hr spin class
Friday 10pm leave the central coast...
Friday 12pm dodging lots of wombats
Saturday 1am trying to sleep..
Saturday 645am alarms go off lets get to rego
SAturday 710am at rego 712am leave rego 715am sigh the race is at 10am
eat drink fuel up and warm up ride....
saturday 925 i bust the valve on charlis rear wheel... quick change before briefing,.,
saturday 930 the good olde HUW humour kicks off never take a race briefing like oh ive heard it all before... we were warned about the water bars i wished i heard that bit...
Saturday 950 a friendly chat with riders on the start line "were at 650m" geez this could hurt a lil..
10am WERE OFF.. the pace was cruzing as no one wanted to work into the wind, it was so hard not to jump to the lead, but i knew my legs wouldnt hold up... but when we turned and had a tail wind and the dirt road was like smooth concrete the pace was cracking.... 2 groups form with hamish elliot leading the way.. i then saw him look back at the group (like lance did) you know the "im going are you coming????" it was so kool:) i had plenty of local coasties on my arse and was not gona let them get me... not sure how far in it was cause the whole race is a blur from pain.. but my right leg went super tight again but with wat feels like a knife in my right glute i pushed on... i didnt ride the wall but watched andrew bell ride it.. spent alot of time riding with him and dwight from rockstar racing...
wish i could remember how long each loop was...but i was pedaling as hard and as long as i could.. ppl kept getting away so i slammed down a gel not the usual brand i use so i was scared to see the side-affects but all went well so i slammed the second one downn...
seen the 10km to go and it sucked the life out of me as i didnt have another gear, soon after we hit fireroads away from the forest and now could see some prey(mtb riders) so started to really crank it..dwight was still on my wheel like the last 10km, great guy and not in my age cat so i didnt mind..n we hunted down the prey and gobbled them down, pushed the big dog all the way.. dwight still there, flew by the 2km to go sign with a sigh a relief i even heard my legs say thank.fcuk.. we dodge a rider with a flat tyre on the descent then dwight rode up beside me and said thanks for the lift home.... i looked back there was no one in sight, he mentioned he wouldnt sprint me for the line, good can we just cruze now... so we rolled into the finish with big smiles =16th..
dwight got 3rd in his cat and i got 5th... 3mins of reekie,,,, ur getting closer mate..
my gf charli did really well after bending her derailer and riding onto the poduim great 3rdplace babe.
big thanks to the lady who had a jumpstart pack so i could make it home.
sunday 830am hill repeats of palmdale peak times 5... lol insane..
chops.:) www.burningtrails.com is were i need your vote plz check it out, it closes on monday at 8pm..
Friday, August 28, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
STATE XC rnd 4
sorry for the late response...
After sleeping in way past my alarm i awoke at 950am 10min due to departure time so we pushed it back to 1030 loaded up the car matt took the front seat while charli snuggled into the back and i had the foot to the floor for the trip to lithgow.. lots of nice views on the bells line rd..
We drove straight out to the track in time for the PEDAL for $$$.. me versus two giants.. matt reekie and matt murphy... Murphy got the jump on us early into the 1st lap of 3.. the fire road was full of loose stones the air was chilled the altitude was higher then all of our coastal homes..
It was the most painful 9km i have ever ridden it just tore our lungs to threads a bit like my arm by the end of the race...Part of the loop had a big dip in it which veered right at the bottom which i over shot the exit on the 1st lap to be staring down some pinetrees with a handful of brake.. lap 2 was better lap 3 i was moving over to the left side ready to go into the dip and started to drift my wheels hit some grass and flung me straight right and into a black berry bush i managed to stay upright some how i appeared out the other side bloodied and covered in greenery limped it home.. to have matt murphy to take the win and reekie to round me up before i got to the line..
SUNDAY XC..
The tension had been building for this day for a long time with myself michael vanos and adam kelly very close on points who ever won today won the series it mattered a hell of alot to all three..
Jumped onto the back off elite as we powered off the start i could hear a rider so close to my back tyre and wen i got a chance i looked to see a plain white jersy (mick v ) i was so sketchy on the single track just didnt wana stuff it up and i could never find my rythm for descending the whole race.. some were in the first lap i hear a big crunch behined me and lots of colouful language something went wrong with mick (he ate shit..) ok chops time to turn yourself inside out to get a gap.... it took a bit for adam to catch me, but with about 180m of climbing and switchbacks that destroy any flow to your ride(haha bye bye ur getting logged) and 7spin classes between today and the 12hr my legs were slowing down.. Adam went round me and i stayed with him 4 a short while but had him in my sights but i couldnt answer the power and class he brought to the race. and finished 2nd to him by the end...
Adam kelly won the expert class by 3points to me and with mick coming in 3rd.. i was mister consistant taking 3 2nd places in the series with mick and adam taking in turns at beating me..
WE came home with a beer mug each and a ribbon thoroughly enjoyed being pushed by these guys.. amazed by the strength and skill of mick v at 20years old and barely been riding for a year look out when he puts more rides into his legs..
bring on 2010 state xc...
well done to xfusion for helping the series along and craig armour to making it all happen great job guys...
chops :)
After sleeping in way past my alarm i awoke at 950am 10min due to departure time so we pushed it back to 1030 loaded up the car matt took the front seat while charli snuggled into the back and i had the foot to the floor for the trip to lithgow.. lots of nice views on the bells line rd..
We drove straight out to the track in time for the PEDAL for $$$.. me versus two giants.. matt reekie and matt murphy... Murphy got the jump on us early into the 1st lap of 3.. the fire road was full of loose stones the air was chilled the altitude was higher then all of our coastal homes..
It was the most painful 9km i have ever ridden it just tore our lungs to threads a bit like my arm by the end of the race...Part of the loop had a big dip in it which veered right at the bottom which i over shot the exit on the 1st lap to be staring down some pinetrees with a handful of brake.. lap 2 was better lap 3 i was moving over to the left side ready to go into the dip and started to drift my wheels hit some grass and flung me straight right and into a black berry bush i managed to stay upright some how i appeared out the other side bloodied and covered in greenery limped it home.. to have matt murphy to take the win and reekie to round me up before i got to the line..
SUNDAY XC..
The tension had been building for this day for a long time with myself michael vanos and adam kelly very close on points who ever won today won the series it mattered a hell of alot to all three..
Jumped onto the back off elite as we powered off the start i could hear a rider so close to my back tyre and wen i got a chance i looked to see a plain white jersy (mick v ) i was so sketchy on the single track just didnt wana stuff it up and i could never find my rythm for descending the whole race.. some were in the first lap i hear a big crunch behined me and lots of colouful language something went wrong with mick (he ate shit..) ok chops time to turn yourself inside out to get a gap.... it took a bit for adam to catch me, but with about 180m of climbing and switchbacks that destroy any flow to your ride(haha bye bye ur getting logged) and 7spin classes between today and the 12hr my legs were slowing down.. Adam went round me and i stayed with him 4 a short while but had him in my sights but i couldnt answer the power and class he brought to the race. and finished 2nd to him by the end...
Adam kelly won the expert class by 3points to me and with mick coming in 3rd.. i was mister consistant taking 3 2nd places in the series with mick and adam taking in turns at beating me..
WE came home with a beer mug each and a ribbon thoroughly enjoyed being pushed by these guys.. amazed by the strength and skill of mick v at 20years old and barely been riding for a year look out when he puts more rides into his legs..
bring on 2010 state xc...
well done to xfusion for helping the series along and craig armour to making it all happen great job guys...
chops :)
Thursday, August 13, 2009
SYDNEY 12HR
The race began at the rego tent after martin let me in the gate riding a very cool looking bike:)
Juliana was running the show in the rego tent handing out the numbers and cool yellow drink bottles while martin was doing his best to give away free mtb mags... "hello james elite solo for you" arghh do i have to..... "yes,, and guess what your number is??" hmmm i think back to earlier in my drive down to the race when i had visions of the number 1 plate... sure enough it was N0.1 the race clicked into gear and my week was forgotten my legs were ready and the target was getting brighter on my back for every step i took from that tent...
I set up my camp right along side the track neighbours with nobmob was great with the lighting they had,, and nearly the rockytrail show was here... http://www.burningtrails.com/ to see the episodes and post me a vote, ive made the top 3 and we can all vote again.. plzzz get chops to the croc...
i fiddle with my bike for quite a while trying to get my tyres right (i blew one off the rim earlier that day ouch!!!) i do wat i can strap some lights onn that i borrowed from a friend once i work out the ay-ups i was off to see the track... i rode the 1st half thinking 2moro is gona be brutal it was so rough... at the halfway i couldnt go on as the smell of food was to convincing..
I awoke at 6ish in my tent i never really woke up with the race day buzz, or with what layed ahead even on mine, was i not concerned or was it the unkown distance, but i just went about my usual race prep...i definalety stayed in my trackies and skins as long as i could.
Riding around wearing bright pink and having the number one plate definately turned a few heads but i just went about my biz, it was good to catch up with all the other riders i know before the race and i even got a sneak peak at the start list as the mc was from the central coast, it made me feel better as there was no big (well known elite) names on the list...This race could go to anyone... we roll down to the start it wasnt real friendly(but still no nerves am i used to this racing bizo) before anyone really expected we were told the race was on and most of us woddled the first 5m up the fire road clipped in and took on the climb, i caught up with anthony on a nice white 29er who was in a 2man with his gf. setting a good pace i thought and i was hoping to ride quite conservitaly with some flu bug i had i just had no idea how my body was going to.. id lost my voice 2days earlier so i apologies to the ppl i didnt get to ask track to and the thankyous i missed i was very hard to talk at times..
My legs dialed in the pace they wanted and if it took me to the end i would be happy no matter where i finished... lap after lap after lap goes by..
Ithink it was about lap 6 when my right leg starts to ache tight right glute and itband which then f###ks your knee,,, sigh so i get off for a stretch and start walking the rocky climbs which really helped my situation... by this stage charli is out on the track racing the GP4hour so i was keeping an eye our for another pink jersy and a big smile..
So the help from Vanina and Kath was highly appreciated felt pretty special these enduro queens working on my bike and shoving food into me.. more laps>>>>>>>>>more hills more powerbars more bottles dranked...
i come into transition to see charli there,, in tears because of an 8cm gash in her arm so a few hugs and tears and phone calls later everyone was smiling again..so i loaded up, i think this was were i had a spoonful of jam straight from the jar..it goes down easy lol.. more laps>>>>>more pain in the right leg..
The sun goes down and the lights get fired up... feeling pretty good about myself as i was still riding past any time i have ever spent on a mountain bike, and still enjoying my specialized epic my hand were definately past the hurting stage but just gotta soldier on to get the job done and chase the poduim.. i heard i was in 3rd so the game just got a whole lot more important..
somewhere into the night i caught up to shane to unlap myself i think and we rode about 2laps together having a good chat and then he got away when i pulled in for another stretch.
By now im doing sums in my head to what i have left i check with timing and im informed there is 55mins ago sigh, prob means two laps, so i crawled around knowing 4th place is not to far behined hoping he would catch me so we could sprint to the line and call it a night... i get to the finish line and stop before i cross it to think about my options, talking with charli and some solid intel and advice from craig armour so i rolled through timing and sat there changed a battery and sucked down some gels.. with paul craft as mc he had the crowd on edge and created such an awesome atmosphere, i kept a close eye on the trail for dreggsy...60sec to go no dreggsy..
here comes some lights so really with all the riders out there wat are the chances...IT WAS HIM..
My head drops and my legs powered up.. showdown time!!! i attacked the fire road climb and did the fastest lap in the last 70km to ride into 3rd place...
well done dave and shane for taking 1st and 2nd.
And a big thanks to everyone that helped me pack up, i was pretty out of it and charli being injured, your help made our lives so much easier. off to hospital and charli had to stay in over night, so i slogged it back home and got there at 330am.. i was up by 730am had breaky and went to ourimbah for the club round... talk about having nothing i was over taken by b grade and lapped by a grade.. but i did wat i could to get some points... back to syd to the hospital and pick up charli's car she got all stitched up we went out for dinner which was much needed it was my 1st real meal since thurs... i ordered lamb chops :) so tasty..
well that was a story.. sorry for bad typing im so tired its late on a thurs night and ive already done 6spin classes.. my right leg is still troubling me hopefully a massage 2moro will fix things so i can get ready for the state round on sunday were im coming second in the points standing so its a showdown against micheal vanos.. winner takes the series... should be a blast..
thanks for reading, hit follow on your way out...
chops:)
l think i need a new name for the blog it seem ive made it back to the poduim after being ER..
Juliana was running the show in the rego tent handing out the numbers and cool yellow drink bottles while martin was doing his best to give away free mtb mags... "hello james elite solo for you" arghh do i have to..... "yes,, and guess what your number is??" hmmm i think back to earlier in my drive down to the race when i had visions of the number 1 plate... sure enough it was N0.1 the race clicked into gear and my week was forgotten my legs were ready and the target was getting brighter on my back for every step i took from that tent...
I set up my camp right along side the track neighbours with nobmob was great with the lighting they had,, and nearly the rockytrail show was here... http://www.burningtrails.com/ to see the episodes and post me a vote, ive made the top 3 and we can all vote again.. plzzz get chops to the croc...
i fiddle with my bike for quite a while trying to get my tyres right (i blew one off the rim earlier that day ouch!!!) i do wat i can strap some lights onn that i borrowed from a friend once i work out the ay-ups i was off to see the track... i rode the 1st half thinking 2moro is gona be brutal it was so rough... at the halfway i couldnt go on as the smell of food was to convincing..
I awoke at 6ish in my tent i never really woke up with the race day buzz, or with what layed ahead even on mine, was i not concerned or was it the unkown distance, but i just went about my usual race prep...i definalety stayed in my trackies and skins as long as i could.
Riding around wearing bright pink and having the number one plate definately turned a few heads but i just went about my biz, it was good to catch up with all the other riders i know before the race and i even got a sneak peak at the start list as the mc was from the central coast, it made me feel better as there was no big (well known elite) names on the list...This race could go to anyone... we roll down to the start it wasnt real friendly(but still no nerves am i used to this racing bizo) before anyone really expected we were told the race was on and most of us woddled the first 5m up the fire road clipped in and took on the climb, i caught up with anthony on a nice white 29er who was in a 2man with his gf. setting a good pace i thought and i was hoping to ride quite conservitaly with some flu bug i had i just had no idea how my body was going to.. id lost my voice 2days earlier so i apologies to the ppl i didnt get to ask track to and the thankyous i missed i was very hard to talk at times..
My legs dialed in the pace they wanted and if it took me to the end i would be happy no matter where i finished... lap after lap after lap goes by..
Ithink it was about lap 6 when my right leg starts to ache tight right glute and itband which then f###ks your knee,,, sigh so i get off for a stretch and start walking the rocky climbs which really helped my situation... by this stage charli is out on the track racing the GP4hour so i was keeping an eye our for another pink jersy and a big smile..
So the help from Vanina and Kath was highly appreciated felt pretty special these enduro queens working on my bike and shoving food into me.. more laps>>>>>>>>>more hills more powerbars more bottles dranked...
i come into transition to see charli there,, in tears because of an 8cm gash in her arm so a few hugs and tears and phone calls later everyone was smiling again..so i loaded up, i think this was were i had a spoonful of jam straight from the jar..it goes down easy lol.. more laps>>>>>more pain in the right leg..
The sun goes down and the lights get fired up... feeling pretty good about myself as i was still riding past any time i have ever spent on a mountain bike, and still enjoying my specialized epic my hand were definately past the hurting stage but just gotta soldier on to get the job done and chase the poduim.. i heard i was in 3rd so the game just got a whole lot more important..
somewhere into the night i caught up to shane to unlap myself i think and we rode about 2laps together having a good chat and then he got away when i pulled in for another stretch.
By now im doing sums in my head to what i have left i check with timing and im informed there is 55mins ago sigh, prob means two laps, so i crawled around knowing 4th place is not to far behined hoping he would catch me so we could sprint to the line and call it a night... i get to the finish line and stop before i cross it to think about my options, talking with charli and some solid intel and advice from craig armour so i rolled through timing and sat there changed a battery and sucked down some gels.. with paul craft as mc he had the crowd on edge and created such an awesome atmosphere, i kept a close eye on the trail for dreggsy...60sec to go no dreggsy..
here comes some lights so really with all the riders out there wat are the chances...IT WAS HIM..
My head drops and my legs powered up.. showdown time!!! i attacked the fire road climb and did the fastest lap in the last 70km to ride into 3rd place...
well done dave and shane for taking 1st and 2nd.
And a big thanks to everyone that helped me pack up, i was pretty out of it and charli being injured, your help made our lives so much easier. off to hospital and charli had to stay in over night, so i slogged it back home and got there at 330am.. i was up by 730am had breaky and went to ourimbah for the club round... talk about having nothing i was over taken by b grade and lapped by a grade.. but i did wat i could to get some points... back to syd to the hospital and pick up charli's car she got all stitched up we went out for dinner which was much needed it was my 1st real meal since thurs... i ordered lamb chops :) so tasty..
well that was a story.. sorry for bad typing im so tired its late on a thurs night and ive already done 6spin classes.. my right leg is still troubling me hopefully a massage 2moro will fix things so i can get ready for the state round on sunday were im coming second in the points standing so its a showdown against micheal vanos.. winner takes the series... should be a blast..
thanks for reading, hit follow on your way out...
chops:)
l think i need a new name for the blog it seem ive made it back to the poduim after being ER..
Thursday, August 6, 2009
At the bottom looking up..
Sorry to put a negative spin on life here but i just gotta let rip at this keyboard.. and it might help you understand chops a bit better just in case you see a pink jersy flipping out a lil at the sydney 12hr..
The training has been slack lately as ive had no lights,,, i could prob even go weeks back ill fast forward everything to this week.. not enough time and money stresses me out and ill just pick on the time issue..
its nearyly 2pm and i wana get to yellowmundee so i can get a lap in and set my tent up but yet im here venting out onto my blog and into the world.. The week has flown by and with coming down with what ever bug i have has been a bitch with trying to teach spin classes with no voice sucks arse.. work has strung out with problem after problem slowing production down and not getting anything done means no dollors..
took my epic into the shop yesterday in an attempt to make it lighter by changing the tyres and i cant get the small b8 to seal properly on my rear wheel and adding over the reccomended air pressure was goin well until i got to 80psi and blew the walls of my garage a lil wider so now everything is covered in stans and just soaking up more of my time...
i just have no idea how im gona get thru this 12hr race i have not eaten properly in the last week or trained or stretched like any other week i even had a coffee everyday which i never do..wats this bug gone do to me while riding who knows.. ive been training hard for ages to be ready for this.. being part of the rockytrail show has put extra pressure on me to perform on the day.. mainly i just wana beat shane taylor so ppl think im worthy of the ticket to the croc trophy..im driving down alone today in my car which i dont have faith in that it will make the distant and drive back after the race and be at ourimbah to race club on sunday morning... will i even be alive... i just dont know...
i dont even have a plan written down for my pit crew 2moro let alone the food i need to run my body... just so un organaised im just stuck doing all myself with no time to do it....
just get me to the other side of this wknd....
all of this has prob made no sense i just thought it mite help me from falling off the rails..
lets just hope wen i get pedalling 2moro it all disappears..
chops.
The training has been slack lately as ive had no lights,,, i could prob even go weeks back ill fast forward everything to this week.. not enough time and money stresses me out and ill just pick on the time issue..
its nearyly 2pm and i wana get to yellowmundee so i can get a lap in and set my tent up but yet im here venting out onto my blog and into the world.. The week has flown by and with coming down with what ever bug i have has been a bitch with trying to teach spin classes with no voice sucks arse.. work has strung out with problem after problem slowing production down and not getting anything done means no dollors..
took my epic into the shop yesterday in an attempt to make it lighter by changing the tyres and i cant get the small b8 to seal properly on my rear wheel and adding over the reccomended air pressure was goin well until i got to 80psi and blew the walls of my garage a lil wider so now everything is covered in stans and just soaking up more of my time...
i just have no idea how im gona get thru this 12hr race i have not eaten properly in the last week or trained or stretched like any other week i even had a coffee everyday which i never do..wats this bug gone do to me while riding who knows.. ive been training hard for ages to be ready for this.. being part of the rockytrail show has put extra pressure on me to perform on the day.. mainly i just wana beat shane taylor so ppl think im worthy of the ticket to the croc trophy..im driving down alone today in my car which i dont have faith in that it will make the distant and drive back after the race and be at ourimbah to race club on sunday morning... will i even be alive... i just dont know...
i dont even have a plan written down for my pit crew 2moro let alone the food i need to run my body... just so un organaised im just stuck doing all myself with no time to do it....
just get me to the other side of this wknd....
all of this has prob made no sense i just thought it mite help me from falling off the rails..
lets just hope wen i get pedalling 2moro it all disappears..
chops.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)