Tis the season for kids, eating, relatives and many other things not sympathetic to cycling. Didnt get out on Christmas morning as it was more important to enjoy present opening with the three year old.
That said I am on track to crank out nearly 300kms this week but will only do half the drill sessions. Being on holidays presented the opportunity to cycle down to a family get together with the other halfs crew. A pleasant 110km ride (avg 29kph)down to Gippsland via the bottom end of the Dandenongs.
I hadn't mentioned I was riding down so they were rather shocked at the idea someone would pedal that far.
Did High Cadence and E3 intervals this morning - backing up for a repeat tomorrow then off to Kinglake with a couple of other guys Sunday morning for another long one.
December 28, 2007
December 23, 2007
Revolution and Training Week One
Great night out at Revolution with a couple of mates of mine on Wednesday night. The event was very well supported and was the largest crowd I have seen at a cycling event in quite some time. Very fit looking crowd too. Some great racing but to my mind the match sprint events were the most exciting - great combination of skill and raw power.
Anyway I managed to complete most of this weeks training in amongst the torrential downpours. Call it global warming or just wierd but we have had 66mm of rain in December roughly (according to the Greensborough gauge) and 42mm of that fell on 21st and 22nd December.
Fortunately this only trashed training on Saturday. I managed to get my sessions done bar one set of hill sprints and high cadence. Still finding my way with the drills. Second effort at high cadence (HCLR) was much better and I hit 156rpm without bouncing.
The 5 min E3 intervals were interesting. The first set on reflection I think I brought my HR up a little too quick as it got too hard to keep the HR in the E3 range. Second set I stretched out the build up and found it easier to sustain it in E3. Now need to find that balance between max effort and going to hard early and falling off. Was extremely humid which probably didnt help too much.
Hill sprints are supposed to get a bit of a burn going in the legs. Well it didnt really so I need to take a look at this in next weeks outing. Came home soaked from two outings so the bike got two cleans this week.
Did Glenvale D grade crit as planned - but not sure I had a race plan per se. Quite a few starters for the 23rd of December (about 35 roughly). Saw a guy from the SKCC D grade crits - who really should be booted to C. Not sure whether I was in the right frame of mind for racing either - had no clear goal in mind before the start (ie train some specifics like bridging or race for a placing).
Stayed near the front but failed to get on the break of three that eventually won it. They went past me and off the front about seven laps in. I didnt have the leg speed to bridge the gap - should have been able to in theory since I know I can crank out 50kph for a sustained effort.
Anyway it was pretty much the bike race then and there. No organisation and only a couple of lame efforts by individuals (with a few wheelsuckers in tow of course) to reel them. Both of these failed (not that the wheelsuckers helped out of course) and got stuck in no mans land. Eventually swept them up and I stayed on the front towing the pack around at about 40kph for the rest of the race.
The leading three got organised (including Mr SKCC) and were atleast half a lap in front just before the 3 laps. Could not get anyone interested in working - other than a 30 sec turn on the downhill part of the course by one guy.
Anyway there was a bit of rain starting so I had a hissy fit and bailed out with four laps to go. It seemed quite pointless to tow the also rans around for a sprint finish out of the places and I had done a reasonable E3 session.
I really need to decide before a race exactly why I am there and what I am aiming to do in it. Without doing that it seems pretty stupid turning up. Also need to think through why I can sit on the front on 38-40kph for ages but dont have the extra kick to bridge a gap. GRRRR.
Anyway there is always next week to look forward to.
Anyway I managed to complete most of this weeks training in amongst the torrential downpours. Call it global warming or just wierd but we have had 66mm of rain in December roughly (according to the Greensborough gauge) and 42mm of that fell on 21st and 22nd December.
Fortunately this only trashed training on Saturday. I managed to get my sessions done bar one set of hill sprints and high cadence. Still finding my way with the drills. Second effort at high cadence (HCLR) was much better and I hit 156rpm without bouncing.
The 5 min E3 intervals were interesting. The first set on reflection I think I brought my HR up a little too quick as it got too hard to keep the HR in the E3 range. Second set I stretched out the build up and found it easier to sustain it in E3. Now need to find that balance between max effort and going to hard early and falling off. Was extremely humid which probably didnt help too much.
Hill sprints are supposed to get a bit of a burn going in the legs. Well it didnt really so I need to take a look at this in next weeks outing. Came home soaked from two outings so the bike got two cleans this week.
Did Glenvale D grade crit as planned - but not sure I had a race plan per se. Quite a few starters for the 23rd of December (about 35 roughly). Saw a guy from the SKCC D grade crits - who really should be booted to C. Not sure whether I was in the right frame of mind for racing either - had no clear goal in mind before the start (ie train some specifics like bridging or race for a placing).
Stayed near the front but failed to get on the break of three that eventually won it. They went past me and off the front about seven laps in. I didnt have the leg speed to bridge the gap - should have been able to in theory since I know I can crank out 50kph for a sustained effort.
Anyway it was pretty much the bike race then and there. No organisation and only a couple of lame efforts by individuals (with a few wheelsuckers in tow of course) to reel them. Both of these failed (not that the wheelsuckers helped out of course) and got stuck in no mans land. Eventually swept them up and I stayed on the front towing the pack around at about 40kph for the rest of the race.
The leading three got organised (including Mr SKCC) and were atleast half a lap in front just before the 3 laps. Could not get anyone interested in working - other than a 30 sec turn on the downhill part of the course by one guy.
Anyway there was a bit of rain starting so I had a hissy fit and bailed out with four laps to go. It seemed quite pointless to tow the also rans around for a sprint finish out of the places and I had done a reasonable E3 session.
I really need to decide before a race exactly why I am there and what I am aiming to do in it. Without doing that it seems pretty stupid turning up. Also need to think through why I can sit on the front on 38-40kph for ages but dont have the extra kick to bridge a gap. GRRRR.
Anyway there is always next week to look forward to.
December 19, 2007
"Lucky" crash on the NRR
A guy I got to know from the North Road Ride NRR had an off today after the turn at Mordi. Travelling at some 54kph. He was the lucky one - lots of road rash and needing a new helmet, glasses and jersey from Santa. The other two involved received an arm dislocated at the elbow and a broken collar bone respectively.
Fortunately his bike didnt suffer any noteable damage. :)
Off to watch some track cycling . Will post up some pics later.
Fortunately his bike didnt suffer any noteable damage. :)
Off to watch some track cycling . Will post up some pics later.
December 18, 2007
And so it begins......
After reading a few of the main books on cycling training and finding them a bit hard to relate to and short of time in a world with a job, kids and all the other things called life I decided to spend a little money and get a coach to help put together a training program aimed at the upcoming road season.
Hopefully this will teach me how to create an effective training regimen and see some improvement throughout the next season.
Up until this point outside of races its been a case of doing whatever I (or others that I ride with) felt like. While I certainly have got better over time some structure is needed if I am going to progress.
Hopefully this will teach me how to create an effective training regimen and see some improvement throughout the next season.
Up until this point outside of races its been a case of doing whatever I (or others that I ride with) felt like. While I certainly have got better over time some structure is needed if I am going to progress.
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