Strawbuger's Racing Log

[Strawburger]

Date: 17 Nov 13
Venue: Ride For Life Crit - Heffron Park
Conditions: Rain, and lots of it!
Grade: Vintage Bicycle Race - aged handicapped, thus last group off - 5 Laps
Result: 2nd / 15
Report:

Jumped off the bike, got the vintage bike out and didn't have much time to get ready. The last race was a handy warmup though! We all lined up and had interviews, talked about our bikes then we were racing. Crafty worked out the handicap system: age of the rider + age of your bike = handicap! Thus, i was right at the back. I did have company though, with another young whipper snapper and the DH rider from the race before.

We were off, giving almost a lap up to the front rider. I took the lead of our group and rode on the front for 3 laps until we caught the grouped race. That left 2 laps to go. The DH rider and I went straight to the front of the race to control the pace. I said we should keep the race together until half a lap to go and pull off. And we did. The the pack were all excited for the sprint and were jostling for the right position. As we turned the corner for the 800m straight, someone goes. Thus, everyone goes! I really didn't want to contest the finish (due to guilt) but as soon as i saw my DH friend go, I went. I didn't get his wheel, so i ended up pushing a lot of wind. I ended up 2nd, missing out by a few lengths.

This race was lots of fun and it was great to see so many DH riders out (i think we had 14 out of the 15 for the race)

dist - 12.5kms
time - 22min 16sec
speed - 33.2km/hr avg (47.7 max)
cadence - 82 (i was on 53/42 - 13-21 7 speed)
heart rate - 174 HR avg (194 max)
Power - 234W avg (accidentally left my power meter on)

[Strawburger]

[Strawburger]

Date: 29 Nov 13
Venue: Tour of Bright - Stage 1 - 13.5km ITT
Conditions: Sunny, hot
Grade: Masters B
Result: 52nd / 92
Report:

Did some secret training for the ToB which was enough to get me back into shape after the overseas holiday! I was thinking hopefully I won't come last or near that, so the aim was top 70. We got to Bright with an hour and a half before my start time. Just enough time i thought... Got back to the accommodation, got the bike sorted and realised i had 25mins left. My warmup consisted of doing a time trial from my accommodation to the start line! This got the heart rate and legs moving well. It was probably my best warmup for a TT i reckon.

I didn't check out the course that well, so i thought I'd wing it. I rolled out of the start ramp without anyone in front of me. Why does this keep happening? No dramas though, i had the trusty powermeter to gauge my pacing. The first turn was at about 3.8kms to I ensured I didn't cook myself before then. That i did achieve. What i didn't do well was turn. I raced into the first turn way too quick, thought it was a 90deg but in fact it was a 180deg turn. I locked up the back wheel, slid through the barriers and regained control to turn around and get going in the right direction again By this time the guy behind me (turns out he was 3 behind me) was catching up very fast. By 6km he had passed me and had a good 10 seconds on me. I kept to my plan and by 10km i passed him and started putting distance on him. That felt pretty good, perhaps I wasn't going to come last! I crossed the line very fast. Just under 21mins. My target was 22mins so i was very happy with that!

The beauty with Victorian races is that the results are posted live, so you can see how much you suck straight away - 52nd / 92. Not a bad start considering some of the fastest times were posted in the masters grades.

dist - 13.7kms
time - 20min 58sec (official time 20:57)
speed - 39.1km/hr avg (57.0 max)
cadence - 94
heart rate - 182 HR avg (189 max)
Power - not as good as the winners

[Strawburger]

photo of my TT position. It's getting better but there is still some progress to be made

[Strawburger]

Date: 30 Nov 13
Venue: Tour of Bright - Stage 2 - 91kms with Hilltop finish
Conditions: Sunny, very hot
Grade: Masters B
Result: 55th / 92
Report:

Stage 2 consisted of rolling terrain to the half way point; a cat 3, 4.5km climb at the halfway point at Rosewhite Gap; more rolling terrain and a cat 2, 7.5km hilltop finish up Tawonga Gap. My plan was to hold on until the base of Tawonga Gap and see how i go from there...

The race was non-eventful in the first 40 odd kms. A few mechanicals that caused the peloton minor discomforts but generally it was pretty tame. We did average about 40km/hr to the base of the Rosewhite Gap climb. A few went off the front at the base (they were very very very strong riders), and generally the pace was pretty hot heading up. I passed quite a few riders as many were being shed through this climb. I held on to the peloton until the final 100m. I was last to be dropped. I look around for help, fortunately there was one other with me. We descended fast and pushed the pace but were not gaining on the lead pack. Fortunately a group of 13 caught us so we worked well and were soon back in the lead bunch.

The rollers between "The Gaps" was again non eventful, the pace was up around the 40km/hr mark. As we got to the base, the attacks started. Most of the peloton settled into their own rhythm and pace as the strongest of the strong fought it out up front. The heat of the day was catching up and i ran out of water soon after starting the climb (i had gone through over 2L of water). The heart rate went up and my pace went down. I was passed by riders that i shouldn't have. Fortunately with 2km to go there was a natural spring. I parked the bike, jumped under it and cooled down. I jumped back on and passed a few riders but i had lost a chunk of time. With 200m to the finish a lead car shouting out "keep left, riders approaching!". I look around and can't see anyone but i keep left anyway. I cross the line with another guy with arms in the air "woohooing". Ahh, it was A grade Mens, and they didn't even looking tired, or breathing hard

I crossed the line in 55th with heat exhaustion, had a chuck, rehydrated and "caught a lift" with the Huon Salmon Genesis team back to Bright once i could get back on the bike again... That was a really tough stage!

dist - 93.6kms
time - 2hrs 47min 34sec (official time 2:47:53)
speed - 33.5km/hr avg (69.8 max)
cadence - 87
heart rate - 167 HR avg (188 max)
IF: 0.8

[Strawburger]

i think these photos tell the story better...

[Strawburger]

Date: 1 Dec 13
Venue: Tour of Bright - Stage 3 - 56kms with Mountaintop finish
Conditions: Sunny, hot
Grade: Masters B
Result: 54th / 92
Report:

Stage 3 consisted of 28kms of slightly uphill and to finish it off, up Mt Hotham: 28kms of Hors Catagorie pain. My plan was to stay with the pack up to the KOM point 5.5km into the Mt Hotham Climb and see how i go.

It was a pretty non eventful first 28kms (it could have been if the 4WD overtaking us plowed into wither the peloton or the motorbikes when overtaking us, but that's another story). We sat on 37km/hr for the first 40 mins until the base of Mt Hotham. The field then exploded as the front runners upped the pace to the KOM point. I stayed with them for the first couple of kms, but decided to back off slightly and let them go. I kept them within eyesight (about 30 sec off) and at the KOM point i waved goodbye to them as I settled into my own rhythm for the next 20 odd kms. I passed a few popped riders, saw a few from the other grades as well. My pacing was working well as i only got passed by 5 riders and i passed more than 5. The last 5 kms are very steep but have downhill sections to them. I had plenty of life in the legs to go hard through this section. I estimate i gained 4 minutes on the riders i had around me but the leaders were done and dusted by this point! I got up in just over 90 mins for the climb and was happy with that. My time had me placed in 54th position, thus finishing the GC in 52nd!

Very happy to have finished, especially so high up. The racing is brutal though, i was not expecting it to be that difficult. Some of the masters times were better than Men's Elite, certainly the top end in all masters grades could have done very well in Mens Elite B &C! Next year, if i decide to do this again, i'll have better knowledge of the terrain and perhaps come with better gearing than 53/39 - 12-27!

dist - 55.3kms
time - 2hrs 21min 07sec (official time 2:21:11)
speed - 23.5km/hr avg (68.5 max)
cadence - 82
heart rate - 165 HR avg (183 max)
IF: 0.82

[Strawburger]

and the photos...

[foo on patrol]

Good job Strawburger!

The worst part of racing in the heat is the constant threat of heat exhaustion and dehydration.

Foo

[Strawburger]

Date: 5 April 14
Venue: NSW Hillclimb Championships, Mt Panorama Bathurst
Conditions: Ideal
Grade: MMAS2
Result: 5th
Report:

Unfortunately today was the day reality hit and i was no longer the state champion! To be fair, it was a bit of a fluke so i wasn't too phased. My goal was to better my time from last year and see where that got me. No B2B this year (far to dangerous for my liking) so the hillclimb was the only event for the weekend.

I woke up not feeling great at all. I was staying in the blue mountains in a friend's place. I had a feeling that the water there gave me the runs the night before and it certainly didn't improve whilst drinking the water in the house. On the plus side, i may have lost 1kg...

Warmed up well and got ready on the start line. Kev Fisher was on the line, it's always nice having a friendly face to hold your wheel! A short wait and i was off. I paced myself well in the first 1.2 kms, then unleashed the legs up the steep incline. I was feeling very tired, the legs were screaming but i worked through the pain and got to the crest of the hill. I got into the big ring and pedalled for dear life. I hit the line in 10:30ish. Beat my time by 2 sec!

Happy with the result considering the illness. I can't complain about much. I was a bit bummed on missing 1st place by only 15sec though. Something to aim for next year!

dist - 4.2kms
time - 10min 31sec (official time 10:31)
speed - 24.0km/hr avg
cadence - 81 avg
heart rate - 183 HR avg (189 max)
Power - 10W less than last year.

[Strawburger]

Date: 18 May 14
Venue: VCC Interclub Race, Uriarra Homestead
Conditions: Colder on the bike than off it, Still
Grade: C (19:20 off limit, 10:40 off scratch)
Result: 14th
Report:

I forgot how cold it was in Canberra. I also forgot how much i hate handicap races. I caught the VCC bike bus out to Uriarra for the start. A nice 25 odd kms to warm the legs up. I asked around to see what grade i should be in. Two years ago i was in E grade and thought it may have been a little easy. SO happy C grade was agreed with by the organisers.

We sat on the start line for what felt like forever as we watched D & E grades roll out. We were off a little less that 20mins from E, and a bit over 10min head start to A which consisted of a few familiar names i've seen at the States & nationals. It was going to be tough. We got together quickly and the group of 20 rolled through quite efficiently. The first of 3 laps sorted out the weak from the strong, i was fortunately holding on and rolling through. The second lap i felt more comfortable and warming up slightly (still wearing arm and leg warmers!). We were not gaining on D, but B were catching us. On the turn point on lap 2, we appeared to almost surrender, with a couple of riders promoting the idea of sitting up to the closing B graders. But the majority didn't want a bar of it and got back on the pedals hard. I struggled for a bit and sat on, trying to get some food and water in.

On the final lap, we were closing right in on D, but they were far enough to stay away. B were closing in and would have been about 20 sec behind. On the turn point with 5 or so kms to go, D had 1min, B were 30-45sec behind. It was a slightly uphill finish. With 3km to go, i decided to break away from the pack. I jumped and had no-one come with me. I got about 30m in front and the legs were screaming. I put the head down and tried to hold the pack off. A few turns of the head showed me that only a 3 were chasing me down (from a pack of 15), so i held on for as long as the legs would let me. With 1000m to go, i sat up as they closed me down. Very soon after, the sprint started from very far out. I grabbed a wheel and tried to recover, before starting my pathetic sprint for the line. I held on for 7th in the bunch, 14th overall.

We held off B by about 1.5mins in the end (we had a 3 min start), D grade was about the same in front from a 9:20 start on us.

Happy with the legs, fingers crossed the training comes good in the next 4 weeks with Ken Dinnerville, Sydney Road titles & Wagga Wagga coming up!

dist - 58.7kms
time - 1hr 32min 00sec (official time 1:31:50)
speed - 38.3km/hr avg
cadence - 91 avg
heart rate - 170 HR avg (187 max)
Power - 199W NP

[foo on patrol]

That's a bugger about the runs before a race Strawburger.

Foo

[Strawburger]

yes, a bugger but it masked the fact that i was underdone!

[Strawburger]

Date: 25 May 14
Venue: Ken Dinnerville, Dapto
Conditions: Sunny, slightly windy
Grade: Bunch 2 (+23mins from scratch, -10mins from Limit)
Result: 73rd / 170
Report:

Another year, another lucky entry to the Dinnerville! This year it sold out in 11mins (7mins last year). Hopefully a sign of things to come, that is, that the race is slower I found myself a group down this year. I'm not sure if that is due to the new handicapper or the quality of the field... An extra lap, reverse direction and 15 or so more kms should make it a lot tougher.

We were off and the pace was pretty quick on the first lap. I jumped on the rolling paceline early and did a load of work in the first lap. Found it easy going up the main climb 5 mins in, things were looking good. Lap 2 was much of the same. Some sandbagging from the ICC riders started to show. I fired a few rockets up them as their negative tactics were bringing down the rest of the bunch. It was evident that the ICC riders were working as a team and for the bunch to be effective the rest had to form an alliance. Midway through lap 2, the ICC riders suggested we sit up and wait for the bunch behind (who were about 5 mins back at this stage). Hmmm, not great... I rallied the non-ICC riders and suggested we pick the pace up. I went to the front and drove the pace, getting fellow DHBC & suvelo riders involved. whilst the ICC riders sat at the back. Once they realised what was doing, they got back on the front and slowed it down. Very frustrating tactics in an open and non-team race. By the end of the lap i decided to sit on and encouraged the rest to do likewise. This forced the ICC riders to get on the front and ride. Not ideal, but we were stuffed either way.

Lap 3 was very slow, averaging around 33km/hr, about 4-5km/hr slower than it should be. Just before the end of the lap, i went off the front to descend by myself, making sure i was able to join the approaching group. Oddly enough, one ICC rider caught me and jumped in front to slow me down. It wasn't like i was about to bridge the 4 minute gap to Limit easily! We were caught by the bunch behind at the end of lap3. so the race was pretty much done. I sat on until the last 5kms when i ran out of water (i went through 2.4L!).

Frustrated with the tactics of ICC and am glad none of them got on the podium, plus a DHBC rider won! There was only 92 finishers, a sign of how tough the day was.

dist - 105kms
time - 2hr 59min 46sec (official time 2:59:07)
speed - 35.0km/hr avg
cadence - 87 avg
heart rate - 169 HR avg (187 max)
Power - 221W NP

[SquareWheels]

seeing a bit of Froome style stem watching there....nice. Very pro.

[Strawburger]

Date: 31 May 14
Venue: Sydney Road Titles, Penrith Regatta Centre
Conditions: Damp, Cold
Grade: M2, M1 & 2 Combined
Result: 17th M2, 21st combined (out of 45)
Report:

I felt good on the day, and the key was to make sure my positioning was good. Learning from last year, accelerations out of the corners were tough! It's pancake flat, so no real opportunities for a guy like me. Why am i here then? Making good use of my racing licence and to get some leg speed training On the off chance there was a breakaway opportunity i would have a go.

I aimed to be near the middle of the pack but for most of the race i ended up near the back. This year i had the strength to move up and the speed out of the corners was a lot slower, thus it made for an easy race. With 4 laps to go (20kms), i realised that is was ending in a sprint finish, so i offered my services to one of the DHBC "sprinters". I moved him up the pack with 3 to go and drove the pace for almost a lap. Another less experienced DHBC rider jumped off the front, thinking it was is turn.I slowed the pack down slightly at the same time as a Penrith rider jumped. I yelled at the DH rider to go he looked unsure but i screamed at him to get on the breakaway. Another Penrith rider bridged the gap and the breakaway was formed. I duly slipped back into the middle of the pack, my job was done.

The DH rider in the breakaway was caught with 200m to go, the other was in perfect position for the sprint but a mechanical to the rider in front of him ruled out any opportunity for a result. I safely rolled home in the middle of the bunch.

dist - 89.6kms
time - 2hr 14min 02sec (official time 2:14:08)
speed - 40.1km/hr avg
cadence - 88 avg
heart rate - 162 HR avg (185 max)
Power - 204W NP

[Strawburger]

seeing a bit of Froome style stem watching there....nice. Very pro.

[foo on patrol]

One piece of advice Strawburger if I may? Look upon all flat courses as good speed training as racing is, the best form of training.

If you can line someone up that is of similar strength to you, (if no club mates available) the best way too hurt riders that are riding as a team is too, keep jumping as individuals. = You go for a set time and wait for them to catch you and then your partner in crime goes, so that you have a repeat of the hurt factor happening. (even better, if you have three)

Foo

[Strawburger]

Thanks for the advice foo, much appreciated. I will remember that and hope to implement it for the next lot of races!

[Strawburger]

better late than never... 6 race reports coming up!

[Strawburger]

Date: 14 June 14
Venue: Wagga Wagga Classic
Conditions: Damp, Cold, threat of pouring rain
Grade: 112km race, midway in the pack
Result: DNF
Report:

“I never do well on the Saturday in Wagga Wagga”. Such a negative thought but there’s a lot of realism in that statement. Looking at the grading I’ve received things wouldn’t change again this year! Originally placed in group 3 (one off block), I was left scratching my head as to how I got bumped up 6 groups and the longer race from last year. I submitted a protest and was pushed down a couple. Still, it’s nowhere near where I should be. The tactic was to sit on the wheel of the last rider in the group and hang on for as long as possible. It could do me good to test out the upper power zones which I have neglected recently.
We were off and I was left dangling out the back with another DHBC rider (who was in the same boat as I was). The first incline came and I was off the back with the other DH rider. We somehow got back on and sat on until the next one. It lasted 23 minutes. Talking to the commissars, the best way home was back where we came from. I thought I’d sit up and see where my mate was. 8 minutes later he turns up with the next group. We sat on for 3 minutes until the next incline and we were spat out again. We rolled together for the next 15mins. We decided to see what the next group could offer, hopefully a lift to the turn off home… We got on and surprisingly the bunch was smooth, easy to hold onto the wheels. We were dragged for a good 35mins before block or scratch turned up and exploded the field. A quick decision was made – a first ever self inflicted DNF or roll for the next 2 hours solo into rain and a nasty headwind. The rain clouds made that decision for me. I turned around with my tail between my legs, threw the bike in the car and went home.

STATS BEFORE QUITTING
dist - 49.7kms
time - 1hr 24min 00sec
speed - 35.5km/hr avg (68.2km/hr max)
cadence - 87 avg
heart rate - 162 HR avg (186 max)
Power - 238W NP

[Strawburger]

Date: 15 June 14
Venue: Wagga Wagga Crit
Conditions: Cold, damp
Grade: D 30mins + 3 laps
Result: 20th / 30 odd
Report:

I was only going to sign on if I wasn’t put in B grade… I had a few glasses of red the night before and was going to DNS, but to my shock I was placed into D grade. The deal I made with myself sort of backfired. I had to race! The legs were feeling good so I thought I’d practice my positioning in the bunch and cornering in the damp.
After a few laps I got itchy feet (or legs?), one rider jumped off the front and opened a 20m gap. No-one else went… So I attacked! I chased her down, went past and told her to jump on. I turn around 5 seconds later and she shook her head and said she can’t hold my wheel. Damn, 2 years in a row this happened to me… You’d think I would learn I rode solo for a lap, making sure I was seen by the commentator on the home straight. After crossing the start/finish I sat up and re-joined the peloton. The rest was just laps at a fast pace with a bunch sprint at the end, unfortunately no real excitement to write about!


dist - 24.9kms
time - 20hr 37min 57sec
speed - 39.3km/hr avg
cadence - 85 avg
heart rate - 174 HR avg (194 max)
Power - 228W NP

[Strawburger]

Date: 19 July 14
Venue: NSW Team Time Trial Championships, Nowra
Conditions: Sunny & windy
Grade: Masters opens
Result: 20th out of 50 teams
Report:

Decided that I haven’t done nearly enough racing this year so figured I needed another state championship to contest! I assembled a cracking team and we spent a few sessions figuring out how a team time trial works. I even bought a cheap TT frame I quickly discovered that I was the weakest link in the team…
Our star time triallist (just as quick if not quicker than our NRS boys) pulled out the week before due to family commitments meaning we were down one rider. We didn’t list a reserve (we know this for next time), so our pre-race ambition to finish sub 1hr for the 40kms and be the fastest DHBC masters team was looking shaky.
After a shabby warm up, we were off. We started quickly, steady though. The wind was up and the uphill 20kms was starting to take a toll on me. The lads slowed up we went as quick as we possibly could, sticking together pretty well. Our turnaround speed was 30km/hr.
On the way back, I found my legs and could help out. The nice problem to have was that our very strong rider decided to pull us home pretty much the whole way. I swapped turns with him twice but he was so strong he didn’t need the help and dragged us home at a speed of 50.9km/hr!
We finished 90 seconds under the hour but it was touch and go for first DHBC team. Unofficial results had us 1 second down, but once official results were posted we won that by almost a minute.
A great result, quickest 3 man team in our division and a top 20 finish!

dist - 89.6kms
time - 0hr 58min 23sec (official time 58:18)
speed - 37.6km/hr avg (64.4km/hr max)
cadence - 96 avg
heart rate - 176 HR avg (185 max)
Power - 247W NP

[Strawburger]

Date: 20 July 14
Venue: Nowra to Sassafras
Conditions: Sunny & windy
Grade: Masters 70kms Bunch 4 (Limit + 16min, Scratch -9mins)
Result: 30th out of 110 over the line, 22/110 fastest
Report:

I wasn’t super keen on the handicap I was given, however I’d see how long I could hang on for. Our very strong team member from the TTT was in bunch 8, I was in 4 with the other TTT teammate.
The bunch rolled well up the hill, I was feeling ok after a generous warmup and yesterday’s race. The good feeling soon wore off so after 20kms I decided to sit in and roll on the front when I could. We got to the monster hill before the turn around and I was still in the bunch. The legs felt great so I rejoined the workers and rolled through for the next 25kms. We couldn’t catch the leading group, I had a feeling our TTT member was driving the group. With 5kms to go we spotted that bunch, it looked like we could catch them. We hit an area of roadworks. It felt like riding through glue. I was spat out the back with 2km to go. I pushed to get back on but I sat up and lost 30sec on the group.
Pretty pleased with the way I managed my race, to be there near the end was promising and could be good signs for the back end of the season.

dist - 68.3kms
time - 1hr 45min 41sec (official time 1:45:40)
speed - 38.7km/hr avg (77.3km/hr max)
cadence - 92 avg
heart rate - 171 HR avg (186 max)
Power - 240W NP

[foo on patrol]

You maybe like me Strawbuger, my legs take heaps of time to warm up before I can fire properly. It took me a long time to figure that out and it cost me a State title at the time.

Foo