A year in the life of a wannabe racer- Part 2!
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Re: A year in the life of a wannabe racer- Part 2!
Postby ironhanglider » Sun Oct 27, 2013 10:36 pm
Cheers,
Cameron
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Re: 10 minutes past midnight.
Postby ldrcycles » Tue Oct 29, 2013 8:59 pm
So with other commitments lined up for daylight hours, but still in need of some long range riding, I pressed start on the Bryton, clicked into the pedals and set off down the road a little after midnight today .
I was very surprised at the number of people out and about at such an ungodly hour on a Tuesday, especially the mother and daughter walking their dogs . But once away from the busiest areas, the roads were blissfully empty, between the Big Kart Track and the Caboolture Showgrounds I saw a total of 3 cars! On the other hand, the forests around Beerburrum are SERIOUSLY creepy at 2am .
Up until reaching Caboolture I felt a bit subpar, but was getting along ok (in fact better than ok if the strava segments are anything to go by) but my legs simply stopped working shortly afterwards and after only a few kms on the D'Aguilar Highway I realised I was down on the aerobars and working pretty hard for only 25kmh. Now that pace was not going to get me to Kilcoy and back in the time I had available, so I decided instead to do a loop through Caboolture to get back to the road north. After getting lost and finding myself backtracking my mental state was, let's say, less than ideal. I had some food and a rest but was still no good afterwards and limped all the way back to Coolum at low speed. The last few kms were not much fun at all, a great deal of pain for as little as 17kmh thanks to a headwind.
Why I felt so poorly i'm not sure, the super early start may have had my body all sixes and sevens, perhaps it was due to a very stressful day at work on Monday? In either case I felt a lot better once the GPS was uploaded and showed an average speed of 29.9kmh, perfectly acceptable for 184kms with unfavourable winds . Every time I do a tough ride like this one though it is just another bit of experience to draw on when I need it, onwards and upwards!
I also discovered today that the aerobars do a great job as a shopping rack
EDIT: and I forgot to mention, after knocking off said long ride by 7am, I was able to have a quick nap, do some work around the house, then out to look at windows/doors for the house and then do some fencing and cleaning out at my parent's farm. How's that for a productive day!
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Re: A year in the life of a wannabe racer- Part 2!
Postby singlespeedscott » Tue Oct 29, 2013 10:05 pm
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Re: A year in the life of a wannabe racer- Part 2!
Postby ldrcycles » Wed Oct 30, 2013 8:05 am
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Re: Back in the game!
Postby ldrcycles » Thu Nov 07, 2013 11:18 pm
Yea sure.
I turned the corner and there was a bloody great wall rearing up in front of me, and then once over that there was another, even harder pinch to deal with. After the break from riding my insides felt like they were being sprayed with acid and the lungs were just refusing to do anything at all, but I managed to clear it, and got 2nd place .
After a wee break I set off home again, only to have Special Cecil make an appearance, this time in a Landcruiser ute which passed me with barely more than a cubit to spare (or 50cms for those so inclined) in spite of the fact that I was doing barely less than the speed limit and we were approaching a red light. At my request to stop and have a chat he tapped the brakes but then must have thought better of dealing with 6'2 of pissed off wannabe racer sprinting hard for him and he took off with all the urgency a knackered oil spewing diesel can manage.
The rest of the ride home was uneventful, but it's about time I shared the thought pattern that cycling induces in me. Some kilometres after my encounter with Special Cecil another ute passed me, this time at a safe distance.
"Well looky there, every other man and his dog can overtake safely"
"Maybe that's why that other idiot couldn't, because he didn't have a dog"
"Perhaps he was upset because he doesn't have a dog"
"What was the rego again, PIG 270, Papa Indigo, what the hell is G?"
"Gravy. Gravy is a good word for G"
"When was the last time I had gravy?"
And so on and so forth, so you can see how when riding for 8+ hours at a time, the rigours of the road are trifling compared to the endless stream of bollocks from inside my own head.
Before the next ride I will definitely need to move the saddle from it's TT optimised position, as I was walking a bit funny after this morning's ride.
So after knocking off the ride it was out to the farm for a bit of turning blah
into blah
and then blah
so that it can be populated with blah
Yonder behemoth is a Boer cross called Prince, and is so big and musclebound I am considering training him to be saddled and ridden up the Obi Obi to snipe the Strava segments.
I've heard that sort of thing is very popular in Europe nowadays.
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Re: A year in the life of a wannabe racer- Part 2!
Postby singlespeedscott » Fri Nov 08, 2013 7:35 am
MY wife wants to harness him up for Billly cart racing
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Re: A year in the life of a wannabe racer- Part 2!
Postby ldrcycles » Fri Nov 08, 2013 8:13 pm
You've got me thinking (always highly dangerous) now with the mention of billy carts, that could be a great way to use some of the half million worthless 26" wheels I have lying around!
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Re: A year in the life of a wannabe racer- Part 2!
Postby foo on patrol » Fri Nov 08, 2013 9:35 pm
You'll have the Greenies chasing you Idry if you go hooking them up to a cart.
Foo
Goal 6000km
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Re: A year in the life of a wannabe racer- Part 2!
Postby ldrcycles » Fri Nov 08, 2013 10:16 pm
Maybe if I had a team of goats, like sled dogs...
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Re: A year in the life of a wannabe racer- Part 2!
Postby singlespeedscott » Fri Nov 08, 2013 10:29 pm
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Re: A year in the life of a wannabe racer- Part 2!
Postby ldrcycles » Sun Nov 10, 2013 8:27 am
Lost it, just absolutely lost it .singlespeedscott wrote:At least the goats smell better than some of the greenies
So, yesterday was a GOOD day.
First thing in the morning I was off to Bli Bli to have a crack at a KOM, and though I felt ok on the flatter lower sections, when the grade kicked up I had nothing. Or at least that's what it felt like, after struggling to the top and then making my way home I found I had taken a good few seconds off my previous best, though still 5 seconds shy of Jacob_t. *Shakes fist*.
After work the northerly that had come up during the day (peaking at 56kmh around 3pm) was still blowing pretty hard so I hopped on the Oppy once more with the intention of taking a KOM in Coolum that has eluded me for a long time, and then hopefully getting over to Bli Bli again. Well I romped in the KOM, and even took 2 seconds off my existing KOM for the segment that continues for a kilometre or so further, in spite of the fact I was dawdling after giving the first climb everything I had.
It was apparent by this stage that the wind was too strong and in perfectly the wrong direction for Bli Bli to happen, so instead I just went to Marcoola and back. The wind lined up really well past the airport and I wound it up a bit, averaging 54.7kmh and topping out at 57. (Strava reckons I topped 63!) It's a bit of a pity I didn't put in a sprint, it would have been interesting to see what that could have got to. But the wind is still blowing today so watch this space...
And now I need to ask for some help, i'm restoring a 60s roadster for the next Warwick to Stanthorpe train race (only 20 days away! ) and a big stumbling block is the headtube logo. There is very little left to go on and i'm struggling to work out what the top half of the logo is supposed to be. Another tricky part is recreating the typeface for "THE LOCAL CYCLE CO", I haven't been able to find a font that comes close and my drawing ability is slim to non-existent (even with the help of gridlines etc in MS Paint). If anyone is able to help, the pics are here viewtopic.php?f=23&t=64707" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.
On to the Oppy again now, off to the pistol club this time.
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Re: A year in the life of a wannabe racer- Part 2!
Postby ldrcycles » Mon Nov 11, 2013 9:51 pm
(Shooting a Morini is the pistol equivalent of being allowed a test ride on, I dunno, a Cervelo Project California, or a Storck or something. We're talking $2,500 worth of Olympic grade match pistol right there )
Today though the car had a rest as it was the turn of the Mercier to provide my transport. And true to her infuriating Gallic form, there was a mechanical issue. The seatpost clamp bolt came loose and within 10k my knees were around my ears. Clever me had forgotten to put the multitool back in the Backpack of Courage so in all I had to stop 3 times to forcibly wrench the post back up (scratching the living bejeesus out of it in the process, this is why I can't have nice things).
Somehow I still managed to average 31.4kmh so hurrah for that.
After knocking off work and putting about 5 billion ft-lb into the seatpost clamp bolt I headed for home and with the wind mostly at my back it was a pretty good run with a 35.3kmh average.
So after a protein shake and a lasagne it is now time for bed, because tomorrow morning, rain, hail or shine, i'm coming to get you Trotter! You hear me boy!?
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Re: A year in the life of a wannabe racer- Part 2!
Postby ldrcycles » Thu Nov 14, 2013 2:33 pm
Then on Wednesday morning I needed to ride to work, as her wifeness would be picking me up for a family event in the afternoon. Problem was, the clock in the lounge had stopped and by the time I realised that, I was 15 minutes late. Time to start pumping hard then!
I turned myself inside out, to the point that I mistook a concrete block in the distance for a cyclist and chased after them for a good few seconds before working out that the "cyclist" hadn't moved . In spite of sore legs, a headwind and a backpack of steel capped boots and pieces of timber, I still pulled out an average of over 35kmh.
So that would suggest that either i'm getting faster, or the threat of being late for work is great motivation!
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Re: A year in the life of a wannabe racer- Part 2!
Postby jacob_T » Thu Nov 14, 2013 2:55 pm
I'm sure it'll be yours soon. I'm off to Darwin and Perth for two weeks, so try and grab it early so you can enjoy it for a little while
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Re: A year in the life of a wannabe racer- Part 2!
Postby ldrcycles » Thu Nov 14, 2013 3:05 pm
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Re: A year in the life of a wannabe racer- Part 2!
Postby ldrcycles » Sun Nov 17, 2013 8:13 pm
And then Queensland happened.
So no riding happened .
But on the plus side, the front hub on the Dawes is now serviced and I swapped the 46t for a 52, so once the weather improves I will still be doing that ride!
(and yes trotter I still have my eyes on that KOM)
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Re: Apples and oranges.
Postby ldrcycles » Wed Nov 20, 2013 10:14 pm
After Sunday's non event, and more rain Monday, I set off on Tuesday for another assault on the Bli Bli water tower. After 6 days off the bike my legs were fresher than a laundry detergent commercial, but my lungs were completely AWOL. While I hit the first section of the climb reasonably well I hadn't even reached the halfway mark before I completely blew up and had no option but to stop and head for home, tail tucked between my legs. I did feel a bit better though at clocking 56.5kmh over the David Low bridge, and getting a KOM around the airport .
This morning though things were different, my lungs were back to their usual mediocre standard, and in spite of plenty of hard work at the farm on Tuesday afternoon my muscles were still willing to play. So away I went, feeling no better than average but taking it very steady until Bli Bli. With Obi Wan Foo giving me the "pace yourself" spiel again I kept a bit in reserve on the lower half and after clearing the first pinch feeling ok I went hard on the next rise, and changed up a gear to give it everything I had for the final section. I was digging DEEP, trying to block out the pain in my chest and legs and just concentrating on the picture of my feet on the pedals. As soon as I was over the line though the pain came through and it hurt like billy-o.
On the way home I had a nice sprint over the Bli Bli bridge, matching Tuesday's effort, and then at the bottom end of the airport I came across a bloke on an S Works Tarmac. I sat behind him for a bit as he slowly built up to 40-41kmh which was a bit slower than I wanted to go, so once I was onto the straight and the traffic had cleared I clicked up a gear or 3 and gave it a bit of welly. I've never been much of a sprinter but on this occasion I popped up to 55kmh straight away and stayed out of the saddle, head down bum up for a good hundred odd metres at that pace before settling to the mid 40s .
Then I was home and it was time to upload the GPS.
Oh yes there was much rejoicing in Castle LDRstein, even if a still sleeping Mrs LDR didn't quite share my enthusiasm .
All of this bodes well for Friday night, when I finally get to do another crit!
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Re: Anger.
Postby ldrcycles » Fri Nov 22, 2013 9:57 pm
Yes, I went.
And yes, I will tell you all about it.
Tomorrow, once I've calmed down enough to not say something i'll regret.
- foo on patrol
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Re: A year in the life of a wannabe racer- Part 2!
Postby foo on patrol » Sat Nov 23, 2013 8:53 am
Foo
Goal 6000km
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Re: A year in the life of a wannabe racer- Part 2!
Postby kb » Sat Nov 23, 2013 11:21 am
And now Australia-widekb wrote:Was going to suggest http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/meteye" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; but they haven't rolled QLD or NT yet.
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Re: A year in the life of a wannabe racer- Part 2!
Postby Cossie Phil » Sat Nov 23, 2013 1:49 pm
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Re: A year in the life of a wannabe racer- Part 2!
Postby toolonglegs » Sat Nov 23, 2013 5:39 pm
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Re: A year in the life of a wannabe racer- Part 2!
Postby ldrcycles » Sat Nov 23, 2013 6:43 pm
Not quite the same as all your empty lakes?toolonglegs wrote:I like updates ( and photos ) of the farm... Very jealous!
Ok well i'm still mightily brassed off but thanks to picking up a great rear wheel from Daus (the rim of which will be used on the Local for next Saturday's train race) I am in a marginally better mood than I was.
So after I finished work yesterday I headed on over to Girraween, as in spite of the BOM radar showing the whole eastern side of Australia being covered in technicolour yawn, Noosa was somehow staying dry. The C grade race went by without any trouble, and then around 7pm the commisaire called A and B up. After explaining that A and B were to run separately, he sent us off to "form into 2 groups, then i'll say go when you come around".
The other 30 odd riders immediately took off, leaving me completely baffled. Was I listening to the same commisaire? There were a good dozen people standing closer than I had been, so surely they heard him. For whatever reason, it was on like donkey kong with all the B graders sucking A grade wheels like their life depended on it, so I had no choice but to chase as best I could.
The thing is, I am a B grade rider at the moment, no more, no less. So especially given my lack of drafting ability, there was just no way I could possibly maintain A grade pace. I was off the back immediately with no chance of rejoining in spite of setting a cracking pace by my standards. Before long I had been lapped no less than 3 times in spite of my best efforts, and therein lies the reason for my frustration and anger.
Now as anyone who has read this thread will know, I know i'm not Cadel Evans and I am no stranger to having my backside handed to me. If i'm doing my best, and coming last simply because I am not strong enough, then so be it. But when it's because the people i'm supposed to be racing are cheating, then i'm not ok.
After about 35 minutes, and having seen 2 B graders that I know are both strong and good at bunch riding pull out completely knackered, I called it quits, handed in my number and headed for home. I contemplated saying something to one of the club officials but decided against potentially causing a scene that could ruin the night for the people gathered around, and instead posted on the club facebook page.
Predictably the only responses so far are telling me to "harden up". Riiiight.
Yes we must do as Monty Python says, and in this case there is a bright side, that I effectively did a 22km solo TT at an average of 37.8kmh on a crit track with a dirty great big hill in the middle. So hurrah for that.
For the next few days my number one priority is getting the Local finished, there is a great deal to be done and sod all time in which to do it (as per my ridiculous usual) but I will still get a couple of good hard rides in to keep the engine in tune ready to take on the train down south in exactly a week's time. Tally Ho!
- foo on patrol
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Re: A year in the life of a wannabe racer- Part 2!
Postby foo on patrol » Sat Nov 23, 2013 7:39 pm
This crap of keeping A and B separate is plain stupidity and did not happen when I was racing, that is why, you have different coloured number bibs!
Stuff upsetting the apple cart just lodge a protest next time mate.
Foo
Goal 6000km
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Re: A year in the life of a wannabe racer- Part 2!
Postby ldrcycles » Tue Nov 26, 2013 9:50 pm
But now that the dust has settled somewhat the conclusion is that I will be racing the next crit in C grade because apparently that will be a "better fit" for me. So as you can imagine, this means I will go out and smash seven shades of snot out of everyone else to prove my point .
Unfortunately due to the number of jobs requiring attention, there was no riding today except for a 15min spin on the trainer.
But I have photos to share! (not from the trainer, from the farm )
Stef hosing out the house (I did suggest leaving the concrete bare so we don't have to do any vacuuming in the future but she just gave me THAT look)
The view from the back of the block at 100m altitude, if not for the dreadful picture quality you would be able to see the sand blow on Noosa North Shore, and you can just make out the house on the right (it was previously completely hidden by all the jungle around it, so this is very exciting to see!)
The block gets a bit steep up the back...
And pretty thick on the vegetation too!
And this is a gratuitous photo of a goat, because goats.
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