Strawbuger's Racing Log

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Strawburger
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Re: Strawbuger's Racing Log

Postby Strawburger » Mon Oct 05, 2015 12:41 pm

Date: 20th September 15
Venue: Tour of Canberra aka national capital tour stage 3
Conditions: warm
Grade: C
Result: 19th (bunch)
Report:

Stage 3 was a criterium around the stromlo course. It was meant to be 25min +2 laps but was cut short to 20 mins +2 laps due to the NRS stragglers.

My plan was to sit in and let the sprinters have their moment. My legs were pretty shattered after all the work and attacks the previous 2 stages so hanging on to 4th in GC was the aim. Not much to report, I sat in, the bunch rolled around for 20 mins and waited for the sprint.

Overall, I finished GC in 4th, 1:10 down on the winner, only 26sec down on 3rd (inclusive of time bonuses). Pretty happy with that!

dist - 16.1kms
time - 23min 59sec
speed - 40.3 km/hr avg (58.1 km/hr max)
cadence - 92 avg
heart rate - 167 HR avg (185 max)
Power - 203NP
n=10 (2013 & 2004 roads,2010 track,2x 2009 foldups,1990 hybrid,1992 trainer,2007 rental,1970's step through,1980's zeus)

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Re: Strawbuger's Racing Log

Postby dalai47 » Mon Oct 05, 2015 4:03 pm

Nicely done Strawburger!

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Re: Strawbuger's Racing Log

Postby foo on patrol » Mon Oct 05, 2015 4:50 pm

^^X2^^ 8)

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Re: Strawbuger's Racing Log

Postby queequeg » Tue Oct 06, 2015 10:38 am

Nice work :-) Also good to see someone else dishing out some Rule 33 to the bunch :-)
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Re: Strawbuger's Racing Log

Postby Strawburger » Tue Oct 06, 2015 11:08 pm

Thanks all.

Getting excited for the upcoming tour of bright. Can't wait to unleash the chewbacca legs in Victoria :)
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Re: Strawbuger's Racing Log

Postby Strawburger » Tue Dec 15, 2015 12:54 pm

... And here are the reports. A bit short on photos this year, not sure where all the photographers went to???
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Re: Strawbuger's Racing Log

Postby Strawburger » Tue Dec 15, 2015 12:54 pm

Date: 4th December 15
Venue: Tour of Bright stage 1 ITT
Conditions: hot hot hot
Grade: Masters C
Result: 31st / 100
Report:

This is my second tour of bright (last one in 2013). With not much specific training and some equipment changes, I was hoping that my vague knowledge of the course and a further two years racing experience would boost the lack of form. Similar conditions to 2013, very hot and little relief from the sun.

Time trial first up. A relatively flat course with a few turns to keep it interesting. My goal was inside 20mins, I had to reassess this once I got passed within 3mins of my ride by the guy starting 20sec behind me! I let him go and rode my own race, passing the guy who started 20sec before me about half way into the ride.

Suffered in the back 3rd, the legs were screaming and the tiny bit of water in the bidon was hot...

Crossed the line 20:47, slow for my standards and just outside the top 30.

dist - 13.6kms
time - 20min 48sec (official time 20:42)
speed - 39.3 km/hr avg (55.4 km/hr max)
cadence - 95 avg
heart rate - 183 HR avg (189 max)
Power - 268NP

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Re: Strawbuger's Racing Log

Postby Strawburger » Tue Dec 15, 2015 12:55 pm

Date: 5th December 15
Venue: Tour of Bright stage 2 gaps loop
Conditions: hot hot hot and very hot
Grade: Masters C
Result: 23rd / 100, 21st GC
Report:


Stage 2 consists of a fairly flat first 45odd kms, then a 4km climb, followed by a fast descent, flat for 30kms then a 7km climb to finish off, 90odd kms all up.

I packed 3 water bottles, in 2013 I ran out before the last climb and suffered. It was just as hot today so hopefully the extra would get me to the finish line.

The plan was to sit on and do nothing until the climbs. I sat near the back and observed, watching a few riders duck off the front to grab the sprint points. Some early mechanicals caused two pile ups and the back markers including me to chase back on. Not a big drama compared to Jules21 who had his rd stuck in one gear and somehow finished the stage!

As soon as the first climb started the heavier guys threw their handbrake on, I got around a lot of them on the up but fell off the back on the descent as they flew past me. The pack was in sight and it wasn't before too long we were all in the lead group again.

More attacks happened before the last climb, the temperature was hitting mid 30's and my water was running out! I had about 200ml to get me up the hill. Not enough! The heavies started dropping off and the lightweight riders made their way to the front. I sat in the bunch for as long as possible and once the water ran out, I went at my own pace. I crossed the line just outside the top 20 and +4:13 down, 22nd in GC at 5:14 down, about a minute outside the top 20... I smashed 4 bottles of water and a fizzy drink in about 5mins, I was dizzy and almost passed out due to the heat. The rest of the day I drank and ate my way through more than I could ever imagine doing on a regular day!

dist - 94.0kms
time - 2hr 53min 31sec (official time 2:53:28)
speed - 32.5 km/hr avg (74.8 km/hr max)
cadence - 87 avg
heart rate - 162 HR avg (189 max)
Power - 190NP
n=10 (2013 & 2004 roads,2010 track,2x 2009 foldups,1990 hybrid,1992 trainer,2007 rental,1970's step through,1980's zeus)

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Re: Strawbuger's Racing Log

Postby Strawburger » Tue Dec 15, 2015 12:56 pm

Date: 6th December 15
Venue: Tour of Bright stage 3 Hotham
Conditions: hot again
Grade: Masters C
Result: 6th / 100, 12th GC :)
Report:


Stage 3 is mount Hotham, basically 25kms of flat and 30kms of climbing. Tactically there's not much to it. Just ride uphill! Hotham is made up of three parts, the steep bit for 6kms, 14kms of false flat, then a saw tooth profile for the final 10kms...

I sat near the back again and observed, the pack was slightly smaller than yesterday... Breakaways went for the sprint points, not much else happened of note.

We hit the base of the climb and that's where I made a move past most of the riders. I was soon near the front of the peloton and sitting in comfortably, it was almost too easy! As riders surrendered their positioning I was soon on the front and setting the pace. About 100m to the first KOM point (the meg), riders attacked. I thought there was no point as I assumed there were other riders ahead. I jumped on the back of the riders about 100m up the road, I asked how many were up ahead... The response "the lead car is there, we are it". Aaah crap, could have taken the KOM :oops:

We settled into a good rhythm on the false flat, swapping turns and generally hurting those who were struggling. My legs were great, my mind saying lets go up the road... my head saying calm down there is another 20km to go... I listened to my brain and sat near or on the front. With about 10km to go, two took off up the road. I countered then had second thoughts and sat up. Another guy attempted but was soon back in the pack. We got to the sawtooth bit (crb), that's when the lead bunch splintered. I was 3rd last to drop so the decision was made to hold a power number in the hope of regaining the others. Soon it was every man for themselves, riders were going solo. I caught the guy in front but I was soon caught by another behind. We all went at our own pace, yo-yoing distances between us from 5m to 100m for the next 5kms at close to 10km/hr on the brutal grades. The legs were screaming but my head was saying push! Every corner felt like the last but Hotham kept throwing more metres to climb. I saw the finish line and went hard, rolling over 1sec in front of another. Top 20 for the stage I thought, not bad! Then when handing the transponder in I saw riders rolling in that I thought were up the road... Hmmm, don't remember passing them. Then I jumped on the phone to check the result... 6th at +2:15! I could not believe it... Then checked and saw 12th in the GC at +6:23 was a shock!

The legs then reminded me what I had done, I could barely walk. Had a grin from ear to ear though so I didn't care! Wiped 11mins off my previous best time up Hotham too!

dist - 55.7kms
time - 2hr 11min 41sec (official time 2:11:41)
speed - 25.4 km/hr avg (71.0 km/hr max)
cadence - 88 avg
heart rate - 168 HR avg (186 max)
Power - 226NP
n=10 (2013 & 2004 roads,2010 track,2x 2009 foldups,1990 hybrid,1992 trainer,2007 rental,1970's step through,1980's zeus)

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Strawburger
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Re: Strawbuger's Racing Log

Postby Strawburger » Tue Dec 15, 2015 12:58 pm

My legs on Monday were pretty good, I reckon I cycled my way into form during the event. It's a shame it wasn't a 4 day event, I may have got into the top 5.

Strava files here:

https://www.strava.com/activities/443989533" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.strava.com/activities/444492191" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.strava.com/activities/445183080" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Anyway, resting and eating my way through to February, I hear there is an event in March that could interest me, otherwise hill climbing champs in April!
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Re: Strawbuger's Racing Log

Postby JdM » Tue Dec 15, 2015 1:24 pm

Just gonna leave this quote here from the Tour of Bright thread :mrgreen:
Strawburger wrote:Zero training this last fortnight. Coupled with boozy late night work functions, the TOB is going to be a struggle from the get-go :(
:lol: :lol:

Seriously though, sounds awesome and well done on such a great result. I really want to get down there with my bike, Bright and the surrounds sound fantastic.

The Dulwich Hill skin suit is pretty awesome looking too!

What's your max HR out of interest? 189 for the TT is big! Although it's all relative I guess.

Edit: Gave you a follow on Strava too.
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Re: Strawbuger's Racing Log

Postby Cul » Tue Dec 15, 2015 1:33 pm

Great reports Straw, congrats on the good result too!
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Re: Strawbuger's Racing Log

Postby Strawburger » Tue Dec 15, 2015 2:56 pm

JdM wrote:Just gonna leave this quote here from the Tour of Bright thread :mrgreen:
Strawburger wrote:Zero training this last fortnight. Coupled with boozy late night work functions, the TOB is going to be a struggle from the get-go :(
:lol: :lol:

Seriously though, sounds awesome and well done on such a great result. I really want to get down there with my bike, Bright and the surrounds sound fantastic.

The Dulwich Hill skin suit is pretty awesome looking too!

What's your max HR out of interest? 189 for the TT is big! Although it's all relative I guess.

Edit: Gave you a follow on Strava too.
I surprised myself with the fitness. I think a lot of base early in the season helped! Plus, not much top end was needed throughout the weekend which was partly luck and partly racing to my abilities.

We have a guy in the club that works on Hollywood movies and Super Bowl commercials, he knows how to do design well. He did our new skinsuits and jerseys/knicks. They look super awesome!

Max HR is 196. Haven't hit that this year so maybe it has dropped. I blame the high heat for the high HR values through the weekend. I reckon I was thirsty the entire weekend...

Get yourself down to bright, even if you don't race. It's a great event and a fabulous place to visit.
Last edited by Strawburger on Tue Dec 15, 2015 2:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Strawbuger's Racing Log

Postby Strawburger » Tue Dec 15, 2015 2:56 pm

Cul wrote:Great reports Straw, congrats on the good result too!

Cheers!
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Re: Strawbuger's Racing Log

Postby ft_critical » Tue Dec 15, 2015 7:17 pm

Congratulations Strawburger

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Re: Strawbuger's Racing Log

Postby Strawburger » Tue Dec 15, 2015 8:04 pm

ft_critical wrote:Congratulations Strawburger
Thanks FT!
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Re: Strawbuger's Racing Log

Postby michaelten » Tue Dec 15, 2015 9:24 pm

Good job!

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Re: Strawbuger's Racing Log

Postby mikesbytes » Tue Dec 15, 2015 9:47 pm

I think I should put this one on the bucket list too

Result: 31st / 100
Result: 23rd / 100, 21st GC

Interesting that 31st in the ITT + 23rd in the first road leg put you 21st overall. It appears to say that many of those at the pointy end of the ITT sucked in the road section and vice versa
If the R-1 rule is broken, what happens to N+1?

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Re: Strawbuger's Racing Log

Postby JdM » Wed Dec 16, 2015 8:24 am

mikesbytes wrote:Interesting that 31st in the ITT + 23rd in the first road leg put you 21st overall. It appears to say that many of those at the pointy end of the ITT sucked in the road section and vice versa
Climbers vs pure power style rides? From looking at the course profile the TT looked like it would favour the more powerful ride.
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Re: Strawbuger's Racing Log

Postby michaelten » Wed Dec 16, 2015 9:54 am

There is also people who do the TT on road bikes which makes a big difference

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Re: Strawbuger's Racing Log

Postby Strawburger » Thu Dec 17, 2015 8:09 am

michaelten wrote:Good job!
Thanks!
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Re: Strawbuger's Racing Log

Postby Strawburger » Thu Dec 17, 2015 8:16 am

In most grades in most years, whoever wins the time trial ends up winning the event. In the case of the grade I rode, there were a lot of heavy riders, these guys were sharp on the TT rigs and ok at the climbs, but the guys who were specialist climbers overtook the TT specialists on stage 3. In other grades, there wasn't much of a "size" difference so generally speaking those will the all round skills held on to their lead.

Having a TT rig did help too. It didn't help me though. I only beat my time by 10 sec from 2013 when I ran clip ons in almost identical conditions... Hence my comment about not being pleased about my TT result.
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Re: Strawbuger's Racing Log

Postby JdM » Thu Dec 17, 2015 9:29 am

What do you think was to blame for that? Not enough specific threshold/VO2 work or rides on the time trial bike? Or are you just more of a mountain goat than all rounder / TTer?
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Re: Strawbuger's Racing Log

Postby mikesbytes » Thu Dec 17, 2015 10:41 am

Can understand you not being 100% happy with the ITT time. You weren't a hell of a lot faster at Bright than you were at Calga but then again your a climber
If the R-1 rule is broken, what happens to N+1?

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Re: Strawbuger's Racing Log

Postby Strawburger » Thu Dec 17, 2015 11:20 am

Specific training would have helped. The only riding I did for bright was commuting and one hills ride in the 4 weeks leading up to it.

Usually in the lead up to an event I do one to two rides a week with the TT bike focusing on threshold and above for parts of the rides, plus one hills ride per week, which essentially is vo2max training. I also throw in some specific indoor trainer work for the stuff I can't do outdoors.

I regard myself as a pure climber, my power analysis calls me a time trialler! I'm not ready to call myself an all rounder but I've been training myself to be one for a few years now. Slowly getting there.
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