Podium at Porridgepot

A blend of Goldfrapp and muffled commentary from the PA system drifted through the woods. I was nearing the end of my final lap, there was no more I could do to catch the rider ahead, all I had now was the occasional glimpse of him through the trees. I couldn’t hear a rider behind and I had seen nothing but an empty path when I had dared to glance over my shoulder a little earlier. I kept on pushing just in case, I was in third and would be standing on the podium for the first time this year, all I had to do now was bring it home. My attention moved to the bike and I started to worry, terrified every creak was the tell tale sign of an imminent component failure. I almost convinced myself that the rear tyre was going soft as I avoided stones and roots I had simply blasted straight across earlier in the race.

The final round of the Gorrick Spring Series had begun under clear blue skies. The course was dry and fast, with plenty of high speed singletrack to test the reflexes. I hadn’t entered the previous rounds so I was not gridded at the start, mingling instead with the massed ranks of riders lured out by the spring sunshine. As we dashed off down a steep, rooty decent I was repeatedly boxed in as we all jostled to get to the front. There wasn’t really any pressure on me for this event, it was a bit of a  bonus ride after a week away with the family in Devon scoffing chips and ice-cream. With nothing to lose I was probably slightly more assertive than normal and forced my way into 5^th as the path narrowed.

The leader quickly pulled away from the group of three ahead of me, as I fought to stay in contact. Gorrick have re-jigged their start times, but I cannot understand why they set the womens races off first. We were almost immediately catching the back markers and there is nothing more frustrating than watching your opponents pull away while you’re snarled up behind a slower rider. I was bulked a couple of times and had to push hard to get back on the wheels of those ahead. Having closed the gap I dipped inside one and then another at a couple of the slower corners, but we were all clogged up behind the rider in 2^nd . Finally the path opened onto a short section of tarmac and I accelerated past, towing those behind through with me. Having stolen a slipstream, they tried to sneak ahead at the next corner, but I closed the door and pushed hard up the next hill. Over the top of the climb the series leader came past and we slowly rode away from those following.

 
By the end of the first lap I had dropped 20 seconds behind 2^nd place and spent the next two laps repeatedly attempting to close the gap. Half way through the final lap I got within a couple of bike lengths, but I had burnt my bridges and when he pushed for home towards the end I couldn’t go with him. Despite my paranoia there was no puncture and the bike held together perfectly, on perhaps it’s final competitive outing. I passed under the finishing banner extremely pleased with 3^rd position.

South Downs Bikes CC

Unfortunately I was defeated by Man Flu on Sunday, so there is no race report from Hungry Hill this week. From my death bed I have been industriously working on a new kit design for the South Downs Bikes Cycle Club. Let me know what you think!

If you want to find out what the club members have been up to lately, or tag along on the next group ride then check out the brand new club website. www.sdbcc.co.uk

Traffic Report! Southern XC Round 1

Sunday was a stunning day and the first ride of 2014 in shorts! The skies were clear, the sun was warm on my back, it could have been August. The beautiful Spring weather drew a mammoth entry for the first round of the Southern XC Series, at Wasing near Reading.

The course was flat and fast, the trails criss-crossed by a tangled network of roots. Luckily it was dry and riders could just clatter over the woody speed bumps. The large entry meant lots of spectators too, families making a day of it, deck chairs and picnic rugs spread out in the sun. It really made for a great atmosphere.

Based on last years results I wasn't gridded, which was bad news given the huge field. I lined up on the 7th row with a sea of 50 riders stretching out ahead of me. I dodged past a few on the first fireroad climb, but repeatedly got boxed in, and then had to slow as the pack slipped, single file into the wood. Now bouncing around on the roots it was even harder to make headway, the serpentine trails never really opening up to offer an easy passing opportunity. I made what could best be described as steady progress into the top 40 by the end of the first lap.

There were three technical sections during the lap, but my courage had deserted me. (Too many wimpy miles training on the road this winter.) So in the end I was taking the B-line at all three! Each probably only lost me 5-10 seconds, but over five laps that adds up to several minutes!

It wasn't until the 5th and final lap that the trail ahead cleared, which unfortunately meant I wasn't catching and passing anybody. My lap times are relatively poor reading, but I finished stronger than those ahead, which is positive for the marathon/enduro races I have planned later in the year. Most importantly I had really enjoyed myself, blasting around the singletrack in the sunshine, which at the end of the day is what it is all about!

New Term Starts!

You will have noticed I have been quiet for a few weeks. Well I decided to take a month off, not totally away from the bike, but away from the stress and rigours of racing. As much as a rest for the brain as the body. For some time now I have promised myself a break as there doesn't seem to be an 'off season' anymore. The endless round of Spring Series, Southerns, Summer Nationals and before you know it Winter Enduros provide little break throughout the year.

So what have I been doing? Well I've still been out on the bike, trying to beat the weather and put in some extra miles. One of the problems with constantly racing is that it can be hard to put in a good training base with the aim of actually improving your fitness.

This year my focus will shift slightly, away from the Olympic short course XC races, to the Marathon endurance format of racing. Hence the need to put in some miles!

Having said that my first race of the new 2014 season is the first round of the Southern XC at Wasing near Reading. It'll be a training race, i.e. I haven't tapered, but it'll be a great chance to hone the technical skills after a winter of tempo training rides on the road. It always takes a few races to get back into the swing of things, so some of the other riders might have an edge but unusually for a Southern XC the weather looks positively spring like!

The new bike has had a few set backs so I am still on the same bike as last year. I have upgraded the fork to a Rock Shox SID Brain. Hopefully the 15mm bolt thru front axel will improve front end accuracy. Other than that the bike is as it was last year with just a fresh new Rotor bottom bracket. 

Good Old Fashioned Fun!

The bike industry is based on constantly evolving technology. Every 12 months the manufacturers release their latest wares; over night they would have you believe that your old kit has become so obsolete it is a miracle you can even ride down the high street to the shops on your old bike. Of course it isn't all marketing hype, bikes have progressed leaps and bounds since the early 90's. That constant development means we can now ride further and faster, over much more challenging terrain. I'm as much as a sucker as anyone for the latest shiny 11 speed widget or lightweight carbon thing-a-me! Perhaps we sometimes forget about the basic enjoyment in just riding a bike?

With my new mountain bike still work-in-progress and the road bike currently in desperate need of some TLC, my only choice was the frankenstein commuter/cross bike lurking in the dark at the back of the shed. Originally cobbled together from a mismatched assortment of parts raided from the spares box, it had only been intended for transporting my son around the local lanes. Dusted down and with a few tweaks it was once again pressed into active service for a 4 hour ride over a mixture of Sussex lanes and South Downs trails. Nothing new or innovative on this machine, but would this make the ride any less enjoyable?

 

At the heart of the bike is a 2001 Stumpjumper M4 fitted with a Salsa rigid fork. I have fitted some 29er Crest wheels, which with narrow 32mm Continental Touring tyres, doesn't throw the geometry out too much. The drivechain is an eclectic mix of 9 speed road casette and Ultegra rear mech, paired with an ancient XTR M960 crankset, modified to take a Blackspire 32t single chainring. All the other bits and pieces are old cast offs apart from the terrible Clarkes mechanical brakes which were a £10 internet purchase needed to get the beast rolling.

As soon as I left the luxury of tarmac and headed up Chalkpit Lane, I realised how spoilt we are now-a-days; modern suspension is like cheating! With narrow tyres and rigid forks I had to pick my line extremely carefully, even on the climbs. I had already chosen a route that stuck to the main bridleways and didn't take in any of the more technical trails we normally ride. It wasn't boring it was brilliant! I revisited paths I haven't ridden for years, and was able to take in the view instead of concentrating on dodging down the singletrack. Yes I was going slower (much slower) but actually it is just as challenging and rewarding. 

Mountain biking has moved on, and that is great, but getting on a bike like this reminded me of the 'good old days' when we still enjoyed every ride as much as we do now. No I'm not going to be riding this bike every weekend, for a start I'd need to convince all my friends to get retro bikes or I'd be left behind in an instant. However, it was a really enjoyable morning, a break from the norm and a chance to reminisce.

Building a long commute into your training plan

I recently responded to a query on the XC Racer forum asking how to fit commuting into a training plan for endurance racing. I thought I would share my response here:

"My commute is a 34 miles round trip for the direct route. I found that covering this distance everyday just ground me down, until I was actually getting so tired it was having an adverse effect on my fitness. It can also get terribly boring after a period of time - 7 years for me!

To mix it up and keep things interesting I try and take a different route home each day, even if it is just a minor detour. In the summer especially, there is the opportunity to take the MTB and fit in some off road skills training on the way. I am looking forward to those long summer evenings already!

To avoid fatigue I have to take days off.  I simply monitor how I feel, if the legs are dead on the way home I take the car the next morning. I also try and avoid really bad weather if I can, although it isn't always possible. This winter is an example, and apart from the discomfort of soggy shoes, there is also the hassle of having to dry everything out in time for the return journey. Long miles in poor weather can also take its toll on the bike, so expect bills for chains, bearings and brake pads!

If you are into Strava, it provides a good method of breaking up the ride and adding some speed/interval segments to the general plod to work. If you are on a popular commuter route like mine you'll probably find some other commuters to have a burn up with! It seems there are a lot of competitive people out there who don't like being passed by anyone!

I still fit in a 3-4hr ride at the weekend for base fitness. Leading up to a race I will shorten my commute route or try and take it easy. Backing off isn't always easy in poor weather, and you'll have to resist that urge to chase down that competitive guy you raced yesterday when he comes tanking past you!

I find using a commute as training encourages me to ride more, and once on the road you can't be lazy and cut it short. Also because I get all my training done going to and from work I have actually found I have more time at home in the evenings with my family."

Happy bike day!

I had been watching the hour hand slowly crawl round the office clock all day. At 4.30pm on the dot I wasn't quite running, but definitely heading briskly for the door! Today was the day I collected my new 2014 S-Works Stumpjumper HT frame from South Downs Bikes!

Like a kid at Christmas they let me tear open the box and there she was. What a beauty! 

More photos and updates on progress building her up to follow.