Gorrick Autumn Classic

After a summer on the sidelines recovering from my accident in June, I was feeling extremely nervous as I tied the number board to my bars on Sunday. At least the weather couldn’t have been kinder. Despite it being the last few days of September it was seriously warm in the autumn sunshine, as the Indian summer continues! A late change of venue meant a return to the sandy arena at Hungry Hill on the outskirts of Aldershot. 

All smiles on the warm-up lap. I was still smiling after the race!

On my warm-up lap I kept waiting for the hill that never came. Instead the course was a relentless, undulating, singletrack frenzy, that required full concentration and commitment. The dry, sandy soil sapped strength and lead to some sketchy cornering! Although there was no ‘hill’ in the true sense of the word, after a few laps there were some drags that really got the legs burning.

I’ll admit to serious butterflies in the pit of my stomach after an extended period without racing. Would I still be able to cut it? Perched on the end of the front row I looked along the grid and was further freaked out about the shaved legged youngsters, looking keen and focused. Unusually the course leapt  almost immediately into a narrow twisty section so I knew with nearly 70 riders fighting to be first in the queue, the start was going to be crucial. I choose my a line through the first few corners, put my head down and waited for the hooter.  

It was the elbows out fight I had expected, but down the first heather lined path I was 3^rd and hanging on nicely to the wheels ahead. Emerging after ½ a mile onto the first fireroad I waited for the surely inevitable stream of riders to come charging past. Out of the saddle I could hear the crunch of gravel under tyres and deep breathing, but cutting the corner I dived into the wood still in 3^rd. Charging through the tight confines of the lap was hugely rewarding , especially the swoopy bombhole section towards the end. Four of us broke away from the rest of the field, I surrendered 3^rd, but still felt comfortable. I’d probably have liked a hill, as on any incline I would surge back to the tail of the group. 

Traffic was a major problem when we caught the tail end of the ladies races and the Grand Veterans. With such a tight course there were very few opportunities to get by and this worked to the advantage of the leading pair who got a small gap before the end of the lap. I could have done without the U-turn here, rushing down a trail only to see the red and white tape disappearing up over the crest on my left! It was 15-20 valuable seconds squandered.

Into the second lap and chasing 3^rd, I became confused amongst all back markers about who I was actually racing. At the side of a trail were several riders with punctures and I thought one of them might have been from the leading pair in my race. However, I couldn’t be sure and assumed I was in 4^th and was pushing hard to get back on the podium when the rider ahead completely wiped out. The path crossed a little stream and he sailed over the bars, front wheel stuck resolutely in the water. Dodging to the left I went down too. Scrambling back on, the pain in my leg only slowly becoming apparent, I was more concerned that further precious seconds had slipped away.

Into the final lap I gave everything I could, out of the saddle to keep the power down whenever I could. My rear wheel had worked loose so the bike was selecting gears at random, but my final lap was still quicker the one before. Crossing the line I stopped and waited for the commentary............”Ben Connor finishes 3^rd in the Open male category”. 

A broad smile stretched across my face like a Cheshire Cat on the way back to the car, after a glorious day of racing. It was fantastic to be back out competing again and see all the familiar faces. Plus I don’t know how many more rides we can get in this year with weather like this. Surely the mud and cold lurks just around the corner!

Rotor Q Ring

I've had Rotors oval Q rings on my mountain bike for several years. The Spanish manufacturer advertise their rings ability to reduce rider fatigue based on all kinds of scientific lab results. My personal experience is based on feel; they help me keep the pedals spinning and stay on top of a harder gear for longer.

Rotor sponsor a growing number of elite riders, which means they are notching up an impressive list of race successes. The Tour de France and World Championships are one thing, but success is now feeding down to local races like the Brighton Big Dog.

Oval rings on my mtb might help race day performance, but the majority of my miles are chalked up on the road. So I've purchased a 50 tooth Q ring for my Trek Madone. Training on the same rings will I hope encourage my muscle memory to learn an eliptical rhythm before it comes to race day.

South Downs Bikes Shop Ride

Summer returned for the September shop ride tonight. A huge gathering of a staggering 78 riders set-off up Chantry Lane. It is a long tarmac climb, quite steep in places, which is used to split the riders into groups. Last month I was left hanging on at the back of the fast group, so I headed off a little tentatively with the first 20 riders up the hill. I was relieved to find the pace more sociable tonight, and I was able to enjoy catching up with some club members I haven't seen for a while and natter with other more familiar faces. 

Riding round the hill top at Cissbury Ring, an ancient circle of trees, we flicked on our lights as the sun started to set. The orange setting sun bled beautifully into the distant mist. The sea glistened on the horizon to our left as we twisted across the grassy Down, the lights of Storrington twinkling below us.

On the decent we met some walkers sitting on a stile admiring the view. The distinctive smoke hanging in the air might have explained their relaxed attitude. "Wow, your lights were like alien spaceships coming over the hill" they marvelled.

As ever Martin was waiting for us back at the shop with a tower of burgers and buns!

Riders gather at the shop - BBQ poised ready for their return in 2 hours!

Weekly Miles

A few weeks ago I posted that in July I had ridden more miles in a calendar month than ever before. Now I can report that last week I rode 234.5 miles (377.4km) which is the most I have ever covered in a week.

The back bone of this was the daily commute to Portsmouth; for the first time this year I got up early every morning from Monday to Friday. I picked a different route home each day, only on Thursday did I resort to the direct route home on the road. Each of the other days I made the most of the weather, picking my way across of the trails of Kingley Vale and around the back of Lavant.

Meaningless miles probably do little for the fitness and just wear you out. So I do try to take it easy some days and push hard on others when the legs are willing. However, with dozens of other commuters around it can be hard not to chase a wheel, and my competitive ego doesn't like it when I am caught!

My weight is finally heading back down towards 70kg so here's hoping that all this time in the saddle is paying off.

Missing the Big Dog Action

Huge congratulations to my regular cycling buddies Dave, Jon and Darren who rode to a stunning 3rd place in the team event at the Brighton Big Dog yesterday, riding for Strada wheels. My team mates from South Downs Bikes took 1st!

Come Sunday morning this left me as Billy-no-mates again, as I continue to try and ride myself back into some kind of form. I took on a 50 mile off-road route based upon the original (and still the best!) course of the Chichester Challenge; an event which is sadly no longer with us.

  

All alone on the South Downs Way.

A great 4 hour ride with over 1300m of climbing.

Breaking Records

My accident in the middle of May wrote off the rest of that month and my recovery extended well into June. July heralded a serious return to the saddle, initially involving relaxed rides on my own. The first group outings opened my eyes to how much form I had lost in 6 weeks. At the monthly shop ride, which is usually a social evening and a chance for a natter, I was hanging well off the back of the group, out of breathe and on my own! 

 

Weekend rides have been a similarly painful experience, so much so that I had to leave my friends and head home early the other week after I completely hit the wall on a dusty climb up from Duncton.

 

The incredible weather has meant I’ve been commuting to work most days and racking up the miles. So much so that July has seen me pass 800 miles within a calendar month for the first time! I’m hoping all these extra miles will soon have me back on the pace. Of course everyone else is undoubtedly making hay while the sun shines, but let’s hope I have closed the gap a little!

 

 

• Graph of the mileage this year so far. Nice flat line in May after my accident and a shorter one when I was on holiday in April.

 

 

Summertime

 

Last years summer was so desperate that I only managed an off-road commute once all year, and that was in May. Roll forward to 2014 and what a difference. The trails are baked dry, the sun is shining and it is stiflingly warm even at 6.30 every morning. As well as grabbing a dusty detour after 8 hours in the office, a couple of times recently I have left home early and hit the South Downs before work.

Rather that appearing at my desk tired and weary, I turn up feeling energised and motivated for the day ahead. Plus then knowing you have something fun to look forward to at 5 o'clock makes whatever challenges you might face during the day so much more bearable.