Two weeks ago I won my first mtb race and was feeling quite good on the bike. This week, things have taken a different turn.
Last weekend I went up to Sherwood to do the NPS Nationals ('A' race). I started the race feeling tired. On my warm up lap my legs felt 'heavy' but I thought I'd work through it. I was not grided at the start so found myself in the 6th row. At the start of the race I fordged my way through the field and managed to position myself around 10th place. I was on my limit to hold on (max HR 196) especially on the flat open parts (this is surprising for me) - I found I could not turn my legs quick enough so had to drop a gear and get out the saddle to close the gap.
At the end of the first lap I was still (just) with the front group (12 of us). Then, the heavens opened up and it rained very hard. I still had my semi-slick tyres on and now started slipping all over the place and so begun to fade. Both, technically and physically. Half way round the second lap I'd dropped right off the pace, started getting gear problems and lost my head. Needless to say I 'packed' and pull out the race.
Major problems:
- tired-feeling legs
- loss of power
- no leg speed
- no strong mental focus
Why the problems?
- not sure - probably late to bed night before, but that doesn't account for the total break-down.
What happened next?
Drove home and went to bed at midnight. Woke up on Sunday feeling tired and totally uninspired to race so decided not to race (BEC RR). Very disappointing as I was wanting to target the BEC and get some ranking points. My non-accident knee (right one) was a little sore near the knee cap - probably injured when it rained and I crashed - hitting the bars or tree?
Monday
Rode to work still feeling tired. I planned to ride tempo to and from as I never raced on Sunday. But, I was too tired and just doddled on both my commute routes.
Tuesday
Worked from home. Still feeling tired I decided to just do a little spinning session on my turbo at home. Felt ok and completed the session.
Wednesday
Commuted on my mountain bike in the morning - not feeling too great (in my head). I headed off to the hills for my Hills session (x4). It took me 01:30 to get there - rode tempo. At the end of the first interval my left knee started to ache a little so decided to abandon the training session to prevent any further injury.
Thursday
Raining. Rode into work at tempo pace. Felt a lot better today (in the head and on bike).
What is going on?
Not sure what to do from here? Here are some options:
1. Ride tempo home today and tomorrow (both ways). Then just go on LSD on Sat and Sun (no race on Sunday)
2. Try and do the intervals tonight. And continue with the original plan racing on Sunday.
3. Put the bike away until Monday next week - total time off.
I need to look for a solution to stop sliding and get on top of things again.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Monday, May 07, 2007
Gorrick Enduro MTB - First WIN of the season
Wow! Mountain biking is awesome. Why have I had to wait so long to do a race?? Well, I suppose it might have had something to do with a said broken leg?
Press: AW Cycles show real strength at the recent Gorrick Enduro held through the Swinley, Surrey Hill and Crowthorne Woods on the May bank holiday. First, second and thrid place for the AW MTB team. With record-number of entries for the enduro, Rob, Mark (Hutt) and Mark (Cracknell) showed their class with impressive placings. Worth noting were their lap times, including the opening lap (44:39) were the quickest on the day. View the report, results and photos here.
The race:
The course was fast. An unrelenting course with a mix of smallish steady climbs, fast flowing wicked singletrack and some particularly windy fireroads. It was perfect weather - great temps and no moisture on the course.
As the gun went race turned hard left and up the hill (feed zone hill) all scambling to get to the first singletrack. A bloke from Liphook went charging up the climb and onto the first singletrack like a greyhound out the blocks. He soon faded - after 1 minute. Meanwhile Mark (Hutt), Mark (Cracknell) and I pretty much dropped the rest before the first 1 mile was up. We set a blistering pace, which no one could follow. Even our very own Mark (C) eased off soon after this - not sure if that was a diliberate move to cover anything from the main group??
Mark H and I continued in a blaze desperate to put daylight between us and them. Also, with us having som much fun we just found ourselves pushing harder. Lap by lap Mark and I hammered on. We had a few dramas trying to get passed slower riders - we seemed to always be saying "Riders... passing on your left/right". Some were only too obliging... even words of encouragement, while others got a bit upset with us. [Sorry to those guys we upset]
As we approached the last few miles of the final lap I was a bit unsure what to do? As Mark is my team mate and we worked well together (pacing each other) - "Should I attack or just leave it?", I kept thinking to myself. I mean I'd like to win this race - we all like to win. But, I was in a pickle. So, in the end I decided to just hang back and see what happens. Well sure enough Mtb Master Mark put down the hammer trying to shake me off his wheel. The last section was difficult to pass so if he got into that section first that would be it. As it happened he did - he got into the section first and hooked it to the finish. But, with a stroke of luck for me he switched lines and crossed over leaving the track open to me. I acclerated and passed with ease getting into the last turn ahead and took the win. I gift!
For my efforts I got a silver winners plate, a finishing medal and a Gore Bike Wear jacket. And, the best... an awesome day out on my mountain bike riding a wicked course.
The bike:
What more can I say except this is a beast! Certainly the best hard tail cross country bike I've ever ridden. She handled superbly in the tight and twisty singletrack and was brilliant on the climbs. I never used my lockout that much as the climbs were too short. The wheels were awesome and I think my tyre choice (Hutchison Pirahna) perfect.
Thank you's:
Bridge, Kate and James - for their support
Mark - wicked race partner
AW Cycles - bike sponsor (Giant XTC Zero)
Race sponsors - Gore Bike Wear
Race organisers - Gorrick Mountain Biking
Results:
1. Rob Enslin 02:19:54 (44:39; 47:24; 47:51)
2. Mark Hutt (AW Cycles)
3. Mark Cracknell (AW Cycles)
Press: AW Cycles show real strength at the recent Gorrick Enduro held through the Swinley, Surrey Hill and Crowthorne Woods on the May bank holiday. First, second and thrid place for the AW MTB team. With record-number of entries for the enduro, Rob, Mark (Hutt) and Mark (Cracknell) showed their class with impressive placings. Worth noting were their lap times, including the opening lap (44:39) were the quickest on the day. View the report, results and photos here.
The race:
The course was fast. An unrelenting course with a mix of smallish steady climbs, fast flowing wicked singletrack and some particularly windy fireroads. It was perfect weather - great temps and no moisture on the course.
As the gun went race turned hard left and up the hill (feed zone hill) all scambling to get to the first singletrack. A bloke from Liphook went charging up the climb and onto the first singletrack like a greyhound out the blocks. He soon faded - after 1 minute. Meanwhile Mark (Hutt), Mark (Cracknell) and I pretty much dropped the rest before the first 1 mile was up. We set a blistering pace, which no one could follow. Even our very own Mark (C) eased off soon after this - not sure if that was a diliberate move to cover anything from the main group??
Mark H and I continued in a blaze desperate to put daylight between us and them. Also, with us having som much fun we just found ourselves pushing harder. Lap by lap Mark and I hammered on. We had a few dramas trying to get passed slower riders - we seemed to always be saying "Riders... passing on your left/right". Some were only too obliging... even words of encouragement, while others got a bit upset with us. [Sorry to those guys we upset]
As we approached the last few miles of the final lap I was a bit unsure what to do? As Mark is my team mate and we worked well together (pacing each other) - "Should I attack or just leave it?", I kept thinking to myself. I mean I'd like to win this race - we all like to win. But, I was in a pickle. So, in the end I decided to just hang back and see what happens. Well sure enough Mtb Master Mark put down the hammer trying to shake me off his wheel. The last section was difficult to pass so if he got into that section first that would be it. As it happened he did - he got into the section first and hooked it to the finish. But, with a stroke of luck for me he switched lines and crossed over leaving the track open to me. I acclerated and passed with ease getting into the last turn ahead and took the win. I gift!
For my efforts I got a silver winners plate, a finishing medal and a Gore Bike Wear jacket. And, the best... an awesome day out on my mountain bike riding a wicked course.
The bike:
What more can I say except this is a beast! Certainly the best hard tail cross country bike I've ever ridden. She handled superbly in the tight and twisty singletrack and was brilliant on the climbs. I never used my lockout that much as the climbs were too short. The wheels were awesome and I think my tyre choice (Hutchison Pirahna) perfect.Thank you's:
Bridge, Kate and James - for their support
Mark - wicked race partner
AW Cycles - bike sponsor (Giant XTC Zero)
Race sponsors - Gore Bike Wear
Race organisers - Gorrick Mountain Biking
Results:
1. Rob Enslin 02:19:54 (44:39; 47:24; 47:51)
2. Mark Hutt (AW Cycles)
3. Mark Cracknell (AW Cycles)
Kingston Phoenix 10 mile TT - 28th April
Hey hey... 5th place in my first 10 mile time trial of the season. And, a PB (Personal Best) too. I really enjoyed the tt. I need to sort out my time trial bike as I didn't feel that comfortable. Also, would love to get a disc wheel for the back.
1. Ray Hughes 00:21:16
2. Stewart Jardine 00:21:38
3. Lee Turner 00:21:39
4. Keith Coffey 00:21:42
5. Rob Enslin 00:21:45
2. Stewart Jardine 00:21:38
3. Lee Turner 00:21:39
4. Keith Coffey 00:21:42
5. Rob Enslin 00:21:45
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Thames Velo RR - Great Milton - 29 April
The Team:
Rob Enslin
Tom Smith
Tim Beddingfield
Vince Halpern
Martin Smith
John Tucker
How it unfolded:
As soon as the flag dropped to start the race the attacks started. During the the first 30 mins we had an AW rider in the first 10 places in the peloton covering any potential move. On the first climb, Martin attacked and was quickly joined by Steve Calland and one other rider. Meanwhile, back in the peleton riders were riding all over the road - crossing the central solid white line (looking for shelter against the strong cross-winds). The race comm soon called the race to a halt and warned the riders of the danger and possible disqualification.
Once the race was on again, I attacked and brought with me a group of riders... and then more joined until we were 13. We quickly got ourselves organised and built up a handy 30 second gap by the first climb at the Clare hill. Our group included: Jon (Pain), Grant (Bayton), Keith (Lilley), Tom (Hemmant), Steve (Calland), Nigel (Williams), Andrew (Fenn), Joel (Stewart), Adam (Norris), Colin (Roshier), Luke (Rowe) and me.
The break soon settled into a good rhythm and most of the riders were from different teams so the chase was never really going to happen. The break moved on nicely for most the race and most doing their fair share of turns. The gap soon opened up to 2 mins. Towards the end of the race some of the riders found time to miss turns trying to keep their legs as fresh as possible for the hard finish. I kept coming through and I was feeling pretty good (considering I'm still trying to get race fit).
As we came into the last 2km a GWR rider attacked but I never reponded as I had my eye on some more serious riders. Then more attacks came and they were all neutralised. Mr 'Sneaky' Roshier then attacked on the outside (more like an innocent hard tempo blast - not really an attack - let's say a 'disguised attack') on his own getting across to the lone attacker. He then waited and jumped again over the last few hundred metres to take the win. Our group, meanwhile, started to chase the 2 away, but it was too late for me becuase by then I'd 'popped' and my legs seized and I only managed to get across the line in 10th place.
This, I realised later, was just a lack of anaerobic interval training. All things considered I rode a pretty good race and looks good for the rest of the season.
The final result:
1. Colin Roshier (1 02:57:01)
2. Luke Rowe
3. Adam Norris
10. Rob Enslin
Next race: The BEC RC road race on the 13th May
Rob Enslin
Tom Smith
Tim Beddingfield
Vince Halpern
Martin Smith
John Tucker
How it unfolded:
As soon as the flag dropped to start the race the attacks started. During the the first 30 mins we had an AW rider in the first 10 places in the peloton covering any potential move. On the first climb, Martin attacked and was quickly joined by Steve Calland and one other rider. Meanwhile, back in the peleton riders were riding all over the road - crossing the central solid white line (looking for shelter against the strong cross-winds). The race comm soon called the race to a halt and warned the riders of the danger and possible disqualification.
Once the race was on again, I attacked and brought with me a group of riders... and then more joined until we were 13. We quickly got ourselves organised and built up a handy 30 second gap by the first climb at the Clare hill. Our group included: Jon (Pain), Grant (Bayton), Keith (Lilley), Tom (Hemmant), Steve (Calland), Nigel (Williams), Andrew (Fenn), Joel (Stewart), Adam (Norris), Colin (Roshier), Luke (Rowe) and me.
The break soon settled into a good rhythm and most of the riders were from different teams so the chase was never really going to happen. The break moved on nicely for most the race and most doing their fair share of turns. The gap soon opened up to 2 mins. Towards the end of the race some of the riders found time to miss turns trying to keep their legs as fresh as possible for the hard finish. I kept coming through and I was feeling pretty good (considering I'm still trying to get race fit).
As we came into the last 2km a GWR rider attacked but I never reponded as I had my eye on some more serious riders. Then more attacks came and they were all neutralised. Mr 'Sneaky' Roshier then attacked on the outside (more like an innocent hard tempo blast - not really an attack - let's say a 'disguised attack') on his own getting across to the lone attacker. He then waited and jumped again over the last few hundred metres to take the win. Our group, meanwhile, started to chase the 2 away, but it was too late for me becuase by then I'd 'popped' and my legs seized and I only managed to get across the line in 10th place.
This, I realised later, was just a lack of anaerobic interval training. All things considered I rode a pretty good race and looks good for the rest of the season.
The final result:
1. Colin Roshier (1 02:57:01)
2. Luke Rowe
3. Adam Norris
10. Rob Enslin
Next race: The BEC RC road race on the 13th May
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
