After 40km of fairly steady racing we hit the first climb of the day – the “easy” side of the Muur. It was anything but. To say I struggled on the 2km unrelenting, steep climb could not be more of an understatement. In reality the heart rate figures show their own story – spending almost 2 minutes above 204bpm, and peaking at 209! This wasn’t enough to stop me, indeed I still held an ok position over the top, but the Bosberg – just some 5km after – did. Scrambling over the top I found myself in the convoy, where I largely remained for some 50km, moving up a few cars and always coming back to the team car for a tow, and a fair few ‘professional bottles’. After 100km of the 150km race distance I was pulled out. The only consolation being just 17 riders of the original 200 completed the race.
I need a rest. I’m lacking the aggressive flair and form of a few weeks ago, and fear over-training but possibly more over-racing may be a key factor. I think the rest period will do me good.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Wake up and smell the coffee...
It may be surprising to hear that up until recently I never drank coffee. The term ‘never’ of course is not entirely true, but can only be discarded due to the first time of consumption, which in truth I found disgusting – a controversial statement for sure. I was always vaguely aware of the benefits of coffee, or more so the high caffeine content of the drink – increased stimulation of the body resulting is higher alertness, concentration etc, but never really believed how such a widely consumed drink could have any impact in sport.
However, under the guidance of a fellow cyclist, whose internet gatherings suggested significant performance gains, I decided recently to give it another chance.
That morning, I was flying. Now, perhaps the placebo effect may provide some explanation, but the way in which my body responded was incredible. The road felt frictionless, as if a constant tail wind was blowing in every direction I turned. This may seem somewhat exaggerated (if not somewhat illegal) but in truth I had never felt like that on a bike before! Perhaps it was just a ‘good day’, but I’m convinced the hit of caffeine was the predominant factor.
The (fairly basic) science behind it:
There is little evidence to suggest caffeine has any effect in short duration exercise, but its effects are far more widely accepted in endurance sports. On a physical level, caffeine has many effects on the body, from its generic wide spread use to stimulate the brain, to its ergogenic uses in sports performance: raising heart rate, blood pressure, and the increased break down and usage of fat as a respiratory substrate (as oppose to glycogen) allows for prolonged periods of exercise before glycogen depletion and therefore exhaustion.
I now use coffee on the morning of races only, so as not to build a tolerance to the caffeine (a debatable topic), and am absolutely convinced of its positive effect on performance. I still don’t like the taste but it’s definitely worth it!
However, under the guidance of a fellow cyclist, whose internet gatherings suggested significant performance gains, I decided recently to give it another chance.
That morning, I was flying. Now, perhaps the placebo effect may provide some explanation, but the way in which my body responded was incredible. The road felt frictionless, as if a constant tail wind was blowing in every direction I turned. This may seem somewhat exaggerated (if not somewhat illegal) but in truth I had never felt like that on a bike before! Perhaps it was just a ‘good day’, but I’m convinced the hit of caffeine was the predominant factor.
The (fairly basic) science behind it:
There is little evidence to suggest caffeine has any effect in short duration exercise, but its effects are far more widely accepted in endurance sports. On a physical level, caffeine has many effects on the body, from its generic wide spread use to stimulate the brain, to its ergogenic uses in sports performance: raising heart rate, blood pressure, and the increased break down and usage of fat as a respiratory substrate (as oppose to glycogen) allows for prolonged periods of exercise before glycogen depletion and therefore exhaustion.
I now use coffee on the morning of races only, so as not to build a tolerance to the caffeine (a debatable topic), and am absolutely convinced of its positive effect on performance. I still don’t like the taste but it’s definitely worth it!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Bever - Kermesse
Yesterday’s kermesse in Bever had a distinctly international feel to it with riders from Belgium, England, Northern Ireland, South Africa, Holland, Kazakhstan and France represented. Situated more or less in the centre of Belgium, another large field of 176 riders took to the start at the slightly later time of 15:30. We were to face 11 laps of 8.8km, on an undulating circuit, which could be distinguished into 2 clear sections – descending towards and past the finish line, before ascending for the second half of the lap on 2 long drags.
The plan for today was not so much going for a result – the race coming between Zellik-Galmaarden and the Affligem Classic (interclub) on Sunday provided the opportunity to treat this as a training exercise. Attacking on the second lap up the main climb of the circuit, I got clear of the peloton with a Kazakh (let’s not go down the Borat route) and South African and joined by 4 other riders, we instantly started working together to increase the gap to our pursuers. However, after 10km (just over 1 lap), we were brought back on the fast descent, and instantly a counter attack went with 8 riders making the group. Unable to go with it, after the hard effort of the previous lap, I could do nothing but sit back in the peloton, recompose myself, and look to counter if the break was reeled back in.
The gap stayed at fairly constant over the next few laps, never pushing more than 20 seconds. However, at the mid-way point, a surge from the front of the peloton on the fast descent singled out the entire field and gaps opened up. Fortunately I made the front split as the peloton shattered, although once partially reformed, few were willing to work on the front, and so the breaks lead eased itself out. Once again, I tried attacking, and although gaining a few seconds lead with 2 other riders, no-one was going to break the elastic of the peloton.
With the break back in sight at only 10 seconds as we heard the bell for the final lap, the pace was raised in a desperate bid to catch the early escapees. What remained of the peloton split once more, and again I made the front selection. As we hurtled towards the finishing line, I clashed with 2 other riders, locking handlebars at 70kph – the incident not bringing us down but loosing position in the group going into the last km put me out of contention for the sprint. Incredibly, the break was caught in the final 100metres providing quite a spectacle for the large crowds gathered at the finish.
All in all, the race provided good preparation for Sunday (averaging 43kph for 120km), and that was all it was really about. Ok so I went one break too early, but still met my target of the early break and had a good aggressive ride. I will have a few easy days now to recover and prepare myself for Affligem on Sunday.
The plan for today was not so much going for a result – the race coming between Zellik-Galmaarden and the Affligem Classic (interclub) on Sunday provided the opportunity to treat this as a training exercise. Attacking on the second lap up the main climb of the circuit, I got clear of the peloton with a Kazakh (let’s not go down the Borat route) and South African and joined by 4 other riders, we instantly started working together to increase the gap to our pursuers. However, after 10km (just over 1 lap), we were brought back on the fast descent, and instantly a counter attack went with 8 riders making the group. Unable to go with it, after the hard effort of the previous lap, I could do nothing but sit back in the peloton, recompose myself, and look to counter if the break was reeled back in.
The gap stayed at fairly constant over the next few laps, never pushing more than 20 seconds. However, at the mid-way point, a surge from the front of the peloton on the fast descent singled out the entire field and gaps opened up. Fortunately I made the front split as the peloton shattered, although once partially reformed, few were willing to work on the front, and so the breaks lead eased itself out. Once again, I tried attacking, and although gaining a few seconds lead with 2 other riders, no-one was going to break the elastic of the peloton.
With the break back in sight at only 10 seconds as we heard the bell for the final lap, the pace was raised in a desperate bid to catch the early escapees. What remained of the peloton split once more, and again I made the front selection. As we hurtled towards the finishing line, I clashed with 2 other riders, locking handlebars at 70kph – the incident not bringing us down but loosing position in the group going into the last km put me out of contention for the sprint. Incredibly, the break was caught in the final 100metres providing quite a spectacle for the large crowds gathered at the finish.
All in all, the race provided good preparation for Sunday (averaging 43kph for 120km), and that was all it was really about. Ok so I went one break too early, but still met my target of the early break and had a good aggressive ride. I will have a few easy days now to recover and prepare myself for Affligem on Sunday.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Zellik-Galmaarden
Yesterday, having recovered from a recent illness, was Zellik Galmaarden, and with the team gaining one of twelve wildcard entries (from 250 applicants), for the “top competitie” race, it was to be my biggest competition to date. The course featured a total of 17 climbs, along its 175km race distance – the completion of which being the only realistic target. A warm day coupled with only a slight cool breeze made for a more promising outcome. At 12.30, the race departed Zellik with 200 riders, representing 28 teams including continental squads from Holland, USA, and many top Belgian squads.
With an opening neutralised 5km, it gave me the chance to position myself towards the front end of the peloton, knowing that as soon as the flag is dropped we would be singled out on the 20km flat straight roads early on in the race. However, this was to be the least of the pelotons problems with the dire and almost unacceptable road surfaces we encountered. With considerable potholes littering the road, riders constantly swerving and jumping at 60kph to avoid them, the opening kilometres were manic.
The first climb of the day was to be the Muur 40km into the race, where just 2 weeks prior saw Fabian Cancellara drop Tom Boonen on his way to victory in the Tour of Flanders - this too, was to be a decisive moment for me. Just prior to the Muur, a mass pile up on a downhill hairpin preceding the climb briefly halted the peloton. Attempting to avoid the crash, I steered into the gutter and onto an adjacent area of grass, and back onto the road to join the frenzied attacks to reach the bottom of the Muur, less than 500metres away, at the front of the race. However, in a perverse twist of fortune, I had avoided the crash, but picked up a puncture on the rear wheel. Climbing the Muur with the rim bouncing off every cobble was hard work, and the fast twisting decent perilous! In this situation staying with the peloton, while the convoy made its way back up to the group was key, but the relentless pace to catch riders who had jumped away on the climb was impossible to maintain. Slipping back I found company with a Beveren 2000 rider suffering a similar fate. With the team cars stuck behind the original crash, the peloton, and my target of finishing vanishing into the distance, the outcome was becoming increasingly predictable.
Eventually with the wheel changed, the chase back to the group, now some 5 minutes ahead, was on. Slipstreaming the car - at 80kph – we made it to the back of the convoy and I set about moving up through the cars. However, instantly hitting the Bosberg, and with the huge effort preceding it, progress was slow, and the inevitable soon became the reality. With the team cars ordered to follow the race, I was too late, and descending off the Bosberg, the convey disappeared into the distance. Rejoining the Beveren rider, we rode towards the finish and predictably, were pulled out of the race.
Disappointed. To have made the race to the first climb, feeling relatively comfortable, and forced out with a puncture, and no team support avaliable, is understandably a frustrating outcome. With the race coming down to a 100 rider bunch sprint, perhaps finishing could have been possible, but for now it’s impossible to say. However, that race is done and I have to keep looking forwards. Next week I have another chance on the Muur in the Affligem classic, but not before a Kermesse on Wednesday. They say you make your own luck, so let’s see if an aggressive, positive approach to Wednesdays race can reverse my fortunes.
With an opening neutralised 5km, it gave me the chance to position myself towards the front end of the peloton, knowing that as soon as the flag is dropped we would be singled out on the 20km flat straight roads early on in the race. However, this was to be the least of the pelotons problems with the dire and almost unacceptable road surfaces we encountered. With considerable potholes littering the road, riders constantly swerving and jumping at 60kph to avoid them, the opening kilometres were manic.
The first climb of the day was to be the Muur 40km into the race, where just 2 weeks prior saw Fabian Cancellara drop Tom Boonen on his way to victory in the Tour of Flanders - this too, was to be a decisive moment for me. Just prior to the Muur, a mass pile up on a downhill hairpin preceding the climb briefly halted the peloton. Attempting to avoid the crash, I steered into the gutter and onto an adjacent area of grass, and back onto the road to join the frenzied attacks to reach the bottom of the Muur, less than 500metres away, at the front of the race. However, in a perverse twist of fortune, I had avoided the crash, but picked up a puncture on the rear wheel. Climbing the Muur with the rim bouncing off every cobble was hard work, and the fast twisting decent perilous! In this situation staying with the peloton, while the convoy made its way back up to the group was key, but the relentless pace to catch riders who had jumped away on the climb was impossible to maintain. Slipping back I found company with a Beveren 2000 rider suffering a similar fate. With the team cars stuck behind the original crash, the peloton, and my target of finishing vanishing into the distance, the outcome was becoming increasingly predictable.
Eventually with the wheel changed, the chase back to the group, now some 5 minutes ahead, was on. Slipstreaming the car - at 80kph – we made it to the back of the convoy and I set about moving up through the cars. However, instantly hitting the Bosberg, and with the huge effort preceding it, progress was slow, and the inevitable soon became the reality. With the team cars ordered to follow the race, I was too late, and descending off the Bosberg, the convey disappeared into the distance. Rejoining the Beveren rider, we rode towards the finish and predictably, were pulled out of the race.
Disappointed. To have made the race to the first climb, feeling relatively comfortable, and forced out with a puncture, and no team support avaliable, is understandably a frustrating outcome. With the race coming down to a 100 rider bunch sprint, perhaps finishing could have been possible, but for now it’s impossible to say. However, that race is done and I have to keep looking forwards. Next week I have another chance on the Muur in the Affligem classic, but not before a Kermesse on Wednesday. They say you make your own luck, so let’s see if an aggressive, positive approach to Wednesdays race can reverse my fortunes.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Illness Strikes
Just 8 days before the first target race of the year, Zellik-Galmaarden, I have been stuck with a bout of illness. Travelling to Hooglede for a kermesse on Saturday, I felt fine, but just 20km into the race, I was finished. Feeling almost ‘empty’, unable to produce any power, it was clear something was wrong – this coming just two days after a very attacking race at the Pino Cerami. With the headaches, and sore throat that ensued, this confirmed my suspicions, and so rest and recovery has been the order for the last few days, and I’m am hoping to return to training tomorrow for preparation for Sundays race.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
GP Pino Cerami
On Thursday I raced the amateur version of the GP Pino Cerami, a warm-up race to the main professional event of the day. Unlike the kermesse races so far, this was a point to point race – 71km from St-Ghislain to Femeries with 3 X 16.8km laps of a hard, undulating finishing circuit featuring an ascent of the ‘Tienne Du Dragon’ – a 250metre cobbled climb averaging 14 % with a maximum gradient of 20% - each lap. The race started at 11 o’clock, with 100 riders, on a short neutralised procession through the town.
We started fairly steady, but it was not long before I was in trouble, as Mother Nature called just 10km into the race! I drifted to the back of the peloton, hoping that the race would ease enough to allow time to get off, and quickly chase so that I could get back into the group – the usual technique for such an occasion. However, this is kermesse racing – 120km of flat out, aggressive racing, and it soon became apparent that stopping would give me no chance of completing the race, especially with just 2 following cars. I can’t really tell you what happened for the next 60km as we made our way round the large loop towards the finishing circuits as I was sat on the back – although Dom can tell you more in his blog.
Accepting I was not going to be able to stop, now that we had made it onto the finishing circuits, there was only one outcome: an onboard attempt... With a quite literal helping hand from Dom (he was pushing me ok) I ‘did the business’ and a fair bit lighter than I starting the race, was ready to tackle the relentless and uncompromising finishing laps. With constant undulations, twisting descents and a long exposed dual carriageway section, it was going to be a hard 50km. Not aware of how many riders were ahead, but knowing at least 2 groups had gone clear on the starting loop, I decided to take the opportunity to test myself both attacking out of the peloton and on the climbs, especially the ‘Tienne Du Dragon’ - the steep cobbled ascent mimicking those I will be facing in Zellik-Galmaarden next Sunday. Attacking every lap, and being the only rider still in the big ring (only one of the professionals in the main race adopting this strategy), I finally broke clear with Dom on the 2nd of the 3 laps and we were joined by 3 riders. Taking turns on the front, we gradually caught and passed riders, but on the final lap were still at least 2 minutes to the leaders. Gaining a good gap over my break group on the final ascent, I set about on a solo time trial mission to the line, but was soon swept up on the head wind dual carriageway, and set myself up for the long drag to the finish line. For the second race in a row I won the sprint giving a finishing position of 26th.
We started fairly steady, but it was not long before I was in trouble, as Mother Nature called just 10km into the race! I drifted to the back of the peloton, hoping that the race would ease enough to allow time to get off, and quickly chase so that I could get back into the group – the usual technique for such an occasion. However, this is kermesse racing – 120km of flat out, aggressive racing, and it soon became apparent that stopping would give me no chance of completing the race, especially with just 2 following cars. I can’t really tell you what happened for the next 60km as we made our way round the large loop towards the finishing circuits as I was sat on the back – although Dom can tell you more in his blog.
Accepting I was not going to be able to stop, now that we had made it onto the finishing circuits, there was only one outcome: an onboard attempt... With a quite literal helping hand from Dom (he was pushing me ok) I ‘did the business’ and a fair bit lighter than I starting the race, was ready to tackle the relentless and uncompromising finishing laps. With constant undulations, twisting descents and a long exposed dual carriageway section, it was going to be a hard 50km. Not aware of how many riders were ahead, but knowing at least 2 groups had gone clear on the starting loop, I decided to take the opportunity to test myself both attacking out of the peloton and on the climbs, especially the ‘Tienne Du Dragon’ - the steep cobbled ascent mimicking those I will be facing in Zellik-Galmaarden next Sunday. Attacking every lap, and being the only rider still in the big ring (only one of the professionals in the main race adopting this strategy), I finally broke clear with Dom on the 2nd of the 3 laps and we were joined by 3 riders. Taking turns on the front, we gradually caught and passed riders, but on the final lap were still at least 2 minutes to the leaders. Gaining a good gap over my break group on the final ascent, I set about on a solo time trial mission to the line, but was soon swept up on the head wind dual carriageway, and set myself up for the long drag to the finish line. For the second race in a row I won the sprint giving a finishing position of 26th.
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Schepdaal – first top 10 ride!
After an easy day Sunday I headed to Schepdaal, just West of Brussels. The plan for a long hard day in the saddle, to replicate the sort of kilometres I will be racing in Zellik-Galmaarden in 2 weeks time. Meeting at Dom’s house, we cycled to Schepdaal, totalling 25km including a recce of the course. The main features were 3 distinct ‘power’ climbs for each of the 11 laps of the circuit, with the finish line at the summit of probably the hardest of the climbs – an ideal finish for me! The roads were generally wide with fast flowing corners. Under clear skies the race got underway at 15.00 with 106 riders taking to the start.
The race started uncharacteristically slowly- perhaps the feared reputation of the circuit’s climbs acting as a deterrent for the compulsory ‘all out attack from the gun approach’ I have become used to. However, it was not too long before the attacking started, as the lure of primes and a king of the mountains points every lap proved too much for some – who quite predictably blew after only a few laps! As the race progressed, the relentless climbs took their toll, as many riders were shelled out the back of the peloton. With bad legs, I decided just to try and follow the wheels, and sit in as much as possible, hoping I could ride the legs into the race and try a few efforts later on.
Sitting too far back, the group split through cross wind with some 26 riders stretching out a good margin to the quickly thinning peloton. With 50km to go, I took a gel and drink and decided to have a go at bridging the gap. After a few attacks, I finally got away on the main climb section of the race, and was joined by one other rider. Sharing big turns, we bridged the gap in less than a lap. I quickly learned that 5 riders were up the road, and although out of sight, quite surprisingly few were either willing or able to chase.
However, 3 riders attacked out of the group, whilst I was taking a misjudged rest at the back of the group, preparing for the final few laps. Almost instantly they had a large gap, and with many of the group not working, but also not letting anyone else go clear, we were to race for 9th. With one other teammate in the break we worked together to split the group in a cross wind section, but came back together a few kilometres before the line.
Having observed the other riders during the race, I was confident I would be the strongest in the hill sprint – quite probably my biggest strength on the bike. With a few riders attempting to go clear before the climb, I had a good target to aim at to launch the effort. Leading out the sprint, with still some 400metres to go, I jumped over to the early escapees, saw the finish barriers and went for the line. Somewhat satisfyingly I looked around at the top to see that no-one had been able to follow my wheel and won the sprint of some 20 riders by a few bike lengths!
Naturally I’m very pleased to have broken into the top 10 now, and to have ridden over to a break, and win the sprint on a day where the legs had not felt at so good is very promising. Riding back to Dom’s house, adding in an extra loop, we clocked 180.1km for the day – a good days riding and perfect preparation for Zellik-Galmaarden. Next race will be Thursdays is the G.P Cerami, a warm up race on the same circuit to the day’s main professional version later in the afternoon.
The race started uncharacteristically slowly- perhaps the feared reputation of the circuit’s climbs acting as a deterrent for the compulsory ‘all out attack from the gun approach’ I have become used to. However, it was not too long before the attacking started, as the lure of primes and a king of the mountains points every lap proved too much for some – who quite predictably blew after only a few laps! As the race progressed, the relentless climbs took their toll, as many riders were shelled out the back of the peloton. With bad legs, I decided just to try and follow the wheels, and sit in as much as possible, hoping I could ride the legs into the race and try a few efforts later on.
Sitting too far back, the group split through cross wind with some 26 riders stretching out a good margin to the quickly thinning peloton. With 50km to go, I took a gel and drink and decided to have a go at bridging the gap. After a few attacks, I finally got away on the main climb section of the race, and was joined by one other rider. Sharing big turns, we bridged the gap in less than a lap. I quickly learned that 5 riders were up the road, and although out of sight, quite surprisingly few were either willing or able to chase.
However, 3 riders attacked out of the group, whilst I was taking a misjudged rest at the back of the group, preparing for the final few laps. Almost instantly they had a large gap, and with many of the group not working, but also not letting anyone else go clear, we were to race for 9th. With one other teammate in the break we worked together to split the group in a cross wind section, but came back together a few kilometres before the line.
Having observed the other riders during the race, I was confident I would be the strongest in the hill sprint – quite probably my biggest strength on the bike. With a few riders attempting to go clear before the climb, I had a good target to aim at to launch the effort. Leading out the sprint, with still some 400metres to go, I jumped over to the early escapees, saw the finish barriers and went for the line. Somewhat satisfyingly I looked around at the top to see that no-one had been able to follow my wheel and won the sprint of some 20 riders by a few bike lengths!
Naturally I’m very pleased to have broken into the top 10 now, and to have ridden over to a break, and win the sprint on a day where the legs had not felt at so good is very promising. Riding back to Dom’s house, adding in an extra loop, we clocked 180.1km for the day – a good days riding and perfect preparation for Zellik-Galmaarden. Next race will be Thursdays is the G.P Cerami, a warm up race on the same circuit to the day’s main professional version later in the afternoon.
Monday, April 05, 2010
Ottergem Kermesse
On Saturday I headed to Ottergem for another kermesse. Having arrived with plenty of time to spare, Dom and I set out on a practice/warm up lap of the course. The route contained 3 climbs, one of which cobbled, with many narrow sections littered with 90 degree bends, the finish line at the bottom of a fast twisting decent. With 19 laps of 6km to complete, the race started at 15:00 with 170 riders signing on.
With limited warm up, Dom and I got to the start line early, keen to avoid to the problems we encountered at Merchtem, and also to avoid any splits on the opening laps due to the narrow nature of the roads. As the race got underway, we found ourselves immediately off the front of the race, joined by just one other rider, willing to force the pace. Perhaps this was a little ambitious, especially with cold legs, but at least we could avoid any potential crashes early on. Sure enough we soon found ourselves back in the peloton and I settled into a good position in the top 20 riders. As the attacks went, I found myself chasing a few but never really threatening to gap the peloton. Perhaps working too hard to get away, mid way through the race I went through a really bad phase of riding. Loosing concentration, dropping wheels, and then my glasses as I reshuffled them into my helmet. As rain stared to lash down, the circuit became an ice rink and the many tight corners incredibly slippery. Finding myself near the back of the group, I took a gel and drink and recomposed myself. By the time I had recovered, a break group of 13 had gone clear of the peloton and with many teams represented there was no chase – we were to race for 14th.
Waiting for the sprint, - knowing I would not go clear - I moved to front, well positioned I left the sprint late, possibly too late, but still managed 4th, giving me a final position of 17th. I guess it’s another solid result, but not a great ride. I have always suffered on interval type courses, with the constant braking and acceleration which really summed up this circuit. However, I felt strong on the climbs, and 4th in a downhill sprint shows the top end race fitness is showing itself. The next race was today, a kermesse in Schepdaal where I raced to my first top 10 result, with the report to come tomorrow.
With limited warm up, Dom and I got to the start line early, keen to avoid to the problems we encountered at Merchtem, and also to avoid any splits on the opening laps due to the narrow nature of the roads. As the race got underway, we found ourselves immediately off the front of the race, joined by just one other rider, willing to force the pace. Perhaps this was a little ambitious, especially with cold legs, but at least we could avoid any potential crashes early on. Sure enough we soon found ourselves back in the peloton and I settled into a good position in the top 20 riders. As the attacks went, I found myself chasing a few but never really threatening to gap the peloton. Perhaps working too hard to get away, mid way through the race I went through a really bad phase of riding. Loosing concentration, dropping wheels, and then my glasses as I reshuffled them into my helmet. As rain stared to lash down, the circuit became an ice rink and the many tight corners incredibly slippery. Finding myself near the back of the group, I took a gel and drink and recomposed myself. By the time I had recovered, a break group of 13 had gone clear of the peloton and with many teams represented there was no chase – we were to race for 14th.
Waiting for the sprint, - knowing I would not go clear - I moved to front, well positioned I left the sprint late, possibly too late, but still managed 4th, giving me a final position of 17th. I guess it’s another solid result, but not a great ride. I have always suffered on interval type courses, with the constant braking and acceleration which really summed up this circuit. However, I felt strong on the climbs, and 4th in a downhill sprint shows the top end race fitness is showing itself. The next race was today, a kermesse in Schepdaal where I raced to my first top 10 result, with the report to come tomorrow.
Friday, April 02, 2010
New Roads
It's been nearly a montch since i arrived in Belgium and after 6 races, many training hours fuelled by countless ham sandwiches, I guess I’m sort of finding my way around here!
The first few weeks were always going to be a tricky one for training. Not knowing anyone here, or anywhere, these were to be tough miles (or possibly kilometres).
For the first week, I seemed to spend more time off the bike checking the map and retracing my footsteps than I actually spent training. To be truthful it was dull; short and simple loops on local roads, coupled with dead straight cycle paths were not the most excitable destinations but at least gave me a good knowledge of the area. However, the first glimmer of hope for me to see the much promised great cycling routes of Flanders came as quite an accident. Following main roads to the North, I spotted a lane with a cycle route number and map nearby. To my relief, the map revealed an entire network of recommended cycle lanes across the entire Limburg region, revealing the ‘fietsroutenetwork’ which can be read about in an earlier blog. These picturesque lanes now provide the perfect landscape for longer training rides and are always an enjoyable outing.
As I dared to venture further, I headed into the rolling hills of the Walloon to the South. Although seemingly far less welcoming to cyclists, with a much harder to follow cycle routes and poor road surfaces, the Walloon is still is very tempting area to train in. The constant undulations and sometimes fairly steep climbs certainly offer a different variety than the windswept plains of the Brabant and Limburg. Going further South I have made repeat trips to the Mur de Huy, having worked out a fantastic route compromising of good cycle lanes, quite countryside, and 2 cobbled climbs, which could not differ more from the non-stop traffic jams to be found in Huy itself. As the weeks have passed, the map, although still firmly in my pocket, tends to remain there resulting in far more productive and enjoyable rides.
For sure, I miss riding on some of my favourite roads back in Essex, whether it be racing up North Hill, a quick loop of the Easters or sprinting for the pre-established signposts. However the almost tedious feeling of knowing exactly where I’m going, every bend - every pothole, replaced by uncertainty and ambiguity makes way for a somewhat refreshing experience and I relish the opportunity to continue discovering new, unexplored areas of Flanders.
Final Thought:
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail"
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
The first few weeks were always going to be a tricky one for training. Not knowing anyone here, or anywhere, these were to be tough miles (or possibly kilometres).
For the first week, I seemed to spend more time off the bike checking the map and retracing my footsteps than I actually spent training. To be truthful it was dull; short and simple loops on local roads, coupled with dead straight cycle paths were not the most excitable destinations but at least gave me a good knowledge of the area. However, the first glimmer of hope for me to see the much promised great cycling routes of Flanders came as quite an accident. Following main roads to the North, I spotted a lane with a cycle route number and map nearby. To my relief, the map revealed an entire network of recommended cycle lanes across the entire Limburg region, revealing the ‘fietsroutenetwork’ which can be read about in an earlier blog. These picturesque lanes now provide the perfect landscape for longer training rides and are always an enjoyable outing.
As I dared to venture further, I headed into the rolling hills of the Walloon to the South. Although seemingly far less welcoming to cyclists, with a much harder to follow cycle routes and poor road surfaces, the Walloon is still is very tempting area to train in. The constant undulations and sometimes fairly steep climbs certainly offer a different variety than the windswept plains of the Brabant and Limburg. Going further South I have made repeat trips to the Mur de Huy, having worked out a fantastic route compromising of good cycle lanes, quite countryside, and 2 cobbled climbs, which could not differ more from the non-stop traffic jams to be found in Huy itself. As the weeks have passed, the map, although still firmly in my pocket, tends to remain there resulting in far more productive and enjoyable rides.
For sure, I miss riding on some of my favourite roads back in Essex, whether it be racing up North Hill, a quick loop of the Easters or sprinting for the pre-established signposts. However the almost tedious feeling of knowing exactly where I’m going, every bend - every pothole, replaced by uncertainty and ambiguity makes way for a somewhat refreshing experience and I relish the opportunity to continue discovering new, unexplored areas of Flanders.
Final Thought:
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail"
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Thursday, April 01, 2010
The results are in.
After literally weeks of anticipation, the anti-doping results are in:
“As a result of the above-mentioned anti-doping test, no prohibited substances were found during the analysis of your urine sample”
Let’s see how many more to come this year!
“As a result of the above-mentioned anti-doping test, no prohibited substances were found during the analysis of your urine sample”
Let’s see how many more to come this year!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)