2nd!

Did the 65km B grade Toowoomba Club Race at Boodua today. It was a nearly flat 21 km course that was very windy and with a bit of drizzling rain and 25 starters. There was a big split in the cross wind at 15 km (that I missed, daydreaming) where 6 got off the front. I managed to get across to them on my own pretty comfortably. The 7 in the break became 5 before long. I had a go by myself at 21 km to go, hoping for some company, but it didn't come and I didn't have the legs to go solo. We all stayed together until a rider attacked up a hill about 500 m from the finish and he stayed away. I managed to win the gallop for 2nd. I'm overall very happy with today. I felt pretty strong most of the way and when I think that just two short months ago I couldn't even finish a B grade criterium, I have to consider this a big improvement. 

Bikes and Rain = Shit

If you ride a bike with me for longer than 11 seconds you will hear about how much I hate riding in the rain. Heat, cold, wind, I can handle, but rain makes me lose my bananas. Very strange when you consider that I once made the decision to spend a season racing in Belgium, where a fine day means it is only raining a little bit. 

I was caught in the rain on my big Sunday ride, and after a solid hour of cleaning my bike on Monday, I got covered in water and road grime again on Tuesday (it actually never rained on me, but the road was soaked). 

Sometimes a blog is a good place to have a whine, which my friends, is exactly the purpose of this post!

In conclusion, here are the reasons I hate riding in the rain:

• Rain makes your bike all wet and dirty.
• Your clothes get trashed and need ultra washing to get them clean.
• Your shoes and helmet get wet and take ages to dry out.
• Rain makes the wind much colder when it blows through you.
• There is an increased chance of crashing.
• Cars have trouble seeing you in the rain.
• Rain is shit.

Bunya Mountains (WTF?)

Did a 170km ride in a group of five today. We went almost to Kumbia then swung right and headed up the Kingaroy side of the Bunyas, before descending down the Dalby side.

Let me list the reasons why the ride was SHIT:

• We had about two hours of rain which was just enough to completely soak the climb and the descent.
• I only had a 39 x 23 on my bike, which was nowhere near enough (I wasn't strong enough to push the gear in the seat and had the back wheel spinning in the wet when I stood up, so yes I walked a few times).
• One of the guys in our group crashed in the wet on the descent (he was not hurt).

Let me list the reasons why the ride WAS NOT SHIT:

• At 170km, it was the longest ride I have done so far.
• I finished off with a strong effort on my own and I blew myself to pieces by the end.

I'm as sore as anything now, but can feel the endurance building in me, which is great. 

A Solid Club Race

Lined up in the Toowoomba B Grade Criterium today. This was actually my first race for two months which is obviously not good. It was 40 minutes plus 2 laps. I stayed very quiet for the first 25 minutes. A younger rider (who had been very aggressive) was about 10 seconds off the front so I decided to jump across to him by myself. We were away for about 2 laps, when a chase group of 5 joined us. We stayed like that until the finish and I ended up 5th. I had absolutely NOTHING in my legs for the sprint, which I think is a symptom of my lack of racing. Overall though, there was a lot positive to take out of this race. 

Quiet Times...

Not a lot to report of late. I have missed far too many club races because of work commitments, rain and being a bit sick (actually had ten days off the bike a week or two back). I'm on two weeks holiday at the moment so am trying to get quite a few kilometres in. I have a club race (criterium) to do on April 14. I have also entered the Battle on the Border, which is a 4 stage / 3 day tour around Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah on the Labor Day long weekend. It is reportedly very hard going. I really feel like I need some racing though, so it won't hurt me. 

The good news to report is that my weight is down to 95kg, from a starting point of 108kg. This is obviously good news!