Race Report: Battle on the Border (Tour de Tweed), 16, 17, 18 May 2014.

As expected, this was a tough affair. The Elite Division 1 race had a small handful of riders who 'should' have been riding the National Road Series event that was running concurrently and Elite A & B riders from Queensland and New South Wales. Looking back at the conclusion of the event, the field (I believe) was definitely stronger than last year. There were a lot more riders from New South Wales this time around. 53 riders were on the start list with 48 actually lining up on the day.

Stage 1: Murwillumbah Road Race - 128 km - 34th

Wet, hilly and fast. That pretty much sums it up. Despite 34th not looking much on paper, I am very pleased with how I rode during this stage. The big split happened after the Tyalgum KOM, where 33 riders went forward and the rest went backwards. I was literally in position 34 when this split happened. So, so, close to getting there. For an 86 kg lump like myself, I was stoked with how I had climbed. I ended up in a group of 3 and believe it or not, we were tantalisingly close to making contact with the front group after a solid hour of chasing. After we admitted defeat we started some serious climbing again, up through Hogan's Road and Terranora. I was toast by the end of this stage. In terms of new power records I set PBs for average power for everything across 90 seconds - 8 minutes and for normalised power for everything across 3 minutes to 3 1/2 hours. This is nothing to celebrate, just an indication of how tough the stage was for me.

Stage 2: Murwillumbah Time Trial - 9.2km - 16th (12 min 50 sec)

I was 'kinda' satisfied with this result and also 'kinda' not. I had some heavy fatigue in my legs and felt I really couldn't get going. I went 2 seconds faster than last year (I finished 8th in this stage last year) but with the better field I didn't finish as well this time around.

Stage 3: Murwillumbah Criterium - 30 minutes + 2 laps (DNF - 1 lap down)

This was just straight up awful. The start was ridiculously fast. There were eight major surges in the first few minutes that hurt me badly. Just out of interest (one for the power nerds), my 10 second averages during those surges were 957w, 919w, 663w, 923w, 662w, 796w. There's only so much of that I can cope with! I lasted 10 minutes (which is a shame because apparently things settled down a bit after that). I wasn't alone though and ended up in a small group. The commisaire was kind enough to pull my group off the course at about 20 minutes in.

Stage 4: Kingscliff Road Race - 132km - 25th

Like earlier in the race, this result doesn't look like much on paper, but this was without doubt the best day I have had on a bike since I started racing again. You couldn't custom design a worse course for me, with long, steep and tough climbs appearing regularly. I climbed out of my skin and took great pleasure in watching riders 20 kg lighter and 15 years younger getting shelled out the back while I was hanging on. The major split ended up happening on the second crossing of the Burringbar Range. 21 riders went forward and I was in a little chase group of 4. Our group had their progress slowed down somewhat by a pretty nasty crash. We ended up in a group of 7 and went to the finish like that. The stage was enough to put me up to 28th overall. In a field like that, on a course like that, I was pretty satisfied.

It is good that I finished this race on a positive note as I have made a decision about future racing. When I got back on the bike in September of 2011, I never for a second imagined I would ever race Elite A again. When I got bumped up to that grade by the state handicapper, I was shocked but also secretly feeling very happy about the promotion. I went from 'zero' to Elite A in 1 year and 8 months. I've been racing Elite A for a little over a year and as much as I have enjoyed the challenge, I think I am done with it. There are a few reasons for this. Firstly, I'm 41 years old and racing super-fit 19 year olds is starting to lose its appeal. Secondly, I don't want to do 6-7 hour training rides any more. 3-4 hours is fine, but I'm sick of the long ones. Thirdly, I'd like to do some state level racing where I actually have a chance of getting a result. Don't get me wrong, I have done some stuff I am proud of (how many people can claim top ten finishes in the Cunningham Classic that span 21 years?) but it would be nice to be involved in the business end of a bike race, instead of hanging on for dear life.

And that my friends, is why you will only see me at Masters A races from now on (which is super competitive as well, if you don't believe me, you should try it). What does this mean for Queensland Road Teams Series (QRTS) with Team TLD Racing? I will still be 'around' and will make myself available for selection where the courses suit me.

So there you have it. Hopefully some fun and challenging racing ahead. I'm looking forward to it very much starting with the Metropolitan Championships Road Race this Sunday. Farewell Elite A; it's been a blast!

Race Report: Ipswich Open Individual Time Trial, 3 May 2014

This race was an improvement on a week ago (and for that I am truly grateful). I raced Masters A (which I don't often do) because it was the same course and distance as the State Titles Individual Time Trial in six weeks time.

The 20 km Purga course is normally tough enough on a regular day, but on this day we also had a howling cross wind to contend with. This seemed to knock everyone's times around a little.

I rode a good, controlled and well-timed race, making sure I had enough in the tank to really get into it on the hills that come in the last 5km or so. I actually ejected my Garmin at the 9km mark, which made things a little difficult. I've become a 'sucker for the numbers' and having to do the last 11 km without power, cadence or heart rate data was a little tricky. Having said that, I think I managed to get it right.

The field in Masters A is always competitive and I felt that this particular race was no different. I was very keen for a top five placing and missed that by a little with an 8th place, in a time of 29 minutes and 12 seconds. I was 24 seconds off the top five, 43 seconds off the podium and 1 minute 13 seconds off the win (world number two in the Masters 45- 49 age group, Andrew Patten).

So overall, I'm not overjoyed, but satisfied. Comparing myself to other riders in my age group (40 - 44 years) I performed well and have reduced the gap since last time we raced together.

Race Report: Queensland Road Team Series (QRTS 2) - 26, 27 April 2014

This was my first QRTS round for the year with Team TLD and I am very disappointed to say, it was by far the worst round I have had with the team, since coming on board in round 1 last year.

The program was two 31 km Team Time Trials on the Saturday and then a 93 km Road Race on the Sunday (which was three laps of the Saturday Course)

Saturday

Team Time Trial 1 - I lasted 11 km. No explanation. My legs wouldn't work when going uphill. I simply felt like I had nuthin'. I did ride my TT bike with a disc in the back and the course had a lot of climbing in it. This is not an excuse by any means but for a big bloke like me, I need all the help I can get when climbing so probably not a great equipment choice.

Team Time Trial 2 - I lasted 16km. A marginally better effort than the morning but I still had a lot of difficulty. I used my road bike in this one which felt a lot better. The lighter bike and wheels and the ability to change gears quickly and easily definitely made a difference.

The team actually went very well in the two events (top non-NRS team) and having only a 10 second difference between the two rides. The second event was a timed handicap based on the morning run and it makes no sense to me to have a handicap event in a 'high-level elite' series, as it is promoted. But anyway...it is what it is. 

Sunday

The road race started okay but again any incline had me in trouble. I lasted about 20 km on the first lap before being blown out the back door on the KOM (I wasn't alone, but that doesn't make me any happier about it). It was a very fast pace, but so have all the other QRTS rounds been when I have made it to the finish in good shape. Sigh...

So what to take out of this weekend? 

Firstly, Team TLD is looking very good. James Thompson finished second in the road stage and Sam Allen showed his class with a great performance across the weekend. The two of them are 18 years and 17 years respectively so their future is very bright. 

Secondly, the team culture and ethos at Team TLD is great. It's an awesome environment to race in and be a part of. I've raced in many teams over the years and in terms of support and organization, Team TLD are one of the best. 

Thirdly, in terms of my performance, I really don't know what to say. I am writing it off as 'one of those weekends'. Disappointing, but it happens. One thing that I am still struggling with since 'coming back' is my consistency, and this is a great example of that. Two weeks ago I put out my best ever power numbers. This weekend just gone, I can't get anywhere near that. When you look at my power files from this weekend there is nothing in there to suggest that I would be in as much trouble as I was. It's frustrating, but as a 41 year old still 'returning' to the game it is something I need to deal with.

What's on the calendar? The Ipswich Open is this weekend and I am only riding the Individual Time Trial. This is a 'dressed rehearsal' for the State Titles (MAS 40 - 44) Individual Time Trial in June (same course / distance). I am actually riding Masters A (which I don't often do) so I can do this course. I'm keen for a result of course, but am very interested in how I perform against the other 40 - 44 years riders. Battle of the Border is also coming up and the Tour of Toowoomba as well for the team, but I have pretty much no chance of riding that given my current form and the quality we have on board at the moment.