Race Report: Metropolitan Championships...and the humbling step back

Today, was my last race in Masters A (for now). I have already put an application in to go back to Masters B. I just can't get over the steep hills with the A grade guys. Flat = fine. Undulating = fine. Steep = out the back door like a shit-covered brick. I got popped out today on the second lap and never looked like getting back on. I know a lot of people felt I was biting off more than I could chew by going straight to A grade and I think they were right. Sure it's great to be exposed to the harder racing, but getting DNF next to my name on a regular basis isn't helping anyone.

I actually rode in today with Andrew Patten, who is the Australian Masters champion in a few events on the track (err, he had a mechanical, not a lung failure like me). We were talking about me just starting again and he looks at me holding his fingers an inch or two apart and says 'you know Masters A is only this much slower than Elite A?' I'm sure he was just trying to make me feel a bit better (seemed a very nice guy), but he's got a point. It's time to step back and build up again. 

Fortunately, Pensar Hawk have a Masters B team I should be able to slot straight into.

I have to leave my new team kit in the wardrobe...for now

I have the Metropolitans tomorrow and the Canelands Handicap in Bundaberg next Sunday. Because the 'sponsorship form wasn't lodged with the Cycling Queensland office two weeks prior to the events', I have to wear my plain kit and leave my awesome new one at home.

Pissed me off!

It seems so stupid for the association to be so draconian, when in the end, who is it going to hurt if I wear the new team kit?

So plain black shorts and a plain white jersey it is.

You know what though Cycling Queensland? I've got Pensar Hawk team issue socks! You can't stop me wearing them. How you like them apples!?!

Weight Loss Update

For those of you who have been taking an interest in my return to the sport (or at least faking it!). I am pleased to report that my weight loss situation is now at:

108kg (previous weight) - 91kg (current weight) = 17kg

Pensar Hawk Racing Team

I have been having some conversations recently with David Inglis, who is the manager of the Pensar Hawk Racing Team (link). The team has a very strong elite men's and women's squad and is looking to develop its Masters' ranks. As a result, I have been offered a spot on the team. This is really great news for me. I'm very much looking forward to riding with the new team as they have about a dozen good Masters level riders on the books. My new strip arrived in the mail today and it is very nice:

Race Report: Toowoomba Criterium

For the record, they call it a 'kermesse' but I call it a criterium...

A bit of a frustrating day. Raced the B grade club criterium in a field of 15. The organizers told me at the start that I might have to ride A grade because of a smaller field there and in hindsight I should have jumped at the chance. The race was extremely negative, with most of the riders happy to chase the breaks and then grind to a halt once caught. I had three good attempts at getting away in small groups which did not manage to work. A young guy slipped off the front with a lap or two to go and the bunch looked at me to chase. I didn't, and was actually pleased to see him stay away and win. I got 3rd in the bunch sprint for 4th overall. I was pleased to see the guys who had ridden so negatively come unstuck as their best position was 3rd. Overall, the pace was not really challenging and I think I am going to move up to A grade next time. I had actually done a pretty solid 105km in the morning, which makes the fact that I found this race pace quite soft, even more of a reason to move up. Wish me luck...

Race Report: Tour de Tweed (Battle on the Border)

Stage 1: 7.2 km Individual Time Trial - 41st

It was a 'sight unseen' course for me, which wasn't ideal. I never really settled and on the open road struggled to get the big gear going. I certainly didn't disgrace myself but am a little disappointed with my 10:47 time.

Stage 2: 97 km Road Race - 58th

The first 26 km of this stage I was loving. Great to be in a big bunch (59 starters) and I was really enjoying the flat and undulating parts of the course. Then came the climb... It was actually two climbs. About 1.5 km in 39 x 21 before a small downhill and then about 1.5 km in the 39 x 19. I didn't get up the first one and (most embarrassingly) was the first one dropped! I never regained touch with the bunch and rode the last 70 km on my own, to make sure I could start again tomorrow. I lost over 39 minutes. The crazy thing is, I actually felt pretty good today, but climbing is obviously a problem for me. 

Stage 3: 85 km Road Race - 51st

Today was a much, much better day, but had a mishap that cost me badly. I felt so much better than yesterday and coped on the first climb of about 2 km quite well. The second climb was a bit longer (both the climbs were not as steep as yesterday). A few riders had dropped off before me which instantly made me feel better! I was heading for trouble about 500 m from the top so decided to ease back, ride tempo and catch up on the long descent. This was all working to plan until I overcooked it (big time) on a right hander, lost my back wheel, managed to straighten up, went flying through the bush and ended up stopping myself from tumbling down the side of the bank by using a big grass patch as a safety cushion. By the time I got back on the bunch was gone. I had to finish the stage out but at least this time I was in a small group. We lost just over 15 minutes. This was a real shame because I couldn't believe how much better I was going since the day before. 

Stage 4: 30 min + 2 lap Criterium - DNS

I decided to not start the critierium. It was on a very fast, technical circuit and at only 30 minutes in length, I wasn't confident of going far. I elected to head home and recover for the week ahead.

So the post-mortem of the race tells me that:

• Masters A racing is very competitive.
• I need to work on my climbing.
• I need more specific work on my time trial bike.
• I can be competitive before too long with continued effort.