Anzac 25 report

 

One of Koiled's first big team races was held out at Lakeside raceway today.
We were riding well and had all managed to get together coming into the last few laps, which was pretty much what we had planned.
Coming out of the main straight for the 2nd last time and all of a sudden our team was fragmented.
I tried moving back up again but simply could not find a way through.
Not sure if this was from people being tired and unable to pedal any more or whether they were purposely just blocking but whatever it was had the effect and I was forced backwards through the field.
By the time I got to the end of the straight I was sitting near the back of the pack.
Same happened as I came out of the main straight for the final time and I was not able to move forward.
Then I saw Shannon suddenly veer of the track almost taking Steve Tapper with him.

Sadly he had been the victim of a freak mechanical where his pedal body separated from the pedal spindle.
Knowing I had bugger all chance of getting through the pack to help at the front, I slowed to check he was alright and then rolled around to the finish.
While it was an educational day, it was not a successful one. But we are a young team, and this will build well for next time.

I enjoyed racing at Lakeside and will head out there again soonish.
And the bike at least looked rocking with the Mad Fibers and new Moots fork.

Pedalling in anger

Well after the drama's of earlier in the year, I finally got the chance to ziptie a number on,  and line up on the start line for an MTB event.

The plan was to simply turn the pedals, keep out of trouble and see where my wheels took me.

It was not a great start. Within 500m someone had a lie down right in front of me taking me down with them and landing on my right hand.

Back up and off we went. Circulating well and making up some places along the way. Through the tight, steep switchbacks and back through transition twice.

Then it rained.

Did not feel like a lot but suddenly the previously muddy sections were turned into a bog. Off camber sections now had you sliding uncontrollably off the trail and the switchbacks largely unrideable.

That was the end of my ride.

Self preservation kicked in and protection of my hand saw me decide not to continue.

But man, it was good to do an MTB race again.

(Images stolen from Facebook).

Some of this, a bit of the other

Well the past few weeks have been full of different stuff.

Back on the bike.

A little crit racing.

My fitness is slowly returning and my wrist pain slowly subsiding. 

A trip to Melbourne for the UCI World Track Championships.

Melbourne is an interesting place to cycle.

There seems to be pretty good cycling infrastructure in the inner city and it is perfect for commuter cycling due to it being so flat.

But to get in a ride on quiet roads or in the mountains, you seem to have to ride 50km's to get there.

A big change to the 40 minute ride from the Brisbane CBD.

Tomorrow will be my first MTB race for the year.

I am approaching it with mixed feelings.

Yet again the weather seems to be conspiring against us with heavy showers in the local area.

The only MTB I have at the moment is currently set up Singlespeed and rigid.

It is a ti frame so the mud is not a huge issue.

I guess I have nothing to lose, so I plan to circulate and see what happens.

Back to our normal programming

Slowly, slowly.
Got out to Nundah for some loops of the Crit track including some sprints.
Also gave me a chance to ride the Mad Fiber's before racing on the weekend.
These feel fast.
Maybe just my imagination but the speedo seemed to agree.

It is great to be back on the bike.
The hand is still sore and movement is still limited.
But I can hold the bars and change the gears so that is progress.

Biding my time

Counting down.
Only a week to go now.
6 weeks of wind trainer only rides with my arm in plaster.
Sitting.
Waiting.
Wanting.

Soon, it will be time.
And those cranks better watch out.

Recovery ward

Wont be around for a while.
Stories about recovery wont make for fun writing or reading.
Stay safe on the roads.
Being smashed up is no fun at all.

Mixed up

No traffic dodging for me this last weekend.
Just me and the bush Saturday and me and the velodrome on Sunday.
No cars, no pedestrians, no horses, just other cyclists.

BLISS!!

Also got chatting to Bicycle Stu (see the pic above).
If you are time poor and need some work done on your bike, this guy may be your answer. He offers a mobile bike maintenance service.