First Race 2009

Sunday I rode my first race of the year at Nieul, just out side Limoges. It’s a hard course, 8 laps of 6.5km with 150m climbing each lap. It didn’t go so great, but as mentioned in previous posts I wasn’t expecting too much. It was a fine day and it was the first race of the season, hence there was a lot of riders out - around 60 in my cat. For most it was probably the first ride of the year in shorts so there were a lot of untanned legs. Not only white mine were also unshaven! 

The race started fast, unfortunately I was quite near the back and had to fight frequent accelerations, riders were soon going off the back. I held on until the 4th lap when I was dropped on the longest climb of the circuit. If I had a plan, should this happen, its was to wait for the 4th cats to catch me the ride with them. For the remaining 4 laps I either rode on my own of with 1 or 2 others, the 4th cats never arrived.

Stats for thought – if I go out training alone I normally average about 300 meters climbing per hour. On a good run out with the club this may increase to about 370m/hr. On this ride it was 575m/hr and it would have been hired if I’d held the pace, so quite a lot higher than I’m conditioned too.

The race was a good benchmark in otherways, so to speak, if anything I think I fared better than expected considering the disruptions to my training schedule recently. My body needed a good kick, just like if a car is driven around town all the time it does the car good to get it out on some fast roads and have a bit of a burn up, to clean out the engine. I certainly got a good kick, can’t wait for the next week its the annual ROC cyclo race, hopefully I’ll manage a few more laps before being dropped.

Paris-Nice 2009 round up

I’ve enjoyed following this race over the last week, sometimes via the TV, other times by newspaper or the internet. A good field of riders, a historic race, some gutsy riding and a dash of controversy just to give in a bit of colour.

In summary the 2007 Tour de France winner, Alberto Contador, was the favourite after winning the prologue, albeit some would question how. Contador the lightweight, Spanish climber and a little below top form beat Olympic pursuit champion and time trialist specialist Bradley Wiggins, who had specifically trained to win this event, by seven seconds.

Contador held on to the yellow jersey for most of the week only to lose is in the closing kilometers of the penultimate stage to Luis León Sánchez losing three minutes overall. Contador needed help off his bike he tried so hard. In the final stage he gave it all. Attacking on the days first big climb it didn’t work for long. In the final kilometers two riders escaped and Contador gave chase. He gave it all on the last day to regain the golden fleece he’d lost but to no avail.

Luis León Sánchez won the general classification,  Fränk Schleck was second, then Sylvain Chavanel followed in fourth by Contador. Maybe he was a little under form after all…….

After Blighty!

I like England, miss it at times, it has its faults but after a week in ‘Blighty’ I’m pleased to be back on French soil.  Spent most of the time with the family and my inlaws but managed a weekend back in my old stopping ground Gloucestershire to catch up with family and friends. Had a few beers, a couple more, told a few lies and generally had a good laugh.  Also ate a heap of food I’d missed – fish and chips, pork pies, Cadburys cream eggs, amongst loads of other things – well my doctor says I’ve got exceptionally low cholesterol so I thought I better do something about it, wouldn’t you?

Now back on French soil, now back to work, but at least back on the bike. I’m really really excited about racing on the bike this Sunday. I don’t know why cause I’m somewhat below par. This time last year I was really fired up, wanted a podium finish, but on reflection probably over trained. This year its different, I’m excited but relaxed, for Sunday I’ve no expectations, I just want a benchmark, just want to learn, just want the thrill.  

Picked up the race calender today from my unofficial trainer and mentor. The calender, this Sundays benchmark and a bit of planning I can set some goals for the season.