Soldato
Congrats!
I think you can change your blog title now.
I think you can change your blog title now.
Race reports
- Thread starter One More Solo
- Start date
Soldato
Well done 
Nice write up as always.
Nice write up as always.
Some good results there, if you can keep racing through winter you'll have good legs next year.
I'm used to small groups when racing and do lots of handicaps, you'll get a massive workout compared to a big bunch race where you can sit in.
I should be racing this weekend, legs have been feeling good and posting some good numbers as well as a bit of weight loss.
Soldato
Soldato
I dunno, maybe "amateur" since you aren't being paid? You certainly aren't a novice though!
Hurry up and get into the Elite Cat and then the name speaks for itself!
Hurry up and get into the Elite Cat and then the name speaks for itself!
Monday night league last night, nothing special in the shorter races but picked up a third in the 50 lap points race at the end. Won two of the five sprints in a race that averaged just over 27mph, which is about the same average as the 25 lap race I won a couple of weeks back so really happy with that.
Awesome riding and write up Thomas, you've made very impressive progress this year.
Won two of the five sprints in a race that averaged just over 27mph, which is about the same average as the 25 lap race I won a couple of weeks back so really happy with that.Awesome riding and write up Thomas, you've made very impressive progress this year.
Another tough handicap race, big field today, off the block group with the fastest locals as we had some out of town pro riders off scratch.
We ended up winning after they had a mechanical issue and threw the towel in. The 5 of us who were off together all rolled over within 5 secs of each other picking up 5 of the top 8 spots and most of the money!
Over 400km this week which was a record for me, a month out from racing away so come at a good time too
We ended up winning after they had a mechanical issue and threw the towel in. The 5 of us who were off together all rolled over within 5 secs of each other picking up 5 of the top 8 spots and most of the money!
Over 400km this week which was a record for me, a month out from racing away so come at a good time too
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Third attempt at CX today, after all the rain I knew it was going to be muddy, but didn't realise quite how muddy! Was a good laugh, although seemed to struggle somewhat compared to previous races. Knew my rear tyre PSI was slightly too high as had a few slide outs when putting down the power on the first lap (one right in front of my parents coming to watch me for the first time was amusing) Had another fall where I caught my legt on my saddle and think I pulled something as its a bit niggly now!
Few little niggles with the bike because of the mud, but settled down and had quite a lonely race. Not really catching anyone, or being caught from behind. Got lapped by the winner about half way through and he caught me again on the last lap which was a bit disappointing, but meant had less time to race which I was quite glad of. Probably be my last race until the new year, as I'm away in India with work at the end of the month.
Strava link with a couple of poor photos! Reckoned I was running Anaerobic for 78% of the race according to premium. HR average of 177 with a max of 189! Didn't feel like as hard a race today as last time out!
https://www.strava.com/activities/433290606
Was a good laugh, although seemed to struggle somewhat compared to previous races. Knew my rear tyre PSI was slightly too high as had a few slide outs when putting down the power on the first lap (one right in front of my parents coming to watch me for the first time was amusing) Had another fall where I caught my legt on my saddle and think I pulled something as its a bit niggly now!Few little niggles with the bike because of the mud, but settled down and had quite a lonely race. Not really catching anyone, or being caught from behind. Got lapped by the winner about half way through and he caught me again on the last lap which was a bit disappointing, but meant had less time to race which I was quite glad of. Probably be my last race until the new year, as I'm away in India with work at the end of the month.
Strava link with a couple of poor photos! Reckoned I was running Anaerobic for 78% of the race according to premium. HR average of 177 with a max of 189! Didn't feel like as hard a race today as last time out!
https://www.strava.com/activities/433290606
Man of Honour
CX does sound utterly insane
62km road race today, with 5 laps of a circuit that included 4km of gravel each lap.
Much fun. Little hairy, the first bit was placed white gravel with coarse loose rocks on top of a harder surface. The second half was finer natural sand and gravel that was easier to ride, but was loose at the sides and in the centre line where it wasn't driven on.
Descending took some balls, after 2 laps the bunch got better at it, but we did have one Faller which wasn't nice, he was ok but busted bike. I had it sideways a few times in the looser stuff, if you were on the outside for a bend it was v tough as it was looser material and off camber.
23c training tyres maybe not the best to ride on, no classic special frame here! Got a flat riding it in practice but no dramas when racing.
Legs felt good, and no issues with the distance, banana after a few laps and a gel on the second to last.
Much fun. Little hairy, the first bit was placed white gravel with coarse loose rocks on top of a harder surface. The second half was finer natural sand and gravel that was easier to ride, but was loose at the sides and in the centre line where it wasn't driven on.
Descending took some balls, after 2 laps the bunch got better at it, but we did have one Faller which wasn't nice, he was ok but busted bike. I had it sideways a few times in the looser stuff, if you were on the outside for a bend it was v tough as it was looser material and off camber.
23c training tyres maybe not the best to ride on, no classic special frame here! Got a flat riding it in practice but no dramas when racing.
Legs felt good, and no issues with the distance, banana after a few laps and a gel on the second to last.
Just back from Tour of Bright, three stage race which is one of the biggest and hardest races that's open to all in Aus.
Finished 34th in Masters B grade, just under 100 in each grade. there is open A to C, masters A to C, masters 6+ and women's A to C so almost 1000 riders potentially.
Stage 1 is a semi hilly 13.5k TT, averaged just under 40kmh on road bike and was 50th overall.
Stage 2 93km 1200m road stage. Got in a break which turned into a solo break for 17km or so, then it got super hot, 41c on the Garmin... Cooked myself a bit and rode slow up the final climb, stayed same position overall.
Stage 3 is 55km 1600m elevation. Rode much better stayed with the front guys until the last 10k of the climb when the race exploded and it kicked up super steep and my weight was holding me back. 33rd on stage which jumped me way up the standings.
I think I could have been top 25 with a TT bike and some more conservative riding on the first road stage, but I was pleased I stayed with the fast guys on stage 3, last year I was dropped after climbing for 6k at the first steep pinch.
Awesome boys weekend, we rented a house with huge media lounge, pool table, bar, bbq. Every day was coffees, racing, hit the brewery, frites, pizzas, swim in the river, racing highlight of the year for me.
Put 2kg on since finishing up with all the eating catching up!
Finished 34th in Masters B grade, just under 100 in each grade. there is open A to C, masters A to C, masters 6+ and women's A to C so almost 1000 riders potentially.
Stage 1 is a semi hilly 13.5k TT, averaged just under 40kmh on road bike and was 50th overall.
Stage 2 93km 1200m road stage. Got in a break which turned into a solo break for 17km or so, then it got super hot, 41c on the Garmin... Cooked myself a bit and rode slow up the final climb, stayed same position overall.
Stage 3 is 55km 1600m elevation. Rode much better stayed with the front guys until the last 10k of the climb when the race exploded and it kicked up super steep and my weight was holding me back. 33rd on stage which jumped me way up the standings.
I think I could have been top 25 with a TT bike and some more conservative riding on the first road stage, but I was pleased I stayed with the fast guys on stage 3, last year I was dropped after climbing for 6k at the first steep pinch.
Awesome boys weekend, we rented a house with huge media lounge, pool table, bar, bbq. Every day was coffees, racing, hit the brewery, frites, pizzas, swim in the river, racing highlight of the year for me.
Put 2kg on since finishing up with all the eating catching up!
Probably my last cx race of the year today. Helped set up the course yesterday where it was icey and very tough, warmed up to a balmy 5c today and the course got absolutely torn up.
The wooded section was so bad all but the top 10 or so had to run it, which was a good 1/4 mile. Bloody exhausting!
Webt off quite well making a few places by taking a good line at the start keeping with my club mate, after the first time thru the wood I was struggling with my right calf a little so started dropping back. Managed to get some consistency back and finished just a lap down on the winner. So pretty happy with the result. Especially on such a horrible day and considering the last ride I put any concerted effort in was 2 months ago.
175bpm average for 63 mins.
The wooded section was so bad all but the top 10 or so had to run it, which was a good 1/4 mile. Bloody exhausting!
Webt off quite well making a few places by taking a good line at the start keeping with my club mate, after the first time thru the wood I was struggling with my right calf a little so started dropping back. Managed to get some consistency back and finished just a lap down on the winner. So pretty happy with the result. Especially on such a horrible day and considering the last ride I put any concerted effort in was 2 months ago.
175bpm average for 63 mins.
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Toughest race for a long time. 3 laps of a CAT3 finishing at the top third time round.
Burnt myself a bit at the start, got in a short lived break before the first time up the climb which I burnt a match getting across to. Decided to just follow wheels after being caught and see how the race went.
Second time climbed OK and felt alright. Had to roll some turns to bring a break back, started to hurt and tried to sit on as much as I could. Last time up the hill not fit enough/burned myself too much earlier, had to ride up at FTP, lost 30 seconds to the leaders and came 6th.
1 hr 48 mins, average 261w, weighted 294w (Garmin showed 305w NP).
Those extra 2-3kg I'm carrying made the difference on such a hilly course, plus riding heavy training wheels/tyres. Otherwise I think I'd maybe have been top 3.
Burnt myself a bit at the start, got in a short lived break before the first time up the climb which I burnt a match getting across to. Decided to just follow wheels after being caught and see how the race went.
Second time climbed OK and felt alright. Had to roll some turns to bring a break back, started to hurt and tried to sit on as much as I could. Last time up the hill not fit enough/burned myself too much earlier, had to ride up at FTP, lost 30 seconds to the leaders and came 6th.
1 hr 48 mins, average 261w, weighted 294w (Garmin showed 305w NP).
Those extra 2-3kg I'm carrying made the difference on such a hilly course, plus riding heavy training wheels/tyres. Otherwise I think I'd maybe have been top 3.
VTTA 10 mile TT today, first time I've ridden a fast course so came home with a new PB of 21:55. Happy with that but still got some position and equipment gains (like not running a Gatorskin on the front!) to make, plus still building form. Good signs though. 281w average which is a power PB too (4.2w/kg at current weight!).
https://www.strava.com/activities/515188511
https://www.strava.com/activities/515188511
Man of Honour
Very nice indeed 
Gatorskins though. What the fudge?
Gatorskins though. What the fudge?
I only have one aero front wheel and it's the one I use for training so it's got a Sprinter Gatorskin tub on at the moment. Got my eyes out for a cheap Planet X front or similar so I can leave it on the TT bike.
First race in a month, felt good, obviously hill repeats are doing me some favours. We got caught after 10k by the two scratch riders and then we all worked well until the last 5k when we caught the front and the attacks started. Ended up with two away then couple got over solo, I left it too long and couldn't bridge so rolled home at the back of the sprint for 4th.
So so result for myself, but the block & scratch bunch got 1st to 4th so I got a share of the $.
So so result for myself, but the block & scratch bunch got 1st to 4th so I got a share of the $.
First TT of the year today, not ideal prep going out last night to a gig then waking up and watching F1 before going. Wasn't as cold as expected which was good, meant I could wear my "aero" gloves
Felt I had a good ride on a fairly flat but very poorly surfaced 15 mile course, keeping myself fairly steady throughout, although my PM decided to have a bit 2 minutes before the start and lost one of the pedals, so can't tell exactly how I performed, depends on my balance as only recorded my right side at 122w, but I'm usually 53:47 in favour of left. So somewhere high 250s probably.
Finished with a 37:47, and didn't get picked off by my minute man which made me happy as he usually puts quite a bit of time into me. Could do with a new skinsuit as my one is a bit too big for me, but awaiting our new kit design before purchasing.
Going to come thick and fast now, got my Opens planned in until beginning of June so got a good idea of what I need to prep for now. Just need to start getting that power increased. (if I can get my PM working properly)
Felt I had a good ride on a fairly flat but very poorly surfaced 15 mile course, keeping myself fairly steady throughout, although my PM decided to have a bit 2 minutes before the start and lost one of the pedals, so can't tell exactly how I performed, depends on my balance as only recorded my right side at 122w, but I'm usually 53:47 in favour of left. So somewhere high 250s probably.
Finished with a 37:47, and didn't get picked off by my minute man which made me happy as he usually puts quite a bit of time into me. Could do with a new skinsuit as my one is a bit too big for me, but awaiting our new kit design before purchasing.
Going to come thick and fast now, got my Opens planned in until beginning of June so got a good idea of what I need to prep for now. Just need to start getting that power increased. (if I can get my PM working properly)
Good stuff - was that the Vectors only reading one side? Not heard of that issue before, could it be a battery thing?
I rode a 10 on Saturday on a fairly sporting Cheshire course and got round in 23:17 (avg power of 277w) for an 8th place overall. Not the strongest field by any means but top 10 in an Open was a goal for the season so that is nice to achieve anyway.
I also finally got some pictures from the previous week's 10. I'd already swapped out the tail on my Giro Selector for the shallower one and it looks like a good option based on the pictures, it will hopefully help me get a bit lower at the front. I'm going to experiment with helmets a bit this year though as the L Selector is pretty huge vs the actual size of my head, surely can't be good for speed?!
I rode a 10 on Saturday on a fairly sporting Cheshire course and got round in 23:17 (avg power of 277w) for an 8th place overall. Not the strongest field by any means but top 10 in an Open was a goal for the season so that is nice to achieve anyway.
I also finally got some pictures from the previous week's 10. I'd already swapped out the tail on my Giro Selector for the shallower one and it looks like a good option based on the pictures, it will hopefully help me get a bit lower at the front. I'm going to experiment with helmets a bit this year though as the L Selector is pretty huge vs the actual size of my head, surely can't be good for speed?!