We'll that's it, done for the season. Really. Was hoping for a couple more races, but decided to pull the plug a couple of weeks early this year. There were two more races on the Eastern Ontario Calendar, and Verge Finals are still to come in Rhode Island, but that's off my radar now too. After finishing the Hammer/Anvil weekend, with pretty good success no less, I was cooked.
This year was a little different, much fewer km's in the legs, broken up into irregular schedule, plus a nice two week break to China just before the season started, meant a race into shape kinda year. It started off slow, as expected, but picked up steam just in time for Quebec Provincials, Nationals, and the Hammer/Anvil. I would have loved to keep going, but the efforts were way harder than ever, and the recovery was taking much too long. On top of that, worse than usual back pains compounded with leg cramping, it was losing fun.
I am thrilled to have three-peated provincials, it was the goal at the top of my list at the end of last season. It was a hard win, and very close, but things like that make it so much more memorable. In fact, this will probably be one of the most memorable seasons yet, a few good wins, a couple of podiums, some wicked sprint finishes (rarities in cross), a few humbling weekends, some good and bad weather, and as always lots of laughs. I'm stoked for next season already. Even contemplating training for serious for a change, although I say that every year about this time... so, really, only time will tell...
Winter's just around the corner, a few projects will hold me over untill spring hits, and I'm riding the roads of south Ottawa in a few months, no still no regular winter schedule.. for now.
until next time, Tot ziens
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
hammer anvil
This weekend was the return of the Ride with Rendal 'cross race. Last year was the Anvil, 2010 would be a two day event; the Hammer/Anvil. The Hammer would go on Saturday, and was nearly identical to last years Anvil course, fast, grassy, but dry this year! A good start saw 4 of us ride away, John Fee, Matt Surch, Yohan Patry (jr) and myself. Simon Smith was behind but chasing. The four of us rode off, I was riding third/fourth wheel, and it felt tough to hang on. On the second lap, Matt took a tight inside line, and clipped John into the tape. I got around clean, but Matt jumped in front still and pinned it hard. Kind of a tough one, but it happens.
John seemed instantly defeated, which stinks, he is riding well. Matt got away from me with Yohann, and I was stuck 5-10 seconds back in no mans land.. hmm.. this seems to be happening lots. There was lots of pressure up front, as well and Simon coming up from behind. By mid race I was able to reel Matt back in, I think he had a small slip, then kind of seemed to have slightly sat up(?). Once on his wheel, he definitely seemed to have eased off a bit seeming to maybe play tactically. The pace was good for me (weather it actually was slower or not, it seemed good!) but Simon and John were looking like they may have put a couple of seconds back into us. I was considering an attack, or at least an increase in pace, either way something had to give. On three to go, I took the lead before the "hill" a small bump we'd cross back and over a couple of times, and on a switch back, I heard Matt slip out. I couldn't tell what exactly happened, but the crowd cheered to "hammer". 
I guessed he'd slid out and so pushed the pace. By lap's end I'd put a gap around 10 seconds. Yohann at this point was up front, I didn't expect to catch him, and really it didn't matter, as he's in the junior category, but I pulled him back, and the two of us rode the rest of the race. With two to go, we'd put some more time into the field, and the race was looking good. We'd hit the bell lap with about 15 seconds clear to Matt and another 5 or so to Simon. It would just be a matter of keeping the pace up. Halfway 'round I let Yohann take the lead, but he was slowing over the hill, so I went back to the front as to not risk any time. He did well to tail, as we rounded into the finish. At the sprint Yohann was right there, and I have to admit, it wasn't contested on my part, as he took the honors. I was quite happy to take the MA category, and put my name on the inaugural Hammer trophy! Matt came in second, Simon rounded off the podium.
Day two was the Anvil race, a different course, some of the Hammer run backwards, with a lot of new sections too, very technical, meaning turny, and still fast. Ideal.
I was feeling good after yesterday, and was motivated to defend from last year.
Another clean start, with the usual suspects, this time adding Michel (from this season's Quebec duels). John, Matt, myself, and Michel took the lead, with Yohann mixing it in also. Matt and I got clear on the first lap, until Matt made a wrong turn, and I made the mistake of following him and not the course. We rode into the tape, and the other three caught up to us. The next lap would keep us all together. Michel would however begin to fade by the end of lap two.
Lap three was again status quo, save for a lead change or two, Matt John and I were riding away from the field. On the fourth lap, Matt had a small slip up, followed very shortly by a slightly bigger slip up. I (we) got around him on the second slip, I had a small slip of my own, but was right back on, and pushed the pace instantly. I knew that I had to make a go of it, we were three to go, so it was go time. John Fee came right back, and the two of us were gone. Yohann fell of the fast pace, and turns out Matt would also roll a tire. He got it back on, and would continue, but was never able to regain. Two to go, and John and I were flying. I was feeling a bit tight, but stayed on the front. It was a course where leading was full advantage, with all the turns there was really no where to draft (despite a decent wind), and it was easier to set the line this way. I pushed a small gap on the (very slight) hill, John would reel me back in. Finally on the bell lap fireworks went off, John attacked on the only long straight to take the lead and a couple of seconds, by the time we'd hit the slight hill I was back to him, and used the hill to go back in front. I was thinking just hold on until the barriers then push the final few corners, as they were tight. The final corner came 50-75m to the finish, so it would be key to get in first. To my surprise, John attacked into the barriers regaining the lead, not what I was expecting. I held his wheel tight to the finish, hoping he'd take the final corner easy. 
As I'd hoped he took the final corner cautious (loose gravel by the way) I drove it full on, but just wasn't quite able to pull the bike back to the inside line, losing any chance of getting around. A hard fought and well deserved second. Disappointed to lose a sprint, but I'm more a drag racer less and accelerator, but probably more disappointed to get my name on the trophy again... Still though, a good day either way!
John seemed instantly defeated, which stinks, he is riding well. Matt got away from me with Yohann, and I was stuck 5-10 seconds back in no mans land.. hmm.. this seems to be happening lots. There was lots of pressure up front, as well and Simon coming up from behind. By mid race I was able to reel Matt back in, I think he had a small slip, then kind of seemed to have slightly sat up(?). Once on his wheel, he definitely seemed to have eased off a bit seeming to maybe play tactically. The pace was good for me (weather it actually was slower or not, it seemed good!) but Simon and John were looking like they may have put a couple of seconds back into us. I was considering an attack, or at least an increase in pace, either way something had to give. On three to go, I took the lead before the "hill" a small bump we'd cross back and over a couple of times, and on a switch back, I heard Matt slip out. I couldn't tell what exactly happened, but the crowd cheered to "hammer". 
I guessed he'd slid out and so pushed the pace. By lap's end I'd put a gap around 10 seconds. Yohann at this point was up front, I didn't expect to catch him, and really it didn't matter, as he's in the junior category, but I pulled him back, and the two of us rode the rest of the race. With two to go, we'd put some more time into the field, and the race was looking good. We'd hit the bell lap with about 15 seconds clear to Matt and another 5 or so to Simon. It would just be a matter of keeping the pace up. Halfway 'round I let Yohann take the lead, but he was slowing over the hill, so I went back to the front as to not risk any time. He did well to tail, as we rounded into the finish. At the sprint Yohann was right there, and I have to admit, it wasn't contested on my part, as he took the honors. I was quite happy to take the MA category, and put my name on the inaugural Hammer trophy! Matt came in second, Simon rounded off the podium.Day two was the Anvil race, a different course, some of the Hammer run backwards, with a lot of new sections too, very technical, meaning turny, and still fast. Ideal.
I was feeling good after yesterday, and was motivated to defend from last year.
Another clean start, with the usual suspects, this time adding Michel (from this season's Quebec duels). John, Matt, myself, and Michel took the lead, with Yohann mixing it in also. Matt and I got clear on the first lap, until Matt made a wrong turn, and I made the mistake of following him and not the course. We rode into the tape, and the other three caught up to us. The next lap would keep us all together. Michel would however begin to fade by the end of lap two.
Lap three was again status quo, save for a lead change or two, Matt John and I were riding away from the field. On the fourth lap, Matt had a small slip up, followed very shortly by a slightly bigger slip up. I (we) got around him on the second slip, I had a small slip of my own, but was right back on, and pushed the pace instantly. I knew that I had to make a go of it, we were three to go, so it was go time. John Fee came right back, and the two of us were gone. Yohann fell of the fast pace, and turns out Matt would also roll a tire. He got it back on, and would continue, but was never able to regain. Two to go, and John and I were flying. I was feeling a bit tight, but stayed on the front. It was a course where leading was full advantage, with all the turns there was really no where to draft (despite a decent wind), and it was easier to set the line this way. I pushed a small gap on the (very slight) hill, John would reel me back in. Finally on the bell lap fireworks went off, John attacked on the only long straight to take the lead and a couple of seconds, by the time we'd hit the slight hill I was back to him, and used the hill to go back in front. I was thinking just hold on until the barriers then push the final few corners, as they were tight. The final corner came 50-75m to the finish, so it would be key to get in first. To my surprise, John attacked into the barriers regaining the lead, not what I was expecting. I held his wheel tight to the finish, hoping he'd take the final corner easy. 
As I'd hoped he took the final corner cautious (loose gravel by the way) I drove it full on, but just wasn't quite able to pull the bike back to the inside line, losing any chance of getting around. A hard fought and well deserved second. Disappointed to lose a sprint, but I'm more a drag racer less and accelerator, but probably more disappointed to get my name on the trophy again... Still though, a good day either way!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
nationals and revenge weekend
Last weekend the family packed it up and headed for Toronto for the National Championships. Drive went well, no issues, some rain snow mix as we left Ottawa, but clear by the time we got to Toronto.
Saturday morning we packed the car to head for race, only to find one broken bike tray on the roof rack, and an over packed Tim Horton's. So spare bike stayed at the hotel, we waited patiently in line a Timmie's, and finally made it to the race site.
We'd been to Cedarvale before, and had an idea of the course, this would be different! fast, lots of turns, and heavily abusive over in the bowl, going up and down all around for a whack of climbing!
Last years trip to Edmonton paid off, netting me a start list spot on the front row. This took a bit of load off, and put the mission square on a clean start. I had a good jump, and right off the gun was in the front four. We'd go clear after a turn or two, and put a gap into the field. By the end of lap one, the front three started to distance me, I would try and hang in a few seconds back as long as possible. One of the lead three would crash and fade back on the second lap. Near the halfway point a pair from behind would catch me, putting us in the first chase group. A 40 minute race is way harder than the full hour, its a full out with no where to ease off. The course also had no recovery points. Just after the two caught from behind, they'd soon drop me and move on. I would sit 15-20 seconds behind, now in 5th place. I could see Matt Surch, and a couple of other Ottawa guys chasing, so I tried focusing on the guys in front, and not getting caught by anyone else!
By the end I ended up 5th about 18 seconds off 4th.
The course was a bit damp over on the hills, a series of short up and downs across the bowl, a few short steep climbs, totally rideable however. One set of super fast barriers, we were easily hitting them at 30kph! And a flat section over on the top half of the course with some fast corners too.
All in all I was really happy with 5th, I was hoping for a top ten, top five, and higher placing than last year in a deeper field is wonderful!
Sunday would be the "Revenge" race, with the time change we were starting effectively and hour later. The Master B group would run simultaneously, a minute later. The course was pretty much identical, with a couple of minor changes, including a couple of small man made trenches across two of the steep hills. The course was drier, and faster! The start field was a bit smaller, but mostly same faces. Another good start put me in with the top three (yesterdays 1-2 finishers). We'd again gap the field instantly and start to run away. The lead two shook me off by the end of the first lap, setting a really strong pace. I was feeling a bit better, and just worked to keep the pace up. I would notice by the mid point of the race one chaser (yesterday's 4th place). He was sitting at about 20 seconds back for two laps. I was able to hold him there until 2 laps to go. I knew from Saturday he was stronger in the second half of the race, so I'd need to work hard for the final two laps. He would catch up to me at the bottom of one of the steep hills, the was a tight s-turn going in, so I stalled at the bottom, and gunned it up the hill, hoping to force a dismount in order to gain some time back. A "tactical" move most certainly, it did somewhat work, he stayed on the bike, but I did gain back 7-8 seconds which I held for the rest of the lap. On the final lap we'd come into the same s-turn/steep hill, I was ready to repeat the move, but he expectantly anticipated it and waited 'till I was through before entering the tight corner. At the top of the hill he was a second or two off my wheel, and would pass me after a couple of hundred meters. I was fully thinking I'd blown, but somehow managed to hold his wheel relatively well. We hit the final part of the course, the tight up and downs on the bowl, he'd go in 7-8 seconds ahead, I was trying to gain some time in hopes of a sprint. I noticed he slipped on a corner and ran up, but I'd only gain a couple of seconds. I sprinted across the bottom of the bowl, and took no prisoners on the final corner into the finishing chute. A strong sprint finished off a great race, but I'd end up 4th by 1.2 seconds. Often this might be a bit disappointing, but I was really happy with my race. I gave it all, enjoyed it, probably couldn't have pushed any harder, and fourth isn't too bad at all!!
Another great weekend, getting used to the doubles again, and for the first time, feeling stronger on the second day of racing!
Saturday after the race we'd gone up to Barrie to visit Bikeland, pick up a new tray for the roof rack (to get the spare bike the the race, and the home) then stopped at Vaughan Mills to shop, (that place is madness). Saw a few new things, lots of changes, but good to see the old shop too!!
Next weekend, the Hammer/Anvil. This was my favorite race of the year in 2009. Hoping for twice as much fun this year as its a two day! Hoping for good results, we'll see what's left in the tank!
Saturday morning we packed the car to head for race, only to find one broken bike tray on the roof rack, and an over packed Tim Horton's. So spare bike stayed at the hotel, we waited patiently in line a Timmie's, and finally made it to the race site.
We'd been to Cedarvale before, and had an idea of the course, this would be different! fast, lots of turns, and heavily abusive over in the bowl, going up and down all around for a whack of climbing!
Last years trip to Edmonton paid off, netting me a start list spot on the front row. This took a bit of load off, and put the mission square on a clean start. I had a good jump, and right off the gun was in the front four. We'd go clear after a turn or two, and put a gap into the field. By the end of lap one, the front three started to distance me, I would try and hang in a few seconds back as long as possible. One of the lead three would crash and fade back on the second lap. Near the halfway point a pair from behind would catch me, putting us in the first chase group. A 40 minute race is way harder than the full hour, its a full out with no where to ease off. The course also had no recovery points. Just after the two caught from behind, they'd soon drop me and move on. I would sit 15-20 seconds behind, now in 5th place. I could see Matt Surch, and a couple of other Ottawa guys chasing, so I tried focusing on the guys in front, and not getting caught by anyone else!
By the end I ended up 5th about 18 seconds off 4th.
The course was a bit damp over on the hills, a series of short up and downs across the bowl, a few short steep climbs, totally rideable however. One set of super fast barriers, we were easily hitting them at 30kph! And a flat section over on the top half of the course with some fast corners too.
All in all I was really happy with 5th, I was hoping for a top ten, top five, and higher placing than last year in a deeper field is wonderful!
Sunday would be the "Revenge" race, with the time change we were starting effectively and hour later. The Master B group would run simultaneously, a minute later. The course was pretty much identical, with a couple of minor changes, including a couple of small man made trenches across two of the steep hills. The course was drier, and faster! The start field was a bit smaller, but mostly same faces. Another good start put me in with the top three (yesterdays 1-2 finishers). We'd again gap the field instantly and start to run away. The lead two shook me off by the end of the first lap, setting a really strong pace. I was feeling a bit better, and just worked to keep the pace up. I would notice by the mid point of the race one chaser (yesterday's 4th place). He was sitting at about 20 seconds back for two laps. I was able to hold him there until 2 laps to go. I knew from Saturday he was stronger in the second half of the race, so I'd need to work hard for the final two laps. He would catch up to me at the bottom of one of the steep hills, the was a tight s-turn going in, so I stalled at the bottom, and gunned it up the hill, hoping to force a dismount in order to gain some time back. A "tactical" move most certainly, it did somewhat work, he stayed on the bike, but I did gain back 7-8 seconds which I held for the rest of the lap. On the final lap we'd come into the same s-turn/steep hill, I was ready to repeat the move, but he expectantly anticipated it and waited 'till I was through before entering the tight corner. At the top of the hill he was a second or two off my wheel, and would pass me after a couple of hundred meters. I was fully thinking I'd blown, but somehow managed to hold his wheel relatively well. We hit the final part of the course, the tight up and downs on the bowl, he'd go in 7-8 seconds ahead, I was trying to gain some time in hopes of a sprint. I noticed he slipped on a corner and ran up, but I'd only gain a couple of seconds. I sprinted across the bottom of the bowl, and took no prisoners on the final corner into the finishing chute. A strong sprint finished off a great race, but I'd end up 4th by 1.2 seconds. Often this might be a bit disappointing, but I was really happy with my race. I gave it all, enjoyed it, probably couldn't have pushed any harder, and fourth isn't too bad at all!!
Another great weekend, getting used to the doubles again, and for the first time, feeling stronger on the second day of racing!
Saturday after the race we'd gone up to Barrie to visit Bikeland, pick up a new tray for the roof rack (to get the spare bike the the race, and the home) then stopped at Vaughan Mills to shop, (that place is madness). Saw a few new things, lots of changes, but good to see the old shop too!!
Next weekend, the Hammer/Anvil. This was my favorite race of the year in 2009. Hoping for twice as much fun this year as its a two day! Hoping for good results, we'll see what's left in the tank!
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