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Comment by Dahondude on May 13, 2013 at 23:33

Nice write up Darren. Good to see I am not the only person who get the nervous nellies and dry mouth before and during a race. I also cramp up - but only ever during racing which I put down to the combination of extreme adrenalin for several hours before hand and the intensity of racing. (I really need to learn how to control my nerves!).

"I was also surprised how easy it was to find myself in a bad position, and how hard it was to get out of it... I always seemed to be on the windy side of the paceline and in that position I felt like I was doing much more work than I needed - something my competitors seemed to be able to avoid."

That'll be the guys who have raced for a while and know how to keep themselves out of the wind and put newbies in the wind....I still haven't learned how they do it nor how to avoid getting sucked into it. There are some cunning old foxes out there!

Comment by Gus K on May 12, 2013 at 18:41

Well done Darren and interesting about the ebb and flow pace. Thanks for writing it up.

Comment by Paul Mc on May 12, 2013 at 18:12

Nice read Darren, congratulations on your great result.

Comment by Darren on May 12, 2013 at 17:42

How did everyone do in the Peter Stevens RR yesterday at Gumeracha?

A bit of a ride report (apologies for the length).  It was my first RR, so wasn't quite sure what to expect.  Placed in D grade with 25+ starters.  I felt the grading was spot on for me - I thought I could compete and get some vital experience.  The course had a 6km neutral ride to the finish line then three 16.6km laps of this. 

I was super nervous at the start, it was on the warm side and my HR was significantly higher than normal.  I was familiar with the course from Cyclo Sportif 5, so I knew the course started with the deceptive Martin Hill Rd climb.  The 6km neutral start helped somewhat, but I already started to notice how dry I felt.  The first climb I was on the front and controlled the pace up and over.  I worked my way off the front for the steady incline toward Williamstown and as we approached the top the first of the breaks happened.  At the start of the second lap I found myself caught behind a slower climber weaving across the road and had to check a few times to avoid my front wheel being taken out.  By the time I got past him I realised the main group had but a gap on us and I fanged it down the next descent to get back on.  Soon after my right calf started going into spasm and this continued off and on for the rest of the race, with occasional spasms in my left calf for good measure.  As we headed back from Williamstown one rider broke away and I thought this might be my opportunity to catch him and work a break.  I got ahead of him and did about 30 seconds on the front, then looked over my shoulder and realised I was a considerable distance in front... but all by myself.  Deciding my ambition was well ahead of my ability I pulled up and waited for the group to catch before the final climb.  The cramping was really becoming painful up the last climb, but I managed to hold on and felt pretty good as we lined up for the last few kms.  Here the speed picked up and as I tried to get into a winning position I found myself on the back, then on the front, then on the back again.  This was my position when we hit the final turn and sprint uphill to the finish line, and despite making up a whole bunch of positions I lost a couple just before the line and finished probably 8th or 9th.

I was quite surprised my the ebbs and flows of the race.  Sometimes the pace was quite pedestrian, next minute we're in the red zone chasing down an attack, then pedestrian again.  It seemed if you were struggling you just needed to hold out long enough for respite.  I was also surprised how easy it was to find myself in a bad position, and how hard it was to get out of it... I always seemed to be on the windy side of the paceline and in that position I felt like I was doing much more work than I needed - something my competitors seemed to be able to avoid.

All in all, I had a great time.  I'll work on my hydration plan and look forward to my next race.

Comment by CLP on April 8, 2013 at 13:46

.. and i'll be hoping so :P

Well raced Trent :)  

  

Comment by Trent on April 8, 2013 at 13:14

Thanks Darren! yeah i would expect so =)

Comment by Darren S. on April 8, 2013 at 13:10

Definitely up a grade next race.....well done :)

Comment by Gus K on April 8, 2013 at 11:54

We shall call you Sparticus II. Well done. Up a grade!

Comment by Trent on April 8, 2013 at 11:52

well my turn for a report i guess! Entered my first RR being the Allen Smith Memorial on Saturday at Kangarilla. Placed in E grade. Got to the course early (10:45am) and was really nervous. Did a 25km warm up and sussed out a bit of the course which i found really suited my style. The start of the race was subdued and i tried to do a bit of work on the front and keep a constant pace. two guys had a bit of a crack off the front but i was able to stay with them comfortably. The first time up Chapel Hill was good and my legs felt strong and climbed it with another rider. When i got to the top i was surprised there were only 5 of us from the 12 or so starters. i dropped the pace a little and ended up in a bunch of 8 or so (i think) for the remainder of the first lap. The start of the 2nd i lifted my pace slightly as i was concerned about 3 guys that had stuck with me so far. dropped one on Kangarilla Rd stretch then somehow ended up solo after the Blewett Springs down hill! when i realised i had a break i kept a consistent pace and climbed the remainder of the Chapel Hill undulation comfortably. Finished in 1st place about 90secs - 2 mins ahead of 2nd place. Certainly didnt smash myself but the heat did effect me towards the end as i only had 1 bottle. Thanks to Darren for the chat in the morning at the track. I was graded extremely favorably which i dont think will happen again. It was a great experience and i am really looking forward to the next one! Thanks to everyone who gave me hints and tips along the way, it was really appreciated.  

Comment by Trent on April 4, 2013 at 15:20

LOL @CLP! =)

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