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That sucks @padkinson Hope recovery doesnt take too long. It's far too easy to throw months and months of training away with a simple mistake. A friend of a friend was doing great in Sport Category this year & did his collarbone in yesterday.
Padkinson - thanks for your first post, that sounds so much like it could have been the issue with my - almost the same as Ferrals - experience also. I can remember my internal monologue being " I'm done with this, I can't be arsed, maybe I should quit, maybe one more lap. Actually I'll just finish the race and call it training, oh look, another one passed me, I may as well quit now... etc" I had no fight or flight at all! I was thought, very stressed in the week preceding.
I'm sorry to read your second post, good luck with the healing 🙁
Weeksy/Schmiken - it was a SIS caffeine shot, the equivalent of the caffiene in 5x cans of coke, not actually drinking 5 x cans of coke and the associated sugar. Nothing other than sips of my bottle or a gel goes past my lips within 2hrs of the start.
It wasn't just the caffine but also the sugar. Each can is 9 spoons of sugar, so 45 spoons of sugar!
There is no sugar.....
I get that now.
Those SIS shots have 150mg of caffeine. I was using some caffeine tablets last year at 200mg! Funnily enough I struggled to sleep those evenings!
Ive ditched those tablets for the SIS shots and they seem to work fine and don’t affect my sleep as much
Caffeine and stress are not happy bedfellows with intense exercise. I seem to remember that they were contributory factors in an episode in an athlete in on of the articles on heart damage for older endurance atheletes that was shared on here a while back,
I had a minor arrhythmia last wednesday after diving straight into Beastway with no warm up after a nightmare 2hr commute after a full on day of work, coffee and stress.
I had a minor arrhythmia last Wednesday
Bloody hell, be careful! Didn't see you there, I was observing and will be doing the same tomorrow.
So, I'm upbeat and low stress so thought I'd do a little experiment. My Tuesday weekday maintenance workout is a 7x 15s sprint so what the hell, I'd paid for them so I thought I'd use up the last caffeine shot and see what happens - exactly the same process, 45 mins pre workout
Boom! Some of the best 15s sprints in ages putting 3-5% onto the last few weeks with the first 5 in excess of 1000w. Mentally I was gung ho and enthusiastic also. This on the turbo where I can't usually get peak watts as high as on the road/a wattbike.
So in a low stress environment, caffeine appears not to have affected me at all, but if anything been positive.
Good news, Kryton!
No riding for me this week, not sure I can get my helmet on over these bloody staples in my head!
Nice one Kryton. I'm also feeling less demoralised after a nice 2hr ride in the sun before work. Despite deliberately just cruising to enjoy the weather i got a strava KOM on one (strava) cat 4 climb and 8th overall on another. Obviously Strava counts for nothing in the real world but it makes me all the more conviniced it was being mentally wrecked that got to me on Sunday which is encouraging. Just need to make sure I come into my next race relaxed!
Anyoneracing the Malverns classic? I'm tempted thoughwould probably just race the open in the morning and spend the rest of the day checking everything else out than race sport in the arvo and miss out on the fun
Well good luck to Kryton tomorrow (presuming he's doing Wantage) its not rained yet but there's been some lightening.
I'm riding there and back so gently does it for me. HT with mudguards or FS to be decided tomorrow morning.
Anyoneracing the Malverns classic?
Down to race Vets, I suspect I might regret it....
I'm still in two minds, as theres a welsh series race the same w/e, but I'm assuming the fields will be much bigger at the Malverns which will make it more fun. So far only 10 entered in sport/expert but 30+ in open so think it will be a better race, even though its a lap shorter.
Course if I was really going for it could race open at the Malverns on the Sat then race the welsh series on the way home on Sunday. That would actually be really tempting but the chances of getting that past my wife would be minimal!
Good luck all doing the Scott Marathon - thunderstorms on chalk will make it interesting!
Well Wantage was interesting. Course directions vandalised so many detours. It really would be sensible for the organisers to give a GPX file - can't understand why they don't.
Big day for me 22 miles ride there and back plus the event. Might have seen Kryton with kid?
Thanks adsh I didn't see you, but no kids, just me. How did you get on?
And FINALLY! My form has come. Managed to interpret all the signs correctly to finish the 80k in 3:31. I felt so strong today, that when the "10k to go sign" appeared I had so much left I just switched to XCO mode and hit the last 10 at pace. If I'd have known i could have gone harder a bit earlier, never mind.
My coach and I have found a taper/pacing strategy which is working for me, we'll try again next time to prove the point.
Still managed to fall victim to the ruts twice, and had a lie down in some stinging nettles. Legs are tingling!
Ah nice one Kryton 👍🏻👍🏻 That’s a better sort of post to read 😎😎
Quick report from the regional champs on Sunday.
TL;DR: Came second, but first eastern rider so regional champion. Wrist hurty.
Wow, congrats Padkinson!
Awesome work Paddy & Kryton.
I'm racing tonight in a local Midweek Madness series. No BC points or anything and you enter either the Enthusiast or Racer category. It's a great little series with a massive number of entries. It's what first got me into racing years back but haven't done any for the last few years! Great to be able to race against those normally in Vets / U23 / Elites etc etc. Should be great fun and I'm going to judge my success against the number of Skidz per lap! Definitely some good training if nothing else before I start tapering for the next nationals again.
Well I got my second DNF in 5 years of racing on Wednesday night! Also the first time I've punctured in a race. A bit gutted as I was having so much fun on a brilliant little course in the woods. Twisty with some roots and a even a few jumps thrown in.
Got a brilliant start for a change. Managed to lead the race for most of the first climb until the local big hitter Elite racer came sailing past never to be seen again. I settled into a good pace with the guy that finished 3rd and was planning on pulling away at the next opportunity but I punctured about 35 mins in. It's a great little series in the North West and often has 100+ riders turn up. Highly recommended
Bit of a brief one as I'm in Austria and on dodgy local wi-fi.
Raced the WEMBO Euro 24hr champs solo in Slovakia on Saturday into Sunday, went rather well, 30 laps, 279km, 7000m + to get me 3rd place and European Bronze medal 😁
Flipping Heck!! Well done mate, that is phenomenal!!
I, now feel even lazier than I already was having skipped racing on sunday because it was sunny and I wanted to go to the beach and drink beer
Cheers ferrals, don't feel lazy it's each to their own. I'm crap at XCO 🤣
Well done Steve! A fantastic achievement you should be very proud.
After overdoing it at the weekend ending the week with nearly 13hrs training, I've just failed my numbers on a serious of sprints a few days before I line up at my first national. Coach & TSS says I'll be OK, lets hope so.
Gridded at the back, should be fun hopefully fighting few a through people, I just want 1 national point 🙂
Awesome Steve top stuff!
I'm tapering this week. I wish every week was a taper week! Pheonix Bike Park this weekend. The course looks very different to anything else I think I've raced on. Whilst I think it should suit me, that depends how many jumps there are. I can't jump for toffee.
that's an amazing result ! where's the podium pics ?
Phoenix Bike Park this weekend
Me too - Saturday though, which day are you there?
I'm tapering too although I overdid it last the weekend - just did a short ride with some starting sprints in and my legs feel like jelly, oh dear. Nothing now kept for a Z1 hour on Friday.
Hi r8jimbob88, where was the race in the North West?
I'm going to be up in the North West for a few weeks in the summer, wouldn't mind taking part in an "enthusiast" race.
I can't post anything on my phone for some reason, check out some pics on Instagram @steve_b77
If someone can put one here feel free
@Kryton57 - I’m heading down Friday night, practice Saturday morning then racing Sunday. What category will you be racing in? I’ll keep an eye out for you! What’s your race number?
@w00dster - check out Midweek Madness MTB on Facebook. It’s either that or the Crank It series in the North West
Predominately Red shirt/kit, Black carbon HT, Sport Cat, no 439. I shall be arriving in time for the 10am practise, would be good to say hello.
If I get dropped off the back of my first national please promise not to tell anyone here 🙂
I’ll keep an eye out for you. Looks like @padkinson is going to be there too. Would be good to say hello!
Not sure what kit I’ll be wearing for practice but I’ll be number 516 on a Black full sus with a lefty!
In the meantime I’ll be panicing that a 32t up front and 11t at the back could get me dropped on some of the fast bits. What do you reckon?!
Jimbob - I'm the same, thinking about putting a 34 on having watched the video. I'm a 10 at the rear, only time I've come close to running out before was at the first Round at Sherwood. Will take one and see if needed.
This is my 4th time there and I run 32/34 oval 32-11 no issues.
full sus
Hmmm, that has me thinking, a hard Phoenix can be quite physical, so shall I take the Spark, although I'm hung up on the 4lb weight difference between bikes... then again I'm not going for results...
I’d probably race a hardtail looking at the course given the option but I’ve only got the Cannondale Scalpel. I’m not worried about weight given there’s so little climbing. Compared the the last round anyway. To mitigate any weight penalties I’ll just pedal a bit harder!
My only issue with the scalpel is the lockout does front and rear together. To it’s fully rigid or fully open! I could bleed the lockout in a way that the rear is always locked though.... which would make it a hardtail..!
I went on a very expensive weight shed on my Top Fuel, lost a kg of the standard spec 9.9, quite pleased with it but skint now! Could have done with it at Dalby and Glentress.
I tend to only use a full lock out or fully open so not such a problem for me.
Maybe see you at the weekend, I'm off 309 in GV, orange kit, orange Trek.
cheers,
Iain.
Righty Ho, here's some photos from WEMBO Euro 24hr Solo Champs in Slovakia, it got an awful lot muddier, slippier and wetter than it looks here.
After 4 hours, they postponed the event for 2 hours due to imminent ground strike lightening and epic levels of thunder, so all in all we raced for just under 22 hours. I managed 30 laps, 279km and around 7000m of climbing,
For those that like numbers (based on Garmin recordings):
Average heart rate - 132bpm / Max Heart rate - 168bpm
Average Power - 126W (not exatly amazing) / Peak Power - 725W
Average Speed - 13.2kph / Max Speed - 55.8kph
Max Temp - 30 degC / Average Temp - 15 degC
9'ish KM lap, 250'ish meters of climbing
Fastest lap - 32:58 min / Average around 40 mins
In the region of 10,000 Calories burnt, 20 SiS mini bars, 30 bottles of SiS Electrolyte, 20 odd SiS Isotonic Gels, loads of nuts, cranberries, crisps and some pasta, a coupe of cans of Red Bull and some Coke
Brilliant Steve, theres a picture for your mantel piece.
I think my decision is made - had some physio on my lower back this morning which is "starting to lock up", so thats the FS then. Position isn't important so I may as well reduce the risk of injury for the rest of the seasons A races.
Thats saved me cleaning a bike tonight at least.
I’m just packing up ready for the 4 hour drive to Kentford tonight!
Let me just preface this by saying I thoroughly enjoyed my day. I didn't manage to knowingly bump into anyone except Gaz Hurst who is racing tomorrow - good luck Gaz.
I went in a little tired as this is a "training race" and part of a mini Build phase toward the next Regional on 1st July, so no real taper and a pretty big 5:30hr ride last Sunday to boot. \
On the start, I knew my legs weren't quite as good as they should be but was amazed by the quality of the Sport Cat. Now, I have a decent sprint, but lining up at the back (I haven't raced a National before) I couldn't get past anyone on the initial Sprint. I also have a decent phase two, so I settled for a bit, then as we rounded the bottom corner to come back on itself I kicked again, passing 5 riders. Slowly but surely though after lap 1.5 all but 2 had passed me, so I just focused on riding as hard as I can to keep those behind, and try to force the guy in front... who slowly pulled away.
And so it was for 7 laps, 20.1kmph and a paltry 200w average. I have spent 100% of the race in my Anerobic zone so I know thats as good as it will get today pretty much, I was just in it above my level. I eventually finished 33rd (5 points yay!) and last (doh) with 10 DNF's behind me.
So there we go, a really good day, racing as best I could but a bit out of my depth this time. I'm smiling now, and having a beer, must do that again next year I think 🙂
Good luck to everyone racing tomorrow, course is dry and very fast.
Glad you enjoyed it. I saw you out on course and gave you a few words of encouragement!
My friend Christian raced sport today. Managed to tear a big hole in his sidewall and had to run to the pits from the drop. We changed his wheel and got him on his way fairly quickly. Think he ended up 10th or so. My other friend had a big crash on the first drop after loosing his front tyre on the turn in. Looked nasty!
Glad I’ve got my full sus tomorrow. The course was very bumpy in practice today. Debating if I should lower the tyre pressure a bit but fear the super fast berms could burp some air from them if I do. I also think a 38t chainring would be pretty reasonable if I had one!
Not sure it’s a national worthy course, lots of flat turns around what looked like wasteland.... Took me a while to talk myself into the 2nd drop after watching the first 2 out of 3 riders in practice have big crashes on it though!
Weather forecast looks hot and sunny tomorrow so it should be a nice day. Shame it’s a 5 hour drive home after a 3:15pm race start time.
I saw you there too Kryton (I think)! I was parked just across from you, in a (one of about 10,000 there) VW T5, I didn't want to distract you by starting a weird IRL forum conversation right before your race!
I'll be racing tomorrow, albeit slightly tentatively. Last night I managed to plant my face into the ground rather firmly, tearing a cut in the bit between my top lip and nose. Luckily I didn't land on my already-fractured wrist or nose, but my lip looks like it's stuffed with grapes, and I've got ten stitches in. Went around the course ok today, although I'm avoiding the second drop. I know I'd be fine on it, I'm just really not into risking crashing again. The only real problem for the race is drinking without dribbling, apart from that is should be the usual arse kicking I get in elite.
Not sure I fully enjoyed the course today, had to also give myself a bit of a talking to before getting over the two drops, still not sure if I am A or B tomorrow, will have to work that out first lap! Some bits were good fun though, just too many tabletops and flat corners for me.