Well, in the end I resorted to desparate measures and reached for some medicine. Hourly doses of peptobismol for a few hours with a little bit of water and that seemed to have sorted things out. Enough anyway for me to have something reasonable to eat later on without having any rumbling guts so far. My weight dropped to 71kg before I resorted to this in the hope that added vitamins and liquid would be enough, although that did not seem to be enough on it's own, or may have been in a few more days, but who knows. Hopefully sorted for now.
Managed to read Michael Hutchinsons hour record attempt while in bed, which was interesting in his character and the physical characteristics / genetic side of things. Found a link later, which has some interesting statistics for the hour record holders and indicates what is really required for the hour and to win the Tour de France. Goes to show I'm a long way off...
Tuesday, 28 August 2007
Monday, 27 August 2007
Milton Keynes results in question
From the 16th event in the series, which I thought I had come 5th (after checking with the marshal on the line at the end of the event) the results appear to indicate otherwise and according to the BC website results that have been posted.
5th and 6th had a 3/4 of a lap head start (the unofficial handicap start). 7th place is a CAT2 rider, who at the time of the event seems to have had more than 40 points, so according to BC rules should have been a CAT2 entrant. 10th place was another, who would have had 3/4 of a lap head start, although I'm reasonably sure we lapped them if there were only 4 in front.
For the results from the 18th event the winner of the CAT3/4 race was a CAT3 license, CAT2 ability with more than 40 points as a CAT3 ?
Need to read up on the details of the rules as it appears the racing is not done as I thought and is possibly a lot more mixed than expected... puzzled.
5th and 6th had a 3/4 of a lap head start (the unofficial handicap start). 7th place is a CAT2 rider, who at the time of the event seems to have had more than 40 points, so according to BC rules should have been a CAT2 entrant. 10th place was another, who would have had 3/4 of a lap head start, although I'm reasonably sure we lapped them if there were only 4 in front.
For the results from the 18th event the winner of the CAT3/4 race was a CAT3 license, CAT2 ability with more than 40 points as a CAT3 ?
Need to read up on the details of the rules as it appears the racing is not done as I thought and is possibly a lot more mixed than expected... puzzled.
Stomach troubles and the 4yr old 10 miler
After the race in the wet the previous weekend it was about 3 days until I felt really off, not quite sick but a feeling that something was deffinately not right. Wednesday evening I was asleep very early and after about 12-14 hours sleep I ended up spending the next few hours in bed and on the toilet... not nice... After a 36 hour period of not feeling that great things seemed to be getting better again, although after a couple of days it seems to have returned and again, not feeling too great if I have a lot to eat, so a liquid diet for now. Riding to the station on Friday was an experience as the lack of an quantity of food for 36hrs depleted the energy a noticable amount.
Currenty down to below 72kg, which is not good due to the way in which this has been achieved and does not leave me with a gut to burn while I'm drinking mainly water. Justr focusing on keeping hydrated well and hope the injection will work it's way through or be zapped by my imune system.
Thought it was a good opportunity though to take some time off the bike (my excuse and rasoning not to get pissed off about it), even though it has been one of the best weekends this year and would have loved to have been out on the bike. A good break with the family.
While away for the weekend I took my £50 commuter special with us and Lukes pedal bike, which he likes to ride a lot now. Luke and myself set off from the site we were staying at to the local Reservoir, which has a track / path running round it and made our way to the playground at first (about 1.5 miles away). Following a few minutes on the rotting climbing frame Luke got back on his bike and we set off further round the circuit, along the top of the dam wall, with a few stops for Luke to have a look over the top and see what was about. Before long we were half way round and at the local pub for snack with a lemonade and coke.
After the pit stop we set off back the way we came and I ended up pushing Luke along about a mile of the road (sort of short cut) that ran paralle to the paths before we arrived at the start of the dam. Returning back along the same route to the caravan the distance all in all seemed to be around 10 miles. Not bad for a 4yr old...
Currenty down to below 72kg, which is not good due to the way in which this has been achieved and does not leave me with a gut to burn while I'm drinking mainly water. Justr focusing on keeping hydrated well and hope the injection will work it's way through or be zapped by my imune system.
Thought it was a good opportunity though to take some time off the bike (my excuse and rasoning not to get pissed off about it), even though it has been one of the best weekends this year and would have loved to have been out on the bike. A good break with the family.
While away for the weekend I took my £50 commuter special with us and Lukes pedal bike, which he likes to ride a lot now. Luke and myself set off from the site we were staying at to the local Reservoir, which has a track / path running round it and made our way to the playground at first (about 1.5 miles away). Following a few minutes on the rotting climbing frame Luke got back on his bike and we set off further round the circuit, along the top of the dam wall, with a few stops for Luke to have a look over the top and see what was about. Before long we were half way round and at the local pub for snack with a lemonade and coke.
After the pit stop we set off back the way we came and I ended up pushing Luke along about a mile of the road (sort of short cut) that ran paralle to the paths before we arrived at the start of the dam. Returning back along the same route to the caravan the distance all in all seemed to be around 10 miles. Not bad for a 4yr old...
Sunday, 19 August 2007
Welyn Wheelers 55mi - Lost my bottle and pulled out
The weather on the drive to the start at Cardington seemed hopefull, with warm overcast conditions with very light drizzle. The promise of clear skys, however did not materialise and the rain arrived early and constant from the start.
5 Laps of the Northill circuit were on the cards and with the conditions as they were I was a but dubious about starting, but after paying to enter and having Richard there (who rides to work all weathers) I did not want to look like a bit of a wimp (a dry one at that).
For the first lap the combination of the spray and rain quickly made sure that the decision to pull out or not on the first lap was almost irrelevant as I could not get any more wet and felt quite good. Stayed towards the back of the bunch at the start, however after seeing how much it strung out, the number of break attempts and the probability of accidents I thought it would be better all round to move up.
Seond lap went reasonable, until my bottle bounced out and slid down the road, clipped by a few wheels on it's way into the gutter. This was a bit of a disaster as a 2hr + ride without any drink would be a bit of a killer and I would not be able to get any points without a drink.
The thoughts that came to mind were to ask for a drink, however that would probably be met with quite a few refusals and me in a more desparate position.
Drinking road wash came to mind, however that was discounted in a few milliseconds when I recieved a load of spray off the road from the bike in front dosed with horse shit, which left me with a couple of options. Part of the strategy was to colect my bottle on the next lap round.
The first option was just to have a go off the front and see what I could do in terms of gap and duration of staying away, which I did shortly afterwards and settled down for 3 min at 460W before dropping back to 390W for the next 4 minutes, staying away for 4.7km before drifting back to the bunch. What I was thinking about was creating a bit of confusion by breaking off the front and then pulling out, but I did the break at the wrong point in the loop to collect my bottle. Would have been quite funny though, although Im not sure how it would have been taken by some. I was picturing the thought of the bunch on a perpetual chase for the next 2 laps.
After being cought I stayed close to the front and rode along, until we came closer to the bottle drop and then drifted back in the bunch before stopping, turning arund and collecting the now empty bottle.
Arriving back at the start I felt a little dissapointed about the bottle drop and the weather, although the weather was not as bad in some ways as it at least kept me cooler, even if I could not see a thing out of my glasses.
Before the bottle colection :
Duration 1h 14m
Power : 309W (357W norm)
TSS : 129 / IF 1.02 / VI 1.16
Altitude : sensor blocked with water....
Speed : 39kph
Power averae : 5min 441W / 10min 401W / 20min 364W
Conclusion : Would have finished with the bunch (possible points as the hill finishe was long enough to suit me better), must get a different water bottle that will not bounce out of it's holder.
5 Laps of the Northill circuit were on the cards and with the conditions as they were I was a but dubious about starting, but after paying to enter and having Richard there (who rides to work all weathers) I did not want to look like a bit of a wimp (a dry one at that).
For the first lap the combination of the spray and rain quickly made sure that the decision to pull out or not on the first lap was almost irrelevant as I could not get any more wet and felt quite good. Stayed towards the back of the bunch at the start, however after seeing how much it strung out, the number of break attempts and the probability of accidents I thought it would be better all round to move up.
Seond lap went reasonable, until my bottle bounced out and slid down the road, clipped by a few wheels on it's way into the gutter. This was a bit of a disaster as a 2hr + ride without any drink would be a bit of a killer and I would not be able to get any points without a drink.
The thoughts that came to mind were to ask for a drink, however that would probably be met with quite a few refusals and me in a more desparate position.
Drinking road wash came to mind, however that was discounted in a few milliseconds when I recieved a load of spray off the road from the bike in front dosed with horse shit, which left me with a couple of options. Part of the strategy was to colect my bottle on the next lap round.
The first option was just to have a go off the front and see what I could do in terms of gap and duration of staying away, which I did shortly afterwards and settled down for 3 min at 460W before dropping back to 390W for the next 4 minutes, staying away for 4.7km before drifting back to the bunch. What I was thinking about was creating a bit of confusion by breaking off the front and then pulling out, but I did the break at the wrong point in the loop to collect my bottle. Would have been quite funny though, although Im not sure how it would have been taken by some. I was picturing the thought of the bunch on a perpetual chase for the next 2 laps.
After being cought I stayed close to the front and rode along, until we came closer to the bottle drop and then drifted back in the bunch before stopping, turning arund and collecting the now empty bottle.
Arriving back at the start I felt a little dissapointed about the bottle drop and the weather, although the weather was not as bad in some ways as it at least kept me cooler, even if I could not see a thing out of my glasses.
Before the bottle colection :
Duration 1h 14m
Power : 309W (357W norm)
TSS : 129 / IF 1.02 / VI 1.16
Altitude : sensor blocked with water....
Speed : 39kph
Power averae : 5min 441W / 10min 401W / 20min 364W
Conclusion : Would have finished with the bunch (possible points as the hill finishe was long enough to suit me better), must get a different water bottle that will not bounce out of it's holder.
Thursday, 16 August 2007
Milton Keynes - 8th
Turned out a bit different his week, bunch not as big or did not seem to be at first and then everyone lined up. Few less than last week due to the weather nt looking all that great earlier in the day, although the forecast was for it to clear and driving through a couple of showers I had my doubts.
Blue sky start, sun blinding on one corner (must get my glasses sorted out) to the dergee that I could not really see the road very well. Not a good situation when your surrounded by bikes at speed, leaning into a corner.
The bunch pretty much stayed together for the whole race with a few smal breaks off the front, although almost non of them seemed to have the momentum to hold. One did seem to have the momentum, although the riders did not give it the commitment as a group and it faded after a couple of laps. Perhaps I should try another tactic in the next race by trying to form a break or getting a group to work together.
Did a few laps on the front as I thought I'd put a bit of pressure on up the hill and see if I could thin the group out a bit, although there were still the odd one or two riders, who would attack on the down hill section and then get cought within a lap.
No real attempt to do a solo as I thought the group may have formed a split in the bunch later on, which would have provided me with the points that I needed, however it did not materialise as too many people were following wheels (me included).
Comming round to the last laps the pace picked up a bit for 5 to go, then a bit more for 4 to go and then dropped a little for the 3 to go before someone put the pressure on the hill going into the last lap. Trying to hold a position not too close to the front (around 10-11th) but probably a bit too far back in retrospect was better this time as the pace was higher and the line a bit more drawn out. Starting the hill section I put the power down and ducked for cover wherever possible, while moving up. Approaching the line I managed to pass another rider to put me into 8th place, 1 point less than I needed !!! DOH !!! Should have 9 points now :-)
Race duration : 1:08:18
Distance : 43.84km (312m climb)
Power : 318W avg (389W norm)
Heart Rate : 154bpm avg (183 max - need more sleep !)
Speed : 38.5kph
5s (1134) 10s (1080) 30s (854) 1m (564) 5m (408/449) 20m (355/409) 60m (322/385)
IF : 1.11 ? / VI 1.22
TSS : 140 (1304k)
Blue sky start, sun blinding on one corner (must get my glasses sorted out) to the dergee that I could not really see the road very well. Not a good situation when your surrounded by bikes at speed, leaning into a corner.The bunch pretty much stayed together for the whole race with a few smal breaks off the front, although almost non of them seemed to have the momentum to hold. One did seem to have the momentum, although the riders did not give it the commitment as a group and it faded after a couple of laps. Perhaps I should try another tactic in the next race by trying to form a break or getting a group to work together.
Did a few laps on the front as I thought I'd put a bit of pressure on up the hill and see if I could thin the group out a bit, although there were still the odd one or two riders, who would attack on the down hill section and then get cought within a lap.
No real attempt to do a solo as I thought the group may have formed a split in the bunch later on, which would have provided me with the points that I needed, however it did not materialise as too many people were following wheels (me included).
Comming round to the last laps the pace picked up a bit for 5 to go, then a bit more for 4 to go and then dropped a little for the 3 to go before someone put the pressure on the hill going into the last lap. Trying to hold a position not too close to the front (around 10-11th) but probably a bit too far back in retrospect was better this time as the pace was higher and the line a bit more drawn out. Starting the hill section I put the power down and ducked for cover wherever possible, while moving up. Approaching the line I managed to pass another rider to put me into 8th place, 1 point less than I needed !!! DOH !!! Should have 9 points now :-)
Race duration : 1:08:18
Distance : 43.84km (312m climb)
Power : 318W avg (389W norm)
Heart Rate : 154bpm avg (183 max - need more sleep !)
Speed : 38.5kph
5s (1134) 10s (1080) 30s (854) 1m (564) 5m (408/449) 20m (355/409) 60m (322/385)
IF : 1.11 ? / VI 1.22
TSS : 140 (1304k)
Saturday, 11 August 2007
To Brighton and not quite back
Long ride today, from Herne Hill to Brighton and back to Haywards Heath for the train back as it was near 6:30pm and the sun was low. Riding to the next station would have put us in darkness from the home stations or left riding with a low sun on the horizon, which makes you a great target for drivers who can't see you.
Ride summary TSS 321.1, 118.5km, 4h 32m, 1420m climbing, avg 238W, 295W norm.
Peak 30min was 353W/363NP and peak 5min was 464W/481NP while going up Ditchling beacon (109m of the 159m climb), which was a new high above my 449W from a couple of weeks back. According to CyclingPeaks that in theory puts me close to a domestic pro.. hmmm... maybe not... but should make a break on the criteriums more of a possibility.
Longest day out on the road at nearly 6:30 including stops.
Ride summary TSS 321.1, 118.5km, 4h 32m, 1420m climbing, avg 238W, 295W norm.
Peak 30min was 353W/363NP and peak 5min was 464W/481NP while going up Ditchling beacon (109m of the 159m climb), which was a new high above my 449W from a couple of weeks back. According to CyclingPeaks that in theory puts me close to a domestic pro.. hmmm... maybe not... but should make a break on the criteriums more of a possibility.
Longest day out on the road at nearly 6:30 including stops.
Thursday, 9 August 2007
5th at Milton Keynes
Well, driving to Milton Keynes I was still tired and not feeling up to racing, although after leaving work early I though I could not get away with blagging a story afterward, but it was very tempting.
The start was very different, full circuit to start with, lower loop in an anti-clockwise direction, which meant the climb was not as steep (or did not feel it) but the first corner from the down hill section was interesting (more on that later). Lining us up the usual occured at first with the CAT1+2 at the front and then the CAT3+4 behind. What happened next was they asked all those who did not have a top 10 finish to move to the front out of the CAT3+4 group and then set them off first. About 0 seconds later a CAT1+2 came through on the grass shouting he had to catch up, which was highly amusing to all of us as it was probably about 60 seconds later he would hvae realised what happened !
Next the CAT1+2's went off and then us, although it seemed quite a long while since the first bunch set off (3/4 of a lap estimate from the guy starting us off). This gave the pace a bit of a kick from the start and the chase was on, which was not too bad and I held a position around 10th for the first few laps before having a pull on the front for a lap a rest and then another go at the front before moving back into the pack.
About 25-35min in we ought the front 34 group, at which point a small goup broke off the front at some pace and I though thy may stay out, but I was boxed in and about 15 paces back, so I had to sit in and then move up. This is the point where it became a bit more confusing as another group must have split off the front, which I chased and joined, which made 5 of us. I thought we were the 5 at the front at the time and did not know another 4 were still in front.
The next few laps we worked together and dopped one off, and then a few laps later another dropped, and then another, which then left myself and 103, with somewhere between 10 and 20 minues to go.. Thinking we were off the front and in the lead I pressed on and we both worked together and I made sure I kept the other guy on board to help me and help him, as a solo it may have been good for the ego but I would not have lasted (lesson from the previous week).
We cought one 34 bunch and passed them and then came across another 34/12 mixed bunch, which we passed and then the pair of us worked at the front. Comming into the last laps I was getting close to being worked into the ground and a little annoyed that we were towing them along, which in a way helped as I pressed on more at certain points to try and drop them as well !
Onto the last lap it was a joy and fortunately I did not sit up and punch the air as I would have looked a right plonker ! The final result was 5th and a hard earned 5 points with 103 comming in 6th behind me.
Race overall averaged 345W with an NP of 381W in 1hr 9min 22sec. My HR average was 163 with a speed of 40kph and 367m of climbing.
The break lasted around 21min (I think) with an average power of 380W, NP406W, 174bpm avg at 100rpm.
Peak 60min (343 watts): Work: 1236 kJ
TSS: 116.7 (intensity factor 1.08)
Norm Power: 378 VI: 1.1
Distance: 39.785 km - Elevation Gain: 320 m
Power: 0 1024 343 watts
Heart rate: 133 184 162 bpm
Cadence: 44 120 95 rpm
Speed: 28.6 52.9 39.8 kph
Now for some much needed cerials and sleep !
The start was very different, full circuit to start with, lower loop in an anti-clockwise direction, which meant the climb was not as steep (or did not feel it) but the first corner from the down hill section was interesting (more on that later). Lining us up the usual occured at first with the CAT1+2 at the front and then the CAT3+4 behind. What happened next was they asked all those who did not have a top 10 finish to move to the front out of the CAT3+4 group and then set them off first. About 0 seconds later a CAT1+2 came through on the grass shouting he had to catch up, which was highly amusing to all of us as it was probably about 60 seconds later he would hvae realised what happened !
Next the CAT1+2's went off and then us, although it seemed quite a long while since the first bunch set off (3/4 of a lap estimate from the guy starting us off). This gave the pace a bit of a kick from the start and the chase was on, which was not too bad and I held a position around 10th for the first few laps before having a pull on the front for a lap a rest and then another go at the front before moving back into the pack.
About 25-35min in we ought the front 34 group, at which point a small goup broke off the front at some pace and I though thy may stay out, but I was boxed in and about 15 paces back, so I had to sit in and then move up. This is the point where it became a bit more confusing as another group must have split off the front, which I chased and joined, which made 5 of us. I thought we were the 5 at the front at the time and did not know another 4 were still in front.
The next few laps we worked together and dopped one off, and then a few laps later another dropped, and then another, which then left myself and 103, with somewhere between 10 and 20 minues to go.. Thinking we were off the front and in the lead I pressed on and we both worked together and I made sure I kept the other guy on board to help me and help him, as a solo it may have been good for the ego but I would not have lasted (lesson from the previous week).
We cought one 34 bunch and passed them and then came across another 34/12 mixed bunch, which we passed and then the pair of us worked at the front. Comming into the last laps I was getting close to being worked into the ground and a little annoyed that we were towing them along, which in a way helped as I pressed on more at certain points to try and drop them as well !
Onto the last lap it was a joy and fortunately I did not sit up and punch the air as I would have looked a right plonker ! The final result was 5th and a hard earned 5 points with 103 comming in 6th behind me.
Race overall averaged 345W with an NP of 381W in 1hr 9min 22sec. My HR average was 163 with a speed of 40kph and 367m of climbing.
The break lasted around 21min (I think) with an average power of 380W, NP406W, 174bpm avg at 100rpm.
Peak 60min (343 watts): Work: 1236 kJ
TSS: 116.7 (intensity factor 1.08)
Norm Power: 378 VI: 1.1
Distance: 39.785 km - Elevation Gain: 320 m
Power: 0 1024 343 watts
Heart rate: 133 184 162 bpm
Cadence: 44 120 95 rpm
Speed: 28.6 52.9 39.8 kph
Now for some much needed cerials and sleep !
Wednesday, 8 August 2007
Road junctions take more than watts
When you get on a nice stretch of road and get into a rhythm, along comes a junction with about 300 cars to mess things up. That is unless you adopt a high risk strategy and see if you can get someone to either flash their light, honk the horn or are so gracious as to bounce you off thier vehicle bonet. My approach is one of enjoy it while I can, so I have to sit and wait for 300 people (all 1 person per vehicle) to pass by on their way home, or not.
Anyhow, the first 20 minutes started off without the intention of going too hard, but that quickly fell appart after about 4 minutes. The next 17 minutes were spent at a comfortable but hard pace that felt ok and not out of breath. Unfortunately my HR strap needs a new battery as the reception range on the Ergomo only picks up the signal when I'm stood or lent over the bars, not too good for comfort... but at the end of the 20 min range my HR topped out at 173 on the top of a small rise. Looking back at the data I recorded an NP of 399W and an average of 388W, cool, a new record !
At this point I thought that's it,otherwise I will be totally out of action tomorrow night. Easy 10 minutes followed and then a mixed set on the next hill for a couple of minutes, ok a bit short.... turn around, 2:15 burst up the other side again at 458W before a slow ride back.
All in all a short ride of just over an hour, hopefully enough to set me up for tomorrow.
Anyhow, the first 20 minutes started off without the intention of going too hard, but that quickly fell appart after about 4 minutes. The next 17 minutes were spent at a comfortable but hard pace that felt ok and not out of breath. Unfortunately my HR strap needs a new battery as the reception range on the Ergomo only picks up the signal when I'm stood or lent over the bars, not too good for comfort... but at the end of the 20 min range my HR topped out at 173 on the top of a small rise. Looking back at the data I recorded an NP of 399W and an average of 388W, cool, a new record !
At this point I thought that's it,otherwise I will be totally out of action tomorrow night. Easy 10 minutes followed and then a mixed set on the next hill for a couple of minutes, ok a bit short.... turn around, 2:15 burst up the other side again at 458W before a slow ride back.
All in all a short ride of just over an hour, hopefully enough to set me up for tomorrow.
Tuesday, 7 August 2007
Thursday race + Sunday = watt ?
From the test a couple of weeks ago I noticed that the power was loaded to the back with the lats 20 minutes at 359W average or 357W taking out the last 2 minutes. The first 25 minutes averaged 353W and backing off when I got the chest pain at 35min took another 2-3W off the average. The one thing that I'll have to look into though is the normalised vs average aspect, when the intensity factor is calculated as my rides are now getting close to an IF of 1 and over (Sundays ride of just over an hour was 1.001 - as below) even though the average is way below my threashold.Raced on Thursday night last week, which was good, although I managed to get no points. But it was not for trying and helped some guy win.... hmmmm...
Within the race the pace picked up and slowed down as usual with the odd occurance of people going for a break (or more likely a stretch of the legs) on the down hill sections, which seemed a bit pointless or a place where you were going to burn more effort to gain a given gap.
Slowly through the first hour people dropped off the back with the sustained pace and the odd bit of pressure placed at the front.
4 laps to go, started to move into position, when a bunch of CAT1+2 came by and then sat about 10-20 yards in front with the CAT3+4 at the back. Going into the 3rd lap the situation was the same and into the 2nd.
With the last lap approaching going up the hill I realised this was the only option left, unless I waited for the final sprint. So, I picked up the pace and moved through the bunch and off the front past the CAT1+2's that were sitting at the front.
Going round the first corner at the top with no brakes I almost over cooked it and nearly ended up on the grass, which helped push my HR up to 188bpm and then I looked back to see where I was. From the vauge image I figured about 20-30 yards and did not notice anyone on my wheel so I pressed on again into the next corner, where again I almost ended up in the bushes.
Looking back again I think I had about 40 yards and someone was on my wheel, so as we entered the flatter section I signaled for him to come through and I took cover.
As we came to the bottom of the hill section I knew I had less energy left than him and shouted "go for it I'm knackered", which probably wasn't the best of things to do in retrospect....
He launched off the front and I continued to plug on, with the energy draining from my legs.
Reaching near the top and thinking I did have a chance of 2nd with 30 yards to go and the first person past me on the final sprint, then the 2nd, 3rd...... 10th, 11th.... "bollocks!" With 30 yards to go and 10 seconds later I was out of the points after backing off completely when I realised.
The aspectes of the race and the lessons are that I don't know when the other guy got on my wheel and if the CAT1+2 group helped pull the rest of the 3+4 back up a bit. Either way I felt it was a great race and a great lesson in racing strategy and tactics. My lesson is to make sure you look fully, guage your pace better and get some more luck. Plus, get out and add some more watts...
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