One revolution at a time

CramCycle · 11-11-2020 7:55am #1

Better to start today then next month in my opinion. A fresh start deserves a fresh thread. I've decided that zwift is just not for me, so that's gone. No races till god knows when, so that's out. So what's the point.

Well there is one main one. Slowly slipping down the booze hound slide. Not In a getting blitzed now and again type of way but more in the keeping topped up constantly type of way. My Dad is also so inclined and while a great Dad, I don't want to be that guy.

What better way to stub out one addiction than replace it with another.

Main Aims
- Targeting local KOMs - 3 picked so far
- Drop back down to sub 80kg (at 85kg now)
- hBA1c below 7, no idea what it is at the moment but it's not that low
- stay off the booze

Unlike other years I have went for realistic and achievable targets, I will expand upon them once achieved. Out of the 3 KOMs, 2 are off road, 1 of which will require CX running to get. The last is a small.local.loop on my doorstep that I went for and was over a minute off so needs practice. Sub 80kg is doable, eat better, drink more water, hope that's it. hBA1c is a measure of average blood glucose levels. Below 7 means I am almost like a normal.person, hopefully this will just slip into place. Stay off the booze will be an interesting one. I have no confidence in 'programs' for something like this. I think pure ignorance and just cold turkey is the way to go. It's day two and hopefully the sleep improves after a few days off it. Maybe update this once a week.

CramCycle · 13-11-2020 10:50pm

Less than 5 days off the booze and I am crawling the walls. Sleep has improved after splitting headaches on Day 3, and days of exhaustion but being unable to sleep. Skin is itchy but I think that is psychosomatic. I have never drank so much tea in my life.

Back to my goals, very sadly got one almost first go.
https://www.strava.com/activities/4331645336

Targeted this KOM, missed the start of it, stopped on the road as a driveway before the turn was being redone. I was fine for the 1st third but my legs were struggling on the middle third, had to walk the really steep bits as the wheels were slipping out but was not able to run. By the time I got to the top I had given up so was quite surprised when i had taken the KOM by over 30seconds considering I mentally had packed it in for the last 100m. I imagine with little training I could easily make it sub 7 minutes.

Next targets are here which I am only 20seconds off the KOM and I think with better pacing I can definitely be in contention

Followed by here. 2 minutes off here, this will be tough and i think will be one of those that depends on the conditions on the day.

And finally this one. This one is annoying, right on my doorstop, and I am even with the holder until halfway. It is the hairpin half way through I obviously loose my nerve. This is one that I actually think will be the hardest despite being the shortest and easiest on paper.

Weight wise already down a kilo.

hBA1c I have to figure out how to calculate based on my monitor, the software I used to use has been pulled down so will figure that out over the week.

Plastik · 14-11-2020 4:06pm

CramCycle wrote: »

And finally this one. This one is annoying, right on my doorstop, and I am even with the holder until halfway. It is the hairpin half way through I obviously loose my nerve. This is one that I actually think will be the hardest despite being the shortest and easiest on paper.

I'll be keeping a close eye on this

Don't think I paid particular attention to the corner, it mostly hinges on how long you can hold a full gas sprint back up the hill. Rode the first half handy-hard, obviously don't lose too much through the corner, but it's a full anaerobic effort for the next minute.

CramCycle · 14-11-2020 6:40pm

Plastik wrote: »

I'll be keeping a close eye on this

Don't think I paid particular attention to the corner, it mostly hinges on how long you can hold a full gas sprint back up the hill. Rode the first half handy-hard, obviously don't lose too much through the corner, but it's a full anaerobic effort for the next minute.

Indeed, the corner is where I start to lose it and I certainly ain't hammering it to much until there but on the climb I haven't managed to push it out to the end, my legs tend to decide to just say no and I have scrubbed so much speed I can't build it back up. If I could take the corner with more confidence and carry more speed through, it would be easier to keep the effort up rather than trying to build back up to speed. On the plus side for you, my race bike is away for the winter so I am on my CX bike with knobbly tires so this will be most likely the last one to fall if I can do it.

Missed my first target today by 1 second. I was struggling but more due to a lack of proper warm up, Wahoo said I hit 5:05 which is the current KOM and I sat up. When I uploaded it was off by 1 second, looks like I was ahead until the final 100m and dead level until the last 5m so will push through it next time: https://www.strava.com/activities/4335099179/overview Video of it here, apologies for the really heavy breathing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xijY8kxb_PQ

.

CramCycle · 16-11-2020 4:21pm

Plastik wrote: »

I'll be keeping a close eye on this

Not saying I am coming for you, but lets just say, I'm getting there:
https://www.strava.com/activities/4346320217

hit the brakes way to early coming into the corner and faded dramatically in the last 200m but it's down to 5 seconds and I can comfortably eek out another 3 just by delaying slowing for the turn and not accelerating so hard out of it, the finish is further away than I remembered

smacl · 16-11-2020 4:56pm

Great video and not a hill I've climbed so must give it a go at some point. In terms of speed, I reckon you'd probably be faster on drier ground with no one about, so very early morning in the summer is going to be way easier to nab records than on a muddy Winters day with hill walkers wandering about. That said, you're just about there anyway so go for it!

Plastik · 16-11-2020 10:38pm

CramCycle wrote: »

Not saying I am coming for you, but lets just say, I'm getting there:
https://www.strava.com/activities/4346320217

hit the brakes way to early coming into the corner and faded dramatically in the last 200m but it's down to 5 seconds and I can comfortably eek out another 3 just by delaying slowing for the turn and not accelerating so hard out of it, the finish is further away than I remembered

Ah but you're really 6 long, clear seconds away from being the KING!

There's also one going the other way if you get bored of trying that direction :pac: Chasing KOM's during the 2km lockdown was about the only thing that kept me out on the bike regularly.

https://www.strava.com/segments/22876383?filter=overall

couerdelion · 17-11-2020 4:33pm

CramCycle wrote: »

IVideo of it here, apologies for the really heavy breathing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xijY8kxb_PQ
.

What camera/software do you use to get the overlay on there?

CramCycle · 17-11-2020 4:45pm

couerdelion wrote: »

What camera/software do you use to get the overlay on there?

Garmin Virb, another poster was using it so I gave a crack at it, far easier than I expected to use it. It asks you to load from a Garmin device but you can select load from file. Once loaded you select create video and in that it gives you the opportunity to add in GPX data, you have to link it up by eye but it was easy enough. I think my stats are off by a second or two. You can then add in loads of random overlays and add/delete as you see fit and move them around with ease.

CramCycle · 17-11-2020 4:46pm

My camera is a GoPro Hero 8

joey100 · 19-11-2020 1:50pm

Out of curiosity, what size bars are you using?? They look tiny but might be the camera.

CramCycle · 19-11-2020 1:59pm

joey100 wrote: »

Out of curiosity, what size bars are you using?? They look tiny but might be the camera.

36cm C-C, so about 38cm outside to outside. I prefer narrower bars despite my size. Doesn't seem to affect me.

joey100 · 19-11-2020 2:02pm

Same as myself so, much prefer the narrower bars. Don't see many using them at all.

CramCycle · 22-11-2020 12:16pm

So yesterday was a write off. I took off out the door for the first segment attack. I hadn't slept well and had lower back pain but figured I would shake it off. Despite not shaking it off I took to the first part of the climb well and far faster than expected. A walker was coming out the first gate. He had cleared it but when he seen me decided to run back to open it. He failed, pulled it the wrong way and by the time he opened it I was already stopped and couldn't get going again. Feeling a bit off I just turned and headed home. I had one crack at Plastiks segment but got the same time as before. Today I woke, better rested but back still sore. Decided to just go out and see what happens, don't try too hard. Went up the first climb, fumbled the second gate and decided just to sit in and see what I could force out. Out of the saddle for the last 200m and couldn't breathe at the top. Wahoo said I was 17 seconds down but I was glad to have done it.

Came down to Belmont and dropped my chain twice on the blue loop (easy) so just settled in for a coffee. Went through Kilruddery on the way home but there were too many walker's to do anything so I know now to hit that a bit earlier.

Finally went for Plastiks loop on the last stretch home, took the turn into it OK but not as well as I could have. Kept the speed up nearly to the turn but I did bottle it last second but didn't lose all my speed. Ramped up nicely, kept lying to myself doing 5 second counts and pushed it almost to the line, nearly went straight through the petrol station at the end. Alas I didn't catch Plastik but the gap is down to 1 second now.

Strava also informs me I have taken the KOM on my first climb by 25seconds.

Just Little Sugar Loaf and Plastik left it would appear, and I'm getting closer.

Sober for 7 days now, had a relapse yesterday week but haven't touched a drop since. Have talked to a councillor to get some tips and advice which helped more than expected.

Also down just over 1kg

CramCycle · 24-11-2020 12:48pm

@Plastik I went for that segment this morning again but the corner was too slippy so I ended up rolling up the driveway rather than taking the turn. I did have a craic at the reverse KOM. 13 seconds off, road was too slippy and I had wheel spin on the climb, must wait for a dry day.

Mr. Cats · 25-11-2020 9:21am

Fair play. I’m enjoying following the KOM hunting and there’s a few local to me that I will have to check out! On the booze front, I’ve found that keeping the fridge stocked with a few non alcoholic beers has helped a lot to stretch days and weeks into months. There’s a good selection of na IPAs available now in the likes of the bigger O’Briens. They do taste a bit ‘light’ at the beginning but after sticking with them exclusively for a month or so, the regular IPAd tasted a bit too heavy to me and I preferred the na versions. The Brewdog Nanny State and Punk AF are particularly good. YMMV.

CramCycle · 25-11-2020 10:54am

Mr. Cats wrote: »

Fair play. I’m enjoying following the KOM hunting and there’s a few local to me that I will have to check out!

Its really enjoyable actually. Before I just used to attack each one if I knew about them but now that the likes of Plastik have put in good times, I am actually looking to see what they are doing different to me, where am I losing time etc. I know its stupid but it keeps the mind occupied and really forces you to push things out when on your own. Have to say, knowing Plastik on here also gives a bit of inspiration to push harder as its no longer a random-er on a website (well, I mean, it is, but it's not in another way), so the ego pushes you a bit further. Reminds me of this comic, Plastik being Flag B guy.

On the booze front, I’ve found that keeping the fridge stocked with a few non alcoholic beers has helped a lot to stretch days and weeks into months. There’s a good selection of na IPAs available now in the likes of the bigger O’Briens. They do taste a bit ‘light’ at the beginning but after sticking with them exclusively for a month or so, the regular IPAd tasted a bit too heavy to me and I preferred the na versions. The Brewdog Nanny State and Punk AF are particularly good. YMMV.

A friend of mine in Germany says they have an amazing range over there, a couple of hundred in his local off license, and another friend as there is a place in town that as a huge NA selection. For now I have switched to Tonic water as a recommendation to just get me over the initial craving, I was warned that in the first while, for some people the NAs just act as a psychological substitute so it doesn't wean you off it as many people are addicted to the sugar in the beer as much as the alcohol (no idea how true this is). So gonna stick with the Tonic water.

Plastik · 25-11-2020 11:02am

Can't beat a bit of local rivalry for a bit of impromptu HIIT training.

I tried to crack this one in the earlier lockdown but eventually gave up. There must've been a big wind blowing on 13 July 2014!

https://www.strava.com/segments/6986360

Mr. Cats · 25-11-2020 11:16am

Plastik wrote: »

Can't beat a bit of local rivalry for a bit of impromptu HIIT training.

I tried to crack this one in the earlier lockdown but eventually gave up. There must've been a big wind blowing on 13 July 2014!

https://www.strava.com/segments/6986360

This is the one that I targeted but didn’t make (yet!)

https://www.strava.com/segments/14105535

CramCycle · 25-11-2020 3:18pm

Mr. Cats wrote: »

This is the one that I targeted but didn’t make (yet!)

https://www.strava.com/segments/14105535

Done that once or twice on my commute home, really has to be targetted ride for a realistic chance at it. Both times I went up it i had a bag with a bit of weight in it but I doubt that was my reason for suffering. I had a look at the KOM, clearly targeted, he pootles along at 10kmph keeping it all nice and easy until about 30m from the start where he really ramps up. Keeping north of 20kmph average on that climb will be very difficult as its 10% the whole way but certainly not impossible

Mr. Cats · 25-11-2020 11:02pm

The turn at start makes it difficult to take some speed into it. Fun trying though!

Plastik · 25-11-2020 11:23pm

There's a suspect GPS glitch on that Quarry Lane KOM from an android device. It's showing him doing 33kph up 11% at the start.

Mr. Cats · 25-11-2020 11:35pm

Plastik wrote: »

There's a suspect GPS glitch on that Quarry Lane KOM from an android device. It's showing him doing 33kph up 11% at the start.

Might be ok? If you look at #3 it’s a similar profile - roll around corner at 15kmh, then sprint hard but run out of steam pretty quickly...

CramCycle · 29-11-2020 2:04pm

Son of a b*tch. Off the bike for half a week now after my fall and a cough. What happens only the previous holder of my recently got KOM took it back by 9 seconds, so I am back to square 1.

Mr. Cats · 29-11-2020 10:15pm

Sh1t just got real :-)

CramCycle · 04-12-2020 9:35pm

Its been a bad week, very little cycling done, sleep has been woeful and I look like a drug addict with the eyes hanging out of my head. I haven't even attempted any of the KOMs, and tomorrow I have to sit through 7 hours of Zoom with kids as one of Santas helpers, the same on Sunday. I am going to try and get out early but only for a spin, leave the KOM targeting for this week.

Good news on the weight front, down over another kilo so sub 83kg with no effort, eating more than usual as well.

CramCycle · 12-12-2020 1:28pm

Same again this week, work has been tough and I am run down, so I actually felt weak out on the bike this morning.
Went for the KOM climb but while I took off faster I had blown within the first 1/4 and never recovered, 2nd fastest time but I could barely breathe at the top, pains in my chest and that weird numb/cold feeling where I kept salivating. Done a legger before any walkers came along.
Tried for Plastiks KOMs but one didn't get picked up although I think I would have been close, turns out the opposite direction one you have to come through the petrol station. Tried the other one but bottled it again as I had new tires and was unsure of their grip.
I did go up Little Sugar Loaf from another direction, SPD SLs were a bad idea, still got forth on one KOM despite walking at a snails pace for most of it. Scared the sh1te out of me on the descent though when my handlebars slipped as I was breaking.

Down to 82kg, 5 weeks off the booze tomorrow.

Plastik · 13-12-2020 2:11am

Maybe I was lucky the way the GPS tracked but I didn't go through the garage. Coming from Woodies I went in the turn by the ram.

CramCycle · 17-01-2021 11:36am

Obviously fell out of favour with training over the last month, partner had a bad appendectomy, home schooling and holidays meant time was limited. Coupled with some back and shoulder pain from other stuff, it's not been great for the bike. Anyway, excuses out of the way, weight has gone up a bit, but only 2 kgs so not terrible.

For the new year, going to focus on weight loss and just getting spins in, until the weather improves, specifically the two segments that Plastik owns I just can't seem to keep my bottle going round the corner after I lost grip once so I am at least 20seconds off the pace on those ones, so need a dry day, later in the year so I can hit it early and full gas. Other KOMs that I will be targeting for the next few months are here:
A Lap of the Loaf - I am 28 minutes of the KOM, mainly due to only doing it once and being uber cautious and coming off twice, I feel I can cut 10 minutes off that with ease, 28 will be a tough call though, probably better when it has dried out a bit as the second 1/3 was steep or mucky, with no other options allowed.

The Wall (after the gates) - First 1/3 of the abover segment, two wet at the minute so alot of wheel spin on the +20% parts. Great craic though and got alot of cheering from walkers as I went up last time which was nice and drove me to keep going.

Cliff Road Climb - This is one I had taken and then was taken back off me by Billy, tried it the other day and way off my game from only a month ago, nearly a minute down. It's tough because the few seconds difference can be explained by fluffing the gate opening and closing. If you get lucky a walker might hold the gates, you get unlucky and they stand in the way and look confused but thats the game.

Lastly are Plastiks two, Ballywaltrim Lane (1 second off) and Reverse (7 seconds off)

CramCycle · 17-01-2021 6:46pm

Forgot one segment on my list up the side of the Little Sugar Loaf. Went for a relaxed spin up it today and knocked a fair bit off my last attempt. New cassette on the rear wheel gave me enough to stay on the bike almost all the way and leave me within 1 minute of the KOM without pushing hard, previously I had to get off and walk half of it and was over 2 minutes off the pace. Only had to dismount twice, once from slipperiness but on a dry day i could stay on the bike, the other at the very end the last 15m there is a slight bump that Strava doesn't pick up but the walkers even struggle on it. A good day with dry weather for few days and I would say I will have it.

Everywhere else I went was thronged with walkers so quite a relaxed spin.

CramCycle · 19-01-2021 2:59pm

Holy sh1t, I found my guide for the future:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uPEb-Axb5A

Plastik · 08-03-2021 5:43pm

CramCycle wrote: »

A Lap of the Loaf - I am 28 minutes of the KOM, mainly due to only doing it once and being uber cautious and coming off twice, I feel I can cut 10 minutes off that with ease, 28 will be a tough call though, probably better when it has dried out a bit as the second 1/3 was steep or mucky, with no other options allowed.

https://www.strava.com/activities/4912320523#2804008047889681140

CramCycle · 08-03-2021 11:33pm

Plastik wrote: »

https://www.strava.com/activities/4912320523#2804008047889681140

Son of a %^*"!.

I had a look at the compare thing, and was thinking I can make up time here, there and then I see the speed you take the technical section, you were doing 20+kmph faster than me. This will be tough. BB on my CX bike is currently getting taken out and replaced so might be a few weeks but I will come for you.

Plastik · 09-03-2021 10:37am

That'll be a hard segment to take on a CX bike I think, some of it is very rough going. There's one section heading up where you'll be running and I don't know how you'd take on the descent with any speed.

I had to haul 15/16kg up the climb but you won't compete with it going back down the other side on that terrain, so it'll be all about how quickly you can get to the top. Full on Strava asshat effort, open the two farmer gates a crack in advance and go back to the segment start again. Close them when you come back down!

CramCycle · 09-03-2021 6:30pm

Plastik wrote: »

That'll be a hard segment to take on a CX bike I think, some of it is very rough going. There's one section heading up where you'll be running and I don't know how you'd take on the descent with any speed.

I had to haul 15/16kg up the climb but you won't compete with it going back down the other side on that terrain, so it'll be all about how quickly you can get to the top. Full on Strava asshat effort, open the two farmer gates a crack in advance and go back to the segment start again. Close them when you come back down!

Fair play. I have went up the ascent on the bike without getting off so am happy I can do that but looking at your ascent on a 16kg bike vs mine on 11kg bike, and you took 5 minutes out of me on the ascent alone. Even with the gates, that's my ass handed to me. I'll give it a proper lash when the BB is changed fully in a week or two but if I can math your ascent I'll be happy at this point. I can definetly improve the descent next time around but not to the speeds you get, just can't be done on a CX bike and with my skill level.

CramCycle · 09-03-2021 6:33pm

I also gave the ballywaltrim lane KOM a bash on the way home, was the same as you and slightly ahead on the corner but i gave up too early https://www.strava.com/activities/4918372193

CramCycle · 24-03-2021 4:48pm

Went for 2 different KOMs on the way home. One I am still 25sec out from, needs a good tailwind to take the turn with speed bit still 20seconds faster than my last attempt. Went for one of the Nallywaltrim lane ones as well, chain dropped but bounced back on at the corner. Probably cost me 2 seconds but either way, I am down to 4 seconds away from Plastic now.

Plastik · 25-03-2021 10:07am

Going to or from Hills garage?

Thank god it's nearly time to recommission the summer bike!

CramCycle · 25-03-2021 10:21am

Plastik wrote: »

Going to or from Hills garage?

Thank god it's nearly time to recommission the summer bike!

From, I started off just behind you as there was a crowd of cars at the start, so that's one second. Coming around the corner I had caught you but I tried to drop down gears on the uprise rather than just before which stopped me so that's another 2 seconds.

I think I can get close soon, confidence is back to normal on cornering so that has helped immensely. Although you going as fast up the Sugar loaf as me on a bike twice the weight of mine does not fill me with confidence I can hold it for long.

CramCycle · 30-03-2021 2:00pm

2 seconds in it this time

Bloody neighbour stalled at the petrol station as I was coming in from the road so that cost me a second, and then my chain slipped in the last 10m so that's another second I can squeeze out of it. My cornering has improved immensely though.

Plastik · 30-03-2021 8:39pm

Solid effort!!

CramCycle · 30-03-2021 8:41pm

Plastik wrote: »

Solid effort!!

I actually didn't think I had you, legs struggled on the climb and I hadn't realised I had gotten so far ahead on the descent. Chain dropped as I looked for more as it flattened out and had to coast the last few metres.

CramCycle · 02-04-2021 11:29am

Went the other way this morning and braking did not go well into the turn, rear wheel locked up and I skidded I to the drive, managed to recover but my heart wasn't in it.
Had a taxi tried to ram me off the road over the N11 so I settled in for a recovery spin as I was a bit shook.
On the way home though I thought, let's give it another shot, took the corner sharp and fast but blew on the hill. Thankfully I was so far ahead at this point I managed to take it regardless.

Plastik · 03-04-2021 9:31am

The new King of Ballywalterim!

Interesting pacing on both efforts. Sounds like you're full gas from the start and aiming to hold on back up the hill. Good while ago now but I think I just rode maybe tempo down to the turn and sprinted back up each side.

CramCycle · 03-04-2021 9:59am

Plastik wrote: »

The new King of Ballywalterim!

Interesting pacing on both efforts. Sounds like you're full gas from the start and aiming to hold on back up the hill. Good while ago now but I think I just rode maybe tempo down to the turn and sprinted back up each side.

Pretty much it, very much a hold nothing back, which is terrifying on that turn. Most of my attempts I pack it in as I carry too much speed into the turn. I get way ahead of you on the descent but you drag me back really quick on the climb. I really thought I hadn't got it again as my legs were dead in the last 40m, didn't think I'd even finish it. Would be interesting to see what either of us could do with a Watchman at the corner so you didn't have to be concerned.

CramCycle · 01-05-2021 12:26am

So I've let the ball drop, weight has skyrocketed, motivation is gone, even the commute is a push.
So up to 89kg, sore achilles and not convinced if I care anymore.
But here is the problem, it would be great if I knew that I simply would continue not to care. I could just be happy and leave it at that, but no.
Leagues are back, doing a warm up strava CX league in my club, doing another one with a neighbouring club, although doing really sh1t at both. Far more importantly, the club league proper is back in 6 days and I know as fed up as I am now, once that starts I will be back to my old competitive self.

4 TTs to start so not of any major concern as no one likes TTs but very excited by the chance of real racing in only 5 weeks.

CramCycle · 09-05-2021 7:01pm

Down to 87kg, 1 TT done and placed 12th overall. Slower than previous times but a solid headwind meant no one had a PB as far as I could see. Next week is a hill climb, nothing too steep though, so after realising the difference a lack of aero bars made, I am considering doing it twice, once with and once without just to see.

CramCycle · 16-05-2021 9:09am

12th on the hill climb, only one attempt with zero warm up so was happy out after the taste of blood and the symptoms of asthma were gone.
10M TT next week, so that will be awful.

Round 1: https://www.strava.com/activities/5251490690
Round 2: https://www.strava.com/activities/5291783401

CramCycle · 29-05-2021 6:03pm

Round 3 here, really worried about my fitness as the racing season begins, I really struggled on my own the whole way up. Down to 84kg but I am feeling wrecked at the minute.
https://www.strava.com/activities/5366090157

A week off next week before the real racing starts once more

CramCycle · 08-06-2021 9:26am

First race yesterday in Rathcoole and boy did I suffer.
https://www.strava.com/activities/5429672763
Turned up an hour too early so was sitting around waiting, went for a spin around the course, wind was not too favourable, but as I would find out, that wouldn't be a concern. So I messed up at the start line, and ended up close to the back of the group. The race starts on a narrow road, if you are not at the front, there is a risk of getting dropped very early on. We started the descent and I made a point of trying to weave up but the pace was high from the start and the usual early season jitters had a few lads struggling to hold lines so you had to do as much work from the back as they were at the front. By the bottom of the first descent, a few people were already out the back and we aren't even 4km in but I am tagged on to the main group that is hanging together. Round the corner and it slows up and I ride the gutter to gain places. Warnings for potholes on the left but I had been around them and used it to get an opening to shoot up the inside with ease. Regrettably, a little too easy and I ended up pretty much at the front on the left with everyone else in the middle. Coming up to the turn I was getting swarmed but I made it around mid bunch and my plans to move up were scuppered by the pace set all the way back that length of road. I desperately tried to move out to the outside so I could take the hairpin better but couldn't get out, we are at north of 60kmph and everyone has the same plan. Needless to say, I got around the corner and lost all my speed but so did everyone else except those at the front. The first part of the climb though, I am feeling comfy, have to keep moving around as people slow and I am well aware if I am not with the group over the top, that is it. I am working my way from the back 1/3 and I get to the top 1/3 I know I am going to be gasping at the top but I feel it, I can hold on and that is all I need. HR is good, not maxed out and I am near enough the top that I can lose a few places. Silly me for over thinking it. As soon as this crossed my mind, I started slipping places. Young lad from Carlow and a few Orwellians up the pace just as I start to rest a bit and all of a sudden I am 100m from the back, in the last 300m they take another 100m out of me. I crest the top deflated but I can still see the rear of the front group, this would be my view for the next 13km. I can see them but I can never reach them, lose them on every corner and get within 200m here and there. We come around again the hairpin and for the first time, despite taking the corner better, I get around and I can't see them. My heart is no longer in it, I just pace up the hill and finish one more lap. I would later find out I hadn't lost much and if I had held on the first time up the hill, I kept pace with them on my own, but either way, honesty dictates I admit, I would have struggled even if I had held on. A christening of fire. Onwards to the first proper league race on Thursday, I am a lot further behind than I had thought.

CramCycle · 12-06-2021 11:58am

First proper league race of the season in Mondello.
https://www.strava.com/activities/5448884985
Average HR for 35minutes was 180bpm, average speed was 40kmph, at which point I gave up and rolled in.

As it turns out, I can handle a bike on the road but in a windy, head wind in every direction in Mondello I can't steer for sh1t. Taking corners wide to hold speed but dropping wheels, never being able to figure out where the shelter is. Followed my friend Pawel for the first half lap and I was already hanging. Eventually the group slowed on the first slight uphill coming out of the horseshoe, rolled up the inside, got a gap but immediately slowed down out on my own. They left me dangling until after the lap was over at which point I grabbed on to the back, where I spent most of the rest of my race. My handling improved dramatically by the second lap but I never had the power again to go near the front, so I spent the next 30 minutes acting the pr1ck, sitting at the back, not pulling through and even intentionally dropping wheels when people tried to force me. I did take maybe two pulls on the front but both nearly ended me. Most of the race after this point was me nearly getting dropped but just by taking nice lines, managing to tag back on just when I should have been gone. George from Lucan dragged me back on twice but I should have known that it was a futile effort, great training though.
Scratch rolled through at pace as we were starting a new lap, and I had happened to roll up closer to the front. I was caught on the wrong side but no one reacted to it so I tore off the long way into the turn but only got to within 30m of the two race leaders, a few 100m later the rest of Scratch pulled through dragging whatever semi scratch riders could hold on. I didn't slot in right and that was that. I got so close to latching on but when I hadn't closed the last 30m before the next turn, they rolled away from me like I was standing still.
Lots to be learned but there is definitely a huge deficit in my fitness compared to 2 years ago, and regrettably it isn't just the juniors who are too blame.

One revolution at a time

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