Well its week two and it was back to Stromlo Hill for Intervals. 4 Repeats
With Jamie, Jansen and Ian so much pain but damn that awesome feeling of euphoria when your finisished!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Sunday Intervals
Headed out to Isaacs atan average of 150bpmbeinga 1/2hour cycle, I let my heartrate drop gradually to 130 before putting in my firts effort.
There is a few shorter hills before I get to my 10-12min long main hill effort, so I got myself ready by getting the heart rate upto 185bpm, both in and out of the saddle.
I put my 1st effort in and although I didn't time it, I felt fast HR was sitting between 179-185 and more suprisingly (for me) was able to get out of the saddle and push through some of the steeper pinches at the end of the climb.
I am aiming to do 6 weeks of Stromlo / Isaacs intervals and will be timing my next efforts.
Monday - recovery ride with the missus followed by spectating the short track Nationals!
There is a few shorter hills before I get to my 10-12min long main hill effort, so I got myself ready by getting the heart rate upto 185bpm, both in and out of the saddle.
I put my 1st effort in and although I didn't time it, I felt fast HR was sitting between 179-185 and more suprisingly (for me) was able to get out of the saddle and push through some of the steeper pinches at the end of the climb.
I am aiming to do 6 weeks of Stromlo / Isaacs intervals and will be timing my next efforts.
Monday - recovery ride with the missus followed by spectating the short track Nationals!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Wednesday,Thursday
Wednesday 2hour = 4 x hill climbs
Thursday =ride to stromlo in a headwind and I was running late so I smashed myself then had nothing left for the crits!
Thursday =ride to stromlo in a headwind and I was running late so I smashed myself then had nothing left for the crits!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Thursday, Friday and Sunday
Thursday crits .5hrs at 90-100% Ahhh I just couldn't get into it! The lungs didn't open up completely and although technically I was fine these races are all about speed.
Friday 1.5hrs at 80-95% Work and back in one trip. It felt good to ride well for a change I felt really strong. Stronger than I did on Thursday and for the full length I pushed hard.
Sunday 2.5hrs at 80% A ride from home to Stromlo and a long lap. I felt good despite the heat but some borking at sections I would normally ride meant that there was something wrong. It turns out that my front fork had lost some air.....No wonder I felt like I was going to go over.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
1.5 hrs Stromlo Hill climb x2
Me and Jamie set off from Stromlo forrest carpark on our road bikes. It's been a while since I threw a leg over my roadie and with the Anthem in for repairs, my knees scabbed, bruised and swollen a road bike ride was a great idea.
I had aimed for at leat 3 hill repeats but the sun set a little sooner that anticipated.
Jamie is in good form on the hills and I was happy to sit 20-40 odd metres behind.
Actually it felt good to smash some hills and not get another injury.
Training is prooving difficult at the moment as I am rostered on fire duties here at work meaning some late knock offs and compromised family time.
At the moment I am happy to keep the weight off and retain my base fitness until the fire season eases off in April.
I had aimed for at leat 3 hill repeats but the sun set a little sooner that anticipated.
Jamie is in good form on the hills and I was happy to sit 20-40 odd metres behind.
Actually it felt good to smash some hills and not get another injury.
Training is prooving difficult at the moment as I am rostered on fire duties here at work meaning some late knock offs and compromised family time.
At the moment I am happy to keep the weight off and retain my base fitness until the fire season eases off in April.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Frustration - 1.5hours
I went out for a lunch time spin to Stromlo only 2 minutes away. Yep, you read correctly. My work is situated 5 minutes ride down the road. Did I mention that the 5 minutes ride to stromlo is on Single track.....
Thats my excitement over for this post, as getting on the bike felt awkward. Looking at the stem and alignment of the front wheel, something was not gelling. Wheel alignment was OK but the wheel was untrue and when the fork was under load it would seriously flex an inch!
I decided to keep riding and despite the hot weather made it up the Nationals climb for some sweet decending back to work. At the end of the traverse a new 8m section of traction has been dug to bypass a rocky section. Ian told me that this section was infact faster than the rocky section I would normally blast through, so I tried it.
Well it turns out someone dislodged to head sized rocks at the bottom of a rolly polly in this section, meaning they were only visible at the top of the next rolly polly.
Blasting this section at 25km/h+ and hitting one of the rocks on the down slope resulted in a high side. Ouch my knees hurt (again) and the bike is in for repairs.
It's times like these you feel like kicking yourself.
Thanks to Michael at ONYA Bike Belconnen for his patience and looking after me.
Thats my excitement over for this post, as getting on the bike felt awkward. Looking at the stem and alignment of the front wheel, something was not gelling. Wheel alignment was OK but the wheel was untrue and when the fork was under load it would seriously flex an inch!
I decided to keep riding and despite the hot weather made it up the Nationals climb for some sweet decending back to work. At the end of the traverse a new 8m section of traction has been dug to bypass a rocky section. Ian told me that this section was infact faster than the rocky section I would normally blast through, so I tried it.
Well it turns out someone dislodged to head sized rocks at the bottom of a rolly polly in this section, meaning they were only visible at the top of the next rolly polly.
Blasting this section at 25km/h+ and hitting one of the rocks on the down slope resulted in a high side. Ouch my knees hurt (again) and the bike is in for repairs.
It's times like these you feel like kicking yourself.
Thanks to Michael at ONYA Bike Belconnen for his patience and looking after me.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
1.5 hours Stromlo
I think I have tamed the new beast. After playing around with the bar height, I think I have nailed the sweet spot, placing more weight over the front end.
Climbing is easier than the older Anthem but steering is slower. Only time on the bike is going to get me in Zen with the bike.
The nicest trait of the new Anthem is the super lively rear end. Its just so much more lively in and through its travel. I don't beleive this is due to the extra travel but more so due to the updated suspension arrangement.
I was dubious about the Sid Team fork at first but am a huge fan now. Again its lively in its travel. It doesn't have the plushness of the Fox float but in comparison is a racers drean. Pushing on it (carpark test) shows that its stiffer and harder but in real use on the trails its a dream.
Oh the ride was fun to at 80%
Climbing is easier than the older Anthem but steering is slower. Only time on the bike is going to get me in Zen with the bike.
The nicest trait of the new Anthem is the super lively rear end. Its just so much more lively in and through its travel. I don't beleive this is due to the extra travel but more so due to the updated suspension arrangement.
I was dubious about the Sid Team fork at first but am a huge fan now. Again its lively in its travel. It doesn't have the plushness of the Fox float but in comparison is a racers drean. Pushing on it (carpark test) shows that its stiffer and harder but in real use on the trails its a dream.
Oh the ride was fun to at 80%
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
New bike Anthem X0
I picked up my new bike and headed out to Stromlo for its first ride.
I should have listened to Michael from Onya Bike Belconnen on the front tyre.
I opted for a Crossmark Lust Non UST and after a slow climb to the top we regrouped and headed down the berm track.
I should have listened to Michael from Onya Bike Belconnen on the front tyre.
I opted for a Crossmark Lust Non UST and after a slow climb to the top we regrouped and headed down the berm track.
Well it happened the front tyre burped air and the bars crossed over resulting in my first off I hurt both knees but more annoyingly the front wheel is untrue.
I think a new UST front tyre is going on!
What I noticed from this short ride was that the steering is slower and will require some getting used to. The bike is definetely more rigid then last years model and offers 4" travel up from 3.5".
Next ride will be a solo one so I can muck around with the stem height in an attempt to get more weight over the front end.
I think a new UST front tyre is going on!
What I noticed from this short ride was that the steering is slower and will require some getting used to. The bike is definetely more rigid then last years model and offers 4" travel up from 3.5".
Next ride will be a solo one so I can muck around with the stem height in an attempt to get more weight over the front end.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Sunday 2 hour ride
I met up with Ian and we decided to ride the Nationals course for something a little different at Stromlo.
I like to aim for something pre ride wether it be intesity, endurance, skills etc so I knew this one would test me.
It was nice to ride all the techy bits without a problem for once! When you go for a ride and you have a purpose it makes these sorts of things fall into place a bit better......
After the Nationals climb in the dredded heat we decided to punch out a fast red lap.
Ouch Im still sore from this one!
Exactly on 2 hours at 90 - 95%
I like to aim for something pre ride wether it be intesity, endurance, skills etc so I knew this one would test me.
It was nice to ride all the techy bits without a problem for once! When you go for a ride and you have a purpose it makes these sorts of things fall into place a bit better......
After the Nationals climb in the dredded heat we decided to punch out a fast red lap.
Ouch Im still sore from this one!
Exactly on 2 hours at 90 - 95%
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Voddoo 29er review. Gary Fisher 29er quick ride - 1 hour
I picked up a titanium Vodoo 29er sporting
crossmax SL 29er a wheels
Reba Race 80mm
and XT components
I took it to Stromlo for a test ride and after setting it up noticed the geometry placed me in a very upright position despite the longer flipped stem.
My aim of this test was to see if a 29er had merits for me at 6'2".
- In short I noticed that I sat in the bike as opposed to on top of the bike which was a nice feeling that promoted confidence.
- The tyres are more sure footed grabbing well on climbs under power.
- Steering differences are negligable to a 26er.
- Titanium is over rated and still very harsh and definetely not a replacement for dual suspension
- 29 wheels can not replace the smoothness of even a racier 26 short travel suspension bike
- I found it difficult to bunny hopmaybe due to the longer wheelbase of a 29er
In short Im still curious and want to try another 29er maybe a Salsa Dos Niner or Mamasita
Earlier in the day I also tried a Gary Fisher Paragon and although only a short 20 min ride noticed it steered quicker had a plusher and nicer Fox fork and a better mix of components.
The bike was also easier to moneuver and bunny hop.
On both bikes I noticed that acceleration was improved over my Anthem0 although it is noticably lighter. 29ers also roll over fist sized trail objects and trail ruts far superior to a 26er.
crossmax SL 29er a wheels
Reba Race 80mm
and XT components
I took it to Stromlo for a test ride and after setting it up noticed the geometry placed me in a very upright position despite the longer flipped stem.
My aim of this test was to see if a 29er had merits for me at 6'2".
- In short I noticed that I sat in the bike as opposed to on top of the bike which was a nice feeling that promoted confidence.
- The tyres are more sure footed grabbing well on climbs under power.
- Steering differences are negligable to a 26er.
- Titanium is over rated and still very harsh and definetely not a replacement for dual suspension
- 29 wheels can not replace the smoothness of even a racier 26 short travel suspension bike
- I found it difficult to bunny hopmaybe due to the longer wheelbase of a 29er
In short Im still curious and want to try another 29er maybe a Salsa Dos Niner or Mamasita
Earlier in the day I also tried a Gary Fisher Paragon and although only a short 20 min ride noticed it steered quicker had a plusher and nicer Fox fork and a better mix of components.
The bike was also easier to moneuver and bunny hop.
On both bikes I noticed that acceleration was improved over my Anthem0 although it is noticably lighter. 29ers also roll over fist sized trail objects and trail ruts far superior to a 26er.
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