Mountains to Beach 2011Day 1

I had never done a stage race before and Mountain to Beanch 2011 was going to be my first, the event is organized by Wildhorizons the same group of poeple that bring you the Highland fling and the 3 Ring circus.

Before I get started a big shout out to Ben from Osprey for sorting me with an entry for this race. Big thanks mate

I met up with Andy machine Fellows at Canberra airport on Saturday before the race, on my arrival to Canberra I realized that I had left my riding shoes at home. Time for an upgrade anyway. Got out to Thredbo assembled my new Silverback HT [doing a review soon] and we hit the trails, so much fun up there but I knew that come race day I would have to be on it and hopefully get a good position to set me up for the rest of the week.

So race day: Stage 1:

I had everything ready to go the night before I got up and had breakfast and for me, if I could get on the chair lift without dropping my bike or making an arse out of myself I was happy. I had made it to the top of thredobo in one piece. First sucess of the day. We were sent down the hill in a time trial set up instead of a mass start. Obvious reasonsing.


Andy took off a couple of position ahead of me, then before I knew it, it was on. Surprisingly riding my hardtail down the side of Tredbo was pretty good my Canis tyres stuck like glue and I was getting past some guys on soft tails. All was great until I came through a shaded area didn't see a rock and smashed my pedal in. So for the next 9km or so I couldn't get my right leg into the pedal. This was the first problem. All good if keep going I shouldn't loose to much time.

We had been told in the brief before that we would be going on the 4X track. Remembered that as I went sailing past the end of the 4x track, didn't see the arrow onto the track. So I slammed the brakes on went back up the hill and tried not to muck anything else up. By the end of the stage 12km I smashed a pedal, went the wrong way and managed 3 mechanical. WOW nothing like pressure.

I recon I probably lost close to ten minutes over the stage. I rolled 22 over the line. Not my best start. The first stage was great and I really did enjoy the course.

Stage: 2 was a cruise stage from Thredbo village to Lake Crackenback resort about 20km. Once a there we check our bags in set up Denis the Ay Up truck and basically chilled out. I wish, in my head all I could think about is how much time I had lost from stuffing up the first stage.

Stage: 3 was going to be 2 x 15km loops around the resort utilising single track and new multi use track around the resort, some of the single track went right alongside the Thredbo river and you had the occasional wombat whole to negotiate. I was abit nervous on the start line knowing that short track racing is not my thing. Finally the gun went off and I took off up the hill, I settled in the first bit of single track in about 5th or 6th once I got half way around the first lap I tried to make a small break and I didn't pay off. The guys from Gordon St. cycles and Torque Anytime fitness got away from me and my legs did not want to play. After the 2 laps were done my heart felt like it was about to jump out of my chest and I crossed the line in 7th. This pushed me into about 14th overall.

With day 1 over and smiles all round it was time for a beverage and some dinner. Day 2 involved a trip up the ski tube to Perisher to start the Osprey mountain traverse. A 90km stage.

Stay tuned for day 2

Mountains to Beach

Stay tuned for a full Mountains to Beach report as well as reviews on Osprey bags and silverback bikes

2011

This year is bringing some changes for me and my racing. As you know the Ay Up racing team is formed and we have some great sponsors that are going to support us through the 2011 season, Andy Machine Fellows is team manager so as you can imagine he has us lined up for some fun.

With the team not looking for sponsorship with Tomac this year meant, LunarC 8hr was the last ride for my Tomac carbide. I just want to say thanks to Rodney and Bec for all your support throughout the 2010 seanson.


Stay tuned all will be revealed in good time.

LunarC 8hr

Location: Scout Camp

Start Time: 12 midnight

Expectation: with this race being the first of the year I was pretty confident that there would be some stiff competition. With the like of Boothy, Crawford, Tim, Matt and the ever present dark horse my aim was for a top 5 result over all.

It was good to see the guys and lady [ kitten] from AA out and ready to punish themselves for 8hrs, Pearso, Richard, Smac, Al and Mike have all been training hard leading into this event and apart from trying to beat each other they all had there own goals they want to acheive. Firstly I want to that Kiri, John and Kel for all there help in keeping my nutrition up to me.

Well as usual you try to do the right thing and have a sleep leading into the race, that never ever happens for me so once 11pm rocked around I was on the bike and out for a warm up. I had already riding the track earlier in the day so I knew a good start would be key for setting me up for a good result.

I foud myself on the front of the start line [not usually where I like to be sitting but what the hell] Boothy was on the left of me, I knew from past racers that he would be off like a shot so my plan was as always ride my own race and see how we end up. The gun went off and as expected Boothy had put the hammer down, I found myself in the top 10 into the single track which right where I was hoping to be.

The first 2hrs were really well and the 2-4hr mark was terrible I was all over the show messing up corners it was pretty gross. But looking back at my lap times they didn't vary too much.

The rest of the race went well I started to come good after the 4hr mark. For the entire race I managed to average 30 min laps with my quickest 26min and slowest 33min.

All up after 16 laps the course had just on or over 2700m of vetrticle ascent. I had never riden this course before but it was heaps better to ride then slickers, more tech and hills.

With Alister Cook giving me a good run on his SS, I made break for it with 4 laps to go and kept the pressure on I managed to finish 2nd outright to Tim.

All up I am stoked with my race, nutrition was great Infinite was key with a bottle of coke for good measure. I also ran my compressports calf garment and it worked a treat absolutely no pain, cramps nor did my calves feel fatigued, I am sure these things work.

Tubeless Canis tyre were the go for the course, no flats and heaps of grip what more do you want.

Last and definately the best on the market, Ay Up lights kept me riding in daylight. Check out the website there are some pretty cool options for you at Ay Up now.

Until the next race

Later Bozza

Osprey Hydration pack review

As you know, I used the Osprey packs when I did World 24hr last October and was very impressed. This review is more to do with the Talon 22 pack that I have been using while commuting to work.

Just before Christmas we moved to Bribie Is. and now I have just under a 3 hr commute to work. When you sit on your bike for this long you really learn to appreciate products that are comfy, and in my case carry a fair bit of gear ie: uniforms, lunch and spares. I have to say that I was really impressed with how comfortable the Talon 22 bag is to ride with even packed with lots of gear.

As you can see from the picture they are a pretty cool looking bag. They have two side pockets on the waist straps and a clip on the front of the bag so you can attach your helmet without it flapping around all over the place when you're travelling. It also has heaps of pockets that are great for spares, keys or wallets. I think the one thing that stands out for me more then anything is that the bag follows the contour of your back/spine and it also stays cool because it has a corrugated piece of foam to keep it off your back enough to stay cool. The Talon 22 bag also has a whistle on it so you can scare the pants off those pedestrians that don't want to move over on the bike path. :-)

So just keep these awesome bags in the back of your mind when you're in the market. They are light, comfy and a little different from what everyone else is using!

Later

Compressports review #1

Well I guess the first question you would have is, what makes these little beauties better then anything else on the market? Sure Skins and 2XU are a very well known product and I have used both in the past.

So what makes compessports different? I have individual garments, meaning that I have a set for my thighs and a set for my calves. I know you thinking so what other brands bring out calf garments and this is true but, when you want to buy a compression garment just for your thighs you usually have to buy another set of knick [ which costs heaps] with compressports you can wear it with your normal riding kit.

I have to say wearing this gear while riding is really comfy and i can't wait to wear it during my next race. I usually don't ride with compression garments on and only use them for recovery, I have notices a huge difference with my training while using the compressports gear and would recommend it to anyone who is in the market for it.

Compressports brings you compression garment s at a resonable price. So if your in the market for some new gear have a little look

Stay tuned for the Osprey bag review. [ Crummy]