This weekend saw the 3rd round of the European tour, Xterra Austria. It was a new venue from last year, so no one really knew what to expect. A small but very happening town greeted us warmly, Xterra posters were positioned everywhere and scantily clad girls in low cut xterra tops handed out flyers at every bar. Surrounded by mountains but with crystal clear lake (warm enough to swim with no wetsuit), it was a postcard perfect location for a race.
The swim went reasonably well for me coming out of the water 33rd losing a couple of minutes less than I did last year. The bike was very hilly, with plenty of technical sections wiht roots and rocks thrown in to cause problems. I managed the fastest bike split yet again (every race this year so far!) catching all but 2 of my rivals. Unforunately my water bottle bounced out of its cage on one of the bumpy descents on the first lap, leaving me without fuel for an hour and a half.
As i started the run, I knew I had pushed it hard on the bike and was dehydrated and tired, luckily so was one of the competitors ahead and to my suprise I finished the first 5km loop in second place, looking for my best ever European tour finish and a posible podium. Unfortunately lap 2 of the run saw me struggle home, losing 3 places to finish an eventual 5th.
Although not my best European result it was my most satisfying, against a very strong pro field.
This result moves me up to 7th in the series standings, with the German course likely to suit me and the home advantage at the final UK round, things are looking good for a top 5 overall. As well as these up coming races, I am also now looking to race the US champs at lake Tahoe in Nevada, on the way out to Hawaii for the world champs, it's going to be a very busy couple of months!
Tuesday, 28 August 2007
Tuesday, 21 August 2007
Xterra training weekend and Xterra Denmark
The Xterra training camp went really well. Not a huge turn out, but it was really well recieved. All the feedback was good and we all learned a lot as coaches. Next year it will NOT be on the same weekend as Nottingham relays and it will be anounced earlier in the year. We are currently writing a report for Xterraplanet.com website and news letter. News of our venture reached the head people at Xterra and they heard it was a success too.
Xterra Denmark was on Saturday. Last year I placed 11th on a course that doesn't suit strong bikers at all. This year i was looking for a higher place, preferably a top 5 position. I felt i swum better, losing less time than last year, but still too much to make up. Even getting the quickest bike split of the day by 2 minutes only put me into 6th place. On the run i knew i'd struggle only having been injury free and back training for 3 weeks. I was actually pleased with only losing one position, finishing 7th in the end. Fellow GB elites Jim McConnell and Nicola Duggan finished 13th and 5th respectively. The party of nearly 20 GB athletes had a great weekend with several age group medals including 3 golds.
Tomorrow i am off to Xterra Austria for round 3 of the European series. This should suit my strengths a lot more. Having a great training day today so far and looking forward to a top 5 this time hopefully!!
Xterra Denmark was on Saturday. Last year I placed 11th on a course that doesn't suit strong bikers at all. This year i was looking for a higher place, preferably a top 5 position. I felt i swum better, losing less time than last year, but still too much to make up. Even getting the quickest bike split of the day by 2 minutes only put me into 6th place. On the run i knew i'd struggle only having been injury free and back training for 3 weeks. I was actually pleased with only losing one position, finishing 7th in the end. Fellow GB elites Jim McConnell and Nicola Duggan finished 13th and 5th respectively. The party of nearly 20 GB athletes had a great weekend with several age group medals including 3 golds.
Tomorrow i am off to Xterra Austria for round 3 of the European series. This should suit my strengths a lot more. Having a great training day today so far and looking forward to a top 5 this time hopefully!!
Wednesday, 1 August 2007
London to Paris ride
Last weekend I had a change from training and racing and helped out guiding a charity ride from London to Paris. The ride was to raise money for The Big Issue. Over the 3 days we managed to get 50 recreational cyclists over a lumpy 250 miles in all weathers to Paris, including a final 100 mile day. We didn't manage to lose anyone either (well not permanently!) . Seeing the sense of accomplishment on the riders face when thewy finished was great, they all felt very proud of themselves and rightly so. It was a great weekend, I met some lovely people and no one talked racing or techy gear ratio talk at the dinner table.
In order to get a greater training effect I rode a mountain bike with knobbly tyres, but despite my best intentions I only ran and swum once each. I think the change of routine has helped though and a good night out on the town on Saturday night! This week I have knuckled down to some hard days training with Xterra Denmark looming up very soon. I'm not expecting to be on top running form, but hopefully by the UK round I'll be getting close.
There are still a few spaces left on our Xterra UK training camp in 10 days time, get those cheques in to reserve a place, or check out www.driventotri.com .
In order to get a greater training effect I rode a mountain bike with knobbly tyres, but despite my best intentions I only ran and swum once each. I think the change of routine has helped though and a good night out on the town on Saturday night! This week I have knuckled down to some hard days training with Xterra Denmark looming up very soon. I'm not expecting to be on top running form, but hopefully by the UK round I'll be getting close.
There are still a few spaces left on our Xterra UK training camp in 10 days time, get those cheques in to reserve a place, or check out www.driventotri.com .
Saturday, 21 July 2007
National Mountain bike champs win
What a week! On Wednesday I drove to Chelmer cycles for a (routine?) service to get my bikes perfect for the National champs. At 15:30 the eagle eyed mechanics there spotted a hairline crack in the frame of the Taurine bike i was planning to race at the weekend. It was a prototype model and has been thrown around so many planes by baggage handlers this year, crashed multiple times at Mountain Mayhem and thrashed (sorry tested) by Single track magazine. It was too late to dispatch a new frame from Holland that day and i was leaving at 9:00 on the Friday for Plymouth. The best bike shop in the world put other work on hold and stripped down a stock bike to get me moving again by Thursday evening. I battled with rush hour traffic round the M25 for a second day in succession (8 hours on that road in 2 days!) and arrived home exhausted but relieved to have a bike at 21:00 Thursday evening.
Friday saw major flooding and we feared we wouldn't even make it there, especially after the car hit a huge puddle and ripped the mud flap off, making a massive noise.
Things got better from here luckily. I was happy with the fast, dry (some how!) course with hard climbs. As long as had a fast start I was quietly confident.
Not being gridded on the front row didn't help and a mistake by the rider in front of me left me in about 25th place at the foot of the 1st climb. I took a bit of a risk and rode on a really rough tricky line up into 3rd place by the top of it. Smiling to my self through the pain, I knew I was on a good day! Halfway round the first lap I was still in this position and feeling comfortable. I looked at who was in the lead group and decided I'd see who was strong. A minute later I was on my own, this wasn't the plan, but i thought I'd ride hard but steady and see who came back. At the start of the treacherous 'Mine shaft' descent I was joined by Matt Barratt and Jamie Newall. I rode this really well (especially considering the mess i'd made of it on both practice laps the day before) and was on my own again at the bottom. From here it was a solitary ride for 4 laps. I honestly can say it was one of the best races of my life. I paced myself perfectly on every climb. I was never close to crashing and rode good lines all the time. My hastily built bike was perfect all race. The tyre choice of Schwalbe Smart Sam (rear) and Jimmy (front) was perfect. I never missed a bottle of Maximuscle drink. If every race went like this i'd be very happy.
On the last lap I toyed with the idea of doing an extra lap so i could compare my final time in the Masters with the elite winners. I certainly felt fast enough to be in the top 5, where I used to finish when I raced the Elite Nationals, this idea was forgotten as I decided to savour the moment and my first National Champs jersey (In a few hours you can bet I'll on time laps website adding my slowest lap time to my finishing time to see roughly where i'd have placed in Elite). I was really happy for my best mate Jamie Newall who finished second, I know he'd wanted to win, and if it wasn't my day i'm glad it would have been him winning.
Now it is back on with major run and swim training. 4 weeks until Xterra Denmark and then it is all go with Austria, Germany, UK and France Xterra's all within 6 weeks. Followed by my major build for the world champs in Hawaii. May be i'll treat my self to a few beers tonight, before i forget one of the best races of my life.....
Friday saw major flooding and we feared we wouldn't even make it there, especially after the car hit a huge puddle and ripped the mud flap off, making a massive noise.
Things got better from here luckily. I was happy with the fast, dry (some how!) course with hard climbs. As long as had a fast start I was quietly confident.
Not being gridded on the front row didn't help and a mistake by the rider in front of me left me in about 25th place at the foot of the 1st climb. I took a bit of a risk and rode on a really rough tricky line up into 3rd place by the top of it. Smiling to my self through the pain, I knew I was on a good day! Halfway round the first lap I was still in this position and feeling comfortable. I looked at who was in the lead group and decided I'd see who was strong. A minute later I was on my own, this wasn't the plan, but i thought I'd ride hard but steady and see who came back. At the start of the treacherous 'Mine shaft' descent I was joined by Matt Barratt and Jamie Newall. I rode this really well (especially considering the mess i'd made of it on both practice laps the day before) and was on my own again at the bottom. From here it was a solitary ride for 4 laps. I honestly can say it was one of the best races of my life. I paced myself perfectly on every climb. I was never close to crashing and rode good lines all the time. My hastily built bike was perfect all race. The tyre choice of Schwalbe Smart Sam (rear) and Jimmy (front) was perfect. I never missed a bottle of Maximuscle drink. If every race went like this i'd be very happy.
On the last lap I toyed with the idea of doing an extra lap so i could compare my final time in the Masters with the elite winners. I certainly felt fast enough to be in the top 5, where I used to finish when I raced the Elite Nationals, this idea was forgotten as I decided to savour the moment and my first National Champs jersey (In a few hours you can bet I'll on time laps website adding my slowest lap time to my finishing time to see roughly where i'd have placed in Elite). I was really happy for my best mate Jamie Newall who finished second, I know he'd wanted to win, and if it wasn't my day i'm glad it would have been him winning.
Now it is back on with major run and swim training. 4 weeks until Xterra Denmark and then it is all go with Austria, Germany, UK and France Xterra's all within 6 weeks. Followed by my major build for the world champs in Hawaii. May be i'll treat my self to a few beers tonight, before i forget one of the best races of my life.....
Tuesday, 26 June 2007
Mountain Mayhem race
Mountain Mayhem is a 24 hr Mountain Bike race, generally done in a team of 4. It has big corporate sponsorship and a decent prize fund. You don't get any sleep and it hurts like hell, but......
WE DID IT!!!! After racing this race 5 times and being on the podium every time, we finally won it! I was guesting on the BMC mixed elite team and we were always near the lead but never comfortable. Even after 21 hours of racing our lead was still only 3 minutes!
The support we received from Extra was fantastic, thankyou very much to Damion the mechanic and Kirsty (who did all the timings, woke us up, made food.....). Thanks to Fatface for supplying us with a masseur to use, Nic was brilliant.
Usual sponsors to thank. Schwalbe Nobby Nic mud tyres rule! USE exposure lights too! My Bell helmet survived countless crashes in the mud! Cannondale (and BMC) bikes were both great and no major mechanicals at all. Maximuscle Cyclone drink helped me recover between laps.
All the team rode superbly, thanks to Jamie Newall and Jodie Crawforth for inviting me to join them. Julie Dibens our team girly did the quickest womens laps of the day and we proved that a couple of triathletes can mix it with the top Mountain bikers in the country!
I'm off to catch up on some z'eds, before an attempt at gentle training, 3 days of no swimming Richard Stannard will tell me off! Promise you won't tell him. Laters, Sammy G.
WE DID IT!!!! After racing this race 5 times and being on the podium every time, we finally won it! I was guesting on the BMC mixed elite team and we were always near the lead but never comfortable. Even after 21 hours of racing our lead was still only 3 minutes!
The support we received from Extra was fantastic, thankyou very much to Damion the mechanic and Kirsty (who did all the timings, woke us up, made food.....). Thanks to Fatface for supplying us with a masseur to use, Nic was brilliant.
Usual sponsors to thank. Schwalbe Nobby Nic mud tyres rule! USE exposure lights too! My Bell helmet survived countless crashes in the mud! Cannondale (and BMC) bikes were both great and no major mechanicals at all. Maximuscle Cyclone drink helped me recover between laps.
All the team rode superbly, thanks to Jamie Newall and Jodie Crawforth for inviting me to join them. Julie Dibens our team girly did the quickest womens laps of the day and we proved that a couple of triathletes can mix it with the top Mountain bikers in the country!
I'm off to catch up on some z'eds, before an attempt at gentle training, 3 days of no swimming Richard Stannard will tell me off! Promise you won't tell him. Laters, Sammy G.
Thursday, 14 June 2007
Congratulations Dibster!
Well done Julie on your National Championships win. what a great season you're having this year, if i was British triathlon i'd give you loads of lottery money! Good luck for UK 70.3 this weekend but don't get too tired, Monday's going to be hard! Talking of British Triathlon, i'm still waiting for a reply to an email i sent last December to their performance program, not very impressed with how they treat/repond to their elite athletes! A reply to me would have taken 5 minutes saying 'You might have a little talent and high aspirations but you're not welcome at any high performance centres to improve your swimming' I'll check my mail again tomorrow, he laughs!
On Monday Julie Dibbens and myself are going to check out the Xterra UK bike course. This is partly for our own good and partly to find route for the official Xterra UK training weekend that we are running! So sign up for the course which runs on the 11th and 12th of August. Learn from the UK's top off road athletes and race a warm-up event on the Saturday on some of the same trails. We are also checking out other routes from the accomodation we have booked and then I might even buy Julie a congratulatory pint in the pub we plan to have dinner in on the training weekend (you've got to check these things out!).
On Monday Julie Dibbens and myself are going to check out the Xterra UK bike course. This is partly for our own good and partly to find route for the official Xterra UK training weekend that we are running! So sign up for the course which runs on the 11th and 12th of August. Learn from the UK's top off road athletes and race a warm-up event on the Saturday on some of the same trails. We are also checking out other routes from the accomodation we have booked and then I might even buy Julie a congratulatory pint in the pub we plan to have dinner in on the training weekend (you've got to check these things out!).
Sunday, 3 June 2007
Winning weekend
This weekend I raced the 3rd round of the national mountain bike series held on a hilly course in Margham park in Wales. It was my first national event of the year and after not racing at all for 2 months due to injury and illness I was a little unsure of my form. I decided to race the Masters (30-40yrs) category, which is a similar speed to the Elite race (but a lap shorter), with many ex Elite riders such as myself in it. On the first lap I was struggling to stay with the pace at times, moving up from 12th to 4th as the lap progressed. I joined forces with Scot Forbes (ex top elite triathlete) at the start of the second lap and together we tried to catch the 2 leaders. Scot then suffered cramp and I continued my assult on my own, catching the leader Geof Beetham at the end of the second lap. The final 2 laps I rode on my own to a comfortable and vey satisfying win. My full suspension Cannondale Scalpel was faultless as ever, flying up the steep hills (thanks again Chelmer cycles for the servicing).. Racing Ralph and Smart Sam tyre choice from Schwalble was spot on too. Sundog eyewear kept the rays from my eyes on a great sunny day and I have now got a 100% win record in Bell Helmets (not that I'm superstitious).
One reason for racing was to test my form before Mountain Mayhem 24hr mountain bike race in 3 weeks time which has good prize money (always a good motivator!). This race is in a team of 4 and the other team members Jamie Newall got 3rd in Masters, Jodie Crawforth got 11th Elite and Julie Dibens is super fast this year so all is looking good for a pay day soon!
My swimming is coming on leaps and bounds with my altered technique, and I am meeting rep times I'd have never managed a year ago. There is still a long way to go, but at least it's headed in the right direction.
My physio has given me the go ahead to start running again on Monday which is good. I'll be taking it steady for the first few weeks, and getting used to my new orthotics which I am wearing now as I type. Still got lots of exercises to do, but we're heading the right direction I hope.
Roll on August European Xterra's again, i'll be fatser than ever at all 3 disciplines!
One reason for racing was to test my form before Mountain Mayhem 24hr mountain bike race in 3 weeks time which has good prize money (always a good motivator!). This race is in a team of 4 and the other team members Jamie Newall got 3rd in Masters, Jodie Crawforth got 11th Elite and Julie Dibens is super fast this year so all is looking good for a pay day soon!
My swimming is coming on leaps and bounds with my altered technique, and I am meeting rep times I'd have never managed a year ago. There is still a long way to go, but at least it's headed in the right direction.
My physio has given me the go ahead to start running again on Monday which is good. I'll be taking it steady for the first few weeks, and getting used to my new orthotics which I am wearing now as I type. Still got lots of exercises to do, but we're heading the right direction I hope.
Roll on August European Xterra's again, i'll be fatser than ever at all 3 disciplines!
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