Ravin' on... Racin' Goals

[RoadRaven]

Thanks Trek... I am feeling a bit more reasonable today (though still peeved ).

I have improved, my TT times have progressively got better, I just need to persevere...

On a brighter note, my goal of reaching 3500 kms on the road this year is almost achieved - only got about 500kms left to reach it, and three months to do it... should be very achievable. (This doesn't include the approx 35 hours I have spent on a bike indoors).

Two years back on a bike this month... according to some people I can start considering myself a cyclist after this "milestone" is reached... funny, I thought I already was...

[kelownagirl]

RoadRaven, you should be so proud of yourself! You have the guts to do it in the first place! You were not third out of 4, you were third out of millions who would not and could not even consider doing a TT! And you will improve. You learn something everytime you race. So congrats again and I'm glad to hear you're not so peeved at yourself now.

[RoadRaven]

Thanks so much Kelowna... I like the way you write that... I'm still in the "dissecting and critiquing mode" most of the time at the mo... your post gives me some perspective...

[Cassandra_Cain]

RR - I think a certain amount of critiquing and inquiry is a good thing. Granted there is a point where you can outthink yourself, which isn't so good~

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18km Dartmoor Road ITT - goal 33 mins (PB thus far, July 2006, 34:38)
18km Dump Block ITT - goal 32 mins (PB thus far, Oct 2005, 37.01)
Club Champs ITT - 20km on Bridge Pa SH2, 30 Sept, goal 33 mins
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I take it the club champs ITT is the flater course of the three? Based on it being 2 km longer and you wanting a time of 33 min vs. 33 & 32 for the other two ITT's?

You really have done well, and that is a matter of perspective too I feel....am I 3rd out of 4, or am I just two places from winning??

I don't know that I will ever do TT's in racing - it is a very technical and highly scientific endeavor. Obviously you have pacing, but then you have to weight the entire power vs. aerodynamics question, and all the possible positions you can take. Plus it is a very direct endeavor - you and the clock, no peloton, breakaways, etc.

I admire those that do it and well at that!

[RoadRaven]

Hi Cassandra, thanks for your thoughts too...

Yes, the Club Champs course from Bridge Pa is almost completely flat - just one little rise really... when I set that time I was being completely overly optimistic, and the week before the race I reset my goal of 33 to being 37 but no more than 39.

My 17yr old son suggested I should be aiming for 40, so I did better than that - YESSS!

So, I did well... I want to be doing great times instantly but reality is reality and I cannot yet afford to resign my job in order to cycle more, and i have only been on a bike for two years now.

And yes, perspective is important, the winner in my grade is a National elite cyclist, so I think to myself, I came second at club level... and if i really want to make myself feel good, I remember that I have beaten Caro in other TTs by up to a minute - so its possible to win this next time...

The out-thinking myself, and the critique is probably a "given" in this house.

My partners time for 20km was 29:20 (average 40.91)
My 17yr son's time for 25km was 36:09 (average 41.49kph)
My 15 yr son's time for 15km was 23:53 (average 37.68kph)

So some competitive discussion and critique and high goals is inevitable...
Really appreciate input - along with Trek and Kelowna it has helped to give some perspective. I don't have any women who adore TTs and compete with me as friends - you gals are it, and I appreciate the female feedback. It is easy to get stuck in the male world of higher times, intensity and testosterone (we are 7 - 5 males/2 females- in this house, 4 cycle competitively, 1 is beginning to, 1 wants to and my daughter, the only other female in this house - yup, I have 4 sons - has no interest in cycling since she broke her wrist a couple of summers ago...)

[kelownagirl]

So where is middle earth? (dumb question, I know...)

[RoadRaven]

LOL...

Did you read Tolkien's "The Hobbit" and then the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy?

Set in and around Middle Earth...

Of course, when our very own home grown hobbit, Peter Jackson, decided to realise his dream and make the Lord of the Rings into a film trilogy, where else would he do it but here in Aotearoa New Zealand...???

Hence my location - Middle Earth.

I live 2 hours from the dreaded "Mt Doom" (Taupo) and about 4 hours from the beautiful home of the elves, Rivendell (Kaitoke in Wellington)...