Ravin' on... Racin' Goals

[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)...

[Tri Girl]

RR- you should be very proud of your accomplishments on the bike!!! Seems like you are a pretty amazing racer!!!

I'm glad to know where you live, now! I've always wondered, and got the Lord of the Rings reference, but I thought you were just a LotR nut- not that you really lived in Middle Earth! That's surely one of the prettiest places on Earth- you must just love your surroundings!

[kelownagirl]

That was my guess for those reasons (love Tolkien) but I always wondered if I was right... Ever since seeing the movies, I have been wanting to go to NZ even more than before... Beautiful scenery, actually fairly similar to BC in many ways....

barb

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)...

[Cassandra_Cain]

RR - oh my, Mount Doom she says!!! I'll stick to the Shire thanks so much

So seriously, I look at your results as being basically the same as Caro - I mean 3 seconds is a sip of your bidon. It could easily have gone either way, and as you mentioned the car slowing was a factor.

I think getting passed early in a TT like that though has to knock you off your rhythm and mental focus. You said you expected it but it happened earlier than you figured. IMO, it takes immense mental concentration to stay totally committed to your own pace in such a case.

In your household, well with that much Testosterone (you did say 5 males/boys right?!), I'd think competition is basically unavoidable, but perspective helps. If I read correctly, your PB from July was over 40 minutes, and here you took over a minute out of that. Plus you m entioned a goal of 37 but no more than 39....you are really in the ballpark...to knock that 1 min 56 seconds, I would think is just a few watts, you can do it.

Can you share some of your training techniques and such? I'd enjoy hearing about it from someone who is an accomplished TT'er.

[SheFly]

Hi RR! It's been awhile.

Congrats on your Club Championship TT. I think that is an awesome result, and that you should be proud of your accomplishment.

A couple of observations:

1. Use your emotion to your advanatage. When someone passes you in the TT, use that as incentive to go that much harder instead of becoming deflated. This is easier said than done, and especially when it is your partner/DH passing you.

2. The 3 seconds that you lost to Cara are EASILY accounted for in having to slow for the car in the turnaround - sadly there is nothing you could have done differently there.

3. You spent a lot of time thinking about this race prior to it happening. You need to focus on positive thinking and less analysis prior to the race. If you think this will be your best TT effort, you will be amazed at how that translates into your results.

4. Don't over-think what went right/wrong. Your report sums up the most important part of this race - you had FUN! When racing of any sort stops being fun, I will stop racing.

The training and power of a TT are important aspects, but the mental game is equally important. When DH and I went out to re-take our tandem record at the end of the season, we had all the power and training down. Our mental game was off though due to a flat in our warmup, having to hitch a ride back to the start, repair the flat, and then take off. We missed our goal, but I KNOW that we will get it back early next year.

When I am on my TT bike, all else is irrelevant. Me, my position, my power, my bike and the road are all that matters. If someone passes me, I try to increase my output, but still remember that I can only do what I can. When I download my effort (HR) onto my PC, I know that I put in everything I had, and didn't leave anything on the table.

You did this too - I can tell from your report. Don't be so hard on yourself! Revel in your accomplishments, and set your goals accordingly for next season.

Congrats - you deserve it.

SheFly

[RoadRaven]

Cassandra, you wrote “Can you share some of your training techniques and such? I'd enjoy hearing about it from someone who is an accomplished TT'er.”

Well…. Thank you for the compliment Cassandra, I don’t really think of myself as an accomplished TTer – yet… I’m more of a rabid wannabe!!!

I have thought about your question, and have started a thread in the Tips and Tricks forum for TT ideas and suggestions… That way the TE TTers can pool ideas and experiences specifically about what we do or have tried that works or doesn’t work…

See here:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=12489


SheFly! Sorry I haven’t been back in this thread for a while! I have read your response quite a few times but just not posted!
Thanks for the well-considered, constructive feedback. You are right about over-thinking, but I like to time trial so much I think it is prolly inevitable!
You write: “When I am on my TT bike, all else is irrelevant. Me, my position, my power, my bike and the road are all that matters.”
Yes, this is how I am… but unlike you, I don’t try to increase my power output if I am passed. The key for me is not to get thrown out of my rhythm or blow my heart rate when passed.
It is so much about headspace, isn’t it?

Trust you have enjoyed the TTs in 2006 and are looking forward (as I am) to next year’s racing. c

[RoadRaven]

Well, it’s 10pm on 31st December here… nearly 2007…

A summary of my second full year of cycling then, and goals aimed for, sometimes reached…

I wanted 3500km on the road this year (up on my 2533km in 2005, and 267km in 2004).
I have achieved just over 4000km on the road for 2006 (with another 1000km on the indoor trainer).

Tremain's Cooporate Triathalon, cycling section 17km, inside 35min (achieved, March 2006, 32.52min)

Competitive in G Grade by Winter Series (achieved, won the series yellow jersey)

Move to F for the Spring Series (achieved)

Competitive in F in Summer Series (nope, not yet… a loooong way to go!)

18km Dartmoor Road ITT - goal 33 mins (nope… July was my best effort at 34:38 minutes, averaging 30.72kph)

18km Dump Block ITT - goal 32 mins (not achieved, each time I attempted weather conditions deteriorated)

Club Champs 20km ITT – (I only averaged 30.82kph and was very disappointed as described earlier in this thread)

100km ride - Metric Century – (YES! Just… did this on Friday 29th December with my partner and eldest son… in 4 hours and 6 minutes – I was hoping for an average of 25kph, and snuck in just under that with 24.64kph, not too bad for my first metric tonne!)


So, goals and resolutions for 2007…Well, I guess in terms of cycling this is easy, because one just builds on the lessons and experiences of the previous year.

EVENTS:
JANUARY: Tour de Beautiful 50km road race: 1 hour 45 minutes
MARCH: Tremain’s Triathalon, 20km cycling section: 32 minutes (absolutely flat course)
SEPTEMBER: Club Champs ITT: 33 minutes (some false flats and small rises)
OCTOBER: Tour of the Bay 50km road race: 1 hour 40 minutes
OCTOBER: National RR Champs, 20km ITT – to enter for the experience if I think I won’t embarrass the club!!!

CLUB RACING: (Most Saturdays at 2pm…)Not always get dropped by F grade by Autumn Series
Competitive in F grade by Spring Series
Move to E grade by Summer Series
Dartmoor ITT: 32.30 minutes
Dump Block ITT: 32 minutes

“OTHER”:
160km ride (Imperial Ton)
Tiropai (a short sharp 300 metre climb between 8-10&#37 – 2:45 minutes
Dartmoor Hill (a steady climb just over 1km at about 5%) – 4:30 minutes


We’ll see how I go, I guess… Have a super and safe lead into the New Year and I trust that 2007 brings you all happiness and success in cycling, and all other parts of your lives.

[SheFly]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"]
…
SheFly! Sorry I haven’t been back in this thread for a while! I have read your response quite a few times but just not posted!
Thanks for the well-considered, constructive feedback. You are right about over-thinking, but I like to time trial so much I think it is prolly inevitable!
You write: “When I am on my TT bike, all else is irrelevant. Me, my position, my power, my bike and the road are all that matters.”
Yes, this is how I am… but unlike you, I don’t try to increase my power output if I am passed. The key for me is not to get thrown out of my rhythm or blow my heart rate when passed.
It is so much about headspace, isn’t it?

Trust you have enjoyed the TTs in 2006 and are looking forward (as I am) to next year’s racing. c

I think that the TT effort is equal parts power and "headspace". Sounds like you have some great goals for the coming year, too!

DH and I have our sights set on the club course record on our tandem this year - sub 20 min for 9.75 miles ! I'll keep you posted. Personally, I'd like to set another PR on the course as well. My best time last year was 24:32, and I'd LIKE to get that down below 24:00. I think it may be a stretch goal, but we'll see!

My other goal for the season is to upgrade my 'cross category and to be competitive (aka, not last) in the Elite Women's category.

Good luck on your goals, and Happy New Year to you as well!

SheFly

[RoadRaven]

Bear with me while I post the remaining posts from the "waaah, look at me" thread I started... Just this (Ravin On) is one of the threads I keep a hard copy of and I'd like to have the comments handy to take out and read to my bikes

[RoadRaven]

ShubieGA: The EMC really pops, and the Giant looks like she'd blow you off the line standing still! Nice stable.

MissyMaya: Hey Ravin'
I haven't been on too often due to work and trying to fit time into to ride. Those bikes are hot and look fast, so I could only imagine how quick you are while riding them I was looking into a time trials bike but decided to get a competitive road bike instead (new purchase yeah for me), so I know the feeling of new stuff and upgrading. Awesome bikes

MimiTabby: Persons who are amused by looking at cool bikes might not think to find them under race results!
You'd be better to post them in their own thread (like this one)
nice shots

Lisa SH:
Originally Posted by RoadRaven: Yep, wanna flip the stem, want to get just a tad lower at the front... but I need to completely shed my belly first cause otherwise its too uncomfy when my thighs hit my tum...
Just get a few extraneous lower ribs removed and you'll be good to go....

Jiffer: Very nice! I'd like to do a race in my future, but I don't know about time trials. A whole 'nother world to think about, plus the very interesting looking bike to buy!
It's nice to have a bike you can be excited about, huh? Or in your case, two. (Well, we have the tandem, so I guess I have two. Hubs has the MTB in addition to his road bike, so he has three. Then there's the kids who each have their own bike. Our garage looks like the LBS!)
Have fun with your beautiful bikes!!!

KiwiGirl: oooh - my 2006 Fem Equip 5 http://www.emc2bikes.com/index.php/p...il/bikemodel/8 is jealous of your Etape's better bits

SouthernBelle: Nice. I have a Giant. different from yours though!
Maybe we should have a special section for bike porn. Everybody can have their own thread where we take sexy pics and post them. Sorta individual bike porn blogs.

Meg McKilty: This could be bad if one of the bikes lies about it's age, though.

BikerHen: Oh my gosh! I feel dirty just looking at those sexy bikes!
Very, very nice! bikerHen

Smiling Cat: Hi RoadRaven, I thought I had posted my comments of your bike. You've been giving me lots of good advice for my TT bike so I thought I did... If I forgot in the excitement, I am really sorry.
I do love your bikes. They are gorgeous.
meowmeow
Smilingcat

ShellyJ: Hi RoadRaven, those are some nice bikes that you have. Thanks for showing them to us. The TT bike is gorgous, well they both are but I do like that Giant.

DDH: Love the bikes!!! I'm very impressed with you and racing both TT and road races.
I can't believe you want to get down lower on that bike, are you going to be riding upside down? LOL Just kidding!!

Python: Aww. Poor bikes feeling sad and lonely
Cheer them up. Tell them they are absolutely gorgeous
What's your top speed on them?

Artisan:
Originally Posted by RoadRaven: Yep, wanna flip the stem, want to get just a tad lower at the front... but I need to completely shed my belly first cause otherwise its too uncomfy when my thighs hit my tum...
Your bikes shouldn't feel sad because they did not go unnoticed...you have awesome bikes and I wish I had your wheelset.
It's funny, I never thought I had a belly until I got my TT bike and my leg started bumping into something I thought was nonexistent. Sigh...reality slapping me in the thighs!

[RoadRaven]

Hey there folks - really appreciate everyones replies!
Its really strange, having responded to so many of you on your bike pics (when the pics load for me), to now be on the "receiving" end.

Mimi... I was just trying to be economical with the number of threads I start... and it made sense to me to pop them in the thread where I talk about all my rides and training and racing goals.

But point taken, my bikes believe they are due adoration and have instructed me in the future to create their own special thread where everyone will notice them!


LOL DDH, you know, being upside down might not be such a bad notion... if I could get so low I could fit under the top stem, maybe have my legs shortened so they don't stick out sideways.... LOL, sorry, just playing with the image...

Maybe it would be easier to just get a few ribs removed... good suggestion Lisa!!!

Python... top speed? Well, downhill in full tuck position on the EMC2 my top speed (this is a straightish downhill mind you, with a long stretch of straight flat at the bottom) is 72kph.

EMC2 Top speed on the flat with a tail wind is 46kph, top speed on the flat in a racing bunch, 38kph (but I can't sustain that for too long - about 2-3km and then I fall off)

Giant - my top TT average is 32kph over 25kms, mostly flat but unhelpful wind. Top speed, pushing a big gear, on the flat, no wind (but again not sustainable over a TT distance) is just under 40kph.

Jiffer, sounds like a nice stable - we've got a few too - partner has 4, son 1 has 3, son 2 has 2, son 3 has 2, son 4 has 1, I have 2 (all road bikes) plus 3 mtn bikes, a bmx and my daughter's city bike which we are buying today. We're contemplating building a bike shed/workshop, because our cars are living outside!

Artisan... the wheel set is awesome. My partner bought them for me a couple of weeks ago - he'd had a root canal and felt sorry for himself, so to cheer himself up he bought me those Vipers! The back wheel is 1/3 lighter than his HED disc. I have yet to ride on them because the only nice weather we have had has been while I have been at work in the office! There is a TT Saturday week and I am really hoping for nice weather as I want to use the front wheel. (I need to lose a bit more weight before I can use both of them - great motivation, huh?

MissyMaya, congrats on the road bike - I can't remember if I have seen it or not. But you really need a TT bike too... Really, you do...

Kiwi! Aren't EMCs sweet to ride? I got it and it was just so clean, and smooth and comfortable and just felt like a part of me - and such a purty colour. Eric really knows how to design a niiiice bike. I reckon you made a good choice!!!

Shubie... Belle... BikerHen... Cat... Shelly... thanks all for your comments... when I walk past them this morning, I'm sure my bikes with purr and preen when I tell them what has been said.

LOL, Meg... my bikes? Lie about their age? Never! They always give the age of their most recent upgrade!




And then Zen had to have the last (most amusing) word...

ZenCentury: Originally Posted by RoadRaven... my bikes? Lie about their age? Never! They always give the age of their most recent upgrade!
With that reasoning, Joan Rivers is ten years old

[RoadRaven]

Well conditions were pretty severe... forecast for hurricane winds, turned out to be only severe gale gusts!

Still, we had only 57 turn up to the previous race, and for this one there were 125 riders...

Only about 15 of the women rode in the women's only grade, but it was a good race. However, the organisers cut most of the rides short and our race ended up only being 25.5km long...

Partner and I wondered why - I mean, its either safe to ride or its not, right?

Started well, the controlled start remained controlled with us not getting above about 27kph til we got round the corners and over the bridge... then the pace went on and thats when I got a bit peeved... came round the corner onto Swamp Road with the bunch and then three girls (literally - about early-mid teens) sat up, 3 abreast...

By the time a couple of us had got around them the front bunch were way in front of us. We kept pace with them for a long time at about 33-34kph, but I just couldn't lift it anymore to close the gap, the head and cross gusts were rageous at times and the Caro began to really feel it as she has had a few weeks off her bike. So I did most of the work into the wind as we closed the gap to a woman in front.

So Caro and I picked up the woman infront, a visitor for the day (whom neither of us had met before) and a young woman, Ash caught us so all four us worked well worked well along the next two roads as we wound our way back to the start.

We came in together and the Ash sprinted round me as we came up to the finish, and then the visitor and Caro zipped past me too - I couldn't be bothered, there were no p[oints to be gained (every one in the women's race got 5 points).

It was an excellent workout and a good race and alot of fun to work with others and not come in on my own.

We had an average of just under 29kph, which is not bad considering it was cold and blustery and we didn't have the benefit of the bunch.



This coming Saturday is a time trial (YAAAAAY!) over a hilly course(WAAAHHHH!) .... should be a most excellent workout if nothing else. I am still focused on losing weight so do not expect a "stella" performance...