Ravin' on... Racin' Goals

[RoadRaven]

Just want to add one more challenge for myself...

I want to ride every race this winter series.
I rode few over the Spring, I rode more, but not all over Summer, the Autumn series saw me ride virtually none.
This series, Winter, I am riding the lot ...starting today... here's the schedule for my grade;

2June, Tuki Circuit 33km (some hills)
9June, CampDavidRTN, 39km (hilly)
16June, Whanawhana/Otamauri, 30km (some hills)
23June, Womens only 43km race (flat)
30June, Raukawa ITT, 25km (flat well, two small hills, but mostly flat)

7July, OhitiRd circuit, 29km (some hills)
14July, Apley circuit,26km (hilly)
21July, Dudley Hawkes Memorial handicap, 30km (hilly)
28July, MutinyRd 5upTeamTT, 39km (some hills)

4Aug, KahuranakiRTN, 36km (hilly)
11Aug, Apley circuit,26km (hilly)
18Aug, Raukawa/Valley circuit, 33km (some hills)
25Aug, Swamp/Pukehaumoamoa, 26km (flat)

Hopefully this post will help to hold me accountable...

[RoadRaven]

Well... first race of the Winter Series behind me...

Unfortunately not a good time, but that was not of my making, and I did finish.

I had never raced (or even ridden) this circuit before. I am looking forward to racing there in Spring - it is beside a river, with dramatic hill-scapes rising from the river and road. It will be stunning all dressed in new greens and the spring sky reflected in the water.

Anyways, we began, and I quickly found myself at the front and no-one else coming through - so about 3 of us kept up what I thought was a comfortable pace of 32-33km along the flats... but we were spiltting the bunch already which surprised me. And that felt good. I felt good even though I was not anticipating the hills that we were approaching.

Someone called out crash, and I yelled out; "did they have a cell phone?", and no-one knew, so I peeled off the front and went back. Glad I did. A girl there for the first time had her cell phone, but not the marshalls ICE number. She was ringing her dad. I rang the marshalls to let them know we had two Ramblers down and then stayed with them while the two others who had stopped with the 2 injured women headed off again.

Dad arrived, picked up his daughter, and by the time the marshall arrived, the other woman was feeling well enough to tape her cuts up and finish the ride - which we did together. It was great to ride at a steady pace and get to know her. Her chain locked up at one point, so we slowed, stopped and sorted that. She hadn't been along to ride for a while and was getting her confidence back, so I am glad I stopped.

The ride back itself was great, she flew up the hills and I flew down them and we'd join up again on the other side. She was great company, and although we were no longer in race mode, we rode well and steady and I wish we lived closer so we could do some training rides together.

We ended up with a time of 1:18:15 for the 32kms. So only a 24.54km average. So it was a great training ride and of course, since it was my first time on the course, I can legitimately claim a PB!!!

Family and I are off to do a gentle recovery ride soon (partner got about 7th in his grade yesterday, 16yr old got 4th in his, and 13 year old riding up in new grade came in 3rd). Tomorrow (its a public holiday - YAY) I will ride the "Apley circuitt" as if a race so I am well prepared for July 14th.

[Trekhawk]

Well... first race of the Winter Series behind me...

Unfortunately not a good time, but that was not of my making, and I did finish.

I had never raced (or even ridden) this circuit before. I am looking forward to racing there in Spring - it is beside a river, with dramatic hill-scapes rising from the river and road. It will be stunning all dressed in new greens and the spring sky reflected in the water.

Anyways, we began, and I quickly found myself at the front and no-one else coming through - so about 3 of us kept up what I thought was a comfortable pace of 32-33km along the flats... but we were spiltting the bunch already which surprised me. And that felt good. I felt good even though I was not anticipating the hills that we were approaching.

Someone called out crash, and I yelled out; "did they have a cell phone?", and no-one knew, so I peeled off the front and went back. Glad I did. A girl there for the first time had her cell phone, but not the marshalls ICE number. She was ringing her dad. I rang the marshalls to let them know we had two Ramblers down and then stayed with them while the two others who had stopped with the 2 injured women headed off again.

Dad arrived, picked up his daughter, and by the time the marshall arrived, the other woman was feeling well enough to tape her cuts up and finish the ride - which we did together. It was great to ride at a steady pace and get to know her. Her chain locked up at one point, so we slowed, stopped and sorted that. She hadn't been along to ride for a while and was getting her confidence back, so I am glad I stopped.

The ride back itself was great, she flew up the hills and I flew down them and we'd join up again on the other side. She was great company, and although we were no longer in race mode, we rode well and steady and I wish we lived closer so we could do some training rides together.

We ended up with a time of 1:18:15 for the 32kms. So only a 24.54km average. So it was a great training ride and of course, since it was my first time on the course, I can legitimately claim a PB!!!

Family and I are off to do a gentle recovery ride soon (partner got about 7th in his grade yesterday, 16yr old got 4th in his, and 13 year old riding up in new grade came in 3rd). Tomorrow (its a public holiday - YAY) I will ride the "Apley circuitt" as if a race so I am well prepared for July 14th.

Wow Raven, sounds like you had an interesting day. Im sure your new friend was pleased to have your great support for the rest of the ride.
Well done.

[RoadRaven]

Thanks, my Hawk-feathered friend
It was an interesting day.
There were three other crashes (that I know of) yesterday - one needed ambulance attendance.
And yes, great to have a new cycling friend, and hopefully, if we can work it, and occasional training buddy.

[RoadRaven]

Well... I am knackered (she says graciously) and restless.

I rode hard today, the race was a 39km out and return course over rolling hills and in gusty, very strong winds.

We started well, 32-34kph paceline, rotating the lead and I was feeling alright - just doing very short moments in front.

But at 8kms out, the pace cracked on, and we were up over 36 and I could only maintain that for 2kms before my legs went lactic. So I drop rapidly off the back as my legs decide to ignore what I am telling them to do and tootle along between 12-17kph for the next 3kms trying to disperse the lactic acid.

Suddenly, my legs remember that we are racing and they start to respond to me, so I shelve ideas of turning back and continue on. I knew I would have to do this on my own, only two other women had been dropped before I had been.

It was a battle, but I put myself into time-trial mode at the turn-around/half-way point. My average at the half-way was below 25kph, and by the finish line I had lifted it to nearly 29kph.

I feel absolutely exhausted - I have Pursuiters Cough (and a headache now from the coughing!), and despite a nice soak in the bath I am still walking 'funny'. This tells me I gave it everything I had.

I feel very satisfied despite the comprehensive caning from my grade, because usually they drop me after about 5-6kms... I hung on twice as long.

I am anticipating next week despite the hills...

[Trekhawk]

Well... I am knackered (she says graciously) and restless.

I rode hard today, the race was a 39km out and return course over rolling hills and in gusty, very strong winds.

We started well, 32-34kph paceline, rotating the lead and I was feeling alright - just doing very short moments in front.

But at 8kms out, the pace cracked on, and we were up over 36 and I could only maintain that for 2kms before my legs went lactic. So I drop rapidly off the back as my legs decide to ignore what I am telling them to do and tootle along between 12-17kph for the next 3kms trying to disperse the lactic acid.

Suddenly, my legs remember that we are racing and they start to respond to me, so I shelve ideas of turning back and continue on. I knew I would have to do this on my own, only two other women had been dropped before I had been.

It was a battle, but I put myself into time-trial mode at the turn-around/half-way point. My average at the half-way was below 25kph, and by the finish line I had lifted it to nearly 29kph.

I feel absolutely exhausted - I have Pursuiters Cough (and a headache now from the coughing!), and despite a nice soak in the bath I am still walking 'funny'. This tells me I gave it everything I had.

I feel very satisfied despite the comprehensive caning from my grade, because usually they drop me after about 5-6kms... I hung on twice as long.

I am anticipating next week despite the hills...

WOOHOO - well done Raven. I feel a little worn out just reading this.

Good luck on your next race. I will be heading off next weekend for three weeks holiday so I will have to wait until I return to hear how it all went.

[RoadRaven]

Thanks, Hawk - body is feeling a bit better this morning - I slept from 10pm til 5am without waking - I very rarely can sleep THAT long - and then I went back to sleep til 6:30!!!

Have a fab hol... are you able to bike there? Will it be waaaarm?

Enjoy your break