crits – the challenges

i drove to work again today, enabling me to leave early and make my way for the crits. i drove today only to find out how fucked up sydney really is. i drove today and seriously questioned lots of concepts, ideas and emotions. i drove today and realised I CAN FUCKEN RIDE TO WORK QUICKER THAN DRIVING [on a bad day].

to me this is an insane concept that is and really did play with my head all day. so much so it hurt.

i am better off averaging 33km/hr [ish] than traveling at 110km/hr at times only to almost fishtail slide to a hault in traffic. the drive today was annoying, unpleasant and seriously difficult.

i left work at around 4:50pm. i felt guilty but still followed through with the departure. then, low and behold, the traffic en route to the regatta centre was shite as well. at blacktown i turned off as the bumper to bumper gridlock had me stressed about time.

i arrive with the bare minimum of time. basically i set the bike up, rode down, pissed, signed on then made my way to C-Grade group and as we lined up i put my gloves on. not the way i like to start a race. its just too stressful but i can’t see any other way of fixing the timing issues.

i felt better than last week but not strong. with a fortnight of the most rain in penrith for 18 years it has taken its toll and finding time to go riding has just not been possible. i hit the crit happy but far from satisfied.

i did have a plan and i kind of stuck to it for the race. i intended on holding back until the last straight, make my way to the pointy end then sprint out to the line in readiness for the final sprint. i did almost follow through, amost. on the third lap i almost had a break away with another guy. we were out with a lead that could have been held if the work load with the other two guys was evened out but they weren’t up for it. they just wouldn’t take there turn out front. its all tactics.

coming across the bridge for the final time i was in an ok position but the chicanes took me to a position i couldn’t finish in. i had a rider next to me who boxed me in and it didn’t allow me to corner at full speed and hold it up front with the finishers. i totally believe that i have a very strong sprint finish speed but i need more skills in position myself to make the most of it. i finished my sprint strong but was still only in the top 15.

i need to be up front coming over the bridge. i mean 1st, 2nd or 3rd wheel. so i can take the bends at MY speed then it would be interesting to see how strong i am in a true sprint. i was surprised… the last lead into the sprint the pace seriously picks up a lot and i am now having to understand the whole – recovery – method that you body seriously needs to be able to do.

the 500 is still the best thing. i’m loving the tracking of the stats. i just need the rain to go away for good