Antsonline's blog

I'll keep this brief, because it was a pretty uneventful race.
Jeez, it was a hot and hard day. the track was brutal - loads of climbing, rocks with sharp edges, and then jarring descents.

I've been working on some specific tech skills over the summer because I am sick of going to Stromlo (and other places really) and getting beaten due to a lack of tech ability or just being too cautious. alweays on the 'downs'. Sure local knowledge helps, but until I allowed myself to get past that (they will always know it better than me - use that to my advantage) I was never gonna compete.

What an incredible weekend away.
Its been a while since I wrote a race review, but this one is well worth some words - especially as it is still so new on the calendar, and one that ought to be a huge success in the future....

Its very hard to write-up a stage race – so much happens within each stage that putting it all together makes for such a huge long list of events that it’s impossible to get the ‘feel’ for the event.

Instead of writing up a blow by blow account of who won what, and who punctured when, let’s leave it at this:

Some races can be just 'all out' from the gun. Others need a little bit of planning and tactics. This race (assuming you have your best climbing legs) is the latter.

What a great day.
I thought I'd use this blog entry to explain a bit more of the 'unseen' stuff that goes on up at the front end, to help people not racing up there quite how stressful it is, and also what a fine line it is.
I hear a lot of 'he nearly beat you / he was close' etc. Let me try to explain (within the context of this race) what it actually means to 'be in contention'...

Welcome back! If you are reading this – then I think it means you liked the last one, or you just want to pick further holes in what I am saying!

I hope all of you have had a good time in Feb and have completed some solid training based on some of the guidelines I shared?

Some seated, big gear, hill reps? Perhaps some steady state threshold intervals? Maybe even some longer rides at a little bit harder than you might normally have gone? Just slightly above “constant chatter” levels of discomfort?

Janaury

Given the important racing really kicks off in March, through to the end of April and start of May, January is about setting yourself up with some solid strength. From my perspective, I took December ‘off’ from training seriously. I rode my bike a bit, and over Xmas went to stay with my Fiance’s family in New Zealand. I got to ride most days on their local trails, and also went over to Rotorua for a little break at the end. I just rode my bike. Not fast, no stress, baggy shorts, camelback and an ipod. Solo MTB mileage.

I'm few beers down (how good are post race beers?!) so this might be a long one - apologies for any self-indulgence!

As you can see, I came 11th. Unless you win, its pretty academic in an Elite race. This is just a story of the weekend, the lead-up, and my highlights.

Instead of writing a whole bunch of words about the race (frankly, I am sure you have heard enough from me recently!) I thought I’d just list the points of the race that really stood out for me today:

1. How cold was the start? Warming up was freezing! 1 degree.
2. On the startline, Kyle Wards (Rockstar) bottle cage broke 30secs before the gun #notideal
3. Any cold I might have felt was soon forgotten up the big, first climb.
4. After 1km of straight uphill, we hit the SingleTrack – I had decided on a slow start, so was in about 25th position, at the back of the group

Last weekend most of Australian MTB watched on in awe and delight - Paul VDP dominating the Eliminator, and the Aussie Downhillers showing they really are the best in the world. It felt like it would be something of a comedown this weekend I thought to be heading out to Canberra for the final round of the Shimano GP Rnd 4.
How wrong I was.

Whats this? A blog post that isnt about a race? Surely not?!?!?!?

In the spirit of Monday mornings (on a Tuesday) I thought I'd help you slowly transition back to work after a glorious weekend with an account of a big trip to Wingello on Sunday. There is a gap in the racing season, and most people were keen to ride - just to remind themselves of what their MTB felt like!