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The Tristanian Elite MTB Campaign
THE TRISTANIAN ELITE MTB CAMPAIGN
Welcome to 2015 (Yes, yes, I know that we're 3 weeks into it but anyway...). I hope that you had a great break (although I know that some didn't) and are settling into the new year well!
As am I. I've finished year 3 of electrical engineering, with 2 to go, and what a rough year I had last year, but despite that, I got through 2 of the the university's hardest subjects by 1 mark, and am currently enjoying a nice break from it, though currently doing an easy summer subject (so I can lighten my load later on). Now I have 2 more full on years, with a final year thesis, as well as another 6 month engineering work placement to finalize, before going out into the real world.
I could ramble on about electrical engineering if you wanted me to, but I understand that this is Northern Beaches MTB group, not Northern Beaches Electrical Engineering group, so would guess that at this point you're wondering when I'm going to get to the bit about the bike. Which is right now. For anyone who has followed my race reports over the past 2/3 years, you will have seen the progress I have made from a rather fit, but complete novice MTB racer to someone who is slightly fitter, slightly more knowledgeable and has slightly better results in his races, having won my category (Open Male) for every race this year but the Highland Fling (read why here!) by a fair margin, and somehow, my category in the inaugural Maverick Series. So, at the advice of many who have a much better understanding of the sport than myself, I'm at the point where I basically have to enter in the "Elite" division as of now, seeing as, in terms of time, I'm on par with many of them and there's no competition in the Opens.
This is going to change my whole outlook on racing, as the people whom I'll be racing against have much better understanding of the "game" of racing than I do - the breaks, attacks, tactics, etc, that happen in marathons - will all be new to me so it'll be challenge to place well as of now. Obviously, this is the start of the journey, not the finish, and if I fall down, I'm going to get back up with even greater determination, but I'm going to use everything I have in the available time to minimize the chances of it.
SO I NEED YOUR HELP!
At 21, a full time student in very demanding degree, doing part time work and having several other commitments, being able to make time to compete and train to my optimum will be difficult, but as I have been, I'll manage it through being organized, determined and, hopefully, capable. Most of the elite riders also compete for teams/companies, which means many will have their costs of entry subsidized as well as general support for their bikes, etc. Obviously, if there were an available group that could take me on to help support my competition (if I could balance this with my degree), it would be of great advantage to me, so I appeal to those reading this that if they know of one, or come to, to see if they could get me in contact with them (only if you really believe in my cause though!).
Funding the ongoing maintenance of the bike also going need consideration. I'm learning more about the gadgetry of my bike as I progress, but I still have a lot to know, and I ask for anyone who has knowledge of bike mechanics if they may be willing to help me learn more about my own - ranging from wheels to suspension to brake maintenance. Also, the costs of replacements will add up if I keep on letting shops do them based on the amount that I ride, so for those that have made upgrades, and will have perfectly-decent-but-not-top-of-the-line components lying around their workshop, so if you'd be willing to give/sell at a low price any of these, they could be much appreciated.
Probably most of you won't be able to help me much with either of the above, but you can still support me by following my progress, and messaging me with encouragement, saying hi after races, which can be equally important.
AND IN RETURN?
I don't want this to be a one-sided campaign so here and now I'd to offer what I've gained to share with others so you can benefit from what I've achieved. Along with the post-race reports which I have made in previous events, that I intend to continue, I plan to share my training plans, long term goals, racing strategies and insider info about what happens at the front, as well as mistakes I've made, and things I've done well as well as general fun stuff from time to time. Also, once I get better at particular aspects myself, I'd be totally keen to post ride meetings where I help other riders with fitness, skills, climbing etc, social gatherings (like lunches/BBQs) or rides where we can just talk about our experiences and learn from each other (yes, I have plenty to learn from social riders!).
For those that are keen to follow my progress online, let me know what you think would be the easiest to read:
1) Continuing writing on my nobmob blog
2) Starting an indpendent blog (which could be cloned to my nobmob blog)
3) Doing it on a Facebook page.
I'll also need input from you (either pm me or comment on this) what you'd like me to give back to the community - specific things you'd like me to post about, what type of activities I could organize that would be useful to you.
GOALS?
So you've seen what I'd like, but I haven't really expanded on what my actual goals are. That's partially because I'm not sure as I don't know exactly what to expect. But the underlying goal is to go as far as I can in the sport, and getting the best possible placing in the events I compete in, as of this year, and in the coming years. Short term events scheduled for the coming half of the year are AMB 100 (Canberra), Capital Punishment, Willo Enduro and Convict 100, with any convenient local events used as training. After I've competed in a couple of these, as well as input from those that know much more than me, I can then make the rest of my goals more concrete.
The future beyond that is uncertain. Croc Trophy? World Champs? Cape Epic? Tour de France? Who knows.
I also hope that I am able to promote good sportsmanship in the sport as I progress. Generally, compared to many other sports, I've found it very good, but I hope that I can be a part of making it better. As well as generally playing by the rules, I hope that I am able to congratulate those I'm competing against, win or lose, to encourage them on. And I hope to do just that and more in the coming years.
Beyond my individual performance, I also hold the long term hope of being able to make the sport (both social and competitive) more accessible. The thought of people in lower socioeconomic backgrounds who, by the goodwill of others, are able to ride a decent MTB would be awesome, and having more younger people getting off the booze and out of trouble at night and having a bike to change their life is equally great. There's no easy way to do this, but I have a dream of trying to make it closer to a reality. As well as that, I hope to continue to advocate the construction of trails and do my bit to maintain them, no matter at what level I'm competing at, for without trail care, MTB doesn't happen unless you love firetrail (and even they have to be maintained).
Anyway, so share your thoughts. I hope that you can back me for the Tristanian MTB Campaign and expect more to come soon. The pressure is now on for me to deliver!
As Martin Luther King Jr put it, "Faith is taking the first step, even if you don't see the whole staircase."
"Be persistent. Be persitent. Be PERSISTENT. If success were easy, everyone would be doing it." - Colonel Harland Sandars (KFC)
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Just wanted to say good luck in elites and that I enjoy reading your nobmob blog so hopefully you keep updating it.
Reading all the race reports from yourself and others on here have motivated me to enter my first ever race CP50k and keeps me motivated while training.
So I'll ask a question, do you reduce your training volume the week before a big race?
Thanks Tom. Re your question - I most definitely do.
I'm not an expert in the biology of physical activity, but from what I understand (and what I see working) is that you should have times where you don't push yourself as that's where your body will rebuild itself. Where you place these is generally up to you - I'd aim for 3 weeks on, one week off.
If the race distance is something that is a physical stretch for you, you'd want to relax the week before and take it easy (so that depends on whether you've ridden 50km off road before), otherwise, having a recovery week 2/3 weeks before should be fine as the week before you can then get used to pushing yourself and just have a recovery day on the Friday or something.
Note one thing though - there's a difference between training "volume" and training "intensity." Volume is the number of hours you'd train, and the intensity is how hard you'd go. In my recovery weeks, naturally the volume decreases, but not dramatically, and I decrease the intensity by a lot. That may be something worth considering - so if there's a flattish route around where you are, make use of that for recovery rides. Hope that helps.
Hey mate,
From someone who has been in your position, I don't belive you should feel as though you "basically have to enter in the "Elite" division as of now, seeing as, in terms of time, I'm on par with many of them and there's no competition in the Opens".
Take the Convict 2014 for example. You started in a wave behind the elites, and you finished 6th, some 15 minutes behind Minter. Two dudes (Minter and Stu) who not only have full time jobs like you, but who presumably also have kids and a family and therefore even less time to train, still beat you. These guys are by all accounts past their peak (I seem to recall Stu may even be over 45), and you're probably not at yours yet. But theyre still guys you can 'race'.The other three (sub-vets) probably also have full time jobs and presumably arent sponsored.
Even without racing against the elites, you still have other riders who you can 'race', theyre just in a different age category.
In my view, elite category should be reserved for sponsored riders. They are provided with support (entries, parts, accom etc) because they are expected to race at the races the team wants to be seen at, and to promote the sport and the team's sponsors. If you're not receiving those perks, then race your age group. You deserve to win if youre good enough, especially if youre not sponsored. If you are sponsored, then you shouldnt be racing your age group.
You've said all the right things to become sponsored, (sponsors love the blogs etc) so be patient and it will come. As a side note, I think it is probably harder to become sponsored these days, since there are fewer bike shops around, and events arent as popular as they were two years ago.
Keep at it, and hopefully I'll see you on the start line.
You probably need to factor in XCO racing as well.
is a two-edged sword.
It's nice to have the ego stroked and be able to say one is sponsored, but I have found ( in other activities) it can very quickly suck the fun out of it, as you have to turn up whe5her you feel like it or not. I also note that many who look like they're sponsored actually aren't, they just get things at the sponsors trade cost and the sponsor has no skin in the game except for maybe some shop strip which has the usual 100%+ clothing markup on it anyway. Genuine sponsorship is quite rare.
You then have to factor in the ambassadorship role you are expected to fill, which may be something you'd like to do for someone whom you like anyways (as I did), but it's still an expectation you need to meet.
You may be fine with all of this, it's just something to bear in mind when plotting your future course.
Thanks Hawkeye, yes there's pros and cons to either, which is why I said I'm going to fight for this whether or not I get any sort of "help from above." It definitely depends on what I am needed to fulfill. So we'll see what happens...
And Brian, yes, I'm trying to throw in more local XCO events (which was the plan last year but they always seemed to be double booked)...
Being sponsored isnt what defines being an Elite rider.
There are so very few riders (less than 10) who get bikes given for free, even fewer who get race entries paid for by a sponsor (less than 6 or so).
It wasnt that long ago that we had a thread on here bemoaning the fact that Jason English doesnt get paid,, or free bikes, or whatever.
Junior riders, and even senior Elite riders have to pay out of their own pocket to represent Australia at World Champs - to fund the "essential" support of a coach and mechanic at races with them.
There is this perception that there is money in the sport, and that if you race Elite or write a blog that you will get things free, or be supported. Not so (at least in my experience).
Racing Elite is about your own aspiration, perception and belief in yourself.
Its about beleiveing that you are able and capable of competing at the highest level - regardless of who gives you 'free' stuff. Its about wanting to test yourself against the best, because they are who you see as your benchmark.
Only you know if the Elite field is what you see as your benchmark.
There is a lot of joy to be had in winning - age-group or not - so giving that up for a new challenge is going to take some doing.
There are MANY age-group riders (including both riders listed in Tates repsonse) who get product discounted, who win their category an awful lot. They dont need to race Elite because of that.
Sponsorship is almost unrelated to race results - unless the only thing you can offer is race results - because your personality or personal brand is a problem.
If (before you start) you look for reasons why the playing field isnt level, or why the odds are stacked against you - then when the hurt REALLY goes on during a race, you'll be eaten alive. Every. Single. Rider. racing Elite in Australia (excusing Dan and Bec) have full time jobs, most have family too. ALL of them make sacrifices to train at the level they do. No-one has it an easier or harder than you.
Focus on what you are good at, at believing in yourself, and at improving. Forget about the rest.