You are hereI should just give up now.......
I should just give up now.......
Date:
7 Aug 15
Challenge:
Manly Dam - Main Circuit
Time:
00:39:59 Part of a longer commute into the city, but still, pretty disappointing how little I've improved since the last time I timed this! Absolutely love it though, and just up the road so no excuses for more practice
Main goal is to get that closer to 35 minutes
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... But you won't because gloating rights once earned are exclusive
Gidday Pommyracer,
I know exactly what you are saying. when I started circulating Manly Dam I started on a 27" ladies bike. That's right, a ladies bike and along with 10 10yo boys and a few dads. I fell in love with MTBiking again. I used to Ride BMX around Manly Dam in my youth but the trail that's here now didn't exsit. With the kids it took us about 2 hrs for a lap. Ha,Ha.
But then I got this fantasic MTB from Big W at Brooky. Yep I know what you are thinking.
I think I got it down to about 40-42 minutes. First going once a week Then a few more times. Perhaps 2-3 times a week?
Then I got roped into doing one of those 24 hr races at Mt stromlo and I was given a proper MTB o loan. OMG!!!!! the difference. Insane I tell you.
Once I got a real MTB not like the Big W Shitter. I got from 40min down to 35 minutes in no time. But was perhaps doing it 3-4 times a week. You need to know every cranny. Know how to attack each & every part of the track. Blind folded.
Once you know that. Its just a matter of fitness will get you there.
getting down to 35min lap should be reasonably easily achieved for an average rider.
Eventually I got down to about 0:32;30 or there abuts. That's where I stayed for a good 4 years. But then my fitness went up & I eventually got down to 31 minutes or so.
Then it took an immense effort to carve off a few more minutes. From maybe 4hrs of riding per week to about 10hrs a week which also included intervals & plenty of practice knowing the course back to front. Blindfolded.
You need to have a certain amount of skill but also fitness to get around 35 minutes. You don't need to be an elite is what I'm trying to say. They do it in around 25 minutes.
I wish you all the very best in your quest for the 35 minutes
I used a couple of "virtual timing gates" and also the race mode on my Garmin to get under 35.... back at around 38 at the moment as the fitness isn't there.
My virtual gates were;
Wakehurst Parkway entrance - Start
Top of Heart Break Hill - <4 mins
Intersection of Firetrail and single trail <11 mins
School Entrance - <20 mins
Golf Course < 28mins
Wakehurst Parkway entrance <35 mins
I set some goals for each segment and then aimed to increase may pace towards each one.
The Garmin race mode is really cool as you can set your fastest time as a course and then race it; if you get behind it makes you push, if you're in front it make you push to stay there.... particularly if your gap drops off.
I have done the same for Cascade 4 Gates pushing for a 1 hour time; not there yet but it got me down from 1:10 to 1:01. Also need to get my fitness back up but I know when I get closer I can pull out that previous best; load it up and race myself.
Fitness is absolutely the biggest part of it... but that extra, real time motivation can give you that extra push.
Have fun out there!!
Thanks for the tips guys. Practice, practice, practice!! Down into the 37s now and I can see how getting to 35 is very doable (even for my limited technical skills).