Training Log Archive: peterk

Event: (MTBO) Turner Hill
 

Not having been on a MTB for a while it felt strange. I start slonw and find it quite tough with slipperry pea gravel. No real issues but too tentative. Only minor mistakes to start with. On leg 6-7 I spot a route which takes me onto a track in an open area next to a conveyor. Unfortunately it had now completely overgrown and was not rideable. Rather than go back I push through the scrub 2-300m - not nice. Lost 10-15m. Ended with a slow time. Even if I had taken the correct route I don't know how I would have improved the time. I note the winning time was slow indicating the course was probably too long.

Medium - Splits

BBF Group ride. Start at Balcatta at a cracking pace. Will I keep up? Cold despite three layers of clothes. Kept up untill just past Cottesloe where I was caught between the fast group (young turks) and the slower (vintage) group out the back. If I was smarter I would have eased off and taken the same short cut as the slower group. As it was I battled to Freo mostly on my own. Struggled on the way back up the coast but fortunately one of the younger guys took pitty and helped me out. ( Last weeks climbing ride has left some residual tiredness). Overall I am riding below par. Passed the young turks at Swanbourne due to a flat tire. Smugness lasted only as far as Scarbourough when they repassed us. Thereafter crawled to the coffee shop at North Beach. Management of body temperature was a big issue today - being hot and cold at the same time.

C • Point Walter 2

Bbbrisk start to the day. Sat on somebody's wheel most of the way after they caught up to me. Still have not been able to get to the same rating I was acheiving before my crash and the five dams ride.

Left too late - pushed a few intervals- finished in the dark

Head wind all the way - sapping the life blood - having to stop at almost every corner/traffic light, have cars try to take you out when you have right of way, more sand on the bike path in some places - no fast young riders to draft behind - enough to make you slow and grump. All countered by a beautiful not too cold day.

Decided to take the long way home via City Beach. Had not gone 100m down Hay street Subi when a car pulls out in front of me from a side street. Fortunately I slowed because of the first car. Next thing I Know a second car comes from behind the first car straight across in front of me. Braking hard there was only milimetres in it. Lit up and in flourecent clothes is just not enough for some people.

Shaking that off I had a good ride to the coast. Then powered up West Coast highway at 35k+ for a few long streches with a nice tail wind. The best time of day to ride with an absolutely magic sunset.

Still feel the weekends efforts. Particularly slower on the climbs. Wet roads also means added caution on the corners. Sand every where after the rain as well

What a head wind home, just not kosher.