Almost A Perfect Start

Three weeks in a row and my third blog, it's probably about time I talked a little about my racing. So how about a little bit of a run down, feels like writing a diary but this one has more numbers.

Sunday 1st November

On Sunday all of the crazy ones head to Outer Harbour for the Port Adelaide club time trials, 17.3km of pain because, why not? I got there early (6:15am for a 7:30 start) wanting to get an early start time so I could get back home in time to shower and head to work at 10. I sure did get an early start time being the first rider off. Half an hour to warm up and then get the show on the road. I had a quick chat to Tim and we had decided on power numbers to hold, 350-360w on the way out and then lift on the way back so that as soon as I crossed the line there was nothing left in the tank. During the warm up the legs felt good and after a little bit of caffeine I had perked up and was ready to go. The start is all about holding back, it’s so easy to go into the 500w range for the first few minutes because you're so fresh, this used to be the biggest issue I had, now I just repeat to myself to hold back and just relax. A headwind greeted me on the way out and I knew that roughly 11-12min to the turn around would have me in for a good time. One eye on the road the other on holding a strong and aero position on the bike. Twelve minutes and four seconds to the turn around  at an average of 354 watts, I was happy and now for the fun part, accelerate slowly and get the engine going for the run home. 

The tailwind is certainly the best and most enjoyable time to be riding a time trial bike, big gears and just drive through the hips. Still feeling good I lifted the watts to around 360+ watts hoping to be able to hold it to the end. As the kilometres ticked by I started to dig in and push a little harder, the legs filled with lactic acid but there was really only two kilometres to go, the numbers held steady and everything just hurt more and more. It’s a long straight finish and you just never seem to get any closer to finishing. Finally across the line in a personal best time of 22min 20sec, a time fast enough to win the day from Van D’am Racing teammate Rhys Gillett. 

With the stats as follows:

Distance: 17.3km

Time: 22:20min

Average Speed: 46.5kph

Average Power: 364w

Thursday 5th November

The first race of the 2015-16 CIC Cervelo Super Series and the first official race for Van D’am Racing team. Team meeting over coffee before heading to Victoria Park discuss the nights plan, plans that cannot be discussed in such an open forum but we were confident in the teams strength with so many options and so much talent to utilise. 

There were a flurry of attacks over the first fifteen minutes before one solid move crept off the front with Tom Chapman (Swiss Wellness), Tristan Jones, Justin Gassner (Lightsview), Leo Simmonds (Giant Adelaide), Tom Kaesler (SASI), Harry Carpenter (CIC Cervelo) and Fred Bonail (ISC). As the lead started to grow and no one from Van D’am Racing represented I thought I’d try my luck getting across to the break before the gap became too large. It only took 30 seconds to ride to the break at an average power of 850 watts (enough to power your average toaster). As soon as we all started rolling turns the peloton sat up as there was no motivation from the stronger teams to chase. We held the bunch at half a lap until the half an hour mark where we got word Alex Edmonson was trying to get across, the pace lifted and as everything settled down behind the break away did too. As the rain really started to fall around the 40min mark we were given three laps to go and everyones head started to dart sideways as we all looked at one another. Justin Gassner was the first one to make a move at two laps to go but with everyone watching it was hard to get a gap. The bell sounded, final lap and we were all riding as if the race was held on ice, Tom Kaesler attacked down the back straight with half a lap to go, closely followed by Tom Chapman, I jumped on behind Tristan Jones as we all teetered around the final corner. Chapman hit out early with a good 30 metre gap to myself, I knew I couldn't leave my jump too late. Closing, closing, closing and just as we were reaching the line I saw Tom sit up and raise his hands, all I could do was commit to my throw for the line. I looked up not even 5 metres after the line and I had sailed past Chapman, to roll around and hear I had missed out by less than half a wheel. 

Almost a perfect start to Van D’am Racing’s series.

Now the stats;

Distance: 33.4km

Time: 44:30min

Average Speed: 45.4kph

Average Power: 329w

Maximum Power: 1409w

Van D'am Racing - A True Development Team

A true development team in every sense of the word. Everyone seems to throw the words ‘development team’ around a lot over the past few years all of them used very loosely before the frustration of lack of results sees older riders in the prime of their career bought into teams or overseas talent flown in to bolster the teams chances of a win. I spent time as a part of one of these ‘development teams’, it really just felt like I was a part of a regular team, nothing special but I guess if the team is seen as investing in future talent, theres an excuse for a lack of results on the big stage against larger teams. 

Currently there are seven riders who are a part of the Van D’am Racing (VDR) team; Callum Pearce, Connor Butterfield, David Fumpson, Ethan Egglestone, Rhys Gillett, Tom Alford and myself. Rhys takes on the ‘old man’ title of being the oldest to join VDR for 2016 at the senile age of 25, followed by myself at 22. Both of us having raced bikes for close to a decade having experienced the journey through junior racing, state sports academies, small teams as well as large, well funded continental teams racing UCI races. Everyone else on the team is aged 20 or younger; Dave (20), Tom (18), Ethan (17), Callum (17) with Connor as the team youngster at just 16 years old. 

Team founder Lachlan Ambrose (still pretty young at just 24) and I have been good mates over the past few years, when he approached me with the idea of a starting a development team to start racing around the country as a part of the National Road Series, I was sceptically thinking “it hasn't worked with big teams how would it work with a small one”. Keeping my two cents to myself I started to watch the team build, more guys showed up for training rides, Lachie’s team started to take shape and everything came together. These young guys I’ll be riding with next year are ones who have been used and burnt by institutes or purely overlooked for one reason or another.

Does that makes us a mashed up team of oddballs and outcasts? Maybe so, but in just a month and a dozen rides together everyone has gelled, lead outs have been tested and a lot of chin-wagging over countless hours at various brew shops. Rhys and I are not only racing to take the next step of making cycling a career but also helping these young guys navigate the hard years. We all know that 17 and 18 year olds can be distracted, things they don't want to talk to their parents about, girls and drinking tops the list (personally I have seen a lot of talented cyclists stop riding for aforementioned reasons), we aren't here to say “No, don't do it”, more as a space to vent, throw ideas around, have a chat and work through issues because a happy cyclist always rides faster. Of course there are times during the year where motivation wanes and you just need a good ride with a good mate.

Back on track now, Lachie and I have worked very closely with a man who wishes to have his name kept quiet (Tim Clayton). Tim has coached Lachie and myself for a few years, he is now offering his coaching services to the guys on the team if they wish to take them. Tim’s approach to coaching is aligned with the ‘development team’ spirit at VDR, helping me personally get through a full time Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree, working four nights a week, living out of home and still his program had me take a 5th and 7th in the U23 National Road Race and Time Trial championships respectively. Needless to say I have a lot of faith in this man. With most of the young guys on the team taking on year 12 next year Tim adapts his training methodology with the ideal that quality beats quantity, making life balance easy. 

All in all its safe to say I'm very excited to join Van D’Am Racing for the rest of 2015 continuing into 2016. All of the guys will be out racing for the first time together come Thursday night for the first round of the Cervelo CIC Series held at Victoria Park. Sun's out, guns out, Adelaide is warming up and my procrasti-blogging is done. More to come next week.

Just a Little Catch Up

Such a long time between drinks with a lot happening and changing since my last post. Stay tuned and this blog will be updated weekly with either training, racing or just something thats been happening in the life of this cyclist.

Seeing as August 2014 was my last post and it is now October 2015 I’ll quickly run through the past 14 months to get everyone updated. 

Repeating my Tour of South West win

I continued my time with African Wildlife Safaris through the end of 2014 and was one of the very few who re-signed a contract for the 2015 season. Of course the first big race of the 2015 season is the Australian National Road Cycling Championships and honestly I didn't want to settle for anything less than last years results, alas that wasn't the case. A disappointing 20th in the Time Trial (7th last year) and a less than respectful DNF in the Road Race (5th last year), after mechanical issues and two bike changes, luck just wasn't on my side early in the year. I missed selection for the Jayco Herald Sun Tour and every National Road Series race for the first half of the year. There was some success going back to back winning the Tour of the South West Road Race again as well as defending the Team Time Trial win at the Phillip Island GP. 

Come the middle of the year my coach (Tim) and mentor (Kym) put some very powerful questions to me about my life; Is it on or off the bike? On, When was I feeling my best on the bike? In Adelaide. Would I move back if I could? Yes. 

In a matter of weeks, I had the car re-packed and on my way to Adelaide again, this time for good. I slept on a blow up mattress on the floor of my coaches bike room, went training while looking for a more permanent place to live, a new job and getting life back together now I was back where I wanted to be. 

Sam Miranda Tour of the King Valley Most Aggressive Stage 1

New house? Check. New job? Check. But I moved here for cycling so lets get to that, African Wildlife was Melbourne based and I wasn't being considered for races when I was there, how would I go when I was abroad? Time for a new team. Lightsview was my team from when I originally lived here, so why not try? New kit and new bike day soon followed and I was now a part of my old team. The name may not be as big but within weeks I was winning races with support of my team mates and travelling around the state and into Victoria for NRS tours. 

Now starts a new chapter as I move from 2015 into the 2016 season. African Wildlife Safaris Cycling Team has announced it’s folding, I cannot thank them enough for the new experiences presented to me whilst I rode with the team. Team Lightsview has said they will reign back on their racing and focus solely on the South Australian cycling scene. 

For me, I am taking on a new venture with good mates and big things on the horizon. As the sun pokes its head through the clouds I’m signing off and details of my new team moving forwards will be released in days to come.

Sam Miranda Road Race and Handicap

Sam Miranda Strade Nero road race

The Sam Miranda Winery ‘Strade Nero’ is arguably one of Victoria’s best one-day races. It is one of only a handful (perhaps country wide) to offer significant dirt sections, and many of us enjoy a race with a difference. 

After two hard weeks of racing earlier this month, at the last two rounds of the National Road Series, my legs had felt slow and heavy for days. I was having doubts about helping my team mates produce a result this weekend. However some wise words from my coach on Saturday morning gave me hope and motivation. The first 10km I spent watching for dangerous breaks instead of trying to force one as I might normally. 5km later a break moved away with every team represented, but only one rider from our team. With no apparent way to bridge, watching the break slowly increase its advantage was agonising. I pushed to the side of the bunch but still there was no apparent way forward. It was time to take a risk. I stepped out onto the rough verge, and did what was required to get by the bunch and across to the break.

After bridging and working with the others to see who was chasing, we all got to work forcing the pace and opening up a time gap. Once our advantage had extended to over three minutes the group relaxed. This was the break for the day. With the likes of Brodie Talbot, Mitch Cooper and Nathan Elliot in the peloton, we maintained a solid pace so that we could get to the bottom of the climb with a sustainable advantage. Stu Smith took all of the sprint points while Dave Kelly and Sam Crome fought out the KOM points. I sat and waited for the day’s main climb, still unsure of how my legs would go when everything heated up. 

We turned right and saw the dirt ahead, everyone was together at the time but that wouldn’t be for long. Stu Smith took the dirt head on and I did what I could to stay there, soon joined by Jacob Restall, Dave Kelly and Mark Jamieson. By the top of the climb the five of us were still together and we started our descent. At the base we were joined by Tyson Chambers but lost the powerhouse of Dave Kelly to a rear flat. Without words all five of us rolled hard to hold off the chasers, all until 5km to go when Stu Smith was the first to attack. It was covered instantly. Next to go was Mark Jamieson at 2km to go, he was left to hang until Restall covered the move with 1km to go. No one wanted to lead out the sprint, but Jamieson was in front and kicked at 500m to go closely followed by Restall who made his move at 350m to go. I followed Stu Smith as he kicked only 100m before the corner. I followed him through and broke late up his inside with  100 metres to go and I gave it one last kick for a very satisfying win. 

Race stats…

Duration: 2:30 hrsDistance: 103kmPower: 285w raw for the 2:30 hrs, with 600w raw for the last 30 sec and 1425 max, 5.8w/kg normalised for the 12 minutes Strade Nero climb and 5.5w/kg normalised best 20 mins (the Strade Nero climb and part of the preceding climb)

Full race…

Best 20 mins...

Sam Miranda handicap

Handicaps are generally the same format: roll hard and hope that the marks fall into pace so that you have an opportunity for a result.

Leaving the Sam Miranda winery in the scratch bunch, we all rolled hard and it showed straight away with time gaps to the bunches ahead falling fast. We caught the 3 and 6 minute bunches in quick succession, for a while there was almost 30 riders rolling through to catch the front markers. With 20km to go we were still 6 minutes behind the leaders so a few people decided to save themselves for the finish. As we rolled past the 10km to go sign more and more people chose to sit on and wait. With only 10 guys chasing and still a 4 minute gap there was no chance that we would be fighting for a win, but fastest time was still up for grabs. I chose to sit with team mate James Rendall (check out his outstanding non-cycling efforts here) and let him expertly guide me to the finale, and that is just what he did. A right hand sweeper met us at just under 1km to go before a small right-left to take us into the final straight. Just like Saturday I wanted to be first into the final bend with such a short straight to the finish line. 

Some days you just have that luck where gaps open exactly where you want them to and other days they don’t. Coming into the sprint it was the former. A gap opened up to my right and Guy Kalma (Wormall) moved forwards. I followed then kicked with 250m to go, putting my bike in front for the final bend and holding hard against the barrier until the line. It was just as I had imagined it from the night before. With James’ help and that bit of luck, we had together taken home fastest time.

It really was a successful weekend personally and for the team. I couldn't have asked for it to go any better. A great weekend’s racing put on by all of the organisers and volunteers. I would like to thank my coach, Tim Clayton, my African Wildlife Safaris Cycling Team and team mates, who often (as they did this weekend) sacrifice their own chances in favour of a team result, and our sponsors including Cannondale, Enve Composites, SRAM, Powerbar, Fi;zi’k, Sportful Clothing and Lezyne.

Race stats…

Duration: 1:56 hrs
Distance: 88km
Power: 270w raw for the 1:56, with 590w raw for the last 60 sec and 1305 max

Full race…

Tour de Perth Stage 2

You bloody ripper!! Stage two of the Woodside Tour de Perth welcomed all 150 riders to Kalamunda with some stunning weather, perhaps become a little warmer than ideal as we edged closer to the end of the race. 116km’s around an undulating course saw the pace on from the start and it continued that way until the very finish. 

As soon as the neutral section had finished attacks flowed thick and fast with a lot of the smaller teams hoping to get themselves in the days move, it wasn't until the first time up the KOM climb did a move start to stick. With four riders up the road the bunch eased on the quicker parts of the course, while Drapac and Avanti hammered it up the climbs hoping to string the peloton out and the consistent attacks by Drapac popped guys lap after lap. After four of seven laps a small group of nine moved away, the break got as far as two minutes up the road and as close as 100m alas they stuck to their guns and stayed away for the win. Meanwhile back in the peloton everyone was constantly jostling for position as the road headed up and down, surges came more and more often as another attack moved up the gutter only to be bought back half a minute later. Eventually the elastic band broke on the second last climb of the day and the peloton shattered, guys were taking risks to make it back to the bunch and ended up in a ditch while others like myself sat up with the knowledge that I was happy with my performance and it was time to spin the legs in order to get ready for tomorrows time trial. 

The stage was won by Tim Roe of Budget Forklifts solo 22 seconds ahead of Travis Meyer in second place. The best AWS result was Rhys Gillett taking 10th following James Rendall’s 5th place yesterday. The team is off to a good start so far this year and the morale within keeps improving as we progress. Tomorrow see’s the tour travel to Rottnest Island for a 20km Time Trial, although the cream has risen to the top the time trial will ultimately decide the overall placings. Legs are feeling good so hopefully I can pull out a good time as well. A tough and certainly draining day all round but thats why I love this sport.

Tour de Perth Stage 1

A twilight criterium around the harbour-side town of Fremantle set the scene for the opening stage of the Tour de Perth as well as the beginning of the National Road Series calendar. The 6:30pm start meant the race would be predominantly ridden under lights set up around the course, something rarely seen on the Australian race calendar. 

From the gun it was on as always happens in every NRS race but this time it wasn't about establishing an early break or controlling the front of the field, no, it was about staying away from everyone else. Staying safe was paramount and as usual being the opening race of the year everyone was on edge and some even willing to come off just to move up a few places. Holding good position in the top 10 of the field a crash went down behind and close to half the field stopped to take a lap out, next lap around everyone jumped in front and suddenly I was right down the back having to fight my way back to the position I already had. Lap after lap people from the middle of the bunch were either dropping out or dropping themselves, chasing the peloton back took a toll on my legs and with 4 laps to go I threw the towel in and let the elastic band snap, with three days to go and racing more suited to me to come there are more chances for me to do well.

The finish saw a very messy sprint resulting in a crash described by team mechanic Stu Sanders as “one of the worst I’ve ever seen in all my years”, ultimately the race was taken by Will Clarke. One stage down and three to go, hopefully everyone's fallen off and doesn't feel like needing to lay the bike down anymore. 

'The Lions' Ride in 2014

With the National Road Series kicking in less than a weeks time, I decided to get the camera (iPhone) out and give everyone out there a quick run-down of the African Wildlife Safaris Cycling Team (AWSCT)  bike for 2014 including all the customisations we as riders are able to choose from. 

Frame: Cannondale SuperSix EVO

The frame of choice for the AWSCT is Cannondale’s SuperSix EVO frame in a red colour scheme to match the team kit. Cannondale as with all bike manufacturers have many technical terms for certain aspects of their frame like Cannondale’s ‘Speed Save’ fork and rear triangle along with Cervelo’s BBright concept, all truth be told this is the best bike I have ever ridden. 

I’m riding a 48cm frame, combining the small triangles with a short wheelbase the SuperSix EVO handles like its on rails and responds as soon as requested. Cornering becomes as simple as just leaning in and follow the front wheel knowing you're heading in the right direction. With such a small frame stiffness and comfort start to butt heads, but somehow Cannondale have combined the two to almost perfection. The ride is fast and smooth, without loosing the feeling that you are in fact riding a bike, you feel all the lumps and bumps in the road but there’s on teeth shattering judders or shakes when out on dead roads. With such a comfortable ride, my first time on the bike I was afraid I was going to be spending 2014 on a noodle, as soon as I kicked for the first time upon my steed I took off and it was love. Yes the bottom bracket is stiff but most manufacturers are putting a lot of technology into their bottom brackets, the biggest surprise was the stiffness of the head tube. As well as attributing to the responsiveness of the frame, the quick whip as soon as you pull on the bars and put the power down it’s almost a case of just trying to hold on as the bike just wants to keep accelerating. 

An absolutely awesome frame by Cannondale and a great base to build a bike on.

Groupset: SRAM Red 22

Being a Shimano man through and through, I immediately discounted SRAM as a group set all up until I rode it for the first time and I was an instant convert. SRAM’s ‘zero-loss’ and ‘double tap’ technologies are brilliant. Being a sprinter a good downshift is paramount to the craft, the SRAM zero-loss shifting moves under minimal effort and the crisp, solid changes gave me the confidence to keep pressure on the pedals while changing with the knowledge that I each tap of the shifter will put me in the next cog no fuss. With whispers of new technologies coming from the SRAM factory before the end of the year, I’m excited to see what they bring next. 

Wheelset: ENVE Classic 45 with Ceramic Speed upgrades

A dream set of wheels for any cyclist the AWSCT is rolling on ENVE’s Classic 45 clinchers as training wheels with one small difference. Ceramic Speed has swapped all DT Swiss hub bearings for their ceramic bearings, not only does this decrease internal rolling resistance but ceramic bearings last up to 5 times longer than normal steel bearings. With such a quality wheel set to train on there is no need to change to race wheels when we get to club races, however when racing the Australian National Road Series we have the option to change to some of the worlds most sort after wheels. ENVE’s collaboration with world renowned aerodynamicist Simon Smart created the ENVE SES line and when competing against the nations best the AWSCT will be rolling on these SES tubular wheels, the best part is it feels like cheating. I’ve never ridden anything like them, crosswinds don’t seem to have an affect on handling and they roll like nothing else. 

Contact Points: Fi’zi:k

Contact points are by far the most important part to any cyclist as it determines the position and really just how comfortable you are on the bike, this is also where each of the guys on the team got to pick and choose parts to personalise their bike. Fi’zi:k’s new spine concept technology was used as a guideline for each of the riders before incorporating personal preference. The spine concept takes into account flexibility and categorises you into Snake (flexible spine), Chameleon (medium spine) or Bull (rigid spine), which from there suggests the most suitable cockpit components for you. For myself I am on the Cyrano R3 handlebar made for Bull as it offers the shortest drop and reach which is a preference among most sprinters. My saddle of choice is the Antares R1 with braided carbon rails which falls under the Chameleon category but personally offers the correct sit bone width for me. To top it off the AWSCT has been provided with Fi’zi:k Cyrano R3 stem and seatpost combinations to unify the build. 

As well as contact points on the bike Fi’zi:k has provided their top of the line Uomo R1 high performance shoe worn by many of the professional riders such as David Millar and Rohan Dennis just to name a few. With a mouldable insole for comfort, carbon sole providing strength and a Kangaroo Leather/Nylon Mesh upper for cooling and a bit of national pride, I can see why these shoes are chosen by some of the worlds best. These shoes are noticeably stiffer than market competitors especially when it comes to those all out efforts, while still offering comfort for those long days in the saddle.

Computer: Powertap Joule GPS

That’s right, it’s not a Garmin. There are other manufactures of bike computers out there and the Powertap Joule GPS is on par for your everyday rider but if you do more than just upload your ride to Strava hoping you went faster than your mate then, the Joule is what you want. I’ve found that the Joule offers more on bike feedback and data whilst riding, and when paired with Powertap’s Poweragent (free download from Powertap website) after ride analysis becomes even more in-depth. It may also be a small thing but the curved screen doesn't collect your sweat when riding and seeing as it isn't a touch screen, when you wipe sweat away you dont get the change of screens or accidentally pause your ride, after all a computer is a computer but these small one percenters make training with the Powertap Joule GPS just that bit more enjoyable and easier than their market counterparts. 

Accessories

I’ve taken you through the big picture parts but its some of the small parts that set us apart from the rest. For example, Lezyne has provided bidon cages, saddle bags, pumps and repair kits to make sure that when we puncture, everything is taken care of to get us back on the bike in mere minutes. Gommitalia has provided the rubber that keeps us stuck to the road with their Logo tire for training, which I also use for club racing due to its reliability and stickiness. For big races the AWSCT glues Gommitalia Espresso tubulars to its ENVE SES wheels for the best performing race wheels. 

Ultimately in my eyes the AWSCT can only be described as one of the countries best equipped teams, while still a young team there is no shortage of talent so watch out for the ‘Lions’ this year, I already feel like it’s going to be a good one. I hope this quick run down has given an insight into the bike behind the African Wildlife Safaris Cycling Team. Keep an eye on this blog as I’ll be writing something new after each Victorian Road Series and National Road Series race I participate in over the year starting Wednesday 26th March with the opening NRS round in Perth.