Inventive new cycle training technique
by Pip Read - Australian & World Masters Cycling Champion
I've just discovered the world's crankiest magpie! I have been swooped twice by the same one and it's a full on swoop, not your sneaky from the rear swoop! Oh no not this one, it's a full on frontal attack, mind you it's only early March.
Not only is the bird a nuisance to bike riders, but it also happens to live on one of the more interesting rides, that has a great coffee shop at the 24km turn around. It's a pity not to do complete ride just because of this flying missile. I'm really not looking forward to swooping season cos I reckon this one will be even more nasty than usual. I can go around but it means riding on a highway, not as nice as a quiet country lane. I just need to get inventive with this magpie, any suggestions?
I had an excellent weekend at the Bright Boot Camp. It was just what I needed to kick my training back into some sort of order. The weather was great except for one day of rain which called for a change of rides. Instead of riding to Falls Creek on day three we instead did what I've known as Rosewhite Loop and Falls Creek on day four. The weather was much better than the day before but we were still confronted with extremely strong winds at the toll gates and as safety is always paramount we turned around. Four days of great climbing up Mt Buffalo, Mt Hotham, Tawonga Gap (times two) and Falls Creek with good company, mostly excellent weather, and very informative seminars in what would have to be one of the best areas for riding that I know. I would recommend attending the next Bright Boot Camp later this year.
Above: Happy bikers at the recent Bright Boot Camp - serious training for serious riders.
I've finally succumbed to nagging from various friends and people that I've been riding with for ages and joined the Vet's Cycling Club. I've decided to join a local club and have a go at the South Pacific Veteran Cycling Championships that are being held at Maryborough over Easter. The event comprises a road race, something called a straight line sprint, individual time trial, criterium and a handicap. Maryborough is not that far from home (Newstead) so it should be interesting to see how the Vet's do things. I've heard that they get good numbers of women racing so it should be fun. I am just a bit intrigued about the straight line sprint thingy, I'd better start asking a few questions.
We have the Victorian Masters Criterium Championships in a few weeks, again being held in Castlemaine, but this year on a different circuit. It will still in the middle of town but unlike last year where we had a 'hotdog' circuit, this year we are using a street block circuit, and just thinking of the training and riding that I've been doing lately I think I better go back to the drawing board and have a bit of a rethink. I am getting away from full on climbing and strength endurance sessions and starting to think about some criterium specific work, upping my cadence and get/finding my sprint legs. Not that I've ever been that good at sprinting but at least trying to find them. Hey! That's an idea; maybe I could try out sprinting that cranky magpie, then again I do know someone who tried that once and he spent eight weeks in hospital!
Stay safe everyone and don't forget to come up and say hi if you see me around the traps. I'm the one wearing the SheSpoke Race Kit outfit!
Bye for now,
Pip