Road terrain and technology glitches fail to rattle masters champ
by Pip Read - Australian Masters Cyclist
2009 Metropolitan Road Championships
June 20th
First of all let me declare my bias for riding and racing in the Newstead region. I first discovered the area a few years ago when I met my partner. I enjoyed slinking away for my early morning training and discovering all the quiet country roads, even the highways weren't that busy; the traffic was accommodating; and the place names, how could you not like names like Muckleford and Strangways? Having said all that I admit the hills aren't that friendly and the magpies are definitely cranky. I raced this circuit last year at the Victorian Masters Road Race Championship and the Masters Time Trial, so was aware of the terrain and what to expect.
The Metro's, as they are known, are one of the St Kilda Cycle Club teams' mandatory races. Unfortunately we weren't to race as a full team and I for one was very pleased when I was to race in my age group, especially when I had a look at the start list of the elite women entrants and the 90k race length. In the masters' section we had a much more realistic 60k race length. Hey I know what the hills are like! Arm warmers, knee warmers, full gloves, wind vests and head bands were popular at the 11.15am start, it was a very cold and overcast morning. I was grouped with master 5/6 (men), women 19 and all masters women.
The nice thing about this circuit is that we have a fairly long flat section to start with, so it gives you thinking time to plan how you are going to race and gives you a good warm up before the first hill. As I expected the race broke up early at the first climb. I had already suggested to one rider that it was a bit early to string out the bunch but you just can't tell some people. The first time past Gildford I found myself in no person's land with a gap in front and a gap behind, and headed for the most leg sapping climb of this circuit. Just off the Midland Highway climb two smacks you in the face, closely followed by climb three and at 8.8% really tests after a few laps. I raced the rest of the event solo and finished first in my age group. All the girls rode exceptionally well in the trying conditions, coping with biting cold and rain showers, that only lasted long enough to get the rain jacket out and half on. Another thing I love about this area is the cafes. After the race we all headed off to 'DIG; for a warm view of the rest of the racing and had lunch, Phil Anderson even called in.
July 4th and 5th
Victorian Masters Time Trial Series No.2 Wangaratta.
First of all we headed to Broadford to allow me to complete my marshal duty for the Northern Combine Cycling series. I'm a firm believer in doing my bit. As you may well know, if not for volunteers helping the event organisers we would not have any racing at all. I must admit I took the easy option and put my hand up to drive the follow car. Driving the car sounded better than standing on a corner freezing my tail off. It was interesting watching how others put race strategies into practice and what does and doesn't work. After the race and a bit of a catch up we headed to Wangaratta for the Victorian Masters TT series No.2. The first thing that we noticed when we arrived was how much warmer (relatively speaking) it was and after we settled in we headed to dinner with the demolition crew (our two Jack Russell's, Jack and Jill) in the car.
Sunday dawned fine but a little windy with clear blue. I headed out for a ride in the morning (the race did not start until noon) with the promise of coffee on the way back to the race circuit, then signed on and was nicely warmed up for the start.
I'm really impressed by the way Wangaratta Cycling Club organise the Masters Time Trial Series. This time we were using the Glenrowan course and the club had great marshal support, stopping traffic as riders crossed over an intersection on the course, and all other corners were well marshalled.
I rolled out of the start gate and promptly pressed the wrong button on my computer and by the time I realised was around the first bend. The second turn put us into a headwind and feeling good I dropped into the little chain ring and spun for 10kms, catching the rider in front of me just before the cross road (not sure why some riders insist on using big gears into headwinds). All this was fine but I was so wasted by the time I reached the turnaround and a bit worried about the return leg. As luck would have it we had a tail wind and the course was also slightly down hill, so after a bit of a recovery I grabbed the big chain ring, messed up the entry to the last right hand turn almost going into the gravel, gathered it all back together and headed for the finish which was in a slightly different place, but with not a lot of room after the line. All was ok, finishing in second place in Div 1, six seconds behind first and almost one minute in front of third place so I was more than happy with that.
I have had a very interesting few weeks. Madam Lash (coach) has been in France watching the Tour and then in Italy with the Junior Girls Team so I've been running some of her ergo sessions. I find it interesting being on the other side of things so to speak, not sure if it's my thing but fun anyway, especially as one of the sessions is the ergo that I normally do. The group has now started calling me Madam Lash in training!
Cya
Pip