The target is in sight

by Pip Read - Australian Masters Cyclist

It has been an eventful winter season, and with lots of road racing the time trial bike has been getting a very good work out. Madam Lash is back from overseas so I'm back on the ergo, and have just finished a complete upgrade on the race bike and looking forward to this month's racing in Canberra and Sydney.

I'm glad to back on the ergo, especially, as those of us who live in Victoria will know the weather has not been very nice for training. I've even been on the indoor trainer at home which I must admit is not my favourite workout, but when it is raining cats and dogs we don't have that much choice.

Some of my time has been put to good use as I've just finished upgrading my race bike. The frame remains the same, it's a few years old but fits me like a glove, and I've done a complete group set from Shimano to Campagnolo Record 11sp. I also have a new wheel set; same brand as before but full carbon and singles (tyres that are glued to the rim). Unfortunately Cycling Australia has decided to enforce the UCI wheel regulations, and for some reason mine doesn't comply so I'm in, let's say discussions with CA and the manufacture. But the group set is very, very nice too use, the hoods fit my hands perfectly, just taking a little getting used to as the gear changing mechanisms are slightly different, and the bike is so much lighter which became very evident to me during my first race with cross winds.

All in all a worthwhile exercise, even if I am a bit disappointed about the wheels; although I'm trying to think of alternatives at present and have a few ideas but hoping the manufactures can get the wheels on the UCI approved wheel list. I'm also thinking of upgrading the training bike to Campagnolo when finances allow, mainly to avoid need to adapt from one to the other.

My reflections on the coaching sessions I undertook for my affectionately known coach 'Madam Lash' (when she was overseas) is that they were great fun, a learning experience, and while most of the athletes were not racing cyclists it was surprising how techniques differed. Would I do it again? Yes, but I don't think I could do it full time.

I have contested lots of racing this winter which probably explained the cold I suffered from. The club women's team racing has been going great guns with good entries for all races. My club road champs were held in Gisborne and to say we had four seasons in one day would be a good description. We left home driving most of the way in fog, the sun came out when we stopped for coffee, by the time we reached the race circuit it was raining, then that stopped and then the wind came (and stayed). Two years ago we had three women enter, this year we had two grades with 20 riders. That has been very pleasing for me personally.

The master's time trial series has been seeing a similar improvement in entries and is attracting more and more women. Time trials have finally appeared on riders' radar as a non-threatening, safe way to race. Series five and the Victorian Masters Time Trial Championships were held on September 6 in Wangaratta; Newstead hosted series 4 in August and was very well run by the Castlemaine Cycling Club. The course is, as some of you may remember my favourite training area, a mostly flat out and back TT with a tail wind heading out. I did miss the magic looking start gate we have become used to using in Wangaratta but it was a great event. I finished third on the day and was a bit disappointed as for some reason the organisers moved one of the girls from division two up to division one.

The Victorian Masters Road Race championships were held in August, again in the Newstead area. I just loved it, and surprise, surprise windy, cold but not wet. After some start time confusion on my part we finally started at 1.30pm. I was last cab off the rank, and as we had some first timers I suggested that we at least stay together for the first lap, which worked quite well although a little slow. I must say it was my fault but we broke up half way into the first lap on the first hill. After this I raced solo for the rest of the first lap, consolidated my lead and finished first by a few minutes.

The two upcoming events that I'm desperately trying to get some sort of form happening for are the 2009 Australian Masters Road Championships in Canberra and the big one, the 2009 World Masters Games in Sydney both in October. It will be a big month and to be honest I haven't looked past October at this stage. Apart from a few people trying to get me to enter for the Tour of Bright in December. It's two years since I staggered of the bike after racing up Mt Hotham with the rash statement to Fran and Madam Lash that 'if ever say I'm doing this race again hit me hard'; funny how time dims the hurt.

Cya,

Pip