Perth OD Triathlon Champs 2010-02-09

Race report by Brendan

Well better late than never hey! Everything has/is very hectic of late with 3 weeks into new job and roster and new house still with so much to do but back to the race!

I arrived for what would be my first Triathlon since the 2007 Busso Ironman with plenty of spare time up my sleeve but feeling more nervous than usual due to not much solid swim or run training, but knowing the bike would be the fun part.

I registered and caught up with Paul and quiet a few mates I hadn’t had the pleasure of racing with in quite a while. I set everything up for the 3 disciplines and tried my best relax knowing that I have done it all before and in allot worse conditions. But the wind was howling and knowing the swim opened with a 800 strong headwind and too warm for a wetsuit (check out good quality mens wetsuits on sale) didn’t help but least I had the tail wind section for 600 odd meters before climbing out.

So after the briefing we entered the water at the rowing complex on riverside drive and swam out to the start some 200meters out and waiting for the gun. I positioned myself up front hoping to find a good draft for the start, I managed to get dropped from the lead group pretty quickly and found myself in no mans land and thinking I was swimming off course only to eventually realise I was swimming straight and most of the pack seemed to be heading for shore a little too early. I settled in as best as possible and felt ok but knowing I was going slower than I really wanted but with the chop and wind I did what I could till the turn around.

Once heading towards shore for 50m we turned for the last 600 and felt much better but the headwind had taken its toll on my lack of swimming mileage but pressed on. I was 100m or so from the final turn to the swim exit and bang got a viscous cramp down my right hamstring from nowhere, it just wouldn’t let go so had to stop lucky I could stand in the mud stretched as best as possible for a good minute and made my way slowly not to let it grab again and made it to the stairs and on touching the ground managed to step on some glass and slashed my foot up so knew that would hurt later on the run but made way to T1.

T1 went smoothly as transitions were never a problem so just went through the motions and carried out for bike and make some time up (or so I thought) the tail wind start to UWA was awesome but like all awesome things has to end and back I came into the head but happy to be passing several riders as I went, laps 1,2,3 +4 were pretty uneventful but the wind got stronger and I struggled to hold my 40 ave but happy that my cramp never came back and knowing the 10km run was going to be a “new” feeling after a 40km TT I backed off on the head wind back but so many SPR family were out cheering all over the bike course it made you always give that little extra when you here the cheer.

I excited and headed for T2 reasonably happy with a 39 ave and set off for the run hearing Jodz, Lorraine and several others yelling out I set a solid pace for my first 3odd km lap (3 lap run course for 10km). I was very surprised how the body swung back into running off the bike and set a sub 4min pace for first lap and my mind started to wonder just how long I could keep that up with my lack of running miles.
I started lap 2 but I could feel the shoulders start to droop and knowing full well the last lap will hurt. I slowly came down in times and the last lap did hurt but pressed on with still no cramp coming back pushed all the way home in 43mins way off my PB but with a total time of 2hrs 18mins reasonably happy.

I watched Paul and several others finished and lined up for a massage that hurt like all hell and left me wondering why I started doing Triathlon again. But once through it all and knowing my PB of 2hrs and 1 min wont be threatened in a long time I actually quite enjoyed just competing against myself and enjoying the crowds and the atmosphere. So thanks to all who were cheering through out the day as it makes a big difference and is appreciated.

Will do a write up for Perth Crit series even though I only raced sat and Sunday but it may be a little while haha.

Stay safe in all you do and see you on the road soon.

Well I decided to do my first 40km solo TT in over 2 years and debut my new skinsuit and sperm (aero) helmet.
Having done only a handfull of Atta events I had no doubt it would all be smooth on raceday so got the bike sorted the night prior with all the required goods.

Once out there sign on was a breeze, grabbed my transponder and numbers and went back to set the bike on the wind trainer for my warm up. The weather had allready decided to warm up but that meant the flys were obsolutly everywhere, talked about getting annoyed trying to warm up! I tried to stay friendly to them hoping they would help carry me along at somepoint on the hilly TT course.

Once warmup done and race wheels in, last nervous wee done 🙂 Jody took some pics and I headed up to the start. The bike was all fine all gears working and me not actualy feeling too bad considering the 100km done the day prior.

Goal was simple, have a negative split and get as close to 40 kmphr ave as possible on what I thought was undulating course. Well I knew teh first 10km but wasnt sure about the next before heading to the turnaround but I was off. I quickly settled in to my comfortable heartrate. Passing back through where the cars where Jody took a snap (later to find out it was of a tree, teach me to drag her out too early on a sunday morning:)) After a few kms the hills start and I was pretty motivated for a 40 ave so was finding myself smashing the 54 X 11 down the hills at upwards of 55-60 and not finding the uphills too bad I pushed hard over and by 10 or so kms had allready picked up quite a few people and looking at my speedo the average was 42 kms. I did think maybe I should back off a smidge but felt strong so pushed on. Once at the turn around Frans and the guys gave heaps of encouragement and we were back into it but looking at my speedo I had turned at 30mins 40secs with a 39.9 kms ave, the last 10kms were a little hillier than I thought but was still happy to be within a sniff of 40!

Once back up to speed the legs were starting to get heavy on teh climbs and I found my ave falling back closer to 38 but still tried to climb as smoothly as possible as I knew thats where the time was going to be made up to get me back to 40 ave.

I started to come good again and was wishing I brought another gel with me but kept on sipping away. Remembering the big hill with 3km to go was going to hurt I pushed as hard as I dared but managed to get my ave back up near 39.5 but then as I started on teh climb I found myself going back through the gears rather to quickly with the top not seeming to want to come any quicker. I pushed hard and with the heartrate climbing into the mid 190’s I knew that was as fast I could go.

I finally got over it and caught my breath as much as I could but still finding the heartrate at 190 I pushed as hard as I could for the remaining kms. As I approached the finish line I snuck at look at the Garmin and saw my Heart rate at 197 and ave at 38.6 and a time of 1.02.

On warming down I was pretty hapy happy with my effort but was feeling very smashed. I got back to the ute to find Jody sound asleep 🙂 haha talk about me at my max for the last hour and her at her minimum hehe. Caught up with the girls and some of the other folk i knew and saw Anna K had beaten the course record and then saw Bec had smashed it by 2 mins so teh girls are firing! Nicole was happy with a great hitout so all in all a good day debuting the skinsuit and new helmet.. Now to find out how to knock off a few minutes for the next one 🙂 Knowing that my PB from 3 years ago is 57min all be it on a flat course Im keen to do better next time.

Oh and chuck/Pete your info is right the sperm helmet is nosiy but thats the price of looking fast hey ??:)
Oh and the negative split didnt happen but hey you get that 🙂
Actual Garmin stats were 1.02.40 time, 38.66 ave, ave H/R 181 and max H/R 199.Max speed 63.97 and 1446 cal used.

Well after flying home a day early from site I was keen to see some sunshine. After hearing the rain the night before I was a little worried but on waking up was pleasantly surprised for it to be dry so off to the start to see who else was playing today.
I picked up my mate Stu who was out for his first ride since the freeway bike hike which was great to see.

After Petes spiel and catching up with some of the gang we headed off only to see ryan walking his bike back to his car minus one helmet… dare I say that will teach you for driving to the start Ryan 😉 wouldnt happen if you rode there hehe.
Ride up to Canning Hwy was very chatty with everyone and most in high spirits with the break in wet n wild conditions. Only a few little breaks and traffic lights were not too unfriendly (that changed later).

We arrived at stock Rd and the lights just dont stay green long enough these days while we have the group all as one so back it off prior to the rolling hills and re group and head back off, we didnt go too hard and kept a steady pace right around the loop until a few thought we were too slow and over took us and headed off towards Bannister Rd. I wasnt to keen on chasing so let them go, once we hit Bannister the main group waved us goodbye and we began our trip up to Nicholson. Pretty uneventful with no one really smahing it so with some gentle encouragement (read yelling) I managed to get everyone rolliing through quite well and with the pace reasonably high and keeping things fairly tight we turned onto Nicholson and opened up the throttle, a few seemed to want to hold teh high speed at the front but we gently reminded everyone again to start and maintain teh roll through and a) we would go faster and b) be allot fresher for the finale on Albany Hwy.

Once we hit the roundabout where we used to turn back to town I double checked with Melvyn on his GPS that we still keep going to Spencer st. Only a couple turned off early (that I saw) and we continued up to Spencer still rolling over and turned for Albany, only every now and again people needed the gentle reminder to keep the roll through going 🙂

The closer we got to town the more started to sit in wether by sheer exhaustion or waiting to pounce later on…
Once in Vic Park Mr Fox illegally used an external drafting source (read Big truck) to get away from the fast moving Gruppo, we let him mosy on,well no one seemed interested to chase much faster than we were. we made a group decision he was a DQ for illegal drafting purposes 🙂
and readied ourselves for the quick finale up over the smal hill in Vic Park and the series of lights that seem to get us 90%. About 10-15 managed to get away from the pack there and once onto the causeway Steve went to the front keeping the pace reasonably high. I decided to sit in and see what fire works opened once turning onto Riverside Drive. John powered through but seemed to sit up once through so Steve and another powered back to the front and they opened up a smal gap just prior to starightening up for the drag race to the cafe, no one seemed intent on closing the gap so I had a rush of blood and frustration with my high heart rate so attacked the group with everything and no one seemed to catch my wheel coming through so thought all good and quickly caught the front two.

Once I was there I decided to go again and hoped the 2 were allready smashed and quickly opened up a gap and managed to hold 50+ for most of the drag home but my heart rate hovered on 200 for the whole time and apon reaching the cafe the head was spinning but saw no one closed the gap down was a little chuffed at that and ordered my drink but had to do a little diversion to the toilet and emptyed my stomach and started to feel better straight away..

Service was mediocre, My Hot Chocy was nearly last I think and as it wasnt even Hot it was more like a cold Chocy.
So ride was good, didnt catch the front group but we were close so not a bad effort by all by everyone concerned. It was also good to see (by me) no red lights getting ran and the way our group worked their turns on the way home. Great stuff guys!

Pinjara Cyclo Sportif tomorrow seeing us have 2 teams in the long one, so what ever rides you do tomorrow, ride safe.
Maybe we could do with some of these:)

Nico

SPCC,

I am working on a project with the Australian Paralympic Committee and other organizations along with the support of SSDI lawyers for hire to provide cycling come and try day for people with disabilities.

I have a few coaches coming, and the Schwheelies team with tent and demonstration bikes. Other organisations will be offering hand cycling, tandem and trikes.

As South Perth Cycle Club is the nearest to the event location at Manning Road Karawara, I thought it would be a good promotion opportunity for your club.

20% of Australians have some kind of disability and the dedicated attorneys for helping employees are striving hard for this 20% people to lead a normal life. So there is a large recreational market of potential cyclists. With your clubs proactive development the inclusion of people with disabilities would be pretty easy. Most just people with disabilities just want to be treated normally and be involved in normal clubs and groups.

Maybe you could have a few riders there on the day in SPCC gear, hand out some club flyers and invite people to be involved with your clubs activities and rides.

I have attached the information flyer and I hope that SPCC can be involved.

Kind regards,

Toby Hodgson
Cycling WA, Development and Participation Officer
skype: tobyhodgsoncyclingwa ph: (08) 9328 3422 e: mailto:toby.hodgson@cycling.org.au
PO Box 481 Leederville, WA, 6903

Cycling Talent Search

Sure our Captains will do a write up here shortly to match 🙂

This is one aimed for all of our Lady Cyclists, have a read and feel free to contact Ian or Kelly to be part of some breakthrough research.
Brendan

Dear PIHC Cycling Friends and Contacts

We have a 5th year ECU Sports Science student who is undertaking a ground breaking research on Female Recreational Cyclists.

The information is attached for your attention.

If you can network this flyer to your contacts and those keen should contact Kelly Seward at: research@pihc.com.au or on 0418928338.

Kind regards

Ian Wee

Research Supervisor

Principal
Occupational Therapist
Perth Integrated Occupational Therapy

Director
Perth Integrated Health Clinics

Northern Districts Centre
Unit 12, 8 Booth Place Balcatta
(Entry via Erindale Road)
Tel: 9240 5266 Fax: 9240 1522

Research Information Flyer

Race report by Brendan
Well I guess I will start with the trip down, what a terrible day to be driving anywhere, pouring rain, gale force winds with a hint of hail. I considered turning around many times but about half way to Pinjarra there was a Truck crash or fire and the road was blocked and we were forced to turn around and back come the thought of just keep driving back to Perth. But knowing I need the race miles in the legs for Grafton in 4 weeks we went the backway with 50 other cars and lost a good half hour but still arrived in plenty of time.

After the necessary registering and catching up with a few people I haven’t seen in a while I made my way back to the car to set up the bike in the rain, did I mention the wind?? You can see the tone of the day really.. I initially put on my deep dish wheels but during my warm up I decided against it and changed back to my shallow ones. With most groups going off to torrential rain and hail we were lucky I guess as it wasn’t raining when we set off but the road was that wet it didn’t really matter. As I was second scratch (second last to go) with a couple of Plan B riders and Brookes McMurdo ones plus others I knew it would be a tough ask to hold off the scratch group let alone get up for a win as the first few groups had over half an hour head start…

We set a furious pace and on the first hill I immediately found out the legs didn’t want to play (something to do with the 900kms in the last 9 days training for Grafton) I struggled through for turns with the group and missing a few but I noticed I wasn’t the only one. Russel Brookes (Who went on later to win) was on a mission and strong as and drove us over the hills at over 40 ave which taking in the huge side winds and rain gives you the idea… Within 20kms we had someone giving us time checks behind and front and we were gaining fast on the next 2 groups and actually holding off the scratch group so I tried my best to recover between smashing through turns with everyone and just hoped my legs would come good.

By the first turn towards Donnybrook we only had a minute to catch 3rd scratch group but they had also caught there front group making a rather large group and with some strong regular ATTA riders in there our task was becoming harder, for the next 10 odd kms we had only closed down another 10 odd seconds and Donnybrook was fast approaching and driving into the head wind we all dug deep knowing that if we could just catch them we could hold off the scratch group. By the turn around in Donnybrook we had approx 30secs to make up and could see our prey but with a short few kms of a tail wind the big group were on a mission to hold us all off. We basically sprinted full gas out of Donnybrook with a tail wind hit the turn left and back into the side winds and finally caught them shortly after.

Once caught they pretty much sat up with only a couple interested in working so Russell Brookes smashed an attack with Jordon (plan B) chasing and I knew it was the break not to let go but just didn’t have the speed to bridge the gap so settled in with the group encouraging others to work so we could catch them back up, but with only a few and many just sitting on it was doomed so once I recovered I surged quite a few times to offload as many as possible prior to the hills on the return to Collie. Scratch caught us just prior to the mentioned hills but weren’t doing a high speed and pretty much guessed Russel and Jordon would probably catch the front groups and go on to win (which they did just).

On the main hill, well the one the hurts the most pretty much sorted everyone out and my legs said no more and the scratch group rode off in the distance and I got together with a couple of people and we worked solidly together all the way home to be about 4 mins behind the winner and scratch getting to within a minute of Russell’s winning time. We had a few front guys sitting on us on the way home for 10 odd kms and then proceeded to try to out sprint us for like 25th spot after we had dragged them through the winds, talk about disrespectful! So after we crossed the line I ensured I told them my thoughts 🙂

So a very tough day out but glad to have done what I did with what I had off a very hard mark, full credit to the winner for a strong ride who proved he was the strongest on one of the hardest day of racing I have done in years.
The other SPR riders were within a chance up to the closing kms when our group and scratch caught most of them with Stu and Nicole riding strongly on the day too. My mate from Kal Ryan rode the whole race in a rain jacket and from the start picture you can see why….

Well after a long week of training I had a few doubts how I would go in Pinjarra but knowing I needed a big hit out to get the training on track for Grafton to Inverell I set off to meet the rest of the SPR gang there.
Once there Lorraine pulled up next to us showing her newly cooked muffins for later and not long after that Gerry and co pulled up too. Off to registration which was annoyingly slow as they only had 2 people serving but once through headed back off to set up the bike and get ready.

Gerry was wondering around eventually as he forgot leg warmers or any pants so was hiding in his car for as long as possible 🙂 He was handing out Berry growling dog energy bar pieces which didn’t taste too bad I thought. Once bike was set up and numbers on I set off for my warm up which was pretty uneventful and caught up with everyone else also for a chinwag on the events that lay ahead.
With some big hitters here from Travis Meyer and a good size Plan B and Eddie Holland’s I lay awaiting the punishment to come. We went off with Brad Hall smashing it from the gun we strung out from the get go and with numerous attacks all the way out to the first turn off with none really getting away although finally a Brookes Mcmurdo rider got away and stayed solo for the next half a lap.

Once onto the first climb and not knowing these roads I sat in and straight away started to feel the last 9 days of training building up in the legs, when Bam Travis tagged a wheel and came crashing down taking Brad Hall with him. Looked nasty and Travis just got out of hospital a week or so ago from shoulder surgery poor bloke. SO with 2 of the main hitters out we sat a pretty fast tempo up the climb with only a few faster accelerations but basically staying as one but as I was feeling really average and dreading the next 120kms I rode tempo and slipped back from the front of the group to near the back. Once over we accelerated and rode the next few rolling hills at a fair pace with several smaller attacks all but reeled in each time.
Then on a false flat, semi downhill part another crash but this time too close for comfort as it was right beside me so as I was boxed in I leant on the rider next to me and we managed to miss hitting the guys but someone’s bike who was thrown in the air caught my lower leg with what I guessed later was a rear derailleur, so feeling rather sore but adrenaline running high I chased back onto the front of the bunch with a nice grease and blood down the outside of my calf I was thankful I wasn’t on the deck as we were doing about 45kmphr at a guess.

With the next half a lap featuring some very fast downhill and flats we were slowly getting whittled down in size but was happy to see Mike B still in the mix and doing some nice efforts up some hills stretching the pack right out things were looking up. I started to finally feel good at around 80km mark and with the pack happy to let a small break stay marginally ahead we hit the flat again and numerous attacks matched with small slow sections we finally hit the climbs again and I was finally able to hold my position near the front set a reasonable tempo right up and grabbing my spare water bottle from the feed station from Jody settled in for what I knew would be some strong attacks and on the sharpest incline Eddie and Sam Davies smashed the group up with a huge turn of uphill speed I didn’t even try to get on and sat in with bunch and with the Brookes team having someone away not really chasing the slowly pulled away out of reach. We in the bunch had numerous small attacks but none really sticking and the head wind I wasn’t really keen to try and get away so sat in and waited for some opportunities. A few came up which I joined but the bunch always came back. Once we hit 5km to go Brookes set the tempo right in and was setting up their guys for the sprint I picked a wheel and hoped for a nice lead-out.

With 1km to go Paul from Cyclemania hit out but was quickly covered with the final moves starting at 500m due to the head wind I had a look and decided to stay in till 300m to go and got a great lead out from an unsuspecting victim realising and rolled in for third in the bunch sprint with 6th overall due to the 3 breakaways , pretty stoked with that result considering over the last 9 days I have covered just on 1000km and pulling up realising I had also snuck in for the money with $90 for the 6th place, sweet. Realising Mike B had stayed with us and come in around the top 15 or ten and claimed second place for the Masters. Very good ride Mike.

After hearing how everyone else from Lorraine’s 3rd and Jill’s 2nd and Stu/Brett and others doing well it was a good day for SPR. Now heading back to work tomorrow for 5 days onsite for wind trainer recovery rides and awaiting my next block off of 9 days starting next Saturday with pretty much the same with lots and lots of kms and finishing the week with the Collie to Donnybrook and return it will be another tough week but with only 6 weeks till Grafton the countdown is on.
Thanks for taking the time to read my dribble I think it’s time for a Nanna nap!

PS: Hope everyone is considering the Collie race as it’s a handicap and with several thousand up for grabs it could be yours! 🙂
Nico

Race report by brendan

Well after deciding to do this race instead of a SPR hills jaunt featuring the infamous F_ckenberg I felt stangely bad as I like that hill 🙂 call me sick haha. anyway after enjoying a cruisy ride out to pickeringbrook and using Welshpool road to ‘warm’ the legs up, Thanks to Paul who slowed down with his window down and heater on in his car to say gday… didnt even motor pace me there… how rude 🙂 (just kidding).
I signed on and was loking through the A grade list not really knowing half of them…
So caught up with Paul who eneterded B grade with Bruce and Mike B and I were in with A.
B and C grade went off first while we all hovered around any scrap of sunshine we could. We were off and straight away a bloke smashed it off the front, gee this might hurt I was thinking and remember the climb on the way up would haunt me later in the race.

After numerous attacks none of which really serious 2 got away with a reasonable lead and with the bunch not realy doing much I had a fleeting though of my program from Andrew and remember he wanted me to do attacks today in the hills so I hit the bunch with everything and got to within 50 meters of the 2 leaders but the bunch was chasing me so though I would save some energy but they then seemed to slow and another dude jumped to me so off we took in chase. We caught the 2 leaders and the 4 of us were swapping good steady turns for about 2 laps when the bunch bridged up (or what was left of it).
Next few laps was at moderate pace when with 3 laps to go another break of 5 got away including Mike B so I was hapy not to chase which was just as well as hammys were starting to hurt and with onset of cramps inevitable (stupid running and kicking the footy at work thursday night with the boys to blame). I sat in with the 5 staying away for the win and I finished just behind the bunch as I finally cramped on the last hill with a couple of kms to go so happy with having a hit out on tired legs (110km the day before). Mike B ended in 5th place and in the money and Paul managed top ten in B grade and Bruce finishing just behind the grade main bunch like me.

All in all a great set up and an awesome bunch of guys and gals who were very friendly and I felt funny being one of the youngest racing (at 35) amongest every age over, there are some quality and very strong riders and great to see and be part of, I can highly recommend giving it a go as they race down to D grade, you can nominate on the day and first 2 races for non members are only $10 each race then you have to join up which is only approx $130.
As they race every sunday at various places I will be going back for sure.

After watching presentation and saying bye to Paul Bruce, Mike Band myself headed off around the observatory climb and up into Kalamunda to get some extra kms, bruce headed off home at Kalamunda and Mike headed back to Pickeringbrook to pick his car up and I motored down Welshpool with allready having 140km up I begin thinking of My major goal for thsi season of Grafton to Inverell on Sept 12th and knew I needed more so I headed down to Freo and back around the river and finally got home after 7hrs of riding and some 200km with 80km of it racing and several decent climbs later. Shattered would be the best term 🙂 But as I had no injury niggle in my back and thigh I know my injury and training is finally on track (thanks to Coach Andrew Ivey and Ian Wee with the Huber machine) for the onslaught of 225km at Grafton 🙂 with approx 120km of that climbing and a 18km climb the main deciding factor I am hoping with some big weeks of training coming up I can be competitive there.
The only bad thought is after all these kms I have to try and race Pinjara and Collie Donnybrook on tired legs… nothing like a challenge 🙂

Hope everyone enjoyed the weekends riding and now the tour is over we can all get some early nights 🙂
Note sure how many of us are heading to Pinjarra and Collie 2 weeks after but they more the better, awesome fun 🙂 as Collie to Donnybrook and return is a handicap we all have a chance of winning some of the thousands of dollars on offer 🙂

See you on the on next weekend on sat or at Pinjarra.

Nico