Summer Cup R2

Been a bit slack with this post. A couple of weekends ago was the second round of the summer cup series of races at the Gold Coast. Once again I competed in the B-grade class and was hoping to get my first win. There had been some rain over the last couple of days to the track was a bit slippery in place, anyone that has raced there before knows how bad the black soil mud gets on the bike, and how much harder the race becomes. The pace was fast from the start with my self and another breaking away on the first climb. I got around the first two laps clean with no probably and had about a 10m gap on second place coming into the last lap. The last lap was quick with the chasers trying to bridge the gap to second place. I really pushed hard on the main climb till I dropped my chain with a couple of up hill switchbacks left. I had to jump off and run to the top of the hill to put my chain back on, while I did this I dropped back to second place. The race had only a km left and It was very hard to catch back up to first. I came around into the finish straight only 30sec behind first.

2XU

Great news this week that 2XU has jumped on as a supporter for the 2009 season. I started with 2xu last October and I was great to be with them again for 2009. The have alot of new products this year such as a compression cycle bib. I have some new products on the way so when they arrived I will let you know.

Summer Cup R1

I have been a bit slack in writing this report so I thought I should get it done. Last weekend was the first Summer Cup round at Underwood park. There was a great turn out from the elite to the first timers there was a hole range of people out there experiencing mtb. We arrived early to make sure we got a close park and so I had a chance to check out the track. The track was a short 2.1km sprint. mostly single track with small places of double track. Not to much technical sections besides a rough slick rock drop. most of the course was pretty rough not to many smooth lines and a couple of short sharp hills. B-grade started at 9:30 so I had a bit of time to relaxing and check over the bike. Around 9 I went out for a warm up. Underwood park is a large sporting complex with plenty of bush and road so I and alot of room to warm up on. Rolled back around to the start area while we got called up. My plan was to go out as hard as I could and try to stay up the front till I cracked just testing to see where the body was at, I wasn't to fussed about winning the race as I was the first of the yr. The gun went off and I had one of my best starts ever. First pedal stroke and both feet were clipped in. After the first 20m of grass paddock I had about 2 bike lengths up on the field as we entered into the single track. The first section was up hill so I try to get the gap out as much as possible. By the end of the lap 1/7 I was 30secs up and feeling really strong. I kept pushing hard and by the 5th lap had a good 150-200 m on second and third. I felt strong enough to keep it up to the finish, maybe win my first ever race till..... I through the slick rock section on the 6th lap and really started to hammer it home only having one more lap to go. I was flying down a double track section at around 30-35kph and just over shoot the tight left hand corner. Washed out really bad and hit my hip pretty bad. Jumped back onto the bike just as 2nd and 3rd went past. I was able to roll around in 3rd for one more lap till the finish. I wasn't to upset that I didn't win but more the fact that I couldn't hold the lead and stay on the bike. I won $40 for third in B-grade so I was stoked with that. My Spats Cage ti frame was super smooth over all the bumps and handled well in the corners and was super light up the hills. All my Sram XO shifting was crisp and spot on. The Avid Ultimates stoped my when I asked them to. Fox really do make the best forks and no oil leak or any problems during the race, the forks plus the frame really rides as smooth as a dulie. No blisters on the hands again thanks to Ozrider foam grips. Stayed dry and comfortable in my 2XU elite cycle performance range. Next race is this Sunday the 1/2/2009 at Illinbah at the Gold Coast

NRCHI bodywork

I would like to introduce NRCHI bodywork specialising in traditional Chinese Medicine. With a combination of Massage,Cupping, Acupuncture, and with general lifestyle,health and training advice NRCHI will help keep me prime for events. NRCHI is located at 468 Enoggera rd, Alderly, you can book online and there is a link to there website from this page just click on there banner or HERE. The team there are very switch on and will defiantly help bring the balance back into your health. Just $60 for an hour of cupping and massage so go on there website and book an appointment of call them on 07 3352 4255 an let them know Taylor sent you.

New Shoes

Picked these up 50% off at Anaconda a couple of days ago. Full carbon sole, very light and stiff. Only diffence between my old ones and these new ones is the carbon sole. Will only use these ones for racing so hopefully they will keep clean and fresh.

Racing

The 2009 race season will start on Sunday with the first round of the Summer Cup at underwood park. still tossing up what grade to race in A or B but will see who turns up on the day to see where I fit in. Training as been going well, building the legs up for a hard season. Bought new racing shoes yesterday, more information about that later. First big race of the year will be the Otway Odessey down in Apollo Bay. Resting today, will ride on the road tomorrow and then work Saturday, race Sunday.
Other good news is that I now have a coach, so I will have a more specific training plan not just riding my bike around so hopefully some good performance will come out of that. Not to much other news around at the momment will post on Sunday after the race.

bunya vid