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Andrew
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« on: June 13, 2011, 01:08:18 PM » |
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While not a "real race", I really can't remember an event where I was willing to hurt so much...
Even the first climbs out of Vernon felt like a bit of a struggle, after a long MTB ride with the BCBR crew on Saturday. I was thankful that the group was big enough that I could just sit in all the way to Kelowna. And it was nice to see so many friendly faces...Ron and Warren seemed in good spirits, Simon was there, Matt Hewitt, a few other recognizable faces from Vernon and Salmon Arm and a ton of others.
The stop in Kelowna was casual, and there were dozens who started off up Westside Road. The pace picked up on the first climb, and I went near the front to make sure I could drift to the back if I could not hold pace. Everyone seemed happy with the steady effort of some of the pace setters, and then KillerMartin put the hammer down. Not on the uphill, but on EVERY flat section, and EVERY downhill from Kelowna to La Casa. It was something to watch. I hung on near the front but never cracked, and was shocked to see that we were down to 9 riders by the time we reached the rest stop.
We rolled out easy, across the extended construction area, and then Jason lit it up again. He almost single handedly pulled us to Spallumcheen. At least, that's what I saw until I punctured when I hit a pothole that Ron clearly pointed out to me. I was just too tired to avoid it.
Simon waited for me, and the two of us put a HUGE effort in to get to Spallumcheen before the lead group headed off. We JUST made it. And that's when I found out that Matt and Jason were going to try to split the group again on Otter Lake Road. It sounded like a good idea...and then the 110km of effort took its toll. I cracked about 1/3 of the way up the short climb, and was the last man over the top. Were it not for Alex Thorlakson, the Captain, and Greg Merrick HAMMERING all the way to Armstrong, I never would have seen the lead group again. It took everything I had to stay on their wheels, as we chased a pack of 15 guys along the flats.
After that, it was a bit of a blur. Just the Killer back on the front, and me holding on for dear life. My first reprieve came when the wind picked up and made the lead man pull us through a wind tunnel along the highway. Then there was the broken spoke, that pretty much had everyone thanking whatever omnipotent observer they believe in. I rolled home, thankful not to have to race the final few rollers...what a day. Great effort, great pain.
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kiwichris
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« Reply #1 on: June 13, 2011, 01:35:31 PM » |
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WOW - sounds like an epic day for the Gaurdian!!!
What was your physiology doing?? Limiter for the day? How about the long back to back rides? Was there some compensator fatigue too??
You are killing it this year mate - I can't wait to watch you in Kona!!
Chris
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SimonC
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« Reply #2 on: June 13, 2011, 02:19:37 PM » |
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VERY impressed with Guardian and the Ellis Bros. ... They totally ripped it up in the front all day !!! Someone needs to get WADA or the CCES to randomly test the Shredmaster  Impressive !!!  |
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Andrew
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« Reply #3 on: June 13, 2011, 02:36:47 PM » |
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Good questions Chris...it really seems peripheral to me, though my respiratory system gets pushed at the very high end. I can feel the legs beginning to go as soon as the hill pitches up, and if I can control my resp rate, am able to hold a steady effort. But once the stronger guys find the flat ground, they can just push much harder than I can, and if I am not in the draft, they can simply ride away. Today my legs feel like sausages, with pitting oedema to my mid calves, and just a total lack of muscle tone. My breathing and cardiac system feel fully recovered, though I have not tested today. I will check my Fit Test in the morning to check to see if my cardiac really has recovered.
More leg strength for the BCBR...no help with drafting on the long fire road climbs there unfortunately...
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JasonK
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« Reply #4 on: June 14, 2011, 02:31:45 AM » |
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Yes, super fun ride with great friends, a little suffering but without the high stress of racing! I was surprised not to see more Kelowna riders out. I'm starting to like this event more then the COBRA ride. Great riding from all, especially Andrew's pace setting on some of the hills. After some hard efforts on the flats I was drifting to the back as Andrew kept a solid tempo up the climbs, just enough to keep me on edge! I attached a couple pictures from the ride and some video links below. Hopefully Gary can post all the pic's on his site for everyone to see. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmaO1WxlkVwhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4n48E4Nv6M |
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« Last Edit: June 14, 2011, 02:35:40 AM by JasonK »
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StephenU
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« Reply #5 on: June 14, 2011, 04:25:22 AM » |
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I hate missing out on the fun rides like that but I was beat down ya'll.. Next year I will hammer it out. I had not really recovered from Mt Hood yet but should be ready to attempt to put the screws to Kilmartin @ the crit on thursday!!
Captain - Are you ready to burry the Killer?? Love it!
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Andrew
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« Reply #6 on: June 14, 2011, 04:56:29 AM » |
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Good thing the Quail wasn't there, would have hurt even more and been a lonely ride home... To answer Chris' questions...I THOUGHT my systems were good yesterday...but further testing showed Fit Test down three points and a respiratory system that struggled to keep up with maintaining balance and posture in the water this morning during an easy swim. DEFINITELY NOT recovered yet. Hopefully by Thursday  |
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JasonK
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« Reply #7 on: June 14, 2011, 01:24:37 PM » |
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Unfortunately I wont be making the cirt this week. We are heading to Banff for the Banff Bike Fest. HC/81kRR/21kTT/Crit/143kRR
Forecast is calling for cold rainy weather!
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SimonC
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« Reply #8 on: June 14, 2011, 01:41:29 PM » |
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The Capt'n is officially putting a bounty on the head of The Shredmaster !!!! $ 100.00 to first person who legitimately drops The Shredmaster ... He has to be stopped !!!!  Capt'n |
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W Ellis
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« Reply #9 on: June 14, 2011, 02:37:48 PM » |
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Who's shredmaster ? And I don't take cheque....
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JasonK
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« Reply #10 on: June 15, 2011, 12:07:06 AM » |
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Thought I would attach a few more pic's.
Simon, you would be broke if you saw how many times I've been dropped at every cat 1/2 race this year! I think I'm more fit then last year but it just doesn't have much effect at the cat 1/2 level. Getting a result still seems impossible for me. I'm very satisfied and thankful to have made it this far but its so overwhelming to see how fit so many other riders are. I just heard that Will Routley is planning to race Banff! Perfect, even more suffering for the weekend!
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StephenU
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« Reply #11 on: June 15, 2011, 02:06:20 AM » |
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Jason - I am with you on the Cat 1/2 dropfest! At Hood, for me, it wasn't a matter of if I would get dropped, it was when and how far I could make it before getting shredded.. Most of these guys dropping us are younger with time to train 20+ hours a week I suspect, so even though we are progressing, it's hard to compete with training volume like that when we work fulltime and have busy lives. I think you are doing awesome this year.. I saw you in Mt. Hood. Impressive! Next year we need to target that race and actually do some hill climbing specific training because I definately went in lacking the force to be able to climb @ high speeds like those guys. I was good on the slower steeper stuff, but we need to go there ready next time!!
Good Luck @ Banff! "I basically have no reason to ride the crit this week without Jason to battle"
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kiwichris
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« Reply #12 on: June 17, 2011, 02:45:30 AM » |
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Jason and Stephen,
You guys have progressed at such at amazingly fast rate, especially considering your stage of life, working, and all of the other stuff you do!! Pat yourselves on the back and think back 2 years ago, I am sure you will agree that you are completely different riders than then! With continued dedication to volume and RECOVERY you will ensure that your development continues year after year.
Chris
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