Monday, August 24, 2009
Ritter Classic 2009
The Ritter Classic is a fun cycle race held each year on Sjælland, Denmark. This year it again set off and ended in Taastrup, taking a route up to Ballerup, then east over to the coast and then hugging the shoreline travelled further north before heading back inland again, and just as it got above Taastrup, it headed directly south for the finishing line.
I expected to take between 5 and 6 hours, and quite surprised, not just myself, but supporters who wished to take photos of the team: we'd already passed by the time they arrived at the various photo ops. There were plenty of other photographers and several film crews from TV2 Sport amongst others. So I shall ask for some links when I find them.
My statistics:
118.8km in 4 hours 1 minute and 47 seconds,
Speed: averaged 29.5km/h with a maximum on 78.8km/h
Heart rate: average 140 bpm maximum 175 bpm
Cadence: average 83 rpm with a maximum of 125 rpm.
My route on Garmin Connect
Link to Google Earth kml file.
The Top 50 result list
I expected to take between 5 and 6 hours, and quite surprised, not just myself, but supporters who wished to take photos of the team: we'd already passed by the time they arrived at the various photo ops. There were plenty of other photographers and several film crews from TV2 Sport amongst others. So I shall ask for some links when I find them.
My statistics:
118.8km in 4 hours 1 minute and 47 seconds,
Speed: averaged 29.5km/h with a maximum on 78.8km/h
Heart rate: average 140 bpm maximum 175 bpm
Cadence: average 83 rpm with a maximum of 125 rpm.
My route on Garmin Connect
Link to Google Earth kml file.
The Top 50 result list
Labels: cycle race, cycling, Denmark, Ritter Classic
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Post Danmark Rundt 2008 Result
Went out to watch the cycle race pass by. As the local stretch is in the middle of nowhere there weren't so many other spectators out there, but could see people dotted all the way down the road. As the sponsors went by they threw some goodies out, and as the peloton passed, some of the riders threw their water bottles.
There were four riders way out in front, two packs making up the peloton, and then one chap was way behind using the cycle path going for it, sure he would have caught up by the end.
So the result for the Post Danmark Rundt 2008 was:
4 water bottles
1, Zefal France
2, Slipstream Sports Chipotle Mexican Grill
3, Team Barloworld Bianchi
4, Purepower.dk
1 red clapper
7 bags of wine gums
6 boiled sweets
3 squeakers
Great fun, and one of the guys I know from my commute gave a little wave, which was nice.
There were four riders way out in front, two packs making up the peloton, and then one chap was way behind using the cycle path going for it, sure he would have caught up by the end.
So the result for the Post Danmark Rundt 2008 was:
4 water bottles
1, Zefal France
2, Slipstream Sports Chipotle Mexican Grill
3, Team Barloworld Bianchi
4, Purepower.dk
1 red clapper
7 bags of wine gums
6 boiled sweets
3 squeakers
Great fun, and one of the guys I know from my commute gave a little wave, which was nice.
Labels: cycle race, cycling
Monday, May 19, 2008
Dustcup 2008, Round 3, St. Dyrehave
Forgot to charge my GPS unit, so you'll have to make do with this GPSies track.
Did two laps, but there were some loonies, some on horses, out to cause grief by wandering back and forth on the circuit, so I packed in early. Dunno what that was about. Maybe they didn't like that there was a mountain bike race?
Pictures from Pixelution and Jens Thomasberg
Picture of me in full flow. As can be seen I got a leaf caught in the lens of my video camera, early on it so happens, so no video.
Results
Did two laps, but there were some loonies, some on horses, out to cause grief by wandering back and forth on the circuit, so I packed in early. Dunno what that was about. Maybe they didn't like that there was a mountain bike race?
Pictures from Pixelution and Jens Thomasberg
Picture of me in full flow. As can be seen I got a leaf caught in the lens of my video camera, early on it so happens, so no video.
Results
Labels: cycle race, cycling, Denmark, Dustcup, fun
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Dustcup 2008, Round 2, Tisvilde
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Rivette/SRAM H12 2008
12 hour mountain bike race in the woods up near Hareskovby.
There was a false start or something, so my first lap didn't register. Bugger.
But 6 laps did register, which is nice. Results
My GPS data log up on motionbased.
I dread to think how many laps the winner eventually did.
Pictures up on Hustlers website
Pictures from Jesper Regin
Pictures from Jens Thomasberg
Picture of my suspension modifications.
Me, happily covered in mud.
There was a false start or something, so my first lap didn't register. Bugger.
But 6 laps did register, which is nice. Results
My GPS data log up on motionbased.
I dread to think how many laps the winner eventually did.
Pictures up on Hustlers website
Pictures from Jesper Regin
Pictures from Jens Thomasberg
Picture of my suspension modifications.
Me, happily covered in mud.
Labels: cycle race, cycling, Denmark, fun
Dustcup 2008, Round 1, Geel Skov
Dustcup 2008 blog.
blog page for this race
Organised by the Dansk Mountainbike Klub
The GPS location of the carpark. Was really good way to find it.
GPSies route
My GPS track up on Motionbased
Photos by Lars Noppenau
Photos by Pixelution
Photos by Jonas Lüttichau
Photos by Michael Schrage
blog page for this race
Organised by the Dansk Mountainbike Klub
The GPS location of the carpark. Was really good way to find it.
GPSies route
My GPS track up on Motionbased
Photos by Lars Noppenau
Photos by Pixelution
Photos by Jonas Lüttichau
Photos by Michael Schrage
Labels: cycle race, cycling, Denmark, Dustcup, fun
Monday, February 25, 2008
SlushCup 6 Blovstrød Stadion Team Hustler
Nice, but flat course. Not so muddy. Again lots of entrants so getting through the traffic on the single-track was difficult.
One guy I overtook at least three times, but he kept re-appearing in front of me. I'd noticed this on previous races, but thought I must have missed him getting back in front. This time I definitely saw him and his mate completely cut out one section of the course as I nearly crashed into them as they came up the road across the bordering tape. Why bother racing if you're going to cheat. Sad isn't it?
My GPS track. Notice that my cadence just stops? I must have bashed the sensor when I came off, and I've just seen that it is bent over touching the rear rim, so nowhere near the pedal where the triggering magnet is placed.
My helmet-camera also failed, I think because of the tumble, it must have jolted the SD card loose. When I finished the race it was displaying "Err". Wish it'd captured it, it would have been funny to see and alleviated the pain of having developed some lovely bruising on my chin, right clavicle, left hand, hip, and shoulder. Anyways I have lots of other video snippets from a hi-definition hand-held camera following other riders on the course, which I shall put up presently, when I've edited them to display on the more usual players out there.
Came in just behind the winner ( although mumble mumble he'd just mumble mumble lapped me for the mumble mumble second time ) and collided with a photographer who jumped right out in front of me to take pictures of him. Well, it is one way to stop, and my brake pads were finished anyways. Luckily no one else was following otherwise it might have been a pile up.
Nice cake afterwards.
Labels: cycle race, cycling, Denmark, fun, SlushCup
Sunday, January 20, 2008
SlushCup 5 Avnstrup Hvalsø MTB
Very muddy course in todays race. Completely gummed up the wheels so ended up walking most of the course.
It was way out in the countryside at Avnstrup which is south of Roskilde. My GPS track is fine. Managed one lap, could have done two but I was only 5 minutes inside the hour, so it'd be another hour before I got back in and as it was my rear suspension failed again, but just before I finished the lap. Really annoying. Suppose I shall try and find something more agricultural...
Labels: cycle race, cycling, Denmark, fun, SlushCup
Sunday, January 13, 2008
MTB Crash
A friend sent me this video link saying they were sure it's me, 'cause of the swearing as I'm airborne. Don't quite remember it myself. ;-)
Labels: cycle race, cycling
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
SlushCup 4 DMK Øksnehallen
Urban, hence very slippery man-made surface course. Mix of various grades of tarmac, concrete and flag stones with packing crates to climb over to make it interesting. Inside and outside, wet areas, mostly dry, some snow, some ice, some with oil... The course wound its way through several buildings, down sets of stairs, down and up an underground car park and a set of switchbacks in a hall. Quite a good few fell off and many spectacular crashes, mostly due to a fronter with poor technique in hitting obstacles at an oblique angle or chickening out after committing and then the followers piling in up on top of them.
Some poor choices of tire were also apparent, and many overinflated. One guy went so far with the pressure he blew the rim off the front wheel. Quite a bang that one, I can tell you!
My video crew were busy filming as much as they could, but there was so much going on they could capture everything. The camera I was carrying failed due to the vibration (I think), so no in flight action, which is quite annoying. Reckon I shall move the camera from the handlebar to the side of my helmet.
The drops were too much for my rear suspension and it ended up bottomed out several times. Think I shall put a rubber bung to limit the travel.
Did five laps, if there wasn't quite so much traffic, reckoned I could have done seven.
My GPS track, due to the buildings it's not so brilliant with the capture.
Hit several television news spots, I know of four but have only found two so far.
Blink and you miss me here: TV2 @ 18:00 6/1/2008
I have a lovely sequence at the end of this one, showing how it should be done: TV2 Sport @ 22:45 6/1/2008
A sarcastic video on YouTube.
Labels: cycle race, cycling, Denmark, fun, SlushCup
Monday, December 03, 2007
SlushCup 2 HMTBK SRAM Hersetdhøje
Relatively flat course, apart from two hills. Very sticky mud nearly everywhere. Where there wasn't mud, the already attached mud picked other bits of the road surface up and attached it to my bike. The bike ended up very heavy.
First attempt at filming the race. So of course managed to get camera people organised, but forgot to check my own batteries! So no in flight shots. Learning experience though...
As the race was close to home thought I'd cycle there as a warm up exercise, but got lost, (typical,) and spent an hour getting to the start. Luckily several others were heading there, recognised me, (looking lost by the side of the road,) and pointed the right general direction, which was real nice of them.
The warm up served its purpose: boy have I shot up the rankings. Shall do that again, (go for a ride to warm up,) before the next race, to see if it was a one off or does actually help.
The Results from Events4U
The GPS track from gpsies, and my GPS track from MotionBased.
Some video, not mine I might add, but Thomas Stahl Nielsen, I haven't sorted mine out yet.
And Tomas' photographs.
Jens Thomasbergs photographs.
Bermannfotos.
Labels: cycle race, cycling, Denmark, fun, SlushCup
Sunday, November 11, 2007
SlushCup 1 GribskovMTB Tyskerplantagen
My GPS track using the MotionBased Activity Player. OK not all that fast, but I enjoyed myself.
Stunningly bizarre array of prizes were handed out. Lots of Barbie Calendars, My Little Pony collector set, a hairstyle and makeup head (the bemused face of the chap who won that was a picture, wish I'd had a camera), and then lots of assorted ladies jewelery: necklaces, ear-rings, etc. etc.
I won a necklace with beautiful little jeweled heart pendant, from the prize draw, not 'cause I came anywhere other than near the back. This sponsor was Melcher of Copenhagen. It's a really pretty necklace. Maybe I should wear it to work tomorrow.
Labels: cycle race, cycling, Denmark, fun, SlushCup
Monday, October 01, 2007
Merida MTB Marathon Denmark
Did the Merida MTB Marathon Denmark, 103km of lovely scenery and masses of mud in the woods and on the cycle paths about Hillerød.
Great fun. Over 1000 starters. That is an awful lots of bikes.
My GPS track is totally screwed up. I think I may well have banged the buttons during the race, and again later in the evening, either that or my Garmin 305 went crazy or something.
Great fun. Over 1000 starters. That is an awful lots of bikes.
My GPS track is totally screwed up. I think I may well have banged the buttons during the race, and again later in the evening, either that or my Garmin 305 went crazy or something.
Labels: cycle race, cycling
Monday, September 17, 2007
Paris-Brest-Paris
Sunday, September 16, 2007
MTB HotCup 2007 NCK Store Dyrehave (Hillerød)
Last race, 7th, in the HotCup today. Started in the rain, and when the race finished the Sun came out, lovely.
Dived into the odd mud wallow, for lack of a better technique.
One particularly scarey looking hill I took to walking down after the first attempt sent me off track, into the trees, and the bike seat kicked me hard. The photographer was there taking photos. He shouted cheerily "Women and small children ride this."
"They don't have testicles", I retorted.
Finished the race in 2hrs 1 minutes or so. Did 3 laps. Quite surprised how well I did.
Won a size 38 Ladies cycle shirt. I think it is quite lovely. Now I have to find a size 38 lady, as I don't think I know anyone that small. Maybe I shall put it in a picture frame as a trophy. Well, lets face it, it's the best I'm gonna do.
Quite surprised by my GPS track as well: I didn't realise the first lap was different. Possibly explains why I kept feeling lost...
The photographer, Jacob Lauritsen, took a good few pictures which he'll put up on the web. Shall edit this post when I find them, and here they are from the Team Hustler website:
In the background here. Was wondering why my bike cannot stay upright.
Going down the hill, joking with the photographer. Women and small children indeed! I now notice, from a look at the pictures, that quite a good few were walking it.
Didn't realise there were chaps behind me. Possibly explains how I managed to not come last.
Picture of just after I finished & covered in mud.
Another where I'm in the background.
Oh, nearly forgot: the cake afterwards was really good.
Results
Dived into the odd mud wallow, for lack of a better technique.
One particularly scarey looking hill I took to walking down after the first attempt sent me off track, into the trees, and the bike seat kicked me hard. The photographer was there taking photos. He shouted cheerily "Women and small children ride this."
"They don't have testicles", I retorted.
Finished the race in 2hrs 1 minutes or so. Did 3 laps. Quite surprised how well I did.
Won a size 38 Ladies cycle shirt. I think it is quite lovely. Now I have to find a size 38 lady, as I don't think I know anyone that small. Maybe I shall put it in a picture frame as a trophy. Well, lets face it, it's the best I'm gonna do.
Quite surprised by my GPS track as well: I didn't realise the first lap was different. Possibly explains why I kept feeling lost...
The photographer, Jacob Lauritsen, took a good few pictures which he'll put up on the web. Shall edit this post when I find them, and here they are from the Team Hustler website:
In the background here. Was wondering why my bike cannot stay upright.
Going down the hill, joking with the photographer. Women and small children indeed! I now notice, from a look at the pictures, that quite a good few were walking it.
Didn't realise there were chaps behind me. Possibly explains how I managed to not come last.
Picture of just after I finished & covered in mud.
Another where I'm in the background.
Oh, nearly forgot: the cake afterwards was really good.
Results
Labels: cycle race, cycling
Sunday, September 09, 2007
MTB HotCup 2007 NCK Store Dyrehave (Hillerød)
A practice round today for the MTB race next weekend, not convinced we did the correct route, but it was fun all the same.
Didn't fall off! I attribute this to a new DT Swiss rear shock: a SSD Carbon For reasons of clearance the mechanic was unable to fit the lockout. Says he'll talk to DT Swiss distributor on Monday to see if they have any ideas.
MotionBased Player of the route.
You may like to compare with the diagram at the bottom of this page: 2007 HotCup 7.
Didn't fall off! I attribute this to a new DT Swiss rear shock: a SSD Carbon For reasons of clearance the mechanic was unable to fit the lockout. Says he'll talk to DT Swiss distributor on Monday to see if they have any ideas.
MotionBased Player of the route.
You may like to compare with the diagram at the bottom of this page: 2007 HotCup 7.
Labels: cycle race, cycling
Sunday, August 12, 2007
MTB HotCup 2007 PMC Asserbo plantage (Tisvilde Kageløb)
Managed three circuits in todays race. Feel I did really well. Even managed to stay on at several of the corners, but did have three over-the-handlebars impromptu flights.
A young lad won a bicycle, he was so stunned, lovely moment. Then he 'phoned his mum to tell her, and I don't think, from overhearing one part of the conversation, that she quite believed he'd won a seriously-good brand-new mountain-bike either.
Motion based player
Results Woo hoo I didn't come last!
A young lad won a bicycle, he was so stunned, lovely moment. Then he 'phoned his mum to tell her, and I don't think, from overhearing one part of the conversation, that she quite believed he'd won a seriously-good brand-new mountain-bike either.
Motion based player
Results Woo hoo I didn't come last!
Labels: cycle race, cycling
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
MTB HotCup 2007 PMC Lille Hareskov (Værløse)
I didn't come last... Only managed two laps, but not bad for a fractured arm, over-extended rotator cuff, two broken ribs, including, new for today, two stage broken breathing.
My friend Janus gave me a 'ha ha' as he lapped me on a two-arrow down-hill. Instant-karma promptly caused him to lose control and head for the bushes. So as not to run him over if he spilled, I took avoiding action. Big mistake! Avoided myself straight into a tree. Didn't fall off, but came to a sudden stop all the same. Lovely extra bruising and the most painful part on my body is no longer the shoulder. Janus, of course, just dived straight through the bushes and escaped unscathed.
GPS Track from the Edge 305 is possibly barfed as the device switched itself off on my meeting with the tree. Must have some accelerometer to protect itself, or maybe if has a standard battery holder inside and the batteries jumped.
Oh, and the orange slugs were out in force. These though were a deeper, more red, orange than those on the Nordic24. More of them were crushed as well. Interesting.
Results
Obligatory silly grin picture.
Hot and sweaty, lovely, and no grin, yipee!
My friend Janus gave me a 'ha ha' as he lapped me on a two-arrow down-hill. Instant-karma promptly caused him to lose control and head for the bushes. So as not to run him over if he spilled, I took avoiding action. Big mistake! Avoided myself straight into a tree. Didn't fall off, but came to a sudden stop all the same. Lovely extra bruising and the most painful part on my body is no longer the shoulder. Janus, of course, just dived straight through the bushes and escaped unscathed.
GPS Track from the Edge 305 is possibly barfed as the device switched itself off on my meeting with the tree. Must have some accelerometer to protect itself, or maybe if has a standard battery holder inside and the batteries jumped.
Oh, and the orange slugs were out in force. These though were a deeper, more red, orange than those on the Nordic24. More of them were crushed as well. Interesting.
Results
Obligatory silly grin picture.
Hot and sweaty, lovely, and no grin, yipee!
Labels: cycle race, cycling
Monday, June 18, 2007
Nordic24
I took part in the Nordic24, a 24 hour Mountain Bike Race, this weekend. Rain, mud, and strange orange glowing things on the path. Achieved the target of not coming last! Bought myself a new super mountain bike in anticipation of the race and it was like moving up from a clapped out banger with go-faster stripes to a Ferrari. A recipe for trouble. It is a seriously fast and very light bike!
Great fun though!
The strange orange glowing things are apparently a type of slug called 'Arion Rufus'. Which, if you're a student of greek/latin, will make you smile. It made me ROFL! I also saw a Newt very late on Sunday night. It was nestled down in a recent cycle track through the mud and I thought "Suicide by MTB: way to go Mr. Newt!". I also inspected many roots, stumps and rocks at exceptionally close quarters.
Really great bunch of people from all over the world, everybody helping each other out. Most problems were with brakes just plain wearing out due to the conditions. Several teams were sponsored by bike shops, some with branches nearby and they went and got loads of new brake pads so people could carry on. Me, being me, came with spares, even a spare bike. Ner ner!
So much rain-water that part of the site flooded and it looked for a while that the scaffolding they were using as the lap stage was becoming unstable. Spades appeared and trenches were dug to encourage the water into a large pond nearby. Smell got a little strong. Rain kept the blessed mosquitoes away, which was nice, and only got bitten once, even nicer!
It got so muddy on the course that it bunged up between the wheels and frame. I had to scoop the mud out and then carry the bike to the next ridable section. Saw several detachable mud guards which appeared, due to their placement in the track, like they'd broke off rather than they'd been discarded as useless. Also found a CO2 bike pump. I picked such things up and put them on stumps and branches so people could find them easily if they came around later.
Lots of people injured, ambulances came and went several times. The leading girl had to be helped to the prize giving by means of being lifted there by two guys. Looked really sassy. There was one guy who got his eye hurt, but carried on with an eye patch. Now, with no distance perception, it certainly made it all the more fun for him I guess! Lost my protective glasses: a branch stole them in the dark. Was a little worried I might befall the same fate, but was lucky. Yet, I have to buy new before my next race on Wednesday.
Crashed really badly somewhere in my first lap, but carried on thinking it was just bruising. Noticed as I started my second lap that I had difficulty getting on my bicycle. Then realised as I came to the end of my second lap that I'd fallen on just about every right turn. When I finished my second lap the team captain stopped me carrying on as he considered the conditions too bad. To be realistic, I couldn't do right turns so I couldn't manage the turn around at the lap, and the rest of the team grabbed me just as I tried to work out how I was supposed to get back out. Yes, yes, the turn around was a U to the left, but the entrance in was a right and just too tight for me. After a little sleep in the morning everything was hurting real bad and I got talked into talking to the Doctor. Well, blow me if the Doctor wasn't the one eyed guy from earlier! He diagnosed an over extension of my left shoulder rotator cuff, whatever that is, which would explain most everything. Later I went to the hospital and as additions my other arm is fractured and have two broken ribs. Only hurts when I laugh, cough, try and ride a bike...
Results
My teams laps
GPS logs of my laps: (this will take you to the Garmin website site)
First lap
Second lap
You may well notice that the distance my wheels traveled is shorter than the routes, being 17.1 km. The reason is that it was so muddy I could not even push the bicycle in many parts but had to carry it, and on the downhills I had the brakes just off locking the wheels up, but enough so they would turn slowly. Never seen it give such a big difference in distance before. Just goes to show how fantastically muddy and slippery the course was.
The stopwatch buttons failed on the Garmin Edge 305 due to getting back-filled with mud. I gave it a quick blast from the shower this morning, and they're working again now. I think the front of the unit shall be covered with gaffer tape in future to prevent such problems recurring.
For my night lap I used Sigma lamps, two on the bars, one on the helmet, and had plenty of batteries. The frame holder got smashed off on one fall, so I ended up with that battery in my front pocket. The battery for the helmet lamp I had in my camel back. I then had a spare pair of batteries along with a spare tire tube, some tools and a mobile phone in a bum bag. Next time I think I shall gaffer tape the batteries to the frame for each lap. Just gotta get that weight lower down.
Things to remember for next years Nordic24 race:
Marquee style tent
Diesel generator
Fayre Lights
Patio heater
Gas powered camp stove / BBQ set
A very very light-weight cyclo-cross bike, so if it is that muddy again I can strap it to my back and just run around the frikin course!
Great fun though!
The strange orange glowing things are apparently a type of slug called 'Arion Rufus'. Which, if you're a student of greek/latin, will make you smile. It made me ROFL! I also saw a Newt very late on Sunday night. It was nestled down in a recent cycle track through the mud and I thought "Suicide by MTB: way to go Mr. Newt!". I also inspected many roots, stumps and rocks at exceptionally close quarters.
Really great bunch of people from all over the world, everybody helping each other out. Most problems were with brakes just plain wearing out due to the conditions. Several teams were sponsored by bike shops, some with branches nearby and they went and got loads of new brake pads so people could carry on. Me, being me, came with spares, even a spare bike. Ner ner!
So much rain-water that part of the site flooded and it looked for a while that the scaffolding they were using as the lap stage was becoming unstable. Spades appeared and trenches were dug to encourage the water into a large pond nearby. Smell got a little strong. Rain kept the blessed mosquitoes away, which was nice, and only got bitten once, even nicer!
It got so muddy on the course that it bunged up between the wheels and frame. I had to scoop the mud out and then carry the bike to the next ridable section. Saw several detachable mud guards which appeared, due to their placement in the track, like they'd broke off rather than they'd been discarded as useless. Also found a CO2 bike pump. I picked such things up and put them on stumps and branches so people could find them easily if they came around later.
Lots of people injured, ambulances came and went several times. The leading girl had to be helped to the prize giving by means of being lifted there by two guys. Looked really sassy. There was one guy who got his eye hurt, but carried on with an eye patch. Now, with no distance perception, it certainly made it all the more fun for him I guess! Lost my protective glasses: a branch stole them in the dark. Was a little worried I might befall the same fate, but was lucky. Yet, I have to buy new before my next race on Wednesday.
Crashed really badly somewhere in my first lap, but carried on thinking it was just bruising. Noticed as I started my second lap that I had difficulty getting on my bicycle. Then realised as I came to the end of my second lap that I'd fallen on just about every right turn. When I finished my second lap the team captain stopped me carrying on as he considered the conditions too bad. To be realistic, I couldn't do right turns so I couldn't manage the turn around at the lap, and the rest of the team grabbed me just as I tried to work out how I was supposed to get back out. Yes, yes, the turn around was a U to the left, but the entrance in was a right and just too tight for me. After a little sleep in the morning everything was hurting real bad and I got talked into talking to the Doctor. Well, blow me if the Doctor wasn't the one eyed guy from earlier! He diagnosed an over extension of my left shoulder rotator cuff, whatever that is, which would explain most everything. Later I went to the hospital and as additions my other arm is fractured and have two broken ribs. Only hurts when I laugh, cough, try and ride a bike...
Results
My teams laps
GPS logs of my laps: (this will take you to the Garmin website site)
First lap
Second lap
You may well notice that the distance my wheels traveled is shorter than the routes, being 17.1 km. The reason is that it was so muddy I could not even push the bicycle in many parts but had to carry it, and on the downhills I had the brakes just off locking the wheels up, but enough so they would turn slowly. Never seen it give such a big difference in distance before. Just goes to show how fantastically muddy and slippery the course was.
The stopwatch buttons failed on the Garmin Edge 305 due to getting back-filled with mud. I gave it a quick blast from the shower this morning, and they're working again now. I think the front of the unit shall be covered with gaffer tape in future to prevent such problems recurring.
For my night lap I used Sigma lamps, two on the bars, one on the helmet, and had plenty of batteries. The frame holder got smashed off on one fall, so I ended up with that battery in my front pocket. The battery for the helmet lamp I had in my camel back. I then had a spare pair of batteries along with a spare tire tube, some tools and a mobile phone in a bum bag. Next time I think I shall gaffer tape the batteries to the frame for each lap. Just gotta get that weight lower down.
Things to remember for next years Nordic24 race:
Marquee style tent
Diesel generator
Fayre Lights
Patio heater
Gas powered camp stove / BBQ set
A very very light-weight cyclo-cross bike, so if it is that muddy again I can strap it to my back and just run around the frikin course!
Labels: cycle race, cycling
Monday, June 11, 2007
MTB HotCup 2007 PMC Geels Skov (Holte)
I've moved up the rankings! How the heck did that happen?
Picture (the one at the back with the light blue full arm shirt)
Oh lovely! They took a picture of my bum as well.
The obligatory silly grin picture.
Results
Picture (the one at the back with the light blue full arm shirt)
Oh lovely! They took a picture of my bum as well.
The obligatory silly grin picture.
Results
Labels: cycle race, cycling
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
MTB HotCup 2007 NCK Grib Skov (Nødebo)
Thursday, May 03, 2007
MTB HotCup 2007 PMC Asserbo plantage (Tisvilde)
Second round of the MTB HotCup 2007 organised by the Police Mountain Bike Club (PMC) and held at the Asserbo plantage. Managed to complete 3 circuits! Yippee for me!
My full suspension mountain bike is now well and truely buggered so I am in the market for a new one. There again it was past it a few years ago and I had been using it as my 'ice bike', i.e. put some Nokian winter tires on: the ones with the lovely metal studs. Used it when it was too icy to ride any other bike, and crash into cars that cut me up. One gets to appreciate the sublime beauty inherent to the curvy scratches carbide tipped bicycle tyre studs make to a car that cuts you up. Also upped the gears so as to reduce the torque to prevent slippage. But I digress. For this race I decided I ought to be shod in a lovely fat pair of Nobby Nics. Now the rear tire catchs a little on the front deraileur, and due to a slight buckle in that wheel, the rear subframe too. What with the higher gearing, it doesn't go quite low enough to let me climb anything. Ho, hum. Bad workman blames his tools and all that. Yet using a chisel as a screwdriver isn't doing to do anyone any good.
Talking of climbing: they said, on the website description of the course, that if your technique was good enough then the whole course is rideable. Well, exsqueeze me, but there was something that looked distinctly like a set of stairs on one part of the circuit, and really flipping steep ones at that!
Guess I shall have to practice my technique then. ;-)
At one point I found a young lady who had fallen. She was stuck in a very muddy ditch all twisted round so couldn't get her foot out from the pedals, no twist left you see. Everyone else seemed to be just riding past. So I helped her up. My good deed for the day. Just an aging boy scout after all.
On my last round, when I was all on my very lonesome, everyone else either having finished or given up, I was startled by a large (and what appeared feral at the time, honest,) brown poodle crashing through the undergrowth towards me. Luckily it stopped. The noise it made before stopping improved my cadence no end. Up that hill!
My GPS track is pretty pants, looks like the receiver couldn't get a proper signal, but you can get the idea of the route.
The race results, I didn't come last!
My full suspension mountain bike is now well and truely buggered so I am in the market for a new one. There again it was past it a few years ago and I had been using it as my 'ice bike', i.e. put some Nokian winter tires on: the ones with the lovely metal studs. Used it when it was too icy to ride any other bike, and crash into cars that cut me up. One gets to appreciate the sublime beauty inherent to the curvy scratches carbide tipped bicycle tyre studs make to a car that cuts you up. Also upped the gears so as to reduce the torque to prevent slippage. But I digress. For this race I decided I ought to be shod in a lovely fat pair of Nobby Nics. Now the rear tire catchs a little on the front deraileur, and due to a slight buckle in that wheel, the rear subframe too. What with the higher gearing, it doesn't go quite low enough to let me climb anything. Ho, hum. Bad workman blames his tools and all that. Yet using a chisel as a screwdriver isn't doing to do anyone any good.
Talking of climbing: they said, on the website description of the course, that if your technique was good enough then the whole course is rideable. Well, exsqueeze me, but there was something that looked distinctly like a set of stairs on one part of the circuit, and really flipping steep ones at that!
Guess I shall have to practice my technique then. ;-)
At one point I found a young lady who had fallen. She was stuck in a very muddy ditch all twisted round so couldn't get her foot out from the pedals, no twist left you see. Everyone else seemed to be just riding past. So I helped her up. My good deed for the day. Just an aging boy scout after all.
On my last round, when I was all on my very lonesome, everyone else either having finished or given up, I was startled by a large (and what appeared feral at the time, honest,) brown poodle crashing through the undergrowth towards me. Luckily it stopped. The noise it made before stopping improved my cadence no end. Up that hill!
My GPS track is pretty pants, looks like the receiver couldn't get a proper signal, but you can get the idea of the route.
The race results, I didn't come last!
Labels: cycle race, cycling
Thursday, April 12, 2007
MTB HotCup 2007 NCK Tysker Plantagen (Hillerød)
I was in a cycle race last night. Round 1 of the MTB HotCup 2007. It was held at the NCK Tysker Plantagen (Hillerød).
Well, I didn't win, but I don't think I came last... Managed two laps, and as I crossed the finish line, a deliberately narrowed zig-zag so an RFID system could take out times, someone crashed into the back of me...
Had a spectacular crash just after the start, right in front of a camera crew that I'd been chatting to earlier. Cleats jammed in the pedals so I was still attached and holding onto the bike when I ended right-side up at the bottom.
"If that ends up on the editing room floor I'm sending it to Worlds Funniest Videos." I heard one of them shout laughingly as I worked out which day of the week it was.
Buggered the bike up and I bent bits so I was stuck single speeding with the chain dragging, slapping and sucking for most of the course. Have a lovely collection of cuts and bruises, yet I feel great!
Pictures from Team Hustler
Pictures from PMC MTB
Pictures from Thomas Stahl
A picture of me with the usual stupid look on my face Why do they always take a picture of me with a silly grin? Do I go about with a grin all the time? Maybe...
A GPS playback
Race results
A Video but not the video, or maybe one has to buy the whole DVD? Dunno. I'll be back on this point.
Well, I didn't win, but I don't think I came last... Managed two laps, and as I crossed the finish line, a deliberately narrowed zig-zag so an RFID system could take out times, someone crashed into the back of me...
Had a spectacular crash just after the start, right in front of a camera crew that I'd been chatting to earlier. Cleats jammed in the pedals so I was still attached and holding onto the bike when I ended right-side up at the bottom.
"If that ends up on the editing room floor I'm sending it to Worlds Funniest Videos." I heard one of them shout laughingly as I worked out which day of the week it was.
Buggered the bike up and I bent bits so I was stuck single speeding with the chain dragging, slapping and sucking for most of the course. Have a lovely collection of cuts and bruises, yet I feel great!
Pictures from Team Hustler
Pictures from PMC MTB
Pictures from Thomas Stahl
A picture of me with the usual stupid look on my face Why do they always take a picture of me with a silly grin? Do I go about with a grin all the time? Maybe...
A GPS playback
Race results
A Video but not the video, or maybe one has to buy the whole DVD? Dunno. I'll be back on this point.
Labels: cycle race, cycling
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