Merida Brass Monkeys Rnd 2

With some bad preparation (late nights and a long day in the cold the day before), I was ready on the start line, with two other CW riders Nick K and Brian B, it was cold but not as bad as the 2nd round last year.

I was back to SS and the start horn went and off we went. The usual suspects shot away at the front with the gears, pah! Nick went past on a little descent and I sat into a rhythm and my first 2 laps went well, better than expected.

Entering the 3rd lap the cramps started and I would fight them until the end of my 5 laps, finally shaking them with 1/4 of the last lap to go and some how finish 27th in the 4hr.  More a triumph to my stubbornness, rather than physical capability on the day.

The fact that things started to come good towards the end, gave me more confidence for fixing myself on the fly for the big races for next year.  Banana's, gels and 2-1 fixes cramps, fact, but no real science from me to support it. :)

Muddy rides

Looks like Wednesday mornings mudfest of 3ok's may have been a good warm up for this weekends 2nd Rnd of the Brass Monkey series.

And as it will be a cold muddy day out, Tonka my faithful 29er is back to SS config and we know that is the best way forward and I hope to be flying again as gears seem to get in the way.  It will be good to see Nick (cycleworks) and Brian out and hopefully charging.

Hope everyone has their winter woolies ready.

S

Ouchy

The session at the wall went about as well as expected from the climbing perspective, but from the point of view of having a good stretch and giving the legs and lower back a rest it was great.  A little sore today, but in general feeling better than after yesterday's ride and muscles that felt tight are now lose again.

A bit of cross training really does help.  Noticing that you have blown a seal on the forks on your workhorse training bike doesn't.  Better rebuild the Niner tonight, with a couple of rides this weekend it would help to have a working MTB.

K's in the bag

This mornings ride was extra hard after very few hours sleep. Pretty much suffered all the way around and chose to ride some new trails I had been shown the other night.  This lightened my mood and I ended the ride with a smile.  It's funny how sometimes just riding and not worrying about the stats, helps the mood and motivation.

Off to the climbing wall tonight for a change of scenery. :)

Night rides.......

like last night are the ones that keep you going and keen.  Out with the crew, with a slightly more laid back pace, some new trails, some good climbs descents and a bit of a laugh.  More like this should keep me fit and fast in the winter.  Getting 2.5hrs on the single in the mud, dark and cold is always a good thing.

Keeping it chilled and fun like last night has its place and last night it was needed. Training without training.  :-)