Tired but survived

 When the alarm clock went off this morning, after yesterday's hard ride and a one hour shorter night I was tempted to bail from the ride. I still don’t know how I managed to don’t do it but I’m glad I didn’t. The ride was not easy, there is no easy ride to Sumners Ponds, but I had enough to play a semi decent role of filler in a group of nine riders and not being dropped. The secret to happiness is to have low expectations. 

Today was also the day we saw JFW returning to cycling. And what a return it was. As always he took all the early town sign sprints, those he only knows where they are. That was expected. But I was also expecting to last about 30km and the surprise came when he beated GC Denis (and me, of course) up Hound House. That was not expected. After Hound House I thought he would turn left and head home. But no. He did the whole ride!!!! That was even less expected. Sprint power, climbing legs and endurance. I am now pretty sure he has been riding without telling us. 

Finally, also today, I was discussing with Dai alternative sports to cycling. His main point is cycling is a sport that requires you to travel with a big case. I suggested chess. It looked to me like I'd do better than in cycling, even if I barely know how to move the pieces. But now, a few hours later, I found out my real call. You know, there is short siesta, which is less than 15 minutes, siesta and siesta marathon, at least two hours. Being a long distance rider I thought I’d try my hand at siesta marathon today and I think I already managed to qualify for the next olympics. And now I’m not even tired. I’m a natural.

The ride in Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/6890968557

Take care

Javier Arias González

Oops!...I Did It Again

What? What is what you did again? Was it to sit at the back of the group for most of the ride?

No, no. That is expected. No news there.

Was it to have to stop for a pee very often?

No, no. It wasn’t that either. We had rain at the start of the ride and I think I got cold. It is true that I had to stop a bit too often, even for my standards but that wasn’t it.

Was it that you were lost most of the route?

No, no. I am always lost half of the route! Today I only recognised the first two climbs. I actually missed Rupert at Abinger. I know he loves to smash that climb and I love to try to sit on his wheel all the way.

Was it that you dropped The Pope?

Would you believe that? 

Nor me. The Pope was dropped but it was not my merit. We all agreed The Pope todays was Thibaut Pinot’s reincarnation.

It must be then that you had a coffee at the stop.

No, it is not that either. I definitely had a coffee. I know I sound like a broken record but I found myself riding with a group where everyone was riding stronger than me. I had to resort to caffeine to be able to deal with the pressure.

Ah, if you had a coffee then what you did again was to start taking turns at the front as you were a strong rider. It must be that.

It is not. Yes, I started at the front and didn’t shy away from taking turns. I probably expended a few matches I didn’t have but that happens all the time. Caffeine clouds my common sense and make me believe I am Wout van Aert’s reincarnation (The Pope can be Thibaut Pinot’s reincarnation; just in case you had any doubt there is no way I am Wout van Aert).

Oh well, it is clear then. What you did is to take the final sprint at Hampton.

No, it wasn’t that either. I agree with you that considering what a shitty sprinter I am, taking two final sprints in two consecutive weeks is surprising enough to exclaim “I did it again”. But what about the “Oops”. That implies that I didn’t want to do it and you can believe I wanted to take today’s sprint. I wanted it so bad I used all the tricks I know. Positioned myself perfectly at the back of the group, waited for the right moment to launch my sprint, and, very important, made sure no potential contestant knew where the sprint line was. That helps.

Of course the two potential contestants asked where the sprint line was. And I gave them the right answer. “Go ask Rupert and good luck”. So proud of the sharpness of my brain coming out with that answer.

A shame that I continued talking and gave away where exactly the finish line is. 

Oops!...I Did It Again. For a second consecutive week I gave away where the sprint line is to riders that are considerably stronger than me. 

Not so proud of my brain sharpness now.

The ride in Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/6812110837/

Take care

Javier Arias González

I need a MIB Neuralyzer?

 Jumped on the bike and realized the rear disc got bent in yesterday’s flight, it was rubbing so I had to ride back and get another bike.

I thought of taking my summer bike but that one is on the turbo. I would have to take it out of the turbo, put the rear wheel, pump it up, etc. I was already tight on time so decided to go for the winter bike. That one was just there waiting for me to grab it.

Riding to the meeting point I realized the front brake was not recovering. I used it once and it got stuck rubbing the wheel. I didn’t mind. I was late and I don’t like to be late. I pushed through it and got to the meeting point just on time. 

Jumped off the bike and tried to find out what was going on with the brake. Couldn’t figure it out so I told the group they should go ahead and I’d go back home and get my summer bike. There were seconds of hesitation until The Pope came with the solution. Just open the brake, it is happening the same to mine and I’m doing it all the time. I tried and it worked. Leaving the brake full open meant I had to pull the lever all the way but the brake would stop the wheel and when stopped pulling the lever it would recover just about to leave the wheel to rotate without friction. Let’s roll.

Let’s roll meant I was in a group with nine other riders. Moving at what felt like a very fast speed, everyone looking stronger than me, me riding a 12.5 kg winter bike, all heading to Sumners Ponds. I’ll confess I panicked a little bit.

It is a cliché by now but Sumners Ponds’ rides are known for not being easy and for being a killer ride for the weakness riders in the group (more details here https://www.unbiciorejon.com/2018/10/you-need-to-read-this-if-you-are.html). 

This is barely a surprise for anyone, but feeling how I was feeling and knowing what was coming, I made the conscious decision I would avoid the front of the group like the plague.

And that is exactly what I did. I am very experienced in that skill, almost a master. I don’t think anyone will be surprised by my success at it. 

From my position I was able to admire (and envy) the work the pace The Pope was pushing. He was on fire. The rest of the riders were also riding strong. In my mental calculations I was the seventh strongest rider out of ten. Not ideal.

Made it to Sumners Ponds surprisingly in one piece. Although in retrospect it wasn’t that surprising. We had tailwind most of the way, we went there the “easy” way, did I mention I wasn’t seen in the front?

I ordered a coffee regardless. I knew most of the climbing was going to be in the second half and we were going to have head wind. I didn’t feel too tired but I was very worried.

The second half of the route went actually better than expected. I found myself relaxed, confident and feeling strong. Caffeine is a godsend!!! 

I still rode cautiously though. Leith Hill was coming, a climb I don’t like, let alone riding my winter bike. After Leith we still had Juniper Hill, a climb I like, and the sprint at the Horton roundabouts, a sprint I like but felt was going to be very contested today.

Survived Leith Hill. Didn’t get into the red and still wasn’t too far back. That increased my morale. I started to think my riding mates were getting tired and I was actually feeling ok(ish) (no wonder, they were riding in the front all day and I wasn’t).

Juniper felt a bit too easy. The Pope led it from the beginning to the top. No one dared to pass him. I was able to admire (and envy) how he was climbing, even if I could tell he was fading out a tiny little bit. 

By the time the final ramp came I surprisingly found myself third wheel and with a gap at my back. I still had something in the tank so I decided to sprint for the KOM (I know, I know, very cheeky). I passed Ed, still sitting on the saddle. Put my hands on the drops and as I was going to attack The Pope my left pedal uncliped. Words I’m not very proud of came out of my mouth even if I managed to stay on the bike. 

The Pope took the KOM but I was still very happy with my second. Kind of like Valverde yesterday as Strade Bianche. At the top of Juniper is where it is obvious who was slaughtered in just another Sumners Pond ride. I was just happy it wasn’t me. So much so this song came to my mind (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTMgX1PDGAE).

Happiness (and caffeine) made me visit the front of the group so no one can say I didn’t contribute to the average speed. Yes, it was probably only 1 km and yes, it was all downhill but the Horton sprint was coming and I was already considering how I would play it. I was still part of a fast moving group of 10 riders.

Lucky had it that as we were leaving Epson it was only The Pope, Ed and me. I looked back and only saw a rider in the distance. I figured the rest got stuck in a traffic light. Well, that simplifies matters a little bit.

By the time we get to the first roundabout The Pope was at the front, Ed on his wheel, I was third wheel and the fourth rider joined us. I took note we had head wind and, still, I thought my best chances were attacking from a far (that’s the danger of watching Pogacar racing). 

A couple of roundabouts and we rotated Ed moved to the front and The Pope to the back. One roundabout and we rotated again. Not sure how the rest got organized behind me but I’m certain I found myself in the front for what it felt like an eternity. 

I started to slow down. Part of it was that I felt the wind and I was starting to get tired, part was me slowing down to force someone to pass me. The Pope attacked.

Not a very strong attack I have to say. In fact I decided I wasn’t going to close the gap. I wanted the other two riders to pass me so I could move to the back and stay until the final sprint.

But they were not coming. 

So I slowed down a little bit more. 

The gap grew bigger. I still was thinking I would be able to close it if I wanted but I was worried about bringing the other two riders with me. I slowed down a little bit more.

Finally they both passed me. I sat at their back and waited for them to close the gap.

Now I was thinking that as soon as we got to The Pope I was going to attack. I was still thinking my best chance was attacking from afar.

The problem is the gap with The Pope was closing very slowly. By the time we got to him we were in the last roundabout.

The Pope started to sprint but I saw Ed coming faster from behind him so I followed Ed. 

The problem is Ed’s kick was very strong and he had a small gap. I kept pushing and managed to get on his wheel with a second to decide when to attack him. 

Luckily for me Ed didn’t know where the line was so a few meters earlier I moved to the right, gave it a push and managed to take the sprint.

Now I was over the moon. Not only did I manage to survive a ride to Sumners Pond but also managed to take the final sprint. I was close to starting dancing when we stopped to re-group.

Still, so much optimism made me make a huge mistake. Ed mentioned he didn’t know where the sprint line was and there I went giving him all the details about it. 

I don’t know why I gave away such important information to a rider that is clearly stronger and faster than me. Clearly I’m not the cleverest out there but I have a plan, I’m now googling “MIB Neuralyzer” (and a new disc brake).

The ride in Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/6782123453/ 

Take care

Javier Arias González

Just one more gear change

I didn’t take the Esher sprint.

Yeah, I know this is hardly a surprise to anyone. 

But I was very close.

I just needed one more gear change. 

The Esher sprint starts from a stand still and straight into a small ramp. I usually change into the small chainring for that ramp to be able to spin the legs. That’s what I did today.

Only to find out that as soon as the ramp finished and I wanted to change into the big chainring my di2 had run out of battery. 

I was stuck in the small chainring. I only needed one more gear change to be able to get into the big chainring and take the sprint. 

Sometimes it is just a mechanical that prevents you from taking a sure win.

And it was a sure win even if like 5 kilometers earlier I still didn’t know we were going to finish at Esher. A sign that I was not too diligent checking the route to know how to get ready for the sprint.

It was also a sure win even if The Pope was a bit, only a bit, stronger than everyone else in the ride. I still took encouragement from the fact that he didn’t drop us on the first climb. That was a positive sign for me, wasn’t it? 

He certainly dropped us in all the rest of the climbs. He also gave the impression he could drop us at any time he wanted. He also took more turns on the front than the rest and his turns were longer than everyone else’s.

But that was still positive for me, wasn’t it? For sure he would be tired for the sprint. 

I certainly was. 

I felt tired from km 60, 60 kilometers from the sprint line. That was still positive for my chances at the sprint I thought. Feeling tired that early meant I entered survival mode and tried to save as much energy as possible (Let’s ignore for a second the real difference between feeling tired and actually being tired).

So, you see, with everything looking good for my chances at the sprint, not having checked the battery level of my di2 almost ruined the sprint for me.

And I say almost because when I realized I was stuck in the small chainring I had two reactions. 

The first one was. “Fantastic. I now have the perfect excuse if I don’t take the sprint”. One more proof that I’m all for lying my excuses early.

The second one was “I still can take the sprint”. Honest.

Esher sprint is an uphill sprint so I figured I would be able to sprint in the small chainring. All I had to do was to make sure Ed didn’t know about it and to stay in the group until the last ramp (I was counting on Denis to take us to the line).

It all started very well. I managed to stay at the back of the trio in the flat and in the first downhill section. It only required a couple of short high cadence efforts.

The first ramp came and Denis was on the front, Ed on his wheel and me closing the group (The Barbarian disconnected from the group even before the Esher sprint started) and I’m pretty sure Ed didn’t know about my mechanical issue. That was a great situation. I started to consider celebration options.

Just before the ramp finished I saw Ed jumping on the pedals and attacking. The way he attacked also from where he attacked was a strong sign that Ed was feeling optimistic about his chances. I honestly don’t understand from where some people get their optimism. 

That was it. There was no need to consider celebration options anymore. Another almost win in my curriculum.

The ride in Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/6671253076 

Take care 

Javier Arias González

 

It's a trap!

 

“I’m riding Saturday but need to take things a bit easy”. That’s what Denis said on Wednesday.

“Good news is my knee seems to have healed itself. But probs riding Sunday rather than Saturday”. Wrote Ed on the same day.

The ride went up in the Kingston Wheelers forum. 

I should have suspected something was not as I was told. The ride was announced as K2. That is not “easy”. 

On Friday Ed wrote in the whatsapp group “I may now join tomorrow”.

A message that was quickly followed by a message from Denis saying “[no] longer need to take it quite so easy tomorrow”.

I quickly checked the KW forum, and the ride didn’t have any takers. It was a trap. The Kinston Wheelers k and I fell in it. 

So, how was the ride?

Well, it was short and flat (https://www.unbiciorejon.com/2019/02/javiers-ride-classification-criteria.html) but it certainly was not easy.

"Why does this route have so many ramps and why is Ed pushing the pace in every single one of them" not easy. "Thank God Denis got a puncture" not easy. “Double latte at the H’artisan” not easy.

The ride in Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/6634705104/ 

Take care 

Javier Arias González

How to get a "feel good" ride?

Make sure it is a ride long enough to suit you. 150km is just fine. Don’t choose a longer one because you won’t be able to manage it. Ah!! Make it flat. A hilly ride would kill you.

Somehow you have to make sure Ed shows up injured and Denis tired. Don’t try to do this when they are in half form, that would be the best way of making sure you don’t have a “feel good” ride.

Make sure you don’t have a coffee in the morning. Coffee gets you too optimistic and you would do too much work at the beginning of the ride. That would be a “feel good” first 30 minutes of the ride followed by an “I’m so silly” ride of five hours and a half.

Of course you have to make sure you get head wind on the way out and tail wind on the way back. That is not easy to get but it is essential to give you the feeling of speed needed at the end of a “feel good” ride. You need that speed and you won’t have the legs so tail wind on the way back is key. 

You also have to convince everyone that riding steady is the best strategy to deal with tiredness, injury and head wind. Riding steady is good. Intensity is bad. Would you be able to remember that?

As you approach the first “climb” (we said this had to be a flat route) make sure someone gets a puncture half way up the “climb”. That would cancel any KOM competition and allow you to pass it “easily”.

Take the opportunity the puncture gives you and dump as much weight as possible. Offer a CO2 canister. That is 16g less. Offer an inner tube, there go another 100gr. Even a gel wrap, they are worth 2grs at the very least.  

If possible, make sure the coffee stop comes a bit late in the ride. Around kilometer 85 would be ideal. Even better if the coffee stop is at the top of a “climb” (I said flaaaat!!). You know it always feels hard after the coffee stop so better to start with a short flat and a downhill.

Now.. At the coffee stop. Order a latte!!!! A big one. You want all the caffeine you can take without needing to stop for a pee every five kilometers. In case of doubt, err in the more caffeine the better side. Without caffeine you won’t get a “feel good” ride. You still have 65km to get home.

That’s all.

I’m not saying making all this happen for a given ride is easy. If you make it happen that’s all you need.

Being tired will hit Denis and being injured will hit Ed. They’ll allow you to take the front. Enjoy it because you are not there very often. Your power numbers will still be useless but the tail wind will give you the speed that you need and the caffeine will make you feel happy and optimistic.

That’s it. That is a “feel good” ride. A ride in which your power numbers don’t matter. A ride in which keeping speed feels easy. A ride you finish happy and optimistic.

Ah, ah, ah. One last thing. 

Make sure you make the last sprint void. After all this effort, you don’t really want to screw a “feel good” ride losing the last sprint to Denis or Ed. And you know it is possible, much to your despair. So, find any excuse and well before the sprint tell everyone we are not sprinting. Pray they buy the excuse.

Can you believe today was a “feel good” ride?

Well it was. It is in Strava https://www.strava.com/activities/6599543557/

Follow me in the GCN App for more high quality cycling advice https://gcn.social/javierariasgonz

Take care

Javier Arias González

Sprinting like I was about to take the road worldchamps

Two months have passed since my last proper KW Saturday gang ride. 

What normally happens in these circumstances is you feel fine for most of the ride but, inevitably, the pace and duration of the ride gets you and you end up feeling the ride was at least an hour too long.

It was a bit worse for me today.

Picture this.

I woke up and had a coffee. I don’t normally do that. That was a sign of fear. I knew 4 out of the 5 mates I was riding with were stronger than me. 

Give me a coffee and my brain will be tricked into thinking I am way stronger than I really am. That meant that the first one to get the head of the group was me. 

Javier leading the group from the get go??!!?? That is an unusual sight. 

Full of caffeine induced optimism I managed to do a bit more work than I should have in the first 45km. Those that were pan flat. Those before the 5 climbs started.

Miraculously I survived the first, second and third climb. But the fourth and fifth...

The fourth and fifth were a bit of a struggle. Not a disaster but fairly close. The coffee stop could come soon enough.

It came at about km 100. I had a second coffee. If my morning coffee was a sign of fear, the second one was a sign of panic.

The problem was that all my riding mates also had coffee. I knew I was in trouble. 

It only took 11 kms, the distance to Drift Road, for my troubles to be revealed to everyone. 

Drift Road is typically ridden as through and off. Very soon Steve disconnected and the group was reduced to four riders. That meant the pace was faster. Not good for me.

Worse that I was following Pope’s wheel. The Pope was pushing the pace (effect of the caffeine I’d guess) and I was struggling to pass him and hit the front.

When the “climb” came I had to miss a turn. I knew if I tried to move to the front I’d be dropped, if I missed the turn I would have a chance.

And the chance materialized. The pace slowed a little bit, enough to allow me to go back into formation. This time behind Denis’ wheel. That was good. Denis’ wheel is good for me, a bit more manageable than The Pope’s.

There are two kms from the “climb” to the end of Drift Road. A more sensible pace and a favorable formation meant I had time to recover. I was game for the sprint. 

I’d claim I took it. After all it is me deciding who takes the sprints and it is very human to have biases.

The disadvantage of sprinting when you are already very tired and you still have an hour of riding to get home is that hour is going to feel very, very long.

The Pope, arguing he was too cold, hit the front and kept the pace spicy. Ed contributed to the game. Denis started to pay for the race he raced yesterday (Denis was riding on racing tired legs). I had to use all the tricks in my wheelsucker book. 

Tricks that allowed me to take another sprint. Somehow I recognised the road and I realized a sprint was coming. Jumped from the third wheel and took it. Clearly. True that no one else contested it. Also true that sprinting wasn’t the best idea from the survival point of view. Something that didn’t take me long to realize. 

That was not the best news as we were approaching the last sprint of the day. The Hampton sprint. The Pope in the front, Ed second wheel, me on third, Denis closing the group (Steve had disconnected again from the group a while back).

At some point The Pope makes a clear sign asking for the rest to take turns at the front. Ed passes him. Denis passes me and The Pope. I drag myself to pass The Pope and keep sitting on the third wheel. Having The Pope on my wheel was not ideal but there was no way he would allow me to stay on his wheel. 

At some point Denis passes Ed and hits the front. Typical Denis. I don’t pass Ed and keep myself on his wheel. Typical Javier. 

Still third wheel. Still The Pope on my wheel.

At some point I feel The Pope starting to make his move. You know how that is. You don’t really need to see him, you just feel him. And it was not only me Ed also felt it and also started to make his move.

I love those moments. The tension, the speed, all the options that cross my mind. 

Don’t get it wrong. We are still choppers sprinting for a random sign but for me these sprints are like we were about to take the road worldchamps.

I let The Pope pass me. Ed jumps on his wheel and I keep myself on Ed’s wheel. Almost immediately Ed passes The Pope and I make my attempt to pass Ed and end up passing him.

A shame that as soon as I passed him I realized we were already close to the traffic lights and a few weeks ago we had agreed the line was at a sign that was a bit earlier. I replay the sprint in my head and I have to admit it was The Pope the first crossing it. You can’t imagine how much it hurts me conceding this win to The Pope. I’m about to cry.

What type of sprinter forgets where the line is when is feeling like he is sprinting to take the road worldchamps?

That would be only me :-(

The ride in Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/6563541130

Take care

Javier Arias González