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Luke's Eildon Road Race Report
- By David Heatley
- Published 06-Jul-09
- Coaching Results
- Unrated
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Got this e-mail from Luke who has been on our coaching program for a short while. I had a look at his HR data from the race last night in our hook-up. Fantastic stuff. I might even post it in a later article as it's quite spectacular. Breaking away on a climb and riding solo to the finish is a bold move that you have to commit to 100%. Luke took on the challenge and was rewarded for his efforts by getting the win. Well done Luke! Here is his report.
By Luke James.
Eildon played host to the Junior Cycling Carnival this weekend which included in the festivities an open graded scratch race, held on a miserable foggy Saturday morning in Thorton.
After a delayed start due to a tree blocking the Black Spur holding up travelling riders, we rolled out just after 9:30 am. Although the C grade bunch had a relatively short race, one circuit of just under 50k. A challenging 8k climb stood smack bang in the middle of the stunning skyline ridge road that connects Eildon and Alexandra.
The 20k roll into Eildon itself was nothing but a roll as some riders whipped up the pace into the 40's, this keeping attacks to the minimum. As we hit the base of the climb I moved myself forward and started to drive the bunch as hard as I could up the hill. After a few kilometers I glanced around to find a lot of riders struggling and strung out down the road. I aimed for a fast but consistent pace hoping the climb would be long enough to create a gap to survive the 25k flat Ride back to finish.
I cleared the exposed summit first with a lone rider sitting a few corners back in the distance. The descent was wet, slippery and dangerous as I passed some sore and sorry riders from the above grades being attended to on the side of the road. Once at the bottom and after looking back I realised there was knowone there to share the load for the home stretch.
I knuckled down, kept an eye the heart rate monitor and used the lead car as a bit of a rabbit. To my advantage the peloton had not regrouped after the climb and small groups of 2 and 3 were left to chase me down. I managed to cross the line with 2 minutes to spare and take my first solo win.
Thanks to David for helping me to achieve this win. I have been with Cycling-Inform for a only short time now but have definitely noticed a change in my cycling ability and confidence. Thanks for reading, speak soon.
Luke James.
By Luke James.
Eildon played host to the Junior Cycling Carnival this weekend which included in the festivities an open graded scratch race, held on a miserable foggy Saturday morning in Thorton.
After a delayed start due to a tree blocking the Black Spur holding up travelling riders, we rolled out just after 9:30 am. Although the C grade bunch had a relatively short race, one circuit of just under 50k. A challenging 8k climb stood smack bang in the middle of the stunning skyline ridge road that connects Eildon and Alexandra.
The 20k roll into Eildon itself was nothing but a roll as some riders whipped up the pace into the 40's, this keeping attacks to the minimum. As we hit the base of the climb I moved myself forward and started to drive the bunch as hard as I could up the hill. After a few kilometers I glanced around to find a lot of riders struggling and strung out down the road. I aimed for a fast but consistent pace hoping the climb would be long enough to create a gap to survive the 25k flat Ride back to finish.
I cleared the exposed summit first with a lone rider sitting a few corners back in the distance. The descent was wet, slippery and dangerous as I passed some sore and sorry riders from the above grades being attended to on the side of the road. Once at the bottom and after looking back I realised there was knowone there to share the load for the home stretch.
I knuckled down, kept an eye the heart rate monitor and used the lead car as a bit of a rabbit. To my advantage the peloton had not regrouped after the climb and small groups of 2 and 3 were left to chase me down. I managed to cross the line with 2 minutes to spare and take my first solo win.
Thanks to David for helping me to achieve this win. I have been with Cycling-Inform for a only short time now but have definitely noticed a change in my cycling ability and confidence. Thanks for reading, speak soon.
Luke James.
