Without being able to train recently, I have a void that has been filled with lager drinking and reading the Fausto Coppi biography (excellent by the way). Tonight I decided to review my year on the bike 2011....
Posted on my blog with pictures.
I'd be interested to read of others cycling experiences this year...
Andy
www.jyonnobitime.com/time
copied text:
I took the time today to reflect on what has been a fun-filled cycling season.
Off season
In the winter I did my usual mix of indoor training and weights. I tried rollers for the first time too. What a revelation they were. I'll never go back to a stationary trainer!
Before the snow came, I enjoyed hiking up Mt. Yoneyama and Mt. Hachikoku with Luke on my back.
I also tried snow shoeing for the first time. How great it was to get up my favorite climbs covered in 5 metres of snow!
Base training
Heavy snows last winter made it hard to get much outdoor riding in. The season started later than usual and it was a good while before my favorite climbs opened up. Still it felt great to be out on the bike again.
Spring racing
By the time the Tour of Kusatsu came round in April, I had very little climbing in my legs. I failed to make the podium for the first time which although disappointing, wasn't too much of a surprise. I couldn't seem to get going quickly enough. Later in the race I managed to catch and pass a few decent riders which was some reward.
I had a month to prepare for this year's (every year's!) main objective, Tokyo~Itoigawa. I don't have much chance to do the big rides that many do in preparation for this. Just one go at the じょんのび 200 km course. I was happy to break last year's record for this course, which gave me confidence going into the race. The race itself was unusual as I was in a group from the start. I had to keep an eye on a few guys and control the race a bit. Once I broke free on Fujimi Pass, it was a solo TT to the finish and win number 4….
Next up Tsugaike. Disappointed to see the race + TT format had gone. No chance to ride with the big guns. A solid if not spectacular ride found me on the podium in my class.
Uchinada was one of the highlights of the year for me. The TTT didn't quite go as planned. I'd like to have another go at this next year. I was surprised I felt so good in the road race. In the action from the start. An attack with 2km to go didn't work but I had no regrets about having a go.
Just 3 weeks later at Norikura, I seemed to have lost this form. Tired on the bike. In need of a rest. I'd had good performances in this race twice before. Just couldn't get going this time….
Summer break
The plan for this year was two peaks, one in May, a long summer holiday, and another peak in the autumn. This year we spent longer than usual in the UK. A full month off the road bike. I kept basic fitness by running and mountain biking, which I really enjoyed.
New desire.
I came back to Japan fresh, with new motivation and a new bike. Enosan set me up on the new bike using "Bike fit". A big change in position with a shorter reach and a higher saddle height. The new bike / position combination felt good.
Just two weeks later and I was on the start line for September's Tokamachi HC. A short course, not too steep, quite suited to me. I was happy with my performance. Murayama san showed his class at the end with a turn in speed. 3rd in the Champion's class.
The second of these races was the Kitakata HC. Another short one. 3rd again in the Champions' class.
Next up, the second highlight of the season, 3 back to back road races. At Gunma CSC, I was like a mad man in a solo break and kept it going in a small breakaway group. I ran out of juice in the end but was happy with my riding.
The Japan Cup is a challenge just to finish. Just like last year I ended up in the second group on the road. The lead group slipping away… Still a decent level of racing and I enjoyed the thrill of it all.
The season's closer, the Kanto Road Race, this year in Niigata. I rode an aggressive race. Should have made the break but anyone can say "could've, would've, should've" so I'll just be happy that I rode on the front from start to finish.
A fun filled racing reason for sure. Winning Tokyo~Itoigawa was the highlight but to come back strong this autumn was satisfying too.
Really looking forward to 2012.
I WILL BREAK 8h 30 FOR Tokyo~Itoigawa!
Posted on my blog with pictures.
I'd be interested to read of others cycling experiences this year...
Andy
www.jyonnobitime.com/time
copied text:
I took the time today to reflect on what has been a fun-filled cycling season.
Off season
In the winter I did my usual mix of indoor training and weights. I tried rollers for the first time too. What a revelation they were. I'll never go back to a stationary trainer!
Before the snow came, I enjoyed hiking up Mt. Yoneyama and Mt. Hachikoku with Luke on my back.
I also tried snow shoeing for the first time. How great it was to get up my favorite climbs covered in 5 metres of snow!
Base training
Heavy snows last winter made it hard to get much outdoor riding in. The season started later than usual and it was a good while before my favorite climbs opened up. Still it felt great to be out on the bike again.
Spring racing
By the time the Tour of Kusatsu came round in April, I had very little climbing in my legs. I failed to make the podium for the first time which although disappointing, wasn't too much of a surprise. I couldn't seem to get going quickly enough. Later in the race I managed to catch and pass a few decent riders which was some reward.
I had a month to prepare for this year's (every year's!) main objective, Tokyo~Itoigawa. I don't have much chance to do the big rides that many do in preparation for this. Just one go at the じょんのび 200 km course. I was happy to break last year's record for this course, which gave me confidence going into the race. The race itself was unusual as I was in a group from the start. I had to keep an eye on a few guys and control the race a bit. Once I broke free on Fujimi Pass, it was a solo TT to the finish and win number 4….
Next up Tsugaike. Disappointed to see the race + TT format had gone. No chance to ride with the big guns. A solid if not spectacular ride found me on the podium in my class.
Uchinada was one of the highlights of the year for me. The TTT didn't quite go as planned. I'd like to have another go at this next year. I was surprised I felt so good in the road race. In the action from the start. An attack with 2km to go didn't work but I had no regrets about having a go.
Just 3 weeks later at Norikura, I seemed to have lost this form. Tired on the bike. In need of a rest. I'd had good performances in this race twice before. Just couldn't get going this time….
Summer break
The plan for this year was two peaks, one in May, a long summer holiday, and another peak in the autumn. This year we spent longer than usual in the UK. A full month off the road bike. I kept basic fitness by running and mountain biking, which I really enjoyed.
New desire.
I came back to Japan fresh, with new motivation and a new bike. Enosan set me up on the new bike using "Bike fit". A big change in position with a shorter reach and a higher saddle height. The new bike / position combination felt good.
Just two weeks later and I was on the start line for September's Tokamachi HC. A short course, not too steep, quite suited to me. I was happy with my performance. Murayama san showed his class at the end with a turn in speed. 3rd in the Champion's class.
The second of these races was the Kitakata HC. Another short one. 3rd again in the Champions' class.
Next up, the second highlight of the season, 3 back to back road races. At Gunma CSC, I was like a mad man in a solo break and kept it going in a small breakaway group. I ran out of juice in the end but was happy with my riding.
The Japan Cup is a challenge just to finish. Just like last year I ended up in the second group on the road. The lead group slipping away… Still a decent level of racing and I enjoyed the thrill of it all.
The season's closer, the Kanto Road Race, this year in Niigata. I rode an aggressive race. Should have made the break but anyone can say "could've, would've, should've" so I'll just be happy that I rode on the front from start to finish.
A fun filled racing reason for sure. Winning Tokyo~Itoigawa was the highlight but to come back strong this autumn was satisfying too.
Really looking forward to 2012.
I WILL BREAK 8h 30 FOR Tokyo~Itoigawa!