First races in Finland

It's been a while once again. Since the last update there has been events more or less worth mentioning. Say ain't so. Some time trialling, some road racing, good quality training and even some golf. And oh, I moved back to Finland!

Here I've started now four times since my move. I've been racing solidly (quite like), but nothing spectacular hasn't happened, unless one counts my appearance in the NC road race as spectacular... Anyway, one weekend consisted of Lousku TT and Porvoon ajot – it was good one trainingwise as I achieved exactly the outcome I was hoping for. Last weekend was the nationals. In time trial I had bit of problems with the tyres and even more so with my body. It was one of those days that nothing seems to work and yet you keep pushing. However, I've learnt from it and it is all good. On sunday morning I started in the NC road race, had problems with my saddle, crashed, survived, got back on my bike, chased the bunch, never got back to the bunch and then decided to come out of the race. Albeit, my form was okay, different problems hindered my performances. Life is... (add the first word that comes to your mind). Anyway, sincere congratulations to the winners and medalists!

The reason behind the mediocre performances is in the training phase. We just started to lift up the intensity as planned. Now after some days of good quality intense training I feel that it starts to come together well. The program has been set and it looks pretty, yet tough. Once I get through this cycle of training and recover from it – the form should be alright if not good.

One view of time trialling.

So there I was on the start line with bunch of good guys on Saturday and Sunday in the remaining BUCS champs. Results were not the thing last weekend, but more to get used to bunch riding and get some really tough training to close the block up. Outcome was perfect: on Sunday night I was kind of standing my left leg in a grave. Both courses were really tough ones and nor did any of the guys make it easy for me, even if I asked kindly for them to slow down or wait for me. I got dropped on both days, but then again – no expectations except good training – so no harm done there.

The racing in a bunch triggered some thoughts on my own views of cycling and some realizations. Some could argue that had I won or done very well in either of the races, my views would be different. Maybe, but I don't think so.

Yet I had good time doing the bunch races, but I didn't feel the same way as if doing time trials or track pursuits. Whilst time trialling I barely think at all, I just go for it. I stare at the power meter and push the pedals, endlessly. Similarly in pursuiting, once I put the funny looking helmet on, I'm on it - fully committed, I'm in my office in my kind of comfort zone. Some people have claimed, that the sport is for the stupids – ride for certain distance as fast as you can, too simple. I've also heard that time trialling is for people too afraid to ride with others. The thing in TT efforts is that I'm in control of whatever happens, and there is no excuses to my own performance, with the exception of bad luck. Obtaining the control is one of the hardest things in cycling. There comes also the name 'race of truth' that is sometimes used to describe time trials – as no less than every time the strongest rider of the day wins, that is the real deal for me. It is the simplicity and complexity of it all – going controlled in flat out manner. I love what I do, and that's good for me.

Now then, don't get me wrong, I have a huge respect for road racers (note: same applies to bunch races on track). But I just don't get the same feeling and commitment in bunch races. I guess that the major thing affecting me is the uncontrollability. I can't control others unless I can out ride everyone else by a margin, which never happens. People attacking, chasing, tactics – taking the control of situation and me trying to react to them – they are all beauties of road racing. But, I just can't obtain that all, in the same way some other people can't obtain the needs of time trialling.

One way or another; most importantly – Warrior does not give up what he loves, he finds the love in what he does. So, whatever discipline may be that you love, keep on it. For me it is time trialling and pursuiting.

Trying and testing, trial and error.

Now that I've been doing more volume based work, I've also had time to discover various and new types of training. I've discovered some new things that seem to work pretty nicely. I could say that without some testing continuous four hour rides would be at least a little bit dull.

My testing hasn't only been in close relation to the actual training, but also to improve my recovery. As a result I think I have found a near perfectly effective way to recover from hard days on bike. Lets call it a rest day activity. It takes roughly 4hrs to complete, it includes a bit of walking (very little), some concentrating and some swings. Yes, a round of golf, but not just ordinary one. I'm talking a round of golf with a buggy and chauffeur. It bloody works, as justified by my test. The round of golf (not a spectacular one) significantly improved my performance the following day. So, I rest my case.

Generally, I think that every now and then, it is actually good to test new things to boost up the training - no matter if it is an error or not. At the same time I also might admit that the round of golf probably wasn't such a big booster. Tomorrow we will see how this road block has worked out as I'll take my first starts in bunch races this year. Tomorrow will be BUCS Criterium and on Sunday BUCS road race. My legs feel kind of alright, but as I've been training quite hard past two days, you never know. The actual aim will be to see where I am going and stay out of trouble. If I feel superior in form, I might try something if I see a chance opening.

And as a side note, I also received some good, but yet funny news. A while ago I told about the BUCS 25mile race that I got DQ'd. Tonight I received an email with the official results sheet and I was third again, I don't actually know what has happened. Anyway, my time and winner's time were marked with a small star, which meant '* Riders Anton Aro and Nick Baker were not exonerated of the breach of Regulation 21 but the disqualifications were deemed invalid due to a technicality.' Something, apparently, has been happening behind the scenes. To me this sounds like a compromise, of which I'm not at all aware of. Again, I'll end up saying: it happens.


Furthermore, this is my 100th blog update.


And at the end some photos of my perfect method for effective recovery:

Note to self: Don't ever brag again.

That's what you get when you start bragging – I guess. So, I was supposed to start another well good three day set of training today, which I eventually did afterall, but the morning was quite promising. After a glorious morning, meaning sunshine and so on, I was ready to go out. However, I started to feel a unwell, funny and high at same time. It basically meant that I just waited for another hour or so, if my feeling would improved.

It certainly did improve, so there was no need to call it a day and take another day off. The thing was, although I was certain I could train, I didn't want to go out as if the unwellness came back and I would be somewhere between Abergavenny and Monmouth wondering as if I should try and ride home or what. So the decision was to switch to some interval training on my beloved Wattbike, whilst the sun was stills shining outdoors. I had my 'eat some cement and grow nuts'-moments during the session, as I watched the sunshine and kept the Wattbike humming. To those who are not so much into cycling training: Wattbike/Turbo/Roller training is probably the dullest thing there is after a while. Yet, I have to admit, I find very effective as well, so doing that is quite simply justified whether it was the dullest thing in the world or not.

Afterall, the session was pretty decent despite the starting point and the 'disturbing' sunshine. Maybe I just keep the good training to myself, as it seems that bragging doesn't end up too well. At the end there was no harm done, so happy days, maybe I'm going now out for a cup of tea to watch the sun settle.