Kath Bicknell

Fenner’s Total Performance

Fellow Enduro writer, Mark ‘Fenz’ Fenner (pictured above) is the brains behind FTP training – a sustainable approach to total racing domination which matches effective use of time out riding with a focus on the importance of proper recovery. The idea here is that effective training can be balanced around work, study and play commitments. This suits me to a T as I tend to need more recovery time than most riders and have a habit of burning out pretty quickly if I over-do the ks on the road.

Fenz took me on board during the lead up to the Highland Fling (after I managed to blow myself up before three of the four winter state rounds this year – although the riding was fun, it’s a little dissatisfying knowing you could stitch it together better to up the enjoyment even further). So far I have heaps more energy on and off the bike, the training drills have reinvigorated the fun that was missing during midweek city-style rides, and my legs are starting to look like they actually belong to a cyclist – gotta be happy with that. I also appreciate the chance to learn about more science-based approaches to the sport.

The photo above is from the Coolendel Race Weekend. Fenner and Josh Carlson (long time FTP disciple, and the NSW men’s ’09 State Series champ) were fighting it out for the win in the 4 hour race that Sunday, until the windy conditions saw a tree fall on Fenz’ leg and he saw it fit to call it a day. Good to see he was still all smiles during the event! If you’re keen to read more, check out the FTP Training page or have a gander at Fenner’s Blog.

Vaude Women’s Contour Gloves

Vaude have released a women’s specific range of cycling gloves. If small men’s designs are gaping at your wrists, or leave extra material flapping at your fingertips then these are worth a try. I’ve never ridden with gel enforced palms before so I’m looking forward to seeing how they take the edge of long rides. They look the goods, are available in short and long fingered versions, and super light so they should be nice and breathable in the summer. The real test for a new set of gloves is whether or not you have to take them off to change a flat tyre. I’m happy to wait a while before having to find that out!Continue reading “Vaude Women’s Contour Gloves”

The Salsa is for Sale

After a year of amazing adventures, sweet singletrack and exciting weekends away from tar and cement, the Salsa Moto Rapido is for sale. The bike is in excellent condition and I don’t really want to clear up any room in the shed, but I plan to do more longer races in 2010 and dual suspension will be suited to this purpose.

The Salsa is a light, fun ride. It feels really stable at speed, gives you lots of cornering confidence and accelerates like you wouldn’t believe. It’s also shiny and unique, meaning people tend to like coming up to you to talk about it.

Ad details are on the Canberra Off-Road Cyclists sale page.

The Highland Fling

Judging by the way the Fling sold out in about 5 hours this year, it’s fair to say it’s become the must-do event on the local riding calendar. I was super lucky to score an entry to the Full Fling (113kms) which was held in and around Bundanoon on Sunday.

I’ve been enjoying a break from tough racing since the end of the NSW State Series and was surprising myself during the lead up to this event at how pumped I was to get to the start line and have a solid hit out. The day just kept getting better from there: the track was awesome, my bike was awesome, the other riders were awesome, hydropack: awesome, tires: awesome, new knicks: awesome, inevitable flat spot during the middle of the race where you just want to go home and eat solid food: well, not awesome, but nowhere near as bad as it could have been! I rode so hard I wanted to spew a few times, but each time that happened, I just kept chugging down more Verofit, the lights came back on again, and everything seemed OK!

I crossed the line with a time that was about half and hour quicker than I was expecting and notched up 5th place in the elite women’s category. I was aiming for 8th among a really solid field so am naturally feeling pretty over the moon! Follow this link if you’re interested in reading other results (or to marvel at the massive amount of women riders who rocked up to this event) and to look at photos once they’ve been posted online.

The Highland Fling marked the last race on the Salsa which will be up for sale soon, so it was great to leave the event on such a high note. The bike rode flawlessly and I couldn’t have asked for anything more from it during the race. Plans are in place for some racey dual suspension action over the following year, so check back here for the juicy details when they arrive!

Sydney XC Club Champs

The more I hang out at club events, the more I come home with a huge buzz about the MTB community as a whole, and the more “racing” becomes a chance to catch up with mates and giggle as people hurl encouragement and funny insults across the singletrack in a great big game of chasies between mates. This weekend even more so, as the Western Sydney and Manly Warringah Mountain Bike Clubs joined forces to host a combined club champs.

On race morning I was feeling pretty nervous about how the day would pan out and what kind of form I would have left after three solid weeks of training. Turns out that none of that mattered as no other A Grade women turned up to race. This was probably due to some riders taking a short break after winter events and the rain that had been forecast for a few days either side of the race – although as the week went on, the rainy forecast moved further away, eventually setting in after I crossed the line and bagged the lonely podium spot. Hopefully as the sport continues to grow, the depth of women’s field will tighten, and there’ll still be racing to be done when a few people take the day off.

The WSMTB AGM is this Friday night in Glenbrook. Please consider coming along to support the club and help the local race scene continue to grow – many hands make light work!