SpoonBoy

Many years ago even, before Craig Gordon walked away with his now infamous title win, I had set the goal of qualifying for and competing in the Elite Category of the World Solo 24hrs mountain bike championships.  While I did not have the best of races, in 2008 I realised that goal with a trip to Canmore in Canada but despite a subsequent win at the sydney 12hr was left feeling in some ways “what next”.

Fate would force her hand for me early with an ill timed wheel clip keeping me off the bike for over 4 months.   The year nearly over, I feel I can still rack up an impressive list of accomplishments, from building up the NSW XC state Series to the largest it’s been in over 6 years, to being part of the Support team for both Jason English and Jessica Douglas clocking up an Elite Mens Australian and World 24hr Championship titles, and Elite Womens win at the Scott 24hr, And of course simply being stoked to being back on the bike, tackling everything from tough 100k races, 100milers and 24hr races since!

In my last post talked about re-inventing the experience all over again, and that hasn’t even looked like petering out.  Every time I get on a bike at the moment I’m having a ball! Riding bikes is fun! and all it took was 4months off to re-discover this!

So what is next? well you will notice the world solo championships countdown affixed proudly on my title banner.   With the championships coming down under and qualification well in the hand it was definitely a race I can not miss.  Throw in a couple of 12hrs,  100k races, the odd 12hr and another State XC series to organise, I’m going to have a very busy year.

I have also enlisted the services of one Mr Fenner.M to help with a plan for the rest of the year.   I’m hoping with a little guidance I can not only avoid burnout as I had in ‘08 but also to keep things fun an interesting while still getting the most out of my time.    Mark has been getting some great results with guys, including my mate J-Mac who’s now chomping at the bit of some the fastest enduro racers in the country!  so it was time to give him a call :)

And then who knows?  I’ve not forgotten my Project Levi  and I’m yet to race in New Zealand despite it being barely a few hours flight from home.   With the Single Speed worlds in Rotorua next year, maybe there’s an opportunity staring at me in the face!!

We’ll see ;)

Happy Trails!

Cheers
Craig

Every now and then I get a song stuck in my head on repeat. It normally isn’t long before I imagine myself riding to it. Driving along, Sitting in the office, catching the train; the world just seems to pass on by while I star in my own private Mountain Bike video. Lately that song has been “Smokes & Mirrors”, a remix by dj RJD2 of the song “Who Knows”. It’s not the first time I’ve heard a remix of this song, Quantic Soul Orchestra for one has had a pretty decent go at it, but probably the first time it’s really been stuck in my head like this…

And what’s brought this mix into the limelight for me? Oddly, given my previous paragraph, a YouTube video of Matt Gilman that has to be seen to believed:

Which leaves one with the fortunate position of never needing another muse again. Left on the couch thinking “I could never possibly…” or even just “nah don’t feel like it…” 5 mins of youtube action should see you back on your way!! But then again, I concede I may be a little different in my own right, for instance there are those who watch 24 Solo and are left confident in the knowledge that 24hrs on a bicycle is really a silly thing to be doing. Then there are those who watch Craig Gordon destroying himself to the point of needing a few days recovery in l’hotel de hospital, and some how still walk away going “hells yeah…”. I generally fall into that latter category (including the destroying myself part). Which is probably why, after spending nearly 4 months completely off the bike, I found myself entering the Kona 24 in a couple of months. If I hadn’t found recovering from a torn calf hard enough, I’m now also trying to put together enough fitness for a Solo 24hr effort (amongst other races)

4 months off has in some ways been great! Everytime I hit the trails or get out on the bike, it’s like I’m reinventing the experience all over again! But it’s amazing how in such a short time things move on. New faces emerge, old faces get even faster, the road ahead seems just that little bit longer! The focus has changed too! no longer attacking enduro’s with the aim of an attempted podium (I did say “attempted” there :), I’m finding I’m just trying to make sure I make it to the end without completely blowing up and enjoy the moment. Shell shock? or just lacking the battle hardening I’ve carried through in previous years? Either way, with hordes of new faces attacking the longer formats with gusto (and speed!) and that last 5-10% of lost fitness seeming so far away, perhaps a little refocus is not a bad thing.

For the moment though, my sunday is presenting itself with either time in the office or a casual jaunt out on the single speed. yet somehow, body still aching after yesterdays 4hr, A relaxing day and possible dinner with friends is looking awefully appealing! 4hrs on the ergo however, as some of my weather bound friends are proposing (and theres a few of them!!), does not…

…or maybe I just need to check behind the couch for more of that commitment stuff?

Happy Trails!

Cheers
Craig

My parents are in town this weekend for my dads birthday, to see Chicago and generally hang out with me! While they weren’t due to arrive till yesterday afternoon, I thought I sneak in a little 4-5hr ride!

I felt like I was smashing it! Still a little slower than the same loop last year but about 120k’s in 4 1/2 hrs isn’t too bad for a cruisy “base-ish” ride. What I did find interesting was where my heart rate was sitting for a given RPE. I was definitely sitting at much higher heart rates, puffing less, and feeling generally… good! could this be what 2 weeks of altitude adaption does to you? albeit only at 1400m’s!! If only I was fit before I went to Canmore, I perhaps would be truly smashing it by now!!

I gotta say though, perhaps Sydney isn’t such a bad place to live after all:

Looking over The Spit & Middle Harbour

Happy Trails!

Cheers
Craig

Well, I’m home! home from 2 weeks of Sun and Fun (and exhaustion!) in Canadia. Home from the World Solo 24hr Championships where I supported Jason English through to his first World Championships! Home to Milo, TimTams and well.. rude/unhelpful taxi drivers.

I’m back at work today for a short stab before the weekend in the hope of knocking out a few things before I start properly next week. While I, like one of those water drinking bird toys, tap out the “next email” button, I can but reminisce about the long days, late mornings and Amazing wilderness that was littered around Canmore, Banff and Kananaskis. But all good things must come to an end I guess, and better to remember the Summer Banff than stay too long and have to deal with the -40’s of winter ;)

Also in the Not so Yay department: Sydney 12hr was brought forward this year from September to August so as not to clash with the Angry Doctor and World MTB championships. Wouldn’t have ordinarily been a problem except I’m still somewhat recovering from my torn calf so disappointingly, I have decided not to race…. Well Solo at least. Maybe I’ll whip together a team or similar who knows but at this stage it’s looking skatey. So no defence of the title! perhaps that’s a good thing? :) But either way, I’m a little bummed out by it… Buoyed by Jasons win last week I keep re-thinking the situation but I think head will win over heart this time ;)

Happy Trails! and more to come re the worlds soon!

Cheers
Craig

Gritting my teeth up yet another root infested trail, I’d come to realise one thing: I was smashed! Probably not unexpected really after coming off the couch to putting in 5 days of solid riding in the Canadian Rockies; I should probably have expected to have been perhaps a little tired. After spending the last 3 or so hours including an hour or so of hike-a-bike on the way out to Banff and back, the posted signs back to the Canmore Nordic Centre were definitely a welcome treat!

Jason English arrived here on Sunday. fresh off the boat so to speak and bikes un-boxed shortly there after, I was left chasing him around the foot hills of Canmore. Through the Sun and Rain (and a little mud), basically I havn’t stopped since! But it has been a great week so far and thankfully the little rain we’ve had has meant a little road bashing where at least I could suck a wheel. There’s no hiding out in the forest though and with no shortage of hills about, I’ve spent a lot of time gasping for oxygen!

So it is with some contentment that I found myself, this friday afternoon, on the couch with that feeling I’ve not had in a while. That long lost, sore and tired, yet some how invigorating feeling only putting a solid week on the bike can give! With a bit over a week left to the Solo Worlds and Jason really wanting to put in some last minute miles (and have some fun) I think any chance to get a little recovery time in is going to be precious!

For now, it’s time for a quick nap before well… an earlier than normal dinner!

Happy Trails!

Cheers
Craig