Kashi's MTB Journal
28 August 2008
Thanks to everyone for so many best wishes and support during these games. Its been hard to accept the inevitable, that with so much sickness, a good result was out of reach... but I have still have taken away some super memories of an incredible event and a super week in the village with the kiwi team.
I flew down just 5 days before my race, so there was no time to get too distracted by all the crazy things going on in the the village. I was happy to just 'hang' with the kiwis downstairs in 'brotown', drink good coffee (or actually mostly soy hot chocolates :) The kiwi team had something like 180 athletes and well over 100 support staff, so there were always a different bunch of people around. We had access to the live feeds from every event, but without commentary. So it was cool when the likes of Stephen Ferguson was paddling in the final of the K1 500, I was sitting beside his K2 partner and his famous father Ian Ferguson, who were explaining the race and giving the insider tips. It couldn't get better then that!
The best moment for me though was when Nick Willis placed 3rd in the 1500m... the room was totally packed and no one could really believe it. Everyone was screaming and cheering and feeling oh so proud to be wearing black and white.
When I entered the athletes village the team gave me this awesome Haka to welcome me into the team.
I only practiced twice on the course, due to the 40min bus trip and other hassles. They had added some new steep climbs and descents to the course, which at first were quite intimidating, but after a few laps didn't feel too hard.. technically speaking at least. Physically though, it became very extreme and one sided towards a punchy climber type rider. The venue was the same for BMX and Track as well, so after my first training day we went over and watched Hendi & Hayden ride the Madison. Sadly that was the only event I got to see during these games. It was an intense race to watch, sitting there wondering how they can negotiate all that chaos and not collide with each other ending up in a big pile of carbon, metal and wood splinters.
Cannondale not only took off a huge hunk of weight from our Olympic bikes, they also gave us each a special design to match out country.. thanks guys!
As for the race itself, all went to plan and although it could have been nice to have something to blame, I was actually very satisfied with my focus and way I rode. Starting 3rd row did not help, but normally I should have made up ground a bit quicker. But I knew that under these conditions, if I rode over my limit even for just a few minutes, there would be no recovery. After the start and an unlucky first few corners I was back in around 35th place, which is roughly where I stayed throughout the the first lap. I then slowly picked away at riders throughout the race. The last few laps were a little tough because I only passed one rider per lap and was otherwise alone. Well, alone with thousands of spectators who helped remind me that I could not let go. It was super hot as expected and I poured a full bottle of ice water over myself twice per lap. By the last lap, despite holding back so much, I was still almost completely blown. My arms were like jelly and the legs like lead up the final steep pinches, so I guess I did all I could.
The few days after were surprisingly hard. I was just.. down. It finally sunk in that I had not succeeded... for my third time. The NZ team had the answer though on the final night. While most other countries had sent there athletes home, NZ still had a huge group. So they put on a party in the center courtyard. After some congratulations for the various success's, the music got going and we had a bit of a bbq and a whole lot of beers. It felt so nice to let go of my worries, drink some beers and just enjoy celebrating the amazing success's of the team as a whole.
From here its all go. Canberra this weekend... then straight back to Europe for the World Cup final in three weeks. Right now I'm really struggling to keep the head focused. Its good to be hear though, if for no other reason then just to see the course of the world champs next year. I'm sure once the start gun is fired I'll remember what I got to do!
Back in NZ, My mum organized a friends party to cheer me on!
I flew down just 5 days before my race, so there was no time to get too distracted by all the crazy things going on in the the village. I was happy to just 'hang' with the kiwis downstairs in 'brotown', drink good coffee (or actually mostly soy hot chocolates :) The kiwi team had something like 180 athletes and well over 100 support staff, so there were always a different bunch of people around. We had access to the live feeds from every event, but without commentary. So it was cool when the likes of Stephen Ferguson was paddling in the final of the K1 500, I was sitting beside his K2 partner and his famous father Ian Ferguson, who were explaining the race and giving the insider tips. It couldn't get better then that!
The best moment for me though was when Nick Willis placed 3rd in the 1500m... the room was totally packed and no one could really believe it. Everyone was screaming and cheering and feeling oh so proud to be wearing black and white.
When I entered the athletes village the team gave me this awesome Haka to welcome me into the team.
I only practiced twice on the course, due to the 40min bus trip and other hassles. They had added some new steep climbs and descents to the course, which at first were quite intimidating, but after a few laps didn't feel too hard.. technically speaking at least. Physically though, it became very extreme and one sided towards a punchy climber type rider. The venue was the same for BMX and Track as well, so after my first training day we went over and watched Hendi & Hayden ride the Madison. Sadly that was the only event I got to see during these games. It was an intense race to watch, sitting there wondering how they can negotiate all that chaos and not collide with each other ending up in a big pile of carbon, metal and wood splinters.
Cannondale not only took off a huge hunk of weight from our Olympic bikes, they also gave us each a special design to match out country.. thanks guys!
As for the race itself, all went to plan and although it could have been nice to have something to blame, I was actually very satisfied with my focus and way I rode. Starting 3rd row did not help, but normally I should have made up ground a bit quicker. But I knew that under these conditions, if I rode over my limit even for just a few minutes, there would be no recovery. After the start and an unlucky first few corners I was back in around 35th place, which is roughly where I stayed throughout the the first lap. I then slowly picked away at riders throughout the race. The last few laps were a little tough because I only passed one rider per lap and was otherwise alone. Well, alone with thousands of spectators who helped remind me that I could not let go. It was super hot as expected and I poured a full bottle of ice water over myself twice per lap. By the last lap, despite holding back so much, I was still almost completely blown. My arms were like jelly and the legs like lead up the final steep pinches, so I guess I did all I could.
The few days after were surprisingly hard. I was just.. down. It finally sunk in that I had not succeeded... for my third time. The NZ team had the answer though on the final night. While most other countries had sent there athletes home, NZ still had a huge group. So they put on a party in the center courtyard. After some congratulations for the various success's, the music got going and we had a bit of a bbq and a whole lot of beers. It felt so nice to let go of my worries, drink some beers and just enjoy celebrating the amazing success's of the team as a whole.
From here its all go. Canberra this weekend... then straight back to Europe for the World Cup final in three weeks. Right now I'm really struggling to keep the head focused. Its good to be hear though, if for no other reason then just to see the course of the world champs next year. I'm sure once the start gun is fired I'll remember what I got to do!
Back in NZ, My mum organized a friends party to cheer me on!
17 August 2008
Just finishing my packing and about to head down to Beijing. I can't write reports from there, due to restrictions. So I'll take lots of photos and put in a olympic report the week after.
The last few days have been better and I managed to do the French Cup race without problems. Unfortuneltly the course was super muddy and we had to run lots. Well, atleast I am ready if it rains in Beijing... I can't remember the last time I rode a dry course.. it was well over 2 months ago! So I took it risk free and tried not to kill my legs in the running.. I finished 5th, which was not too bad all things considering.
The last few days have been better and I managed to do the French Cup race without problems. Unfortuneltly the course was super muddy and we had to run lots. Well, atleast I am ready if it rains in Beijing... I can't remember the last time I rode a dry course.. it was well over 2 months ago! So I took it risk free and tried not to kill my legs in the running.. I finished 5th, which was not too bad all things considering.
14 August 2008
Many people have been asking about the pollution. I've found this awesome site:
http://www.asiasociety.org/beijingair/?gclid=CJn19pDnjJUCFQnMXgodPSUtgA#room-with-a-view
Here we can see day by day the different pollution. Last year, when we had so many problems in the MTB test event (Sep 22), it says had a level of 99... Now, after all there efforts, the first few days of the games at levels of 95 & 94 !
It seems that the levels can change very rapidly and its more a matter of luck then anything else if we will be able to breath or not in our race!
http://www.asiasociety.org/beijingair/?gclid=CJn19pDnjJUCFQnMXgodPSUtgA#room-with-a-view
Here we can see day by day the different pollution. Last year, when we had so many problems in the MTB test event (Sep 22), it says had a level of 99... Now, after all there efforts, the first few days of the games at levels of 95 & 94 !
It seems that the levels can change very rapidly and its more a matter of luck then anything else if we will be able to breath or not in our race!
I'm finally able to train normally again, but with just 10 days until the big race, its not going to be easy to regain my best form. But I will do my best ! As I was unable to compete in any of the stages of L'hexagonal stage race, I will now race a French Cup in Oz d'oisans on Saturday. I have only raced once on the MTB in the past 8 weeks, and in the past 2 weeks I'v hardly trained, so the feelings will be a bit strange I imagine!
08 August 2008
Today is the Olympic Opening ceremony. I'm going to watch it, despite agreeing with all those that are calling for a boycott. I am hopeful that these olympic games bring awareness of certain problems in our world, but I also believe that Olympic's are about more then just the country they are being held in. It is a chance for the world to join hands and be happy... to think of the positives for a change instead of always the negatives. I'm a sucker for sport tv... so these next weeks are going to be great!
But I'm also in a bit of a somber mood, as I am still feeling a bit sick. Its now been almost a week and while yesterday I felt some big improvements, today I am a little worse again. The first few days were almost nice, as its a welcome break, but at this point I'm feeling very frustrated. Still there is nothing to do but continue resting.
My final preparation plans are also causing a headache, because I need to change them based on my condition. Initially I was intending to race L'Hexagonal tour, a 4 day stage race which started yesterday. When that was obviously not going to happen, I planned a road race in South France for Sunday, then due to some bad weather coming, I would stay there for the week. But now with my feelings today, that doesn't seem smart either. So each day I wait and make new plans...
But I'm also in a bit of a somber mood, as I am still feeling a bit sick. Its now been almost a week and while yesterday I felt some big improvements, today I am a little worse again. The first few days were almost nice, as its a welcome break, but at this point I'm feeling very frustrated. Still there is nothing to do but continue resting.
My final preparation plans are also causing a headache, because I need to change them based on my condition. Initially I was intending to race L'Hexagonal tour, a 4 day stage race which started yesterday. When that was obviously not going to happen, I planned a road race in South France for Sunday, then due to some bad weather coming, I would stay there for the week. But now with my feelings today, that doesn't seem smart either. So each day I wait and make new plans...
03 August 2008
Its race day and I'm sitting here with a dry throat and slight headache. Its been a tough ride recently, dealing with all my asthma issues, mechanical last week and now this. But its all part of being a bike rider.. patience! Right now the most important thing is to be okay for the Olympics.. my World Cup overall chances are over and out.
Its the first time I've ever had a proper cold during the season. I have the feeling its been building for a while and maybe its a good thing that its comes out now.. at least better now then in 3 weeks I guess !
Still, its such a shame I can't race on this course.. its of the most technical tracks we've seen and I was really motivated to get a good finish to give some confidence before the games. Maybe now, if I get over this cold quickly, I will do some stages of the tour VTT to get some speed back in the legs.
Its the first time I've ever had a proper cold during the season. I have the feeling its been building for a while and maybe its a good thing that its comes out now.. at least better now then in 3 weeks I guess !
Still, its such a shame I can't race on this course.. its of the most technical tracks we've seen and I was really motivated to get a good finish to give some confidence before the games. Maybe now, if I get over this cold quickly, I will do some stages of the tour VTT to get some speed back in the legs.
01 August 2008
As my team is not here in Canada with me, its been a good chance to hang out with a different crowd and get to know some more people.
With the Olympics coming up in a few weeks, the plan was to keep the team together get some routines squared away. The team is just Rosara and myself, plus Selby as wrench. Rosara rides for the Ghost team, who also sent little Lisi and swanny Andy, so this made a fun group and good times. Selby is the master of flight of the conchord quotes, but it was not so easy to translate into german! But they have there own sense of humor which we couldn't get either, so it evens out.
Heading into Bromont, I had to change apartments because of the dampness in the one Ghost had booked. So now I'm in Motel Bromont together with Daniel and the Cannondale Factory DH Team. He's got a cool mix of young talented up and comers and I've been impressed actually by the way they eat, except maybe young Sam, who still can't seem to resist the big burger and fries ;) I've also met another kiwi DHer, Harriet Harper (relation to Ben?), who I didn't know and finished 11th last week.. wow, how does NZ produce so many awesome dhers??!!
I'm having a pretty easy week, so have lots of time to fill. But I do try to do productive things with my time as much as possible. This week I'v been reading a very good book actually, called "in defense of food" by Michael Pollan. Its absolutely excellent and I recommend it highly for personal health and for our planet health! It emphasizes the serious problems that western culture have caused with industrializing and processing foods. It puts into question the whole term "nutritionism" and the science behind our fade diets and foods health claims.
With the Olympics coming up in a few weeks, the plan was to keep the team together get some routines squared away. The team is just Rosara and myself, plus Selby as wrench. Rosara rides for the Ghost team, who also sent little Lisi and swanny Andy, so this made a fun group and good times. Selby is the master of flight of the conchord quotes, but it was not so easy to translate into german! But they have there own sense of humor which we couldn't get either, so it evens out.
Heading into Bromont, I had to change apartments because of the dampness in the one Ghost had booked. So now I'm in Motel Bromont together with Daniel and the Cannondale Factory DH Team. He's got a cool mix of young talented up and comers and I've been impressed actually by the way they eat, except maybe young Sam, who still can't seem to resist the big burger and fries ;) I've also met another kiwi DHer, Harriet Harper (relation to Ben?), who I didn't know and finished 11th last week.. wow, how does NZ produce so many awesome dhers??!!
I'm having a pretty easy week, so have lots of time to fill. But I do try to do productive things with my time as much as possible. This week I'v been reading a very good book actually, called "in defense of food" by Michael Pollan. Its absolutely excellent and I recommend it highly for personal health and for our planet health! It emphasizes the serious problems that western culture have caused with industrializing and processing foods. It puts into question the whole term "nutritionism" and the science behind our fade diets and foods health claims.
