andy: 2010年10月アーカイブ

Sunday's training: resistance training - outer top plus 10 kg

Saturday's asaren: Teradomari loop (91 km, 35.3 kmph)

it's winding

it's beautiful

it's steep

it's rough

it's tough

it's Isonobe...

Friday's training: Isonobe x1 (65 km, 550 m climbing)

Wednesday's training: Tochigahara ~ Shiba Pass loop (85 km, 550 m climbing)

ジャパンカップに行ってきました。金曜日に宇都宮にいきました。ルークくん初めてのビッグシティでした。

土曜日にオープンレースに参加しました。午後は市内で行われたクリテリウムを見ました。そして夜はスズオトと岸野さんとAJ!

日曜日はプロ選手のロードレースを見にいきました。

OPEN RACE

ジャパンカップOPEN RACEに参加するのは4回目でした。レース前にROBBIE MCEWENに会って話すことができました。楽しくてアップ時間が少なくなりました！

ジャパンカップに出る時の目的はフィニッシュすることです。毎回スタートから山を登って、テクニカルな下りを下るところまでトップグループについていけませんでした。今回は、ついていけるように最初の登りでAJまで走ろうと決めていました。

スタートラインで一番前の良いポジションをゲットしました。スタート後できるだけ前を走りました。ほかの選手がどんどん後ろから来ました。でも山の上に着いた時、左側にラバネロの鎌田さん、右側にチームオーベストの西谷さん（日本のトップクライマーの二人）がいました。

4回目の参加でやっとトップグループと一緒に山を登りました！

しかし！下り！僕はいつも通り無理しないで下りました。でもいつもと同じくほかの選手が頑張りすぎてクラッシュしました。目の前で3、4人がアウトでした。

トップグループから切れてしまいました。鎌田さんもクラッシュの後ろだったので同じグループでした。

フラットに入ったらトップグループが見えました。鎌田さんが前に出て、トップグループに追いつけるように頑張って走りました。でもトップグループと第2集団の間のギャップはどんどん広がりました。

僕の目的はフィニッシュすることですからサバイバルモードに入りました。グループの人数が多くて、強い選手も入っていたので、今年は今までの中でベストポジションでした。そして今までの中で一番楽でした。

サバイバルモード:

登り:

クライムに入る前にフロントの良いポジションを取りました。同じ山を6回も登るのですからマイペースで上がりました。（一番調子が出たのは3回目でした）

下り:

集団についていけるように頑張って走りました。でももちろん無理しないで走りました。一回ペダルが道路に当たって怖かった。

ジャパンカップの時は下りでもハートレートが180になります！50×12ではギアが足りなくて、130ケイデンスで頑張って走りました。

フラット:

出来るだけ前に出ないようにしました。でも一番後ろは危ないですから10番目位で走りました。

そのままサバイバルモードでコースを6周しました。スズオトと岸野さん、毎周回応援本当にありがとうじょんのび！

最後のフラットでバイクが後ろからきました。看板に"足切り・・・・"と書いてありました。残念だと思いました。

ホームストレートに入ってほかの選手がペースアップしました。"何じゃそれ！"と思いました。僕は一人でサイクリングモードで走りました。そしてバイクがまた後ろからきました。

"HURRY UP!"
"ええ！足切りでしょう！？"
"HURRY UP OR 足切り！"

ショックでした。ゴールは第2集団の一番後ろでした。残念。でも今回はベスト紹介でしたからとても嬉しかったです。また来年！

レースの後に市内でクリテリウムを見ました。レースの後スズオトとVIPエリアに入ってしまって、またROBBIEに声をかけました。嬉しかった！

ROBBIEは時間をかけて皆と写真を撮ったりサインをしたりしていて、とてもいい人だと思いました。

そのあとビールでした。ジャパンカップの後のビールはとても美味しいです。もちろんオールアウトじょんのび！

スズオト、岸野さん、わざわざありがとうじょんのび！

This weekend I went to the Japan Cup. On Friday we arrived in Utsunomiya for Luke's first experience of a big city.

On Saturday I took part in the Open Race. On Saturday afternoon we watched the criterium in downtown Utsonomiya. When that finished we headed out on the town with Suzuoto and Kishino san – AJ!

On Sunday we recovered while watching the Pro Road Race.

OPEN RACE

It was my fourth time to take part in the open race. Before the start I bumped into Robbie Mcewen and had such a good time chatting that I had little time to do a good warm up!

When I race the Japan Cup, my main objective is to finish. The three times I've done the race before it's been the same story. Struggle to keep up on the climb from the start and lose contact on the technical descent. This time I vowed to take on the first climb with everything I could to get a good position and worry about the rest later.

On the start line I sneaked in to get a good position right at the front. From the gun I went as hard as I could to hold a position near the front. Quite a few riders passsed me on the climb. However as we breached the summit I was really pleased to look left and see Ravanello's Kamata san and look right to see Ovest's Nishitani san (two of the best climbers in Japan).

For the first time in four attempts I was in a great position at the top of the climb！

But! The downhill! I never take unnecessary risks on descents. However, there are others who are prepared to risk it all. On the same corner where it always happens, there was a big pile up. 3 or 4 went down.

This caused a split. I was on the wrong side of the crash as was Kamata san.

When we reached the flat section at the bottom of the descent, we could see the top group in front. Kamata san was on the front giving it everything to close the gap. However, as is always the case in this race, you watch the gap grow steadily before your eyes.

I was in the second main group. I really wanted to finish so I was straight into “survival mode”. The group was big and there was plenty of strong riders in the mix so I was in the best position I've had yet at the Japan Cup.

Survival mode:

Climbs:

Before entering the climbs I worked for a good position on the front of the group. The long climb is taken on six times so it's important not to go too hard. I paid attention to my heart rate and kept a level I could sustain. I enjoy comparing how I feel each time up the climb. This time I feel that my third climb was when I was going best.

Descents:

I rode hard to keep pace on the descents. Of course I didn't take any risks. Even so, I was a bit shook up when I put pedal to the tarmac driving through one of the curves.

It always amazes me to see a heart rate of around 180 when descending in the Japan Cup! My 50×12 top gear just wasn't enough. I was having to pedal at around the 130 cadence mark to keep up.

Flat:

I stayed off the front as much of possible. However, I didn't risk being too close to the back and tried to stay around 10th man.

I stayed like that, in “survival mode”, for the full 6 laps. Suzuoto and Kishino san, thank you so much, your cheering really kept me going.

On the final flat section, a bike came up from behind holding up the little chalk board.

I read the words "足切り・・・・". (ashikiri) meaning “Time out”. What a bummer.

As we entered the home straight, the pace really picked up. I thought “What are these guys on, why don't they ride like this in the race proper?”

I plodded along in cycling mode thinking about a beer at the finish.

Then the bike came up again:

"HURRY UP!"
"What！You said ashikiri！？"
"HURRY UP, OR, ashikiri！"

What a cock up! I crossed the line about 20 metres behind the second group alone. Crap!

After the race we headed into town to watch the criterium. After the race we sneaked into the VIP area and I got another chance to have a few words with Robbie. I was well chuffed.

He took so much time to shake hands, sign autographs etc. A real good guy I think.

From there we were out on the town. Beers after the Japan Cup always taste fantastic. Of course – ALL OUT じょんのび！

Suzuoto and Kishino san, thank you so much！

Suzuoto san and Kishino san, the best support in th world!

Andy: “G'day mate!”
Robbie; “G'day mate! G'day little fella!”
Luke: “wan wan!”
Andy: “Welcome to Japan! How are you liking it so far?”
Robbie: “It's great so far.”
Andy: “I have a favor to ask you.”
Robbie: “What's that?”
Andy: “Can you put on this jersey and race for me?”
Robbie: “HAHA,would love to mate but I've got a criterium to race!”
Andy: “How do you think you'll do?”
Robbie: “I'll give it my best shot.”
Andy: “What about tomorrow's road race?”
Robbie: “I did it as a neo-pro in 96 and gave up after about 2 laps!”
Andy: “Good luck anyway!”
Robbie: “You too mate!”

Downtown Utsunomiya criterium

Criterium beer

After the criterium:

Andy “Suzuoto wants to take you out for a drink!”
Robbie “I'd love to guys but I drank way too much last night!”

Today's drive: Kashiwazaki ~ Ojiya ~ Numata ~ Nikko ~ Utsonomiya (250 km, 2 big climbs)

S class

B class

S class?!?! Sprint for 3rd place!?!?! 知らなかった！来年リベンジじょんのび！

Thursday's training: Nota loop 45 mins / 25 km

Wednesday: rest day, Salt Spa and an early night...

Wednesday: short ride and onsen

Thursday: Komura Pass easy pace

Friday: off / drive to Utsonomiya

Saturday: race

Today's training: Komura Pass x 1 (46 km, 350 m climbing)

Feeling good today, feeling bad tomorrow???

On Sunday I went to stage 9 of the JCRC series at Gunma Cycle Sports Centre. Three of us went from Kashiwazaki, Ohya san, Kitano san and me. For me it was my first road race in a long time. For Ohya san and Kitano san it was their road race debut.

I wanted to do the event as a good warm up for next week’s Japan Cup. James, who is leading the S class series, asked me to join his race to be his domestique. Kenta san was also riding in the S class. He’s in fine form at the moment, so I was hoping we could try something together too.

Before the race we met guys from F(t) Racing, Chojin Club and Kai Racing. Everyone was spread out among the many races that are held on the same day. If we all got together in the same race, I think we could make something happen!

Also we were so happy to see Boon Suds Kawagoe san! Thank you for taking the time to come out and support us!

The S class race started at 12:30. 17 laps of the 6km circuit, making 102 km in total. As a warm-up we rode down and back up the long climb to the CSC. Once at the CSC, we did two laps of the course to get familiar with it. 17 more to go!

I’ve rode this course a few times before so I know it’s important to be near the front for the first few laps to avoid crashes in the hairpins and to avoid splits that occur as the pace picks up leading out of the hairpins. I was surprised how easy the pace was at the front. Riding tempo I’d look back sometimes to see a small gap opening up. I didn’t have the legs to go on a 100 km break so I rode conservatively. Some guys did have the legs though and a couple of small groups got away.

I spent the race in the pack enjoying the great speeds that you can get on the course. I don’t feel comfortable sandwiched in the group so I drifted back on the descents and worked back up on the climbs. It’s not the most energy efficient way of riding but is far less stressful.

Riding near the back is dangerous though and James and I got isolated with about 6 laps to go. I put in a big dig to bridge the gap and pull James across. It felt good to be able to be of assistance to him.

On the last 5 or 6 laps Kenta moved closer to the front of the pack. With 5 laps to go I saw him hovering off the front on the descent looking for people to make a move with him. I thought I’d give it a go. I put in a big effort driving through the hairpins and up the following climb. However the legs didn’t feel too good. Certainly not good enough for a 5 lap break away. Looking back I saw the group strung out and getting closer. We decided to let it go and try again on the last lap or so.

From this point I started getting cramps in my left leg on the climbs. Eat, drink, massage, there’s not much more you can do.

With one lap to go, the pace picked up. James and I found ourselves isolated again and I put in another big dig to get us across. James, that’s two pints you owe me!

We latched on and got pulled through the last lap. On the curving climb just before the steep section, I decided to give it a go. I jumped the group up the inside of the road. Hovering off the front, wouldn’t you know it Kenta san! He jumped on and I drove as hard as I could up the steep section.

The plan was for me to go to the max and then for Kenta to go it alone ala George and Lance. However, it wasn’t long before the group swallowed us up. Well, if you don’t try, you’ll never know!

I latched on the back and kept my promise to Shinobu not to get involved in any unnecessary sprinting. I didn’t want to be the second person carried off the course by helicopter!

After the race we enjoyed onsen and Kawagoe san’s fantastic fruit and nuts mix washed down with beer.

It was a great day out. Ohya san, Kitano san, Kawagoe san, let’s go next year too!

JCRCシリーズ第9ステージに行ってきました。柏崎から群馬CSCまでじょんのびTIMEの大屋さん、北野さん、アンディの3人で行きました。大屋さんありがとうございました。

ジャパンカップの前にロードレース練習ができると思い行ってきました。そしてSクラスチャンピオンJAMESさんのアシストができるようにSクラスに参加しました。同じSクラスにケンタさんも参加しました。彼は調子がいいようですから一緒になんとかできるといいなと思っていました。

レースの前にF(t)Racing,　超人club, KAI Racingのメンバーに会いました。たくさんレースのクラスがあって、皆バラバラでした。皆が同じクラスだったら一緒に何かできるだろう！

それからBOON SUDS川越さんにも会えて嬉しかったです。わざわざ上越から来てくれて、ありがとうじょんのび！

Sクラスは12:30スタートでした。6キロサーキット、17周、102キロのレースでした。アップのために山を下って、もう一回登りました。CSCに着いてからコースを下見するために2周しました。あと17周だ---！

スタート

このコースは走ったことがあるので走り方を決めています。ヘアピンでクラシュしないように最初の2、3周は前を走ることです。そしてヘアピンを出る所でペースアップするので切れないようにそのまま前を走ることです。

前のペースはゆっくりで、びっくりしました。テンポペースでしか走っていないのに時々ギャップができました。今一人で100キロに逃げる足はないのでゆっくり走りました。でも強い足の選手がいたのでいつのまにか二つの小さいグループが逃げたようです。

僕はメインループの中で楽しんで走りました。グループの真ん中にいるのはあまり好きじゃないので、下りでポジションが下がり、登りでポジションが上がる、というパターンでした。その走り方だと体の負担はあるけれど、頭のストレスは少ないです。

でも後ろを走るのは危険ですね。あと6周位の時にJAMESさんとメイングループから落ちました。ギャップを縮めるように頑張って走りました。JAMESのアシストができてよかったです。

ケンタさんがグループの前の方を走っていました。誰かと一緒に逃げたいみたいだと思いました。あと5周位残した下りでケンタさんが少し前に出ました。よし！私も行ってみよう！

ケンタさんと二人でヘアピンに入って、出って、登って…でもそのままでは足が5周もたないと思ってやめました。あと1、2周位の所でもう一回やってみようと話しました。

そのあと左足の痙攣が始まりました。食べて、飲んで、マッサージして…それしかないですね。

あと1周の所でグループがペースアップして、またJAMESさんと落ちました。前と同じく一生懸命走って、ギャップを縮めました。JAMESさん、ビール二本貸しですね！

その後メイングループの後ろについていきました。急な所に入る所で、ラストチャンスだと思いました。後ろから右側を通って、頑張って走りました。グループの一番前は？またケンタさんでした！

急な所に入って、二人で頑張って走りました。僕のイメージでは、GEORGEとLANCEみたいに、アンディがAJまで走って、そしてケンタさんがフィニッシュします。
でもすぐにグループに食べられました。残念。まあー、やってみないとわからないからね！

またグループの後ろについて走りました。忍ちゃんと“必要じゃないスプリントをしない”という約束がありますのでそのままゴールしました。ヘリコプターで運ばれたくないですからね。

レースの後の温泉と川越ビールとフルーツ＆ナッツセットがとてもよかったです…

じょんのびTIMEの皆さん、来年もよろしくじょんのび！

7 days on:

Thurday 47 km
Friday 55 km
Saturday 90 km
Sunday 115 km
Monday 119 km
Tuesday 65 km
Wednesday 57 km
Thursday 50 km

Total: 598 km

Friday's training: rest day / chasing Luke

Thursday's training: Takayanagi return (50 km easy pace)

5 days to Gunma = 5 days of easy riding and resting

Wednesday's training: Takahama return ~ Nota loop (57 km easy pace)

Tuesday's training: recovery climbing (<140 HR) - Betsumata rolling course, Sakurazaka Pass

65 km, 650 m climbing

Fabian Yanagi

Lake Nojiriko on the Niigata / Nagano border

Nojiriko 5

beer time

barbeque time

Chevrolet motor pacing

じょんのびTIME お疲れ様でした！

"henna ojisan" x 3!

Today's training: Nojiriko BBQ run

motor-pacing: Kakizaki ~ Arai 55 kmph, Ohya san ありがとうじょんのび！

climbing: Arai ~ Lake Nojiri in the big ring

carbo-loading: beer, soup, beer, pizza, beer, curry, beer, beer... BOON SUDS ありがとうじょんのび！

119 km, 33 kmph, 950 m climbing

115 km, 33.3 kmph, 590 m climbing

Saturday's asaren: Teradomari wet and windy loop

90 km, 34.2 kmph, 265 m climbing

吉田さん、良いトレーニングありがとうじょんのび！

Friday's asaren: Sakurazaka Pass ~ Ogami Dake ~ Komura Pass loop

55 km, 1050 m climbing

vitus bike, mavic cosmic carbone wheels 8910g

carbon bike, mavic cosmic carbone wheels 8160g

What's 750 grams?

seven bananas OR

one BIG bottle of CHIMAY beer!

Thursday's asaren: Komura Pass x 2

47 km, 550 m climbing

5 days on:

Friday 75 km
Saturday 81 km
Sunday 99 km
Monday 81 km
Tuesday 71 km

Total: 407 km

Wednesday: rest day (no rest for Luke!)

Tuesday's training: Sakurazaka Pass ~ Asahi no sato ~ Ishiguro loop

71 km, 880 m climbing, 29 kmph

Report by Andrew:

Turned out to be great weather over the weekend, and I enjoyed my little trip over to Sado. Only a small field showed up for the race (79), but I had a good ride and got 2nd overall (best in age class). The winner was very strong and I simply couldn't raise my pace when he put in a big dig on a very steep section with about 3km to go on the 15km course.

The course climbs from the small seaside village of Aikawa up past a huge old gold mine and up onto the Sado Skyline to peak at around 950m. It is one of the toughest courses around as there are long steep sections of well over 10% and some really steep hairpins where the inside of the corners must be 20%. Soon after the start we got into the climb proper and I went to the front and whittled it down to three of us, feeling in good form. But I was quickly in my lowest gear (39-25) and having to do long sections of dancing to keep my momentum.

It felt good to be at the front for a change and I was pretty much dictating the pace - easing off a bit after some of the steeper sections to recover a little. Then we were two as we neared the halfway mark and there followed a longish downhill loosing 100m or so of elevation. I had a look at the other guy and he looked strong behind his shades. He even gave me a friendly warning about the descent to follow. I got a small gap on the descent but we were together again soon once the road climbed again.

Then just as the road turned a corner and went up a steep straight he jumped me and I could not respond. He was soon out of sight on the following twists and had gained more than a minute on me by the finish. Really a spectacular climb and course that suited my dancing climbing style so I hope they can make a success of the event in the future and attract more entries.

For my efforts I won a 5kg bag of Sado new rice! The problem was that I had to ride for an hour or so with it on my back to get to the ferry terminal! Next time I should send it by Black Cat.

Results

8 months after road test 1

Monday’s training:

1. Takayanagi loop

2. Shindou ~ Nota circuit ( 7.4 km / 4 laps)

Lap 1 (12:18 mins / 36.1 kmph) building up

Lap 2 (12:12 mins / 36.4 kmph) feeling good

Lap 3 (12:15 mins / 36.2 kmph) feeling bad

Lap 4 (12:07 mins / 36.6 kmph) full gas

Total (81 km, 32.8 kmph)

Peter Fonda and Denis Hopper's bike positioning

今週末土曜日と日曜日もVITUSで走りました。5月の東京－糸魚川が終わってからずっとカーボンバイクに乗っていました。どちらか良いかな？

カーボンは二台あるうちの新しい方です。フレームが大きく、ステムが短かく、クランクがコンパクなので、登りに良いと思いました。

VITUSはアルミのファストシリアスバイクです。イギリスで買ったフレームです。もちろん大きいフレームですが、ホイールベースが短くて、カーボンのに比べてコンパクトフレームです。体に合うようにエノサンが長いステム,長いクランク（１８０ｍｍ！）など立てくれました。お尻は後ろのホイールの上で、手は前のホイールの上にきて、フラットやTTで良いと思いました。

最近、東京－糸魚川はVITUSで、ほかのレースはカーボンで走っています。でも今週末久しぶりにVITUSに乗っったら、なかなかいい感じでした。良くわからないけどパワーが全部道路に行く感じでした。そして登りでも早かった。東京電力の登りを土曜日も日曜日も33/34キロで上がりました（カーボンで30キロ位なら嬉しいです）。

今週、山でVITUSで走ってみて、今度の群馬CSCの100キロレースで使おうかなと思っています。

まあ、カーボンでいくにしてもVITUSでいくにしても、練習を頑張って、良いコンディションでレースに行きたいと思います。がんばります！

Carbon bike in action - 2009 J Tour Stage 1 Gunma CSC

This weekend on Saturday and Sunday I rode my Vitus bike. Since finishing Tokyo~Itoigawa in May it's been gathering dust and I've been solely riding my carbon bike. Which is the better bike?

The carbon is certainly newer. The frame is really big with a short stem and compact cranks. I always think of this as the better option for climbing.

The Vitus is aluminium and the first serious bike I had. I bought the frame in the UK. Of course it's a big frame but the wheel base is short giving it a more compact feel. To get it perfectly sized to my body, Enosan added a long stem、long cranks (180 mm!) and other features as he built it from scratch. The position is sat far back over the back wheel with the hands far forward above the front wheel. I always think of it as the better option for flat or TT riding.

Recently I've used the Vitus for Tokyo~Itoigawa and the carbon bike for all other races. However, riding the Vitus bike this weekend felt pretty good. I don't really know but it feels like all the power is being applied to the road. It was fast on the hills too. On both Saturday and Sunday I did the climb behind the power station at 33/34 kmph (On the carbon bike I'm happy if I can keep about 30 kmph).

This week I'll try out the Vitus bike in the hills and maybe use it for the upcoming 100 km road race at Gunma CSC.

Well whichever, the carbon or the aluminium, I'll train hard and try to arrive at the start line in good condition. I'll do my best!

Vitus bike in action - 2008 Jitsugyodan Team Time Trial Gunma CSC

Sunday's asaren: Kashiwazaki ~ coast road ~ Teradomari ~ coast road ~ Kashiwazaki ~ Tanne ~ Kujiranami ~ Shindou

OUT (Aquapark start) 36.4 km, 0:59, 37 kmph, 100m climbing
IN (Matsunami Daily goal) 33.2 km, 0:51, 39 kmph, 100 m climbing

Total: 99.1 km, 34.4 kmph, 510 m climbing

Brando's machine, Nishihiro's machine, Yoshida's machine, Ohya's machine, Andy's machine

Saturday's asaren: Kashiwazaki ~ coast road ~ Teradomari ~ coast road ~ Kashiwazaki

OUT (Aquapark start) 36.4 km, 0:57, 38.3 kmph, 100m climbing
IN (Matsunami Daily goal) 33.4 km, 0:52, 38.5 kmph, 100 m climbing

Total: 81.1 km, 35.6 kmph, 220 m climbing

Today's training: three climbs - Komura Pass (x2), Ishikawa Pass (x1)

75 km, 900 m climbing

Ishikawa Pass' Supercar