hill climb race simulation

This last week or so I've shifted from base training to more intensive hill climb work. Four days on Kashiwazaki's toughest climb, Isonobe, gradually increasing the intensity each time.

Today, one week before Kusatsu, was the icing on the cake. Two climbs of Mt. Yahiko at race pace.

I got on the scales this morning. 78.5 kg. Alright for rolling courses but hardly a hill climbing best. I'd like 76 / 77 kg but the joys of being a new dad and the over indulgence that goes with it mean alas no.

Coast road

I rode out to Teradomari with Kitano san in just over an hour. 40 kmph plus with little effort due to a nice stiff tail wind.

There we met Andrew and headed for Yahiko. Is it really the first time we've met up at the Save On this year? Last winter was too long!

Climb 1

On the climb, we enjoyed chatting up to the gate. After the gate there is a long stretch at 11 % and although never spoken, from this point it's race mode.

I dug in on the front and pushed my HR up to 180. This is what I love about hill climbing. You put your cards on the table. If the others can't follow, you're away. If they can, you're vulnerable to an attack.

Andrew and Kitano san were up to the task. This is what I've been missing in training so far this year. In hill climbs, your ears are more important than your eyes. Listen to their breathing. Listen to their gear changes. Are they suffering? Are they comfortable?

At the top of the steep section, Kitano san came on to the front. My heart rate dropped down to the high 150s. A good sign. This is were interval training has its benefits. The ability to recover quickly, ready to go again.

We rode up taking turns pulling till we met Tazaki san on his way down. A quick U-turn and we were a foursome.

Andrew was on the front, spinning a super cadence. Then came the steep section. The place were the hill climb race in September is usually decided.

Kitano san! Big gear! Out of the saddle! Attack!

Shift up one. Keep in the saddle. Dig deep to go with him. We are a two.

Into the thick mist. In these conditions, just a small gap and you can be away. Out of site, out of mind.

Around the hairpin and the gradient picks up. I can hear Kitano san fluff a gear change behind. Little dig. Look back. One or two metres. Not enough.

Kitano san takes a turn up front. It's so much easier to follow than to lead. Even in hill climbs, drafting plays a key role.

Looking back, I can see someone coming through the mist. Got to go faster. Take a long pull. The final corner. Look back. I've got a gap. Big gear. One ramp up. The tunnel. Two more ramps up. Goal. AJ!

Climb 2

About 8 of us started the second climb. Same drill. Nice and chatty up to the gate.

This time Hnd san is on the front. A bike length, then Kitano san, me glued to his wheel, Tazaki san glued to mine.

Soon it's three of us Hnd san, me, Tazaki san. Stuck in an F(t) Racing sandwich!

In hill climbing a good way to suss out your rival is to ask them a question which requires more than a yes or no answer.

Andy “you must be getting nice shelter from the wind back there” / Tazaki san “I can't really notice!”

As the gradient picks up just before the fast section, Hnd san attacks. He has a nice gap. Over the lump. My territory. Put the bike in the big ring. A millisecond. I hear Tazaki san behind do the same. A fast drive. Past Hind san keeping wide right. Another 50 metres. Don't want to burn all the matches just yet. Into the small ring. Look back. Both of them on my wheel!

Here comes the steep section. Tazaki san attacks. Hnd san follows. They're over the top. But wait, neither wants to set the pace. My chance to bridge. Got to go now. Back on.

Tazaki san goes again! So does Hnd san. Round the hairpin. The two of them bombing up the road.

It's all or nothing now. Into the big ring. As hard as I can go. I'm closing on them. Past Hnd san. 10 more metres. Onto Tazaki san's wheel. Hnd san Counter Attack! Tazaki san goes too.

Keep going. Keep going. The gaps not really closing.

The last corner. Tazaki san has gone. The race for second place!

Back into the big ring. First ramp. Getting closer! Through the tunnel. Second ramp. Getting closer! Got to surprise him. Hnd san looks back. He can see me. Crap!

I can't close the gap but I can put it all out. Out of the saddle. Eyes closed. Goal. Look down. 190 HR. That what we like to see!

Puncture.

On the way back down I was greeted with a loud bang at about 50 kmph. The rear tyre blew. Luckily, it was on a long straight and I kept the bike upright. The damage, a 1 cm split in a brand new tyre with only 60 km on it!

No punctures at all last year. 2 in 2 days this week!

We did a makeshift job to get the tyre rideable back home.

Head wind

The way back to Kashiwazaki was a strong head wind as expected. 40 km at 170 HR. Sean Kelly training!

Post ride protein feast

In the door. Shower. Protein IN: tofu and chick pea salad, eda mame, fried tofu (atsu age) vegetable curry, protein milkshake

Enosan magic

Some metal, some glue, the tyre is as good as new! Enosan Magic!

Fantastic training today. Thank you guys!

Sunday's training:

coast road ~ Mt. Yahiko x 2 ~ coast road

(135 km, 1450 m climbing, 30 kmph)