"♫ Welcome to the House of Fun
Now I've come of age
Welcome to the lion's den
Temptation's on its way ♫"
Oh, how young I was. Two years ago, but how young. I had the world at my feet, I had verbally agreed to join the European junior circuit and then, who knows? My cycling career was only beginning, and it still is as I type.
So, my brother was trying to hook up with my sister. That's weird. It's even weirder that I chose to phrase it like that. I don't mind them getting together, it's the constant will-they-won't they schtick that makes me puke. He's off in Europe and left me for the first time. That's weird. I was sitting, sulking, and not going after the one I crushed pretty hard on. That was actually pretty decent of me since she'd said no. I really liked her. The friendzone is an awkward place, though it'd taken years just to get there. She was pretty amazing, yet wasn't my biggest fan even if she did warm up to me. I was a bit of a persistent ass, and I probably would have turned me down too. I'm over her now, or at least over the compulsive need to ask her out.
Oh no, you're closing the tab. Yes, I know it's taken four seasons to do not much in the story of my career, but it's not called The Cycling and Times (Trials) now is it? But enough dithering - making you read a preface episode to the episodes about my awful love life is a bit torturous, I admit. Let's jump back in...
Edited by jandal7 on 20-04-2020 10:58
@Tamijo - Good effort Thanks that means a lot Welcome aboard @Croatia - Aw <3 Thanks a lot, good to hear you're enjoying it, and will do!
S5/E1
Canberra II
"♫ So much to do, so much to see
So what's wrong with taking the back streets
You'll never know if you don't go
You'll never shine if you don't glow ♫"
I woke up in the morning feeling refreshed a revitalised as I prepared for the second double whammy. The morning stage was crucial for any aspiration of holding my GC place - or going one better. It finished uphill and would sort out proceedings quick. Then a crit race to cap off the tour.
Stage 3 was quiet and uneventful for the most part, with everyone content to reel the break (containing Clarke) in late then do battle up the final ascent. Sure to the script the break was caught and the attacks start. The top 5 on GC were separated by 20 seconds so every attack had to be taken care of. I decided to lurk in the wheels and gauge my legs when the fun began as to whether I'd be on the offensive or not. As the group thinned I felt good, so with 2km still to go I gave it a kick. Immediately the yellow jersey and the guy in 4th overall (who won yesterday) followed and we got a gap. We waited on the guy in 4th to keep it open as I looked into his eyes, unflinching as he focused on my wheel.
The gap extended and soon it was assured we were the top 3 on GC - and immediately we had no idea what to do. I tried to capitalise by attacking to the far side of the road. 5... 10... 20 metres. I looked back, they were co-operating nicely. I had to keep going. I tried to measure my effort so if it turned pear-shaped I could hold on. But perhaps the adrenaline overtook my thinking process so I just went faster and faster and my lungs were burning, my legs were acid, my tongue yearned for the sweet relief of oxygen, 300 metres to go, I didn't dare look back as I swung the bike between my legs, closer and closer and...
In a flash the yellow jersey swung by me. I latched onto his wheel but couldn't hold it, neither the 4th on GC's. The last 300m was a brutal but well-needed reminder of how far to push your luck, this wasn't the regional league anymore. 3rd on GC going into the afternoon crit was no disaster by any means. My plan was to enjoy the stage and try to mix it up in the sprint.
I managed to stay safe in the dangerously tight and fast racing of the crit and so decided to launch an attack with Ollie. We weren't away for very long but I'm not one to die wondering. The final sprint was lining up and I lurked in the wheels, coming 8th eventually, securing my GC podium and earning the points jersey in the process. Although I felt I could have won, and would have dearly loved to beat all the Aussies, I was still really really happy with that considering it was an international race.
Edited by jandal7 on 20-04-2020 11:00
♫ And I never thought I'd feel this way
The way I feel
About you
As soon as I wake up
Every night, every day
I know that it's you I need
To take the blues away ♫
• Madness
'So what about your brother trying to get with Rose?' she asked, trying to stop laughing. I was too, but the question made the giggles die on my lips.
'I don't even want to think about that.' I said, 'It's like incest.'. She laughed again, a wonderful sound escaping her lips.
'You know, I always thought you and Rose would go together!' Tessa said thoughtfully.
'Urgh, that really is like incest. That's like you and Tāne!' I said in disgust.
'Yeah but with you, your parents would love it!' she giggled, 'Tāne is actually my brother!'
'I think Mum's happy enough with Hayden trying to make her part of the family.' I said with a smile. 'What about you Tess? Any man catching your eye?' I asked cautiously.
'Well, actually nobody's asked seriously for a year or so now." she smiled, her brown eyes twinkling, 'Not since some dickhead finally gave up.' I didn't give up. I never gave up on this girl. Just tried being friends, rather than her hating me but me fruitlessly trying to express my feelings. That never worked. 'And you?' she asked slowly.
'Well, there is one girl. She's pretty, she's funny, she's smart-' I started, not looking at her.
'Ok Jay, we meant real girls here. Nobody's that perfect.' she laughed.
'Yeah, well she's pretty close.' I said. I know, reliving this, I'm not exactly dropping my pants for 17-year-old me either.
'Does she know?' Tessa giggled, punching me on the shoulder.
'How perfect she is?' I shot back, earning myself a swat.
'No you prat! Have you told her?'
'You know Tess, I actually want a shot.' I laughed. And there we left that probing subject. I like to think I played that one cool. By this point we could laugh and talk for ages, just like my other friends. But it still didn't stop me loving her - or thinking I did at least.
Edited by jandal7 on 20-04-2020 11:04
Jandal mate. Don't leave the story here. You did such a fantastic job in creating storylines that I, who is not really into stories like this, burn since nearly a month to read the next episode.
I just wanted to let you know that people are waiting to see you continuing your great stuff. It's unique here, it's wanted. We want more, give it to us
Hey Croatia and all the guys reading this -
Thanks for the message, having some motivation and writing problems as well as just general busy life. Tried to write an episode on the weekend but it wouldn't come. O have a plan for this season, so it's coming
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
As I landed in Quebec for the Tour L'Abitibi the two Haydens - damn it's annoying - had been there for 24 hours already in preparation to lead. This was my second UCI race after Worlds and I was buzzing.
I got to the hotel and it felt - well to be honest it felt a bit like home, which was both a buzzkill, a pleasant surprise and quite comforting at the same time. The people were stereotypically polite and it had just that air about it. Obviously we're always compared to Canada - Saying "eh" and being ignored because of our neighbours. Of course, Quebec is a bit different but knowing French it wasn't too much of a struggle - thought the different dialect was tricksy.
However, when we got there, they (Hayden & Hayden) pulled us aside. Richie, Ollie and I were bundled into the conference room - not strictly allowed, but OK. They sat us down and shushed our questions. They looked at each other and my brother opened his mouth.
"The team - the one we're at and you guys will be going to next year - they dope. They're part of a huge damn doping ring and we've got no idea what to do about it."
Edited by jandal7 on 20-04-2020 11:05
Croatia - Thanks Well, here's the reaction, as for how they deal with it, well, that's coming over the next episodes Tamijo -
S5/E4
Fork II
"The team - the one we're at and you guys will be going to next year - they dope. They're part of a huge damn doping ring and we've got no idea what to do about it."
I was stunned into silence. I managed to blurt 'You didn't?' to which Hayden gave a quick shake of the head. What. The. Hell. So many questions, so many possible answers. Jesus.
'Does anyone else know?' Richie asked.
'No. If we tell Cycling NZ then it's as good as whistleblown.' Mac (from now on I'll call Hayden McCormick Mac) said.
'And what's wrong with that?!' Ollie said heatedly. I knew the answer and although it went against my moral code I may have even believed it.
'We might never go pro,' I answered quietly, 'Mac, how high does it go?'
'Yeah, plus we need more info - this isn't just Colnago's operation. But it's hard for us to tell how big it is. It could go all the way to the top level. Maybe Puerto-level stuff.'
'Exactly. If we started that kind of deal it could be hard to make a contract anywhere. We don't know how bad of an omerta we'd be breaking.' I finished.
'Luckily for us, they'd rather we used PEDs but there's no pushing or shoving us to do it. We're just foreigners who don't know the sport and don't have what it takes to be professional bike riders. There are good people there who can't say something because the Italian system could destroy their career if their federation is corrupt, but we have a better shot than them.' Hayden said. 'So, we are going to do it, but not now. We should be OK to finish the season if we keep it quiet as they just want rid of us and don't suspect we'd have the guts to snitch.' After Ollie opened his mouth, he continued. 'Be it to the end of the year when we're back here or for longer. We both are going to tell somebody but we can't now.'
We continued in this vein for a while, and soon it was time for dinner and rest. Rooming with Hayden, I tried to gather more info.
'It's very well run - especially at this level it's undetectable. I don't know the medical side as I don't do it so don't expect anything there - but they have a good system that's worked for years for a reason. I'm trying to find out specifics but it's hard. It goes back to Ferrari, one of the guys said.' And with that, we went to sleep ahead of a hard day's ride tomorrow. We had to take our minds off of this insane situation we found ourselves in, which was a lot easier said than done.
Edited by jandal7 on 20-04-2020 11:56
Well f***, kind of a bad dilemma for the guys. Tough times ahead, especially if the team starts kind of a force on them if dopers perform better...but we'll see, and I can't wait to see it!
Croatia - Indeed it is! Thanks, me neither Abhishkek - It sure is
S5/E5
Abitibi I
"Time to focus on what we were here for."
The first stage was rolling with a few bigger hills before settling down a bit for an undulating circuit and an uphill drag. We wanted to position Hayden for the stage and keep Mac and him safe on GC. This meant, alongside the fact we all just wanted to get settled into it, that we'd stay in the peloton rather than trying to get into the morning break.
In the end Ollie ended up being our guy on the front and he helped catch the break with just one lap to go, meaning Richie could protect Mac and keep him nearish the front and I could pilot Hayden to prime position. With 3km to go my legs were on fire but I was sitting 10th wheel, Hayden behind me with ample space to maneuver. The first of the final kilometres was false flats and the speed was insane - I was surprised I kept up. Many riders including some who Mac said are the best sprinters were shelled over the day's course and so a punchier guy like Hayden had a shot.
The penultimate kilometre was downhill and so I took some risks to bring Hayden up - I couldn't ease off but the slight reprieve gave me strength for the last K. By then I was fifth or sixth wheel and with 500m to go I was spent, I looked behind me and said to get to the guy in fourth's wheel. I made half a jump so Hayden didn't get caught in the air then veered out to the side to watch the sprint and check if Richie and Mac were all good. They were and so I could see Hayden take third, a great result when some sprinters were present.
Stage 2 was very similar but with a steeper finish, suiting Hayden a bit more. We played a similar card but placed Richie in the break to go after the KOM jersey. We weren't sure if he'd got the points but the break was caught before the money bonus sprints so I went for them both and was surprised to say that I took one and was second at the other: a bit of pocket money for the girls and for me to buy them some Canadian souvenirs.
Again I was to pilot Hayden into the final metres and I did it again but this time with the assistance of Richie giving his last to try and get Hayden the stage. In the last kilometre I was third wheel with Hayden fifth, maybe a bit too high up but nobody seemed to think of catching us out. I led him to the base of the final kicker, it was uphill the whole way but this was so much steeper. He stayed behind until the 50m and then came around for the win! I punched the air in delight as he sat up and celebrated.
_____________________________________________________________________
'So, we're not telling them? Just like that?' Ollie asked indignantly. It was the third night of discussion on the subject.
'Not yet. Not whilst we're on the team.' Mac said tiredly. 'And that's got to be final.'
"A couple of flat days: but nobody said anything about easy."
Now we could focus on the pure, simple racing, and about time too: going into the 15km ITT Hayden has the leader's jersey on his shoulders with bonuses. We decided to defend it as long as we could: obviously he'd have to be the best sprinter/puncheur and 16 seconds better than the time trialists just to have it tomorrow; but then again, nothing we can do.
I put in a good enough performance to take 19th on the stage and move to the same spot overall: Ollie came 7th and Hayden came 11th: he moved into second overall after a storming performance by a chap named Jungels. You know the one. No shame there after what he's made of himself already.
Stage 4 was next, 50km and undulating: never hilly but not quite a pancake, just enough false flats and small rises to give it the edge that the results and fans wouldn't see, only those riding may even notice. I felt good and with no GC obligation we put it all on Luxembourg to do the work as I leapt at the opportunity to join a break of four. We worked well and with 20km and two minutes it seemed the chase was on. We put in everything just for the opportunity to be there with 5km to go, 4km to go, 3km to go...
Suddenly the lactic acid, and something mental, something I needed, but didn't have got to me. The edge. We don't race like that in Wanganui. Hayden told me it was more European, more professional. Sure we race hard, maybe even harder in in Wanganui, but when we dismount we're mates. On the European scene, especially juniors, you learn every guy is there to make your life hell. Every man is for himself and his team. Every man doesn't know you. Every man doesn't care for you. Every man is so driven to the stage win, the glory, and ultimately the selection for bigger N.CUP events like L'Avenir for that sweet pro contract, that he doesn't notice you there. If he does, he looks backs at your poor, withering form, and smiles to himself. Job done, he thinks.
I didn't implode like you may have thought. But I may well have. I couldn't pull for as little as they cared for me I wanted my comrades, my companions for 50km to make it to the line. And slowly, clichè as it may be, it was under le flamme rouge that they just rode faster, as the peloton gobbled me up like the inevitable, cold void it was.
Edited by jandal7 on 28-12-2017 03:41
I was exhausted after the fourth day's efforts but a good night's rest for Hayden and I and an easy start meant I was as fresh as a daisy could be after four days of N.CUP racing for stage 5. Up and down until the last 50km which had two bigger climbs and one fairly huge one before a technical descent and a final KM slightly uphill. We didn't know much about Jungels but Mac (who was our second GC man for the day) said he was good on the climbs as well as in a TT.
Richie went in the break and so we were allowed another day's bypass to let Luxembourg burn their matches chasing. The break was reeled in before the penultimate ascent and so we put into phase our plan: I was to leap away before the base to serve whatever role was needed, much like last Boxing Day. A couple of opportunists went with me and so halfway up the climb we had 15-ish seconds on the splintering main group. I knew only from what I could tell from looking behind and I could see Richie looking after Hayden, and no sign of Mac or Ollie, however in the swarm of helmets I could never be sure.
On the descent the gap hadn't changed much but at the foot of the last climb Hayden was bridging across with Jungels and others, including now Mac, behind. He came to me and motioned for me to go. Go I did, and it was the Vaillenos brothers leading an international race. There's one for the album. In the end I was broke halfway up and limped to the top, being dropped by many groups in the process. In the end Hayden was caught and came 4th, with Mac 6th. Jungels increased his lead with a very good descent.
Edited by jandal7 on 28-12-2017 03:41
@Croatia - Yeah Joseph keeps puling domestique performances out of the hat, and I'm sure the photo will be right on the mantelpiece next to their Manawatu Opens 1-2
S5/E8
Abitibi IV
"The GC battle was all but decided."
Stages 6 and 7 finished on steep inclines after undulating days - Hayden's kinda thang. 6 was slightly less steep but 500m long, whilst 7 was gradually steeper and steeper until an insane last 100m at over 10% - we really had no idea how that one would turn out and so we'd try and judge it over the circuits whether it was a job for Richie, Hayden or Mac.
Stage 6 I tried to take easy until the lead out after the colossal last 2 days attacking and god damn am I pleased I did. The break took forever to form but would ultimately be reeled in with 8km to go and so Ollie, Richie and I went to the front. The other two controlled the pace whilst I was once again pilot fish. We ended up in a group off the front and it stayed that way. With 1km to go I was on empty but I just kept turning the pedals until I swerved to the side of the road and was almost at a standstill, crawling my way to the line behind everyone else - losing my 12th place on GC but... helping my brother grab another stage win! He dominated the sprint once again in a group of 4 - the top three on GC and another sprinter who didn't have the legs uphill but whose French team placed him nicely.
The next day I was even more tired than ever and the day was going to be 99.9km long - but after that it was the flight back home, back to exams - this really was a different world.
Mac was 7th on GC but hopped in the break - nobody really minded and he said he wasn't feeling good enough for the final. There was to be no breakaway day all week and it was back together in time for the last circuit. We set up our usual train for Hayden and I was 3rd man, behind Ollie, ahead of Richie. I plonked Richie on the front with 400m to go but there wasn't to be a third win - 4th for Hayden after an early launch.
2nd and 7th on GC, points win, two stages - an amazing Canadian trip for NZ and perhaps the real beginning, a beginning of a new dawn for Kiwi Road Cycling...
Edited by jandal7 on 28-12-2017 03:41
Welcome aboard 
