LRB News - Issue #5

Rouleur Deluxe 

With only one month to go before the big day - Yes, One Month - LRB News ! is really excited to present the first of our rider interviews this edition.  Leading up to Launceston Roobaix we were keen to get an insiders peek at some real rider preparation, so tackled one of the established stars of the start list for some candid insight. 

Sometimes and affectionately known as Rouleur Deluxe, and a perennial favourite for any event, LRB News ! recently put Gavin Hinds through his paces with a sprobing Q/A session.  So sit back with a brew and see what can be gleaned between the lines as we reveal some insights from Gavin's preparation.

Name :  Gavin Hinds.  aka Rouleur Deluxe

Age :  53 years young

Palmares :  Too numerous to list fully.  High-lights include:  Noosa Tri regular, Marathon man, Mountain Biker, PBP Ancien, all-around Rouleur-Deluxe.

Career Highlight : Both Paris-Brest-Paris.  PBP 2011 - because it was the greatest adventure I have ever been a part of !  And PBP 2015 (because I finished it in time!). Winning the 40+ Mixed category National Championship at Scott 24 hour 2008 also was a buzz! 

 

Gavin,

L’enfer du Nord - Launceston Roobaix - is an entirely new event coming up early in 2022.  With the final course profile a controversial unknown at this point, can you share with LRB News ! the key points of your build-up as we start the count down to what will be an historic first running of the event ?

GH - Indeed, I am undertaking a somewhat different training program that does not involve a lot of riding, but strength and fitness training, as well as nutrition.

That sounds like dangerously in-depth early season prep to LRB News !  Our advice is to go easy on the push-ups pre-race, as it it is well known to weaken the legs.

So how is the bike build/prep going ?  What inspiration are you drawing on for the event ?  Knowing that course conditions will cover varied terrain, are you able to provide some insight into your bike and equipment selection for the day ?

GH - Yet to strike a blow, but I have a suitable steed in concept stage.

Hmmm.  A just-in-time strategy mirroring the LRB News ! approach.  This might be seen by some as a cunning move to accurately match bike to riding conditions.  Rest assured, the final course will not be revealed until the day ( unless appropriate bribes are offered ).  So at some point Gavin, you will need to commit - and remember that the LRB News ! Service Course clapped-out-parts boxes are at your disposal.

Here at LRB News ! we are always on the lookout for pro tech tips and prep tricks.  Are you able to share any snippets, hints or hacks with our readers ?  Thinking tyre pressure, gear ratio’s, handlebar wrap, shoe selection here.

GH - For shoe selection, I would recommend a flat to low heel for this event.  High heels may be a problem in rougher terrain.

Aaah, gotcha...lets just be clear here that whatever happens at the post-event BBQ, stays at the post-event BBQ...

 

With Training and the Bike covered, kit selection is the other big variable to be considered for the day.  Without giving too much away, any hints on fabric selection, colours, themes ?

GH - Only the immortal words of the great David Lee Roth ( of Van Halen); “It doesn’t matter if you win or lose, just as long as you look good!”

The LRB News ! ethos in one.  Right On !

And finally, can you outline your thoughts on ride nutrition to manage the energy bank over what will a testing 26.2 - 29.8 Km of flat riding ?

GH - Nothing during the event other than sports drink, energy to be replenished with post-event beverages and pastry items.

Gavin, abstinence may help to keep stores brimmed in some instances, so be wary of post-ride indulgences that might undo all that restraint...

 

Oh, one more question before we close out;

 

With the old Inveresk concrete velodrome demolished ( in the 1970’s ) how will you manage your finishing sprint knowing that swooping down off the banking for the win is no longer an option ?

GH - Probably the way I have contested every sprint I have been in, find myself on the front at the critical moment, lead out everyone else, launch a feeble and suicidal sprint from way too far out, and watch everyone come past me.

With all that 'strength and fitness' training mentioned earlier Gavin, LRB News ! suspects that you are sand-bagging.  And after approximately 26.8 - 29.2Km of challenging par cours, a sprint on grass/dirt may best be started from the front.  Whoops, too much course insight... 

Gavin, thank you for your time, and Good Luck with finalising your preparations.  We look forward to seeing you on the start line.

 

Well, a big thank you to Gavin for making time to speak with LRB News ! and for providing such in-depth reflections on his preparations.  Next issue, having sparked the debate, we return to the question of suspension...