From having riden the odd time trial (individual race against the clock) over the last few years, the worst bit of an otherwise enjoyable event is waiting for the results and having to make small talk at the end of the race with people you hope you have beaten. At the same time, I do really like most of these guys and they are also hoping they have beaten me. Most of the guys are also too modest to say they smashed the ride and we all have a pretty good idea of our times anyway so it is just a rather painful process all round.
Sensible excuses can include:
1/ I had really bad traffic at the roundabouts and had to come to a complete stop
2/ I had a mechanical and couldn't shift gear
3/ The traffic really died down when I was racing so got no draft
4/ The cross-winds really picked up just as I was riding
5/ The dew hadn't burnt off at the time I started
6/ I am using this as a training race and did 5 hours yesterday
7/ I wasn't wearing a skinsuit/using my disc wheel/wearing my aero helmet
8/ I had my tyre pressures too high
9/ I had the wrong gear ratios. I normally race with a 56 on the front
10/ I am focusing on developing my endurance for my 24hr competition coming up so haven't been working on the power you need for 25miles...
My excuses for Saturday were that my legs were dire and my cornering was still shaky after the previous Sunday. Think it did me a world of good to throw myself into some bumpy descents on the TT bars and 8th is not a disaster. The winner started 2 mins behind me and cruised past me on the first lap which was not great for morale but in a week or two I will be flying. Have a rest week this week so racing Tuesday night and then going for the E/1/2 at Horsmonden on Sunday with only a few sprint sessions in between and a heavy dose of rest after a 17 hr + training week including 3 races last week. Weight is coming down and am feeling lean-just need some rest!
Monday, 15 August 2011
Friday, 12 August 2011
...but thats road racing for you.
This week I have been thoroughly outdone by my brother winning the IRC 4 Class at Cowes Week. Awesome effort.
Secondly, but only as not everything can come first, a few significant thank yous this week. In Gear have been fantastic with turning my race bike around so quickly and trying as hard as possible to save my race wheels which are currently looking like pringles. Pete, James and Liam have as always been incredibly patient and accommodating. Parentals have been fantastic too: can't not get results now after all the efforts they have put in.
This has been such a bizarre season. Its hardly as if I haven't been trying to get results recently; having time to be a full time athlete recently has led to a poor run of results even if on occasions my legs have felt good. Highlights have included a recent 2nd place at Goodwood after riding the whole race feeling really quite unwell but sprinting well.
Lowlights will include two recent tumbles which have left me with quite a few chainring marks and divots and my back is a mess. I have gained a great deal of respect for the reactions of Luke Wallis and Nathan Russell after the crash at Bletchingley on Sunday. I went too fast into a corner, trying to take the apex at the bottom of a long descent but a car came round the corner at a pace and sensing someone trying to overtake outside me me had to take some quite drastic evasive action that ended up in a hedge. It could have have been much worse and it was such a shame that Luke came down as he is one of the nicest and hardest guys I know in cycling but who has had the worst luck this season. I would say Nathan is probably a bit too crazy (in a very good way) to be given the same title, still hard as nails but certainly one of the most Christian in his behaviour. Nathan came down after being knocked by a rider at the same incident further back in the bunch. Thanks very much to Trevor Holmes for the bandages.
So forgetting all that I have had a good week of training. I can't say I wanted to get on the bike on Monday. On Sunday I dropped back to my parents expecting some sympathy and while I was exceptionally well fed, heard exactly what I needed to hear which was to get straight back on it and race again as soon as possible. A good but very sore ride Monday, raced Tuesday night, did 5hrs on Wednesday really trying to work on cornering, especially on descents, 4hrs Thursday including the Eastbourne Rovers TT at Pevensey. On a slow night, on a slow course, on my training bike and in the middle of a long ride I knocked out a 23.58 which I thought was respectable, especially as I was riding thinking of saving a bit for riding a 26mile TT on Saturday (a lot of excuses there; did I mention I genuinely did get held up the roundabout...?). After a time trial on Saturday, a long ride on Sunday and then onto an easier week coming up.
So 36 points to 1st cat. I must confess to having a moment thinking was this all worth it, glanced at the cross-country running winter calendar, considered burying myself in education or playing rugby on Sundays for Lewes Rugby Club but then realised that at every single one of those races I am just going to be thinking of being in the winning break or powering out ahead in a sprint. I have got good results so far this season but am hoping to finish the year with the form I had at the end of last season. More training, better recovery, harder racing.
Secondly, but only as not everything can come first, a few significant thank yous this week. In Gear have been fantastic with turning my race bike around so quickly and trying as hard as possible to save my race wheels which are currently looking like pringles. Pete, James and Liam have as always been incredibly patient and accommodating. Parentals have been fantastic too: can't not get results now after all the efforts they have put in.
This has been such a bizarre season. Its hardly as if I haven't been trying to get results recently; having time to be a full time athlete recently has led to a poor run of results even if on occasions my legs have felt good. Highlights have included a recent 2nd place at Goodwood after riding the whole race feeling really quite unwell but sprinting well.
Lowlights will include two recent tumbles which have left me with quite a few chainring marks and divots and my back is a mess. I have gained a great deal of respect for the reactions of Luke Wallis and Nathan Russell after the crash at Bletchingley on Sunday. I went too fast into a corner, trying to take the apex at the bottom of a long descent but a car came round the corner at a pace and sensing someone trying to overtake outside me me had to take some quite drastic evasive action that ended up in a hedge. It could have have been much worse and it was such a shame that Luke came down as he is one of the nicest and hardest guys I know in cycling but who has had the worst luck this season. I would say Nathan is probably a bit too crazy (in a very good way) to be given the same title, still hard as nails but certainly one of the most Christian in his behaviour. Nathan came down after being knocked by a rider at the same incident further back in the bunch. Thanks very much to Trevor Holmes for the bandages.
So forgetting all that I have had a good week of training. I can't say I wanted to get on the bike on Monday. On Sunday I dropped back to my parents expecting some sympathy and while I was exceptionally well fed, heard exactly what I needed to hear which was to get straight back on it and race again as soon as possible. A good but very sore ride Monday, raced Tuesday night, did 5hrs on Wednesday really trying to work on cornering, especially on descents, 4hrs Thursday including the Eastbourne Rovers TT at Pevensey. On a slow night, on a slow course, on my training bike and in the middle of a long ride I knocked out a 23.58 which I thought was respectable, especially as I was riding thinking of saving a bit for riding a 26mile TT on Saturday (a lot of excuses there; did I mention I genuinely did get held up the roundabout...?). After a time trial on Saturday, a long ride on Sunday and then onto an easier week coming up.
So 36 points to 1st cat. I must confess to having a moment thinking was this all worth it, glanced at the cross-country running winter calendar, considered burying myself in education or playing rugby on Sundays for Lewes Rugby Club but then realised that at every single one of those races I am just going to be thinking of being in the winning break or powering out ahead in a sprint. I have got good results so far this season but am hoping to finish the year with the form I had at the end of last season. More training, better recovery, harder racing.
Friday, 15 July 2011
...
.... frustration continues; work last Sunday so missed a race.... serious amount of rain stopped me racing Tuesday... car breaking down on the way to race on Wednesday... then had to have an operation on my ear on Thursday which although went well has left me feeling rough... a weeks course of antibiotics... general anesthetic from Thursday stopped me racing this Friday night for everyones sake... body still a bit sore in places from last few weeks...
however... last time I was on antiobiotics I notched up two wins. Time for some more. Next one is Kirdford on Sunday
ALL about the WIN
however... last time I was on antiobiotics I notched up two wins. Time for some more. Next one is Kirdford on Sunday
ALL about the WIN
Friday, 8 July 2011
Form
Part of the road racing addiction is how form comes and goes. The guys who start training and racing at the end of the winter have been starting to come into form and those of us who have had a really solid winter of hard training, depending on when we planned to peak, are generally in need of a rest. After no form up until April, fantastic form through May and then a dip in form at the end of July, I have decided to give myself a few days off the bike to recover and then begin to build again for the second half of the season. After peaking in April and September last year, I am hoping to bring the second peak a bit further forward so I can peak in March for 2012; very ambitious long term planning when I know I will take whatever form I am given.
It has been bizarre not training but I love how just by chilling out, sleeping, watching the tour and drinking coffee, I lose some weight as my body recovers, particularly after the school term. I am currently sleeping 14 hours a day and needing every minute of it. My race and training bikes are now immaculately clean and I really am itching to get them dirty again but I am trying my hardest to resist the temptation.
Hearing about the Toachim GP being switched from the Chilham course to Tenterden-Appledore means the race is suddenly much more of a target for me and I am hoping to get out and race in Belgium in August. I may change my thoughts on this when a few more Sigma Sport-Specialized riders decide to enter as rumoured but having remembered how to climb again, a top 20 could be achievable.
Back to more coffee, sleep and recovery. Can't wait to race next week. I have been leaving races feeling a bit stroppy after feeling I have been heavily marked but realistically this is just from not being fresh and losing that little extra that helps you make a gap. Bring on the rest of the season.
Postscript: Henry Bird, a constant source of amusement and bemusement, has been very constructive of late in asking before races "Will, can you let me know if you are going to be a little princess at the end of this race?" and so making sure I haven't been as much of a diva as I might have been after a bland run of results. This week we have established that he isn't actually a complete spanner as long as you realise that he has no understanding of society after 1978. For a guy doing a music degree, he barely knew who the Foo Fighters were but is somehow best mates with all of the Beatles. His ambitions this year of 'dominating the Yorkshire cyclocross scene' are also very endearing until he admits he hasn't got a cyclocross bike, or ever done and cyclocross race and doesn't like training that much. Henry, keep up the good work. Lad.
It has been bizarre not training but I love how just by chilling out, sleeping, watching the tour and drinking coffee, I lose some weight as my body recovers, particularly after the school term. I am currently sleeping 14 hours a day and needing every minute of it. My race and training bikes are now immaculately clean and I really am itching to get them dirty again but I am trying my hardest to resist the temptation.
Hearing about the Toachim GP being switched from the Chilham course to Tenterden-Appledore means the race is suddenly much more of a target for me and I am hoping to get out and race in Belgium in August. I may change my thoughts on this when a few more Sigma Sport-Specialized riders decide to enter as rumoured but having remembered how to climb again, a top 20 could be achievable.
Back to more coffee, sleep and recovery. Can't wait to race next week. I have been leaving races feeling a bit stroppy after feeling I have been heavily marked but realistically this is just from not being fresh and losing that little extra that helps you make a gap. Bring on the rest of the season.
Postscript: Henry Bird, a constant source of amusement and bemusement, has been very constructive of late in asking before races "Will, can you let me know if you are going to be a little princess at the end of this race?" and so making sure I haven't been as much of a diva as I might have been after a bland run of results. This week we have established that he isn't actually a complete spanner as long as you realise that he has no understanding of society after 1978. For a guy doing a music degree, he barely knew who the Foo Fighters were but is somehow best mates with all of the Beatles. His ambitions this year of 'dominating the Yorkshire cyclocross scene' are also very endearing until he admits he hasn't got a cyclocross bike, or ever done and cyclocross race and doesn't like training that much. Henry, keep up the good work. Lad.
Sunday, 26 June 2011
Going for the win
It has been a very frustrating weeks racing; three races where I would have hoped to have done well and taken a win but didn't go to plan. Certainly not a problem with quality of training, recovery or hunger for racing just a bit of luck would have made a lot of difference. Just need to be patient.
Sandhurst-Benenden E/1/2; 18th
One of those days. Feeling strong but rather frustrating, a day of very negative racing and I ended up spending my energy going for the win on the last lap, at one point I had a lead of about 45 seconds on the chasing group with another rider but he just sat on. I rolled in at the back of the front group when I knew the win was out of reach when I feel most were still very excited about 2nd place. Having looked at winning this race for a while and having a bad day, I left thinking what if I had done things differently and perhaps been more or less aggressive in my racing...perhaps!
Portsmouth E/1/2; 7th
Lapped the field 2 1/2 times but at the same time I didn't quite have the tactics right. Although I initiated a lot of breaks, I could have been move savvy with my racing. Some very strong riders out too. All part of the learning process but a shame not to come away with more.
Barcombe 2/3; 10th
Two riders attacked straight after the neutralised zone and stayed away for the entire race; something that is very, very rare in cycling. After hearing the time gaps after the first lap, I looked to attack which was not in my original game plan but I felt was necessary to get the win. After riding for a lap with Todd Leckie who rode unbelievably fast, Todd decided to drop to the bunch while I continued, gambling for the win. I got caught with about 2 miles to go after getting spotted by a group at the bottom of a long climb and then being brought back. I ended up finishing at the back of this group after riding with a average HR of 168 for the 2hrs 45 min race and being out alone for well over 40 miles.
Sandhurst-Benenden E/1/2; 18th
One of those days. Feeling strong but rather frustrating, a day of very negative racing and I ended up spending my energy going for the win on the last lap, at one point I had a lead of about 45 seconds on the chasing group with another rider but he just sat on. I rolled in at the back of the front group when I knew the win was out of reach when I feel most were still very excited about 2nd place. Having looked at winning this race for a while and having a bad day, I left thinking what if I had done things differently and perhaps been more or less aggressive in my racing...perhaps!
Portsmouth E/1/2; 7th
Lapped the field 2 1/2 times but at the same time I didn't quite have the tactics right. Although I initiated a lot of breaks, I could have been move savvy with my racing. Some very strong riders out too. All part of the learning process but a shame not to come away with more.
Barcombe 2/3; 10th
Two riders attacked straight after the neutralised zone and stayed away for the entire race; something that is very, very rare in cycling. After hearing the time gaps after the first lap, I looked to attack which was not in my original game plan but I felt was necessary to get the win. After riding for a lap with Todd Leckie who rode unbelievably fast, Todd decided to drop to the bunch while I continued, gambling for the win. I got caught with about 2 miles to go after getting spotted by a group at the bottom of a long climb and then being brought back. I ended up finishing at the back of this group after riding with a average HR of 168 for the 2hrs 45 min race and being out alone for well over 40 miles.
Thursday, 16 June 2011
Recent racing
Goodwood 7/6/11 E/1/2: 2nd
With Smithfield nocturne the big focus of the week, I was very keen to take it easy while getting a my racing head on. Spent the race trying to do as little as possible and make other people do the hard work: not easy in massive winds. Got in a break of 5, all going well, apart from my positioning in the wind at times as I was regularly and constructively reminded (still plenty to learn), but the main problem is every time I tried to use my drinks bottle, the lid kept coming off so I ended up drinking very little. Neave and Calland went of the front leaving me with the Macnamara brothers who both at the same time turned round at me and gave me the same "chase that down will you Will, thanks" look. They generously let me jump away and I caught the other two. Finished 2nd after legs cramped up in sprint and rolled through to pick up 2nd. Frustrating but will take the podium place.
Portsmouth 8/6/11 E/1/2: 3rd
Showed my blond side last night. Second time down at Portsmouth and although legs were feeling good, missed out on the win. Put 2 laps into the field but then let 2 guys open up the sprint with a lap to go, just like last time and I let them take the win. On such a small course with a bend with a narrow radius in the final corner, a lot of speed is required to come round the over the top and win from 2nd or 3rd wheel. I again suffered a bit from dehydration and linked to that me being a bit soft. Waved goodbye to a win.
Smithfield 11/6/11 2/3: DNF
How not to race. Was shivering on the startline after waiting 20mins for some corporate relays to finish. Guess the old blokes racing round individually was funding our event. Lack of organisation at the start meant that the warm up lap went at full speed with no leading car. Scrum for the start but then was feeling rough after trying to get going again after the cold. Hit the bike of someone who had crashed and end up all over the road. Part of road racing. A lot of road rash but no other injuries. Not keen to race in this event next year. Thanks to Pete, James and Liam at In gear for putting my bike back together!
Training going well since and all patched up. Big big thanks to Mum, Dad, Emily and Andrew for their amazing support recently. My family are incredible.
Barcombe this weekend, almost picked up 1st cat and then keen to look at higher profile races and to get onto bigger teams.
With Smithfield nocturne the big focus of the week, I was very keen to take it easy while getting a my racing head on. Spent the race trying to do as little as possible and make other people do the hard work: not easy in massive winds. Got in a break of 5, all going well, apart from my positioning in the wind at times as I was regularly and constructively reminded (still plenty to learn), but the main problem is every time I tried to use my drinks bottle, the lid kept coming off so I ended up drinking very little. Neave and Calland went of the front leaving me with the Macnamara brothers who both at the same time turned round at me and gave me the same "chase that down will you Will, thanks" look. They generously let me jump away and I caught the other two. Finished 2nd after legs cramped up in sprint and rolled through to pick up 2nd. Frustrating but will take the podium place.
Portsmouth 8/6/11 E/1/2: 3rd
Showed my blond side last night. Second time down at Portsmouth and although legs were feeling good, missed out on the win. Put 2 laps into the field but then let 2 guys open up the sprint with a lap to go, just like last time and I let them take the win. On such a small course with a bend with a narrow radius in the final corner, a lot of speed is required to come round the over the top and win from 2nd or 3rd wheel. I again suffered a bit from dehydration and linked to that me being a bit soft. Waved goodbye to a win.
Smithfield 11/6/11 2/3: DNF
How not to race. Was shivering on the startline after waiting 20mins for some corporate relays to finish. Guess the old blokes racing round individually was funding our event. Lack of organisation at the start meant that the warm up lap went at full speed with no leading car. Scrum for the start but then was feeling rough after trying to get going again after the cold. Hit the bike of someone who had crashed and end up all over the road. Part of road racing. A lot of road rash but no other injuries. Not keen to race in this event next year. Thanks to Pete, James and Liam at In gear for putting my bike back together!
Training going well since and all patched up. Big big thanks to Mum, Dad, Emily and Andrew for their amazing support recently. My family are incredible.
Barcombe this weekend, almost picked up 1st cat and then keen to look at higher profile races and to get onto bigger teams.
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
Jersey and Portsmouth
25/5/11 Portsmouth, E/1/2: 3rd
Still getting to know some of the riders down at Portsmouth but was keen to let other people do most of the work this time rather than people letting me ride off on my own, get half a lap and then be gradually pulled back. Let other people make the moves then jumped into a move which quickly gained a lap on the bunch. Once a lap up, I had a bit more freedom to be aggressive and kept trying to jump away. Eventually got in another move which again gained half a lap. Was 4th wheel on last lap, front two jumped away and I hesitated expecting the guy in front to go with them as it wasn't that big an acceleration but he did absolutely nothing, I then kicked but it was too late and taking too high a line in the final sprint meant I almost caught the front two but came in 3rd. Would have won with another 10metres but obviously that means nothing! Legs feeling strong, getting used to podium results now!
29/5/11 Rubis Jersey Town Crit, Invitational: -
Back down to ground: poor handling, poor starting position, legs not feeling great after coming off a rest week but should have done better. Really want to move into doing more Crit racing over the next few years, need to sharpen up. Enough said.
30/5/11 Jersey Watersplash Road Race, E/1/2: 10th
After a drubbing last night, I had a lot to prove, especially as was racing for the Surrey League team who were supporting my travel and accomodation for the weekend. The racing started off being fairly aggressive but with the mix of teams, not much was getting away. A break of 8 did get away but it was the least likely break of the lot so I didn't bother jumping across. The break went on to get a substantial lead due to Team UK Youth and Motorpoint marshalling the bunch. I was keen to get away and so when a team Guernsey rider jumped on his own and rode off into the distance, I sneaked past Malcolm Elliott in the gutter and managed to bridge across. We rode as a pair for about 40km and managed to stay away. It was particularly refreshing to see that when the bunch came across the line, Magnus Backstedt, Tour de France stage and Paris-Roubaix winner, looked exhausted after apparently putting in some massive turns in the last few laps to try and catch us!
10th seems like not a great reward for beating Malcolm Elliott, Ben Luckwell, Magnus etc etc, but I was pleased with my ride on a hilly course.
Thanks very much for the support from Surrey League, Tim Bishop from South Downs Bikes and my Team Manager!
Next up is prep races for Smithfield Nocturne on Sat 11th June
Still getting to know some of the riders down at Portsmouth but was keen to let other people do most of the work this time rather than people letting me ride off on my own, get half a lap and then be gradually pulled back. Let other people make the moves then jumped into a move which quickly gained a lap on the bunch. Once a lap up, I had a bit more freedom to be aggressive and kept trying to jump away. Eventually got in another move which again gained half a lap. Was 4th wheel on last lap, front two jumped away and I hesitated expecting the guy in front to go with them as it wasn't that big an acceleration but he did absolutely nothing, I then kicked but it was too late and taking too high a line in the final sprint meant I almost caught the front two but came in 3rd. Would have won with another 10metres but obviously that means nothing! Legs feeling strong, getting used to podium results now!
29/5/11 Rubis Jersey Town Crit, Invitational: -
Back down to ground: poor handling, poor starting position, legs not feeling great after coming off a rest week but should have done better. Really want to move into doing more Crit racing over the next few years, need to sharpen up. Enough said.
30/5/11 Jersey Watersplash Road Race, E/1/2: 10th
After a drubbing last night, I had a lot to prove, especially as was racing for the Surrey League team who were supporting my travel and accomodation for the weekend. The racing started off being fairly aggressive but with the mix of teams, not much was getting away. A break of 8 did get away but it was the least likely break of the lot so I didn't bother jumping across. The break went on to get a substantial lead due to Team UK Youth and Motorpoint marshalling the bunch. I was keen to get away and so when a team Guernsey rider jumped on his own and rode off into the distance, I sneaked past Malcolm Elliott in the gutter and managed to bridge across. We rode as a pair for about 40km and managed to stay away. It was particularly refreshing to see that when the bunch came across the line, Magnus Backstedt, Tour de France stage and Paris-Roubaix winner, looked exhausted after apparently putting in some massive turns in the last few laps to try and catch us!
10th seems like not a great reward for beating Malcolm Elliott, Ben Luckwell, Magnus etc etc, but I was pleased with my ride on a hilly course.
Thanks very much for the support from Surrey League, Tim Bishop from South Downs Bikes and my Team Manager!
Next up is prep races for Smithfield Nocturne on Sat 11th June
Sunday, 22 May 2011
Results!
Goodwood E/1/2 17/5/11: 1st
Another win! Rolled through in the Elite group initially, following wheels and somehow found myself in a big break of 15 or so hardly realising it. I kept rolling through gently and a few people get dropped. Stayed pretty steady and I resisted making a move knowing my sprint has been pretty strong recently so forcing other people to break it up. All stayed together until about 2km to go then a group of 4 jumped away. I jumped across to this group on my own and we had a gap of about 50metres. They all rolled through and looked like slowing up a bit so when it was my turn to work on the front I jumped and crossed the line with a gap of about 300metres! Couldn't believe the gap and how strong I felt, great result especially with some decent riders turning out.
Hove Park 2/3 20/5/11: 2nd
Thought I had this one wrapped up! Guess 3 wins in a fortnight might have been a bit excessive! Sat on Euan Evan's wheel for first few laps but was keen to make a break with some pretty hairy handling from some of the riders. Euan made a good jump and we were quickly in a group of 3. Mike Coyle was pushing a massive gear and I had no idea how good he was and so was focused on making Euan work as much as possible. Was feeling pretty comfortable. Mike and I dropped Euan when we had to go on the grass round the circuit after lapping the field. Mike then kicked and while I initially caught him, he pulled out a gap after I kept taking bad lines through the corners. He held 10metres on me through the finish line. Will definitely keep a closer eye on him next time! Thanks very much to Mike and Claire Leonard who always organise such a friendly event. So hungry for wins now though!
Next weekend I will be racing in Jersey after being selected to ride for the Surrey League team after my recent form. Town Centre crit on the Sunday and Road Race on the Monday. Its going to be epic!
Another win! Rolled through in the Elite group initially, following wheels and somehow found myself in a big break of 15 or so hardly realising it. I kept rolling through gently and a few people get dropped. Stayed pretty steady and I resisted making a move knowing my sprint has been pretty strong recently so forcing other people to break it up. All stayed together until about 2km to go then a group of 4 jumped away. I jumped across to this group on my own and we had a gap of about 50metres. They all rolled through and looked like slowing up a bit so when it was my turn to work on the front I jumped and crossed the line with a gap of about 300metres! Couldn't believe the gap and how strong I felt, great result especially with some decent riders turning out.
Hove Park 2/3 20/5/11: 2nd
Thought I had this one wrapped up! Guess 3 wins in a fortnight might have been a bit excessive! Sat on Euan Evan's wheel for first few laps but was keen to make a break with some pretty hairy handling from some of the riders. Euan made a good jump and we were quickly in a group of 3. Mike Coyle was pushing a massive gear and I had no idea how good he was and so was focused on making Euan work as much as possible. Was feeling pretty comfortable. Mike and I dropped Euan when we had to go on the grass round the circuit after lapping the field. Mike then kicked and while I initially caught him, he pulled out a gap after I kept taking bad lines through the corners. He held 10metres on me through the finish line. Will definitely keep a closer eye on him next time! Thanks very much to Mike and Claire Leonard who always organise such a friendly event. So hungry for wins now though!
Next weekend I will be racing in Jersey after being selected to ride for the Surrey League team after my recent form. Town Centre crit on the Sunday and Road Race on the Monday. Its going to be epic!
Sunday, 15 May 2011
Cutmill
About February time last year I got a sinus infection, just behind my right ear. Despite being on antibiotics, the infection spiraled out of control, being so close to the brain, and I ended up being rushed to A and E after collapsing in the middle of Eastbourne. After a week on a drip and I was back and returned to racing quite quickly. I have been lucky in that I have not any problems since then but on Monday the symptoms fired up again and I have had to have a rather quiet week of training to recover and left it late to decide to ride today at Cutmill.
First time I have done the course and despite leaving home in plenty of time, got pretty lost and arrived 30mins before the start. Not helpful but still managed to squeeze in a good warm up. I felt ok through most of the race but then felt a little something behind my ear, didn't feel I was really in a position to get a top 10 and was put in trouble by my seatpost pin breaking on one on the many outrageously big potholes on the course. I decided to pull out with 1 lap to go.
I must say though, even after racing at this level for two years now, it still amazes me how some riders will chase someone who is trying to make a break away down for absolutely no reason. While I don't want to brag about having more national points than the whole of Dulwich Paragon at this point in time, I can understand why-bizarre racing.
Down points of the weekends riding:
1/ Incredibly negative racing from some riders, chasing down breaks rather than trying to get in them
2/ Getting sent completely the wrong way by a marshal back to the HQ after the race
3/ After being sent completely the wrong way, asking a local where to go who lived probably less than a mile from the HQ who then sent me the wrong way. Again.
4/ Having rubbish ears
Plus points of the weekends riding:
1/ Legs felt awesome yesterday and Friday
2/ Digging out "The Colour and the shape" by Foo Fighters, singing along all the way there and knowing every word
3/ Talking to lots of riders about possibilities of new teams, all of which sounds very exciting
4/ Ears almost better
5/ Didn't feel too horrendous and at least felt good enough to ride!
First time I have done the course and despite leaving home in plenty of time, got pretty lost and arrived 30mins before the start. Not helpful but still managed to squeeze in a good warm up. I felt ok through most of the race but then felt a little something behind my ear, didn't feel I was really in a position to get a top 10 and was put in trouble by my seatpost pin breaking on one on the many outrageously big potholes on the course. I decided to pull out with 1 lap to go.
I must say though, even after racing at this level for two years now, it still amazes me how some riders will chase someone who is trying to make a break away down for absolutely no reason. While I don't want to brag about having more national points than the whole of Dulwich Paragon at this point in time, I can understand why-bizarre racing.
Down points of the weekends riding:
1/ Incredibly negative racing from some riders, chasing down breaks rather than trying to get in them
2/ Getting sent completely the wrong way by a marshal back to the HQ after the race
3/ After being sent completely the wrong way, asking a local where to go who lived probably less than a mile from the HQ who then sent me the wrong way. Again.
4/ Having rubbish ears
Plus points of the weekends riding:
1/ Legs felt awesome yesterday and Friday
2/ Digging out "The Colour and the shape" by Foo Fighters, singing along all the way there and knowing every word
3/ Talking to lots of riders about possibilities of new teams, all of which sounds very exciting
4/ Ears almost better
5/ Didn't feel too horrendous and at least felt good enough to ride!
Sunday, 8 May 2011
Win
Goodwood 8/5/11: While Goodwood racing does get a pretty bad press at times, going down to race twice this week has been a big morale boost. After picking up 10th earlier in the week, I was a bit disappointed with missing the break and was determined to do better. My legs were feeling shocking on Thursday and Friday and still pretty stiff on Saturday after some hard intervals on Wednesday, possibly getting a little cold between intervals. I decided to sit in for the first few laps and not waste any energy. Two riders made a bit of a gap and while I was wheel sucking as much as possible, eventually had to roll through, I pretty quickly flicked the elbow to come off the front- the guy behind me called me something French I think and told me to do some work so I just gradually put some watts down while staying in the saddle and rode across to the two who were away and only Matt Green followed me.
We maintained a gap for a bit and then started to pull away. In the last lap, another rider had a dig and I got dropped off the group of four, the other riders then sat up watching each other and I joined back on. I got a really lovely lead out but knew I had Matt on my wheel so had to dig pretty deep to nudge ahead across the line. Matt is a quality rider so pleased with the win, his riding made the break work in the first place.
Big thanks particularly to the guys on the development squad for being so supportive (apart from hiding my bike-cheers)-look forward to catching up next weekend!
We maintained a gap for a bit and then started to pull away. In the last lap, another rider had a dig and I got dropped off the group of four, the other riders then sat up watching each other and I joined back on. I got a really lovely lead out but knew I had Matt on my wheel so had to dig pretty deep to nudge ahead across the line. Matt is a quality rider so pleased with the win, his riding made the break work in the first place.
Big thanks particularly to the guys on the development squad for being so supportive (apart from hiding my bike-cheers)-look forward to catching up next weekend!
Saturday, 7 May 2011
Recent racing
Last few results:
Goodwood 3/5/11: 10th. Did a bit too much work in the E/1/2 group as the 3rds and 4ths (handicap) were caught, tried to force a break and wasn't particularly savvy about it, in retrospect maybe should have been a bit more patient and followed wheels. Legs felt good so had some fun trying to bridge across a few times. Spent most of the time on the front end of the bunch getting some race intensity in and had a bit of a joke or two with some other guys who missed the break. Broke with 2 laps to go, got caught with 1/2 lap to go then came second in the bunch sprint to pick up 10th. Legs feeling super strong but should have been smarter and got in the break.
Hove Park 29/4/11: 7th. Made a few school boy errors in my preparation that made me feel sick about 10mins into the race and missed the break. Chucked up after a bit and then felt better. Cheers to Drew for helping me try and get away but didn't have much snap in my legs and bike handling was a bit rusty around the tight bottom corner. Tried to break with a lap to go and got pulled back which I wasn't too pleased with. As always such a friendly race run by Claire and Mike Leonard.
Portsmouth 23/4/11: 15th. A very frustrating race where nothing I did worked! Not knowing any of the riders meant I tried to go with all the wrong moves and wasted a ridiculous amount of watts going at inappropriate times. Well raced by Team Felt but must say got taken back to school a bit. After getting in the perfect break so easily last weekend, probably a little overconfident and a little tactically rusty.
Goodwood again tomorrow (E/1/2), then probably Portsmouth Weds night (E/1/2) and Cutmill at the weekend (2/3).
Goodwood 3/5/11: 10th. Did a bit too much work in the E/1/2 group as the 3rds and 4ths (handicap) were caught, tried to force a break and wasn't particularly savvy about it, in retrospect maybe should have been a bit more patient and followed wheels. Legs felt good so had some fun trying to bridge across a few times. Spent most of the time on the front end of the bunch getting some race intensity in and had a bit of a joke or two with some other guys who missed the break. Broke with 2 laps to go, got caught with 1/2 lap to go then came second in the bunch sprint to pick up 10th. Legs feeling super strong but should have been smarter and got in the break.
Hove Park 29/4/11: 7th. Made a few school boy errors in my preparation that made me feel sick about 10mins into the race and missed the break. Chucked up after a bit and then felt better. Cheers to Drew for helping me try and get away but didn't have much snap in my legs and bike handling was a bit rusty around the tight bottom corner. Tried to break with a lap to go and got pulled back which I wasn't too pleased with. As always such a friendly race run by Claire and Mike Leonard.
Portsmouth 23/4/11: 15th. A very frustrating race where nothing I did worked! Not knowing any of the riders meant I tried to go with all the wrong moves and wasted a ridiculous amount of watts going at inappropriate times. Well raced by Team Felt but must say got taken back to school a bit. After getting in the perfect break so easily last weekend, probably a little overconfident and a little tactically rusty.
Goodwood again tomorrow (E/1/2), then probably Portsmouth Weds night (E/1/2) and Cutmill at the weekend (2/3).
Friday, 29 April 2011
Update
Time for a quick reflection on my progress so far this season:
In many respects I have achieved some of my baseline season goals. I have already retained my second cat license and I have finished a race in Belgium with the main bunch.
I have switched between outrageous colour schemes on my blog due to switching clubs. The black is hopefully trendy rather than morbid and all the clubs I am interested have black kit (how cryptic). I am still a little unsure who I will be moving onto but I felt it was time I moved on from the Development Squad. All the coaches at the squad have been incredibly helpful over the years, Dan, Trevor, Alan, Jason and Clive but think it is time for me to progress by riding with a senior team. Real shame to leave the team and really do not aim to make it as a political gesture or strop as the riders and coaches have been great fun to be around, all great people but feel I need to develop along a different path. Great to see Matt and Drew riding so well in the Espoirs particularly. Much appreciation to Drew for helping me to try and get away in the break at Hove Park tonight but my legs didn't really want to know.
It has been a frustrating season and I for some reason spent the early part of the year getting dropped out of the back of races that I was competitive in last year and seeing people accelerate past me. According to the wise wisdom of ex-lewes wanderer, now unit Henry Gringo Bird this is due to silurian rythums. Oh well. At least now doing a few more chopper races, I am actually using a few tactics and riding off the front not the back!
Still training hard and a second place in a Nat B to show for the season so far. Sure there will be more to come. Think I might just peak a little later than expected now! Looking to June to get some wins and move up the points.
In many respects I have achieved some of my baseline season goals. I have already retained my second cat license and I have finished a race in Belgium with the main bunch.
I have switched between outrageous colour schemes on my blog due to switching clubs. The black is hopefully trendy rather than morbid and all the clubs I am interested have black kit (how cryptic). I am still a little unsure who I will be moving onto but I felt it was time I moved on from the Development Squad. All the coaches at the squad have been incredibly helpful over the years, Dan, Trevor, Alan, Jason and Clive but think it is time for me to progress by riding with a senior team. Real shame to leave the team and really do not aim to make it as a political gesture or strop as the riders and coaches have been great fun to be around, all great people but feel I need to develop along a different path. Great to see Matt and Drew riding so well in the Espoirs particularly. Much appreciation to Drew for helping me to try and get away in the break at Hove Park tonight but my legs didn't really want to know.
It has been a frustrating season and I for some reason spent the early part of the year getting dropped out of the back of races that I was competitive in last year and seeing people accelerate past me. According to the wise wisdom of ex-lewes wanderer, now unit Henry Gringo Bird this is due to silurian rythums. Oh well. At least now doing a few more chopper races, I am actually using a few tactics and riding off the front not the back!
Still training hard and a second place in a Nat B to show for the season so far. Sure there will be more to come. Think I might just peak a little later than expected now! Looking to June to get some wins and move up the points.
Monday, 28 March 2011
Belgium
Finally a respectable result in Belgium. While 96 out of 230+ odd riders doesn't sound amazing and admittedly it wasn't the most technical of courses yesterday, I was pleased with how comfortable I felt during the race and how I felt stronger as the race went on. Should really have been more aggressive at the end of the race as people around me were looking tired. Matt and Drew were fantastic in trying to bring me towards the front of the bunch and helping me avoid crashes and shame I couldn't do more at the end. With guys from An Post and the Fuji-Geox feeder team to name a few, it was a decent field. I was pleased as much with how my legs are feeling better after a indifferent couple of weeks as finishing comfortably. Onwards and upwards to the Dengie Marshes- the "Hell of the East"- next week with all the big national teams riding; pretty flat course but large sections on rough farm tracks which should test my bike handling.
Really keen to train as hard as I can over the next few weeks, especially with the Easter holidays coming up to catch up on sleep and get miles in and then get some big results in a month or so. After having been on and off ill for the last month, I need to get myself back up to speed and to be doing some useful work for the team. My motivation this year certainly isn't points but to move into being far more competitive at national level events and after a good winter, I am sure results cannot be far away.
Thanks very much to Dan and Trevor for taking us out there yesterday!
Really keen to train as hard as I can over the next few weeks, especially with the Easter holidays coming up to catch up on sleep and get miles in and then get some big results in a month or so. After having been on and off ill for the last month, I need to get myself back up to speed and to be doing some useful work for the team. My motivation this year certainly isn't points but to move into being far more competitive at national level events and after a good winter, I am sure results cannot be far away.
Thanks very much to Dan and Trevor for taking us out there yesterday!
Monday, 21 February 2011
Training update
With a recovery week after the Perf's, a weekend of hard training and a brutal week of training over half term, there isn't a great deal to report.
Thanks to In Gear for a new chain quickly slung on this morning. Not surprised how quick James Brickell helped me put it on after he put up with listening to my screaching chain for 3hrs on Sunday. I really could not have left the links any longer. Had a solid 9hr weekend with a particularly good ride on Saturday with 5hrs of riding in the rain and hardly came off 95rpm and out of Zone 2. Did some great hills up near Brightling and then round to Beachy Head, getting through a fair few fig rolls!
Looking forward to getting the cycling team started up at school; got some potentially pretty strong students who are keen to get racing which is great to see and I am sure will keep me on my toes in training during the week.
Half term never seems to be that quiet with preparing for the next half of term and trying to ensure I get enough work done so I can train in the evenings.
Thanks to In Gear for a new chain quickly slung on this morning. Not surprised how quick James Brickell helped me put it on after he put up with listening to my screaching chain for 3hrs on Sunday. I really could not have left the links any longer. Had a solid 9hr weekend with a particularly good ride on Saturday with 5hrs of riding in the rain and hardly came off 95rpm and out of Zone 2. Did some great hills up near Brightling and then round to Beachy Head, getting through a fair few fig rolls!
Looking forward to getting the cycling team started up at school; got some potentially pretty strong students who are keen to get racing which is great to see and I am sure will keep me on my toes in training during the week.
Half term never seems to be that quiet with preparing for the next half of term and trying to ensure I get enough work done so I can train in the evenings.
Monday, 14 February 2011
Race Calendar Now Up
Provisional Race Calendar is up for the first half of the year as set out by the Progressive Cycle Coaching Development Squad. See below. This is subject to change depending on form and there will be plenty of midweek racing and some 2nd cat racing sprinkled in as well but these are the core races to perform in up to June. Also hope to include a decent amount of track this year. Going to be a big year!
Levels
One of the hardest aspect of my cycling at the moment has to be working out how good I am. While I don't want to brag but at the same time I do train damn hard and some of the guys I race against are pretty quick. Simulataneously I look around I know that I am a long way off a top ten in the type of race I did at the weekend. Trying to explain what level I am racing at to non-cycling friends is proving increasingly complex, especially when you have to make sacrifices.
Case in point was Sunday's Perf's Pedals race. While this is a race that no-one outside of cycling has heard of, at the same time, I was racing alongside a number of guys who have spent a large number of years racing abroad professionally such as Magnus Backstedt, 2004 Paris-Roubaix winner and Tour rider. I had a reasonable race and felt very comfortable in the bunch but then attacked trying to follow the winning break. I held a gap between the break and the bunch but couldn't maintain it and then went out the back on the climb. While I knew it was beyond my limits to attack, I wanted to try something and knew that was the move to make. I got back on and finished in 33rd. Not bad for the start of the season and glad to stay upright.
Having shown some normal, non-cycling people the Cycling Weekly report on the team, I am still not sure what level I am performing at and I get the impression that some people who I tell about my training think I am making it up. Looking around at other 2nd category riders, I know I usually perform well but at the same time I know I have a lot more development to do before being able to place well at elite level events.
In conclusion, I think the answer is to stop thinking about it, forget what other people think and keep training like a savage. Being back racing was absolutely fantastic, loved just being in the bunch and seeing my heart rate monitor go nuts. A really gritty race with some quality riders, I'm still getting the grit out my ears now!
Thanks to my parents to driving Matt and I down there! Great race by the organisers! Next race San Fairy Ann Circuits on the 26/2 at Hog Hill. Got half term beginning this Saturday so will be a hard week building up to this though so its definitely a C race for me but still very much looking forward to it. Team meeting this weekend with the PCCDS all back from Spain!
Case in point was Sunday's Perf's Pedals race. While this is a race that no-one outside of cycling has heard of, at the same time, I was racing alongside a number of guys who have spent a large number of years racing abroad professionally such as Magnus Backstedt, 2004 Paris-Roubaix winner and Tour rider. I had a reasonable race and felt very comfortable in the bunch but then attacked trying to follow the winning break. I held a gap between the break and the bunch but couldn't maintain it and then went out the back on the climb. While I knew it was beyond my limits to attack, I wanted to try something and knew that was the move to make. I got back on and finished in 33rd. Not bad for the start of the season and glad to stay upright.
Having shown some normal, non-cycling people the Cycling Weekly report on the team, I am still not sure what level I am performing at and I get the impression that some people who I tell about my training think I am making it up. Looking around at other 2nd category riders, I know I usually perform well but at the same time I know I have a lot more development to do before being able to place well at elite level events.
In conclusion, I think the answer is to stop thinking about it, forget what other people think and keep training like a savage. Being back racing was absolutely fantastic, loved just being in the bunch and seeing my heart rate monitor go nuts. A really gritty race with some quality riders, I'm still getting the grit out my ears now!
Thanks to my parents to driving Matt and I down there! Great race by the organisers! Next race San Fairy Ann Circuits on the 26/2 at Hog Hill. Got half term beginning this Saturday so will be a hard week building up to this though so its definitely a C race for me but still very much looking forward to it. Team meeting this weekend with the PCCDS all back from Spain!
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
Thank yous!
Its been a really tough couple of weeks hence the lack of blogs and have been finding it difficult both to set myself up in a completely different training regime and also from sleep deprivation;however from looking round friends at school, I know I am not the only one so tired.
I have had quite a few changes going on-all for the better recently-I moved flat finally a couple of weeks ago and want to really thank everyone who helped from the Peckhams with offers of fridges, Andrew with calming me down and reorganising furniture to Giorgia, Matt and Drew who helped me with the heavy lifting. Mum, Bow and Dad have been fantastic mostly with being patient with my tantrums with the frustrations of moving. Trevor and Dan have also been great.
I have spent the last two weeks teaching at another school as part of my course which has thrown me off my usual rigid training schedule and it has been hard to stick to my training as strictly as I would have liked to which I need to be more accepting of at times. That said, I have not missed much and made the mistake of counting that in the last 4 weeks I have climbed Ditchling Beacon 42 times and Firle Beacon 22 times but as my teammate Henry Bird tells me apparently I am a "training Nazi". My climbing MUST be improving. I dropped 2kgs in the week I moved and that has stayed off so I am way ahead of where I was at the start of the winter. I have already hit last years Max Heart Rate in training so on paper this could be a pretty mad year.
Looking forward to Sunday where it should be a pleasure racing the 2004 Paris-Roubaix winner Magnus Backstedt! Race calendar to come up on the blog this week hopefully!
I have had quite a few changes going on-all for the better recently-I moved flat finally a couple of weeks ago and want to really thank everyone who helped from the Peckhams with offers of fridges, Andrew with calming me down and reorganising furniture to Giorgia, Matt and Drew who helped me with the heavy lifting. Mum, Bow and Dad have been fantastic mostly with being patient with my tantrums with the frustrations of moving. Trevor and Dan have also been great.
I have spent the last two weeks teaching at another school as part of my course which has thrown me off my usual rigid training schedule and it has been hard to stick to my training as strictly as I would have liked to which I need to be more accepting of at times. That said, I have not missed much and made the mistake of counting that in the last 4 weeks I have climbed Ditchling Beacon 42 times and Firle Beacon 22 times but as my teammate Henry Bird tells me apparently I am a "training Nazi". My climbing MUST be improving. I dropped 2kgs in the week I moved and that has stayed off so I am way ahead of where I was at the start of the winter. I have already hit last years Max Heart Rate in training so on paper this could be a pretty mad year.
Looking forward to Sunday where it should be a pleasure racing the 2004 Paris-Roubaix winner Magnus Backstedt! Race calendar to come up on the blog this week hopefully!
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
So close to racing
Feel so close to the start of the season now. My first race of the year is the Perfs Pedals race on the 13th Feb, which I must say I am looking forward to more than my Birthday. Feel like a proper geek being able to recite the dates, locations and start times of my first 5 races without even looking.
Training on the whole has been going well, have dropped another kilo from when I last had my body fat percentage test so feeling pretty lean. Shame I got dropped on every single hill by Tom and Josh on Sunday-finished a 4hr ride at 11pm on Saturday after starting work at 7.15am and finishing about 6.30pm (uni assessment work). Have been feeling a bit rough recently as have had a lot going on at school and with moving in, being leaner at the moment and in such a germ filled environment I am being so paranoid about picking up any illnesses after such a hard winter training program. Been introducing some more Zone 5 intervals in this week which I am currently enjoying as a refreshing change and feel like my turbo traininer is in as much pain as I am.
Can't wait to get the race bike out and test my legs, am sure I am not the only one with a decent winter but am feeling optimistic. From looking round at blogs of my team mates, it looks like we will have a really strong team this year.
Training on the whole has been going well, have dropped another kilo from when I last had my body fat percentage test so feeling pretty lean. Shame I got dropped on every single hill by Tom and Josh on Sunday-finished a 4hr ride at 11pm on Saturday after starting work at 7.15am and finishing about 6.30pm (uni assessment work). Have been feeling a bit rough recently as have had a lot going on at school and with moving in, being leaner at the moment and in such a germ filled environment I am being so paranoid about picking up any illnesses after such a hard winter training program. Been introducing some more Zone 5 intervals in this week which I am currently enjoying as a refreshing change and feel like my turbo traininer is in as much pain as I am.
Can't wait to get the race bike out and test my legs, am sure I am not the only one with a decent winter but am feeling optimistic. From looking round at blogs of my team mates, it looks like we will have a really strong team this year.
Thursday, 13 January 2011
Recovery
Lots of developments going on at the moment, new training wheels coming in so I don't have the fear of not pedalling in case my freehub explodes, Newport track on Saturday with the team, Cycling Weekly coming to see the team and do a report organised for 30th Jan, provisional race calendar out, its all good.
Quite amusing to see at the moment all the guys who were doing big talk about racing this year and then disappeared when the weather got messy are starting to come out of the woodwork again; fine, not a problem but pretty amusing to hear them start winding up the chat again. If you can't hack it, don't give it out! Especially thinking about some younger guys (because I am now old apparently) who have skipped some training but are now pumped up about looking good in the kit.
Talking of big game talk, race calendar has got me signed up for two Premier Calendar races- Tour of the Reservoir and the Lincoln GP- as well as Belgium races and plenty of regional stuff. After racing 50 times last year, sure I will be on about the same number this year, maybe with more track, but much more suitable racing hopefully. Getting my weight right at the right time of year is probably going to be the biggest challenge but no doubt it will get there as soon as I get my flat and can have a slightly more rigorous diet.
Had an easier week this week which was a complete surprise but my core, legs and immune system really needed it after some tough (quality) training. Back at school now and using the time off training to smash out teacher training essays. Worked pretty intensively on it so I can relax during the racing season a bit more. Got the last 500 words of my last essay to complete which is due in May and haven't even had the briefing lecture on it yet. I was never this well prepared as an undergrad.
Quite amusing to see at the moment all the guys who were doing big talk about racing this year and then disappeared when the weather got messy are starting to come out of the woodwork again; fine, not a problem but pretty amusing to hear them start winding up the chat again. If you can't hack it, don't give it out! Especially thinking about some younger guys (because I am now old apparently) who have skipped some training but are now pumped up about looking good in the kit.
Talking of big game talk, race calendar has got me signed up for two Premier Calendar races- Tour of the Reservoir and the Lincoln GP- as well as Belgium races and plenty of regional stuff. After racing 50 times last year, sure I will be on about the same number this year, maybe with more track, but much more suitable racing hopefully. Getting my weight right at the right time of year is probably going to be the biggest challenge but no doubt it will get there as soon as I get my flat and can have a slightly more rigorous diet.
Had an easier week this week which was a complete surprise but my core, legs and immune system really needed it after some tough (quality) training. Back at school now and using the time off training to smash out teacher training essays. Worked pretty intensively on it so I can relax during the racing season a bit more. Got the last 500 words of my last essay to complete which is due in May and haven't even had the briefing lecture on it yet. I was never this well prepared as an undergrad.
Thursday, 6 January 2011
Miles and miles
Half way through a pretty hard training block, doing some 400+ mile weeks and my body is getting a bit stropy. In serious need of a massage. Had some great rides though and been good to try out a few climbs I haven't done in ages. Good to be going out regularly with people as can see everyone else having their ups and downs. Got a team meeting this Sunday and a talk on Nutrition. What I can't wait to see this weekend though is the race calendar. Spoke to coach Dan midweek and he mentioned a couple of Premier Calendar races, will be good to see what the next level is like and to compare it to what we did at Elite level and in Belgium last year-might mean going up near Durham again so can't wait. After all these miles it will be great to get some racing in, everything else is just waiting. Got a heavy next few days of riding, another hard week and then Newport on the 15th again. Bring it!
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