Not the most up-to-date of blogs! Still, the season has pretty much come to an end and we have hit the October chill-out period. Going to try to keep the fitness but tone things down a bit a recover from the season.
On the whole, I have been pleased with how things have gone. I have ridden some of the biggest races on the domestic calendar and have competed against the best. This has given me the experience I need to challenge in these events next year. My points total from this year has been compromised as a result of these races, but in reality, points mean very little. There seem to be plenty of riders on the circuit with high rankings, or Elite/1st Cat licenses, but there appears to be great disparity between the best and worst in these categories. I know I have done the right thing this year in improving as a bike rider rather than simply chasing 'easy points'. I have received a lot of positive comments recently following my performances throughout the year which has given me a boost and has made me more motivated to make a real go of it next year.
Training this winter is going to be pretty brutal to get me in the best shape for next year. Just got to enjoy this chill out and maybe try a few different things - cyclocross is calling! Lets hope my collarbones stay in one piece!!!
Thursday, 6 October 2011
Wednesday, 24 August 2011
Big Dog
As an out and out roadie, I don't tend to hit the dirt all too often, but Saturday saw me head down to the Brighton Big Dog 6 hour enduro. Going along with the brand team, the aim was to have a laugh.
Aside from a sprained wrist from our very own Big Dog, Brattle, I think a good time was had by all. Cervelo brand manager Jim McConnel managed a great third place overall in the men's solo, only being denied second spot by a crash on the final lap which saw the last of his nine not counted in the overall result, missing the cut off my just over a minute - pretty harsh! Genesis brand manager, 'little Dom' also had a sterling ride managing to bag himself a top 10, with 7th spot overall in the men's solo. Myself? 24th overall in the solos. Not bad for a novice on a very techy course. Two punctures didn't help my cause either!
Came out unscathed, and had a great time. However, next time, I think I will have to race it and go for a top position. Dare I say, I might enjoy mountain biking?!
Aside from a sprained wrist from our very own Big Dog, Brattle, I think a good time was had by all. Cervelo brand manager Jim McConnel managed a great third place overall in the men's solo, only being denied second spot by a crash on the final lap which saw the last of his nine not counted in the overall result, missing the cut off my just over a minute - pretty harsh! Genesis brand manager, 'little Dom' also had a sterling ride managing to bag himself a top 10, with 7th spot overall in the men's solo. Myself? 24th overall in the solos. Not bad for a novice on a very techy course. Two punctures didn't help my cause either!
Came out unscathed, and had a great time. However, next time, I think I will have to race it and go for a top position. Dare I say, I might enjoy mountain biking?!
Friday, 19 August 2011
Crash season is here!
It seems crash season has decended upon us as quickly as Mr Hushovd down a mountain pass!
After racing twice on the weekend 6th/7th August and having both races stopped, both times while I was off the front on my own leading, I was again left short changed by a crash this Sunday.
Racing for the first time in the Python RT Road race, I was feeling strong and pretty confident and was looking forward to a fast race with a strong field, and more rarely, in the sun! The course was pretty flat with a few undulations, but nothing testing. Breakaways would need a good time advantage, as there were some very long straights that would allow a chasing bunch to keep an eye on their prey. At the start of the race, I stayed up near the front, watching the various moves, and going with anything dangerous. About half way in, a break went that steadily got a larger gap. This one looked dangerous, so I tried to go across. However, the bunch, having seen one group escape, would not let another group go and bridge. typically though, they didn't seem interested in pulling back the real threat. However, one of the strongest teams in the race, Wilier/GoSelfdrive, had missed the break and were getting organised to pull the break back. As a result, I knew the best bet was to drop back and tuck in with the sprinters and let a team do the work to bring back the break - a nice luxury when you spend 99% of a season racing alone! Wilier did a good job and caught the break on the bell lap. However, at this point, the danger started as the pace dropped slightly and everyone fancied a crack at the win. It was hard to stay close to the fron, and you had to constatntly fight to stay uop there as the pace was not high enought to string the bunch out. About 200 meters before the turn onto the finsh straight (and after just shy of 90 miles in the saddle), the inevitable happened - a coming together of riders and a huge smash at the front of the group. With bodies and bike everywhere, I fully expected to go down. Somehow though, I lucked out and picked the right line and missed everyone. The race was runied though, as a group of about twenty or so had gone off into the distance. I managed to get going again, and caught a few to get 17th on the line - should have been much more, but at least I finished in one piece!
On Monday, I wasn't quite so lucky and crashed in the wet at Ludgershall E,1, 2 circuit race. I went down quite hard, hitting my head and picking up some road rash. However, I got up to finish the race (exposing myself to anyone with a sharp eye, thanks to some badly ripped shorts!). 8th place on the night in the end, and again, should have been much more had I stayed on two wheels! That position was enought to give me 9th overall in the series - not too bad considering I only entered four of the rounds!
Time to rest up, patch up, and get ready for my first off road adventure of the year - Brighton Big Dog's 6 hour MTB enduro. What am I doing?!
After racing twice on the weekend 6th/7th August and having both races stopped, both times while I was off the front on my own leading, I was again left short changed by a crash this Sunday.
Racing for the first time in the Python RT Road race, I was feeling strong and pretty confident and was looking forward to a fast race with a strong field, and more rarely, in the sun! The course was pretty flat with a few undulations, but nothing testing. Breakaways would need a good time advantage, as there were some very long straights that would allow a chasing bunch to keep an eye on their prey. At the start of the race, I stayed up near the front, watching the various moves, and going with anything dangerous. About half way in, a break went that steadily got a larger gap. This one looked dangerous, so I tried to go across. However, the bunch, having seen one group escape, would not let another group go and bridge. typically though, they didn't seem interested in pulling back the real threat. However, one of the strongest teams in the race, Wilier/GoSelfdrive, had missed the break and were getting organised to pull the break back. As a result, I knew the best bet was to drop back and tuck in with the sprinters and let a team do the work to bring back the break - a nice luxury when you spend 99% of a season racing alone! Wilier did a good job and caught the break on the bell lap. However, at this point, the danger started as the pace dropped slightly and everyone fancied a crack at the win. It was hard to stay close to the fron, and you had to constatntly fight to stay uop there as the pace was not high enought to string the bunch out. About 200 meters before the turn onto the finsh straight (and after just shy of 90 miles in the saddle), the inevitable happened - a coming together of riders and a huge smash at the front of the group. With bodies and bike everywhere, I fully expected to go down. Somehow though, I lucked out and picked the right line and missed everyone. The race was runied though, as a group of about twenty or so had gone off into the distance. I managed to get going again, and caught a few to get 17th on the line - should have been much more, but at least I finished in one piece!
On Monday, I wasn't quite so lucky and crashed in the wet at Ludgershall E,1, 2 circuit race. I went down quite hard, hitting my head and picking up some road rash. However, I got up to finish the race (exposing myself to anyone with a sharp eye, thanks to some badly ripped shorts!). 8th place on the night in the end, and again, should have been much more had I stayed on two wheels! That position was enought to give me 9th overall in the series - not too bad considering I only entered four of the rounds!
Time to rest up, patch up, and get ready for my first off road adventure of the year - Brighton Big Dog's 6 hour MTB enduro. What am I doing?!
Saturday, 6 August 2011
2011 - A mixed bag... so far
First post... so may as well make it a summary
2011 was to be the year that I put things right after having a terrible time through injury, crashes, punctures... you name it, it happened. That year I got really down and questioned why I was putting in the amount of hours and hard work in on the bike, for such bad luck and ultimately little success. However, Dave Lloyd, my coach, talked me round in the end. He spent a lot of time with me on the phone, checking that I was OK both mentally and physically. He talked of the problems he faced when a pro, and also as an amateur. A few visits to is home, and a few rides out with him persuaded me it was worth continuing. Come January, I was bang on track, stronger than ever, and the bike was proving a good outlet to vent my frustrations. A good training camp in late March proved that I really was flying, and I was confident of a good season...
However, things have not gone all according to plan. One of the main aims for the year was the Premier Calendar series. Dave was confident that I should be riding these, something I was pleased to here as I had been embarrassed, myself, to ask if he thought I was ready. One of the problems I have faced is a lack of belief in myself when things come down to it. I know I have the ability however, I am too shy in coming forward to tell people "yes, I am ready to do this, and I can do it well". Fortunately Dave, doesn't have that doubt and continues tying to drum it into me. Gradually he is winning the battle, but I think he would like me to have started believing more in myself by now. Perhaps this Blog will help me win the mental battle with myself!
Ultimately though, this lack of confidence, and sometimes over-analysing, when racing has cost me. I simply need to do, rather than think "what if...", and also think "I need to move up the field and go with that rider there" and not "wow, he rides for Rapha-Condor, I'll let him have that gap.... best not follow his attack, I may not be able to cope..." It was this type of thinking which cost me at my first Premier Calendar... the Lincoln GP.
Lincoln GP
This was the first time I had ridden closed roads, the first time in a field of 180 riders, and the first time riding with all the top domestic Pro teams. Nerves, and doubt crept in. As a result, I failed to hold my position in the bunch, and found myself constantly slipping back, and then fighting my way back up the field again. When we hit Michaelgate the first time (the famous cobbled climb) I had slipped back. This meant I got stuck behind crashes, and also slower riders meaning I had to battle up the climb and then chase like a b****rd to get back on. The next lap again, I gave too much respect and the same happened. Seven laps later and I called it a day. There are only so many time you can chase back onto a bunch of that quality. However despite my mistakes, I lasted a lot longer than a lot of people including Ed Clancy. Positives were there to be taken but I let my head drop....
Again Dave saved me, sensing that I had taken a mental kicking, and allowed me to draw out the positives. After, I realised I could ride with these guys, and there was no need to be scared...
East Yorkshire Classic
After a strong late June and early July, where I managed to pick up some good results and some strong performances my confidence was growing. I had been flying in all my training sessions, and flt I could do anything. My entry for the East Yorkshire Classic was confirmed, and this time I was ready. On race day, we got to the start nice and early ready to have a warm up. I had a sore throat, but otherwise felt good. This time, the 'big boys' didn't intimidate me, instead they became tools. If I wanted a good result, I need to be in with them. I felt it was time to prove myself! However, once I hit the road and started warming up, something wasn't right. My heart rate was between 160 and 170bpm! Alright it was a false flat, but I was cruising, and it didn't really drop (as it should) when I turned around. Still, I hoped it would be fine, so I headed to the start. This time, I sat at the front waiting for the off, and stayed there through the neutralised zone, making sure I held my place in the bunch, not allowing myself to be intimidated by elbows or riders leaning on me, trying to work there way through... I'm big enough to intimidate them more! As the race got going, my heart rate was still high, but I was able to follow the wheels well, and as we started hitting the climbs, I sat with Ian Bibby (the Premier Calendar leader). I knew that nothing if a move was to stick, he would be in it! Following a wheel like that also makes life easier moving through the bunch, as long as you follow closely enough, you can nab some of the space he creates. All was going well until the attacks started on the climbs. My heart rate kept maxing out at 194bpm. It was frustrating as I still felt good, but with my heart beating so fast, my legs just didn't want to turn over. I dropped off the back and withdrew after 50 miles of racing.
Yes, I was frustrated and upset, but I was more embarrassed than anything... and also sorry for my Dad who had driven me all the way up, paid for accommodation and stood at the side of the road ready to give me bottles at the feed. I felt like I had let him down. However, this race had gone much better in the sense that I was much less intimidated and held a good position in the bunch. I also knew that I was not 100% fit. I think too many weeks of hard work at shows, and a lot of manual labour work, combined with poor sleeping patterns and huge amounts of travelling have taken their toll - something had to give.
Attempting to ride the race took a lot out of me, and I have felt run down since. However, I am staring to feel better in myself and am determined to have a good close to the season. From now on there's going to be now softness, and I'm going to grab each race by the scruff of the neck - I have nothing to lose. Better not finishing a race having given it your all, mixing up at the front, than sit invisible in the bunch only to sprint for 6th or 8th position. There isn't much racing left to be had, but there are two more Premier Calendars left, so a lot to play for. I know I will be competitive in these one day, so may as well make it this side of Christmas eh?!
Time to smash it!
2011 was to be the year that I put things right after having a terrible time through injury, crashes, punctures... you name it, it happened. That year I got really down and questioned why I was putting in the amount of hours and hard work in on the bike, for such bad luck and ultimately little success. However, Dave Lloyd, my coach, talked me round in the end. He spent a lot of time with me on the phone, checking that I was OK both mentally and physically. He talked of the problems he faced when a pro, and also as an amateur. A few visits to is home, and a few rides out with him persuaded me it was worth continuing. Come January, I was bang on track, stronger than ever, and the bike was proving a good outlet to vent my frustrations. A good training camp in late March proved that I really was flying, and I was confident of a good season...
However, things have not gone all according to plan. One of the main aims for the year was the Premier Calendar series. Dave was confident that I should be riding these, something I was pleased to here as I had been embarrassed, myself, to ask if he thought I was ready. One of the problems I have faced is a lack of belief in myself when things come down to it. I know I have the ability however, I am too shy in coming forward to tell people "yes, I am ready to do this, and I can do it well". Fortunately Dave, doesn't have that doubt and continues tying to drum it into me. Gradually he is winning the battle, but I think he would like me to have started believing more in myself by now. Perhaps this Blog will help me win the mental battle with myself!
Ultimately though, this lack of confidence, and sometimes over-analysing, when racing has cost me. I simply need to do, rather than think "what if...", and also think "I need to move up the field and go with that rider there" and not "wow, he rides for Rapha-Condor, I'll let him have that gap.... best not follow his attack, I may not be able to cope..." It was this type of thinking which cost me at my first Premier Calendar... the Lincoln GP.
Lincoln GP
This was the first time I had ridden closed roads, the first time in a field of 180 riders, and the first time riding with all the top domestic Pro teams. Nerves, and doubt crept in. As a result, I failed to hold my position in the bunch, and found myself constantly slipping back, and then fighting my way back up the field again. When we hit Michaelgate the first time (the famous cobbled climb) I had slipped back. This meant I got stuck behind crashes, and also slower riders meaning I had to battle up the climb and then chase like a b****rd to get back on. The next lap again, I gave too much respect and the same happened. Seven laps later and I called it a day. There are only so many time you can chase back onto a bunch of that quality. However despite my mistakes, I lasted a lot longer than a lot of people including Ed Clancy. Positives were there to be taken but I let my head drop....
Again Dave saved me, sensing that I had taken a mental kicking, and allowed me to draw out the positives. After, I realised I could ride with these guys, and there was no need to be scared...
East Yorkshire Classic
After a strong late June and early July, where I managed to pick up some good results and some strong performances my confidence was growing. I had been flying in all my training sessions, and flt I could do anything. My entry for the East Yorkshire Classic was confirmed, and this time I was ready. On race day, we got to the start nice and early ready to have a warm up. I had a sore throat, but otherwise felt good. This time, the 'big boys' didn't intimidate me, instead they became tools. If I wanted a good result, I need to be in with them. I felt it was time to prove myself! However, once I hit the road and started warming up, something wasn't right. My heart rate was between 160 and 170bpm! Alright it was a false flat, but I was cruising, and it didn't really drop (as it should) when I turned around. Still, I hoped it would be fine, so I headed to the start. This time, I sat at the front waiting for the off, and stayed there through the neutralised zone, making sure I held my place in the bunch, not allowing myself to be intimidated by elbows or riders leaning on me, trying to work there way through... I'm big enough to intimidate them more! As the race got going, my heart rate was still high, but I was able to follow the wheels well, and as we started hitting the climbs, I sat with Ian Bibby (the Premier Calendar leader). I knew that nothing if a move was to stick, he would be in it! Following a wheel like that also makes life easier moving through the bunch, as long as you follow closely enough, you can nab some of the space he creates. All was going well until the attacks started on the climbs. My heart rate kept maxing out at 194bpm. It was frustrating as I still felt good, but with my heart beating so fast, my legs just didn't want to turn over. I dropped off the back and withdrew after 50 miles of racing.
Yes, I was frustrated and upset, but I was more embarrassed than anything... and also sorry for my Dad who had driven me all the way up, paid for accommodation and stood at the side of the road ready to give me bottles at the feed. I felt like I had let him down. However, this race had gone much better in the sense that I was much less intimidated and held a good position in the bunch. I also knew that I was not 100% fit. I think too many weeks of hard work at shows, and a lot of manual labour work, combined with poor sleeping patterns and huge amounts of travelling have taken their toll - something had to give.
Attempting to ride the race took a lot out of me, and I have felt run down since. However, I am staring to feel better in myself and am determined to have a good close to the season. From now on there's going to be now softness, and I'm going to grab each race by the scruff of the neck - I have nothing to lose. Better not finishing a race having given it your all, mixing up at the front, than sit invisible in the bunch only to sprint for 6th or 8th position. There isn't much racing left to be had, but there are two more Premier Calendars left, so a lot to play for. I know I will be competitive in these one day, so may as well make it this side of Christmas eh?!
Time to smash it!
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