Langdale Lightweights Racing Team

Found this little clip

2012-01-24T13:55:00.001-08:00

Hi all,

Managed to download this little gem :)

From my race win at Prestatyn Promenade at the start of September.

assen european youth tour!

2011-08-17T06:40:00.000-07:00

This was going to be the first time that i had races abroad and to be honest before i was quite worried about it! 150 youths all giving everything on little country roads and cobbles didn't sound too safe to me. This was going to be the first proper racing that i had done since May i wasn't at my fittest aswell so it was just going to be a fight for survival.

We left on the friday night, got an over night ferry and arrived at the hotel the next day at around 12 ish, the racing started on the Sunday with a short prologue of around 1km. I dont really like things like this and i wasn't at my fittest and finished 106th, which i wasn't post pleased about.

The second stage was a crit, around a 2.2km circuit 22 times, the circuit was very twisty and tight which some really sharp corners which are always fin when you have 150 lads going round them! i was gridded about 3/4 of the way back which was abit annoying, but i managed to make up places off the start, and get up to about half way down. The pace was so quick for all of the race that it was almost essential that you stayed in the top half just to be able to keep on out of the corners. The peleton soon started to thin out and by half way we have dropped about 60 people, there were a few big crashes taking down about 20 at a time, normally off the road into a big ditch. but i luckily managed to stay on and i came across the line in about 50th which i was happy about.

The third day was the big day, a 70km road race over lots and lots of cobbles! right from the start the pace was proper fast, and it was really danderous, about 10km there was a big crash which took down about 30 people. This split the peleton in to several groups as everyone attacked from the front to try and drop everyone. I was in a big group, and which about 10 km of chasing we were back on to the peleton. By the time we got back two groups had got off the front of the peleton. About half way through there were about a mile long stretch of massive cobbles! which were the most painful things ever! ths split the group again which meant more chasing on again, but not as much this time which was abit nicer. I ended up finishing in the main group, as everyone behind us about 80 or so got broomed up. On GC at the end of the day i had moved up around 30 places to around 50th which i was very happy about. But around 20 people fell out this day due to crashes, so there was 130 of us left.

The fourth day was another time trial, but with one was about 8.5Km around the assen circuit, it was very windy and very hard. i didn't do brilliant, but ended up about 70th but managed to stay roughly where i was on GC.

The fifth day was an 'omloop' which was basically just a big cirucit race, the citcuit was about 9km which alot of cobbles and small patch of very bad cobbles. The first lap was abit dangerous, which some very big crashes, snapped frames, snapped wheels etc! but i stayed up and again just about hung onto the main group and finished around 40th, which i was pleased with.

The 6th and final stage was a 3.8km loop around the campsite and woods in which most people were staying for the week. It was a tight twisty course, with cobbles and very narrow roads, it was probably the fastest stage aswell, which after a whole weeks of racing, was very hard. Again i found my self just being able to stay in with the group, after being caught behind a couple of crashes, i finished about 50th once again, but i think i'd had enough of racing by this point and i was just relieved that it was all over and that i hadn't crashed or dropped of the group and i'd had a relitivly good tour!

Looking at the tour as a whole i was very happy with it, i had only come to gain experience, as i'm a first year, so next year is going to be the real thing! i finished 45th out of 150 which was a good result in my mind! :)

isle of man tour

2011-05-03T10:07:00.000-07:00

My first isle of man tour and my first time to the isle of man actually, so an all new experience. We left on the thursday, so i could get a ride round the road circuit and ready for the TT on friday. After a long drive up and a ferry which seemed to take forever, we finally got there and settled into our hotel.

When the 1 mile firday night TT came round the wind had got up and especially as it was down the promenade it made it alot worse. I got a ok time on the time trial, it was brilliant but i was happy with it. The next day on Saturday it was a very hilly road race on a circuit about 4 miles long. I got a good start and was around the top 10ish after the first hill, but then unfortunatly got knocked off by a crash right beside me, as if i hadn't had enough crashes this early in the season! i was ok and so was the bike so i got straight back on and started the long chase, this sounds familier. i got into a group with a few people and finished the race with them well down on the front group and lieing around 30th. The next day was a crit stage at the isle of man sports centre, round an 800m circuit. While i was riding round the circuit and whilst warming up, my knee was hurting alot, which meant i had to pull out of the race. So not a good weekend all in all, and my knee is still hurting so i'm off the bike for a bit. Still, i enjoyed the weekend i was nice just to go and see the isle of man. :)

Rutland

2011-04-19T03:45:00.000-07:00

On the friday afternoon before the race dad and i went down to the track at owston just to check it out, looking all pro in my normal clothes, helmet and shoes. The ciruit was great, it had a reasonable sized hill, a gravel section just like the real cicle classic and should be interesting in the race!

The next morning we were up brigh and early and set off again for Owston, i was feeling abit tired but i was hoping this would wear off when i got on the bike. After a warm up and a few laps etc. it was time to race, and for the longest race i have ever done. From the start i was well down as i had got a bad start because i was about 4th row back on the line. After this to make matters worse, a few laps in there was a crash which i got caught behind and then the whole race split up in to lots of small groups.

I chased for the next 7 or 8 laps just to get into a group which half killed me. Then the rest of the race was just chasing and chasing. I think a this point we were just under a minute from the front of the race due to the race spilting up. I managed to stay on to this group until about 3 laps to go when i dropped off and died completely. I was kinda happy with my race, i need to get a better start so i'm able to stay out of trouble and then end up out the back.

First race of the season. 03/04/11

2011-04-04T09:38:00.000-07:00

After being ill for the start of the season and missing the first few races, my first race ended up being a national, brilliant. This year i moved up from u14's to u16's, where i am one of the youngest, so i knew it was going to be a very hard race! So we set off to Bristol on the Sunday morning for a lovely 3hr drive. When we got there things only got worse, the races were running about 2 hours late due to terrible organisers. The circuit was terrrible as well! a whole section of it had roots breaking through the tarmac so that there we big bumps all the way down the back straight. So finally after a further few hours of waiting around and a big down pour my heat came. There was around 40 in each of the heats and 20 would go though to the final, so that was my aim, just to get through. The pace wasn't a high as i thought it was going to be and about 15 of us got away in a group and then took it easy til the end because we knew that all of us were going to get through anyway, so i was quite relaxed after it and didn't see what all of my worrying was about! The final on the other hand was probably the quickest and hardest race i had ever been in. I only got about 1 hr after the heat to get recovered and warmed up again for the final because how late the races were running. The final was quick just about from the start right to the finish, with quite alot of unsuccesful attacks going away all time. I managed to stay in the front group of about 25, and staying up towards the front. On about 4 laps to go, there was a touch of pedals, or something between me and another rider which sent me further to the back of the group. Down the straight i then came round the outside back up towards the front. Unfortunatly was then on the outside of the track for the first corner, then got some one came of line, pushed me out onto the gravel and then down i came. First race, first crash again, brilliant. I didn't come away too badly, just with mashed up hands, and a few big grazes on the left side of my body, bike was fine though which i was very relieved about! But the day wasn't all a failure, i now know were i stand in pace wise to the other lads which is good, i just can't wait for ilse of man where theres hills which is what i love the most! :) i cant find any photos of my at the moment but when i can i will upload them with this. :)

Do you wanna do the BUCS Champs?

2011-03-17T02:36:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

I got asked the question by the UCLAN (University of Central Lancashire) Cycling team

"Did I wanna do the BUCS (British University and College Sports) Champs?"

I said yeah I will be doing it but don't worry yet cos the road champs isnt until around May.

"No, the mountain bike champs?"

What a crazy weekend that was!

We travelled down on saturday, after a week of wondering why I had said "yes". All sorts of questions rushing through my mind seeing as I have never ridden or even raced a cross country mountain bike course.

As it turned out the venue for the BUCS champs was at Molfre (a formidable Down Hill mountain bike course). Our race would consist of a 1.5mile climb up the 18% fire track and zig zag down the down hill course, and then blast across a soggy field and back up the hill. 6 times.

A few practice runs, and I started getting the feel for the course and began looking forward to the race on sunday. Trying not to think too much about what it would be like racing agains 139 riders.

A beautiful sunday afternoon for the 1pm race, I was grided in the 2nd box (I dunno how!). and managed to get right up with the elite guys for the epic ride up the hill but lost them down the other side after decking it on a tricky section (made harder by all the spectators pouring water on the course!).

My 6 laps consisted of catching all the decent riders up the hill and losing them all on the way down.

It didn't end in complete disaster either, I was the first rider from UCLAN and finished 19th overall.

Was a good experience for me, but I am not sure if I will be that quick to jump back on the mountain bike!

Matt

Its Nearly Here....

2011-02-14T03:59:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

First blog of the 2011 season, I will start with a little bit about whats been happening up here in Preston.

Uni is going good, really enjoying the 2nd year with more technical work its really interesting. But bloody hell its going quick, it doesn't seem like 5 min ago I was just moving my stuff in as a fresher.

The roads here are fantastic for training, I am continuing to find new roads over Bowland, the Lakes and even getting into the Yorkshire Dales. Having my first proper winter bike to has made winter training a lot nicer. My Langdale Lombardy is such a nice bike to ride over all the fells come rain or shine.

We were lucky up here not to get snow (think we only got 2 bad days) on the really frozen days I have been doing a bit of mountain biking, a good laugh with mates and definitely breaks up the monotony of winter road miles.

I have also been doing more gym work to help build good core stability and also using free weights to develop raw power. Not long now to see if its all paid off!

Living close to Manchester has enabled me to race the Tuesday night Premier Track League at the Velodrome. A great chilled out programme with fast racing has helped me getting a few decent efforts out, as I can't really be bothered on a turbo session. This track time and the results at the Velodrome has given me a new excitement for track racing, so watch this space!!

My 10 minute challenge on the Elite Real Tour Turbo Trainer, is here www.langdalelightweights.co.uk/Turbo_Trainers.htm on the difficult Bardolino-Verona course.

I would also like to mention a top mate from up here, Lewis Balyckyi, who was a great lad on those long 6hr winter rides, or the crazy mountain bike rides and sitting with coffee in Scorton cafe. So many good times had and plenty of funny stories. Who was sadly taken from this life after being hit by a Ford Transit van whilst out on his bike on January 18th 2011.

Definitely not the same on the bike with out you mate.

Sleep Tight

RIP

Lewis Balyckyi

Looking forward to getting back home to Nottingham in a few weeks and see how the shop re-development has gone.

Keep checking back to follow me and the team as the season gets underway.

Matt

Derby

2010-11-21T10:46:00.000-08:00

Yesterday me and Dad went to our second Notts and Derby race of the season. It was a cold wet morning, but at least i knew that it wouldn't be any worse than last weeks Mallory. I was able to get a lie-in in the morning as my race wasn't until 1 in the afternoon, which was a nice change!

I found out when i got there that there was a pretty strong field, so i was lucking forward to a good race with them. The course was a good one with a few hills and some nice bits in it, including a pretty muddy bit in the trees. I was on 1st/2nd row on the grid between the two. i got a good start and was 4 off the line, then i moved up to 3rd behind Kieron where i stayed for the first two laps. Then i crashed on about the 3 lap in the muddy bits and dropped from Kieron. Then the rest of the race until part way through the last lap was catching him up. When i did i just stuck to his wheel. then coming out of the third corner from the end i attacked off him. He then came back round with a corner to go and out sprinted me on the straight. So i got third in the end, which i was very happy about!

Mallory Park

2010-11-21T10:08:00.000-08:00

Mallory has a name for itself as being one of the muddiest and bike wrecking courses on the national series, and it didn't disappoint again. It had been a few wet days before and parts of the course were completely submerged in thick mud. When I got there the women's race was going on and I could just tell how hard it was to make it round some parts of the course. The track was really good though and had some fast and technical bits which I enjoyed.

On the start line I was 3 rows back as I have had a couple of bad races at the nationals. I got a bad start and dropped a few places, then through the first 2 laps I passed people and got through the field, I then came in for my first bike change that I had ever done, the same for my Dad as well. It went ok apart from a few banging of wheels but I didn't drop too much time but the time I did drop, I made up very quickly on a clean bike!

I ended up finishing 12th which I was kind of happy with, if I had had a better start and hadn't been stuck behind a few people I think I could have done a bit better, but its all experience after all.

Spalding.

2010-10-30T06:04:00.001-07:00

Normally this would have been held in borne woods, unfortunatly they were cutting tree's so it had been moved to the back feild of a school in spalding, not quite the same but oh well. It was another cold morning with full winter kit on, the track was half round a flat feild and half twisting in and out of tight tree's down the other side of the feild, not a very interesting or nice to ride course but ohwell, it had to be done.

Again i was called up to the line first, and i got a really good start and just kept going from there up until about the 3rd lap when i had quite a nice little lead over the rest of them. Thats when it started to go downhill, i'd been having problems with my chest recently as i have asthma, during the race it got worse and worse and my lead was being eaten into by Jake Poole. Eventually he came past me with about 1 and a half laps to go, when he just rode away from me and i had nothing in return. I was more bothered about who was behind me, Peter and Adam were closing in and i just had to keep the pace up right to the end of the race to stay away, which i managed to and got a 2nd out of it, which i was quite pleased about seeing as though my chest was that bad, but all credit to Jake for a good win. I just hope that my chest will be better for next weekends national trophy at Ipswich.

Scunthorpe.

2010-10-30T05:50:00.000-07:00

The 3rd round of the lincs league for me, and Sarah's first cross race saw the family heading up to Scunthorpe on what felt like a winter morning. In full winter kit Sarah and i started to check out the track, which is probably one of the best of the series to be honest. It's in the wood behind the track at Quibeell park, it suited me quite a lt which was a change, it was on a hillside, with one tough climb up ad quite a quick little downhill section which i loved. I never actually thought of the win on th way to the race or even when i was warming up, it never really crossed my mind. I had never won a cross race before and i wasn't expecting this to be my first!

I got te best place at the start being called up first to tthe line, the start was a buit hectic, luckily I got a really good start and was first off the line, Adam passed me but apart rom that i felt comfortable. I managed to get passed him during the first lap and then led from there with Jordan on my wheel. I pull away from him with about 2/3 laps to go and just kept pushing hard until i heard te last lap bell, which was a sign of relief for me, only having to hold them off for one more lap, with Peter Cocker and Jake Poole coming in 2nd and 3rd. It was a good hard race and one that i enjoyed which is actually quite a rare sight for cross as they can be truly horrible, but i liked the course and i loved the result, so all in all it was a goo race and day!

ITU world champs, Budapest :D

2010-09-15T13:54:00.000-07:00

I had a fab time in Hungary, Budapest this weekend :) loved it!! Awesome atmosphere, race went well and watched the elites on Sunday!

The day before the race was absolutely awful, the rain just wasn't going to stop and at that point i was not looking forward to racing! It was all such a rush on Friday, bikes had to be racked that day in the pouring rain, was not good! So as always started to get a bit nervous BUT surprisingly i wasn't too nervous at the very start of the race because i just wanted to go into the race and enjoy myself. Oh also me and Sophie (team mate) had a little dance in our wetsuits to keep us calm :P and took some photo's to keep our mind of the race for a bit! Then it was time to get on to the pontoon, but before us was the 16-19 boys where some were late getting to the start and everyone screaming at them to hurry up, ha ha!

I should at the start, and all i could hear was mum shouting "GO CHLO GO". then before long it was our tern to get it. The swim (750m) went really :) i was fourth out the water and had a quick transition! Then to the bike, this was where i lost a few places, but still had quite a good ride! it was flat as a pancake so you could get a good speed up! Quite a technical course, so lots of corners with wet ground :S not good, but all went well!

T2 went good, got off the bike OK, then quite a long run from dismount to my racking spot. Then on to the run, i was really pleased with the run, felt really strong coming of the bike! Again, flat course, with the finish in a different place to the start, so a straight 5k! It was amazing to be running with all the support from the GB team and family watching from the side! It kept me going! Then coming to the finish line, i had no idea what i had come, i thought maybe top 15/10. Nearly at the finish the GB team were handing out flags for us to go finish with, it felt so good to be crossing the line :D I had mum and one of my secondary teachers (who was also racing but on Sunday :D) there at the line and them saying "you got 5th you got 5th" i was to tired to say anything at that point :L but then it sunk in, and i couldn't believe!!

Thank you everyone for their support though it all :D not just the race but training aswell :D

First win & a British 1,2,3!

2010-08-16T10:12:00.000-07:00

firstly, sorry this is so long! ...

Day One - Bekegem

Second trip to Belgium, this time with Hannah Barnes and Hannah Walker, it was going to be good! We made our way there the day before and i've never seen so much rain in my life on the way down, epic. And half way there, after being reminded by Barnes that it was Friday 13th, we pulled in at the services and it was packed. We must have queued for about an hour to get out! Eventually we made it to Laarne though and stuffed ourselves with food before getting some sleep.

After a nice lie in until 9 on Saturday morning we made our way over to the race, stopping at Lidl on the way (closest thing we could find to a supermarket) to get supplies for lunch and loadssss of fruit (making up for the excess of ice cream!). Also, after checking the weather before we came we were expecting heavy rain, but no, it was sunny! as you can see...

Just before the race we covered our legs in baby oil, as you do, and made our way to the start... we were the last to turn up, so we started right at the back! Luckily though the race didn't start as fast as we thought, so we moved up well and by the time we got to the last corner (MAJOR COBBLES!) all three of us were on the front together.. good start.

Loads of little attacks were going but being brought straight back, so ofcourse i had a go, and i ended up riding straight off the front. Did a nice lap off the front and then Barnes came and saved me before i got swallowed up again :). It carried on like this for about 14 laps, Barnes kept trying to get away too, but they were straight onto anything, shouting it down too. Then with 2 to go, i was fed up and wanted to get away, seen as no one was wanting to chase down on the tougher parts of the course. I countered another attack that had got a few seconds on the bunch and just went for it. Barnes and Hannah slowed it down a bit on the front too, which really helped. .. and then it started to rain/absolutely chuck it down! The cobbles were mega dangerous, so i took them slowly (same with the rest of the corners, didn't really want to deck it on my own!) and by the last corner i had about 30seconds on the bunch and actually realized i was going to win. I still smashed it to the finish though, i wasn't risking this one!

and amazingly the Hannah's finished the race off with a 2nd and 3rd over the line! We were so so happy, we'd tried to control the race from the start and we'd worked together really well, nevermind about the rain!
and i don't think the Belgians were too pleased with us taking over :)

That night we had another good meal, including more fruit and ice cream, trust me, they have the best ice cream, we all agreed! We then all fell asleep before 10, well Hannah Walker definitely did because me & Barnes had to put up with her snoring for ages!

Day Two - Rumst

Another lie in and a half hour journey over to the race, oh and no rain! Although it did take FOREVER to find the actual course, after being told it went onto a closed road, which had red tape across it at the time! We were willing to break the tape though, but Dad didn't let us :( Anyway it was a slightly bigger race today, with the Dutch champ there aswell and the wind was picking up too!

The race got underway and it was pretty much like yesterday, but a bigger bunch, so i freaked out a little in the first two laps but then realized i needed to just man up and get on with it!

A group of 5 got up the road and we thought we could ride back up to it, seen as there was over 20 of us left in the bunch (after another split), but no, no one was willing to work, so me and Barnes seemed to do waaaay too much work and still get shouted at! After trying to bridge the gap on my own, i rolled back into the bunch, it was too far away having to fight the headwind, and now i felt awful :(

With one lap to go just at the end of the tough headwind bit i attacked (seen as i didn't have the legs to sprint!) and Barnes rolled through after and stopped them chasing for a bit and i just smashed it to the finish. Finished 6th and was pretty happy with that too, so a very good weekend in the end :D

Bryn Bach Triathlon 15th August 2010 :)

2010-08-15T10:08:00.000-07:00

Before i start i would like to apologise for my Mum's poor photography skill when I'm on the bike, she tries every time to catch it at a good time but never seems to work. But one day, i promise ;)

Anyway......Ouch! Hard but enjoyable race today in South Wales. Woke up this morning feeling fresh and ready to go, did my usual routine! Got to the race, got into transition, racked bike...all set! I wasn't to nervous going into this race because i knew it was just a good practise for IRC's in September. Got wetsuit on and set off into the lake, brrrrrrr it wasn't too warm in there at all. We must have been in the water at least 12 minutes before setting off and i was getting colder and colder so had to keep myself moving. And off we went, quite a rough start in the swim, i got hit in the nose and lip twice but then got a bit of free water and got going, i was one of the first females to exit the swim, so i was pleased.

T1 went well, got wetsuit off quick and this is where the really hard work started, a hilly bike and my legs feeling numb and very tired (not a good combination) but i tried my very hardest to keep with the girl but it wasn't the best course to draft and my legs just weren't working with me today.

Coming into T2 was OK, but my feet hit the ground quite hard so quite sore going into the run but i really enjoyed the run today :). It's quite a flat course until the turn around where you go down then straight back up, but it was bearable!! Throughout i felt quite strong and was pleased with it :D

Overall pleased with today and ready for September and very much looking forward to it!! :)

Essex Giro & National Crit Champs

2010-08-09T08:35:00.000-07:00

Essex Giro 2 day

Well i say it was a 2 day event, but i only lasted about 1 and a half days...

Day One

First day went really well, apart from the torrential (ish!) rain at Hog Hill on Saturday morning before the time trial. We hid for aslong as possible out of the rain but i HAD to go round the quite technical course before the tt, so i braved it in the rain and i looked like i'd just had a shower when i got back in after ONE lap! i was not impressed andneither were my rollers, they made such a noise when i got on to warm up and was a bit dodgy when doing efforts! Anyway, i gave the tt everything i had, quite literally as i felt awful afterwards!, but the 6th place was definitely worth it, proper happy with that and looking good for GC.

Next was the circuit race, including the big hill, but in the opposite direction which was just as tough. There were quite a few attacks but nothing was getting away, just people dropping off the back up the hill, and some major dodgy breaking going on on the downhill! In the end i just rolled in in the bunch, but it was a tough 1hr race!

Day Two - ouch.

I was in 7th now on GC, so i just needed to stay in any front group or break in the road race, seemed pretty simple...

The race got underway and oh my gosh it was dodgy! Carnage. I'm sorry, but some women just need to learn to ride a bike in a straight line, corner properly and hold their line. So there was quite a bit of shouting going on, as usual i suppose. About 20 miles in though, i ended up on the pavement. We'd come flying downhill to a junction, bit of an S-bend with a terrible road surface, there'd been something going on infront of me, i tried to avoid it and ended up flying over the kerb. not happy. i don't totally remember what happened, but we weren't going slow which probably didn't help at all. Anyway i've left quite a bit of skin in essex, but luckily nothing is broken because i came down pretty badly on my shoulder.

National Circuit Champs

After crashing out last week i was looking forward to getting on with some fast town centre racing! And it was brilliant having the Langdale van there, looking dead professional near to Rapha and Endura etc. and yes, ofcourse we were allowed to park it there! ;)

I knew today was going to be fast and god it was. I had a rubbish start with two women crashing into each other whilst attempting to clip in, so i spent the first few laps moving up, whilst numorous attacks happened, ouch. After getting back up near the front i just hung on, people were being dropped every lap and it wasn't long until about 10 of us were remaining. Not long after someone attacked and the group temporarily split (well that's what we hoped), i was in the back 6 and we were just getting the gap back when we met all the lapped riders. We also met them at the tightest left hand bend on the circuit, so ofcourse they were all over the road and the gap grew as we fought past the lapped group. The gap stayed at about 10 seconds for the majority of the race and our group dropped to 4 riders, with Sarah Storey towing us round! On the last lap when there were only the 8 of us left on the circuit, we just caught the back of the front 4, but it was too late and i finished in 7th. But an amazing win by Barnes :)!

Happy with the finish though i suppose, because there was such a good start list for the race today, so i didn't really know where i'd end up. Shoulder seems to feel a little worse though! oops.

Triathlon camp, Les stables, France July 21st-August 4th and London Triathlon 7th August :)

2010-08-08T12:09:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, i have had a very busy two weeks in France at Les stables. Got some great training in. Feeling so much stronger on the bike. Really enjoyed my time there with everyone. I would have to say my favourite part of the trip was when me, Steve, Sophie and Kate went for an open water swim in the thunder and lightening (and yes i did say this was my favourite part of the trip) :P and two others followed us in the canoe and then we all got stuck in some mud (random i know) but very fun!! We also went to watch the last time trial of Le tour DE France, this was such a good day. Got a lot of great pictures and a few autographs (: Anyway can't wait to go back next year!!

London Tri

This weekend i had London tri which i really enjoyed, one of my better races this year :D Me and mum got there Friday Night after being stuck in traffic for 2hours :( not good, but got there and had some food :) That night i went through last minute check list (even though it would be a bit late if i had forgotten something by now) and had a quick look through the race booklet. Morning of the race, had my usual weekabix :) and headed down to the Excel and put my things in transition. Then me and a few of my friends who were also racing went through transition and swim exits..ETC. Then i was all sorted!! I think nerves were taking over again and i was feeling a bit sick but then calm down a little before getting in the water. I really enjoyed the swim, even though it was the most manic id ever been in due to being set off with the boys. But i was so happy with 4th girl coming out with the leading group. Got wetsuit of very well and a good T1 then i was off on the bike. it was the first time i was trying keeping the shoes already on the bike instead of putting them on in transition, which went really well! Bike i was happy with but was hoping for a bit better position coming in. Then T2 WOOOPSIEEE :S not the best of transitions, i ran pasted my slot in transition and then eventually getting there and putting my bike on the rack, it then fall off :S so not good, but something to work on for next time! Run, i was quite happy with my run apart from the beginning where i had a bad stitch but i ran through it and then coming to the last 100m of the race, i was feeling like i was going to be sick and got inside of the excel and i was :( so i lost one position! But overall very pleased with 9th overall :D

i have a few pictures from France and London tri :)

First trip to Belgium

2010-07-26T06:58:00.000-07:00

Eventually i was able to get over to Belgium for a bit of racing! We arrived in Belgium on Tuesday morning and it rose from 23 to 30 degrees on the way over to the race, mega hot!

Tuesday - Zottegem, Senior Race
Seen as this was my first race over here it was going to be pretty tough with the seniors! We'd driven round the course and it was looking quite good but then we discovered some nasty downhill cobbles, ouch. The cobbles weren't nice, you could hardly brake at the bottom of them because you couldn't feel your hands! It wasn't flat at all either, plenty of short climbs and downhills, so it wasn't going to be easy.
We turned up at the start line just at the right time, and i was pushed to the front, which i normally wouldn't mind, but it just didn't seem right today, a little bit nervous i think. Anyway the race started and i quickly realized that i needed to be well positioned as it was harder to move up on the narrower roads. Then Katie came past me and i followed her up to the front (maybe not the best idea at the time!) and ended up doing a turn on the front up one of the hills. What was i doing! It was the second lap and we still had 9 more to go, oops. In the end though i don't think that mattered at all, i had a bit of a mechanical problem after going down the cobbles a few laps in, involving my back break locking on, not cool. By the time i figured out what was wrong and started to sort it out i was being dropped. After the 5th lap or so i was pulled out, not going to lie i wasn't too happy with being dropped, but i had a good go anyway!

Wednesday, Maarkedal, Junior Race

(i don't like this picture, but the only other one is of Steffi thrashing me at the finish!)

Well today’s race start was pretty interesting! I’d managed to get on the front row again but then, after a few minutes of race briefing in dutch, we all had to turn round, walk down the road and get geared checked one by one (although at the time I didn’t have a clue what was going on..). Anyway, that meant I was stuck down the side in the gutter for the COBBLED start. Basically I almost decked it on the cobbles and it was complete carnage!

The first few laps were a bit all over the place, some bad positioning from me and the narrow roads making it impossible to move up and also getting stuck behind a few fat ones up the hill. After the 4th lap prime though, I attacked. I caught up the girl who won the prime, going straight past her, but about half a lap later she caught back with me and from then on we distanced ourselves from the bunch. We attempted to communicate too, she knew a little English and I knew a bit of German, so we sort of understood each other. I knew she was a good sprinter too, so as we got to the last couple of laps I tried to lose her on the hill, but it wasn’t working :( I kicked early for the finish, but then she kicked straight past me and unfortunately I didn’t catch her. But I was definitely happy with the result, seen as the bunch didn’t come in for another 2 minutes.

I definitely had a really good time in Belgium though, and hopefully will be going back in a few weeks! It’s brilliant having closed roads too, I loved smashing down the descents and round the corners :)

Also, after forgetting to put on sun cream on on the first day, I have very bad tan lines on my arms :( oops.

2010-07-11T06:07:00.000-07:00

Well the past 4 weekends have been eventful to say the least! Starting with a high, then seemingly forgetting how to race!

Darley Moor E/1/2/3

What a messy race, with the two going up the road on the first lap, nothing to panic about, then next time I look, theres 5 up the road with almost a minute! What happened there!? So I hit out and got joined by Matt, Andy Eagers, Webbie, Tom Lowe and Duncan Putman, to form a good chase group and we cut the gap down fairly quickly, but in the end it ended up with Matt, Eagers and me rolling through, So I fisted myself to bring the gap down as much as possible, because Matt was longer strong, he clipped off with 5 to go and took Webbie, who might I add had been sitting on for the whole race! Bandit! And Eagers, so I was left with Lowe and Putman, and was fairly happy to secure 9th out of the sprint with them, but they knew that as well and sat on me, so for the next 4 laps I kept jumping them, then counter attacking myself until they cracked! Which worked and I road the last lap on my own for 9th, with Matt getting 6th was not a bad result.

Gerry Thurlow Crit

I was unbelievably up for smashing this race to pieces! My legs felt mint and it was on a real tight, twisty circuit, like being a youth again, but actually having the legs to ride!

I jumped away straight from the start, not wanting another cheeky break going away like yesterday at Darley. I road the whole lap off the front and as soon as I was brought back, Matt countered and was away for 20 laps with another lad.

I sat in trying to disrupt the chase a bit, because Matt looked good for the win, and kept jumping on to chase groups going. I got in a chase group that got across to Matt and hit them straight away, but was brought back almost straight away, so I counter attack myself, knowing Matt was absolutely swinging after his effort. I road about 3 laps solo, then another 4 with a lad who jumped across to me. When I came back, Matt hit out and got the winning move of 3 going. I absolutely reamed myself and got in a chase group. Sitting on, because Matt was up the road. But kept hitting them for the last 10 laps to try and solo across to Matts group and not bring anyone else across. But I couldn't make it. Happy that I knew Matt would win I set myself up for winning the sprint out of my group and getting 4th. But messed it up and ended 6th. Not bad considering I don't know what the term training means since my exams have started! But really made up for Matt! What a race to win, him and me 1 - 2ing a 40 man bunch for an hour and a half!

Curborough National Series Crit

Felt quite strong, but pretty drained after my last exam yesterday. It was incredibly hard, and was hitting out early on to try and get a move away. But ate too much before the start! And went through a real bad patch for 20mins, when the break and chase group got away. Just swinging around last man, about to throw up, or go out the back doors! Managed to hold on to the bunch and felt good again, so kept hitting them for the last 5 laps trying to get another move away, but didn't have the legs to make it stick. Then got 4th wheel coming into 450m to go, round the hairpin on the last lap, and just I was about to hit out for the finish, a load of riders came round the outside and just sat up with about 300m to go! So I was boxed in and wasn't keen on sprinting for 20th. So not a bad day, but eating a bit too much before was not clever!

Belgium Trip

It was never going to be the most successful trip, after getting a bit of an ear infection the day before I left!

The first race on Saturday was never going to good for me, after a long car journey, which always makes my legs feel like metal. It was spitting but warm, did a bit of attacking getting in a few moves, but they didn't stick, I just haven't got the legs to keep things going, after having to back off a bit during my exams. Then the bunch split in two about 3/4 of the way through the race, and I was in the 2nd split, but put in one huge effort and managed to get across! Which made me use all of my bullets, and was absolutely fisted now. So missed the break and put in a good a sprint as I could and got 23rd.

Sunday was better, because my legs felt real good, but my ear infection had flared up loads and was killing me. But decided to just get on with the racing. A break of 5 were up the road around a third of the way into the race, and I kept hitting out, until I eventually took then eventual winner and my mate Tom Moses from Glendene. And we got across to the break. But I was hurting now, possibly because of my ear, and the race was split to pieces, with only the break pretty much left as the main group on the road. After about 5 laps I completely cracked and blew my tits going out the back of the break. And decided to call it a day as my ear was throbbing now! So a pretty eventful trip, but I got a PB in the go-karting so that makes up for the poor legs!

Oakley Road Race

My legs felt quite good, but got major carried away and just kept hitting out and attacking far too much and again I missed the break again. I need to be much more patient I think! Then rolled round in the bunch, as the break looked like it was coming back as it was at 20secs for 2 laps, but on the last lap the gap had opened up to a minute. I then got good positioning for the sprint for 10th, but it was slightly downhill and tailwind, and hit it with 250m to go and went hard, but my junior gears felt a bit too small and got a little swamped with 50m to go. But I've learnt a hell of a lot about road racing and how I need to race them now, so I wont be missing that many breaks anymore!

Well that was a fairly lengthy post! But exams are all finished now, so time to be a bike rider and to actually train now!

Hello Blackpool!

2010-07-07T11:13:00.000-07:00

Well i'm pretty sure this is the only picture taken at Blackpool where i didn't look like i was in absolute agony! (taken on the climb)

The day started well, nice and sunny, and i went for a warm up ride in the morning through Blackpool and Lytham. I got stopped by about a million sets of traffic lights and had a beast of a head wind on the way out, so i thought that it would be a tail wind home, but oh wait! No, it was pretty much a headwind back aswell and i had to smash it for the last mile or so to get back to see Jack's race, but a good warm up for the legs tonight.

After waiting almost all day it was finally time to race, and it was looking like we had an nice headwind down the finishing straight and combined with the climb it was going to be tough! The race started well and i was positioned near the front, (maybe too near the front at times) but i was out of any trouble down the horrible 180 degree corner (which i wasn't too good at!).
After the first prime, where i came through in 3rd somehow, the break went up the top of the hill and i just couldnt hold on over the top. There were 3 out front and then the chase group i was in then split in two, leaving me in the second bigger half, because yet again i couldn't hold on over the top and was a bit too far back.

A few laps later i attacked and left the group, as no one was working and i was still annoyed at missing the few infront. I spent a few laps smashing it on my own, before another woman joined me with a few to go and we caught a couple that had dropped back from the group infont. I was about done now, and my legs weren't good! I went to sprint at the finish though coming 10th, so i suppose it was okay ( i wasn't too happy with it ), but it could have gone so much better!

On the plus side, i didn't look as wierd as usual walking into a pub in my skinsuit (off to get changed), as there was one women head to toe in leopard print and another dressed as a pink fairy.
Oh i have missed racing in Blackpool ;)

Fast in the race, slow to blog

2010-07-05T11:04:00.000-07:00

What A Weekend!!!

2 weeks ago it was a busy weekend, with an elite race at Darley Moor on saturday. where i was keen to continue my top 10 record at the circuit, which i believe i started 2 years ago :)

After a very tough race, in which a break went on the first lap, whilst i was still shifting into the big ring!!!

Later on in the race i was part of a 5 man chase group, with only Andy Eagers (derby mercury - very good rider), Paul and I were only working to bring back the 5 man break. It was a very tough ride and towards the closing laps i manged to clip off the front hoping to take paul with me and finally close the 15sec gap to the leaders.

only Eagers and Wayne Webster could follow me, and with a lap to go, out of frustration really i attacked again to drop Webster (seeing as he sat on to our chase group earlier) and just about caught the break, but having very little left in the legs i couldnt compete in the sprint and rolled home to a hard earned 6th.

Rego recovery bottle and compression tights later . . . . . . . . Sunday was the Gerry Thurlow Memorial Road Race.

I wasn't sure initially how my legs would feel after the battering from the previous race, but still highly motivated to do a good ride after a disappointing 8th at the same race in 2009.

I didnt really get a chance to see how my legs would feel at race speed given that Paul clipped in and smashed it from the start and gapped the bunch from the word go!!!

When he was reeled in by the bunch i decided it would be a good time to attack, and this started the 1-2 tactics for the length of the race!

My move saw me get a decent gap, with another rider and we tapped away for 20 laps off the front until the bunch caught us,

Massive attack from Paul!!!!

I did my best to disrupt the chase and recover at the same time, thinking that if Paul stayed away he would have it in the bag.

Within 10 laps to go, paul was back in the bunch, and with the massive encouragment from Mick shouting all race. I attacked again, and worked well with Steve Guymer from Raleigh RT.

A Chaser then caught us and it was a 3 way battle for the finish.

Given the technical last 200m i knew i had to lead in to the last corner to win, so i jumped very early adn sprinted into the last corners and continued to the line, arms raised

Mega chuffed with that :)

Liverpool Tri

2010-07-03T02:37:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday was Liverpool triathlon, up early ready for the race. I was the day of the England game, so it was an incentive to race fast to get home!! After registering i went to the portable toilets and out came Malachy from Hollyoaks! :) I then put my bike in transition, i found out i had to put my bike on a different rack because mine was full when i got there, i then ended up being on the other side of transition. After I'd sorted my transition out i went to watch the waves before me and did some warming up :) It was then time to put my wetsuit on and get ready for the start of the race, now starting to get bit nervous :S i got to the start line in the water and went to my usual position, on the end by the buoys. I was quite disappointed with my swim, not the position i wanted to be in. This race had the longer transition i have ever done :O i felt i had already done my run before the bike. After the long run to my bike, i got there and one of the straps had come undone so NOT a fastT1.Another long run to the mount line and finally i could get on the bike, i felt i was having a good ride until i finished the race, but ill tell you about that after. Then i was coming into T2, which wasn't to bad, much better than T1. Then finally out on the run, VERY hot and i tried to get as much water at the water stations as possible without slowing down, so i just through it over me to cool me down, which was nice :D Then i was coming into the finish line, had a sprint finish and took a few people. Overall, i really enjoyed the race but i didn't have the best race, times weren't what i wanted, but looking forward to Eaton triathlon on the 10th, where hopefully i have a much better race.

I was meant to be racing this weekend but have a problem with my shoulder so going to give it a rest and hopefully its better next week :) Ohh and sorry about the photo's everyone, next time i promise to get some on my bike, The mother fault :P

Smithfield Nocturne & Team Series

2010-06-28T12:28:00.000-07:00

Saturday Night
Smithfield Nocturne! This was amazing, i loved it. There was a great atmosphere there with loads of races going on including folding bike races, which were hilarious! The weather held out too, and so the crowds slowly grew and there were plenty of people watching our race.
The course was quite technical in places, with a couple of dodgy corners (which i wasn't very good at!) but apart from that it was pretty good and tough with the uphill drag.

I made sure i was on the front row of the start line, battling a bit in the warm up lap behind the car, but i wanted to stay out of any trouble as we headed down the straight into the first couple of corners. The pace was high and stayed high, with quite a few attacks and the group split pretty soon, and then split again after some more attacks. I don't know how i managed it, but i was in the front group of 7, and i didn't have a clue at this point when and where we lost the rest of the bunch, but i was just concentrating on staying near the front!

The pace stayed high even though we were clearly not going to be caught, and there were many more attacks, and i managed to ride straight off the front but i knew i couldnt do it alone until the end (very strong girls!) so i allowed myself to be caught. We lapped the group before the half way point and almost again before the end, so it was a real buzz. Coming into the finish, i was sat in 7th, and not wanting to come last in the group. I got past two of the girls before the line though, and was happy with the attempt at sprinting, although i know it can be A LOT better!

Smithfield was brilliant though, and after doing Stoke on Trent two days ago, i definitely want to be doing more racing like this! It was tough and really sorted everyone out, not like Sunday's race...

Sunday
After the Nocturne, we stayed to watch some of the men's race, but then had to drive the 2 hours up to Stratford Upon Avon for a Team Series in the morning, and 9.30am! We arrived at 12am, after stopping at the spar to hunt for the some breakfast, because Dad didn't tell me we weren't having any at the travelodge, & i love those breakfasts! :( Anyway, i got a bit of sleep and then we were up at 7 to drive over to the race.

FLAT. yes, the entire race was flat, very very flat and boring. 70 women started and 68 women finished in the bunch, brilliant! And it was difficult to hold position throughout, because of people moving up around the outside of the bunch so often, but i tested my legs on the first prime coming over in about 6th, but oh gosh my legs weren't feeling so great after last night!
The race went on and we had a few dodgy moments, including meeting some horses and slamming on the brakes. As you may of guessed i wasn't overly amused by this race, but i still had to finish well. Coming into the last 2km, i was sat pretty far back and made some efforts at moving up and managed to come 15th, with some very tired legs afterwards.

Horizon Fitness GP @ Tour Series!

2010-06-18T09:21:00.000-07:00

I was pretty excited about todays race, although a little nervous too mostly because of the really good field of riders, especially with all the Horizon girls out! It was properly sunny too, definitely tanning weather :)

We started the race with 5 laps behind the motorbike, and after being told not to attack during these laps we presumed it'd be steady ish too. BUT NO, i almost died on the first 5 laps, they were the most painful of the whole race!

The circuit was interesting though, half downhill half uphill, so it turned out to be a really tough and the pace never dropped either. As the pace was pretty high there were a few little attacks ( i think ) so the bunch kept splitting occasionally, but then coming back together again and ended up closing a couple of these gaps, not the best position to be in!

Anyway with not long left to go, Hannah Barnes attacked and then after she was pulled back Dani King countered it, leaving the bunch and going for the solo win. But we didn't give up too easily, a few of us tried to bridge but it was looking impossible.

With two to go, i'd managed to slip back through the group and it wasn't looking good for the finish. I decided the best thing to do was to move right up and have a go at an attack, although it failed it got me in a good position for the finish ( me not being much of a sprinter) and i came 11th :) and hopfully won some money, because it was mega painful!

Anyway i've now finished ALL my exams now!! and i'm off to London for the Smithfield Nocturne tomorrow which should be fun :)

Junior RR National Champs

2010-06-13T10:11:00.000-07:00

The race was up north (Capernwray) and was planned to start at 9.30am on Sunday, so ofcourse, we had to go up the day before! Though it wasn't a bad thing, Dad and I went and road the course (in the sun!) so i could see what pain was to come and to have a go at the massive hill.

We arrived in the morning to find rain, lots of clouds and a small village hall hidden down the bottom of a hill, lovely! And then after the warm up i managed to puncture my tub (for the 3rd time in 3 weeks, not impressed!) so it was back to the training wheels for this race..

Anyway the race eventually got underway and after some dodgy stops and starts in the neutralized section it stopped raining! Everything pretty much stayed together for the most part of the first lap, until we hit the hill.. This is when the split happened and i wasn't best positioned on starting the hill and had to make a major effort to get back up to where i wanted to be. This hurt, alot! By the top I was sat with about 10 or so other riders and we tried to get back the front few, but this never happened.

Basically we stayed as a group for the next 4 and a half laps, gaining a few that had dropped off the front few but nothing much happened. I just focused on saving as much energy as possible, but that hill did hurt rather alot! Eventually we made it to the last time up the hill (finish at the top), & with 4 other juniors in the group and the 2nd and 3rd places still up for grabs i had to get on with it! The pace kept picking up and i just dug in and came round quite a few people in the last 100m or so to get 3rd Junior and 11th overall. And i'm not quite sure where all the energy came from but it helped!

I was dead happy with this result and didn't really expect it, so a pretty good weekend!

National 25 & a very eventful RR !

2010-06-07T11:24:00.000-07:00

Saturday, National 25 TT, 2nd Junior Girl

Probably the hottest day of year.. again, and my start time was 12.24pm, so the hottest time of the day aswell and i was even in my new long sleeved skin suit. I was pretty sure i was going to absolutely boil by the time i even reached the start line!

The warm up had gone pretty well, so i was feeling good and positive for the entire 25 miles ahead of me. The course looked okay too, big long roads and not half as much traffic as the national 10. However, the first 5 miles was a killer, and i'm not even sure why. I passed the girl infront of me after about 3 miles or so, and then was passed by Barnes at around 10 or so miles, pretty gutted at that point, but i had to keep going. And so much for a tailwind, i don't think we had one at all and it wasn't as flat as it seemed in the car.. ahhhh i didn't really enjoy it to be honest! I did the best that i could though, and didn't have much more to give at the end, so i couldn't have asked for much more today. Hopefully i'll have a better 25 later in the season :)

Sunday, Team Series RR, Melbourne

So today the weather wasn't looking too good! Major thunderstorms last night which ended up keeping me awake for ages and then torrential rain on the way to the race. But luckily it'd dried up by the time we got there, (only an hour away for a change!) and i was looking forward to the hilly course (sort of) and hoping my legs were feeling better than yesterday. And the race was already looking interesting with a crash in the car park!

Anyway the race got underway after being briefed about how dangerous the course was looking today due to rain, soooo much gravel and rubbish on the roads! I loved the course, good hills and a proper scary descent, which everyone panicked about on the first lap and we all had some dodgy breaking going on, but no crashes so all good. But I think the bunch split pretty quickly, cutting down to about 30 riders, then about 20 after the next lap. Then i punctured! However it was over the finish line, so it was sorted pretty quickly and i was towed back onto the front bunch after some major downhill efforts, but i was back.

There was a few small attacks going on, but not much, just efforts over the tops of the hills which was pretty painful but we remained as a group. Then my chain got jammed between my frame and inner chainring, so i got off and was saved by the service car, that being the Rapha team. They got me going and i was towed back on, but had to do most of the effort back myself because of all the cars! but i got back.. again and just chilled at the back for a bit. Anyway, it really wasn't my day and the same thing happened again, so the Rapha guys sorted it again and for the 3rd time towed me back. But this time it took some major effort getting back on because the bunch was moving a lot faster, but i got it back and had to chill and recover for a bit before the hills kicked in again! So i was pretty tired by this point and a little pissed off too.

The last lap was tough, the finish was up a hill then up a 1km drag to the line. My legs didn't have much left, but the Rapha guys were proper shouting at me and i had a sudden rush of energy/determination. After getting up the hill last i passed about 5 people before the line to finish 15th, and i had to be happy with that.

To be honest the whole race was a bit of a blur with everything going on, but i didn't want to lose contact with the front group and made sure of that. It's weird how i did really enjoy it, but did really wanted it to be over with as soon as possible!

Anyway i've got exams for the rest of the week before national champs at the weekend, so i better get back to some revision really... :(

Barton marina triathlon qualifier for irc's (:

2010-06-06T09:35:00.000-07:00

Got to Barton marina today and the sun was out WOOHOO :D Entered the water at 9.00 (750m swim) don't know why but i was sick at the start line :S however felt better after being sick (sorry for the detail). Had a good swim and good transition to bike. Got out of transition and this man held me up because he couldn't get his shoes on, wasn't happy! Bike felt OK, had a better bike this week than last week, not so much headwind. Back into transition, got trainers on pretty quick into a 5k run, by this time it was quite muggy and found the run harder this week. Overall was happy with how the race went and qualified for the inter regional championships in Bryn Bach (south wales) in September :)). I'm now looking forward to the Liverpool tri at the end of June. See you then ((:

Matt Fostun "Lincoln is flat, the divs will be well flat", How wrong is it possible to be?

2010-06-03T09:42:00.000-07:00

East Mids Divs

Well from the title you can clearly see that I was in for a shock. Expecting it to be flat, I was really looking forward to it. But driving round the course with Mick before, what a mistake we had made! It was probably one of the hardest courses I've ridden on.

I got a bit carried away at the start because I felt quite good, so on the first lap we were going down this hill and I thought "I can go down hill faster than this", so went steaming off the front and round a nice tight corner, then as I headed up the hill, was joined by Dave Clark (who went on to win it, with a massive lead over everyone else, *coughmotorinhisbikecough*). I then sat in for most of the race, due to it being real hard and on every downhill was spinning out, but quite shocked myself with my climbing, managing to roll off the front with Clarkie a few times up the finishing climb, where you needed you ice axe to get up, it was pretty steep!

I then started to suffer with the heat and climbs and had to sit in, trying to save as much as possible, missing out on the last two chase moves. I attempted to go across to the second chase group and made good head way, until I hit the head wind and full on found reverse! So then sat in and saved everything for the last time up the climb and the finish. I rolled nicely on the wheels and was second wheel as we hit the steep part of the climb with 500m to go, so put in a massive attack and gassed it up, pulling my mate, Tom Lowe, away, he came round me at the top, I was really suffering and didn't think I was going to be able to come round him. Until I heard him give out a squeak as he started to park up! So jumped him and finished 17th and first junior (even though I think there was only one other). Fairly happy with that considering the course, heat and the massive spinning out. Cannot wait for next years now!

Thursday Mallory 27th May

Well, my legs felt pretty rubbish to say the least! There were less of the local elites and 1st in the race, due to the Tour Series being on. Which made it a pretty open race and therefore FAST! I did a few attacks early on, but all they did was waste some effort and almost send me out the back! So I sat in for pretty much the rest of the race, knowing that I didn't have the legs to attack, and just saved everything for the sprint. A break of 5 got up the road, but it never really looked liked it was staying away, due to the wind and how early it went. So sat in, rolled threw a few times to help bring it back, got in little chase group with James Cambridge, which was far too hard! Matt was looking pretty strong and with 5 to go jumped across to the break! What a beast! And then got straight to smashing it on the front! Giving me even more of an excuse to sit in, muhahaha. But the break split and Matt came back with 2 to go. There was only 3 left up the road now, with about 10 secs, I was positioning myself now for the sprint and with half a lap to go, Matt saw that I was 4th wheel, so he got on the front and drove it, trying to catch the rest of the break. As we hit the hill I just gave it everything and caught everyone in the break, winning the bunch sprint and finishing 2nd :D Only about a bike length of the winner! So really happy with that ride. Nice £20 in the bank as well.

Not much racing for June, due to my A-levels, So may not be posting for a while, because of revision. Speaking of which, I best get down to some more!

Scotland!

2010-06-01T08:59:00.000-07:00

Straight after my Maths and Physics exams (so awful!) on Thursday me and mum had to trek all the way up to Dumfries, Scotland for a weekend of racing. My first race was on the Friday night, a town centre crit in Dumfries, and the circuit was dead good, pretty short but had a good uphill drag of cobbles through the finish area!

I knew it was going to be a fast race, with it being only 30mins and 2 laps so i was well warmed up and did a few laps round the circuit before lining up for the start. But OH WAIT, they suddenly decided they'd gear check all the juniors and whilst this happened move the rest of the bunch to the start line, so we'd end up at the back. It was already past start time and then they gridded us aswell, taking about another 10minutes and we were all pretty fed up!

Anyway, the race got underway and i got a good start and just rolled around the top 5 or so for the first 10laps. There were quite a few attacks in this time because just as soon as the pace dropped another went, but they were all shortlived and just kept the pace high. After 10 mins the first prime came & i rolled over in 6th or so, and then attacked on the following lap. I kicked just after the finish line going up the cobbles and just kept the pace on as much as i could not looking back. However the next time i looked back, no one was there, at all! I was pretty confused because i didn't expect to be able to get away from that group especially with the pace of the first few laps. I managed to stay away through the second prime and up until 4 laps to go, where there was an attack from the group and they got me back. I ended up in 7th in the end, but it's my best result yet in the National series, so i was happy with it :) and i got some funny scottish money for it too!

My next race wasn't until Sunday morning, so on Saturday i went out and rode the course, which wasn't exactly flat! and got back just before rained.. ALOT. I then spent the rest of the day revising, definitely not fun and then the highlight of my day was probably watching BGT.. hm OH I NEED TO GET OUT MORE.

Sunday morning = sun and no more rain, perfect! Today we were starting the race at the same place as the Premier Calender, so it was pretty busy! Loads of photographers and random people with camera's filming us on our rollers, crazy. Anyway, apparently our race had been lengthened my 10miles, which at the time i wasn't too bothered about..

The first lap was club run pace, with a few attacks but nothing major. Then coming through the roundabout onto the second lap a car pulled straight out in front of the bunch, just as an attack was getting underway. This resulted in the bunch splitting, we tried to chase it back, but it was just before the long drag that i happened. In the end there was a bunch of 5 of us, working through and off, which was a little unfair down the hills with me and Hannah Walker on junior gears having to make a major effort to come through! But this was honestly the toughest race i have ever ever done, i have never felt so much pain! Plently of hills, and a constant headwind on the 18 mile circuit.

Coming into the finish though, i actually managed a half decent sprint for a change, Hannah just getting me on the line, but we were both pretty determined to leave the scottish women behind due to the lack of work being done in the last few miles!
...I was now about dead and ready for ALOT of food, but no more sugar.. i'd been surviving on jelly babies and SIS for the last 2.5 hours, ew.

Sun, Sweat and Slopes

2010-05-27T05:21:00.000-07:00

East Midlands Regional Road Race Championships

On what was the hottest day of the year so far, and at this rate the hottest day of 2010 ;) haha We set off in the team van on our way to the Div Champs, that just happened to be right on the possible edge of our region, up near Grimsby!!!!!

However still classed as Lincolnshire, I expected a flat or at the very most a slightly rolling course. Well how wrong could i be.................................. VERY!

With a course that consisted of either up or down and no flat sections, it was a little bit of a shock as we drove round before the race, on top of this a savage finishing climb, and a very good field of riders, it was gonna be a tough day out.

My basic race plan was to try and sneak off in a move reasonably early, and try and catch out some of the favourites, and just see what happened from there. I had a few goes to get up the road early but to no avail. I sat up and waited until a little bit later.

At this point Dave Clake and Rob Sharman managed to attack and get a little group up the road. With the two biggest names up the road, i was kicking myself for missing that!!

During the middle point of the race it was a case of trying and following moves to try and get a good chase group organised. But with lots of stong riders in the bunch, it was quite difficult to get out. But not from lack of trying!!!!

After missing a chase group, finally, get away I knew that it would be race over if i could get across to them.

Eventually I managed to get out of the bunch, and had a small group with me, Being the strongest in the group, I rode them off my wheel up the finishing climb and set off in pursuit of the chasers with one other rider. With less than 5km to go and the chase group at less than 15secs, I was joined by few more riders, which stopped our chase as noboody was commited with so little of the race left.

So up the climb to the finish, I still felt strong and went hard up the steep ramp, and manged to get rid of most of the group, cresting the top it was straight into the big ring for the sprint. And i just got rolled on the line, But was really happy to find out that I had finised 9th.

A great race, on a hard course,

Big thanks to Mick for taking us up again and feeding us with a lot of bottles :) :)

And a fantastic ride by Paul, in his longest race ever, for being spot on with positioning for the feed, and awesome team work!! :)

Right better get some kit ready for mallory, later tonight.

Adios

National 10 TT and tan lines!

2010-05-23T11:22:00.000-07:00

So i didn't start the day very well, as my alarm failed to go off at 5.45am and so Dad walked in at 6.15, telling me i had 10 minutes to get out the house! So i was pretty much buzzing by the time i was in the car, listening to Radio 1's big weekend & seeing the sun for a change; the day was definitely looking good.

We arrived with enough time to drive and ride the course, which was looking quite fast. Long stretches of the A46, then a bit of an uphill drag, then a downhill blast for the finish.
(Picture from the local 10TT)

I was pretty banging by the time i rolled down to the start and basically just gave it all i had! The course wasn't as flat as i thought either, and we seemed to have a headwind most of the way, but the last section was the best, although i could have done with a few more gears bouncing around on my junior ones.

Oh it was sunny! I was majorly hot by the end of all this & hoping i'd got some sort of tan line for my effort. I rolled back to HQ to find my time was missing, but eventually about 20 minutes later it appeared, 23:24. Pretty happy with it really, and puts me 3rd out of the Junior Women, so a good day in the end, maybe i should wake up later more often...

Hillingdon Grand Prix - Crash anyone?!

2010-05-17T13:14:00.000-07:00

The line up looked pretty good for the race, quite a few big names & some triathletes, so i was definitely up for it! However, after only 2 laps there was a lovely crash that happened right infront of me & i narrowly avoided someones head! But it was inevitable with 65 women on that circuit.. & i don't know how the crash really happened seen as it was on an uphill slope & we weren't exactly going mega fast, but the crash managed to neutralize & then stop the race. Then 5 laps later another stop for the ambulance! Great for the legs!

Eventually the race got under way, but we were only given 17 laps to go, not too pleased & with what seemed to be primes every 2 laps, crazy! But it was fast & the attacks came one after another being drawn back each time (just like a youth race!). I sat around the top 10 where it was pretty strung out at times, but i was mostly staying waaaay out of trouble after earlier! With two to go i attacked into the headwind & round the corners, getting a bit of a headway, until i was joined by Jodie Stimpson coming to drag me backwards to the bunch again! :(

Then time for the bunch sprint (something i could do with working on!), wasn't well posistioned in the last corner, but passed quite a few in the sprint coming 20th, which was okay, not great!

First win and first leg breaker of the year.

2010-05-17T09:05:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

Sorry for the big delay with the old update. Get ready for an essay then on whats been happening!

9th May Langdale Lightweights Racing Team got their first win of the year at a 2/3/4 Darley Moor. But I guess you already know that my brother beat me to it again and got it posted up not long ago! So here is my view of the events:

It was a hard race from the start, where on the first lap Matt and I lined it out and caused a little split in the race. Only for my legs to be shouting up at me "you stupid idiot, calm down, this is a bit too painful!", which I decided to do. For the rest of the race, Matt and I were looking out for each other and pretty much one-twoing the bunch all race, until eventually, with 5 to go I clipped off in a little move with 3 others. After attacking when I head some carnage behind as someone skittled off in the hairpin. (You gotta take your opportunities when they come!!). Matt played the perfect team mate and messed up the chase from the bunch, allowing me to give it everything in the finish and win. After brilliant and committed work by each and everyone in the break. I think Mick was more happy than me!

But during last week I managed to get a bit ill coming into the National Road Race Championships which wasn't the best thing.

But headed into it quietly confident after a nice win the week before. It was drizzly and overcast and my legs felt pretty heavy from the start, but just got on with it. I sat in for the first hour or so, trying to get my legs warmed up and after they did. did a bit of attacking to try and get across to the lead group, but most moves were being towed back, *coughtommosescough*, due to Glendene already having one guy in the front group. So waited and wanted to get away before the last climb, because to put it bluntly the s*** was going to hit the fan up there and I wanted to be away from that. So ended up hitting the bunch on the main road and took away my good mate from the Talent Team days Jack Penrice, we cut down the gap from the leaders from 1.30min to 45secs pretty quickly, but the strong headwind started to take its toll and the gap just stayed at 45secs and the bunch was over a minute behind, so we were stuck in no mans land! Eventually we were joined by 5 others and we worked well together, until the effort from earlier started to take its toll and I started crack. We then hit the last climb of the day and we had shut down the lead group by a huge margin, because as we hit the steep part, they were just going over the top, so I made it within 20secs of the lead group and then my legs cramped from the huge effort as the favourites from the bunch made their moves. I managed to make it into the second group on the road and eventually finished 28th. Which I'll take, considering the illness this week. I felt like I road an almost perfect race, but on the day just didn't have the legs to match what my head was telling me to do. Oh well, bring on the next Buckley's! But congratulations to Dan McLay, storming victory, what a legend! That's 2 East Mids riders as National Road Race Champions for the past 2 years! Not bad going.

Divs this week, and then a bit of a break during into my A-level exams, oh the joy. Didn't manage to find any photos from Belgium, but there are a few from the Nationals I'll get uploaded.

Cheers.

Hard Racing!

2010-05-16T04:30:00.000-07:00

Thursday night is Mallory Night.

Mallory park is like no other evening race, the atmosphere and the style of racing is fantastic.

Well what can i say about this race ...... Fast!! at an average speed of about 30mph, it was difficult to really get attacking. as the race was basically one long line all the way round. with sore legs from the previous two days training, I was just happy to sit in with my feet up, and use it just as a fast training session. A well deserved win by Dan Mclay after a massive solo effort. I thought I would try my hand at a long one, but got swamped by the sprint and rolled in with the bunch. Oh well, i will try again new week :)

BUCS Road Race Champs

I was really looking forward to this race, over a tough course that went up and over Harby Hill 6 times. An early moved got away in the first few kms, but with nearly allthe big names still in the bunch, no one really worried.

Then the first time gap a little later "lead group at 2.30"

'right better get my head down and go across'

I found myself in a small chase group for a lap halfway across the now 3min gap with a big group coming across, with a some good riders in. We all came together at the mid race point, and started eating into the lead groups gap. But the size of the group meant that alot of riders werent prepared to do any work, and with the 4 ascent up Harby hill in the back of the weaker riders minds the group never really got organised.

On the hill and over the top, this group was torn to pieces by strong riding by Steve Adams and Scott Thwaites. I found myself in the 3rd group, do to poor positioning at the top of the climb. and started loosing ground.

After working with 2 riders for half a lap, I thought I would risk it and go better alone, so cleared off from them and started catching riders being spat from the front groups. I had no idea what sort of positon I was riding for. Just enjoying the feeling of speeding in the sun, passing half decent riders :)

Coming up to Harby hill for the last time, I caught Steve Adams whos bike had basically crumbled under his power!! lol

With no gears and a broken frame, I sat up and rode tempo with him too the finish, with the front group insight up the hill, but just too far to actually catch them.

I think, provisionally I was about 16th. so not too bad given how hard the race was. But I was looking to get a top ten. Still I enjoyed every minute off it.

Roll on next Sunday for the Div Champs.

Catch you later

Last Weekend (Who's Who??)!!

2010-05-16T03:58:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

I have been meaning to update the blog, but have just been mega busy, so now i have to write a huge 4 race report, so rather than a huge essay I will split it up starting with last weekend.

BUCS Crit Champs

Starting with the Bucs Crit Champs last Saturday, in the pouring rain around a technical circuit at the Loughborough Uni Campus. Despite the poor weather, I was highly motivated to be back racing with my mates :)

After a few warm up laps, I started to get a good feel for the circuit and was pumped up for a good result.

After a couple of laps I managed to get in a move and found my self in the break, then after trying to split the break up a little, i got a massive stitch and struggled to keep up with the leaders. but still managed to hold off the bunch for a well deserved 5th. A little disappointed but still fairly happy! As my best mate, Steve Adams, managed to win.

After the race We (Steve Adams, his G.F Kelly and my G.F Jen) all went to Pizza Hut to top up the Carbs :) and to repay them for standing in the rain for the last hour!! ha

Sunday: Darley Moor

What an excellent day out!! Racing not as just team mates, but brothers too :) with the a massive fan club supporting us too. It was only fair to get a good result. Even if it was difficult to tell us apart, as we are apparently identical on the bikes.

After a fast, aggresive race with, both Paul and I, looking out for each other, Paul managed to clip off in a move in the closing stages. I had the confidence that he could win from that position, so did my best fill the road and stop the bunch chasing.

It worked!!!!

And Paul crossed the line arms in the air, at this point, I had to stop sprinting and celebrate too, and still finished 8th.

A great weekend for us both and for team manger Mick Green, seeing his team excelling on the road.

15/05/2010 - top barn

2010-05-15T11:11:00.000-07:00

Been training at top barn in worcester today. Went for a dip in the lake, very cold. Then went off for a group bike ride with the west mid tri academy, did about 30miles with lots of hills. Then got back and got straight off the bike onto a two lap run around the lake. Felt quite tired after that but went for another dip in the lake much warmer this afternoon, woohoo :) Back home now, feet up with a bit of gcse revision ready to watch britains got talent :D

2 days of mental racing.. Bedford Team Series

2010-05-09T12:38:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,
Okay, so this was from last week, but i totally forgot to post it after writing it! (03/05)

Just had lovely day off after doing a team TT, individual TT and two 85km races with Sarah Storey dominating them all. I’m pretty shattered with it being some of the toughest racing I’ve done so far, but pleased with coming 4th Junior and 20th overall.

Sunday
Our team, ‘Wannabies’ (long story behind the name!) had an alright start to the TTT, until we hit the slight uphill drag, which resulted in plenty of shouting and ended up with only 3 out of 6 of us working together. And it wasn’t a nice day either; we had a strong headwind & rain for most of it, but we came in 6th, with my legs not feeling great after all those turns on the front!

I was in 30th now on GC and definitely wanted to be moving upwards! I tried to hold position in the 90 strong bunch in the next stage (80km RR), and ended up in the front group of about 25. But the wind was terrible, meaning the bunch was echeloned across the road, strung out & I wasn't too well positioned. Next minute though, I was off the back, not happy (you will not believe!) and having to time trial it for the next 14km to the finish, making sure I kept the time gap as small as possible & eating lots of jelly babies on the way :)

Monday
Time trial time again! After the poor end to yesterday, I was definitely up for it. 2 laps round the bowl at Millbrook car testing circuit coming in 15th and pretty happy with that.

Now the 85km race round Millbrook, with a couple of big climbs… sure to split the entire bunch up. After 4 laps of carnage, the bunch was split, about 25 of us remained, but up the next climb we split again, and I was in a bunch of 6 riders. We worked together for the remaining 6 laps and sprinted out the finish. Such a good circuit to race on though, & no cars, which was lovely! :)

Beaten to it

2010-05-04T08:12:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

Looks like I've been beaten to the first post for the Langdale Lightweights Racing Team by my brother!!

Well its been a bit of a mental start to the season, with some really bad luck. After a good winter, I came into the season feeling strong, but not doing much in the first races. Then in the beginning of April, had a huge crash, after my front wheel got wedged in a pothole, which caused some time off the bike.

But got back going again, and have been in Belgium for the last 2 weekends. Which has been really good fun, but unbelievably hard! I've raced 4 races over there now, with a 20th on my first race, a DNF on my second, after someone decided it would be a good idea to take my spokes out! Then last weekend, got a 21st on the Saturday and a 13th on the Sunday. So form is coming on nicely, and just in time, with the National RR Champs only 2 weeks away.

Keep you posted on results and hopefully I'll get some photos from Belgium to put up!!

Cheers
Paul

Post: Numero Uno

2010-05-03T06:58:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

This is the first post for the Langdale Lightweights Racing Team. Not really sure what i should be writing about!!

After a delayed start to this season, due to a poor winter with the weather (too much snow!!) and settling into uni life up here in Preston. And exploring the fantastic countryside around here. Its bloody hilly!!

I have started racing with a 5th, 12th and a 6th, so rather pleased :)

In the next few weeks I have the Bucs (inter-university) Crit Champs, at Loughborough. The Bucs Road Race, in Nottinghamshire. Then at the end of May the Div Champs in Lincolnshire.

Despite the late start, my form is steadily improving and the races are coming thick and fast.

Ciao