Coventry CC hill climbs

Sunday was the Coventry CC hill climbs and my last race of the year. The first climb was Burton Dassett the same climb used for the Banbury star hill climb but this course is a bit longer because it takes in the flat bit at the top. I started and felt good and got quite far up the hill still feeling good and knew this was a good time to make it hurt a bit more. As I hit the steep part I was out of the saddle pushing hard and feeling good doing so. As I got over the steep part It was quite flat so I jumped right down the gears and sprinted hard! I think I did a time of 1:47 but not sure. It was then a quick spin to get the legs recovered and to the car.

I got my jacket on quick put the bike away and off to the next climb. At the top of the next climb I had some jaffa cakes and a can of coke and was ready for the next climb.

I had a good warm up and felt good still. Edge hill was next but this course was longer than last weeks because it started further back. Because there was a longer drag at the bottom I started in the big ring and changed down just before the hill kicked up. This week I went a bit harder at the bottom and because of that I had a lower heart rate over the top. As I was going up I was again in the 39x25 like last week but could keep it turning and as I was getting closer to the top I was catching someone and I was pushing hard and felt like I was dieing on the pedals but as it got flat I was so close to the person I was catching and was going to pass him but then he sprinted and eased off and just on the line I got him. I crossed the line in I think 3:45 but not sure, and needed a long recovery ride after.






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Leamington C&AC hill climb

Today I got up as normal to go out on the club run and got 54 miles in the legs and then I got home and started getting ready for today's hill climb. The climb was Edge hill a climb not too far away but I drove there. I signed on and warmed up and was getting ready for the pain about to come. Soon after starting I felt good but knew it was best not to go to hard at this point, as I climbed it hurt more and more. half way up the hill was loads of MTBers (mostly pushing there bikes up) as I went round them I felt a little happy knowing that it could be harder. As I got up to one of the MTBers I went round him and I looked down and saw he was trying to get on my wheel but could not stay with me. One more left to get and once round him I found it started to hurt more and more and getting near the top I looked down at my garmin to see my heart rate about 193 BPM and once over the top I dropped it down a few gears and sprinted for the line and did a 3:23 and I think about 5 th place. Not a bad effort after a longish ride in the morning.

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Warwickshire RC 2 stage hill climbs

Photo by Mick Stallard

Today was 2 hill climbs by the Warwickshire Road Club. First was Saintbury hill and after warming pretty well and rolling up and down the road before I had to start, I felt good. On the start line I was ready to go and soon I was off and sat in the saddle trying to power my way up the hill. As I was on the steep part I could see my minute man and I managed to turn the 39x25 over by standing up and powering my way to him and as I got around him the hill started to ease off a bit and I could change up a gear. But then I hit the next steep bit and I was again down to bottom gear but once over that I could see the finish line and I went up a gear or two to dig deep and get to the line, I crossed the line in a time of 7:27. something and was winning for a few mins until lots of people went a bit faster.





After getting back to the HQ and seeing what time I had done and laying down in the boot of the car, it was time to try and get warmed up again ready for the next climb. While warming up I suddenly realised I had not eaten anything since breakfast but then as I got near to the start I forgot about that. On the start line for a second time today I felt good and knew this hill is shorter than the last. I was soon off and once again I was climbing in the saddle with getting out of the saddle to try and use some different muscles and then I managed to get up to my minute man again and go past. But as I climbed I had a song by the Bloodhound gang stuck in my head that I think may have helped me to get up there but as I got near to the top and could hear people cheering I felt I was pushing as hard as I could and once over the line I did 5:02.6 and was very close to being sick at the top of the hill but luckily I was not! I found out I managed to get 4th junior with some prize money, so it was a good day racing.


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results are here

Banbury Star open 25

Today was the Banbury star 25 mile time trial, and it was a bit cold to start with and when warming up I was still cold. At the start I had a good down hill bit to get up to speed and then a left had turn up a hill soon got me feeling a bit warm and I soon started feeling good and getting comfortable. Before turning left onto the dual carriageway I caught a rider and continued feeling good. Getting to the first roundabout I saw Jon Simpkins Stood on the side of the road who was off 2 mins in front of me, must have been unlucky and had a puncture. As I got to the next roundabout the next rider was in sight and as the road sloped upwards I managed to get closer and closer to him until I went past him. It was then another left and the road went upwards not too hard but I was starting to suffer and going up to a roundabout a lorry overtook me and slowed me down going around the roundabout. Then as I passed the start for my second lap I was feeling good and on the second lap not much happened until the last road towards the finish where I passed another rider and after passing the start again I had a good down hill bit again but as I was getting closer to another rider and a van was behind him and I could not get round the van but he turned off right and I sprinted as hard as I could for the line and did a 59:43 not my fastest but not too bad for the day.

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Stratford CC hill climb

Tonight I did the Stratford CC hill climb up Saintbury hill. I had a good warm up and was ready to go. I started and felt good, and tried not to go too fast at the bottom like I did last year on loads of hill climbs. I was climbing and feeling good it was steep so I was in bottom gear (39x25) just turning the pedals and was starting to hurt a lot and once I got to the flat bit kept the pedals turning trying to go fast but to get a short rest before it kicked up again. Once the finish line was insight I started sprinting and got to it but once I started slowing down I felt bad. I stopped on the side of the road and felt dizzy it stopped so I turned round but had to stop on the other side and was very close to being sick but I got back on my bike and felt ok and I found out I did a 7:44 a new PB for that hill and I'm very happy with the time.

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BMCC 2up 10 miles TT

I've only just noticed I forgot to do a blog post about this time trial so here it is. However to start with I would like to start with Monday, and I had planed to go out for a 40 to 50 mile solo ride but after turning on the computer I got distracted. Later that day I went out mounting biking with some mates and found out why I hate it. I crashed going down a steep hill but short hill and now have cuts over my scars from my last crash. A helmet would not have helped because I went shoulder first into the ground and rolled a few time to the bottom and am still finding new cuts and bruises. Tuesday I was planing to go out but was feeling a bit sore from the crash and then Justin messaged me asking if I wanted to do the Bicester Millennium CC 2up and I said yeah!

Me and Justin were ready to start he was held upright and I had to stand behind him, but as we went I got clipped in quickly and we where off. and the first two laps went well with Justin going on the front for the fast bit with a strong tail wind and me taking up the harder bit into the headwind. After two laps a 2up pair caught us and going into the headwind I could see them and felt good I could have pulled them back slowly but I heard Justin shout and I looked round to see him suffering so eased off, I decided to do all the work on the front from there to try and get us the fastest time we could Justin managed to keep on my wheel well and we did a time of 24 something. It was a windy hard night so I think together we did well and being on my no UCI legal setup felt a lot better.

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British Time Trial Championships

Today was the British time trial Championships and I have been excited about this since entering. When leaving home it was raining but at we got closer and closer to the the course it got better and better! At the headquarters we had to get a bike check by putting the bike in a jig to check everything was within UCI rules. My bike past, but the man checking it did measure my saddle and then said it was all OK, after that it was a gear check to make sure top gear was within 7.93 meters for one pedal turn then off to sign on. As I got on the turbo to warm up I did a few mins and then it started raining only lightly to start with and then after warming up really well I went to the start and felt OK and it rained a bit harder. I started the time trial and felt good and soon got to the first left hand turn and found out that it was into a headwind in parts without trees. After getting to the end and turning left I had a hard cross wind and felt like I was fighting it with my tri spoke getting push constantly into the side of the road. But after turning left it was a good tail wind and into top gear for some of it and then turning left and a junction in a village and down another small road with a few hills to get over. I the turned left yet again to pick the head wind part but this time it was a bit left time into a head wind but still raining and getting harder. I found if I pushed back on the saddle and sat up a bit more I could get a bit more speed and by doing this helped in the cross wind part and I was so glad to get to the last road to head to the finish, this was longer than any other road on the course but with a good tail wind all the way ...and a few rolling hills ...and rain. As I hit the big hill I sat up to get over it and kept it in the big ring and by this point I was wet every where from the rain that just got harder and harder since I started. At the top of the hill there was a house with an exercise bike for sale in the garden, maybe hoping a cyclist would buy it for training ...it made me laugh. After more rain and a hill or two I was caught by a rider who was off after me I got to the turn off for the finish and just sprinted as hard as I could. Once finishing I had to have another gear check and then I got to ride back to the car (still in the rain). My time was 49:58 for 20.9 miles and I think about 14th in the juniors so a good day racing even if it was raining. Henry Latimer also from Zappi did a quick time of 48:57. Alex Dowsett won the men's event and Wendy Houvenaghel won the women's.




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Results are here

Bicester Millenium CC 10 mile time trial

With the British Time trial championships on Sunday I've had to change my position on the TT bike to get within the rules, and change my saddle to get it 5cm behind to bottom bracket and I can't use my disk because the cassette I have to use (for restricted top gear) will not fit on my disk's free hub. So without further moaning I would like to write about last nights time trial at Weston on the Green RAF thingy place. After warming up on the bike I was still cold and my plan was to finish and get to the car as quick as possible. After starting off I was not too cold by the first bend and once around it I was on a slightly faster and in top gear (53x16) spinning faster than I would like because on faster bits I like a bigger gear a slower cadence unlike on slower bit where I like a lower gear and higher cadence after about a lap I still had to do 3 more. All the laps seemed the same but after much moving on the saddle trying to get in a right place I found myself on the last lap and with no one around I wondered if I had done to many laps but looking at my garmin if I had done too many laps I would have done an 18 min 10 so it must have been right. I was getting closer and closer to the end and I got out of the saddle to sprint but not sure where the line was so kept sprinting and sat down, I soon got to the car and got my warm jacket on. I liked the time trial, being off the roads made me feel like a pro like Blenheim Palace time trial did. As of now I do not know what time I did or anyone else, but I think by the garmin about 24 mins.

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Corley Cycles MKCA summer series race 19

Last night was the last race in the Corley Cycles series and it was also my Birthday, last night I was using my new mavic shoes and socks for the first time and they where great! The race was round both car park right from the start and the 3/4 race had loads of people in it but soon after starting I thought I was not too far from the front and looked round and found out I was at the back because we had dropped so many people in the first few laps. as the race went on the pace stay high and there was not many points where the race slowed right down and the elites only laps us once. As we got closer and closer to the last few laps I found myself holding a good position near the front and with one lap to go I was about 5th in line and as we hit the bottom of the hill the sprint was on, I managed to sprint for 3rd and then found out someone was on a breakaway so ended up with 4th place. Not too bad and my last 3/4 race, and today my 2nd cat race licence came so this will be my my last 3/4 race for a while.

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Last night was the Banbury star hill climb and from what I remebered from last year it was painful and hurt a lot! Last year it rained and last night after I got there and got my bike out of the car I didn't have to wait long before there was rain and I was warming up in it, however it soon stopped and I was ready to suffer up the hill. As I was on the start line I pressed start on my garmin and was pushed off as I sprinted I felt good and got most the way up the hill and could not feel a thing and then on the last steep bit it hit me and it hit hard. I changed up a gear and got out of the saddle and tried to just keep the bike moving and I got over the top and still had to do another 10 meters or so to get to the finish line! I got over it and managed to keep the legs turning (my plan being not to be sick at the top) I then stopped on the side of the road and regain composure, I then found out I had done a 1:23 a new PB and junior course record.

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Photos here
Results here

Blenheim Palace time trial

Today I did the Blenheim Palace time trial and this year it was dry. Only about 13 miles but with quite a lot of climbing from three small hills on each lap and each hill had to be done 3 times! As I was on the start line I knew I had warmed up well and as the time keeper said go I sprinted away and soon got on the aero bars and quickly got to the first bend, it went right and then left and I got round on the aero bars but then came up to another bend and unsure if I could stay on the aero bars round it I sat up and then some nice down hill before it went up the first hill. The first hill was not to bad it was small and I got over it on the aero bars and once over the top a quick down hill bit that would lead to the hardest climb on the course. The second hill was the longest climb it slowed me down alot but I managed to get over it in the big ring every time. The last hill is a small but bit steep one that you can power up and not lose too much speed. And then flat to the finish line and then only two laps left. I got to the bend I was unsure about and round on the aero bars. After getting round another lap I still felt good and on the last lap went harder down the hills than the last times and getting near the end Rob Yeatman pasted me but did not get too far ahead and once on a flat part I stated to past him and as I got level with him, he just went up the gears and went a bit faster and I could not. Once across the line I did a time of 30:39 (course PB) and got 3rd junior.

I then got to stand on the podium with Rob Yeatman who won it and Edward Clemens who was 2nd.



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Results are here

Corley Cycles MKCA summer series race 18

Last night was Milton Keynes Bowl and with the rain it was just the inside loop because it was wet and raining - the best way to race. The race, elites started a lap down and when they lapped us it was one race with two results. Tonight I had a plan to sit in and sprint, and soon after starting I had to tell myself to just sit back and take it easy. After about half an hour the elites were with us and it speeded up quite nicely I managed to keep myself out of trouble and as the laps started counting down I started to feel good. I remembered what I was told and I got near the front and got pushed back a bit but as I went past with one lap to go I was a little boxed in but got out and moved round the outside of the group with half a lap to go and got about 3rd or 4th wheel and as the front rideres started to sprint hard I also sprinted hard too and on the way up the hill I was winning the 3rd/4th cat race and as I got over the line rased my right arm in the air and shouted "YES!" only to see another green number rider (from my race) right by me look round and then I said "dam!". I thought I had won it but I only needed one point and I got that last point to move up to a 2nd cat so it was a good night on the bike.

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Banbury Star 2 up 13

Last night was the 2 up and my partner was Justin Belcher because he's a strong rider and after winning the last two 2 ups we were looking to add to that record. There was a small cock up at the start but soon after that I got us up to speed and soon had an average speed of 25 mph and after a few miles on the front I let Justin do some work to till the next hill and I took over again. We worked well together and because of that we felt like all the time was fast. Once we got to the last road I had a feeling it was going to be a head wind home. It was but as we hit the fast bit Justin got the speed high and soon we were going 34 mph on the flat and the average speed was going up, slowly but still up! As we got to the last down hill bit I pulled over for Justin to fly down the hill and he did as we hit the up hill we got to the first bend and I got on the front again to pace us home and once over the hill I put it in a big gear and pushed hard and we crossed the line in 28:36 a very fast time and we were winning for about a minute until some faster guys came in. Average speed was 26.5 and the time was much faster than what we could do on our own so it was a good night.

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results are here

Ludgershall Summer Series 12

To start with, I would like to say I punctured my front tyre at Milton Keynes bowl on Thursday. And yesterday morning I got my points for the "No Frills" races I did a few weeks ago and am now only one point away from being a 2nd cat. Last night I raced at Ludgershall well when I say raced it was more like just rode round. It started raining as we were on our way to the race and by the time it started it was very wet and still raining, my mum went to the finish line with spare wheels because in every crit I've ever done wheel changing area is by the finish line and at no point did anyone tell us any different. On the start line they said you were aloud a lap out with up to five laps to go, and soon after that we where off. After about 10 mins I got a puncture on the back wheel and managed to get round the track to my mum get a spare wheel jump back in next lap. A lap or two later I was informed by my mother to "not bother" and the next time by I found out I was a lap down so after trying to breakaway no one would let me go and I gave up. I just gave up after that and and by the time it was the sprint and got round the final bend and went to sprint but then pondered what's the point so did not bother. I may have done crap thanks to them but Andy McKay the other Zappi rider got 3rd place.

I would assume there would have been less punctures riding over something like broken glass. I don't think I'll ever race there again, I'll stick to the friendly people at good old Milton Keynes bowl.

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Corley cycles summer series race 17

Last night I did Milton Keynes again trying to get the 3 last points I need. The race was half on the inside and half doing an extra bit as normal, after a few attacks I could not get away and no one else could stay away as well. We soon started going though the extra bit and because I was at the back trying to recover from attacking I was a bit far down and after going round the bends the group split and I managed to get up to the front group and riders got drop and back on and more got dropped and while I was feeling good an attack went and a few riders got away. The laps soon counted down and with one lap to go the bunch got a bit nervous and one rider in front of me tried to move up and got a little push and wobbled quite abit. As we went round the last corner the rider in front of me cut me up and then did lead me out but in the sprint I got boxed in and could not go any where so just had to cross the line in that place.

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Results are here

Banbury star 13

Last night I did the Banbury star 13 mile time trial and it was very windy out there and at no point was there a tail wind! After a good warm up I was ready to start and once I did I found myself getting into a good pace and soon caught my minute man (my dad). I felt like it was not that fast but into the headwind a slower parts like I was handling it better than I have done. After getting though all the slow parts the last road was downhill but with a cross wind so not super fast but not too bad. Up the last hill I could see some one ahead of me, I tried to get closer to him but could not do it and as I crossed the line I did a 29:37 not too far off my PB so another good night time trialing.

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results are here

Corley Cycles MKCA summer series race 16

Last night I raced at Milton Keynes bowl and still trying to pick up the last few points to get to 2nd cat. After finding out that we were just going to race on the inside because its been a bit wet we where ready to race, there was five Zappi's riding the 3/4 cat race and with every attack me, Chris Boote, Mike Betts, Andy McKay or Mick Murphy where out trying to get away. The racing was full of attacks and most came back one even had four zappi riders pushing the pace. After a while Mick got away with two other riders and would have stayed away if he had not punctured and shortly after that the two still on a breakaway sat up and then we where all back together. With about 3 laps to go someone attacked and got away and ended up winning it. As for the sprint four zappi riders in the top ten! Not bad,I got 9th and getting closer to my 2nd cat licence, but alas 2nd cat still eludes me...

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Results are here

Banbury star 10

Last night I did the Banbury Star 10 miles time trial on the course that everyone hates ...apart from me. This week there were temporary traffic lights on the course and we could still race if we did not jump the lights or pass waiting cars. After starting I felt good and was soon on the down hill bit and as the road flattened out my speed was still high, but as I got to the temporary traffic lights they were on red but luckily no cars where in front of me and with my plan of getting to the quickly and stopping late to get a little bit more rest time, then after what seemed a long wait they changed to green and me and the other rider Marcus who I was catching got going again. After that I was a bit annoyed about that but I then got back to TT pace and caught another rider and by the time I was at the roundabout to turn round I was catching another rider. On the return I passed him and as I was heading back felt like I was making good time. I got over the small lump in the road and could see the temporary traffic lights again and on red with cars waiting but then they changed! And just as I got about level with them the changed to orange but I got past and with one hill to get over was feeling good. I got up the hill but just as I went to change into the big ring again I dropped my chain much like last time I road this course but after removing the pin between the chainring and crank arm I managed to get the chain back on with out stopping. I then was on the fast bit towards the finish and with one rider left to pass I nearly was the first to finish but I posted the fastest time was winning for a while until Luke Souter came back 21 seconds faster than me. My time was 23:49 faster than I thought and I was only 23 seconds off my PB so not bad for that night.

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2 races, one day and painful legs

Today's blog post is a three in one!! Today we raced at Tudor Grange Park in Solihull and there was a 4th cat race a 3rd cat race and an elite/1st/2nd/3rd cat race. The 4th cat race (40 mins + 10 laps) saw three Banbury star riders doing there first race ever, Dave Anson, Roger Foster (my dad) and Tim Hiscocks. This is the first 4th cat race I've watched for a while but compared to the last one I saw this was a lot faster, and being there first the did a good performance unfortunately getting dropped but there was quite a few people who looked strong and could have been 3rd cats. The race did have a crash with a few laps to go and in the end Stratford CC rider Mike won and has now move up to 3rd cat.

The 3rd cat race saw me and Mike Betts from Zappi trying to pick up a few points, this is the first time I raced here in about 2 years and it was less hilly than I remembered and with the big sweeping bend it was lots of fun. After many people tried attacking including me, breakaways where not staying away so I was just going to try and get ready for the sprint and by the time it was the last lap I was ready and legs felt good. As we went round the last bend I was in the top gear 52X14 and sat in the saddle and sprinted as fast as I could. I managed to just pass Mike and I think I got about 9th place but not sure about that, another point to add to the collection.

The race 50 mins +10 laps
Time 01:02:57
distance 26.06
Avg speed 24.9
Max speed 34.1

After quickly stopping changing number and drinking a can of coke I soon found myself on the start line for the elite race. I was at the front and still only just recovering from a sprint in the last race. This race was just go, there was no neutral lap like the last race and the pace went up fast but even though the cornering was faster it was strung out in one line and it was not too bad, I loved it and I kept looking at the time and saying to myself if I can just stay here for 5 more minutes I'll be happy. I spent most the race trying to hold wheels and keep with the main group a breakaway did get away and lap us then another breakaway got away and I was trying to work out how many people were out in front but gave up. Once I got to ten laps to go I kept telling myself hold on for another lap and we got to the last lap and I was still there and I had to just keep myself there and I will have done well. I crossed the line about two or three bike lengths off the back and was not sure how I had done but needed a drink more because half way though the race I finished my water bottle. It turns out I got about 15th and if so that means another point. A lot better than I thought I could do and getting a bit closer to my 2nd cat licence.

The race 1 hour +10 laps
Time 01:11:17
distance 30.57
Avg speed 25.8
Max speed 33.0

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Corley Cycles MKCA summer series race 15

Tonight I raced at Milton Keynes as normal, and it was the normal 30 mins inside and 30 mins on the extra loop. After starting I felt ok and tried a few attacks and on one a squirrel ran across the track. We then got pulled back because no one was getting away. After trying to sit in and recover we then had to do the extra bit so I moved up to the front to get out of any crashes luckily there was none. After a few laps with the pace going up and down I tried to stay near the front and with the last few laps getting closer and closer I could not move up and I ended up a bunch sprint with a zappi rider Chris Boote winning we think. He did look strong during the race. I was sprinting for about 15th place, not what I hoped for but still not bad.

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Banbury star 13 incorporating the midlands women series

Today was the Banbury star 13 mile time trial again, however with this one being part of the women's Midlands series it was a bit like riding an open because there was a hall and how organized it was. I started and it took a few minutes to get into time trial pace but once I did I felt like it was a bit slow, although I could see my minute man (my dad) I then spent the next few miles trying to catch him and once I did ended going up the inside. After getting to the next road I felt good and was on target to PB but when going down the next road there was no tail wind so I did not make up as much time as I have done. Jon Simpkins also passed me on the last road and just went flying donw the road and by the time the road started bending a bit I never saw him again! After going down the last hill as fast as I could I then had to get up the last hill and I did and as I sprinted for the line in the saddle Luke Souter came past me just on the line to be one minute ahead of me. My time was 29:38 not my fastest but not too bad for what felt like a hard night.

As for the women series bit well that was won by Banbury stars rider Suzy Patience In a time of 31:44 to break the woman's record ...again and get a shiny medal.

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Result are here

corley cycles MKCA summer series race 14

Last night I raced at Milton keynes bowl again and this week was just on the inside because it was a bit wet and they did not have enough marshals. After starting we had quite a quick race and average 25.2 mph, soon there was attacks I even tried a few but no one was getting away. as we got closer to five laps to go I was feeling good for a sprint and with one lap to go I moved up and then started chasing a group that got away and once I got the I eased off and quite a few people came around me and so I had to sprint from quite far back again but still got 10th and that means another point. And after two bad rides in time trials within a few days of each other I was quite happy to have a good ride again.

Results are here


After last night good ride, I looked at the results today and now that they have posted this weeks and last weeks points from racing on at the bowl I got another two points and am now some how at the top of the central regional rankings with two other riders and we are all joint 1st.

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Banbury star 10

Last night I rode the Banbury star 10 and after Sunday I did a long warm up to make sure I was ready and after starting I felt good and I even made it to the turn in a good time (under 12 mins). I was feeling good and was going well all the way to the last hill then once I got to the top of it I then dropped my chain but not on the inside, as I changed to the big ring the chain went to far over and as I tried to move the front mech over to get it back on, the chain got jammed behind the pin that stops the chain going down between the crank and chain ring. After trying to get it on I had to stop and do it, after getting covered in oil I then had to ride back to the finish but did not push it like I normally would. My time was a 24:29 a lot slower than I would have liked and I do have a idea of how much time I lost but still annoyed about it. Shaun Mullins on his new machine, a Cannondale managed a time of 29:12 ...he asked for me to mention him...

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results are here

Midlands DC champs 10 mile TT

Yesterday I raced in the Midlands DC champs (10 miles on the K33/10D), I felt good but as soon as I started I found out I had not warmed up enough because as I hit the first hill my chest hurt a lot this with the wrong front wheel the blew me all over the road was turning out to be a bad day. Also when my heart rate got to TT effort it hurt more than normal and after completing a very painful time trial that my chest hurt and legs did not feel a thing I was disappointed. I tried not to feel to disappointed till I had seen the results but after seeing the results I was more disappointed with only doing a 23 minutes dead on a slow day and not reaching my goals. The event was well marshalled and I got a bronze medal for 3rd fastest 17 year old.

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Results are here

corley cycles MKCA summer series race 13

Last night I raced at Milton Keynes bowl and when warming up we found out that the route was different to before instead of going straight though the back we where sent left and around the edge to make it a bit different. Then after that we where sent left thought some gates and straight down to a right hand bend and picked up a route we have done before. We where told on the start line it was half inside and half outside as normal and as we started the pace was not too high bet a bit quick and it got faster and faster I saw the average speed up to 25.5 mph while we where on the inside. After about half an hour of racing they opened up the extra bit and on the first lap of riding it there was a crash, I saw someone riding down the out side and just heard him go down luckily I was not near it so I got away OK. However on the next bend I was following someone who got half way round the bend and then went straight and all I could do was go straight and try and stop before going into the hedge, while this was happening I think heard crash behind me. As I got going again the group split up quite a bit and so I had to get back on and the try and move up. After this there was no more crashes. Thus we get to 5 laps to go and I was still in the group feeling good like I had a good sprint in me and I was holding a good position near the front but with a lap to go I got boxed in as people moved up, so when I hit the bottom of the hill I was quite far back but I started sprinting and held a fast pace up the hill and passed loads of people and I think crossed the line about 7th and with a breakaway of 2 up the road I think I was 9th but will have to wait and see, but another good night racing and slowly chipping away at my 2nd cat licence.

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Banbury star 13

Today was the Banbury star 13 mile time trial and with normal conditions it was going to be good. After I had started I got a few miles up the road (if that) and a cop car stop in the junction on the right and waited and after a car had overtaken me he then pulled out and I ended up about a bike length off his back and if I had done that to him I would have got in trouble for that! Bit annoying but it could have been worst. After getting onto the next road I started seeing quite a few people ahead and one by one I started passing them and by the time I was at the end of that road I was feeling good and got to the last road quickly I felt good like I was going to do a good time. The last road felt quick all the way and once I got to the final hill I though I was going to PB because my average speed was higher than the last time I rode that course but as I climbed it dropped to about the same as last time and as I sprinted for the line I did a time of 29:29 7 seconds off my PB on what I think was a slower night, its looking good for my target events later in the year.

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Results are here

Oakley Village road race

Photo by Steve Avery

Today I raced in the Oakley Village road race a 2nd, 3rd and 4th cat race so the speed was going to be high over the 52 mile (6 lap) race. Thus after getting there a bit early it rained very hard but with a hour and a half till the race it dried up quickly. We all meet in a side road to be told the DOs and DON'Ts for the race and then we started but stopped on the finish line and then started the race soon after. After the first bend there was a few cars parked on the side and everyone slowed down and as we slowed I felt someone hit my back wheel but I did not hear anyone go down. Soon into the race the pace was high and after a few laps I moved up and sat behind Rob Yeatman from Team Jewson and he attacked and I went with him and we where going fast and I did a turn on the front as we chased the break and as I pulled off the front more and more people started to sit behind us so that was that breakaway over. After sitting in to recover we had about 2 laps left and a breakaway went and stayed away with a Zappi rider Roger Prior (who took 4th). On the last lap me and Rob Yeatman moved up to the front and as the bunch got ready for a sprint finish the bunch got a bit scrappy as I sat in the middle and people came around me from both sides! I managed to stay near to the front and as we entered Oakley heading for the finish line the speed was high and getting higher and going for the line I was sat in the saddle sprinting and passed some riders and got over the line but unsure of my position but I'm happy with that it was good training.

Race stats
Avg. speed 25.5 mph
Max speed 36.3 mph
Time 02:04:33
Distance 52.83 miles

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Results are here

Corley cycles MKCA summer series race 12

Last night I raced at Milton Keynes bowl the first time after a few weeks of not going there. Last night was one big loop from the start with a nice head wind towards the finish line. After a few laps going around the bend in the picture above there was a crash behind me I not sure what happened but I just heard someone going down. After that the race did settle down a bit until the elites came past us and then the pace jumped up a bit but not for long. Getting towards the end and I was starting to feel a bit tired but on the last lap someone attacked and I went after him but the whole bunch sat on my wheel and then up the hill everyone started sprinting and we still had one bend to get round and I thought they where going a bit soon and once we got around that bend it was into the head wind again and then the sprint for the line just went and I managed to just hang on for 9th place I think, not bad after all I was not feeling great but another fun night racing.

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Banbury star 25

Last night was the 25 again and after a ride in the morning I felt good I even felt good riding to the start with a strong crosswind that would be there to slow everyone down. I was trying out my new visor tonight as well and it felt a bit like riding without sunglasses (because its clear) and without my eyes watering so it was great. Thus brings us to the time trial and after starting I could feel the cross wind in some places that where open but after a few miles when we turn around it was a cross wind that helped until the next turn around where it was then a head wind back to the finish. On the return it was again hard and in some place it was a head wind but once getting up the last hill I then got hit by a headwind and just tried to keep going and got to the finish in a time of 1 hour and 12 seconds not a PB but not too bad for a hard night. After the time trial had finished Me and Suzy Patience went over to see a horse that was watching the time trial from his field (I was asked to add that bit).

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Results are here

Leisure Lakes Circuit Series 2

Last night I raced at Leisure Lakes Circuit series race 2 of 2 and it was hard! It was the normal hour plus 5 laps and I was with 2nd cats and there was a short steep hill in it that we went up 37 times. While on the start line they called out every ones names and number while each rider raised there hand, then soon after all 38 of us started and because it was a hill start every one got very tight and I bump shoulders with someone as we tried to get clipped in. However soon after we got sprinting off and the group strung out a bit. After a few laps it started to get less hard but then someone crashed as we was going up the hill and I went off course a bit and headed for my mum (not the first time I've rode at her after a crash) and then there was some more laps some harder than others. Getting towards the end there was 3 of us and a small split happened and we started chasing but at we got to the worst corner on the course the guy leading us round went to fast and ended up hitting the ground and I ran off on to the grass to avoid him and lost more time to the main group so over the next lap I got going and caught them back up just before we hit the hill again. As the end got closer and closer I was starting to get more and more cramp when I got out of the saddle to get up the hill but as we got to one lap to go I held on to the back and as they sprinted and I sprinted too but lost a few bike lengths to the group but I think I finished about 15th. After I stopped at the top of the hill I was in so much pain from the cramp and I felt a bit sick and my head hurt but it was a good night racing.

Race stats
37 laps
Avg. speed 22.7 mph
2,678 ft of climbing
Time racing 1:12:10

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Banbury star 13 with a PB again

Last night was the 13 course again the first time in quite a while and I was 3rd from last off and I had Jon Simpkins chasing me. After starting off I felt good and was going well up the first road and then along the next road I was thinking get to the end before Jon passes me but not long after thinking that he came flying past me, but it was not to long before the road goes uphill and I was slowly pulling him back but then he pulled away and I had to do the same for the next hill but after getting to the top he just went and I could not keep pace with him. As I was getting closer to the last road the fun one that normally has a tail wind I was stating to feel happy because it would be fast all the way back and it was. the last road felt like it was over very quick and I got to the last hill and got over it and then I crossed the line. Thus setting a new PB and junior course record with a time of 29:22.

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Results are here

Newbury RC 10

Yesterday was a ten mile time trial on the H10/181, and with a strong head wind on the way out it was going to be hard. After I started I could feel the head wind slowing me sown a lot and I had to keep telling myself it was the same for everyone. By the time I got to the end I caught my minute man and got round the roundabout safely and as I returned I felt my speed picking up and getting faster and faster until I was in the 53x12 (almost top gear) and with a few time getting in to the 11 tooth! It was fun but was over very quickly and I got to the line in a time off 22:41 and it was the fastest time for a few minutes until a faster guy did a quicker time.

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Results are here

Ben Owen 10

Last night was the Ben Owen interclub 10 mile time trial it was a lot like an open with a results board and and a HQ. But When I got on the bike last night my legs were OK but after I started the time trial I could not get my heart rate as high as it should have. Although I still passed three people. after finishing I found out I did a time of 23:31 not too bad on what seem like a hard night. As for winning the interclub, we didn't but it was a fun night on a different course.

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Will post results when I find them

Warwick and back time trial

Last night was the warwick and back 30 mile time trial. I never know what to write in a blog post about time trials. As I was on the start line I felt good and I was sure of that when I passed my minute man (my dad) about 5 miles into it. Behind me was some fast testers (Jon Simpkins and Luke Souter) chasing me. it was not long before Jon over took me and that was not a surprise. By the time I got out to the turn I set myself a goal to try and catch ever in front of me, only 10 people how hard could it be? As I was returning it was mostly up hill from the turn, and I still kept going and felt good. With two hills left I had caught every one in front of me and the only person ahead of me was Jon or so I thought, as it turns out he went the wrong way at the roundabout because he beat the marshal there and continued to do the old course so I ended up being first back and wining it by a second and a junior course record and I am very happy with that.

Some stats
Max speed 50.3mph
Average speed 24.7mph

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Results are here

Corley cycles summer series 9

Breakaway! After passing the elites race

Last night I raced at Milton Keynes bowl it was half on the inside and half on the extra as normal. After we did half a lap I attacked and no one went with me so I kept going and did a few laps on my own and caught the elites race and passed it, and just as I got past them they sped up and left me so I kept my own pace and felt good. Soon after another rider caught me and we worked well together for a few more laps catching the elites and then getting dropped by them a few times until he dropped off. Then I was left on my own and I think the bunch started attacking when the saw my breakaway partner dropping off. After a few laps on my own two riders, Chris Dredge (Team Milton Keynes) and Mike Betts (team Zappi) bridged the gap to me and we worked well together and one last rider Will Jenkins (team Synergy) made it up to us and we pulled out a good lead. Thus brings us to the point I started suffering and after a few bad laps I then got better again and towards the end felt like I was not fatiguing to much. As the laps counted down I hung in there and then with about half a lap to go I felt good again but when it came to the sprint I could not go with Chris and Will so just kept my speed up to roll over 3rd. As a team we had a good night, me 3rd, Mike Betts 4th and Henry Latimer powered to win the bunch sprint and get 5th pace.

Me, Chris and Mike working together

All four in the break

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Will post results soon

Banbury Star 10

Last night was Banbury star CC 10 again, but this week was wet and with a strong head wind on the way back that did not help on the way out. After staring I quickly caught my minute man Tom Spijkers, he used to be my maths teacher a few years ago. On the way out I caught a few people and not much happened then I got to the turn and started heading back into a head wind and by the time I got to the last hill I was suffering a bit but got up it slowly and once over the top I pushed as hard as possible to get to the finish. I crossed the line in a time of 23:55, not too bad but my legs felt better after the time trial than before and that is annoying me a bit.

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Results are here

Corley cycles summer series 8

Last night I raced at Milton Keynes bowl and right from the start it was fast! The pace got hammered right from the start and after the first lap the bunch was strung out. After about half the race a few of us managed to get away from the main bunch and took turns at the front and we lapped loads of riders but when we got to the last lap I did not have it in the legs to sprint so I came in in 7th after my first ever successful breakaway. I'm happy with that, a few more points.

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Results are here

Banbury Star 25 again

Last night was the Banbury Star 25 mile time trial again and this this time there was more of a cross wind than last time and it did not feel like it helped that much. After starting I felt good and felt quick but once getting to the turn at the second roundabout it was all up hill again until I passed the start then there was a nice descent to get the speed up. I was getting near to the next turn around point and had a good idea to eat an energy gel on the down hill bit unlike last where I had it going up the hill. After tuning round I saw the fast guys, Luke Souter and Jon Simpkins coming towards me very quickly and after that my goal was to get to the finish before them. Coming up the last hill a short 10% climb I just sat on the aero bars and passed my dad (the same place as last time) and went passed him feeling very happy. I then got to the finish line in a time of 58:55 a new PB, reached my goal and 2nd place! The Handicap part was won by Suzy Patience who also did a quick time of 01:06:53 for her first 25 mile time trial.

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Results are here

National 25 mile time trial

On the start ramp

Yesterday was the national 25 mile time trial championships down in Devon. The course was great because it started in a town centre and had closed roads for about half a mile before joining a main road out to the roundabout. At the start there was a start ramp, a crowd and even a jazz band, when I started I was on top of the ramp and when the time keeper said go I sprinted as fast as I could to the end and on the aero bar thought the first bend. On the descent thought the town I hit 40 mph in the 30 zone and sat up to slow down to get around the bend at the bottom. Once on the main road it was out to the roundabout turn around and head back. On the way out I passed the finish on the right and the road was up and down a lot and I don't think any of it was flat and it even rained in one bit in the middle. Once I got to the roundabout to turn around I got held up a bit by a car but got round the roundabout and got going again, it then seem very hard on the way back. On the way back I got to the bit where it had been raining and the road was very wet and I had to go down a hill with a few bends at the bottom with it very wet so I took it easy round the bends and after about a mile it was dry again. By the time I got to the finish I was glad to get there and I crossed the line in a time of 01:02:44 as it turns out it was a very slow course with the hills and so I don't think that was too bad and only and 1 min 46 off my team mate Henry Latimer.

Results for my race are here

The winner was Ryan Mullen in the junior and in the men Dr. Hutch won in 53:36 and Julia Shaw won in a time of 59:20 with another team mate Chrissy Radon second.

Results: Men Women






There is a video here of most people in the race, I'm in it at 5:10

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BSCC and A5 rangers interclub 10 mile TT

Last night was an interclub between Banbury star CC and the A5 rangers, this year it was on there course again. This looked like it was going to be a fast course however the headwind on the way out mad it very hard. As I was on the start line I think the pusher-offer was showing off by holding me up with one finger on my saddle (I think I need to put on some more weight), After I started I felt good on the nice smooth tarmac but once I got to the first round about I slowed down a lot into the headwind but I did not go wrong this time like two years ago when I first rode the course. The head wind was hard all the way out but because it was not super strong I did not find out till I turned around and started flying back. And once I got to the short dual carriageway bit it was smooth tarmac and a tail wind, if only it was like that for 10 miles. I finished in a time of 23:02 not too bad of a time I think.

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Results are here

Corley cycles MKCA summer series race 6

Last night was Milton keynes bowl and this time it was wet for a change. We did 50 mins plus 5 laps and in that we did 25 mins on the inner loop and then about 15 mins on an extra loop before returning into the inner loop. It was a strong headwind when going down then hill but I think it may have helped somewhere else on the circuit. The pace was not to high after we started and we even kept the elites in sight for a while. However after a while the pace picked up and got faster. It was then time to go out and do the extra loop and a break away was away, and we got round all the bends safely even though one was a bit greasy and we shortly after caught the breakaway. And while we went back to riding on the inner loop another breakaway went and I found myself chasing it with 3 riders behind chasing me and they caught me so then we tried to catch the front 2 but we did not get more than just seeing them. And as we got ready for our sprint someone kicked and I got on his wheel and then thought maybe I could pass him and on the line it was very close to who got 3rd but in the end it turns out I was 4th, I'm still very happy with that.

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Results are here

BSCC 25

Last night was the Banbury star 25 mile time trial, my first 25 of the year. And after not feeling good leading up to it I was unsure how I was going to preform. I warmed up and was ready to start and soon as I started I went off and felt not too bad but it was down hill, with a bit of a head wind. I got to the second roundabout and glided around fine and then was unsure if it was going to be fast out to the next roundabouts because it was very up and down but there was a tail wind most the way. After passing the starting point there was a nice hill and I was trying to get as much speed down it as possible and then keep it going at the bottom. I spent the fast part trying to get to the roundabout but once there and coming back it was uphill. and by this point I was just hoping for a down hill bit to make some speed up. A few miles from the end Jon Simpkins passed me and after catching a lot of people I did not mind too much. And going up the last hill I caught my dad and closed the gap on Jon a little bit but then over the top he flew off and made up more time on me. I got to the village at the end I went around a bend and got cramp in my right calf muscle and then just rolled around the last bend and over the line quite a bit slower than I wanted to. My time was 59:12 and was my first sub hour ever so I'm very happy with that time.

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Results are here

Sri Chinmoy CT 10 on the H10/181

Warming up

Today was the H10/181 course again and when warming up I found out that it was going to be a cross/head wind on the way out and tail wind on the way back. This is not good because its a mile longer out than back. I just got going and kept pushing it all the way out and it felt like it took along time to get to the turn around point with the speed dropping a lot. After getting to the roundabout it was then fast all the way back and I think most of the return was way over 30mph and when sprinting for the line in the saddle I hit a top speed of 39.2 mph, and to do a time of 23:03 a bit slow but it was a very windy and hard on the way out. Jon Simpkins won it with a mid 20.

I found out that I was first junior and got a very nice medal and a box of energy gels in my favourite flavour summer fruits.

My prizes

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corley cycles MKCA summer series 5

Trying to get away

Last night was Milton Keynes bowl again and it was the normal half on the inside half on the extra bit. And it was fast! After we started we did a few laps and I tried to break away but the first break did not go but the second time went well because there was three of us and we where pulling out a lead but when the elites lapped us the bunch chased us down. Not much happened for the rest of the race till the last 5 laps, after going around the bend onto the bowl a big crash took a few riders down and I ended up going onto the grass. The pace started speeding up a lot towards the end and this was good but on the last lap on the back straight a lot of moving about ended with a few more riders hitting the ground very hard. I got past the crash ok and then got ready for the sprint to take 8th place and 4th for Justin Belcher who beat me yet again.


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Results here