Corley Cycles MK Bowl Race 20 E/1/2/3

Thursday was the last Milton Keynes bowl race this year and the race was HARD!  The air felt cold and with attacking from the 2nd lap it was hard going, I soon felt tired, my legs were ok but my lungs did not want to take it.  My plan was to sit in a try not to hurt to much and after a while two groups went up the road and as we started going out the extra loop it got faster much faster.  It was quick going but it was so fast we caught the breaks before the end and I spent most of the second half with a stitch but as we got near the end I felt a bit better and just gave everything in the last lap and managed to get 10th place and pick up 6 points so I'm quite happy with that.

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Corley Cycles MK Bowl Race 18 E/1/2/3

Last night I raced MK bowl as normal and I felt a little bit tired before the start but I warmed up and felt a bit better.  The race started off fast with a lot of attacking and it was soon half way though and we where going out the bottom car parks and no one was away but after more attacking a big group went away, I think maybe 7 people and we soon got to 5 laps to go and everyone was pushing to stay near the front.  The last lap was hard and I tired to stay in the right place but was feeling tired and wanted to finish.  As we went round the last bend it was not a flat out sprint but it was fast and I felt ok when everyone kicked and I managed to get 9th out of my group I think with 7 people up the road. 

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Coventry CC open 25

Saturday was the Coventry CC open 25 on the hillyish 25 course and it was a bit warm and I started off feeling quite good and managed hunt down someone and pass them then I was soon on the dual carriageway with a good tale wind and felt like I was flying.  And then I started to turn round I hit the head wind and it was up hill but I still felt good and kept it going well.  As I passed the start Matt Clinton was just starting off and so for a few moments I had overtaken him but I found out after that he started in the small ring.  He soon came past me on the downhill bit so I tried to keep him in sight for awhile but in the end he got away.  The dual carriageway was fast again and I felt strong for the last few miles where it was slow but I pushed hard though there to get to the line about 2 or 3 bike lengths behind the old man who started out 5 mins in front of me!  I also did a PB of 56:48 not bad after my PB less than a week ago!!

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Results are here

Corley Cycles MK Bowl Race 17 E/1/2/3

Last night is was nice and sunny and hot at the bowl and it was out the extra loop right from the start and then round an extra extra loop up a narrow road over the A5 to a tight roundabout and U turn back down.  and then a big sweeping U turn back onto the bowl.  The first lap was done at a steady pace just to see what it would be like and then the second lap was taken quicker and I think 2nd or 3rd time round I had to go the other side of the cones on the narrow section as I was heading for one, but I managed to get back over and was a little more careful the next time round.  As the race went a couple of breaks got away with quite a few people up the road the main group was looking small as quite a few were up the road or off the back and lapping the 3/4 race for the 2nd time was abit easier as it was as we where a small group so getting past a big group worked quite well.  The race was hard with alot of sprinting and breaking on the extra bit over the A5 but did make a "nice" change.  And as we got to the bell lap we where ahead of the 3/4 and the pace went up and it was fast till upto the line with a hard sprint at the end and I was beaten for a few in the sprint but got 14th so another 2 points to add to the collection.

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BSCC 13

Last night was the 13 once again and it was nice and warm without much wind making it seem like it could be a quick night, I started off near the back about number 33 out of 37 as there was alot of people who turned up.  I started off and just pushed a little hard but felt ok and soon got to the next road thinking it would be quicker along there but no it wasn't and the next road was the same, I wasn't catching anyone so just kept pushing hard.  On the last road towards the finish I was just starting to lose focus and day dream and all of a sudden Jon Simpkins came flying past me and I tried to keep pace with him but he started to pull the gap out bigger and then he was out of sight as the road twisted and turned.  I kept pushing hard and on the sharp bend I got round there very quick as I was pushing hard and then sprinted out and to the down hill bit to then have a rest.  The last hill was done flat out as normal and I got over the top and pushed hard to the finish and got to the line feeling abit sick from the effort but in a time of 29:07 8 seconds off my PB so not too bad, in fact I'm quite happy with that.

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Abbeygate Developments/Corley Cycles MK Bowl Races 16

Looking at the photo above you would think is was Paris Roubaix (one of my favorite pro races) but it was Milton Keynes bowl again.  I forgot to take my Garmin with me and the camera so no pics from tonight.  The track was covered in mud and it had been raining throughout the day but warming up it seemed ok for grip.  The race started off and everyone took it easy for the first few laps just to see what the grip was like and then attacks started to fire off the front and I went with a few and managed to get away with a few overs but it was a short lived break and pulled back soon.  at one point as I was trying to sit in and recover the group started to split and the front group was getting away so as some one attacked of the right I attacked on the left and we each soloed to the front split and it took about a lap and I looked round to see that the last group was going backwards and felt glad I went when I did.  We did though and off but as we got to the last few laps it went a bit cat and mouse but we caught the front break within the last 5 laps and as we for the sprint I felt good and was ready and as we hit the hill for the last time the sprint began and I was on the outside and I could see Jake Hales he was a bike length ahead of me and his back wheel just hit the puddle on the left and I saw it sling round like he was going to go down but luckily he held it and I managed to cross the line in 9th place.  I was happy with that and I'm now on 62 BC points so it's looking good.

Results here

BSCC 13

Tonight was another hot day on the bike and it was also the 13 and my heart rate monitor strap didn't want to work so I had to take it off!  The time trial went quite well I was caught by Jon Simpkins for a minute quite soon but I was holding pace with him but as normal on a flatter part he pulled away and once he pulled away he was not seen again by me until the finish!  I managed to keep pushing and found the last round to be not quite as fast as normal - possible head wind - but managed to finish in a time of 28:59 and I thought that was a PB until I got home and looked on strava to find I had done a 28:59 last month.

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Mallory Park Tuesday League 1

Yesterday me and Justin went to Mallory park together and it was nice and sunny for my second time very at Mallory.  There was a big line of people wanting to sign on so we knew it would be a good night racing.  As Justin and I went to warm up he found the new cleat he fitted would not go into his pedal, he handed his number in and went for a ride and it clipped in so had to go get his number back and just in time to start!  On the start line the said 2nd cats go to the back, as it turns out we had a min handicap and someone on the line told us what normally happens and we started and did though and off for about 20 mins to catch the 3/4s and then when we did we eased off and had a rest.  As the race went on I got out in a break for about a lap but it soon got caught and then my goal was to go for the sprint, and as the laps counted down we had the bell to tell us it was one lap to go and  I was in a good place but got a bit boxed in in the last maybe half a mile and then we hit the hill.  It was a flat out sprint and I managed to get out and sprint hard but was a bit too far down to get in the points.  I enjoyed the race anyway but the hot days are nice but I'm not used to it!  ...Yet.

Leisure Lakes Bikes Crit Elite Race

Last night did not go to well at Leisure Lakes Bikes Crit Elite Race as I Attack right from the start after the neutralized lap and then people started to come past me and after a few laps I got dropped and so did a few people ahead of me.  After me Jonathan Wears and another ride all got together we formed a small group and after about 50 something minutes of racing we were given a prime and so I sprinted hard to try and win it.  I crossed the line and showed off a bit by sticking my arms in the air and then went into time trial mode for the last 15 mins of the race.  I finished the race a bit disappointed but I made £5 although is was £15 to enter the race...

BSCC 10

Last night it was the 10 TT and after good warm up I was off and after the first descent it started raining very hard!  I could hear it hitting my helmet and make quite a bit of noise.  the rain eased abit and I pushed on and felt quite good, I climbed the first hill ok and got round the first two roundabouts with the roundabout I hate coming up next.  I checked over my shoulder and slowed right down and entered the roundabout and tried to slow it a bit but went a bit straight but managed to get round without crashing or any stupid drivers, which was nice.  As I returned I felt good a pushed on being sure to go careful round the roundabout.  I got though fine and on my way back went over the bridge and a car pulled out infront of me and did not go very fast, so as I got closer and closer to it I moved out and started to over take it.  This made think I must have been going well as I had just over taken a car on an up hill slope.  I then hit the last hill and big ringed it up there and over the top to then power it to the line, I dug deep and crossed the line in a time of 23:46 for 2nd and 24 seconds of winner Simon Smart.

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TMG Horizon Road Race

Yesterday was my longest race ever at 75 miles and it was a nice day for it.  I started off with arm warmers as it was bit chilly and I did a very short warm up and we soon were lining up ready to start.  The neutralized part from the HQ to the course was short but just right to get the legs going and as soon as the flag dropped someone attacked and everyone just kept the pace the same not wanting to go to hard but it then picked up and the racing was on.  The first lap was not super fast but people kept trying to get away and I got to see what the course was like and liked the look of the last climb towards the finish, but was unsure how much my legs would like it after 75 miles.

As we crossed the line we had 5 full laps to go, with two laps to the first prime.  A lot of the time there were people up the road but not too far ahead as no one would let anyone get away, and if one group got pulled back another would get away!  I was getting warm so when the pace was low I took the opportunity to take off my arm warmers and had to put them up the back of my jersey out of the way.  As we got to the end of the second lap I threw my bottle to the side and just had time to grab my next bidon (first time I've ever done that by the way) and luckily I didn't drop it!

The next lap was spent mostly trying to keep fueled up and I drank a lot of water from the bidon I had grabbed over the line.  The race carried on with people just of the front never getting too far away and people always attacking and as we crossed the line again I ditched my bottle I got the last time round as it was almost empty and was just extra weight.  Then as the pace was up on a rolling part of the course I was about 20 bike lengths off the front and all I could hear was the crashing of man and carbon hitting the road as we were doing about 32 mph.  As it turns out my mate Luke Souter was in the crash and came out the worst with a broken collar bone.  I never saw him in the race after that (now I knew why) but I thought he was just hiding in the bunch ready to surprise everyone at the end.

The last two laps got very hectic as the pace went up with attacks and people pushing the pace on.  And as we crossed the line for the last lap 18 people were up the road and it took a while to get anyone to chase but one big guy got to the front and just strung the bunch out and the Justin Belcher did a turn and then so did I, we got the break close and then the bloke who started the chase rode away as no one got on his wheel.  one of his team mate attacked and so did I and we got up the drag and then down a fast hill and we got to the front group just in time for them to slow down and then the main bunch came across.  The pace was then fast to the finish.  As we went down the last hill it was time to fight for a place and as Team Corley were leading out everyone wanted to be behind them and as we hit the hill I sprinted as hard as I could and ended up clipping someone who was going backwards!  I lost my speed after this as I tried to keep up right and then had to fight a big gear to keep moving and with the worst cramp ever in my right leg!  I crossed the line but could not stand on my right leg!  I'm not sure on my placing but I'm glad I got though the race, as it was a 6am start and 3 hours of pain on the bike ...But it was fun.

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Leisure Lakes Circuit Series 2

Most of this week I had been ill and not been on the bike much, and watched alot of How I Met Your Mother and Tour De France.  As I was feeling almost fine yesterday I went out for a short ride in the morning to try out my new chain ring and found it helped with my knee pain.  I warmed up quite well and then did a few laps round the track and then we were on the start line and as we started it was up hill and hard to get clipped in but I luckily got my foot in first time and just had to watch everyone else and the first time down the hill me and a few others near the front got a gap that did open after the first lap but it soo got together and someone went on the attack.  the first 20 minutes were very hard as the pace was around 24 mph and we were hitting the hill very quick and its steep with a little dip in the middle just to make it harder.  After many laps we got to 5 laps to go and, I did not know this until I looked and saw the 3 lap to go sign and started to feel good and with the one lap to go it started to get aggressive as we went down the hill trying to stay near the front of the group, so I just sat in hoping I could give everything for the final sprint.  And as we got round the last bends and hit the hill it was time to sprint as hard as possible for the line and as the group flew up the hill I gave every thing as I pushed round that big gear and I got 7th and I was surprised as at that and very happy!

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Oakley Village Road Race

Today was the Oakley Village road race and, it was wet in some places but mostly dry on every where else to make it interesting.  The race started in a side road and then we moved out to the finish line and stopped there so we could then start.  The race started off fast with many attacks and riders trying to get away but no one could get away, I even tried to get away and TT off the front for a while but someone joined me and the bunch was then not too far off and I thought it was best to sit back in and try and recover but the pace was then high and hard to recover but I kept in and then started to feel fine again.  As we had two laps to go and there was a crash ahead of me and I saw and I saw a guy on the floor I thought I was going to hit him and go down.  Luckily as I braked and un-clipped my foot I saw a gap and got though, but as I braked someone hit me in the backside.  I got though the gap and then had to close the gap and get back to the main bunch.  The last lap was fast and everyone wanted to be at the front and I was trying to stay there as well and there was a lot of touching and knocking going on.  There was not much space and I hit a few peoples bars and legs as did others.  But I was in a good place and feeling good, but as we started to wind up I started to cramp up in my right leg and went from being in a good place to go for the sprint too quite far down.  I'm quite disappointed with that as I felt I could have done something

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Corley Cycles MK Bowl Race 12 E/1/2/3

Last night at the bowl it was out the bottom right from the start.  But as we lined up on the normal start line we got told it would start down the bottom of the hill.  So all of us in the elite race went down there the 3/4 race stayed where they where and did come down ...I don't think they where listening...  The race started off fast and got faster!  Every time we hit the hill it was a case of trying to give everything to keep with everyone else, we dropped quite a few people though out the race, I think it was the pace up the hill and round the Bends.  I think about halfway though we caught the 3/4s and it took us a lap to get past as they suddenly sped up and mad it harder for us to come by.  But they got shouted at to hang back once we mostly got past them and then we rode off.  As we started to get the 5 laps to go I was feeling tired and was glad there was only a few more laps left.  There was attacks but nothing that would stick and as we got to the last lap we went out the back round a few bends and on the straight someone attacked and a rabbit ran out from the right straight across the track between the attacking riders and what was left of the main bunch.  And as we hit the hill I gave it every thing to get to the line, I past a few people and I think I was 10th!  A good result as I was suffering most of the race.

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BSCC 25

Today was the Banbury star 25 and it seemed like it was going to be a fast night due to the head wind start - tail wind middle - head wind finish.  And as I started off I got into TT mode and started to bring the average speed up and just got it up to 27 mph and a big Line painter was stopped on the side of the road and a car had just over taken me.  I checked it was clear behind and moved out to get a good look, there was a few cars coming and the car in front of me stopped and I had to slow right down.  Once I got going again the average speed dropped below 26 mph and I had to get going again.  But then at the first roundabout a car was coming round and I had to slow down again.  I got to the next roundabout and got round fine and the had to focus.  I got to the big down hill just past the start and did 50 mph down there as normal and then on with the job.

As I got to Gaydon there was temporary traffic lights and I thought, bugger I'm going to get caught here.  But luckily I did not and I got though ok and dug deep and finally got to the turn around.  on the way back was a case of holding on and get giving everything and as it was raining I took it very easy on the roundabouts and had luck on my side at the temporary traffic lights and got though ok.  I hit the last hill and decided not to big ring it and managed to drag myself over it and then gave it every thing to get to the line.  As I got closer to the line I took it very easy round the bends, and sprinted as hard as I could to the line.  My time was 59:37 not as fast as I would have hoped but not too bad on the night as it rained a few times.

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Results are here

Corley Cycles MK Bowl Race 11 E/1/2/3

Last night was Milton keynes bowl again, and the legs didn't feel great as I feel I'm over racing ...or under training but I looked over my Strava profile and found that I've not had many rest days in the last 4 weeks and since Sundays 25 I've been feeling tired on the bike when racing.  The race was out the bottom car park right from the start and there was loads of people there and I tried to follow wheels and even gave an attack near the start but it didn't get me too far up the road.  As the race went on loads of people started getting away and no one could bring them back.  I tried to get away twice but both time I got hunted down and just had to wait for the sprint.  As we got lapped by the lead breakaway someone just went around them and I jumped on his wheel and did everything to stay there and he pulled off at the bottom of the hill and I sprinted as hard as I could up the hill and started to catch a group but I have no idea if the where in front or behind me but I sprint as hard as I could and got to the line and hit stop on my garmin.  Justin then said that was not the end so I did another lap just in case...

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BSCC 13

Wednesday was the Banbury star 13.  I was just using it to test out a different saddle and aero bar, the saddle was my old TT saddle that has a lot of padding in it and the aero bars where more flat ones.  As it turns out it was a fast night as the wind was in the right direction.  I found the saddle to be more comfortable but the aero bars where not angled right so took some time to get used to it and will be testing different positions over the next few TTs to see what works and what does not.

As it turns out Jon Simpkins did a 25:54 to break course record.  I only managed a 29:00 but I hit stop on the garmin and saw 28:59 and strava thinks it was a 28:58.

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Results are here

Hinckley CRC 25

Photo by Mark O'Neill

Yesterday was a 25, part of the Hinckley CRC challenge weekend.  It was a very start the wrong side of 7 am and as we drove there it rain on and off and seemed to be very windy, so it was going to be hard!  After warming I started and there was a strong cross wind from the right and I overtook someone who was on there second lap.  As I went past the finish I tried to take note of where the finish line was.  With a good tale wind I got to the first roundabout  quick and took the first exit on to the A5 and there was a head wind and about three hills and I Pushed harder but still felt tired and I climbed the last hill and then turned left and went past the start and was about half way though and then found myself suffering so I took it a bit easy on the tale wind part to recover and then gave it everything for the rest of the time trial and I got to the finish in a time 01:01:12, Slower than I was hoping but as it turns out was everyone else was a lot slower.  Also my saddle spent a lot of time trying to make sure I'll never have kids, too many long TTs in the last week I think.  But I found my old TT saddle that does not look great but is a lot more bearable so I'm looking forward to trying that out soon.

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Hinckley CRC 10

 Today was the Hinckley CRC 10, part of the Hinckley CRC challenge weekend.  It was a nice day, dry with some dark clouds that looked like they were going to spill, plus it was very windy as well.  I had done this course about two years ago and I found out today that this was the same course.  After warming up and getting to the start there was a bit of a wait as I was early but soon I was on the bike sat on the start line.  I started off and soon got on the aero bars and then smiled as the photographer.  I got to the end of the road it was a U turn and back the way I came, but it was the 5th exit (a good place to go wrong...) but it was well marshaled and I luckily didn't go wrong.  Coming back the cross wind didn't help just like on the way out but I kept driving the pace and got to the Fosse way cross road and tried to dig deep as this was only 2 miles roughly from the finish and as I saw the car I started to sprint and hit stop on my garmin as I passed the car.  My time was 23:08 in hard conditions, I'm quite happy with that and am looking forward to the 25 in the morning, my first open 25 this year!

Corley Cycles MK Bowl Race 10 E/1/2/3

Last night was dry with some damp patches on the track and we got to go out the car park right from the start!  We did the first lap neutral and the second lap only a litter quicker there was one corner that was dodgy just before the finish it cambers the wrong way and was damp as it was under trees, and not too long into the race the guy in front of me went round and his back wheel slipped, he kept it upright but there was an oh bugger moment as I was right behind him!  As the race went on a break got away and then a 2nd group got up the road I decided as we stopped working together to attack and close the gap.  after just under a lap I got across and then recovered to try and work together but a few laps later the 3rd group on the road (the one I was in) came across to make a bigger group of about 8.  After quite a few laps that included going careful round the damp bend, there was attacking but no one was aloud to get away and as the laps counted down the adrenaline built up and on the last lap the pace went up high and I was about a bike length off someones wheel so going into the last bend I took a chance to get round it quick and I caught the guy in front of me.  Then it was about powering up the drag and keeping it going on the flat.  Anyway I past the guy and I think I was 4th out of the bunch, with 7 riders up the road (I think), works out at 11th so not a bad nights racing again, and some good training.

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