Victory for Jo at Capernwray, by Karen

Just before the start

The CDNW series of races is going from strength to strength, and the 3rd race in the 2014 league took place on the Capernwray course on 30th March.  The course used to be a National Women's Series race, last used in 2012 when Karen first experienced the course.  It is a proper hilly course, so Team GB Cycles set their climbing whippets loose to run havoc with the rest of the field.


With clocks changing on Saturday night, it felt like a particularly early start, but nevertheless the sun was shining and it warmed up quickly enough, and it was shorts and short sleeves once the race got going.  The rollout and first climb of Sunny Bank was neutralised, then the flag dropped and off we went.  This was the first CDNW race I had ever done, and I must say the atmosphere in the peloton was a sheer pleasure.  We were all looking after each other and there was a bit of time for chatting and getting to know some of the other girls.  There were a few attacks in the first lap, none of which worried us at all, knowing that subsequent climbs of Sunny Bank would make the race.  Soon enough we were back round, and despite the voice in my head telling me that I didn't really want to be on the front, I ended up there and cranked up the pace, not looking back until the top of the hill to see what damage I had done.  Yes, all the usual suspects were there - Lynn Hamel, Claire Martin, Eve Dixon, Ness Whitfield and some others who I didn't recognise - a group of 10 or 11 in total.  A quick whisper to Jo acknowledging that stage 1 of the plan had been executed and a check on how each of us was feeling, and on we went.  Again, lap 2 saw a few attacks off the front, but soon enough they were pulled in with most riders taking a turn in pace setting and chasing.  Yet again I found myself on the front climbing Sunny Bank although let others take the prime.  Lap 3 went the same way again and soon enough we were half way round the last lap and another quick whisper with Jo to check how we were feeling.

Near the top of Sunny Bank

Going into the bottom of Sunny Bank for the last time, both of us were watching Lynn Hamel, expecting her to launch an attack; I was second or third wheel, with Jo coming round the outside to take the lead, and steadily she opened up a gap.  Come on Eve, Lynn - are you not going with Jo?  No movement.  OK, I'll go then, and suddenly we had a 10s then 20s then 30s gap and as we climbed it grew all the time.  I said "Jo, we've only gone and done it" to which the response I got was "we haven't yet" and we kept on pushing.  Because Jo had been sitting in the bunch for the race while I had been doing a bit more work, and because she is an amazing climber, she eventually gapped me and flew up the hill to take a brilliant win.  Lynn managed to find something to close the gap to me, but I was aware she was approaching and had a final kick left to make sure she didn't come past me.  1-2 for Team GB Cycles.  Massive hugs and smiles and a bit of couldn't quite believe that we'd done it ensued.  It was a brand new feeling and incredibly satisfying to be sitting in a peloton mid-race and knowing that there was no one in the race to be daunted by and actually really believing that we could win.  I can't wait for the next climbing whippet outing at Tour of the Reservoir on 12th April.

Jo taking the win.

Karen taking second, Lynn Hamel third.

March and season start!

Racing thus far!

After a weeks training in Spain at end of Feb it was back to racing with the first of a series of crits at York and Prissick circuits.

Last weekend 22nd March, it was a full weekend of racing.  While Sandra, Nicola, Linda, Steph and Kim headed to Hog Hill, which saw a field of 100 riders!
Brit and I headed north to Middlesborough for the Prissick Crit.  It was Brit's first race back after a month off the bike due to illness.
It was also the first outing of the season, for our new team shoes, many thanks to Northwave, i-ride and Geoffrey Butler Cycles!

There were 5 of us for the start of race.  Within the first 2 laps we'd lost all but one other girl.  I decided to attack, I got a gap, but she brought me back.  Then Brit attacked, and I was left having to chase back on!  Next thing the other girl attacked Brit!  I bridged across to Brit then set about reeling in the escapee!  She was strong, but eventually with 3 laps remaining we closed the gap.
Into final lap and I was leading it out, however the other rider wanted to have lead into final bend, but I came back round her, and kept lead.  Only for me to ground pedal on inside of bend.  I heard Brit yell form behind, as the other girl started to come round me, it was a head wind finish!  Having to check my speed out of corner having grounded pedal on inside of bend, I tried to keep the momentum.  But no good she had the gap, and Brit was chasing for 2nd place.  We well and truly attacked ourselves into the ground trying to get rid of our fellow rider.  Only to get beaten by her, we later found out that she was a youth rider!!! 

After race: 4:30pm and Brit and I started the road trip down to Sudbury, a 4hr drive south, to race Ipswich road race next day.  We arrived down in time for Lasange, yum, thanks Sandra!

Next day, race day!  Nic, Brit and I we're racing.  Sandra after a good race at Hog hill previous day, decided to take an easy day and not race, instead she was the all important team back up, cheering us round course!
The race came down to a bunch of 12!  The three of us tried several times to split the bunch further, but by last lap it was probably going to come down to a bunch sprint.  I got stuck on front last lap.  Brit didn't want to get boxed in.  By the time we got to final hill, before line, I went too early, Brit came off my wheel at the point I SHOULD have been starting the lead out! 
Brit still managed a well deserved 4th place, and Nicola in 5th.  I rolled in 11th after having gone way too early into the final hill!  Oh well we live and learn, we'll get it right next time. 


This Weekend

This weekend, and today's race Saturday 29th March.  Brit and I we're racing at York again today.  Jo Blackburn also came, and guest rode for us.  So as we lined up on start line, the race was handicapped, 13 against 4!  3 of us in handicapped group in Geoffrey Butler Kit!
We worked well together the 4 of us.  Until we caught the bunch.  I attacked the bunch out of the hairpin, into the tail wind finish straight.  We got rid of most of field, then i kept it going for two laps, and we finally got rid of all but our fellow Albarosa rider.  Albarosa girl was out numbered 3 to 1.  With 10 laps to go, Jo did a hard turn out of hairpin, and I just let her go! 
A few laps down, and the Albarosa girl seemed to have no intension of closing the gap to Jo!  Silly girl, you should never let a time trialist up the road!  I think she was far too concerned with marking Brit and myself to care that one of our team mates was half a lap up!
Unfortunatly Jo somehow managed to come a cropper on the hairpin with about 5 laps to go!  Think she caught her pedal on inside of corner.  Brit and I slowed as we passed Jo to check she was ok, as Jo was in middle of track on final hairpin.  It was then the Albarosa rider decides to attack us! 

Time to re asses, so Jo was out, such a shame she was on for the win! 
I was going to lead Brit out form final corner.  Perfect with tail wind finish.  Jo was still on ground in track, and we we're having to take the inside line round final hairpin carefully.  Last lap and I was on front, but Brit was third wheel, not where she needed to be!  After trying to swing off to allow Brit to come round Albarosa rider, I had to rely on Brit being able to get round her in finish straight.  Into final hairpin, I lead into bend.  Only to find the first aid guy had put his bag in the middle of the hairpin, on the inside, which was the line we had been taking previously.  There was a man in track waving us round to outside of bend, which is the line I took.  I led out sprint form that final bend.  We caught some lapped riders and I had to go wide, allowing Albarosa girl to come through on inside.  Nearing line, and i saw someone coming round me on my right, hoping it was Brit, but it wasn't!  I kicked again to accelerate a bit more, next thing, meters form line, and next thing the Albarosa girl manages to veer into me!  I have to check my speed and try stay upright!  Damn 2nd again for me!

Brit no where in sight, rolls in after us.  Turns out she managed to ride into the damn paramedics first aid bag!!!!!  I mean come on who on earth thinks it a good idea to put a bag in middle of track when there's a race going on!  Luckily Brit was ok, and stayed up right, but that was the end of any hopes for the sprint for her!

Luckily Jo too was ok, just a bit bruised and a ruined bran new skin suit, but apart form that all good!

So all in all an eventful couple of weekends racing!  Let's hope that's all miss haps out of way! 
Next stop Malta 3 day's form now, bring it on! 

Iona

Wheeler's 25 mile Wonder

Coalville Wheelers 25 mile 2up TTT

The course consisted of two laps of a course around Griffydam, close to the Women’s Team Series race in Coalville later in the year.  My teammate was Kath Pyke, a former pro rock climber and a very strong rider, Kath was happy to guest for Team GB and wear our team colours.   Thanks Kath  J

It was a fast start, on a downhill section on a lovely winding road, this was definitely my favourite part of the course.  Time trailing for 25 miles was new to both Kath and myself so our main aim was to keep the pace steady and make sure we worked as team.  The first half of the course was flattish and then through a village with speed bumps and cars to negotiate. The course turned lumpy before heading back along a slight uphill in a head wind, but then it was onto the second lap and the nice downhill winding road...but no chance to ease off here!

 

We returned to the clubhouse for a good spread of cakes and hot drinks, all buzzing from the event. 

Thanks to all the Wheelers and the Pymm family for the excellent organisation and looking after all the riders with the tea and cakes also to Gareth for lending me the Cosmics (who needs brakes hey)!

Overall, good fun and a great experience – Kath

Linds

http://www.coalvillewheelers.org.uk/

 

 

 

2 Up TT If you go down to the woods today.............

If you go down to the woods today...............

The 2nd of March saw Stephi and myself heading further south to the new forest to ride a 2 up 10 mile TT .

Now as a team we do seem to have a fascination with zoo's , and singing children's nursery rhymes such as daddy's gona take  us to the zoo tomorrow, not the normal run of choice motivational songs!!! (Iona) 

The day was slightly overcast but dry, and the location lovely right in the new forest.....

Stephi and I duly got our faithful steads ready, with much phaffing to be done!! 

Onto the rollers and the turbo, and we were happily warming up.

A little time later, Stephi and I went down the rode for a bit just to get a little bit of 2 up practice in.

For both of us it was the first time we had ridden our TT bikes since last season, so a few adjustments here and there and we were almost ready to get down to the start......

On the way down, I spotted a few little donkeys in the road, we casually passed them by and over the cattle grid (Not sure Abe my TT bike likes cattle grids) down to the bottom of the road, and just to the left for the start.........

After last minute Important tasks to be done, we timed it to the start with perfection, mouth going dry, heart starting to race, 30 seconds to go, phaffing to get the position right, 5,4,3,2,1 off we went......it was about a mile to the first turn, which I have to say came up quite quickly, with the turn negotiated, it was a bit of a windy up and downy road , thus far the course I thought was nice, we were really enjoying it, and the scenery which will be more evident later on in this blog.....

Sandra and Stephi

Had we reccied the course first we would have noticed a bit of a shortish sharp climb up to the next left turn, but we dug in deep and put a good hard effort in up to the left turn thanking the marshals as we went by. 

As this road cleared of bushes and houses it proved to be a bit of a cross wind which was hard going but nonetheless we kept working hard, another bit of a small drag then another left where we were now on the top of the hill form the start.

There was a lovely swooping downhill to another stiff drag, however we did get held up by a car that got stuck behind another 2 up team. One final left hand turn and we had the finish in our sights, pushing harder and harder as you do, we crossed the finish line, happy with our efforts.......

The course was varied and interesting, and the wildlife a welcome site.

We started off the day seeing a couple of donkeys, then we saw horses, and then a couple of happy chomping pigs searching for truffles!!!

Our Friend

But there was one species we couldn't  identify!! 

We have called him Steve, we realised he liked Coffee!!!

We cooled down, and then went to the Nomansland Reading Room, to check the times, and we were pleased to see that we had won the ladies side of the competition, which was really nice. 

We received some lovely prizes of Water bottles and some lovely flowers and some prize money, a totally well organised friendly event, of which I am certain we will be back again soon. Thank you to Antelope CC for a lovely well organised event.

A suffolk Sportive followed by Death by Little One... Or was it?

The title of this blog tells a tale, a long tale.....

Once upon a time the little One (Nicola Soden) came to sunny suffolk to ride a suffolk sportive, followed by a bit of more riding on the Sunday. 

Friday night came, and the little one arrived after a long trip from Manchester, (neither of us had any better offers on valentines night) so fed and watered we set to bed ready for the Amis Velo Valentines Sportive the next day.

On waking up we both talked about the winds the night before. We decided to text Mary as she too was meeting up with us and see what she thought about the current wind situation.

It was decided that it was far far too dangerous to go out on a sportive, so we ate, we watched TV and then at about 11:30/12 we decided that we would go out.....Hmmmm thinking the winds had died down it appeared that the winds picked up, and were rather gusty, and we both agreed a wise decision was made earlier in the day to not ride the sportive, especially as we both got blown across the rode at certain points.

Sunday however I found another local sportive, so not all was lost. Mary sadly couldn't join us, as she was riding with others, going slightly further afield, so 100km of sunny suffolk roads were to be had, we turned up, got asked if it was because of us arriving that the sun was shinning......... Now in normal circumstances I don't fall for quick witted chat up lines , and come back equally quick with a more quick witted response, instead we just agreed that yes, it was down to us, only to be told, I've asked 5 others so far........either way it made us chuckle, a good start.....

So we register sit in the car wait, then get ready..... We decided we would go in the medium group that went off first, reason I think, not wanting to hammer it, however , hammer it we did, I know what I was thinking "I don't want my heart rate to be here , not for this long, not now" trying to follow a good wheel as well Prooved difficult so I ended up 2 behind Nic's watching hers as the person in front of me weaved about like a wiggly worm.....

Still thinking 45 minutes in, ok we are hammering it, and I don't want to be here, saw Nic stick her thumb up and I thought "oh blast, she's signalling she's ok" so I muttered a long resounding yeeeeaaaap

Silly Sandra Dee

I then decided to pull alongside and say, "I think I fancy a bit of a recovery" and to my delight we both sat up, discussing the fact that we both didn't really need to be going this hard.....and that left about 12 guys in the main group...

We carried on our merry way, recovering, then picked another group, and then puncture, yes my faithful turby decided he wanted to have a rest, so on the side of the road, puncture fixing we set off again.....

Now I'm not really too sure at what point things happened , but let's just say, I didn't feel the full sandwich, and legs were dead , maybe too many hard efforts,  heart rate way too high for what I was doing, and so I guess you call it the wall or the bonk....so, being a local I knew a few shortcuts and we got back to HQ still with 58 miles in the legs, but me feeling not the best....I was nursed back for about 20 miles by Nicola, I tried not to moan too much....

The best suggestion all day was lets get chips on the way home, so back near mine the little one popped out of the car and bought back salt and vinegar soaked chips, I took one chip, it hit my lips and mouth and nom nom nom, a chip had never tasted so good, it was as if my body wrapped itself around this one chip and the sensation of yummy yummy and give me more , and lots of other yummy noises were made, so home and chips and lasagne .....just the job.......

The following weekend was up in Manchester , with the peaks on the menu, so lots more efforts up hills etc, including Wynnats pass and Mam Nick........ so having bonked Sunday, I spent a bit of time loading food, maybe I'd cut the wrong things out, and hadn't got the right stuff in my body, but that whole week I loaded, road when I wanted to  leading up to a fitness test on Friday, which I have to say went fairly well.....

Friday I arrived in Manchester, told that I was going to be fed properly ready for Saturdays ride.....sounds good to me, I never argue where foods concerned, unless there is none!!

So like a savage who hasn't eaten for a week, I sit down to diner and rip into the garlic bread pulling it apart with the eagerness to taste the smell of garlic, .......whilst happily eating I notice Nicola staring at her lovely painted green wall........there are a few spots on it.....what can it be??

Garlic from the ripped into garlic bread???

Nooooooo.......

Ahhhhhh but yes,, and it has stained said wall

So just found out Nic's rest day is re painting her wall, 

Watch out I'm back in 2 weeks time 😝 

Saturday morning came, we left later than planned, but we set off to Sett Valley Cycles in New Mills To get brakes sorted on Nic's bike, by the wonderful Stu and Sam, and also to be told all the horror stories of today's steepest of climbs, which silently un nerves me, especially when boys shake their heads, 

When it comes to downhill and bomb holes I never like to look, I just want to go, otherwise I analyse far too much and that nasty chimp sits on my shoulder talking me out of such things..........so we left the shop, down the hill and boom, cerveee punctured, it sounded like an air compressor going off, so he too wasn't keen on too much hard work today..........so back to the shop, once again for the 2nd time all sorted and off we went, for real this time, no turning back, no punctures, up snake pass and other bumps I'm not used to in suffolk, but with doubt in my head, following last weeks bad Sunday ride, it had affected me, can I do it? will I do it?the doubt monkey was talking a lot louder than I normally let him, and my confidence monkey was no where to be seen. 

This is when you need your team mates around you, this is when you need the right things to be said, even if it is said in silence, you know your team mates understand, having been there before themselves to have had all the doubts that are now filling up in your head.......

But I hadn't been like this in a long time, doubting if I could climb, visualising myself walking my bike up the 25/28% ramps of wynnats pass.......instead of my usual positive visualisation work that I do , on the approach I slowed back off Nic's wheel having an argument with myself, I was really winding myself up about something that now I can see is so simple, something you should enjoy..... 

But it was a confidence issue, so basically failure isn't an option, was repeated over and over and over, knowing Nic would be just up front ahead of me helped, she said the right things prior to me slowing up......but once over that cattle grid, that was it........ 

Failure wasn't an option, the walking the bike up had gone, focus was now the option, focus and a few expletives to ones self over took that doubt monkey who was left sitting at the cattle grid.......... It was hard, it was windy, I could see Nic climbing, and I could see how it was, but kept calm and just plugged away, to the cattle grid at the end, it was shorter than I thought, but done, and I said to Nic at the top, "I NEED a hug" didn't get one, just got to man up really, but job jobbed, and so it was now a few moments away to filling ones tummy monster with food.......I felt good, the confidence was back, and the doubt for today was gone..... 

We set off downhill then up to go down Mam Nick, then to a nice little cafe to get some lunch.

Leaving the cafe behind us we set off again concerned that maybe the light was against us, up Mam nick and then off we set.....

The last bit of a test for the day was Long hill, which was about 4 miles gradual to the top, which we did together to the top and then back down and back to the start some maybe 10/15 minutes away from the start, pretty chuffed that we got another 58 miles in , but Hilly, so both happy and both ready for a good feed.

Saturday evening saw us pretty tired, got some good food, and Sunday we had a more flattish ride around Cheshire, a thoroughly great weekend, absolutely loved it, and really needed a good ride to just give back that lost confidence, Nic really helped, and that's the beauty of team mates, we are always there for each other, and always willing to help out, it's what Team GB Cycles is all about.....as well as the racing 😄.

In Spain with Iona.........

Day 3 and another 4hr day planned.  This time up the climb we had descend on the first day, Val d' Ebo.  Then the roller coaster of a road, as it's nothing but steep ramps up and down.

Just over 2 hrs in and after just stopping for water, going up another series of ramps, my right gear lever decided to just stop working!  Brand new cables, cables are fine, the shifter just breaks!  Fantastic!  So luckily i'm stuck in a gear I'm able to get home in, well over the ramps at least, 39/25!   But after that not so lucky as it was down hill all the way!  Down the super highway  from Castells....not so happy, it was spin spin spin, aero tuck trying to carry as much speed as I could in the 53/25!

By the time we got back to the apartment I'd come to the conclusion that pedaling is over rated!

Next thing new shifters for bike, so a trip to local bike shop!  It could have been worse I guess, (apart form the cost), at least it happened day before a planned easy/rest day.

Tuesday, day 4.

After a couple of trips to bike shop, I finally got my bike back at 2:30, half an hour after the bike shop supposedly shut for lunch!

Bike back and I notice there was a chain ring bolt missing!  Grrrr another trip back to the bike shop then, from where I'd just been, only problem, it now didn't open again until 4:30!

Is it really that cold in spain? I wasn't even dressed like that for a ride in the dark here :-)

So an hours spin on the bikes, then back to shop and new bolt for chain ring.  Finally problem solved!  For the past 3 day's my bike's been creaking up every hill, and felt like something was moving when climbing out of saddle.  So hopefully that was the issue all along and so maybe it's problem solved! 

Report back tomorrow, a long 5 or 6 hour day is the plan!

Team Training Weekend in Lumpy Leicestershire

So the weekend started off on Friday night, with ride fuel of chilli and jacket potatoes.  We had a longish ride ahead the next day so it was an early night, well for all apart from the sleepover girls in the room downstairs.  There was raucous laughter and loads of giggling going on, I nearly moved my bed downstairs so as not to miss out...Apparently it was something to do with a half naked man swinging on a huge metal ball (don’t ask!!) or was that Saturday...

Anyway, back to the cycling, the plan was to do one of my normal winter training routes which was around the Vale of Belvoir, the flattest route around, apart from a 19% climb out the Vale (well done little Soden for QOM on that one)!

The wind gave us a real battering throughout and I had a good lesson in what I should be eating by bonking half way round (how embarrassing), but we carried on and feedback was that the Yorkshire lasses enjoyed the flat terrain as it was a nice change from the norm. 

Saturday night included a feast of bangers and mash by head chef Karen (spot on) and more sleepover laughs.

On Sunday, I decided to take the GB team out around the Charnwood Forest and sample a few of the hills, including (hill climb race) Polly Botts, Beacon Hill and the lumps around Whitwick.  

Overall a fantastic weekend, great to ride with teamies, thanks all! 

by Linda 

Feb 2014