Ras na mBan Stage 5: The Queen Stage

This morning was the epic "Queen stage". The race start time had been brought forward by 2hrs in the interest of rider safety. I woke up at 7am to find that two of my team mates had been ill all night and so wouldn't be able to start the race. At breakfast it became obvious that Sandra and Karen weren't the only ones who had caught the mystery illness. Around 15 to 20 riders were ill. We rolled out of the start, up the hill that we had ridden on the TT course 2 days previously. The stage was neutralised for the first 4km, after which the start flag was dropped and the pace was set fairly high, to try and limit the carnage that might occur once we reached the extremely narrow single track roads. We hit the first climb. It rolled gradually up until we got to the point where the gradient ramps up. There was grass in the middle of the road, as well as loose gravel. I was in the middle of the bunch and struggling to move through the pack. I had to work my way through the mass of riders right until the top of the climb. Nine riders had gone clear over the top. I was one of the first, after the lead group, over the top, having worked my way up to the front of the pack. The descent was just as narrow as the climb. I had a couple of riders go past me and then one of the Dutch girls came flying past. She yelled, "On your inside," and hurtled past me. (I was slowing down at this point, knowing we were about to enter a right hand bend.) She realised too late, braked, locking her back wheel, and then hit the barbed wire fence: the only thing stopping her from falling off the edge of the hill. After that I took it a bit more cautiously, allowing more riders to fly past, knowing that they were joining the group that was forming ahead. So I knew that as long as I stayed within bridging distance, I would be fine to jump back on. At the bottom of the climb, I bridged across the gap to the second group on the road fairly quickly. The group slowed a lot into the headwind before the second climb. It rose gradually up. The Japanese girl decided she wanted to get a head start into the climb and rode off the front. The climb zig-zaged slightly and we could see the lead group near the top of the climb. It got steep at the last bend before the top. I lost a bit of ground over the steepest section, grinding up the hill in my 53/25, while the Dutch girls came past me, spinning away. Once around this bend, however, I made the lost ground back up. This second descent we had seen the previous day and so I took it very steady. As it turned out the freshly-laid gravel section wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it might be. The worst part was the top section of the descent, with a very steep and twisting section. I lost ground on the group I was with, despite being one of the first 3-4 to reach the top of the climb. I didn't care though: I just wanted to get down the descent in one piece. I worked with one of the Dutch girls and a Danish girl, who had also lost ground on the bunch. I never somehow doubted that I wouldn't get back on. We had to work for longer to reach the cars, which by now had come past us, but we got there and then I got back on the group. The group was going slowly, so I moved straight to the front and continued to push the pace on. Only a couple of the High Wycombe girls came through to help, and very quickly I was fed up with dragging them all along. By the time we reached Waterville and the bottom of the last climb I had decided that I needed to try and get rid of a few of the wheel-suckers! I set the pace. One High Wycombe girl helped. I then ramped the pace up slightly more and I must have got a gap, as next thing I realised, Irish rider Louise Moriarty came flying past and yelled, "UP"! I kicked and got on her wheel. The pace was high, and she gapped me slightly. I managed to peg the gap, we were both away. Louise slowed towards the top and I managed to bridge over near the very top of the climb. We worked together, and had around a minute's lead. By the time we reached the descent into town and 5km to go, the gap was at 50 seconds. The bunch had got themselves organised and on the run into town they were chasing us down. I was none the wiser, not having heard any of the time checks. Steve was calling out of the car window, "1km to go!" and we worked together all the way to the line, crossing the line together. The bunch was only about 20 seconds behind us. All in all, a good day's racing, and very pleased to have stayed away for 10th or 11th place on the stage. Iona

Ras na mBan Stage 4

This was the first dry day since we arrived! The stage took us from Sneem, via the town of Waterville to Valentia Island, with two significant climbs.

There was a lovely rolling road out to the first climb: Coomaciste. Karen rode off the front briefly and we were hoping she might get away to get some QOM points, or that the bunch might string out to reduce the number of riders contesting the climb on Valentia Island. Unfortunately, the pace slowed and the bunch stayed together, making it rather dangerous at times.

The pace remained pretty sedate all the way to Valentia Island, where the action began. Before the final climb, there was a sharp left hand bend. Those on the front of the bunch sprinted to the base of the second climb (the Geokaun Pass). Sarah and Iona had some chasing to do! Sarah got back onto the back of the bunch fairly quickly, with Iona chasing for some time but managing to work her way up through the bunch on the climb itself. The bunch split at the top of the Pass, with Iona making it into the front group and Karen and Sarah forming a chase group with around 8 other riders, finishing just under a minute behind the main bunch.

Today was a relatively easy day... Karen somehow managed to persuade Steve to drive us around tomorrow's course (in reverse) after the race had finished. We're going to need to get our climbing legs on! Tomorrow is going to be tough. (It's not called the "Queen Stage" for nothing!)

Ras na mBan stage 2

Stage 2, Sunday 9th September

Individual Time Trial

Iona writes... Yesterday's second stage was a short 3.4km uphill TT.  It made a difference from all the previous years' downhill TT's.  We had ridden the course the previous day.

I finished at the back of the main bunch, in 40th place, on Stage 1, so I was to set off about mid-field.  Lining up for the start, I could hear the commentator announcing the previous riders' times.  They were in the region of the low 7 minute mark and just as I was about to set off, Helen McKay went sub-7 minutes.

I set off and had a good start. I managed to get into a good rhythm.  It was only a short climb, only wished it could have been longer!  

As I got close to the top, I heard a helpful call of 200m to go!  That really helped, as despite having ridden the course before, I was still unsure as to how far off the line I was, as you couldn't see it until it was too late to push any harder.

I crossed the line in 6 minutes 44 seconds.  Now just to wait for the results.

I rode back down the climb to find that I had led the standings in the TT just briefly, before another rider went faster. 

Results out, I was hoping for a top 20, as the downhill TT of previous years has never suited me.  So I was quite pleased to find that I had finished 14th.  This meant that I now moved form 40th to 14th on GC.  

Iona 

Ras na mBan Stage 1

And so it began. Ras na mBan 2012. The usual friendly, warm welcome from Sneem Hotel; the usual amazingly delicious (and nutritious food) and a great night's sleep in a comfy bed.

We woke up to grey skies, wind and driving rain but thankfully the weather forecast turned out to be correct and the rain cleared before the start of the race.

Around 70 riders signed on and at 10:15 am we set off for a ceremonial lap of Sneem Village before racing four laps of the Gortagowan circuit.

Legs felt heavy as we warmed up and all of us were pretty nervous as we lined up at the start. Thankfully the nerves evaporated after a few miles and we started to enjoy the race.

The first lap was fast and the bunch was soon whittled down on the first climb. A few riders managed to get away at various points on the circuit but none of the breaks stuck. 

Guest rider Karen was looking strong, staying towards the front of the bunch for the majority of the race and finishing 20th overall. Sarah was amazed to have stayed with the bunch for the entire race (having been dropped early on on this stage in previous years), finishing 35th (in the bunch kick). Iona came in just behind in 40th place. Sandra put in a great effort, having lost contact with the main bunch on the first climb, and finished 59th.

We've just enjoyed a delicious lunch and will soon be getting ready for this afternoon's TT.

Team GB Cycles arrive at the Sneem hotel for the Ras Na Mban

Team GB Cycles riders, Sarah Maidment, Iona Sewel and Sandra Mackay arrived at the Sneem Hotel ahead of tomorrows 1st stage of the An Post  Ras Na Mban.

The hotel is in lovely surroundings, and the weather so far is good. We met up with our bikes and Team Manager Steve Wright when we arrived and started cleaning up the bikes, and making sure they were all mechanically sound, before heading out to ride tomorrows road race and TT course.

The road course tomorrow is one of the shortest at 66km, we do 4 circuits of a 15km course and with just 2 cat 3 climbs this will establish the Queen of the Mountains general classification.

We get a little break for lunch, and then late afternoon we have the 3km Time Trial, which is a gradual climb all the way.

With a lovely dinner inside us it is time to get some much needed rest, before the early start for tomorrows road race.

Gearing up for the Ras!

On Saturday we'll be travelling to Ireland for this year's Ras na mBan: a five-day, six-stage race around the Ring of Kerry. The race, which is now in its 26th year, is based in the small village of Sneem and attracts riders from across Europe.

So how are we feeling in the run-up to the race?

Iona writes...

I'm returning for my 4th year to the Ras na mBan. Last year the race stepped up a level, with the introduction of five days of racing. The competition has grown year on year.

Coomaciste, Ras na mBan 2010

The chance to race some challenging and more exciting courses compared to normal UK races is always good. 

[Ed.] The Ras really suits Iona, who is an awesome climber. We're hoping that she manages to stay away over the Coomaciste Pass this year and manages to pick up plenty of QOM points. 

Sandra writes...

My hope for the Ras na mBan is that we have a good team feeling all the way through. It's still early days following my knee surgery, but I am going into the Ras knowing I've had some great performances this season: from last weekend's criterium, where I came 4th, to a recent PB of 20:35 in our club's 8.5 mile time trial. We had a great time together as a team in Wales at the beginning of August, and also in Jersey, where we had some fantastic results.

It will be the most I have ridden since my Surgery,  but my hope is that if I take it easy and keep my own pace, whilst working hard, I'll be able to complete the Ras. But I am not setting that hope as a strict goal: I just want to feel the same performances in myself as I have done to date, little by little!!!

I'm the sort of rider that will work hard for my team mates, so that and my performance is what I'm looking at. My fear is my own mindset, and pushing too hard too early.

I'm really looking forward to riding with so many of my teammates, as we have great fun on and off the bike. Everyone encourages each other and Steve is fantastic at putting up with us, saying the right things at the right time and looking after all our needs, making sure we and our bikes are ready - fit and fighting for what lies ahead!!

Sarah writes...

This will be my third Ras na mBan and it is a race that I always enjoy.

I've had a difficult couple of months, with a number of set-backs both on and off the bike - largely as a result of six, sleep-deprived months working in A+E, whilst trying to train and race at full speed. This has come as a real "blow", as I was just coming into some decent form!

TT Ras na mBan 2011

I've spent the last few weeks trying to get my head back in the right place, letting my body recover and catching up on some sleep. This has meant that I've not been able to train as I would have liked and I've lost some strength, power and cardiovascular fitness. There was some doubt over whether I would race at all in Ireland but things are looking up and now I'm really looking forward to the race. 

I'm not expecting a spectacular performance (I'm just coming towards the end of a week of night shifts!) but I'm going into the race knowing that I've had a good season and spent two quality weeks training in big mountains. I'm going to go out there and have some fun, enjoy riding my bike in spectacular surroundings and do what I can to work for my team mates. Who knows what will happen... maybe all the rest will have helped!

Steve writes...

I am approaching the Ras next weekend with mixed feelings. Whilst it is one of the best races on the calendar, and one I always look forward to, there is a part of me that wants to be in Austria to support Stephania at the MTB XC World Championships. Let us all wish her the best for next weekend.

I am actually looking forward to the drive to Sneem, our base for the week, it is beautiful country and the scenery is stunning. The hotel is really friendly, and I am hoping to meeting up with some old friends, as well as making some new ones. The Team is great fun to be with, although a little noisy sometimes. In the past when I used to coach at Sutton CC, I had the privilege of driving Louise Mahe, Alice Monger-Godfrey, and Joanna Rowsell to races, usually Crystal Palace, and they were know as Team Decibel, because of the volume of noise they could create. I think I will have to resurrect the name for the Ras, I have the stickers for the car already!

I want everyone on the GB Cycles Team to ride to the best of their abilities, have fun doing it, and come away with a really good feeling. We should take lots of pictures for Stephen, and write some interesting views on the race for the blog. (Oh, and I’d like to move up Sarah’s list of the 10 best things about the Ras.)


Adele and Linda are also looking forward to the race! 
Follow our progress on Facebook and Twitter (@TeamGBCycles @mediconabike @sandracjm @AdeleMartin3)...

Jersey races

Sandra writes...

Friday 24th August saw the GB Cycles.co.uk Ladies Racing team leave at 5 am in the morning to catch a ferry across from Poole to Jersey. The plan was to race a criterium on Friday evening, a Time Trial on Saturday and then the main Jersey town criterium on the Sunday, followed by a road race on the Monday. All in all a fun-packed weekend of racing ahead.

We were driven in the team car by Steve our team manager and we arrived in plenty of time for the ferry, settled ourselves in and then the long journey began. I think it was about 2 hours late, which is quite usual for the Condor ferry.

We eventually arrived in Jersey and found our way to the youth hostel (our base for the night), which was on the East coast of Jersey, not far from St Helier. The weather wasn't looking too good and with regular weather checks, a storm was due at about 5 pm, which was when we were heading for the Friday evening criterium race. Right on cue, the storm arrived: just as we pulled into the closed circuit track!! We all sat in the car, looking at each other, looking at the track, listening to the thunder and watching the lightning.

We eventually met Peter Derrick, who advised us that there was no way the crit would run due to the track being flooded. He and his wife Debbie happened to be hosting Steph and Iona from Saturday!

So with the race being cancelled, we decided to go into town and eventually found a very nice little Italian restaurant, feeling the need to get some good food into us before the next day's Time Trial.

The hostel was full with various different groups: one being the Loughborough Uni rugby team. We kind of felt we weren't going to get too peaceful a night's sleep before our early start for the time trial!! However, I think we had our own fair share of laughs and indeed at one point Bohemian Rhapsody could be heard echoing around the hostel, followed by Hotel California!! For some reason we then started to play tricks on each other, and that's how the whole weekend carried on (outside of the racing of course)!! Quite how Steve managed to put up with us at times, I do not know!!! We were giggling for most of the weekend!!

Saturday morning saw force 7/8 gales, which gave us a bit of a cross wind for the time trial. This made it quite tough, but interesting. We all put in a really good effort... results to follow.

With the time trial done, we found ourselves some much-needed breakfast, and then found our way to Iona and Steph's home-stay with Peter and Debbie. We were all invited to stay for a BBQ dinner. The weather had got slightly better and Peter timed the cooking of the meat down to a tee before the next passing cloud of rain!!

That night at the hostel was quieter in my room, but the rugby boys definitely partied. Thankfully it wasn't an early start for the main event, which saw a portion of the town centre closed off for the afternoon's crit racing.

The weather was lovely and the day started off with the youths racing, showing us all how it needs to be done. The Elite women's criterium started at 16:20!!

It was a fantastic atmosphere in the town, and we rode down to watch some of the action and meet up with some of the other girls who were racing, before heading back up to Peter and Debbie's to get changed. (Bear in mind today wasn't the day to perhaps try a new route back to Peter and Debbie's!) We met up with Steve, who put us all at ease, checking our bikes were all ok. The last of the youth races was done, and it was now our turn to get out on the track and warm up!!

I found the course a good one, and once around some of the tight corners I was confident with the course. The start was neutralised, but at a jolly fast pace! Personally I had the worst start I've had: my cleat not going in cleanly and due to doing another warm-up lap found had started right at the back of the bunch. Steph and Iona were in good positions from what I could see. I started to work my way up, but the pace was just too fast and I didn't feel top notch!! That said, I eventually got a comfortable rhythm, and started to work with a few other girls.

Eventually, with about 10-15 minutes left, my race was over, as the lead pack were descending upon us, so we were pulled out of the race.

Iona was up with the lead pack of about 8 and Steph was in the 2nd pack, which eventually was about 30 seconds behind. Steph had cleverly taken charge of the second pack to keep it away from the main pack in which Iona was riding.

It certainly was a fast-paced race, with quite a few primes up for grabs, which were mostly won by Nicola Juniper of Corvida Allpress and one went to Louise Mahe of Team Mulebar Girls. So it was an 8 man sprint to the line, with Iona springing in in 6th place, and Steph in 13th. What a grand performance!!

With much rest needed, we all got ourselves prepared for Monday's road race and then had our diner and an early quiet night... but not before Iona and I had taught Steph how to leap-frog!!! So in the middle of St Helier town centre we were placing police cones on top of each other to see how high Steph and Iona could leap-frog over them!! Steve had already gone back to the car to wait for us!! I on the other hand was offering much encouragement whilst conserving my energy for the road race, we all had to be up at 5am to get to the road race ready to be off at 7:30am.

The weather, thankfully, was good for the start of the road race, and remained so. The elite men set off, followed by the support race, followed by the elite women's road race. We had 5 laps to do, with a nice little drag not far from the start. This certainly sorted out the bunch. Anna Grundy set the pace up the hill, and the pack split fairly quickly.....

Close to the start, as we came back down a hill and along the straight to the start-line, I tried hard to get us back on to the main bunch, eventually running out of gas. Steph managed to carry on through, with a couple other girls, but I was totally spent and told Steve in the following car that I was going to do another lap to warm down!!

I turned for the drag, only knowing that the pack were not that far ahead. Very slowly I started to see a rider ahead of me that i was catching up the hill. This was one of the Jersey juniors, who hopefully will guest for GB Cycles next season: only 16. I said that I would work with her, and went to the front to try and gain some ground. It made a huge difference to me and the way I was thinking, and very soon, I started to notice 4 riders ahead. I rode hard until we closed the gap, and then as a 5 we all worked together. This made made life a lot easier, so my warm down lap never happened!

With one lap left to go, the pace picked up - especially on the home-straight, into a head wind - finishing with a sprint for the line. Steve said we weren't that far behind the main group.

As for me, my knee is getting stronger, and with each race, I'm getting fitter. It was a great experience riding with the girls again, and we had lots of laughs.

A big thank you to Stephen Delaney of GB Cycles.co.uk, who made sure we had plenty of socks, Zipvit and other kit for the weekend. And a big thank you to Steve Wright our manager, who maybe is wondering just why he does it, and if he can indeed put up with us all for a whole week when we go out to ride the Ras na mBan stage-race in Kerry from the 9th - 13th September.