Race Report - YCF 10 Mile TT (O10/1)

Sometimes things happen that you are not expecting, there are days when you just don't feel right, your race doesn't seem to go as you want, you can't put your finger on why but it just doesn't feel great.

For me this was one of those days. The O10/1 is a North / South drag, pretty much flat but with some little rises that when you are on the limit hurt more than you would think, but its my sort of course.  

On this day the weather was not a "float" day (or the best conditions for the course) it was pretty breezy, blowing 16/17mph winds with gusts to c30mph.   It was always going to be a tough day.

In addition I knew that there was 2 guys who I beat last week that would be wanting to right that, and another Simon Beldon of SSLL Racing Team, who for a number of years has been a rider I wanted to be as quick as, he is always at the sharp end, somewhere I wanted to get, with him here I have to be honest I was targeting 2nd place.

The night before I did my "leg activation" session, as per normal my legs felt rubbish and my HR was suppressed, more so than normal.  I try not to read into it too much but it does niggle in the mind.

Saturday morning ritual was the same as always up early and big poopy nappy to deal with, its odd how such things become normal.  Erin is amazing, watching her develop and learn every day is something that I struggle to get my head around development is sooo quick, but there is nothing better than seeing her smile.

While she was napping I got all my things together, sorted the bike out and was pretty much ready to go.

In other news I also have a new skinsuit, its still the same York Cycleworks kit but with a NoPinz aero pocket, this saves the pin holes on the back and is said to give an extra 5 watts (although how much you believe that is open to debate).

Getting to the course I decided to drive it, hoping to see the best lines and look for any pot holes etc that might cause me to end up in a ditch.

While its good to drive the course it did make me a shade later than I would have liked, this meant a bit of a rush to get changed and in particular my Velotoze overshoes on, this stressed me out a bit so when I did get on the bike I was not in the best frame of mind.

I headed out and did my normal warmup routine, again not feeling great, but given this was how I felt the week before I was not too worried, I was just looking for a solid ride.

To the start with about 3 mins to go, take off the long sleeve top and get ready, it was so cold I had leg, base layer and arm warmers. 

Normal countdown routine as well... then away, with a whoping tail wind it was going to be a fast ride out and a painful horrible slog back.

Also, there are things that you notice on a bike that you don't in a car apparently, they had not used a steamroller when laying the tarmac, but instead compacted it like it was a mogul hill, then there was the bits that were like the Somme battlefield the road was horrendous. 

At the turnaround point I had averaged something over 30mph, I needed to maintain as much of this as possible on the slog back, it wasn't as bad as I thought my legs were in tatters no doubt, but I was pleased to be picking off the riders in front and using them as motivation and targets.

Over the line and Garmin stopped, I went to look at my result, 21:02, bummer, its always frustrating to see a time so close to a minute point, but I consoled myself that it might be under given you never stop your stopwatch at the same time that you cross the line, always pedal though the finish, I rolled about cooling down, feeling a little disappointed.

Back at HQ I threw the bike in the car and get changed, heading into HQ I check out the times, I have gone 21:59 (you read that right), which is disappointing, I also note that I have been beaten by at least 2 others that I would normally expect to beat, accepting that I have had a bad ride and there would be no reason for me to stay, I chat to some friends and head off in a grump.

On the way home I am pondering my effort and trying to figure out where it went wrong, then in a moment of, lets say, clarity, I figure out that my average speed was faster than last week, how can I have a slower time?  Thats not possible, have they made a mistake?

Once I pull off the motorway I stop and dig out my Garmin, I am right, I was faster they must have my time wrong.  I panic message a friend who I am hoping will still be there asking her to check my time, Kirsty sends me a message back saying that it had been corrected, and that the final results were just coming in... a few moments later I get this...

It doesn't get any closer than this

Needless to say I was amazed, I was on my way to Tesco to buy nappies and wine... wine is a key part of both training and baby raising as I am sure most parents will attest to, I then got a call from Kirsty, I stopped in the car and we had a brief chat, I had won and by the very smallest of margins, in fact in this game it doesn't get any closer.

It doesn't get any closer than this

To beat Simon was a big surprise, a rider I respect a lot and hoped to get closer to, I never expected to beat him, there may have been some luck in the weather, and no doubt we will race again, in fact we do next weekend.

So what now, I am on holiday next week, in the words of Peppa Pig "we're going on holiday in a camper van"... a steady week in terms of training but when we get back I have my first 25 mile TT of the season, should be interesting!

Race Report - Ravensthorpe CC 10 Mile TT (V910) (1st Place!)

After a couple of weeks off it was time to squeeze myself back into my skinsuit and have a hit out in a race.  This was a return to the course that I started the season at, the V910 which starts in Brotherton. Its not a flat course but with a rolling climb to the turn point its my sort of course (other than flat ones which i like even more).

I had been off the bike the week before with a virus of some sort, then had a week of training and with the race on the Saturday, I had seemed to be coming into some form, the 2 rides I did in the week power seemed up for the efforts which was good to see but you can never be sure if that will translate into race pace. 

The day before I always have a "leg activation" set, this is done on the turbo and is normally a hard effort but very short. something like 10min warm up, 10min efforts, 10min cool down, just to get the legs going, this Friday they felt shocking, heavy and slow, needless to say I was wondering if I had left my actual legs out on the last training ride, not the best start to the race weekend.

Saturday morning consists of everything that you would expect from a professional amateur, up at about 0630 with the little one, she is now 8 months old, and time to change a very stinky and poo filled nappy, such is the rock and roll life... 

The rest of the morning is filled with family time, something I love.

The nerves were kicking in a bit, I am not sure why I am normally pretty mellow before a race but for some reason this time I was anxious, at 1200 I forced a baked potato and beans into me and started to get my bike and kit ready, I was due to start at 1510 which means leaving about 2 hours before the race starts to give me a chance to get sorted when I get there.

I get to HQ pick up my number and then drive to a spot just near the start, quick chat with Ed Nicholson, Pete Nixon and Steve Gore-Brown and it was soon time to get the bike out and think about a warm, not before Steve has had a good feel of my backside pinned my number on, the things you have to ask people to do....

Off for my warm up 25-30 mins efforts, HR seemed suppressed and legs still feeling heavy, but I get on with it, at the end of the day you can only do what you can do.  

Heading to the start I know that today could be quick weather conditions are ideal for the course, a slight cross tail for the way out up the hill, which is also the longest part of the course, the turn point coming at over 5 miles, I have also made some minor adjustments to the bike to try and get a bit more aero, but I have lingering doubt given my legs.

Once again my minute man has not turned up, not a major issue but its nice to have something to chase. Quick chat with the starters and its "30 secs" push off person takes control of the bike allowing me to clip both feet it, "20 secs", rear brake released, "10 secs", "5secs" front brake released, take the pressure on the pedal, "4,3,2,1 Go!!", resisting all the temptation to sprint I make a steady start, not wanting to shock my body into early lactic release, building the speed I am soon at 30pmh and off on another 20mins or so of pain and suffering, why do I do this!! oh, yeah its fun!!

Photo Courtesy of Crag Zadoroznyj

Unlike the first time out I have a great run at all the roundabouts on the way out, hardly having to slow at all, I had a figure in my head for average speed, that was 27mph, if I could do that it would be a new course PB for me and I could leave happy, as it was every time I looked down I was over 27mph, reaching the turn point I had averaged on the mainly up hill section more than 27mph, this was great, or I may not make it back before I blow and roll in barely able to keep forward momentum... in a 10 it could either way.

Oddly it was about the turn point that I was sick for the first time, something that has not happened in a race for a little while, its pretty gross, and trying to breath and not choke is an added technique that I had to remember, people say this is when you know you have tried hard enough, I am not so sure its not like you ride the course dodging the trails of vomit that fellow competitors have left behind.

I was going to go off power, but my wife had talked me out of that, I always go off feel, power is still new to me and there was a risk that I blew myself to pieces and in an open race it wasn't worth it, so I will save my first power race for a club 10, as it turned out she was right to talk me out of it.

On the way back I got caught at one roundabout, after a van came past and despite not needing to stop, decided to pretty much stop, which was not ideal, it may have cost me a handful of seconds but not a lot more.

Photo Courtesy of Graham Durkin RCC

Shortly after the penultimate roundabout there is a small climb, nothing really of note but I gave everything, I didn't want to drop a second, it was after this effort that I was sick again, not ideal but I must have been right on the limit, but oddly I felt good, in fact very good.

I kept looking at the speed, a little bit in disbelief, it kept climbing, I was over 28mph and still felt good, knowing the end was coming I dug deep, just wanting to maintain speeds over 30mph, could I get a sub 21?  That would have been something on that course, even on a good day.

Onto the last part of the course the speed had edged to 28.3mph, there was nothing more I could gain, shouting my number as I crossed the line I knew that was a good time, but if it was good for me others would be as good surely?!

I cooled down and rolled back to my car, I was speaking to some of the chaps back at the cars and was surprised to hear that I was up on them, and by quite a bit, these are normally good markers for me and people that I am often racing against.

Photo Courtesy of Crag Zadoroznyj

I load up my car, and to be honest I was struggling to stand up, my legs were in tatters, I headed off to meet Fiona and the little one for cake and coffee.  Back at HQ I get my official time 21:15, which is pretty good going and nearly a 90 sec course PB, but I am still not convinced it will bag me a win, the results continue to roll in, then the 2 that matter the most Dan Taylor and Mark Thaxter, both considered quick guys and both chaps I have never beaten.... until now.  12 and 16 seconds was the gap back, which over 10miles is a reasonable gap.  I couldn't quite believe it, I got my wife to check, it was correct I had won, this was a first, not only because I had beaten some fast guys that I had never beaten before but it was also my first ever "open" win.

Still it seemed odd, I was not quite sure what to make of it, I collected my prize money (to keep me nicely in profit) and headed for home.

Reflecting on the race and chatting with my coach it has not been easy to get to this point, it does take effort and commitment to achieve these things, but they are within grasp, I am not a special talent, I have an affinity for riding bikes, that much is true, but I am a dad, a husband and a Risk Manager before I am a cyclist, I do it so i can look back with pride, so I can say I have achieved things that I wanted to and when my daughter asks I can inspire her to achieve, but mainly as I enjoy love cycling and competition.

My biggest motivation

I wear York Cycleworks kit (you may have noticed?!), because they are a great bunch of guys, and friends, but I couldn't be doing as well as I am without their support.  Thanks to  my coach Rob and Fraz i have the belief that I can win and I hope that this is the first of many "open" wins this year.

Not wanting to get ahead of myself I need to refocus, another 10 mile TT beckons next weekend a flatter course but very exposed, if its windy its not fast, looking for the win?  That would be nice, but I will settle for a PB.

Race Report - Bolsover & District 10mile TT

A week after my success at the Sledmere race I was keen to get back out and see what I could do on a course that was more suited to my skillset a flat power course... but apparently I may not have paid enough attention about the course....

The course was the O10/5 which is down near Retford, I have always done this race however it is normally on the flat O10/1, but having had a look at the profile it seemed relatively flat, but as i arrived at the HQ there was rumblings of this being a Sporting course (SPOCO) or in other words not flat!

I met a chap from Team Swift who kindly let me follow him in the car to a parking place just by the finish, this was ideal as I could leave all my stuff get a good warn up and after the race be right back at the car for the dash home.

I started to unpack the car and the first thing I noticed was how cold it was, there was a steady northerly wind and it was really biting, I was prepared for this and had legwarmers on  courtesy of York Cycleworks, but even with these it felt chilly, I also knew this was a North South course so the first longer leg would be into a headwind, but I would get a nice tailwind back.

I had a speed in my head that I think on any flat course I should be able to sustain this year, that being 30mph, its a big ask but I am hopeful, needless to say that went out the window pretty quickly, setting off you go down a descent with junctions and cross roads, its not a great way to start a race, but it get the heart going, from that point onwards it rolled all the way, at the turnaround point I had averaged 26mph, which meant I had a lot to do.

One thing that is always a part of time trials is the other people in the race, setting off 60secs apart there is always an element of "chasing" down and im not going to lie, catching people who started in front of you is satisfying, depending on the field and the race somedays you may not catch anyone, in this race I could up to my 6 minute man, something I have not done for a very long time, while pleasing they are not really the competition as the seeded riders tend to be set off 10min or 5mins apart again depending on the field, so you never know how folk have gone until you get back to HQ, this race was pretty much full 120 racers, some big names, this was not going to be easy.

Despite the now tailwind I was in a world of suffering on the way back, straining to maintain speeds in excess of 26mph to do anything to get the average up, about a mile from the end the legs started to empty and there was an element of refusal, but knowing I was so close to the end I dug in and pushed, this is were the mental side of TTs comes to bear, your body is screaming to stop, lactic acid seem to have replaced all the blood in your legs, your lungs are burning and your heart is beating out of your chest, each gulp of air doesn't feel like enough... but somehow you convince your body this is okay, blanking it all out and focusing on the sprint for the line.

Crossing the line suddenly you lift off the gas and all that pain comes to the fore, in a lot of 10 miles TT's I used to be sick, now that tends to come after the finish line, the extreme effort and the sudden release of pressure just seems to do odd things to my stomach, not sure why, as i wobble down the road trying to focus and not get run over I stop the Garmin and check out the time, oddly I have no reference point, is it good or bad?  I just dont know.

I turn around and head to the car, chatting the the Team Swift chap again he tells his story of the race and his time, I have put over 2mins into him, but I still have no reference.

Quick recovery drink, fight may way out of my skinsuit, load the car and off to the HQ.

Back at HQ I am pleased to see that I am, at that point, winning with a time of 21min55sec, which seems okay but secretly knowing that it wont last.  Grabbing some coffee and cake (there will be a common theme of post time trial "recovery" protocols) I chat to a few folk before heading off, going so early (number 40) it would have been a log wait for the final result.

As it was I was 6th overall, but luckily (depending on your perspective) I was beaten by some old blokes (who may or may not read this) which means I was 2nd Senior, beaten by Dan Taylor, kind of a nemesis who pipped me a few times last season as well... I must try and get one over on him soon!

With that its back to normal life of working, being a dad and husband, as well as fitting in 4 weeks of solid training somewhere.  My next race is a return to the V910 which was my first race of the season so taking the time to reflect on what I have learnt from these races and see what I can improve for the next, with any luck I will be faster next time out.

Race Report - Malton Wheelers Monuments Time Trial

Its race time again, 2 weeks after my last race it was time for a hilly Time Trial, which truth be told is not my sort of thing, I like going down hills but not so much the coming back up, and this course is 50% down hill on the way out and 50% uphill on the way back, it could not be more evenly split and you know full well that its going to hurt.

This event was an afternoon race, my start time was 1435 which gave me plenty of time to mill around and get myself worked up, last year I had a nightmare at this race, I got the the start to find my rear brake was binding quite badly, without the time or tools to fix it I set off knowing that I was not going to go well, which broke me mentally, so instead of giving it my all i pottered round muttering to myself about the bike and how I needed to have a stern word with the mechanic (which was also me).

This year I knew that without the brake issue I could go faster, I did a 26:45 last year and I would be pleased this year to go into the 25's.  The field was pretty stacked, some strong riders including Phil Graves, Mark Wolstenholme, Joel Wainman and Jonathan Wears.

I had also not planned to taper much for this race, although Coach Rob had made the back end of the week slightly easier so that I was not totally burnt for the race, I made the decision not to taper because it was hilly so I knew I was likely to be beaten by a number of lighter and better climbers.

Standard pre-race prep, get to the sign on about 60mins before I start, get my number and get suited up, warm up begins with the "battle of the Velotoze"  for those that dont know they are cover that goes over your shoes, made from the same material as swimming caps they offer aero benefits (marginal gains and all that) and the added benefit of HR increases through the pure physical battle to get them on!!

Quick kiss for luck from the wife and the little one and off on my warm up.  Now my warm up is usually 20 mins or so, 5 mins steady pedaling into a build to flat out, a 2 min recovery and then 6x6sec sprints before hitting the start, this time though I didnt quite get it right, the undulating nature of Sledmere meant that I was either going too fast or grinding out too slow, so come the start I felt under prepared but happy to get the effort into the legs, speaking of legs it was sunny and "warm" so legs shaved and time to get them out!

As I mentioned the out leg is pretty much down hill so you know its going to be fast, and really you need to make the most of that to be able to get a good time, or at least I do, so my plan was simple make, make the most of my "gravitational advantage" on the way out and hang on as long as I can on the way back.

Heading out I actually felt pretty good, much better than expected, at the fastest part of the course I was overtaken by 2 cars that then preceded to hold me up, this is part of racing but it is frustrating, so at a point where I should have been doing 40mph I was doing 30-35mph and having to brake, not ideal, but I used it as recovery time.

At the turnaround point which is pretty much exactly half way I had averaged 30mph, now how much of that can I hold?

The way back is a gentle climb with 3-4 kicks, the gentle climbs are fine, I can focus on powering through them, but the kicks are brutal, you are already on the limit lungs and heart trying desperately to escape to freedom, eyes on stalks but you know you need to dig just a bit more, without changing gears I was out of the seat and stamping on the pedals, its only short lived, its only short lived, but its not when you crest the kick you need to get back down to business so the reality is you dont really recover from the effort until you cross the line!

 Photo by Craig Zadoroznyj

3 miles from home, snot & spit all over my face I can almost feel the finish line, 2 more kicks to go and Im there, then dropping down into one of them a tractor causes traffic in front of me to stop, Im doing 30mph+ and hoping to use the momentum to drive up the kick, sadly that was not to be, on the breaks practically coming to a stop, again it racing, but it is frustrating.  

The biggest issue is that I am in totally the wrong gear now for starting off, let alone climbing, but with the support of the crowd and marshalls at that point I grind may way off up the hill.

Thinking thats the race gone I am frustrated but keep my focus and work hard to the line, my frustration is short lived when I see my time 24:35 on the Garmin, thats 2mins:15 faster than last year, thats not too bad at all!!

 Photo by Craig Zadoroznyj

Back at HQ I get some cake and sausage rolls (essential recovery fuel I think you'll find), and then start chatting to the others, I am not taking much notice of the results board until someone says I have 3rd place overall... To say I was surprised was an understatement, i nearly choked on my coffee cake.

So what seems like reasonable early season form is proving so, and the work that Coach Rob and the support from York Cycleworks is clearly having an impact and I am hoping that I can maintain the form for the season.

Next weekend I have a course more suited to me, flat and fast (so I will probably have a nightmare!!!), with confidence up I am hoping for a fast time!

The art of suffering....

So the first race of the season is out of the way, the build up to it was not ideal, 2 weeks ago i had a cold which stopped me from training, then last week I had really bad toothache that was keeping me awake at night, so as the race day came closer I was even more unsure of my form and in a strange way you kind of start to lose a grip mentally, you think that all the hard work will be undone by 2 weeks of no or inconsistent training and that come the start you will forget what to do and head off in the wrong direction.... or get lost.... So despite the fact I know the course well I still check it out on Google Maps just to be sure.

Those who know me are aware that I am a stickler for punctuality, so I with a start time of 1053 I wanted to get there at least an hour before I was due to head off, loaded the bike and kit into the car and left at 0900 for the 46min journey, so in typical fashion I got the HQ at 0940, no speeding involved (I drive a 16 year old Rover 45 1.4 , the list of things its faster than is short).

There was one other thing that had been playing on my mind and that was the fact I had replaced the rear mech, front mech, chain and all the cables on the TT bike as it had all seized up, and I had not ridden it since, there is a story here about when I first built the bike and various parts fell off each time I rode but thats for another day.

Signed on and number picked up, I headed off towards the start, 30mins or so warm up to get the HR up and the legs firing, but first I have the pre-warmup of getting my VeloToze overshoes on, I am really hopeful they deliver big watt gains as they are a pain in the neck to get on!!

My warmup consists on a slow build from resting to Zone 5, followed by 6 sort 6-10 second sprints, then a pedal the start. 

Now, its time to get in the zone, 20mins or so of focused pain and suffering with a gallon of snot for good measure....  but first the pleasantries with the chilly looking start team and then its "30 seconds" and the push off person grabs the bike, time to clip in, "20 seconds", "10 seconds", rear brake off, "5 seconds" front brake off "4,3,2,1..." and away we go.... for about 20 yds where I then have to stop at the first roundabout, not the best start, but time to get my head down.

Uphill most of the way out on this course, mild headwind as well for good measure... ohhh a tandem.... wait, what, focus man, suddenly 120rpm and not on plan, higher gear and on we go, feeling okay.... have to stop again, another roundabout another load of traffic... nuts. ah well its only an early season race, back on it focus.... ooooo a load on motorbikes, bet they are cold... 

At the turnaround point quick recovery as we go around the roundabout, then back on the TT bars and power back on, with a mild tailwind speeds are up and feeling good, heading for the finish.... oh, theres Craig Zad the photographer.... dammit man, mind on the race.  

Annnd across the line,  so managed to get around but I need to get my race head back on, for some reason I was not able to keep focused on the task in hand, I need to remember the art of suffering for the full race distance without losing focus, it will come with more racing.

Back to HQ time to look at the numbers and see whats what, oh and have some banter with everyone, and cake... its mainly about the cake.

So taking a comparison from last year, I was quicker, 37 seconds quicker and 1 place higher, taking 5th overall, which all in all is pretty pleasing, without the traffic I may have picked up 4th or 3rd but thats racing.

So, back to the training, 2 weeks until the next race, a hilly race that is more for the training as its not my sort of course, bring it on!

Photo Courtesy of Craig Zadoroznyj

You have a baby now, why do you still do all the training?

Its an interesting question that I have been asked on more than one occasion, it seems that having a baby should change everything about who you are and what you do, for me though I accept things are very different and training has changed but the thought to stop never crossed my mind, time management just becomes even more important.

There are 3 key reasons that I am absolutely keen to carry on training and cycling,

1. I enjoy it - It gives me time out on my own doing something I love, I can clear my mind and reset allowing me to be a better dad and husband.  My wife also gets the opportunity to ride and train as well and its the same for her, time out of the house away from the little one, time to herself.  Its an important part of life for everyone, including the little one.

2. It gives me something to look back on - In years to come, as my daughter gets older, I can talk to her about the experiences share the ups and downs and say look what I achieved, look what is possible, I think that is important, its not just about what you earn but about what a balanced life looks like, I work hard but I am very keen to have balance between home work and play.

3. It keeps me in shape - I was 18stone a few short years ago, running was something that other people did, I struggled to get up the stairs, the thought of not being able to play with my daughter as she grows scares me, it would be all to easy for me to go back to that weight and that would be terrible for my mental and physical health and I would miss out on so much.

So its simple, it keeps me fit and sane allowing the time I spend with my daughter to be of higher quality and will help make sure that I can support her through earning a decent wage and being able play with her and keep up!

To apply some perspective I train or maybe 10-11 hrs a week, out of 168hrs in a week its not a huge amount, the bulk of the weekend is made up of time with the family, which is time best spent as I get out early doors, often before sunrise during winter.

In other new the guys at York Cycleworks have sorted me out a Trek Remedy frame, just need to build it up, then I can get out and do some trail riding which will take me back to where my cycling began.

Currently also have a cold so off the bike this week, no point doing anything and making it worse or longer lasting than it needs to, hoping to be back out for a steady ride at the weekend.

2 weeks to the first race, should be well over the cold, looking forward to getting back into it, both my wife and daughter will be there to cheer me on.  

Testing, Testing, 1,2,3...

Trying to keep up with the blogs is harder work than I thought, thinking of something to put down on (virtual) paper while being at the very least interesting and if I can summon something funny to add is no mean feat.

With that in mind here we go again...  Last week I was back at York Cycleworks to see Coach Rob (New official name), after a poor test in December we were keen to get another one in to see if it was a one off, or if indeed I had gone backwards from the first.  

There is a funny thing about fitness / power testing, and that is that no matter how strong you are it is still horrendous, it starts easy enough but with every 2 mins comes 20watts more resistance and soon the legs are full of lactic and you are trying to suck in air through every orifice, that said there is a love / hate relationship it gives you quite a buzz.

This time though the results were more positive the loading work that I had been doing late in 2015 seems to have worked, overall power is up, although we have lost some efficiency and fitness, which was expected.

So what has caused this to change so much since last time, well one big factor is weight, I was nearly 89kgs at the last test, this time I was closer 84kgs, I had over indulged in December, I am thinking of starting a blog "things coaches shouldn't say to me", as being told not to worry about your weight and ensure you have the energy resources to do the sessions is translated by my brain as eat everything in sight and use carb loading as an excuse!! 

Still back on the trail of a strong start to 2016, we have 4 weeks until the first race, I am hoping by then to be at about 83kgs which will give me a watts per kg of 4.64, assuming my power stays the same, which is about where I ended the 2015 season.

One of my sessions was also my first outing on the TT bike, after riding the winter bike the position is a bit of a shock, from relaxed relatively upright to bent over double and looking out of the top of my head, it is an awkward position but one I soon got used to.  The biggest issue was my gears, I set off assuming all would be well but after the first 5mins I was just about ready to throw the thing in a field, the gears were not working, the rear mech was simply not moving, I am assuming due to lack of use, but its frustrating none the less.  I stopped, gave it a firm "wiggling" and managed to get it to a point where I had the use of some gears, so set off again.  This is why its crucial to ride all your bikes before you race then, you just cannot be sure what has happened in the garage over a long winter hanging about. 

The session was a 60min TT effort, which after a tough day in the hills was a hard session, trying to maintain FTP for 60mins is brutal and it takes time to remember the hurt, needless to say I didn't manage it, something I am blaming on my bike, obviously!

I managed to average 24mph, and my HR was around zone 3 for the ride, so that does mean that on fresher legs I should be in reasonable shape, I also decided that I need to see the speed I am going as that is a real motivator for me, and I tend to target a specific speed which makes me work harder, so next time I will be looking at speed alongside power.

I have also ordered a thing 20mm rear tyre, my TT bike wont take a wider one for some reason, so I had to run my disc for the above ride and you do feel a bit of a div on a training ride with that on, at least I refrained from wearing the skinsuit.... one to save for racing only!!

Looking to the future, consistent training may become more difficult, my daughter is due to start nursery in May and my wife to go back to work, she is also training again so I can foresee a time where there are some early starts on the turbo to make sure I can do the nursery run, and the rides to work which have been working for me so far may have to be dropped off for a while.

I certainly don't begrudge it, but I am mindful of what it might mean and I am giving some thought to how best to manage that transition.