Vienna - Kraftwerk 12hour

This was a great race to be part of, with the event taking place on a 5.3km circuit on the outskirts of Vienna. It was a crazy well organised race on a challenging short circuit which gave you moments when you felt like a lab rat going round in circles.

There were 95 solo riders and the same number of 3 man teams racing which made the pace pretty frenetic at times. The idea of this race was to get some real pace in my legs over a longer distance.

Thankfully i did not get caught up in any of the early crashes caused by the erratic pace set by the team riders on fresh legs and stayed in the lead pack.

Vienna - Kraftwerk 12hour

The weather quickly changed with high winds of 29mph and torrential rain which made the event even tougher and more dangerous with so may riders on the course. I finished 10th overall clocking up 260miles in the 12 hours and got the speed I needed back in my legs for the next big races in the UK. On the down side, since getting back I have had a bad chest infection which has forced a rest this week . Hopefully back on the bike next week to get ready for the Anfield 100mile TT.

Icknield 25mile TT and Charlottleville 50mileTT

9th May 2010

Mental stress is a hard to manage!!!

After not being able race in Italy I quickly booked in two events - Icknield 25 mile TT which was cancelled on the day due bad weather and then raced the Charlotteville 50mile TT the following weekend which I struggled in and just got in on 1hour 58min. A lot better than I thought and on reflection should be happy.

I had been away sitting exams the week before the 50mile TT and dealing with mental stress is alot harder than phyiscal stress and I was taken back how much it effected my race. When you are physically tired you just rest but when you are mentally it gets you all round

Vienna next - lets hope the sun shines

Italy - all the preperation and no plane to catch

17th April 2010

Volcanic ash stopped my defence of the European Title in Italy. Gutted

After the long months of training and pre race preperation the volcanic ash stopped me getting to Italy. I can not express my fustration at not being able to race. There was simply no way I could get there on time after the flight cancellation late Thursday afternoon.

The trick is how I manage the energy without going out and going wild on the roads to get the tension out of me.

This is a real blow as I have now missed two world cup events this year and need to hold my form for Vienna.

Nothing I can do but move on to the next race.

Lancashire Hilly 50 mile TT

11th April 2010

Yep - another hilly event to test my fitness and strength.

I love this event for its sheer challenge and it takes place in possibly the most superb areas of the country with hills and rolling roads that would struggle to find on the continent

Yet again I faired well finishing inside the top 10 and taking a good chunk of time of last years.

Felt strong and ready for Italy.

A5 Rangers Hilly 31mile TT

20th March 2010

The good form continues - Happy Days

On Saturday I raced the Hilly 31mile TT and won the N&DCA trophy in the relentless rain and wind which is typical for this weekend.

It even got better when I raced the 10mile TT the following day and won the Mike Lunn trophy for most improved time taking nearly a minute of last year - big thanks to Allsports who help with my nutrition and also the Iceni for the right mineral water.

Lancashire next....

Matlock Hilly 25mile - it was hilly again

6th March 2010

I raced the Matlock Hilly this weekend and as per usual it was a true lung buster of event. It opens with a 5 mile hill climb and then takes you through some beautiful scenery.

I showed great form finishing 4th behind some handy local riders. Pretty pleased and happy to be out racing.

Big thanks to Darren @ Roy Pink Cycles for setting up the bike.

Bring on the Hilly 31mile next week.

This Season's Goals - were off

i wi

The plan for this year is the defend the NDCA hilly 31m title which is a local event that I always support before travelling off to Italy for the European Championships in the foothills of Montello. I will go head to head with the World Champion over 24 hours in his back yard and that will not be an easy one.

I will then move onto the Kraftwerk 12hour race in Vienna. This is just one crazy race on a 5.3km course which makes your feel like a lab rat going round in circles. All the rules are thrown out the window with regard to drafting and style of bike used. There will be solo riders mixing with team riders and the pace is frenetic. Later in the season I plan to ride the UK 24hr & 12hr before setting off to France, Ireland and possibly Brazil.

February - putting things into perspective

I had planned to race the Sebring 24hour in Florida this month but financial support has just been hard to get and when you have think about funding your support crew as well it becomes a real challenge. My mother keeps reminding me things happen for a reason and they sure do at some point.

Sadly my father in law passed away this month and cycling took a back seat while I focused my energy on supporting my family through this difficult time and like my father, Paul lost his long and determined battle against cancer.

The month has been a real emotional roller coaster and put life into perspective quickly.

December / January - Winter Blues

The weather is the coldest I have ever known it and I can not recall snow like this for a long time.

Did we ever have a great summer and a lousy winter ?

This really is a tough time training and resisting the risk of training on the roads and incurring an injury is hard to control. Much of my time is now spent either on the turbo trainer with Faithless blasting out, at the gym, attending body pump, circuit training or in the pool. Generally as much cross training as possible to get my fitness back up, after all I will be racing pretty early in the season.

Did I mention that I have given up alcohol, chocolate, biscuits,fizzy pops, caffeine and crisps in my attempt to keep my weight down through the winter. Its a challenge alone with the temptation over Christmas so great.