The Perth Road Trip

After a long, wet, cold winter I was really looking forward to the first national of the year. Although not that enthusiastic about it being the start of a snowy April in Scotland!

Nicola picked me up on route to Perth, managing to get 2 bikes and 4 sets of wheels all in a 107! Squashed in ready for the three hour trip, it was then I went on a license hunt and having to repack the car for a second time.

Finally getting to Perth on the Friday afternoon, signed on, rode the circuit, had tea and got ready for the 9 o'clock start. Mentioning no names but one of the Maxgear girls did cable tie the spoke to the forks when attaching a transponder!

bicycles.org.uk/copgp

Race time. It started hard with riders getting shelled out of the back, up the climb there was quite a bit of gravel this caused two crashes at different points in the race luckily I squeezed up the inside and on the mud avoiding both incidents. Halfway through the race Jo appeared next to me, explaining she had shipped (dropped) her chain, stopped got it back on and then chased back on to the bunch, that showed real strength until her bottle dropped off and she looked for it, managing to chase back to the bunch for a second time, I was sat in seriously amazed!
 

With 3 laps to go the bunch started getting tighter making it more sketchy, suddenly there was a crash on the flatter section of the course. Unfortunately I was directly behind it and heavily braked, clipping out (pulling my hip in the process) limping around the accident I then had a small chase back to the bunch. Coming into the sprint finish there was two girls away therefore I decided to sit in, saving my legs for later races but still getting the bunch time on the General Classification.

Meeting up with Jo after the race I had a sudden panic that I had not seen Nicola and Frankie since the early crashes, luckily they were waiting for us at the head quarters and had only been separated from the bunch by the crashes.

Getting to my room I went to sleep, this was probably not the most ideal of things to do considering I still look asleep on the time trial pictures! The start of my time was at 7:30. The course was a short climb then very technical section with a dead turn, speed humps and a paved section, not suiting my strengths but being only 1.1Km in total and not loosing too much time to the leaders.

andyw39.smugmug.com/

A quick brief for the Sunday's race it was time to go to bed. Sunday arrived too fast! It was raining as we (the Maxgear girls) walked a lap of the circuit looking at drain covers and pot holes, this wasn't filling me with too much confidence, but after warming up I was stood on the start line ready to go while wishing I'd worn long fingered gloves. As the whistle blew we were flying round the course with no time to think about pot holes and loosing my back wheel at one point on a grid. I was loving the course although I could not feel my fingers or toes and only thinking about staying with the riders in front. Finding it a tight circuit and being hard to move up the bunch, I was at the back unfortunately the girl ahead of me dropped the wheel and I couldn't get around her until it was too late, this only happened in the last lap which also meant I achieved 16th place in the criterium race.

After the race, Frankie (the brainy one to keep warm) gave me gloves as I shivered and struggled taking my numbers off. Getting to the car I was very muddy and shaking, where Nicola even rapped herself in a bike towel to keep warm, putting full heating on in the car we made it home where my mum had made a lovely curry. Overall I Finished 18th on the General Classification with Jo 24th and Nicola 30th it was a good weekend bike racing, now its back to work to afford it!

Love Eve

The ups and downs of bike racing

I've not Blogged for a while so I've put together a short blog on the a few moments in the past couple of months.

This year I have had a few disasters, getting tonsillitis, Naseby and crashing at Newport Nocturne! I really questioned whether bike racing was for me, but I've carried on riding my local race league and enjoying cycling. Out of cycling I have had more success in finishing my A-levels and getting a full time job as a trainee quantity surveyor.

I think my favourite moment this season has to have been in a 3rds/4ths Men’s race. I was unsure if I could race due to been a junior second cat women, so at signing on I asked if I could take part. This was met by some sniggering, although I was told it would be fine for me to race and as I left I realised I had forgotten my numbers! This caused another chuckle. The commissaire then said if I stayed in the bunch I would get £10 back at the end of the race. This was met with another laugh from all of the others. In the end I finished tenth overall and there was no chuckling when I received my £10!

More recently I have rode a few hill climbs for fun and would like to say a massive well done to Lynn Hammel yet again the National Hill Climb Champion as well as breaking her own record on the climb!

I’m starting back on winter training doing track league and preparing for 2013, so would like to leave you with a few pictures of the past season:



Made the selection in elite womens race in Belgium



Attacking up a typical cobbled climb in Belgium





On the attack again, Surf & Turf 2
day stage 3 edrollasonphotography.co.uk

Me and Anna Fischer off the front in the criterium - Surf
and Turf 2 day, stage 2 edrollasonphotography.co.uk





Scottish National Crit Champs

The Newport Nocturne, going well before my
big crash!







Climbing 'The Rake' edrollasonphotography.co.uk



Back to racing with a bang!

After finishing my exams on Friday, I felt very happy and couldn’t wait to get back to racing. I celebrated by doing the Lancaster town centre crit in the rain that evening! The poor conditions (torrential rain) meant there were only 30 racers and the field quickly split, there was no real peleton. So I spent most of the race alone, although I did manage a smile for the camera and finished the first lady. The only one crazy enough to turn up!

A week later I travelled to Belgium to meet Melissa, who had already been to a music festival out there (have a read of her blog). I was really excited to be competing again and did my first junior women’s race since my exams. It was daunting sat on the start line with three national champions, one silver world medallist and the regional champion! The national champion got a bouquet of flowers just for turning up!

Soon the race got underway, unable to see the lap board for spectators, I had to count down the 40 laps. I attacked just after the 70 euro prime (think I should have gone for the prime instead for 70 euros!). I got off the front and heard them all clicking gears to try to catch me. I was steadily getting brought back and there was a counter attack, I was thinking the chase was really going to develop, but it never did! Eventually the girl who counter attacked, was nowhere to be seen so we were all then racing for second. Hearing ‘lasta ronder’ (last lap) on the speakers, I started thinking about my position and moved to the front. I got swamped on the cobbled corner, (I later developed blisters on my hands from the cobbles) but managed to move up coming out the corner. On the last straight I managed to avoid the ‘ridge of death’ (a ditch in the middle of the road) then battled in the bunch to the line! I finished a respectable 12^th. Not bad for my first women’s race back!

After the race I changed and watched the men’s derny crit (it looked mental) although I’d love to have a go!






Tired the next day Mel and Me trudged down to be beach to rest our legs and sunbathe – important preparation for my first ever Belgium women senior race, which started at 6 o’clock that night. Yet again the starting bunch was daunting with 50+ riders and teams represented were such as Top Sport, Rabobank and AA Drink. Somehow I managed to get a place on the start line although the girl next to me swerved, so I couldn’t get clipped in immediately. On the narrow roads I could barley see the front from the back of the bunch. Being in this position also meant I would nearly stop on each corner and then have to sprint to get back on! I moved up to Mel and it seemed easier at the front, although having to battle to keep my position wasn’t easy. It was taking me over a lap to move to the front but no time at all to get to the back. An average speed of 25 miles an hour and after the junior race, my legs were starting to feel the burn and the blisters were getting worse on the two cobbled sections. I was working through the pain and kept moving to the front where it felt easier on the legs but this meant elbow to elbow with others and jostling over place. With 3 laps to go and four women down the road, I was on the front of the peleton. I felt good and even managed to attack a couple of times and with a lap to go the break was still away although the main group were still racing like it was all to play for. We came into the bunch sprint, which was mayhem. I came 26th place, which I’m very pleased in a tough senior race.

Junior National Championships - my last race before A-Levels

Sitting near the front early on watching
for attacks (Guy Swarbrick/swarbrick.com)

Leading up to the Junior National Championships at Brynmawr, I was slightly worried because I had been ill before the Cheshire Classic (having to settle for just sitting in and finishing in the bunch). I didn’t want another cold so had been taking it easy, although still raced the Tuesday night crit at Salt Ayre (couldn’t resist), finishing 8th with the 2/3/4 men!

We were greeted on arrival with warm sunny weather – unbelievable! It was going to be the first race of the year in double figures..! We all went to get changed and realised Nic, Hayley and Lauren all had bright pink nails - totally unplanned. On the way to debrief with Nic we saw all the Maxgear lads with Wayne. Stopped for a chat, and a quick picture, the boys wished us luck and we set off! As the race got underway, I decided to sit near the front as I knew that in the past few races that a break had got away. Myself and Nicola made a few attacks through the race but none getting very far.



Nicola off the front
(Guy Swarbrick/swarbrick.com)

With less than 15 miles to go I decided to go for a big attack. It was totally unplanned, but I got a gap of 10 seconds. I was gaining time, until one of the senior women decided to pull me back. She was able to out gear me on the very slight decent with only 6 miles to go. The finish was coming up fast, and I had just used up a lot of energy in the wind!




Crossing the finish line - 10th Junior
(Guy Swarbrick/swarbrick.com)

At the bottom of the 4km climb (5k to go) two seniors and a junior were away. I was on the front, but Nicola came round from the back to get me back up to the junior. As we reached the junior, Elinor Barker attacked and split the bunch in two. Unfortunatly due to the massive effort off the front, I couldn’t quite go with it and was stuck in no-man’s land with another girl. We started to gain on the lead bunch – containing all the favourites, but I got cramp and couldn’t make it (a lesson learned to drink more next time!!). I just about crawled over the finish line as 10th junior before anyone caught me.

An enjoyable race but not quite the result I was looking for. Unfortunately racing will take a back seat for a month now until all my A-Level exams are over.

The Junior Brabantse Piljs

I got to the race circuit, which was near the centre of Brussels and rode down the hill (featured in the race) to the HQ. I was wondering how we were going to cope racing up that hill 13 times!

Before the race I decided to do a loop to test it out, while Melissa was on rollers. The start of the cobbled climb luckily had a non cobbled path up the side and the steepest part of the climb wasn't cobbled - not as bad as i'd thought. When I got to the top of the climb I saw some riders waiting for the start, so I decided to ride back down to get Melissa. When I got to the bottom I realised she'd already set off to the top!

The climb

Being last to the start line ensured I was yet again at the very back! I decided pretty quickly that this bunch was definitely going to split, so I had to make my way quickly to the front.
On the first lap, the descent was mayhem. It had rained earlier and the surface was slightly slippy, so there were lots of crashes. Luckily I managed to avoid all of them although unfortunately Melissa got stuck behind one. After 3 laps the bunch had split and I had made selection being in a group of 20 away. The pace increased again as there were a few attacks on the hill. Ian (Mel's dad) kept shouting for me to move higher up the bunch at the bottom of the climb! I asked him how many laps to go - he said three, although it actually turned out to be eight! After lots of attacks, 4 riders eventually managed to break free. Another attacked with two to go. I saw it go, but had nothing left, so had to settle for sitting in and waiting for the sprint. The last time up the climb we took a right instead of a left and onto the finishing straight. The other girls were really going for it, but I dug deep and despite being rolled, managed to kick round another rider ahead to finish 7th.

Me next to the Champion-
System Lorry

The atmosphere was amazing, since we were a support race for the spring classic and going through the finishing straight with all the barriers was a brilliant experience.

After the race, it was time to head home back to England, saying bye to Melissa (she was staying till Sunday) and putting the bike in the car I noticed we were parked next to all the team lorries, and close by were all the Champion Systems lorries! I had to stop and have my photo taken with, which made me miss the Eurotunnel train!

I had a brilliant time racing in Belgium and can't wait till the Cheshire classic on Sunday.

Eagle RC Team Series Race – Hog Hill

I started the race at the very back of a bunch of 76 riders, not the place to be..! Fortunately I managed to make my way to the front in the first lap and tried an attack. This was brought back and a few more attacks went. The bunch stayed largely together, although the attacks made the race a bit harder – just my sort of race!
With 4 laps to go, a Mule Bar girl attacked and got away. I was in the middle of the bunch, so could not react myself and willed the others to chase, but it never materialised. She got a16 seconds on the bunch very quickly and coming into the last lap it seemed we were racing for second.  Unfortunately for the rider off the front, she punctured. I had moved up and was 4^th wheel as the sprint opened out. I managed to sprint past two and hold off the others for 2^nd place following Emily Barnes who took the win! Another good race for me (especially considering the problems I had on the course during the Essex Giro with punctures last year) and can't wait for our week in Holland/Belgium!

The coal road challenge..

It was that time of year again this Sunday, where my dad thinks its a good idea to ride the coal road challenge. Setting off in the middle group, there was no easy start (you always get some fast men smashing it!). Unfortunately Dad got a puncture at the first big hill and told me to continue without him, never to be seen again till the finish...

The 'bunch' splintered as the speed was high and I managed to stay in the front few, a while further down the road I kept wavering on and off the back. Eventually I was alone. Unsure of directions and struggling against the wind, I even made up a song about being on my own! I was beginning to wonder why I was even doing the challenge. A while later some men caught me and I rode with them just to the feed station just getting a little breather.

Ugh, after the feed station the hill was bigger than I remember soon the gruelling extent of the climb started to cause me some pain... later I was on my own yet again (singing my lonely song) and a Mr speedy came flying past. I jumped on his wheel getting a small tow to some riders who I rode with back to the finish. I waited there to slowly clap my Dad in. 67 miles over one of the highest roads in Cumbria, partially alone. Somewhat character building... still, managed it 10 minutes quicker than last year (more than I can say for my poor Dad!).

First 'road race' of the year, done! Next up, March crits, Team series and Cheshire Classic.

 

Eve x

Bad weather, car crashes and A-Level exams - thank god for half term (and brand new Edco wheels)!

I was really disappointed to miss the team launch, I really wanted to go and it sounds like every one had a great time but, unfortunately I had work commitments ( I work in a little cafe on a Saturday and couldn't get the time off).
Luckily Nicola picked up my new Edco wheels and they look amazing, I can't wait to use them in the racing season!

The weather conditions have been awful with snow and ice for about 2 weeks, with 100 car accidents in Cumbria in 6 hours and my sister been one of them! So, I've been in the garage with my good friend the turbo...leg warmers, gloves, hat and I even considered overshoes! Luckily the weather conditions have warmed up in the past couple of days to melt all of the snow, just in time for half term (from 6th form) so I'm able to cycle on the roads again.

Today I've been training with my Dad so I can't wait to go and sleep having tired myself out (another good day on the bike) but some A-level work may need to be done first!

 

Next up... training camp with the Maxgearettes in March! Can't wait :)

Eve

Back to the Lake District for some base miles...

After the national hill climb I started off with great enthusiasm for winter, wanting to be even more improved for next years racing and seeing my Maxgear RT team mates, Nicola and Melissa, brought back memories of racing and keeps up my desire to progress.

The eagerness dwindled somewhat when I realised it was back to the cold, wet Lake District!

My spirits are still fairly high for now though because there is no ice/snow on the roads (yet) meaning my training can still progress without shivering on rollers with 3 jackets on and a steamed up garage window! This winter I'm racing at track league as well on a Friday night to keep my sprinting and track abilities, although I won't be seen crashed out in a muddy field doing cycro cross (once is enough!). I'm also doing some road rides and a bit of turbo. Today I went on a cold, very windy bike ride with Luke! Wore my Maxgear Champion Systems Tech Fleece Thermoshield jacket, which has windproof sections on the front, so at least I was warm! I was a little bit tired, as I got back late last night after going to see Dirty Dancing at the theatre in Manchester with my school friends - which was AMAZING! I also met up with Nicola and Richard a couple of weekends ago when they came up to the lakes, so it was nice to catch up with them and show Nicola the Capernwray circuit!

My Dad has kindly made this years training harder, he keeps adding bits to my winter bike and I'm sure its just to weigh it down - maybe its so he can keep up with me easier ;) !

Life's hectic at the moment, generally with A-Levels coming up and Christmas round the corner so going to plenty of parties! I'm still working and training more and harder than ever! 

Junior Womens National Hill Climb Champion 2011

Having chocolate profiteroles the day before a hill climb is not the best preparation but it seemed to work for me! This hill climb was 4.44 miles on an average gradient of 3% and time trial equipment seemed to be the preference for most cyclists. There were a lot of fancy bikes around so I was a bit apprehensive that my Cannondale and Mavic extra light wheels would be enough. However, it seemed to work with my style of hill climbing. Setting off I measured my effort not trying to go too hard but still trying to smile at the camera men! The atmosphere on route was brilliant seeing lots of cyclists out to watch the event and spectators at every corner. I was feeling reasonably good coming up to the finish I picked it up for a sprint knowing every second counts (which proves on the results, only being 2 seconds behind my nearest competitor). After the event I was left thinking that I would be 8th woman overall and later found out I had actually won the Junior Women’s prize!

Eve

The Ramsbottom Rake Hill Climb

As the second hill climb I have  ever competed in,  it was most certainly one of the steepest hills I have EVER cycled up, despite living in the lake district! On the steepest part of the course people were running faster than I could cycle - truly demoralising! I still managed to complete it in 3 minuites 47.4 seconds which was good considering I had never been up the hill before, so lacked the knowledge of where to use my effort and where to back off a little. I know next year the national hill climb championships are on the same course and I would like to really improve my time. The atmosphere was amazing with the load speakers, commentary and many locals supporting the event and shouting as I climbed! I’m really looking forward to the national hill climb championships next weekend because the gradient is only 4% which I hope will suit me better.

Eve x

My ride in the National Senior Track Championships Points Race!

Feeling excited to be riding in the senior track nationals, I had no idea how the race would develop, but being on the track made me feel slightly more confident and once racing (after the gun had made me jump like usual) I started to follow some good wheels and made my way slowly to the front. All the other cyclists were watching each other so I managed to sneak off the front, amazed by my own cycling I got over half a lap on the bunch and was starting to get in the same straight as the peleton, just when the whistle for a sprint was blown.  The peleton started to contest the sprint but due to the large gap I won the first sprint and collected the first 5 points. I glanced at the leader board saw my name at the top. I was feeling so pleased but with 110 laps remaining, decided ease up and re-join the bunch to conserve my energy for later in the race.  After each sprint I was slowly seeing my name drop down the leader board although I did get one more point. I was still feeling strong but too tired to go for a lap like some of the other riders, namely Lizzie Armitstead (pro). I am just a first year junior - I may try that next year! When I came off the track with 6 points I was still feeling elated to have finished 7^th overall.

Tywyn Crit & Abergavenny Road Race

After a great result for Maxgear the day before with Mel coming 5^th and me 6th in Tywyn criterium and each of us winning a prime, I was hoping to ride this race as well as Naseby, although there were quite a few inexperienced cyclists with some being dropped in the neutralised zone and the bunch was extremely sketchy in places. On the first lap I decided it needed to be broken up a little more so I attacked and got over a minute off the front of the main bunch (they were unable to see me on the duel carriage way!). I decided to slow as nobody had come with me and I knew I wouldn’t last the 40miles on my own. I should have stayed away, as when the bunch caught me they were going not much faster, as there had been some attacks off the front in an effort to catch me. I settled back into the bunch spending a bit of time on the front to catch Sarah Byrne (who solo’d a 2 minute lead) and trying to liven up the pace of the race, although it didn’t really ignite like I’d hoped.
On the sprint up to the finish on the lower slopes on the final climb we were in a bunch of 30 on Hannah Walker’s wheel coming up the outside with just 800 metres to go when I heard a scream and crashing from the other side of the bunch. I pulled over to the other side of the road to safety. The crash rippled through the bunch in a domino effect and Ruby Millers head came down just in front of me. I swerved off into the bush to avoid the crash and wrapped myself around a tree in the process. Once I’d gotten out of the tree with only minor scrapes and bruises, I found my chain had come off so I pushed my chain back on and rode up to the top of the hill. I came 17th because a few dropped cyclists had passed the crash and came ahead in the standings. It was a very bad end to the race with my team mate Nicola (also from Maxgear) hitting the deck pretty hard and unfortunately broking her collar bone. There were many other bad injuries and the scene has been described as like one from M.A.S.H with only 7 of the bunch managing to avoid it.

Duncan Murray Wines Road Race (Naseby) - Womens Team Series

Looking at fast riders on the start sheet I soon realised that I needed to race up front, not wanting to get caught behind riders. At the debrief they told us there was going to be a neutralised section although I soon realised after half a lap that this wasn’t the case, so I worked my way through the bunch to the front where I followed the wheels of Sarah Byrne and Hannah Barnes. The pace was reasonably slow so I tested the waters, attacking off the front a couple of times, as did a few of the others, but there was no chance of anyone opening up a gap. There was no dominant team and cyclists were willing to chase to stay in with a chance for the win. Luckily I had most of the other Maxgear cyclists there to help when there were attacks.
Coming up to the finish was reasonably slow. We were all looking at each other and for the best position for the finish. The pace picked up and strung out into a line, then we started to sprint for the up hill finish. Unfortunately I never saw Laurie bun starting her attack but the pace she came past the front of the bunch made sure no one was going to catch her. She had lots of spare energy from sitting in for most of the race and had a great leadout from her team.  Hannah Barnes then attacked from just behind me with another rider on her wheel, taking me by surprise. So it left me to crawl past Sarah Byrne to take 4th position just in time for the line. 

Stratford Road Race - Womens Team Series

WOW! I wasn’t expecting the race to start straight out of the Head Quarters, not good when you start the race in the worst position possible – THE VERY BACK! I spent the first section on the race fighting to move up through the bunch. The bad start resulted in me missing the main break and I was left trying to get off the front with no teams working as they all had a rider away. It was a windy and a very open course and For-Viored, the biggest team on the day, had a rider away and settled for minor placing in the bunch. I was third in line to the sprint although it was further to the finish than I though. Rohan Battison attacked and I jumped on her wheel - into a position where I would be dragged up to the Finish. Luckily I succeeded in getting 5th in the sprint so overall 8th position, a brilliant result for me as I don’t consider myself the best sprinter!!