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