Final preparations and the start of the season

I've been back in the UK for two weeks and a lot has happened since my last blog post. Last weekend, after finishing my four month training camp in Girona, I started the season with Catford Equipe/Banks.

I had visions of my last ride in Girona being a tour of some my favourite roads with the sun shining as it had been doing so for majority of trip. Alas, 5 days before my flight back home I hit a car whilst descending. Although I got up and initially thought I'd got away with it, I found that when I went to pick up my bike I couldn't lift it. I had a 2 hour ride home in agony followed by a trip to the local A & E to confirm I had damaged ligaments/tendons in my shoulder. The nature of the injury meant there was no definite timescale for recovery and left me facing the prospect of missing a month or so of racing. A couple of days rest followed before I couldn't resist one last ride out there. Aided by some Spanish ibuprofen (it works wonders) I was able to get out and stretch the legs. That evening I went to see a physio who spent 10 minutes manipulating my arm in all directions and cracking my neck & back. I felt considerably better after and had gained full movement back in my shoulder, albeit in a lot of pain still. Although the injury wasn't ideal it could have been a lot worse and the fact I was still able to ride meant I could continue with my preparations for the season. 10 days riding later and I was on the start line in Belgium. 

1.12B Geluwe

It's amazing what a race can do to take the mind off an injury. I could hardly sprint out of the saddle the day before racing but before I knew it I was in a group of 120 guys travelling at 30mph fighting for position. It took a few laps to get my head around the course and just how aggressive racing in Belgium is. I finished the race safely in the peloton but with some serious lessons learnt for next time. I'm already looking forward to my next trip out there and am confident I can get a result out there.

7th- Crest RR

After a 6 hour trip home I was back in the UK resting and preparing for Sunday's test, another 110km race but this time in hilly back roads of Essex. The race on Sunday was a completely different test to the madness that I had taken part in on Saturday. I spent the first couple of laps with sore legs but they came to me as the race was being made. A group of riders got away just before the main climb on the course. I buried myself to get across with a couple of other riders knowing that it was going to be the winning move. A group of 8 riders formed and had 3 minute lead after just 1 lap, this eventually grew to 6 minutes by the end. Unfortunately Saturday's efforts had taken a bit out of me so I was in no state to contest for the podium but managed 7th place. Of course I didn't spend 4 months training out in Girona to get 7th in a local race but I was happy with my performances this weekend and the signs are looking good for a strong season this year. The hardwork I put in this winter is clearly paying off but it's just the start of the training I'm going to put in.

Thanks for the all the support and messages asking how I've got on. It felt great to be racing the Condor this weekend so thanks to my sponsors as well.

Next on the calendar:

12th Roy Thame 

13th Jock Wadley Memorial

20th Wally Gimber