Ying and Yang

The start of the long distance TT's has begun for me, and I have had a couple of close results already, in fact winning and losing by almost the same margin, a scant 7 or 8 seconds over 50 miles.

The first of these was the Charlotteville CC 50 on the H50/8 between Farnham and Alton, not a bad course in all honesty, but a challenging one with a poor road surface in places, and a few lumpy bits, each circuit is around 20 miles so you have to do 2.5 laps. It is the same course as used by the RTTC National 50 in 2011. The first 50 is a bit of a shock to the system, as it means a prolonged period in the aero position, though luckily on this course you can get out of the saddle a couple of times, so I find it a good event to ease into the longer races.

I was down as the scratch rider, though one rider stuck out as the one to beat, (or ultimately get beaten by), this was James Gilfillan. I hadn't heard of James before, but he did have some pedigree, and he had won a couple of events recently.

The race went pretty well, especially for a first 50, but I was disappointed with the time initially, but as per the norm recently the wind wasn't too kind, and probably in the worst direction it could be for this course. I felt the after effects of the first 50 though, with very sore legs afterwards, not normally a problem for me in 50's and getting off the bike wasn't a pleasant affair. I saw that James had done a 1:48:07, and the organiser asked if I had beaten it. I was pretty sure I had done a longer 1:48 but wasn't entirely sure, eventually my time was put up and I have done a 1:48:15, so 7 secs down on James. I wasn't surprised to be honest, but I had given all I had on the day, you always think about where you could have gone faster etc, but it was a good first 50 performance and took away some good positives.

The next event up was the San Fairy Ann CC 50, this has always been a bit of a special event for me, though it hasn't always been an event with a good ending for me. The first 2 years I did it I had mechanical issues, but put in a good performance last year and I enjoy the course which is the Q50/11 down on the marshes, near Camber and Lydd. The main competition this year would again be Kevin Tye, who has won it for the last couple of years. This year I really wanted to win it, (well I did last year as well, but just wasn't fast enough).

The weather was awful, with rain and heavy winds (well there is a wind farm down on the marshes for a reason I suppose), but it was going to be the same for all. The wind again was in the worst direction, as it meant a solid headwind between Camber and Lydd on what is the most exposed part of the course, it wasn't going to be a good day for times that was for sure.

This was a 2 lap circuit with a section of 4-4.5 miles leading from the start point and back to the finish point, it meant the finish was into a block headwind as well, deep joy after 46 miles or so. I started off well, and with the tailwind help I got where you turned into the wind at over 28.5 mph average, turning 90 degrees into the wind was like being hit by a sledgehammer, the speed immediately dropped, and it was now a case of just pushing really hard for the 7 miles on energy sapping headwind and a poor road surface. Seems to be my choice of roads recently that have expansion joints covered with tarmac that has subsequently sunk down, and means a very bumpy ride and is difficult to get into a good rhythm. It gives a good indication when you pass riders that just look like they are standing still, of just how strong the wind is (over 20 mph it seems for that morning).

Getting to the next turn was a bit of a mixed blessing, as although not into a headwind now, you were being buffeted around with the x winds. At least the speed picked up again, and the road surface meant you got back into a good rhythm. It was now just a case of doing the circuit again, with the knowledge that the wind was picking up as well. It proved a little more difficult to keep the speed up the 2nd time through, with stronger winds and tired legs. At the end of the second lap you just had the final 4 miles to the finish, this just seemed to go on for ever, it was just a case of trying to up the power for the final few minutes and hoping the finish would appear from around the corner.

I was hoping for a sub 1:50 ride, but the weather conditions put paid to that, so I was pleasantly surprised I had done a 1:50:44, easily a sub 1:50 ride given better weather. It was now just a case of seeing what sort of time Kevin was going to do. As I rode back to the HQ I knew we would pass at some stage, I thought that 7 mins after I finished might be enough. As we passed each other at exactly 7 mins, I knew it was going to be very close, and so it proved to be once back at the HQ.

Amazingly I had beaten Kevin by 8 secs, so was very happy, and I did chuckle about the time difference, I thought it was only fair I won by a similar margin I came 2nd a week previously. A great event from the San Fairy Ann CC as always, though they must try harder with decent weather in the future LOL.

I felt better in this race than the week previously, with my legs seeming to be fine afterwards (though not later after doing some training after the race LOL). I also tried a Camelbak Racebak which worked really well, going to need this in some longer races where I may not have helpers.

Here is me in action on the San Fairy Ann CC 50 (picture courtesy of Lise Taylor-Vebel)

Tally for 2012 so far

15 Races, 8 x 1st, 3 x 2nd and 2 x 3rd, 2 x 4th, 4 x course records

Little Mountain TT

Always one of my favourite events, not sure why if I am really honest, I am nowhere near the best at climbing hills, and this event includes a couple of nasty ones, which are timed as well just to make them that little bit more unpleasant. It is organised by my coach Ruth, so no doubt that plays a part.

Having done it for the last 2 years, and having mixed results, I was hoping improvements in me would result in a better result than I managed last year, which was 6th. Looking at the start sheet, I wasn't expecting to win, Matt Clinton was last years winner, and he again was taking part. He has been a National Hill Climb Champion, so I knew I would drop a bucket load of time on the hills to him, and he isn't a shabby tester either, so I doubted I would make up any time on the rolling sections.

The weather forecast for the Sunday up in Worcester was horrendous to say the least, and I suppose in normal circumstances I would have been a DNS (Did Not Start), but as I was due up north for work anyhow, I decided to travel up and see what it was like. There was constant rain and strong winds all the way from Kent, and as I got further north the colder it got, with my car temperature gauge showing 4 degrees by the time I got to Worcester.

The journey up to the HQ took in a small section of the course. The small part I drove along was flooded in places, and the wind seemed very strong looking at the trees. I got to the HQ with heavy rain falling, and I half expected it to be cancelled. After deliberations the race was declared on, with the advise that it was up to the riders to decide if they thought it was safe. Now I must admit I have trained in worse, but it was the worst weather I have raced in, the combination of the heavy rain, strong winds and the sheer bitterness of the northerly wind made this a very challenging day. Add in some flooded sections of road and it was a proper hard sporting TT.

Given the conditions it meant a quick change of tyres, there was no way I was going to be riding a soaking wet TT, with some fast descents on Veloflex Records. So on went the training tyres, they might be heavy and slow rolling, but at least I might get around without hitting the deck, or anything else for that matter.

Not much of a warm up, just a quick spin up and down the road getting colder, I soon lined up. I was feeling fairly confident and happy despite the conditions. The first part is all up hill for a short while, before a fastish descent down to Martley, with you being aided with a tailwind, at Martley turning eastwards, and then getting a crosswind. This is where I first started having some difficulties, with me being buffeted around the road by the cross winds, I think even 50mm wheels were a bad choice, especially with the gusts that caught you out when passing small sections of exposed hedging.

Onto the A443, and this is a fast rolling section normally, but mainly into a headwind, and with flooded sections of the roads, meant it was a real drag to keep up any speed, as you got nearer the HQ at Great Witley the road turned a bit and you got more of a crosswind, and more buffeting. Around the 17 mile mark you actually pass the HQ, now the will power required to not pull in and retire was immense. My only reason for not doing so, was that if I didn't complete the race, I would only have go to out training later, so thought I might as well carry on. I wasn't too cold at this time, though I was thoroughly soaked, and probably a fair few pounds heavier.

The second longer part of the course is the real hilly section of the course, which included 2 timed climbs, but there were other climbs as well. The first of these is just as you turn left to go towards Stanford, and too be honest I found it quite a bit of a challenge, I guess although I wasn't feeling terribly cold, my body really was cold, and it was struggling to get the power out. After this climb you get a great descent, but this year it was not so great, with the buffeting winds and really wet roads, it meant descending on the base bar (I have gone down here on the tri bars in previous years), and on the brakes occasionally. In my mind there was not point in taking stupid risks, I think I had decided by now that a good time was unlikely and at the worst it was going to be a hard training ride.

Standford Bank is the first timed climb, the road starts going upwards before the start of the timed section, and it just seems to sap any strength out of you before you even get to the main part of the hill. It was s low grind up the hill which has sections of 17%, and although I didn't struggle too much here in the 39/23, I wasn't looking forward to the second major climb which in mind is tougher and steeper. Once at the top of Stanford Bank, I was flying again with the tailwind, though it seemed alot colder up here and I started to feel the cold alot more. After a while you again turn eastwards and go across Bromyard Downs, now this really was cold, as hail started stinging my face, and the cold wind really tried to blow you around, at least it was fairly short lived, before you got to the A44 and a large section of downhill.

The next challenge after going downhill for a while, was the nice climb of Ankerdine Hill, it is the sort of hill you would normally hope for a run up at it at speed, unfortunately it starts after a 90 degree bend, so no chance of taking any speed into it. I was straight into the 39/23, but it soon became apparent that this was not a good gear for me, but it was the lowest I had. Up ahead I could see another rider, and I slowly made progress towards him, but at the same time another rider I had passed earlier came back past me, making the hill look easy. As the steepness started to bite I started getting slower and slower, in all honesty I could have probably walked up quicker, but stubbornness wouldn't allow me to get off the bike. I reached the rider in front, but as soon as I tried to overtake him I just seem to stall, but eventually got past, and hit the top of the hill.

Now there was only about 6 miles to the finish, unfortunately all into a very strong headwind, now this wouldn't be so much of an issue, but when cold and wet, it just seemed like a new ice age had started. 3 miles of it is mainly downhill, though it didn't seem like it at the time. Once into Martley and with only 3 miles to go, it would normally be a full on effort and try and get everything out, but it is mainly uphill, and although the hills are nothing to really speak of, they hurt just as much as the two timed climbs. The Beacon RCC kindly put Miles to Go signs out, I have never seen these go by so slowly, and I have never spent so much time in the 39 ring just trying to keep my legs spinning and the bike moving forward. The nicest part of any course is obviously the finish, the LMTT finish is even nicer as it is downhill, and you can get a real flying finish, well you could have done if it wasn't for the headwind LOL.

Back to the HQ, luckily only about 200 yards from the finish, and the difficult job of trying to get yourself sorted out, and getting out of the cold wet skinsuit. Now I knew I was cold, but even with 2 thermal tops on I was freezing, I changed into warm dry clothes, and put on another thermal top, as well as my winter jacket. It still took me about an hour to stop shivering, it is always a odd experience standing looking at the result board and talking to fellow riders whilst your legs and hands move in their own disjointed way.

As for the result, well I was disappointed with my time of 1:52:46, nearly 8 mins down on my previous best, but I was surprised that Dean Robson had pulled out a stunning ride to complete the course in 1:45:52 and win the event. Matt Clinton who I thought would be the winner hands down, had managed only slightly quicker than me with a 1:52:43 for 3rd place. In second place and a great ride on a road bike was Danny Axford with a 1:51:08. Happy with 4th place considering the conditions, which made getting round safely more important that setting the world alight.

As for the timed climbs, well Danny won these in a stunning combined time of 7:53, that was nearly 2 mins quicker than myself, I struggled to do 9:50 (I told you I was rubbish at hills), in fact quite a few of the finishers were quicker than me up the hills. I am just thankful I am pretty quick on the rolling sections to make the time up. I will have to do better next year though if I want a better performance.

So what are my thoughts after the event, it really is a cracking event, a proper sporting course, that mixes the ability to climb well, with the ability to use power and aerodynamics on the more rolling sections. I would recommend everyone to try it at least once, and try and enjoy it. I just hope the weather is never as bad as it was this year though.

A Mixed Bag

April turned out to be a challnging month in both racing and training. It all started off well with another good ride at the KCA 25, coming 1st and beating Seth Kay and Kevin Tye narrowly. This race was a little frustrating in a way, as my powertap battery died about 2 miles in, so it meant no race data. It turned out to be even more frustrating, as I wanted to see what progress had been made since the last TT at that sort of distance. Unfortunately I came down with a cold a couple of days later, and the next few rides subsquently provided not very good news. Was I going backwards before the KCA 25 or was I still putting out good power, I will just never know.

Another thing I did at the same time as coming down with a cold, was to change to an O Symetric ring. Now it isn't ideal to make a change whilst ill, but I thought it would be OK. The sore throat and the cough meant a little time off the bike during the week, but I wasn't feeling too bad by the weekend. I probably did a foolish thing, but I thought I would be OK, and I wanted to try the new ring out in a race. It was also one of the few times I will get a chance to set a fast 25 mile time, so off I went to the E2/25 for the Lea Valley 25 near Newmarket.

The race was not the best in terms of personal performance, power was around 20 watts down on what I know I could manage, and the legs just felt empty. I am guessing a combination of the cold, lack of cycling during the week, and the change in pedalling technique due to the O Symetric ring meant a substandard performance. It wasn't all bad news as I managed to just get a PB by 8 secs, just I wondered what time I could have managed if I had been able to produce the right sort of power, 4th place considering was a good result.

A busy week at work and the lingering cold, meant a slightly disjointed week. No matter how well my coach and I plan these away from home trips, it still means by the time I get home I am tired with at least 2 very long days, in the car and on site. I didn't help matters by causing a leg infection as well whilst away which meant a visit to the doctors and antibiotics.

A more sensible person wouldn't have entertained the idea of racing twice in a weekend, given the lingering cold, leg infection and general tiredness, but not me. I was down to race the Catford CC 10 on the Tonbridge bypass, and luckily I was off scratch so had a relatively late start of 08:00. Unfortunately I was also out on site working until 01:00, so by the time I got up to get the car packed etc, I think I got about 3-4 hours sleep. Now given all that I should have just stayed in bed, but I never like being a DNS if I feel I can race hard, so off I went to race.

I was hoping that I might be able to get a sub 20 min 10 in Kent, and given how I felt 2 weeks ago I though it was possible, but conditions on the day, and how I was feeling meant again down on power and a disappointing time. There were only 2 sub 20 min rides, with one being from Erick Rowsell (pro with Endura Racing), so I shouldn't be too upset, but just worried about the lack of power. Another 4th place wasn't too bad and a low 20 min ride is good, just not as good as I was hoping.

I sort of knew the Sydenham Wheelers 25 the following morning was likely to be another challenging race, I had decided to ride out to the event, 20 miles away, and just try and get some good mileage in as well. This meant lack of sleep again, as it meant a 04:30 alarm call to get ready. I felt better in the race than I did the previous weekend, though power still down, and hence time down. Lost out to Will Mangar and Kevin Tye this time, with my time being 30 secs slower than the KCA 25. Again not too unhappy, it was still encouraging to be close to the top when not 100%

I was getting over my cold all the time though, and with work easing, I had managed to get some good training in, leg infection seems to have gone as well,  so hopefully things will improve a little bit before my next event, the Beacon RCC Little Mountain TT (report in next blog)

Tally for 2012 so far

12 Races, 7 x 1st, 1 x 2nd and 2 x 3rd,  2 x 4th, 4 x course records

A Change of Scenery

I mentioned in a previous post I have started racing for Team Swift rather than my old club San Fairy Ann CC. I have been asked why I changed and what did moving to Team Swift mean in terms of equipment and the like.

Why did I change?

Well the lure of riding for a "team" is always tempting, but this wasn't my reason. Racing against the best guys in the business and finishing high up the order means that you are always reseting your goals. One of my goals is to try and win a National medal or a BBAR medal, now I might be lucky and scrape one as an individual, but I realise that I am more likely to achieve this goal as a team member.

The San Fairy Ann CC is a great club with a fantastic history, but essentially it was only me doing the National events and going for a placing in the BBAR. You are never going to get a team medal by competing without team-mates. Leaving wasn't an easy decision, but I believe it is the right decision.

What do I get?

Well a bit of kit and great support, people have been surprised that I haven't been given a bike, wheels etc. To be honest it is an amateur sport and having things given to you is generally saved for the likes of the pro teams. I am more than happy that I have a chance of realising my goals and ambitions, and to me that is the most important thing, though even then it is going to take a monumental effort from the team to win medals etc. There are a few good teams out there with great riders, Team Pedal Revolution and Team Drag2Zero to name a couple.

I must admit I do think the kit looks ace, and blue seems to suit me very well. The team has a great bunch of guys and girls, and all pulling in the same direction. Roll on 2012 and beyond.

A Very Successful Month

March has been and gone, and racing and training have been going very well. In fact sometimes I think too well, though I am sure the coach has planned things right and we can still make some more progress as the longer races approach.

After the East Surrey Hardriders I was back racing locally in Kent, I entered the Kent Cycles RC 25 mile TT on a course I quite like. It doesn't get used alot to be honest I guess it is because it is a bit lumpy, but not every TT has to be a flatish dual carriageway speedfest (thought they are fun in another way). Obviously I had been going well the week before, and training had been going well, doing well in racing helps massively with motivation in training, but I still wasn't entirely sure of where I was compared to previous years. The race was a good one, and power was up compared to the previous year, and I set a course PB, not bad on a cold misty morning. I won the event as well which was great.

My next race was going to a big test of progress though, as I was working up North I entered a Yorkshire event, it was the first time I could race alongside my new teammates from Team Swift. There was a good entry, and although I don't really know some of the Yorkshire racers, I did know that Joel Wainman (Team Swift) and Philip Graves (Clifton CC) where seriously fast racers, and to be honest I was hoping to get in the top 3 at best. The race was the Harrogate Nova 24 Sporting event, which was 2 laps of a 12 mile loop on mainly B roads. It was a pleasent course, and although lumpy it didn't seem too bad compared to other courses I had done recently.

I knew what sort of power I could expect to do and I was a little surprised of how quick some of the parts of the course were. I tried to keep both laps an even effort and I gave it full beans along the A168 towards the finish. I set what I thought was a good time of 52:51, but I did expect others to go quicker. I was very pleasently surprised when I got back to the HQ and found out that I had actually won the event from Joel, with Phil Graves in 3rd. To say I was shocked was an understatement. It did prove that progress had been made though, with power being spot on with what was predicted. Another bonus was finding out that it was a new course record.

The last event of the month was another local event, and this one was going to be a flat one, but by no means easy. I was down as the scratch man for the De Laune CC 10. I am not really a fan of 10 mile TT's, they are just a wee bit too short for me to get into (or so I thought). For this race I thought I would ride out to the course, 20 odd miles away, do a recce of the course, and then race. This meant a nice warm up of 30 miles, which helped take any lingering stiffness out of my legs. It had turned cold again, well temps around March normal, but after the weather we had been having it felt very cold, and there was quite a bit of a crosswind for the majority of the course.

Being last off I could see what some of the early riders had managed, and it look liked it was fairly quick even with the wind (which made bike handling more challenging). I did think that one of the local riders might be more up for a 10 than myself, having done a few in the last week, so I thought I would have to be really on it to win the event. I had decided to try and race at similar power to what I had done some intervals in training, why I thought I could handle 20+ mins at a level I was doing 5 min intervals I am not sure. I guess really wanting the win, and the possiblity of another course record clouded my judgement a little.

I went out hard and kept it up to the turn, and then just tried to hang on on the return leg. One of the best things about being last off, is that you can do time checks on your rivals, I did this and realised I was up on the others. Now it was a case of trying to maximise this and trying to extend the gap, not always easy when right on the limt. I just kept on making sure power didn't drop too much, and then really trying to ramp it up over the last mile or so. I crossed the line and knew I had broken the previous course record (as long as no-one else had gone faster). I was extremely happy on getting back to the HQ to find out I had won by 43 secs, reduced the course record by 39 secs, and I had set a best ever 20 min power average. A 20:31 on a rural single carriageway course with no traffic, with 2 level crossing to cross twice, gives me a very good indication of what is possible later in the season.

It brought to an end a very successful March, and I am hoping that there is still progress to make so I am even fitter for when the main races start in the middle of May.

Tally for 2012 so far

8 Races, 6 x 1st, 1 x 2nd and 1 x 3rd, 4 x course records

What a difference a few weeks makes

First of all I am going to try really hard this year to keep this updated, once a year does not a blog make LOL.

I've had a very good winter training, with some promising increases in power compared to last year, no doubt helped by a subtle change to the training plan this year. As per usual I have entered some early season races, I train to race so when I get the chance to race I am always up for it, well almost but we will come to that in a minute.

I have got into the habit of doing the Southborough and District Wheelers New Years Day 10 mile TT between Bethersden and Ashord on the A28. It is always good to blow out the cobwebs and have a little bit of fun. As training had been going well I expected a better performance from myself, but a cold between Christmas and the New Year didn't really help my confidence. The race went very well indeed, setting a new course record, event record, and matching my best 20 min power from the previous year, not too bad considering I had only done base and tempo work, and not 100% recovered from my cold.

After this it was a case of a few months solid hard work, another difference this year was that I was doing alot more work on the turbo. I realised that some of my training in 2010 to 2011 was not the best. Trying to do hard tempo rides in the dark wasn't always the best choice, as sometimes the speeds mean you can't react quick enough to potholes etc. I thought although the turbo is boring, the quality of the work done on it was far superior. This meant alot of split sessions as well, as spending 2 hour blocks on the turbo wasn't a pleasent thought, split sessions meant sometimes getting up very early to get an hour done before work.

The first of my early season hillies started with the Redhill CC Sporting TT, a great little course which I really enjoy. To familiarise myself with the course again I rode out from home to recce the course, this was on top of a couple of tough days training as well, after a 126 mile return trip my legs were a bit shot to say the least. Thought as the ride was done on the Thursday I thought I would have plenty of time to recover for the TT. The TT went well, though not fully recovered, and although power was down on what I expected it to be, I still rode it faster than last year, and above my expectations I won the event. Beating the likes of Tevjan Pettinger and Conall Yates is a nice feeling, these are quick guys, especially on the hilly courses. This was also my first ride for Team Swift, I will speak more about that another day, it is always good to win for your team first time out.

That was 2 out of 2 for 2012, but the next event was another hilly, in which Pete Tadros was riding, Pete is a master of hilly TT's and hillclimbs, and is always a good test. In the Central Sussex Sporting I rode really well, set a new 20 min power PB, and actually managed to be near this for 35 minutes, so another great sign of winter training paying off. I finished the event 14 secs down on Pete for 2nd place. I thought this was great considering Pete put a min and 20 secs into me in a 10 mile TT in the middle of last year.

The early results had bouyed me, and I was training very hard, this would come back to bite me though. I did say earlier I love racing, but the morning of the Sussex CA Hardriders event, I wasn't really looking forward to racing, it was very wet, and very cold. I don't mind either of the 2 scenarios, just not added together, but then again I do not like to DNS either. Legs didn't feel that great, and in the race it showed, woeful power and very tired legs meant a very poor performance from my perspective. Pete Tadros was again riding, and this time he put over 2 mins into me over a very similar distance, though the course was hillier than the previous week. I think Pete summed it up well by saying it was like a series of hill climbs and technical descents, not the best with tired legs. 3rd place was the result, which though still not too bad, it was the performance that worried me.

Luckily I have a great coach, and she just looked at the weeks data, and concluded it was just pure tiredness, and said it was to be expected when pushing to the limits in training. It just happened that the following week, training was going to be punctuated by work, and being away from home. It meant an additional rest day which helped me no end. The other session in the week went well, and I felt good. Even the pre race session I do felt amazingly good, I just hoped I would feel the same on the next race day. The next race was the East Surrey Hardriders event, this is a classic, won by the likes of Michael Hutchinson, Ricahard Prebble, Pete Tadros and for the last 2 years Wouter Sybrandy. It always attracts a good field, this year Wouter wasn't able to ride, but Pete Tadros was the scratch man.

I hoped that I could pull out a sub 1:08 for the course, and fully expected Pete to beat me, though I hoped to keep the margin in secs and not mins this week. It was a good day, dry with little wind, though still chilly as you would expect in March. I soon realised that the power was good, and the speeds were higher than I expected, saving some energy for the remaining 9 miles of country lanes I used my speed and power wisely on the A25, A24 and the A264. I came off the A264 with an average speed of around 28 mph, and thought I know I will lose some to the finish, but I am certainly on for a sub 1:08.

As you come off the A264 on the road to Rusper, you have to climb Hurst Hill, although not particularly long, only around a 2 min climb, it is a leg sapper. The road leading up to it is a false flat and after the A roads it just seems very hard to get speed up. Feeling brave I got up the hill in the big chainring, though near the top it was getting tougher to turn it over. I lost some of the average speed here, down to around 27 mph. The last 8 miles or so are rolling with a couple of sharp inclines, I just pushed as hard as the body would allow, and managed to get a sub 1:06.

With this it meant I broke the previous course record, set by Wouter, and back at the HQ I realised I had also beaten Pete Tadros by 30 secs. I was a bit gobsmacked really, from being 2+ mins down the previous week to winning by 30 secs. It was a good day, power was where it should have been for the hour or so, it certainly proved one thing to me.

One may ask why such a big difference in a week, well tiredness has a massive part to play. I had had 3 to 4 weeks of hard training with some races thrown in, and by the time I got to the Sussex CA event my body was just extremely tired, and the power output showed this, being some 10+% below what it should have been. An easier week with more time to recover was what my body needed, and for once work helped in this regard with me having to miss a session. It gave me and my coach great feedback about how much load I can take and the length of recovery needed for optimal performance, this should pay great dividends for the main races of the year the BBAR races.

Tally for 2012 so far

5 Races, 3 x 1st, 1 x 2nd and 1 x 3rd, 2 x course records