Sunday 25 November 2007

My Racing Calendar 2008

Mike's Road Race Calendar 2008

So...these are the races I'm targeting for 2008. It's my first year of racing since I was basically 17. I did do a couple of races when I was 18 and 19, but that was it - just a couple. Apart from the race I did at Hillingdon in December last year, this is officially my first year of racing in 12 years! Therefore I've decided to get into it slowly, doing 4 races this year - 3 closed circuit criteriums and one road race:

Economic Energy Spring Rumble (12 April)
Regional B
3rd, 4th Cat
40 Mins

Essex Roads CC Circuit Races (17 May)
Regional A
2nd, 3rd, 4th Cat
50km

Metropolitan Police/Ciclos Uno Road Race (29 June)
Regional B
3rd, 4th Cat
72km

Southend Wheelers Criterium (25 August)
Regional B
3rd, 4th Cat
50km


I'll also be doing a week long tour in France during July and watch one of the stages in the first week of the Tour de France. At some stage during the year I would also like to do a sportive here in England, but still not sure which one to do... maybe the Ride of the Falling Leaves in October... we'll see.

Training: EF-Brookmans Park-Barnet-EF

Decided to skip the group riding this weekend as I've been feeling a bit tired recently. Completed my solo ride with a fairly good time considering I was taking it easy today. Wind was a bit of a struggle, but it was a nice cruise back home with the wind behind me.

Still felt sluggish, though, but hopefully this will improve before the race next Saturday...

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Saturday 17 November 2007

Training: EF-Colney Heath-Radlett-Whetstone-EF

A bit of freezing moisture mixed in with oil on the roads today and plenty of guys almost came a cropper on the slippery surfaces.

Ride started off pretty quick with Werner, Dominic and I pushing things along fairly hard. Just after the first hill I dropped my chain and had to dismount to fix it. Werner and Dominic kept going while the others waited. Once back on I shooted ahead to see if I could catch the duo up ahead, but they were out of sight. I kept riding along at a moderate pace, but the group took their time reeling me back in and I was caught just before the final climb.

The decent into Whetstone was fast paced as usual and everyone was knackered by the coffee stop.

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Sunday 11 November 2007

Training: EF-Colney Heath-Hatfield-EF

After spending the last 2 days off the bike because of a pinched nerve in my back, I decided to give the Sunday ride a try, even if turning back early was called for. It was pouring with rain from the start and everyone tried to keep the spirits high with joking about. Werner turned off at Potters Bar when it looked like the rain wasn't letting up. A couple of minutes later it did!

I carried on with the group until Colney Heath, but also said my farewells when I heard they were going to the Chilterns - sounded like a bit too much for my sensitive back...it should be OK in a few more days though. I caught a nice tailwind back home through Hatfield and a beautiful draft off a van for a few km's at 50-60kph. I was home and in the bath in no time!

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Thursday 8 November 2007

Training: EF-Brickendon-Essendon-EF

Took the new Finchley Saturday route with just one small shortcut to reduce the distance by 4km. One of the best short routes outside of London - scenery was great with all the autumn leaves falling like colourful snow.

Kept the pace generally consistent and just getting out of the saddle over the several small climbs on the way. Drafted a truck going out of Whetstone for a kilometer, peaking around 55kph - lots of fun, but a bit on the dangerous side. A very pleasurable ride!

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Wednesday 7 November 2007

Training: EF-Brookman's Park-Barnet-EF

Short but tough ride with lots of wind to contend with. Base speed was fairly low, but mixed things up with sprints for hill tops and sign posts. Good ride.

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Monday 5 November 2007

Training: EF-Dancer's Hill-Mays Lane-EF

Short, easy solo recovery ride. Felt a bit sore at the outset, but the legs were well warmed up after 10km covered. Kept the pace low and using easy gears throughout.

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Sunday 4 November 2007

Training: EF-Abbess Roding-Epping-EF

Lovely ride with the Finchley group - about 25 turned up. The pace was consistent throughout and I felt i had a good workout without totally killing myself. Passed through some beautiful countryside around Essex - should have taken my camera along...

Route was mostly flat except for the '3 bitches' between Broxbourne and Potters Bar on the way back. I still felt strong on the ride back home after coffee. Looking forward to doing a lot of steady base miles this coming week during my leave.

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Saturday 3 November 2007

Training: EF-L. Berkhampstead-Essendon-EF

New Saturday route with the Finchley group taking it easy over the first half. The pace was picked up around Little Berkhampstead and there were a few attacks going off the front. At the turning back onto Great North Road the guys took a few risk with the traffic and Vince and I were left behind. He was well pissed off and we chased for the next 10km back to Whetstone but didn't catch the main group. The traffic violators were given a piece of Vince's mind when we sat down for coffee.

A good hard ride and nice to be back on the weekend rides again after taking last weekend off the bike.

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