One Thousand Five Hundred and Thirty One

Kilometres.

So, despite a pretty busy December I still managed to notch up a fair amount of kilometres under the belt. And Im starting to feel the benefit of it also. Training with a certain ''SpecialK'' had really forced me to raise my game at times. And for the better as well I reckon. He is a classy rider, with many a years of racing experience, so to be able to compete with him is a sure sign im on the right track. Had a couple of great rides over the Christmas week with him as well as Chris and Lisa. Being taken down roads I didn't even know existed, and down some especially hilly ones down the way of the Ashdown Forest. Theres some tough riding down there! Coffee and cake at another new team mate Steve's house in Ardingly was also a treat, must get down there more often!

So remember how I was mad enough to want to race Boxing Day, well, I did. And I didn't do too bad either in fact! I had a great race Boxing Day, getting in a promising early break, with some super strong 1st cats. Then the rest of the race I seemed to navigate the field with ease, being able to move up and down the pack without many problems. I was just a bit frsutrated to miss the final split, and was unfortunately too far back to make it across. I did try later on though, with Jason Streather (an Elite rider, who won the winter series last year), but we just couldn't close the gap. So I settled back into the bunch to see what happened. It was clear the leading 11 were gone for the day. So I started to prepare for the final bunch sprint for 12th . There Jason Streather then had a team mate lead him out, with a Twickenham rider just off his shoulder, then me just off his. It looked promising, then on the last bend the Twickenham rider decided he'd had enough so moved right, right into me, it was all I could do to avoid him while the rest of the bunch galloped. I wasn't amused, but at the end of the day, it was for 12th so who cares.

I really enjoyed the race, when I was in the bunch I felt very comfortable. Then when on the attack felt pretty strong also. I just burnt my matches at the wrong time so to speak. I smashed a few of my power records anyway! But I have much to learn about racing with Elites and 1st's, and yesterday was a big lesson. But I have taken a lot of confidence from the race, mixing it with Elites and 1st cats in my first serious race post operation is more than I could have asked for.

Apparently it's going to be 2008 tomorow, so what better way to start the new year than by the way I intend to spend the rest of it... racing of course! More punishment at Hillingdon with the fast boys. Ah well, here's hoping!

So here it is...

Merry Christmas everyone!

Wow, another year has passed and where are we... The end of 2007, cyclists are still on drugs, Labour are still in power, the youth of Britain are all drunk. But hey, thats life!

How about that for a way to start my first post in what seems like ages. The last few weeks have just flown by what with uncounted hours on the bike in very very cold conditions, not to mention a weekend of night shifts to muck up what little sleep pattern I have. And my last post was all about coursework getting on top of me. So December has been sooooo busy, but we're nearly there. As I write its Christmas Eve and Im about to go for a few drinks to celebrate that fact. Even though everyone seems to hate it, at the end of the day, we all still love it! And even more exciting to me at least, on Boxing Day I will make my first return to competitive racing since my operation in August. Well, I say excited, its really a kind of nervous apprehension as I just don't know what to expect. I have ridden over a thousand Kilometres since the beggining of December, so I feel pretty strong now. At least I think I do... Added to this, im wondering simply will I have the bottle to be mixing it in the bunch at speed again. I really hope I do. But to be honest, thats why I'm starting racing so soon, before the 2008 season can even be deemed to have started really. Although as far as gaining points on the pursuit of promotion goes, the season is well and truly underway.

On top of all of this, It will be my debut race in the colours of my new team. And I'm determined to do the jersey proud. Further more, my Mum and Dad are even coming to watch. I've raced over 50 times now in my short racing career, but this will be the first time the are coming to watch. So, no pressure then! Although ultimately the biggest burdon of pressure comes from my own mind, something which I really need to overcome this year.

Anyhow, its Christmas, so enough about bikes, for now at least. (I am probably going to go for a quick spin in the morning though!) I wonder what Santa has in store for me tomorow??? Oh and I wonder if i'll see him while I stagger home later... Oh and for those of you who have commented on the seemingly infamous 'rollercoaster love life' part of the first post, maybe they'll be something to write about later, maybe... Anyhow, roll on Boxing Day!

One of those weeks!

So it has been one of those...

A big coursework deadline today has meant frantic efforts to get it all done over the past few days, and as a result, not a lot of time on the bike. Not that the weather has been particularly condusive at times this week, and the weekend doesn't look to promising either! Barely touched my bike over the weekend due to various ''extra curricular'' activities. Although I did manage to get out for a good long ride on Monday afternoon, which was the best day of the week for a change. Beautiful blue sky and sunshine saw 70miles completed at quite a brisk pace. Over which my training buddy Stu became increasingly hungry. One day he will learn to eat on the bike. Then he won't resort to saying,

''Ad, Im gonna have to turn back, I think Im gonna faint''!

Did all the usual stuff, Box Hill, then after Stu's revelation I continued solo to Reigate Hill where I failed to set off the speed camera. Got up to 37mph but Im not convinced a cyclist is big enough to set the camera off. Or perhaps I just need to go faster...

Still, was a great ride and the best thing was I continued to feel like Im making progress heading into the winter. Felt much stronger than I did this time last year. Then I guess this probably has something to do with the fact that I've managed to avoid getting any kind of tonsillitus like last year. Havn't even really had much of a sniffle at all so far this winter... touch wood...