Europe Bound Next Week!

I have to report that I am very excited that next week I am doing a spot of bike racing in Europe.

It all starts on Friday when I travel to the Rollapoluza National Final on Good Friday after watching the mighty Eve Dixon compete at Hog Hill in the afternoon. Both me and my boyfriend Alex have qualified for the final so not only will I being trying to win the women's event I also want to put Alex to the sword!

On Saturday we go under the channel sea via tunnel to France, drive through Belgium and race in Holland in a 50km criterium race, entry looks good and Eve and I will represent Champion Systems/Maxgear in the junior race.

Sunday we both get a rest and get to watch the fellas in Paris Roubaix, planning to watch the race through the Arenberg Forest and then get to the finish in the velodrome (this may change traffic dependent).

On Monday another race in Holland, Kermesse style 11 laps for Eve and I to get our teeth into. Quite a drive to get to this one so need good tunes on the Ipod and can see my record on Temple Run getting broken.

Tuesday = Day off and a little bit of site seeing in Ghent, Oudenaarde (Flanders socks to be purchased black lion, yellow background).

Wednesday = The big race! we are in the support event in Belgium for a Spring Classic. A certain Andy Schleck is entered (no.71) in the main race and we race before the main event drops into town. Champion Systems pro team are racing, so we hope to do them proud!

Got my new wheels to test from Paul Hewitt Cycles (after the rim blew up at the Team launch) and they feel great, hand built the same as Bradley's!

Thursday = a trip to the Mira observatory to meet Phillipe again (my other passion away from cycling is Astrophysics).

Friday another day off revising for A levels and hopefully enjoying the weather.

Saturday we are entering a Belgium Sportive which last year had 5000 cyclists enter which I think will be quite exciting. Its the first one I have done and we go up the Muur which is an epic climb in Belgium.

On Sunday I will race another in Belgium (not sure how my legs will be after the week before....) Still had a few decent results in the last few weeks so hopefully I should be competitive!

My win last week at Salt Ayre, Lancaster after great help from the rest of the team

Its Light In The Morning!

My beloved Orca is back out of winter hibernation and I'm very pleased to have some good weather to actually ride it!

First outdoor race was last weekend and I loved it! It was at Tameside near Manchester on a short circuit with laps taking just 1 minute. The loop is pan flat with 1 dead corner and another 3 which can be pedalled round! We had a full team riding which was great and it was fun warming up together behind the cars on the rollers.

2 riders slipped away early doors and schoolgirl errors by the bunch meant that they stayed away. Note to team is we watch for this next time.

Anyway the remaining bunch was whittled down through the race with about 15 contesting the bunch sprint. I timed my sprint well and managed to win the bunch kick for third.

I've been racing Friday night track league and its great to meet up with my team mates laughing about how hard we have just worked and how many times we failed to get our names on the scoreboard.

We're off to Belgium/Holland soon, doing 5 races in 9 days - very exciting. On the way I will be stopping off in London for the final of Rollapoluza! Bring it on!!

This coming weekend will be a training weekend with the girls, the weather's looking good!

On the college side of things, Maths and Further Maths continues to be a challenge but only 12 weeks left to go!

M x 

Not A Bad Few Weeks!

Lots of nice things are happening!

1) A Levels went well, results Thursday here's hoping that they are what I spent hours and hours revising for!

2) Thrilled that I have had university offers for both Manchester and Leeds, Manchester is my preferred option however exam results need to be brilliant!

3) My Meerkat toy has finally arrived!

4) Starting to find some fitness on the bike and form returning at Manchester track league. Really like meeting up with rest of the team, having fun in the races and then doing lots of laughing in the 'D' between races. We are starting to get some good results aswell!

5) Mersey Tunnel Time trial was great fun, I loved it! Unfortunately I lost my chain on the descent into the tunnel which I think cost me 20 seconds. A great event and one for the calender next year.

6) Race wheels fixed by Paul and his team at Paul Hewitt Cycles. New rims and spokes they look brand new!

7) A National record in the Rollapaluza Manchester regional qualifier. I didn't expect that! National final on Good Friday.

8) First Belgium and Holland trip organised, its going to be an epic........

9) 18 on Wednesday...... lots of nights out!