Congratulations to our ladies, Kristen Lovelock, Katie Greves, Aimee Jones and Mimi Harrison (pictured) for taking home gold in the 4up TTT competition! A brilliantly victory and another sign that hard work pays off. Along with their medals the winners were also presented with a case of non-alcoholic beer – chapeau!
Photo Credit: Chris Jones
Kristen Lovelock also came 2nd in the 80 mile road race, while Mimi Harrison claimed 4th place. Given that both of them had competed in 4up TTT the day before, in addition to the individual TT, this is an outstanding achievement.
We’re just as proud of the men who battled fiercely to qualify in each of their age group categories! Simply great performances all-round.
Photo Credit: Aimee Jones
Here’s a list of racers and the time gap they finished behind the winner of their age category. (Thanks Dave Dyer for providing the times!)
Kristen Lovelock 0:00.15 Mimi Harrison 0:03 Will Peppertron 0:03 Dave Dyer 2:44 Paul Boden 6:13 Chris Jones 7:47 Mark Monster Munch Glendinning 10:29 Ludovic Phalippou 20:38 (mechanicals) Philip Ross 20:48 (summer cold) Sean Churchill 40:45 (crash, fractured finger, don’t worry he’s okay)
None of us really knew quite what to expect, but when we arrived we were greeted by organisers Holly Seear of Spring Cycle Coaching, Cat Benger from ABC Pure and Julie Chasin, the Chair of London Women’s Racing, and were made to feel right at home.
Soon the room was buzzing with 30 women participants plus several coaches and experienced time triallists, including Mac, the local South East area British Cycling coach. There were a wide range of experience and abilities: from people wanting to hone their existing TT skills, to complete beginners. Likewise, with kit, it ranged from full TT bike setups to clip on bars to standard road bikes.
After a short introduction, we were ushered out onto the track to get started with the British Cycling recommended warm up: 20 minutes, starting with spinning gently in the small ring, building up gradually to 30 second full power efforts.
Once we’d warmed up, the coaches organised a number of really useful exercises, interspersed with short briefings and Q&As. First they asked us to ride round the track, practicing getting into an aero position, and getting confident taking a drink and putting your bottle back without looking down or stopping pedalling. Sounds easy, but we all agreed it was really worth practicing for general riding as well as TTing!
This exercise was followed by bottle pick-ups and drops, and held starts where we had the opportunity to hold someone else up as well as getting used to being held on the bike ourselves.
One of the most useful things we covered was cornering, and this was where we really felt the advantage of being out on the track without having to worry about traffic. They talked us through the key points to think about: looking through the corner to where you want to go, keeping the weight on your outside leg and not braking while turning.
The track session was rounded off with some Team Time Trial practice, and a 3 lap TTT race, which was great fun!
We headed inside just as it started sleeting to find welcome cups of tea and cakes ready for us and sat down for a presentation and Q&A session.
Everyone we spoke to seemed to really enjoy the afternoon and get a lot out of it. Riding on the track was a great experience: think smooth tarmac, lovely banked corners and no cars! The training was really well run, and the coaches and other women were very friendly and supportive.
I’d definitely recommend taking part in this session, or any other training that Bella Velo are offering. Whether you’re thinking about your first TT or race, or have done a few and want to improve, I think you’d find this training useful. As a bonus, many of the skills we worked on are transferrable and will help with general riding ability and confidence too. Plus it’s just awesome to be riding and training with 30+ amazing women!
A big shout out to all the Condor women who took part, it was really fun having a big contingent there. And huge thanks to the organisers and helpers: Holly, Cat, Mac, Julie, Jill and Helen!
The next Bella Velo training session is on Sunday 25th March 9am – 12.30pm and will cover outdoor practical exercises including:
Warm up
Basic Group Riding Skills
Advanced Group Riding Skills
Riding in a bunch
Starts
Advanced Cornering
Sprints
Mock Racing
Book tickets on Eventbrite using password Marchraceskills – make sure you grab a place soon! You can also check out some further information right here.
Condors descended down on Dalton in force this morning! With the standard Dalton weather lined up of freezing temperatures and a lot of rain (would you expect anything less) we knew the race would be tough.
The Cat 4 line up bolstered a relatively inexperienced group of racers but contained some strong work horses! David Holland making his racing Debut and Luke Lorenzini learning how to race in the typical English weather. The senior Mark Robert Glendinning providing experience in the pack and Poll Pollard and Young pup Stephen George Johnson bringing the Watts in. All was left was for me to keep the guys on the game plan!
The plan was simple… Attack using the strong lads of Poll and Stephen the aim was to get them in a breakaway. Sadly at Cat 4 not many other riders want to put their chips on the table and jump in.
The race started at a steady pace with riders looking after each other in the treacherous conditions. Early on I teed things off with a little dig at the front to remind people we are racing! This was quickly shut down then a member of the VC venta team jumped up front and we flirted for a-bit but nothing to deep went off the front. As we was all brought back coming out the following corner Stephen jumped out the pack and flexed his muscles. With Condors packing on the front of the group to disrupt the chase Stephen made some ground but importantly it forced the rest of the group to work at bringing it back.
With Stephen getting caught it was Polls turn to flash the pink and black at the front… same principle again made some ground but it kept the chase working hard to bring it in. Mark marshalled the front and disrupted the chase which gave some much needed recovery for me and Stephen in the pack.
More attacks followed from myself Stephen and Poll to keep the race animated. With the clock striking the half way and Stephen, Mark and Poll keeping control of the front of the pack, it was time for Debutant David to show his TT prowess. With a huge dig off the front and settling into his tempo, David stayed away for 2 and a half laps and made the chase group really suffer.
With the race approaching final laps and the guys aggressive strategy not quite giving us the breakaway we wanted… it resorted to us getting lined up for the sprint.
Good work from Poll and Stephen kept Condors at the front until the last lap. Poll got disengaged through a corner and lost ground with Mark and David. With a big effort though they worked through the field to find their way near the front going into the last corner.
Stephen led the Condors through the last corner and went really early (a country mile from the line) with me stuck on his wheel, digging deep and managing to hold his position right up to the line. Picking up a solid 3rd place and some pocket money with it. A 5th place for me and Poll, Mark and David opening up their sprint to finish solidly in the group!
Great racing in nasty conditions!
Finally a massive thank you to the support we got from the Condors on the side of the road!
Photo credit: Matt Darby
Women’s Cat 2/3/4 by Aimee Jones
A sold-out field of brave women took to the start line on Saturday morning to endure 60 minutes of freezing cold rain. The only time I’ve been that cold was after the same race two years ago, seemingly long enough ago to have forgotten the pain and to think racing in February is a good idea.
Luckily I had several equally foolhardy Condor ladies at my side with the goal of looking after me and getting me to the final sprint if that’s what it came to. Cyndi rose to the role of road captain like a natural, all I had to do was stick to her wheel. I was never exposed on the front thanks to her and Becca (who totally threw down in her first ever race). Kristen should get special mention for her amazing attack that lasted solo for 4 laps as the bunch struggled to chase her down, and then still having enough in the tank to finish in the top 10. A further special mention must go to Mimi Harrison for hanging in for the entire race despite carrying an illness.
By the last few laps most had lost the ability to change gear because of numb hands, and bad timing meant that the men’s race overtook ours just at the last corner into the finishing straight. I was in the wrong position coming into the final sprint, and definitely not firing on all cylinders. I managed 4th place, which I should be happy with for my first race of the season and in terrible conditions, but I can’t help feeling annoyed that I couldn’t do better – especially as the team had performed so well.
Overall, it was a good day out for the Condors. Three ladies (Jennifer, Becci and Becca) completed their first ever races, Cheryl smashed a crit PB and looked right at home in the bunch, and we had two top 10 places. Not a bad start to the season, and our first proper team effort with plenty to learn from for next week. Oh yes, we get to do it all again next Saturday – please don’t let it rain!
Photo credit: Matt Darby
My First race! by David Holland
I have finally managed to make it to my first race. After entering 3 races last year and not making it to any of them I was starting to think I would never race.
However, the day came for the first round of the ART winter Crit series and there I was on the start line Freezing my arse off in the pouring rain. Now I could say I didn’t know what to expect but as shown with all my planning I’m a massive nerd, so before turning up to the race I had read every blog, watched every video, listened to every podcast and talked to every Condor I could find to glean every piece of advice and information I could before going into my first race.
I was a little worried about how hard it would be having read many accounts of people getting dropped in their first race, but my fellow Condors had assured me I would be fine and getting dropped wouldn’t be a problem so I had some confidence going in.
Well the race got underway and this was it I was finally in a bike race and to my (pleasant) surprise my fellow Condors were right, I was fine. I spent the first 5 minutes waiting for the pace to be upped and to start working hard but it didn’t come so I settled in and as per all the advice I spent the first ¾ of the race sitting on the wheels in the top 10 or so riders never putting my noise in the wind (which probably explains why I was finding it easy going).
All the other advice was going through my mind and I concentrated on trying to practise all the things I had read about, slipping into any gaps that opened, moving up whenever I could, taking corners at speed, keeping my line, trying to use as little energy as possible and just getting used to riding in a bunch that big and so tightly packed.
We had decided before the race we were going to attack to try and wear down the other teams as we had quite a few strong riders in the team (I had been exempt as it was my first race), which my team mates had been doing well while I had been sitting in taking it easy.
So as it got to about ¾ into the race and I was still feeling quite fresh I decided it was my turn to have a go (also I was freezing cold and needed to warm up a bit), so I put in my first ever attack just before the corner into the long straight with a headwind (Maybe not the best place). I went from about 10 riders back and took as much speed as I could round the corner in front of the pack, put my head down and pedalled away trying to keep it powerful but even expecting at any point for the bunch to come past me, the first lap went past and I still seemed to be on my own, then Stephen came up to join me with one other guy (who quickly disappeared) we worked together for another half a lap and as we crossed the start/finish I looked back and the bunch were right on our heels so at that point I gave it up and slid back into the pack, my first ever breakaway was over and I loved it! Definitely going to do that again.
Just as that was over we were given the 3 laps to go signal and I moved back into my sheltered position and waited for the end of the race, at this point it all started to get a bit hectic with everyone trying to get to the front and the pace getting upped, I had also lost feeling in my feet and hands making breaking/shifting especially hard. The last lap was especially hectic and I spent most of the time trying not to get ridden into or pushed right to the back. However, coming around the final corner I managed to keep with the front group and finished in 12th, not bad for my first race I think.
At this point everyone was thoroughly drenched and freezing someone helped me pull my gloves of as I was unable to, and we all rushed off to get changed and warmed up, I think it took about 30 mins until I stopped shaking.
I think if I had entered this race on my own it would have been a very different experience, but having the support of my fellow racers before, during and after the race (Pete, Mark, Poll, Stephen, and Luke), and all the Condors standing on the side cheering us on in the pouring rain it was an amazing experience despite the conditions and reminded me how fantastic it is to be a part of the Condor family.
I am now very much looking forward to my next races in round 3 and 4 of the ART Winter Crits.
Tell us a little bit about your role and what is you’d most like to achieve this year?
I’m the club’s Time-Trial secretary for the 2017/18 season. My role this year is to provide a challenging and competitive but – most importantly – fun Time Trial and Hill climb series for everyone in the club in 2018.
My main objective is to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to try or practice the discipline, and I’d love to find someone who’s passion for TT’ing has been ignited by the spark of the 2018 club series.
What would you say attracted to you to the Cowley Road Condors in the first place?
I was cycling a lot with a small number – literally you count them on a single hand – of like-minded friends, and it was difficult to organise regular and spontaneous rides, given that such a small number restricted the opportunities available. I was also looking to get fitter, stronger and faster, and the club provided me with the opportunity to ride with people who were fitter, stronger and faster than me – to help me in my development.
My thought was – and still is (both privately and professionally) – if you want to improve, you’re not going to get very far by being the best in the room. Put yourself in the mix with people who are better than you, and work hard to beat them!
I was sitting in Atomic Pizza with a friend, and someone in full pink and black rode past. You bet I googled the club straight away, and was out on my first ride the next week. So, whoever you were, you definitely set the wheels in motion (sorry about the pun*). *I’m not sorry.
Describe your absolute favourite moment since joining the club?
My favourite moment since joining the Condors was Silverstone 2017. Getting an opportunity to race in the Men’s B team, and standing alongside 44 other condors along the Silverstone pit-lane was an amazing sight, so much so that people started applauding and taking pictures!
The day was made all the sweeter when the first corner after the finish turned pink and black as teams finished. All the racers waited for the other teams to finish, and congratulated each other as people rolled up.
So, what’s your main interest outside of cycling? It’s OK to not have any. Cycling rules!
I’ve often been told that this is quite unexpected, but I’m a massive adrenaline junkie. You name it and I’ve done it, or it’s on the list. Skydiving; scuba diving; motorsports; aerobatics; ski racing…
I really want to go base jumping, and try skydiving in a wingsuit one day. It’s not just adrenaline sports I’m into, I’d also like to learn to play ice hockey!
What three words immediately spring to mind when you think about the Condors, or bikes, in general?
Pink
Diverse
Can Cheryl’s laugh count as a word? Yeah…. that.
Lastly, which Velominati rule do you fully support and will always abide by?!
Oh damn, that’s a tough one, there’s too many! I’m going to say #17:
RULE 17: Team kit is for members of the team. Wearing Pro team kit is also questionable if you’re not paid to wear it. If you must fly the colors of Pro teams, all garments should match perfectly, i.e no Mapei jersey with Kelme shorts and Telekom socks
…but I’m definitely an advocate of everyone following
#1 RULE 1: Obey the rules!
Thanks for your time, Mr Ross! Do reach out to Philip if you would like any further information on club TTs, or any advice on TT-ing in general. There’s also lots of information within the TT section of our website.
Tell us a little bit about your role and what is you’d most like to achieve this year?
I’m the Women’s Officer for the 2017/18 season. My role on the board is to continue to deliver on the club’s long term aim of being a ‘constant champion for women’s cycling’. My main goal for this season is to head-up a talented Women’s Committee of dedicated Condors, who are focused on creating participation and training opportunities from entry-level to racing riders.
I want to enable women to get involved and actively contribute to making the Condors the kind of cycling club they want to be a part of. I would sincerely love for ‘Women’s Officer’ to become an unnecessary role in the near future – if I can play a small part in making this happen, I’ll be very happy.
What would you say attracted to you to the Cowley Road Condors in the first place?
My partner (the current Training & Development Officer), Arran Curran, was already a member of the club before I joined, so I benefited from knowing a lot of the Condors socially. I always described myself as a ‘reluctant cyclist’. Before I met Arran, the last time I cycled was in my childhood, and I would never have even thought to get on bike, let alone be part of a cycling club. With Arran’s encouragement, I started commuting on a rusty old bike that my housemate loaned me.
After a lot of sweat and tears, I decided to buy a hybrid on the Cycle Scheme, and quickly realised that I wasn’t unfit or terrible, just an inexperienced cyclist on very old equipment. I started riding my commuting bike on the weekends, and decided if I was going to continue I should get a road bike (another Cycle Scheme gem). This purchase was conveniently timed for me to take part in the Condors’ first round of Ladies Summer Sessions. From my first ride, I was converted, and cycling has become an ever increasing part of my life since.
Describe your absolute favourite moment since joining the club?
I really don’t think I can choose just one! I’ve loved so many weird and wonderful moments. Every single ‘Condors corner’ I have found myself in, or have been cheered from, at cx races, road races, TTs, hill climbs, you name it, has been an absolute joy! Condor supporters are always the loudest, and they really encourage you to do your best (or at least look like you’re putting some effort in each time you pass).
Crap weather rides always make you feel like a badass – wheeling my bike into Peloton with 9 other ladies, after we’d finished chaingang practice in the snow, made me feel pretty damn cool. There’s nothing like sharing an experience of borderline hypothermia to make friends for life. Speaking of which, my first crit race at Dalton this year. Genuinely the coldest I have ever been, but I absolutely loved every second.
So, what’s your main interest outside of cycling? It’s OK to not have any. Cycling rules!
Anyone who knows me could answer this one straight away. I’m a yoga teacher, and yoga is a huge part of my life. I used to be say I was 60% yoga and 40% gin, but cycling has taken the gin spot now, so that’s an improvement all round!
What three words immediately spring to mind when you think about the Condors, or bikes, in general?
Pink
Beeline (I haven’t been paid too say that, honest…)
Damage (his skipping is just too good)
Lastly, which Velominati rule do you fully support and will always abide by?!
Hmm, I think I actively flout many more of these than I support, but, I’m pretty strict on this one (my beard’s patchy at best).
Rule #50 // Facial hair is to be carefully regulated.
No full beards, no moustaches. Goatees are permitted only if your name starts with “Marco” and ends with “Pantani”, or if your head is intentionally or unintentionally bald. One may never shave on the morning of an important race, as it saps your virility, and you need that to kick ass.
#10 is not a rule, it’s a fact:
Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
Thank you, Becci! If you’d like to learn more about the great work the women’s committee is up to, or wish to get involved in any activities, then do drop Becci an email at [email protected].
The women’s committee have also just published the first Condors Women Newsletter which you can see here.
Also, did you know there’s a dedicate women’s section of the club’s website providing a whole host of information? Here you can find a recently updated Women’s Committee section where you can learn more about who and what’s involved.
But I’d like to share some of my racing experiences from the lower end of the spectrum. Because success can be measured in lots of different ways, not just podiums or BC points 🙂
I’ve done a few cyclo-cross (CX) races now over the last couple of years. For those of you who don’t know what CX is, think knobbly tyres, mud, grass, sand and sweat. Some have been in the summer (dry and scary), others in the winter (muddy, cold and scary).
For a long time I’ve been the lanterne rouge, which is the fancy way of saying ‘last person to finish’ aka ‘slowest rider’. And for the most part I don’t mind. It’s quite different to a crit race where the pack zooms off without you and you spend the next half an hour time trialling (with an occasional spurt when passing some spectators, especially if they are wielding a camera). It’s a bit soul destroying when you turn up and are immediately dropped like a hot potato. But with CX I don’t mind. Because I’m so busy trying to just stay upright, or not hit that tree root, or heave myself up a hillock, that you don’t have the time to worry about anything else. It is totally ‘living in the moment’ and just praying to hear the final bell before you run out of steam.
I’ve fallen over lots of times, bottled scary things and conquered scary things. You can probably sense a big theme for me is fear! It’s actually not that bad, I just get afraid quite easily in those situations.
So anyway, back to racing. Here are my recollections of 2017 with some landmark moments and massive improvements!
The Circle, New Year’s Day, Newbury
For some reason I thought it would be a great idea to kick off the year with a cross race. It meant driving back from Portsmouth at the crack of dawn after a great NYE at Spinnaker tower. It was a fun, informal setup, so I donned my Spongebob Square Pants outfit (as you do), barged through the wall of foam and had a go at the three challenges. The scratch race (20 mins, felt so awful), the sprint time trial (25 seconds, could have walked quicker) and the elimination race, which I was first to be disqualified from because I went too slowly and put my foot down. But what great fun and a brilliant way to start 2017!
Battle of the Bowl, Winchester
This was an Open race that anyone could enter. It was billed at 20 miles / 5 laps. I didn’t realise how enormous this ‘bowl’ was and it took muggins here 1 hour and 40 minutes to do 4 laps at which point it finally ended. It felt horrible from start to finish and I got seriously trounced by the other 2 ladies that turned up. But as there were only 3 of us it meant I came third and, to my utter astonishment, ended up on a podium holding a trophy.
Banjo Cycles Summer CX Series, Newbury
The first few races at Newbury I’d pootled around at the back, doing my own thing, wearing sleeveless. But in Race 5 something different happened.
I’d been to London that day to celebrate a friend’s birthday, so had a couple of drinks. I was feeling quite tired and wasn’t planning to try very hard. But some new ladies turned up who had never ridden CX before. So I thought, hmm. Maybe I’ll give it a go.
When the whistle went and the pack sped off, I put my foot down and found myself right behind someone. I had to work really hard to keep up, but I was there on her wheel. There’s a big hill on the course which the route took you up twice per lap so I’d dig in deep and recover on the way down. After about 30 minutes, she started to get tired but I still had something in the tank. It occurred to me that I might be able to overtake her. I had never been in this position before and it was a complete novelty. How scary! How exciting! Oh my god I’m actually racing! Where should I do it – on the hill or on the flat? What happens if I go too soon and she catches me up? But I thought it was worth the risk and on the last lap I put my little hammer down and managed to hold on. It was the best feeling. I even managed to overtake another couple of ladies, I don’t know where or how. It’s all just a happy blur!
The same new ladies turned up the following week and so I decided to go hard right from the start and managed to stay away. KTFU.
I can’t remember much about these except they were great fun and I could now get up the steep mounds that I couldn’t the year before. This was a big step forward for me.
I’d been so worried about falling off and disrupting the race for other people around me that this particular hillock turned into a bit of a monster in my mind and took a lot of courage to even try to ride it. But I gave it some welly on the practice lap and somehow I managed! This was a huge achievement and meant I didn’t lose lots of time trying to walk myself and my bike up, clinging onto foliage and relying on spectators to push me from behind.
Here are my Strava ride titles from that series:
nailed that hilly sh*t
having to work hard with Lucy Wicks breathing down my neck!!
loved every minute of that! felt strong and didn’t fall off
stayed upright, overtook a small child
Wessex CX League
Now we get to the business end of CX – the local winter league. It’s all well and good riding on dry grass but it’s a different ball game when the weather turns….
Droxford
This was a motocross course so lots of interesting technical bits. Big patches of mud here and there. On one climb I picked a bad line, ran out of momentum and slid back down the hill. Still, I managed to fare better than some others and one lovely lady gave me some great advice about unclipping for a tricky corner. A good day out. Result: 30/36
Basingstoke
I can’t remember much about this one because it was the night after the AGM. Probably stayed upright. Result: 34/37
Sparsholt
I got a fright on the sighting lap when I turned the corner and saw a steep climb I knew I wouldn’t manage. Got off, dragged myself up but the descent was just as awful. I could just about walk down, let alone ride down. This really threw me and for some reason I the tears started flowing. Managed to get round the rest, which wasn’t too bad, though there was one more muddy climb I had to dismount for. I very nearly went home but by the time I got back to the start the race was about to begin. So I thought sod it and carried on. Spent the next half an hour crying (!) but then cheered up towards the end. Result: 31/31 (lantern rouge)
Harcourt Hill
Got off to a good start and only stacked it once in the ditch. I bottled both the log and the mini boards as I was too afraid of falling off. I also got stuck in an epic race with Lucy Wicks again – I had a slightly bigger engine on the day but she had way better bike handling skills and beat me on the line. So proud of us both – never worked so hard and legs were totally shredded! The post-race Leffe at Condors Corner helped ease the pain. Result: 34/40
Southampton
Took it easy because my legs were tired and the course was totally covered in mud. When it’s quicker to get off and walk than it is to ride through you know it’s bad. Managed to stay upright and got round two laps. Also managed to ride the steep descents which I found quite terrifying, thanks to a kindly Vet who encouraged me on the sighting lap. The laps were taking me so long (20+ minutes) that I really didn’t fancy doing a third so waited near the finish line for the Vet male leader to come past and take the win. I learned a new word that day – sandbagging! Result: 34/34 (lanterne rouge)
Droxford
Again, legs were tired so didn’t put any real effort in. Focussed on my cornering and managed to get down a tricky s-bend descent twice. Unfortunately there were no Condors present to witness those attempts, they only saw me bungling it, but it definitely did happen! Overall another great day. Result: 38/38 (lanterne rouge)
Wantage
Legs felt fresher and did really well! The course was flat but really bumpy with a lovely long section through the woods. Don’t know how I managed to pull that result out of the bag. I even ended up sprinting against someone for the finish line! She beat me of course, but I still had a smile on my face for days afterwards 🙂 Result: 18/27 (hurrah!)
Dalton
This was the Regional Championships for anyone holding a Central license. After double checking that any Tom, Dick or Henrietta could enter (yes, phew) I put my name down and got ready to face the course I’d got round successfully during the summer, with the infamous hillocks. Would I manage it in winter in muddy conditions? The answer is YES. After a few nervous moments on the recce lap, and fighting a short spell of nausea (possibly caused by being out on the sauce the three previous nights) I managed to get round a slippy course, only coming off once because someone else stopped in front of me on said hillock. I even ended up in a battle with Kristen Lovelock (!) and we had great fun fighting it out on the last lap. Taking a risk, I went for a big sprint and overtook her before the technical section in the woods. I managed to stay away and even pick off another rider. Amazing! Result: 5/8 senior ladies, and 13/20 overall (hurrah!)
Photo credit: Richard Raynor
The most important thing I haven’t mentioned
The support from other Condors at the CX has been amazing. They’ve listened to me worrying and moaning, cheered me on during great moments and cheered me up when it’s all gone horribly wrong. In particular, I’d like to thank Andy Haines, Brendan Schofield, Tim Jones and Pete Smith who’ve been there for large chunks of my journey. The ladies have been great as well – big love to Val, Lucy, Kristen, Becci and Kat! – but most of the year I’ve been out there on my own with the chaps for company. They have been brilliant. Thank you so much.
I am also very grateful to all the organisers who put these events on for us and everyone who has helped with skills sessions. So much hard work goes on behind the scenes, and I hope one day to give back when I have more time on my hands.
So, what’s the moral of the story here?
Racing can be fun!
You don’t have to be a strong rider to get involved
Battles at the back are just as important as battles at the front
Until you try, you have no idea what you are capable of
If you keep doing it, you’ll get better
Condor supporters are the best
Cross is Boss
Come join us!
I’ll be kicking off 2018 again in style at The Circle – Monday 1 January, register here. Fancy dress encouraged!
Loads of Condors have already entered the final round of the Wessex League – Sunday 21 January, enter here or come along and cheer us on!
If you’re on the fence, please just give it a go. Even if you’re the slowest you will definitely have fun, and you might accidentally end up on a podium 😉
