Bex 16th at National Road Race

Jo and Bex travelled to York for the Women's National Road Race Championships today.  As per usual years the pattern of the race was set by the European based pro-riders.  After having been on antibiotics all week after a nasty bit of road rash gor infected from a crash in the JHT series, Jo struggled with form for the race.  Bex however rode a very valiant race and managed an impressive 16th place, finishing in a groups with most of the top domestic riders in country and beating many of them in the sprint for the line.  Well done Bex, brilliant effort considering this is her first season road racing!

Women’s Race Result
1. Sharon Laws AA Drinks
2. Lizzie Armitstead, AA Drinks @ 1.36
3. Emma Pooley, AA Drinks, @ 1.41
4. Nikki Harris, Telnet @2.43
5. Sarah Storey, For Viored @3.52
6. Nicole Cooke, Faren @9.02
7. Catherine Williamson, Bizhub
8. Katie Colclough, Luliemon
9. Emma Trott, Dolmans @9.44
10. Natalie Creswick, Mulebar @9.51
11. Sarah Bryne, For Viored
12. Claire Galloway, For Viored
13. Penny Rowson, Matrix Fitness Prendas
14. Annie Simpson, Matrix Fitness Prendas
15. Gemma Niel, Leslie Bikeshop
16. Rebecca Heath, VC St raphael
17. Corrine Hall, Node 4
18. Eileen Row,
19. Laura Massey,
20. Hannah Barnes
21. Lowri Bunn
22. Delia Beddis
23. Nicola Juniper
24. Keyliegh Brogan
25. Karla Boddy

Ellie wins again - Thruxton

Ellie took another win last night in really windy conditions at Thruxton race circuit.  She managed to outsprint her nearest rival for the win.  Well done Ellie, good to see you winning a sprint :)

Ellie wins at Portsmouth

Ellie Gilham took on a wet and windy race at Portsmouth today.  This was a stage race with a prologue followed by a crit, where the women rode in with the 3rd cat men.  Ellie did a strong TT to win by 2seconds and also won the crit by managing to stay in the bunch with the men and lap the other women riders.  A very strong performance by Ellie, well done.

3rd team overall in Johnson Health Tech series

Stoke-on-Trent hosted the final round of the Johnson Health Tech series.  The team conisted of Jo Tindley, Adel Tyson-Bloor, Bex Heath, Hannah Layland and Eleanor Jones  An excellent ride by the team saw them clinch the 3rd place prize overall by scoring 24pts, with Jo 7th, Adel 11th and Bex 16th.  The team ended up clear of Mule Bar girls in 4th by a massive 23pts. 
On the night, Jo ran Annie Simpson close for the overall sprints competition.  With Helen Wyman away by herself, there was only 4pt up for grabs in the intermediate sprints.  Jo managed to win the bunch sprint for each, ably assisted by Bex leading her out, scoring 8pt on the night and coming in just 1pt off Annie overall.  Jo ended up 7th overall in the series and Adel 11th.
The team has done an exceptional ride in the whole series and has certainly put VC St Raphael in the mix as one of the top teams in the country. 

Hannah Walker and Jo Tindley battle for sprint points 

Round Five Individual Result
1)    Helen Wyman, Kona Factory Racing
2)    Laura Massey, Vivelo Bikes / Inverse / Cyclaim
3)    Jessie Walker, Matrix Fitness - Prendas
4)    Harriet Owen, Node4 - Giordana Racing
5)    Hannah Walker, Matrix Fitness - Prendas
6)    Lucy Garner, Node4 - Giordana Racing
7)    Jo Tindley, VC St Raphael
8)    Penny Rowson, Matrix Fitness - Prendas
9)    Ruth Winder, Team VanderKitten
10)    Alice Barnes, Twenty3c.co.uk - Orbea
11)    Adel Tyson-Bloor, VC St Raphael
12)    Annie Simpson, Matrix Fitness - Prendas
13)    Grace Garner, RST Racing Team Trigon
14)    Louise Mahe, Mule Bar Girls
15)    Corrine Hall, Node4 - Giordana Racing
16)    Rebecca Heath, VC St Raphael
17)    Miriam Freemantle, Team Hope Factory Racing
18)    Hayley Edwards, Champion System / Maxgear / Kyklos
19)    Sarah Brook, Mule Bar Girls
20)    Nicole Walters, Team Hope Factory Racing

Final Overall Individual Standings, post Round Five (top ten)
1)    Annie Simpson, Matrix Fitness - Prendas, 77pts
2)    Helen Wyman, Kona Factory Racing, 72pts
3)    Corrine Hall, Node4 - Giordana Racing, 62pts
4)    Penny Rowson, Matrix Fitness - Prendas, 58pts
5)    Laura Massey, Vivelo Bikes / Inverse / Cyclaim, 57pts
6)    Harriet Owen, Node4 - Giordana Racing, 54pts
7)    Jo Tindley, VC St Raphael, 50pts
8)    Hannah Walker, Matrix Fitness - Prendas, 45pts
9)    Alice Barnes, Twenty3c.co.uk - Orbea, 31pts
10)    Lydia Boylan, Look Mum No Hands!, 28pts
11)    Adel Tyson Bloor, VC St Raphael, 27pts

Final Overall Team Standings, post-Round Five
1)    Matrix Fitness - Prendas, 202pts
2)    Node4 - Giordana Racing, 175pts
3)    VC St Raphael, 105pts
4)    Mule Bar Girls, 82pts
5)    Look Mum No Hands!, 45pts
6)    WyndyMilla UK Youth, 7pts

Final Sprints standings, post Round Five (top three)
1)    Annie Simpson, Matrix Fitness - Prendas, 25pts
2)    Jo Tindley, VC St Raphael, 24pts
3)    Hannah Walker, Matrix Fitness - Prendas, 19pts

http://www.velouk.net/2012/06/15/report-photos-johnson-gp-womens-series-finale/

Johnson Health Tech Round 4 - Woking

Jo Tindley, Bex Heath, Adel Tyson-Bloor, Ellie Gilham and Laura Clode all took on the highly technical circuit in the fourth round of the Johnson Health Tech series at Woking.
Going into this round as second in the sprints competition, behind Annie Simpson wearing the overall jersey, meant that Jo would start in the sprints jersey again.  Jo rode an aggressive race, taking 3rd place in one of the sprints, edging her closer to Annie in the overall sprints competition. 

Jo stringing the bunch out

Bex was also in the front group with Jo, made up of just 14 riders.  An unfortunate crash by Jo within the last lap cost her a high placed finish, but she got up and finished before the chasers, to finish in 15th place.  Bex finished strongly in the front group in 13th.  Adel lead home the chasers in a very respectible 17th place.  Ellie and Laura worked in small groups chasing and is to their credit to have ridden such a technical course as juniors on this stage.  Well done to the team for retaining their 3rd place in the team competition.

Pre-race faces!

Going into the final round at Stoke on thursday the team lie in 3rd place, with a slim advantage over 4th placed Mule Bar Girls 3pts behind.  Jo also retains her 2nd place in the sprints competition 8pts adrift of Annie Simpson and with a cushion of 3pts over 3rd place.  Jo also lies in 9th place in the overall standings, within 2pts of 5th place, while Adel lies 13th in the overall standings.

For full report:
http://www.velouk.net/2012/06/13/report-johnson-health-tech-grand-prix-series/

Overall Team Standings, post Round 4 - Woking
1)    Matrix Fitness - Prendas, 155pts
2)    Node4 - Giordana Racing, 145pts
3)    VC St Raphael, 76pts
4)    Mule Bar Girls, 73pts
5)    WyndyMilla UK Youth, 7pts

Sprints standings, post Round 4 - Woking
1)    Annie Simpson, Matrix Fitness - Prendas, 24pts
2)    Jo Tindley, VC St Raphael, 16pts
3)    Hannah Walker, Matrix Fitness - Prendas, 13pts
4)    Ruth Winder, Team VanderKitten, 12pts
5)    Hannah Barnes, Team Ibis Cycles, 12pts
6)    Lucy Garner, Node4 - Giordana Racing, 8pts
7)    Harriet Owen, Node4 - Giordana Racing, 8pts
8)    Helen Wyman, Kona Factory Racing, 5pts

Overall Individual Standings, post Round 4 - Woking
1)    Annie Simpson, Matrix Fitness - Prendas, 68pts
2)    Corrine Hall, Node4 - Giordana Racing, 56pts
3)    Helen Wyman, Kona Factory Racing, 52pts
4)    Penny Rowson, Matrix Fitness - Prendas, 45pts
5)    Laura Massey, Vivelo Bikes / Inverse / Cyclaim, 38pts
6)    Louise Mahe, Mule Bar Girls, 38pts
7)    Harriet Owen, Node4 - Giordana Racing, 37pts
8)    Hannah Barnes, Team Ibis Cycles, 37pts
9)    Jo Tindley, VC St Raphael, 36pts
10)    Hannah Walker, Matrix Fitness - Prendas, 29pts  
11)    Lydia Boylan, Look Mum No Hands!, 28pts
12)    Alice Barnes, Twenty3c.co.uk - Orbea, 20pts
13)    Adel Tyson-Bloor, VC St Raphael, 17pts
14)    Jo McRae, Look Mum No Hands!, 16pts
15)    Adele Carter, Team Hope Factory Racing, 13pts
16)    Lyndsey Glazier, Team Hope Factory Racing, 8pts
17)    Emily Bagnall, WyndyMilla UK Yout, 7pts
18)    Grace Garner, RST Racing Team Trigon, 5pts

Eleanor wins at Shrewsbury

Eleanor Jones and Heather Bamforth both rode the womens race in the Shrewsbury Sports Village Circuit Races.  The pair worked well together having formed a break away of 6 riders that they drove.  Their teamwork paid off as Eleanor came away with the win, with Heather in 6th.  Great result and great teamwork.

Results:
1 Eleanor Jones (VC St Raphael)
2 Nikola Butler (Vivelo-Bikes/Inverse Cyclaim RT)
3 Manon Lloyd (Towy Riders)
4 Katie Evans (Team Type 1)
5 Tracy Dresch (Squadra Donne - Shutt VR/Bikefood)
6 Heather Bamforth (VC St Raphael)

Bex 4th at Capernwray

Bex Heath and Ellie Gilham travelled to the testing circuit of Capernwray for the 3rd round of the Womens National Road Race series.  The small field of 30 riders that took to the start line is testament to the challenging nature of a circuit that suits the climbers.  The group split on the very first time up the climb, which they were to tackle 5 times, and Bex was in the select few that made the cut of about 10 riders.  A couple of attacks on the hill saw 3 riders go the road with Bex chasing to try and bridge the gap over the top of the climb.  Up the hill on the final climb and Bex attacked the group she was with to claim 4th place and a silver medal in the North West Regional Road Race champs.

Podium for the NW regional champs

Result
1. Sarah Storey, For Viored
2. Tamina Oliver, Abergavenny RC
3. Sarah Byrne,
4. Rebecca Heath, VC St Raphael
5. Penny Rowson, Matrix Fitness/Prendas
6. Lowri Bunn, Abergavenny RC
7. Laura Massey, Vivelo-Bikes/Inverse Cyclaim RT
8. Molly Weaver, Scott Contessa
9. Claire Galloway, For Viored
10. Laura Murray, Velocity 44 Stirling

For full report and pictures:
http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/road/article/roa20120610-road-Road--Sarah-Storey-wins-Capernwray-0

Hillingdon

Fresh from riding the tour series at Colchester this week, Nicci raced at Hillingdon in the womens only race.  Having chased down many attacks in the latter stages of the race and keeping the bunch together, Nicci finished well to place 6th in the sprint.  A great result.

Johnson Health Tech - Round 3 Colchester

Colchester hosted the 3rd round of the Johnson Health Tech series and it turned out to be a wet and windy race.  The length cut down from 45mins to 35mins and the weather conditions meant all attacks were neutralised and no riders managed to escape the bunch.  Jo scooped more points in the sprints competition by placing second in both primes.  This means that she lies 2nd overall with a slim margin of 1pt over Hannah Barnes in 3rd.  An unfortunate crash where Louise Mahe took out Bex going into the last sprint prime 3 laps before the finish meant that she would never regain contact with the lead bunch.  Bex did however manage to finish well in 13th, while Jo finished in the lead group in 9th.  Adel finished high up in the 2nd group on the road to take 15th, Caroline in 25th and Nicci in 27th.  This was a very strong ride by the team and they claimed 2nd place on the night.  The team go into the penultimate round at Woking on tuesday night in 3rd place overall in the series.  Jo will wear the sprinters jersey at Woking, earned by her 2nd place to Annie Simpson in the overall standings for that competition.

Start of the race

Overall Team Standings, post-Round Three
1)    Matrix Fitness - Prendas, 108pts
2)    Node4 - Giordana Racing, 108pts
3)    VC St Raphael, 58pts
4)    Mule Bar Girls, 50pts
5)    Look Mum No Hands!, 45pts
6)    WyndyMilla UK Youth, 6pts

Sprints standings, post Round Three
1)    Annie Simpson, Matrix Fitness - Prendas, 24pts
2)    Jo Tindley, VC Raphael, 13pts
3)    Hannah Barnes, Team Ibis Cycles, 12pts
4)    Harriet Owen, Node4 - Giordana Racing, 8pts
5)    Lucy Garner, Node4 - Giordana Racing, 5pts
6)    Hannah Walker, Matrix Fitness - Prendas, 5pts
7)    Helen Wyman, Kona Factory Racing, 5pts

For full report and results:
http://www.velouk.net/2012/06/08/report-johnson-health-tech-gp-colchester/

Jubilee Road Race - Womens team series

A wet and hilly race saw our 5 riders of Jo Tindley, Adel Tyson-Bloor, Bex Heath, Ellie Gilham and Eleanor Jones tackle 4laps of an undulating circuit...with a killer climb.  The hill split the bunch into 3 groups on the road from the first lap, Jo and Bex in the front group and Adel and Ellie in the second.  Valiant efforts of all our riders on the hill and at the finish meant they took 5th team on the day with Jo finishing in 8th, Bex 11th, Adel 27th, Ellie 48th and Eleanor Jones 54th.  Well done to all the girls on such a tough circuit in miserable
conditions!

Jo at the top of the 14% climb

For more details and full results:
http://www.velouk.net/2012/06/03/report-womens-team-series-banbury/

Womens National Omnium series - Welwyn 2nd June

VC riders included: Adel Tyson-Bloor, Caroline Harding, Eleanor Jones, Laura Clode

Caroline attacked in the scratch race and soloed to victory.  Adel and Caroline came 3rd and 4th in the pursuit respectively.  More aggressive riding from Adel and Eleanor in the points race saw them clear up the points in the last sprint.

Final results: Adel 6th, Caroline 7th, Eleanor 11th and Laura 15th.  Great result for the team.

The bunch strung out

Eleanor and Laura in the bunch

Hillingdon GP - Womens National Series

Riding this race we had Jo Tindley, Adel Tyson-Bloor, Eleanor Jones, Bex Heath, Ellie Gilham, Caroline Harding and Nicci Meadows.

The brief for this race was to be aggressive and attack to force a break-away, that would be our best chance to win the race as Lucy Garner, the world junior road race champion was riding.  The girls did just this and there were several moves that went up the road with one of our riders featuring in each of them.  Bex Heath was away with a group early on in the race but the other riders she was with weren't working so it was doomed to fail.  Adel did a brilliant lead-out for Jo who took one of the primes. 

Jo taking a prime, lead out by Adel

A move just over half way through the race saw Adel, and 3 other riders clear of the bunch.  They were soon joined by Lucy Garner and Elinor Barker.  With the major teams represented this move stuck and saw them clear of the bunch by over a minute.  Adel ended up 6th and Jo did a very respectable sprint to come in 4th in the bunch gallop and take 10th overall! 

Adel in the 6-(wo)man break!

 The girls worked brilliantly as a team, putting in work for team-mates when required.  Great team work!

Post race hug, Ellie, Adel, Bex, Caroline, Jo

Having taken 10th place at the Cheshire Classic, the first round of the National series back in April, Jo now lies in 10th place in the standings.  Adel lies in 17th overall having been away racing the Tour of Korea when Cheshire was on.

For full report and results:
http://www.velouk.net/2012/05/27/report-hillingdon-grand-prix/

Johnson Health Tech Round 2 - Peterborough

Riders for this round included Jo Tindley, Adel Tyson-Bloor, Bex Heath, Caroline Harding and Laura Clode.

Jo in the Sprinters Jersey at the start of the race

The second round at Peterborough was not such a technical circuit but wasn't without its challenges....and crashes.  Jo started this round wearing the sprinters jersey, earnt for her 2nd place in the standings.  Luck was not with us for this round as Caroline and Adel had both been ill coming into the round.  Also crashes meant that the girls were held up along the way.  Unfortunately Bex was caught up in an early crash and an epic chase back on to the hurtling bunch is testiment to her strength that she managed to get back on.  Both Jo and Bex were safely in the bunch but had missed out on the move of 3 riders up the road.  This move was never brought back and so it was a bunch sprint for the group of 20ish riders.  Some questionable sprinting saw a rider go down just in front of Jo and Bex who were then held up and unable to get through.   Bex ended up 14th and with the crashes and illnesses of both Adel and Caroline, the team slipped down to 5th in the round and 5th overall.  Jo lies in 9th place overall.

For full report and results:
http://www.velouk.net/2012/05/30/harriett-owen-conquers-peterborough-for-node4/

Johnson Health Tech Round 1 - Oxford

The first round of the televised tour series (ITV4) saw our 4 riders, Jo Tindley, Adel Tyson-Bloor, Eleanor Jones and Nicci Meadows, tactic a highly technical circuit.  The tight circuit and dead turns suited Jo down to the ground.

Taken from Velouk.net

A 50-rider strong field had assembled on St Giles in Oxford for the first round of the Johnson Health Tech Grand Prix Series in a strong entry headlined by World Champion Garner and last year’s Series Champion Helen Wyman.

The main move of the race came halfway through, when five riders went clear with Simpson joined by British Circuit Race Champion Hannah Barnes, Corrine Hall, Jo McRae and Jo Tindley.

Jo Tindley sprints to a victory in one of the mid race sprints.

The five worked well together to build what looked an unassailable lead. But over the closing laps the gap gradually came down thanks to the work of Garner who pulled a small group closer and closer.

Simpson and Tindley duked it out in an incredibly close second Sprint, which the VC St Raphael rider just edging Simpson, but there was no stopping the Northumbria University student who did enough to collect the Sprint honours for the evening.

Onto the final lap and Simpson attacked coming onto the long back straight, powering clear of her four breakaway companions. Through the final hairpin of the St Giles circuit the group closed, with the Garner led chasers in turn closing.

Simpson held on though, just crossing the line ahead of Barnes and Tindley for the win and the Series lead.

Having taken 1st place in one of the primes Jo moves into 2nd place in the standings for the sprints competition.  Adel finished in the bunch behind in 14th place and the team were 4th in this round, 1pt off 3rd place.

For full report and results:
http://www.velouk.net/2012/05/23/report-clean-sweep-of-prizes-for-annie-simpson-in-oxford/

Ellie 6th in Junior National Road Race

Ellie Gilham, ably assisted by Jo Tindley, raced the Junior National Road Race in South Wales.  Jo's role for the day was to cover all moves and keep the bunch together so that Ellie could be in contention on the 4km hill to the finish.  Jo delivered Ellie to the bottom of the climb with the group still together, her job being done, Ellie followed the front group up the hill.  Ellie ended up coming 6th in the Championship and 10th in the race overall.  An excellent result and she was the first 1st year junior to cross the line.  Brilliant ride by both and excellent team work.

Bedford International 2-day 5th-6th May

Our team of Jo Tindley, Adel Tyson-Bloor, Bex Heath, Caroline Harding, Nicci Meadows, Ellie Gilham tackled the 2-day 4-stage race.  The first stage being the 6-up team time trial saw the grirls put in a very strong ride to finish 5th team overall after the stage, not bad seeing as the first time they'd ridden together was on the way to the start!  Unfortunatley, Nicci had to pull out of the race at this stage through illness.  The second stage was a 50mile bunch race on the road.  The girls put in an excellent performance here with Ellie, Jo, Adel and Bex safely in the bunch.  Bad luck hit Ellie though as she was brought down with 3km to go so had to solo home.  The remaining 3 girls finished in the bunch.  Caroline withdrew during this stage.  The next day started with an individual TT where all the girls performed very well, Adel sneeking into the top 10 was an awesome ride.  The last stage was a road stage and Adel, Jo and Bex all went into this stage in 19th, 20th and 24th position, all to play for.  The tough hilly circuit sorted the riders out.  Being a very wet day, Adel suffered with her grip on the road and got distanced on the descent.  After some gentle persuasion she carried on riding like a woman posessed for the rest of the stage.  Jo and Bex finished with the bunch and ended upi 16th and 17th overall in the GC, which was excellent.  Ellie, having got tailed of the bunch with 2laps remaining, suffering with her tiny junior gears on the descent, meant that she finished her 1st major senior race in 35th position, a star in the making.  The team finished 5th overall.

The promotions continue!

Congratulations to Ellie Gilham, who has been promoted to 2nd category!  Keep up the good work, Ellie!

Jo's Comeback Continues

Cpngratulations to Jo Tindley who has been promoted to 2nd cat after less than two months into her comeback season!

Well done, Jo!

Jo Tindley's first win of the season!

RACE REPORT.

 

Ok, here we go, it has been a while since I have done this.

 

Sunday saw my second race of the season at Thruxton, my second race since coming back from a 5 year break. After my 5th place last week I was some what on a bit of a mission. Our team captain Maz wasn’t able to race due to not being very well. I travelled down with Jason, so it was down to Elle and I. I hadn’t really had much of a plan for this, just a bit of a test to see where I am and good training session.

 

The sun was shining and the wind was blowing as we arrived, although being a fair few years since I raced at Thruxton, nothing has changed since my Junior days. I have memories of being dropped on slope up to the last chicane and that it felt like an epic hill back then, but having grown up slightly and being slightly fitter, it seems a mere push to the top. I went to sign on and had a nice welcome from Sue Knight, it is really nice to see every one again.

 

I made sure this time I had a warm up so had a good spin on the rollers with Elle, we both finished our warm ups and headed to the start line. I was also looking forward to trying out my new spangly wheels from Matrix, which the night before Jason kindly fitted Tubs to, with a little help from moi! When I say help, putting the tape on and adding that last little bit of pressure to get them on. Luckily it was tape and not glue, that most definitely would have ended up with stuck fingers and knotted hair, I am some what a bit of a disaster around things like paint, glue well most spillible things really….

 

Anyway, as we sat on the start line I recognised some faces and more of a surprise they recognised me!

We set off nice and steady, I sat on the front for the first few minutes, realising that no one particularly wanted to take the reins I swung off and to the back let some one else sit on the front, wasn’t too far to go as there was only 12 of us. The race pretty much bowled round like Sunday club run, no one doing anything, after 2 laps I was bored.

Last week at Ilton Maz was really attacking and positive, I didn’t quite have the legs to keep up with her, but, no maz meant boring racing! I had to do something, other wise there was no point riding round. As we approached the hill on the end of the 3rd I was getting itchy feet, wasn’t quite sure if I should attack now or wait until the chicane, there was a head wind along the finish straight, knowing this I thought best to attack in the chicane after the hill. Doing so I managed to get a gap, watching my heart rate get higher and higher. As I hit the back straight I had a half decent gap, with no one looking to come across, I wasn’t quite sure what to do at this point. I carried on for 2 laps hoping some one might join me, I couldn’t just stay out here on my own, I then made the decision to get caught ( to be fair I think they would have caught me anyway J ). As I got back in the bunch at the bottom of the hill I was expecting some one to attack, but they didn’t. as we came out the chicane I attacked again, with Nicky Wheeler coming past me, we got a gap, but just not enough to stay away. Again, we got back in the bunch.

 

The race was pretty much like this with a few attempts from a couple of girls, but no one really doing anything. As the laps counted down I was thinking about if I should attack the last lap and put one big last effort in for the line or to wait to the bunch sprint….. I had planned how I wanted to ride the finish as we rode round at the start. I thought about it and made my decision at the bottom of the hill. I was going to wait to the bunch sprint, attack into the chicane and just go balls out to the line from there, might work might not, but that was my plan.

 

With a lap to go the girls picked up the pace, Hannah Manley moved to the back on my wheel, realising that in doing that she was out the back, forcing her to move up. I just sat at the back waiting for the hill where I moved up to 3rd wheel which was Hannah, the bunch strung out a little towards the top, I wanted to be at least 3rd wheel for the chicane. As we hit the chicane the wheel that Hannah was on slowed up, I had to make my move now, not knowing if I could hold the sprint for that long, I just went for it!

 

I came out the chicane in front and just gunned for the line.

 

It was a bit of a shock to have crossed the line so far in front, as I used to suffer something chronic on that circuit.

 

Its really good to be back racing, having such a great team around me makes a huge difference. I am really looking forward to the bigger road races and riding as a team.

 

Jo.

Salt Ayre Crits

My first race of the season yesterday.  I have been looking forward to it for ages, and I have to admit, have been just a tad jealous of other riders competing.  But, I had my new long-sleeved skinsuit and I was looking forward to racing at Salt Ayre, where I used to race as a teenager. 

It was pretty much as I remembered it, although I don't remember the big sports centre being there (it used to be known as Scale Hall, way back when). 

Things started to go a bit awry when it started raining, which is never a good thing as my Oakleys don't do rain.  I ended up having to ditch them, which then meant I was off the back, however I waited for the bunch to come round again and stayed with them - much different to last year when I went into reverse instead!

I enjoyed every minute of it, came eighth and picked up some BC points (I think).  I just need to buy some new Oakleys now - and remember to check that my helmet isn't at a jaunty angle!!!

Training Weekend #2

My first VC training weekend was fantastic! Thrilled to be part of a lovely and incredibly friendly team.

The weekend was kicked off by an embarrassing late arrival by myself at the track, half dressed and barely awake after a night shift. Not ideal - and certainly not the way to impress my any potential teammates! Everyone was very welcoming (from offering me home made flapjacks to general encouragement and only minimal teasing about my state of undress at the track as my leg warmers kept falling down!) and made it a really fun weekend.

Matt Winston British cycling coach lead a fantastic track session at Tameside cycle circuit with some great skills sets to keep everyone focused and with a good few sprints thrown in.

A nice relaxed meal out in San Rocco was the prep for Sunday’s jaunt around Cheshire. With a much appreciated support vehicle (kindly manned by Jan) in tow, we had great weather and clocked up some nice miles, while all getting to know each other a bit better. Slight dissent amongst the ranks with mid ride last minute route change but it all worked out perfectly in the end and was topped off by a team trip to Little chef for a debrief over tea and deluxe hot chocolates!

By Rebecca Heath

Training Weekend #1

Last weekend saw 9 members of VC St Raphael heading towards the

outskirts of Bristol for the first women's team training camp. Women's

captain Maz had kindly offered her (parents) house as accommodation,

and organised a weekend of race planning,getting to know you's and

training rides.

Now I was looking forward to getting together with the girls - a few

chance meetings at Newport meant I hadn't really seen anyone for ages

and I hadn't met Caroline, Nicci, Jo or Ellie before. I was even

looking forward to getting out on a ride with the girls (luxury!!) and

Maz had even promised the first one would be flat. Ish. The 1:9 hill I

drove down on the last leg to her house certainly suggested she was

lying and my poor non climbers legs were going to suffer!

Marianne (well, her parents) had laid on a super lunchtime spread of

jacket potataoes,salads and of course the cyclists' favourite - pasta.

After a quick snack and introductions it was time to get changed and

get out on the roads.

Unfortunately there was still loads of ice around on the roads after

the winter (cold snap!) so we didn't get out for as long as we had

wanted. We rode staedy for a while so we could chat and make friends.

Comedy comment of the day was from veterinarian (I almost wrote vet

and realised in a cycling context that could be misconstrued!!) Nicci

Meadows who likened her love of animal orthopaedics to lego! Nicci and

Caroline (Harding) join us from AW Cycles after they disbanded.

The rest of the ride was largely uneventful - after jinxing herself by

saying the 'p' word, Team Mechanic and Driver Jase quickly jumped out

the car for a wheel change. Oh yeah, and then there was the sheet ice

that saw half of the girls walking their bikes along the road!! The

last climb (what happened to flat?!) just about finished me off so I

suppose it wasn't a bad call to go back to the farmhouse....

Shower and change before discussing the seasons's plan, goals and aims

and then hitting the pub for dinner. Adel (Tyson Bloor) left us after

the meal (part-timer) to go home and watch the Perfs pedals on the

Sunday. I might let her have that one as it is our promotion!! I think

we were all a bit tired when we got back home but we managed to stay

awake long enough to see Maz's house on Casualty (I stayed in the

'drug' room) and take some hot water bottles up to bed!

Luckily for us Sunday was a bit warmer and we got out for a lovely (!)

long ride around the rolling Mendips. I mentioned I wasn't a climber,

right?!

The group headed out at a steady pace, taking turns on the front.

Thanks to Ellie's dad for helping to pull us all along! The first 2

hours or so saw the group make our way towards Cheddar Gorge along

some hilly roads (OK, they were probably just rolling but hey!).

Scenery was awesome, some lovely little descents (my new definition of

a hill is having to do your jersey up on the way down) and awesome

banter.

We rolled into a lovely little cafe before the big C. I would love to

report that we had lovely healthy food but actually the chocolate

fudge cake was pretty damn nice :D Then it was straight out again into

the cold and up the climb!

Jo - who is returning to cycling following a few years out of the

sport - certainly looked as fresh as a daisy powering up some of the

climbs (not jealous at all!) quickly followed by Ellie. Well i think

that's how it went but I was off the back..... not my type of hill. I

should add my thanks here to our only Youth rider, Angie, for snapping

my photo from the warmth of the team car as i grovelled my way up the

steep bit. Thanks Angie!

The pace picked up once we had regrouped and the end was in sight, we

even managed a bit of through and off with a random we picked up en

route! Again, that hill at the end was brutal (give me Cheddar Gorge

any day of the week!!) before we made it back home, 3:45 later.

My legs definitely knew they'd been made to work but it was a lovely

way to cap off the weekend. Can't say how excited I am to meet up with

teh Northeners in a week or so's time, or how excitied I am to get

racing. First entry is already in the post.

By Eleanor Jones

The girls enjoying some well-deserved coffee and cake!

Caroline Harding - enjoying the climb

Nicci Meadows in action

Simply Gorge-ous!

Eleanor Jones tearing up the tarmac!

Ellie Gilham showing the cars no mercy!

Welcome to our new blog!

Welcome to the blog of VC St Raphael Women's Team, sponsored by Waite Contracts and Paul Hewitt Cycles!

Our purpose is to enjoy racing and riding bikes, at all levels, whether it be as an Under-16, Junior, fourth category or elite category rider.  We all take part in road and track racing and time trials, with some of us even dipping in and out of triathlons too! 

We are a mixed age group, from under-16 to Masters, but we all share the same passion - to have a great time whilst racing!

We will strive to keep the blog as updated as possible - with rider profiles and results, together with blogs from different riders giving their own unique slant on events.

For further information about VC St Raphael, please visit http://vcstraphael.com/

You can also follow us on Twitter - @vcstraphwomen

If you have queries, please email either vcstraphaelwomen@gmail.com about the Women's team or vcstraphael@hotmail.com about VC St Raphael generally.