MIDLANDS VTTA 10M TT - Stone Staffs - 21st April 2018

3rd Overall / 1st on Standard
Scrapping around trying to find events to speed up the race fitness in this early season - found myself in a pleasant village called Weston, south of Stone, Staffs - however nothing pleasant about the Midlands VTTA 10 organised by Walsall CC - a challenging fairly hilly out and back, recording a passable 21-19 to take 3rd overall and first on “standard” (age adjusted)....completely bollixed (technical jargon) at the end, typical (usually 🤪) of the first few races - eased though by picking up some spondoolies 😎

END OF SEASON REPORT 2017

Appreciate it greatly to be awarded by the Group (regional) VTTA at their recent annual presentation dinner with some cracking silverware - a combination of a specific race win, fast times across the disciplines and subsequent significant housekeeping in their Group records (with reference to National age records) was recognised....

Although this my 3rd full season, was certainly initially a slow burner, progressing to mid season mediocrity- before a July significant performance hike with progression into the last two months beyond even my own expectations.

Already stepping on the appropriate gas for 2018, on the eve of a short (and warmer ) sojourn in Mallorca - confident I can progress yet again next year...

I’ve thanked before those that positively influenced the season, so for the final time big cheers to Dan Bigham, John Morgan, Andrew at Langsett Cycles and coach Richard Simmonds.

Roll on 2018

[April 2020: Interesting season, bought new Trek Concept TT bike, top of the range, and for several races I was going no quicker (at same power output as 2016) but knew in training it felt so much smoother and faster! Lost my mojo, dropped Richard my coach, but just before I met up with Dan Bigham at Derby Velodrome for aero testing - in the "lab" conditions Dan found nearly a 40w increase...which outdoors proved to be about 20w...immediately my performances improved....including the 19-11 '10' and a 50-01 '25' - however the latter was done on a low average wattage, coaching myself it was identified by a pal's coach, John Morgan, that I was doing too many HIIT sessions, and neglecting the basics i.e. losing my base / strength (which showed in the longer races)....John also noticed my high racing cadence, and suggested I drop into the 80's RPM. 

This made the second big change (after Dan) - more watts with big gears (and big legs) took me to another level...last few races of the season really set the stall out for 2018....getting so close to certain guys, but beating comfortably certain others....I really did not want the season to end!

Most pleasing performances - both in the second half of September, significantly? 

• breaking the hour for the 30mile Leo '30' - and taking a great lump off the National age record and numerous other records, local and regional
• 3rd in the N Mids VTTA 10 just behind two top guys and a significant gap from quality 

The-End]

NATIONAL RTTC CLOSED CIRCUIT CHAMPS - Thruxton - 15th October 2017

30th Overall & 2nd Age Cat (National Silver)

Last race of the season, and a little below par from recent performances....without doubt there is a learning curve on racing on a closed race circuit, with the sharp bends particularly, did not ride it too well although power was just below 350w....excuse though to be darn sarf and then shoot over to Tooting and Gaston's for some end of season beers and the start of that fattening process! 🍺🍔

LEO 30M TT - Newmarket - 7th October 2017

10th Overall & 2nd on Standard
And so....the penultimate race of the season, the "Leo 30mile TT " on the fast E2 course, to the layman, the A11 and the A14 in Cambridgeshire. Hesitated in making the drive as the forecast was blustery to say the least....main targets were two fold: break the National Age record and also break the Sheffrec CC club (agreed to represent by all parties ) record to finally rid the club record books of a suspended rider 💉

Tailwind out - plan was to take full advantage, going through 10 miles in 19-06 and hit the turn and half way in 29-02 - so on for an incredible and unexpected sub hour? Could I keep it going?

At 10 miles to go I'm hit by a power shower, thankfully short and sweet - passed the 25 mile mark in 49-09 (an unofficial PB) but that extra 5 miles notoriously catches riders out - dying with 2 miles to go, normally smashing the average power on the home stretch, but just holding the average, will it be enough?

The chequered flag is welcome relief, I stop my Garmin, look down and see 59mins 45 seconds - I've broken the hour, exceeded 30mph ....reports of a mad Lancastrian on the A11 punching the air, and whooping like a demented dog are totally true, and no apologies 😜

Super chuffed - achieved my objectives, broke the Sheffrec record by 3 mins 25secs the National Age record by 2mins 45sec; broke all age records in my Group and finished 10th overall in a top class field (also taking 2nd in the age adjusted gubbins)....

So a happy dash north to Nottingham to meet pals for a gig, banging out the excellent Soul and Funk show on 6 Music with Craig Charles - followed by some Cream Anthems - but then a mega contrast to endure over two hours of gratuitous Prog Rock with Focus (I'm only joking, but I'm def done with drum solos for the decade)

On to the final race (unless I can find anymore) at Thruxton race circuit for the National Circuit TT Champs next Sunday - a TT race with no traffic? How will I cope??

[April 2020: very rarely raced this distance, and this is THE fast one...so one chance in a season..breaking the hour is the target (30+mph essentially) - so no exaggeration with the description of how pleased I was when I crossed the line, and to rid the club of a druggy record holder added to the euphoria!]

NORTH MIDS VTTA 10M CHAMPS - Staveley - 30th Sept 2017

3rd Overall / 1st on Standard (N Mids VTTA Champ)
Another "crazy" performance this afternoon - taking 3rd overall in the North Mids TT 10 at Staveley and winning the standard competition (age adjusted).

Broke the course record in 21-06 until Ian Guilor (21-03) and Daniel Barnett (20-54) further improved it - really pleased to be so close to those guys....

Must credit John Morgan with identifying I needed to race at a lower cadence, hit a different level in the last few races and power again at 349w - nearly 20w greater on what was my norm for a 10 miler

A gratuitous celebratory beer on return home (although don't read the small print, it's all there was in the fridge )

Proper celebration with a curry very imminent

Until the next race, I don't want the season to end!!

WELSH 50M TT CHAMPS - Abergavenny - 24th Sept 2017

4th Overall & 1st on Standard (National Welsh Gold)

So, stage 2 of the weekend - the Welsh 50m TT champs at Abergavenny - just missing out on the podium with a 4th place, should be super delighted mixing it with the youngsters, but me being me....

Second half was particularly tough but actually held it fairly well....losing just 40 seconds....

Later in the day though, received a searing pain right though the heart, nothing to do with bike racing, found out the Owls result against the "not so" Blunts - devastation on an otherwise glorious weekend

[April 2020: This was my first of 3 x 4th places in the Welsh 50m Champs....but interesting that this was 2 races in 2 days, in my early days I didn't like that...nor did I like doing any sort of interval session inside 2 days of a race...this is a running legacy, where typically racing would be 2 in 3 weeks, and certainly no hard training close to the event...but I eventually trusted Richard and illustrates that cycling is easier on the body and therefore allows quicker recovery!]

RUTLAND CC 10M TT - Hatfield Woodhouse - 23rd Sept 2017

3rd Overall
Well chuffed with 3rd at the Rutland CC 10m TT today, just 3 seconds from Dan T and Darryl W on the top podium - peak 20min PB by 17w too (348w - for the cyclist geeks ) - stage 2 of the weekend: National Welsh 50m TT Champs at Abergavenny - should I have rested?

[April 2019: This was milestone result...the combination of Dan Bigham's aero resting with John Morgan's advice for me to drop my cadence, gave me approx 25-30w more...it took a few races, but to get so close to Dan and Darryl was quite significant (and so far ahead of the other guys)]

VTTA NATIONAL 30M TT CHAMPS - Abergavenny - 17th September 2017

4th Overall & 3rd on Standard (National Bronze)
From Chris M's FB Page:

VTTA National 30 mile champs - gold on standard, win on scratch, national age record and course record (my first) for me; bronze on standard, 4th on scratch and national age record for Keith

What a day. This wasn't a fast course and it certainly wasn't a float day, so we are two proud old buggers...😝

[April 2020: Cannot remember much about the race except Chris and I went down together and stayed in a farm house in the middle of the sticks! Oh! And met up with Richard (coach) at the HQ]

RTTC 10M NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS - Keswick - 3rd Sept 2017

52nd Overall / 2nd in Age Group (National Silver)Not quite Porto Pollensa, but the seafront and early morning views across Morecambe Bay towards the southern fells of the Lake District is still pretty damned good, and a little nostalgic from my younger days - that sighting of the Lakeland Fells is a personal joy, like revisiting old friends



Overnight stay in Heysham, breaking the journey to Keswick for the National 10 TT Champs - stage 2 of racing this weekend. Stage one being my second visit to the fast S Cave 10 course yesterday, in the VTTA 10 "knocking out" a 19-13 underlining my recent 19-11 was no fluke, arguably in less favourable conditions and a little experiment on lower cadence, needs a little work, but the future?

Plan this morning is to take a slow drive (it is memory lane ) to Keswick via the coastal road: Hest Bank, Silverdale, Arnside and then up the Lyth Valley to Windermere over Dunmail passed Grasmere - can't wait, be more fun than the race - as will be the post race refreshment in Keswick with my old mucka Mr Summers 🍺

[April 2019: The National was hugely disappointing, probably should not have done the race the day before, in fact my coach was surprised how "well" I actually did in the National - must admit I was over confident that no one could touch me in my age group, but well done to Chris L he beat me fair and square on the day]

VTTA YORKSHIRE 10M TT - S Cave V718 - 2nd Sept 2017

10th Overall / 7th on Standard
First race after advised by coach Dave Morgan to drop my cadence from the mid 90's to the mid 80's (ultimately by 2019 this got even lower) - checked my Training Peaks efforts and identified that my best training was with the lower cadence, but I race in the mid to high 90's.

Really strange to concentrate on a lower cadence and bigger gear, knocked out a 19-13 for this '10', which was just 2 seconds off my PB....however in retrospect, it is a shame that this was not a handful of races into my new cadence, as I added a good 20w on to my previous output after 3 or so races.

VTTA NATIONAL 25M TT CHAMPS - Newmarket -27th Aug 2017

7th Overall & 7th on Standard
A very early start (up at 4.30am) for this rescheduled National VTTA 25m Champs....overtime, it is clear that I do not race at my best at these really early starts, associated to that my HR is always suppressed - knocked a sub 51 mins but it felt really hard from the start and 7th overall, which at the time was a great result (btw not the race photo!)😉

REALTEAM 25M TT - Hirwaun S Wales - 20th Aug 2017

15th Overall & 2nd on Standard
CIGARS, GRANDMASTER FLASH and THE RAPTOR

"Close, but no cigar" was the immediate and appropriate repost from my Langsett Cycles Race Team boss, Mr Elston on informing him of my rather bitter sweet 25 mile TT personal best at the RealTeam 25 on the fast Neath Valley course in South Wales....and how right was he!


Recording what should be a super pleasing 50min 01secs averaging 30mph but obviously falling agonisingly short of the elite sub 50min club by the closest of margins, but worse still an excruciating 5 seconds short of the long standing National Age record - aaaagh! - a little tidy up at Group (regional) level is the consolation...rather mixed feelings post race

However, there wasn't another second in me, although my overall "numbers" were actually below par for that course, consequently whatever purgatory is, I visited it over those last 6 miles - total guts and strength, no control whatsoever and finished in absolute bits - oh the joy - so a healthier return one day is a necessity in order to redress


Anyhow, personally a great recent turnaround in my season, starting with the 19-11 10mile TT 4 weeks ago - in that regard I have to say a big thanks to the

Raptor (Dan) and Jonny at Watt Shop for the fine tuning and identifying that missing piece of jigsaw that I knew was absent but I struggled to find - cheers boys!

[April 2020: Although a PB in 50-01...I knew that there was something not quite right...my power was down over 20w where I would expect...this led to a friend 'lending' me his coach, John Morgan. John got access to my Training Peaks stats...and recognised firstly that my training was unbalanced, too many of those HIITs...meant I lost my base / strength, which showed on the longer races...hence the low wattage. But also, he recognised that I raced at a high cadence, and suggested I drop it, from mid 90's to mid 80's - this took not many races, but my power went up 20w, essentially using big legs, rather than an emphasis on aerobic output - significant - this was the final piece! I eventually returned to Richard for coaching with a snivelling crawl...and as they say, the rest is history!!]

Also thanks to Garry at GBM Photography for the photo from yesterday's race

Finally, those cycling aficionados may be aware of the controversy concerning the race yesterday - the results have been suspended pending an investigation into the "winner" one Marcin Bialoblocki a Polish pro cyclist, who last year broke the UK best for both the 10m and 25m TT distances - yesterday he bettered his 25m time, but was apparently witnessed racing ON the white line (allegedly) of the dual carriageway between the two lanes - I assume forcing close pass from vehicles on either side of him, gaining huge aero advantages, not to mention the disregard for the safety aspect and the wrath of the long arm of a number of authorities - which could of course impact the future of racing on open roads.....a decision on him by the cycling authorities is imminent - anyhow we all learn by our mistakes, and assuming Marcin is willing to learn, may I suggest in the future as part of his warm up he adds into his motivational playlist - the following track, just as a little reminder, in case he forgets, some wise advice from Grandmaster Flash (not forgetting the Furious Five) although I doubt Mr Flash had cycle racing in mind =>
https://youtu.be/HB-Kkvf5j5Y

WHITE LINES (DON'T DO IT)

BARNSLEY CLUB 10M TT - Park Springs - 16th Aug 2017

1st Overall

Well! Third test on SetUp 2 - and smashed it on a windy day too (13-25mph S) - joined the sub 21 club, just…watts up to 338 (again) and won! Please only lost a few seconds compared to 4 weeks ago on return into headwind…

Happy not just with the win tonight but back on track with also joining the exclusive sub 21 min club (how many members is that Daniel T?) for the Barnsley RC 10 TT course at a rather windy Park Springs.....hopefully now Mr Kippax and Mr Ledger I can settle on this one bike position - I will try, honestly!

[April 2020: The new confidence continued, although before Dan and the Mallorca trip...dropped my coach, Richard....was getting so frustrated and disillusioned, the finger got pointed everywhere...so, was 'coaching' myself...some days not knowing exactly what to do...actually did a number of HIIT Tabata intervals...wait for the outcome.....]

RTTC NATIONAL 25M TT CHAMPS - Hirwaun S Wales - 6th Aug 2017

84th Overall & 2nd in Age (National Silver)
National TT 25 Champs - nearly 2 mins slower than 2 weeks ago in today much better conditions, maybe the additional recent tinkering wasn't for the best, jury out especially on the new 58 tooth - or was it simply a bad day at the office?

It's a fine line! Back to the drawing board or not?

[April 2020: Advise by Dan Bigham to get at least a 58 tooth chainring...first time of use was in this race, so not sure if that affected the performance -m but really under performed...perhaps should have trained on it or done a non important race?

Of course I perservered with the 58 tooth, and of course I needed it, if anything a 60 would have been possibly better!!] 

REALTEAM 25M TT - Hirwaun S Wales - 23rd July 2017

18th Overall & 3rd on Standard - 50-24 records galore at the time
Aaaagh! How friggin annoying - I think the only rain all day in South Wales was during my race (RealTeam TT 25m) and a tropical deluge at that (those that know "gift hill" will understand) - road was flooded at one point....it was quite awful - the bottom line being it scuppered any chance of a consecutive National Age record missing it by 27 seconds.

I shouldn't complain with a PB though of 50-24 for the 25 miles - few local records "tidied up" again - but should've could've would've - but "I'll be back" - that's just a benchmark! [April 2020: and how right you were!]

All in all, not a bad weekends work - back on track

Reyt, rush now back to Sheffield and a few deserved beers at Tramlines - looking forward to The Coral