Photos and improvements

First things first the official photos are up here. Not sure which ones I'll buy yet.

I decided to have a look at my times from the night stage this year and last year. Since the stage was the same, only when we did it and weather conditions from the week were different. Last year we did this stage on the first day so legs were fresher. This year it was Day 4.

Last year I finished the stage in 32:53 this year 28:52. This is a huge improvement! Comparing the winning female times (25:18 this year and 24:39 last year) there isn't that much difference. I am definetly a lot faster. Looking at it this way suprised me, I felt I rode the night stage badly. Other stages can't be directly compared but overall I think I am a lot faster.

In fact if it wasn't for the stage on the day my knee was sore I would have finished 3rd singlespeeder, I was third in two of the special stages - not bad as the only female!

If I do this event again I will have to do some training for really short stages, I did some short xc races this year and cross races throughout the winter, but they are all at least an hour long. Nothing like racing for less than 30minutes. I also think short stages like that are one place where gears really work!

Overall I am pleased with transwales, I think the fact it didn't hurt as much as last year made it harder to appreciate it! I am definetly more suited to longer distances than trying to go fast over a very short distance. Would I go back? Definetly the riding is amazing. But I think its time to find a new challenge!

Musing on transwales

The week disappeared so quickly. It got to the end and I was sad. The next two days were spent so down. I couldn't see any positives from the week and I felt like I was pretty rubbish. Today it is time to move on from that. The tent is drying, clothes are in the washing machine. It won't be long till the next adventure!

I don't think I appreciated what going to transwales singlespeed on a fully rigid meant. This was just my bike. I have to say I got so many positive comments during the week, as well as regularly being called mad!

The linking stages went really well. I think I was stronger than last year and I am definetly better downhill. A lot less people were going past me and I actually passed some. I was still feeling strong at the end of the week and still finishing in the top half every day. The special stages though were hard. At the first I was about a minute off the podium and I never got any closer. Last year I felt like I was making time up on the climbs, this year everyone was passing me. I gave it my all and it was never good enough. Now looking back I think that I would have been faster in the special stages with gears. But also how can I expect to be fast over such short distances? I knew the format didn't suit me. I didn't realise how strong the field would be this year. All the girls riding were fit and fast! None of us missed a stage.

In a few days I am sure I will be buzzing with the achievement, at the moment I am just down, I think I had got used to riding everyday and now I don't know what to do! The tempatation is to go out riding loads but I know if I am being sensible I should take it easy till kielder100, I have the miles in my legs now I don't want to overdo it!

Transwales 2009

Day 1

86km 1650m climb

Day 1 was billed as 80km but my Garmin recorded 86km, other reports say 90km, but it was a good day in the saddle. My hands finished buzzing so I'm not sure a whole week of fully rigid is going to be a good plan. But I'm happy with how I am riding downhill! Most of the day was spent riding with Phil another singlespeeder. On the hills we would catch people up - or walk at the speed they were riding. Then when the road went down they spun away on us. We had 7 hours to complete the stage and I was comfortably within that. But I couldn't chance going a lot slower.

I saw Ali loads today as she chased me round which was exciting! back at camp and I couldn't find my cradle for charding my Garmin, plan at the moment is to use Ali's - which ruins her riding plans. Fingers crossed it turns up!

Day 2

85km 2523m climb

Yesterday Ali headed out on one of the rides I had plotted with one of the other support crews. They had a bit of a trio adventure, with stampeding cows, overgrown trails and vertical slopes to drag the bike up! Oh and in the end a friendly farmer to explain a better route than the one I had plotted!

We set off again at 9am to do 85km with a 11km linking stage in the middle. They told us some of the the climbing had been cut out of it. The day started with a 16km road section, where after we all turned round due to heading out of the town the wrong way, I ended up in the lead group for about 5 minutes. At which point the road went downhill and everyone pedalled off on me. The day was good with most of the climbing rideable and some great descents. It was fun riding down a descent fully rigid when others walked. It felt hard today and there was a lot of climbing before we reached the start of the special stage.

Soon I was on the start line with a promise of only 1km of climbing. After 10m the thought of riding fast uphill stopped and it was down to survival! There was definitely a lot more climbing than they had said! I was dreading Climach after a really bad ride last year. This time apart from twice when people stopped in front of me I rode all the descent and it was just one climb I had to push up (the guy with gears in front walked it as well). I was pleased with how I rode it but no idea how the time will compare (we have the Italian ladies marathon champion here!)

I got back to the Marie Celeste - car wide open, stuff all over the place, no Ali. Turns out she was chatting!!!

That evening while I had a hot shower, Ali cleaned my chain link by link, it might even be cleaner than when it was new!

During the day Ali spent her time looking for a new tent pole after one of ours snapped during the night. She found the most helpful shop in the world (Llani Leisure). They couldn't find the right pole, despite ringing practically the whole of wales and taking out all the poles in the shop. She then helped ali come up with an ingenious soloution.

Day 3

75km 2300m climb

After the pub last night I couldn't get to sleep. My knees were sore and I slept really badly. On waking I unlocked the car and struggled to get to it, the car locked itself just as I got there. I nearly collasped in pain and lay on the floor for a while before unlocking the car and getting onto the drivers seat. This is where Ali found me and was ver concerned about how I looked. I really thought my race was over!! Some painkillers and strapping and I was alble to walk. The plan was to try and get to the first water stop being careful and walking most of the climbs. I got there feeling not too bad. I was sure I was further back in the field than the previous two days. I had loved the trail we had been on - we even crossed the river of doom from last year, only this year it was gently lapping around my shins not up to my chest.

Then was the special stage. I had planned to take it easy but that went out of the window and I went as hard as I could, it was slow though compared to other times. But I was just happy that I had completed it!

On my way to the lunch stop I passed Ali talking pictures so stopped at the cafe and she bought me chocolate cake while I enjoyed my sandwiches. Then it was on my way. Lots of plodding and lots of pushing up hills. After one of the hills I met Ali who had rode over to meet me. We headed back to the last drinks stop before she drove to make camp and I walked/rode the last section.

I made cut-off by 30minutes which was pleasing seeing as I had had such a bad start to the day. We were in a tiny campsight on a slope, but I got my first good nights sleep.

I'm down to 5th now overall. I'm just not fast enough over short distances.

Day 4

65km 2100m climb

Today was amazing riding. It felt like constant amazing views and fantastic descents. It was either singletrack or rocky downs. We also did the seven river splashes from last year. Less scary when the water level isn't as high. I was feeling good all day and I arrived at the lunch stop buzzing!

Night stage was hard. My 30 second guy (Phil) caught me very quickly, I just had nothing in the legs on the uphill. I even had to walk a couple of bits and near the top my bike made an almighty noise. Which I had no idea what was, but sounded like the rear brake. Stopping and rotating the wheel backwards seemed to sort it. Then it was downhill, I was riding poorly to be honest, but some shouting at myself to look where I was going seemed to help.

Day 5

74km 2700m climb

We woke up to rain and wind. Lying in the tent it sounded so loud! Getting up it wasn't as bad as it had sounded. But I was still in full waterproofs. We climbed up fireroads, some walking was required but it was mainly riding. Then we hit some muddy singletrack. Lots of screaming from me as I slid my way down but I was impressed to nearly ride it all which is a big improvement. It was a long way to the first water stop and I ate half my lunch there. This turned out to be a good plan as after loads of the Brechfa red and black trails - which had me wondering if rigid was a good idea - we arrived at the start of the special stage. Ollie and I arrived at about the same time but I went and rode it straight away (after a bit of chatting) whereas he had lunch. Which meant he had to queue for a while before riding the stage. My legs felt fine but lacked power on the steeper stuff. so today I decided instead of blowing up after 500m like last night I would just ride. One or two bits were a struggle to get over but there was only one push and some downhill was done without braking.

The other thing today is I realised what Jenn meant about a hand position for downhills when I don't need to brake. That was where I was on the fireroad downhills today!

I left with the army guys but lost them on an uphill section when I walked. I was back just within the cutoff but I think it will be extended as the special stage was closed for a while.

Today was the end of the special stages, with only two more linking stages to go.

Day 6

65km 2400m climb

Woke up to rain again in the morning. But by the time we were riding it had stopped. We started on the road where people came past me with ease but once the climbing started I felt strong. We seemed more strung out today so it was easier to stay on the bike, yesterday I was stuck behind traffic that was just a bit too slow. We did a lovely bit of trail that could have been very boggy. Before lunch there were two climbs I walked. But after lunch the two big climbs were a nice gradient to climb. One of them was a climb from last year that I found really hard geared! We did one of my singing descents from last year and I cleaned it. Last year there was carnage and medics waiting at the bottom. The stage turned out 5km shorter than advertised so I was back with over an hour to spare.

Got back to the Marie Celeste again but this time eventually found someone who explained Ali had gone riding. Later on I find out she had got herself lost on the forest fireroads and had ended up following the signs for tomorrow and having another trio adventure without me!

Day 7

60km 2000m climb

The last day and I couldn't believe it! We set out and my legs felt strong. We did some of the trails Ali had rode yesterday and she was waiting at the first water stop. After that my legs felt good on the hills and we went across some moorland which really strung the field out. After a nice descent it was some cycle path which was slow going as it was so busy - I had forgotten it was saturday - before lunch, where Ali was waiting with cake. Here they had some girls to put squirt tattoos on, I was confused they weren't lubing my chain, turns out hire-a-blondes don't do that! After lunch apart from one climb and descent where Ali was waiting again which felt a bit like cut-gate-lite it was all road and before I knew it I was back, disappointed to finish and wanting more. How could it be the end?

We went into town for food and then stayed for the prize giving. I got a special prize for riding the whole event on a rigid-singlespeed. Just as we were leaving the squirt guys gave me a spot prize of a bottle filled with Jelly Babies, I was excited everyday I saw them handing them out!

So its the end...................what next is the question?

Ali's adventure

Ali went for a ride so when i got back she wasn't here. Next thing i know is she is lost! Eventually i got a text she had found a road and was 8 miles away. So she had her own adventure.

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Mobile reception at last!

Five days of transwales have gone. I'm feeling strong on the linking stages but i'm well off the pace on the special stages. Riding rigid singlespeed is hard, but fun. Enjoying the challenge and apart from a knee problem on tuesday everything has been fine. Last special stage was today and i just rode it instead of trying to race as i had no power which was more fun than blowing up after 500m like i did on the night stage. I've been writing up each day so i can blog each day when i get home.

Posted via email from trio's posterous

Day 0

Bike is all ready. We weren't late even with ali going to the football. The rain has even started.

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Why drive?

Trying to blog from my phone, wonder if it works. Just been to meet ali for lunch. Only 6miles but it was good to be on a bike not driving it!

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Getting nervous

Rich decided to try and use me as a model for one of his pics at SITS, needless to say I'm not great at that.

I had lots of lectures that racing at SITS was not ideal prepartion for transwales, but for me it was good - now that my shoulder is less sore. I now feel a bit more confident and I had a great weekend. It also took my mind off transwales, now though I am feeling really scared. Last year the aim was just to finish and I was so pleased with my podium finish. This year I have set myself the crazy challenge of singlespeeding but I know I would love to get on that podium again. Think is it depends more on who else is there than me in lots of ways. I'll never be one of the really fast girls! I am faster than I was but that puts me in the average as oppose to slow category now. Still I need to concentrate on packing etc now and not on worrying!

Do you think a short ride would be so bad tomorrow?

SITS

Back from SITS, I was riding with a mixed singlespeed team. Apart from me they were all from Nottingham. To our suprise we finished 5th, in a competitive category! We were all super consistant throughout the race and apart from throwing myself at a tree in the first lap I had a great time. Reminded me how much fun racing can be!

Bye Bye Ali's roadie

Got a phone call this afternoon, Ali's roadie had been nicked from outside work. They had chopped right through her lock! Which is a substantial one! I walked over to meet her with trainers so she didn't have to walk home in bike shoes. It's been reported to the police but we're not hopeful.

Cycle friendly roadworks

This is near me in Bolton, obviously its so the cars that are basically stationary are not held up by bikes that can get through the gaps and go faster?

Courier Bags rule.

Working today and had to pick up some shopping, usually I would have to come home and empty my bag, or somehow strap everything to the outside. Today I just shoved everything in my new huge bag!

New jersey as well, which I love!

A busy day

Originally today I was going to be riding the pendle pedal, but after not hearing anything I decided not to chase it up as I really needed an easy week. There have been some hard miles recently! As it turns out I was asked to work so I was happy.

First things first though, it was the ironman uk in Bolton today so Ali and I left the house at just after 5am to ride over and watch the swimmers at Rivington. After watching the start from the far side of the reservoir we managed with a bit of off-roading (easier for me on a cross bike than Ali on her roadie!) to get to where they were climbing out of the water, before running up a hill to a muddy field! Lucky them!

At 8ish I had to head off, so saw a few people on the bikes and then it was off to Heaton Park, where I was working as a ride leader. My job was to accompany people to and from Manchester on a set route to join up with the skyride route. There were loads of people round and Albert Square was packed. It was a shame I couldn't get out to the velodrome where there was even more on. Everyone I spoke to had had a great time and it was fantastic to see so many people on bikes!