Monday 17 December 2007

Training weekend, Co. Wicklow – Sat/Sun 15th/16th Dec 2007

Good weekend training. The weather and trails were perfect for winter riding.
I was sick the previous week so good to be back out. On Sat Ken, Padzer, Mark and I cycled on the road to the new trails Ballinastoe. WOW, we had a laugh, trails are bedding in nice, and the new one at the top was great fun, fast with predicable slides. A nice coffee in Enniskerry rounded off a great day.
On Sunday Robin, Evan, Richi and I went on a 5hour blast. Robin led from the front, real hard race pace. Great route, all on dry trails again, Bray head being the highlight. Also rode the trails in Djouce, real nice when its deserted! I blew up in Powerscourt, a bit hungover, so that did not help. A couple of honeystingers helped, and I barely hung on to Robin doing 45km/hr back in the Enniskerry Road.




Mark rails a berm

Coffee and a cuddle

New trails in Ballinstoe

Ulster Cyclocross Champs, Kilbroney Park, Co. Down – Sun 1st Dec 2007

Good race today. Finished up 2nd in a much better field. Fast course with a couple of drags that suited me.
Pace was fast from the start, I attacked from a bunch of about 10 riders at the end of the 1st lap, and only Raod Pro Roger Aiken stayed with me. We had about 10 second ending the first lap, and Roger upped the pace again, I was unable to respond!!!!
I then found myself on my own for the rest of the race, real hard as there was a 50km/hr head wind for a lot of the lap. Behind me @ 20 secs, a group of 5 riders worked together for the whole race. With 2 laps to go, Junior sensation Liam McGreevy attached a closed the gap to about 10 seconds. This promoted me to push again and regain my gap.
Roger was in a class of his own, finishing about 2 mins ahead……no chance! Ill be doing one more cross race before the nationals, and I feel a medal is defo on the cards.

Report
http://www.irishcycling.com/publish/news/art_2729.shtml