Spring Cup Series / Team Launch

Team launch

I'm finally able to write about my 2018 team as we've now officially been launched. So to start off with, I have to give a massive thanks to our supporters/sponsors without whom our season of racing wouldn't be possible. It's probably a good idea to mention at this point who I'm actually racing for....Wales Racing Academy. We have a team of 7 riders headed up by Ex-Pro Rob Partridge, who is providing invaluable experience to aid our progression in the sport. I see this as a great stepping stone in my ambitions to become a professional bike rider. I'm already feeling the benefits of a solid and consistent winter of training under the wings of Rob. I don't like going too nerdy on numbers as its not really my style but to numerically put it, compared to May last year, I have improved my FTP (functional threshold power) by 55watts. To put it in non-numerical terms, in all ways I feel in a lot better place to get stuck into bike racing than I did last season. This brings me on to the next paragraph nicely.

Team Launch

Spring Cup Series

4 days after I returned from Australia I was on the road again. I was straight back into racing at the Cicle Classic in Rutland. This is a bit of a crazy race with many gravel sectors which makes the racing both exciting but unpredictable. In the Saturday recce I had 2 punctures and I was praying that this didn't happen during the race! I wanted to get myself up the road to try and avoid the dog fight and inevitable carnage that would unfold on the gravel sectors. Very early on in the race I attacked  and was joined by another 3 riders and thus the break was formed. It was a long and wearing day out hacking away with only 3 out of the 4 of us working. At one point we had a gap of almost 4 minutes but sadly we got caught by the bunch with 30km to go. By this point I had used up all of my coals and was running on fumes. My day was done but I took it as a bit of success getting the Academy's name out there and spending around 130km up the road.

In the Break for 130km at Cicle Classic

In the Break for 130km at Cicle Classic

In the Break for 130km at Cicle Classic

The Next race on the Calendar the following weekend was Klondike GP in Guisborough, North Yorkshire. This was a deceptively challenging course with no real flat, just up and down, little rises all day, with 2 key climbs on each lap. I rode this race a bit more conservatively than the last because it was more 'my cup of tea' with the nature of the course. To cut a long story short, with about an hours worth of racing to go, the break was caught and the front of the race ignited up the short hairpin climb of Saltburn. A group split over the top of this then continued to splinter all the way to the run in. I ended up finishing in 13th which I was pretty pleased with.

The final race in the Spring Cup series was Lincoln GP. This race is famous for its short steep cobbled climb in the run in to the finish. I was looking forward to the race but it didn't quite go to plan for me for a few reasons. Mainly I made a few tactical errors that made me use up a lot more energy than was ideal. Also my legs weren't entirely 'there' after a hard block of training in the week leading up to this. (This training was in preparation for my first big goal of the year which is the Ras in Ireland - an 8 day stage race). So in the end,

I just rolled in with the main bunch. That's racing!

Cobbles at Lincoln GP

Onwards to the Ras.....I shall keep you posted.


Pete

Commie Games 2018 rundown

I'm writing this now in the sky's, on my return from the Gold Coast from what has been the best few weeks I've ever had! I'm pretty sad to be leaving Australia; definitely want to be returning as soon as I can.

But back to what has been the most incredible first games experience for me. I’d first of all like to thank all the people who have helped and made it possible along the way especially Welsh Cycling and Sport Wales who gave me this fantastic opportunity. It was especially nice to have my parents out here supporting and I was able to catch up with them briefly pre and post race.

Being one of the youngest on the team I was pretty nervous and apprehensive of what to expect, racing such a 'stacked' field, especially this early on in the year.

I kicked off my games campaign with the individual TT on the 10th. I didn’t have the highest expectations going into this as I’m not the most suited rider to a TT being small and light. However, after seeing the course and how lumpy it was, I was pleasantly surprised. It suited my strengths quite well. So pinning my number on and setting off down the start ramp in the National kit for the first time was such a fantastic feeling and just filled me with pride. There was so much welsh support along the way which just motivated me even more. The sounds of the crowd just carried me along down the first section along Currumbin beach front but at the same time I didn’t want to get carried away as there was still a long way to go and some gruelling climbs to get up. I just gave everything I had and emptied the tank. I was so happy to come away with 15th as this far exceeded my personal expectations. It was also nice to spend a bit of time in the leader's hot seat. This ride also gave me a bit more confidence in my legs ahead of the road race which was just 4 days later.

The road race was on a short lap at 18km with 2 steep kicks on each lap but the rest of the course was pretty fast. This was always going to make for an unpredictable and very tough race. So come race day our job was to cover all break-aways and make sure a welsh rider was always represented up the road; which we managed to do. Then we also had to look after our medal hopes in Luke Rowe and Jon Mould. The pace was full on for the first hour and a half. I was riding on the limit chasing moves especially with Australian riders in.

They had a super strong team and of course were always going to want to bring home a medal which they ended up doing with Steel Von Hoff taking Gold. But back to the earlier stages in the race. The race was pretty relentless until a more substantial break with our rider Dylan went for a long period and there was finally a 'let up' in the race. Australia then controlled the race until the finish, trying to keep the race together for a sprint. After covering little moves and getting into break- aways I was spent coming into the last lap.

My day was done with half a lap to go and feeling pretty satisfied that I’d given it my all for the role I’d been given. Anyway in the closing stages a few riders like Meyer (Aus) and Luke Rowe pinged off the front on the last climb but got brought back by the New Zealander’s. Then coming into the finale there was a very depleted group on the road but in the dash for the line the legend that is Jon Mould managed to bag himself a silver medal! I was over the moon to hear this when I crossed the line.

So pleased for him and it was a super special feeling to be part of such a great team. This was also great after Dani getting a Bronze medal in the morning ladies Road Race.

All in all it was just a great experience to be away with such a great bunch of people with such a good team atmosphere having a real good laugh in the run up to the race and some celebrations post race. 

Apart from the actual bike racing, the Gold Coast is an absolutely stunning place and it was great to spend time there. The beaches were ace (basically what I’m saying is I need to go back!!).  Once our racing was over we had 2 days in the athletes village to get a bit more of a taste of the games experience and to get to spend time with other athletes from all over which was cool. But it was nice to have our own house on the Gold Coast prior to the racing to concentrate fully on the training and racing to make sure we could bag the results that we ended up with.

Now very much looking forward to getting stuck into racing for the rest of the season.

Blog 19

Carrying on from where I left off last time, I arrived in Alicante with some very wet kit... It got completely soaked en-route from Barcelona due to biblical rain! Anyway, I don't want to start on a dampener; it was really good to get across Spain to meet all the welsh lads for a solid 10 day camp.

The camp was mostly about getting some more solid kilometres in the bag but also structure and a team emphasis to the training with TTT( team time trial) blocks, lead-outs and Sprints. It was also good to get some competitive elements to the training with some hill and mock races which is always good fun (when your legs are on side). In general, it was, as I keep reiterating, a good time away riding bikes in the sun. I can't fault that! Our only properly wet ride really wasn't that bad either as the temperatures are generally warmer than the UK. It could just be called acclimatising ;getting us ready for UK weather. A lot more to come on this welsh team in the next few blogs as a lot is still under wraps.....

Arriving back home mid February was a bit of a shock to the system after being in Spain for a month and a half. The weather just really isn't as kind here. To begin with it wasn't too bad but from the last week of February to now the weather has just been bitter. This is really less than ideal for training out on the roads with temperatures predominantly below Zero. Training wise since being back home, I've been trying to get some intensity in after already developing my base over winter. This has meant getting some pretty grim efforts in and looking at a wall for long periods hacking away on the turbo trainer. Unfortunately, due to the inclement weather the first race of the season for me has been cancelled which was the Tour of the Mining Valleys. Fingers crossed the weather will turn soon so I can get out of my garage to venture back out onto the roads to train. All in all, my season prep is going well.

I just want to get stuck into some racing now especially as Commie games is just around the corner! I almost forgot to mention even though the Team Wales launch had to be cancelled due to the snow, I was able to pick up my commie games kit earlier this week. I'm pretty sure that dad was more excited than me unboxing the kit! "Didn't get this much in my day....."

More exciting updates coming soon. I promise.

Blog 18 Girona

Carrying on from my last blog I've been building the foundations to this season out in Catalonia. I've been staying out here for the whole of January with good friend, Reece Wood (Wiggins rider). We've made the most of the 'on the whole' more consistent weather, to get plenty of hours in the chair.

Hearing from people in the UK it sounds like the weather has been pretty inclement. So once again, I've been lucky at dodging the worst of the British winter. Anyway, less of the gloating, this month has mostly consisted of endurance rides with a few efforts and also I've continued with a gym program.

Catalonia has been very different to other places in Spain that I've previously experienced. It's a mecca for cyclists as many live here or use this area as a training base. Here, you are never short of company if you need it. I've really enjoyed my stay, especially the roads. Although we had to do a lot of riding on the flat to get to the good climbs, it was worth it for the quiet roads and ace views. The only downside of the quiet roads is that occasionally they end up running out and you're left with a lot of dirt tracks!

I've enjoyed being in a different area of Spain after spending a fair chunk of last season in Calpe. It's a very traditional place and siestas are still the norm. for many businesses. I discovered this first-hand when I needed a bike shop. The opening hours for the shop were 4.30pm to 9pm.... I'm sure I will end up coming back here some time soon as it's great for training and after only spending a brief amount of time in Girona, I'd like to get to know this place better. All in all it's been a very

good start to the year and hopefully it will continue in this direction.

Currently I'm on my travels. I'm flying from Barcelona to Alicante for a team camp in Calpe. More to come on that in a blog soon.....

Commonwealth Games 2018

I'm super happy to announce that I've been selected to represent Team Wales at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast, Australia.

First of all, I'd like to say a massive 'thank you' to all of the people who have helped me over the last few years. The biggest thanks has to go out to my parents who have supported me 110% ever since I started racing. I also want to thank Welsh Cycling for giving me this fantastic opportunity. Last Year I received financial help from Pedal Potential and the Tom Maynard Trust. This helped to fund racing on the continent in 2017, where I gained plenty of experience for the next step in my career. Big thanks to both!

I'm also keeping the family tradition alive as my Dad represented Wales in the 1990 Auckland commies in the Triathlon. This means a lot to me as my dad has passed on his wisdom ever since I got into cycling. It's a bit of a coincidence that we'll both have competed in Southern hemisphere commonwealth games too!

Once again, I have to say a massive thanks to Welsh cycling for selecting me. I am very proud to represent my Country and I really want to give it my best shot come April!

Pete

Blog 16 (2017 ends on a high)

To cap off what's been a packed 2017 of highs and lows; the year is definitely coming to an end with a high. Firstly, I've just returned from a fantastic trip away to Gran Canaria with Welsh Cycling.

The trip was a great opportunity to get the first serious block of training in prior to the 2018 season. It was a great camp getting some quality kms in and plenty of climbing. The roads were ace for riding with a spaghetti like layout over the mountains. Again, it was just really enjoyable to get some serious riding in to kickstart next season. 

I personally found it to be a great experience as it was my first trip away training with Wales as a 'senior' rider. Being the youngest rider, it was quite nice to get to know the other riders on the team a bit better.  It was really good to have such great support off all of the Welsh cycling staff too. Great atmosphere to train in with such a nice bunch of people on this camp (and Stevie....haa).

We did some pretty epic rides with big elevation figures spending time in the clouds. This was character building for sure but also pretty enjoyable being a bit of a goat. I'm feeling pretty happy with my riding at the moment and I hope to build upon this form through the coming season.

In other news, I’m really happy to announce that I’m on the 2018 commie games short list of riders for the road race at the gold coast. I’m super happy with this and it provides all the more motivation to make the most of my training and end up on the start line out in Australia. 

I hope everyone has a great Christmas and New Year!

Pete

Blog 15

Finding it a bit hard to think of ideas for this blog but a few people have been nagging me (Granddad!) for the next instalment; sorry for the wait guys!

Rolling around the Vale...

 So most recently, in the last 5 weeks or so, I’ve been getting back into the routine of winter training for the build up to next season. Training wise it’s now predominantly 'strength based' including 4 and a half hours a week in the gym. At first, getting back into the gym work was a shock to the system.  The muscles felt pretty sore for the first week or so. However, I’m definitely feeling there are some solid gains to be made from the gym work throughout this winter. In fact, I’m already feeling some benefits that have translated to my riding. The staff at Sport Wales are ace and really tailor the program to suit my weaknesses. I sometimes feel a bit sorry for the staff having to deal with us weedy cyclists especially when we are in the company of Wales' top boxers!

Another foggy morning up Bwlch...

Back to the bike work, it’s been mostly steady riding and any efforts have been 'over-geared' for strength to compliment the gym program. I’ve also done a good few sessions down at the velodrome in Newport. It felt weird getting used to riding circles again as it’s been over a year and a half since I’d last been on those boards.

Are you happy now Granddad??? 

Apart from the training side of things I’ve been taking advantage of my time back at home without the constraints of racing, to catch up with mates and generally get my mind off cycling to keep my head fresh ahead of the 2018 season. I wanted to keep this blog short and sweet to just give you a brief overview of what I’m up to at the moment. In the coming month I should have something a bit more exciting to share with you. And with an upcoming trip to Gran Canaria on the horizon I'll have a few more photo opportunities.....

Pete