Hello again everybody! Im bringing you all my 2nd blog, much of it consists of the happenings which took place in March (yes, I know I have a boring life and it doesn’t consist of much) so put on your reading glasses and put the kettle on because it’s going to be some read!
Jokes…

So, the 1st race of the season for me was the Eddie Soens. It’s a race that ive now took part in 3 times and truly enjoy, a 180+ bunch which ranges in abilities and its on a car free racetrack (WHICH IS FLAT, WOO) It was an extremely cold and wet day, much to my surprise…

I was having a good race, had a little ride off the front of the group to try and be a hero by getting across to the front group but that soon was brought back and then soon enough the elite riders were on our tail. Now that the big guys had caught the other groups, it was time forme to sit and let the big teams pull the race along. I was still feeling good with around 10 laps to, by now the pace started to increase as the bigger teams such as Endura and Rapha realised it was going to come down to a Bunch sprint, this is how I like to race!

I had now paired up with my only team mate in the race, the legendary Alastair ‘Adge’ Wood. He is an extremely experienced racer who has won numerous National medals on the track and knows how to read a race. We were sitting on Tony Gibbs wheel with 2 to go as we knew that he was going to be a hitter in the sprint, but coming into the corner just after the Start/Finish (a sweeping left hander) the bunch squeezed up and Alastair’s supreme bike handling meant that someone else came off worse, right in front of me… I had to pull a quick dismount to avoid the fallen rider, but this resulted in me going to the back in the space of 10 seconds or so, great!

So it was race over for me, I was quite gutted as I was feeling good for the finish knowing that I have a good sprint on me (yeah, ive beaten Tom Murray numerous times in gallop intervals, no biggie. Sorry Tom!) but unfortunately due to a crash, it changed my race. Never mind though, there are plenty more races in the season!

I kept pushing on through the week with my set training from Greg at Vitesse coaching and sooner or later the weekend came around. I had originally planned on racing at Darley moor on Saturday but in short notice I found out I had a University open day up in Newcastle so I prioritized and put my education 1st. My trip up north wasn’t so bad after all as I still managed to get a race in at Middlesborough. It’s a small circuit which suits my kind of racing. I was the 1st one to attack in the race and stayed away for around 5 laps, where 3 others joined me, but as circuit racing goes, it was inevitable that it was going to come back. Unfortunately I had being suffering with a mild cold through the week so I wasn’t feeling the best so I battled on through the majority of the race but my energy levels were quickly deteriorating and with about 10 laps to go I blew my doors of the wagon. Again, today was not my day as the cold took its place on me but once again, there is plenty more races left in the season!

Through the week I was resting more and trying to treat my body more like a temple by treating it to all the good stuff that is needed. It seemed to work as by the next weekend I was feeling much more fresh and fighting fit.

On the 21st March was the 2nd Darley Moor, I was looking forward to this race as we had the best weather for March and there was little wind so this meant that it should be a ace days racing! Quite a few Herbalife and RST-trigon riders were present along with 2 Sigma sport riders so I knew that It was going to be a good quality race with lots of attacking so it was vital that I rode defensively as you never know which move may stay away. The race was straight into full swing as we were smashing down the back straight at over 35mph so there was no easing up. I managed to get in a few splits and chase the majority of moves down but around 6 laps from the finish, I dropped back after getting in a move and sure enough the race winning quartet got away with the best riders in it including Tom Murray and Jamie Shirlaw. My finishing position was around 18th which I was not the most happy with but at the same time it wasn’t too bad as I was riding pretty hard for 90% of the race.

So, i hope you’ve had a brilliant read, I know its not your average novel or Sunday newspaper but im sure it doesn’t read that bad, does it? I will be keeping you posted in next months blog with more races and antics ive been getting up to which I am sure you will itching to read…
Over and out

Ashley