The best place to start is probably to recap on France. I learnt so much in those two weeks and had an amazing time! Le Tour Feminin en Limousin certainly lived up to its billing of being hilly and added to that racing in 35 degrees it was challenging to say the least! For the remaining three stages of Limousin I focused on my positioning and learned a lot from watching the more experienced riders in the peloton. It was a time of highs and lows but I wouldn't change anything and definitely feel like a different rider now from the experience, in a good way!
So less than 24 hours after returning from France I was off my travels again, away with work for the week. It was then off to Yorkshire for the Ryedale GP, the final road race of the Women's National Series. This was on a hilly circuit that was used for the British Champs last year and was probably my favourite course of all the National Series.
It seems that I must like adrenaline boosts before big races as en route to the race HQ there was a moped crash right in front of me. Three guys riding in single file along the road, when two of them collide with each other and hit the deck. It was so random and not entirely sure how it happened...Anyway I called an ambulance for one of the guys in particular who my best guess diagnosis was that he had broken his collarbone. It wasn't long before the ambulance arrived and I was back on my way to the race, albeit a wee bit shaky and feeling like I wanted to puke (apologies for the sick reference!).
It turns out that the impromptu crash-induced adrenaline boost maybe helped me as I finished 5th in the race, my best result of the National Series. It was a great race, getting into a breakaway group of 13, which split on the last lap. The finish climb was tough into a cross headwind and all credit to Hannah, Emma and Anne for really strong rides to take the 1, 2, 3.
So from France to Yorkshire it was then off to London the following weekend! DID offered me the chance to race for them in the Prudential RideLondon Women's Grand Prix. This was a 1.3 mile circuit in St James' Park, an amazing setting for a bike race! Its not every day you get to race past Buckingham Palace and other historical London landmarks. Having only ever done two crits in my short time racing, I was very nervous to say the least! It's full gas right from the off! The line up for this race was one of the best for a women's race in Britain, with Olympic Gold medal winners, National Champs and international stars. Lining up next to such big names was exciting if a wee bit daunting!
After a delayed start, the race got underway. Having been stood on the start line for quite some time, all the good of the warm up had pretty much gone and my legs felt quite heavy. I spent the first 5 or 6 laps chasing to get into a good position and went into the red sooner than I'd have liked! Finding a good wheel proved to be key and I was then able to sit mid bunch for some shelter to recover a bit. There were a few attacks going off the front, but none really stayed away for too long, being reeled back in by the bunch.
Our race had been shortened to 45 minutes and with only a few laps to go I was preparing for the inevitable ramp up in speed. I'm not entirely sure how the next bit happened, my instinct sort of took over, but going through the start/finish line with 2 laps to go Anna Schnitzmeier from Wiggle Honda attacked off the front taking Charline Joiner from MG Maxifuel with her. I saw a gap had opened up and without thinking jumped off the front to get on Charline's wheel. We had a small gap going along Birdcage Walk, but as we turned onto Horse Guards Road the effort of the chase hit my legs and I lost the wheel. Approaching the start/finish for the final lap I was caught by the chasing peloton. Determined not to get spat straight out the back I dug deep and got on a wheel to complete the last lap. Unfortunately there was a very nasty crash about half a lap from the finish, which resulted in Joanna Rowsell breaking her collarbone (get well soon Jo!) and several other riders coming down. Luckily I managed to dodge the crash but was held up a wee bit and the front of the race was gone, sprinting for the finish. Rolling across the finish line I was happy for trying something and going with my instinct, now just need to work on staying there!!
It was ace riding with DID again (thanks guys) and the team all rode really well! Special mention to Miss Mary for her solo attack and top 10 place, awesome stuff! And to Amy for her first crit, she certainly picked a good one and put in a strong ride, narrowly avoiding the crash at the end and doing really well to stay upright!!
Looking back on the past few weeks its been a totally amazing time, a whirlwind and so much has been learned! I think it'll be a few weeks at home, training and doing some local races before the next adventure...
Cheers,
Jools.
