And……..They’re off!
The season has now officially started. Well according to me it has. There are many opinions when the cycling season starts, but for me Milan-San Remo is the start. Some of the emotional Belgian romantics will disagree and I take their point, but they’re wrong! Last Saturday marked the start of the race season proper. And what a start it was. Australian powerhouse Matt Goss from HTC Highroad adding another win for the American super team, outsprinting Fabian Cancellara for the victory. The last 10km of the race were, as always, crazily fast. This year there was an added pace as a group of about 25 riders had distanced the remainder of the peloton by just over a minute and they were determined not to let that advantage slip.
The legendary climbs of the Cipressa and Poggio that always sort the “men from the boys” from about 25km and 5km from the finish, were taken at frightening speed and only the strongest survived to contest the sprint. HTC Highroad certainly have a wealth of sprinting talent to pick from Goss, Renshaw and Cavendish all have wins to their name this year. If one of them is having an “off” day one of the others is never far away. The exciting racing was certainly a pleasant break from the minutiae that has dominated the cycling stories until now. The uninteresting race radio debate drags on, as does the seemingly never ending list of those who have been tested (and in some cases re-tested) positive for banned substances. Cycling has more to offer than this and most cycling fans I speak to are now quite bored with this negative vibe and are now hoping that the drama of the Spring Classics can provide a boost and much needed uplifting.
I’m particularly looking forward to the Tour of Flanders. Having witnessed the action first hand last year the “Ronde” has a special place in my heart and I’m hoping that it can match Milan San Remo for action. Paris-Roubaix will be special for many this year also. For the first time there will be a chance for the public to ride the course the day before the race (just like the opportunity available in Tour of Flanders) .Good Luck to you if you’re taking part in either event. I was lucky enough to experience the pave twice last year and the buzz of riding over the revered routes of legends has no comparison in my opinion.
Closer to home early season Sportives have begun. I’m keeping my powder dry for a little while longer and hope to kick off in early April at the Wiggle Super Series New Forest ride. This event is yet another that has sold out and an alternative ride has been provided on the previous day to ease disappointment. I can’t believe the number of Sportives that selling out! The popularity of these events is huge now and shows no signs of slowing. The backing of companies like Wiggle is really adding to professionalism of the event organisation and I’m sure that this is having an impact on the growth in popularity.
As my first event approaches my training is going reasonably well. Last week I was able to combine a family trip away with friends with a lovely training ride in Wiltshire. After an exhausting weekend chasing the little “Carters” down the rapid slides at Center Parcs ,I left Mrs Carter at the gates of Longleat and set off down the Wylie Valley towards Salisbury. Even the vicious headwind that stayed with me all the way home couldn’t destroy my enthusiasm as the Verenti Rhigos and I wound our way from village to village following the beautiful River Wylie.
I endured one heart stopping moment when I encountered a farmer leading his prize charolais bull down the road towards me. As I stopped to let the 1 ton beast past I realised that my dhb windproof jacket was bright red! Luckily he didn’t appear too interested in the strange man in lycra and I was soon on my way again. After a winter of local riding it was lovely to be riding in some unfamiliar territory. I tend to stick to routes that I know when the weather is not great as you never know what can happen. Now that Spring appears to be well on the way I intend to venture further a field and am looking forward to exploring some new areas.
At last years Wiggle Dragon Ride I was woefully low on hilly rides and it showed. I struggled on the first few climbs and, although the second ascent of the Bwlch was better, I know my overall time would have been faster had I varied my training schedule and taken the time to seek out some hills. Perhaps I’ll manage a trip into the principality and see if some of the “Wiggle Tafia” can show me around. That would certainly prepare me for some of the pain I’ve got lined up for the summer months.
That’s all for now. I hope your plans are progressing nicely,
Ride Safe.
Rich
