My first crit win!

My win, captured by Graham Atkinson

It was the last round of the Salt Ayre Crits and I was in it to win it. I covered every attack and I was feeling good throughout the race. This week there was only Frankie and myself racing for Maxgear but we still worked well together as a team. The race was really different to the week before - slow one minute and then fast the next. As soon as I saw the 5 laps left on the board I started to position myself near the front. At one point I managed to get myself right at the back, but made my way back to the top 5 again before the sprint. I sat in and this week I was patient, remembering to sprint later than the previous week when I sprinted early for the lead out. This time I waited for someone else to go first so I had someone to catch. One of the girls made a move and another and then it was time to go. I had two targets to aim for and sprinted past them both to take the win with my first ever celebration!!! Frankie also got a top 10 with 7^th, so a good day all round!

My next race which was Tockwith a couple of weeks later. I was really looking forward to it after winning at Salt Ayre, until I got there and the weather was miserable, cold, raining and very windy. I sat in the van to keep warm whilst watching the other races. After a good warm up and a couple of laps around the windy circuit it was time to race.

Sprinting away from the bunch at Tockwith

I was feeling good at the start of the race, ready to have a good time and to get a placing, and then disaster struck. I got dropped after someone attacked on the 5th lap. I carried on round on my own, but each time I came past my dad I got ‘the look’ - the look of disappointment!!
I put a massive effort in and started to bridge the 20 second gap that the bunch had on me. Finally after 4 gruelling laps on my own I reached the bunch. I was absolutely shattered. With 8 laps to go two girls got away, I couldn’t have gone with them; I had wasted too much energy, so I just kept sitting in. With 2 laps left I started to position myself for the bunch sprint for 3rd, remembering my good race at Salt Ayre. Even though on the last lap I was totally gone, I still found some energy from somewhere (probably Dad’s stare) to attack on the last corner and take the bunch sprint for 3rd place.

I am so glad I got 3rd place, but I did it the hard way!!! Note to self just put that little bit more effort in when someone attacks, never want to time trial my way back onto a group again!!

Now I am really looking forward to racing at the Cheshire Classic on the 22nd of April with my amazing team mates.

Lauren x

Racing as a team, lush weather and ‘oh look croutons’!

As Dad and I arrived at Salt Ayre on Saturday the weather was lush! All the way there I had been watching the temperature gage in the van. By the time we had reached Salt Ayre, it was a very warm 15 degrees, perfect temperature to start my tan!

Me & Mel after the race

After signing on and getting myself sorted, the whole team warmed up together, and the weather just kept getting hotter and hotter, perfect for a race. So we discussed team tactics, aims and objectives with team manager Ian and then we were ready to go!

Get ready, get set, go! Throughout the race I felt comfortable and confident. Really enjoying the race, and of course the sun! We all worked together as a unit and dominated the race, and in the last five laps we managed to form a little lead out train. Mel went on to win the race and I came 8th, which I was really happy about!

On the Sunday we went on a team training ride, setting off from Eve’s house. Again the weather was great, tanning weather! There were a couple of hills in the ride, which aren’t my favourite, but I’m working on getting better, so Hayley and I encouraged each other to the top of them. When we eventually got to the cafe, which was small but cute, I thought it would be a good idea to eat my marzipan (which is meant to be good for you!) but it had melted! 

After making the hard decision of what to have to eat, I picked crumpets, which is small compared to my average cafe stop meal, we settled down and were sat chatting. Then I really embarrassed myself. Someone had asked for a little jar which was in front of me, so I opened it and said ‘oh look croutons’ but my team mates then corrected me and told me they were actually sugar cubes. Everyone was in hysterics, and tweeted straight away. I don’t think I will ever live that one down!

Overall the weekend was really good and for once the weather was on our side, which made it even better! Thanks girls and well done to you all! Looking forward to the next one!

Maxgear Team Launch

We arrived at the beautiful Matfen Hall in good time, I was feeling a little nervous but very excited about the launch. In no time at all we had all gathered and were soon chatting comfortably to each other whilst getting ready for the photo shoot.

With such an impressive building and grounds John Picton was able to capture some fantastic shots. Got to say we all looked fab in our new team kit, even though I stand out in my dress (such a girlie girl!!!) - many thanks to all the sponsors. The hospitality from the staff at Matfen was very welcoming and we were very well catered for - the cake was particularly delicious!!!

The ride out, my first with the team, was a snowy affair as predicted by the weather forecasters. We were all grateful for our numerous items of kit as we layered up for what was going to be a cold run, although it didn't dampen the spirits of the team. We all made the best of the conditions and thanks to everyone for their support whilst on the ride. There were a few hairy moments for
some of us but we all returned safe and sound.

It was a real shame that the weather got the better of us on Sunday and the ride had to be cancelled, but all in all it was a great weekend!

I'm really looking forward to racing this year and feeling quite optimistic about it. At the moment I'm doing Friday night Track League at Manchester Velodrome, then it's into crits season in March followed by my fist big race- the Cheshire Classic 22nd April.
 
Lauren x

Chased by wild horses on my bike!

After 3 week off at Christmas I have just finished my first week of 2012 training. Finishing the week with a 40 mile hilly ride to Caldbeck, which included me getting chased by about 30 wild fell ponies. Wow I got up the next hill fast!!

I enjoyed the ride to Caldbeck, really pushing myself on the hills, which is one of my goals for this season. Keeping the fast twitch going and taking a couple of the sign sprints on the way home. Hopefully next week’s training will be as good as this week, but without the hysteria of getting chased by fell ponies!!

Back to university of the 19th too so going to be very busy with training and school work. 

Lauren x

Grass track cycling, sprinting and intro to road racing!

I started cycling in spring 2009, after watching my Dad doing time trials; I decided that I wanted to give cycling a go on a grass track training session one Monday night, just to try it out. This was the first time that I had ridden a racing bike, never mind a fixed wheel. But I loved it....

I have thoroughly enjoyed riding with Border City Wheelers, but I am really looking forward to riding for Maxgear as part of a team this year and the challenges that await me.

As I have always been a short distance rider and mostly a sprinter, grass track is particularly good fun with the 'hoop game' amongst others! I am looking forward to getting involved in the women’s road races. This year I am looking forward to stepping up with longer races with a wider range of women cyclists.

Over this last year I have been working on my training, long club runs, rollers, and sprinting on the road. I have also recently joined my university gym, just need to find the time to fit it in now!

I am really looking forward to the launch on the 21st of January; I am excited about seeing everybody and the experience of the whole weekend. The hotel looks lush!
Lauren :)