A Thank You

End of season acknowledgements

As a request from the clubs Chairman I was asked to say a few words after collecting my awards from this seasons accomplishments.

Firstly a thanks to the chaps at Glendene CC for their support. Colin has been a terrific mentor for me and has helped me at every chance, making sure I reached and achieved my full potential at such an early stage. I am hugely grateful for all his help this year and will not forget the passion, effort and dedication he has donated.

Another from the Glendene is John Woyton. He might not realise but he has had a huge influence on my motivation and dedication to training. He knows my goals and how dedicated I am to achieving them. He has been there as a friend to talk too, a role model for life and a fairly decent training partner.

The guys I raced with have been fantastic in teaching me the laws and unwritten rules of cycle racing. From teaching me when the right time to attack to wearing the correct clothing and correct length of socks. Its has been a thrilling year, so thanks guys.

My parents and family have put up with a lot this year. I mean a huge amount. Driving me to races, helping me with mechanics, training, eating and most other general day to day routines. I mean I can look after myself but they like to be involved. I am hugely grateful again for all that they have done for me this year and hope they realise that it is not over yet. My Dad has this way of firing me up for races, I think he does it intentionally but he gets proper flustered before a race and always causes a row with me before a race. It does my bloody head in but I soak it up, make like I'm ignoring what he is bleating on about and use the anger in the race as fuel and an outlet. I mean I don't start rows with other racers but normally hack about with assertion. My poor ol' mum has to put up with it but she loves it when I'm going well and sees all that hard work I put in pay off so I shall keep going.

My job is awesome. I love training people as much as I love to train myself. I work at a fantastic gym called Fungi Fitness in Rayleigh and has the perfect facilities for me to use. My employer, Chris Leeman is an International Ironman Triathlete and knows what it takes to be and compete at the highest of levels, and therefore allows me to have the time off when I need it. The customers always seem extremely interested in my endeavours and think they find it motivating in a way too. Everyone down there from colleagues to customers all help me in way that they may not realise. Its uplifting and makes me feel proud. So for everyone at Fungi Fitness, thank you all for your support.

Last and no means least, to Paula.

I am fully aware of the selfishness that is required for me to achieve my goal. She has been an absolute rock for me, has always provided me with support and motivation. I owe a huge amount to her. On those typical British days when it has been utterly crap, Paula has been there with the text message saying, 'man up', 'you chose to do this' and 'its character building'. Three sayings that repeat in my mind when I'm soaked to the bone, or riding through the depths of hell. She means the world to me.

I am not going to lie, I am extremely proud and have lost all modisty from winning a lot trophies this year. But I dedicate all my wins to the people I have mentioned in this post, so thank you all folks.

New Team and first training camp of the year.

Now the ball is rolling again, with no signs of stopping :)

Training throughout the winter has been going well. I have been given a target weight to get ti and was already there right before the new year started, brand new!! So why not endulge in the christmas festivities, would  have been to rude no too!!!

With two training camps booked up, the first in the beginning of January and the second in the middle of February, this gave me good opportunities to gel with my new team mates and get back to riding in fast, confident groups again.

The guys im racing with next year are great. Good quality group of chaps that are all just as eager to race and succeed as much as I am. We all had a fantastic time out in Lanzarote and gelled really well. 27.5 hours of training was a much needed and also welcomed kick up the arse to turn us into 'jongens' (Strong rider)

However leading up to the flight home I started to feel a bit pitted. The same as everyone else, but paired with a little bit of a sore throat it proved to be a sign for what was to come.
Basically I got the flu, and the way home was dreadful, probably one of the worst experiences flying I have ever had and dont wish to in the near and distant future. Slowly recovering now as I type it now backed off a bit to leave me with a nasty throat infection. Brillaint!!

We should be getting our bikes and kit soon so stay updated for pics.

Again we are all entirely grateful that a guy like Eric and the members of his staff at Richardsons in leigh on sea can help us out for this season.

Anyway, hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas and New Years.



Cheerio!!