3 November 2011

Well, just back from England and playing catch up whilst trying to get my body back in the right timezone! But at least it is finally the off-season! It was a good trip, the folding road bike travelled without problems, and I had a good ride at the National Hillclimb Championships. Not quite as fast as I might have liked, but technically I was pleased with my effort, even if my form isn’t what it was a few weeks ago (it is hard to hold form for six weeks with no racing!). This year was not really a ‘proper’ hillclimb, being 4.5 miles at 3%, so more of a time trial – indeed everyone in the top twenty used either a full TT bike or a road bike with aerobars. I finished 11th, so a little disappointing to just miss the top ten, but pleased to still be there or thereabouts after five years away from the UK racing scene.

I don’t miss a lot about England, but one thing I was reminded of that I do miss is the incredible network of lanes for riding – tiny backroads that wind all over the countryside.  America just doesn’t have this sort of density of roads! And with the race being in the Peak District National Park, those roads go over lots of hills and amazing scenery too.

Bo sent me some pictures of his new frame assembled in Sweden, the first English in that part of the world!

Also a nice post on Bike Rumor of my integrated Flare rear light.

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