Sunday 9 February 2014

Winter Training Update

I've been threatening to do another post since, well, my last blog funnily enough, and I've finally got round to it. So far everything is going to plan; I've only managed to crash once in over 4 months (some kind of a record) thanks to every cyclist's best friend, black ice. I've done a handful of Premier division track league nights on Tuesday's which were as expected very fast. I'm in the 'slower' of the two groups but having got a few wins a few weeks back before Spain I believe I've been moved up to top group for this week.

Spain was bloody brilliant but that didn't surprise me in the slightest. I'm probably (definitely) a bit biased as I've only ever been to Cycling Holidays Spain in Alicante for training camps but I can honestly say I can't see myself ever spending any of my own money on a winter camp anywhere else. There should be a picture of Nozad Nawras' face in the dictionary next to the word 'sound', the man is a legend. Brilliant food and facilities, vehicle support, post ride massages and just the best roads for training on (the main road near Pego is especially alluring). Russ Falder who works with Noze is the ultimate training partner/guide/inflicter of pain. He knows all the best climbs around and knows how to go up them horrifyingly fast. I did most of my training with a good mate of mine Andy Leigh who's riding for Terra Safety Footwear this season, it's safe to say he climbs unnecessarily well for someone who's spending this season in Belgium. I was also staying with my friend Jordan Rigby who loves going downhill at a fair old rate of knots and handful of other extremely friendly individuals from the UK, oh and a lad called Matt... LOL jk Matt! In the week we were there I managed to get nearly 800 quality kilometres in the bag and just over 28 hours ride time. I have to add we also spent a fair bit of time at the end of rides at cafés drinking the finest café con leche Spain has to offer, Costa, up your game. Nozad has offered to support me next season which is a huge help financially and means I'll be able to stay at camp for a month in preparation for 2015.



 I'm also excited to announce GripGrab have selected me to be part of their 'Local Hero' program and have chosen to sponsor me for the 2014 season. GripGrab are a Danish based cycling company that specialise in cycling accessories (gloves, socks, overshoes etc). My personal profile should be added to the site (link found at the bottom of this post) in the coming weeks. The company also sponsor a number a top international cyclists, many of whom are national champions in their respective disciplines as well as the the team with undoubtedly the best kit in the professional peloton; Lotto-Belisol (WT).






















Finally I'd like to thank Exsa Imports UK for sponsoring me for the 2014 season, their support is a massive help in what we all know is a financial nightmare of a sport. Races cost an arm and a leg and even if you win you only get the choice of either your arm or your leg back. Having to travel up and down the UK many times a week isn't great for the bank balance either, I honestly can't thank them enough.

My first race; the Clayton Velo Spring Classic, is just a few weeks away which is a daunting prospect but I'll be heading up to Kuota early next week to pick up my new team bike for the season which I'm super excited about! As ever thanks for reading, and if you're interested in booking a cycling camp, cycling accessories, grapes or lightning fast Italian bikes, check out the links below, muchas gracias amigos,

Tom.

CHS - http://www.cyclingholidayspain.co.uk/
GripGrab - http://www.gripgrab.com/
Exsa - http://exsa.com/
Kuota - http://www.dhwagencies.com/