The acid test: Pass or fail?

It's been a rather difficult three weeks - seriously lack of motivation. The shite weather hasn't helped (no, that's not an excuse!) I did, however, manage to do two hours today. I met the Norwood Paragon boys in Reigate at 9.30am. Had a great chat and catch up with Kevin and Anon. We got to just past Ockley when the heavens opened up and it came pissing it down. Fortunately, I was only was only 30 mins away from home.

So, one of my big targets, Regional Road Champs, is fast approaching. Time to cut to the chase: do I give it everything or just pack it in and just 'poodle' around? The race takes place on the 1st June so that seven weeks away! The acid test according to me is do six days of three-hour tempo rides this coming week. If I'm 'really' up for it at the end of that then I'll proceed full gas on.

I've managed to get all my bikes in order for the coming six days. I just need to sort out my wheel with the power tap. Another flippen spoke broke - that's after three rides. This is an idea of what I plan to do:

Monday: 3.5 hours - tempo
Tuesday: 2 x 1 hour tempo (road and turbo)
Wednesday: 3.5 hours - tempo
Thursday: Off the bike at Future of Web Design 2008 Conference (www.futureofwebdesign.com)
Friday: 3.5 hours - tempo
Saturday: 4 hours - tempo
Sunday: Rest

Team press coverage: getreading.co.uk

awcycles launch new line-up for 2008 campaign

2/4/2008

The awcycles.co.uk racing team introduced its new line-up for the coming season to a packed shop.

Last year saw the team achieve success across the board in all cycling disciplines from road racing to downhill mountain biking.

read the rest of this story here

Time out

You may be wondering why I've not posted in a while? Other than being very busy at work and two birthday's in March (Kate and James) my motivation has taken a dip so the natural desire to blog has declined.

Motivation is a constant struggle while competing at high levels. Other than the will to win there needs to be other incentives: fitness, weight control, socialising/fun, saving money by commuting etc... to keep me going - training and racing.

Then there's the ever-constant internal and external conscious pressure to spend more time with the family: "you can always ride your bike, but your kids need you around - they grow up so quickly". Who can argue with that?

So, for now I need to gather all my thoughts perhaps do some re-shuffling and make some decisions. Hopefully I'll be back in full-force soon.

While on some time out I'll be following the Cape Epic, in South Africa, London Cycle Sport for local race news and results and British Cycling. I'll also be following my mates by checking out their racing blogs: Brandon Stewart and Burry Stander.