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30th March 2014
A re-run of last weeks event saw Phil and all of his team-mates in this race. Phil's was role was to be a thorn in everyones side and very early on launched an attack, multiple attacks followed and at one point he and one other were about half-lap up.
Other attacks saw him, Tony Gibb and one other off the front but the bunch was watching Tony and any move was brought back.
Last few laps Phil was squeezed out and it was left to his team-mates to get Tony into a good position, unfortunately the pace wasn't high enough and Tony was beaten into 3rd place.
Entertaining race with a very strong ride from Philster.
More pics here...
30th March 2014
This hilly event is a tough one and I was looking forward to it but also dreading it, a change to the course meant going up Museum Hill which although not long was fairly steep. Conditions were dry and bright and it was game on.
Although getting held up by a horse-box going downhill, I managed to better previous years times by about 5 minutes which I was really pleased with.
23rd March 2014
Philip raced today with 4 of his new CSE team mates today including the pro cyclist Tony Gibb at the outdoor velodrome in Preston Park, Brighton. Unfortunately their new kit hadn't arrived and they each raced in different kit.
Phil pinged off early in a break and stayed away for quite a few laps before being reeled in, Tony counter attacked and was joined by two others and they gained a lap.
In the style of Jens Voigt, Phil with 5 laps to go pretty much kept the bunch in check single handedly, but a London Dynamo rider made a charge for the line with over a lap to go and Tony had to respond and slowly started to reel him in, this ended in a dead-heat both sharing 1st place!
Very entertaining race and a great result for the team. More pics here..
Saturday 22nd March 2014
Our team ran a club event today on a dry, chilly and windy day.
Legs felt good today and I managed to finish 3rd out of a small field, received a bottle of bubbly for being the fastest vet.
Really chuffed with that!
16th March 2014
The Mountbatten Centre race on Sunday 9th March ended in horrific freak accident with several riders suffering injuries, fortunately Philip who was racing escaped unscathed but one of the riders was very seriously injured and was airlifted to Hospital.
Tragically he died from his injuries on the following Tuesday.
He was Richard Phillips-Schofield who was a Policeman and top cyclist and had won many medals in the Forces Games.
Phil had raced against him on numerous occasions and he was a top bloke and well respected in the cycling community.
Incredibly sad and still can't believe that it has happened.
RIP Richard and may God be with you.
Myself, Darryl and Rob went via Lowcost Holidays and EasyJet to Majorca for the week, staying at the Hotel Club Pollentia near Port De Pollenca was perfect base for the mountains. The resort was excellent and the food extremely good, half-board was perfect and a chance to refuel big-time. Brief diary as follows;
Saturday 1st March
Cut it very fine to the airport, resulting rush ended up with Rob leaving 2 laptops at the airport! Car company gave us a bigger car which was good. Hotel really nice. Weather windy and not warm, went for a 40 mile ride up some reasonable climbs, tussle with Darryl but I gained the upper hand. Hotel food excellent.
Sunday
Sunny today, less wind and at times very warm. 60 miles and 2000 metres of climbing, cafe stop at Port de Soller which was lovely. Mega climb back up to Soller, climbed really well today, descents were very fast and windy and overtaking cars on the way down! Children at play! Funny moment, Rob gave the waiter a 50€ tip thinking it was a 10!
Monday
Woke early to see a stunning sunrise, clouded over and started raining, wind also picked up. Eventually got out straight into a very strong head-wind, climbed to the top of Lluc, regrouped after cafe stop and headed to Soller, up hill and windy. Darryl cut short his ride and Rob and myself carried onto Valldemossa along the coastal road which was very hilly, once there we headed home on the flat with a tailwind, TT effort for awhile and then steadier, really knackered with 20 miles to go and sat behind Rob for that last stretch. Really tired at end of ride. 87.3 miles and 2100 metres of climbing.
Tuesday
Easy ride to Formenta beach except that it was extremely windy and hilly, almost blown off bike. Had lunch at a bike cafe, plus visit to assos outlet. Drove to cap formentor, again very windy.
Wednesday
Tough ride today, 92 miles and 2400 metres of climbing, felt very good today dominating the climbs! Less wind today and generally sunny.
Thursday
Out to the church in Felantix with Rob. Fairly flat except the climb up to the Church. Felt tired today and tried to keep it below 150bpm, except for the climb.
Friday
Mega day of climbs and mileage, did Sa Colobra, Port De Soller. Stopped for lunch in Port De Soller, massive lasagne which I could feel all the way home. Climbs felt tough today. Rob punctured at Santa Maria, myself and Daz rode back to Selva where Darryl drove back to pick Rob up. I carried on home, 102 miles in total. Rob attacked on the Lookout climb even though we paced him all the way up!!!
Overall it was a brilliant week and would highly recommend Majorca and the resort for cycling.
Pictures here...
