Saturday 8 March 2014

Eddie Soens 2014

Another great race at Aintree this year. A large field with a good showing from the UK pro teams.
As always, the best race report and photo's can be found HERE on VeloUk website.

Here are a few of the photo's I took, and a video.

Rolling up to the line

They are off!





Raleigh Train

Rapha Train
It is a lonely walk when you have a mechanical!

The podium in action 1
Starting the last lap
Ian Wilkinson Just over the line Celebrating the win

L-R Graham Briggs, Ian Wilkinson and Rob Partridge

James, editor of Spin Cycle magazine, Pro Photographer and inspiration for my low down shots and Video!!



Busy Busy Busy

It is nearly a month since I last posted, and it has been busy!! The extension has started on Palefish Towers, which has meant that cycling has had to take second place (usually because the builders have buried my bikes behind a wall of equipment and materials!!!) However, I have managed to get out and get some miles in, including a couple of running sessions!!! I also got over to Aintree to see this years Eddie Soens race. (Photo's and video in a separate post HERE)
Training for the Wild Wales continues, along with the diet. I had a little blip when I was off with the kids at half term but I am a pound short of loosing the first stone! The circuit training at JGF fitness is definitely starting to show benefits, especially today when I was riding straight into a 20mph headwind!

This weekend sees the first sportive that has a big Palefish CC representation. The Jodrel Bank sportive is also the first of Steve Jones' sportive challenge rides for Clatterbridge Cancer Charity. Steve has a dedicated facebook page for al his rides and training, and also a link to his just giving page, you can find it HERE

Steve with his new steed on a recent training ride
 Today I had to get back early, so I joined the Palefish Peloton for the first 17 miles, then turned off, with Ken, to head out to Eureka for a brew. We stopped off at Cheshire Oaks Cycles, as Ken had an issue with his cassette. Chris kindly sorted it out very quickly, in return for a promise of biscuits on our next visit!! Phil and the team at COC are great, well worth a visit.

Ken and I arrived at Eureka, just as the North Enders were leaving, which meant we almost had the place to ourselves!!


 It was great to catch up with a couple of people I haven't see for a while in the Cafe. First we saw Steve Smith, on his way out to do some monster training in Wales, in preparation for his next race. He is in his second season riding for Champion System Max Gear . Inside we bumped into Paul, who is training for Lands end John O'groats, and an epic ride across the south of France and Italy later this year.

After a brew and beans and a spare, we headed back along the Chester High road towards West Kirby, then round to Moreton, where we popped in to see Steve at The Bike Shop Ken and I managed to spend about £10,000 between us looking at some of the bling bikes ( Colnago C60 and Look 675) that Steve can get hold of! I also saw something my mini Palefish may like!

Mini Palefish Steed?
After drooling over catalogues, it was time to head home, hang the bike up and get back to work!!!