Belgium - Just getting the hang of things..

Hello everyone, I'm home! I got back late on Monday night and was very busy with the last 4-5 days with travelling, racing, sleeping etc.. So now I've finally got a bit of time I better put on my thinking cap and get some race reports done and all that..

Serskamp 1.14.3 Juniores - Saturday 25th June:

My dad had arrived on the Friday after I had a few days living on my own. He had rented a car which was excellent for travelling to the races. We got to Serskamp early on Saturday had a coffee and I was one of the first to sign-on. Although the car was excellent, you'd miss the Hymer - especially for getting washed afterwards! The field was the biggest I've been to in Belgium (84) as the Juniors were now finished exams.

The course was good, 6.5km with 9 corners and mostly good road surface with a few bits of road furniture. We had 90km altogether (14 laps). Of course it started fast, don't need to write that down as it's common in Belgium! Since the peleton was bigger you could afford to make some minor mistakes as you could hide a small bit more. I was feeling quite good throughout, except for the last 2 laps where I was fighting off a bit of cramp! Coming to the finish I played it safe as there was a few pile-ups. So I just held my position and rolled in 44th, Although the riders 10 meters ahead were sprinting for top 10 placings, so that just shows the numbers! I was happy with my performance, especially knowing I could have done a lot better in the finish if I had not been such a little girl!

Schelderode-Merelbeke 1.14.3 Juniores - Sunday 26th June:

After a tough days racing the day before, I had doubts on how my legs would be on Sunday but when I woke my legs felt surprisingly good, very good! It was a bit harder to find the sign-on, as the sat-nav directed us into some corn fields! But luckily we left in plenty of time to find the small village and had hours to get prepared. We had parked up, watched some "Nieuwelingen" racing which was on previous to the Juniores, and had the usual pre-race coffee.

A field of 60 Junior riders had turned up today and 6 ASFRA riders so I was excited to race with some of my new team-mates. The course was brilliant, 6.1km nice rolling roads with a small drag, and we had 13 laps. The weather was excellent +30deg, so that could have been a factor as the weather is not like this here in Ireland!

The race was brilliant, it was definitely my most enjoyable while being in Belgium! A break went after 5 laps or so and 15 guys were up the road, which until after the race I didn't know about as the lead cars drove behind the break, I thought that I was at the front of the race!  So when I made a jump across to (what I thought was the break) in the last lap, I thought I was after pulling a genius move! Although I was very happy that at that point in the race after being active and involved throughout I had good legs to make any sort of move. At the finish I thought I was after getting 9th place, but minutes later found out there was 15 up the road and I ended up 23rd! but regardless I was still happy as I had a good race and massive progression had been made.

Cooked!

In Belgium, they say after a few weeks of racing, it will just all of a sudden "click" and things will start to go well for you and I definitely felt that "click" last weekend! So I think in conclusion my progress was excellent, I went from being the "nail" in so many races, to being one of the "hammers" last weekend, mixing it with some of the best Juniors there is!

It was definitely a great experience, and I have so many stories to tell but obviously cannot write them all down here.

Now since I am home, the plan is to ride the "Junior Tour of Ireland" before I head back to Belgium for some more fun, and I'll probably stay there for most of the remainder of my season. I may be doing some big races but I'm going to keep my head on my shoulders for the moment and I'll see what happens! So I hope this blog was informative and to the point, until next time stay tuned! Please excuse any bad grammer..

Eoin

Link to the Junior ASFRA Racing Team's website:

http://juniorenasfra.webs.com/leden.htm

Also, another big thank you to Lazer helmets for their continued support and for this new lid :

Weekends Racing - Belgium

So another week has gone by in the "not so sunny, but wet and windy" Belgium. Two more races have passed and I can re-assure you, I've got what I came for.. An arse kicking!

Denderhoutem 1.14.3 Juniores - Saturday 18th June:

I had four or so days to think about the racing here, how it went last weekend and to try to wrap my head around it. And in Denderhoutem I learned something valuable, you can never ever predict how Belgian racing will go! We were left with no choice to get a taxi as the race was 30-40km away and as Hamish would say  - my "Old Mother Hubbard" couldn't walk, it would just be a tad too far. The race was run on 14 laps of 7km and no primes, and just to mention there was 17 corners a lap, it was wet (at points) and we were doing 10min laps.

The first few laps were as usual, small groups going up the road and on the second I made a big mistake. Speaking of mistakes, I heard a very good metaphor for making mistakes in races - "See yourself as an energy bar, and every mistake you make, you take a bite out of that energy bar" and you know what happens when you take a lot of bites! I had noticed close to half the race had been in the front group so I had a chat with myself and thought it might be smart to try and bridge. So I sprinted up the side turned and 90deg. corner into a block headwind, turned and noticed I had another rider with me. This was obviously a big effort by both of us and just as we got across reached a "Z" turn in the road and it had all come back together, what. a. waste. This two or three minute effort took a big chunk out of my energy bar!
I'm not going to go through every corner of the race just thought that point was valid.

I found myself in the main "group" for most of my race. When the showers came it got very nervous as "man-hole covers" and the "White paint" on the roads became slippy which meant lots of riders began to act like grannies on shopping bikes. Halfway around the 7th lap my legs gave in. I was getting cramp and when your sprinting out of every corner, it's impossible to keep up! It wasn't long before the broom had come and swept me and 3 other guys up. 26th I ended up out of 45 or so starters. Of course I was disappointed but I keep forgetting how hard it actually is here, you could never simulate it!

Ingooigem 1.14.3 Juniores - Sunday 19th June:

After getting my arse kicked Saturday I was hoping to ride better the next day, and I was. Again - we had to get a "De Meyer" taxi to the small town of Ingooigem. We got there nice and early and the officials at sign-on were very kind, the same guys that were in Waregem on the 13th. I decided not to over-analyse the race as that's what I usually do so I was in chill mode today and it worked! At the start of the race I had a bit of mechanical problems, while riding up the road about a minute or two before the race kicked off I couldn't get my chain into the big ring. I had to acquire the assistance of a very nice Belgian man. This same problem would later come back to haunt me..

This Kermesse was run on 11 laps of 8km, but with only 9 corners a lap this time. The wind was very strong with what seemed to be every type of wind except for a tailwind. The race was as usual, fast starting with lots of splits and line outs. Today I tried to play it a bit smarter and just sit back and leave everyone else close the gaps, and my legs were feeling good, probably as good as they've been! Until - after around 5 laps or so going into the smaller sprockets on a tight bend, my chain started to act up. 2 loud bangs and a big mash up. Same problem that happened at the start. I think I've figured it out - chain crossing! SRAM groupo's don't work properly if, let's say - your in the big chain ring and in the highest sprocket and visa versa. So maybe that was the problem but since I'm no expert as soon as I can I'll get the "Jimmy Hennessy" of Belgium - Luc Assez to check it out. Still ended up 26th out of 40 starters to round-up a very consistent weekend of racing, and I'm 10euro richer. Here's some more great pictures courtesy of Ronny de Lange and Kathleen de Potter:

Today, I was the most disappointed I've been after a bike race in a long time. To be let down by your equipment on a number of occasions is gutting. Sitting there watching and knowing you could have done so much better is even more gutting. But looking on the bright side, my legs were feeling really good, I've gained experience and I've another 2 races in Belgium under my belt. Don't they say it takes 6 weeks to get used to the racing here?

I'm sure there's more I want to say but it's passed my mind. The plan for this week is to rest up and get physically and mentally prepared for next weekend. Stay tuned!

Eoin.

Tales from Belgium..

Since my last blog update, I am happy to say I have competed in my first two "Junior" races here in Belgium. I am getting in a lot of time on my bike here also, not just training all the time but from easy rides down the Schelde to riding to watch races with some of the guys, it's a totally different world out here and I'm taking it all in and meeting a lot of new, very nice, people.

Zedelgem 1.14.3 Juniores - Saturday 11th June:

My first proper race in Belgium, and what a way to start. We travelled to the race near Brugge, the same Brugge in the Colin Farrell movie "In Brugge". We had met the Carpenters in the ASFRA shop the previous day and they had offered to take us as we have no transport. Dante is already a well established member of the ASFRA team, placing very well in lots of races here in Belgium. So it was great to be going to a race with someone like him and getting to ask him and his Dad (Nigel, ex-international rider) some questions about the racing etc..

Ok, onto the race. A few words to describe it - Start, sprint, dive, follow, lean, look, learn, sprint, bang! The bang being my chain popping off when I hit a massive lump of tar, and after only 4 laps (of 7km)! Having to stop to put it back on there wasn't a hope of me getting back onto the group, the speed is just to much! It was so gutting because my legs were good and I was just getting into it. Interestingly though, the races are run completely different here. When a rider gets dropped, which lots do, or if they have a mechanical etc.. A car follows the race and tells maybe 3 or 4 riders for eg. that they have only 1 lap to go and they then sprint for their position, so you an still get in the prizes without completing the full distance! Which means I ended up 44th with a 5euro note in my pocket. Although I didn't get the FULL experience I learned an awful lot and knew what to expect for my next race. I did manage to get my chain problem fixed thanks to Nigel Carpenter, 3rd time I had got it serviced but 3rd times the charm.

Bit of credit now for Dante, he was 3rd and probably the strongest rider on the day winning some primes on the way to the podium. Also, on Monday he was 2nd so there's lots to come for him! Great guy, great rider..

Waregem 1.14.3 Juniores - Monday 13th June:

This one was a bit closer, only 15km from Oudenaarde. With no idea where the race was or what time it was on. We got a unexpected call to our B&B at 10am from the ASFRA Racing Team manager Luc Assez who told me & Moll to be ready for 2.30pm as he would bring us, so that was great! Sign-on was a bit easier this time, the first time in Zedelgem I had to apply for a Calender card and swipe card, the purposes of both being to record how many races a week a Junior rider does (Only permitted 3 a week).

Warming up with Boyd

Pre-race lookabouts!

The day, weather wise was mixed. Very windy and showery! Which meant it was going to be a technical race. The race started very quickly with the first 2 laps of 5.2km was done in 14mins which was close to, if not 50km/h avg. And that's with corners, 6 to be exact!

From the gun!

Legs were really good, was in a few moves and got up in some sprint primes, which were done on the 2nd, 4th, 6th.. Up to the 14th, and we had 18 laps in total. Should have won the 4th, but was concentrating too much on trying to get away when the boys with me jumped! Throughout the day I raced well stayed in the right places and made the right splits and the peleton a such,  was gradually getting smaller and smaller, and at the halfway point around half the field had packed! I was the next one along with 2 others.. Unfortunately after 12 and a half laps, a few riders hit the deck in front of me, which opened a gap between me and the riders in the group. I rode as hard as I could do at the time, and with strong headwinds and crosswinds I just didn't have it in the legs to close the gap,  I did drop 2 guys in pursuit though, so I didn't go down without a fight! Although I didn't get an official result, as I rode home as quick as I could to avoid getting cold, going back on pictures I reckon I was around 25th. Which I was happy with as progression is being made!

Next race is Saturday in Denderhoutem and another Sunday in Ingooigem. I hoped to get three races a week in while here but I can't at this time of year as all or most of the Juniors are doing exams, therefore not as many races are being run!

Anyway to wrap this up, just gotta say it's hard to get the time to write these, the days just fly by! But I hope this was decent.. Stay tuned!

P.s. If you want to see some pictures, check my Facebook and Twitter as I'm having some trouble uploading them on here but as soon as I can I'll add them.. Thanks

Eoin

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF RONNY DE LANGE & KATHLEEN DE POTTER

Belgium!

Hello everyone, I guess it's time for a blog update and I hope this goes ok as I'm on my iPad with very slow connection. Bare with me! I'm here in Oudenaarde - The last few days have been a roller coaster, since the Aer Lingus strike was starting Tuesday we had to change our flights and come a few days early. So we were packing like crazy and got going. Eventually, on Tuesday, my dad rang and told us that the strike got sorted out. Typical! We didn't mind too much though as we got to see Brussells.

I was being too nice to myself!

Oudenaarde is great. We met Luc on Tuesday at the train station and he brought us to the ASFRA shop and got all the paperwork sorted, introduced me to a few people, got my new kit etc.. It's now official, The only thing left is getting my licence from Cycling Ireland and that's on it's way! Since being here I've done three rides, the first was just down the canal, second - I rode to watch a local Kermesse with Hamish, and the third was today - I rode some of the route of Ronde Van Vlaanderen. Some brilliant roads, some not so brilliant (cobbles). Exciting stuff! I can definitely confirm that I like the idea of cobbles more than I actually do, and climbing a 22% cobbled climb (Koppenburg)is not nice! Hamish Graham is also staying in the same place as me. I rode the JTOI with him last year and knew him from the web and met him a few times before. It's good to have someone you know around. Really nice guy!

The Kermesse was a good experience, although I didnt race it as there were no Juniors it was good to see what a Belgian race was like. Much different to Ireland! There were a few hundred people there just watching, you'd hardly get that at 2 races in Ireland!

My first race is this Saturday and I think it's pretty local! So I'll try and give another update after that, wish me luck. I hope it goes well!

That's pretty much it, I know there is lots I'm leaving out. I have a few pictures on my phone and I'll try and get them up on my twitter as soon as I can get some wifi! Forgive me for this poor update..

Stay tuned!

Eoin

A new experience, in a new country..

Hello everyone, this update is to announce the news I've been blabbing on about for the last few weeks so here it is..

Nice piece in the local newspaper

I am going to Belgium ! I'll be racing in the famous colours of the "Asfra Flanders Racing Team" who are based in Oudenaarde, East Flanders. I'll be going over from the 7th - 20th of June and possibly longer. This all came about around a month ago when I started talking to the guys at the team, hence why I've been really busy getting everything organized, training etc.. Bloody harder than you'd think getting prepared!

While there I plan to do 5 or 6 races (Juniors are restricted to 3 a week) along with some training with some of the team. I'll find out the criteria when I arrive! I know a few lads who live in Belgium so hopefully I can meet with them for a ride and maybe race against them at some point. Although I'm only going for 2-3 weeks and might find it hard to get into the swing of things, it will be a great experience. The reason I'm only going for that short space of time is because I'm planning to be home well in time for the "Junior Tour of Ireland" which starts on the 12th of July. After the Junior Tour hopefully I will head back to Belgium to do some more racing and try to live the dream for a while before coming home again to race the "Junior Tour of Wales" in August as well as the "Suir Valley 3-day". While in Oudenaarde I will be living in the team house with a couple of other lads, so this should also be an interesting experience.

I've dusted down the bike box and I'm super excited and motivated about this opportunity I'm been given, really can't wait race out there and see what it's like! While there, hopefully I can continue to write my blog's to inform everyone how things are going. Wish me luck, more than likely I'll need it!

Now, with a few days before I go I am really ill. I have been diagnosed with an "upper respiratory tract bacterial infection" and started taking antibiotics to treat it on Tuesday. Not ideal at all! My throat is absolutely killing me and my body is run-down so I've been wrapped up at home trying to recover all week, really not good. Hopefully I can shake this before I head off and get a out on a ride as I've been off the bike now for 4 days. Fingers are crossed..

Packing up my troubles in my old kit bag!

 Until next time - Stay tuned!

Eoin