Morvélo Test Team

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Winter ‏‏‏‏‏

Now that we’re well into January, the FF button on my winter’s training will definitely feel like it’s been pressed (That’s Fast Forward, not Follow Friday for anyone that was wondering), because the racing season has moved from creeping up on us to a very distinct canter.


In general, the last 3 months or so have contributed to what I think may have been my most productive winter yet. With the much appreciated and continued support of the Dave Rayner Fund for 2013, I have been able to concentrate a lot more solely on training, using a few days a week at The Tristore only to subsidise my winter outgoings and to keep my feet on the ground. When it’s not necessary, living outside of the athlete’s bubble is pretty refreshing, so being able to take advantage of that while at home is good for the head, I find.


While we’re on the subject, a colleague at work was generous enough to lend me a Powertap to use over the winter, which is probably the main contributory factor to the improvements in my training that I’ve seen. Being able to plot two values on a graph gives each one a much greater worth, thus enabling progress, a lot easier to track. I find myself looking forward to sessions far more, to find out if I’ve got better, or if I’m tired, or any number of other conclusions. If training with power is a possibility for me at any point in the future, I’m going to have to make it a necessity, that’s for sure.


I was fortunate enough to get out to Majorca for 2 weeks prior to Christmas too. Again, a fair-weather training camp is something that was a new addition to my winter programme, but has rooted itself as another fundamental for future seasons. The physical benefits of training in 20 degrees compared to 5 degrees come in their masses, and likewise for the mental ones. Being able to compartmentalise what is essentially a 4 month training block is pretty essential, and time between the off season and Christmas is usually the hardest time to do this, but a training camp is apparently the perfect remedy.


Looking ahead...is proving to be quite an exciting prospect. Going into what will be my 4th year on the continent, there hath been no love, commitment or enthusiasm lost for the task of trying to become a cog the sport which obsesses us. 


In 2013 I’m going to be riding for Terra Footwear-Bicycle Line, one of the 18 Top Competition sides, and one well trodden by some of my peers, so a set up that I know will be a good one to be involved in. With a calendar made up by the vast majority of “proper” races, it should provide ample opportunities to get involved with the big boys, and hopefully for some single digit placings too.

For my sins, I’m going to be living with two of my housemates from years gone by, in a different location though. Gone is the creepy, dilapidated house we all became attached to, and in is a fresh apartment above my coach’s training centre. It’s a bit further to ride home after parking up for coffee, but the benefits of living in such a place will I hope outweigh such a major con!

I’m still waiting for confirmation, but something else new for this year will be my imminent enrolment on the books of the Open Uni, so the procrastination and idleness that often fill my days in Belgium will hopefully now be put to good use. I’m also continuing my idealistic habit of prioritising interests and enjoyments over ‘proper job’ career prospects in deciding to study the arts. So there, take that one school.


Right now though, I’m on the very fine line between getting quite fit, and getting sick; off the bike I am walking around sniffling, on the bike I am riding around with a jet-pack attached, so after attaching some pictures to this blog I’m off to consume my weight in Vitamin C and demand my family wear surgical masks and gloves at all times.


Tot Ziens, Jonges.