Blogs
Mon, 23 Aug 2010
Back from Germany
By Annie Simpson - Horizon Ftitness Racing Team
The team returned late last night from one of our last major races of the year. We were in Germany, near the Black Forest, and to my surprise the place was beautiful. Real nice setting for a bike race, and I loved the hills! Now, I’m not exactly a veteran when it comes to stage race attendance, but from my experience this year, and the wise guidance of Helen Wyman, I soon realised that where we were staying was exceptional for stage race standards.
It was a sports excellence college, and the main thing that stands out for me was the food! Oh how it made me so happy, and it was a joy to stuff my face 3 times a day in that place… and now as I sit on my bed in rainy old Tielt, I’m missing the idea of Chocolate Museli for breakfast!
The race for me was again another massive learning curve. Days 1 and 2 I raced as hard as my legs would go, and I paid for this on day 3 when my legs were left totally empty. My favourite part of the race was definitely day 2; I felt great on this day and the course had a great whacking hill in it which suited me more than the other 2 crit style races. I found myself settled in a large group, maybe 2nd on the road with my team mates Gabby and Penny. This group wasn’t really in a rush to chase or speed up from their very unexciting pace. My impatient side got the better of me and at the bottom of the long climb I attacked, hoping to ride across to another group, and by the top I was very much alone and with a minute on the group.
Over the top section of course I pushed so hard, but the wind was getting the better of me. After a long 10km lap on my own, I was so happy to see Gabby and just 2 other riders get across to me. We then worked hard to keep the gap; me and Gabs helping each other through. My legs felt strong, but on reflection, I did far too much work on the front pulling the group round lap after lap. But you live and learn, and it was damn good for morale knowing I have the strength to ride away from a group. I’m excited to have a structured winter again after a few years of doing my own thing, and then next year I can hit this race really well prepared.
So now that’s my last race over. A small part of me is relieved, but another part of me just wants to carry on racing, especially when I see my team mates around me preparing for the Tour of Holland and Commonwealth Games! I leave to go to the Alps for some training on Friday, then back to the UK for a much needed 3 week break. Worst bit is going to be the separating from my partner in crime Alex Greenfield! We have been with each other every day now since the beginning of July - it is genuinely going be like losing an arm! Skype is definitely going to get a hammering from us two!
Annie x
For more information about the Horizon Fitness Racing Team, visit www.onthedrops.com.