New Bike! Cyclocross Nationals and Revolutions

Revolution went OK. Didn't get any good results as was fannying around at the back but found it fun. I picked up my bike though! I had to keep it in its box all weekend till I got home. AN exercise of deprivation. When I unpacked it I was practically wetting my pants with excitement. The Pictures below were taken the day I made it up. I haven't taken it on the road yet as it is too wet at the moment.

The only mods I will do for the season are a 140mm Deda Newton Stem and some Pro Vibe 7s Bars. I worry about using carbon ones. Plus I can sell it more easily at the end of the year if they are not broken. The Bontrager saddle is pretty comfy and the new dura ace is delicious.

I had cross nationals on the Sunday and started at the back of the grid. This was my first cross race for about 2 years (the last one I got smashed by an U14). I was running just about top 10 after 2 laps then crashed on a tarmac section and lost 4 places! I couldn't regain them and I ended up 13th. My bike handling was pretty shocking but what can I expect with no experience! My legs were pretty slow too. My goal was to beat Joe Perrett who started beside on the start line racing in tights! He beat me easily though.

My Form at the moment is really bad. I feel really tired during my efforts. I am resting a fair amount and eating plenty so not sure. Maybe I am just really really unfit but I don't think so. Hopefully it will resolve itself by the end of March. Thats my first important race - Cadence RR in Wales (previously Martyn Ashfield). I will keep training as I am not sick. THe new ODP coach is Rob Sharman. Maybe he will no how to kick start my legs.

I have officially joined Twickenham so the GWR skinsuit that I crashed in at the nationals will no longer have to be worn. The kit is pretty conservative but nice and should match my bike pretty good (the most important part). The colours in the pictures beside are more like navy blue.

Exams are going good. My mechanics exam went pretty well and my History was short and sweet. Hopefully there will be no surprises come March. I still have C4, FP1, and S2 to go (all maths).

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Grain of Sand

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