English
Richard Pearman Sponsored Team Wiggle Rider is in Ireland working The Surrey League Cycling Team who are riding the 8 day stage race in Ireland starting in Kilcullen, near Naas. 165 riders are taking part in the UCI 2.2 event with plenty of pro teams from Europe and Britian including the top Irish teams.
For more info check out www.fbdinsuranceras.com/event/.
I’ll be keeping you informed on what I’m doing daily and what’s happened . Richard job is a busy one. Not riding, but driving the van and assisting with looking after the riders and making sure everything runs ok.
Richard said
“It’s always nice to go back over to Ireland for this event as the countryside is lovely and to meet up with the Irish friends I have made doing the exact same as myself”
FBD Ras 2009-05-16
The FBD Ras is a UCI 2.2 International 8 Day stage race held in Ireland covering 1290 km’s. This race attracts many pro and semi pro teams from around Europe and also further afield as well as teams top teams from the UK. The Irish also have a strong contingent of top teams all working hard to gain a victory on home soil.
My job during this event is two-fold. Firstly I drive the van, hired locally, which contains the riders and management’s luggage, rider’s bikes, including the two spare bikes as crashes do happen, the mechanics tools and work stands as well as the numerous spares wheels and other parts which the team may require. The van sets off usually ½ hour before the race starts allowing me more time to reach the next hotel and to drop off the bags when signing in the rooms. Prior to starting the stage, all the riders give me a separate bag which contains a set of dry clothes and also any recovery drinks that they may require for directly after the stage. This bag stays in the van when I reach our hotel and the main luggage bags get booked in when I sign in for the room keys. Dropping these bags off is essential as when all riders have finished the stage there is enough room for the bikes in the van.
I then have to drive back to the finish before the race enters the finishing town which then allows me to park up in the coned off area for the team cars. Once parked up I then prepare the race food, make my way to the finish and meet up with the others personnel all doing what I do. It’s then a matter of waiting for the team to arrive, hopefully winning the stage or in the top 20. Once the guys have arrived we then set off to the hotel to relax.
Secondly I assist the team manager, Keith Butler, with any other details which he needs help with. This might include locating a dry cleaning service to wash the cloths, if our overnight hotel does not supply this service. I also make sure that if any rider is called to the doping control after the event, he gets there quickly otherwise the team could incur a penalty. I also make sure the riders have signed on, arrive for breakfast on time, and prompt with packing and loading up the van.
When driving the van from the start of the stage to our next hotel, I also do the team’s shopping as the riders may require specific items of food to help them recover from the days racing. I also prepare the race food for directly after the race as the guys are usually very hungry. This is a busy role, but it’s rewarding to know that you are playing a vital part for the team even though many spectators never realise this goes on behind the scenes.
Saturday 16th
Today was a long day. After hearing the alarm at 4.15am and saying goodbye to Nikki, I packed the van with my luggage and set off to pick up John Heaton Armstrong who lives in Avington, which is a small village located near Winchester. At 5.40am we left Avington and then started the journey up the M3 to the join the M25. Our meeting point for the remaining team members was a lay by just off junction 11 off the M25. After loading up the van to its full capacity both vehicles set off driving along the M25, M40, M6, M54, A41 arriving at around 9.30am at our breakfast stop off point.
Once we had finished eating our healthy fry-ups and beans on toast it was then back on the open road travelling on the A41 to Chester then jumping on the and A55 travelling across the top of Wales before finally crossing the bridge onto Anglesey and finally arriving at our destination – Hollyhead.
After a another cup of tea and a bit to eat in Hollyhead, we then booked our cars onto the Stena Ferry and prepared for our 4-5 hours rough crossing across the sea. The majority of riders fell asleep as we all had to get up very early in the morning. After the crossing we eventually arrived in Dublin. From here we set out travelling through Dublin’s city centre and onto The N7 heading for our first of many hotels for the duration of the event – The Green Isle Hotel, which is located on the outskirts of Dublin.
We all booked into our rooms, meeting up with the other teams as we passed each other in the lobby, freshened up then at 7.30pm all had dinner together. After two portions of Lasagne and our desert of Rhubarb and Apple crumble we all walked up to Keith’s room for our first team chat and what to do and not what to do.
1 hour later we all left (9.30pm) to go to our rooms to relax and prepare for the first stage which is 125kms long travelling from Killcullen to Wexford.
Tomorrow, I’ll send the first race report and a brief introduction to the Surrey League Team. Rich signing out at 10.45pm
