English
Would you have believed that this winter was going to turn out just like the last, full of ice and snow? Even when the majority of the ice had long since disappeared small pockets of the horrid black stuff lurked all over this part of Shropshire.
Even last week I was out on a regular hill route for 2 hours when I came sweeping around a corner and under the shadow of the ash tress that run alongside the stream at that point and before I knew it I was flat on my back, all the wind knocked out of me and wedged in a bush at the side of the road. Once again the dhb SuperRoubaix tights took it all in it’s stride which is,I confess, more than I did.
I am, in hindsight, glad that no-one was around to hear an athlete representing Wiggle turn the air quite so blue but it made me decide to mix up the training routes a little and revisit a few more major roads that I had ignored for a while.
Turning away from the small quiet lanes just north of Ludlow I headed the following day out eastwards toward the Wyre Forest starting with the long and steep trek up over the Titterstone Clee. During the summer the beauty of the view from the top is tempered by the traffic that scoots past and the risk of sheep talking an unexpected stroll across the road as you plunge down the far side. This time around however the lung bursting climb up through Clee Village was worth ever pedal stroke with a view off Angel Bank stretching clear to the Malverns.
2011 looks like it’s shaping up to be an interesting year and the vast experience we gained on Team Wiggle Tandem is going to be tested to the limit. The winter has once again played havoc with getting big road miles in and with a new house demanding attention the turbo has been far less active than last year.
Jez’s foot injury continues to improve in slow increments but it’s clear that experts are as baffled by the how’s and why’s as he is so Wiggle’s Endurance superstar Matt Page remains firmly in the frame for a summer attack at that elusive Pembroke to Yarmouth record which is an intriguing prospect. The 2 of them both competed with interesting outcomes in the recent Strathpuffer 24, Matt taking the top honours with partner Rickie Cotter in the mixed pairs class.
Just as exciting is the prospect that a former Tour de France professional and Classics winner has gone on record publicly as saying he wishes to team up with Team Wiggle Tandem to attack the RRA 25 mile record, a true blue ribband if ever there was one. The project is sure to attractive massive publicity for the team and Wiggle and other sponsors but while negotiations are ongoing, 2 things are for certain; firstly we will need a bigger frame to accommodate his 6’4 bulk and secondly I will have to train like fury to match even 2/3rds of his regular power output.
All of which adds up to a fluid and interesting situation but quite exciting as we come to the end of the long dark hours.
One thing that has been bothering me is a lingering sense that I am always under the weather and so a trip to the doctors has been in order. After the battery of questions the theory is that I have been suffering from very long term yeast imbalance but just to be on the safe side the tests are being undertaken for diabetes, of which there is a history in my family.
I am enjoying the strict new diet that may help the situation which means no wheat or dairy and little of no sugars in any form. I’ll keep you up to date on how it pans out.
Until then, ride safe
DH
Follow Team Wiggle Tandem on the Wiggle Athlete‟s Diary www.wiggleblog.com
Or at the team‟s website, www.teamwiggletandem.com
