Normally, Christmas in my family is ALWAYS skiing, for as long as I can remember. But the last few years, the weather hasn’t been in our favour and there’s been no snow! So this Christmas we decided to decamp to Lanzarote. The forecast was looking good, so my husband convinced me to take my new areo bike that has really deep wheels – what a mistake!!
She’s a real beaut and with the rubbish English weather I’ve not had chance to really get used to it. But wow aero bikes in the strong Lanzarote winds are hard work! I can’t wait to get a chance to ride it on a still day, it’s so fast!!!
Each day it was a battle descending, pinning the bike down was hardwork and for the first time I wasn’t enjoying the descents at all. But by the end of the two weeks, I felt comfortable on the bike, I knew I would be able to handle the bike in whatever weather came along in the coming year!
It’s this time of the year that turns the thoughts to goals and targets for 2017, so I thought I’d share what I have planned this year. The first thing is a week in Gran Caneria, I’ve heard amazing things about the climbing and really looking forward to trying something new out.
Once I’m back it’s full swing into racing, I’ll be at Tameside Circuit with my club representing the ladies! This is in preparation for the Tour of Ayrshire and Tour of Cambridge, where I’m hoping to qualify for the Amateur World Championships in France. I know it’s a big goal, but dream big and all that!! Over the winter I’ve been working on my speed, training with a ladies racing team – the Racing Chance Foundation.
Of course, I couldn’t forget some amazing hilly events, so to satisfy that urge, I’ll be conquering the Stelvio Pass as part of the Gran Fondo. I’m scared and excited in equal measures about that, it’s a long way up! Then we’ll be heading to the Gran Fondo San Gottardo, a Swiss event that doesn’t get the publicity of some other events. It covers some of the best and biggest climbs in Switzerland, including the cobbled San Gottardo and the massive Furka Pass.
Then, the biggie, my Dad and I will be cycling from Nice to Les Diablerets, Switzerland. The route isn’t set in stone, so far we’ve got a list of climbs we want to do, and a rough route. We’ll be camping and using hotels/apartments on the way, my Mum will be our Soigneur! Driving the car, feeding us and of course taking pictures. It’s going to be such an adventure, of course I’ll be documenting our progress on here and instagram!
2017 is shaping up to be one big exciting adventure. Next up is Mallorca for a long weekend… Keep you updated
R xx
