Monday 25th 2006 September, Forest Row 43.39. Yep thats the time it took me and Michael Hutchinson to cover 25 miles on a tandem yesterday in the Port Talbot Wheelers promotion. Going into the ride I was quite confidant but at the same pretty nervous, I knew that the course was fast, the record was held by Zak Carr and Glen Taylor at 45.03. Michael has not been at his best since the Commonwealth Games but I knew he would lift his game on the day, our biggest problem was the fact that he likes to pedal faster than me, but I was in charge of the gears. As it turned out he was the perfect partner, still as you like, and strong, a few times I was getting near my limit but I knew I could ease slightly because Michael would still be pushing hard, I dread to think what we would have done if I was as strong as I was a few years back. We were sporting a 64-11 top gear which we managed to pedal to a top speed of 93 kph, thats fast when you are in the tri bars believe me. Most of the way to the turn we were sitting on 60kph, that feels good. Flying. When I saw those speeds I knew we must break the record, but when I looked at my watch after we crossed the line I was like"What ,thats sick" My next race will not be run off at those types of speeds let me tell you, because I am off to Australia to ride the Crocodile Trophy in a couple of weeks, thats a 16 day mountain bike race in the desert, 100kms a day on average I think, its held up north near Cairns, hot, 40 Celsius, killer, camping out, the lot, toughen me up I reckon. I will keep you posted on that one. OK, till next time. Sean Tuesday, September 12, Folkestone On the channel tunnel. Returning from the Tour of Poland. Its the second year I have been there. Not much had changed since last year, course included, with the last 3 days around Karpacz it was really tough. The team got off to a great start with Max van Heeswijk winning the first stage and taking the leaders jersey. We knew we would be up against it in the GC stakes by the end of the week so the win was money in the bank. All in all its not a bad race, providing the weather is ok. But its pretty obvious that they are in bed with the UCI re its Pro-Tour ranking. My journey over to Poland was a bit of an epic. It started Saturday morning when I rode a 10 on the Q10/19 where I just held of my brother Chris by six seconds, he pulled 9 seconds back on me on the return leg, he only does 4 hours a week training. From that I drove 19 hours nonstop to Warsaw. Got there 3.30 am UK time, stuffed, the last 450 km were on B roads with surfaces you would not believe. I think I must be getting to old for that kind of thing because two days later I had to summon the doc and the masseur to my room, I could not get out of bed. But with their help, was able to get back on the road, its definatly one of the bonuses of the job, you don't have to wait in the local GP's surgery very often. I have been trying to get ready for the World Masters track champs which are being held up in Manchester, I am riding the pursuit, I won it back in 2000, and am going for the double. I think Shawn Wallace is riding, he won last year and always rides well in a specialist event like that. So I have been doing a few intervals etc, we will see, its good to put pressure on yourself now and then. On the 24th Sept I am hoping for a float on that Welsh course, I am riding the Tandem with The Hutch, hoping to get near the record, its a short 45 for the 25 miles. That 64-11 will hopefully be turning sweetly. Ok, I had better get that track bike ready. I am going to use a 102 inch gear, that's the same as I used last time. I used 90 as an amateur when I won the Nationals. The biggest gear I ever used was 91.8 in the team pursuit in Moscow. Things have moved on a bit since then. I have been trying to get hold of a front disc, I need all the help I can get. Ok. Till next time Sean BACK

 

Professional cyclist for 15 years
12 Tours de France
Tour de France yellow jersey
Tour de France stage winner
Fifth in Paris-Roubaix
Tour of Belgium winner
UK pro road race champion
UK 25 and 50-mile TT champion