There were about 45 women in attendance today, some very experienced elites who were put in charge of the different groups, those like me who have raced a bit, and some others who have not done any racing yet so this was their first taster.
We started with talks in the classroom, and some strenuous thinking about scenarios in races, tactics and planning.
Then out onto the track (the wrong way round - VERY strange) and a bit of bike skills riding round touching peoples shoulders and banging arms and elbows. Then moving through the group. Also taking bottles up and down the group.
Then some 4 lap races, where we had to try and apply the tactic given to us in the classroom. After that another 4 lap race with a different tactic.
Then lunch, then back out again. This time practicing through and off, then on the last lap a lead out train. That was great fun as I was the Cavendish of our group for this one.
Then handicap races, with our team spread out between the novices, middle group and scratch group. That was an interesting one to work with to try and make sure you had the most points from your team when spread out like that. Anyway, there was a nasty crash on the final sprint, so after Sam was patched up we went back to the classroom for a debrief and some handouts (which I forgot).
The elite rider leading our group was Jeanette Caldicott of Team Luciano. I have suffered at her hands before at Thruxton when her and a team mate did a nice 1-2 up the hills there, and she is uber strong, so I already had a lot of respect for her. Even more so after today, her tactical skills are amazing and it was a pleasure to be shouted at by someone who knows so much! (well I was attacking when we had a teammate in the break
).It's taught me a lot and given me a lot to think about. There is talk of a repeat of some of these throughout the year; if that happens I am definitely going back.
