Goals: Can't remember them exactly, but I know I succeeded in a few, but not in others, notably win a race, GODDAMMIT!
Training Approach and Philosophy
Enjoy it, by just getting out and riding.
My Best Race(RR or TT) Dunsfold, April 8th, Easter 3 day. Best form of my life so far, the term 'No Chain' doesn't even describe how good I felt. Got in the main break of the day, and looked like we might have stayed away (If we had of done, I would have taken the overall GC for the race, if only!). Then after a lap and a half's recovery, launched the most unbelieveable sprint of my life, 67.7kph and won. Well, I thought I did, but the judges were 2:1 against. SHOULD HAVE GONE TO SPECSAVERS!! lol
My Worst Race (RR or TT): Torn between two, but i'll ditch the obvious one and say my first race of the season. When I got my ass so harshly kicked it took me a month to get over it
Best ride/Sportiv of the year London to Paris in July, with Action Medical Research. Wow, what an experience. Met so many different yet like-minded people. Lived out of my suitcase for 5 days while riding through beautiful french countryside. Just like a Pro really
Even kept up with the Lotto tradition of 3 beers and half a bottle of wine in the evening, minimum. And the night in Paris, whoa, a 4pm - 6am drinking session after completing 300miles in 4 days... Just what the doctor ordered!!
Best single ride of the year Easily my 99kms with Liquigas the day before the Tour, wow, what a ride! The evening on Whitehall with the agreeable crew was also cool, meeting such stars as JaJa and Duffers. What a day!!!
Worst Ride/Sportiv Of the Year The morning of day 3 on L 2 P, having ridden 150km the previous day into a raging 70kph headwind had taken its toll, big time. Epsecially as my friend who I had paced the last 20miles the day before was as fresh as a sodding daisy!
Best ACC Road Racer: Er me of course, lol. No I'd say George for racing ALL the time until he was literally forced to stop. But also Stu for making it through some races so high profile that the rest of us can only dream of.
Best ACC TT Man and Woman: John (the old'un)
And Tamar, another perenial smiler!
Most Impressive Riding I witnessed: Watching the asses of Liquigas disappear up the road from me whilst I learnt how to hang onto the team car. Amazing, truly amazing. But also the way George and Paul literally ripped apart the early Surrey League races.
Favourite Club Rider : Steve the Shadow, and Paul Tunnel, well what would I be without a couple of other half decent sprinters to beat!?
Seasons Low Point: Sitting by the side of the road in Sussex on the 26th of May with my head in my hands, almost in tears, as I realised the extent of the damage I had done to myself in
that crash. But that was easily equalled by the day the consultant and physio said 'your season is finished'. That was rock bottom.
Most Improved Racers: Erm, apart from the obvious, they know who they are. I would say Sam Camden, for consistently beating his previous times in the evening 10's, and beating his dad
and also his very decent ride up Ranmore for the hill climb. Chapeau dude, now get that arm healed and get training for next season!!
Favorite pro ridersD. Manuel Beltran, Fillipo Pozzatto (my mates
) and Tom Boonen aka Green Man
Most improved Club Riders: Its gotta be Seanie the Taipai whateverhecallshimself!! Legend
Best Forum Bits: Andrew v Toks, Me v Everyone, and the reports that made me feel like I was sitting on the shoulder of the author through the ride
Favourite Cycling Websites Londoncyclesport, Cyclingnews, Britishcycling
Racing/Riding Could of's and Should ofs: Erm, stayed on my bike!
Best Seasons Quotes Stu climbing White Down on his silly geared winter bike, turning the pedals over at about 10rpm ''I'm F****d'', ''Yes!!'' I thought while spinning my 39*25 quite nicely...
ACC's 'Blingiest' Rider: Well despite votes for my elder colleague of bling, Alan, I'm affraid my youthful aire surely wins this one
Kings and Queens of Pain Anyone who rode a TT this season, and anyone who rode a stage race - George, Stu and Myself!!
Who went missing this season Erm, Matt Ives for sure, I got lost too, and a whole host of people that I havn't seen for a while... Simon Haylor, as well as other guys who's names escape me but faces don't. if you know what I mean??
All in all, I have had some of the most amazing experiences this year with my bike. If 2008 comes close, it'll be a fantastic year!!