03/11/2025
So this weekend we had our last full team meet up / ride of the year. We aim to get the full team from Youth B right through to the U23 together 3-4 times a year.
This weekend the U23 boys met up on the Saturday for a ride, sleepover in the Ribble Valley together in a house, it's a great chance for riders joining us in 2026 to meet their teammates and get a chance to talk and bond with each other and their new DS Josh Whitehead.
On the Sunday, they were joined by all our other riders.
The youth B, A and senior riders.
We picked a sportive put on by Bowland Bikes. The route was just over 100km and had a solid 1500m of climbing.
We set off as two groups around 10min apart...fast and faster 😉.
Met up at a cafe just before halfway and then onto the hardest section of the route 'knot end'.
The big boys had a bit of a shoot out up it, James and Jago showing good legs with Ben and Alex not to far behind.
Our plan was for group one and two to come together in the last 25k so the faster riders could hang in the back.
The plan was pretty much in point and worked well as they dragged a solid effort out of the stronger riders from group one.
We watch riders very closely on these rides to see who is fuelled right, dressed right and got the details correct. Riding at this time of year you need to get things right and if you can get it right now.....it beds in really good habits.
One of the most pleasing things for us ahead of this week's news was.......how well the girls rode. Strong and rock solid all day.
Ella, who we have not ridden with for a while, is a different rider to the summer version. Able to keep the chain super tight for close to 4hrs on a very hard route. Worth saying, she has done this at the end of a super hard 23hr week.
Melissa has now been back with us for around 6 weeks, she has not missed a ride or training session.....and already she is starting to look very very good again.
Abby, like Ella has been training super well, embracing the type of work we set. Yesterday, it really showed too. Strong all day, never in difficulty and able to keep the chain tight right to the end.
Ruby, yep just Ruby solid all the way, zones are looking scary good on the back off not much riding so far this winter, this was only her 2nd real ride back.
Also a special mention to Simon, Archie and Ben for helping, sweeping and ensuring Red and Nate got round the course, despite flats, in under 4hrs. At 13 years old that's actually scary good.
Thanks to everyone for making the effort to come, it really does help the coaches plan the next phase of winter for you riders!
