Ben Simmons Blog: Winter Update
16th January 2010
I haven’t Blogged for while and there is a good reason for that…it’s the only time of the year where I get to have some time off racing. This means I haven’t really got much going with regards to racing but have still been keeping my self busy with training and work.
I started a new full time job with Welsh Cycling at the begging of November as a Go-Ride Coach for Wales, my first ever proper job. I have always worked part time for various different people mainly with Welsh Cycling as a casual coach so when the opportunity came up to have a salary, laptop, phone and a vehicle I took it. So far I am really enjoying it although the weather has been a problem when it comes to coaching children on playgrounds, an ice rink would not look good on my risk assessment. So I have been busy with that but still managing to find enough time to train.
I have been mainly riding on my Focus Mares Pro cross bikes due to the snow and these machines are perfect for that. They are so much fun blasting along the canal and ploughing through the snow. I did have one incident where I was descending down a steep field which people had been using for sledging so was very slippery and that combined with a howling cross wind resulted in my going off course and somersaulting over the bars. No damage done though as the snow is a great cushion but I did look like a snow man once I got up.
I have also been riding on Newport Velodrome when it’s not shut due to the snow so that has been convenient in this arctic weather. I have also been on my turbo trainer but mainly use my rollers as I find these nicer to ride and is really good for your pedalling technique. So the only time the road bike has been used is indoors as the roads in Wales are very dangerous not just from falling off but also vehicles loosing control on the slippery roads.
I was due to ride the cross nationals last weekend but it has been postponed until February which has worked out well for me as I am only just getting over a cold. This weekend I am going to head up to the Revolution Track race in Manchester and also the final National Trophy Cross round in Rutland the following day.
I will be sure to let you know how they both go, take it easy.
Ben
Photos
