Apologies.

That’s my first line. I have been pretty damn busy and hectic of late. And have thought about all the Wiggle blog fans missing out on my tales of adventure and life. Where do I start? How about the news of training? OK. As for nearly everyone in the UK, the bad weather has disrupted training plans and the thought of smashing the km’s indoors is really quite hard. I spoke to a friend of triathlete friend of mine last week, he had done an obscenely high amount of turbo trainer sessions, I had a lump in my throat upon hearing the news!

However, I’ve tried to fit in as much as possible when I can/could. I had a week in Fuerteventura training. It was fantastic to leave the really cold spell of weather in England and head over there. The roads are generally in pretty good shape and the island is very similar to the neighboring island of Lanzarote, my former home of two years. Managed to get some long rides in with the added benefit of being in shorts and short sleeved jerseys everyday! A day I will not remember in a hurry was a 170km ride, with an 85km headwind, before i turned to head home, and the wind also turned, giving me another 85km headwind all the way back! Wind-burnt, not sun-burnt.

I also met some nice cyclists from Denmark whilst out on the roads, did part of one of my rides with them. Before I decided to do some more hill efforts on a suitable climb that I discovered. I must also mention the weather again, it was between 25-30 degrees Celsius. This was ideal to test out my new Catlike Whisper Plus Helmet. I’ve been interested in these helmets for some time, and the stand out from the crowd design of them certainly appeals to me. It’s very lightweight and the fit is very comfortable. In the heat it performed brilliantly and never did I feel “hot-headed”, as I have done with some other helmets in the past. Visits to the Gym at the sports resort every day to increase core strength/stability too. I slept very well every night! And the

Then onto personal news, I decided to leave London, departing Rouleur magazine, and joining the staff at Wiggle! I start on the 1st of March and cannot wait to be part of the strong and enthusiastic workforce. This should also hopefully be better for my training as it’s much more accessible to the countryside, where I love to train and enjoy riding my bikes. I shall be lodging with a mad keen cyclist, he shall remain anonymous for the time being, but let me tell you, he does more miles than a space shuttle.

Until next time, “tot straks”.

Traditionally the off season for me has been a period to unwind, relax and reflect on the seasons racing. This year has been different, in-fact, since 2005 I haven’t thought that way. 2005 was the last time I pedalled in true anger. Moving abroad to sunnier climes where the possibility to road-race was non-existent, I cycled for fun/my job.

OK, those of you who know me and where I was based could argue I could of competed in triathlon. However, my time consuming preparation before a bike ride would mean that I would probably be eliminated from a triathlon due to taking longer than the permitted time allowed, or such like. So, when I moved back to the UK in late 2008, the plan was to race in 2009. That didn’t happen due to one reason or another.
I decided in the summer of this year that I want to return to competition in 2010. So here I am. Thinking what to write. OK, my off season. Well here it goes…..

This has been spent mainly getting sick, visiting friends and reunions. One such reunion was in Copenhagen of all places. My first time to Scandinavia, and certainly not the last. Meeting up with a great bunch of ex-colleagues and workers from my time spent working in Lanzarote with a predominantly Danish bunch was fantastic.

Then a couple of weeks later, out to Belgium to watch the Ghent six day track race on a Saturday night and the Koksijde cyclo-cross in the day. The dhb waterproof kit was well and truly put to the test at the cyclo-cross event!

On the Sunday I organised a ride along with a couple of good friends of mine. The results have already been posted on the Wiggle blog along with all over twitter! Great photo’s I am sure you agree. I shouldn’t have cycled, as I was sick, but the guilt of organising and then sitting on the sidelines due to the bad weather & being ill would have been on my mind all the way home, soft-tapper I ain’t! Oh yeah, I managed to win the sprint along the Schelde canal as well as first to the top of the Molenberg, sorry, had to get that in!
So, now, onto next season. One more soiree to attend, the Wiggle Christmas party, then it’s full on continuing the preparations for next season. A training camp in late Jan/Early Feb will round it all off nicely I think.

Until next time, “tot straks”.

Me in Belgium at the weekend. dhb clothing proves great again!
I have flu at the moment but had organised a bike ride so felt obliged to do it rather than have a torrent of abuse aimed at me…. Not that I wouldn’t have plenty of abuse prepared in return.

Hope you like the photo.

Jon