Walkers Cycling

2011-05-22T01:18:00.000-07:00

So after 5 years I have finally finished University and since I have decided to try and avoid the real world for at least one more year I am now training full time. Sadly cycling in the rain is still as miserable- especially when it’s May.

My final race as a student/athlete was in Monterrey, Mexico for the latest round of the ITU World Cup Series. 38 degrees, swim in a man made canal which was only 1 metre deep (swim/run through the water anyone?), bike round an old racing car circuit and 10k run with no shade made for an eventful day. I ended up 19th which was an average showing.

Mexico as a whole meant a lot of travel/ a lot of jetlag/ having to change your training routes to avoid the closed of streets from the gun fight the night before/ being at the breakfast table sharing the buffet with armed policeman (there was no arguing over who was next in line)/ eating out for £3 a go and not having to wear anything else apart from shorts and vests for 5 days.

Next up is the lesser tropical Belgium next week- the only thing I know of the course is that cobbles make an appearance.

Race Season

2011-04-19T08:25:00.000-07:00

By the start of the 3rd race in 3 weeks I toed the start line pretty tired mentally and physically. 1hour and 50minutes later I crossed the line satisfied with 7th place but looking forward to a weekend off.

With a victory at the Scottish Uni Champs, an 8th place in a European Cup Event in Turkey followed by a 7th place finished in the next leg of the European Cup Series in Portugal it has been a good start to the year.

After a weekend of, where I attempted to catch up with uni work this weekend is the first leg of the French Grand Prix Series in Nice. With some of the best triathletes in the world racing it should provide a good challenge to see how things are looking for the rest of the year.

Things I have learned so far this race year:
• In Turkey they will accept any form of money (Pound/Euro/Turkish Lira/Gold Coins/etc)

• When you fly home at 2am in the morning there will probably only be 15 people on your flight so spending £30 for the extra leg room seats is a waste of money.

• Racing and travelling every weekend means you spend a lot of time tired and grumpy.

Looking forward to getting back to action this weekend in France though.

Winter Legs

2011-03-05T10:00:00.000-08:00

It has been 5 months since I last raced a triathlon- the winter break drags on a lot when you live in Britain. I have to say I miss it. I miss the adrenaline, the fear that kicks in as you walk onto the pontoon and the joy of success even if it doesn’t happen all the time.

However in 4 weeks time it all kicks off and with 3 races in 3 weekends I’m sure I’ll be back in the swim/bike/running racing rhythm in no time.
With all the xc races though the competitive instinct is never too far away and today I raced my first 10k road race of the year in Garscube, Glasgow. It’s the first time I`ve did a road race with a king of the mountains prize. Sadly my dash for the top of the hill left me in 3rd but I managed to place 2nd overall in 31.39. Not too shabby with my winter legs still on.

So for now it`s all about getting my head down for another last block of hard training before the big season kick off. That and there` s the little thing of my uni dissertation needing completed.

Here, There and Everywhere

2011-02-11T03:47:00.000-08:00

Its been a busy few months of Winter training spread between Scotland and Spain. Apart from the snow its been going well with the occasional cross country run race thrown into the mix to keep me sharp. The big cross country of the year takes place with the Scottish National 12k at Falkirk. The aim is a top 15 however having never raced over the distance before its a bit of a venture into the unknown.

With a 12k cross country on the Saturday and the 3rd Reliability ride of the ride on the Sunday its looking to be a hard weekend of work. The local Reliability rides/races are always a shock to me especially when a few of the local Endura riders turn up to stretch their legs and to make the rest of us suffer. I spent a great deal of time last weekend just trying to hold the wheel. The rain and the muddy roads never lightens my mood either and it was a miserable few hours in the hurt box. Getting fit though and and looking forward to some sun.

Mull

2010-12-15T03:03:00.000-08:00

Well, the final two races of the SCX season were crackers. I'd never been to Mull before, and wish that there had been more time to take in the island, and do the races - monday off work next year (and maybe get a weekend babysitter?)

I wouldn't recommend an overnight stay in the carpark in Tobermory though - you can't escape the boy racers, even on a small island!

The car park at Glengorm Castle was much better, if darker!

Although the field was small, it was high quality, as were the courses. Saturday had some tough muddy sections - a long run up to the castle, and climbs which became runs as the bikes got progressively clogged. My top 3 place overall was never going to last long, as JFM, Dan Whitehead and Davie Lines added more races to their tally, but I knew if I could beat Greig Walker both days (not an easy proposition), that 5th place was possible. As expected Greig and myself were locked together in the early laps, before a couple of mistakes and clogged gears allowed me to open up a gap, and press on to the finish - 1 down, 1 to go!

Sunday was a much faster affair, no running except the hurdles (unless your name is Hardie or Lines), but a long, tough climb up to the top of the course. The frozen mud and patchy ice kept you on your toes though (and had me on my backside on lap 1). After a strong 1st half lap, I was sitting 3rd or 4th, and feeling comfortable with the leaders, when I got on the power a bit early on joining to tarmac, and came down. Although I was back up quickly, that put me back in Greig's reach - and Santa soon overhauled me, and built up a 15 second lead. Keeping him in sight helped the motivation, and a wardrobe incident for Greig (cue rapid removal and discarding of Santa over trousers) put us back together. I attacked with 3 to go, and managed to build the magic 10 seconds gap straight away, and hang on to 5th place. Job done. And I beat all the guys in fancy dress - what a hero!

I'm probably not going to ride the Cyclists - v - Harriers this year, think I've used up my competitive credits! The conditions look great for cyclists again this year though, so hopefully Gareth can snatch the win.

So, some time to take it easy, and have fun riding bikes again before thinking about racing again.

Neil Walker

End of Season Blues

2010-12-08T07:29:00.000-08:00

Its been an up and down season of Cyclocross this year. A huge up in numbers, quality of races and courses and general good fun, and some downs with cancelled races due to construction, councils and the weather.

Walkers Cycling Club have had superb representation, and excellent results this year, with up to 15 riders at some rounds, and never fewer than 8, and podiums for established riders, and points scores for newbies!

Having to cancel the Championships at Irvine was a blow to the end of season, and has left me struggling with motivation as the final two races on Mull rapidly approach. Getting out on the MTB in the snow has been a good antidote to that though, and hopefully pulling on a skinsuit, pinning on a number, and being called to the starting grid will get me back in the mood on Saturday!

CXross Country - It Hurts

2010-10-23T02:51:00.001-07:00

So with the triathlon season being over (at least in this hemisphere) it's time to put string up the spikes and hit the cross country scene. The last two weekends has been the east district relay champs and an east district league event.

The two key things of cross country- no matter what the weather is one must only wear shorts and vest; any other attire will be met with chuckles and murmurs of you being soft. That and when the gun goes you run as fast as you can, too hard, but everyone does it so you go along with it, the winner is the one who slows down the most and makes it round without their legs collapsing charging down the hills; all in shorts and a vest.

However it's all good fun and it gives me something to focus on until the temperature reaches an acceptable weather to dawn a tri suit again.

20th and a Crash

2010-10-02T13:28:00.000-07:00

Well that's another race season over with and as always there were some highs (9^th at Euro Champs) and there were lows. Sadly there was no spectacular end of my season as I finished 20^th at World Champs which was disappointed and followed it up with crashing out of National Champs as my front tyre blew half way round a corner. On the plus side it meant my season end rest began 40minutes sooner than anticipated. The negative side was spending the next several days limping around.

So after a week of lazing around the house doing as little as possible reflecting on what I have learnt and coming up with master plans on how I am going to get better it's now time to get back on with the job. There's one thing I know for sure: Its dam difficult to get to the top.

European Championships

2010-09-02T09:16:00.000-07:00

Porto was the venue for the 23 and under European Championships this year which I travelled out to last weekend as part of the Great Britain squad. It was my 2^nd major championships and after the disappointment out in Australia last year I was looking to finally post a good result at championship level.

It was a tough race from start to finish with a rough sea swim followed by 8 laps of 5k on the bike which had 3 significant climbs on each lap along with two u-turns to split things up. By the end of the bike leg an elite group of 15 of us had escaped from the main bunch and held a 2minute lead going into the run so it was up to us to battle it out for the top 10. Sadly my legs weren't a match to some of the front runners but I was able to hold on to 9^th.

Not the medal I ultimately wanted but a top 10 result is still a big step forward for me. I still have one year left though to make it happen.

So next up is the World 23 and under champs on the 11^th in Budapest where another top10 will be the first priority. If I achieve that then who knows where I will end up.....

The London Triathlon

2010-08-10T06:51:00.000-07:00

It was my third attempt at the London Triathlon which is known as the World's biggest triathlon with 13,000 participants including an elite field of 70. Last year I finished 8^th and was hoping to do similar if not better this year. I was pretty tired going into the race with no real taper for the two big races of the year European and World Champs coming up soon. However when you're on the start line you give it everything.

The swim was pretty carnage with too big a field being squeezed in too small a starting line. My first 300 was pretty terrible and got worse when I got a punch to the face which has left me with a bruised nose. I made my way through the field on the rest of the swim to leave 6^th.

The bike leg started pretty aggressively but 10ks into the bike section some of the top guys started staring at each other and refused to work which meant we swelled up to a pack of 30. After some gentle spinning around I managed to get off the front with 5ks to go and get a 20second gap on the peloton going onto the run.

I never really had the run legs. It started badly and there was only a slight improvement throughout the run. I managed to get round in 9^th which kept me just inside the money places. A good workout.

Next up is Europeans in 3 weeks and Worlds 2 weeks after that.

Hamburg and European Champs

2010-07-24T03:19:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was the latest round in the World Championship Super Series in Hamburg, Germany. The next round is actually tomorrow in London but I won't be on the start line. The event in Hamburg is always a big one in the calendar due in part to the 200,000 plus spectators that line the course each year. The whole event takes place in the middle of the city centre which would be equivalent in of Glasgow swimming in the Clyde and biking and running along the main roads of Buchannan Street and Sauchiehall Street – something that could never take place here in Scotland. So all in all it's a very unique event.

The race itself was pretty successful. I swam well after a bit of carnage round the first boy and left the water in the top 20. The bike leg rather resembles a crit and a big pack quickly formed. This left much of the 40k leg about jockeying for position and reacting to people attacking. So I was where I needed to be going on to the run leg and had a good first 6 or 7k. I began struggling towards the end and lost a few places finally finishing in 29^th.

Performance wise it's the best this season but I still think there's more to come. Thankfully it was good enough to qualify me for European Champs in 4 weeks time. World championships selections take place on Monday.....

Back to Basics

2010-07-04T07:45:00.001-07:00

There has been no racing action for the last two weeks and I still have another two weeks until the next one so right now it's been all about getting back to normality training day in, day out trying to move myself on just that little extra bit before the business end of the season begins. Next up is the next leg of the World Championships Series in Hamburg, Germany.

So life has been pretty monotonous as of late with my time only being filled up by training, sleeping and eating. It's a pretty simple lifestyle but an enjoyable one when the training is going well. I did wheel over to the annual Falkirk 10mile time trial championships last Thursday night. It`s a pretty hilly course so a 23.30 was a decent effort by all accounts for my attempt. I have never done a proper time trial before and it hurt.... a lot. I was hurting after two miles, was in more pain at five miles, started losing the rhythm at mile 7 and the last mile was just hell. Roll on the next attempt....

2 Races, 2 Weeks, 2 Continents

2010-06-18T11:10:00.001-07:00

The big races of the season have begun with a leg of the World Super Series first in Madrid and then a World Cup Event in Iowa the following week. It was my first attempt at backing up two big races and sadly I was found out in the 2^nd race.

Madrid went well though with a really good swim and bike leg followed by a bit of a struggle on the run in the 35degree heat- my Scottish Nationality showed. It was by far the toughest race I have ever been involved in with constant attacks on the 1500 metre hill climb which we went up 8 times. I ended up 29^th which wasn` t as good as I had hoped but a decent day in the office none the less.

So after Madrid it was straight out to Iowa. Jet lagged and tired I arrived on the Wednesday but despite not racing on the Sunday I never really felt recovered from Madrid and started the race tired. I struggled round though in 45^th place- not a proud moment.

The main excitement in the USA happened on the way home where a delayed flight meant I didn't make my connection from New York so ended up having to stay a day there with no luggage and only being on standbye for the 10pm flight the next day. I spent a day exploring the `big apple` though before going back to the airport to pray that someone wouldn't show up for the flight. Thankfully I made it on and have never felt so relieved to be going home.

ETU Cup Strathclyde

2010-05-31T06:55:00.001-07:00

Things I learned from the weekend: Stepping on to the podium in elite racing is fun, Strathclyde park can reach 27 degrees in May, Strathclyde park is also deceptively hilly, There is no such thing as an easy bike leg with French boys in the pack, The first turn buoy in the swim is always going to be violent especially when it comes after only 90 seconds.

Strathclyde Park hosted its first ever ITU race last weekend and I managed to get on the podium in 2^nd spot. As the venue for the Commonwealth Games it was an ideal chance to get use to racing on the course despite the weather being very un-Scottish. There was a good foreign contingent there with two former World Junior Champions in the line up and some of the best swimmers in the sport also present. This combined with an ex pro cyclist and a Commonwealth Games runner made the race very interesting and hard from the start as the good swimmers tried to get away.

My swim form seems to be coming back to me and I managed to make the lead bunch but we never really made much of an impact on the main peloton behind us. We still had 20 seconds coming into T2 and I was able to make my way up to 2^nd by the end despite a bit of struggle early on in the run where I was back in 5^th.

The race highlights should be broadcast on Channel 4 next weekend with a much better race description than mine. This Thursday I am away to Madrid for the latest leg in the World Championship Series before heading straight out to America for the HyVee World Cup. A lot of cramped plane journeys lie ahead.

Hibernation

2010-05-15T14:58:00.000-07:00

Well, the Troon 10km didn't go to plan as I got ill the day before, but having got over that I feel like I am slowly creeping out of hibernation, and getting excited about training again. The Paris Roubaix Sportive is frighteningly close given the lack of training I've got behind me, but at least it will be novel to be coming into June fresh and keen, rather than teetering on the brink of collapse and jaded!

With the SCX dates and venues published, a new cyclocross bike on order, and training beginning to be planned, things are looking up!

BUSA CHAMPS

2010-05-08T00:54:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was British University Triathlon Champs all the way down in Wiltshire, Calne which is somewhere near Bath so the sign posts told me. Its the 4th year in a row I have travelled down and the weekend just seems to get longer and longer each year. Driving a van for 16 hours is not fun especially when its gone past midnight and your still not back in Scotland yet. The race itself though is somewhat unique as it doesn't begin until 4pm which at least allows the rarity of a long lie on race day. The format is also strange with a longer than usual bike leg of 25k in a sprint. So a 750metre swim/ 25bike and 5k run was the order of the day.
The swim was a pretty standard affair as it is in all pool based swims. There's no fighting as there is in open water so after 750 metres I left the pool in joint first. The wind on the bike is always a big factor of the race as the exposed country lanes give you nowhere to hide. Nobody else seemed willing or able to take the race on so for the first 15k into the head and side wind I sat at the head of affairs trying to keep the pace strong but not blowing myself to bits. After a sharp 90degree turn I upped the intensity with a tailwind at my bike and quickly opened up a gap. Coming into T2 that had opened up to 40seconds. The 5k run like the swim was pretty unforgettable. I felt pretty average and slightly tired after the bike but managed to grow on my lead to finish almost 90seconds clear.
After 4 years of trying I finally managed to win British Unis. It's a pretty big relief. Now lets just hope Kilmarnock don` t get relegated today.

Race Mornings

2010-03-31T03:42:00.001-07:00

Theres somthing strange about waking up the morning of a race. From the moment you wake up your constantly thinking of the day ahead and continually checking for signs that your feeling good. So as I sat eating a bowl of cereal and swallowing early morning coffee on Sunday before the Scottish Duathlon Champs (10k run/38k bike/5k run) I was feeling good if slightly nervous about entering into the somewhat unknown.

I hadn` t raced a duathlon in two years and it was the first time I had ever did the distance in a non drafting format. Being a championship event there was a 300 strong field especially on the cycling front. So the plan was simple run hard from the start and hold on for dear life- better to blow up trying to win than settling for 2^nd.

The start was pretty frantic with 300 guys sprinting the first 100metres as at this point we had to navigate through a gate(tight). I hit the front after 500metres and began establishing a lead which grew to 80seconds going into the bike. The 38k `s was split into 2 laps and being just down the road from me I knew it perfectly. I settled into a great rhythm from the start which is something of a novelty for me and riding scared I started putting more presure down on the peddles than I had planned to do. I was riding well tho probably the best I have ever ridden. Some days it feels so smooth when everything is clicking. So despite the quick glance every so often behind to assure myself I was still clear I spent the 38k`s as aero as possible just turning the peddles over. I knocked out 56minutes for the bike which was the 2^nd fastest of the day and only 8 seconds slower than Ian Grant from Dooleys.

With a big lead of the bike I was able to relax in the 2^nd run leg and cruised home to my first Scottish Duathlon title.

Running - What Next?

2010-03-30T15:21:00.000-07:00

Oh dear, I've just entered the Troon 10km in May. This will be interesting. Big heavy cyclist attempts sport for light people!

More to follow once I've done some training!

Cheers

Neil

2010 - Season Begins!

2010-03-26T04:21:00.001-07:00

Race season 2010 kicked of last weekend with the Scottish University Championships in Edinburgh. It` s always a strange feeling setting up your bike ready to race, attaching clip on tri bars for the first time in ages and going through the traditional pre race routine when it` s been six months since you did it last. My head struggled to get round the concept that we were about to do a triathlon and it wasn't until 10 seconds before the start that the adrenaline began to kick start my body.

The race itself went pretty smoothly and it was good to be back in action. My swim and run sections were solid but my complete lack of time trialling abilities were evident. I probably only race two or three non drafting races a year and time trialling is an art that takes time. I still managed to record the 2^nd fastest bike split of the day even though I kept on changing from riding on the tri bars, the hoods and the drops. The end result was a victory and my 3^rd Scottish University title.

Next up is the Scottish Duathlon Championships this weekend. 10krun/40k bike/5krun. A hard day in the office. I have been practicing trying to get as aero as possible on my bike so hopefully that will pay of this weekend. Then it is off to Portugal for the first drafting race of the year on the 11^th April where it will give me my first indication of exactly what shape I am in for the upcoming season.

Sun

2010-02-27T13:59:00.001-08:00

Strathpuffer 24hr 2010

2010-01-22T07:50:00.000-08:00

We say it every year, but that was an epic! As usual, getting there was tough, with the fear of road closures due to the snow, the A9 was pretty slushy, and the access road to the forest was still ice and snow when we arrived on the Thursday (this meant we got to use the snow chains though!). Myself and Drew were riding as a Bionicon UK team, in a pair, on their fantastic Golden Willow adjustable geometry bikes.

We set to work getting the club pit area assembled in the snow, then lent a hand digging snow off the last few hundred metres of singletrack, then off to town for some dinner. On Friday the rest of the club started to arrive, and after an interesting entrance from one of the campervans, we cleared the full pit area of snow (felt like most of the weekend was spent digging!), and everyone took turns helping out with the carpark marshalling (basically pushing cars out of snow banks!).

Race day came, and for the first time in a 24 hour, I wasn't in the Le-Mans start, with Drew doing the honours there! It was odd to be watching the start, but knowing that I'd still be racing.

With the recent thaw, the race course (now largely cleared of snow) had turned into the Somme, 1914, and riders quickly ditched ice tyres (although there were enough icy patches to make the course "interesting") for more suitable treads. Almost all the Walkers CC teams (except the soloists) finished lap 1 in the same, big pack, and stayed remarkably close over the first 7-8 hours. The BBC Adventure Show lost Dougie Vipond (riding in Walkers CC Kit after our support 2 years ago!) early on, crashing on his 2nd lap and earning a trip to A&E with concussion!

We were fairly quickly established into 5th place, occaisionally popping into 4th with changeovers, and going comfortably well. After a few laps the whole course became rideable, with the snow packing down on the final climb, but the fire-road was still a slog, and the final descent a bit slippy in places with the ice-tyres off.

As the night wore on, temperatures dropped, and the now frozen (but grippy) fire roads gave the riders some respite from the mud. The frost made the more technical sections difficult, as each individual rock was now coated in frosty slush! Through the night we made 4th place our own, and were slowly chipping away at 3rd (1st and 2nd places were clear out front). Heading out for my 11th lap, with the dawn slowly breaking, I realised that the overnight rain had frozen on the ground, and the fire-roads were now sheet ice! So my only crash of the day was going uphill, in a straight line! I passed the 3rd placed team at the entrance to the technical stretch at the top of the course, and pushed as hard as I could everywhere it wasn't icy to open up a gap, and as Drew began his 12th and final lap we had 15 minutes advantage.

I got the ice tyres back on for the final lap, and gave it everything, finishing 30 seconds behind my fastest lap from Saturday, and 1 lap clear of the 4th place team to grab a podium spot.

Despite 3 brake pad changes (per bike!), the Golden Willow's performed admirably - surefooted on the technical climbs, efficient on the fire-roads, and plush and confidence inspiring on the descents and technical sections (it was amazing how quickly I reeled riders in on the bumpy stuff, and the energy saved through these sections!).

I can now confirm that Alex Glasgow was right - riding the 'Puffer in a pair is harder than solo, the concentration required due to the higher speed (and to make the most of your laps off), plus you never really get a rest.

Off to bed now.

Neil Walker

Share The Damn Road

2010-01-13T01:25:00.001-08:00

Just got an email about these jerseys - cool!

http://www.sharethedamnroad.com/

What a great way to make a statement in a funny way. Just a pity they don't do thermal jackets or waterproofs for our weather!

Neil Walker

The White Stuff

2010-01-13T01:19:00.000-08:00

Many people think that snow, ice and bikes don't mix, but with the recent arctic conditions accross the UK we've had to change our ideas!

The snow and ice at Cyclists V Harriers before Christmas provided the ideal conditions for the bikes, and we were able to charge hard and fast round the course (interspersed with running the tarmac sections very, very slowly) to a Walkers CC 1,3,4 & 5. Runner, Davie Miller managed to sneak in for 2nd place. I was really pleased to win the event again - 3rd time now in 17 years!

More ice was to come though, and the big snowfall got the ice tyres out of the garage to go riding round deserted snowy backroads, and icy country parks (even the top few metres of the tide were frozen at Irvine Beachpark!) These conditions proved ideal preparation for this week's Strathpuffer 24 hour, which although a thaw is forecast, is currently being cleared of around a metre of snow to allow the riders easier passage!

It is reasurring that some events manage to go ahead despite the weather, and a belief in the participants common sense, and proper preparations and graft by the organisers (I mean, digging a metre of snow off around 5km of singletrack - hardcore!) keeps the health and safety folk at bay.

Neil Walker

Turkey Trot 2009

2009-12-30T12:27:00.001-08:00

This year was my 2^nd attempt at the 10k turkey trot held in Ayr however this years edition ended up being ran on the beach due to the ice. Now I have a lot of great places to go running in Stirling- theres great trails, a track and a lot of pavement to follow. The one thing we dont have is any sand.

So there I was doing my warm up on the beach, running on sand for the first time in 3 years. Theres a lot to think about- should I run on the hard but slightly wet stuff? Is it faster to run on the softer dry sand? Which line should I follow for I have no idea where the turn around point is at the other end? And will Ayr United football club mind us interruptin there game of beach football as 200 plus runners come hurtling by? I finally decided to give up thinking and just follow the person in front.

With the most basic of race plans the race began. It was 2laps of 5k out and back along Ayr beach and for 9.95k of that I followed the person in front. This was by far no way easy in fact it was probably one of the, if not the toughest experiences of my life. From 3ks onwards I felt that I was just hanging there hoping the pace would not go up. The final 2k`s was a series of the person leading making a surge, me losing a few steps and then clawing my way back up.

With 300metres to go I thought he had finally escaped me but I hung on 5metres back and then managed to edge back a metre at a time before I sneaked past with about 20 or so metres remaining. 33.36 for 10k on the beach was pretty good going.

The next day I convinced myself I deserved to pop into Walkers and picked up a new pair of Sidi cycling shoes- white since I`m of to spain soon and I hear white is all the rage over there.

David McNamee, International Triathlete

Antequerra

2009-12-23T05:06:00.001-08:00

Antequerra, Spain was the location for the largest ever British triathlon camp with athletes ranging from the senior world champ to the more talented juniors- I fit in between somewhere. It was an odd warm weather camp with rain everyday, at least one bike crash a day and half the camp being sent home early as they came down with a vomiting bug. In fact just surviving the week became a success in itself. Amongst the carnage though there were some team time trials in the rain, 20k climbs in the rain, and an APR in the rain. The majority of us only brought out warm eather kit so wearing two jerseys at a time was the norm- we made it look cool.

It was good to get away to see exactly where my fitness sits. My swimming is a lot stronger than it was last year and I am running a lot better than I expected. Biking wise the aerobic fitness is there but the harder end stuff just seems to be missing.

So for the next two weeks there will be a lot of hard turbo sessions before I head out to Spain for a 3weeks for a camp where I will once again try and move everything on little by little.

Merry Christmas

David McNamee, International Triathlete

Irvine Beachpark Cyclocross

2009-11-30T12:22:00.000-08:00

Well, 2nd time running the beach 'cross for Walkers Cycling Club, and what a day! Big turnout of riders and spectators (no doubt helped by the decent weather - just cold and windy this time!). The new course (shorter, more compact) went down well, with a mix of fast paths, run ups, grass, steep ups and downs and singletrack, plus a tiny wee bit of sand (200m or so!) to test everyones legs and lungs. I did feel a bit bad when I was told someone in the youth race was sobbing with the pain, but I'm trying to bring a bit of Belgium to Scotland!

The "saving private ryan" start was nothing if not memorable, not every day you get to race your bike on the beach, but a wee bit congested going up the dunes - we'll need a longer section on the beach in 2010 to thin them out!

Congratulations to Kenta Gallagher on his overall win - he was in a class of his own, and to everyone else who took part, everyone left a bit of themselves on the Ayrshire Coast!

After all was said and done I felt worse this year afterwards than last year (when I'd raced), completely done in, but super keen to race next season, and to put on the Beach 'Cross again!

Neil Walker

Ayrshire Champs

2009-11-28T13:33:00.001-08:00

60seconds before the start of the Ayrshire cross country championships in Girvan the rain began to go with the wind and the cold temperatures. Much to everyone else` s disbelief I decide to add a long sleeve tee-shirt, woolly hat and gloves to my attire- it's the done thing in running that no matter how bad the conditions are you wear a club vest and shorts and nothing else. So there I was breaking the built up tradition.

The race itself measured 9.7k with only about 600metres of flattish running- you don't get such brutal courses anywhere else in Britain. It was the first time I have raced cross country in 2years and fist race of any kind in two months.

The first kilometre felt good as I settled in just behind the leader as we opened a gap on everyone else with me feeling slightly smug in my woolly hat as the rain and wind bit in. My lack of race fitness however began to show as I slipped back from the leader and was soon caught for 2^nd and left straggling in no mans lands. Thankfully between the surging uphill and controlled falling downhill I clawed my way back up onto the shoulder of 2^nd place as everyone` s pace dropped of. For the final 3k I sat there hiding in 3^rd until I managed to muster one final sprint to snatch 2^nd.

David Millar	Irvine	m40	1	35.54	Gold, 1st m40, 1st Team
David McNamee	U/A	m	2	37.10	Silver
Kerry Liam Wilson	Girvan	m	3	37.18	Bronze, 2nd Team
Billy Richardson	Irvine	m	4	37.59	1st team
Cameron Wilson	Kilmarnock	m20	5	38.11	1st m20, 3rd team
Jamie Findlay	Irvine	m	6	38.26	1st Team
Alex Allardyce	Irvine	m	7	39.05	1st team
Steve Daye	North Ayrshire	m	8	39.15
Pat Cullinane	Irvine	m	9	39.49
Brian McEwan	Kilmarnock	m40	10	40.04	3rd team

The top 10

David McNamee, International Triathlete

Building the Foundations

2009-10-29T14:09:00.000-07:00

Building the foundations with the odd twist. Its now week four of winters training or `base training` and I am finally getting into some decent shape after my end of season break. The first few weeks are always the toughest- getting back to the early rises, cycling in the wet and running with tired legs.

There has been the odd adventure to keep things fresh and last weekend saw me running/walking up Ben Nevis- I have watched the race up Ben Nevis on television before but it's a hell of a lot harder than it looks. Also my survival pack of a galaxy and a bottle of coke didn't impress the seasoned climbers. That and my descending skills leave a lot to be desired- theres a certain part of your brain that you need to switch of before you hurtle yourself down a mountain.

The next few weeks look more of the same just trying to get myself fit and enjoying the time away from racing. I may head to the Kilmarnock cross country in a few weekends time to test the water.

David McNamee, International Triathlete

A Disastrous End

2009-10-06T12:05:00.001-07:00

So there I was 18minutes into my World Championship debut and I had just been disqualified as I entered the first transition zone- I had taken my swim cap of at the turn around point in the swim for it was about to fall of on its own. A rule I had never heard about and a rule that has never been enforced. To say I felt hard done by was an understatement. I went on to finish the race with the little motivation I had left.

Overall my first World Championships were a great experience and it has gave me the confidence I am moving in the right direction and have came a long way in such a short period of time.

Two weeks on and after a final race for my French team I am on my rest week for the year and reflecting on the season. At my best I have shown that I can finish in the top20 at the highest level but more often than I would like my weaknesses have been exploited and I toil home a lot further back than I should be. Overall after doing a few international events I am ranked 69^th in the World. A big jump in the right direction but there is a lot of work to do.

New Experiences

2009-08-29T13:42:00.001-07:00

So tomorrow morning I'm heading of to Brisbane, Australia for my first experience at a World Championships. I've never been to Australia before and the only other long haul flight for me was to America, but instead of going for a race I went to see Mickey. Base camp for the first 10days is at Sailfish Cove on Mermaid Avenue- I'm hoping its half as relaxing as the name and after 29 hours of travelling I'll need it. The bags are packed and the bike is dismantled after it had been through a quick once over at the shop. In order to adjust to Australia time as soon as possible I'm having a late night tonight in order to sleep on the plane tomorrow.

Afterwards I have two more races to do in France which will have more of a relaxing atmosphere- sort of the equivalent to the Tour de France riders racing at other events after there three weeks of hell. Then it will be out with the waterproofs, dust of the mountain bike and learn the art of riding it again as well as the more graceful art of falling of.

Well I have a few more hours before I can go to bed so I think I'll go and triple check I have everything.

Cathkin Braes - Over & Out!

2009-08-11T15:01:00.000-07:00

Been a while since my last post, as I've been kind of busy with a trip to the Bionicon HQ in Bavaria, and organizing Round 5 of the SXC MTB Series, which I was organising as a test event for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Bionicon was awesome, we were picked up in Munich, driven to their "factory", which was basically a big chalet at the foot of the alps - what an awesome place to work. The hospitality was only outdone by the riding - 2 hour climbs (which are easy on these bikes, despite 6" travel!) followed by amazing 20-30 minute descents back into the valley - quite different to the usual trail centre stuff, as these are just walking paths that folk ride bikes down, so pretty challenging stuff, and a but daunting as your guides don body armour and full face helmets at the top, whilst I just put on a waterproof!

The factory tour and product training was a big eye opener, nice to see products being designed for a purpose by a bike riding engineer, and not an accountant! If my German was better (or just existed), I think I'd have asked for a job!

I can honestly say that organising an event is way harder than riding one - you have to put in more hours in the long-term build up to the event, and instead of tapering off, you build up the workload as the event approaches! My body aches in new ways after walking 15 odd miles on Sunday marking out the course, clearing up the course etc, etc.

The event was a big success, with around 300 competitors and a great atmosphere - the feedback from riders and spectators alike will help massively in the development of the MTB trails, and the CG2014 race track. The cross-over bridge (pictured) was particularly pleasing, but stressful - with having to get it approved by the building inspector before we could use it, then camping overnight in the park to guard it!

I'm glad to be having a week off work to recouperate, before getting some training in for the final Rabbie Burns TT Series event next month. I've enjoyed the challenge of TTing this year, but am really missing MTB racing - the prep for Cathkin, and the vibe at the race has given me the bug again - so I'm signed up to ride Strathpuffer 2010 in a pair - should be easier with a friend to share the work with, but somehow I expect it won't be!

Below is a short video compiled by Glasgow City Council of the event. Whilst working with them has been challenging, the event couldn't have happened without their support, so a big thanks to them - particularly Allan MacLean, Tom A'Hara and Jack Devine.

Business Time of the Season

2009-08-09T02:57:00.001-07:00

Since I last wrote I have had two average races both in France and down in London. In France it was the 3^rd round of the French grand prix series where my team had its best result of the season on home soil finishing 6^th- it was more relief than anything for before the race we were introduced to all the sponsors who sign the cheques for us to be paid.

London last weekend was part of the British grand prix series where I came 8^th which although I had hoped for more, after a terrible swim I was more than pleased with the outcome. Highlights of the race are on Channel 4 next weekend.

So now to the business end of the season- I have qualified for my first ever World Championships which are to be held in Australia in September where I will be representing Great Britain at the under23 category. I've never been `down under` but I hear the toilets flush the other way round so im fascinated already.

However before I can concentrate on Worlds next weekend is the next round of the World Championships series which is LIVE on BBC1 on Saturday. T he race is on the 2012 Olympic course and with only 7slots for the Brits just getting a start is a major thing. A top30 would be great but just racing on the course give me a great insight on what is required in 2012. So tune in…

World Championship Super Series- Kitzbhuel

2009-07-13T10:49:00.000-07:00

Over the last week I have been away racing in my first ever world cup event- 9 of the top 10 from Beijing were there- tells you how tough the field was. However I put in the best race of my career to date taking 17th.

The swim was a wetsuit swim for it was raining which forced the water temperature down just before the start. 75 guys fought to get round the first turn buoy in the lead and after a few fist fights I made it round inside the top25. The swim wasnt the greatest as I struggled from having not swam in a wetsuit in almost a month- I was convinced the swim would be non wetsuit but I exited the water 30seconds down surrounded by some of the best bikers in the sport.

By the time I got on my bike the weather was very Scottish and the technical downhill sections resembled a river rapids- in all there were about 5 separate crashes- some comical, some painful, some I just missed. Hearing some one scream as they hit the ground is never a good sound. Despite a few scares and a full out first 10ks on the bike I made it to the first pack and held there for the remainder of the bike leg.

Jumping of the bike and on with the run shoes the legs felt goos and I was quickly in a good rhythm. The course was fairly flat but with 3dead turns in it every lap. 4laps in all. I posted a 32.20 for my 10ks which is a pb and a big step up.

A 5minute race video can be found on www.triathlon.org

Next stop on the super series is London- the Olympic games course first test run. Hopefully I`ll be there and I believe it may be broadcast live on bbc2.

Blenheim Elite Race- A step in the right direction

2009-06-17T12:46:00.000-07:00

So after two disastrous races to start of my 2009 campaign I finally made the breakthrough I've been training for finishing 4^th at Blenheim. It's a frustrating thing when you're training great but somehow you can't produce it in a race but thankfully it finally all came together.

The swim was a bit of a tussle especially rounding the final turn buoy where there was a manic sprint over the final 100 to get a good position on the exit. I left the water at the end of the first bike pack but had a good transition which got my comfortably in the first bike pack.

The bike was 3x7k lap and the first lap was hectic with people attacking at will, people counter attacking and some just holding on for grim death- just like an APR. On the 2^nd and 3^rd lap the pace was more sedate as coldness set in and the muddy country paths the race was held on were pretty flooded.

The 2^nd transition went smoothly and I left in 3^rd albeit running on what felt like stumps for my feet had no sensation in them whatsoever. I managed to find a good rhythm and was running in 3^rd for most the race but was caught just before the line and finished in 4^th.

The race itself will be televised on Channel 4 Saturday June 28^th at 8.30. I'm the one wearing the red, white and blue tri-suit (It stands out a mile).

David McNamee, International Triathlete

Testing Times

2009-06-03T15:01:00.000-07:00

I've really been getting back into the time trials this month, with the Scottish 10, the first two rounds of the Rabbie Burns 250 series, and the Glasgow St Christophers event on the A77 course tonight.

The Scottish Champs had really tough conditions, the wind never seemed to help, but did plenty to hinder! Tonight was much better, warmer and significantly less wind (hence an improvement of nearly a minute!).

The Dumfries CC 25 mile was super tough - only a few miles of the course were flat, and the climb to Beattock summit almost made me stop and cry at the side of the road! Jim Cuisik was unbelievable there - 56 minutes on that course is impressive. I'd secretly been harbouring hopes of a sub-hour ride, but think I'd need a cracking good course for that!

The Ayr Roads event on the Pennyglen Circuit was more my cup of tea - actual climbs rather than rolling drags - and I collected my first TT podium of the year, and only 2 mins behind Jim this time (helped by his 400 mile drive and arrival 15 mins before the start!) - next time I need him to drive the full 1000 miles, and get straight out the car and onto the line to stand a chance! I was glad to have recce'd the route beforehand, and chose the TT bike, and decided to take it steady on the first couple of climbs! I'd ridden that course in a British Series TT in 1995 as a junior, but after a lengthy search for my 2005 training diary found it blank for that day!

So I think I may be leading the 'Burns TT Series now after 3rd place in Dumfries and 1st in Ayr, and I also may be taking it a bit too seriously, with Lance style course recce's!

Anyway, away to see how I can get more aero - only kidding!

Neil Walker

French Grand Prix

2009-05-30T14:25:00.000-07:00

FGP (french grand prix) Action

It was just after my latest round of `testing in the lab with the usual loss of blood, pain, soreness and ultimate exhaustion with the only thing left to do for the day was to contemplate what to have for dinnerthat the manager of my French team- US Vendome rang to inform me that
`We need you in France tomorrow`.

Well not one to disappoint I booked a last minute flight and less than 24hours after the call I was sitting in Charles de Gaulle airport munching down a croissant waiting for the Czech boys in the team to arrive. The first race of the French season was happening in Dunkirk and I had received a last minute invite to join the party.

Race Day- There was rumours round the pontoon that one of the new recruits this season was in the Beijing Olympics for 1500free. After the swim where a Spaniard left the `best` swimmers in triathlon trailing by 20seconds reality hit. Unfortunately I had taken a pummelling over the first 200metres and limped out the water a lot further down the field than usual and ended up in the second bike pack.

The bike leg was a 4x5k loops round the port with cobbles, dead turns, and roundabouts each lap. I've never raced on cobbles before but have watched many a Belgian classic on television and always thought `It surelyaint that hard? ` My aching back and shot nerves told me otherwise after 20ks.

The 5k run leg was a rather standard affair with me neither excelling nor running bad. I picked up a few places towards the end which gave me a finish of 53rd out of 90- not exactly pleasing but at least its only round1.

British Elite Championships

2009-05-20T04:18:00.001-07:00

The morning after the day before- yesterday was the British Olympic Distance Elite Championships and it ended with me DNF when my saddle came loose on my bike which is acombination of bad luck and my own fault.

The race started of well enough with only a few smacks given out and received during the swim and I left the water in the first pack and after a few k`s on the bike I was sitting in the lead pack of 6 - the highlight of the race for me. However from there on in it was all downhill with me struggling to find a rhythm and I ended up getting dropped from the pack after getting a technical section completely wrong.

It was then going round the next left hander that my saddle went from a horizontal to an almost vertical position which led to the end of my race- to be fair I could of carried on by standing for the rest of the bike but mentally it was the end of me.

Moving on my 6k swim in the pool this morning was a mixture of steady swimming whilst I mentally beat myself up followed by erratic max pace swimming when I got overly angry with what happened. This occurred for the entire 90mins I was in the water. I`m sure my run this afternoon will follow a similar trend. Sports a cruel thing..... at the end of the day there is only one winner.

Tabloid Superstar

2009-05-09T00:57:00.001-07:00

A month of……….. APRs, swimming in 10degrees water, losing my phone, competing in one competition ,finishing 3rd at British University Champs, finding my phone, photo shoot with the Daily Record, another photo shoot with the Sun on Monday, one exam done, one more exam left, losing track of time and running out of it daily.

It's been a busy time lately with it being exam period at University and dealing with a detour down to Swindon to race at British Uni Champs. That coupled with a twice weekly dose of APRs has left me pretty tired tonight- the wind meant that tonight we battled along at 25kph in one direction and flew along at 50kph the other way. The main thing however is that training has been progressing well and it's almost time to reduce the training load to freshen up for British Elite Champs on the 17th. I'm confident I can produce a good performance but anything can happen on the day so in some cases its fingers crossed.

After British Champs I'll be in a better situation to asses my other goals for the season but racing for my pro French team will be an important goal for it's where the best in the world race so every race is a learning experience. Well im of to bed for I can squeeze in 8 and a half hours sleep. There's a lot of uni work needing done but that can be saved for another day.

David McNamee, International Triathlete

Time Travel

2009-05-05T14:46:00.000-07:00

The time trial season is now upon me, with mixed success. Despite an early start (4am feeding Grace, then 7am getting up!) I managed a personal best (well, last few years PB) of 23.19 at the Fullarton Wheelers event at the end of April. Conditions were good with little wind, but equally little warmth (we had to scrape ice of the car in the morning!). I was pretty happy with that until I saw a picture from the race, and was horrified with how un-aero I looked!

Anyway, a few tweaks (a bit more Levi Leipheimer now) and a couple of training sessions on the TT bike, the first of the club TT's took place in horrific wind on the Chapleton course. This involves 5 miles slightly downhill (with a gale behind), then 5 miles back up said hill (with a massive headwind!). 25.11 was pretty decent in the conditions, but 12mph is something one should never see in a time trial!

Round 1 of the Rabbie Burns 250 Series at Eglington tonight was sensibly cancelled. With gusting winds, and a lot of standing water on the A78, visibility was very poor, and it would have been an accident waiting to happen. I felt a bit sorry for the good folks who had travelled over from Edinburgh though - I was at least able to have a burn-out on the turbo when I got home!

The Scottish 10 on the A77 course will be a good leg-stretcher before the Rabbie Burns Series gets underway with the Beatock "25" and the Pennyglen Hilly.

SDA round 1

2009-04-21T11:31:00.001-07:00

SDA round 1 – Pitfichie
Saturday started off with a long 4 hour drive up to the east of Scotland. Just short of Aberdeen comes a place of Pitfichie. A very open hill at the top gradually making its way into very dry rocky woods. The track was a pedalling one, starting with a very long sprint out of the start gate. Super fast with some really fun gaps to boost and some amazing corners to get loose on. It was really fun to ride and was super flat which wasn’t really that fun. It was on a run of slabs with some dry dirt in the gaps. The entrance into the woods was amazing to ride, there were 2 fast lines, a big huck off of a rock slab, that looked super rad but most people were casing it and losing all of their speed, I opted for the line just right of that which was a really rough but fast straight line through the section. Then there were some super dry turns after that which were fun to ride and got some good roost. Further down the course there were some good rough sections, which were difficult to carry speed but fun to ride. Towards the end there was an amazing transfer into the finish which was quite gnarly. I didn’t take many practice runs, just enough to learnt the course and to have some fun. After i had finished practice I went up the hill to watch all the other riders who were still out and about. I was seeing a lot of crash’s due to people being so tired. One of the best I saw was Matthew Scott ( Marin Matt) raging into a tree, and still managing to carry some good speed.

Sunday Race day

It was super hot, track was really dusty on Sunday morning practice. It was difficult to see, due to the shadows in the trees. So my practice run wasn’t very good but i was happy enough with it. On my first race run I was pedalling really hard up top, I carried loads of speed through the entrance to the woods. I was trying to push it a bit more. I pinned it through a one of the roughest rock gardens, it was super fun and wild. But about 25metres down the track from that I just couldn’t carry any speed. I was like a horse with no legs. Couldn’t get across them good or even smoothly. It’s my weakness, but i know there aren’t many tracks coming up that are as flat and rocky, so it should be good. My second race run was 1sec quicker. Same mistakes as my first run. I think i finished around the 13th mark, which isn’t what I’m hoping for. But I will see what round of the NPS will bring for me.

Michael Turnbull

New Arrival

2009-04-14T12:43:00.000-07:00

I've been taking a wee break from riding, racing (and working as it happens), perfectly timed for the arrival of baby Grace, who was born on Monday morning. The best things come to those who wait, and Grace defied the opinions of everyone who had predicted an early arrival, and came almost right in the middle of her due date!

Its been weird being out of the shop for 4 days now, and even with hospital visits, changing nappies and feeding, I am almost at a loss for what to do with the time. I'm sure that won't last for long though......

So after Lance, the next big comeback will be an off-road one, with Anna planning to ride the Strathpuffer 2010 in a pair - the months of getting all the training nights to myself are long-gone, and the turbo-trainer will be getting a hard time for a wee while! The media attention might be hard to deal with, but it will be worth it - I draw the line at her getting a Twitter account to keep the hoards updated though!

Finlay rode his first SXC at Kirroughtree a few weeks ago, ripping up the singletrack at Kirroughtree on his scootalong bike! It was a great day with a huge turnout, with a big contingent travelling over from Northern Ireland - thanks to Sam & Clair from The Breakpad for laying on a great course, and a fantastic day in all.

The Bionicon demo was a huge success - the three of us (Steve, Roger from Bionicon and myself) were flat out all day. I did get the chance to test a few of the bikes myself though - the Supershuttle was a hoot on the singletrack at Glentress, but I still think the Golden Willow is the bike for me!

We had some great news from Davie and the guys at Scottish Cyclocross, with the Walkers CC Irvine "Beach Cross" back on the calander for 2009 - keep November 29th free - we're keeping the sand, and have found some evil stairs that will shorten the lap and increase the pain/fun!

Neil Walker

Numbers.....

2009-04-13T05:18:00.000-07:00

The last 3 weeks in numbers - 3races, 3wins, 2course records, 1good race, 2 could have been better races, 3 races faster than last year, 50ml of liquid consumed over those 3races (its been cold), 70kg back squats for 5reps, watched the rugby boy/incredible hulk squat 200kg, watched the curling chick squat 80kg, 1 case of feeling weak, 3 weeks until my next race.

So from now till then it's a case of 21days of training to get stronger, faster and fitter and show that curling girl what I'm made of. It's the time of season where the intensity of the sessions
increases and I'll be heading out to the local APRs soon to see how I fair. Last year I built up to riding scratch group but I think this year I'll dive in at the deep end. Its British University
championships next down in Windsor where the competition will be a lot tougher. I was 6th last year so this year the aim will be top 3 - preferably the top spot.

David McNamee, International Triathlete

Dusting Off the Cobwebs

2009-03-31T03:10:00.001-07:00

So there I was lying next to the poolside ten minutes before the start doing some last minute loosening exercises swallowing some haribo sweets - the teddy bears are a personal preference of mine if anyone out there wishes to send me some when I realised that despite the 5degree
temperature, the howling winds and the lack of attire apart from a tri-suit I was wearing that I was glad to be back after a long spell without racing.

I was racing in Edinburgh which incorporated the Scottish University Championships - a title I was wanting to defend.

The swim portion went well with the usual customary wildly fast first 100 as I tried to break away, not wishing anyone to get a `free ride`on my feet. It worked and after 750metres I left the pool with a nice 15second buffer to my nearest rival. Out into transition and despite a
near fall where I tried to negotiate running round a cone with cold feet I left with the same lead as I came in with.

On to the bike and after veering past a car that had apparently decided to stop on the road to watch the action- yes people sometimes are that stupid - I quickly got onto the tri bars pushing out the big gears with the accompanying tail wind egging me on. A few left turns and hills and 20
minutes later though the wind had turned against me and now appeared to wish to push me back towards the rivals. However with the `stay low, stay in control` method I still held onto my lead after 20kms of bike action.

T2 however wasn't the smooth operation I was executing last summer as my feet- now frozen from the wind on the bike needed some gently persuasion that slipping into race flats was the done thing. A small delay later I left T2 just as second place appeared. The first 1k of the run was a bit of a torturous affair with cold feet but I soon got into strong rhythm which seen me post a respectable sub-16minute 5k to finish of with..

So a comfy victory by 3minutes at the end with the retention of my Scot Unis title and most importantly the body losing some of the cobwebs in its race system. I've got things to work on but there's always next week….. Stirling Aquathlon.

David McNamee, International Triathlete

Moscow or Belgium?

2009-03-29T15:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday's APR on the Moscow Circuit was a right old mix - Moscow temperatures, but Belgian cross-winds on the Grassyards road! Fortunately the huge holes in the road had been filled - thanks EAC! - so we could concentrate on the racing, rather than staying alive - that was until Jim Cuisik caught us!

We (group 3 of 4) were just catching the front 2 groups on the 3rd lap, when Jim went past like a rocket - I thought the whole scratch group were on us, but turns out he had dropped them ages ago! After bridging across, I worked as hard as I could with Jim up to Moscow - I don't think I've ridden that hard in a long time - and we formed a decent sized group at the top of the hill.

As is traditional in Belgian Races, even ones held in East Ayrshire, the cross-winds proved decisive, and it is one situation where working hard with a guy who can rip your legs off at will is the clever thing to do - as you get at least some shelter! The group was whittled down to 7 riders by the time we got to the A77. Triathlete Kerry Lang was extremely impressive - she showed no fear driving the group along, and lasted most of the way up the penultimate climb before dropping back (then holding on the the chasing scratch riders, including pro rider Ross Creber!).

The 4 of us who managed to hang on to Jim were almost glad to get dropped by him on the final climb - he didn't attack as such, he more just didn't slow down when we hit the hill - but then we had a bigger challenge - holding off the chasers!

With 30 secs gap at the top of Grassyards road it was touch and go, but everyone buried themselves, and we held on - just! It wasn't really a sprint from our group - more just a survival battle up the incline to the finish!

Warm Weather Training - In Scotland!

2009-03-22T11:48:00.000-07:00

A warm week is a good week in Scotland and it's about time one came around. The highlight of the week has to be Friday's track session of 200`s under the sun with only shorts and a vest on which was a stark contrast to the usual jacket, leggings, hat and glove combination I'm usually sporting.

If the weather continues to improve bike shorts may even make an appearance in the coming days. So weather wise it's looking good for the first competition of the year in Edinburgh next Saturday where I won last year so now it's all up to the body. It's the first competition in nearly 6months due to chest problems caused by asthma which are hopefully all behind me now. Race sharpness does not exist whatsoever for me at the moment but that's what the next month of
racing is all about- `intense training sessions` as my coach refers to them before informing me next Friday's track session will still be getting done.

Training wise everything is ticking over nicely with the more race specific work playing a bigger role now but the longer stuff is still getting done to keep the body guessing. As long as the sun keeps on shining I don't mind what the programme has on it. 6days till race one……

David McNamee, International Triathlete

Racing through Moscow....

2009-03-15T13:48:00.000-07:00

No, not that one, Moscow Ayrshire. Despite the best efforts of the rain the weather was significantly more pleasant than its namesake! For the first time in who knows how many years, I was too hot in the Moscow APR - kneewarmers were definately overkill - this may have been due to the workload of riding in the Scratch Group (in probably 8 rides on this course I've never managed to sneak any further forward than the 2nd scratch group!).

Our 11 man group was giving away 7 minutes over 35 miles to a 20 strong lead group, and another 2 groups with some pretty strong riders - so getting up to the front was always going to be a big ask. I was pretty glad to be in a small group though, as the state of the roads following the hard winter made riding in a big bunch a bit sketchy.

I usually get into trouble for not waving, or even smiling at Anna & Fin when I am racing, but this time I really did have to concentrate on not hitting the massive potholes as I passed them - I think I did smile though, as I was having fun!

Our 11 was soon 8, but everyone was working well - the 2 young lads from Glasgow Wheelers were almost too strong though - no-one wanted to be on their wheel on the climb as they accelerated through! The way the wind blew meant only a short cross-wind section on the main road, and then a block headwind all the way to the finish. We caught group 3 on lap 3, and that added a couple of strong riders to the chase (although a few scratch group boys had a rest then!), and with just over a lap to go the gap was down to 55 seconds. It was clear things were going to come back together, but that didn't stop a few riders from jumping across the gap.

When the junction was made in Moscow on the final lap, there was the usual scramble as 40 riders topped the climb and made off into the cross-winds. Despite a split on the main road, everyone came back together, and with the headwind on grassyards road, a sprint was always going to happen. The jockeying for position was entertaining to watch from the back - no way was I getting messed up in that when I knew it would open up at the end!

I'd been cramping on the last couple of laps - so figured I might as well cramp in the sprint when in the lead, so went for it with 100m uphill to go, before the inevitable happened! I managed 8th, and even won some money - which I've been told is going towards a pony for Finlay and No.2, who is due any time now!

Neil Walker

Innerleithen Winter DH Series – Round 2.

2009-03-12T11:57:00.001-07:00

The last round of the ‘fun’ winter series was on the 29th and 1st of the February/March weekend. The weather was holding up on the way over to the venue, was looking dry. Once we got there we set up the gazebo and I went for a wonder up the track so I wasn’t riding it totally blind. The first few turns looked super slick, on the edge traction. They were soon changed after many riders were injuring themselves at the beginning of practice. I only walked a small part of the track as it was time to get ready and head on over to the uplift truck. A 1.8 mile cycle each run to get to the truck, by the end of the day you really felt like you had done strathpuffer all over again.

I rode the top section blind on my first run and it was probably one of the worst ideas I have ever done. It was really steep and I was following Matthew Scott who had walked the track. So I didn’t know where I was going, and he was pinning it down. Probably helped me as throughout practice I was able to go flat out on the top section. The lower parts of the track were pretty straight forward, some really fast turn in tight trees. But was all really good fun to ride. I had no crashes in practice which was good, and I got some good lines for my race run. As soon as a drop of rain fell out of the sky, most people were putting on spikes, very bad idea on the roots. So I stuck to my dry tyres. By the end of Saturday the track was pretty badly beaten up. It was a lot more fun to ride. I took 5 runs which was plenty for me.

On the Sunday morning it was super wet on foot. It had rained constantly trough out the night. Leaving a lovely fresh surface of rain water. No way was I to be one of the first riders down. Daniel Carrigan, Robert black, Matthew Scott and me all went up for our last few practice runs. We all went one after each other, all just having a good time riding the track. It was really grippy just very wet. After the first run I got it quite good and was happy with my lines etc, but it was such a fun track to ride we wanted to go up for another run. I was just coasting down this run, so that it would be fun, and a good laugh. I was rolling down the motorway section when my back wheel slid out on the soft mud, sending me face first into a banking, and I wasn’t exactly going slow down the motorway. My finger got snecked under my brake leaver leaving me with a very numb finger. It Was difficult to hold on. My race run went well as i didn’t crash, although I wasn’t carrying speed thro some sections which cost me a lot of time. But that is something to work on for the next races.

Throughout 2009 I will be attending all the national rounds and all the SDA’s. I Hope to do just as good, and I hope to see you track side.

Michael Turnbull

Weathermen

2009-03-08T07:59:00.001-07:00

There I was sitting in my living room this morning with my second cup of coffee in my hands looking outside muttering to myself about the look of the sky and saying something along the lines of it being the calm before the storm. However despite the black clouds the BBC weather woman advised me that if I headed east I'd be fine......Tomorrow morning I'm watching ITV weather- enough said. 3 hours later I got home soaked and tired from battling a headwind for the last hour or so.

I have to own up here and say that in a huffy mood I left the trusty steed outside for a good hour whilst I showered, ate and drank some more coffee. With pangs of guilt I finally went outside to dry it of and bring it inside. Hopefully I'll be forgiven before tomorrows ride.

Thankfully it was in slightly better spirits that I went running tonight in the rain for splashing through the puddles is a heck of a lot better than riding through them. The clouds even parted in the last twenty minutes so I was able to tired after my run sit on the front step admiring the calm after the storm. Some days it's just got to be done even if it's not the most enjoyable experience.

The only other interesting event as of late is that I sat a new personal pull up record in the gym of a whopping 5!!!- It was a big moment for me. Was it embarrassing that the rugby boy next to me was doing reps of ten with 15kilos attached to his waist? Yes. Was it even more embarrassing that one of the little tennis chicks managed to do 7pull ups? Definitely, Next time I'll get her though. I've already warned her.

David McNamee, International Triathlete

Busy, Busy, Busy, Snowy

2009-03-05T02:36:00.000-08:00

Its been a busy couple of weeks in the shop, our online sales project was rapidly accelerated (from May Launch to March Launch!), which has meant spending inordinate amounts of time populating the site with product images and descriptions - my eyes have gone square and my fingers numb, but it has been well worthwhile - you can see the shop at http://www.walkerscyclingshop.co.uk/ - we've been told that it will take a while for it to work its way into the matrix, so I might be busy again in a couple of weeks!

In the last month both my shop demo bikes (Giant Anthem X and Cove Stiffee) have been sold, so I've been left off-roading on a rigid singlespeed - which has been interesting in the snow at Cathkin Braes - the snow was a little softer than last time, so the club ride last night was largely rideable, but everyone was having "icing" issues - freezing freehubs, cable and even brake pistons! The biggest problem by far though was when you did have to push, your shoes filled up with snow and you couldn't get clipped in - a big problem on a singlespeed!

We should be taking delivery of our first Bionicon next week though, so not only will I have gears available, but on the fly travel and geometry adjustment. We'll be at the big demo day at Glentress on April 5th with Bionicon - so come along and try some fancy bikes!

The clubs "gravity" athletes had a successful weekend at the Innerliethen Winter Series DH last weekend, Michael Turnbull had a traffic free run this time, and moved up to 6th place, and a lot closer to the top few guys, and James Neill made a big improvement to finish 12th (both in the Youth Category, which regularly sees over 50 entrants!) - more to come on the race from Michael soon.

Neil Walker

Skittles.....

2009-02-27T02:03:00.000-08:00

So there I was half way through my first recovery week in a long time and as the weather is finally beginning to turn better (even sporting a pair of shorts to go running in at one stage), and like a true Scotsman I catch a cold. After a long lie in and consuming several mugs of lemsip I trekked to the pool for a paddle in the pool for 3kms worth of steady stuff.

It was afterwards during some chit chat with one of the old dears who had been in the pool at the same time that she informed me that at her age it feels like your swimming through honey. In cycling terms its when your in the small chain ring but your legs are convinced your pushing your biggest gear with into the `mother of all headwinds`. I felt like telling her I was battling with the gooey stuff today but I didn’t think she’d appreciate it. So during the last few swim sessions its just all been about getting rid of that honey in the pool and changing it back to water- slowly but surely I’m feeling better.

Away from training today I rediscovered after many years the joys of eating a bag of skittles- its been a few years since my mum use to buy them for me (they were a favourite of mine) but as I popped into the shop on the way to the gym they called out to me. That and since the word fruits is on the bag I`m counting it towards one of my five a day. Another 4 bags and that’s me there. Now all I need to do is get nack to 100% health. Now where did I put those lemsips….

David McNamee - International Triathlete

Ice-Breaker

2009-02-23T12:09:00.000-08:00

We got the traditional season-opener out of the way on Sunday - an early start to avoid the traffic for the Ice-Breaker 2-up TT. Over 40 teams were there to open up the lungs over 14 miles. Walkers had 6 teams riding, including 3 first time road racers - and all had a good time, despite the effort, one team missing their start, and another missing a turn at a roundabout!

What a difference a proper warm up made - I don't think I've done one properly for about 10 years, and I don't hurt nearly as badly after as I usually do - maybe I'm not getting old after all.

Drew did a good job in my team - gave plenty of spells, and rode it technically perfect - apart from a wee touch of wheels - but at least that shows he was close enough behind. After our practise on Friday I opted not to ride my new TT bike as Drew was getting zero shelter behind me! I've been slowly tweaking the position as my stretching regime allows me to get lower - so am looking forward to seeing how much quicker I'll be able to go!

APR's coming up next month on the Moscow Circuit, so hoping to get a good club turn-out for those ones too!

Neil Walker

Winter Wonderland

2009-02-11T12:26:00.000-08:00

Went for a ride at the 2014 Commonwealth Games MTB Course at Cathkin Braes today - in several inches of snow - wasn't too good for a recce really, as I couldn't see how the ground was bedding in after all the grass cutting! Plenty of people are walking the line of the course now though, which will help.

A couple of observations about riding in snow though - a singlespeed is definately not the right tool for the job (nice and light for pushing mind you), and Ice-Spiker tyres work well in snow as well as ice - traction where you never expected it!

Still, great views though - name a landmark and it could be seen!

Neil Walker

Rubbing Salt in the Wounds

2009-02-10T06:53:00.000-08:00

The snow is falling and my car seems permanently frozen, so today I took the mountain bike out on the roads for I decided to have a small separation from my turbo. After 3 days in a row it just gets to repetitive and theres only so much afternoon TV you can watch whilst moving your legs round. Even though the logical part of my brain was telling me that riding over ice should surely result in a painful ending, the mountain bike was having none of it and kept rooted to the ground. However after 5 hours my fingers and feet were passed the frozen stage but worse than that I had inhaled a few kilograms of salt from all the grit on the road. After brushing my teeth 3 times in an hour its finally going away and I`ve thawed out but the fan heater is still staying on just in case.

Despite the weather training has been going well since I came back from Spain. The long of hours of training and living like a monk appears to be paying of as my fitness is improving and I`m slowly getting stronger (one step at a time). Well I suppose its time to layer up again and get some running in. Till next time….

David McNamee - International Triathlete

2 Wheels Good

2009-02-09T12:49:00.000-08:00

Hello, struggling to think of what to write - bloggers block? I'm normally not stuck for words (if the right topic/rant comes up in conversation), but that is in the real world, not typing!

Life has been very quiet in the bike shop recently, the traditional February blues, coupled with the road to Stewarton being shut following the train derailment of a couple of weeks ago. Still, that means plenty of time for for family & bike riding - popped out of work early to sledging with Finlay (2) today, the recent cold snap is actually pretty good for bikes too - muddy trails are frozen hard, and back roads are quiet (you just need your wits about you on the ice), and snow is surprisingly grippy.

I road with Iain Nimmo and the Squadra Porcini guys at Aberfoyle yesterday - awesome MTB trails there, the SXC in April is going to be awesome - if the ground is reasonably dry it'll challenge Badaguish for best course of the year in 2009 - could be a total 'mare if your tech skills aren't up to scratch though. The line up of events is looking pretty good, and I'm really excited about being a local organiser with Cathkin Braes for the 1st time - pretty nervous too!

Going to be spending more time on skinny wheels this year - less training time with number 2 on the way means having to concentrate on shorter races, closer to home - so aero bike and pointy helmet will be the order of the day. Not really done TT's seriously since 1995, so will be interesting to see what I can do. It'll be good to encourage some of the club guys to give it a go too, plenty really strong riders who I think will surprise themselves and others as the season progresses.

I'm pleased to see my former employer (Scottish Cycling) really moving forward with their performance programme - see their home page for latest recruitment - given their recent growth, I'm sure that results (both racing, and the progress of the sport in general) won't be far around the corner - when you hear about the work going on in clubs like Peebles CC, you can just see the massive leap forward about to happen.

Neil Walker