edinburgh rc cycling club

Since arriving in the Netherlands, training wise there has not been a change in amount of intensity in session's but a general increase in hours spent on the bike. Instead of say a turbo session and then warm down, it's more like a turbo session then another hour or two. Another aspect is if there is a race/crit shorter in distance then it's a case of heading out on the bike again in the later part of the day (just when your getting comfy on the settee, cup of tea in hand and having that moment just before the nap kicks in!)

The weather here is quite unique! In space of 10mins there can be every type of weather, hail, snow, beautiful sunshine, rain and then repeat! And now lets not forget the wind. Oh my oh my oh my. It is windy here. For the first few weeks i kept making the typical mistake of thinking I was super strong flying along the roads and then of course turn around and WHACK the wind hits you and its a painful near tearful 2hour return journey and that was only going to the local shops to get some milk. On training runs you can so easily forget about the wind being tucked in behind the wheel in front and then every now and then you pop your head out and its the same feeling when you stick your head out the car window, with a sudden but decisive change off mind to go to the front its back to looking at that rear end of the person in front (wondering why oh why would you have white shorts!!!???)

Car drivers have a very good respect for cyclists, although they would have to considering the sheer amount of us on the roads. Everything from top Pro's (Shimanno Skills, Saunier Duval, Rabobank local guys) to old granny's n grandpa's who tend to know when your hitting the wall and then pass you with their monthly shopping in the basket and give a little smile. Quite often these 'grey pigeons' as they are called have a set of tri-bars and all they are missing is the aero helmet!