Boom Boom gets it
After Big Lars got the win at the world cup last week this would have shouted out warning signs. Today Lars Boom capitilized on his good form to take the first UCI gold medal of 2008.
Sven Nys did get stuck in and a great third is probably no consolation to "The Cannibal" who would have desperately wanted the gold for himself. Another rider Erwin Vervecken looking for his third title in a row has had an up and down season leading up to the World Champs so a fourth place is probably a good result considering.

Result:
1 Lars Boom (Netherlands)
2 Zdenek Stybar (Czech Rebpublic)
3 Sven Nys (Belgium)
4 Erwin Vervecken (Belgium)
5 Radomir Simunek (Czech Rebpublic)
6 Marco Aurelio Fontana (Italy)
7 Sven Vanthourenhout (Belgium)
8 Christian Heule (Switzerland)
9 John Gadret (France)
10 Klaas Vantornout (Belgium)

Cyclo-Cross form
With the Cross World Champs in Treviso Italy this weekend it looks like Sven Nys is a bit cooked as his young upstart team mate "Boom Boom" Lars took the win in last weekends world cup round from Hoogerheide in the Netherlands. The other way to look at this is "The Cannibal" Sven is holding back for the big win!

Lars Boom goes on to win.

Cough!! Cough!! Wheezee!!
After a great run out on the good old fixie for 65 miles or so last Sunday I had a small cough at night which unfortunately then turned into a cold from hell which has knocked me for six all week, so all this week I have been trying to recover drinking fluids and generally feeling a bit sorry for my self. As my wife would say I have a case of the dreaded Man Flu!!

The Cafe Run
Last Sat going round the usual Cafe route the Cycling Club turned into the Ramblers club as the road was covered in black ice for a 1/2 mile or so, there were a few fallers but gladly no injuries. I did witness one guy fall get up and remount to promptly fall back down again!

Ramblers CC

Class

A very very very Black day
On the 15th of Jan one of the best Scottish and British cyclist Jason MacIntyre was killed when out training, I did not know Jason personally but did follow some of his fantastic results over the last few years.


If anything of the last two years were to go by then the 2008 season would have been even better and bigger for Jason. My thoughts go out to Jason's family and friends.
You can read more about Jason and donate to his Memorial fund at the Braveheart Cycling Fund.

Pedal, Pedal, Pedal.
Get'in the miles in is the mantra at the moment and hoping the weather is kind to make the miles pleasurable, well Sunday past was one 'o' those days when all the days previous and after were crap this was a great run round the roads of Fife.

Happy New Year!!
So another year has passed by and I hope you had a good one and 2008 is even better, for me 2007 has all been about a knacked back and getting back to fitness for the Cyclo-Cross season at the end of the year. 2008 will be a year of enjoying my cycling without any back twinges which should mean I can compete in what I want all year.

The past few weeks have been about chilling out, getting a few easy runs in on my Surly fixie to keep the legs turning and letting the head clear before the real training starts for 08.

Astana Team gear
Team Astana Jerseys

Team Astana American Champs Jersey

Team Astana go Trek

The colour scheme looks pretty good and if you look through to the back of the rack of Madones, it looks like a custom frame colour for Levi as American Champ.

Ya beauty!!
The form was coming over the last three races so I was feeling pretty confident of a top three at the Scottish Cyclo-Cross Championships, so after all my lay off with back problems and non training I got the Gold that makes my season.
Turning up and having a practice lap I could feel my legs were ready for take off and the days leading up I promised myself that it was shit or bust, I would rather have come 2nd last on my knees knowing I had given my all than finish forth and still had something left in the tank.
Once we were off I found myself at the front and pushing on which I kept up for the first few laps, as the course cut up catching me was going to be a lot harder so I pushed on and settled in to a good pace. After a few laps Dan caught up and this was the battle till the end which ended in an all out sprint for the line which I got.

It was a double on the day for Dunfermline CC with my Team mate Eileen Roe taking the Ladies Championships too. Eileen is only just in the Senior Ladies category and Hardie Bikes has been helping her out with bikes and equipment over the last few years and she has really come on with her fitness and skills. Eileen had just taken delivery of her new X0-2 Trek on the Thursday before the champs and is now in Belgium till Christmas to get a few Cross races in which will be a fantastic experience.

One and two

Me and Dan

Full Results
As you can see the top three looks a bit different as Dan Whitehead had signed on the line he was ineligible for a Championship result so Rab Wardell moved into silver. Also if you see right at the bottom a certain Lois Hardie competing in here first ever bike race done the Hardie name proud and took the under 10 Female category.

1. Championship Results

S/J/V/W
1 38 Hardie Craig Dunfermline CC 1h4min06
2 23 Wardell Rab Sandy Wallace Cycles 1h4min35
3 29 MacInnes Steven Isle of Mull CC 1h4min37
4 42 Fraser-Moodie James Pedal Power RT 1h4min41
5 36 McInally Paul EK CC / Rolls Royce 1h6min01
6 4 Copp Jonathon Deeside Thistle 1h7min06
7 15 Walker Neil Walkers Cycle Club 1h7min57
8 22 Wardman Andy Sunnyside Sports
9 34 Nimmo Iain Squadra Porcini
10 40 Kentley Kenny (V) Team Velo Ecosse
11 17 Newnham Paul Edinburgh RC
12 3 Turnbull Andy Falkirk BC
13 39 Melville James (V) Glasgow United CC
14 7 Shackley Edd (V) Ivy CC
15 26 Meredith Jon Telly Savalas Players At 1 Lap(s).
16 30 Roe Eileen (W) Dunfermline CC At 1 Lap(s).
17 41 McGavigan Ruth (W) Pedal Power RT At 1 Lap(s).
18 43 Gilbert Ross Lomond Roads CC At 1 Lap(s).
19 5 Arnott Iain (V) Unattached At 1 Lap(s). 40
20 27 McLagan John Team CMC At 1 Lap(s).
21 35 Lawton Shane East Kilbride CC At 1 Lap(s).
22 25 Millar Alastair Riks Bike Shed/ Drum.com At 1 Lap(s).
23 19 Gauld Graham (V) Deeside Thistle At 1 Lap(s).
24 18 MacDonald Tom Lomond Roads CC At 1 Lap(s).
25 28 Byford Alan (V) Glasgow MBC At 1 Lap(s).
26 2 Murray Paul City of Glasgow At 1 Lap(s).
27 24 Steele Martin Kenwood Racing At 1 Lap(s).
28 13 Russell Scott (V) Walkers Cycle Club At 1 Lap(s).
29 20 Purves Fraser Unattached At 1 Lap(s).
30 10 Hamilton Brian (V) Pedal Power RT At 2 Lap(s).
31 44 Chisholm Alison (W) Edinburgh RC At 2 Lap(s).
32 33 Strachan Jac (W) Telly Savalas Players At 2 Lap(s).
33 6 Paul Gordon (V) Stirling BC At 2 Lap(s).
34 11 Harris Anna (W) Angus Bike Chain At 3 Lap(s).
35 32 Walker Fiona (W) Sandy Wallace Cycles At 3 Lap(s).

DNF
37 Alan Quinn Glasgow United CC

Youth
1 2 Gallagher Kenta 777 MTB Racing 26min30s
2 11 Ferguson Grant Peebles CC 28min20s
3 7 Smith James Discovery Juniors 28min57s
4 1 Kirkwood Lewis Glentress Riders
5 14 Leith Andrew Discovery Juniors
6 18 Fleming Robbie Isle of Mull CC
7 12 Winton Katy Glentress Riders
8 6 Gillies Angus Peebles CC
9 16 Matthews Sam Glasgow Ivy CC
10 8 Balfour Cameron Peebles CC
11 17 Chirnside Callum Discovery Juniors
12 10 Ferguson Hannah Peebles CC at 1 Lap
13 15 McAlpine Emma Glentress Riders at 1 Lap
14 9 Wilson Charlie Discovery Juniors at 1 Lap

2. Non-championship Contestants

S/J/V/W
70 Whitehead Dan Unattached 1h4min08
60 Opitz Christian Berliner TSC 1h5min22
64 Sheridan Steve Glasgow Wheelers
57 Tompsett Gary (V) Unattached At 1 Lap(s). 40
62 McDonald Anja (W) MTB Otago At 1 Lap(s).
63 Kerr David Unattached At 1 Lap(s).
53 Nicholson Steve TCA At 1 Lap(s).
56 Martin David Unattached At 1 Lap(s).
55 Perkins Howard (V) Unattached At 2 Lap(s).
54 Lockhart Steve Walkers Cycle Club At 2 Lap(s).
66 Keeley Micheal Unattached At 2 Lap(s).
67 Foyshaw Scott (Jn) Unattached At 2 Lap(s).
58 Dixon Conor (Jn) Abronhill HS At 2 Lap(s).
69 Haldane Andy (V) Unattached At 2 Lap(s).
51 Scott Thomas (V) Unattached At 2 Lap(s).

DNF
61 Morgan Downie Unattached
65 Kevin Scott Unattached
68 Gareth Brown BPC


Youth
28 Taylor Jack Rik's Bike Shed
29 Alasdair Taylor Rik's Bike Shed
19 McCartney Conor Abronhill HS at 1 Lap
20 McPhilemy Grant Abronhill HS at 1 Lap
32 Kelly Morris Glasgow Riderz at 1 Lap
24 Corrigan Dyllan Abronhill HS at 1 Lap
31 Steven McNeil Stirling Bike Club at 2 Laps

DNS
21 Craig Brown Abronhill High School

U12, U10
U12 Male
Stewart Balfour Peebles CC
U12 Female
Rebecca Leith Discovery Juniors CC
U10 Male
Andrew Merry Discovery Juniors CC
U10 Female
Lois Hardie Hardie Bikes

Craft Pro Zero Extreme
I have just started doing Craft clothing in Hardie-Bikes which is a forward thinking Scandinavian company designing performance garments for use in all conditions.
The first clothing to arrive is the Pro underwear collection which is some of the comfiest base layers I have worn. This first mini test is on the Pro Zero Extreme Tee which is designed to be worn in fair to cold conditions, the material combines moisture transfer as well as some insulation so keeping you from getting a chill.

I have only just started wearing this top and thought it may be to warm but so far has been superb, on the second round of the Cross at the Castle on Sunday past I found that it kept my body at just the right temperature throughout even though I was busting my butt for the best part on an hour. The feel on the body is great with the weight of the material being so light you hardly know your wearing it.
Check out Craft Clothing at their website: Craft

Sunday Cross at the Castle in moving pictures

Cross at the Castle
Right another weekend and on the agenda this one was two Cyclo-Cross races back to back Sat/Sun on the beautiful Isle of Mull. For Sat it was chucking it down with rain for most of the race which made the going a bit soft :)), I did feel alright but still missing that snap in the legs which will need to be there quick as the Scottish Champs are this weekend.
I started quite fast off the mark leading it and then settled to forth in the race until the end when I got passed by Rab Wardell but pulled him back to contest a argy bargy sprint for the line which Rab nicked. After the race I could not feel my hands or feet which I am sure did not help my performance towards the end.

Saturday Cross at the Castle in moving pictures

Race face

Onto the Sunday my performance felt stronger although I did have a bit bother with my back which gave me problems in the closing stages of the race. So another two races under my belt and the legs are coming back, hopefully I can pull all the stops out for Sunday coming and have a fantastic performance for the Scottish Championships.


As the Scottish Series Champion of 2006 I was asked to present the trophy to the new Series Champion Paul McInally.

Tobermory High Street on Mull, Sunday Morning

Saturday Results:
S Steven McInnes Isle of Mull CC
S Hamish Creber Sandy Wallace Cycles
S Paul McInally East Kilbride Road Club
S Rab Wardell Sandy Wallace Cycles
S Craig Hardie Dunfermline
V Matt Denby Aire Valley RT
V James Melville Glasgow United
S Andy Wardman Sunnyside Sports
S Joe Wilson Sandy Wallace Cycles
V Edd Shackley Glasgow Ivy

Sunday Results:
S Hamish Creber Sandy Wallace Cycles
S Steven McInnes Isle of Mull CC
S Paul McInally East Kilbride Road Club
S Craig Hardie Dunfermline
S Andy Wardman Sunnyside Sports
S Rab Wardell Sandy Wallace Cycles
V Matt Denby Aire Valley RT
V James Melville Glasgow United
S Steve Halsall Glentress Riders/The Hub
V Alan Quinn Glasgow United

DING! DING! Round one
So my first race is in the bag and it was sore but not as bad as I was expecting. The course was quite a long lap for a cross with the odd stairs, water feature and fences thrown in the mix. After the gun the pace exploded and it felt very fast! but as the body has not done it for a year it probably felt faster than it was. In the series this year Paul Rowney ex pro Yeti Cycles man has been rippin it up and giving everyone a pasting and again this round dealt out a masterclass in racing once again.

I was in the mix for lying 3rd-4th for 3/4 laps and then settled into a pace which found me in 6th place which was kinda what I was expecting, towards the end I had a tussle with Dave Lines for 6th which came down to a sprint elbow to elbow, not pretty at the end of a cross race! Dave came out with 6th on the line by a tyre width.
I have got two more rounds to go before the Scottish Champs which I want to be pinging for and after this round I feel that it will come.

Me chasing Dave Lines for the sprint finish

Paul Rowney

OPEN EVENT
Pos Nu Name Club Cat Time
1 46 Paul Rowney Velo Ecosse Sen 1.2.10
2 35 Ewan Clark Drumlanrig.com jun 1.4.28
3 28 Paul McInally East Kilbride RC Sen 1.4.42
4 30 James Fraser Moodie Pedal Power Rt Sen 1.4.48
5 36 Rab Wardell Sandy Wallace Cycles Sen 1.5.34
6 40 David Lines Pedal Power Rt Sen 1.6.25
7 45 Craig Hardie Dunfermline CC Sen 1.6.25
8 13 Andy Wardman Sunnyside Sports Sen
9 37 Christian Opitz Berliner TSC Sen 1.8.05
10 27 Gary McCrae Pedal Power Rt Sen 1.8.15

Elements
Out today and the wind was strong whipping up the sea with rain blowing through. These are the days you feel really alive battling against nature knowing your a very small spec in the world.

Pedal, Pedal, Pedal
More pedaling and feeling that the legs are on their way, only thing now is to go into the land of hurt which is Cyclo-Cross and maybe in the next week or two I will be ready.

Insane Jungle Run
Check out this fantastic run down a Northshore man made track somewhere in the jungle.
Watch out for the monkeys!!

Getting the legs back
So since my last post I have had a nice break in Spain for a week and I am now getting the bike feeling back again, meaning I have been building up the mileage leading up to a 75 mile run on the Surly Steamroller Fixed wheel today which felt great.

Still easy
Out on the bike today for the first time in about 3 weeks and felt alright although I was keeping myself back from pushing at all. During the run I did see some freaky heart rates than I am not use to, example is my max is 188 and I seen 184 even when I wasn't even pushing it!!


This is a great forward step (Cycle) as just one week ago I was having trouble walking never mind Cycling.

Easy does it
This week I have seen a slight improvement from Thursday with the back as I seem to be getting a bit better mobility and less pain. Moving forward I am going to have patience as it looks like this is going to take a while to get right, when right I will be better able to manage my back which should make me a stronger person/rider for the future.
All this does make you take for granted your health and fitness as when it goes you feel pretty useless. Anyway upwards and onwards and if the last few days are anything to go by I am making progress.
Now where is my gym ball......