Racing Posts

Bike Pure - LeMond - Apsire Velotech Women's Team

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New Season, New Start

Hello everyone,

Sorry I haven’t posted anything recent lately, I have been very busy starting out  new investments in my career pathway and getting stuck in with the winter training! This blog is going to be delivering some good and bad news, depending in which way you want to take it… I will also be telling you about my new career pathways I have started in the Outdoor world! 

Firstly, I will start with the bad news… I have to sadly say, ‘Bike Pure-Lemond-Aspire Velo Tech Ladies Team’ will not be racing in the 2015 season. This is due to sponsorship faults and commitments containing lots of different matters, which means the girls in the team have had to split up in our separate ways and will not be racing as a team next year. I was gutted to hear the devastating news about the team, but everything happens for a reason. In addition, being on the team for 2014 has been an eye opening and amazing experience for me being able to work as a team with different girls, team managers and sponsors.

I would never fault the girls one bit, we all got along like sisters and was always there for each other even if one of us was in need of help. We stuck together and worked through the races and events as one big team! However, this couldn’t of happened without our parents being by our sides and supporting us/the team throughout the year, if it wasn’t for them there wouldn’t have been a Bike Pure Team. BIG shoutout to Terry Morgan Slater, who co-operated us together as a team and was our Team Manager throughout the year, making sure all our problems were sourced and equipment situations was delt with. Thank you!

Another shoutout I would like to do is for our sponsors who were there for us throughout the year, even if others weren’t. Massive thank you to Bike Pure, Lemond, Sukkie Hydration, Lazer Helmets, Decca, Sufferfest, Aspire Velotech and Bike Science. Half of these sponsors have been fantastic from setting us up with profession bike fits to sourcing us equipment and training videos, without you I wouldn’t have able to do as well as I did throughout the 2014 season. Thank you!

However good news, Bike Pure have now folded and with new sponsors, team managers and riders they have started a brand new team called ‘Elite Velo Kalas Sportswear Cycling Race Team’. I have already personally met the team manager and done a training weekend with the team, it sounds all fantastic giving the riders an opportunity to continue on their professional cycling career. However, I will not be racing with them next year as i have a various of different opportunities come up for myself. It was a difficult couple of months making my decision on teams, what to do and if it is the best decision for myself to develop as a rider. Afterwards, I came with a final offer and i took the chance to ride again for ‘Squadra Donne Shutt VR’.Personally, I thought this was the best decision for me to make and develop as a young rider, following my ambitions to ride pro continental. My team manager will be Jon Miles, who is a great guy who I have a lot of faith in to help me develop in to my cycling career and gain me more experience racing with the big guns. I am unable to confirm any sponsors yet, as we are still negotiating. 

Secondly, I will carry on racing in the Junior Category for the 2015 season but as a 2nd year as a CAT 2. This means, I will still be doing the same races as i did last year and hopefully, having another chance to race in the Pearl Izumi Televised Tour Series for the 3rd year running. With me still being 17 years old, I am still in college. In September 2014, I started a new college course at Reaseheath studying an Extended Diploma in Adventure Sports. This means I am at college 9-5pm, Mon-Fri every week but I absolutely love it and I am very happy I changed my career path into the Outdoor Adventure area. I am able to take part in different sporting activites such as kayaking, canoeing, sailing, rock climbing, orienteering and much more every weekday! It’s an awesome experience and pathway to take. Still giving me enough time to love the sport I do and carry on with my experience and knowledge in cycling.

Lastly, another area I have started to work on is my coaching qualifications. I am currently waiting for my course to be an Level 2 British Cycling coach, which I will be taking in the new year of 2015 when i am 18. I currently volunteer myself at Lyme RC Club nights on a Friday, helping out the kids to do roller sessions and giving presentations on information about the cycling world, how to get stuck in there! I am also lucky enough to be asked to be an ‘Expert Rider’ at any Track or Road RSR’s/NSR’s with British Cycling, passing on my knowledge of the specific skill, technique or tactic the younger riders are working on. The next RSR I will be attending is the 21st December at Manchester Velodrome, specialising in Team Pursuit.

MASSIVE Thankyou to everyone who has supported and sponsored me for the 2014 racing season, I couldn’t of done it without you and got the results I did. 

Hope you enjoyed my performances and presence.

See you in the 2015 season with more updates on the NEW team!

Have a Merry Christmas!!!! 

[paigemilward-racing-posts]

It was like a Tropical Thunder Storm!

This weekend just gone, i took part in the Women's Team Series race at Oakley, Buckinghamshire. It was an experience, that i won't forgot! All the way, travelling to the place it was nice and sunny, bit of wind but nothing major. After we arrived, i signed on and got my things together ready for the briefing 15minutes before the race. Whilst the briefing was getting under way, it started to rain…. You just then hear all the attitudes of the riders go to negative, as not everyone likes racing in the rain! Luckily, when we were on the start line it stopped raining, well around this part of the course, with the sun shinning allowing the air become a lot warmer again. We had our count down for the start of the race and we were under way… It started fast, with Tamiko smashing it on the front trying to split the race from the gun allowing it be a sufferfest for the rest of the riders, struggling at the back. But it was very observed, as round the back off the course it was chucking it down with rain, even hailing on the second lap! But round by the finish, it was nice and sunny. Soon enough, the weather took a turn for the worst and it came down like no rain I've ever seen before in a race! It felt like a tropical thunder storm!! It wasn't a good idea ether, leaving over 120PSI in my tyres for the icy, slippy roads with the challenging corners round the course. The race came to a steady toll, when this weather hit and you could see the riders becoming a lot more caution. 

In this race, i placed a 9th place overall in the sprint finish, even though i got cut up on the finishing straight! But thats racing… 

[paigemilward-racing-posts]

CDNW 2 Day 'SURF AND TURF' WEEKEND

Well the outcome of this weekend was a surprise for me! 

Before the event, the rider list came through via email with the program attached. I was looking through it and all these riders names were popping up like Laura Trott, Katie Archibold, Dani King and many more… Practically olympic and world champions! GREAT. But this made me more optimistic for the event… As they are NEVER impossible to beat! 

The day came for the 2 days of intense racing to start. The first stage on day 1 was the prologue, which ranked us for the crit race and the start of GC contention. I was one of he first off! Least i got it out the way… I managed to get 42nd for the first stage, bearing in mind I'm not the best of riders to go balls out in a TT and get stuck in. Just don't know how some people can do it?! but still, i was happy with my positioning as i didn't come last and it was a decent start position to start with, against a world class field of riders.

Couple of hours passed which meant it was time for stage 2, the criterium!  This was 45minutes plus 5 laps of Preston's UCLAN Sports Arena course. to be honest, i think it is a really class course. As you can really carry some speed round some bends, getting tight in-between the bunch. Its brilliant! The start of the crit race didn't go off as fast as i thought it would, personally I'm quite glad it didn't as i started second row from the back. However, it was still a nippy pace! The first two laps of starting, this was time for me to move up in the bunch and stay covered, out of the wind keeping a good top 15 position. Moving up all the time, if i stayed in one place i would be at the back again… Don't want that! this race surprised me that it wasn't as fast as i expected, i thought it would be like London Nocturne and strung out most of the race. but it wasn't… It was a nice tempo! Couple of riders trying to get clear, but nothing was going. I just sat happily and comfortable in the middle of the bunch, keeping my powder dry for the bunch kick. The remaining laps were approaching quickly, with the bell lap ringing i wasn't in the best position at the time. I was a bit far back! But i noticed Katie Archibold coming up the inside of me, so i jumped on her wheel to take me round to the finish. Thats what she just did… As Dani King was leading out Laura, Katie powered her way up the inside of the two wiggle girls, pushing them wide. Laura, jumping on Katies wheel and I on Lauras… Sprinting up to the line, i couldn't believe what i could see in front of me! Just them two, then me in 3rd… However, Grace Garner just pipped me on the line, as always allowing her to get 3rd and me 4th. What an awesome sprint it was! God smacked, with the riders i beat and how well i actually did a sprint… WOW!!

Still hyped up from the day before, it was the 81km road race. All morning it had been drizzling hard, miserable weather. Me, hoping the sun will come out for another glorious day! But it didn't… Which meant the race started off in the dingy drizzle, neutralised up to the start line and then BANG, the flag was waved and the race started. Jesus Christ, the pace we started at was crazy! Felt like you were at a Crit race, not a road race. They stormed it off the front. I really couldn't hack the speed! However, 2nd lap or so in i managed a puncture, so meant for me race over. Eventually, i pulled out which meant i got a DNF for this race.

I was dam happy with my performance from the day before!

What a weekend with a world class field! not every day you race with your heroes…

Check out some photos and the report on British Cycling…

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/road/article/roa20140614-road-Trott-dominates-2014-Surf-n-Turf-Two-Day-0

[paigemilward-racing-posts]

London Nocturne

Wow! What a fast and furious race that was... The race, felt for me, one of the fastest races of the season. The whole race consisted off bravery, courage, speed and motivation. All of these were consisted off to stay within the race for contention of the sprint. It was an awesome afternoon, going into the evening of racing. It all had different type of bicycle racing on such as fold up bikes, Boris bikes, track bikes, penny farthing and more! The event kicked off at 4pm in the afternoon with a race from the fold up bikes, there was 4 heats for the competitors with a selected amount of riders going through to the final. The fold up bike race competitors were dressed all up in suits, ties and blazers the whole thing!! They had to lay there bicycle 30m in front of them, when the flag was dropped for the start if the race, the riders had to run 30m and unfold there bikes, then jumping on them pedalling away to get an advantage over the other competitors. It was very amusing to watch! Even one of the bikes had drops! Next up was time for the track bike race (these are bikes with a fixed wheel, no brakes or gears), I just don't know how they got round some corners!! There were a few other races on, leading up to the main events of the evening. I have to say, there were some really cool bikes around!! It came to 9:15pm in the evening, which meant it was time for our Womens Jupiter Nocturne race. What a class course it was! It was a very fast and furious course, with nice flowing corners and fast straights for the real pain diggers to give the rest of us some pain, when they are smashing it on the front. It was a speedy start, like any other crit race. If you weren't near the front, then it was a lot more hard work for the rest of the riders to catch back up to the front. However, there was a moment of slowing down in the bunch with 7 minutes into the race which gave a chance for the back markers to catch back on. Although, it didn't slow down for long and it was back up to the lighting bolt speed again! I was happy with myself, staying in the peloton. Even though it was strung out in a line for the whole race... I managed to get 32nd place at the end of the evening, just placing behind Ciara Horne. It was an awesome atmosphere within the evening, having the sides about 7 people deep with them cheering in your name and taking photos off you. I'm there next year!!!

[paigemilward-racing-posts]

Stoke-On-Trent Round 1 & Peterborough Round 2 Matrix Grand Prix

I thought to give a cheeky low down on how the Matrix Grand Prix Tour Series is going and how i am finding them so far…

Firstly, it was round 1 at Stoke-On-Trent Hanley City Centre, which is my home city. It was nice because, i was able to race in my home town and also it was only a 5minute drive from my house to the HQ, which made a BIG difference compared to all the other races i am doing when i have to travel 3-4hours each time! It was a really nice, sunny warm day in Stoke. My race set off at 6pm that evening of the Tuesday 13th May, it was a VERY fast start at that. I don't think one of my races have never set off so quickly! But, when you look at the names who were in it, you wonder why… Plus, for the first round they did not give us a neutralised lap, which advantaged to some of the teams who were placed at the front off the group for the gun, than the others at the back. This is another reason, why it went off so quickly! I tried my hardest, staying with the front few who went from gun, but i just couldn't hack on to it. I lasted about 3-4laps, hanging on the front couple but slowly i could feel myself sliding further back each lap, till i settled down in a little group working together for the rest of the race. The race was that mentally fast, only about 4 riders didn't get lapped by the leader who which was Katie Archibold. She is an animal!! However, the course added to how tough the race was because i personally think Stoke is the hardest course to do, as it has a false flat but spectators don't realise it drags up from the bottom corner all the way to the top past the finish line, just for the downhill. I wouldn't say it was my favourite course… But it is all experience and i really enjoyed it!!

The week after, it came to the second Matrix Grand Prix of the Series on Tuesday 22nd May at Peterborough. This was a totally different race again! Different line up, different course, different weather which calculates to a different kind of race. I clocked on my garmin that this race, average speed was faster to the previous Stoke series. However, this course was pan flat and cornered, so makes it fast and furious. I was happy with my performance throughout this race as i improved the amount of time i actually stayed the main peloton up to the first sprint, then when the first sprint was going on i was just hanging on the back trying to keep it. But i just couldn't! After i dropped, i was on my own till about 5 laps to go that is when some stragglers who dropped before me, caught me and we worked together till the end. However, we still sprinted in our little group to get a good position! I came 3rd in our little group sprint, which hopefully placed me high and mid way. Great racing to be part off, as i can just see how faster the standard is getting and the quality is increasing every time! 

Bring on Edinburgh next Thursday, 29th May which is on my birthday.. WOO!

[paigemilward-racing-posts]

Bedford 3 Day

Hi, I'm back on the blog writing bang wagon! Sorry, i have missed a few blogs but I'm updating you with my latest race at Bank Holiday weekend…

Me and my team, Bike Pure, were honoured to be accepted as a team to ride in the Woman'sBedford 3 Day Tour organised by Jon Miles, which contained off 5 stages. Your probably thinking, how is this possible in 3 days? But it meant that we had to do a couple of races on the same day.  The race started  Saturday 3rd May with Stage 1, as  a 50 km road race which started at 1:30pm giving enough time for all the riders and teams to arrive, getting ready for the first stage of the Bedford 3 Day! I was quite optimistic going into the first stage, as i had never done Bedford before nor done as much racing on the road in the UK. I went into the race with an open mind and staying positive, as when we drove around the course it had 3 good kicks init which as people know, are not my strongest points. However, i proved this all wrong! In Stage 1, i gained a 7th placing out of 90 women who were competing in this race. It was mental! I felt quite strong throughout the race, staying in the middle of the bunch and allowing the rest off the peloton to do all the work, basically pulling me along. When it came to the last lap, i thought I'm still here, even though it is an uphill finish i have a good chance! I positioned myself in the top 5 for the bottom of the climb, this is where the sprint all exploded and started… I just powered my way up, overwhelmed that i could only see the finish line in front of my eyes with no other riders in front of me bar Grace Garner. I will be honest, i actually cried when i crossed the finish line! I was just so overwhelmed with happiness in what i had just done and the people i just beat as a first year junior!! Wow, just WOW!! But with my team as well, we are positioned very highly in this race all 6 of us getting in the top 60!! Myself 7th, Sophie Black 18th, Francesca Morgan-Slader 21st, Anne Marie Hughes 25th, Hester Stembridge 26th and Lucy Harper placing 58th. Which put us all starting off in great contention for GC and the team competition.

The night soon flew by and it was crazily the next day, time for Stage 2 and 3 of the Bedford 3 Day on Sunday 4th May. Stage 2 consisted off the Team Time Trail (TTT) which was 10km long, not very far at all and it flew by! Before hand, we all got together and discussed team tactics in the TTT ensuring we have our order perfect, knowing what changes we are doing and how long we have to stay on the front for. As we really didn't want to try and loose our advantage what we had on overall GC at the time… However, the TTT got under way we were all working efficiently together as a team and ensuring that we stayed together, ensuring any individuals did not get a time disadvantage. As for a change, within the TTT if you got dropped from your team your time would count as when you cross the line not when your team cross the line… As this happened with one of our team mates, she had 10seconds added on to her time! Due to, there was a corner just before the finish off the TTT. It came to that i was on the front and we had nothing too loose, so i took the correct line round the corner and went round at the speed i would normally take it in a race. However, a couple of my team mates aren't that confident in going round the pace i go round as when i went round, one behind me braked as she realised she was cornering which then caused a problem for all our other team mates behind causing them to take a very wide line over the other side of the road. Luckily no car was coming!! But, we got it all back together and the first 4 of us crossed the line, stopping the time at 10:08 placing us 10th , out of 16 teams. We were all pretty chuffed with that, baring in mind we have never done a TTT with each other before… Nice one girlies! Least we learnt the mistakes for next time!! 

After this TTT, Stage 2, in the morning it was time for Stage 3 the road race in the afternoon… It was 80km, setting off at 1:30pm in the afternoon, giving all the riders enough time to refuel and back on the bike for round 2 of the day! It was a toughy today, as it was more off a rolling course and more of a drag up to the finish line allowing the elite riders to kick over the top of the finish line giving all the other riders a sufferfest session. It was a hard one! I just kept watching my garmin, seeing my heart rate increasing and increasing but luckily it recovered very quickly, as it muchly needed too!! We have been very lucky with the weather to, as the sun has been shinning make it very warm and lovely to ride in, with a big bonus off no winds at all. The race started and i settled in very quickly however when the 2nd lap came around, baring in mind it was a 6 lap race, i very much thought this was the end off my race and I'm going to get dropped!! As on the climb i got stuck behind a straggler who was dropping off the main peloton, but i was feeling it myself! However, i dug deep and powered my way past jumping back into the middle of the bunch. But, you could tell riders were tiring as more and more got dropped off the race and pulled, unfortuantly a couple of my team mates did too! I managed to stay with the main bunch and contest in the bunch kick in the end, gaining me 27th. But with a couple off laps to go, there ended up a brake off about 10 riders who managed to stay away for the whole race… I didn't even know they were off the front!! It ended up in a very tiring day at the end off it however, one of our teamys mum's counteracted as a team physio for us giving us massages at the end of the day…

After a very tiring day, we very much deserved a nice hot bath and a film to watch in the Premier Inn. That is just what we did as a team, after food of course… As the day was ending, we highlighted on our successful day and hoping for the best with the last 2 stages the next day!

Monday soon shot round and it was time again to repeat the daily routine of getting out of bed, breakfast, going to the race and getting into race mode. The last 2 stages were the hardest ones by far… Stage 4 consisted off the Individual Time Trail (ITT) where we all powered our hearts out, as it was the same course as the TTT. It was an hard race! The wind was upon us, which made it even harder on the rough service. i would never say ITT are my favourite events, as I'm on my own and can't wheel suck anyone… But they have to be done!! I lost a few places from my ITT as i placed 68th, not the best but i gave it my best and thats all that counts. However, the rest of my team mates gave it a real good shot and did really well. But, how spooky is this? Me, Anne Marie Hughes and Spohie Black… All team mates! GOT THE SAME TIME. Strange… After my ITT, i could defiantly tell my legs were feeling it a lot and i very much thought I'm going to suffer a lot in Stage 5. 

The afternoon came around, which meant it was time for the last stage of Bedford 3 Day, which was a 80km road race again… It was tough! As it contained one big, steep hill in it where the finish line was however, it didn't flatten and go down over the top it carried on at a gradient which wasn't idea for me today, going on how my legs felt!! Everytime i went up that hill and pushing over the top, i could just feel my heart wanting to explode, as my heart rate was getting very very high and by high i mean the max bpm was 226!! CRAZY. It made me feel ever so light headed, but it thought 'paige you got to keep going, don't give in! dig deep..' But i did and which granted me staying with the bunch! On the 3rd lap in, out of 5 there was a crash up the hill which unfortuantly i was in and the rest of my team. This meant that i had dropped from the bunch, as they sprinted off the time i got going again… i was very disappointed and upset, but hey thats racing!!

Overall in GC i managed to place, 53rd.

[paigemilward-racing-posts]

Tour Ta Malta

Here was my second year at Tour Ta Malta, what another great experience bar the whole mess up with the results! Transponders defiantly needed for next year… I departured for the Tour on Monday 30th April, the day after Dave Peck Memorial Race. I was in Malta for a week, whilst racing started on Thursday until Sunday. The few days before give me and the team i was guesting for, Squadra Donne, time to loosen our legs off and get ready for racing! Throughout the start of the week, more and more teams started to arrive. Surprisingly enough, most of the teams were British riders who competed with the odd Italian, Maltese and any other area off Europe. The first 3 days for me, i was more excited about getting my whole cycling tan lines back with the first day off us arriving being 26 degrees. It was just lush! Wish it was like that in England… Felt great riding with no leg or thermals on, trying to keep warm or feeling down as you have to go out in the pouring rain. Just got to ride out in the bright sunshine! After we arrived, we went on a ride round the island for a bit, exploring and getting our bearings back from the previous year whilst loosening our legs off from the plane. The first few days before the racing started, was early training days and just releasing making the most out off the weather we could. 

Thursday morning crept up on us very quickly, which meant Stage 1 was taken away! After breakfast, we were finally ready with our bikes and kit ready for the roll out to the start off the race. Basically, before the start off every stage all the riders ride out to the courses together. You are escorted via police, marshall motorbikes and sponsors/service cars. Its a whole big thing, whilst people in the streets stare at you riding past probably thinking your like a Laura Trott or Bradley Wiggins! But as we all know and i certainly do, Malta is not flat!!! So every stage, is not flat at all or getting to either off the stages. so, to roll out to Stage 1 you had to go up a good twisty, steep 2 miler killer climb before the race even stared! It felt like i was climbing Alpe d'huez. But it was a pretty view to look at when i was crawling up it! Stage 1 was a TT, it came to around 13miles which doesn't sound far… But with a block head wind on the down hill and a slight cross wind on the up hill, it changes the whole aspect off it. My strategy with this TT on this course, taking the wind into account meant that i should try to power my way through the head wind on the down hill and try to maintain it on the uphill. But i was just absolutely gone! The time what i did for this first Stage was 37 minutes and 57 seconds, what put me into 27th position going into the second Stage out off 46 women. However, i loved riding back from the Stage as it was downhill all the way back to the hotel!! Happy Days!!

Stag 2 came around, for my favourite stage off the week! The most hilliest one… FUN! The sun was shinning, once again for Stage 2 of Tour Ta Malta. Today, i was going take it as it goes and i kept saying to one of my team mates, "Im attacking, down the hill"… I sure did keep to my word! However, didn't realise what a block head wind i came into. I knew i had no chance up this killa few miles of a hill, so i thought YOLO and go for it on the first lap. I got dropped at the bottom of the climb however, we had another 5 laps to go up it and i really did not want to blow myself on the first lap. But on that lap, coming down the down hill after the finish line i hit a mass off pothole which took some impact on my cassette. Don't know what happened? But my gears were not functioning correctly, so i copied with them until i got back up to the top of the finish line and went to my team manager, Jon Miles, with the spare wheels. I said what was wrong, trying to rush, i need a back wheel… However, it took about 10minutes out of my race as there was a mechanic on hand who wanted to sort my gears but he just couldn't, then they eventually put a back wheel in and i sprinted back off up the hill!! Couple off laps later, i caught up a lot of people putting all my effort into getting my time back and going past the riders who came past when i had this mechanical. But, this race showed it just wasn't my luck this race as on the second to last lap i had a rear puncture. I thought, 'GREAT!' I waited for the leading service car come, that was about 7minutes but they just drove straight past me and didn't even stop!! So, i still waited for a next car however, it was bare time down the road for the next car. Finally, a jeep came shoved a back wheel in for me, off on the road i was again. I wasn't just annoyed about this, but its racing and got some good hard training reps up that hill!! 

It was time for Stage 3 to come about with it including a VERY, VERY early start! Due to a couple of my room mates not very good with early, early starts this consisted off me jumping on Sian to wake her up and Saskia ringing her alarm in Jess's ear. With about 20minutes later, they finally get up and get ready when then that takes them another 30minutes… However, me and Saskia kept them in check and told them get a hurry on or else we are leaving without them.  As it was basically a 5am get up, with the bus picking us up at 6.15am to get off to the ferry port to go over to Gozo for Stage 3.

Eventually, all us riders were over in Gozo which meant that we had to ride from the ferry port to the race as a big group. Luckily, the lead cars went slow enough for us all to get our legs back in and to just have a easy ride to the start. When we arrived at the course, straight away i went round it and was thinking to myself (whilst going round) "Oh my god!" Another stage with a big hill and a block head wind down the hill… However, i was really proud of my self throughout this race as i stayed with the bunch for at least 2 laps, but then when someone attacked on the hill the second time my legs just seriously, could not keep up. However, before this no end of women were dropped off the back of the bunch with leaving about 12 riders in the front group. As the race went on, i paired up with a dutch girl working together. As she was about 6ft tall and me about 5ft, whenever we went downhill i couldn't cover her from the blockhead wind so she took me down, i took her along the straights and up the hill. Team effort! The race was 8 laps long, lasted about 1hour 45minutes on a very tough circuit. I enjoyed it though, ready for the last and final stage… 

Sunday just came too quick! Which meant, it was time for Stage 4, the final stage. This stage seemed quite nice, as it looked pretty flat with a tale wind down the straight you start in then a head wind on the way back. However, it was basically a downhill one side and back up the other side. It was lovely starting, it was fast and i was spinning out! Wanted bigger gears on… But then coming up the other side was just time, it felt like forever! I felt like i was pedalling fresh air and wasn't going any where, due to the wind. But i suffered through it and eventually, got to the finish line! 

Overall, what another great experience off Tour Ta Malta, even though the results were all messed up i really enjoyed it. Its such a great start of the year and gets you going up those hills! 

I want to say a massive shout out to Squadra Donne and Jon Miles, who looked after me and was kind enough to let me come along with them!! I am honoured, i have had a great time with you and you lot made my week!!!

[paigemilward-racing-posts]

Twickenham Road Race

30th March 2014, I took part in my first ever Women's road race on the British roads for Bike Pure. It was held at Twickenham and one crazy race it was! It was such a great experience racing on the open roads however, I'm not to keen on the cars coming the opposite way your racing but I just kept tucked in the bunch and stayed on the left, so it kept me out of trouble. It was one hell of a rough roads. The race was fast and furious, with riders getting spit out the back every minute. I ensured myself to stay up in the top 15 in the bunch and I sure succeeded in that! I always positioned my self in the top half, to go with any breaks or to keep myself out of any trouble that occurs mid-way back off the bunch. Throughout the race, there was two major crashes. After one crash, where it happened on the finish line, we got stopped straight after being accused of 'dangerous' riding as riders were taking the line off the opposite side of the road, crossing the white line with on coming cars coming which meant put them and the bunch in big danger. This was our only and final warning, if we had been warned again the race would of been stopped. This was with 4 laps to go. The next lap came round and I just dropped off the back with 3 laps to go, due to the hill and then got caught behind the second major crash with 20+ riders who came down and a few critically injured. I got a 50th place, in my first road race out of 89+ riders... I was more than proud that I was able to stay with the peloton till 3laps to go and be able to FINISH the race, due to only 70 or so riders finished. I am raring to go for my next road race, which will be Cheshire Classic. Tough course! But I'm ready for it, bring it on. Laura Trott I'm having your wheel ;)

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First of the Women's Team Series

Saturday 22nd March 2014, I took part in the first of my Team Series events at Hoghill, Redbridge Cycling Centre in London. This was my official race as a 2nd cat Junior. Its such a big jump up from racing in my youth races, to racing straight into with all the women. I love it though! bout time to get to race on some proper roads and this is where the real racing starts. 

Due to this race not being flat or a nice, tight crit race. It wasn't really a race that was going to suit me however, i never thought negative, only positive and tried my best. The race started and i ensured myself to stay up at the front, due to the circuit we were racing on, it has a hill in it but as some may know, I'm not your mountain goat. So, my method of having the best chance of staying up with the bunch up the hill is to get positioned at the front of the bunch before the club, then when you hit it you have enough sliding room down the bunch, for when you reach the top you will either be in the middle of the bunch or at the back, showing you have not been dropped. Then, as i know i am stronger on the decent and on the flat, i worked hard pushing my way through to the front of the bunch again, working through that process again and again. However, it came to about 7 or 6 laps to go, past half way through the race and i dropped off on the hill as i had nothing much more to give up there. I dropped off, with my team mate closely behind me we worked together and placing ourselves for the finish. All my team mates did a fantastic ride , we are all very proud! Most of all, i am very proud of myself on how i performed and lasted throughout this race.

I now have a busy week training and resting up for my next road race this weekend in Twickenham which is 60miles long. With on the Monday morning, me jetting off to Malta for the Tour Ta Malta with Jon Miles, guesting for his current team Squadra Donne. 

Photography Huw Williams

Photography Andrew Harper

Photography Dawn Fry

Photography Andrew Harper

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Olympic Velodrome Experience

This Saturday, yesterday i was honoured to get picked to ride in the Revolution for WD-40 at the Lee Valley Park Olympic Velodrome. Wow, what an amazing atmosphere and experience it was! Its unreal, imaging what the Olympics would of been like with the crowd compared to what it was like at the Revolution. Mental! I walked to the outside of the Velodrome whilst the afternoon session was being under taken, to enter and the crowds were going mental. You could hear them on the outside, never mind when you went inside!

After the afternoon passed, it was time for me to get ready and set up to get on the Track for 6pm sharp warm-up! I rolled on to the track, very sticky it felt and just rolled. It was amazing. One of the great tracks i have rode, but i still will have to admit SIr Chris Hoy Glasgow Velodrome is far the best so far… 

Anyway, it soon came to 7pm when the Team Presentations was commencing. This was when you had the chance, to ride round with your team mates, waving in front of all the thousands of people cheering for you and show who is in all the teams. It's such a great experience! After this, it is always a rush off the track and on to the rollers for me as my first races is coming up very shortly after the Team Presentation takes place.

I was warm, raring to get on the track for my first event the 6 lap dash. This event is just a straight 6 lap race, with a bell on 1 lap to go where all the riders contest for the sprint. I managed to get 5th place within this. After this race, it was time for the 20 lap scratch race. This race is where you get a 20 lap straight race and when 1lap is placed on the board, the bell rings and it's a flying finish to the line.  However, in this race there was a crash and causing one of the riders getting ambulance off to hospital with a suspected broken collar bone. I managed succouring a top 10, just dodging out of the crash. The last event of the night for us was the 20 lap points race, this is when you are given 20 laps and there are points on the line every 5 laps. So, if you manage to get over the line first you get 5 points, 2nd gets 3, 3rd gets 2 and 4th place gets 1. The rider with the most amount of points at the end of the race wins. In this race i managed a top 10, getting 2 points on the last sprint. 

I rode every single series of the Revolution this year, which succoured me a 6th overall placing in the 2013-14 revolution series. It was a great series to be honoured to take part in!

Copy Right Neville Styles Photography 

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Winner Winner Chicken Dinner Weekend

This weekend, was a great weekend for me! I really enjoyed it and had some good hard racing and training, in over the two days. During the 8th & 9th of February 2014, i had a good hard training ride on the Saturday following with a speedy race on the Sunday. It was a stunning weekend, which was perfect for me to get out on thew bike and get some miles in and an early crit race, to get back into the racing feeling again. 

The sun rose Saturday morning and my mum was off to work, which means it was time for me to get up and get out for an early start in the saddle before all the traffic starts gathering around. I left home about 9:30am, it was quite chilly this morning going out, wishing i had put my headband on to keep my ears warm. My ride consisted off riding from home to Blurton, Barlaston, Stone riding to Amerton Farm taking a left and heading up towards to Uttoxeter. When i reached Uttoxeter, i climbed up into Tean by taking a left through up to Hollington and climbing up to my nans. It was a nice ride, with the sun peering out through the clouds and the warmth air coming around, This ride was around 3hours long, with hilly climbs and decent descents in the process. After grawling in the saddle for this amount of time, i finally reached my nans as the final destination. I promised to go out on a ride with my grandparents, on mountain bikes for a couple of hours. That is just what we did! We traveled down to Oakamoor to get out the mountain bikes and go for a relaxed ride for an hour or two. At this point, my legs were no end aching and i was really tired. We thought we would only be an hour however, we ended up being about three! SO, i was dying to get out off my kit that evening when i reached home. All that night consisted me off, relaxing on the sofa wrapped up and doing nothing. It was PERFECT for the set up, for the following day for my race!

The following day came and it was race day... I kept it a nice chilled and relaxed out morning, with no stressing about anything and just take it how it comes. Driving down with my shades on and music blaring, singing along to the songs and psyching up for the fellow race coming. I arrived, signed on, got changed and started warming up following the normal procedure routine before a race starts. This is how the race went down...

It was a 30km race, it took us an hour to do the race averaging 22mph. We all stood on the start line, anticipating for the whistle to go. It blew... We started quite fast, sprinting round the first corner off the start line. Throughout the race, it stayed a constant pace with a couple of people trying to make mini attacks however, never went anywhere. It came to 11 laps to go and that was then a break was formed, 6 of us getting away doing chain gang to get away as quick as we possible could. AND, it stuck! The attack stuck out to the end, which meant in  a sprint finish between us 6. I set myself up, second wheel with a lap to go not going on the front to do any work at all. It resulted well for me because, in the end i won the sprint finish and took away £40 winning cash!!

GREAT DAY

photos copy right Jessie Ansell

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Girly Weekend

The past weekend, i felt quite free because off no racing or committed training camps i had to be doing. This was my chance, get together with a girly mate and do something a bit more normal! However, i can never get away from cycling for a weekend. I ended up going on a road ride on the Saturday whilst also, on the Sunday helping out at an all women's coaching session @ Stourport. 

On the saturday i encountered on a 2hour ride, tough but all worth the pain in the long run. It was a lovely day! Couldn't ask for any better sunshine, with the warmth in the air to. It was a great day. After this, me and Jessie Ansell jetted off in to Wolverhampton town centre getting a bite to eat and unexpectedly, both coming back out with two new piercings.

The next day rolled into action, getting up at 7.30am ready for a 10am sharp training session. But, it was lucky as we were on the bike helpers as Jessie was a coach by already having her British Cycling Level 1 coaching certificate earning her money for this mornings session. It was great to feel that you are giving novices and ammeters, the advice that they are seeking and take so much information from you to put towards their own riding styles. 

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Training Camp 21st-23rd February 2014

Muddy, gritty, hilly, sheep, wet and tiring are just some of the words from the weekend that describe what it was like. It was hell of a tough weekend! It was great being with youth and junior lads, as well a couple of my team mates Lucy Harper and Francesca Morgan Slader. It was nice getting together with different individuals and training as a big group, getting the miles in and having fun in the process. The different riders who was on this camp which was held in Herefordshire, came from down South such as Essex, Surrey and London areas. Luckily for me, it was only a 2 hour journey but for them it was like 5/6 hours… What a killa!!

We all had to arrive just before 12, as there was a nice 40mile roll in ride scheduled for that day at 12pm setting off sharp. Me and my dad arrived at the hotel at 11.30am, waiting for the other fellow riders to arrive and get ready to go on this ride. We waited for about 20mins… No one came! I started to contact a couple of people who were coming on the ride and they said they were delayed on the motorway however, we were at the wrong meeting point in the first place! I got told eventually we had to meet at this bike shop, 40minutes down the road from our hotel. So off me and my dad set again to the meeting point… (TIP: always read your information clearly, i obviously didn't) Anyway, we arrived at the bike shop and still no one was here bar one of my team mates, Lucy Harper. At this time it was about 12.30pm and still no one was here, even with a rider scheduled for 12pm!!! Eventually, people started to arrive in drips and draps. Time we got on this ride was at 4:30pm in the afternoon, so it didn't go to plan at all. However, we did have a good 30-40mile ride in our legs checking out the boys National Series Cadence Road Race. Throughout this ride we had rain, hail and sun! We were all drenched through to the skin, hungry, cold and just wanted get back to the hotel for some warmth and tea time it was. After we all freshened up and got all the grit out our ears, wiped our muddy faces we met up for some food. We all pre ordered to ensure a quicker order off service, the dinner was scheduled to come to us at 8pm however, we didn't really have till about 9pm. SO that day, NOTHING was going on time or schedule. Hopefully, tomorrow would be a better day…

7:30am, my alarm was going crazy which meant it was time to get up and ready for the ride ahead! Today was going to be a long, hilly and tiring day. It came round too 9am and off we all set in twos, chilling down the road till we hit the first hill and BANG it was smash fest time. It was time to say cya later, see you at the end off the ride! I had no chance keeping up with all them lot on the hills, am i a hill climber? No. Am i built like one? No… Hills are my enemy! They just seem to make me suffer and cry out all my pain, every single time i do them. However, its what i need to do and so what, i have to get on with it. No pain, no gain! By this time it was half way through the ride and i completely lost everyone… I don't know how!? BUT… I ended up on my own, in the middle of Abergavenny (where i shouldn't of been) lost. Luckily, i had my phone and a source of contact. I contacted my mum asking them to come to me, to guide me back to the bike shop to meet or wait for the others. This is what happened… They came to me and had a big catch up about i got lost ect.. Then i headed out off Abergavenny back towards Herefordshire, i was miles out. I arrived, finally back at the bike shop about 3 in the afternoon. I was hungry, tired and just wanted to get back and freshen up! So thats what we did. Finally, showered and changed. Meet all the fellow other riders for a nice catch up and meal to eat…

The next day was our final day, it was time to pack our things but first off all an early bird ride of 25miles ensuring we can get back in enough time for a shower, before the hotel kicked us out our rooms! mucky cyclists… This ride was one of the best rides I've ever been on all because off the nice towing behind cars and hanging on the back off them for a drag along, just pure enjoyment. Loved every moment off it, was buzzing when i got back!

It was time to see each all off, hopefully meeting up very soon…

WHAT A GREAT WEEKEND!!

MASSIVE THANKS TO MIC WHO ORGANISED THIS AMAZING WEEKED

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RSR Helper 18/02/14

It came to half term and it was time to knock up the training rides, sessions and get out on the bike more throughout the week. It is such a great opportunity to wack up the intensity of your training and go out on longer road rides in the week, as you have time with no school or college to worry about. You feel free to able to ride your bike! I love it!!

On the Tuesday of Half Term, 18th February 2014 i was able to be an on the bike coach for an all girls RSR. Basically, an RSR is shortened for Regional School of Racing. It is where your regional British Cycling Coach puts on a training session, to learn new skills and tactics for your racing future to make you a better rider. For example; being able to push your way through a tightly compacted bunch from the back to the front, learning to wash your bike and how to corner... That is just a couple of things you learn within these! You are not able to enter off your own back for one of these sessions. You have too be picked, you will get an official letter from your regional coach too see if you have been selected for one of these sessions or not. The selection goes off your club coaches or helpers, putting your name forward because you have achieved or done that extra effort within the training sessions you do with your club coaches. RSR's are a great set up to get you ready for racing tactics and skills that you need within the bunch. 

Anyways, i went through all the RSR process. I have been to every single RSR done, with no fail. I thoroughly enjoy every single one i do, also because i always learn something new because there is always room for improvement's and tweaking specific skills or tactics to make you a better rider overall. 

Lets get to the point...

Today, i was selected to be an on the bike coach for my regions RSR. It was such a great experience for me and to help younger riders with any tactics or skills they have concerns with. It felt weird the riders asking me for advice, than me asking the coaches for advice! On this session we did a various of skills from what you do if you have a puncture in a middle of a race too learning how to effectively get to the front of the bunch from the back. With an off the bike session learning how too wash your bike your self and make it clean as. We did a morning and afternoon session, this was held at Mallory Park, the super cross race circuit. The total mileage off today's session was 60 Miles. This type of session is also a great tester, to see if you are fit enough and if you are able to last the whole day of riding. 

Throughout the day, we concentrated on different types of skills. In the morning session we did a various off passing bottles, moving through the bunch, hands on shoulders, lumps and bumps with many more activities. One of my favourites is moving from the back to the front off the bunch, its something i really enjoy and a very critical skill you need for bunch racing!!

In the afternoon session we did chain gang, TTT (team time trail) and Team Sprint. The afternoon session requires more endurance and fast riding than what was recently done in the morning. You learn how to ride chain gang and TTT, whilst also learning where the most appropriate time is too use it to. 

I am hopefully going to get picked to carry on being an on the bike coach, for the other RSR's!!

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packed, ready for my Training Camp to start tomorrow for 3 days in Wales.. #bikepure

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Woolly Mamil Winter Series 8/02/14

The Woolly Mamil Winter Series, is a local race series that took part at Stourport, South Birmingham. There was a series of races but i was only able to attend 2 of them, due to other commitments. This was the last race of the series. From previous races there had been a good turn up off women on the start line, couple of big names such as Molly Weaver and Emily Barnes. This was a nice get back into racing start for me, before the big National Series starts in March. 

I was ready to go for this race, to do well. I was really focused and confident in myself, i would get a podium positing. There was a number of 23+ women on the start line, of this last race of the season which is amazing! Its great to see more women getting involved in local races and promoting women cycling. Anyway's, it was a nice sunny day! However, i was hoping for some rain as that is great race condition for me personally. But, the wind was very aggressive today! I did a couple of warm up laps checking out where the wind was coming from and the course in general. The wind was our enemy! Literally, a head/cross wind all the way round. It was mental, which was going to make the race conditions such a brutal race!

It came to 11am and it was time for the race to start. The circuit race was 30minutes, plus 5 laps. The race started. It started fast. One women just pushing it through hard on the front, trying to drop the rest of the bunch however, that wasn't happening because we all had a nice aero tuck behind each other and taking a break whilst this women smashed it on the front. It came about 5minutes into the race and heavens opened, the rain came down for about 3minutes then it stopped. I was gutted! Wanted it to carry on raining. 

This type of circuit suited me. It had a couple of nice, air pin bends in which made it perfect set up for the sprint finish. I felt really good sitting in, wheel sucking different riders. The race was about half way through and there still was no attacks, just two women changing on the front sharing out the work, whilst the rest of us sat behind quite happily getting protection from the wind. 

There is a little incline in this circuit up to the finish line however, there is an hairpin bend just before it. I was 2nd wheel, coming round the 1st positioned rider on the bend to get the jump on the women for the downhill section. However, as the track was still damp and slippy i went a bit too confident and came sliding down. My back wheel went from behind me and i slid across the tarmac, christening my brand new kit with the fresh stourport tarmac. Shredding my skin, getting road rash. 

That was the end of my race… 

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Revolution Round 4 1st February

The weekend just gone by, I raced in the second to last round of the Revolutions at Manchester Velodrome for WD-40. It was a cracking night! There was so much atmosphere throughout the dome, with all the shouting and screams off the fans getting louder and louder, throughout the night. It was a hot, dry night in the velodrome.

One of the best things about competing in these races is racing in front of thousands of spectators, who cheer you or your team on, which makes the whole experience of racing just ecstatic! Little kids and even parents, holding out their hands so you can touch them on your way past and anybody just asking for your autographs, interviews and even pictures with you. 

It came to 7pm, it was time to get the show on the road… First thing first, was to complete our teams presentation lap. Every team gets called up one by one, to take the lap with the commentator reading out all of your names whilst you're riding round. You look up at all those amazing spectators in the crowd, who are clapping and cheering, hoping all your team give out a cheeky wave to the crowds surrounding. I find this the most awkward part of the night, I do love it! I guess its like show boating? But I always have the same discussion, should I wave? Should I not? Then think, you only have one chance just take the most out of it!!

Afterwards, the racing started and it was getting more serious throughout the night. My race approached quickly! I had a 20lap points. I was feeling really good, so I gave it a shot by going for an attack and putting myself out there. Nothing stuck or went, but I gave it a shot and the best I could! I gained a couple of points, but nothing major. I felt down after this race. However, I was raring to go for my second race to get a good position in this. The second race, vastly approached straight after and it was the 6 lap dash… A sprinters favourite race! However, this race didn't start off how our normal 6 lap dashes start. It was quite slow for a change. It came with about 3 to go and I was in the perfect position. It came up with 2 laps on the board, I was second wheel. Leading this one out was the one and only, Jessie Ansell riding for Rudy Project Racing Team. The bell rang. The charge started to hit over, I pulled out over Jessie to try get my kick back on the girls who came past. But it was too late… I secured a 6th place. Coming off that race a bit down hearted, as tonight wasn't going how I planned or how I felt I could do. I focused on my next and final race, the 20lap scratch. The race soon came around, as it was only a couple of races after we finished our second race. We all set off… Steady. Nothing much happened in this race, it was very plain and bland. A couple of attacks tried to go however, I tried my best to go with each one that went but nothing got away. The bell lap approached rapidly and I was mid pack, not the best position for the final sprint. I pulled up a couple of places and managed to get a top 10. 

That evening made me realise about how my races went. As I know deep down, I wasn't happy in what I produced at all. But I was thinking, I got 6 weeks now until the next Revolution, Round 5 in London. Train hard and I will get the results I want! 

Watch out London, i am ready for you!! ;D

It was time to leave the velodrome, after I had refreshened myself and had some recovery food. I left the velodrome with a very nice dry and grotty throat, sounding like a man. I travelled home with a couple of my friends, Jessie Ansell and Isabelle Clarke, as we were having a girly night in at Jessie's. However, we didn't get in till about 1am in the morning. On our way home, we stopped at the services wanting a wee and food break. Maccies it was!! We saw Lizzie Armitstead's tweet that she was having a Big Mac, which didn't make us feel too guilty ;) After we filled out bellies, we were on the road again travelling to home sweet, Jessie's home. We finally arrived back in the destination off, Wolverhampton and time to sleep for the following day…

2nd February 

Us girlies had to be up early, as Me and Jessie had to go be on the bike coaches for an open Women's Session in Stourport. Whilst Izzy, whisked off to watch the live auditions off Britons Got Talent. 7.15am get up, with us leaving at 8.00am.  

Me and Jessie, with her dad set off for the 40minute drive to Stourport. Luckily, it was a nice sunny day! Thank the lord, for no rain for a change.

It was 9.30am prompt and the session started. My job for this was to be at any help or assistance of the women on the session, being an on the bike coach for them. If they had any questions, queries or concerns they were capable to ask me whilst riding round with them and being able to show them the correct techniques or correct gear changes they needed to learn. 

It was a great day to being able to help novice women, who want to get into cycling and maybe race in the further days! 

Thanks for giving me the oppurtunity Louise and Craig, really enjoyed it!

Below, helping out of one of the girls get out of her saddle on an incline.