My point.
I have always believed that you should never stop learning, growing, and experiencing new things in life because keeping that sense of wonder is what keeps us young in spirit and happier in our minds. Right now, I feel grateful for all the growth opportunities the last few months have thrown at me… both challenging and joyful. I hope you are all finding the positives in your journey right now too.
The seed.
It began in the middle of 2022 when I said to a couple of friends “I want to get better on the bike”. By the end of September, the chats got more frequent, opening to more people, and holding off from registering for another triathlon race. In October 2022 I entered my first cyclocross event as a novice. It felt like I was experiencing someone else’s childhood biking memory and in my head, I was just like a kid from the Goonies pedalling away without a care in the world. I was riding a bike in a way I never had in my childhood with such unbridled joy and freedom (shout out to my friend for her capturing the perfect moment). It was hard; tight corners, boggy dips, ignoring the constant fear of coming off the bike, lugging a heavy bike up and around and getting filthy for 20 minutes of fun. I knew I needed more, so I joined a local cycling club and registered for a race license on the British Cycling website.
Across all distances of triathlon and now into road racing.
You’d think cutting out swimming and running you would have more time to yourself…. How wrong was I? Attaining triathlon experience I had collated the perfect checklist for race day; come race day on the bike, not even a quarter of that is needed. You can’t just throw any brand on like a triathlon. Any riders classed in 3rd category or above will need to race unattached, and in plain kit if registered club clothing is not available. I am currently racing under a team called Rule 28 x ATP Performance. Rule 28 specialises in aerodynamic and performance racewear. ATP Performance is a team of coaches made up of qualified sports scientists as well as ex-professional athletes. They cover everything from cycle coaching to physiological testing, strength and conditioning work and wind tunnel testing. The new team kit is beautiful and fast!
Unlike triathlon, bike racing is all about strategy and tactics. The bike leg of a triathlon focuses on measured pacing and self-preservation whilst fuelling for the miles ahead and the run afterwards. I have no problem with endurance, but I have struggled with climbing and my high-intensity abilities were non-existent and needed improvement. In addition, I had been uncomfortable riding in a pack with strangers and lacking the necessary technical skills. Racing this year has helped me gain confidence in cornering and riding in packs. The female competition is raising the bar higher every time I race, and I love it (after I have crossed the finish line and the nerves have dissipated).
Fuelling has changed, I don’t eat on the bike anymore whilst racing apart from drinking electrolytes and gels, instead, I focus on eating carbohydrates and protein before and after a race. What did make me laugh was when I witnessed a Saint Piran rider for the National Cycling Championships at Saltburn eat two packets of rice topped with Soy Sauce for breakfast in a hotel. The same weekend I was trapped in an elevator with a race team and witnessed a man with a rice maker under each arm.
Bike maintenance has been an enormous learning curve for me this year. The tyre pressure is checked before every ride. Adapting the tyre pressure to each course for example, if the road is wet, has cobbles etc. The road bike has had a new derailleur hanger, freehub, brake pads, tyres, bottom bracket, and jockey wheels this year. I won’t go into detail as the fear still haunts me now. Luckily, I had Uberbike Components come to the rescue; replacing my parts with Ceramic Purple Components (please check them out). Even luckier to have my friends this year who constantly keep helping me with cleaning the bike and putting the parts on, indexing the gears and the continual growth of learning. Comparing myself to this time last year, I wouldn’t have a clue.
Travelling alone to races has been quite dull, it has been daunting turning up, thinking I feel out of place but the more I have raced the more I have recognised familiar faces. Everyone is in the same boat, and I find everyone is so much chattier straight after crossing the finish line! Luckily, I have been given an opportunity to be a part of a Global Cycling Network documentary that is being filmed throughout the summer. It follows a group of female amateur racers. Still, you will just have to watch it when it comes out in December to fully appreciate the ambition, hard work, and dedication within that group of women. After meeting the ladies – I have come away with friendships and they have made racing much more fun!
I have had to learn a new language
- Attack: A sudden acceleration to move ahead of other riders.
- Freewheel: Rider has stopped pedalling but still moving forwards, also known as “Coast”.
- Half-wheeling: When one rider nudges ahead of the other rider at the front of the group, causing a disturbance in pace.
- Neutral Zone: A section of the course where you’re not allowed to race and must remain behind a vehicle. Once on the course, the vehicle will typically signal the field to start racing and then speed up the road.
- Steady Away: The definition is still unknown. I thought it meant keeping the pace steady as it is and not surging. One experience it meant slowing down when a rider bonked. However multiple rides have shown this can be a joke to elevate the pace.
The season is almost over.
Personally, I would like to start feeling exhausted after a race instead of thinking ‘Oh I could run now’. I have made my mind up; I will not be booking a triathlon for 2024 and will continue to have fun riding and racing my bike.
Once the season is over my coach and I will be concentrating on a mixture of endurance for the road season and time spent on the Time Trial bike. Focusing on pedal efficiency, bike skills and strength work. I have no idea what and how, but I will write about it another time.
In conclusion, it is clear that taking action towards our goals is essential for achieving success. Whether it’s overcoming fear, pushing through obstacles, or simply taking the first step, the journey towards our aspirations requires consistent effort. By embracing a growth mindset and staying committed to our vision, we can continue to move forward and achieve great things. Let’s seize the moment and turn our dreams into reality!
I have added a Buy Me a Coffee link – hope you have enjoyed this read.
I really want to say thank you to my sponsors, friends, family, Cleethorpes Tri Club & Lindsey Roads Cycling Club for all your help.
I am seeking a Sponsorship for 2024, please get in touch if you can help.
Daniella Florence 
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