February 2010 Update
2010 is proving to be a really exciting year with a mix of riders, targets, experience and abilities. So where to start? On a sportive front, riders I am coaching are doing events such as Etape Caledonia, Marmotte and Rock to Rock - ride from Guernsey to Gibraltar. There is also Half and Full Ironman events, Island Games selection, National events, Commonwealth Games participation and Sprint Triathlon. What a mix of challenges.
Richard Stapley kicked the year off superbly for AB Coaching with a fantastic result in the first of the Winter Duathlon Series races. Ian Badman-Dunphy added a fantastic result in the 'Hell of the Ashdown' to that so it's looking good for 2010.
Keep a check on my results page to see how riders are getting on as the season progresses.
October 2009
Reflections on 2009 and what does 2010 bring?
As many of us start to prepare for 2010 some riders are still finishing their 2009 season with the last few mountain bike races including the riders' favourite, Herm.
2009 has been a good year for AB Coaching riders with some notable performances including James McLaughlin's 15th place in the Senior National 25 m TT (not bad for an 18 year old) and Richard Stapley's 14th out of 315 finishes in the New Forest Middle Distance Tri, not to mention his first sub-hour 25mTT. Richard has shown that hard work does pay off.
Jon Osborn continues to be a strong MTB contender. Improvements from some of my more recent riders, Ben Walden and Tim "Stig" Luscombe have been encouraging as they embark on their first structured winter of training. As we know all the good work is done in the winter.
My own personal challenge has been to maintain good cycling form whilst starting up my personal training business.
Both James McLaughlin and I have met the criteria set for the Commonwealth Games - Delhi 2010. Having competed in Manchester in 2002, I know what to expect but this will be a fantastic experience for James.
From a coaching perspective I am excited about 2010, I have a number of new riders and am confident that I can make a difference to their cycling results. I am also looking forward to seeing further improvements from those that I train.
As always, my methods are about a holistic approach, including good nurition, hydration, recovery and mental approach (to name some key areas). My message for 2010 is that determination and commitment will conquer over natural talent so get stuck in.
June 2009
Nicole Cooke wins her 10th National Road Race Title
Congratulations to Nicole Cooke on winning her 10th National Road Race Title. What an awesome record that is. I remember Nicole's first victory, as I was in that race (I placed 7th). Nicole got away with Yvonne McGregor and outsprinted her to victory at just 16 years of age.
I wonder when the Cooke reign will stop. Lizzie Armistead believed, if she had positioned herself better for the sprint, that she might have stood a chance. It was disappointing that Lizzie was not given her silver medal due to having won the under 23 category. What a silly rule that is.
Finally, mention should also go to Julia Shaw, the multi-National TT Champion who placed 6th at the age of 43. Shows that age doesn't have to be a barrier. Total respect to Shaw for that ride.
June 2009
What is James McLaughlin's fate?
Travelling to the UK for a puncture, as I did this weekend, is extremely disappointing but it wasn't long before I was cheered up. James had a difficult warm up with torrential rain pouring down. Mike, James' mum and I went out on the course to do some time checks and see how James was doing.
We placed ourselves at 17 miles and time checked every rider that set off after the 18 year old. Who would have thought time trialling could be so exciting but to see this young man look so smooth on the bike and put time into riders who are well known on the national circuit sent my heart racing.
At less than 10 stone, James really does punch above his weight. What is this young man's destiny? Well, that is for James to decide but he has huge potential and will continue to get quicker for some time to come if he keeps his focus. Well done James, you did me, your family and your Island proud.
April 2009
Bowditch Fitness & Nutrition
In January I set up my fitness and nutrition business, providing nutrition advice and conducting personal training as well as boot camps. This has followed a year of study to complete my personal trainer diploma which involved becoming an advanced fitness instructor. Some of the subjects covered includes functional sports conditioning, active ageing and nutrition and weight management.
The course has been excellent and I have learnt so much. I am sure I will be able to add value to my cycle coaching as a result of this.
To find out more about Bowditch Fitness and Nutrition, click on my website www.bowditchfit.com and www.blog.bowditchfit.com.
February 2009
Important announcement by UK Sport regarding anti-doping.
Ensure that you have filed any necessary declarations for medication. Further details can be found on the UK Sport website.
August 2008
Ripping up the Tarmac with Terry Wright
I was fired up for our second Duo Normand preparation ride. Terry took us down L'Eree hill, which allowed me to settle in and see how the legs felt. The whole race was a like a very hard interval session for me. I would come through, do about a minute on the front, giving it my all, before Terry would come back through and allow me an opportunity to recover. Once I had recovered, I'd go again. Each time I hit the front, I gave it my all. This style of riding suits me with my ability to recover quickly and my mixed muscle fibre profile. Terry is a very smooth rider which makes things for easier for any partner to work with.
We recorded a time of 56:36, which is the fastest 25 mile TT I have ever done, and also set an Island mixed record in the process.
Terry is something of a legend to me, a rider I have an abundance of respect for, so I was ecstatic when he agreed to do the Duo with me. Although my training focus now is for the National Hill Climb, it complements this two up style of riding.
We are both getting a real lift from riding together and pushing each other to our limits, this is team riding at its best!
Olympics - Gold Rush
"British Cycling" is what everyone is talking about. So what are they doing right? Leading up to this Olympics, they set a very tough standard, only those that were likely to medal would form part of the team for this Olympics. This meant that the likes of Rachel Heal, a very solid road racer, was no longer part of the equation, amongst others. Harsh, but can we argue now with hindsight that the decision wasn't the right one? Only the most talented and most hungry riders would make it through the ranks.
Step up to the mike, Rebecca Romero, Emma Pooley and Wendy Houvenhagel, to name just some of the mighty talents winning medals at the Olympics. There cannot be a cyclist in Britain that is not proud to feel part of the amazing contribution this sport has made to Britain's medal haul.
Having ridden at the same events as so many of the British team and having been part of the SIS team when Rebecca and Wendy rode for us, I feel I have been lucky to having met so many of these great riders. When Rebecca broke the British pursuit record back in September last year, she pushed so hard she nearly passed out. That's how tough she is.
Long may it continue.
Gold for Cooke
What a day in the life of Nicole Cooke and British Cycling!!
Well, she has done it, Nicole Cooke has her Olympic Road Race gold and she did it in style in horrendous conditions. It was so fantastic to see the pleasure that gold medal gave Nicole. She rode a fantastic race tactically and I don't think her strength and power to achieve such an accolade have ever been in doubt. This time though, Cooke had a strong team around her and it made all the difference so hats off to Sharon Laws and Emma Pooley who played their roles admirably.
British Cycling has been on the up for sometime. Bring on the track racing - more golds to come - that's got to be a certain!!
July 2008
Horton's Belgium Break
Most Channel Islanders with an interest in cycling will have noticed a large improvement in Tobyn Horton's form over recent years. I started coaching Tobyn late in 2003. Tobyn told me that he wanted to be a professional rider, I knew that if he wanted to fulfil his ambitions he needed to ride in Europe. So I did some research and got him placed in a predominantly UK team based in Belgium in 2005. This opened up a fantastic opportunity for Tobyn to live and race in Belgium, as a professional rider.
Something I like to pride myself in as a coach is to be proactive and work away behind the scenes ensuring that my riders have the best opportunities.
30/30 Challenge
I usually retain my website for talking about the riders I coach, however, sometimes I like to acknowledge other great achievements. Ian Beattie took a local challenge to another level. The 30/30 challenge by Ian Brown's Cycle Shop was set for people to ride their bikes every day for an hour over 30 days commencing 6 June and finishing with the Le Bourgs Hospice round Guernsey ride. Well, Ian added his own challenge, to ride up one of Guernsey's toughest (possibly the toughest) climb 30 times in 3 hours, in fact he managed this in 2hrs 50. Luckily the rain which was forecast did not materialise, although Ian did have to contend with a strong headwind on the top section of the climb. In completing this tough challenge, Ian raised a huge amount of money for the Hospice. Well done Ian, a fantastic achievement.
Where from here?
As James McLaughlin wins another local race, it leaves me in a contemplative mood. What some may not realise is that I am always looking at James' future as a cyclist with the aim of working towards achieving his goals. So there is much work being done behind the scenes. We must not get complacent, we cannot afford to take these local victories for granted and relax. This small Island of Guernsey is not the place for such a promising young rider, he is a big fish in a little pond. That is not to say that we won't take every race, whether at home or away, seriously and with respect to all competitors with the knowledge that no win is ever given to you .... you have to go out there, be strong, be brave and get it.
James is training hard, has some key National events to come and is off to France soon where he will be learning from the land of cycling. He will get to ride in large peletons where there is no let up in pace and the best bit....great enthusiasm from the onlookers.
Our feet are firmly on the ground, however, we are reaching for the stars!!!
May 2008
What a weekend that was!
This has to go down as the best weekend in A.B. Coaching history - 5 wins, 2 junior records and two 2nd places. James McLaughlin's mature and gutsy performances in the Liberation Day Road Race and 10mTT pales my two women's victories in the same events into insignificance. It is one thing to be given tactics to follow but another to carry them through but James did just that and I could not be more proud of his performance in the road race. Last time a rider was able to ride away from a strong chasing peleton was Paul Brehaut in 2003 when he was in the form of his life. As for the 10mTT, a new junior record and just 2 seconds shy of the all time record despite a traffic hold up, on the first time James rode his new TT bike in anger - we only set the machine up a few days earlier.
Meanwhile, we must not forget A.B. Coaching's longest standing rider, Nick Mann, who once again produced the goods at Pleinmont in the XC, whilst newest recruit, Jamie Burtenshaw put in a great result to finish second. Jon Osborn also produced a fantastic result to finish second in the Elite category of the same event. I have always believed that success breeds success so I look forward to posting many more great results.
Duo Normand Partner
I can't wait to get back to the Duo Normand this year after quite a long break. I will partner one of Guernsey's most exciting testers in my opinion. This guy made a huge impact on the local cycling scene and has represented Guernsey at the Island Games on more than one occasion. He is one of Guernsey' tough men of cycling. I am expecting to suffer. More will be revealed later.
Two up 10mTT
It was all looking good when..................
I was somewhat apprehensive about riding a 10mTT with James McLaughlin, given his impressive record of performances. This was James first experience of a team TT so was a sharp learning curve. Once he realised, after the first 5 mins, he wasn't going to drop me we started to get into a rhythm. Things were all looking good, I even surprised myself by taking some turns on the front.
Then, 2 miles from the end, disaster struck, the road was totally blocked by 2 lorries, one parked, the other trying to pass. It was gridlock. My instinct was to jump on the pavement but that was fully of sandbags and scaffolding, so we initially waited behind the truck, to cut a long story short, we ended up getting off our bikes (cyclo-cross style) clambering between sandbags and scaffolding to get past the trucks. Now I was to deal with a 17 year old full of aggression and testosterone but I managed to hold on. We were stopped for 90 secs excluding slowing down and speeding up and missed the record by about 100 secs - not happy. On the bright side (as I always like to look), I can't wait to see what we can do when James gets his TT bike, I wonder if I will hold on then!!
April 2008
Guernsey's Revised 25mTT Course
*L'Eree 25 Miles*
Start 10 yards west of westernmost gate pillar to ‘old’ Sion chapel. Proceed through filter (care) and down L'Eree Hill to turn left to Pleinmont and TURN at Pleinmont Lay-By. Proceed along coast road to TURN at Pembroke lay-by and retrace to TURN at Pleinmont Lay-By.
Proceed to finish at slipway at Route de la Rocque (as 5TT finish).
March 2008
World Track Championships
This week's events in Manchester cannot go by without me commenting. We have finished the week with 9 gold medals. How fantastic is that? Cycling should be our national sport. Surely after this week, the riders will get the credit they deserve by the media and get recognised properly on BBC Sports Personality of the Year....surely!!!
I feel a mention for the fantastic Mark Cavendish, who many of us recall slipped under Jersey rider, Sam Firby, at the Guernsey Island Games in the Town Criterium to win at the age of just 18. He has come a very long way since 2003.
We know what it takes to do the training we do, so we have an idea of what those riders put themselves through as a job. I saw Rebecca Romera at the National Track Champs back in October and watched her achieve a British pursuit record then. She nearly passed out when she got off the bike.
These riders are hard working, totally dedicated and conduct themselves well. After some of the bad press cycling has received over recent years......aren't you now pleased to associate yourself with this sport? I know I am!!! Bring on Beijing!
February 2008
Bowditch Second in Guernsey List of Top 10 All Time Cyclists
Ann Bowditch was named in the list of best ever Guernsey cyclists, the only person ahead of the Guernsey rider was Ian Brown, having ridden for GB on 3 occasions.
To quote the Guernsey Evening Press "The Star of the 2003 Island Games with four gold medals to her name on and off the roads, the 'Pocket Rocket', as she is dubbed, remains one of the best women cyclists in the UK.
A very powerful climber with superb power to weight ratio, she continues to produce great time-trial results although her lack of inches does not make her ideally suited to the discipline.
Unquestionably, the island's finest woman rider of all time, with former time-triallist and long-time retired Karen Despres the nearest anyone comes to her in terms of ability".
January 2008
Guernsey Sporting Achievement Awards
James McLaughlin wins the Sir John Loveridge Trophy for Most Improved Sportsperson
In his second season of racing James has been the phenomenon of the Guernsey Velo Club, having won both the junior and senior road race championships to add to his senior and junior hill climb championships and, in the process, beating members of the Island Games team.
At a national level James placed 6th in the Junior British Time Trial Championships on a borrowed bike after his was stolen the day before the race. He also placed 17th overall (including against seniors) in the National Hill Climb Championships. These results show great all-round ability.
James has knocked a massive 5 minutes of his 25 mile personal best time in doing so he became the youngest Guernsey rider to break the hour for 25 miles and took the under 18 record. He also reduced his Petite Bot double hill climb time by 33 seconds, a huge margin given the short distance of the course. This time gave James the overall victory as well as a brand new junior and senior record.
