Cycling Dreams, South Africa

I met Jessica last year at the World Cycling Centre in Aigle , Switzerland while visiting Tegshee. He was great to speak with her and listen to her story.

My name is Jessica Brown, I have been cycling for 7-8years. Three of those years being a professional cyclist for a women's team in South Africa and two years being a national representative. I have achievements on the road and track,

I've also represented SA at 3 international events as a junior and 2 track training camps at the WCC (World Cycling Center) in Switzerland. I'm am the 500m, team sprint and points Junior Track African Champ for 2017 and Team Sprint record holder. 

My experience as a young cycling was quite tough. I was thankful to have development teams (Uber Development & Lorraine BestMed) that helped where they could. 

We did not have many races or sponsorship to support our young rider back then and yet still today. Progress from U/16 to junior and elite is a big step for the youngsters and in the process we've lost many young riders , parents also play a big role in our cycling lives financially and supportively. Many found it expensive and unfortunately had to pull there kids out of this amazing sport. 

Two of my biggest and most amazing races in SA was the Cape August Cycle Tour and Paarl Boxing Day track event. These two events were my biggest events as a youngster, organizers and supporters brought an amazing welcoming and supportive atmosphere with some of the best races in SA. 

My expectations for young riders is for CSA (Cycling South Africa) to develop a development project, including all 6 cycling sports (road,track,bmx,mountain biking,xco and para cycling) . This will help the riders and provinces to see what development is needed to be put into the rider and performance expected. 

I also would love to see more development functions for the youth and not only coaches as we all need the guidance to show us the right direction and to make those big discussions. We expect to see more support from sponsorships and international recognition for our riders international and local. 

Young riders in SA mostly dream of making it as an international professional cyclist. Junior Worlds is there main goal, until they realize there is bigger fish out there to catch, after junior worlds there dream or goals get bigger aiming to the Olympic Games. Where others dream of representing there country with pride and making every move to get SA recognized and show them we can do it. 

My dream was always to be a professional cyclist and win an Olympic medal for my country in the 200m flying lap and 500m time trial. After my dream and goals give back to the youth and show them the direction and guid them to a successful future. 

Thank you for sharing your dreams with us.

SD Team.

Alex Jones and the National Para TT Championships

Our guest writer/rider Alex Jones talk to us about his last experience at the National Para TT Championships.

National Para TT Championships

 As soon as I returned from Manchester it was time to start preparations for the National Para Time Trial Championships. Time Trialling is not an area where I have had a lot of experience but I had not done badly in the World Cup so I was motivated to keep training hard.  The course was a rolling 36kms in the beautiful Nottinghamshire countryside. We travelled up the day before so I could at least drive the course a few times and get familiar with the tricky bits and try to make a plan.  We were lucky with the weather on the day, with bright sunshine and next to no wind.  I was slightly nervous to see that the current National Champion was setting off a minute behind me so I knew that I would have to be strong mentally as he sailed past me and resist the temptation to chase him down at a speed that would be unsustainable and make my legs die on me before the end of the race.   I put everything into my performance, with GB coaches there watching our every move once more,  and at the end of the race I had no idea if I had medalled or not as the times seemed very close for 2nd and 3rd places. 

Checking the results board I was genuinely over the moon to see that I had come second, earning a silver medal, proving that every second of effort counts.  I went away inspired by the other riders and whilst I continue my physio exercises I know that I can continue to overcome my muscle stiffness to improve my position on the bike for next year.

It has been a very long and exciting season for me but it is not quite over as my first ever Track International competition is coming up in November so I have been training every week at the London Velodrome so I can attempt more pbs and improve my racing technique.

The SD Team thanks Alex for sharing his cycling experiences with us and all our followers. We wish well and we look forward to hear more interesting stories.Good Luck for the rest of the season.

SD TEAM.

Ps: don’t forget to vote for us http://www.timeout.com/london/lovelondonawards#/vote/ealing/shops

Racing at 1877 Preston Park Velodrome in Brighton

Last Sunday I had the pleasure to race in the oldest cycle track in world, the Preston Park Velodrome was dug out by hand by the British Army in 1877.The length of the velodrome is only 580 metres, the thought of racing around it for 40 plus minutes gave me a feeling of boredom. Therefore I have decided to enter first race of the "Apres The Hot Recovery Drink Wacky Races Series".

One of the false flats.

Surprisingly, my boredom kicked in really quickly,I recall checking my computer at only 13 minutes into the race.Through my mind a lot thoughts were flying, from my father passing away to the way of pulling out to this boredness.

Following my father advise during my life, I did not want to give up so I have turned up the engines and start riveting.

Another great view from above.

The field of 32 was a good quality of riding,there were few slow ones,but that is part of the game.I was quite impressed to see few guys with turbo trainers before the race to warm up then I did not see them at all during the race.Usually those are the ones who push.But obviously not in this case.

Racers getting ready to go on track.

The speed and pace was high for a cat 4 race,but I was comfortable so I stayed always at the front and made it up if I lost a position due to wrong position or coming out from the front pack.Few guys that we lapped, suddenly were with us again racing for a postion.

That was a bit of shock for few of us that overlapped them twice, but interesting on sportsmanship conduct principles.

Well done to the Blazing Saddles Team to work as a real team and to get all the 3 steps in the podium.

It was a good result and also good to gain the first 2 point after 4 races for this season with a finish in 8th position.

Those photos were taken in the warm up lap.

Someone shouted at me to keep hands in the handlebar,I nearly choked.

Until next time enjoy riding.Keep getting SaddleDrunk.

Ciao.

SD.