Rewind to 2019. My recap

So, that’s a wrap on 2019 and what an unpredictable roller coaster it has been. Looking back now and thinking I spent 8 months living alone in France is crazy and it already seems like an age since I was last there back in mid-September. Anyway: here’s a quick factual roundup of the year.

12% of my year has been spent training on bike, not including off bike activities (gym etc)

725 hours riding

14,065 miles – averaging 38.5 miles per day

14 centuries

108,000 calories burnt – approximately 1,028 Lincolnshire sausages

1 night out in Lyon

5 flights

Countless baguettes consumed and plenty of kg’s of pasta eaten.

From all these unforgettable experiences I’ve learnt so much from new people, coaches and professionals, these include;

Stretch frequently and dynamically plus foam roll.Do your easy rides easy and your harder rides harder.Eat, drink, and then eat and drink some more. Fuelling properly will mean you can perform at the end of the race just not at the startIf you get an opportunity to do something new or go somewhere new, take it. The things I thought were my strengths are actually not my strengths. Cyclo-cross is a great way to get fit in a short period of time. Don’t get in the groupetto early into a point to point race; you’re in for a long ride back. Resting is just as important as training.

I’ve been to so many new places this year, to towns you may never heard of and have found some gems in the French countryside, found only through exploring on the bike. From the steep climbs of the Beaujolais region to the rolling climbs around Bordeaux plus my home roads on the edge of the Alps. I hope the mark I’ve made on Strava KOMs around the Charvieu area remains for decades to come, but I eagerly anticipate the days I get notified that they have been beaten. Maybe then I’ll make a return back to an area that holds some good memories for me.

Thank you Charvieu Chavagneux Isere Cyclisme, staff and riders.  I hope to meet you all again one day in the future

So now I’m officially a rider for Saint Piran in which the website can be found here – https://saintpiranprocycling.com/

I’m thankful for Steve and Ricci for giving me an opportunity to race next year, meaning I can finally ride for a British team for the first time in a few years. I’m looking forward to competing in some of my local races such as the Cicle Classic, Lincoln GP and Bourne cicle, all of which I know better than the back of my hand.

I’ve now just finished my first main winter block, and in the 3 months I’ve been back riding, today is the only day I’ve come back with a clean bike. I’ve hit some new peak powers already most notably for 30 seconds and 20 mins. I’ve really come to realise that even with my skinny build, I’m a very punchy rider and not necessary the pure climber I believed to be.

Next up for me is the final round of the Lincs CX league on Sunday followed by starting my next block to build up before the season including 10 days in Lanzarote in January.

Many thanks to the Adam Gibbons sports foundation and Duncan and Toplis for the support!

If you have any questions, or would like to leave me feedback you can find me on…

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Or email me on matt.ellis01@outlook.com