Katie's Third Icebreaker

Icebreaker Saturday 29 March

Girls from all around the country gathered at Newport velodrome for the third and final Icebreaker of 2014.

I was here with Alice and Claire who were also racing in Solihull cc colours in the U16, we train and race together.

I have gained so much experience from these races, training is wonderful practice but actually racing is so good for learning. First up was the scratch race, points was next and fisnihsing with  - my favourite “The Devil”

Next to look forward to is the track league at Halesowen and The West Midlands Omnium. More news to follow about these race in May and June.

Katie Clements

Tidy Genesis Track Bike

This is the 2014 version of Katie's track bike of which we have pictured before. But this one is a little different. This bike comes with a silver finishing kit and wheels as standard. 

Tim knows the devil is in the details so we have swapped all the silver for black, added white bar tape, white headset, Miche carrier and sprockets and the rather sexy Miche chainset to match. The saddle will be swapped I am told and we kept the wheel reflectors on because we all know they make you go faster!

Nothing better than that 'new bike' feeling. 

Half Term Holidays

This half term I've been really busy, since Saturday I've been training and racing and of course socialising while on a bike!

On Saturday I was in Newport on the track racing the elimination, scratch and  the points race for a second time this year.

Then on Sunday I went out on a road ride with youth members of Solihull cc, club rides are a great time for a good chat with your friends as well as training at the same time.

Monday was a much needed rest day after a hectic weekend!

Tuesday I was back on the bike and this time it was a road RSR (regional school of racing) which British Cycling coaches organise and take control off.

Wednesday was another training session but this time indoors on the turbo which isn't my favourite thing but needs to be done.

Then on Thursday it was back on the road for another long ride with Solihull cc again. Thanks to Alistair for putting my mud guards on under 15 minutes just before I left for the ride in pouring rain - much appreciated!

Friday was also a hard session but this time on the track bike on my rollers.

Thanks to the shop for my new shimano shoes which they ordered in and also I hope you enjoyed the cakes I made, but personally I think I should stick to cycling and not become a chef :)

Katie Clements

More News from Katie from the Track

Icebreaker Series, Race One, 25 January 2014 At Newport Velodrome.

I went to the Icebreaker in Newport. It was my first race on the new bike from John Atkins Cycles, the bike was absolutely fab! The icebreaker is three endurance races on the track, the scratch race, the elimination and the points race. 

(I'm in the left/middle, white helmet, red and blue kit)

The Elimination race is my favorite race out of the three disciplines and it is the race I did my best in on Saturday, I was up against some stiff competition with some of the best under 16’s in the country racing and I was delighted stay in for about 14 laps before my number was called in the elimination race. 

(I'm in the middle, white helmet, red and blue kit)

Throughout the whole day I learnt lots about being an athlete and really enjoyed myself during the whole experience. I can’t wait till 15 February when I get to do it all over again!

Katie Clements

A little something from our newest team rider

Reginal School of racing - Elimination race.

On 21 December I went to the regional school of racing (RSR) in Manchester which gave me the opportunity to be coached by British cycling coaches for the day on the velodrome.

The day was split into two sessions and in the morning we had a classroom lessons learning and discussing the rules, skills and tactics of the Elimination race, also known as The devil takes the hindmost. The Elimination is a race where the last rider over the line is eliminated every two laps on a 250m track.

In the afternoon for 4 hours we were on the track using the skills we had learnt into practice. My favourite part of the afternoon was putting into practice the tactic for having the best position in the bunch during the elimination race and then holding onto that position for as long as possible. The bike was great and riding it on the track is more exhilarating than training at home with the track bike on rollers!

The last part of the day was taken up with mechanical changing the chain tensions and putting wheels in and out of the bike on our own.

Having the advise of the British Cycling Coaches was great they gave me good tips to improve my skills and perfect tactics to try.

Katie Clements