Season Review 2022

Halfway through the season I thought about restarting this blog but decided against it. Now the season has finished I feel it's time to review what has been a fantastic season.

After not much training due to work commitments the first race of the season was Ulley Lane in Yorkshire back in mid August (540m 8.5%). No real high hopes but a good gauge. 1min power PB for 2022 but nothing special.

Prior to any next races came the first block of training. Consistency was the aim and the first couple of weeks were heavy 200+km weeks.

September signified the start of the true HC season with races nearly every weekend for the next 10 weeks.

First up, Hardwick Hall in the dark (600m 9%) - a fantastic atmosphere and for once it was dry! My target was sub 2min, so I was over the moon to do a 1m59 and an all time 1min power PB, some 80w high than my previous 4 year ago.

Green Moor HC was the next week - 1km 8% but deceptive with 500m at 10% and the last 500m at 6%. It's fair to say I paced it dreadfully and made me realise I struggled at anything between 3-5mins. More training needed.

The following week was a double day with Pea Royd Lane (720m 14%) in the morning and Mill Lee Road (400m 11%). I had been ill all week prior and probably should have not raced.

Pea Royd Lane went horribly. Headwind and dire pacing made for a pretty rubbish run. Some chips and a gentle cycle over to Mill Lee Road helped the mind and the legs as it was time for the shortest event on the calendar- just over a minute effort. A new 1min power PB followed, one that I can't imagine will be challenged unless I race it again next year.

Bouyed by the previous week, I was looking forward to one of the best HC of the year in Monsal Head (600m 12.4%). Crowds both sides of the closed road cheering on all the way. It was meant to be favourable conditions but it didn't feel like it. Still squeezed out a PB despite over gearing the steepest section. You live and learn.

A double weekend followed with 2 very different climbs.

Mam Tor was first up (2km 10%). A climb with high sentimental value to me as it was the first HC race I ever did back in 2018. This year it was also the closest climb in length and steepness to the Nationals course in Wales. Paced very well, new 5 min power PB and smashing my 10 min target by over 30 secs. I was so in the zone on the cycle back to Sheffield I smashed out a PB on Burbage Moor by 3 mins!

The next day we Carr Lane in Bolsover (1.4km 7%). Block headwind was flavour of the day. Good enough power to keep me happy given the volume and intensity of the weekend. A weekend off followed.

Bank Road in Matlock (600m 12%)was the final race before nationals. I wanted a sub-3min, I got 3:00.2. Damn that stopwatch!

Finally we made it Nationals. Last weekend of the season and October.

The course was up the Old Shoe: 1.6km 12.5% but a race of two halves. The first a constant 12-13%, a cattle grid, then 20% ramps until a false flat near the top. A recee the day before decided upon the pacing plan - could I execute though.

An early start, wander over to the HQ, numbers pinned and warm up begun. The adrenaline started to pick up as the start approached. Rain started fall just in time.

I set off sticking to the pacing strategy. Aim for 300-320w for the first half then give everything after. Ended up being a 350/340 split. I just couldn't give as much on the steep stuff. I finished in 9m10 and an all time 5 min power PB. We grabbed some food and watched the rest of the hitters come up.

The atmosphere was something else. For that afternoon a mountain top was probably the loudest place in Wales.

The season has been fantastic, as has the support from fellow riders as usual. I'd love to say I'll be back next year but that is entirely work and life dependent. As of now I'm happy to have given my all to a HC season.

Will I write on here again? Who knows, but until then it's time to enjoy just riding!