Where are we going?

Out the door.

On the bike. Off we go.

Where now?..

Anywhere your legs take you. A bike gives you freedom, freedom to explore any road, any place, any time. Just turn those pedals, and away you go. That's the beauty of it. If I or others didn't cycle, we'd miss out on all the places, towns, villages and views that we'd never get to witness or embrace without cycling. Getting to see new things that you'd never pass in a 'normal' life or situation.

So get out. Enjoy.
Go explore.. 

So here's some pictures to share some of my recent and past adventures that I've enjoyed most:

Miraflores 

Andalusia - Road to Sorbas

Big ol' Bideford loop 

I've seen this view literally hundreds of time. It normally means intervals of pain and suffering - Boscastle

Dartmoor 

Cornish Coastline

Up to Uleila del Campo 

Top of Mijas climb

Coast of Fuengirola 

'Home'

Chasing Sky?

Turre market day is paradise.

Another Dartmoor adventure 

Cornish lanes. 

Mojacar 'old town'

Getting the 'Tan' on

For more photos and updates -  Follow me on  Instagram!

Update

Since my last post the situation is fairly similar still, but I thought I'd give you a short update. I've been poked and prodded, with also needles stuck in me but now I'm currently waiting on some appointments to get more thoroughly checked out. I've got a muscle biopsy next week and some heart tests the week after, which the docs referred me too. So these should give me an answer, particularly the Biopsy where they can thoroughly see whats going on in there - although I'm not too keen on having a bit of muscle taken out from my leg! At least we will know whats going on and can then move forward again.

In the meantime I'm keeping myself busy and keeping my training going okay and enjoying being back training and riding. Although its steadier and damage limitations for the time being.

Kris

Problem solving

Lately the problems are still here and I'm unable to train for the moment again. I'm looking into a underlying issue which has seemed to have got worse and alongside I'm trying each day to get back on the bike in the mean time.
Its been a bit frustrating this year so far, its not what I imagined at the start of the year, mentally it has been really difficult at times, particularly the last month or so. Especially as I've never really had too many issues keeping me off the bike with regular intervals. So for the time being I'm waiting for referrals for a few specialists to check me out and hopefully fix me or get some sort of advice moving forward.

It's likely for the rest of the season I'll be staying home and may not be Spain again, even if I'm fit and healthy. Unfortunately with the main funding I applied for and hoped to obtain fell through over the winter. I have struggled a bit financially but would've just managed to live and race in Spain throughout the season, so I could benefit as a rider. Which would have been great,  however with a few issues over the past few months which I've been trying to sort, it'll be hard to carry on out there, plus it's going to take a while until I'm back into good shape again. But I'll try to work things out while I'm back here (home) getting back on track.

Hopefully I'll bounce back soon. make some news goals and get something good out of the season.
I'll keep you updated,

Kris

Some good times, more bad times..

Good news -
I had a Brits abroad feature in the Cycling weekly Magazine (April 21st edition)
A few questions about being abroad and what its like out there living and racing in Spain.
Big thanks to Pedal Potential my sponsor, helping fund the season this year and help me get to race in Spain. For sure without the help I wouldn't be out there, and that sort of help Is what makes athletes supported like me able to do what we do.


Bad news-
At the end of my last post I ended wanting to finally start my season again, after not an ideal start. Let's just say that didn't happen, again. The first race back in Cuellar, I came down hard on the final lap of the race, I was really lucky nothing was broken, some skin off and had a deep hole in my knee, I got scraped off the road,on a stretcher and into the ambulance. If you saw my bike, you'd think how I came off so lightly. I couldn't walk for a week or more, or bend the knee at all. I needed crutches and more help to walk and get around directly after the race but they just patched me up and let me go and went straight home, not ideal. I could hardly get into the apartment, let alone look after myself, so it was best to get home asap, where I could get checked up properly and recover quicker. My dad was a bit of a hero, he took the next flight over and took the next flight home with me the night after. The airline wouldn't give us a wheelchair (we even booked one.) so I hopped on a luggage trolley with one leg and got pushed through the airport, we got a few funny looks, it was quite a sight..

Anyway, I'm Ok now. It took longer that expected to get back on the bike, obviously when it happened, I thought I would be on my bike in a few days, being stubborn like most cyclists. But two weeks later mid-April I was slowly able to turn the pedals again, when I had the flexibility and movement back. After that I improved quicker and quicker, there comes a point where I turned a corner and I was free again, not a one legged man any more. Freedom.

So right now  I'm back training normally again , slowly building the intensity again with my coach Tom from EPIC coaching. At the moment I think I'm sticking around here at home in Cornwall for a while now, to recover, train and get checked over properly. Because when I got checked over post crash back in the UK, there was an issue from the tests and my doctor was worried and told me not race until I get properly assessed and fixed. It may be some sort of metabolic issue of some sort and also something with the muscle damage from cycling its not good. Best to have it looked into..

It's nearly May and it doesn't feel like I've even started my 2016 season yet.  But It is, what it is. Setbacks happen. What can you do....  On the bright side, I'm back riding, getting fitter again  and I can have another go at starting my racing season soon, third time lucky eh.

Kris J.

A season beginning?

The season finally kicked off at Memorial Gumer at the end of February. It was nice to be back in the peloton, fighting for wheels and taking a few risks again, albeit feeling a little rusty!
It was also the first time being a peloton of over 200+ riders, something I'll have to get used too, and work on my big bunch skills. Whereas at home its normally only 80 ish riders on the start line! All the Spanish races are run on closed roads too, so it far safer than racing on just one side of the road with oncoming traffic, which can get super sketchy! Although now we have to steer our way around road furniture, pavements,  roundabouts etc. but that just adds to the fun.

The first part of the race I was coming to terms with racing again and worked my way up and found my legs a bit, until we came to the only main climb of the day where the majority of the riders got dropped, I finished (33rd) in the main group/peloton which had swelled up around 40/50 riders by the finished, which remained out of the 200+ and finished behind the days break which staying away for the entire race, we had Elias in it, who took 3rd. He's a bit of a machine.

The next weekend was my first taste of the Spanish cup, which didn't go to plan. First race in the basque country and I was in for a treat.. 0 degrees and rain. Leading up to the race I felt horrible on the bike, nothing in the legs. Pre race day everything didn't go to plan, no pre race ride and having a meal, when I normally head to sleep pre race is something I'll have to get used too in Spain. So you can assume how my first Spanish cup went after bad feelings and prep. To make it worse, when I and others riders in the team got dropped we had to stay out in the rain and cold for a long time until the race ended, because no one would help unlock the van, which in turn didn't help the process of me ending up sick a few days after. So lets just say the weekend was not ideal!

This meant the next week or so I ended up not doing a lot. I took recovery to the next level though, stretching,eating, lying in bed and not riding much. This meant binge watching live racing but also Prison break and daredevil! (Well recommended.) If you know of a good program, hook me up.
Also its meant I've now missed nearly a months worth of races by this point, but I've been back training a week or more now and building back up well again now. Touch wood, smooth from here on. I've actually been home visiting for the past week and arrived back in Madrid today. I originally planned to race the First round of the British National series at the Chorley GP but I wasn't in any shape to do it post Illness. But it was nice to finally get home after 4 months away, the longest I've been away from home. There's no place like home. I mean this because of many things. Although a few things spring straight to mind as I walked in the door. I missed using a kettle, a toaster , being able to use more than one hob before the electric trips out, and recently the bathroom light in our Alcala flat stopped working before I left. and yes, it still doesn't work to this day now I'm back, cyclists are lazy and I also didn't realize my flatmates like peeing in the dark so much. Now I know. Now you all know too! I know what your thinking though, dont sweat ,Im clued up,I use a portable light. (I will fix it.)

Being home was really nice, was nice to relax get used it to get back on the bike training proper and reset a bit with the family. I possible ate too much too but when at home. I'll be basically starting my season all over again and fresh from here on out. Training at home on home roads, I think there's not a lot better! Of course only when the weathers decent! Good Friday was perfect, the rolling Cornish coastal roads and Devon country roads are hard to beat when on form.
5 hours in the saddle felt like one and it was the best ride in a long time.

Now I'm back in Spain for the moment, with fresh new targets and ready to get the ball rolling again. This season is just beginning.

Kris.

A new home

The last weekend of January I packed up and headed up to Alcala de henares, Madrid. This journey marked the start of the new adventure, a new season. I met my new teammates and staff from EC Cartucho.es during the team presentation that very weekend. It was great to meet everyone and you could feel the buzz and excitement for the season ahead.

Also its nice to finally setup camp for the rest of the year, I'm currently living in a small flat with  2 of my Norwegian teammates Elias and Jonas. Being in a new environment can be stressful at times, not knowing where everything is and what to do/where to go and sort things etc. It doesn't help that I came to Spain not knowing much Spanish at all! I will learn, I have too. But after a few weeks now, Im getting to know the area better and better, I've already seeked out favorite routes/rides and enjoyed exploring new roads, getting into routines, feeling more relaxed and settling in to my new home, Alcala de henares.

Previously I anticipated to start racing at the beginning of February, however I still haven't pinned the numbers on the new jersey just yet but its just around the corner -  this weekend it all changes! 

I start in a race, an hour or so away from Madrid and have races most weeks from then on. It'll be nice to get the ball rolling after a winter of preparation and finally get that race feeling back. This is why we/I all train those long hours and endless miles - for the racing! 

Keep you posted!


Kris

Winter?

Winter you say? what rain, what flooding? Cold fingers, freezing toes, thing of the past!

I've been super lucky to get away early, before the season begins. This means I get to concentrate on training, resting and getting myself prepared for a big and exciting season ahead with EC Cartucho.

Training over the winter has been going well, a few issues here and there, losing some training days but overall some solid prep for the season done already. I'm currently down south in a nice village called Turre (Nr Mojacar) at the minute. I plan on heading up to Madrid at the end of the month. Starting it all off with team training rides and the team presentation on the first weekend - Looking forward to meeting everyone and getting settled in for the season ahead!

Time really does fly! My first season abroad is just around the corner. Not long now and I'll be pinning numbers on before you know it..

I love good food too much.

Market Day - Best day of the week.

Pancakes and fruit at an Asian buffet - Oh yes.

2016 Team Announcement - EC Cartucho.es

I can finally announce that  I will be riding for the Spanish Elite/U23 Team EC Cartucho.es (formerly EC Magro) for the 2016 season! 

They have an exciting calendar lined up, consisting of races throughout Spain and into Portugal. It will feature all the  Copa de Espana races (Spanish cup), also other single day and stage races across Spain/Portugal and maybe a few races abroad. 

I'm really looking forward to taking the step up with team. I can't wait to get started and also to be living in Spain throughout the year, its going to be an exciting experience.

I Just want to say thank you to Pedal Potential for supporting me throughout last season and also to Epic Coaching , without the support and coaching, this move wouldn't have been possible. 

Now some hard winter preparation lies ahead, then bring on 2016!

Oh I remember..

After nearly a months break, which consisted of only riding a few times a week and at a pretty steady pace, I've slowly started to get back into training again. I think my legs forgot how to push on the pedals though, they didn't like the first session of tempo efforts that they saw or even the threshold test to setup my training zones. Bit grim, but they'll come round.


However,  I'm feeling refreshed and ready to get into the swing of things again! Getting into a good routine of eating, training and resting well.

In order to improve myself and step up winter preparations this year compared to last, I've added another member to my 'Team' Im working with Matt Luxton, who is helping me in the gym with my strength and mobility this winter. Ultimately strengthening my body, so I'll be stronger, more efficient and solid on the bike.


So yes, that means I'm gonna look like this in no time..

Stacked.

Well..
not quite.

It may only be just the start, but the next 3/4 months of hard work will build the foundations for my success during the 2016 season. I'm looking forward to getting stuck in!

That's a wrap!

I've decided to end my season this week, I think I'm ready for a rest after a long season of racing and training hard.

Last race update 

Last weekend I had a double racing weekend lined up, on the Saturday I went up to Oxford and managed 8th in Beeline RR, a little disappointed with how it panned out, a few mistakes made by myself. However the sunday race was a new experience. A RR in Elstead, Surrey, unfortunately the race had to be neutralized each lap because of a running event that was going through a village we had to pass through. This caused a bit of chaos with lots of cars and runners about, as we didn't have NEG motorbikes in front of the race, lets just say having the lead car to stop on a decent and the whole bunch having to grab the breaks, it makes for some heart in mouth moments, pretty sketchy. After the 2nd/3rd lap the race got abandoned after a parked car pulled out on one of the riders and forced him off the road and crash. If a lead car passes you and a 80 strong field are coming past, I'm pretty sure you shouldn't pull out..

Anyway they decided to switch circuits and after an hour we started again, and lets just say a similar thing happened on a decent,on narrow road, poor vision and with a horse in front.  Race abandoned again. Not how I wanted to end my season, but it is what it is.

So that's another season done. I'm happy with what I've achieved, learnt and how I progressed. I'm also confident in what I can achieve in the future and I've come out the other end of the 2015 season stronger and a much better rider overall. A big thanks has to go to my coach, Mark Dolan from Epic coaching for the help with the training and support this year.

Also a big thank you to my sponsor Pedal potential helping me make this season and all the racing opportunities possible!


Keep your eyes peeled, fingers crossed I'll have some good news in the coming weeks!


Au revoir.

March seems like a long time ago..