2013 AnPost Ras Stage 3

2013 AnPost Ras Stage 2

46kmph average speed on Irish regional roads for 160km...

2013 AnPost Ras Stage 1

2013 Azerbaijan

It was May 2011 and I was in Germany with my wife's family – we were there for a party and the evening after, we had some quiet time – the Eurovision Song Contest was on – I hadn't seen it since I was a kid but the whole family sat around, joked and cheered as we watched Azerbaijan kick our Irish and German butts... Azerbaijan – I had heard of it before, but no idea where it was or knew anything about it.

Almost two years later and I'm boarding a flight from Dubai to Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan to race the UCI 2.2 Tour de Azerbaijan – I was excited – I have travelled a lot, but never to this region of the world – I really didn't know what to expect (although Wikipedia did give me a bit of a headsup) and even after the trip, I still find it hard to explain.

Organised group ride equals closed down highway!

Out for a spin, the day before the race

After being picked up at the airport by race officials, we were whisked to our hotel – the driving was crazy, the traffic was mad, but oh my, the city – it looked like Paris... except cleaner... and more expensive. I didn't expect that. Huge buildings, sky scrappers, blue skies, one of the worlds largest flag (next to the building the built to host the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest) – I like it here!

Throughout the race, there was not a single thing I could fault the organization on (well, okay, tell us where to get ice – but that is REALLY nitpicking!) - I didn't see a single crash, a single car on the road (or side of the road) that wasn't part of the race – these guys are doing things right.

Around Baku

My race, well my videos mostly cover that – I arrived with a sore throat after Singapore, one that turned into a cough and sickness for most of our team (I'm sitting here in Dublin with an antibiotics prescription that I'm really hoping I don't have to take – I don't like what it does to your gut health – barely left my bedroom yesterday but feeling a lot better today) – the racing was hard, and looking at the power files afterwards, shows that it was far more difficult than any other stage races I rode this year (or last - stages 1 and 4 in the Philippines are up there though).

The final day, there is no video up. Twelve laps of a twelve kilometer circuit with a tough climb at the start – 1.6km at 7% - first 400m on cobbles Belgium would be proud of. Steep, shallow, steep, shallow – it was tough – twelve times around! I got on fine, and teammate Mark was trucking on the day – making a huge attack on the final lap to escape – it didn't work out and came together for a reduced bunch sprint with Orica Greenedge's Tomas Vaitkus claiming the victory.

Final night feast - yes, it was very very YUM

Azerbaijan was a really great experience for our team and I. Not only did we get to see an incredible country – but the racing was as tough and enjoyable as anything I have done. I hope our team will be able to return and take another shot at it next year (this time, without the addition of Asian bacteria running through our systems).

Around Baku

Around Baku

2013 Tour de Azerbaijan Stage 4

And on Strava

2013 Tour de Azerbaijan Stage 3

2013 Tour de Azerbaijan Stage 1 and 2

Stage 1



Eurosport Highlights of Stage 1

Stage 2

Philippines and back to Indonesia

We are back from the Philippines and resting up before our next block of racing. The Singapore Criterium, Tour of Azerbaijan, possibly an Irish race and then the AnPost Ras.

The Philippines was great, the people were friendly, helpful and the scenery stunning - I would definitely come back with or without a bike. The weather is hot from 9am on but not too much of a problem once you adapt.

The race itself - I cover most things in my videos. I was very unfortunate to puncture when I did on Stage 1 - the race had broken to bits and the neutral support had not caught up. That basically killed my GC goals.

As the stages went by, my legs felt better and better. Stage 4, the massive mountain stage was going well - 2hrs in, TPT (the Iranian team) where lighting it up on the second major climb (8km at close to 9%) and Eddie and I were in the front 9 (4 TPT riders!). It was tough, actually really hard, but I it was one of those days when the pain/suffering was enjoyable. The final Philippine rider popped and a gap opened, I bridged, but Eddie was in trouble - my team duties were to stay with Eddie, so I did. The rest of the day was pretty amazing, very hot, steep long climbs and super fast descents. I finished 10th (18th GC) on the stage and helped Eddie to 8th overall (importantly, in the UCI points). 

I was a little apprehensive of how my climbing form was going into the stage, I had never raced a stage like this on the road bike (close to 4,000m of climb across 95km), but afterwards, I was happy with how it felt. Team TPT are basically like the Team Sky of the Asian Circuit - they had possibly their strongest team there (and the final GC shows that) - but I was happy with how I could ride against them. Over the last few weeks, I have slowly adapted to riding in close to 40 celsius each day, got a little leaner and kept the same power - it all adds up.

Tour of Azerbaijan is also going to include a lot of climbing, a really strong lineup and live on Eurosport as far as I know. I can't wait. It is going to be a really really tough test. The team will be Mark, Stephen, Daniel and myself as the Irish riders as well as Kazakh Sergey and Eddie. Our staff is Irish for this one.

Here are a few photos from the last week.

Out for a spin the day before Stage 1

Accommodation for the first few days was very basic, but the view made up for it

Noodles - sometimes there is very very little choice, but this was tasty (not paleo!)

Some traditional huts before one of our evening dinners

Back in Tumpang, Indonesia with Sergey (Singapore will be our first race together)

Lunch and dinner, you are SURE to find, rice, chicken and veg soup

Something different today - Urap - spicy salad with coconut - YUM

2013 Tour de Philippines Stage 4

A big mountain stage today - almost 4,000m of climb packed into 90km! Very hot on the early climbs too.

 And for the Strava Folk (power data not right)

 

2013 Tour de Philippines Stage 3

Much shorter today

2013 Tour de Philippines Stage 2

Hot hot hot! :)

2013 Tour de Philippines Stage 1

More training and photos from Indonesia

We spent a little over two weeks training in Indonesia on the climbs and behind the motorbike. We are back on our travels again with an epic 28hrs of travel for only 3 short flights - on Saturday, we start the Tour de Philippines. I'll put the usual video blogs up after each stage.

Above, checking out a location for a possible MTB stage race later in the year 

Another view - it is closed at the moment and they are making repairs - looked cool though 

One of the few quiet moments around Malang

Christopher picked me up so local high quality coffee beans so I can continue with my addiction

A few years ago, there was only horse and cart here - now mopeds are the transport of choice for the locals.

Imagine motor pacing through the above... I don't have to imagine.

Stopping off to buy more water at a market

Every day, some version of rice with chicken and vegetable 

Drying out the coffee beans - pity it is along the street though - hate to think what all the moped/truck pollution is doing to the fine harvest

2013 Tour de Taiwan Stage 7

The final stage in Taiwan, 5 laps of a 10km city circuit. Fast, rain, cobbles but safely got around. Bunch kick at the end. Thanks for a great race Taiwan, to the organisers, riders and teammates.



And for you Strava folk

Hanging out in Indonesia

Uploads speeds are killing me, so the final Tour de Taiwan video is not up yet...

After the race, and a great breakfast (LCHF tastiness), we spent the day traveling back to Indonesia, Surabaya to be exact (via Hong Kong). All went well, and with Stage 7 only being just over an hour long, not too tiring.

In Surabaya, the next day we were brought on a tour of the Polygon Factory - many brands, not just Polygon are made and painted there. We even got to see our new bikes (getting them in a few weeks) in an early stage of production. It was great to get a proper grasp of how the thing I spend so much time with is made.

Riding in Surabaya was difficult to say the least. I have never ridden in such traffic and pollution before - it was very difficult for training, but there was a nice stretch we rode up and down a few times with no traffic, fresh air and beautiful views. To say it is hot here is an understatement - between 30-37C, but, and this is the important bit, close to 100% humidity - I'm adapting, but it is tough! Still, I see the photos of the snow at home and am really appreciative to be here.

The following day, we rode to Malang where I am now - no pollution, great roads and lots of climbs. Where we stay, the accommodation is very basic by European standards, but normal/good for traveling in Asia. BUT, we have an amazing group of people around us, a cook, mechanic, a guy for motor pacing (or simply riding behind us with spare wheels/water) and some of the most friendly people in the world. My current life would not be for everyone, but before I cycled, I travelled a lot and have been able to slot straight back into it. I find myself smiling a lot.

Originally, we were to race the Tour de Thailand next week - unfortunately, it is not happening for us now, so I'll be here for about 10-12 days then off to the Philippines for the next race.

On a nice section of road 30km from Surabaya

Post ride recovery

Mark (Ireland), Edgar (Spain), the Indonesian riders and I

1,000 year old temple close to Malang

Mr. Harry (team owner), Edgar and I

Dinner

Really nice roads in Malang

Eddie and I after a long climb at a fuel stop this morning :)