Last Days of Summer

And so Autumn is once again upon us and the long summer of post school is finally over.  

Into September and whilst we could still race on the Track outdoors, we did. We headed down to the idyll, that is the Herne Hill Velodrome in South London, to attend the VCL Open, including the Roadman’s 25-mile Scratch. The day was warm but overcast. It was a typical British September. But it was brightened by the One Life Cycle team. They were there to Boss the event. The team members included James Ambrose-Parish (JAP), Frank Longstaff, and me.

We started off with a scratch race, and the racing was fast from the off. A break was quickly formed. Frank the Tank then bridged across to make sure there were all three OLC riders up there. We pushed on, dropping riders by the lap until it was Frank, JAP, Oli Mangham, and I. Pushing on to finish the job. Frank cruised across the line first, with Oli second and myself third. Not a bad start.

Up next was the Devil. Not my favourite, but I had improved in this discipline over my track racing years. I prefer to race it from the front, squeezing on to not get boxed in. Putting on a big gear I wound it up and sat at the front for most of the race, finishing fifth, with Frank, JAP, and Luke rounding out the podium. 

To finish off the event, the last race was a 25-mile Scratch. 89 laps. There were three primes during the race.  I decided I fancied the primes and the beers so this was my plan. I won two and the other one went to Frank. I also fancied the most laps led. So head down I decided that one had my name on it as well, this ended up with me leading over the line on over half the total laps. It was like a mad Tempo/Points race, great training … The race continued much like the first scratch, with a smaller break going and staying away for most of the ride. The result was also the same as the first scratch, with Frank on the top step, Oli on the second, and me on the third. I’d also won some beer from the primes, and a pair of headphones for the tempo prize. Not a bad day out and a lot of fun with the lads.  I could sense 2025 with the One Life team was going to be a blast. 

Next up was a run of Track League racing at Derby and Welwyn. The Derby TL was just starting up, the Welwyn TL just finishing for the winter. As I was heading to the Midlands we decided to head up for a Tuesday night to get a feel, test the track and test the legs.  I came away with two wins and a third at Derby. Not a bad return.  It was also nice to see such a big group racing track and a large group 1 field.  It was a nice atmosphere and as this was to be my home for the Winter I was pleased to have made a mark.  Welwyn was a different story. I ended up with two broken spokes after the first race due to a racing incident, but John very kindly lent me a wheel so I could continue racing.

This is one of the best bits about Welwyn TL, everyone is happy to share equipment and advice to make it as enjoyable and competitive as possible. I came away that night with a bit of money from primes, but more pleased that I’d been able to get a full evening’s racing in.  The legs were coming back and more than that I was enjoying racing and motivated to train to win.

After this I had a week of no racing, then a big week planned:

• Monday: Get packed and sorted. 
• Tuesday: Head to Loughborough University, move my sister into Halls, Race Derby Track League.  (Again fast, exciting racing 2 wins and a 5^th).
• Wednesday: Head to Loughborough University, move myself into Halls and breathe
• Thursday onwards:  Learn to look after myself, do some washing, cooking and general life stuff, oh and study and train as well. (To be fair on Thursday Maddy (my sister) did do my washing as I had a lecture.  Thanks Maddy! 

I have to say my time so far at Loughborough has been incredible, with so many opportunities to get involved with. So much to do and benefit from; academically, sportingly, and socially. It’s been nice exploring new roads on the longer rides, as well as coming across familiar ones, such as some of the link roads in the Cicle classic. I have started my lectures, and they have all been very good so far. All in all, it’s been a hectic month, and the next one is not looking much quieter. 

With regards to next month I am very pleased to announce that JAP and I will be racing the London 3Day at the end of October. It’s a shorter version of the classic 6Day racing, and with riders such as Havik, Van Schip, Viviani, Consionni, and many other big names, it will be incredible. For anyone looking for tickets get in touch with me. It will be super exciting and I can’t wait to be rubbing shoulders with such a stacked field. https://www.london3day.com

See you all next month where hopefully I will share how the 3Day went, but you might know if you are there!

Cheers Will

I would just like to say a few thanks:

Thanks to Matt at Matt’s Auto Repair Services who has continued to back me and has offered me another year of sponsorship. https://www.mattsautorepairservices.co.uk

Thanks to Simon and Josh and all at TLC Live who also have had my back and are seeing me into the New Year. https://www.tlclive.com

Thanks to the team at Highway Cycles, particularly Len and George.  Massive thanks for sticking with me into 2025. https://www.highwaycycles.co.uk

Thanks to Pedal Potential who ensure I deliver this content every month and whom I am exceptional grateful to. https://www.pedalpotential.co.uk

Thanks to One Life Cycle https://www.teamonelifecycle.com and LVYCC https://www.lvycc.co.uk/junior-team for all their support.

Massive thanks to Owen https://www.instagram.com/evolutionperformanceltd and George https://www.gtk-performance.co.uk/ for their exceptional coaching. 

Thanks to Knight Frank for their support last year 

Thanks Thomas 🙏

Massive thanks also to Mum and Dad … ❤️