Racing the Tour Series and amazing TEAM NAILS!

After weeks of racing and training the highlight of my favourite racing so far this season has been the Tour Series. After racing three rounds with team mates Nicola and Frankie, Oxford, Peterbourgh and Stoke On Trent, I was buzzing. The atmosphere in all three rounds was amazing!! It was fun to be racing crits with great crowds.


The first round was a big shock to the system! VERY FAST... Legs just about held on! Second round after riding round the course to get a feel for it, was my favourite. I knew what to expect this time, prepared for the speed, so I did much better with a good result to finish just behind the bunch in a group of 10 riders. The third and final round was, let’s say, VERY windy with hit and miss rain. The twisty course was fun - my favourite part had to be the fast decent down under the bridge! I performed well again finishing around 20th and Nicola 18th. Good results!!


Whilst racing the Tour Series with my team mates, we didn’t miss out on a chance to paint ourselves matching nails! It all started at the Junior road race Championships, when myself, Nicola and Lauren accidentally turned up with matching pink nails...! For the following races together we went all out for the NEON YELLOW team colour and logos!! The wheel changing and cleaning bikes had to wait.


Now after the tour series i'm in full training and working/coaching ready for my trip to America!

More soon... keep you posted,


Hayley x

My win at Blackpool!

Crossing the line!

First Blackpool circuit series and I was in it to win it!! Building up my motivation, I arrived at the circuit focused and ready. A quick catch up with the team, sign on and then a full roller warm up with some tunes pumping away. I was in pure race zone!!

The race began. I started strong and sat in and did a few turns on the front with my team mates. We were all looking great! I then decided it was time to mix it up a bit after five laps and made a strong attack from the middle whilst no one was looking. I managed to hold it to the bottom corner, but the race then bunched back up holding a reasonable race pace. Throughout there were attacks off the front from my team mates Nicola and Frankie. I made sure I went with them where I could without dragging the bunch up, so at least one or two of us could make a break. Unfortunately no one was getting away. Myself and Nicola were working on the front of the bunch, controlling the race.
With three to go I was watching my position and was sat fifth from the front, moving myself up to third place behind Lauren coming up to the last hair pin bend. I took my chance tightly round the corner, smashed my foot down and went for it... it was a long way to the line!! However the bright yellow finish line eventually shined at me and my fist was up in the air picking up 10points! A VERY HAPPY moment!!! With Lauren coming in 2nd a few metres behind, Frankie 5th and Nicola 7th ... A HUGE WELL DONE to my great team mates!! : )



Me and Lauren collecting our prize money!

 Now I can’t wait for my next race the Junior National   incorporated with Seniors on 12th May and West Midland Regional Road Race Championships on 20th May!

Hayley x

Two nail breaking punctures, first race of 2012 and LOVING THE NEW KIT!

I started out on a sunny Saturday ride with local riders, working hard and doing reasonably well, until my bike started to feel a bit like a bouncy castle! Turned out to be a slow puncture. Fantastic, my nails had been freshly painted the night before all nice and pink. After fixing the puncture (with nails now black and chipped) I got back on with no further issues. The following day I went out again although this time it was raining/sleeting. Half an hour in and ANOTHER puncture! Just my luck... I'd already given up with the not so pink nails, but with all the rain I also looked like a drowned rat! After training hard around Shropshire up long climbs, Hope Valley, Marshbrook and Church Stretton... feeling very tired and cold after four hours. Food and sleep was needed!!

On the bright side, I had my first race of 2012 the following week - very exciting stuff. Jazzing up the race bike with glossy Fizik bar tape and all the little last touches, like a big kid in a sweet shop!

When race day finally arrived, meeting all my team mates was very exciting and they were all lovely! It was great to be part of the team, they made me feel very welcome! Racing in my new kit was really exciting, I absolutely love it and my Mum commented that she 'wouldn't miss me in races this year!!'. In the race, I managed to stay up from out of trouble, working hard on the front and sitting in to recover. Unfortunately two riders managed to get away, I did think to bridge the gap and had a couple of digs off the front, but couldn’t go on my own. However I was pleased with my performance for my first race of the season finishing 10th, surprised myself! A big well done to my team mates too, particularly Mel who won the bunch kick for third place! Hopefully Nicola's crank won't fall off next time!

Looking forward to next weekend racing Salt Ayre and spending the weekend with the girls in the Lakes for our first proper training ride of the year :)

Hayley x

How I discovered cycling and got into womens bike racing

I first discovered the sport watching my Uncle racing in the Newport Nocturne. Followed by my brother racing mountain bikes and road, passing endless water bottles! I then hung up my running shoes and converted from cross country/athletics to cycling.

I joined my local club of which runs through 3 generations in my family, Stan's/Paramount CRT and started riding a road bike. I had caught the cycling bug! With Halesowen just down the road, I thought i'd try my hand at track cycling. At first I couldn't quite get my head round a bike WITHOUT BRAKES!! However I soon took to it and I started competing in local circuit races and track leagues. The enjoyment from the racing and training made me want to do more, I loved it!

I then joined Halesowen due to there being younger riders around my age and over the next couple of years started racing the National women's road series, National women's track omniums and did a couple of races in Belgium. It was a great experience racing with International riders.

This winter I've been braving the cold training long miles, turbo and roller sessions and circuit training sessions. I am very excited to be riding for Maxgear this year, being part of a women's team racing and looking forward to the challenges along the way. Can't wait to meet you all!! :)