"SHOCK AND AWE"

Hiya all well its been busy times lately, ive been coaching the young up and comers at Sheffield indoor on Mondays and Fridays. This is great fun and ive also had a chance to do some training myself. Much needed 20" practice.

Ive been hard at work sorting out the sponsorship deals for the team. This is almost a fulltime job in its self?? We recently gained Tioga tyres, Vans & Be Well engineered nutrition http://www.bewellbespoke.com/
Some of the Shimano DXR cranks arrived in today and the full range should be available in the next couple of weeks..yes finally.

My own training is going fulltilt, iam doing a routine given to me by Tim Buckle (bcf sprint coach) its a killer and i havent even left the rollers yet! Iam also doing stuff with Ged (aka Tom Boonen ) and i experienced the full horror of his SHOCK AND AWE tactics today.We set of on mountain bikes & hybrids and hit the icy roads and trails around Rivington Pike. For the first ten minutes i thought i was going to die.. as my lungs screamed in protest at the abuse trying to follow (20ft behind) Ged was doing to me!! Slicks on ice with clips(new to me offroad) is a fun combination? Anyway i survived with Geds words ringing in my ears " i always keep one more hill in reserve" Cheers mate.
Anyway keep reading for more information on the latest on our team/training tips and BCF talent team news oh yeah and i will post some pics to.
see ya around Mike

my new 20" Supercross

Heres my sweet new longer framed Supercross courtesy of Alans Bmx. I will ride it tomorrow at the indoor. its only got a rear DXR caliper at the minute as we are still awaiting delivery of the DXR cranks, hubs and brake lever. I cant wait, should be a lot lighter and even better looking.. Bling me up.

the long winter

Well its really that time of year, you can see the light at the end of the tunnel but we are still in January!!
Training is going well with regular Monday and Friday sessions at Sheffield Indoor for the BCF academy youngsters. I finally recovered from Loughborough (took a while) 6am starts and 12 midnight finishes!

Ive been training more specifically now with the aid of Tim Buckle BCF sprint coach who had helped with some routines. Iam also building a new bike its an inch or so longer.Alumimum Supercross 20" It will be a beauty and will have all DXR parts on (thanks Alan or thank me) After not racing for 20 years then racing cruiser from May last year the 20s" are a revelation.
Shanaze Read gave me some great advice she said "loosen up over the jumps and you will be fine!! Thanks Shinny just have to point out that iam 41 and every jump is twice as big as KING KONG and iam stiff because iam terrified. iam getting there though. Cheers for the advice..

Saw Joey Gough ripping it up at the indoor race on Saturday. She is a great rider very stylish. keep it up Joey glad your getting help from us sponsor wise. Arran Shrosbree was looking strong first time ive seen Arran race since we started all the training. fast and stylish Arran was pipped at the post after catching and overtaking the guy on the 3rd straight only to be duffed up on the berm. Ah well thats racing. you will be stronger than them all soon Arran!!!

Ok thats all for now check back later for some pics.. Geds (Tom Boonen) on the phone he wants to push me up some hills.

see ya later Grupetto grovellers

Mike

talent team pics

Loughborough national talent camp (report)

Hi all,
ive just recoved from 4 hectic days in Loughborough at the coaching camp. It was designed to give young aspiring athletes an insight into what it will take to get into the olympic team and maybe realise there dreams of a medal.

As i said Kelly Holmes(double olympic medal winner) was there and Guin Batten (an olympic silver medal rower)plus a host of other accomplished medal winners and hopefuls. Our boys on the talent team squad were split into groups and given the names Athens,Sydney,and London after past and future olympic games (funnily enough)
After the workshops we did our own training mixing with the other athletes from a range of sports.

Lewis Lacey is suffering from problems with his wrist but still gave it 100%, all the rest of the fellas worked really hard on a punishing schedule of turbo training, circuit training, gate practice (in the fantastic indoor 100 metre runnning track, the first time bmx bikes have ever seen this hallowed turf)
We got some funny looks from the more recognised sports i can tell you.

The crew even joined the army on a workout (Jez was Stoked). it was a very professional affair with routine 6am starts and no breakfast till a hard turbo session was complete. One morning the guys only got porridge and water for breakfast (check pics).

I cant wait for the start of the BMX national race season to see how the team shapes up? There cant be to many of their competitors training at 6am on a winters morning? Can there???

Thanks to Geoff Cooke(mulitiple world masters champion and BCF sprint coach) for making me laugh and keeping our guys on their toes!
A big shout to Kelly Holmes who really did mention bmx and was a really cool and down to earth person. A big inspiration.
Hope to see some of you at Sheffield indoor on Saturday, keep it trackside
Mike

National youth Talent team camp

Okay, iam back from the mother of camps. It was held in Loughborough university and was for cycling (track sprinting and bmx,) rowing,trialathon,canoeing,sailing. I will give a full report tomorrow but for now here's some pics.Dame Kelly Holmes attended as did a few other olympic athletes to give there insight into what it takes to make the finals!! Tough training was the order of the day and Porridge and water!! yes you read right, will stick in more tomorrow see ya Mike

NO TURKEY TILL XMAS

Hi to everybody to who reads my blog. Merry xmas and happy new year.!!..

Apologies for no new entries in a few weeks but ive been busy doing rather than saying!!!

Ive started sessions with the BCF academy guys and girls at Sheffield indoor (MON & FRIDAYS) and also myself and Jez Hayes(talent team manager) have been busy with a camp in Castleton with the BCF talent squad. (Pics coming soon)

This was a week long affair with Shanaze Read, Lewis Lacy, Dan Price, Dan Thorne, Luke Tamblyn all being put through there paces for 5 solid days. Shanaze was "winding down" but still squatted 120 kg for 4 reps in the gym session. ( my hats off to you Shanaze you are a fine athlete not sure about the starbucks music though.. he he!!)

We did sessions at the indoor, check video clips of Lewis Lacy taking it apart (sorry its so dark) and Liam phillips showing the practice gate who is BOSS!! ( nice one Liam)

We did some great road rides in sub zero temps. This was cold icy hard work. The guys all stuck at it and showed great determination and desire especially on the 3 hour sub zero road ride. I wanted to give up after 5 mins!!!.

The climax was a SHORT 2 hour jaunt up MAM NICK(correct name finally) a hill climb in minus 7 degrees completed by Luke, Dan P, Dan T (lewis was injured) .
Check pics to see how hard this was and Lukes determination (he hates road riding)Also check the fellas descending Winnats Pass a narrow fast downhill espcially when icy!!.
I think we all left home inspired by the week and are looking forward to kicking some Foreign ass in the internationals races in 07 to get payback for all the hard work.

Mean time we are all attending a coaching camp in Loughborough this weekend so i will keep you posted on that.
see ya Mike.



ps hope you like my new logo

http://s114.photobucket.com/albums/n264/mikepardon/?action=view&current=liam.flv

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More images from BMX Talent camp

Talent team training 18/12/06-22/12/06