Circuit des Plages Vendéennes

I am up in the Vendee region racing in 5 out of 7 one day races. I am in a little village called, Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie  it is a nice seaside town. I am not getting a chance to look around. 

A. Because I have done 3 races in 4 days 

B. Its to cold to go outside unless you have to race!

So far the racing has been hard, with flat windy courses and a lot of starters its hard to stay at the front and avoid splits. 

The first race I was going with attacks and found myself in a good move, and then just as this move got caught another group rolled off and no one in the bunch chased. I got to the front and tryed to get across but the gap was already to big to get across with 2 of us against 20 in the front group.

2. 

138km (Av. 44)

This was a windy day with a lot of exposed roads and groups getting off the front. I made a few splits but in the end once on the closing circuits the peloton came together for a sprint. I was slowed by a crash in the last 3k and just got back to the group and could only roll in at the back of the group.

3rd Race.

Was probably the windiest so far and my legs didnt come along for the ride. I wasnt ready to fight for the front 20 and so a bunch split off the back 50k in and that was me..

Im taking these races as good training and trying not to get sick with this weather. 

Kh 

Espoir Cycliste St Etienne Loire (*the club)

Negative 9

I have arrived in France after my 24hr plus journey, as you can see from the title it is very cold, snow ice and grey clouds (pic: is looking out from the apartment with the temperature sitting at negative 9).
What more could you want when you come from 25 deg of sunny little Nelson.

So far I have meet the Management and a few of the riders that live in my apartment area. 

On the 8th the team is off for a series of 1 day races(which are flat and Windy) in the Vendee region which will also incorporate a training camp! They tell me that the weather is a we bit better up on the coast!

http://www.cocpv.org/ for race info

+ NZ Cycle Classic its all a blur to be honest. All I remember was wind, gutter time, and bunch kicks. With rain and nasty climbs as well.
Some times in the X winds it was a bit of a % game as to whether you were at the front to make splits etc (but not good when your handle bars come loose and your at the back of the convoy)

But a huge thanks has to go the Tim Stephens (and his team, Jeremy & Odin) for putting together our composite team and organising a great 5days in the Sunny Manawatu, 

Cheers 

Kieran

 (Team bikes CKT running Campgnolo)