Heavy (but not the Dizzee Rascal/Chase & Status song)

This blog will be pretty loaded and heavy so best be prepared, firstly I must of course mention the death of Thatcher, I certainly did not agree with many of her policies as many do not, but even though I and many of my family are socialist or possess socialist leanings, including myself, there is still a great amount of respect for her and what she did. This is because she believed in her convictions, stood by many of her descisions and wanted to do her very best for Britain as well as breaking down so many barriers by becoming Britain's first woman Prime Minister. Many people point to fashion, music and trends to define the '80's, but these tell you all you need to know about the far-reaching pull that Thatcher had during a turbulent period in Britain's history. From Punk in the late '70's to the early '80's, the Ska movement and the New Romantics, all these reference Thatcher. The rise of the Yuppies and the 'Loadsamoney' figures, her refusal to bow to the I.R.A., miners, the Soviets, the Argentines etc... (the list gets quite long), Thatcher changed Britain directly socially and cultrally as well as politcally and economically showing a profund reach that many politicians simply do not have today, have not had in yesteryear and will not ever have. The Iron Lady changed Britain fundementally and that she was still being discussed regularly even after her retirement as MP shows just how far-reaching her policies and her character was. She was a giant that bestrode global politics who tried to solve the many problems that were deeply inflicting Britain and the world, at least Scargill has finally beaten her, I wouldn't be surprised if he dies soon too as I suspect his only reason for living over these past couple of years was just so that he could finally beat at something.

I think the fact that Thatcher's legacy has always been discussed is testament to her really because Tony Blair, the more recent PM who served only a year and half less as PM as Thatcher, and his legacy is not discussed as much in comparison I feel. Spitting Image put it perfectly in this little piece, though it obviously refers to her ousting when she was PM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1jY5fYjV-U

With regards to my previous post it drew much attention some positive and some negative, including Verity, who said that I simply had not gone far enough in that I didn't call for podium girls to be got rid of in future cycling events. My reply was that this is simply to radical, not for me, but society, especially captialism and by getting rid of podium girls you are beginning to unravel the thread of the fashion industry that is entwined with other threads that make up the rope of capitalism. The problem is more profund when unravelling the thread of fashion as this represents the epitome of capitalism and everything it stands for, a greed, a wanting, all objects and lifestyles that are unattainable to the masses and more importantly, useless. Podium girls are the personification of this, I am not having a go at them per se, but the occupation and so that is why I feel I could not suggest such an idea, it is too big with too many vested interests.

I rested up this week, starting training on the turbo on Wednesday and training on the turbo everyday except Saturday because of the weather being so poor and my cold. I then looked forward to my first race back on Sunday, 18 laps of a flat and open 5.5km course, a 2/3/Junior race, the second in a series of 4 races that began the previous Sunday, yes that's right I missed the first one. As George came second last week in Sunday's race he was also second in the G.C. so we believed, quite rightly, that the whole team would be working on behalf of George, unfortunately only me and Hamish did. After a couple of laps a break went of about 10 containing 3 of our teammates as well as the overall leader, they stayed away till the finish much to our collective dismay, I was riding strong all race, but I punctured with 4 laps to go, race over, very gutting. The peloton subsequently split into two with George the right side of the split this time and Hamish the wrong side, George eventually came over in about twenth, putting in fifth in the G.C. and Hamish rolled over in about 30th. The weather was good with a fair wind, nothing else to note really.

In stark constrast Monday's race was abysmal with a strong wind and heavy, sudden downpours, though the course was relatively well sheltered. It was a 1/2/3 race over 36 laps of a 3.5km course right by the coast, flat again, but with a good 2.7km of it on crap roads so us riders got very muddy in deed. Feeling completely fine during the race, was near the front, in all the moves etc... but then disaster struck with about 20 laps left, my rear skewer undone itself slightly when I hit a big bump in the road. I stopped and put it right however I was never going to get back to the peloton so I took a lap and was forced to join the peloton. This was rather annoying as a big split occured on the lap I sat out with about 25 riders going clear, including George, I tried to get across a couple of times, but to no avail, as did Hamish, but then eventually I got in the right move, three of us, including Sam Allen worked well to bridge across the gap to the lead group that got to a minute at one point. It took us a bout 4 laps to get across, but we did. What helped was this group had slowed as a group of nine guys had jumped away with about 6 laps remaining and the others that were left were all fried. It came down to a sprint for 10th place, unfortunately I chose the wrong line and got boxed in slgithly, but that's sprinting, still I managed to get 17th. George finished just behind me in 20th and Hamish came in with the peloton in 37th. A good weekend of racing considering that disaster struck in both races, but I took away a lot from all of them and I am just happy that I am now fully recovered from my illness.

Results for Monday's race are here http://www.directvelo.com/actualite/25394-grand-prix-rene-le-mene-a-crac-h-classement.html

Again fantastic international racing this week in both the men's and women's side of cycling it really has been entertaining and is a great advertisement for the sport.

The next race will be Saturday, so until then I bid all of you a due. Thanks for reading and rememeber, don't give up.

Me with Sam Allen and some French gezzer jumping across to the break at Crac'h