It’s been a big few weeks for the 13 cyclists making up the Great Britain Transplant Cycling team. We are off to Durban, South Africa on 26th July as part of the larger UK team to compete in the 19th World Transplant Games , an event described as the Olympics for athletes who have had a life supporting organ transplant.

The cycling team consists of six women and seven men between the ages of 17 and 62 and comprises a smorgasbord of transplants, namely 1 heart, 1 bone marrow, 4 livers and 7 kidneys. Frankly, without a transplant and immunosuppressant therapy to stop us from rejecting, none of us would be alive, let alone able to race bikes.

This year, the team is being sponsored and supported by Pro Vision, Cycling Plus and Therakos. If you’re involved in cycling at all you’ll be familiar with two of those names but Therakos might be a mystery. We’d like to say a big thanks to these guys for the vital support they have given to us.

Our exciting period started off with a photo-shoot courtesy of Pro Vision at Custard Photography in Stoke. You’ll see some of the awesome results of Andy Custard’s work are dotted around this post. We are showing off our new Pro Vision kit with great pride – representing ones country is an honour and a privilege and we want to do our selection justice not only by trying our hardest to win but also looking the part when we do it. This is us pulling in our stomachs for as long as possible without breathing... 

Following the photo-shoot, we had one of our regular training sessions at the Stourport circuit. Cycling Plus sent a photographer along – they are publishing an article on one of the leading lights of the team, British, European and World Transplant Cycling champion Ottilie Quince. Look out for the next issue of Cycling Plus because Otts will be all over it. You can’t really miss her – crazy hair and a massive smile. Cycling Plus think she is an inspiration. We agree, particularly after her results at the Herne Hill women’s omnium.   

Following the Stourport session we all went back to our respective parts of the UK including Darlington, Northern Ireland and Hampshire – all parts north, east, south and west in fact, and got back into racing with our clubs. It’s fair to say the PB’s started tumbling. I felt quite embarrassed that I didn’t PB whilst wearing the new GBTx skinsuit for the first time because everybody else seemed to knock a good chunk off their 10 time! Having said that, I hit 22.23 the week after, 3 seconds better than last year for one of my local 10s, so I was happy enough.  There’s loads of people we need to say thank you too – we’ve have great support from both Wolverhampton Wheelers and Wrekinsport cycling clubs whose members have given freely of their time, in particular Dave Perry, Steve Elcocks and Del Jones. Thanks boys.

I’d also like to mention Pete Hudson, cycling psychologist extraordinaire at Cyclotherapy  (follow Pete on Twitter @Cyclotherapy) Pete has worked with us to keep our heads on straight. If he can do it with us, he can do it with anyone. Check his website out if it’s your mind as much as your body that stopping you from winning.

We do this for a couple of reasons, one because we enjoy it, but also it’s our way of raising awareness of the success of all kinds of transplantation. We figure the cycling community is a tight knit one, generous in giving it’s time and energy to the right causes. Just witness the rain soaked freezing cold marshals and the any amount of guys riding LEJOG for charity. So our plea to you is to have a think about joining the donor register and, if you decide to sign up, let us know about it @GBTxCyclists on Twitter because we’d like to tell the rest of the world about what a hero you are.

More before we hit Heathrow…. Thanks.  Rich    

I’m sure you will be delighted to hear I shall make this report as brief as my race was last night.

…

Did you enjoy that?

No, not really, my race actually lasted 29 mins 11 seconds but more of that later…

It was a Thursday evening so, yes, after a week of warm sunshine it was raining, dull and cold. A thin field (literally and figuratively) were at the Village Hall where all Enville races will definitely now start from, unless it’s at the airport. Salad dodgers, yours truly excepted, were notable by their absence for what is a climbiest of courses used by the league ascending the mighty Mt MoFo four times. I guess the prospect of the race being postponed by road works and the lousy bloody weather put a few off making the trip too. Last time the organisers had to cope with road works it meant the Six Ashes climb was avoided, this time, although the course had to be altered, the climb was very definitely in, it just meant the descent was through the rather unimaginatively titled Four Ashes. Presumably if you looked carefully enough, you'd find One Ash, Eight Ashes and Twelve Ashes  somewhere around too...

It was good to see Dan Lambsdell (Stans – Paramount) making a return to racing after a nasty knee injury sustained in a crash at Sundorne a few weeks back.  Andy from Clee Cycles made it an especially memorable night for Dan by running over his rollers in his Audi A4 putting him right off his warm up. Thankfully Dan was not using them at  the time and as Andy owns Clee Hill Cycles all will be put right! 

There was probably only  a dozen or so riders in each of the four groups this evening – some of us being lucky enough to be buzzed by a guy in a Ferrari. He didn't seem that happy for some reason although you’d have thought you’d be happy if you had a Ferrari right? Wrong. Money doesn't buy you happiness. Or hair apparently…

On the second lap of four, we were greeted by an irate farmer who was standing in the road trying to ask each rider if it was his car parked partially blocking his farm gate. Even with limited rider numbers he was never going to be able to ask each and every one of us, but fair effort for giving it a go and top marks for frantic arm waving skills. He joined his Ferrari driving mate in this evening’s ‘angry man’ competition. In fact he became so angry he flagged down Commissaire Watts and removed the wing mirror from his Mini – I'm really looking forward to when Mr Angry Farmer discovers Commissaire Watts is actually Sargeant Watts of the West Midlands Constabulary in the real world.  

Back at the race, if my goose was defrosted when I realised the Wrekinsport road race team this evening consisted of, well, me, it was nicely warmed through when Herr Goering made the decision to combine groups 3 and 4. It was thoroughly cooked at the top of Six Ashes climb when on the second lap a couple of scratch riders went round us faster than a guest beer through a digestive tract.

The scratch group contained a number of the NFTO team, race leader Dave Starkey (Freds) and a good number of young bucks ready to shred the unsuspecting earlier group riders up Mt MoFo. It’s pretty standard for this course but riders were getting blown out pretty quickly and G 3/4 were picking up stragglers even on the first lap.  

There was no Mike Jones (Stans Paramount) or Karen Summers (Wrekinsport) so the red and pink jerseys were absent but Ben Manfield (Wolverhampton Wheelers) the leading junior and Dave Starkey (Freds) were in white and yellow respectively. I wasn't there at the end (like I said 29 mins and it was all over me). By the time I was giving young Adam Howells (Freds) a lift back to the HQ with a rear wheel puncture there was a (small) bunch finish outside Wolverhampton International Airport. I don't think the jersey's changed hands.  

This week, big big BIG thanks to the organisers for getting this race on. Last minute course alterations, HQ changes, irate farmers, crazy drivers, lead car wreckers - all in a days work for the guys. They put a huge amount of effort and soak up  a massive amount of grief just so we can race our bikes safely. Mike, Dave, Cheryl, Ian, Mark and the rest - you're all heroes. Thanks. 

Or, how to make a tit of yourself in the road race league…

Round 7 of the catchilly titled Shropshire and South Staffordshire Road Race League sallied forth this evening on the Eaton Constantine circuit near the ancient Roman remains of Wroxeter. It was the fourth largest Roman settlement in Britain you know? If I was Carlton Kirby I’d be able to give you a description of the specialist food and wine produced there. Lucky escape. Still, if I was Phil Liggett I’d be able to tell you Lance Armstrong, former 7 times victor ludorum of the Tour de Gaul, was innocent. An even luckier escape…

We were greeted by sunny, bright, rainy, cold, warm, windy and/or still (delete as appropriate) conditions in the only race of the season it’s impossible for a Stans/ Paramount rider to win. It’s their turn to marshal. Thank you gentlemen for an excellent job.

Our antiquitous HQ for the evening was Leighton Village Hall where the last plumbing work had indeed been completed by Plumber Plumberus in AD 204 who seemingly was the last person to find any useable toilet paper there.

Wrekinsport centurions this evening for 3 and a half laps of this undulating course were White Lines, Surveyor John, Steve Elcocks, Pink Karen, John Byatt and me. 5 Groups on the road as per normal with what seemed like a pretty big 5 minute gap to G1.

Much frantic riding ensued with the wind helping a little up the hill but making for some interest fast riding down the old A5. The turning back towards Eaton Constantine saw me make a prize Ancient British tit of myself as I hit a cat-eye which straightened the bike up and sent me on towards Buildwas rather than left towards the village. Luckily, I stayed on and more importantly didn’t take anybody with me for an impromptu visit to the Abbey. 

G3 stormed off up the hill and I waited for G4/5 which came along soon enough and ripped my legs off again which would explain the 40-50kph speeds on the flat, maxing out at 62.4kph on the dip.   

G1, 2 and 3 came together (I am told) with G3 going straight through. I can’t tell you who the victor ludorum was this evening (it’s not a secret or anything, I just don’t know) but the victrix ludorum was definitely our very own Pink Karen. Top stuff. A good finish for Steve Elcocks too.

At the last but one corner, G4/5 was 3 mins 20 seconds behind the front group, way too much to close down over that distance, so they smashed it to pieces – I was one of the early pieces. So, I blew on the last lap past the Roman remains (have I mentioned the Roman remains?) and hooked up with Steve and Pink Karen to finish the race off.     

I overheard a couple of the riders from G4/5 having a little moan about people not pulling their weight – I don’t think it was directed at me but it wouldn’t have been unfair if it was. One rider mentioned that if you couldn’t manage 30 seconds at the front then maybe you should take up golf. Four!

Anyway, back to the villa to get somebody to peel me some grapes as I drift off to the sound a distance lute played by a dusky maiden… right up until the bloody cramp sets in.

A thoroughly enjoyable evening, good racing and for me a least, a proper good kicking…  

Charlton next week and Wrekinsport’s turn to marshal.

Round 7 of the Shropshire and South Staffs road race league saw us at Huntingdon, HQ’d in the very pleasant surroundings of Penkridge Cricket Club in, would you believe, glorious summer sunshine – a proper ‘shorts and jersey’ evening.

The fun started for me earlier in the week when I realised somebody had stolen my race licence (It must have been stolen as, like most blokes, I never lose or misplace things myself). I’ve got a spare (thank you BC coaching for the tip) so no major panic. However, I ordered another one from BC just to be on the safe side, but as that was being sent to my club secretary, they emailed me a temporary copy. So, when the much esteemed Mrs Jackson handed me back my original licence at the HQ, it meant I now had four. Pillock...   

4 groups last night I think with a combined 4&5. Plenty of Wrekinsport interest including White Lines, Del and Steve, John, Pink Karen, Surveyor John and a gost appearance for The Guest. No, wait… a guest appearance from The Gos.

The race started and, as you might expect, there was much riding around in large Cannock based circles at ill-advised speeds. This is nature of the road race league.

Many of you will know Del Jones, my club mate and man on his day capable of knocking out a 20 min 10 mile time trial. Seeing a rider doing his turn on the front Del smoothly went round him to take his turn, ably demonstrating the ‘through’ part of well know if little used ‘through and off’ technique. The fact he did the next 12 miles on his own at 24mph indicates we have some work to do on the ‘off’ bit. In all seriousness, brave stuff and a great effort from him.

The third lap saw Group 3 split by a tractor and trailer on fast descent. Most of us managed to get round it but it meant a chase back on for some including yours truly. My computer showed 66.1 kph so it was pretty quick and I'm sure some were a lot quicker than me. I think I had the privilege of towing the leading junior Ben Manfield (Wolverhampton Wheelers) across the gap so he definitely owes me a coffee.

I went past The Gos on the back straight and told him he was looking in good form. He said that was only because he was going downhill. I would have chuckled but I couldn’t spare the air. A slightly harsh self-assessment of a good ride by him I feel. Well done mate.  

G3 caught hold of a combined G1&2 on the 4th of 6 laps to be joined by a combined G4&5 with three quarters of a lap to go. As the pace went up there was another split on the climb which a few of us found ourselves on the wrong side of. I knew where I should’ve been but my old legs wouldn’t get me there. Just off the back, Andy Jones (Wolverhampton Wheelers) and I shared the effort to chase back on (again) and join the blunt end of the race (again). We even had a little celebration when we got there.

The usual suspects were up at the sharp end. The race was won by a Corley Cycles rider, closely followed by Mr Jones Snr (Stans )in the red jersey with current race leader Dave Starkey (Lord) in 4th surrounded by an assortment of other  cycling luminaries included Jord Bason of Wyndy Milla. Top work fast people.

Quick plug for my team (GBTx) all in training for the World Transplant Games in South Africa this July. This week, we’ve have two PB’s and Ottilie Quince, the current British, European and World Tx champion hammering the Herne Hill and Welwyn women’s omniums (omnia?). The road race league and grass roots events like it country wide are vital preparation for me and my team so, as always, big thanks to the riders, supporters and tireless organisers  and volunteers. Follow us on Twitter @GBTxCyclists if you want to know more and learn some bad language.     

As a final thought on a fantastic evenings racing, I had to go past Commissaire Watts’ twice last night, proving beyond all reasonable doubt that I’m faster than a Mini.    

All good stuff. My favourite of series so far I think. See you next week at Eaton Constantine for the Stans – Paramount race.

Top notch picture courtesy of Ben Lawrence (Stans - Paramount) with more of them on Facebook if you ask him nicely. Thanks Ben, excellent work.