New year, New team, New Tires

Yea righto.
Let's start with summer, it was great, had a blast, can't complain. I worked also, got set up with a job by my dad and his boss(thanks guys) they set it up so I could train in the mornings and work in the afternoons.

My team that I signed for last year, Jartazi Continental cycling team... well they decided to merge with another Belgian Continental team who are sponsored by the Belgian Government, therefore only allowing Belgian rider's in the team. Thanks for coming but we don't want you anymore.
But thanks to a few people over here they found me a team soon enough and this season I am racing for a French team called Dunkerque Close2, with the Nico Mattan as the Director.

Back to summer, I was inspired by a guy that I was working on a roof with, to start dabbling in a bit of 4x4ing! after my first attempt with co driver Tom VDH, I was hooked, all I had to do was explain to dad how I broke the brake housing...

Trucking up at Loch Katrine(a converted dad took this photo)

A few party's, a bit of mucking/trucking around, dabbled in fishing/wishing, a trip up into to the mountain's with about 20 other youngster's and a trip with my family up to Loch Katrine

How's the serenity

The new team
I've been here, where's here? Here's Belgium! for about a month now, since arriving it's been full on with getting set up, had a 10 day training camp down on the coast of Spain. That place is wow! we were about 50ks from Girona. It was such a good area to train with all sort's of different terrain, lot's of 4x4's there as well!

The set up is great, it's a French team but there is a mix of Belgian's, French, a couple of Kiwi's(Wade Mangham and I) and Martynas the Lithuanian. Everyone get's along well with lot's of laugh's.
Nico or Director is a really funny guy, he was a big time pro and won stages in Paris-Nice and Gent Wevelgem!
The team has a really good race program with it being 50/50 french/belgium racing.

The racing so far

Not much to yarn about, for me personally, first race here in Belgium was a Kermis... ended in a crash for me.
The second race was the Beverbeek Classic, which my bad positioning saw me at the wrong end of the race and out the other side.
The latest race was Vlaamse Pijl, the big race Clinton Avery won last year, well after 35ks about 4 rider's hit the deck in front of me... same old story, can't go around it, can't go under it, got to go through it... and I'm on the deck again.
I didn't know what the issue was with my bike, but i knew the wheel's were buckled, rear gear cable was frayed so only had about 3 strands of wire left to change the gears. save a sob story. Bike ended up having a crack right through the chainstay and I was a DNF.

But never fair, happy as larry and looking forward to this next week, start fresh and go from there.

The latest

Here is a link to and Interview on me, from veloresults.co.uk

http://www.veloresults.co.uk/2010/08/17/ruaraidh-mcleod-first-win-in-belgium/


This is a photo from earlier in the year

Yes, so since last time I wrote it has been about 3 weeks.
I have been up to the same old shenanigan's since then, plus a bit more, not much more.
Yes, the team did pull out of the Tour of Antwerp, this means I am racing Kermeis race's for the remainder of the time here, we also had a big interclub on the 26th of August... same shit different day.

Saturday the 7th/Sunday the 8th. It was my Birthday, and my host family put on a party to celebrate Michael an I's 19th's plus a leaving party.
I was really fun. The friends that we have made came over and we had great time and ate some nice food. Did some awkward dancing with middle aged woman, ate cake and to much pudding. I think everyone a good time and I thank my host family very much for that.

It was Tueday the 10th, In Lovandegem, just out of the Gent. An Elite without contract/U23 race, these are normally what I race here, along with U23 races.
Break went up the road with Michael in it, so rode in the bunch for first 50kms, then the break came back, the rain came and the race sort of blew to bits, until there was about 6 of us left, including Mario Willims ( the Kermis shark, 17 wins so far this year). To be honest I wasn't feeling the greatest, so didn't get up to much. Last lap, the 6 were still together, the finish was on cobbles and a decent 1km section leading up to it, with 2 sharp corners. So last corner before the drag to the line, Mario goes in first, a Lithuanian decided that he would follow and hit the wet cobbles rather quick, he went down, I went off the road. Mario won, and I ended 5th.

Thursday the 12th, I'm 4 days into being a 19 year old. And you guessed it another race. In Belzele.
Same sort of race as the above, 90 starters this time. Michael and I had a fun time battling the GPS on the way to the race, I think the GPS won as it took us into the centre of Gent, lovely place... but not where we wanted to be.
So we get to the start and get signed on in time and basically roll up to the line. It was a narrow course with lots of corners. I a big bunch with lots of people, nothing was going to get away so, sat in until the split happened and managed to get in it. I think it was about 20-30 riders. In the end, 1 rider got away and stayed away by 23 seconds, with maybe 800 to go I had a go and managed to stay off the front of the break for 2nd. It was good, but it is nothing like getting the win.

Friday the 13th, nothing bad happened. Caught up with Clinton Avery and went for a ride with him. This was really cool. Really motivating seeing someone who has been over here for what has been 4 years now, and he's winning the biggest races over here, as well as getting stagaire rolls with the worlds biggest teams. Had a good chat with him and talked about what to get up to next year and lots more.

Sunday the 15th, Raced, but not really. I didn't see the end of the race. That sort of sums it up. Rather tired and couldn't really hide in the bunch on this windy day.

This week, had a really good week out on the bike as well as a few coffee stops with the Aussie's, English men, token South african and the crazy russian, well the crazy russian wasn't there this time, last time I saw him he sprayed a fire extinguisher in my face.

Racing tomorrow, then again next Friday in Holland, which is a crit. Then I will start packing and kick around for a few days.
Monday the 30th will be my last day here in Belgium for 2010, I think around lunch time I get on the plane and start the trip back HOME, which takes me to Zurich, LAX, Auckland and finally Christchurch then over the hill and far away to Governors Bay.

So that's me.

The Interclub

Start of the year, on the deep fry diet(don't do it)


This photo because the guy(the purchaser from previous rambling's) behind me throwing his hands in the air, payed out to win a race. I was told by a friend back home in New Zealand "don't hold a grudge, just get revenge"


Racing in Deinze, my adopted hometown


Michael and I in a race


Racing in Aarsele

Well it was hard, 155kms with 2 goes up the Kemmelberg(with about a 1km climb of normal road, then a bit of flat with the last couple of hundred meters very step and with cobbles) and about 8 other climbs.
The top teams were there Beveren and PWS amongst others, as well as the French elite amateur champ.
The race kicked of and it was pretty hectic from the the get go. Narrow roads, nervous people attacks and what not. I'll skip to the chase, I was feeling ok, but a bit tired when we got the second time up the Kemmelberg due to the fact the 185 rider bunch had been strung out in single file in the gutter for a good half hour. I will mention I was dropping off the wheel on more than 1 occasion but a very kind rider from the Bevern team decided that he would push me back to the wheel...3 times, It was much appreciated who ever he was.
So by the 2nd time we went over the Kemmelberg a strong group had gone off the front, and really I was not in the position to do anything about it. So that left Michael and I the last 2 isorex riders in the 2nd group, but our team car decided to go elsewhere and not join the convoy of team cars, so when I hit the pot hole of all pot holes and my front wheel blew to bits, i was left floundering around in the team cars wondering waiting wishing until the natural spare car came up beside me and offered me a drink bottle, I told them that wouldn't help but a front wheel would be lovely.

Back in the 2nd group now with new wheel. Rode in that group for the remainder of the race and ended finishing 41st, out of the 185 starters(105 riders abandoned the race). Note the first 3 riders in this race are all going Pro next year!
It was a day where i was happy to just finish as we rode the last 50km in what I would call more than damp conditions(it pissed down).

During the race I found my legs were tired and I didn't have that EXPLOSION that is necessary to be fighting for a top spot in these races, but I feel that I'm in good condition and look forward to the Tour of Antwerpen next Thursday(big 4 day Tour with the shortest stage 140km and the longest 180km). BUT, this is a BIG but... I found out this morning that my team have decided that they are NOT going to race it as some riders do Not want to............................. So yea, what can you do? Not much.

However, if we do not race that, then it will be Kermis races for the next few weeks. It's still great racing, but the Tour was something that I have been training and peaking for. And a good result there could help a lot. Its life.

Home in a month, looking forward to seeing the family, friends and New Zealand(no place like home they say). Going to ride the Tour of Southland, and my track bike over the NZ summer.

I have got some pictures from photographer Roland Desmet, he's at a race just about everyday of the week and has given me a bunch of different pictures from races so far this year. So thanks Roland.
I will put a few up here, as I like looking at pictures as they speak a thousand words(raaahaaahaa).

Im off for a ride now.

Thanks for reading.

A win

31st July 2010, Under 23 race, Aarsele, Belgium. 112km

It has taken a while but these last few weeks my form has been coming up, and I have been in the mix a bit in races, and last Saturday I got my first European win.
How it went, It was a Saterday, it was Belgium, overcast with the idea of bucketing rain. With that in mind i decided to put 150 psi in the tires(not a good idea Ruaraidh), my little bit of logic behind this was I wouldn't get a pinch flat (punctures have been rather prominent this season). But this did cause a few front wheel drifts and rather bad cornering.
So the break went up the road with Michael leading it, they had about 6 guys. Then the rain started bucketing down, which made it rather important to be in the break, so i went across with one other. So after 2 of the 18 laps the break was decided, and the 9 of us lapped it out quite consistently for about 80km. From there people started attacking and expecting Michael, me and another Isorex rider to chase it down. Michael went up the road a few times, and i tried to go after he got reeled in, but to no avail. With one lap to go i could see it was going to end in a sprint. It was a bit like a 5km game of cat and mouse, Michael took a flyer just inside the last kilometer but they jumped on him quick, i muscled my way into 3rd wheel coming onto the final straight.

I saw a gap between the rails and a rider from the Davo lotto team with 200 meters to go, from there I just went full gas, it seemed to take so long, I was thinking someone would come around me.
I got to the line and no one had, so I threw my arms up. I was so happy, it was such a relief. My first win as an U23 rider, my first win since stage 5 of the Junior Tour of Southland. It's been a while between drinks, but it couldn't have come at a better time for me as this is around the time teams are looking.


I will let you know what else I have been up to, but have to get ready for an interclub now.

Thanks for everyone who has supported me and helped get me over here this season!

Going on Stage

Stage aka a training camp in Germany. In this beautiful place called Wallendorf its actually right on the border of Luxembourg in this picture on the left is Luxembourg and the right is Germany


So 5 days there training in the hills for the tour of Liege on the 17th-21st of July.
Prior to that is a Pro Kermis in Melle(just out of gent) on the 8th of July which happens to be prior to a 1 day 2 stage tour that i am doing in France, on the 4th of July. But i can't tell you where that is yet, becuase i don't know either.

Had a nice easy week of RECUPERATION this week and start training tomorrow. really looking forward to the next few months with lots of races and they are the big ones on the mighty Isorex race Calender.

Today I got out riding at the crazy crazy time of 8am and was back by 11.30 even after a solo coffee stop(wasn't even awkward by myself, will do more often). So that left a bit of time to kill after eating, stretching and dabbling in core exercises. So I took the town bike into town(Deinze). Here was my trip in pictures, well not all of it but a few:

as i rode the 3kms out of the whops and into the town i saw Strawberries to my right nom nom nom

And corn to my left

then i was being silly and took one of "those photos"

which was followed by a small section of pave

I then proceeded to cruize around the town, stopping at a suave super market and purchasing some peanut butter, cus cus, Quinoa and linseed

i made the trip back safely

goodnight

Hear me now

Righto, ok.

Its June the 23rd, its a Wednesday, May the 18th was the last time i wrote on this.

I am writing now as i have something to talk about, so i will start with;

Sunday May 23rd. An BVB Interclub, the name was BVB(which means Belgium Cup, which means 33 teams of 6 riders, which means basically a brothel, which means stay at the front, which i did until i went down at 60ks an hour after 11km of racing, which means minor concussion)

The next week involved having a sore head, racing twice and pulling out twice.
Doctors, medication, and about 10 after my head started to shape up.

It's probably not a good thing to say but i have forgotten what i have done in the week since, but feeling better, and riding my bike were on the cards, oh and one of these...

It's Hincapie's spare classics bike from last year, this was given to me for the remainder of the season by Allan Pieper, who is looking after us really well and helping us in our first season in Belgium. So mad props to Allan.

The bike is rather suave, its a classic's specific one. So it handles really very well on the cobbles.

A bit of this and a bit of that and its Tuesday the 15th and we are in Germany for the Thüringen Rundfahrt, this is one of the top U23 tours in the world and boy was it hard.

1. Etappe, 15.06.2010, Sparkassen Mannschaftszeitfahren Bleicherode,23.7 km
2. Etappe, 16.06.2010, Bleicherode - Wasungen, 148.0 km
3. Etappe, 17.06.2010, Wasungen - Brotterode, 159.7 km
4. Etappe, 18.06.2010, Rund um Bad Berka, 142.5 km
5. Etappe, 19.06.2010, Masserberg - Masserberg, 138.9 km
6. Etappe, 20.06.2010, Hermsdorf - Hermsdorf, 145.7 km

Ok so to sum it up it was hilly and hard, as you can read my lead up to this event was, well it was less than ideal. So getting spat on the climbs and chasing was a bit of a game i played all to often, until to i lost that game on stage 5, after a failed attempt to get across to the days break i hit the hill, the hill hit me. I got back on the back then another hill and it was sort of lights out, unless you had your team car. Of which you could hold onto the door and be towed back to the bunch. Me and Shane of the the Nz team were not so lucky so we rode to the feed station and hoped in the car. Pulling out, a shit feeling indeed but it may sound pretty cliche but i actually took a lot from the tour. Detail i can't really be bothered going into but hopefully it will show in the next year or so.

Other than that i had a very good experience with the NZ team, riders and management who all did there best and made it a very good environment to be in!


This is me in Germany, at a Dam. Germany is a Beautiful place. Probably the nicest place i have been to, the roads are so nice to ride. Would love to go back there soon.

Funny you should say that Ruaraidh as you are. Yes thats right i am going back on Monday the 28th of June, for a training camp with the Isorex team. This will be good training for the Tour de Liege with the steep we climbs that its got.

So I hope that has a bit of info, I am having an easy week now to recovery and do a bit of touristy stuff, maybe.

Next race a Pro kermis in Melle just out of Gent.

It's ok for you

Division

The Race in Deinze
Well ok

May the 8th, a Saturday I raced. In the end after 120km the race was still together after minus a few guys up the road, it ended in a massive scrap for the line. I am starting to feel good now, have a good bit of training behind me which included a wee strength block, and believe it or not i think it worked. So 31st in that race and while i was i a break pulled a massive 7 euro for a prime.

May the 9th, a Sunday. Some might be at church, some might be hung over or like me you were at a bike race. This one was in a place called Laarne. 120ks or so, I raced this because I was feeling good yesterday. I dont usually race twice a weekend, but being a dangerous boy that i am, i did just that, that i s race twice.
Ok so finally a break went and boom, i wasn't in it, so i tried to get across, but i got a bad case 80 kilometeritis and i started to get angry and go alone, i nearly made it one one attempt, but after about 5 solo attempts nothing was happening so after 50km of trying I never made it and resorted to the peleton.
I jumped the bunch with 2 ks to go and got 14th, so better than yesterday.

May the 11th, it's a Tuesday and my rest day. It would be a happy day. But there is a problem, when I woke up I realised that my throat had re-inflamed itself, so off to the doc straight away, they took a swab and i go the same anti biotics as the first time. So Its not the best thing to happen(again) but its life.

May the 13th, a Thursday. Thursdays are just another weekday really. But today there was a race. In Deinze, my adopted home town. It was 120ks and for U23's or young skux's if you like. I got in the move today. I think that went after about 45ks. I was quite happy to do this and went for all the primes i could while i was in the break. However i was told there was a prime every lap, so i went for 5, and got those 5, or so i thought. In the end there was only a prime every 2nd lap. Mean while im going for these sprints, not making the most mates in the process. But oh well. OK back to the race, we got caught with maybe 3 laps to go, there were about 9 guys and 4 were working solid in the break. So i tryed a few more attacks, but in hind sight(the wonderfull thing that it is) i should have just rested and saved it for one attack or the sprint.
With about 1.5ks to go they ramped it up fast and i was in a shit position, going into the perfectly placed round about with 500 to go i was about 20th and pulled up to 6th in the finish. So that race, happy to mix it up in the race but learn't a lesson in positioning here.

May the 16th, a Sunday. Anti Biotics are finished and its race day again. 120ks U23 in Pittem(the pits). Was feeling really good, rode up to a few guys and it turned into the break of the day. About 9 guys to start with, this time i joined in on the prime policy and not being "that guy" who takes them all and no mates again type thing. So it was solid riding for for the first 60 or so ks, then again when the break split again down to 4 now. Anyway down to the last few laps with a Qin rider(conti team), a Davo rider(pharma lotto feeder) and another fellow who purchased himself the race.
So with 1 and a half laps of 6km to go, Davo and purchaser went up the road, i got with them and the Qin rider did'nt quite make it, then Purchaser hit it again and the Davo rider just sat on me. I soon realised what was going on, so i just rode and stayed away from the chaser, Davo beat me in the sprint by a few lengths. I was a bit gutted to not get the win at my first chance of it, but when you have guys teaming up and paying cash it makes it that bit harder.


Thats Purchaser in the blue


The finish.

May the 18th, its Tuesday. Trained today, with an SRM i am borrowing for a bit, I hav'nt used one for a few months so it was quite fun. I have just written this. Race an Inter club on Sunday they are rather big about 30 or more teams with 6 riders each. Form has come up well so I am looking forward to it.
Home life is good with my family here, they are fun and really nice and treat me way to well.
I did see my dog on skype the other night, which was cool. She said hi.
Weather is on the up, sunny and I think today was 18, so getting up there.
Im going for a bit of tea now.


This is salad, my host family produce 10,000 a day.


Nelly, my Dog