Michael Dowds

Getting the well deserved medal in the RAMMED stadium!

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:36:00 +0100

Getting the well deserved medal in the RAMMED stadium!

Finally Crossing the Finish line 4 km swim, 120 km...

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:35:00 +0100

Finally Crossing the Finish line

4 km swim, 120 km bike, 30 km run = 6hr:20min

31st overall (inc. Pro’s)

8th Amateur

3rd U25 Age Group

Out on the 120km Bike leg, En route to a 3hr:00min:30sec split

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:34:00 +0100

Out on the 120km Bike leg, En route to a 3hr:00min:30sec split

2nd Onto the bike after overtaking someone in Transition!

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:33:00 +0100

2nd Onto the bike after overtaking someone in Transition!

ETU Long Distance Champs, Third out of the water, Not a bad...

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:32:00 +0100

ETU Long Distance Champs, Third out of the water, Not a bad start to the race

4km in 54 minutes

So…A certain Mr. Bradford suggested we cycled from John O Groats...

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 23:08:00 +0100

So…A certain Mr. Bradford suggested we cycled from John O Groats to Lands End in July and, like a mug, I agreed!

As if 1,000 miles isn’t enough, I thought I’d make it a bit more ”interesting” and attempt it on a 25 year old bike!

Here she is…a 1986 Raleigh Milk Race! 5 speed, double chain ring, solid plastic saddle!

I’ve replaced the tyres and put the chain in to soak overnight! We’ll see how she cleans up over the next few days and how she rides!

Check out our travel blog:

www.lufbra-jogle.tumblr.com

Merchant Taylors Triathlon

Mon, 23 May 2011 00:49:00 +0100

So yesterday, I raced at the Merchant Taylors Standard Distance Triathlon. I entered this race months ago thinking it would be a good time, just after the dissertation was handed in, to go back home and compete in a casual early season triathlon.

What I didn’t realise was the insane amount of work I would still have on at this time and a 200 mile round trip for a race now seemed like a bad idea!

Anyway, with the race just 3 miles from home, it would be a nice break from work and a night in my own bed with some home cooked food!

What with the race being so close, I registered the night before and cycled along at 5 am to the start line. Before the race this seemed like an idyllic way to start the race. In reality, there was quite a heavy rainfall during this short ride, hopefully the day would improve!

The rain did give way (almost as soon as I got to transition!) and the race got under-way on time, with the women setting off at 6.20 and the men at 6.30. With the lack of rain we’d had recently, the lake was really shallow and the swim was about 200m short. I swam really well and exited the water second, taking the lead on the run to transition.

The bike course was tough, but I knew the route and kept plugging away. I was caught at the top of one of the steepest climbs, about 10 km into the bike. The conditions made it very slippery and I could not corner fast enough to keep the leader in sight. Still, I knew I have been running well so kept my head down.

At about 17 km into the bike, another strong cyclist came through. This time I was able to keep him in sight until about 19 km when he stopped with a puncture. I was back into second place, but only for a few seconds before I too punctured! Without any repair kit on me I had no choice but to retire.

This was the worst feeling. It was the first time this had happened to me and at a time where I was feeling strong and set for a good placing at the finish.

I managed to get a lift back to transition and collected my things to head home. As I was leaving, the leader came into transition. He was badly hurt after a crash of some sort and begun hobbling round the run. With a lead of about 5 minutes, I was extremely frustrated not to be there chasing him down!

Overall, the race was a disaster and very frustrating. I entered as prep for Cowman in July but didn’t even get to run despite feeling very strong! Looking at the results the leader off the bike was clearly very injured, running over 45 minutes and only managing to finish 4th.

Looking back, I should have known this race would not have been great. The roads around there are awful being so close to London. It was very unfortunate that from the top 3 men, 2 punctured and one fell. Had we all been luckier, I think this would have been a very close race and I would like to think I would have had a chance of a race win. Anyway, I don’t think I will be racing that course again in the near future!

Results can be found here;

http://www.triathlon-zone.com/events.html

Web Portfolio

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 13:32:00 +0000

Hello!

I’ve not posted for a while, I have been perfecting my web portfolio which is now live on the links to the right of the page.

Please take a look. This is a collection of some of the work that I have produced during my time studying at Loughborough.

Please enjoy and feel free to post any questions to me under the “Contact Me” section

The new road frame - Principia Ellipse Integral C24T with Oval...

Sun, 20 Mar 2011 16:30:00 +0000

The new road frame - Principia Ellipse Integral C24T with Oval Chain Rings and SRAM Force throughout

Parkrun

Sun, 20 Mar 2011 10:10:00 +0000

I’ve recently found these great casual races that happen all around the country on Saturday mornings;

www.parkrun.com

I wanted to try some of these to try and race my way to fitness so I went along with Tash to one in Bromley last weekend and cycled down to Leicester yesterday with Billy from the Tri Club. We did really well; finishing 1st and 2nd.

Billy smashed out a 16.23 whilst I did a pretty respectable 17.13. I think its a new PB for us both so a good day in the end and shows that my running is coming along nicely!

I can’t emphasise enough how well run these parkrun’s are! Get yourselves registered and down to your local Parkrun - I may see you there!

The Race Bike (almost) fully together with New Prototype Strada...

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 10:11:00 +0000

The Race Bike (almost) fully together with New Prototype Strada Disc and Zipp 808 Wheels. Gonna be FAST this year!

Clumber Park Duathlon

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 22:33:00 +0000

Raced at Clumber Park on Saturday in the standard distance Duathlon (10km Run: 40km Bike: 5km Run).

As far as first races of the season goes, I couldn’t have picked a more painful event! The run was straight up hill for 2.5km then back down before we headed out for another lap. The bike was also very hilly!

I did this event last year when I was feeling a lot fitter and training had been a bit more consistent. This year I was about 3 minutes down on last year - all on the bike!

I finished 63rd overall and 8th in my age group. Not great but I now know what I need to improve upon and build upon this for the start of the Triathlon season.

I’m glad I raced and blew away some cobwebs but it was a very painful way of finding out my fitness levels!

Finished 39th overall, about 4 minutes faster than last year so...

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 16:17:00 +0000

Finished 39th overall, about 4 minutes faster than last year so pretty happy.

Results can be found here;

http://www.bowlineclimbingclub.co.uk/images/pdf/chr11/chr_2011-overall_results.pdf

The race was brutal, very strong winds everywhere, coupled with the hills meant there was no time at all to relax! I also fell and cut my hand and eye at about 10 miles! Not cool! Lots of blood now and a nasty scar on the way!

Jules did well finishing just over her 2hr target and Jon came a very impressive 5th, beating me by a clear 10 minutes!

I have also just found this photo on the race pics website, I am one of the sample photos! Got this one for free! Looks like it is just after I fell and cut my eye!

Charnwood Hills Fell Race

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 23:03:00 +0000

Charnwood hills is in the morning. Doing it with my housemate Jules and her boyfried Jon.

14 miles over some of Leicestershires finest hills. Will post an update afterwards with our results!

Red Bull Mini Drome I went along with Tash to the Red Bull Mini...

Sat, 15 Jan 2011 10:07:00 +0000

Red Bull Mini Drome

I went along with Tash to the Red Bull Mini Drome on Saturday in Bethnall Green. The crashes were often pretty fun to watch, luckily no serious injuries!

I wanted to have a go myself but missed the registration date as I wasn’t even aware of the event until a few days before…maybe next year ;)