​We are holding our first training session focused on the WTG in Newcastle 2019 at Stourport on 21st October 2018 between 12.30 – 3.00pm. Please note the change in our normal time due to track availability.

Bring cycling gear appropriate for the weather on the day, helmets are compulsory and bring snacks and drinks to keep you going whilst riding. We use an outdoor purpose-built cycle track at the sports club (so no traffic) which many of you will be familiar with from this year’s British Games. Bring your standard road bike with drop handlebars, track mitts or gloves and, where possible, the latest edition of the GBTx cycling kit. Hopefully there will be an opportunity to get some photographs to use for publicity.

There are changing facilities with showers at the club and plenty of car parking. You can also (normally) buy hot and cold drinks and food. Directions are here
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We will focus on reprising some group riding skills and look at potential selections for the team time trial event so there will be some exercises focused on that. There’ll also be an opportunity to discuss training approaches for the winter. This will be critical if you are serious about getting anywhere near the podium next year.

Please confirm to me directly (even if you have done so elsewhere) if you are planning to attend by email at richard.smith@mamilcycling.co.uk and, if you have not been to one of my sessions before (or it’s been a while), please fill in the consent form below and return it to me by email before the session. Logistically and for insurance purposes I'm limited on numbers and this year's team is big by normal standards. 

I’d appreciate it if you could be ready to ride at 12.30 rather than arriving or getting changed at 12.30 – it’s really difficult to map late arrivals in to a session and you’ll miss the initial briefing which is important for safety.

We are planning on delivering another two sessions next year as we approach the games. If you attend these, you don’t need to attend the Warwick training sessions as there are no cycling facilities there. Probably best you let Lynne or Barrie know so they can tick you off the list.

I’ll try to answer any questions you have on the day, email me if you have anything critical that can’t wait. If you want to know how to ride faster, it’s simple, push the pedals harder, if you want to know what the weather is going to be like, I don’t know.
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Love and kisses, Rich.   

A few years ago, the GB Transplant Cycling team had grown in size to the point that rather than attempt to follow the model of our umbrella team and have a single person responsible for all things cycling, we decided to separate the management roles so we could focus on what we're best at (we are still working out what this is). Ottilie Quince took on the captaincy role, I remained as coach and we forced John Leveson to do all the real work as team manager. Quite frankly, he's been bloody brilliant.

For reasons I'll let John better explain below, he's taking a sabbatical from his management duties, here is the text of his email to the team and broader community of transplant cyclists. 

'Morning All
 
Many of you will know that a couple of years ago the disease which caused the need for my original liver transplant reoccurred in my new liver. Initially there was little impact but over time the disease has progressed  and is now having an impact. Due to this I am unable to commit to giving the time at the points when it is required to 'manage' the team effectively - some may say that I never managed the team effectively in the first place!
 
Hopefully I will return sometime in the not too distant future with another shiny new liver but until that time Declan Logue has very kindly said that he will take over the management duties. I'm sure that you will all join me in wishing Declan all the best and I'm sure that he will do a superb job.
 
I will retain a keen interest in the results from British, European and World games and  look forward to when I can return to competing in transplant cycling events.
 
Best Wishes
 
John
 
On a personal level, I'm gutted that John is anything other than 100% fit, healthy and racing his bike. The fact that during this difficult time he has continued to cheerfully manage the team and remain totally stoic is remarkable and testament to the man he is.  

As you will gather, Declan Logue has kindly agreed to take on the management role in John's temporary absence. Dec is, frankly, also a legend and if anybody is capable of filling Levers size 10s then it's him. In John's recent absence from our international competitions, Dec has taken over the management of the team and has done a difficult job extremely well. Thanks for stepping forwards Dec.

I know you will join me in thanking John for his considerable efforts to date, wish him a speedy return to full health and we all look forward to having him back both as manager and rider in the very near future. In the meantime, please give Dec your support. 

The picture below is Levers 'slightly stoked' after winning his first international medals at the European Games in Krakow, Poland in 2014. I'm looking forward to repeating this in the near future and no, he didn't get to keep the girls. 

Rich.