Quality training in Girona
Training in Girona
I went out to Girona in April a few weeks before Traka so I could do some extra training in the sun and recce a lot of the route I’d be racing. It’s much easier to do my training on the smooth climbs in Girona than in London… much better than the laps of Regents Park.
A baptism of fire in the Traka 200 - so fast!
The Traka 200
The Traka 200 race began well for me - I knew that there was a huge amount of climbing in the first 45km so decided to go hard but not so I would ruin the rest of my race. I managed my effort well and got into a good group - essential as I knew the next long flat section would be very hard alone.
Pit stop by my Quoc buddies - thank you
Traka Pit stop
My plan for my nutrition during the Traka 200 was to start with a hydration pack with 1.5 litres of carb mix and then at the mid-way feed swap packs. My amazing pit crew got everything switched out Formula One style so I could stay with the group I was in ahead of a big climb.
A DNF after all the hard work
The crash
On the long climb after the feed I managed to get away from the large group I was in with one other girl and I was feeling good. Unfortunately on the descent I went over a large crevasse that was the whole way across the track a bit too hot. I came off pretty hard with my body taking most of the impact. I got straight back on the bike but there was blood squirting out of my elbow all over me and the bike. I pushed on for another 20km but I was feeling too bad to continue so decided to stop and roll back in on the road. Definitely not what I was hoping for but I took positives from how I was feeling in the race before crashing.
Battle scars on my race bike (now all back in one piece)
Trek Checkpoint SL
My bike performed flawlessly in the race… even after I slid along the floor on it! The Checkmate frame is super comfortable with the Isospeed suspension and LANDRACE gravel wheels.
My 2x Shimano GRX Di2 groupset means I have a huge range of gears allowing me to always find the right gear regardless of a steep climb or long flat section. I chose to race with the Pirelli Cinturato H tyres in 45mm as the Traka has some pretty rocky and technical descents and these tyres can handle anything.
PS: Cyclefit have put together a Holly x Cyclefit team replica with LANDRACE GRV wheels and the aero road bars (I love the bars!). There is a contact form below or you can call the shop on 020 7430 0083 to find out more.
In at the deep end at the Lincoln Grand Prix
The Lincoln Grand Prix Road Race
My next race was the Lincoln GP - my second ever road race and first Nat A. I did a couple laps of Michaelgate the day before the race to see what it was all about and understand which part of the course were going to be tricky and where I needed to make sure I was in a good position. Cyclefit managed to set me up on a Trek Madone.
That was so fast!
Racing Lincoln
The race was just as hard as I thought it would be! I went into the race with zero expectations - I just wanted to race hard and see whether I was able to navigate the bunch and be in a good position each lap. I managed to do this well and felt strong the whole race, even when someone told me we still had 4 laps to go…! I finished 27th (30 seconds down in the main group) in the end which I was really happy with. Next year I will be much further forward on that last left corner before Michaelgate!
Tuesday night mayhem and great vibes
Crystal Palace Crits
In between races I did a few of my local Crits in Crystal Palace park. The course is super technical but fun - racing a Crit race after a long gravel or road race is always a bit of a shock! I felt good in each race but I’m still waiting patiently for my first win there…
The Gralloch was relentless but I finished well, very pleased
The Gralloch UCI Gravel Race
Next in my calendar was the Gralloch UCI Gravel race in the Gatehouse of Fleet, Scotland. I’ve raced here before - I raced Gralloch last year but punctured 3 times in the first 30km… eventually abandoning the race and I also raced the National Gravel champs in the same place in August, with more success finishing 5th. I knew the first climb was super important so I dug really deep and stayed with the front of the race for about 75/110km. I blew up a little and eventually got my brain back in the race and finished 9th Elite. I felt great in the race and was really happy with my result.
Now I'm back to training before my next race - the UCI Millau Gravel race in France. I am getting stronger and Jon Baker is making sure I train properly and stay focussed on the races.
My Calendar (with a few changes...!)
2025 Gravel Race Calendar
June 15 - UCI Millau, France
July 12 - UCI Gravel One Fifty, The Netherlands
August 16 - UCI Gravel Grit n Grind, Sweden
August 30 - UCI Houffalize, Belgium
September 6 - UCI Graean Cymru, Wales
September 12-14 - British Gravel Champs
September 20 - UCI Sea Otter Europe, Spain
