Frances Newstead : My Cycling History

From the first time I borrowed my brothers mountain bike over 10 years ago I knew I had a talent for cycling. Up to then my only exposure to cycling had been holidays as a child, trying to keep up with my brother and dad on the roads of Brittany.

I always enjoyed being active, but swimming and running always seemed a bit laborious. In my twenties, I found myself cycling out of necessity commuting to and from University, where trying to beat the traffic to make the first lecture of the day became a daily challenge, and I found myself enjoying the sense of competition. One morning, a chance meeting at traffic lights with a member of the university Mountain Biking Club changed my direction completely and opened up a whole new world of cycling.

On the bike I felt a new found sense of confidence, it just felt right. Evenings and weekends were taken up with rides in the Yorkshire Dales, Polaris, Trailquest and cross country racing. I spent my student loan on a GT Zascar and paid to go on a MTB training camp with Mick Ives to Lanzarote, with nothing more than 2 boxes of cereal for food (I couldn't afford the full board package!).

I met some great people on the camp and everyone encouraged me to take my racing more seriously, including a young rider who is now the GB mountain bike coach, Phil Dixon.

Once I had the encouragement of others, I started to take myself more seriously, reading Cycling Weekly religiously and hear about riders such as Yvonne McGregor and Caroline Alexander and believe that I could be as good as them. In my mind there were no limitations to what I could do.

I had been training with the lads from Wakefield CC who suggested that I join them a the Manchester Velodrome for some winter training. I started going to the Friday night track league to 'have a go' and was talent spotted by ex GB coach Val Rushworth and a new career in road and track cycling.

my progression..

I had a natural ability for time trials but the reality is that it takes a lot more than strength and talent to win a bike race. Dealing with issues such as nerves and fear of failure was new to me, and tactics, sponsorship and the hunger to win can make all the difference to your racing position. After 10 years working with the best riders and coaches in the world including; Chris Boardman, Warren Macdonald, Val Rushworth, Peg Hill and the now world and Olympic champ Chris Hoy I have learned a lot about the business and what it takes to spot and make a champ and above all achieve a dream.

Towards the end of my career I realised I enjoyed learning about the process and supporting team mates more than the pressure of competing. I started to coach!

Everything I have l experienced from my first MTB race to being on the start line of the Commonwealth Games Points race at Manchester and being on the short list for the Olympics in 2004 include lessons that I can pass on to aspiring cyclists. Only now do I feel like I understand the sport and everything that goes with it, it definitely isn't just about the bike!

I owe everything I know to the amazing coaches that have helped me in the past and riders I have worked with up to now. Combined with my own experiences I can help you achieve your cycling goals.

Frances Newstead

http://www.cyclingtraininguk.co.uk

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