HandcyclingUK help Team Battle Back prepare for the RAAM
In September 2011 HandcyclingUK
and the Battle Back adventure sport and rehabilitation initiative hosted
a
handcycling taster day at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at
Headley Court, Surrey. At the time it was announced that an extremely
ambitious project had been conceived, which would see a relay team of
eight
paracyclists compete in the June 2012 Race Across America (RAAM). The
plan was
to prepare a squad of athletes from which four upright cyclists and four
recumbent handcyclists would be selected.
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Since that time two RAAM-specific training
weekends have taken place and have largely revolved around Tedworth House which
is located in Tidworth, Wiltshire. This is the location of the Battle Back
Phoenix project, which is designed to provide continued support for Military
personnel who have been medically discharged from service. The Battle Back
Phoenix project is headed by Martin Colclough who will soon be joined by Staff
Sergeant Jonpaul Nevino. In addition to receiving assistance from numerous
other staff, Paul Smith and Marc Poolman of HandcyclingUK have also offered
their support and advice when requested.
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The format of the two weekends has been
similar; on Saturday the group of cyclists and support staff complete road
rides using loops of the beautiful Wiltshire countryside. Typically the rides
have ranged from 25-35 km, and have taken in a variety of busy main roads, as
well as narrow country lanes that meander through picturesque and very quiet villages
that surround Tidworth. Once the Saturday rides are complete, the riders get fed
and watered at Tedworth House and then prepare to ride a 24 km (15 mile) time
trial.
The chosen location for what will become a regular performance trial is Hullavington Airfield, which is also in Wiltshire and just north of junction 17 of the M4. The closed circuit consists of a 4 km loop which, on first inspection appears to be quite flat. However, there is typically a strong cross wind blowing, which makes progress on certain parts of the course difficult at times. The squad of cyclists will continue to complete these individual time trial efforts until May 2012. The cyclists’ performance during the time trial as well as the progress they make and the commitment they demonstrate to the preparation for the RAAM will largely determine team selection.
The chosen location for what will become a regular performance trial is Hullavington Airfield, which is also in Wiltshire and just north of junction 17 of the M4. The closed circuit consists of a 4 km loop which, on first inspection appears to be quite flat. However, there is typically a strong cross wind blowing, which makes progress on certain parts of the course difficult at times. The squad of cyclists will continue to complete these individual time trial efforts until May 2012. The cyclists’ performance during the time trial as well as the progress they make and the commitment they demonstrate to the preparation for the RAAM will largely determine team selection.
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During the RAAM the riders will be competing
as a relay team and, as such, no cyclists will be required to ride continuously
for more than 1-hr at any time. Therefore, although single time trials are
being completed at present, it is envisaged that double time trials will be undertaken
during the April and May 2012 training weekends, which will be separated by an
hour recovery.
The next RAAM training weekend will take place at Cardiff Metropolitan University – formerly UWIC – where the cyclists will undertake a series of training sessions and laboratory tests. The scientific tests will be used to identify the cyclists’ lactate thresholds, which will enable a greater degree of precision when it comes to prescribing individualised training sessions. More news relating to the RAAM 2012 and Team Battle Back’s progress will follow shortly.
The next RAAM training weekend will take place at Cardiff Metropolitan University – formerly UWIC – where the cyclists will undertake a series of training sessions and laboratory tests. The scientific tests will be used to identify the cyclists’ lactate thresholds, which will enable a greater degree of precision when it comes to prescribing individualised training sessions. More news relating to the RAAM 2012 and Team Battle Back’s progress will follow shortly.
