1st MARCH 2016 – THE COURSE IS FINALISED

I thought 20km was short, but it has just been announced that it is actually only going to be 16km – I’m sure it will still hurt though!

I have been out riding the course a fair bit, I have a plan to go ride the ‘technical section’ as much as possible in the next 2 weeks. I am rather looking forward to that section of the race – I can use some of my mountain biking skills! Seriously thou, if we really are riding over those cobblestones, it will be a bit brutal, and oooo my poor Zipp Super 9 disc wheel.

Hurrah I see today that we ride on the pedestrian area around the BellTower rather than ride on the cobblestone road. Riding over the new bridge is fun, it is a S shape, so thinking about taking the racing line will be important.

10th MARCH 2016 – THE DAY BEFORE THE BIG DAY

My pre-race ride was combined with one final reccy of the course and going to the UCI race village to make sure my bike was race legal. It was put in the jig and, yep, it was legal. I was however amazed at how many people had non-legal bikes and only realized now!

Everything checked and double checked, weather forecast scrutinized, still not sure when the wind will pick up – my start time is 10:55am.

I will ride with the zipp disc on the rear no matter how windy it is – I have been riding with that set up as my ‘everyday ride’ for the last month and I know even it its blowing 30km/h the bike wheel combo handles great.

But I am still undecided whether to ride with an 808 or something more manageable upfront? A quick call to coach Fenz and we decide to err on the side of caution and go for something I know I can handle if the wind does come in early.