The feedback I receive on these weeknotes is generally something like “I’m enjoying your weekly posts Mark – no idea how you find the time?”. The answer is that 1) I work a 4-day week; and 2) I stay up far too late at night. I also write them in bits, as the week progresses. This week has been a bit of a rollercoaster though, with a few unexpected changes of direction, and consequently quite a few re-writes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I had planned to take an extra day off this week which looked like it was going to squeeze things a bit. That all changed mid-week, which gave me a bit more time to move things forward. These were the highlights:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was cycle coaching on Saturday, then dashed home as my youngest son, Ben, said he would be watching the rugby at home instead of with his mates. England vs. Wales is the<\/em> most important Six Nations fixture in my family. My Dad was Welsh. He wasn’t big into sport, but, nevertheless I remember watching 15 men in red shirts running around with an oval ball with him. Nikki’s Dad was Welsh too. Even though we were both born in England, that makes our sons two-quarters Welsh. Cymru am byth<\/a>! Sadly, the result didn’t quite go our way this year – though it was closer than I’d dared dream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On Sunday, our eldest son, Matt was racing the Portsdown Classic<\/a>. It’s the first road race of the season and there were some big names in there. Unfortunately, he didn’t get the result he wanted – finding he has the power but is still learning to race – but he did finish just ahead of Ed Clancey OBE, so that’s something to remember. <\/p>\n\n\n\n ???? Loved being back in the saddle at the Portsdown Classic after a racing hiatus! I’m just glad he avoided this (look carefully and Matt can be seen in white\/blue on a grey bike with white decals on the wheels, very close to the verge on the left, just ahead of the crash)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finished 45th – not bad, but a HUGE shoutout to organisers, sponsors, and fellow riders for making it unforgettable. ? #PortdownClassic<\/a> @VeloUK<\/a> @BritishConti<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ACFucxCuHp<\/a><\/p>— Ed Clancy OBE (@Ed_Clancy) February 12, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n