Team Interview: Achieve Skinnergate Racing

2013_VanillaBikes_Banner_Oct_02

Jack Rees (rider & manager) of Achieve Skinnergate Racing in the North East England takes up the Q & A challenge

RST Cycle Clothing & Trigon Bikes

Interview: 

How long have you been racing either in road races or time trials?
Jack: As a team 2014 will be our third season.

Do you have a favourite discipline & why?
Jack: We mainly compete on the road, but have some excellent time trailists. Ben Hetherington was 4th in the Junior BBAR and also Collin Humphrey who won 10 open TT events in 2013 including a number of course records.

What has been the highlight of 2013 for you?
Jack: 1st & 2nd in the North East Divisional Championships, 35 race wins.

Which race has been the best one (most fun) to do?
Jack: Any of the multi day events, we particularly enjoyed the Nigel Measom this season.

Do you coach yourself or have a coach to help structure your training?
Jack: One of the key sponsors of the team is Achieve Cycle Coaching, who provide winter sessions and training guidance to the riders in the team

How many hours a week would you train on and off the bike?
Jack: Anything up to 20hrs, with two overload weeks during February and March abroad.

Do you tend to train alone or in a chain gang?
Jack: Many of the team meet multiple times a week usually in groups of 4-6.

Do you work full time/part time or a full time bike rider?
Jack: The majority of the team work full time, some are part time and some are still in education.

What is the best thing about racing bikes?
Jack: Seeing yourself improve, the competition with others.

And what is the one thing you enjoy least!
Jack: Crashing, poor performances caused by indecision or poor decision making.

If you could change one of your weaknesses into a strength, which one would it be?
Jack: We could be more of a well drilled at times

What type of bike do you ride and what type of groupset/wheels does it have?
Jack: The team are provided with Focus Cayo models from our sponsor Skinnergate Cycles. Group set are the riders own choice with a mix of SRAM and Shimano Mechanical and Di2. We use ARC Carbon Wheels for racing.

Are you ‘geeky’ when it comes to the equipment on the bike?
Jack: I think most take a good interest, looking for ways to improve performance, with all the riders getting Retul fits prior to this season from our sponsor Triology Multisport.

What will you be doing training wise during the winter – as little as possible or a structured programme from a coach?
Jack: A structured programme, building in a traditional slow and progressive way.

Will you race at all in the winter?
Jack: We may do some winter series events in February depending on the weather.

Do you have a specific winter training bike — mudgards or none?
Jack: Specific winter bikes, with guards and mud flaps.

What is the one thing outside of pedalling the bike that you feel you need to learn to be a better bike rider?
Jack: Working together as a more cohesive unit

Do you try and get away from the weather here and go abroad for a winter training camp? If so, where do you like to go most, for how long and how often during the winter?
Jack: Two camps for a week in one in Calpe and one in Mallorca

When do you expect to start racing in 2014?
Jack: Late Feb / Early March

What are the races you are looking forward to most in 2014?
Jack: The majority!

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