Xmas Feature – Charline Joiner

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One of the most exuberant riders in the Women’s peloton, Charline Joiner takes the VeloUK Q & A!

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Xmas Feature – Charline Joiner

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1. What races are you looking forward to most next season and why?
Charline: I am looking forward the the Aviva Women’s Tour next year. It’s not certain that I will race however watching this year gave me massive inspiration and desire to be there next year. The racing looked amazing packed with world class riders and the crowds were incredible. Having support like that on home turf would be a dream. I also look forward to the British Championships and the Matrix Tour Series. These events are always to well organised and fun to race.

2. What were your highlights in 2015?
Charline: My win in the Croydon round of the Matrix Tour Series was definitely the highlight of my year. I have been hunting for a crit win since 2013 so I was over the moon to finally achieve that goal. My 2nd place overall in the British National Road Series was a great feeling.

3. What race was most fun in 2015 and why?
Charline: That’s a tricky one! It’s between two – the Squirrel circuit in Dunfermline (my home town). I won that in front of all my family and friends so that was a really nice moment for me. Racing round the roads I grew up on, past the local restaurants and shops was so great. The course was great too as it had quite a large cobbles section and I came to understand that I actually quite enjoy riding on them. Such a fun great race!

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The other race that I really enjoyed was the British National Road Race in Lincoln. The circuit was so great. I especially loved the closing smaller loops with the massive cobbled climb coated with fans and supporters all shouting and cheering. The atmosphere was simply amazing and the locals had made such an effort with banners hung up outside their houses, schools and shops. It was such an exciting and fun race that I really loved every minute of it.

4. What’s the best piece of cycling related advice you’ve ever been given that has made a difference and who gave it to you?
Charline: Learn from your mistakes – my dad! You have to fail before you can succeed; it’s by learning from your mistakes that you improve as an athlete.

 

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5. Tell us about your winter training bike, what’s different about it compared to your race bike.
Charline: I raced on a beautiful Matt Black Specialized S-Works this year. It was a fully equipped machine with Di2 and sprinter’s shifters. I was a very lucky girl! My winter bike however is a very different story, weighing in just under double the weight of my race bike. My Kinesis is fully equipped, but for a different reason. With hard core mudguards and chunky tyres, this bike can handle any sort of weather Scotland has to throw at me. Last week it was ice and snow! I managed a 3 hour ride in that with only one tiny skid. I do love both my bikes for different reasons, they both look after me.

6. How will you spend December on the bike?
Charline: I am currently typing this as I have my feet up on my cousin’s couch, recovering after a road ride in the windy yet warm and sunny conditions of Lanzarote. I am very lucky to have this base for my winter training and come out here as often as I can because… I can!

Spending time with family and riding the miles in the heat, what more could I ask for? The next three weeks will consist of a lot of miles with some efforts and some gym sessions too. I will return to Scotland on the 20th December just in time to start and finish my Christmas shopping. I do tend to ride the track over winter, mostly because I prefer the dry, warm conditions of the velodrome, the sense of traveling fast with minimal bike maintenance. This is the main reason I prefer track to cross! I also don’t think I’d be allowed another bike in the house!

7. Finally, if you could have any cycling related Christmas present – what would it be?
Charline: It would be a waterproof rucksack that was a bright luminous colour!

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