Q&A: Jennifer George (Boot Out Breast Cancer RT)

Jennifer George who races for Boot out Breast Cancer RT in 2017, takes the VeloUK Question & Answer

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Q&A: Jennifer George (Boot Out Breast Cancer RT)

Photo: Tom Oldham

1. What was the highlight of 2016 for you and why?
Jennifer: 2016 as a year was unreal! If I had to pick one single moment, it would have to be lining up for the Women’s Tour (Britain) (Women’s World Tour). A race I had dreamt of doing but never actually expected to do and in my first year UCI was phenomenal. The crowds genuinely make it special and even more so as they are a home crowd calling your name or Drops!

2. What was your favourite/most fun race of 2016
Jennifer: Lining up for the Tour of Flanders (Women’s World Tour). I had goose bumps as the crowds lined the streets, watching us get ready and then during the race on the cobbled climbs. The only other race where I have experienced crowds like this was the Women’s Tour in Britain. I love cobbled climbs, it really makes it interesting and suits me as a rider.

3. What was the toughest race of 2016 for you and why?
Jennifer: Samyn Des Damas was really tough as it was my first race of the season and I wasn’t quite prepared for how strong the wind was going to be. At the end, going into the town, I wanted so much to give Rebecca Durrell a strong lead-out but I was completely finished and had to wave her through earlier than I had hoped.

4. If there was one thing you learned most in 2016 to help you go faster/better, what was that?
Jennifer: Have a clear team plan set out prior to warm-up then warm-up and focus. Outside of racing: lie down, sleep and eat.

5. What is the best piece of equipment (clothing/bike/gadget) to do with racing you are proud of most?
Jennifer: I’m not what I would call “proud” of gadgets. I like the information they provide. I never look at it much whilst racing other than for distance but I do love the data I get from my Garmin and Power-meter after a race. It’s always interesting to see and compare to training and other races/previous years race data.

6. What is your warm up routine for races – rollers or turbo? Music or no music?
Jennifer: Music and Rollers. It helps me to relax and focus. I like to have a good warm-up pre race some riders are happy with using the neutralised zone however I need a bit more of a focused approach especially during a stage race.

7. What’s your favourite discipline on the road; road racing/crits/time trials and why!
Jennifer: I love a grippy road race with lots of attacks and some steep climbs. Distance and suffering suits me as a rider and I find on a hilly road race there can be nowhere to hide.

8. Will you stay in the UK to prepare for next season during the winter or get in a training camp or two abroad to get in some serious miles?
Jennifer: I have always favoured a trip to Europe or two over the winter to get some warm weather training in. However, as I have just discovered, you can’t always rely on this. (My most recent trip was snowy, wet and windy!)

9. When will you start training for 2017 and what comes first – long steady miles or a mix of miles and efforts?
Jennifer: I started training in October for 2017. I have mixed blocks of long rides with some shorter harder sessions and a few rest periods in order to stay fresh.

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10. Do you use a special winter bike with mudguards etc or using a normal race like training bike?
Jennifer: I ride a Canyon AL SLX in the winter with of course mudguards. However, this is a lovely bike and one that’s done some mean crit racing in the past!

11. What are the goals for 2017?
Jennifer: In 2017, I hope to have a lot of fun, grow in confidence and build on results from 2016.

12. With darkness now upon us, are the long rides now only on the weekend and how many hours a week would you do in a typical week?
Jennifer: A long ride can be on any day depending on my training plan and of course if the roads are free from ice. My hours vary depending on the phase of training that I am in. The shorter weeks are definitely the most draining as they are very intense.

13. On winter roads, your favourite tyre is in training?
Jennifer: I use old race tyres that I have gathered over the years. If I puncture a race tyre, I usually replace it and then it gets relegated to winter training. So I have always raced Continental 4000s and thus they are also my winter tyres.

14. Does winter training consist only of riding the bike or running/swimming/gym work (cross training)
Jennifer: I ride mostly and then add 2-3 gym sessions/week plus stretching. It’s about all I can fit in alongside part time work amongst other commitments.

15. Finally, what have you learnt over the years to best deal with the winter months on a bike!
Jennifer: Wear the correct clothes, don’t get cold, avoid cafe stops when the weather is grim and fuel effectively. If all else fails book a trip somewhere warm to train so you always have something to look forward to.

Thank you Jennifer, good luck in 2017!

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