Imagery is an experience that mimics real experience. We can be aware of seeing an image, feeling movements as an image, or experiencing an image of smell, tastes or sounds without actually experiencing the real thing (White & Hardy 1998).  Imagery as a construct is split into 4 different functions cognitive specific, cognitive general, motivational specific and motivational general (Paivio’s 1985).

99% of Olympic athletes have reported to use imagery (Orlick & Partlington 1988), and international athletes have been shown to use more imagery than national and regional level athletes (Thomas et al. 1999). This therefore indicates that imagery can influence higher level performance. Imagery has also been shown to have additional benefits of increased self confidence (Callow, Hardy & Hall 2001), motivation (Martin & Hall 1995) and decreased anxiety symptoms (Vadocz et al. 1997)

Therefore the research shows that imagery is effective, but how can you actually apply this.          

Race cycling requires a high degree of confidence in your abilities to break away from the pack and make your move. Therefore viewing yourself on the bike successfully breaking away from an external perspective would improve performance through increased confidence, motivation and decreased anxiety.  

TeamTor 2000 Circuit by Mark Smith (4th Cat)
Well as the Soigner/Sports Masseur for Team PBK, I thought it was time I started to do my own races! So I finally put my hand in my wallet (undid the screws) and bought a BCF membership and race licence... and off to my first event the Tor 2000 Series 2 at Ilton on the 20th May.
 Well I’ve raced in the Royal Navy events, I’ve completed many Sportives... but to actually race as a 4th Cat (Got to start somewhere) this is different... Travelling up with James Smith, giving me instructions on what to do and what not to do...! Keep in the top 10, keep out of the pack! Having listened to James for the last 1hr 20 minutes in the car, I now feel even more nervous as I sign on and receive my first race number, No 43.

Bike Check, Kit Check, Bottle Check, Gels Check, Heart Rate Check... Ooo bloody hell that’s high – must be about to start! As I make my way over to the start, remembering all the advice I’ve just received in the car on the way up I now start to feel a little excited...! Chatting to another 4th cat before we set off, asking basic questions... he informs me how they set off pretty steady but people always end up trying to break away... but never really stay out front. Well, race brief given and we’re off!
And off we we’re, breaking straight away... and where do I end up at the first corner, in the middle of the pack, riders flying past me and squeezing me into the middle... bloody hell, that’s my line! How scary, guys switching all over in front of me... frightening. I now understand the importance of being out of the pack at times like these! So I worked extra hard to come up on the inside and stay away as best as I can from the pack, and to stay in that top ten area, a lot harder than I thought.

Tom Southam Rapha Condor pro rider writes exclusively for RuTrainingToday 

The Lincoln Grand Prix is really the only event in the U.K. that has the history, interest and prestige to lay claim to the title of a ‘Classic’, and this year’s event truly gathered together a field worthy of that status. A record two hundred riders would take the start, headed up by Britain’s only Pro Tour team, team Sky, as well as all the top British continental team’s who, well aware of the races importance, had sent their strongest possible line-ups.  This race to me, as well as to many others, would be the biggest stage on which to perform so far in the 2010 season.

The technical course, with the demanding cobbled climb up Michelgate as well as the dry fast conditions, and the size of the field, meant that the race itself would be both fast and hard. As a rider this is normally not a problem to me. I grew up racing in Holland on circuits exactly like that of the Lincoln, I have no trouble getting to the front of any peleton at the right time, nor any difficulty whatsoever staying there. This then should have made it a good race for me, but alas, some bike races, no matter how well suited they are, or how much you like them, end up here; 3.30 am on a hospital ward.

Bialoblocki wins divs by over two mins... Steve Lampier 2nd Pendragon Le Col.  In a very hot undulating race an early break with Rich Tanguy Pendragon dragged out a two minute gap, however a massive effort by Blake Pond Souurthfork brought all the escapees back only then to see the winning break slip away with no Southfork riders.  A great effort though and Gary Chambers did get away for 7th in a later move.

Pendragon - Le Col rode an amazing selfless race but PBK  just missed out with James Smith coming 15th.

ROYAL NAVY & ROYAL MARINES CYCLING ASSOCIATION
www.navycycling.org.uk

 
HEARTS OF OAK
LEGS OF STEEL CPOPT D S Childs
Chief of Staff
Gymnasium
HMS RALEIGH
TORPOINT
Cornwall
PL11 2PD
Tel: 01752 811670
Raleigh-ptrcpo@fleetfost.mod.uk

Presents the RNRMCA Open 2 Up 16 Mile Team Trial 
sponsored by Juice Plus

Promoted for and on behalf of the Cycling Time Trials under their Rules and Regulations.

ROYAL NAVY & ROYAL MARINES CYCLING ASSOCIATION
OPEN 16 MILE SPORTING TTT
On Wednesday 26 May 2010

Course:   S19/16S    Race Starts:  1900
Start Timekeeper:  Mark Gorman (Tavistock Wheelers) Event HQ: Gymnasium
Finish Timekeeper Mike Brewer (Plymouth Corinthians) HMS RALEIGH
Marshals  PT Staff HMS RALEIGH & Phase 2 Rcts
Event Secretary  Sean Childs    TORPOINT
   25 Brancker Road   Cornwall
   Milehouse    PL11 2PD
   PLYMOUTH    Open at 1800
   Devon     Numbers & Signing On at HQ
   PL2 3DW
   Tel 01752 563244 (1800-2100)

Course Record  (Individual) 
Dean Robson (Somerset RC) 15 September 2007 – 38 min 12 sec

Hanging On
Because your hands do a lot of the work while you’re riding, they’re prone to fatigue, even damage. Most problems can be prevented by frequently changing hand positions. One of the great advantages of the drop-style handlebar that’s found on many road and touring bicycles is that it provides many different grips. It’s possible to grab on the drops, on the tops, on the brake lever hoods and elsewhere. Every ten minutes in fact, you should take another hand position. This will alleviate pressure on the nerves in the palms that can cause numbness and tingling, while helping to keep your upper body relaxed.

There are fewer options on mountain-style handlebars and other upright designs. If you have bar ends, use them. And don’t rule out gripping portions of the bar just because they’re bare metal. If there’s a place to rest your hands safely (always maintain a secure grip), by all means move them there occasionally for a change.