Ben Thomas Racing to launch January 1st

Add the new facebook page to read the press release
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ben-Thomas-Racing/330790256947713?sk=wall

December Update

You might notice that a few things here have changed, behind the scenes plenty has been happening and on January 1st you can be the first to hear who I’ll be riding for by following me on my new Facebook page, the page isn’t live yet but will be Sunday 1st. Facebook Fan Page This blog will continue but the facebook page will be a central hub for posting links to blogs, race news, photos, and videos.

I’m sorry for not keeping you updated more often but once again the winter recovery week creates a little more time for doing things like this. Sponsors are now all confirmed and Christmas started a couple of weeks ago when the first boxes of products arrived.

After lots of work we've created a new kit design and I’m excited to reveal the new look but this will have to wait.

Since the last blog training has continued successfully and today I finished my power building phase in the gym. On the bike miles are clocking up well and I’m well ahead of last years numbers.

Also in the last month I’ve spent some time fulfilling media appointments including a fun photoshoot with MBUK, look out for the article in January or February's magazine.

Thank you for all your support and I hope you continue to enjoy reading my blog, and watching my videos in 2012. Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.

Haldon Forest Video

So the sponsorship search is almost over, we have all but 1 confirmation and i'm excited about what's been acheived but really the work is just starting. With Novembers training just ending im happy to have logged in the largest number of hours training i've ever done for this month of the year ever. Hope it all pays of next year.

I filmed this next video the day after the final British XC round in September. It features a number of very fast mountain biker friends who stopped off at Haldon Forest near Exeter on the way home from the race.

Mid week movies

After 3 weeks of my first build phase the legs were just about ready for a bit of recovery so as planned I'm now half way through a rest week. Training kicks up a gear from sunday for another 3 week block and i'm excited to ride some more epic loops and find more new trails.

Here's another of my videos filmed in October around the Guildford Downs.

Tuesday night video!

Here is my latest video edit filmed at Dalby Forest a month ago whilst riding the Red and World Cup circuits with Calum Chamberlain, Dan Arbon, and Hamish Batchelor

Busy and exciting times

Been a pretty busy week since I last booked in, as mentioned previously training has restarted which I’m really enjoying. Logged in my first marathon distance training ride last Saturday with an epic 70 miles in 6 hours 30 ride and ended up finishing the ride in the dark as we didn’t take any lights, ooops!

I’m still spending plenty of time making phone calls and emails trying to round up the final few sponsors for next year, things are looking really good; hopefully I’ll have some news for you soon!

Here’s another mid week video for your viewing pleasure. This film is from our recent visit to the Peak District as we tackled an awesome loop around the Pennines Way.

Back to work!

Over the last 5 weeks I’ve enjoyed escaping from the schedule of structured training. Over those weeks its been fun to tuck into some sweet tasty awfully fattening foods, visit some friends I haven’t seen in a while, play on the bike and not worry about what heart rate zone I’m riding in and visit some fantastic places.

After 5 weeks though I was ready and motivated to get the motor started once again, training plans have been analysed and printed, and I’m now half way through my first week of training. Having completed 1 or 2 fun rides each week through the off season my fitness isn’t too bad so my first phase of training has been designed to really kick start my build up to the 2012 season. My race schedule for next year is looking good with the first big race the Andalucia Bike Race is Spain late February.

Hitting the training hard means I’m already being reminded of that winter feeling most serious cyclists will know – the one when you get home from a long ride and all you need is food and bed! My compression tights and TORQ recovery drinks have been getting plenty of use.

Here’s another video, this ones from the Lake District, it was filmed a couple of days after my victory at the Kielder 100.