23-year-old Georgia Bullard is in her third season with UCI Continental team Doltcini-O’Shea. In her first journal post, Georgia writes in praise of the support network behind riders that is so essential for performance, including coaches, mechanics, parents, friends, and bike shops, all providing crucial support and camaraderie.
It takes a village…
Behind every rider, on every startline is a small village of people. The obvious individuals at the forefront of this are predominantly paid professional coaches, mechanics and soigneurs and so forth. Often seen in matching clothing in the background of our TV screens at some of the most glamorous events in our sport, they work tirelessly into the early hours to ensure that riders have what they need for the next day. Without them bike racing would not function. Period.
Georgia before the RCR FatCreations Road Race, March 2024. Image: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
I am lucky enough to ride for a UCI Continental team that is incredibly well supported and has a small team of support staff that go above and beyond what is asked of them. As riders we are so well looked after before, during and after each race. Whilst it’s lovely to have this five star treatment, it is absolutely crucial to performance. Happy head, happy legs, as they say. Away from UCI races, and at lower level competitions, however, there is a whole host of people who rarely get acknowledged.
Whether it’s a late night airport pick up, a post race debrief or in the feed zone at a National B, they certainly keep the show on the road
Aside from providing me with some fairly substandard genetic potential, my parents are one of the main reasons that I am able to do what I do. I am not alone in this for sure. Youth racing in the UK relies heavily on parents trekking round the country, from race to race. For myself even nowadays, whether it’s a late night airport pick up, a post race debrief or in the feed zone at a National B, they certainly keep the show on the road.
Georgia with teammate Niamh Murphy at the London Dynamo Summer Road Race, 9 June 2024. Credit: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
Partners, friends and housemates also seem to pick up these slightly grandiose jobs too. I recently, along with my boyfriend and his dad, lost an evening to a set of ceased wheel bearings. Four hours later, a blow torch and a lot of hammering the bearings came free. Thanks to them, I was able to ride the wheels the very next day, with little time lost (in the grand scheme of things) and damage to my purse.
Sometimes a “Saw you had a good result last weekend”, or something to that effect, goes a long way
I have come into contact with some wonderful people through racing over the years. From seasoned ex-pro riders and racers, to people who just have a genuine interest in racing a bike. I could write a novel containing all the snippets of advice and guidance I have received. Generally not groundbreaking performance reviews, no, but valuable all the same. Sometimes a “Saw you had a good result last weekend”, or something to that effect, goes a long way.
This community is renowned for donating its own time or lending out equipment in times of need, as well as words of wisdom. Race wheels, tools, someone’s weekend, you name it.
Having friends within the peloton is important too. Not so much as to benefit within the race, but afterwards for sure. Being able to have a mutual understanding of the hell or joy you’ve just been through for the last couple of hours is crucial. Knowing you’re not alone in what you’re doing, and being able to have a laugh about it makes it all that bit easier. I have met some of my nearest and dearest friends through bike racing, and hope to continue to titter about what we have endured when we are too old to do so.
Georgia at the RCR FatCreations Road Race, March 2024. Image: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
Something that has also come to my attention is the role that bike shops play in our existence. Normally, when employees see a lycra cladded individual carrying their bike through their shop as something has gone drastically wrong mid ride; they know they’re probably not in for a huge sale. Most cyclists I know have some level of support from their local, independents more so.
Domestic bike shops play a pivotal role in keeping us on the road at all levels of the sport
Whether they are completing a last minute repair, or offering some kit at trade price, I think domestic bike shops play a pivotal role in keeping us on the road at all levels of the sport. They tend to recognise that at this level we’re not the wealthiest of sorts, but have a genuine passion for what we do. They love bikes, we love racing them.
To all the mums that are performance nutritionists, the boyfriends that are part-time mechanics and the best friends that are therapists; thank you. You literally keep the wheels turning in this crazy sport.
23-year-old Georgia Bullard is in her third season with UCI Continental team Doltcini-O’Shea. In her first journal post, Georgia writes in praise of the support network behind riders that is so essential for performance, including coaches, mechanics, parents, friends, and bike shops, all providing crucial support and camaraderie.
It takes a village…
Behind every rider, on every startline is a small village of people. The obvious individuals at the forefront of this are predominantly paid professional coaches, mechanics and soigneurs and so forth. Often seen in matching clothing in the background of our TV screens at some of the most glamorous events in our sport, they work tirelessly into the early hours to ensure that riders have what they need for the next day. Without them bike racing would not function. Period.
I am lucky enough to ride for a UCI Continental team that is incredibly well supported and has a small team of support staff that go above and beyond what is asked of them. As riders we are so well looked after before, during and after each race. Whilst it’s lovely to have this five star treatment, it is absolutely crucial to performance. Happy head, happy legs, as they say. Away from UCI races, and at lower level competitions, however, there is a whole host of people who rarely get acknowledged.
Aside from providing me with some fairly substandard genetic potential, my parents are one of the main reasons that I am able to do what I do. I am not alone in this for sure. Youth racing in the UK relies heavily on parents trekking round the country, from race to race. For myself even nowadays, whether it’s a late night airport pick up, a post race debrief or in the feed zone at a National B, they certainly keep the show on the road.
Partners, friends and housemates also seem to pick up these slightly grandiose jobs too. I recently, along with my boyfriend and his dad, lost an evening to a set of ceased wheel bearings. Four hours later, a blow torch and a lot of hammering the bearings came free. Thanks to them, I was able to ride the wheels the very next day, with little time lost (in the grand scheme of things) and damage to my purse.
I have come into contact with some wonderful people through racing over the years. From seasoned ex-pro riders and racers, to people who just have a genuine interest in racing a bike. I could write a novel containing all the snippets of advice and guidance I have received. Generally not groundbreaking performance reviews, no, but valuable all the same. Sometimes a “Saw you had a good result last weekend”, or something to that effect, goes a long way.
This community is renowned for donating its own time or lending out equipment in times of need, as well as words of wisdom. Race wheels, tools, someone’s weekend, you name it.
Having friends within the peloton is important too. Not so much as to benefit within the race, but afterwards for sure. Being able to have a mutual understanding of the hell or joy you’ve just been through for the last couple of hours is crucial. Knowing you’re not alone in what you’re doing, and being able to have a laugh about it makes it all that bit easier. I have met some of my nearest and dearest friends through bike racing, and hope to continue to titter about what we have endured when we are too old to do so.
Something that has also come to my attention is the role that bike shops play in our existence. Normally, when employees see a lycra cladded individual carrying their bike through their shop as something has gone drastically wrong mid ride; they know they’re probably not in for a huge sale. Most cyclists I know have some level of support from their local, independents more so.
Whether they are completing a last minute repair, or offering some kit at trade price, I think domestic bike shops play a pivotal role in keeping us on the road at all levels of the sport. They tend to recognise that at this level we’re not the wealthiest of sorts, but have a genuine passion for what we do. They love bikes, we love racing them.
To all the mums that are performance nutritionists, the boyfriends that are part-time mechanics and the best friends that are therapists; thank you. You literally keep the wheels turning in this crazy sport.
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Journals 2024: introducing Georgia Bullard
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