Q & A: Jo Tindley (Ford EcoBoost)

One of Team Ford EcoBoost’s most seasoned rider’s, Jo Tindley brings to the orange and blue clad squad considerable experience – we quiz Jo on last season and goals for 2017

RST Cycle Clothing & Trigon Bikes

Q & A: Jo Tindley (Ford EcoBoost)
Thanks to Gordon Wiseman

One of Team Ford EcoBoost’s most seasoned rider’s, Jo Tindley brings to the orange and blue clad squad considerable experience from her years on the road, track and mixing her winter’s with cyclo-cross.

Having competed in the inaugural Women’s Tour of Britain and other top European races, she can translate that experience to benefit the team’s younger riders. VeloUK found out more.

1. How did you get into cycle racing?
Jo: I’ve always had a bike growing up. I got introduced into XC (mountain biking) when I was 12 years old just for a laugh. I’ve never looked back…

2. What’s your favourite discipline in cycling?
Jo: I have done many disciplines but crit racing has to be my favourite.

3. What is the best thing about bike racing?
Jo: I think for me it is the unpredictability of it all and the speed. As soon as you leave that start line, only so much is under your control, anything can happen and not necessarily the fittest or strongest will win.

4. What was the highlight of 2016 for you and why?
Jo: One of the first National Series races was the Tour of the Reservoir. On the first lap I ended up away on my own after riding down the decent. I spent an hour and half off the front. Obviously the inevitable happened and I got caught. But for me it was a little personal achievement.

5. What was your favourite/most fun race of 2016?
Jo: Lincoln GP (Jo’s ‘home’ race!) is a brilliant race, I spent a lot of time attacking and just having fun, I do enjoy cobbles!

6. What was the toughest race of 2016 for you and why?
Jo: The toughest race for me was one of the first races of the season. We travelled out to Holland to race the Energiewacht Tour. It was brutal, we started with 6 riders, ended with one. One of the girls also broke her pelvis. Never been in a race like it.

7. If there was one thing you learned most in 2016 to help you go faster/better, what was that?
Jo: I have learnt that I NEED to train. The UK peloton is getting better every year!

8. What is the best piece of equipment (clothing/bike/gadget) to do with racing you are proud of most?
Jo: Sprint shifters on Di2. You can’t beat them!

9. What is your warm up routine for races – rollers or turbo? Music or no music?
Jo: For road races, I’ll just loosen my legs on the road, if it’s got a long neutral zone as well I’ll use that. For crits, I’ll use the rollers, 15 minute progressive with some short sharp efforts to get my heart rate up. The shorter the race, the longer the warm up is a good rule of thumb.

10. Did you stay at home to prepare 2017 during the winter or get in a training camp or two abroad to get in some serious miles?
Jo: I work for a living so haven’t had the chance to get away this winter. There’s no harm getting the miles here in the UK, the weather toughens you up! I’m heading out with the team to Majorca end of February so will get a good block in.
… continued after advert

2016_ShuttVeloRapideAdvert

11. When did you start training for 2017 and what comes first – long steady miles or a mix of miles and efforts?
Jo: I started my 2017 training last October. I raced cyclo-cross every weekend up until Christmas. I’m not good at training so racing and intervals kept it varied for me busy for the most of the winter, but it’s been a mix of long miles and intervals.

12. What are your goals for 2017?
Jo: I have a few races I’d like to do well at. The Tour series is always a Big One for me.

13. Does winter training consist only of riding the bike or running/swimming/gym work (cross training)?
Jo: Just cyclo-cross. I’m not really made for running. I’m a bit old fashioned with that, if you want to be a bike racer then you ride your bike.

14. Finally, what have you learnt over the years to best deal with the winter months on a bike!
Jo: Club runs and chain-gangs. I’ve recently moved to Lincoln where I’m lucky to have VC Lincoln as my local club so I get out on Saturdays and Sundays. I’ll ride to and from the rides so it gives you extra hours so that helps. Also, manning up, if you want to race well you have to put the hard work in, it’s the same for everyone.

AlpsCyclesMidstory

 

Send your results as well as club, team & event news here

Cero

Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)

Other News on VeloUK

Tags: