#velonode

Rider Profile

Rider: Madeline Crosswaite

Bike: Wilier Triestina – Izoard XP 2013

  Road/Racing Cyclist

Who are you and what do you do?

I’m Madeline and I’m currently a student at the University of York. I have spent much of my life in the Yorkshire Dales in various locations and as such have a great love for the beautiful countryside that surrounds me. At the moment I am in my final term of University, so I’m hoping to go on to postgraduate teacher training. 

What was your first experience of road cycling?

I’m not sure whether I had one defining first experience as I pretty much dived right into road cycling. I would say, however, that my memories of the first few months involved coming to the realization that cycling alone in bad weather was truly character building. In comparison, cycling with other people in glorious weather left me with a euphoric feeling that I still get after these kinds of rides.

And how did this affect your attitude as a road cyclist now – what kind of things do you look for in a ride?

I would say that in the early days of riding the key thing for me was trust. Trusting that the people around me would look out for each other and feeling comfortable riding with them. Now I also need to trust in my bike, my own judgments and perceptions. 

Madeline, you consistently put in very high weekly mileages – do you have any tips on recovery between daily long distance rides? Also, how do you fit this in with you daily life?

Interesting question. To be honest, it is all I have ever known since starting out. As the old saying goes, ‘it doesn’t get easier you just get faster’ (so can cover even more miles). After really tough rides I find that if I have time a timed 30 minute nap it can really help. I think allowing your body to be completely still for a short period of time seems to work wonders for me. I fit it into my daily life by being as organized as possible, but this also means I rarely have a lie in…

You’ve recently got back into road racing after spending a lot of time working on your climbing and endurance over the winter months. How have you found this transition?

I would say my true pleasure comes from long, hilly rides, so I can’t say I’m elated about this. It is nice to test myself riding in big groups again but in many ways it has shown me how easy it is to get into a training rut which I need to avoid in the future.

How do you prepare in terms of nutrition for your rides? Do you have any tips?

Oats, oats and more oats. Every day for breakfast without fail. I also add them to homemade bread and other baked goods. I find eating large amounts of food on the bike hard, so I tend to stock up on carbohydrate rich foods a couple of hours before. Top tip? Don’t underestimate your energy needs. I have dragged a few people home who have done this and it’s never pretty…

 What is the story behind your bike?

I started on a much lower spec bike than I ride now. I feel it is important to allow room for progression with bikes so as you improve your skills and fitness you can improve your kit alongside. I spent many of my early days having cleat falls, so I’m glad it was on a bike that I wasn’t particularly precious over. I bought my current bike – the Wilier – from my local bike shop. I had used a basic Shimano thumb shifter system on my old bike, so I was drawn to Campagnolo as a group set. It allowed me to continue on this system but offered way superior quality. I chose the Wilier because I am a sucker for aesthetics and tradition. I was lured in by the brand’s notoriety, heritage and the elegant shape of the bike. Due to my enjoyment of hills I wanted a light bike, hence the choice of carbon.

  What is your most memorable ride and why?

I think the one that will probably hold the most significance for me is a ride in early December on which I first met my current boyfriend (sorry for being soppy). This wasn’t just because it had long lasting repercussions for my life more broadly, but it was also an epic ride within itself. It was in early December, only four of us, wandering the Yorkshire Wolds, hitting sheet ice constantly both uphill and downhill. We were on our way, rather randomly, to a Christmas fair in Sledmere. A true test for me at the time, as I was still a pretty new rider, yet I just remember the jovial attitude of the whole ride and the brilliant blue winter sky.

Do you have any plans or goals for the future as a road cyclist?