HotChillee Ride Captain Profile: Ian Holmes

Posted by Matt Moran on Feb 10, 2012

Today we bring you the first in a series of interviews with the HotChillee Ride Captains(RCs), the people who keep the riders on track during The London-Paris and Alpine Challenge.  We're sponsoring the RCs throughout this year and they're all well into their training for these events on their Wattbikes.

The RCs have quite varied and interesting backgrounds, many have raced at a high level while some have only caught the cycling bug in more recent years, but they are consistently some of the most passionate people you'll meet when it comes to being on two wheels.

First up is Ian Holmes, he's gone from triathlon to mountain biking to road racing and now spends much of his time putting cyclists back together through his new sports massage business.  He took a top 10 finish at The London-Paris 2011, so he's a little bit nippy when it comes to riding a bike!  He's also quit modest as he didn't mention that he also took the Sigma Red Jersey Winner, Alpine Challenge 2010.

We'll let Ian give you the details...

Although my memory is starting to fade with age I seem to recall starting riding bikes properly back in the early 90's. Back then I was introduced to triathlon and with no kids and an understanding wife I was able to train flat out.

I enjoyed the challenge of multi sport but started to struggle with knee problems whilst running and was forced to make a change. Mountain biking became my new focus. 

Despite numerous crashes whilst training (resulting in a few broken ribs on my first ride!), several broken fingers and a displaced shoulder joint I competed at events across the country and took part in the famous and gruelling Roc d'Azur race in the South of France two years running.

I gradually began to train more and more on the road, initially to gain fitness for Mountain Biking, but soon just because I enjoyed it! I became captivated by the history, tradition and etiquette of Road Racing - I finally shaved my legs and started booking training camps!!

So back in 2007, together with a friend I joined a local club and began road racing. I raced 2/3 times a week during the season and loved it.   In 2009 after stringing a few good results together I was asked to join the newly formed Virgin Active race team.  We enjoyed some competitive racing including the Tour of Wales and Tour of the Abberleys and I began to get regular results at short criterium races at the MK Bowl and Hoghill circuits. It wasn't all good! My team record for a series of 5 races remains unbeaten - 4 crashes, 1 win = 100% record for races I finished!

In 2010, through the same friend, I was persuaded to take part in an event called 'The Alpine Challenge'. One of those 'Sportive' type affairs that I had only ever really viewed as training rides (numbers on the front!)  I travelled to Annecy not really sure what to expect and was introduced to Sven, Jane and the HotChillee team. The event was to be the start of my HotChillee experience!

I rode pretty well, having just finished racing for the season, enjoyed the climbs and was thrilled to be awarded the first ever climbers jersey. (This was very kindly signed by Stephen Roche and is now framed and hanging pride of place at home.) This was what riding a bike was all about. Pure and Simple.

From the start I loved being part of such an incredible, dynamic cycle loving team. I arrived home from France and quickly signed up for my first L2P in 2011.  A hard fought top ten finish and second place in the team standings was great reward and the chance to get 'dragged' along by the legendary Magnus Backstedt was priceless.

I was absolutely delighted to be asked back as a Ride Captain for The Alpine Challenge 2011 and it was great to see the event grow and still keep its character. Yanto Barker took the climbers jersey and well deserved too!

I am now firmly 'dug in' as a HotChillee Ride Captain for 2012 and looking forward to meeting more like-minded loons in the coming months as we all train towards The L2P in June and Alpine Challenge in September.

My training has benefitted from some milder than expected winter weather this year but our secret weapons have been deployed! Thanks to Wattbike all of  the HotChillee Ride Captains are fortunate to have been given their fantastic power trainer the Wattbike Pro to help prepare.

I have been using mine to add some specific sessions to my week. After some initial testing to calculate FT (functional threshold) and training zones I have been working on intervals and sweet spot training to push LT (lactic threashold) and increase power.

What a great training tool. The pedalling curve system has really translated to riding on the road and the Wattbike gives such a real bike feel that it is genuinely the best trainer I have ever ridden. I fear Wattbike may need to employ the bailiffs to get it back!

As I work towards qualifying as a Sports Therapist, training, racing, riding The L2P and then back to Annecy in September my diary is getting pretty full!!  Can't wait. Bring it on!!