Part 2 with Genevieve Whitson

Genevieve Whiston provides a long term review of our REDCHILLI FR2

In the second installment of our 2 part feature with Genevieve Whitson, Gen gives us her first hand experience of riding our REDCHILLI FR2 during the 2017 season. Now, bear in mind, Gen races against some of the top UCI Women's Pro teams/rders, so this is one heck of a test for our FR2.

This year I've been lucky enough to ride Redchilli's FR2, the 'all rounder' frame. I say this because this frame genuinely can handle all terrain as well as converting to a TT bike if necessary. You name the conditions and the FR2 will be up to the task. The unique design of the frame is a big factor in why it's so versatile. For a start, its made from high end carbon making it stiff and responsive. This makes it the perfect racing machine to be able to tackle the Belgium cobbles or react to undulating courses that require constant changes in pace. It also feels super comfortable to ride. Bumps and lumps on the road seem invisible!

It's nice and light which I really appreciate for hillier races and was a big factor in why I rode into the top ten at the Women's National Series at the Tour of the Reservoir. I've had other light frames before, but generally they haven't been as smooth to descend on and certainly haven't felt as receptive as the FR2. When the peloton revs up, this frame reacts quickly, very quickly. 

A great example of the FR2 working its magic was in the Lotto Belgium Tour this year in September. This is a hard tour, involving many cobbles, long stretches into head winds and encompassing many climbs. I've done this tour four times over on several different bikes, but up until I got on the FR2 I have never stayed away with the lead group. It felt like the FR2 was doing some of the work for me! Previous bikes have felt sluggish or heavy when the speed went up, but this frame seemed to be gliding, giving me more energy to dig deep. It made 4 hard days, that little bit easier.

One of the best things about riding this frame is also the attention it gets. People are always saying, 'Oh wow, that's a cool looking frame, I've never seen anything like that before, gosh it looks fast’! They also love the name; RedChilli is so individual it stands out in the crowd. I definitely like the idea of riding a bike that stands out.

All in all, I just love my Chilli and can't ever imagine racing any other bike. Would I recommend Redchilli? Of course..!! It is a seriously good bike.
(Genevieve Whitson, Team Isorex, Belgium.)

It's certainly been a great 2 years with Gen, and we are pleased to say that we will be with Gen again for a 3rd year, and yes, she'll continue riding our REDCHILLI FR2. Based on the above, why change?

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Part 1 with Genevieve Whitson

5 Minute Q&A with Genevieve Whitson

In the first of a 2 part feature with our brand ambassador and Scottish National Road Race Series Champion, Genevieve Whitson, we had a 5 minute Q&A discussing hear 2017 season and aims goals for 2018.

RB: You've had a great 2017 race season. Reflecting on the year, how would you sum up 2017?

GW: Fast and furious. My coach and I made the decision to start the season a bit later this year to be better prepared and in April everything exploded. From mid April to mid July I basically had a race every weekend and/or during the week. When you are bunny hoping between 3 continents that gets a bit tiring. It has however been the best season I've ever had, things are moving in the right direction and I feel like I am learning and absorbing more each year.

RB: If there was one thing you could have changed about this year's race season, what would it be?
To be more aggressive in the races and not to wait for things to happen. Racing in Belgium has helped considerably but I think I missed a few opportunities this year by not taking more risks and chances.

RB: What has been your best achievement this year?
GW: I think my last race in Belgium in stage 3 of the Lotto Belgium Tour. The course just got harder and harder and the riders just kept on dropping off. By the 80km mark there were only 60 riders left of a truly world class peloton. To ride into the top 40 after going up the Mur twice was a truly great day for me, especially when you are surrounded by professional riders - I believe I was the only non professional cyclist to finish the race that day.

RB: So now it's the off season, how does your riding change compared to when you're competing?
GW: It's changed a lot. Firstly I didn't touch the race bike for three weeks and now I am in a transition phase before we start winter miles again. So I am back in the gym doing squats and dead-lifts. During race season I basically don't go near a gym so it's always a bit of a shock to the system when I try my first dead-lift in October each year and the legs wobble like jelly...

RB: Do you eat more chocolate during the off season?
GW: Not really. I am definitely not one of those athletes that has a very strict diet all year round, although I am really focused on five plus fruit and veggies a day. I generally believe in healthy moderation all year because if I sustain from foods I like I am likely to have a terrible binge session at some stage and bitterly regret it! 

RB: When and how will you start to train for 2018?
GW: Its basically already started with gym work to support strength training, followed by long base miles, but this year we will be mixing things up to try and get more speed earlier by doing track racing. I am very excited about this because it's something completely different and I am hoping to be a sponge and soak up as much information as I can. 

RB: What are your plans for 2018 and do you have your eyes on any particular races?
GW: 2018 is likely to have a similar outlook as 2017 including a lot of European races. I have my eye on a few spring classics such as Westhoek & Gooik. It would also be a dream come true to compete for Scotland in the Commonwealth Games which take place in Australia in April next year, that really would be amazing. 

RB: You've been riding REDCHILLI now for 2 years. How have the bikes helped you?
GW: The bikes have helped hugely because they are so durable and comfortable to ride and I've been able to enjoy several wins on them - one definitely can't complain! The FR1 which I was on in 2016 was so powerful on the flat and seemed to be carving its way through the peloton like a rocket. The FR2 which I have been on this year is an incredible all rounder bike, flat, hilly, undulating - it loves everything. I even used it for several time trials and it didn't disappoint. It does love to climb though, I will say that and it was very handy when the race went up and the sufferfest started....

RB: If you could ride with any Pro rider (past or present) who would it be and why?
GW: It would be either Marianne Vos or Kristen Armstrong. Vos because she has been dominant for so long and there aren't many who can say that. Her attitude, her enthusiasm for the sport and her passion for supporting women's cycling is incredible. Armstrong is an inspiration because of her age and achievements. Being an older athlete myself I find women like her to fil me with so much energy to keep going and to keep trying. I would really like to ask Kristen how she managed to win yet another gold medal after having a baby.

RB: Women's cycling has grown dramatically over the past few years (which is great to see) but how would you like to see women's cycling progress over the next 5 years?
GW: Going forward we need more media coverage so that potential sponsors can see the value of investing in the teams. This will help support women's cycling to a place where every rider on a UCI professional team actually gets a wage. I'd also like to see a full women's Tour de France and equal prize money so that the next generation of female cyclists feel inspired. A lot of people don't think that women could compete a three week tour, but we need to remember that there was also a time when it was believed a woman could not complete a marathon?! Some big hoops have been jumped through, but we need to keep the momentum up.

Part 2 will see Genevieve providing us with her season long review of her REDCHILLI FR2, of which she has raced throughout the UK, Europe and Canada.

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