vivre sa vie

Terrific tweed valley

2012-02-14T11:57:00.002+10:00

With just a little bit of effort, we got away last weekend to go "re-exploring" in Northern NSW. We stayed at Casuarina, just north of Cabarita Beach, and rode both north and south, often with the backdrop of Mt Warning.

The area is incredibly scenic, and anytime I am there, I remind myself I should go back there more often... maybe one day I can keep that promise!

I finally got to stop at the infamous "Chillingham Banana Cabana" (often spoken about by cyclists, with their famous chocolate-coated frozen bananas).

I realised I have raced straight PAST this institution with the local Murwillumbah cycle club quite a few times, but never realised where it was since I was too concentrated on following wheels!

We spotted lots of wildlife and "domestic" animals during our rides, including wallabies, cows, goats, chickens, snakes, birds, and even rabbits.

Incredibly we did manage to escape the rain all weekend. And despite being attentive, I managed to hit a large pot hole (there are millions of them on these country roads) and buckle my rear Mavic wheel!

It's still surprising to me that this area remains relatively untouched when it is so close to Brisbane & the Gold Coast, and hopefully it will remain that way for some time to come.

Raining cats & dogs

2012-01-24T18:22:00.000+10:00

South-east Qld is currently being swamped by incredibly heavy rainfalls.

Already last week I was beginning to complain about the rain... but compared to this week, last week was dry! Training on the bike has been a mixture of outside, and the indoor trainer, but often I have come home saturated, since I took the chance to ride outside. Sometimes you just have to ignore the radar (and the dark grey clouds above) and just ride.

Our patients in the last few weeks have also arrived soggy and wet.

So much so, that patients this week have arrived with various improvised rain jackets, umbrellas, and towels!

I know we need the rain, but I think we are all hoping it subsides very soon.

Especially with the 2011 Brisbane floods still fresh in everyone's minds, let's hope there are no repeats of this event in 2012.
By the way, the phrase "raining cats and dogs" implies very heavy unexpected rain, with dogs representing heavy winds and cats the heavy rain. Who knew?

Green girls have the Edge

2012-01-10T17:17:00.001+10:00

One of the highlights of last weekend's trip to Victoria was seeing how well the new Green Edge teams are racing already.

Sure, there were a lot of 'expectations' placed upon the new teams in all the races (mens, womens and U23). But just because you are expected to win, doesn't mean you will.

Lots of things have to go right on the day, to come away with the gold.

And the Green Edge teams faced a lot of tough competition... just as an example... in the women's road race, they went up against girls from Jayco-AIS, VIS, Specialized-lulemon, Rabobank, Nutrixxion, SASI, Suzuki-Trek, and many other strong individuals... many of these girls had a good chance of taking the title away from Green Edge.

On a personal note, while my spectating this year at Nationals was award-winning, my own racing performance was definitely not. A combination of 'not-enough-power' and 'not-the-right-head-space' led to my premature retirement from the race. Not making any excuses though, I did a solid 3+ months of training and am happy with the preparation up to the day of the race. One of these I days I still hope to get to finish this race, but it seems that for the meantime, I have a lot more 'living and learning' to do.
Photos thanks to Cycling News / WomensCycling.net.

Leaving on a jet plane...

2012-01-04T14:57:00.000+10:00

But I do know when I'll be back again...

It will be a quick trip to Ballarat but hopefully a good one!... Stay tuned.

More supplements to take...

2011-12-19T14:17:00.002+10:00

Quick update since last week... seems that my iron levels are all fine. What I neglected to notice was that I wasn't getting enough magnesium with my "normal" diet. Hence this week I have been back onto (my "favorite") pineapple Endura,

lots of foods high in magnesium (spinach, almonds, beans, whole grains, fish, apricots, and even dark chocolate)

and the occasional extra supplement.

In addition to the magnesium deficiency, I have also been diagnosed with early Hashimoto's thyroiditis. My mother had this endocrine problem, and if you have been reading other cycling blogs, you may recall that both Nikki and Sandra have been through it too.

So onto another medication (which conveniently may NOT be taken at the same time as my iron supplements)... but hopefully in a few weeks / months everything will be back in order. :)

Good nutrition but muscle cramps... why?

2011-12-12T18:09:00.001+10:00

Training is going well, power is improving, lots of miles have been banked in the last few months, so why am I now having an issue with muscle cramps?
Some people never experience them, others get them occasionally, and I seem to be plagued with them on long rides of 3 hours + at the moment. It's annoying. You feel good, you put the power down, and your leg muscles lock up. And they hurt. Probably worse is the muscle pain and tightness you get the day after the cramps. I wouldn't be so worried about the cramps if my next race was short, but the problem is that my upcoming race is 3 hours +, so I need to get the muscle-cramp-thing "sorted out" asap.

And before you ask... yes I am seeing a dietician, and yes my diet is good. Sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium intake are all fine, and I am taking in adequate carbohydrates and water.
Even still, several studies have been published, and all of them showed no relationship between any electrolyte levels and the risk of cramping in athletes during exercise.
Some other recent studies (thanks for the links Cycling Tips) showed that distinct risk factors for developing exercise associated muscle cramps (EAMC) include:
- (1) Aggressive pacing strategies (trying to go faster than your current personal best over a set distance)
- (2) Racing at a higher intensity then what you normally ride in training
- (3) Riding for longer than you‘re used to
- (4) Doing another type of exercise you’re not used to (eg. a cyclist running a one-off marathon)...
... and unfortunately none of these really apply to me and the times I get muscle cramps!
Oh well, another trip to the Sports Medicine doctor this week.
Maybe it will be related to my previous Iron deficiency, but right now I'm not so sure it will be.
Or maybe I just need to harden up?

Quadrant analysis... what the?

2011-11-22T17:20:00.001+10:00

Since acquiring my power meter a few months ago, I think I am only just scratching the surface of its usefullness. Something I have recently come across is the "QA" graphs on Training Peaks.
Basically it is a graph of pedal velocity and pedalling force, and helps to show you where you were at with a particular workout.
It can help determine whether you are training correctly for different types of cycling events, and then further improve upon your neuromuscular power and your cardiovascular fitness.

There are 4 areas on the graph:

QI: High Force and High Cadence- An example of this would be sprinting.
QII: High Force and Low Cadence- An example would be steep hill repeats, big gear intervals and a lot of Mt. Biking resides in QII as well.
QIII: Low Force and Low Cadence- An example would be a recovery ride or just an easy ride around town.
QIV: Low Force and High Cadence- An example would be a Criterium or fast pedaling drills.

As an example, if you, or your coach, set you a particular training program for the day, once you have downloaded your data, you can review the QA graph for that workout and see if you targeted the correct QA "zone". Was your recovery ride really all in QIII? Was the workout that was designed to help improve your criterium racing mainly in QIV? Was the workout that was designed to help improve your climbing in road races mainly in QII? Retrospectively via QA on Training Peaks, I can now see that with my workouts from Nick's training program over the last few months (http://www.cadencecycling.com.au/), they are putting me spot-on within the zones I need to improve upon. Maybe I will be ready for that race early next year after all!

Share The Road 2011

2011-11-04T14:09:00.000+10:00

An amazing experience it was during 2010, the Amy Gillett Foundation Tour for 2011 is only a few weeks away.

This year the foundation has chosen Tasmania as the location, riding through areas such as Launceston, the Tamar Valley and Mt Roland from Nov 17 to 20. Although I can't partipate this year, I will be supporting the riders in spirit, as they ride to promote safe and responsible road use, by both cyclists and motorists.
Some of the riders returning for the challenge from last year (and even the year before) include: Felicity Dales, Duncan Murray, Matt Dimattina, Steve Hodge, Tony Gaudry, Andy Sheats, Carla Ryan, Rochelle Gilmore (and Rachael Kininmonth and Margaret Grant as part of the super support crew).

So take a moment to think about donating towards their important and worthwhile cause.
http://www.amygillett.org.au/sponsor-a-rider

Nice one Loren!

2011-10-17T17:34:00.001+10:00

Local Qld girl Loren Rowney won the Honda Hybrid Women's Tour this week!

A really well deserved result... so happy to see her win consistently this year and see some hard effort start to pay off, especially after some setbacks earlier in the year. Congrats! :)

Photos thanks to Cycling News.

Bridges

2011-10-06T19:29:00.000+10:00

So much of my training each week relies on these things...

bridges.

Story Bridge, Goodwill Bridge, Redcliffe Bridge,

Victoria Bridge, Eleanor Schonell Bridge,

William Jolly Bridge, Indooroopilly Bridge, and more.

Sometimes I probably need to take some time and appreciate the view from the bridge, rather than hurriedly riding across it.

"A bridge is like a relationship.

It is built from hard work, and for a long time.
It is made strong and then you can expect
nothing to change, so when
the relationship has to carry
an unexpected heavy load,
it can withstand it, and remain strong." - Amira

Power... finally...

2011-09-19T17:53:00.001+10:00

After considering it for over 18 months, I finally splashed out and bought myself a power meter a few weeks ago... with Sram/Quarq cranks (... thanks Velo Bicycles).

It seems to be working well (very easy to use with my Garmin Edge 500), and the data so far is quite interesting, especially from my last few races at murrarie, synergy and pimpama. All I can say is that a thousand watts is a lot of power... (I will be lucky to ever hit that number!)... and I have a new found respect for riders such as Cancellara who can put out huge numbers well above 1000 watts.

Now I just have to go through the process of setting the zones, and finding my FTP (with help from coach Nick Formosa). Unfortunately (since I really dislike time trials) this involves quite a few hard efforts this week, including a 30 minute TT. Oh well, at least once it is all done, I will have some more useful numbers to base my future training on!

And on a slightly different topic, but still within the cycling theme, good luck to all the Australians at the UCI world champs in Denmark this week!!!

State Champs 2011

2011-09-01T11:04:00.003+10:00

Last weekend was time for the Qld state road champs (for both masters and elite). Due to the unfortunate (very wet) weather, the cyclists that turned up to race on Saturday had to ride in some tough conditions. It didn't just drizzle... water literally poured down from the sky for most of the races, all day long.

Almost the opposite of state champs a few years ago, when we had to race on an atypically hot August day, with temps over 35 degrees C. Seems like the state champs often has some unusual weather thrown in!
Anyway, it was perfect weather for ducks!... and the muscovy duck in the front yard of a farm house near race registration, couldn't have looked happier.

In some ways, what else should I have expected? The race was held this year at Swan Creek, east of Warwick. And ironically if the race was held in Victoria or in Belgium, they probably would have called the rainy conditions "fine".

So, about the race... with small fields this year, there weren't many places to hide. Normally I am quite happy to take my share of turns, but due to recent illness (again), and with only 2 weeks of training under my belt, I was going to head into this race quite reservedly. Fortunately for me, the heavy rain resulted in a fairly mild, non-aggressive race, and I think all of us were quite happy to get to the end unscathed, albeit freezing cold and saturated. Jane W (fresh from racing well at Tour of Geelong) must have done 99% of the turns during the race, and did a super awesome job in the final sprint to get Gold in WMas3. I managed to get Silver in WMas2, and am pretty pleased with that result considering everything.

But along with the rain, also came the mud... and I was relieved to save my car from the boggy car park after the race. Thanks to all those who offered assistance. :)
Thanks also to all the volunteers and commissaires that worked during the weekend, it was a crazy cold wet day, and we appreciate it!

Almost over again

2011-08-26T12:35:00.002+10:00

With the last few days of August in sight, Winter is almost over again for another year.

The Brisbane "Ekka" usually signals the last of the cold weather and the winds,

and the start of some warmer Spring weather.

You would think I get enough of seeing animals at work,

but there is almost nothing better than seeing lots of people getting simple rewards

by feeding a calf or a chicken, or cuddling a lamb or a goat!

And thanks to Stephen K for some of the photos.

Smiles say it all

2011-07-25T14:27:00.001+10:00

Congratulations Cadel!

Photos thanks again to Cycling News.

More interesting reading here...
http://www.cadelevans.com.au/cadelsdiary.aspx

Fusion...

2011-07-21T16:47:00.004+10:00

"The process or result of joining two or more things together to form a single entity."

Well I suppose that's what our criterium on Sunday was... a joining of lots of women's grades together into one race...

only 30 minutes long, it was over very quickly...

but at least the sun came out, and it was not a wet and wintery day like the day before.

The annual Scenic Rim Tour was due to be held this weekend, but not enough entries this year, forced the event's cancellation...

lucky HPRW is holding club racing this weekend, and the Charles Coin race (held by UQ) is on next weekend.

Thanks to Morbo and Fusion for the photos.
And on another note,
some Aussie women are once again doing well overseas...

in the Internationale Thüringen Rundfahrt der Frauen race...
Vicki Whitelaw was 2nd and Shara Gillow 4th in last night's stage.

Let's hope for more good results this weekend.
Thanks to Cycling News for the photos.

Carly Hibberd RIP

2011-07-07T15:35:00.001+10:00

Like many Brisbane cyclists, I heard the sad news this morning that Carly Hibberd had died after being hit by a car while on a ride in Italy. I didn't know her personally very well, but I do know she has many close friends and family in Brisbane who will dearly miss her.

For me, she was an amazing role model and an incredibly nice person. She was already strongly riding in A grade (competing locally and in NRS events) while I was struggling to advance from C to B grade. I remember watching in awe as she raced at local events such as the Noosa and Southbank criteriums.

In particular, I remember the two person breakaway with Carly and Kirsty (Broun) in the 2007 Australian Criterium Champs (Southbank Grand Prix), that stayed away to the end of the race, despite all odds that it would end up being "just another" bunch sprint.

Carly seemed to me to be a gutsy rider who put everything into her racing and training. I was fortunate enough to race with her a few times at local criteriums at Nundah and Murrarie, and even though she really had no idea who I was, she was always happy to say hello and even offer some racing advice. I will always remember after one race at Murrarie, out of the blue she said to me, "You raced well today, but remember to keep your cadence up during the race since it will help a lot with your performance." There was no "reason" for her to give me the slightest time of day, but she did it all the same.

I know Carly was also friends with many local female Brisbane cyclists, and was a mentor for those moving up from the junior to senior racing circles. A kind hearted, beautiful person.
Thanks to Ben Manson for the photos.
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/cycling/cycling-community-rocked-by-rising-stars-death-20110707-1h384.html

Aussie in Pink for first time

2011-07-04T17:02:00.001+10:00

As many of you are probably aware, over the weekend Shara Gillow (local Queenslander... originally from the Sunshine Coast!)...

secured a magnificent Stage Win at this year's Giro Donne

and this gave her the overall lead and the Pink jersey (apparently a first for an Australian female).

Nice work Shara! Hopefully this is just one more success in a very rewarding professional cycling career.

Photos thanks to Cycling News and Adrian Rumney.

East West 101

2011-06-27T13:31:00.001+10:00

Not the SBS mini-series, but a good description of what's been happening in SE Qld...

progressively more and more training for me on the Eastern "coastline" north and south of Brisbane...

while there has been more and more racing on West of Brisbane...

most notably the Tour of Toowoomba a few weekends ago (which even received some really good TV coverage by SBS's Cycling Central http://www.sbs.com.au/cyclingcentral/ ), and the Avanti Classic this last weekend.

Now that we are passed the Winter Solstice, soon it will be July, and even more cycling events are on the horizon... both locally in Australia... and of course, in France!

Fraser coast cycling

2011-06-06T17:14:00.001+10:00

As a result of our continuing education seminar/lecture series for work, this weekend we found ourselves (along with the bikes of course) in Hervey Bay. There was "just enough" time to get some exploratory rides in, on both Saturday and Sunday...

although Saturday morning started with thick fog,

it finally lifted at about 9.30am to reveal a glorious sunny day, with amazingly blue skies and crystal blue water.

Sunday was slightly cloudier and cool, but it was still a great day for another investigative ride... we managed to navigate our way to the quiet bayside suburbs of Toogoom and Burrum Heads...

and then back to Torquay for coffee and breakfast at Enzo's...

and then back to the hotel at Urangan Pier.

Simply a beautiful weekend.

Real recovery

2011-05-24T16:54:00.001+10:00

"Resting hard is the part most athletes screw up." - Joe Friel.

Yes I know this. Resting properly is important. I have learnt this before. I got sick multiple times last year because I didn't "rest" enough. But just because I know what to do, does it mean I really do it?...
Even though I use a training program that is "set" for me, I recently realised (with some help - thanks MW and BG) that I am still not resting "enough".
In contrast, my workouts are done correctly; all in the right zones and for the right amount of time. But I have become "slack" on my rest/recovery days. I went back through my training data and HR files, and I have noticed an increasing trend to go too hard on my easy days, simply because I feel "good" on those days. So rather than recovering and feeling truly "fresh" for the next day of training, I am building up an endless amount of endurance on my rest days... something I really don't need!

I guess I have been a bit "lucky" so far in that my lack of rest has not led me (yet) to illness and injury this year... but hopefully now that I am a lot more conscious of what it really means to go "easy" on a recovery day, my training and racing days will feel even better.

"Training must be either hard or easy - never in between. 'Hard' is related to the event for which one is training. It doesn't mean maximum effort all the time. 'Easy' means zone 1. If you make the easy days easy, the hard days can be truly hard. And race fitness improves.
If, on the other hand, easy becomes moderate, then hard also becomes moderate. And there is little progress." - Joe Friel

Autumn shadows

2011-05-12T15:59:00.000+10:00

It's only May and already Brisbane is experiencing early morning temperatures of less than 10 degrees!

I know it's not really that cold, but after a particularly warm April, it is a bit alarming that I am already wearing almost every bit of "winter" clothing when out training this week. Only two weeks ago, we were still in just jerseys and bike knicks, not even a vest!

On Sunday, we rode with lots of friends to the outer reaches of Logan, but not quite as far as Mt Tambourine... and it was cold enough that many of us wanted to 'shelter' inside a local petrol station during one of our brief rest stops.

Sandra (http://competitivecycling.blogspot.com/) and Alberto (http://amrcycling.blogspot.com/) took some nice 'on the road' photos that day... the one I liked most was her "shadows" photo... (hopefully she'll put it up on her blog)... a line of the shadows our bunch cast in the early morning sun.

That led me to do an internet search later... and yep there is a flickr page dedicated to photos of bike shadows. :)

Wouter Weylandt RIP

2011-05-10T15:41:00.001+10:00

So in the excitement of watching the first few stages of this year's Giro d'Italia, I forgot how dangerous this sport really is. Yes professional riders crash sometimes... they get some road rash, some bruising, some broken bones... but I often take it for granted that they'll heal up again and be back racing soon. Because they are "pros", they can seem to be immune to anything 'really bad' happening to them... but they're not.

Like anyone, they can come off their bike in an unlucky way, and get much more 'serious' injuries... spinal injuries, head injuries, and unfortunately, pro cyclists can die (even when wearing helmets). It's not something we like to think about, and I don't think anyone watches coverage of a race expecting to see someone die that day. When the news came through about Wouter early this morning, it was difficult to grasp the concept that it had really happened.

And like many who have sent their best wishes to Wouter's family today, I cannot even begin to imagine what it must be like to be his mum, his dad, or his girlfriend right now. Maybe some 'good' will come from this tragedy... it's just very hard to see that happening right now.

"Miss me, but let me go
When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom filled room
Why cry for a soul set free
Miss me a little - but not too long
And not with your head bowed low
Remember me, miss me, but let me go." - Anon

Thanks to Kristof Ramon and Cindy Trossaert for the photos.

SE Qld Autumn racing

2011-04-11T17:25:00.003+10:00

With the latest blood tests showing more iron deficiency "issues", my racing has again been sidelined, and I am back to spectating for a bit. At least I can still ride my bike, so there is no real reason for me to complain!
Last weekend were the Dutton-North Lakes Criteriums, with a predominantly rain-free and crash-free day, with just the occasional 'incident'.

Yesterday was the second round of the "Foodworks" Qld Team Series - at the scenic town of Beaudesert.

Although the series is limited to Elite A and Masters A riders only, it is nice to see so many teams (16) participating enthusiastically this year,

and hopefully this is just the start of some awesome teams racing for years to come.

The bonus this weekend was the perfectly blue sky yesterday,

with a cool morning becoming an awesomely warm sunny day.

After Beaudesert, the teams will head to Miles and the Bunya Mountains for Round 3,

Kingaroy for Round 4, Warwick for Round 5, Maryborough for Round 6 and finish in Brisbane with a criterium for Round 7.

Blue jersey and a win for a deserving Australian

2011-03-17T17:11:00.001+10:00

In case you missed the news during this last week or so...

Cadel Evans won his first stage race for the year at the Tirreno-Adriatico this week!

Hopefully there will be more wins to come for him in 2011.

http://www.cadelevans.com.au/cadelsdiary.aspx

Photos courtesy of Cycling News.

Bikes!

2011-03-06T18:00:00.010+10:00

When I used to scuba dive a lot, I loved photos of fish and other undersea life. Now that the main hobby is cycling, I love photos of bikes!...

Check out this web site if you have some time...
http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/

In the meantime, I have respectfully "stolen" some photos for you...

And I will end this post with a bit of humor (not my photo either), but a reminder to be safe out there on the roads...

Easy riding

2011-02-21T12:57:00.004+10:00

As someone recently pointed out to me, I already live on a Peninsula, so why do I want to go visit another one? Yes it is true… Qld’s Redcliffe is a Peninsula, but Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula is quite different to where I regularly reside and train… so maybe it is simply a case of “grass is greener on the other side of the fence” for me.

I had the awesome opportunity to do some riding around this area when I travelled down to race at ‘Bay Crits’ in January.

Then, as it happened, when I returned home, the floods swept through SE Qld, and lots of other stuff consequently ensued, and I never really got the chance to write a quick report on the vicinity.

Apart from being a very scenic area (and the weather just happened to be awesome too), it was also a very effortless place to ride around, and not get lost!

Yes, Nikki and I were fortunate enough to get a ‘guided’ tour (thanks for arranging it Amy!) by some of the “local” riders from the O2 Networks Team and also from Team Sky (Simon Gerrans and Greg Henderson… not dropping names or anything!).

However, it is also a particularly straightforward region just to go for a solo bike ride around, and still get back to where you started, even without the aid of a GPS.

And there are so many places to check out… Portarlington, Ocean Grove, Queenscliffe, Barwon Heads, St Leonards, and even Torquay.

The roads are well signposted; the Victorian motorists are (mostly) very courteous; and most of the road shoulders are really nice and wide (and often you get to ride on a bit of hot mix too!).

Anyway, if you get some time, the area is certainly worth a visit; especially in January when the Jayco Bay Criteriums are on.

(Thanks to Tim Moreillon for some of the photos).

New Bike... Thanks Velo Bicycles, Thanks TREK

2011-02-11T17:27:00.003+10:00

Not much to say (... I am almost speechless!) except that I am completely delighted with the new 'pony'...

Trek Madone Project One custom frame...

definitely worth the 3 month wait to get it here to Australia. (Ordered it in November, due in late Feb, and then it arrived early!).
Thanks so much to Brant and Sasha for helping me with the choice (nicest bike sales people on the planet, and I am not biased just because I get to work with you!) and to Bevan for building it up for me (best bike mechanic ever, even if you are from NZ!). Thanks also to Kerry from Trek Bicycles Australia.

Just beautiful. Can you tell I am in love with bikes!

Rebuilding

2011-01-19T10:02:00.018+10:00

It has only been a week since the Brisbane River reached its peak and the residents of inner Brisbane were faced with just the start of probably their biggest life-challenging event ever.

I have been lucky, and am like a fair few Brisbanites who either live on a hill, or live far enough away from the river (north or south) to have escaped its deluge.

Although the waters have now receeded in Brisbane, the next huge challenge is the clean up...

removing all that river mud, the destroyed belongings and buildings, and then the reconstruction... getting things 'back to normal'.

But what is "normal" now for many of these families and businesses?

And will there ever be a "normal" again?

Throughout Queensland, and now in many parts of Victoria, many others are also facing (or have already recently faced) the tough task of dealing with rising waters, and then the long cleaning and restoration after this.

Ironic too, how not very long ago many parts of Australia were in severe drought, and we were concerned about water in short supply.

While this natural disaster and its consequences are distressing and overwhelming at times, it is also rewarding to see so many people assist and support each other throughout this time.

Australians are naturally strong and resilient.
And while it will not be easy in the weeks and months and years ahead, our passion, enthusiasm and dedication to helping each other move forward will continue.

"This is about of the rebuilding of lives. I want to make sure each pothole, each home, each life is going to be rebuilt." - Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale.

Thanks to Aaron Sparshott, Jon Haysom and Paul Sickling for some of these photos.

Nice way to start a New Year

2010-12-31T14:09:00.006+10:00

So the 'original' plan was to take a quick trip down to Ballarat in early January to have another racing 'experience' in the heat on the tough Mt Buninyong course.

However, things that I plan seem to have a habit of transforming themselves into something else...

and in only the last few weeks, this initial plan has changed into travelling down to Victoria a bit earlier, to race for 4 days at "Bay Crits" (the 2011 Jayco Bay Criteriums) as well...

and just today, we will be adding in the Geelong Amy's Ride on Sunday morning too!

Rather than one week off work to do "just" one race, I now get one week off work to do 5 races, watch even more racing, and ride in support of the Amy Gillett Foundation!

Accordingly, if you know what I am like, you know that I am also thinking that this is a great way to start 2011. :)

To any and all of you reading my blog, have a super end to 2010, and I wish you all the best for 2011.
http://www.amygillett.org.au/amys-ride-victoria-2011
And thanks to Leigh Schilling for some of the above photos.

An interesting perspective...

2010-12-21T19:19:00.004+10:00

I don't claim to have any knowledge on ProTeam cycling, and teams, and sponsors, and all the political dramas that seems to be involved with them. However, with the huge amount of "chatter" about Pegasus Sports going on at present, it is hard not to think about how it may (or will) affect cycling in Australia.

If you haven't already seen it, I need to share this link with you...
from Jonathan Vaughters...
http://www.cyclingnews.com/blogs/jonathan-vaughters/the-geox-paradox
even if you may not agree with this perspective, it is worth the read...
if only to stimulate some more thoughts on how things might need to change in the future for cycling.

"Cycling has such an incredible emotion and beauty to it, and its events are unique and brilliant in the world of sports. To settle for anything less than a solid, understandable, and clear interaction between teams and events does not do the sport justice." - JV.

Thoughts away from cycling...

2010-12-09T10:44:00.005+10:00

So this might be getting a bit "deep" for my blog but a lot of stuff has been happening to me in the last month or so, and this week I had one of those "explosion" weeks...

Maybe you've had one yourself and you know what I mean? Everything seems to be going along "fine", but you are also aware that you are right on the limit, and then just one small (or large) thing has to happen, and suddenly everything is definitely not "fine" and is quite the opposite; and you are left with picking up the pieces again after the "explosion". Anyway, while I have been busy with work and life and all sorts of stuff, I have also been 'attempting' to find some time to read a book given to me by a friend (Eckhart Tolle's The Power Of Now)...

and this just happens to be quite thought provoking for me right now...
"What is freedom for you? What is happiness for you? Often your mind tells you that you cannot get from here to there. Something needs to happen, or you need to become this or that before you can be free and fulfilled. You think that something is saying that you need time to find, or sort out, or do, or achieve, or acquire, or become, or understand before you can be free and complete. Your mind sees time as the means to freedom and happiness, but in truth this is the greatest obstacle to you ever "getting there". You think you might not be able to get there from where you are now. But the truth is that here and now is the only point from which you can get there. You "get" there by realising that you are there already. Nothing you can ever do in the future, and nothing that you have ever done in the past will get you any closer. You do it now or not at all."

...ok, after that, I promise the next blog posting will not be so "sombre". :)

Highlights from STRT 2010

2010-11-26T19:17:00.007+10:00

Keep it short and sweet. That was the plan. I was thinking about writing a summary of each of the 6 days for my blog. As I started it in my head, I soon realised this was never going to work... so much happened each day, that I would need to write a short novel if I was going to do any justice to the super week I had.
Instead, I will leave you all with a few photos from the trip, and a summary, not of the time riding, but of the fantastic people I had the pleasure to meet, ride with, and chat to during the STRT.

Because what I realised is that what made the trip memorable for me, were the people involved. Sure, the countryside was great, and the bike riding was fun, and the places we stayed at were awesome.

More awe inspiring for me though were the people I got to ride beside and behind and infront of each day; and chat to at dinner and breakfast.

What a diverse group of induviduals to meet; but united within the common cause to help make our roads safer. I was surprised by how different each rider was (such unique backgrounds and careers; and unique family and life situations), but how well we all "gelled" together in the first two days. No-one was "above" anyone else, and everyone helped each other out whenever they could.

Yes there sure were some tough days in the saddle, but even after the 'minor' frustrations of hot days, flat tyres, rough off-road sections, sticky mud, getting lost (even with a gps!), and sore legs, everyone managed smile and a laugh and a story at the end of the day.

Thank you so much to each and everyone of you:
Simon Gillett, Rachael Kininmonth, Steve Hodge, Phil Anderson, Mary & Dennis Safe, Rochelle Gilmore, Rachel Neylan, Carla Ryan, Felicity Dales, Lindy Hayward, Kayt Edwards, Matt Dimattina, Duncan Murray, Rhys Gillett, Ned Draydon, Matt Pringle, Ken Kroeger, Michael Scott, Paul Hardwick, Paul O'Dwyer, Rob Keogh, Marg Grant, Andy Sheats, James Hannam, Ian Carpenter, David Moffatt, Steve Cesinger, Kieran Hogan, Matt White, Andrew Tanner, Michael Price, David Gillett, Tony & Tracey Gaudry.
(Special thanks to Steve Hodge for the above photos!)

Share The Road Tour 2010

2010-11-18T16:57:00.003+10:00

I will take some time (I promise) to write a more thorough report about the 6 days of riding soon...
but in the meantime, I just need to say t-h-a-n-k-s to all the riders and organisers involved with the Amy Gillett 2010 Share The Road Tour.

An incredible week, with many memorable moments; and it was super to share this experience with lots of like-minded people while helping deliver the message of better road safety and awareness; for both cyclists and motorists.

In particular, I need to mention how honored I was to meet Mary Safe, Amy's mother, who has devoted her life to educating young people on safer cycling and safer driving. Awesome work.

Amy Gillett Share The Road Tour - Sydney!

2010-11-08T09:32:00.000+10:00

Starts tomorrow!!!
http://www.sharetheroadtour.com.au/

Noosa and only ONE week to go!

2010-11-02T15:59:00.004+10:00

So after a very adventurous race at Glen Innes to Inverell, the annual Noosa Cycling GP was on again.
See race report by Ange McClure here:
http://www.sweetascycling.com.au/sweetascycling/news/61-what-a-team-what-a-daywhat-a-result

Quite happily, I was just a spectator for the Noosa event...
but I have to say a huge c-o-n-g-r-a-t-u-l-a-t-i-o-n-s to Nikki on her awesome 5th place during the women's criterium on Saturday afternoon.

Those of you who know Nikki already, also know that she has really put all of her body and mind and heart into her training this year, and is finally coming up with some well-deserved results!!!

You can read her report here:
http://nikolina-cycling.blogspot.com/2010/11/2010-noosa-grand-prix.html

And as for me,
well it is only one week to go to the Amy Gillett Foundation's Share the Road Tour...
yep...
we will each be riding 800km with 8000m of climbing in 6 days.
I will try to update my blog while riding (pending internet access), but otherwise I will be sure to give you all a report on my return to Qld!
http://www.sharetheroadtour.com.au/archives/77

Grafton eve

2010-10-21T18:42:00.007+10:00

Saturday October 23rd... if you are a keen cyclist, you may have had this date in your diary for many months already... and now... well... Grafton-Inverell is THIS weekend!

This will be my second year racing in the women's event; this time as part of the Bundaberg Sugar/Sweet As Team, rather than as a solo rider as I did last year. So long as the weather holds out (no hail nor sleet, and no evil headwinds nor snow thanks), it should be another interesting day of racing. A strong field of girls will be lining up.

A good friend of mine gave me some motivational quote cards this week to help inspire me for my next set of races/rides/training and beyond (... thank you so much, they do help!) -
and I found this one particularly relevant for this weekend.
"There is only one thing for us to do,
and that is to do our level best
right where we are,
every day of our lives".

During this taper week, I also had the privilege of a 'guided cycling tour' of some parts of the Sunshine Coast hinterland which I (surprisingly) never knew existed until now... including some helpful short cuts!!!

Embarrassingly it seems I was taking the 'long way around' in a few instances! One of my next goals is to learn more about where to ride on the Sunny Coast.

This weekend also marks the only "TWO weeks to go" point to the AGF's "Share The Road" 800km Tour.
Yep... this is another hint... please donate... please. :)
https://www.registernow.com.au/agf/Donate.aspx?F=342

Thanks for your support...

2010-10-08T15:58:00.005+10:00

While I seem to be doing a lot of my training in the rainy weather lately,

it is probably a good time to say thanks to all my sponsors and supporters so far for the Amy Gillett Foundation's Share The Road Tour in early November.

In particular...
Cadence Cycling

Body 4 Life Massage

Velo Bicycles

Robert Bird Group (Brisbane and Sydney offices)

and North Coast Veterinary Specialists (special thanks to our business manager Janelle, and our main receptionist Jayne!).

... And yep this is just another reminder that if you haven't already donated, please do so. Even the smallest of donations will help!
https://www.registernow.com.au/agf/Donate.aspx?F=342

Melbourne, Ballarat & Geelong

2010-09-29T20:42:00.008+10:00

All 3 places in 5 days... a quick trip but so worthwhile.

I have never managed to spend much time in Melbourne, so I spent the first two days as a real "tourist"...

taking some photos of course...
there were so many bikes...

& coffee shops & bookstores...

trams & buses...

tall buildings, both old & new.

Thanks to both Cycling Tips, and Pro-Motion Bikes (in Ormond)... as they made finding a good fast bunch ride in Melbourne so much easier!

Just as Wade had described (www.cyclingtipsblog.com/melbourne-rides), on a grey overcast morning, suddenly there were lots of cyclists at the corner of North Rd and Nepean Way, and away they rode at 6am sharp (not 5.59 or 6.02, but exactly 6.00)... Although I did not personally know even one person in the bunch, they all made me feel strangely welcome... after all, I was just another bike-riding, lycra-wearing person with a white front light and a flashing red rear light, braving another cold Victorian morning.

And to finish the friday ride, I was also greeted by the swans of Albert Park. :)
Brighton and St Kilda in Melbourne, I found is oddly enough not that different from Brighton and Sandgate in Brisbane... both seaside areas that cyclists inhabit in the early mornings.

Then the adventure in Ballarat began...
only 1 week earlier, I had been advised that I was fortunate enough to get a start in the women's Herald Sun Cycling Classic. What an experience it was.

Thanks also to Jarrod Partridge for some of these racing photos.

And I now have a bidon that I will never wash...

A short trip back to Melbourne via Geelong, and then suddenly I was home again. Almost like a daydream. And it was a pretty cool daydream at that. (And thanks for the company Nikki!)

Pink and Silver

2010-09-21T16:59:00.005+10:00

Last week was an interesting week to say the least! And I am not sure if anything happened as I anticipated it would... but I'm definitely not complaining.
The "theme" of the week for me ended up being one of pink and silver...
which nicely tied things together for me since they are the main colors of the Amy Gillett Foundation.

For starters, I was treated to a stunning pink-orange sunrise along the Redcliffe Peninsula and Sandgate waterfronts on several mornings this week. Just incredible colors. Even better when the weather forecast predicted rain, and you wake up and head outside to see such a beautiful skyline instead.

Then as the "reserve" cyclist for the Bundaberg Sugar (Balmoral Cycling Club) Time Trial Team for the Qld State Championships on Sunday, I was really expecting not to be needed. However, as (bad) luck would have it, Sal Robbins was still very ill, so I was called upon to race in her spot. No pressure or anything!...
I have to give a h-u-g-e thanks to my team mates Simone, Angeline and Brielle for being fantastically accomodating and patient with me... I am still a massive TT novice!... having only done 4 ITT's before, and having no real TTT experience, I had a very steep learning curve, and they were really very supportive despite the last minute changes to their team. Thankfully though, after lots of "tips" on what to and not to do, we managed a fantastic Second place, to claim the Silver Medals in the women's elite TTT event.

And then for my last bit of 'unexpected' news... the Sweet As/Bundaberg Sugar Team has been invited to race at the Herald Sun World Cycling Classic in Ballarat this Sunday. We are very priviledged to be able to ride in this event, and it will be an extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime thing for me. Quite daunting really but an experience I am unlikely to get another chance at, so I need to make the most of it!

http://www.melbourne2010.com.au/default.aspx?s=HSWCCB

2010 Amy Gillett "Share The Road" Tour

2010-09-10T17:58:00.003+10:00

So now that I have my health back consistently, it is time to do something worthwhile.

I will be part of this 6 day, 832km ride, aiming to raise a total of $350000 for the foundation.
http://www.sharetheroadtour.com.au/

It is a really worthy cause, and you can see why I am participating in this ride (and you can also donate to the AGF) via this page:
https://www.registernow.com.au/agf/Donate.aspx?F=342

If you need more info on the foundation,
please read:
http://www.amygillett.org.au/
and
http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2010/04/what-does-the-amy-gillett-foundation-do-anyway/

Perspectives

2010-08-20T19:35:00.003+10:00

Several people I know (who are non-cyclists) asked me during the week how my race went on Sunday. "Great" I replied. "So you won then?" was the next question... "Nope" was my reply. With puzzled faces they then went on to ask why my race was so "great" then...

Not sure I can even explain it properly, but to have been sick with the flu / bronchitis again only 2.5 weeks earlier, and to have disappointed myself with my lack of racing form for much of the year, I thought it was super to have at least one race where I felt good for the entire time... all 120km of it.

And of course that gives me hope for the remainder of the year! (Yes I know, don't count your chickens and all that...)

In other news though, after Simone managed what I would call a spectacular recovery from her crash in northern NSW only weeks earlier, and truly gave it her all to win both Charles Coin and Cunningham Classic in consecutive weekends, she was taken down in another crash in the Geelong Tour. I am not going to say much about it because there are many opinions already out there on the internet. However, when I heard the news, all I could think is "why, why, why". And I'm not sure there really is an answer.

Then just today, I visited the HPRW website to read some more sad news that faithful HPRW club member, racer and commissaire John Madigan was just hit by a car again this week. I can't remember exactly how many months ago this happened to him last, but he toughed it out to recover from some horrific injuries, to get back to doing what he loves... cycling.
And now he needs to battle through the rehabilitation process once again. "Why does this happen?" Again I don't have an answer, but it does make me more grateful for the health I currently have.

Westerly winds

2010-08-03T16:58:00.001+10:00

Just in time for August, the westerly winds are in SE Qld. After an unusually warm Saturday, you could feel the winds beginning on Sunday at the Charles Coin RR...
right on schedule for the Cunningham Classic RR this weekend.

I like the winds because they remind me of some 'classic' winter family weekend outings with my mother while growing up in Brisbane... including going to the flu-ridden Ekka!

The crisp clear blue skies at this time of the year, and the ability to see miles and miles into the distance are definitely one of the highlights for me.

And yes, even though the winds can be nasty as a headwind when travelling south into Brisbane, it also means an awesome tailwind when riding home.

Scenic Rim Tour 2010

2010-07-26T21:06:00.000+10:00

So I got to be a spectator for the weekend... and in the spirit of Miff's blog, I attempted to take some 'artsy' photos with my less-than-adequate-camera...

as well as some racing ones...

but to be honest, the best part of the weekend was catching up with lots of friends!

Thanks to all of you who helped make my weekend enjoyable...

and took the time to chat with me even though you were all very much needing to concentrate on the task at hand... your own races!

And I just had to get a photo of that crazy stray Roadvale cat!...

As well as the rusty bike with the pot plant growing in it, out the front of a typical 'Old Queenslander' house...

All in all, just a super weekend. :)

2010 DBR Canberra Women's & Junior Tour

2010-07-05T22:48:00.000+10:00

My race report is due out soon on the "Sweet As" site, but until then, here are a few photos from the frosty conditions... courtesy of Greg Long. http://www.sweetascycling.com.au/

I know we live in Brisbane where it's warm, but Canberra racing in July was an awesome experience.

What to do while sick or injured...

2010-06-22T19:13:00.000+10:00

I think I am almost ready to write a book on this topic. As a few of my friends recently pointed out, I have probably had more time off the bike so far this year than on it, but oh well. While I am sidelined with bronchitis yet again, I have tried to be productive with my time... and learned a few things along the way...
(1) keep getting regular massages even when not in "full" training. I guess I thought if I am not training hard, what's the point? However, as recently explained to me by my 'fairy godmother' massage therapist Jason, when we train we are often so "superficially" sore that is hard to get to the "deeper" areas that are also causing problems. So when we are actually in a rest block, or not able to train as hard (eg. sick or injured), the massages at this time are often more helpful because they can actually "get down to" those deeper areas.
(2) get a "proper" bike fit done. Although I have been "set-up" on my various bikes (road and mtb) by a number of different friends, I have never 'bothered' to get myself actually "fitted" on my road bike so that it allows me to ride at my most efficient. I am also lucky that I am quite flexible, and I can honestly change my bike set-up quite a bit without really 'noticing' that anything has been changed; and often will not experience any pain. So I thought I should finally do the right thing and get fitted. Was it worthwhile? Absolutely.

I went to see Nick Formosa at Cadence Cycling, since he has access to the Retul Fit System. Without going into too much detail... via some 3D imaging techniques, Retul allows the experienced bike fitter to see how a rider's body reacts and interacts while in motion.

The end result is that the rider will have a "true" fit to the bike, maximizing efficiency and performance while avoiding discomfort or injury. Even now, only two weeks since the fitting, I can feel that my pedalling is definitely much more efficient, and even though I never had any 'pain' as such, I am (surprisingly) a lot more comfortable on my bike. Nick will probably need to make a few more adjustments in the future, since things continue to change with time (as fitness and flexibility also change), but I am really pleased I took the time to have the fitting done!

What happened to May?

2010-05-27T15:32:00.000+10:00

I feel like it was only last week that it was the end of April, and I had a month to go to Metro champs... well suddenly they are on this weekend, and I honestly don't know what happened to the last month!

Yes, I have been busy, both at work and with cycling (and I was sick with the flu for a few weeks too), but I still don't exactly know how the time has gone so fast again!

As a quick summary, the Canberra tour with the Bundaberg Sugar "Sweet As" Team was just awesome to say the least; and the recent State criterium championships at Nundah was a great race too (and not just because Simone won!!!). Not to mention that before we even left for Canberra, Ang won at Murarrie and Nik won at Lakeside! But it's definitely not all about winning...

With Nik and myself now 'officially' becoming team members, it has opened up a whole new world of team experiences and challenges, while both training and racing.

I really can't say enough about all the girls (Angie, Brielle, Nik, Sal & Simone), and our amazing management and support crew (Dave, Wayne, TP & Jason). The trip to Canberra and our few recent races together have started to show me more about the meaning of team identity, spirit and belonging.

For a more detailed report, take some time out and go to: http://www.sweetascycling.com.au/
to read Sal's Canberra report and Brie's State criterium report.

Canberra adventure coming up

2010-04-20T15:47:00.000+10:00

In less than two weeks time, I will go from this

and this

to this

and this

and then back to this.

Although it will include some hard work, I am hoping the trip is also filled with some memorable times and the making of some stronger friendships.

Accidents

2010-04-12T17:58:00.000+10:00

Definition: An unplanned, unexpected, and undesigned (not purposefully caused) event which occurs suddenly and leads to: (1) injury or loss, (2) a decrease in value of the resources, or (3) an increase in liabilities. In insurance circles, an "accident" is often the term used for an event which is not deliberately made to happen...

Well in any case, I had another one. An accident that is. I felt like I had gone backwards again to January, and it was happening all over again. I started to think this was the beginning of a very long year ahead...
but a few things happened in the week since the "accident" that made me sit up and think.

Sometimes stuff just happens. As much as we'd like to think that it all evens out in the end, the reality is that life is not balanced, and life is not fair. But that doesn't mean we need to get all melancholy and uninspired about life.

Accept it and move on.
Lots of stuff happens every single day, to lots of people. No amount of worrying or contemplating; planning or avoiding or regretting will change that.

I have spoken to many people in the last week, and realised that the accident could have been a lot worse. All of us involved in the crash have minor injuries and we should be thankful for that. Another bonus is that it was "just" a cycling accident; no cars involved, no buses or trucks; no-one ended up in hospital for days to weeks to months...
an unlucky crash, but overall we were all lucky.

There are plenty of people who I know who have been challenged by a bike accident at one time or another. So many of them have been so much worse off than me; I really have nothing to complain about...
and it continues to astound me how the enjoyment and personal satisfaction that comes from bike riding, and the reward for getting back on the bike again after injury, makes the recovery process somehow all worth it.

Back into it... yep really back into it this time...

2010-03-18T11:44:00.000+10:00

So now I know what it feels like to be in training mode again. Real training. The tiredness and fatigue after long hours on the bike; the muscle soreness... but it’s really quite agreeable.

I was talking to my sports massage therapist last week (Jason @ BFL) and he pointed something out that I guess I didn’t really think about beforehand. He said that when I was most affected by my iron deficiency problem, I would not have been able to push myself as hard during training or racing as I currently can. In doing so, I was actually not placing as much stress and strain on my body, and hence the lack of muscle soreness. Obviously I was still tired when my iron levels were low, but in a different sort of way.

I can say now that fatigue from illness or another medical problem certainly feels different to the fatigue I am currently experiencing when I am ‘healthier’. Fatigue simply from a high training load is a good type of fatigue!

So, as much as it presently hurts more than ever to see my massage therapist, it actually feels really awesome that I have sore muscles again!
I realise that this was just one of the things I was missing during training at the end of last year (... not to mention the enjoyment I am getting out of racing again!).

(And a quick thanks to Adrian Booth @ Boomtime Cycling for helping create some more muscle soreness each week!).

Growing stronger from challenges

2010-02-23T11:41:00.000+10:00

I have recently finished reading Anna Meares’s super book on her demanding but rewarding track cycling career. For me, one of the most memorable parts of the book is when Anna is starting to go through rehabilitation after her spinal fracture, and she quotes: “Things don’t go wrong and break your heart so you can become bitter and give up. While they may break you down, they happen so that you can build back up again and be all that you can be.”
And it’s true.

I must admit that at the time I first read the quote, I appreciated it but didn’t really “get it”. I was in a “difficult” place with both my personal life and my cycling. Things were getting the better of me. Or rather, I was letting things get the better of me. But thanks to some close friends (some new and some old), I am coming out the other end again, and I can see how true it really is.

If life wasn’t hard occasionally, we’d never really appreciate it when it’s good. And right now it is really good.

So if you have some time, go visit Amber Rais’s blog about her recent pelvic fracture incident and how she is dealing with things... some more eye opening stuff.
The "5 minute rule" stuff is priceless.
http://amberrais.wordpress.com/

Nationals and an answer...

2010-01-12T14:55:00.002+10:00

So I have to start this story by going back about 6 weeks ago.
As part of my Nationals preparation of long rides and hill repeats, I was due to do some short criteriums. So for the first time in a few months, I turned up to Murrarie for a quick 40 min race. Easy, I thought. After building up the k's, I have been doing lots more E3b and E4 stuff in the last few weeks, and my legs are feeling good... a race should be fun...
that's how it should have been, but I only lasted half the race. Sure I put in quite a few efforts and got my heart rate appropriately high, but after only 20 mins I found myself struggling for breath, felt like I was drowning, with just no power in the legs, and not even able to hang onto the last rider's wheel.
Crazy.
Oh well, I thought. More intensity to come in the program in the next few weeks, and I am sure I will be able to race well again...

Unfortunately this pattern was about to repeat itself.
Many times over.
It was frustrating. The training seemed to be going well, and I continued to push myself, and got the required hill repeats and distance on the bike in each week. But it seemed as though any time I was above my AT for any slightly longer period of time, I would quickly get that 'drowning' feeling again and just have no 'power' to go on. I distinctly remember jumping onto the back of a motorpacing group one Wednesday morning out to Dayboro, and lasting only 5 mins before being "popped"... again I couldn't even hang into the back of the last rider, and was so out of breath it was like I was suffocating and it took me almost half an hour to get my legs back.
It is silly how you can convince yourself of stuff...

I really started to believe I just wasn't fit enough. That somehow after putting in all these hours of training, I might just not 'have it' to be racing. Maybe I needed more kilometers each week? Maybe I needed even more intensity? Maybe I just wasn't ever going to be ready for Nationals?

My coach was confused, my boyfriend was confused, my work colleagues were confused... they could all see me put in all the hours of training each week to come up with such disappointing results.
I put my head down and continued the training program...

But it happened again. New year's day criterium. 4 laps in... after only 10 minutes of racing or so... "POP". Legs felt great for the previous few laps, everything going well, and then just as I needed to recruit some more 'power', I had absolutely nothing.
Now what?
The answer came with some quiet calming words from Shayne and Pip... "Go get a blood test".

I am not one for excuses. It didn't really enter my head that there might be a 'reason' for my non-performance. If I can't race well, I thought it was because I wasn't training 'correctly'... or that I just wasn't the cyclist that I thought I could be. It was getting to the embarrasing stage now... doing all this training week after week and not even being able to finish a short criterium.
So I took the advice and scheduled a blood test. Results would be due in a week or so.

The next question... if I can't even finish a criterium, what on earth am I doing going to a Nationals road race in less than a week's time?
Flights, accomodation, car hire were already booked and paid for. Why cancel it now? At least my expectations for the race were now fairly low, and tried to see the trip as a bit of an 'adventure'. I secretly still wanted to see if I could finish the race after all...

True to my current form though, I lasted only 11km out of 102. The first lap was easy. The bunch politely tapped it up the long climb and made me feel like I could maybe last at least half the race... even in the stifling Victorian heat... and then the second lap came.
I was positioned well in the first 3rd of the group, and saw several of the top riders get out of their saddles to start increasing the tempo. Let's get this going I thought. But I had nothing. No legs. No power. As the bunch increased the tempo and I slid backwards, I lost all willingness to continue on. I pulled out.

It was actually a terrific race to watch as a spectator... to see girls like Judith Arndt and Ruth Corset battle it out in the heat was great. But I was also preoccupied by my own 'problems'. Why couldn't I race anymore? Maybe the blood tests would show something?
And the scarier possibility...
What if the blood tests came back as all normal? There is nothing wrong with you...
Would I give up trying to race altogether?

It probably wasn't the best idea for me to go for a ride, to spin the legs and 'clear the head' that same afternoon. I was too worried about stuff and not thinking about the road that I was riding on. Seconds later I was on the ground, with some of the worst gravel rash I have ever had to the whole right side of my body, and with some new scars to add to my beautiful bike too.
Why on earth am I even riding a bike?

So after an unpleasant evening of wound cleaning, and while taking about a million pain-relief tablets, we watched the men's road race in the heat on Sunday, drove back to Melbourne and only just managed to catch the flight home to Brisbane.

Skipping to the end of the story...
While I visited my doctor on Monday for some advice on bandage changes, and to get another few scripts for things like oxycodone (great stuff by the way), he gave me the blood test results.
I have never been so happy to hear that there is something wrong with me.
"Iron deficiency".
It may take a few months to get the levels back to where they should be, but then I will finally be able to have some fun when racing again.
Thank goodness.
I was almost going crazy there for a bit.

http://www.ausport.gov.au/ais/nutrition/factsheets/basics/iron_-_are_you_getting_enough

End of the year... again!

2009-12-24T14:11:00.001+10:00

It is upon us again, that crazy December / January time...
for me this means...
some of this,

and watching some of this,

caring for patients like these,

as well as watching some of this,

and some of this,

and doing some of this myself!

And if you are reading this... Merry Christmas and have a brilliant start to 2010.

Changing times, random thoughts

2009-11-23T13:49:00.000+10:00

Well October and November have been interesting to say the least, and December will probably continue to be so as well. The Jacaranda trees have faded out again, and now the bold red Poinciana trees are the backdrop to my training rides.
My 'normal' veterinary workplace has been busy, with lots of changes (including a few new staff and maybe a big expansion in 2010) and my Saturday workplace (Velo) has also announced some upcoming changes.

I have had to establish a new 'base' of fitness and the strength training is continuing (yes I can ride lots of hills again now!) with some more intensity on the horizon. This time of the year is pretty typical for change; for some reason many people choose to move house during this time of the year just before they 'settle in' for Christmas and New Year; while in the cycling world, teams are busy announcing new sponsors and new rosters.

As an aside, did you know that the women's Colavita cycling team is now co-sponsored by the Italian chocolate brand "Baci"? I think that would be the end of any optimal power-to-weight ratio for me!

Changes are often good (repeat ten times) and they certainly make life interesting... even if I sometimes approach them with a bit of trepidation!

Nationals in Ballarat are still the goal for early next year, but we will see what this next month or so brings. I will make the most of my training opportunities when I can, knowing that things really can change so quickly.

I have had goals before that never quite made it to fruition due to some 'unexpected' changes.

Just recently, one of my work colleagues found out they can no longer continue their favorite hobby due to some chronic injuries, so they have had to take up a completely new sport. While a very good friend of mine already won't be racing in January due to a cycling accident just a few weeks ago.

It does make you realise that you can adapt to change, and for me, it has also emphasised that cycling really is far from being the most important thing in my life. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy cycling immensely, but yes I could cope if it was taken away. On another note, I found this beautiful photo and caption just recently on Amber Rais's blog...
She writes: "Things for which I am thankful... True Love and bicycles".

Accepting good advice

2009-10-26T17:44:00.000+10:00

It was so hard to let go of the routine of training in the beginning, but now 5 weeks later, I am glad I did. Back into training this week and so looking forward to it. Bit of a shame to be missing some of the early summer criteriums, but that's life, and there's so much more racing ahead that I realise it doesn't really matter in the long term.

As usual, Joe Friel has some timely advice... and I am now really happy I took advantage of my rest period. (and I know Craig B will be nodding his head saying "I told you so" about now too). Without Cameron's guidance I would have definitely gone deep into the overtraining zone.

"You may be feeling a bit guilty about not working out seriously during your downtime. It is understandable because it can be hard to let go of hard-earned fitness. My clients often feel that way. In fact, one of them got carried away with his uncoached transition period and managed to create his second-highest fitness of the year in four-weeks! I've given him a hard time about this because my concern is that he'll wind up mentally and physically wasted and not be able to focus on challenging workouts and high performance when it counts next season. This client is unfortunately on his way to being a 'Christmas Star' - an athlete who performs great during December but fades as the next season comes around. He's made it more difficult - not less - to be in top form on that race day." - Joe Friel

Down time

2009-10-05T17:43:00.000+10:00

On strict instructions from my coach Cam, I have just had two weeks "off", and have another few weeks of very 'light' bike rides until I am allowed back into full training again.

Some say it is best to have a rest when you are close to peak form, and not once you are fatigued and over-trained, but can I just say that these 2 weeks have been really difficult!

Maybe it was good that in the second week off, I came down with a terrible flu and did not feel tempted to go out 'secretly' on my bike?
Anyway, the few times I have been out, it has been nice to slow things down and take notice of stuff other than heart rate and time!... I have started to notice the blue sky and bay again, and the flowering Jacarandas.

I should appreciate it while it lasts before I go back to efforts and intensity once more, and back into racing.

Grafton to Inverell weekend

2009-09-17T15:57:00.000+10:00

What a super weekend (that makes two in a row now for me!)...
great weather, great racing, combined with lots of people working hard to achieve their own cycling goals. For some the goal was a podium place or a KOM/QOM jersey, and for others it was to complete the race.

Too many people to name and congratulate on induvidual performances... but I know of many that did well, and perhaps even exceeded their own expectations. For a few, I know it was a case of 'there is always next year'!

Personally, I had a really solid & fun race, without any cramping issues; and learnt a lot again from racing with the top girls (in the 95k Glen Innes to Inverell race).

On a very sad note, I have heard that only this week, top 24 hour mountain biker & all-round good guy Jeff Toohey was 'cleaned up' by a car while on a training ride, and is currently in ICU with severe head and spinal injuries at RBH. Hopefully you will come through this as smoothly as possible Jeff, best wishes for a quick recovery, we are all thinking of you.

UCI World MTB & Trials Champs

2009-09-07T20:11:00.000+10:00

Worthwhile going down to Canberra for the first weekend in September?

You bet it was!

I'll let the photos do the talking...

Aussie, aussie, aussie, oi, oi, oi...

(Thanks to Steve Nightingale for some of the photos... mine are not this good.)

Next time I will need to bring a bike (or two) with me.

And a big shout-out to Jodie Willett, local Qld girl who did just awesome in the women's XCO race... only better things ahead for you! :)

Qld Champs & some more learning

2009-08-25T16:43:00.000+10:00

So while the current ‘heat wave’ was hitting SE Qld in the last week or so, this weekend it was also time for the annual Qld State Road C’Ships. I must say that 12 months ago I would not even have thought of lining up in this race with the other Elite girls, but things change, and here I was. We had just over 100km to race around Kalbar (just west of Beaudesert/Boonah); with 1 small lap first, and then 3 ‘big laps’ (with a reasonably tough climb on each of the ‘big laps’ dubbed by some as ‘The Wall’… not sure it is really that bad, but it definitely does hurt the more times you have to go over it). Simone and Louise were again in fine form (and again created a classic two person break). Even in the stifling conditions, they well deservedly earned themselves a first and second place. Only four girls out of ten finished the race. My result… a DNF.

I felt good, I had my climbing legs with me, but I had made some ‘fatal’ mistakes even before the race started by not hydrating properly that morning (especially on such a hot day). About 55km into the race (on our second time over ‘The Wall’) I had such horrible cramps in all my leg muscles (and even in my hands) that I just had to retire… that’s racing.
There were some amazing performances in the other mens’ and womens’ races all day… just to complete the race was a challenge as the day got hotter. One result in particular I have to mention, was Andy Patten’s win in the MMAS3 category… well earned after all the training he does week in and week out (and so nice after he missed out last year with second place).
As I contemplate ‘what went wrong’ (and what went right) in my particular race, I thought I would steal this advice from Joe Friel (www.trainingbible.com)...
“Athletes must realize that there are many factors that influence your readiness on race day, such as diet/hydration, sleep/rest and lifestyle stress. We're all biological organisms, not machines. Regardless of how well we manage things, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. That's simply the way the real world is for humans.”

Friday Coffee

2009-08-20T18:21:00.000+10:00

I love the smell,

I love the look...

What's not to love about fridays...

Classic training rides

2009-08-10T17:34:00.000+10:00

Brisbane Sunday bunch rides...
'Zupps' ride = a flat fast return loop past Redcliffe & Sandgate...

OR if you prefer something with lots of climbing,

try Mt Mee and Dayboro,

then Samford, and Goat Track to Mt Nebo,

and then back to Southbank for coffee.

Those that know me, know which one I choose more often than not!

Florence & stuff...

2009-07-30T10:23:00.000+10:00

Florence, Italy - just one of the many places on my "to-visit" list...
one day...

in the meantime, I continue to hear this song called Hurricane Drunk (on high rotation at the moment on Triple J radio) by Florence and the Machine with the lyrics...
'I brace myself cause I know it's gonna hurt,
But I like to think that things can't get any worse.'

Hey that sounds a lot like my last 3 races... (Jon Brooks at Toowoomba, Murarrie last weekend and then Nerang last Sunday).
And speaking of hurt,
lots of other races for cyclists to feel some hurt are on this week/weekend even though the TDF is now over...

Tour of Gippsland (go Budget Forklifts Team)
Tour of Denmark (go Simon Gerrans)
Cunningham Classic (go QSM guys & girls)...

Meanwhile I am happy to sit on the sidelines this weekend.

"Grande" rides

2009-07-14T17:53:00.000+10:00

So this week has been another one of some grand 'epic' rides...
Sunday was another long 6 hour+ adventure over Beechmont and Mt Tamborine...
If you could get through the painful climbs, the views at the top were magnificent.

Fortunately we had a tailwind all the way home, and Cam didn't mind sitting on the front most of the way back!

I was happy to see that the women's Cervelo Test Team had a grand finish in the Giro Donne stage race on Sunday...

One of my favorite riders Emma Pooley (above) may not have retained the pink jersey, but it was one of her team mates (Claudia Hausler) who won overall.

Meanwhile, this guy (below) is doing pretty darn well at the TDF!

What a bike!... thanks Velo!!!

2009-07-06T19:07:00.000+10:00

As I have said before, I am not a bike reviewer but after just a few rides on my new Time Edge Pulse, I can say that I am very impressed!...

But I haven't ridden another dozen carbon fibre bikes, so maybe I am biased? All the same, it rides exceptionally. Infact I just can't think of how it could be any better.

There is something uncanny about its ability to float up climbs and over rough roads. The carbon frame is stiff and light, but somehow shock-absorbing too. Our 185km ride on sunday proved to me its reported "all-day comfort and performance". And it steers so nicely with such precision and balance, and is amazingly stable at all speeds... I felt like I descended Mt Mee at twice the speed I normally would!

Riding was already excellent in the past, but it this has just put everything another level up again!
(and before you ask... 3T carbon bars and stem; bontrager carbon seat post; Ultegra groupset & Fulcrum 5 training wheels).

Scenic Rim weekend

2009-07-02T13:56:00.000+10:00

Seven must be my lucky number at the moment, because that's where I came over all (again) in this tour...

Road race Saturday morning - a very misty, wet, muddy start for the A grade guys in the hills surrounding Boonah, but thankfully it dried up a bit before our race started. With hills slightly reminiscent of the Ipswich kermese, Simone and Louise put the hurt on the group early and broke away on the first long KOM climb. No excuses, I just simply cannot ride as well as these girls (yet!). Mental note for me: train more! The rest of the race was just one of attacks on the hills and some sitting up on the flats... and I wasn't very smart at the end and I got smashed in the final sprint.

TT Saturday afternoon - not sure what went on in this stage... we had a tailwind and I think I cruised way too much. Crap slow time overall but nice 12km sunset ride back to Mt Alford as a cool down!

Road race Sunday morning - at least I didn't miss the break this time... again Louise and Simone attacked on the longer climb on the circuit, and this split the bunch. Then I made the mistake of doing way too many strong even turns with Simone and Louise and 'toasted' myself... everything was fine until the sprint lap... it was my undoing, and I couldn't get back on after this. Oh well. Now I had the bunch chasing me for the last 20km of the race! I knew they would be faster than me by myself, but hopefully I would be able to stay away until the finish... and I did -but only just! Angeline tried her best to chase me down in the final sprint but I managed to hold onto 3rd place. Good fun race. When's the next one?

Another tour!...

2009-06-25T18:49:00.000+10:00

Time is flying -
I thought there was a lot of time between Battle on the Border and Tour of Scenic Rim but it is already this weekend!
Should be a great weekend - and the climbs sound like they will test us all (again)!

We will not look as professional as the above riders but I think the bunch size will be about the same.

And don't you just wish all cars would obey this sign??? It's just never gonna happen is it?

A late race report - but better than never!

2009-06-16T18:43:00.000+10:00

Sunday saw the annual running of the Avanti Classic... but it was my weekend "off" racing so I just went to watch (and take photos)... but another great weekend.
It did remind me however, that I needed to write my quick run down of the 2009 Battle on the Border...

TT Saturday morning - hilly, cold, crisp 12km ride out to Stokers Siding from my motel. So glad I bought the new 2XU women's cycling jacket a few weeks before this!
My first ever TT. Interesting because there were quite a few corners and obstacles (train tracks, wooden bridges, pot holes), but all good. I wasn't placed last after this!

Road race Saturday afternoon - this was always going to be the one that was tough for me. I knew the hills (same course as we raced the NRS series last year), and I knew the top girls would be just smashing it up the climbs. First lap was "okay" - apart from the fact that my front derailleur would not change back to the big chain ring after the first set of climbs! I almost pulled out at this point, but then I thought, "if I can last one lap in the small chain ring, I can last all 4". I have never pedalled so fast on a downhill to keep within the slipstream of the other riders! I knew if I wasn't close, they would drop me on the flats before the next hill. Anyway, it all worked out, and after an anxious first lap, I realised that my 'mechanical' was not going to stop me from finishing this stage! Lap two saw the super strong climbers (Lorian, Shara, Louise, Simone and Laura) absolutely gun it up the KOM climb. Not surprisingly, I was soon 'dropped' and in a bunch with Sally, Gillian and Trish, and some masters C men. We chased the front group a bit when we could see them on the flats, but by the time the road was twistier, we lost sight of them, and the group seemed to settle into more of a solid race pace (rather than a crazy chasing pace). I think the group mutually knew then that this would be the group we would all stay with for the last two laps... and yep, that's how it was. Solid finish with the second bunch. Very happy.

Road race Sunday morning - a cruisy 20km warm up, with not a cloud in sight... apart from some darkness on the horizon... just prior to our start time, the clouds unleashed some thunder, rain and lightening and must have dropped the temperature about 10 degrees! It meant that we had quite a soggy, windy, cold (and fairly slow) first 35km out to the turnaround point. After this it was also fairly straight forward back to the finish line... except when Lorian attacked at the only major climb of the day, and there was a bit of chaos and chopping of wheels and a group of riders came down. Most of the bunch managed to regroup after this incident though, and no-one was going to get away on the small rolling hills back to Tumbulgum. Another crash on the bridge just before town made the final sprint quite interesting, but again it was another solid bunch finish for me.

Criterium around Salt Monday morning - a very short one (20 mins plus two laps I think they gave us in the end)... but quite fun too. The corners made it interesting, but we did not have a big field (no masters C men with us this time) so there was never much of a chance for crashes since everyone was nicely strung out. The V australia girls attacked from the very start, but then it settled down a bit. I just wanted to finish this one without incident so I was "naughty" and just sat on the back the whole race!... I did have a last minute dig and attacked with 1.5 laps to go, but it was never going to be about me. There were only tenths of a second separating Louise and Shara going into the final race, and they were the ones that were going to have to 'sort it out'. In her first-ever bunch sprint win, Louise (Budget Forklifts) crossed the line first... to take home the criterium win, as well as the overall tour! I think her smile summed up the whole weekend... very enjoyable & very rewarding. Definitely back in 2010.

QSM Battle on the Border 2009

2009-06-09T08:21:00.000+10:00

Race report to come...
but in short, it was a fantastic, beautiful weekend at the Tweed Coast (just as clear as the photo above).
Winter in northern NSW is such a nice time of the year,
and the cycling was brilliant too.
My first step into the women's A grade ranks saw me place about midfield overall.
Very pleased with the whole set of races...
and it has also helped me to focus on some more tough training ahead!

RESULTS - Elite A Women
1 KERR Louise (Budget)
00:12:59.07/01:56:50.94/01:54:54.85/00:22:49.59/04:27:34.46
2 GILLOW Shara (Sunshine Coast)
00:12:54.01/01:56:58.23/01:54:51.85/00:22:56.59/04:27:40.69 +00:06.2
3 GRAHAM Lorian (V Aust/Ffast)
00:13:20.87/01:56:52.94/01:54:44.85/00:22:54.59/04:27:53.27 +00:18.8
4 GROUNDS Simone (Sugar/Balmoral)
00:13:33.16/01:56:44.26/01:54:54.85/00:22:59.59/04:28:11.87 +00:37.4
5 LUXFORD Laura (Lifecycle)
00:13:54.10/01:58:41.99/01:54:49.85/00:22:59.59/04:30:25.54 +02:51.0
6 ROBBINS Sally (Sunshine Coast)
00:12:58.00/02:00:41.37/01:54:54.85/00:22:59.59/04:31:33.82 +03:59.3
7 LANGER Natalie (Ffast/QSM)
00:14:27.06/02:01:15.85/01:54:54.85/00:23:09.51/04:33:47.28 +06:12.8
8 PALMER Patricia (V Aust/Ffast)
00:14:44.24/02:01:15.85/01:54:54.85/00:23:11.77/04:34:06.72 +06:32.2
9 MCMINN Gillian (Mackay)
00:13:53.62/02:05:01.24/01:54:54.85/00:23:02.23/04:36:51.95 +09:17.4
10 PAPAJCSIK Angeline (Sugar/Balmoral)
00:14:50.56/02:10:34.68/01:54:54.85/00:23:09.51/04:43:29.60 +15:55.1
11 ORLIC Nikolina (HPRW)
00:14:15.38/02:09:23.74/01:54:54.85/00:29:00.68/04:47:34.66 +20:00.1
12 EDWARDS Anouska (V Aust/Balmoral)
00:14:10.59/02:04:52.92/02:08:43.57/00:23:11.77/04:50:58.86 +23:24.3
13 KEAY Sonya (V Aust/Ffast)
00:15:24.48/02:26:59.20/01:54:54.85/00:28:41.80/05:06:00.34 +38:25.8
14 WRIGHT Kirsty (Goldstars)
00:15:18.03/02:24:25.79/01:59:24.95/00:29:15.91/05:08:24.69 +40:50.2

Belgian cobbles

2009-05-26T16:57:00.000+10:00

Inspired by Rhino's tales of Belgium, this is a quick post of some racing photos 'borrowed' from some random flickr photographers... (mainly from the 2009 Tour of Flanders).
The cobblestones just look amazing, and it would be great to one day make it over to Europe to see them "up-close-and-personal" (as a soigneur, not as a rider!!!).

Lots of local 'brisbanites' leave for overseas this week - and we wish them all the best!...
Kirsty Broun is heading off to the US and then to Europe for some racing; and some of the Budget Forklifts team (Michael, Jack and 2 others) are off to the land of cobbles as well.

Stay upright and enjoy yourselves!

Ipswich kermesse

2009-05-19T17:17:00.000+10:00

It might not be Belgium, and I don't think I saw any cobbles, but there were definitely some hills out past Ipswich!
What a cool race!... and my first "win" ever...
Emily Roper (U17) actually won it (and she rode so well all race) - but I can at least say I was the first B woman over the line. :)
Bring on some more hills!

It's about the climb

2009-05-02T17:12:00.000+10:00

It's not about how fast you get there,
it's not about what is waiting on the other side,
there is always going to be another mountain,
so take some time to realise it's actually all about the climb itself.

(adapted from that new Miley Cyrus song... I actually don't like the song but the lyrics are quite poignant!)

Tapping away

2009-04-27T07:31:00.000+10:00

Rain and Roubaix

2009-04-15T08:41:00.000+10:00

SE Qld had four days of reasonably solid rain over Easter, but fortunately we still got in some good quality training miles during the long weekend.

Friday saw us climb Mt Mee with the QSM/GD/Ord boys and girls, and 'rescue' some lost dogs and stray kittens!

Sunday's ride was an attempt at racing up at Eumundi, which instead became a cool roadtrip & brunch with our good friend Brett.

Luckily he reminded us that this was also the Paris-Roubaix weekend!!!...

Monday was another eventful ride; 120km of sogginess with some diesel thrown in to test our bike handling skills... but all in all, a great four days!

"If you want a rainbow you gotta put up with the rain." - Anonymous

Great racing, great company

2009-04-01T12:00:00.003+10:00

So our women's B team took on the Mooloolaba criterium on Saturday, and the Mt Cotton Kermesse on Sunday.

Fantastic time was had by all, with a particularly successful Sunday, when the team managed 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th place! (... as well as another first place for best cheer squad Corissa!)

Thanks to all the girls, you are terrific to train and race with!

Twenty four hours

2009-03-27T19:52:00.000+10:00

Think smooth flowing lines Matt... and have a superb 24 hour race this weekend in NZ!

We are all there with you in spirit. :)

Spoilt for choice

2009-03-17T17:26:00.000+10:00

Five races in 2 weeks… Murrarie, Crestmead, Lakeside, Murbah, Crestmead… there is such a huge variety of bike racing around SE Qld. And that’s just road… I haven’t even touched on the number of MTB events, Triathlon and Adventure races that start popping up at this time of the year.

They are invaluable in helping improve bike skills and gaining more experience.

Probably the highlights for me during the last 2 weeks were: (1) our team sprinter’s overall 4th place finish in the Crestmead series; and (2) my involvement in a 5 person breakaway at Murarrie! (Geez that hurt!)…

But then I also gained a lot from my DNF at Murbah last weekend too(a flat tyre from a thumbtack of all things!).

Sizzling races

2009-03-04T19:37:00.000+10:00

Well race #2 at Crestmead certainly lived up to its name on Sunday.

It was a sizzling hot day... and the pace of all the races was pretty damn hot too!
I really enjoyed this series last year, but I believe that this year Logan Cycling Club have really done an even more superb job in their organisation of the race and facilities.

Looking forward to an even tougher race this coming weekend!

Dog racing

2009-02-27T09:22:00.001+10:00

Not quite the Croc Trophy, but Matt is off on another MTB adventure this weekend!

He is racing at the Eneloop MTB carnival in Singapore.
http://www.singaporemtbcarnival.com/

Gary Fisher and Tinker Juarez will be there, and hopefully Matt will get the opportunity to meet both of these MTB legends.

I am sure he will have lots of stories to tell on his return. Have an excellent race Matt!

Enjoying the process

2009-02-25T13:35:00.000+10:00

I can be so impatient at times.
I always have goals, and look forward to that final end result. The finish line. The end.
In doing this I seem to miss a lot along the way. Recently I have been learning to enjoy the whole process. Taking each training ride as it comes. Taking each day as it comes.

Last week was a great example of how well it can work...
I enjoyed our team's last preparation before the race, rather than anxiously wishing it was over.
I let the tension and the pre-race nerves just flow this time... and they seemed a lot less when I didn't actively fight them.
My goal was to simply enjoy each lap of the race rather than waiting desperately for the end.

And it was great!... working with the other girls, watching and bringing back the attacks, building up a fast pace... and to top it all off our teammate Jane did a fantastic job at the end to win!

But honestly, the connection with my teammates during the race was really the highlight.

Have goals, and be focused, but don't keep looking too far ahead that you miss what is right beside you.

Adversity and triumph

2009-02-11T13:41:00.000+10:00

What a week of contrasts and extremes... of bad news and good news.
The Victorian fires, the Nth Qld floods.

Somehow the bad news outweighs the good news right now.
It seems weird on one hand to feel happy about some good racing results for people I know, at the same time as feeling sad and almost disbelieving that there are many people suffering and dying (or dead) in other parts of Australia.

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
- Confucius

Matt did so well in his 12 hour race on the weekend, along with Andrew Bell and Andrew Fellows.
It was a fun race.

Kirsty Broun has done amazingly well again and managed a 3rd place in the Women's Tour of Qatar.

Yet thousands of people are homeless in Victoria and Northern Qld from some of the worst natural disasters.
All we can do from a distance is offer our support... with thoughts and/or prayers, and by even the smallest of donations; and hope that together they can prevail through this very tough time.

Endurance and intensity

2009-01-25T12:25:00.001+10:00

Not much blogging lately...
just too busy working and riding!
I am slowly finding all my 'lost' intensity and endurance again, and putting in as much effort as I can to be consistent with the training.
It must be 6 or 8 weeks of 'better' training now, and I am finally starting to feel like I am getting somewhere. Racing every week, getting out on the bike almost every day, and doing those darn hill repeats every week was difficult to start with because I knew how much slower I had become. Now I (almost) don't even think about it. I just concentrate on pedalling. Yep the hills hurt and the intensity hurts, but that's the point. Becoming 'comfortable' with the hurt. Plus hurt = improvements. Races are always going to hurt... so I better keep practising!

Summer racing

2008-12-14T16:01:00.000+10:00

December again, how quick did that happen?
No more road races for a few months, but there are many criteriums to choose from. A little bit of pain and a lot of fun, all over in less than an hour.
Yesterday (Saturday) was the last race at Murrarie for the year.

It was a great way to spend the morning.
Di, Michelle, Corissa, Jane and myself had a vague 'plan' to ride as a team for this particular race.
This is hardly ever possible in many other races since we are usually with the guys.

So the race involved chasing down plenty of breakaways, which kept the pace reasonably high, while trying to rest at least one of us for the final sprint.
It wasn't anything spectacular, and it certainly didn't contain the caliber of riders in the Australian Criterium champs, but it was a super race nonetheless. Each of us had an excellent time working together, and all five of us were very pleased to come up with second and fifth place at the end!

PS. C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s to local Qld rider Kirsty Broun for winning today at the Cronulla criterium, and succesfully defending her Australian title against some other top Australian female cyclists. How cool is that!

Lighter than air

2008-12-11T18:36:00.000+10:00

This post has to start with a huge THANKS to Fusion Cycles (Matt Easton and Adrian Booth) for helping me get hold of one of these bikes.
Owning a light, fast, carbon hardtail MTB has been a goal for a while now, but I just didn't think I was 'good enough' to get such a sleek racing bike. After a lot of internal dialogue, I finally bought one with the help of Fusion Cycles.
I took it for its first ride at Gap Creek on Wednesday (in between an early morning road ride and racing a criterium in the afternoon!)...
Lucky I had the day off to spend so much time on the bikes!

The Scale 30 is amazing. (I had the 30 model upgraded with XT brake levers and shifters, so it is more similar to the Scale 20 now.)
I have never felt the need to write a bike review, but I just have to put it in writing, that this bike makes you really feel like you are floating across the ground.
Singletrack riding and any sort of climbing are almost effortless with this bike! Maybe this is partly because I was used to my heavier dual-suspension MTB, but this new bike makes mountain biking a real pleasure. I always enjoyed riding trails before, but the Scale has now made it just awesome.

Croc 2008... wow

2008-11-16T20:14:00.000+10:00

I cannot put into words how amazing my 2 weeks in North Qld was. It was a hectic, challenging and rewarding 10 days of racing for Matt, and a stressfully great time of 4WD driving and handing out bidons for me!...

From the first briefing day in Cairns, I was suddenly thrown into becoming the support person, for not one, but TWO riders... my partner Matt, and previous World 24hr Solo champ Craig Gordon!!! (NO pressure!)...
It would honestly take pages and pages to truly capture how awesome each day was.
I learnt a lot about racing; I learnt a lot about people. I learnt a lot of things that I know I can now apply to my own racing.

It was also great to see lots of people triumph against their own induvidual adversities (and there were lots of them).
I was in awe of how hard the riders pushed themselves day after day after day.

As expected, the outback was amazing... and what a contrast!... from the 45 degree dry heat and dust of Chillagoe and Laura, to the beautiful wet rainforests of Cooktown and Cape Trib. One of my favorite stages was most certainly stage 8 = Laura to Cooktown, 142kms. It included an extreme of riding conditions - including dust, sand, headwinds, tar, roadtrains, and smoke from bushfires - and to top it off, the riders finished at the top of a super steep ascent (30 percent gradient - or maybe more) at a lighthouse, with the most spectacular views of the ocean.
I was most proud of my partner Matt on that day... he was still smiling and enjoying himself as he carried his bike up the last of the 30 or so final steps up to the lighthouse.

It was also great to meet lots of new friends on the trip. Funny how in some of the situations that you meet people in, even if you never meet them again, they will always be good friends.

Now I also understand why John Flynn agrees to be the media person for this race every year without fail!... it is just a fantastic experience. I would be part of it again without question.

Croc Countdown

2008-10-16T09:45:00.000+10:00

Less than a week to go and I will be in a four wheel drive, just like in the above photo.
What an amazing experience it will be.
Mareeba to Cape Tribulation... the long way.
The riders will each cover around 1300 kilometers in 9 days. I will be happy to do it in the airconditioned comfort of a support vehicle!...

I am so excited to get the chance to see the race 'up close' this year... it is almost like getting a chance to be in a support car at Paris-Roubaix. Reading the race reports from John Flynn last year gave me goosebumps. I can only begin to imagine what it will be like to actually be on the sidelines of this tough outback race. The scenery, of course, will be spectacular. But I am also very keen to see how each of the riders deal with the race in their own way.

Each of the competitors will be facing their own tough personal challenges. Regardless of whether they are a previous TDF stage winner, or a previous winner of the world solo MTB champs, or just out there for the experience of completing the Croc, every rider will be confronting some of their fears, and finding their own induvidual ways to stay motivated and encouraged to continue.

It will be an awe-inspiring 9 days.

Heating up

2008-10-03T11:31:00.000+10:00

This weekend it's time for the 8 hour Enduro MTB race.
Not even summer yet, it is predicted to be 32 C on race day... the challenge will be not only to stay smooth and comfortable on the bike for all 8 hours, but to stay well hydrated and cool.
The conditions will be a huge contrast to the 24 hour Insomnia MTB race that my partner & I did in 2007. It was the middle of winter, with freezing cold rain and so much mud!

The Enduro will also be the last racing hit-out for my partner before he lines up at the start of the 2008 Crocodile Trophy on October 21st. There is no doubt that this race will be tough. However, he has done so much training towards this event that I am sure he will achieve all of his personal goals for the race.

Stay positive

2008-09-17T11:48:00.000+10:00

Quote from Georgia Gould (Luna womens mtb team) -
"Stay positive even when bad things happen. Some of the races I'm most proud of are not races I've won, but races where I didn't give up when faced with a big challenge."
... probably something I need to remember not only for my cycling, but for my whole life.
I have some new challenges coming up right now in my life, including a new job, and I also want to refocus on my cycling. Being sick for over a month with the flu made my goals all 'fuzzy'... in fact I almost gave up on everything... but my vision is getting clearer again now. My partner helped me understand that I just need to get back on the bike again more, and realise that every day can be a success and be something that I can be proud of, if I have the right attitude.

Back to building up confidence again

2008-07-21T11:51:00.000+10:00

So much stuff has happened since May. Yesterday was the first time I competed in a road race since the crash at the Avanti Classic.
It was a tough race, but I made it so much harder by worrying too much. I let my fear weigh me down.
Overall the race was good, and I stayed with the bunch, but I didn't drink for over 60km (due to being too nervous), and payed for it with muscle cramps at the end.

"Whatever you hold in your mind will tend to occur in your life. If you continue to believe as you have always believed, you will continue to act as you have always acted and you will continue to get what you have always gotten. If you want different results in your life, all you have to do is change your mind."

Today I think I realised that I need to work on regaining self confidence and handling my fear.
Fear turns into doubt and then correspondingly my lack of confidence increases.

It's something I know I have to work on. I put so much time and effort into my training, that I need to trust myself more when I race.

We'll see what happens in the next few months.

Time to remember

2008-06-25T19:22:00.000+10:00

Brigitte ('Mutti') was a fantastic mother to her two children, and my best friend.
She did so much for so many people, and she will never be forgotten. Brigitte lived her life to the fullest. She was still working full-time at age 65, and was due to complete her next half marathon (21km) in early July 2008.
I am sure she will still continue to help people from up in heaven. She was that kind of person. :)

Plans change

2008-05-28T15:48:00.000+10:00

Well how quickly things can change...
only days ago I was looking forward to my upcoming races, and now they are suddenly all cancelled.
No Sunshine Coast Tour for me now until 2009.
To think this was one of my 'main goals' for 2008... all gone in the blink of an eye. The Avanti Classic started well - fantastic weather, great turn-out of riders and spectators, but then some chopping of wheels occurred about 20km into the race and it was all over... two bikes and two riders lying in the middle of the road. I guess I am lucky - the girl behind me (Lisa) broke her collarbone, whereas I 'only' tore a huge hole in the side of my knee. Either way, both of us will not be racing (or training) for some time. I have had to find some positive things from this crash, although they are hard to see at the moment. And I have already redesigned my race calendar for the year in my head... there are still some great races to come in Aug and Sep. I can't wait to get back on the bike, but right now I just need to have some patience while my knee heals up.

Racing, racing, racing

2008-05-24T13:29:00.000+10:00

June 2008... this is when it gets exciting... Murwillumbah was just a short 'preview'.

Training intensity has increased since the start of the month, and I am now training with some of the NTID/hummingbird girls. It is all helping to get me closer to being a real 'A grade' rider (I might even make it by the end of the year!).

There are three solid weeks of road racing ahead...
Avanti Classic - tomorrow
Metro C'ships - next weekend
Sunshine Coast Tour - the following weekend.
As Anthony would say, 'time to mix it with the big girls'. :)

Race completed

2008-05-05T19:39:00.000+10:00

With a DNF after only two laps in the Elite W Race on Saturday, it was apparent to me that I was a little 'out of my league'... a DNS would have been easy to do on Sunday. For whatever reason, I was actually happier and more relaxed to line up at the start line again on Sunday morning for a bit more 'punishment'. Sunday was the combined Elite W and U19 W Race, and it was going to be a tough one with some 'big hitters' there (including Kirsty Broun - Australian 2007 Criterium Champion and winner of yesterday's race; and Megan Dunn - winner of the 2008 Jayco Bay Classic). As expected, it was tough! Those girls can climb!!!

On the long climb out to Mooball, a group of 8 of us were 'dropped' but then some hard work by all managed to get us quickly back to the main peloton right at the turn around point. Being back within the main group gave us a nice short 'rest' but then the climb back out tested everyone. I was conscious of the fact I needed to be up in the first half of the group during the climbs so as not to lose contact by the top, but it just didn't work. My climbing is just not as fast and strong as it needs to be to keep up... so I was out of touch of the main group again by the last 1/3 of the long climb. A dropped chain after the crest of the climb made sure I well and truly out of 'reach', but I still chased as hard as I could! Just before Stokers Siding I managed to catch up with Sarah from TIS, and we worked strongly together for the remainder of the race (about 35km's or so). Despite not finishing with the main bunch, it was a great race to be part of, and it was fantastic to complete it!

One week to go

2008-04-25T16:48:00.000+10:00

Murwillumbah races...
only one week to go.

These photos are from our 'scouting' ride of the course over the Easter weekend.

Lots of training has been done in preparation for this; and a little more work is yet to be done.
I think I am ready... I hope I am ready.
Next weekend I will know.

Unexpected illness

2008-04-08T16:43:00.000+10:00

So I wasn't intending on using this blog to record any 'setbacks' but I just can't help reporting this one!...
Only 4 weeks out from the Murwillumbah race (and only 2 weeks out from Matt's 24 hour solo mtb race), we were inflicted with the most horrible gastroenteritis virus, and both ended up in hospital and on IV fluids. I have never been so dehydrated! I guess it was 'lucky' it happened to us on separate days, since each could drive the other to hospital while the other was vomiting (and on the verge of 'dying') in the passenger seat of the car.
I think both of us are finally recovering from it now; but it meant time OFF the bikes!... something that I am not sure we can 'afford' to do right now, so close to our races.
Oh well, that's life I guess.
All I can say is that I am so looking forward to doing some longer rides again this week... I have missed my bike!

Admiration

2008-03-26T15:19:00.000+10:00

Another blog entry not really about me... but about who I admire.

Lorian Graham comes to mind (see above). She is a 'local' cyclist from Qld who went through a lot of challenges after being badly injured in the AIS/Amy Gillett car incident. She has recently turned professional and won the QOM in the recent Tour of New Zealand.

Emma Pooley (see photo below) is another female cyclist to admire.
She just won the 'Trofeo Alfredo Binda - Comune di Cittiglio' race (part of the 2008 UCI world cup series) with a solo breakaway about 40kms from the finish!
She is also the 2007 winner of the Amy Gillett award (established to commemorate Amy).

From Emma after the race (C/o cyclingnews.com): "It was impulsive, I would say. I knew it was a bit early to attack, but I was in the right place and I thought I would have a go. I thought some people would come with me – maybe two or three others – it looked like an attack was going to go. But I was on my own so I thought I would keep riding. When it came to the last small lap and I still had a couple of minutes I was happy that I could keep going."

When Emma received the 2007 Amy Gillett award she said: "It put things back into perspective: where I finish in a race is really pretty trivial when I consider I'm lucky just to be able to get up every day and enjoy riding my bike at all.
Competing fairly and giving everything you can in a race is more satisfying on a personal level than winning."

Cycling

2008-02-29T15:40:00.000+10:00

"When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking."
- Sherlock Holmes

The letter "V"

2008-02-18T07:22:00.000+10:00

so VIE was supposed to mean 'life' in French...
but this week it represented lots of other things! -
V for Voltaren (I took a lot last week after that nasty crash at Lakeside)
V for Victor Broncos (one of the best clubs around; their camaraderie is great)
V for Velo (the best bike shop around... esp when it comes to helping their customers out)
V for victory (Matt won his C grade race at Oakey this week, and despite not many women turning up, I still finished first in my race too!)

Climbing

2008-01-28T17:20:00.000+10:00

Lots and lots of climbing was the plan for this weekend.
Luckily for me(?), I got to watch most of it.
Matt tried his hardest this weekend in the first Inferno race for the year... it was a tough, technical, mostly singletrack MTB race of 87kms and over 2000m of climbing. He did well and came third!... something that I am very much in awe of considering even one lap of that course could have killed me. :)
Rhino looked so fast and smooth as usual on his Scott bike and came a well-deserved first place.
Then my climbing started today (Monday) in the 'traditional' Australia Day ride up to Mt Nebo. It was lovely weather, with a beautiful clear sky, so lots of riders (road, mtb and motorbikes) turned up. With all the good company around us (from Victor Broncos, Yellow Jersey and HPRW), we climbed faster than usual (by over ten minutes!) and then had an 'easy' ride home back down the mountain (with lots more hills in between).

Sunshine

2008-01-08T17:56:00.000+10:00

Well we needed it. SE Qld needed it.
The rain. A whole darn week of it.
It was a great week; just not so good for cyclists. Apparently a lot of bike shops sold a lot of wind trainers last week!
Then the sun came out.
Sunday morning we were greeted to sunshine, and it was beautiful.
Matt and I did a ‘relaxing’ recovery ride (a classic ‘Redcliffe loop’) of about 60kms. I have not seen Brisbane looking so green in such a long time.

A lady bug decided to travel with us for part of the way along the Sandgate foreshore. Don’t know how she managed to hop onto my helmet and hang on for about 5kms (at over 30kph!), but she did. It made us smile, and I took it as a ‘good luck’ sign for the day.
I was nervous on Sunday morning…
I was racing Sunday afternoon.

Racing is fun. But racing can also make me quite anxious. Especially this race.
It was due to be my first ‘attempt’ at women’s A/B grade in the last ten weeks. The last three times I tried to race in this grade last year, I was dropped before the end of the race. I remember my legs burning while watching all the girls powerfully surge away from me. How frustrating.
I relieved my frustration by training harder, and training smarter in the last ten weeks. Ten weeks ago I started with my coach, Anthony. It has been great.

The Daniel Bennett Memorial Race was a fantastic day. Lots of people turned up to support it; and everyone seemed to get something ‘good’ out of the day. Even Cameron Hughes (Grafton-Inverell 2007 winner) turned up in support of it; as did Commonwealth Gold medalist Matthew Hayman. It rained during my race, but it didn’t matter. What mattered to me was that I finished with the bunch. Finally I finished with the other girls.
I still have so far to go, but it is nice to see that the training is ‘working’. I am getting closer to where I want to get with my cycling. It makes me smile. It makes me smile just like the sunshine did on Sunday morning.