Pink and Silver

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

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

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

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

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

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...

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!