Quick update

Well it has been a little while since my last post so thought it may be time for a quick update. Since my last discussion things have been humming along pretty well. The Christmas/New year time threw up its usual challenges but all in all it was a nice time.

From a cycling perspective i took the plunge and joined Port Adelaide Cycling Club (PACC). They were my club of choice as they appear to be the most supportive for newer, older, riders. Not that i am old at 32 but mean that their sole focus is not just on the juniors. Although i don't fit in (yet) with their major events of Cyclo cross and track i have joined up for 2 rides with their Cyclo-Sportif "Men of Steel" team. These events held by cycling sa see teams "compete" over a set course for 2, 3 or 4 laps. The first one i did held at The Range in the southern hills of Adelaide was brilliant and i felt so strong throughout the 3 laps. At one point i was physically pushing a team mate up the hill which was a really rewarding experience knowing that i was capable of doing it. Although the route was undulating i didnt move out of the "big ring" for the whole time. We placed 6th out of 16 teams with an average of 31kph

Yes i am the only clown in leg warmers! 

Eyes forward would be advisable

The 2nd round just this past weekend was held on a semi hotdog course at Aldinga on a balmy 32degree day in Adelaide. A fast course with one small climb (not even 100m long) we finished 8th out of 18 teams only due to the fact that one of out team mates copped a puncture on our 2nd of 3 laps. We averaged 35.5kph and all performed really well. I was really pleased with my own ride being able to sit on the front of our pack for extended periods was pleasing. My friends from the Red Deer Racing team managed to come first which was awesome for them (although i am a little jealous!)  =)

I am really looking forward to competing in the final 4 events of this series and improving my team riding skills along the way. This will be good preparation, i think, for the winter road racing season coming soon.

During the last month i managed to tick another box in my things to do list which was to make an appearance at the famed "La Musette Thursday Night Riders" training ride. Headed by the infamous Steve "AVO" Morris we "warmed up" along the 3-4km route from La Musette Cafe at Glenelg to the bridge over the Pat river then it was on like Donkey Kong! We started out with 10 riders i think and by the time we hit Semaphore (about 10-15kms away) we were down to 5. Doing pace line rotations every one KM i was hanging on for dear life averaging approximately 40kph on the way out. I finally bonked about 1km from the Outer Harbor round-a-bout (the turnaround point) so i swung off early and waited for them to catch me. When they did i jumped back on the line and rotated the way back. I was surprised that i managed to stick with them and dropped some stronger riders, a nice ego boost. I have been promising AVO for 2 months that i would get out to this ride and unfortunately circumstances meant i couldnt make it until now. I hope to make this a regular ride as i can most certainly see the benefits for my fitness and also they are just a bloody good group of guys.

By far my biggest achievement to date was completing the Cervo Rosso Red Deer Grand Brevet during the 2013 Tour Down Under. Organised by head Deer AVO for 5 days there was a 100km route mapped out starting from Victoria Square to the end of each pro stage. What a bloody great time! It turned out to be a Tour De Bakery of Adelaide but it was so much fun. I completed 4 of the 5 days as the last day was my annual "take the kids to the willunga stage" day. I met some great people and rode some new areas and conquered some viscous hills. Each day i rode an average of 130kms with the longest day being 141kms. By achieving the required 350kms i won a new Cervo Rosso jersey and t-shirt but that was just a bi-product of a personal challenge which reaped some greater rewards. Bring on the 2014 event.  

Looking and feeling Pro!

Some quick respite from the heat

Awesome Group of guys and girls

Then there is Strava! the competitive tool for cyclists and the ongoing frustration in my life! =-) one day on a commute to work last week I targeted on climb, one stretch of road, to absolutely bust a lung to try and get the King of The Mountain (KOM) and i did it! I improved my PB by over 20 seconds and claimed the KOM by 5 seconds! I remember posting on my strava profile "i will be surprised if it lasts a week" well what shocked me is that it was beaten THAT DAY! i went from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows in a matter of 5 hours. I was devastated! How could someone go out of their way to do that to me! Gees i took it personally (sorry to my wife who had to listen to my inane ramblings for the rest of the night). After I managed to calm down and was heartened by the groundswell of support among my cycling peers I stepped back and had a look at it in a semi rational state.

1. I was beaten by a far stronger rider
2. I improved my personal best by a huge amount
3. Why don't I just use this as more motivation to get better!?

I have come to terms with it now and am feeling stronger and more confident with each ride and the praise I have been getting from the people i ride with means more to me than and KOM ever could.

Mentally i have been doing well lately and have found myself much calmer and at peace which is a good thing! that isn't to say that i haven't lost the plot once or twice but my wife has been amazing and is certainly keeping me on track. I had an interesting moment yesterday though when i came across wedding photos of a good friend of mine who i went to high school with. In the bridal party were 3 of the other guys that were in my core group through high school and it made me feel a little strange actually. I couldn't put my finger on it but i guess it just reminds me that to hold on to friends in particular you need to work at it to keep those bonds strong. Don't get me wrong i wouldn't change anything that i have now for the world but it is strange when things come up that make you go "hmm".

So whats next? Well i have a busy March coming up with the Clipsal 500 v8 supercar race this week, im off to Sydney for business later in the month and we have an awesome family easter planned at Pt Elliot so lots to look forward to

Cycling wise i am looking forward to the remaining cyclo-sportif rounds. I am also completing the Time Crunched Training Cyclist program which should be fun. On the 24th of March is the annual Whitmore Square criterium race which i have targeted and really need to start some serious training for! I am looking to complete a range of training rides with the Night Riders, SSRC and solo rides over the next few months (until winter and Magpie season start to play havok!)

Lots of fun things coming up personally, professionally and cyclisty =) so it should keep me out of trouble....for a while anyway =-)

Till next time....