The Closing of 2009 and 2010 Begins

2009 presented very little racing for me - a couple of local races and 2 x 24 hour races.

The Australian Solo 24 Hour MTB Championships was the race where it all came together. After competing in 3 previous 24's, this was the race where my support crew got it right; I got my nutrition and hydration right (other than a couple of self-exploding bananas on the first couple of feeds); the bikes ran perfect; my support crew got poll position; it poored for 2 hours but I didn't want to stop - I only wanted to rain to stop; I had a strong finish in the last 5 hours, picking up another position; I finished the event with nothing left in the tank. And all this was done with very little training in the legs and going into the event feeling fatigued. I finished in 4th. I also finished in First Aid and on oxygen. And one toenail less.

The Scott 24 Hour Australian MTB Championships was 6 months later. 6 months of no riding. 3 weeks before this event I wasn't competing in it. 2 weeks before the event I decided that this event had only 2 purposes:

1. Qualify for the 2010 World Championships
2. Work on my weaknesses

With a lot of teamwork with my support crew and hard work on my part, both of these were achieved.

So what does 2010 bring for me? Hopefully no fires!! But more importantly more of a focus on this year's racing goals.

• March 2010 Scody High Country Cycling Challenge (Mansfield) - 2 stage road event of 185km & 125km
• June 2010 Mawson Marathon (South Australia) - 350km mountain bike event
• October 2010 World Solo 24 Hour MTB Championships (Canberra)
• November 2010 Sydney Fat Tyre Festival 8 Hour (Ourimbah)
• Other MTB events that come up throughout the year & local MTB racing

I look forward to reporting on my progress towards the Worlds. At present I'm doing approximiately 2 hours a day on the bike, with strengthening gym sessions with the assistance of Coffs Coast Health Club.

See you out on the trails, and hope everyone has an enjoyable 2010!