The Adventures of Juzzy

Triggered by the decision that I no longer need a big car with just 1 person, 2 dogs and (generally) 2 bikes at any one time, I decided to downsize to a sporty Impreza.  Those friends that have known me since my teens know very well how much I like and know my cars, and I get exactly what I'm after.  Though this affliction always makes me happy with my purchase, it also means I often have to wait for a while to get what I'm after, and/or travel a fair distance to get it.  So my adventure began...

The original plan was to drive to Adelaide to look at the car, sleep in the car overnight on the side of the road, then drive back.  If I purchased the car, I fly over the next weekend (missing out on a race) and drive it back.  A later thought was to take a gamble that I would purchase the car, fly over early Saturday morning, then if I bought it I would drive back to Melbourne the same day.  If I didn't buy it, I would simply book a return flight later in the day and fill the time in wondering round Adelaide.

I realised how tired I was when I got on the plane and was asleep before the plane even travelled forward - I fell asleep before or during the reversing of the plane before taxiing to the runway.  1.5hrs sleep later I woke up as we were descending into Adelaide.

The taxi ride was...interesting.  The driver was about 76 in the shade, and didn't know the street I was to go to, so he asked me to navigate using the Melways/UBD to get us there!!!  Very amusing and you could only expect that in Adelaide, but at least I wasn't getting ripped off by him driving all over the city in the wrong direction.  It was actually comforting.  

The car was in great condition and worth the trip.  The guy was a roady so we talked bikes and cars.  Finance and paperwork all sorted, I stocked up with food for the trip back.  I considered driving to Willunga Hill to have a brief look at the Tour Down Under, but it was 45 mins out of my way - ultimately adding at least 2 - 3 hrs onto my trip.  I knew my mate Macca (who I've known for 15 years from Panther Cycles) was in Adelaide for The Tour and decided that if he was at Willunga then I would make the trip.  I rang him and he was only 5 mins from where I was !!!  A walk and talk up the road to check out a bike shop, and an hour later I was back in my new green machine ready for the 800km drive to Melbourne.  

Macca & myself at bike shop taking me back to my Penrith westie days - a flanny jersey

The drive was awesome - time to think, sing to myself, enjoy my new car, work out how many kms to a tank of fuel, see lots of mallee vegetation and lots of sky.  Thinking on and off how my dad would have been proud of me for confidently making my own plans and following through.  It was him that began my interest in cars - under the bonnet with him holding the light while he worked on the family car, taking the boys and myself to the drags out at Castlereagh - imbedding in me a desire to be a confident, independent female when it came to cars, which is so much a male-dominated interest.  So of course I knew he was with me the whole trip.  

It ended up taking me 9 hrs with breaks, and I was getting 650km from a 45 Litre tank - not bad for a 10 year old car.  (That last bit of trivia took up so much of my time playing with figures and comparisons that I thought it important to include!!)

After lots of sleep on Saturday night, I had an enjoyable and very much fun mtb at Lysterfield with Kylie and Dave.  Kylie came up with the quote of the day when Dave fell off his bike while standing upright and did a commando roll...'And he didn't even stop talking during it...'  Very very funny couple of hours.  Wonderful Dave then offered to drive me to the airport to pick up the Outback after yesterday's flight - or should I say 'his' Outback.  Such wonderful friends and great fun to be around.  

Mt Buller National Round - some photos and some thoughts

What a weekend...the highs, the lows, the hurts, the smiles, the friends, and the people that are now friends.

None of the people at Mt Buller that I interacted with knew any of the difficulties I was facing that weekend, so I was surprised to experience friendliness in its purist form.  My return to racing after 2 years away was hard - the stresses associated with racing, the pressure on myself, the preparation, the lack of training.  Not to mention the personal turmoil of the past year.  But I woke up Monday morning and realised I wouldn't change a thing.  I had to do it all at some point, and I'm stronger for it.  

During the weekend I found things - treasures you might say - some that were there all along, part of me but hidden, others that are new to me.  And it all came about thanks to my riding - that in itself is a treasure that my brother shared with me 20 years ago, and we're still sharing together.  

It was hard trying to concentrate at work today.  Work was just so boring and hard work compared to my fun weekend.  I was seeing things differently whilst driving to work, and it wasn't just the dense smoke in the air from the Gippy fires !!!  

Some photos of me racing below - I'm tracking down the high resolution ones and will post them soon (thanks to Russ Baker).  I'm loving the pink Panther Cycles jersey - it stands out so well in the bush !!

XCP climb up Corn Hill (ignore the bruise on my leg from practice lap) - certainly hurting but still looking good (& happy for the young gun behind to pass me)

XCO - starting the climb

XCO - starting the climb - I didn't so much have a smile by the top!!!

Mt Buller Day 4 - Point to Point

Today's race thought: 'I may not be with you in person, but I am always there' - a message from my dad that came to me last night.

The Point to Point was shortened for Masters Women to a 20km loop out to Howqua Gap and back via the steepest, rockiest singletrack that they could find.  

The race start was very casual - Sharon, Flip and myself in 3 separate categories having a chat and laugh on the start line.  Funny how each of us were set to win our own races - all we had to do was finish.  Halfway up the road climb we'd already sorted out the order in which we would enter the singletrack descent so as to not hold each other up and risk not enjoying the descent to its fullest !!!  

The climb from Howqua Gap was hideous for me - 25 mins of non-stop hard climbing...steep, rocky, transverse tree roots and never ending.  But that's when my thought for the day came in handy.  Dad has been dead for over 30 years, but he was with me today.  Dad loved the outdoors and nature, and he would be proud of me racing well and loving doing it.  

The climb finally came to an end, and I was happy that I had mastered all but one of the tight switchback climbs.  The descent was welcomed, though it was very rocky and difficult to see through corners due to the regrowth from the base of the Snowgums after they were burnt in 2007.  I nailed the final descent from Corn Hill, only to have Chris from work (who was marshalling) tell me that I had to do the XC climb back to Mt Buller Village.  Damn...Chris is so being demoted when I get back to work tomorrow....

I finished in 1hr 30min - placed 1st in Masters Women (Jenny was a DNS due to stitches from a fall in the XCO).

Master Women National Series Leader - got a new jersey out of it !!

Back in my room - dirty faced but still recognisable, unlike some of the Elite Men

Thanks to Panther Cycles for getting Luke Brame (U17) and myself on awesome Cannondales and kitted out

Mt Buller Day 2 and 3 - XCE and XCO

The Eliminator event went as planned.  Except for the spewing up after my Time Trail.  But I rode hard and qualified, then rode out the heat I was in against Kathryn O'Shea, Lindsay Gorrell and Melissa Anset.  I had no interest in even trying hard against these girls, and I really don't enjoy Eliminator events.  

My aim for the Cross Country event was to get on the start line and finish the event.  The morning started as most race mornings of many years have started...I don't want to race...I can't do this...and a new one, I will just pack up and drive home and not race.  So what got me to the start line?  Something my mum gave me when I dropped the dogs off a couple of days ago.  It said: 'Even in darkness, light dawns for the upright.'  So I wrote this on my arm to get me to the start line and through the race.  You have no idea how relevant it was.

Warming up, I was laughing while looking out at the smoke-filled valleys south of Mt Buller.  Yesterday I'd had a phone call from a DSE friend who'd just finished a 24 hour shift as IMT Ops Officer - he needed a friend to talk to where he could offload the past 24 hours of stress, then get a good laugh with me talking about crap that really means nothing.  This put us both in a great mood - me to go and race, him to go and sleep before the next night shift.  So as I was warming up, I was chuckling - the smoke offering a very tangible reminder of the silly laughs from the day before.  What a great way to prepare for a race.  

I got a good start - I think my very first good race start EVER.  I happily announced this to the crowd standing by - I was so proud of myself.  Philippa and I had a good run through the singletrack descent together - Flip flowing beautifully and I was happy to follow.  The climb separated the two of us, with Flip riding away from me.  I struggled with the climbs each lap and enjoyed the descents.  And when I was struggling I would say 'Even in darkness light dawns for the upright'.  This also started to come out while descending - a bit of a dual meaning there, being that I was hoping to stay upright on the bike for the descents, being that so much was at stake if I came off....narrow singletrack with a steep drop on one side that was fast and rocky.  

In the end I finished 1st Women Masters, didn't come off the bike, and only had to walk the final pinch of the big climb on the final lap.  Bike is clean, I'm feeling surprisingly good, and kind of looking forward to tomorrow's 25km enduro.

Series Leaders plate (they gave me the wrong class, but will fix that tomorrow)

Em Parkes (Torq Nutrition) and myself - together again on bikes

Mt Buller Day 1

I headed out for a practice lap Thursday morning.  I got 3min 45sec into my lap and sliced my front tyre, rolled the tyre off the rim and came off.  A 15min walk back to the lodge to change bikes, then had another hit out.  

The XCO course is awesome, but it will certainly claim some riders.  I'm pretty sure I'll be one of them.  Flowy, rocky, fast, dry and powdery, then a horrible long steep climb that is rocky and powdery.  Not sure how many laps I'm doing, but hoping only 3 - I may just have 3 laps in my legs, but not much more for that amount of hard climbing.  

This morning, Friday, is relax, maybe do a lap of the XCO, then practice lap of the Eliminator Course, then I race the Eliminator at 3pm.  My aim?  Get eliminated early to save my legs for Saturday and Sunday.  

Thursday night was topped off with sunset just below the Mt Buller Summit.  The alpine environment is one of my favourite - and this weekend it is my refuge.

I sat on a patch of Poa sp. in alpine grasslands 

Billy Buttons at sunset

My Journey

My journey began over 6 months ago - it's just that I couldn't really enjoy the ride to start with.  

Now I've hit big chain ring and am way down the cluster, and I'm embracing every bump, boulder, climb, drop-off and switch-back.  I'm choosing the 'A-line' (the hard way) rather than the chicken shoot/'B-line' (easy way), and cutting my own trails.  I'm feeling strong enough in my head and heart to deal with aspects and happenings of the past, so that I can make my future and enjoy it.  I know there are a lot of riding analogy, but if you're reading this blog then you'll know how much bikes area a part of my life.

My journey this week alone has been a ride and a half.  Well, technically not a lot of riding as such, but the emotional journey has been huge, with my outlet being actual riding.

I saw a very good friend of mine after many years.  It was great to see him looking so well and healthy in mind and body.  It will be some time before I see him again, but that doesn't stop us sharing our daily lives through letters.  And as he so cleverly put it, I have a 'captive audience' whilst he is reading my letters !!!  Very clever.

I spent some more quality time with my mum.  She really is amazing.  And especially amazing as she is looking after my dogs for 5 weeks so I can do 2 races and be at uni for 2 weeks.

I finally went though my chest of draws that was still at mum's place.  I had never made time for this job, and until now I didn't realise that I wasn't ever ready to go through it either.  Old stuff, photos, letters, special jewellery, stuffed toys, handbags (yes, I used to own handbags when I was a girl and worked in an respectable bank job!!).  A very emotional couple of hours while I shared some notes that I had written 20 or so years ago. I chose the hard road tacking that chest of draws, but I feel better and stronger for it.

Amongst all the hard stuff was some joy in picking up my new Cannondale Scalpel and making modifications to my 100mm Scalpel.  Between Gav and myself we spent a day getting both bikes set up perfectly.  Can't wait to take it for a spin tomorrow on the trails of Mt Buller.

And that brings me to my 'fun' 4 days of race prep and racing.  More to follow once I do a practice lap tomorrow, but in the mean time the photo tells my Mt Buller story - Outback, Scalpels, and Snowgums.  Life is good.  Only thing missing is the babies, and missing them I certainly am.  The 9 hour drive was very lonely without the babies in the back seat.

And here I was thinking there were fires in NSW...

But my first ride back in the Blue Mountains and it bucketed down !!!

Gav and I headed out for a Marge's and Elizabeth's Lookout mtb ride, just like old times.  I guess you could say, back to where it all began.  We were chatting and sharing stories, while we shared the trails.  Gav handled a 'controlled' slide very well, possibly with a bit more arse than class, but still made it look good and stayed upright.  It was great to be out and about on old and new trails, comparing sections of old trail and whether it had held together or changed much over the past 20 years.  It was awesome.  

Not far into the trails and it started to rain - we were actually thankful for the cool feel of the rain.  But then it just got heavier.  Gav took a new easy line on an old descent - I took the old line that has had some modifications in recent times.  But in the wet I just didn't have it together and fell off, laughing hard.  It's not the first time that section has gotten the better of me, but it was so much fun being back there.

Gav and I went our separate ways after the descent and we each rode home in the pooring rain.  But what a great hour of riding, on trails that are the basis of my mountain biking and my skills.  There are many a sandstone rock on those trails that took skin and left bruises - but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Returned drenched and grotty

The dogs found their spots at mum's place

Early 2013 Racing Plans

I may not have any fitness, I may not have any strength, but I'm planning out the first half of 2013 racing.  I need to start somewhere after not racing for so long - it's too easy to tell myself I'm not fit enough to race.  The hard thing is actually getting to a race and getting on the start line.  So I'm prepared to enter races, turn up knowing that I'm going to come last, start the race knowing it's going to hurt the entire time and wanting to pull out half-way through, but finish each race fully fatigued and happy to celebrate my achievements with myself.  

18 - 20th January Mt Buller National Series Round 1

2nd February Bright 12 Hour Solo

24th February Lake Mountain 4 Hour Solo

15 - 17th March Bright National Series Round 3

14th April Wombat 100km Woodend

28th April 100km Epic Bendigo

11th May 6 Hour Beechworth

So I may not be fit or strong now, but having racing plans and getting to these events will help me in more than the physical sense to achieving my goals.  And, as my mum reminded me recently...I've got dad on my side - all I have to do is ask for help.

Relaxing and Riding

I had a great weekend.  Saturday was spent doing house chores, relaxing, and then meeting my friend Jen at the gym for a great workout.  

Sunday morning started with a nice relaxing lie in bed with the doggies - they snoozed and I read my book.  I finally got out for a mountain bike ride out to Sylvan Dam via Mount Dandenong.  A great long climb, an awesome long singletrack descent, then a long climb back up to the bakery.  I met some nice people at the bakery who made this lonely mtb chick feel welcome into their large group, and a man who is recovering from surgical removal of a brain tumour.  19 hours of surgery, 4 months of recovery and rehab, and he's smiling, happy, and surrounded by close family and friends sitting in the sunshine at Mt Dandy.  The local joke was that, although he no longer has his sense of smell due to the surgery, the chilli pie he was eating was hot enough for him to at least enjoy some of the taste!!!  His wife, however, with her full taste, considered the pie too hot for her liking.  

Almost forgot another great bit....Jen and I went for a fantastic bike track ride on Sunday arvo.  Lots of laughs, and we also arranged a night out tomorrow night for Jen's 33rd birthday.  Hopefully some more laughs to be had.

View from Mt Dandy Bakery to Olinda

Christmas 2012....home is where the dog is

I was certainly not alone this Christmas.  My very dear friend, Erica, invited me to spend Christmas with her and her family in Indigo Valley, North East Victoria.  And of course, the dogs were more than welcome!!!  My two darlings plus 11 other staffords!!!!

Christmas morning was planned for an early dog walk, followed by an early ride before the pressie opening.  However we slept, then Buzz found the only puddle in Watchbox Lane, and proceeded to lie in it, roll in it, play in it, dig in it, and have a drink while lying in it!!!!  Then stood up and brushed himself along the length of Beep, so they were both covered in grey clay mud!!!  But Buzz had a great time, and Beep had as much fun chasing rabbits up the roadside.

A quick bath for B & B, then it was pressie time.

Buzz and Beep then got their pressies.  Buzzy opened his and Beep's, as usual.  They then sat perfectly still for their Christmas photo.

I finally got in my ride in the afternoon - the roads were quiet and so nice to ride - gradual climbs, nice descents.  It was so good to be out on the bike in the north-east again...such a nice place to ride.  No photos - I was too busy riding.

Many thanks to Erica, Celia, Anneke, Meika and Ivy for making me feel welcome into their family Christmas.  And to all the staffords for their love, kisses and laughs.  And of course, Happy Christmas to my babies, Buzz and Beep - love you both so much.  

RFS Mid North Coast Christmas Party !!!!!

WHAT A NIGHT !!!!!!  The laughs didn't stop for 5 hours - it was just like old times, but missing a couple of people.  I knew I missed my old friends and family from MNC Fire Control Centre, but Saturday 8th December made me remember what life at work was really like.  I now understand why Paul (Manager) would call out from his office "Okay you lot, stop the laughs and get some work done!!!".

Between Jo-anne throwing bungars from the deck to the unsuspecting pool plays below, Paul bringing out the AED/IUD for Mick, Jamie playing pool with the garden blower, the sloping pool table which meant the balls would roll to the centre pockets, and my hair, it was a most treasured night to remember.

No-one could understand the family that I have in Coffs FCC, but it's so good to know that nothing changes over time.  Friend forever, that's for sure.

Jamie waiting for the next bungar

Jamie realised the pool cue chalk matched my hair...and then my face

Maree and Lukey - Maree my comrade and friend

My bestie, Mick (so much history here)

Paul and his IUD ready to revive Mick

Jamie playing pool

Juzzy, Mick and Jo-anne sharing the love

My hair was the same colour as the pool table felt

Coffs Harbour Teams Race

My flying visit to Coffs Harbour was shared amongst good friends and lots of laughs.  And thanks to Team Parkes, Tim's old 'goose.  The Coffs club held a 6 lap Teams race - fastest riders matched with slowest.  A lot of new singletrack has been added to Pine Creek since I last rode there over 12 months ago - so lots of flowing trails and the odd tree that would jump out at you.

Thanks to my team mate Phil, we placed 4th.  I had a great day with lots of fun and a good, humid ride.  Unfortunately my hair was sweating pink.  Still.  

Thanks to Team Parkes for after-race lunch, photos, and even more laughs.

After 1st lap - before I passed out

Hanging with Tim between laps

End of last lap - notice the BIG smile!!!

Post-race chatting with the Coffs regulars

Lots of Laughs at the Youwies

Jane Ollerenshaw and Amanda Herd were exactly what I needed today to kick off my weekend.  We had a general whinge about life's 'stuff', then rolled on the mountain bikes for a couple of hours with lots of chatting and laughter.  The sun was shining and it was warm/hot (depending on whether you were Justine or Jane).  

This photo was on the flat section over the back - one of the many times we pondered where we were and what trails to ride.

Amanda shared advice and stories of life as Amanda, which had us laughing so hard I stopped concentrating and fell off my bike flat on my back !!!  Such a fun day.  Thanks to my girl friends. xoxo

A New Ride - my new Cannondale Scalpel

I am indebted to Panther Cycles and Cannondale for their generosity and support in kitting me out with my bike collection in preparation for the 2013 WEMBO World 24 Hour Solo Mountain Bike Championships.  My new 2012 Cannondale Scalpel brings a very nice 80mm lightweight, dual suspension ride for my upcoming XC races and second bike for endurance races.  It fits together perfectly with my XX equipped 100mm Scalpel, giving me the XC/endurance race bikes that I need and want.

Mount Buller Ride

Our last ride together was Mansfield - Mt Buller - Mansfield.  A slow but achievable 92km 4 hour 1800m elevation gain ride.  Gav was really tired all the way until the last 3km climbing section to Mt Buller Village.  I felt good - not fresh but still able to tap away at the climbs.

It was cold at the top so we didn't stay long, and then I smoked Gav on the descent.  We met up at Mirimbah and peddled back to Mansfield.  The Red Bull and hamburger Gav consumed at Mt Buller must have helped, cause he was able to do turns on the way back, which meant that I returned from my (almost) 100km ride still feeling good - pleasantly trained would be wording, I think.

Gav and myself at the end of our Mt Buller climb and descent

I've had a great few days away, now have a cycling tan to be proud of, am now going to watch the New Moon set tonight from the top of Mt Buller (this is probably a bit romantic blah blah to be doing with my brother, but hey...beggers can't be choosers).  The New Moon has a spiritual meaning of new beginnings, setting goals and wishes, and opening yourself to magical change.  So, here's to a new outlook and a happy future.

A Week On Holidays

My brother Gav has come to visit for my week on holidays and my week of riding.  We started with a casual Beach Road 2.5 hour ride on Saturday, with good friend Dave.  

On Sunday we started our 5 days of riding in Mansfield.  The dogs were (sadly) dropped at dog kennels on the way.  Mansfield Holiday Park didn't disappoint with the accommodation and beautiful setting, and the weather was perfect.

The outlook from our cabin - Gav getting ready for Jamieson ride

Jamieson general store

Our first ride was to Jamieson - 70km 2.5 hours and 850m elevation on undulating, quiet roads.  We were kept entertained on our return journey with cars that had participated in the Targa Mt Buller Hill Climb weekend.  The late afternoon was spent sitting on the deck with a good book, then a couple of episodes of 'Allo 'Allo.

On the way to Whitfield - Gav with a Movember moustache and me with a mouthful of food

Second ride, after nearly 12 hours sleep for me, was to Whitfield and back - 128km just over 5 hours and 1800m elevation.  The sun shone beautifully but the wind was not kind - head wind and cross wind for a good part of the ride.  My legs held up really well, considering I haven't ridden that far for 2 years.  I was slow but Gav was patient.  The locals in Whitfield were a great laugh and very friendly - a highlight of the ride.  As much as I enjoyed the ride, I was looking forward to getting back to the cabin, and giving my bottom a break from the saddle.

Tomorrow a shorter 2 - 3 hours for me, and Gav is planning to do a couple more hours than me.  

Base Miles - more than a training stage

I submitted my final assignment for the year at 1am the morning it was due.  Not quite the 2:15am of my good friend Shauna, who also had a house move and upheaval before the due date.  

That morning I woke to a beautiful sunny, warm morning.  Beep wasn't used to the new approach I had to life that morning - after breakfast she climbed back into bed for our usual lie-in, an attempt to put off the start of another day of pressure, demands and depression.  

A long walk with the dogs followed by a ride to work.  The ride was amazing - I felt free and as though I could do anything.  I felt confident and comfortable on the bike, and I belonged there.  I wish the ride had been longer than 35 mins, because I was making so many plans and had so many new insights.  

Planning the next 12 months was fun.  I've been set a rough plan for the next few months by coach Tory Thomas - base miles.  Without base miles I will never reach my racing potential.  I began to think....

Base miles: without base miles I will never reach my potential

What does this mean?  Well, of course I'm feeling lonely after 9 years of having a best friend with me all the time, who is no longer there.  But looking for someone to fill that loneliness is not healthy.  I need to build the basis for my life - without a good base I can never fulfil my potential.

So I'm on the program - I'm building me - and I'm going to reach my potential.  

Chicks MTB Weekend - Daylesford

My thanks go to the girls of Daylesford, Jane Ollerenshaw (Liv/Giant) and St Mel for putting on a great girls mountain bike ride.  23 girls on a social ride - it was awesome.  The riding was fun and the laughs were plenty.

The real fun came when 6 of us got to our rental house for the weekend.  Jane Ollerenshaw, Amanda Herd, Kira Douglas, Nicole Jeffries and Jo Riley - what a fantastic group of women.  The laughs were endless and much needed - thank you girls.  Organising meals really was a laugh - emails were flying back and forth for days....how do you cater for gluten free, vegetarian, grain free.  

You Yangs Yowie (66km) 'ride race'

I was recently prompted to update my blog on my recent racing 'to celebrate my achievements' - this being something that I have never done.  A new me and a new approach to me.  

The race started casually for me - meeting Dave from Castlemaine on the start line was a great introduction to the 66km race.  We rode together for the first 15 minutes or so, catching up on the latest.  The remainder of the race was spent by myself either passing, or being passed by, other riders.  They were all pleasant and enjoying their ride, other than one goose that could have taken me out big time on the boardwalk wall ride....if you can't ride the wall, before you place your bike in the middle of the boardwalk check whether someone is already riding on the 45 degree wall !!!!  My bike may be fantastic, but it doesn't defy gravity for long.

The last 30 minutes of flat trails was some back and forth with Lee Schultz - I had the corners nailed, but Lee had the legs.  In the end I was about 45 seconds behind her, finishing in 6th place with 3 hours 45 minutes of ride racing under my belt.  

So what did I learn?  That I had about 2 hours in my legs.  

What achievements can I celebrate?  That I got out of bed, I got to the race, and I finished.

The 60km Double Cross this weekend - another opportunity to catch up with old friends and enjoy some good riding.

Weekend Wind-up

Saturday started with a long dog walk with beanie and a hoodie to keep warm.  An easy hour on the roady trying to figure out how to get to work from my new location.  I got lost, and still haven't figured it out, so I'll just have to wing it tomorrow on my commute to work and hopefully I won't be too late if I get lost.  I guess it would be a different excuse for being late than my usual 'I had a head wind'.

I then had inspiration from the beautiful and completely mad Hel Parkes - turn a negative into a positive, so I placed a lovely spring flower through the bullet hole in my front window...how pretty !!!

 A MTB ride at Christmas Hills with Dave and Neil on Sunday was just awesome.  Flowing trails that still make you think about what you're doing, and work hard.  Some great laughs, usually at Dave's expense, and it was a great day out.  Thanks for a great ride, guys.  Will certainly head back there again.

A Chick's Weekend...what to do?....

My list of choices:

• A long doggie walk on Saturday and Sunday
• A long ride on Saturday and Sunday
• A movie or dinner with friends
• A good book from one of my favourite authors
• A sleep-in
• Prepare my awesome Scalpel for next weekend's You Yangs Yowie
• Relax with the dogs
• Start my final assignment for the year
• Contemplate if another bullet is going to come through my front window again

Well, all of these might happen, I reckon.  Starting with a long dog walk early Saturday morning; a mountain bike ride at the You Yangs; dinner or movie with Dave and Kylie.  Sunday will be a long-awaited sleep-in, long walk with the dogs, a ride, a read, a relax, and probably not even looking at my assignment.  Report will be at the end of the weekend, hopefully with some photos.

Buxton Liv/Giant Chicks MTB Ride

A ride at Buxton MTB Park on Sunday 16th September was something to look forward to and a welcome distraction from my own thoughts.  After arriving at Buxton 30 minutes early, I was thinking that this new me is an improvement....I'm NEVER early.  

There were 12 all up, and we split into 2 groups.  Pictured above is the group of 8 - all evenly balanced in skill and fitness, the ride was pretty much flowing for 1.5hrs.  Lots of laughs, some new challenges ridden by a few, and many great cheers of encouragement made for a day of feel-good friendship.

Thanks girls, and I look forward to the next one.

Study, Work, Dogs, Ride

I've written this year off for too many reasons, but mostly due to study.  I've completed my final subject for the year, giving me the Post Graduate Certificate in Bushfire Management - half way to my goal of Post Grad Diploma in Bushfire Management.  Will I go on to finish my Masters of Forest Ecosystem Science?...that depends on whether I want to lose another 2 years of my life, so that will be considered in November 2013. I've met some great friends during this year's study - some good laughs, much 'Excel' formula frustrations, and great support.  Thank you to all my uni friends, and I (kind of) look forward to next year's study.

So where to from here?  I've started back training 5 weeks ago, though life has thrown its hurdles not just in front of me, but directly at me.  I've come out the other side knowing that I have great, supportive and caring friends, and I would like to thank them all.  Special thanks to Mickarse, Poopsie and Jim Bob for your genuine care, and always being able to make me laugh; Hel for her great empathy and care; Em for being a quiet source of motivation; Owen and Dave, my caring and ever laughable co-workers in the (CFA) Vegie Patch; Megs for her always honest, caring and supportive friendship; Travis for his voice of reason and good friendship; and of course Buzz and Beep for their undying love and ability to make me laugh.

I may be a month behind in my training, but I'm on track for my first race back - the You Yangs Yowie in October 2012.  The first of many in my journey to the 2013 Solo 24 Hour World Championships in October 2013.  

A Postponement to Endurance Racing

I was preparing for and entered to the Blores Hill 6 Hour for 22 July 2012.  I was looking forward to it, even though it was only going to be riding, not racing.  Another full week at work preceded the race weekend, but that was okay - I'd set aside some ride time while I was away in Bendigo.


A good 1.5hr roady with good mate and all round great guy, Travis, and his mate.  The quiet and undulating back roads of Bendigo were so nice.  That night I was a very unwell chooky - a late night trip to the chemist, a passing out scenario, and a fever.  So 3 days off work, and not a single kilometre ticked over in the legs - very disappointing.  


I still had hope that I'd get to race.  I took the new Scalpel out for its maiden voyage, wanting to check that it was all set up perfectly before racing on Sunday.  Why the 3 of us chose Warramate is beyond me - maybe I was still feverish and off with the fairies - but 1.5hrs of riding with an unusually high heart rate delivered the verdict...no racing for me this weekend.  But the trails were awesome, my head space was surprisingly good considering I have no fitness, am sick, and it was slippery as all buggery.


Warramate delivered all that it can, at its worst - off-camber single track, tree roots, tough pinch climbs, all on wet, slimy, super slippery trails.  But I must have been doing something right, because I thoroughly enjoyed it and wanted more.


Let's put this week down as a lost week, but not entirely - got some of my assignment out of the way, got in a couple of great, fun rides, a good catch up with an old friend, and topped off with a good movie and dinner with friends (loved The Dark Knight !!!).  Let's plan for the next one - Lysterfield on 29th July, XC at You Yangs 12th August or Castlemaine on 19th August.  So much to choose from, so much to do.

Let's hope the weekend gets better

Not such a good day today.  Work is demanding and I'm putting pressure on myself, I've got 2 assignments due next week, and it's raining.  Evan wore most of my stress.  A visit to the chiropractor was the first positive step.  An afternoon of the house to myself to work on my assignment helped.  

I'm racing tomorrow at Lysterfield Chase The Sun 5 Hour.  The Rush is looking and running well, and I just want to ride my bike.  I logged onto the web site tonight to check out what time I had to be there to register tomorrow - guess what I found?  That you can only register prior to race day !!  Can you believe it?  What a crock !!  Well, I'm turning up on race day to register - if they won't give me my race number, I'll just ride anyway...Snozza can go blow it out his arse if he thinks that's a reasonable expectation.  

Another race, another ride, all good fun

The Forrest 6 Hour was ridden in a mixed pairs - team Recreation Not Procreation hit the trails again, but in a pretty casual way.  I'd been at uni all week and overall very unfit - Evan had the 'flu all week.  It rained for the first hour - Evan best not riding in the rain - me a case of the can't be stuffed.  Evan eventually headed out for 3 laps.  I did 3 laps.  But the ride was only part of the really awesome day.


The dogs were at the race and had a great time.  Buzzy socialised and was open to pats and attention.  Beep said hello to a select few and wanted to rip the face of two other dogs.  But overall they were so well behaved.  The photo (still to come) is pretty much a reflection of the day...the spare chair was where I was sitting, Beep in the other chair, Buzz and Evan in the crate.  It was so nice to be able to show off my well-behaved babies.


Tory Thomas and Tim Retchford (with occasional visits from Hamish) shared our tent, not that Tory was in the tent for long having done the event as a solo.  But the laughs were good and it was great to see mum Tory working it like she always does.  My inspiration.


Back to Creswick for another week of uni, and I found a few mtb friends in my Bushfire Planning & Management subject.  A 1.5hr ride after lectures was a great way blow off the days learnings before heading back for more homework at night.  Thanks to my new friends.

I'm Back...

Well, I'm back on.  Back on my blog, back on the bike, back in Victoria, and back studying.
First race was the Wombat 100.  Well, the Wombat 50.  Which turned into the Wombat 20.  A big step back into racing, I decided to ride 'cattle class' and took on the Wombat 50.  15km into the event I had a mechanical that meant I limped my way 5km to the next marshall station, where I got a lift back to the event centre.  But until then, I was having a great time, if not a little frustrated with the inabilities of others on the technical stuff.  But I rode with a few really great guys (including my Giant friend) and enjoyed the experience.
And as if getting back into racing isn't taking up enough of my time, I decided this year to start post grad studies - Post Grad Diploma in Bushfire Management - 2 years part time.  I'm enjoying the mental challenge of studying again, but still working out the finer details of balancing working full time, studying part time, and trying to train enough so that races are enjoyable.  
On Saturday I'm riding in the Forrest 6 Hour in a Mixed Pairs.  It will be casual, it will be cold, but it will be fun.  
Keep you posted.