UNE Armidale 12hr

Where to start?
Well, with my current job I have been struggling to get the k's in. To be honest, I have been struggling to even do 150km per month for the last 6 months. What did I expect from this Solo 12hr then ? I didn't know what to expect.

I have a love/hate relationship with road trips, love going to races but hate getting there. It was awsome rocking out to a race that is so relaxed and had a great atmosphere. The track was dry! Yes, hard to believe, I know!

Stats: 12km loop of tech. ; some north shore type stuff; a couple of good climbs and some fast flowing single track to start and finish the loop. Race day was prettry warm, and not knowing how I would handle the race I started nice and slow behind English and Hall. I was sitting in 3rd by about the 4hr mark. This is where my lack of training started to have an effect. My lap times slowed and all the stress surrounding my imminent job change was screwing with my head. I got off my bike for quiet a while, and from there on in the rest of the race for me became a training session. I would go out and smash some laps, then have a break and tweak my ride. The track was great and made you want to get back out there. Basically I got 9hr of training in, which I was quite happy with - all things considered. If nothing else, I had an awesome weekend of training, and am keen as to get back to the pointy end of racing.

I saw lots of poeple who were just out there for their own personal satisfaction. In the end that's all that matters.

Thanks heaps NEMTB for a super race!

Bike of choice: Trek Superfly
Lights: Ay Ups

Thanks heaps to Anytime Fitness and Venture Cycles for the support.

Now to my job and training. I have resigned from my job in Cooroy, and will be spending the next 6 months working in Tamworth. Now the sweet endless trails of Armidale are an hr away, for three weekends a month at least... I'll hopefully be able to race both QLD & NSW races while I'm down there.

Rubber side down

Anytime

As you have probably noticed, once again we are on a different bike this year. A lot of factors have caused change to the team, but we have the same goal: race hard and have fun.

Basically the Ay Up team has become part of the Anytime Fitness team, QLD department. The Qld team consists of Andy, myself, Ethan, Jack and Roger. Our shop is Venture cycles and we are lucky enough to be supported by Trek bikes. My weapon of choice is the Trek Superfly. Freaking unreal bike to ride.

Ay Up is lighting the way, and quite frankly - why would you want anything else?http://www.ayup-lights.com/ check out the new gear.

Venture cycles has some pretty sweet gear - obviously Trek - but they also have the Bontrager goods. My new shoes are the most bling set I've ever had (with carbon!!!) & I'm loving them! http://www.venturecycles.com.au/index.html

Anytime fitness mtb team: http://anytimefitnessmtb.com/
This team has some of the most respected and talented riders in Australia. I almost feel like a gumby compared them. The team was brought together to support riders and help them acheive their goals, and with Richard Peil at the helm I'm sure we will!

So expect more updates soon. UNE 12hr report soon.