A rollercoaster year

by Pip Read - Australian Masters Cyclist

This is my final article for 2008 and while the year started out promising, it is finishing in a bit of a different way with injuries and a fair share of illness. I'm hoping things will be better in 2009 as it's going to be a busy year competition wise. I have the Australian Masters Games, Australian Masters Road Championships and Sydney World Masters Games scheduled to compete in.

I've pulled back on some of the other races that I would normally have competed in, mainly because of the lack of early season training. I completed a club race last weekend and while I felt the return of some of my previous strength my leg problem came back with vengeance! So it's back to the physio and a tongue lashing from Madam Lash (my much admired coach!)

Thought you might like to know about a little tip I picked up on the web the other day, a very good reason to keep your chain clean and a cheap way to increase power. Have a look at this blog http://cyclingtipsblog.com/?p=318it has some great tips and is good for a bit of a read when its wet outside, which it seems to be happening a lot of late. Also check out this tip http://cyclingtipsblog.com/?p=393 and another about how much fitness you lose when you stop training (very appropriate for me at the moment) see http://cyclingtipsblog.com/?p=311

I keep an eye on this site and always learn some very interesting tips, suggestions etc.

I know when it's getting close to Christmas as the annual race licence renewal lands in the letter box. I don't know about you but I start counting down the days until I get a few weeks off work, when I don't have to get up early every morning! I have started searching the racing calendar for any up coming races that look interesting. Unfortunately Christmas also means more traffic on my favourite normally quite training rides. Be careful out there.

Another interesting development for the coming seasons training is that my friend Gen has purchased a motor scooter. As my partner has a motor bike licence we have an instant motor pace team consisting of myself, Genevieve and Fran on the bright red scooter. If nothing else we should make a bit of a sight to oncoming traffic.

Well that's it for 2008. Besides the dramas along the way it has been a great year. We have achieved a great deal, six championships with some great racing, introduced the joys of bike racing to some, met some really nice people along the way and I've personally done some serious soul searching while driving my partner and friends up the wall. All because I've been hanging around home instead of being on the bike!

Finally thank you to every one who has supported me during the year. If not for you none of this would have happened; Fran, Liz, Gen, Madam Lash. I really hope you have enjoyed the articles and above all I hope that you all have a great Christmas and New Year and please stay safe on the roads.

Talk soon

Pip