2011 retrospective, moving forward into 2012.

Whoever said to me “it’s the taking part that counts…” for any racer it’s the winning that counts and I’m no different. Last season, my results weren’t what I felt I was capable of. Last year; I was luckily enough to be selected for Worlds, something since as a youngster I had dreamt of. I put my heart and soul into that race and couldn’t have been better prepared, with a disspaointing end to a season of crashes and mishaps it was enough to fire up anyones winter training...

However, this off season’s been different for me, now in 4^th year and for the first time ever, I’ve had to put my work in front of cycling. September to December I could count in single digits the amount of times I rode or trained. The break over that period; has not only done me well; but my school grades excelled. I’m now on the masters engineering course with a high “B” average, something I could only have dreamt of when I entered. Over the Christmas holidays I finally had a break and time to go riding; it really brought back the love of it.

This past weekend was Alpine Bikes Winter series – round 1 and what a challenge it was… 3 timed stages ranging from 6 to 9 minutes with a mix of uphill and downhill. Saturday I struggled round and dug deep to complete the 3 hour lap, I went home recharged the batteries, grabbed an early night and was refuelled for the next day. Racing went well; I rode all stages strong and didn’t make too many mistakes. I came away; 1^st senior and 4^th overall on the day, a good start to my racing year.

I’m now into my 4^th week of training and motivated for the season ahead. I believe that dreams do come true, but it comes from the heart; hard work and self belief pays dividends with that; anything is possible!

Here’s to 2012, thanks to everyone for all the support in 2011!