Astunning place to race, I'll be back next year!

The bad luck began on the first day but since I'm no prologue specialist this washed over me like water from a ducks back. I was
really happy with the sensation in my legs on the first stage- I felt very comfortable in the bunch- never over-exerted. On the Sunday I got to do my first ever TTT. I loved every minute of it. It was, again, littered with misfortune for our team and without going into detail, I
will simply say that in the given circumstances we produced a very respectable time.

Warming up for ttt, Lizzie was on the rollers, unfortunately out of view

Monday was again a very sedate affair, it was clear from the start that the big teams wanted a bunch sprint; nothing would be allowed to escape. Tuesday brought further bad luck for me, however I was very satisfied with the outcome. I had prolems with the front derailleur and could not use my big ring, I also sensed something not quite right with my pedal. It turned out the cranks were loose. With the mechanical issues resolved I was seriously fired up fot Wednesdays stage; let battle commence. I felt great, over the first climb of the day with the top ten
and feeling like nothing could hurt. It was really fast racing and I was loving it. All good until we took a left hand turn,
while the peloton was lined out. Naturally corners are cut and I was sat maybe an inch or so to the left of wheel in front,
then I was summersalting through the air, after that I don't remember. I had hit an unmarked traffic island at 50kph and would
pay the consequences.

I cann not express how dissappointed I am. I not only didn't get to use my hard earned form in Aude, but I also miss Montreal
and our National Championships. I am trying to be positive for the Giro, but even top form there is unlikely. My bike frame
was smashed on the top tube, the wheels completely broken and my beautiful Oakleys in two pieces! All this is material and,
thanks to kind sponsors and good friends, will be sorted in no time. The collarbone however is not so simple; it's a painful
and slow healing process. I'm pleased to say that I feel like I've got plenty of fight in me even after the battle with the ribs.

Damaged goods, I had apparently requested that I get back on my bike immediately after the crash!!! I donùt think so Emma!!

Lastly, well done to the girls in their efforts since my departure; great riding.

Thanks also to the boys for all their help and support during and after the tour for me: Dany, Peter, Ivan, Dimi and Stijn (how you
saw me on Friday morning was not my typical reaction to pain, honest!).

Perks of the  job for the soigneur; test the ice cream to ensure that it's good enough for the riders!

Ready to leave- 13.05.09

I have just passed over all my luggage and bike to Dany and am now ready to leave! We fly tomorrow and I'm very excited about my first ever Tour de l'Aude.

I've just had time to update some of the other pages here and hopefully I will get a connection on some of the days during the race to continue to write the BLOGS.

Thanks as ever for all your mails and comments in the guest book, it's really nice to recieve them.

A Little Disappointed- 11.05.09

It wasn't my day on Sunday in Berne, I had problems with my ribs, problems with my bike and bad legs! I shall try to put it behind me and look forward to my first ever Tour de l'Aude. I will not be targeting GC there, rather looking for one or two good results.

I have a busy fez days before that so hope that I can write a little more when I am in France if we are lucky enough to have a wireless connection. Til then, ciao.

Thanks to Will for another lovely shot, even if I am screwing my face up a little!

Reading, racing and (trying to) rest!- 04.05.09

I have just finished a book lent to me by mate from my old club in England (Cheltenham and County). We share similar tastes in reading materials and have exchanged a few different books. The most recent 'swap'; I lent him my inspirational 'The Perfect Mile' by Neal Bascomb ( I LOVE this book, it's a MUST, after you've read it you will never complain that you dont' have time to train), while he gave me 'Dancing Uphill' by Frances Holland. If you have a slight interest in rding and racing it's worth a read. It's about Charles Holland, the first English rider in the Tour de France, his character really shines through and although alot of the book is mainly about his time trialling feats (a little dull at times) it is really inspriring to read the section on the Tour. Yes Charlie, it's coming your way when I get back to Cheltenham, you are gonna LOVE it!!

Maybe I was inspired by this book when I rode to the criterium on Friday, not a huge distance- 60km, but then I continued to keep the legs warm with about 10ks of spinning on the circuit before the race, then rode home again after the race! Whatever the inspiration, it was great training for me- 200km. The ribs were not so happy for the next two days but then that was inevitable really,  it was necessary to dabble in a race before the World Cup next weekend. I paid for my efforts in Sundays kermis with a disappointing 13th place, however with another 75km of training after the race I can now enjoy my rest week. I'm not so good at doing this, resting that is, but I have my orders and will do my best.

Thanks to everyone who has helped me through the last couple of weeks of pain and frustration! Family calling on the phone,  Jef, Greta and Guy lending a sympathetic ear, you lot reading this-for all your encouraging words on the e-mail and guest book. Last but certainly not least, Geert Bovijn. Still a little more work to do I think Geert but we're almost there! And yes, maybe I am a little crazy, but if I wasn't I wouldn't be here in Belgium chasing my dream!!!!!! Thanks for all your help, you are the best physio ever!!

Great action shot from early in May.

Get Well Soon- 28.04.09

I hope you make a speedy recovery soon Jef. My quality training behind the moto abruptly ended after Wednesdays session when Jef came off his own bike and broke his collarbone! The only good thing (if you can call it a good thing) to come out of it is that he can now fully sympathise with my rib pain since he also bruised his ribs!!!

My ribs are slowly mending; I can not get out of the saddle and suffer only a mild pain rather than an exrcruciating one!! I spent Saturday, Sunday and Monday training hard in the Ardennes with over 1500m of climbing each day. I love it down there and the weather was kind which was a real bonus. This training has meant long days since I drove there each day (on Sunday I got a lift with Hamish and rode back to Meensel after 3 hours in the hills), so no progress with my latest art assignment.

I hope to test the ribs this weekend in a couple of local races, fingers crossed I can get round without too much pain and no crashing!!!

A huge thank you to Will for the fantastic pic below from the seasons opener in Italy. I love this one!

Diganosis- 22.04.09

I gave up trying to tolerate the pain on Monday and headed to the doctors with my x-rays from the previous week (it had been confirmed that there was no fracture or internal damage). The doctor suspected a displaced rib and referred me to the physio. I returned to a physio that I had seen earlier in the year for a niggle in my shoulder, I really trusted this guy and was optimistic that he could help me to get things back on track. Geert confrimed 'several displaced ribs' and taped me up good and proper! Since then I have had a very unpleasant 'flicking/gripping' sensation around the injured area. I hope that this is meant to be happening! I return today for another session with Geert.

In the meantime I am managing to train and so hold my condition, however racing is out of the question, or at least racing to my full potential. This is a tough one to accept as I watch the girls line up for Fleche Wallone today. This is one race that I REALLY want to ride, it was looking positive for this year until this small spanner in the works (ha, almost literally!!!).

Jef is helping me to maintain my condition with some quality training behind the bike. He's earned his right for another mention on these pages following the victory of his other 'pacing victim'- Sergeiy!!! Thanks Jef for your time. Here I am on our street after a training session chatting to Sergeiy himself!

Recovery- 19.04.09

Sometimes in life we make big mistakes, I made one during the week which I am still regretting! Dany called me on Tuesday and offered me a ride in this weekends UCI race. I should have listened to my body, namely my ribs and said no, but I jumped in feet first as ever and accepted the ride. I suffered in a race that I should normally have finished, my ribs were very sore and the pain emanated to my back also. I did some very easy training in the area and watched the girls in the finale. The week ahead is a little uncertain but I must try to relax about the situation, worrying will not improve it.

I drove straight to the exhibition after the race and remained there til the bitter end. It was great to chat to some of the local residents, as well as meet the actors of the theater performance that was taking place. The lead actor is a famous comedy character in Belgium, a little like David Jason in England. I had my photo taken with him after the show, celebrities are so much more accessible here in Belgium, and EXTREMELY friendly. It was so nice to be able to chat about all sorts of things with these friendly people.

Thanks to Paul and all the people at the Centrum who helped to set up and organise the exposition. I am most grateful for your support.

At the exposition with Carry Goosens

Some pictures from my recent 'activities'!

Black and white of bettini winning worlds

Preparing to race, and racing in Dottignies

Views from our nearest hill in Italy, literally 3km's from our hotel. Stunning!