Spinning Round the French Foothills

Just finishing the second full week here in Limoux. Although it seems like it has been more than a month with all that has happened. Including some stories that I haven’t yet related to you from the first week.

First things first, I promised a little explanation of the work we do here. Trips like this aren’t free, and cyclists are poor, as a general rule, myself included. But our gracious host, Chris, was kind enough to offer us some "odd jobs" in exchange for a discount on the price of staying. Right, to the tattoo house then. An upstairs apartment (above a tattoo parlor) that had been used as a butcher shop, complete with meat elevator. Problem is it hasn’t been occupied in what looks like 50 years or more??? So our job was to sort through old furniture and remove it from the house. Well, we did all right. Once we sorted through the rubbish, dust and dodgy floor boards we got most of the small stuff out, only to find out that the majority of the large pieces wouldn’t come anywhere near to fitting down the stairs.

After the blizzard, and my exposure to 50 year old molds, I spent the remainder of last week limping around on my bike fighting off some illness, luckily without having to deal with a French doctor. Then, just as I was recovering I got an invite from the CCA for the world cup in Sydney. What???…I just got here. At first it sounded like a good idea but, after examining the schedule, I decided it would only make me jet lagged and sick. Since I want to be in top form whenever I represent my country I unfortunately had to decline. Ok…breathe…things have been on the verge of spinning out of control. Now I need to focus, I need a good block before the season where I can really “get ready.” And now at least I will have the time I need. Time, something I haven’t had a great deal of anywhere lately. I think the rest of the time here will set me up for much better riding, both on the track and the road, early this season. Racing starts in two weeks with a Saturday-Sunday race that goes into Spain one day and back the next. 320km in two days…that should do the trick.

Things are coming into focus. I think I pretty much have a grasp on my near future now…But fate stepped in to make sure I always have something interesting going on when the phone rang and I found out I am going to be an UNCLE right in the middle of the race season.

Never a dull moment…and with a whole whack of riders due to arrive here in the next two weeks I think things are only going to get more interesting. Training is on track and form is starting to peek out here and there. Talk to you after the races.

Congratulations Sis.

I would also like to wish Cam Evans a speedy recovery from his recent injury. Look forward to seeing you back in the races.