As the lazy days of the NZ summer continue I once prepare myself in haste to leave these shores.  Today the bone mineral density scan and the orthodontic check up to remove a long overdue wire, remind me that there is still much to do before Friday’s departure.  I also need to keep the tax man from my door. 

As I reflect on the past year of bike races, plane trips, crashes and rehabilitation I think my major goal for this year is just to make it through the season in Europe and hopefully find myself in Beijing in August.  The 2007 year ended well with a silver medal at the World Cup in Beijing, plus a NZ record to boot.  It was a great to experience the track there and see the Olympic set up plus the bonus of an early morning hairy taxi ride through blizzard conditions to see the snow covered Great Wall and a visit on return to the Silk Markets.  Xmas shopping covered. 

As I had an enforced break last year I have continued training through the holiday break just with a quick spell off the bike after Beijing.  As the 08 road season kicked off last weekend in Hawkes Bay I found my 4^th place in the disappointing, but that was a reflection of where I am at with my training to date leading into a long season.  Yesterday’s road race began at 12.30pm so we raced through the fierce Hawkes Bay sun, with melting tar making the roads in places very tricky.  After 5 hours in the saddle I couldn’t really complain with my 8^th placing again reflecting my road condition, and undeniably our best NZ bike rider and great role model and ambassador in Julian Dean won the race. 

I’m hoping the racing in the heat will stand me in good stead for the Tour Down Under in Adelaide that begins next Tuesday.  I will be riding with my trade team La Francaise dex Jeux so it’s back to the language lessons with my own Institute.   

To those I have missed seeing over the break, do keep in touch.  I will need some home based news on my solo return to Albi at the end of next week. 

Cheers 

Tim