Archive for 2010
Hi all, I know it’s been a while since I last posted, and there’s no excuses for that. But I hope you will forgive me as I’ve been working on some exciting news for 2011.
I have just signed on with New Zealand’s newest pro team Pure Black Racing!
You can check it out here at http://www.pureblackracing.com/
Tonight I will be racing the NZ criterium champs for Kiwivelo, but from Jan 1 at the Tour of Vineyards I will be dressed in black.
Thanks for all the support.
Tim
Here’s a great piece of writing from a guy who tried, and lived the dream.
http://bicycling.com/blogs/thebreakaway/2010/11/18/as-hard-as-i-could/
Hope you enjoy it.
I’ll be back soon.
Cheers
Tim
Two weeks ago today I couldn’t really come to grips with what had just happened, and though I am still having the odd moment like that, today I got out on my bike again for the first time since crunching into the tarmac in Poland.
I went under the knife on Tuesday morning two weeks ago, normally what is quite a straight forward procedure took over 2 hours. I had snapped about 2inches off the outside end of the bone, and that 2inches had split into 2 pieces length ways. So the surgeon had his work cut out for him, and I sure felt it when all the anaesthetic wore off. My whole shoulder and neck was swollen for over a week.
I had two nights in hospital before coming home where I would start my movie marathon for the next week. Over the past two years I have become quite good at this rehab stuff. It’s not really an athlete’s funnest time but it happens so you have to deal with it, physically and most important mentally. You need to detach yourself from what just happened, relax, recover and just let the healing process take place initially. Then when you feel ready little by little take some steps to plotting your come back, day to day goals, a longer term goal and just not be too hard on yourself when things don’t quite go to plan. I’d also recommend lots of Arnica, ice, and anti-flammatories as they always work well.
So today I did 1h20 on the road, felt like I’d done 5 when I got home, but hey only small steps for now eh. After the season I’ve had, I didn’t really have the head for doing too much erg work so decided just coming back fresh would be the best option.
Anyway my hopes of a Vuelta start are very slim now, as FDJ still have a list of 13riders (not including me) so my return to racing will be a little more low key and not for another few weeks at this stage.
Will keep you all posted, thanks for reading and thanks for all the messages I have had, I really appreciate them.
Cheers
Tim
So there I was fit, lean, finally motivated to race and race hard, after a knee injury almost ruined all my training in July. 100km into stage one of Tour of Poland 2010, it had already been fast, and although I felt my legs were a little tight from the journey the day before, that feeling of stamping on the pedals with real power and strength was back and damm it felt good to have it again.
To make sense of what happened next is impossible, while having a chat to Allan Davis who I had spent time training with in Livigno during July. I caught a brief view of someone’s hand + handlebars arriving straight underneath mine. I thought shit this guy is a bit close for comfort, and sure enough he was. Like a winger going for a runaway try in rugby being pegged down by his opposition without a chance to fend. I was scragged to the ground, though just not as lucky as that winger I crunched onto a filthy polish road before being flattened by a few more riders just for good measure.
A sharp point stuck out on my left shoulder an knowing exactly what that feeling meant, I took a seat on the pavement and dropped my head.
Ok so I’m still alive and kicking and I’ve seen or been in worse, though when your taken down like that and all the other riders just remount and ride off you can’t help but think what the f*#k…
After a scary ambulance trip to the hospital where the driver thought I must have been dying or something cause damn he took some risks, and once the radiographer finally figured out how to do an xray I got straight out of there.
A night at the hotel and now here I write to you from the aeroplane on my way to Nice where I will head straight to the Monaco clinic to put the 3 pieces of my collarbone back together.
Thanks to everyone for all the well wishes already. I’m not really sure where to from here but I’ll let you know when I’m in a slightly better head space.
Im off for a wee sleep haha,
Guddy
Hi all,
It’s been a fairly long day here in the Pyrenees, so as you do I’ve just got back from my massage and quick trip to the supermarche for some supplies to get me through the evening. Love my lollies…
So it was up at 6h30 for a 9am start of Stage 2, 85km with rain and maybe 12dgr along with some sketchy little roads. I resumed my position at the back of the peloton, looking to stay out of trouble and upright. With a lumpy run into the finish I managed to hang onto to the back of the peloton dodging a few crashes as the race heated up. The legs felt better so I was happy with that and the heart rate was a little more under control after a days racing.
After a small transfer we arrived at the start of the stage 3 TT, in Loudenvielle Peyragudes deep in the Pyrenees. From here would attack the Col de Peyresourde on route to a Peyragudes Ski station. So not really my cup of tea, 16km TT with 11 of it up hill but it’s all engine building so you just take it in. Not sure how I got on, but not expecting anything more than near the bottom of the list for now.
Tomorrow is another day though with just rolling hills from Lavaur to Castres. So fingers crossed the temperature changes back to summer after a bitter day in the hills.
Back soon, dinner time for now.
Cheers
Tim.
Below, how the FDJ staff look after themselves between stages. Will leave the mechanic unnamed.
Hi there,
Day 1 done and a real day of French racing it was. Up n down all day enough attacks for a grand tour in one day, though ending in a sprint.
I had very little part to play in any of that, as I quietly rolled through the stage near the back of the pelo.
It’s the best place to when your in the ‘reprise’ as the French say, or comeback. Out of trouble and getting in the miles you came for.
So not a lot to report on, though one of our boys did manage to run 2nd in the kick which was good to see.
Tomorrow we have a real Tour of Southland style day, with a double stage 80km in the morning and a 16km uphill TT in the arvo. Don’t expect any fire works from here though, It’s just good old engine building I’m here for and that’s it.
Ok well I have an early start either way so time to go.
Thanks for reading,
Tim
Hi all,
Well it’s been a busy couple of days since having the cast removed. As I mentioned earlier with the cast off starts another process, strengthening a very weak and stiff wrist/hand. I have had a splint custom made with a silicon insert to give me some protection from the road vibration, along with many exercises and massage to help regain strength and movement.
This aside, I will be lining up at my first race since Paris Roubaix this Friday, La Route du Sud. The race kicks off in my old stomping ground of Albi, so I will make sure I get down to the bakery to see JP and the rest of the crew around town.
My training has been going well over the past week now with the cast off, getting in the odd long ride and some intensity. Though I have not tried to prepare specifically for this week as my next race following is not for another 5 weeks.
However I have been working on regaining strength in the gym. A lot of road cyclists don’t go anywhere near the gym these days, but I find it helps a lot with muscle balance and stability on the bike. It’s not always easy to fit into a training schedule when your racing, so you need to count it as one of your intensity sessions for the week.
Well I best be off, the rollers are waiting for me and a massage not long after. Gotta love recovery days. Will do my best to keep you posted on the race outcome.
For now here’s a couple of pics… 1. My latest efforts in the gym, fair to say I was down to 1 rep on this one. 2. If you haven’t already seen yesterdays madness at the Tour of Swiss, once again the dangers of our sport showing its takes no prisoners as many of the worlds top sprinters bite the tarmac.
Thanks for reading
Tim
photo credit @ Roberto Bettini