European sign off and summer calender announced..
It’s been a long time since I wrote a ‘blog’ and I think it’s about time to put fingers to the keyboard again.
I’m in Solothurn, Switzerland, which has been our base for most of the year. By ‘our’ I mean me and my partner Jarrod; who doubles over here as my mechanic, driver, manager and souigneur. Although we’ve spent most of our four-month stint overseas hotel hopping, it was nice to have a base to store our belongings and somewhere that we could call ‘home’. And an added bonus was that we were living with the much loved Nathalie Schneitter whose friendship has certainly made the trip worthwhile!
It’s nine days until the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Andorra, of which I was selected to race. But it’s only four days until I fly home to Australia. The decision to pull out of the World Championships was actually an easy one. Not only would my result be embarrassing (the last six weeks have seen my results plummet to the point where I DNF’d the final World Cup in Val di Sole, Italy), but the two week stint would cost me in excess of $2,500 and I find it unjustifiable to spend that much money on bad memories.
So instead I’ll start my off-season a little earlier than expected and in a slightly different manner. Jarrod and I will only fly home as far as Perth, where we're stopping off for a week to prolong the return to cold weather in Bendigo and to ‘participate’ in the Dwellingup 100; a National Series marathon that Jarrod is yet to tick off the bucket list. It was my return to racing following a back injury two years ago and I really suffered through it (read about it here). I assume this time will be no different after a two-week hiatus from the bici. The purpose of the event is to help me find my love for MTB’ing again after a roller coaster season, so thanks to Tony Tucknott for making it possible!
So on reflection it’s been a long season. I wouldn’t say that I’ve overdone it, or that I’ve raced too much (lord knows I’ve raced a lot more in the past). I just think that perhaps my racing could’ve been blocked better and after ten months the body needs more than a few days rest. The continuous mental strain of preparing for one important race after another has drained me to the point where I have no mental fight left in me and my body is empty.
But looking ahead I’m excited to return home, recover, get back in the gym, and of course get my arse back into ‘Ham Land’ to pack some meat and earn some coin to do it all again next year! I get to escape for a few of my favourite stage races including the Pairs format at Hellfire Cup (thanks to Dunc and Sarah), and of course the Cape to Cape and the Forrest Festival (of which Jarrod is yet to miss a year). So if you’re looking for a few races to add to your bucket list perhaps you can steal an idea or two from my 17 week calendar here!
Navigating the famous 'devils corner' in Albstadt where I came unstuck on lap 1
Photo: EGO Promotion |
The Elite Women's podium at the Czech MTB Cup with a bit of Aussie domination on the podium!
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Pacing through the dense and dark bushland at the Nove Mesto World Cup
Photo: EGO Promotion |
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Bike the Rock XCO (HC)
Sunday 3rd May 2015
Heubach, Germany It was great to be back racing in Europe on the MTB, although the weather wasn't quite as planned! I raced my Yeti ARC with Roam 60 wheel set and the much needed Maxxis Beavers in what was heavy and sluggish mud conditions. I was happy with the race considering the week of travel and look forward to settling in. Results here: Elite Women - 12th |
To the hills! Meanwhile Jarrod is trying to rip out the 13% gradient sign. He hates climbing...a lot...
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It's no secret that it was a tad bit muddy in Heubach but it certainly didn't deter the racers or the crowd!
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It was a busy few days for Jarrod, the all round handy man and mechanic. Lucky our AirBnb hosts had a pressure washer.
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Wombat 100 XCM
Sunday 12th April 2015
Woodend, VIC Australia Today was the last in a solid three week training block. A 100km race with 1700m of climbing that doubled as round 3 of the National Marathon Series. I raced my Yeti ARC hardtail (knocked the ASR off the roof this week..) and stuffed up nutrition but fought all day and stormed to a convincing win and course record! Results here: Elite Women - 1st |
An unexpected victory today but I still worked my ringer out for it!
Photo: Russ Baker |
A very classy Elite Women's podium
L-R: Hill, Blair, Me, King and Riley Photo: Russ Baker |
Just chillin' post race with my lone friend for the final 30km in Phil Orr
Photo: Russ Baker |
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Giant Odyssey XCM
Saturday 21st March 2015
Forrest, VIC Australia It was 100km with 2500m of climbing and it wasn't pretty! As my favorite marathon I was ready to fight for it and gave it a crack at the 10km mark taking Jenny Fay with me, then went solo at 25km to take the QOM and kept on pushing. The legs got heavy pretty quickly and eventually the tank was empty... Results here: Elite Women - 2nd |
A few very tough ladies! L-R: Me (3rd), Jenni King (1st), Jenny Fay-Blair (3rd)
Photo: Rapid Ascent |
Cruising through the Forrest on an early and brave solo mission..
Photo: Mike Blewitt |
No matter how easy or hard a race, I always love strapping a number on!
Photo: Mike Blewitt |
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Australian MTB Championships
Thursday 12th- Sunday 15th March 2015
Bright, VIC Australia Its always a big lead up, a big week and a big come down. The Bright trails were as good as always and I was loving the new bike #mrhuckii The only thing lacking was my confidence.. Results here: Team Relay - 1st Results here: Elite Women XCO - 2nd Results here: Elite Women XCE - 3rd |
Excited to be back in Bright, at a new venue, navigating more mint trails.
Photo: Russ Baker |
It's official, the Bendigo MTB Club is the fastest in Australia.. Aussie Champs!
Photo: Russ Baker |
The usual podium suspects L-R: King (3rd), Henderson (1st) and me (2nd)
Photo: Russ Baker |
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Rnd 5 National MTB SeriesSaturday 26th February 2015
Toowoomba, QLD Australia Today was a better day, but certainly not a good day. It was the final round of the National Series and a victory over the new Oceania Champion Bec Henderson would have seen me take the jersey. I worked hard to stay with her for the first two laps but it wasn't to be... Results here: Elite Women XCO - 5th |
Elite Women Series Podium L-R: Mullens, Henderson, King
Photo: Russ Baker |
Pushing the Yeti ASRc and Rockshox Sid to their limits on the rocky descent
Photo: Russ Baker |
Excited to finally meet powerhouse Kiwi and todays winner Kate Fluker
Photo: Russ Baker |
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Oceania MTB ChampionshipsThursday 26th February 2015
Toowoomba, QLD Australia It was my worst day on the bike in a very long time. I was second off the line into the single-track, third into the climb, fourth down the descent and fifth after the first lap. Everything just went downhill from there and if it weren't for the UCI points I would've withdrawn from the race... Results here: Elite Women XCO - 5th |
Despite the result it was still all smiles for the Oceania MTB Championships
Photo: Russ Baker |
Elite Women Podium L-R: King, Fluker, Henderson, Hanlen, Mullens
Photo: Russ Baker |
Even my new Stans NoTubes Valor Carbon wheel-set didn't help me today
Photo: Russ Baker |