Yes, a few people have mentioned it's been a while since my last update... so why the silent treatment? No real reason, just busy keeping my head down and getting on with things. Since starting back training a month ago, every day and every week feels incredibly busy. With daylight savings back in Capitelle's rides have started up again. 
Capitelle's, affiliated to the PNP Cycling Club, is a women's ride that meets every Monday evening through summer. Originating in 2001, Capitelle's was founded by two women, including Robyn, who continues to be heavily involved. The aim of the group ride is to bring women riders together from all backgrounds and of all abilities and provide an environment in which we all learn and grow. Robyn, Nic Johnson and I share the role of leading the rides and for my part, it's a highlight of my week,and an awesome way to kick off the training week after long hours or racing over the weekend.
Tuesday means track night. Track started up a couple of weeks ago and thus far has been all about skills and drills, making sure that when we start racing this week newbies like me can be trusted to stay pretty safe. Having never ridden a fixie before it's been a fun learning experience, and I'm sure there's a whole lot more of that to come. Like most aspects of cycling, it's very male dominated but I'm hoping to see a few more girls come out.
I've done a couple of races already too. The first one was the Wellington Vets Featherston Funride. I did the short course option a couple of years ago, and last year it was cancelled due to high winds. This year I did the long course - 80kms - and hungout at the front of the bunch until we hit the stretch leading in to Martinborough with severe cross winds. The cross winds nailed me and I fell back but still came home pretty happy after only being back in training for a week. We were treated to rain the entire day but fortunately made it back across the line before it really started coming down hard. I'd headed over the hill with John Wilson (Bicycle) and we were walking out of a cafe when the heavens really opened.
The following weekend was round 3 of the PNP MTB series on Mt Vic. In my 4th year of racing the series this was the first time I have competed in the Mt Vic round. Between being overseas, a cold, and a DNF early in the first lap I was starting to wonder if I'd ever get to race Mt Vic in the PNP series! I was looking forward to a bit of fun on the dirt and that's exactly what I had. After taking 'velodrome honours' off the start line I settled in and just enjoyed my time on the course, focusing on some of the technical sections that will be in the North Island Cup round in January. The course has changed quite significantly due to grading and races quite differently in some sections so I was getting a feel for the course. Marco has found a great new singletrack section though, which adds a bit of excitement. I came home in 3rd behind Catherine Dunn and Bicycle team mate Nicole Swain.
Over the next 3 weekends I'm planning on back to back racing - crits, the Wild Wellington 12 hour with team Bicycle Chicks, some road and rounds 4 and 5 of the PNP MTB series. More busy times! The long weekend has been wicked. Stoked to see the Ferns stick it to the Aussies on their home turf, and the sun even joined us so here's hoping it might be like days of old with Labour Weekend signalling the start of summer!
OK, I'm not holding my breath for that, but I like to keep the tan lines topped up :o)
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