Full Gas in Cannon Falls – Day Two @ NVGP

The Cannon Falls road race was 110km, nice and fast, aggressive over rollers totaling only 700m ascent, across a dirt section down a steep descent and onto a technical tight 5 lap finishing circuit. Cola Vita again profited again from the GC fight between PB&co and HTC with Bronzini getting her rainbow stripes over the line first in a small bunch finish. Shelley was 4th after unfortunately having a mechanical mishap in the final 100m

Again we played out some nice aggressive team work with all of us getting in a break at one point in the race proving we might be only 4 but here to race.. the hard race caused both Amber and I to subsequently move up in GC, now sitting 6th and 10th respectively.

Treated to a midwest sunset on the way home was a nice way to end the day.. to be continued tomorrow for stage 4 the uptown Minneaoplis criterium, one for the sprinters again..

Off to a rainy start – Day One @ NVGP

Day one in Minneapolis and we woke to pouring rain for the earliest race start of the year Stage 1 TT to kick off at 8:30am! Quite the opposite to Europe where the prologue is commonly at dinner time or later!

Amber had a great powerful ride finishing in 8th. I was aiming for a top ten finish but was a little bummed to finish just 13th… Improvement handling in the wet conditions is definitely in order! I was happy with my ride more so after analysing my SRM file to find good power numbers for the duration of the flat section, increasing my power on the flat is a goal I have been working on.

The evening criterium in St Paul was Shelley’s opportunity to go for the win.. After getting herself in a break (earning most aggressive rider) which was pulled back by the yellow jersey team PB&Co. We all worked well covering some late strong moves by HTC.. it came to a bunch finish and Shelley was 2nd in a close sprint.

Hot and steamy as we left home thought we were in for a blue sky treat and reprieve from the rain but no.. it bucketed down 30 min before the start saturating the slick pavement. It was fast and technical due to the conditions hence crashes everywhere. I came down in a ‘nowhere to go’ situation but was allowed 2 laps out and re started.. or so I thought until a spectator who was assisting a rider out of the pits ran in from of me while i was taking off and T boned him! .. he apologised profusely and I re-started AGAIN! I hope it provided some entertainment to the crowd while the peloton was on the back side of the course!

Double day done.. Cannon Falls road race tomorrow, the GC tussle will make for an aggressive race and it will be all on!

Shifting Right – Thoughts on ‘A Stroke of Insight’

As a physiotherapist with an applied science degree I spent most of my time pre cycling with minds and bodies mediating & facilitating interactions between the two to achieve goals in treatment, rehabilitation and management of injuries. My interest and level of intrigue in this area not only remains but extends beyond clinical applications and needless to say.. into sports performance.

Anatomically, the brain has two hemispheres – the left processes logically and sequentially and the right processes intuitively and holistically.

Do we operate too much centered in the consciousness of the left side of the brain? Is the daily grind simply a left hand drive?

This story ‘A Stroke of Insight’ has motivated me to think more about this incredible and powerful concept

Venturing into theories on psychology vs physiology of the human brain and hemisphere dominance wtih regard to sport is fascinating and provokes insight into how we perform as athletes.. on and off the field.

However after watching this I contemplate how we can not only optimise sports or intellectual performance but just plain self happiness, goodness and nature toward others by shifting a little more to the right.

Next up.. Nature Valley Grand Prix

Wednesday sees the start our next race here in the USA.. the Nature Valley Grand Prix is a five day stage race one of the most prestigious on the NRC calendar.

We are way up north in Minneapolis, Minnesota .. vibrant and progressive city and proud home to the .. well (best way to describe it) spoon and cherry sculpture!

Shelley previews the race in a TV interview here;

This race has a world class women’s field this year and is set to be a tough race. Our team will be Shelley, Amber, Inga and myself directed by Manel Lacambra racing to defend Shelley’s 2010 overall title.. stay tuned!

Planes, Trains and Automobiles – traveling light in more ways than one!

A belated post written ‘In Viaggio’ from Italy to USA last week… as I’m sitting on a plane listening to tunes and in the mood to write I thought I’d specify the moment at hand..

Flight connections, seat allocations, friendliness of check in staff weighing the bike bag, success or failure of luggage arrival at destination these are all the anticipated elements that can make it or break it! As you’d probably guess travel is a large part of being an athlete especially in cycling.. like racing its a process that becomes refined.. each time it’s done with a little more ease, efficiency and hopefully a little more grace.

This current trip to he USA is my fourth international flight this year… so until I’m lucky enough to consistently get the pointy end of the craft It’s imperative to optimize life in good old econo class. Just for insight my refined list of travel essentials roll out something like this;

• Entertainment – noise canceling headphones, iPod, book
• Sleep – ear plugs, Eye mask, neck pillow
• Body – 2XU compression socks and tights, blow up ring cushion (not joking – for long flights!)
• Immune system – hand sanitiser / Barocca / Vitamin C
• Tummy – H2O bottle / fruit / nuts

But over and above.. travel.. as glam as it seems requires an intricate balance of astuteness yet poise.. remain alert yet chilled. Above all I’ve found putting ones mind in a ‘flow state’ so that when the day spits out physical mental challenges its water off a duck’s back and the stress doesn’t stick.

So.. when having to stand in line for an hour snaking through with a luggage cart resembling a semi trailer or pay $US300 for the bike to ‘possibly’ arrive at your destination you can simply laugh at the misfortunes, smile at the grumpy folk, and glaze over the chaos..

Something about travel no matter what.. if you let it.. (because there is no where else to be but where you are) can open thought and prompt pondering about where you’ve  come from and where you’re going.. and that my friends is the fun part!!