Sunday 30 October 2011

Tic-toc, tic-toc...

It's coming up to the end of October and I haven't had one word from any team about cycling professionally in 2012. I can't wait for ever. Already this I've made big sacrifices this year and really I'd be disappointed to quit without having made a boat load of cash in the Pro Tour. They say domestiques earn well there, if this guy is anything to go by I'd say they're right!

Previously I thought the lack of interest was for being stranded at the corner of Europe in a peloton famous for a rampant doping problem, but evidently the doping problem has been adressed and this year unlike previous years I have had people help out and try to get a team for me else where in Europe. I don't know why there is no interest. I could say the lack of results, but my winning "Equipier do Ano" (domestique of the year) kind of explains that, doesn't it? Okay in cycling, there is a huge team element... blah, blah, blah. -It's a small bell, but I'm ring it!

I love sport and am training like it's a normal pre-season; running and doing strength training exercises. But I am wondering where will I apply it?


  • Fun running? -God forbid, but like death it comes to us (athletes) all.
  • Ironman triathlon? 
  • Mountain bike stage racing? 
  • The hour mark? -Hour p.b., I wont get ahead of myself here.
  • British time-trail championships? 
  • Something totally mad like a HPV (not herpes but human powered vehicle) record.
  • Something totally mad like the RAAM -it's got a big prize which appeals to my sense of greed.
  • Something totally mad like cycle round the world with a huge beard?
  • Free Diving?
  • Fell running? 
  • Quit? -No, I am happy tilting at wind mills.
Which one shall I go for? Votes please!

My closing words are a genuine thank you to everyone who has helped and supported me!

Monday 24 October 2011

My Birthday Suprise.

It's unusual to have anything directly cycling related happen during the off-season. Here there is no track racing or cyclo-cross, just the odd mountain bike race.

I had my birthday on the 22nd. I am 27 and feel like I'm hurtling through life much too fast. I wish the days were twice as long!

I first celebrated my Birthday with my family on the 21st which was good fun, then the following day I went with my girl friend to Tavira where we celebrated with some friends. Luis Silva, one of my team mate is two hours younger, so we usually celebrate together.

Te following day I was awoken to a doping control. I was amazed at the timing. "Will have drunk a lot of alcohol the day before affect the test?" I asked. To which they said "no". I was just thinking that I do not as of yet know whether I will even be a cyclist next year. However the "vampires" must think I will be, so I took it to a good omen!

Doping test done I went running in the mountains. 16km up and down the hills and in the rain, it was great craic.