Neil rolls into Dili

Thanks to Tim, "the ultimate cycling house-mate" for posting a link to this image in the comments (and thanks to Russ for sharing it).



In spite of the obvious team contract violations (non team-issue socks, extremely un-pro, black gloves), it's good to see him again. It's been strangely lonely at work without having anyone to ping with random bike-thoughts over instant messenger.

I guess actual international stage racing will do that, eh?

By the way, SBS's perma-awesome Cycling Central site has video highlights, starting from stage two.

An update from Timor?

*click-beeep*

Uhhh. ... I feel sick...*beeep*

To replay this message, press 1.

That's a strange one. It's not from Neil's number, but it sounds a lot like him. Well, a groaning, rolling around grasping his abdomen him.

East East

When around a month ago a friend asked me if I'd like to join him to race Tour de Timor, I'll admit, I hadn't heard of the race. During the weeks following my agreement, I learnt more about what I'd signed up for, the race, the country and the people involved. I began to run a gamut of seriously conflicting emotions, "what ifs" thrown around my mind like fairy bread at a 3 year old's birthday.

It's in a tropical location meaning I'll be getting a head start on this summer's razor sharp sock lines. It's in a tropical location meaning every bug wants to kill me in ever more creative ways.

It's five days back to back racing, which will be awesome preparation for the Warny. It's five days back to back racing, who in their right mind races 5 days in a row? That's just plain old silly! :)

The list goes on, but as I sit here, wind and rain lashing the window on one side, my Cubano half packed on the other side, all I can say is: I'm too far in to back out now, so I'll see you on the other side with some new stories to tell.


*note* "East East" refers to the etemology of the name "East Timor".

Double DFL

Take one rider, let's call him Racer A, on a year-long mission straight from the minds of the OG Stoics. A second rider, Racer B, has been more or less off the bike since The Mont. Racer A has put more miles into his legs on the day preceeding "The Race" than Racer B has in the entire preceeding year.

"The Race" is conducted over a course that climbs like it was cut by by Escher, with the only flat section covered with wet grass and as firm as pillow-top mattress.



Where do these two meet on the bell curve of results?



Racer A, Neil: DFL, A Grade
Racer B, Steve: DFL, B Grade

The road less travelled.

The winter equinox has come and gone, but we're still firmly in the grips of winter. Cold, wet, windy, if you're unlucky it will be all three as you roll out into the early morning gloom.

The hills offer some shelter from the cold winds, and the rolling hills of back country roads have gone from a shortcut to a destination, to being the destination. Winding two abreast along a narrow road, chatting without having to worry about motorised traffic is almost relaxing. You slip past sleepy houses, fog clinging to the hollows, there is a peacefulness to the world, well, until someone decides to attack.



The surface might not be ideal, but going up a climb, hearts in the mouth, hoping that your legs will hold out longer than everyone else, the vibration is worth it, simply because there is nothing to take you from the moment.



On that last little road, when the sun rises just above the trees to add some needed warmth to the road, the air, and to tired legs, you'll know that the path less travelled by has made all the difference.