Into 2012: Back to singletrack

As I was washing my bike a couple of weeks ago in the rapidly fading light it occurred to me that I probably hadn't washed any bikes for nearly 6 months. Quite a change from washing at least one every weekend and sometimes another in-between! Despite being back on the bike outdoors for three months now, the weather has been so dry and mild that washing the bikes just hasn't been necessary. I've now had my first ride out in the mud and rain since the accident - a novelty that I actually enjoyed - not sure how long that will last though!

I've now been back in 'official training' with Kate from A Quick Release Coaching for nearly 3 months. Essentially starting from scratch with my fitness it has felt very much like grinding up a long fireroad climb. The top is definitely getting nearer and I'm already looking forward to the descent on the other side.

The current training load is focused on base work - lots of long rides, technical work on the turbo, trips to the swimming pool, physio and core work. For someone who has always struggled with swimming, the fact that I can now swim up to 1300m is a major achievement. I'm also still working with the physios - both thanks to the NHS and also the fabulous, just mean enough, Duncan from Midas Physiotherapy.

On Christmas Eve, I ventured out with boyfriend Dave and friends Sam and Dan for a short ride and we decided to try a bit of singletrack for the first time in many months. We rode quite a bit of the recent Gorrick Brass Monkeys racecourse at Tunnel Hill and all things considered it went pretty well. There were a couple of sections I looked at before riding and one descent that I decided to walk but mostly things felt good - and the time passes a lot quicker when you have lovely singletrack to ride!

Before New Year I met up with members of the Mountain Trax race team for a skills and social ride. We spent a bit of time working on descending and then did a short time-trial over some singletrack that I happen to know well. I wasn't fast but considering there were two steep hills in the course I could have been a lot slower. Mountain Trax racer, Ben Thomas put together some video from the day.

Mountain Trax Christmas team ride (filmed by Chris White; edited by Ben Thomas)

Last weekend we headed out with a few friends from the Tunnel Hill Trolls on a big loop round the Devil's Punchbowl. 

 

It was great to get out on more of an adventurous ride, taking in a mix of byways and bridleways including the new quiet lane where the old A3 has been ploughed up since the opening of the Hindhead Tunnel. It was amazing to see how quiet the countryside in the area is now that the A3 is taken through the hillside. I look forward to seeing it return to nature of the coming years. Reward at the end was a stop at the wonderful Seale Tea Rooms - not to be missed if you are in the area.

Cake-shaped rewards!

A lot of friends were on different rides last weekend, some off-road, some on the road. Unfortunately there were quite a few injuries, including several broken bones, trips to A&E and surgery - all very familiar territory. Get well soon to all those injured and off the bike for the time being - rest up, listen to the doctors/physios and before you know it you'll be back on the bike.

For now, I'm planning on a return to enduro racing in late spring, building up to a 12 hour solo at Bontrager 24:12 in July. After that, we'll see!

As always, thanks to family, friends and other supporters for keeping me going including the Mountain Trax Race Team, Kate & Ian Potter at AQR and Duncan at Midas Physio.