my very own polka dot jersey (2 and 1/2 weeks to go)

with the early summer /late spring temperatures rising and that feel of summer air finally arriving, i awoke to find my self covered in red spots. Other team mates had been having issues with allergies causing stuffy sinuses and itchy eyes, but i decided to go all the way and break out with itchy red spots. After a quick call to the Radioshack doc and a trip to the chemist for some allergie meds the itching subsided and my spots have started disappearing.
Note being covered in red spots in no way improves your ability to climb, much to my dissapointment.

it is now only 2 and 1/2 weeks until i will be back on home soil, which although i have had the time of my life here, will be some much welcome relief, and only 1 and a 1/2 weeks until dad and big bro will visit for my mid season break.
Although i will be off the bike and not racing for my last week here it will still be as busy and exciting as ever, with Simon and i going to Rock Werchter, one of belgium and even europes biggest rockfestivals, to see Green Day Paramore, 30 Seconds to Mars, Rise Against and many other bands which should make for a good day out, but probly wont help simon with the jet lag.
The following day its a surprisingly short drive, up into Holland for the prologue of the TDF followed by evening in Amsterdam. then back to belgium to brussels to watch the finish of stage 1 the following day.
and then it almost time for me to head back, and dad and Simon to spend another 2 weeks travelling France and Spain.

With the realisation that the end is in sight, iv started thinking the highs and the lows and about what i have learnt here both on and off the bike, and it is surprising how many of the lessons this trip has taught me have had nothing to do with training/racing but still have a much bigger impact on performance than most realise.
Thoughts of home have also started creeping in, and it will be a huge relief to be sleeping in my own bed again (with rectangular pillows, no matter what people say square pillows are impossible to get comfy on) after almost 5 months away.

Although a part of me expects to get home and find all my stuff out on the front lawn with the locks changed LOL, but i guess we will cross that bridge when we get to it.

Cant wait to get home and talk the usual shit on the sunday morning bunch ride

See you all soon

When the shit hits the fan, go bush!

Yesterday it was back to racing UCI races starting with a UCI 1.2 starting In Wavre. it was to be a 185km race with some cobble sectors and some short sharp climbs in the first 50km followed by flat roads all the way to the finish.
The morning was very humid and about 26 degrees, but as the start time approached the temperature dropped and with 2 minutes to go until start time the heavens opened. i had made sure i was in pole position at the start and as soon as we were rolling was on the bumper of the lead car for the 3km neutral section, which is the best place to be because you don't have to fight as hard to stay there.
The flag was pulled in and with the race finally underway the usual furry of attacks were starting, and with the treacherous conditions, early climbs and flat run in to the finish i decided it was likely that a small group would be let go, with the bunch coming back together on the long flats leading into the finish. but it was not to be so i made sure i was at the front for the first of the climbs sitting at 3rd wheel at the base, but as soon as the road turned skyward i missed the 23 and put it strait in reverse :( i was maxing out but still going backwards at an alarming rate but managed to hold onto last wheel cresting the top of the climb.
Unbeknown to me immediately following the climb would be the first cobbled section of about 500m down the other site. With a downhill gradient of about 10% and slicked with the usual water and mud there was carnage. bottles fall out of cages, riders try to avoid them and with no grip and no brakes down they go. In total about 60 of the 190 starters were lying on the road, 15 of which were hospitalized. As for me being last wheel I got to witness the lot but thankfully i managed to point my steed to the side of the road hop the curb and ride down the mud/gravel shoulder past the twisted bikes and motionless riders, and my team mate Pavo who had found a way through the maze of bodies. i waited for him for a few seconds and then chased him back to a group of 5 riders about 30 second off the rear of the front group, until i poped and found myself slipping back to the 2nd chase group, then the third, and the.....the broom wagon, which was filled with bruised beaten and soaked riders.
Only one of our riders was in front of the crash and made the lead group, so it wasn't a particularly good race for the team.

Internet Brugge and Chocolate Body Parts

Saying that last week dragged on and on would be a major understatement, with many of the other riders having a week off travelling and resting as well as the team manager going for a holiday to turkey the apartments were very quiet, add to this the internet cutting out, and taking a week to be fixed there was a shortage of entertainment.

As a result i took the opportunity to travel into brugge to do some clothes shopping and sight seeing.
Here are some pics.
"Bike racks at the Brugge Train station"

"Canal"

"Minewater Park"

"Another canal"

"Bridge and Tower"

"Chocolate Bits"