College Life

After realising how long it has been since I last posted I thought I should give you an update of what I've been doing in the last few weeks while in the US. My life recently has basically consisted of college, exploring the main street of St. Charles (cafe's by day, clubs at night) and training. It is the off season right now and I won't be able to race until I return to Australia in December. This is a lot different to being in Australia where we can race on the road all winter, over here many people turn to cyclocross to get their race fitness. I have decided to not worry about setting myself up with a cyclocross bike and just focus on my road training. I have enjoyed doing some longer rides lately with the boys and exploring new roads and paths. It is a nice experience to start riding on a road and having know idea where it goes and where it will take you. I often ride to an area we call 'the farms' which is basically dead flat farmland with very quiet and smooth roads, the only downside is that because it is so open I usually encounter sopme pretty strong winds which slows the pace right down.



St. Charles is also the starting point of the Katy Trail. This is a compacted gravel path that extends over 220miles (350km) and follows, for the most part, the Missouri River. It was orignally a railroad track but has since been turned into a recreation path. This is another of our favourite rides and it is beautiful to ride, there are no cars, great scenery and you often feel like you are alot further away from any towns then what you really are. The trail is also protected from the wind, the only bad part is how dirty your bike gets!



The weather has finally turned now for good. Last night it got down to -2 celcius and it didn't get past 7 celcius all of today, and its not even winter yet. I look forward to living over here when it snows but in the meantime there is no benefit for it being so cold.





My camera hasn't made it out with me to too many places but this was one of the many good nights we have had at Tony's on Top. If you ever make it to St. Charles you can't go past this watering hole.



Picture of my room which I share with Owen. Of course it is usually much cleaner than this, must have been a bad day.

Will try and be more constant with my postings.

Keep safe