Listen Up

Now you can listen to your favourite song while reading my blog! Just search for your song in the box on the right. ----->

Take a look

TIME Pictures of the Year 2008. Worth a look. Some pretty amazing things happened

http://www.time.com/time/specials/2008/personoftheyear/article/0,31682,1861543_1861868,00.html

The Taj

From Lindenwood University, Missouri back to my home in Taree took no less then 30hrs of being in cars, at airports and aboard planes. Goes without saying that it was a relief to finally get home. I was lucky enough to fly back on an Airbus A380 and for those that don't know this is the biggest commercial aircraft in the world. Planes have always amazed me and this was no exception, this thing was huge and should definitely not be able to get off the ground. Being only 2 months old it was very nice inside and more comfortable then a 747. I can now understand why the price of carbon bikes have risen though as Airbus has used it all in this plane (every seat is made of carbon fiber.)

My House

It has been good to get home and catch up with most of my family who I haven't seen in 4 months and look forward to having a few drinks with some mates over the festive season. After being told by mum that I could not go to the family Christmas if I did not get a hair cut, I have just returned from the hairdresser and I'm sure you will all be disappointed to learn that the mullet has been taken away! It's been a very sad day.

The full extent of the mullet

When you get back after being away for a few months you realise that you have missed some things but not at all others. Of course I have missed my family and friends but there has also been the weather (currently 32 Celsius/90 Fahrenheit,) Triple J, home cooked meals, and the beach. On the other hand I have been reminded how bad our roads are, how inconsiderate the drivers are towards cyclist and how un-enjoyable Australian rap is!

As most of you would know I have not raced a bike in 3months as all road racing stops in the US in about October. I knew I would get a wake up call when I had my first race in Port Macquarie on Tuesday evening. 6 minutes into the race it was all over for me, pretty much what I expected though. The next day I raced at the old stomping ground at Kolodong in Taree. I must have flushed the cobwebs out of my legs on Tuesday though as i was able to come out with a win. Thanks must go to my roommate Owen though for a great lead out. Over the weekend I will return to Newcastle to hopefully have a few more races in order to get ready for the Bay Criterium Series in Melbourne in January.

I will keep you updated on what I have been up to while back home. And for all the yanks reading I'm not jealous at all of the freezing rain and snow while I'm back here.

Fall down

With just one final to go tomorrow for my first Fall semester in America I am looking forward to touching down in the land down under. I could stay over here longer and have no troubles, but the fact that I know I am going home to see everyone is very exciting. The only thing I'm not looking forward to is the 24hrs I will be spending in either Airports or on planes!

My last week over here has been pretty much the usual. Few notable standouts...I went to watch the movie Australia on the weekend. It was interesting to see how the country would be portrayed and what the yanks would think of us. Turned out to be quite a good movie, very long and thought it was going to end numerous times but nevertheless was enjoyable. Throw in a few kangaroos, a ripped Aussie with a thick accent and the duo of Baz Luhrmann and Nicole Kidman, how could the Americans not like it.

I have never experienced as cold weather as what it has been. When days don't get above freezing it really doesn't make you want to get out on your bike. It has to be done though so you have to make your own fun. What you may ask you could do on a ride in the freezing cold??? Throw rocks, sticks and whatever else may be laying around on frozen lakes of course! It is quite an experience to see an entire dam frozen over. It is even better when you get off your bike mid-ride and throw large rocks onto it and not see it break. Why not stop at a frozen waterfall as well, even more fun! Crades, Chev and myself went for a very cold Sunday ride also. This time we were only 1min 15sec into our ride when we decided to test out the strength of the ice on the uni's dam. After a few rocks throws, gradually getting bigger and with our confidence growing, what harm could putting a foot on it do? Now two feet, wow, walking on water.Or if your a mountain goat like Chev, walk a few feet with your bike! (photo to come) You know its time to scramble off that ice when you hear the first signs of cracking though.

With only 24hrs left till I leave Lindenwood I should probably finish my packing. First though a ride (its 3 degrees Celsius). Until next time, look after yourself.

White Powder

Hi all. The last couple of days have been quite a new experience for me. When I woke up on Sunday morning and looked out my window I was surprised to see that it had been snowing all night. There is something different about waking up to snow where you actually live compared to having to drive 8 hours to see it at Thredbo or Perisher. I thought it was kind of sweet to see this site until I realised that it forces me to ride indoors. After a 2hr session on the rollers (indoor trainer) and then checking to see if I was still a man, I decided snow isn't all that good, especially for training. I took a few photos to share with you (of the snow that is.)