The Anzac Community.

Another week that was. Done and Dusted. Training miles collected.

With the build up to Tour of Gila ticking along nicely there hasn't been much to report on.

Thursday morning we all awoke to a few inch's of snow that blanketed the entire town. There goes the day training right? Wrong, by the afternoon all the snow was gone, the roads were dry, and the temperature was quite warm. Boulder's weather is an extreme version of Auckland's 4 seasons in one day.

The only weather constant we have to deal with is the gale force winds that do physically pick you up and blow you around. Who needs and erg when you can ride into a block head wind riding as hard as you can to keep your speed up over 10kph.

One noticeable change in Boulder this week has been the Anzac Community that has been formed.
The only time I have ridden with a local American is either on the Saturday Bunch ride or the first week we were here. Otherwise every ride has been shared with the strong Aussies and Kiwi presence.

With the arrival of the remainder of Pureblack Racing and Fly V Australia we certainly dominate the bunch ride. Passing remarks of "here go the aussies and kiwi's racing each other again" has been heard several times.
We cant however forget those Aussie's and Kiwi's who also ride for American teams like Trek Livestrong, Bissell and Garmin-Chipotle, and with Greg Henderson in town and Hayden Roulston due in here soon our own micro community population is starting to sky rocket.

Us Anzac creatures are normally found around our local watering holes at around 10 as we emerged half awake for the morning coffee and scone. So far there is peace amongst the crowd, however once the test rugby season gets going and the Rugby World Cup gets closer I am sure it may get a bit amusing loud and rowdy at these cafes.

It has been a real bonus having so many of us characters in town as there is always someone to ride with, everyone gets along and we all look out for one another. For me it is really helping me as you enjoy your days so much so you feel as if you are home and enjoy the company you ride with.

Enough of my Blabbing.

Noddy.

Home away from Home.

By the end of week 2 and we had finally moved in to our ‘town house’ which is part of duplex, quite the micro-community here. A half furnished house with the bare minimums like washing machines and a dish washer. This has saved us in set up cost yet we are still to fill the place with a couch and dinning room table.

The one challenge we have to face is buying all of the stuff you need like cutlery, bowls, cup, cooking ware for only 5months. No fancy toys and nice looking appliances, more the best bang for your buck option. It has been a bit of a reality check.

It has been all exciting however to set up the place and personalizing my room.  I am really starting to feel like a big boy who has moved out of home, but in saying that I still look forward to the 21^st of August when I do go back to my own bed and Mums cooking. Living with parents is such a bonus at times. This does not mean I am not complaining about Marks cooking while we have been over here, we have had some all mighty feasts.

With all the excitement and being busy setting up here I haven’t thought about home so much, but as we are starting to settle down and unpack our bags properly to set up camp I have been starting to miss the small things about New Zealand like seeing people you know every day when you pop out of home and pulling out of the drive way to start a ride. The North Shore is home.

Random Snow storms have halted a couple of rides but the next day it’s just like summer all over again. It is definitely the strangest weather condition I have ever been in.  I was looking forward to getting the chance to race here in Boulder at Mead-Roubaix however a complication with a UCI (international cycling union) stopped all plans of racing. Being a “pro” rider riding for a Professional registered team this prevents us from racing any races not sanctioned by USA cycling. It is a ruling I don’t really understand, how we are supposed to support local racing? In simple terms the rule stops professional riders from racing any club events, if we are caught riding these events we can face a fine and a 1 months suspension.

   

On a positive note, the weather is warming up and training is rocking along nicely. I feel as if I am starting to adjust to the altitude but still learning a lot about my body up and how it is coping with the adjustments. Practicing deep breathing on the bike seems to be a bit of a trick that’s helping.

The countdown to Tour of Gila seems to be getting closer and closer all too fast. I guess tie flies when you are having fun. I am jumping out of skin to show what I have to offer and get amongst it.

Time to sign off.

T