For those of you who have followed my updates throughout the year, you'd know what I mean when I say it's been a long year! From February 2009 to November as we speak - it seems I've stumbled from one chaotic phase into the next without much of an interlude between these phases.

During the year, there were times where I felt a short rest was in need - but something always came up, which prevented me from having any sort of substantial recovery. Ideal examples are like when I got back from Europe, where I'd spent 4 months of racing (up to 3 times a week) and with no real time off the bike. When I returned to RSA I planned on having 2 weeks rest, but instead I kept training upon hearing that I'd be taking part in the National Road Series in Australia. So instead of resting, I was training.

To the present, and I feel I really need to take some time off the bike. I've just completed another phase of racing in Australia, racking up the; Tour of Murray River, Grafton to Inverell, Goulburn to Citi, Tour of Tassie, and the Sydney Crits. All after doing 30+ races in 4 months while in Europe. My mind, and motivation are taking a few knocks when it comes to short term goals. I know what I want in the long term, but it's the present goals which seem to be giving me grief.

Speaking of which, the Australian National Championships take place in the first half of January, in Ballarat. I intended taking part in these, and can see the benefits. But most of all I can feel  the effects of racing for my first full season. There's no other way to say, I'm tired. And there's nothing I can do about it. I've started taking in some shorter, less intense rides to try rescue my form until January, where I can really drop the throttle and kick back (I'll be beginning my Undergraduate Studies at VicUni) - currently I've started out with a part time job to help keep me motivated, and give me a time limit to my day, so I don't lounge around! I start at 11am, which means I'm up at 7am. It's nice to actually mingle with "normal" people, after spending the majority of the year surprisingly isolated in my travels, or surrounded by weight obsessed cyclists with sleep disorders...

Anyway, that's how I feel today - who knows how I feel tomorrow. Maybe it's time to call an old friend and get some moral boost into me. Oh and then there's the ever present question... Do I have a ride for 2010, or is it yet another year of flying solo? That's really the one thing that seems to be on my mind.

Til next time!