On Monday the Australian mtb team moved from Muttenz to Houffalize, Belgium. The weather gods have been rather unkind, hurling wind and rain and sleet and snow all over us. We were blasted with snow and ice on our first ride in Belgium, and when Garron (coach) joked about how we were going to get a lift home, we all learnt why Terri Rhodes (Torq rider) is called "Stink". She really put out some power when she found out Garron was only joking and stormed off on her bike in the pouring rain!
Yesterday I was introduced to Belgium mud. Wet, cold, slippery Belgium mud. Katherine and I "rolled" a lap of the World Cup course, but it was more that we walked and slipped around the course. The World Cup is on Sunday, it's #1 in the World Cup series, and it's going to be interesting; the course is really hilly, and if it rains (ha, I mean when!) the muddy descents will be pretty tricky. It's quite a long lap, maybe about 30mins, with a lot of steepish climbing.
My decision to come overseas was pretty last minute, and I'm really glad I came over. It's really fun hanging out with all the other aussies, and we are staying at a really spooky farmhouse, it's like something out of the Adams Family. We're not sure if it's haunted, but if it's not it should be. I'm living with fellow torq riders Kate Potter, Ian Potter, and Terri Rhodes, Katherine O'Shea, Zoe King, Rowena Fry, Dellys Starr and Garron Buckland. The Torq boys Dan McConnell and Paul Vandy, and Lachie Norris, are staying with Neil Ross at a farmyard nearby. It's pretty awesome :)
Oh and there are furry shetland ponies and goats and donkeys everywhere, and spectacular eagles, and deer and foxes, so I'm loving pedalling along the narrow farm roads.
Well, we're heading back home now, we're living about 14km Houffalize. We're going to ride in tomorrow and clock up a few laps, should be scary. But this time I'll have on some mud tyres so I'm optimistic I'll stick to the ground a bit better this time!
Tory Thomas © |
|
|