Goodbye 2011 Season, Hello 2012..

Another season down, more experience soaked up and it's very safe to say that 2011 was good to me. I felt as strong and confident as I ever have before, now ride for a Belgian team and rode on the National Team on two occasions (One being the Junior Tour of Ireland). With this alone I'd be happy, but I also picked up a silver medal in the National TT Champs and in my opinion I felt I put in a very convincing performance in the Road Race but only to run into yet another "hole" of bad luck.  Although things went great, I definitely feel that they could have gone better and there is definitely room for improvement. The story of my season was running into these "holes" and luck wasn't always with me. I had many crashes, punctures, mechanicals etc.. but that's bike racing. You live and you learn! Again I just want to thank everyone who helped me throughout 2011, especially my parents and sponsors without ye nothing would have happened.

So now I guess it's that time where I start writing again. As well as having time off the bike, I felt that leaving the blog for a while was a good idea also. Gather my thoughts for the upcoming season! For the last month or so I've just been recharging the batteries to the best of my ability in aim that by the time I get back on the bike I'll be fresh. Getting hit by a jeep during the local Sportif didn't help with this though, as I was meant to have a few more rides after it to wind down, I was unable due to injuries. Since the incident I've been having a lot of trouble with my shoulder especially, I'm having to be really careful with what I carry and what I do throughout my normal day as the smallest thing may have a big effect on how it recovers. I have been and still am attending quite a bit of Physiotherapy and Massage at "The Fermoy Physiotherapy & Sports Injuries Clinic" which has really been helping me. So I really hope that everything recovers properly and that there is no ongoing problem. P.S. My Lazer Helium arguably saved my life!

As for next season, I am very happy and proud to say I have a new coach. I am now working with Martin O'Loughlin and he, Im sure, will be one of, if not the biggest factor in preparing me for next season, and hopefully the years ahead! I will be returning to Belgium after my exams, and the plan thus far is to finish my season out in the heartland. A lot is yet to be decided on what my calendar will be etc. but I'm very excited and anxious to be getting back on my bike!

On Saturday the 22nd of October I tarvelled to Dublin for a cycling Ireland training camp. This session was organised by the Head Development Coach Paddy Doran. The aims of the session was to educate riders in regard to off bike training activities and increase riders overall fitness for next season and beyond. Saturday was U23 and junior development squad riders. 

There was a great attendance at a great venue the Winning Solutions Cycling Centre in Dublin,with a dedicated Group of riders and Development Coaches present. The sessions were lead by Scott Mc Donald owner of winning solutions. The riders had demonstrations and sessions of circuit training, Jogging, some had watt-bike sprint test. There were presented with training guidance, bike set up information, nutrition and circuit training exercises. Another session is scheduled for early December.

Soon, I also plan on doing some reviews on my Lazer Helmets. Lazer have been very kind and I'm very lucky to be working with them. I need to start taking some notes and looking deep into how I've enjoyed my time using them.

So that is it! The first update of my 2011/2012 training/racing season. Many more to follow! Stay tuned

Eoin