Inspiration

Nearly a year ago, I was introduced to a local Launceston womens 'bike fit' group.

Organised by Georgina Brown of Avanti Plus... and coached by Mark Connelly of EFM gyms in Launceston

A+ EFM Riders (for Women) 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/396469927086426/

This group has encouraged many local women to get out on their bikes and keep fit. 

Riding with these women has made a phenomenal impact on my training! And I have met loads of new friends. Mark may also be heavily responsible for encouraging me to enter Wildside - and making me believe that I am capable. Who needs more inspiration than that!

Much appreciation to Georgina and Mark! 

IT'S STILL RAINING!!!

The local mountain bike tracks in Trevallyn Reserve and Kate Reed are still closed.
I have been using a mixture of fire trails and bits of older trails that haven't been closed - but its all getting a bit mushy - and always muddy!
So I shall continue my RPM classes and will shortly jump on the fluid trainer and look out the window at the blustery on/off showers and dream of dusty bush rides.... !

And I can catch up on some veterinary webinars at the same time (win win)

SPRING!

Toad and Sedge keeping me warm

I had grand plans to keep fit over winter....

It has rained the last couple of months... fairly consistently (apparently more than usual for Launceston). Having previously lived in the water logged Lakes District in the UK, it was hardly an excuse not to ride my bike... but the shorter days did mean I was using the gym after work, and riding the RPM bikes more often!

But my biggest distraction has been study! I am doing some distance education in Feline Medicine this year -  keeping up my motivation up for my veterinary career! (riding my bike seems much more enjoyable) Getting through a module a month, complete with an assignment is eating up my life!!! ARgghhhh! It has been enjoyable and at least Toad and Sedge have been encouraging me.

YMX

Last summer I discovered some lovely new cycling clothing...

I had started using the road bike a lot more for my mountain bike fitness - but was becoming increasingly concerned about my safety on the road.
I was looking for cycling tops that were bright... and hopefully had some style to them!

Some hours later on the internet... I couldn't believe my eyes!!!!
Beautiful functional cycle wear in lots of lovely colours - with reflector strips set in the seams...

This was my first ever purchase!!!

 EVERYTHING I was looking for - bright, beautiful, functional, durable and high quality. 

They are made in 'MadKool' fabric - silky soft, wicks away sweat and has UPF 50+ sun protection in the fabric. I have washed this (machine washable) many times... its still bright.  The cycling tops have 3 rear pockets - enough room for long road rides. 

My cousin checked this top our recently -(he is a fashion designer and knows the clothing industry inside out) - and he was well impressed with the quality and workmanship of the top.

But in my wildest dreams I would never of imagined finding a cycling top that was so beautiful! They MAKE me want to get out on my bikes! 

RANT over...   check them out yourself!

YMX by Yellowman

I had become an addict....  after my second order, I noticed that YMX had advertised for YMX Ambassadors.
With the help of my partner Mike (IT know-it-all)  I submitted an application....

After an exciting couple of months waiting ....  OMG.... I became an ambassador!

2013 YMX Ambassadors - Check out the inspirational women that have been selected... awesome!

Along the way, Mike made me a short bikey video... with a selection of some of my favourite tops!


Liz Smit YMX Ambassador from Michael Smith on Vimeo.

Turning forty used to sound scary from a thirty year old perspective...

And before you can blink....  FORTY!! 

But actually... now I am here... I am rather enjoying it!

These significant birthdays are a great time for reflection...  and tend to spur me on to do something new and exciting to prove to myself that forty is kind of young!

So to celebrate... I have taken on the 'Wildside Challenge'

Wildside Mountain Bike Race

I have done a few mountain bike 'challenges' (not really a race from my perspective) - each one a fairly big physical and mental challenge for me at the time! So wildside is taking it a 'little' bit  further - 4 days, and some amount of kilometres (errr... dont think I have exactly worked this bit out yet)

Just a little bit of training to do... I have 7 months!  This is my journey....