Back in a cast with the same broken wrist... seems like a good time for some reflection
Since my last post I've had a follow up appointment to check my wrist. I saw a different doctor and he decided to x ray my wrist again. Scaphoid breaks are typically a bit of a worry, with the big issue being a poor blood supply to the bone which can hold back healing. Worst case senario is that the bone dies and I was recently told this is the main reason for doctors to be sued for malpractice in the UK. So this doc was covering his back and fair enough. I got the photos done and next up I was told there was a clear break in my wrist still. I've got a full cast back on and have an appointment with the hand specialist next week. Hopefully in a month I can get back on the bike and start to sew the seeds for 2012's racing. It's gonna be a big year and I'll have more info on that another time.
Before talking about 2012 I feel it's a good chance to reflect on 2011. Around this time last year I wasn't sure what I was going to do. I was considering not racing as it was putting quite a strain on me in terms of cost and travel. I was in a lucky position as I am a member of the World famous KMP - this means my program was my own and there is no pressure to perform. Just ride, race, roam and enjoy.
I decided that this was a great chance to do some events I'd never done before and set some new challenges and to use this lack of racing as an opportunity. I've had an awesome time this year including winning No Fuss Events 10 under the Ben pairs, riding the West Highland way in just over 12 hours, climbing and decenting Ben Nevis at midnight, free-riding in Les Gets, Highland road tripping, Red Bull Minidrome, grass track racing and even the odd XC including a race win and a bronze medal in the Scottish Championships.
I'd like to take this chance to thank all the awesome sponsors and supporters of the Kinesis Morvelo Project, especially Dom, Paddy and Tommy V at Upgrade Bikes and Oli and the guys at Morvelo. We've had amazing support from Kinesis Bikes, Morvelo clothing, Marzocchi, Reynolds Wheels, Clif Bar, Green Oil, Leyzne, Oval Concepts, WTB, TRP, Exposure lights, Minx and Dark Star brewery (although I've still not got any beers up from these guys cos I think Oli keeps drinking them...) The KMP has been awesome this year and all the riders have achieved a lot! It's been great 'team' to be in!
Time to check out the highlights from 2011 bellow. It's been amazing.
West Highland Way in a Day - a huge day out! Glasgow to Fort William on some of the most knarley terrain you can imagine.
Escaping the City - Stefan Morrocco and I set about creating an intersting XC film in Glasgow. Check it out!
Les Gets - awesome time away with the guys. Met some great new people and rode some fantastic trails and even snuck in some cols on the road bike.
Highland Road Trip - road tripping with my better half Rach - up west with the road bikes, grass track racing and and XC race win
Red Bull Mindrome - the coolest night racing I've done in a long time - it brought XC, road, slopestyle, bmx, skaters, trackies and fixie rides together for a night of taurine and caffiene fueled carnage!
BMX - it was my winter project. I guess I'll have to take it up again in a month...
Other pics! - a random assortment of pics from rides, races and roaming!
Keep the top of your chain tight and press on the pedals. Oh yeah, it's winter too so maybe treat yourself to a beer.
Keep riding, racing and roaming and enjoy!
Rabulous