Just a Little Catch Up

Such a long time between drinks with a lot happening and changing since my last post. Stay tuned and this blog will be updated weekly with either training, racing or just something thats been happening in the life of this cyclist.

Seeing as August 2014 was my last post and it is now October 2015 I’ll quickly run through the past 14 months to get everyone updated. 

Repeating my Tour of South West win

I continued my time with African Wildlife Safaris through the end of 2014 and was one of the very few who re-signed a contract for the 2015 season. Of course the first big race of the 2015 season is the Australian National Road Cycling Championships and honestly I didn't want to settle for anything less than last years results, alas that wasn't the case. A disappointing 20th in the Time Trial (7th last year) and a less than respectful DNF in the Road Race (5th last year), after mechanical issues and two bike changes, luck just wasn't on my side early in the year. I missed selection for the Jayco Herald Sun Tour and every National Road Series race for the first half of the year. There was some success going back to back winning the Tour of the South West Road Race again as well as defending the Team Time Trial win at the Phillip Island GP. 

Come the middle of the year my coach (Tim) and mentor (Kym) put some very powerful questions to me about my life; Is it on or off the bike? On, When was I feeling my best on the bike? In Adelaide. Would I move back if I could? Yes. 

In a matter of weeks, I had the car re-packed and on my way to Adelaide again, this time for good. I slept on a blow up mattress on the floor of my coaches bike room, went training while looking for a more permanent place to live, a new job and getting life back together now I was back where I wanted to be. 

Sam Miranda Tour of the King Valley Most Aggressive Stage 1

New house? Check. New job? Check. But I moved here for cycling so lets get to that, African Wildlife was Melbourne based and I wasn't being considered for races when I was there, how would I go when I was abroad? Time for a new team. Lightsview was my team from when I originally lived here, so why not try? New kit and new bike day soon followed and I was now a part of my old team. The name may not be as big but within weeks I was winning races with support of my team mates and travelling around the state and into Victoria for NRS tours. 

Now starts a new chapter as I move from 2015 into the 2016 season. African Wildlife Safaris Cycling Team has announced it’s folding, I cannot thank them enough for the new experiences presented to me whilst I rode with the team. Team Lightsview has said they will reign back on their racing and focus solely on the South Australian cycling scene. 

For me, I am taking on a new venture with good mates and big things on the horizon. As the sun pokes its head through the clouds I’m signing off and details of my new team moving forwards will be released in days to come.