James Worrell.au

Raced B-grade out at Muzza again today. Pretty twitchy bunch and a bit slower than last week. The headwinds were lighter but still enough to keep the small breaks under control. Me, had a pretty good run, sat out the back until the bunch settled down, keeping an eye on things. Nobody was getting away today it seemed so no point doing too much work. The plan was to conserve energy and take a surprise jump right near the end and stay away. The 3-laps sign came out and I was still minding my own business in the last 3rd of the bunch. Coming down the back straight the gaps opened up so I could jump pretty much the entire field. Thought about it - thought I might not get the chance on the next lap, so I took off. Sure enough I jumped over to the four guys sitting out about 50m off the front of the bunch, yelled out to go as I came past but only 1 bloke stuck and he was stuffed so I didn't like our chances of staying away. As I was fading coming up to the bell, Matty B and another bloke joined us, we tried to work it together, but we weren't working too well - some of us didn't have a whole lot left - and we nearly stuck it - got mowed down by the bunch with 400m to go. Bugger - lungs were shot - going to the pub last night apparently didn't help. Never mind - next weekend - another learning experience under the belt.

As for the getting serious part ... got a few big rides coming up. Noosa - 165km, Around the Bay - 250km, Brisse to Coast - 110km .... and the clincher - Canberra to Melbourne - 900km in November - and I'll be turning 36 on that ride - could be a large night. Time to do some bigger miles in the training over winter - happy times.

Knocking off work. What a grea idea! It's Friday and for some reason the week has really dragged out. Could be I have stepped up a smidge on the cycling (thanks Ned!), so maybe not as fresh as I could be, or perhaps it's because I've backed off the stimulants? Either way - have managed to get a few things done this week at least. Plans for the weekend I hear you ask? Well - more photos for one - am getting back into it - although that is a dangerous thing. Canon have bought out far too many toys in the twelve months I've been in "hibernation". Shopping list so far includes one of the new tilt shift lenses, a 1D Mark 3 would be sweet - although I'll wait for the next one. Would still love a Leica body - that will definitely have to wait until the lotto win in line behind the Time bike, the jet ski, yada yada ... you get the idea. Latest pics at cyclingphotos.com.au with more coming from Anzac 25 and perhaps State Crits on Sunday. Anyway - I'm waffling - brain is cooked. Speaking of cooking - highlight of the week so far was last night's Thai Yellow Curry with Mahi Mahi and Tiger Prawns - always a crowd pleaser. Ciao.

Back at work again after nearly 6 days in Perth. Speaking for myself, I had a fantastic time - I highly recommend heading over there.

Dianna and I flew in Friday afternoon and was met at the airport by Phil and Dave. Headed back to Dave's place albeit briefly before we were off to the rugby. Reds were pounded, but the beer was cold, so not too many complaints from me.

Next morning, Dave and I headed off on the bikes. From South Perth we headed out to Freemantle. Some massive houses and spectalar river views in the early morning. Ride back up was solid but not too bad. All up it felt like about 65km or so I guess. Breakfast at Dave's place and then along with Dianna and Phil we headed off towards Freemantle. We hit the Maritime Museum, did the sub tour, lunch at Ciccerello's, beer at Little Creatures and then headed back to Perth for Dave's 40th. Happy Birthday to Dave. Good night, met a heap of new people etc, had some cake!

Monday morning, had a bit of work to do. Measured up a lease over at Midlands. Then Dianna and I headed south to Margaret River! Stopped in at the Busselton Jetty before arriving at the resort at Bunker Bay. The next couple of days were amazing. Cullen, Cape Leeuwin Light House, Leeuwin Estate, olive and chocolate factories, plenty of food and wine.

Sadly it's all over, but I wanted to ease back into it with a short day at work before heading to Straddie for Easter.

Seems I might have the photo bug again. Last couple of days I've been busy with some of my old photo archives. I have discovered SmugMug - a very cool photo hosting web site (If you do sign up, make sure you put me in as a referrer, will save you $5 anyway: james@jamesworrell.com).

 So far I have managed to smash a few thousand pics in - check out the links from my other sites: www.rowingphotos.com and www.cyclingphotos.com.au.

Off to Perth this weekend for a friend's 40th - so plenty more hangover and news coming up!

Well, went for my second criterium race on the weekend out at Nundah. Awesome fun. I think I could get a bit of a taste for it!

Results were in line with expectations. I had hoped to race "C" grade, but they bumped me to "B" grade. Plan at this point was to hold on until the end, which is exactly what happened, so really I was just making up numbers. It was a bit windy and speeds were around the 48km/h mark the whole 50 mins, so the legs and lungs ended up getting a pretty solid session. Ned had a pretty solid outing though sitting with the break-away for most of the race.

Looks like another race this weekend too, this time out at Murrarie. Easier course I reckon, although with a minor increase in profile - Nundah is pretty much dead flat. Numbers will probably be down a touch on last weekend so it probably won't be as fast. Guess I will find out and hang on again. Hopefully get busy and whack a couple of pics in the gallery later this week.