You know that eerie calm that settles over the paddock as everyone packs up and the thunder of race bikes fades into a quiet memory? It might not seem like it but in that moment and in the quiet lull that follows, racing doesn’t stop, it just shifts gears. The second you’ve packed up the van (or, in my case, recently jumped on a plane back to your home country) that’s when prep for the next race meet begins; from weekend laps to creative grunt, all mixed in with a healthy dose of personal shenanigans.
Wouldn’t you know it, I waltzed home from Europe after WorldWCR feeling bulletproof, only for the universe to clock me out with a cold that hit harder than a gravel-trap face-plant. The timing couldn’t have been any juicier; I flew back to Adelaide expecting a productive winter break… but ended up with tissues and Netflix. Hands down the most ironic souvenir I could have brought home. Though, I admit, it gave me a solid excuse to sip soup like it was fuel.
Once the bug finally cleared enough to let me jump back on a bike, I rolled into weekend mode with my Ohvale. That little pocket rocket doesn’t care about your flying maladies; it still demands full attention and edge-to-edge control.
Actually, the Ohvale is a wicked testing method. Lower risk and easier to access, riding an Ohvale really does feel as though you’re on a tightrope at times. But it’s very rewarding when you get a solid couple of laps in.
Post-Europe – and post-cold – I flipped the script on eating. Suddenly, nutrition wasn’t about fit pics or smoothies; it was mission-critical. Lean proteins, greens, whole grains and enough hydration to float a small boat. That clean-eating pivot turned me from Kleenex-dependent back to my usual routine in no time. It’s never been so clear to me how essential it is for racers to think about everything off track just as much as on track.
I have a fresh and exciting venture too, in the form of a new job! A spray-gun apprenticeship, to be exact, at Nightmare Designs in Strathalbyn, just over an hour south of the CBD. This is where the artistry kicks in.
I’ve never seen myself as much of a creative person, but for the last few weeks I’ve been elbow-deep in helmets and fairings, learning airbrush technique, layering paint and keeping the sneeze reflex in check while the gloss dries. There’s something genuinely satisfying about crafting a scale-worthy visual that’ll thunder down the straights and give all types of riders their own personality throughout their ride. It’s early days but watch this space for some genuine Tarzy designs the next time I take to the track! And if you ever want me to do up a design for you, hey – you know where to find me.
On the workout side of things, to make sure I’m keeping race fit, CrossFit has replaced any lingering desire for gentle cardio. Why jog when you can WOD your way out of any post-race funk? Lifting, jumping, swinging – each session feels more like therapy than training. It’s brutal, loud and effective. Nothing says “I’m back in the game” like dropping into a box with your lungs still clearing cobwebs and walking back out ready to tango with traction.
Balancing the cheeky vengeance of the Ohvale, building artistry at the studio and hammering through CrossFit workouts… it’s all part of the same race. Whether it’s craft, fitness or grit, racing doesn’t just screech to a halt when the bike is packed up. The real race still unfolds in the quiet corners, with every curve, brushstroke and barbell rep.
So, when the grid clears and your head’s still buzzing from the bug you didn’t need, it might just be the best warm-up you never ordered. Because let’s face it, that’s when the real work begins.
I can’t wait to get back out there.
