Newbie : /

Hi,

My name is Maja (or Mya.... or Myer – like Grace Brothers...) and I’m joining Valkyrie Vikings for a training session for the first time tomorrow morning. Rach has asked me to put a few lines together re my previous experience with cycling and what I’m expecting or nervous about.

Well I’ve never been part of a cycling squad and only took to the road bike after breaking my arm coming off my mountain bike late last year. My first ride on the roadie after getting some range/strength back into my shoulder was the Big Canberra Bike ride – so have only really been on a road bike since then. I’m mainly riding alone – although occasionally I can pull some of my girlfriends or collegues out. I’ve never done a group or bunch ride and have been doing a bit of a mix of path and road.

I initially enquired with the club as I was finding it difficult to find someone else who was interested in regularly riding, training, setting goals and possibly competing with me... (one of the (many) goals I set while wasting away in a shoulder immobiliser after the break, was completing either the 50 or 100km ride in the Fitz’s in October) - big hopes especially when the sound of hill repeats as we do laps around Yarralumla tomorrow makes me SOOOO nervous about joining you girls!!!

I’m mainly worried that I’m going to run out of steam, or fall way behind. One of the benefits (if not the only benefit) of riding alone is that you set your own pace (the downside of which is not pushing yourself)... so riding alongside girls that train all the time and participate in club events/races... makes me a little queasy – let’s hope the intensity doesn’t make me feel queasy tomorrow too!!

I was worried that it would clicky and hard to fit in, but I must say is that I am impressed with is the level of support I have already received from members of the squad. I haven’t met anyone but have received so much encouragement over so many emails that I feel like I kind of know you already. I got a response right away after I enquired which was great as it’s gotten me really pumped to start and is making me think that maybe I will be able to make some of these goals happen... So yeah... guess I’m excited and nervous at the same time!! : /

Will see you all tomorrow morning, am sure it’s going to wake up my legs!

Maja