I’m so pumped to be part of an event this weekend. It is something I’ve definitely taken for granted in the past - ‘signing up’ comes with a level of commitment that you’ll be ready, willing and able to do something by a certain day. It’s been really frustrating assessing things day to day, week to week for 6 months, so it really felt like a milestone to decide I was likely to be ‘able’ to commit. I’m 100% willing…ready might be another story!
Can’t wait to see everyone at Beechy, including @yourlocaldave (who took this 📸 somewhere out of swan hill, who you might spot on course this weekend 🏍️
Patiently waiting for Off Grid 2026 to drop (I haven’t seen it 😅). But the 2025 collection was one of the best, and I think it was my fave shoot ever, so I’ve got some pretty grand expectations for what’s to come this year 🤩
As a side note, the Winton Wetlands (where this was shot) were temporarily closed last year after its Board of Management stepped down. It left the wetlands in a precarious position. Wetlands are very fragile environments and Australia has been very good at removing them for development into agriculture or housing. They have significance to First Nations people (in this case the Yorta Yorta people) and are a home for an enormous array of species. Winton Wetlands still exist but its future is still in the balance. It’s a beautiful place to visit, and I highly recommend that cyclists take a detour off the Hume to check it out, and spend some money in neighboring towns. We can do a little bit to help preserve the wetlands into the future 🐸🦆🦘
On Sunday I did my longest ride since September - 130km on the BK. The good news is I had minimal pain, and even on Monday I was feeling pretty normal (albeit the legs were a bit tired). I ran out of fitness before I ran out of kms, which was a funny little experience. But I got through.
I know I’m always saying “this might be the best gravel loop” but I actually think Sunday’s ride is right up there. Nothing too technical, no climbs too nasty, good quality gravel on very quiet roads, lovely views. It’s a pure gravel loop for pure gravel cyclists.
Medically there are a couple different things going on. The paratenonitis, which was the cause of the big lump in my Achilles, restricted movement, crepitus, inability to weight bear, has basically resolved. My physio says it’s not a common injury but it’s the most common Achilles injury in cyclists.
The second aspect of this injury is some sort of tightness/restriction on the inside of my calf. It causes all these pulling sensations under the skin and feels very creepy. This isn’t settling quite as quickly.
Treatment involves a lot of types of calf raises, some are less pleasant than others. I also have to do a lot of hopping and a little bit of running which is a bit of a full circle moment. I am not a graceful runner. Remedial has been an excellent way to move it all around and relieve some of the weird sensations I get in there, too (thanks @coretherapy_sportsmassage 🙏)
Progress has been very slow, but last weekend was a huge milestone for me, and a great reminder that slow progress is still progress. These little wins have been so motivating - it’s nice to think there’s a not too distant future when I’ll be back riding and this little saga will be in the past.
I’m not quite at the “let’s set a big goal” stage but I’ve done that anyway, now it’s just achieving some little goals in the interim.
Is it too late to be talking about TDU? This year it looked a bit different for me, with less bikes, more pasta and the same number of Negronis (jokes, only one this year 🥃). I was a bit trepidatious about going to ADL this year, but decided last minute that I’d cancelled enough plans already and maybe adding in something to look forward to would be good for the soul.
What a wonderful spur of the moment decision. A quick turnaround of four pretty busy days in the @thepedla / @trekbikesaunz Frequencies space was exactly how I needed to kick off 2026. The days flew, I saw all my faves and had a great time - even without all the bike time.
I was very proud of all the hard work and creativity from the team at Pedla in creating their TDU26 campaign - it was a bold step for a little team and I think they produced something really fun and exciting. The feedback on the floor was super positive, and the energy was amazing.
Thanks to everyone who popped in and said hi, came along on the rides, listened to some of the talks. You all contributed to the amazing community that Pedla has created over the years. How good are bikes?
Just because the loops are bit shorter, doesn’t mean they need to be boring. This has been a go to loop of mine for year now, but I haven’t gone this direction in a few years. It’s about 40km, just under 1000m of climbing and 95% is comfortable on a gravel bike - just a couple patches of rocks that will shake you up. Plus one of the best gravel descents in Bright/Victoria/Australia?
I’m very happy to be back on the bike in any capacity, so this loop felt like a bit of a milestone for me. I may have shed a ear but that might have just been sunscreen in my eyes 🥲.
Thanks to @sammymc for putting the idea in my head 😉
#localloops #gravelcycling #thepedla #cyclingreels #womenscycling
It has been a hot summer in Bright. Getting out on the bike has been really motivating, even though I’m limited to easy, slow rides - it’s a step in the right direction.
The bike feels like home. Fingers crossed things keep trending in the right direction and I can be back, properly, soon!
Sorry it’s a bit lo-fi, but unfortunately recovery really stalled around 20 September and I have struggled to really make much progress since then. I’m sure I can come back from ✨whatever✨is going on, but I think the writing is on the wall the the short term future will have less bikes, rather than more.
I really don’t want to be a misery guts, because there isn’t much point. I’m also aware that this is an issue that is teeny tiny in the grand scheme of things, even in the grand scheme of injuries and health conditions - I don’t need any sympathy, and this video is just to give people who are interested an update and assurance that I’m working on it. There are some good professionals on the case, too, don’t worry!
Put the KASK spinnaker up for the ride home after yesterdays gravel pedal. I had a blast cruising around the Yarra trails. Perfectly matched my kit to the new Flamingo Protone (if I do say so myself) 🦩🦩. Life is always better with bikes 💕
A couple of local spins on the mtb with some slick new hoops from the best in the bizz @curvecycling . Didn’t realise it was actually a petite farewell tour as I’m relegated to some more time off the bike, trying to settle this sore leg. But the weather was much nicer than it was in Melbourne (so it seems, but there was a little bit of rain here), and time on the bike in the sun was restorative. The wheels have totally transformed this bike, it went downhill like a rocket 🚀 I cannot wait until I’m back properly!
We are all locals, united by the roads | Big thank you to our local Melbourne community for making it down to celebrate International Local Loops Month. Plenty of rides to come all over the world 🌍 Link in bio.
