Since returning from the Tour of Langkawi Malaysia in October my health has taken a battering. Exhaustion, fever, insomnia, chronic fatigue and the resulting not so happy ‘d’ word have all been a part of day-to-day living.

It has been a never-ending cycle of doctors and tests, searching for anything and everything that could explain the way I am feeling. The more specialized the doctor, the more specific the tests. Everything from Malaria to Diabetes and HIV. None of them proved to be the culprit, but alas nothing was to blame either. Epstein Bar Virus (Glandular Fever) results repeatedly returned as equivocal, meaning it couldn’t be proven either way.

After a long-awaited visit to a specialist at the Infectious Diseases department of the hospital some weeks ago I had some tests done which I only recently received results from. For those of you who read my report from Langkawi, I mentioned receiving around 50 mosquito bites on the first stage after I found myself stranded in a rubber plantation in the middle of the jungle. These results show ‘Chikungunya or similar alphavirus.’

Chikungunya is an insect-borne virus that is transmitted to humans by virus-carrying Aedes mosquitoes. Infection causes an illness with symptoms similar to Dengue Fever. Chikungunya virus is found in south east Asia and is an alphavirus closely related to the Ross River virus in Australia.

Along with this news, the Epstein Bar Virus readings have also returned positive, suggesting that it has indeed been active sometime in the previous months.

It’s certainly hard to pinpoint exactly what has caused what, especially considering that through November – December I had some kind of strange spreading infection on my foot. Blood tests at the time showed parasitic infection. Bec has also had similar symptoms on her feet, both of us deeply regretting our visit to the ‘foot spa’ in Langkawi where dozen of small fish nibble your feet. Silly tourists.

So for now it’s just continuing with the rest and recovery. With qualification races for Olympics looming each day the prospect of racing in London moves further from realistic. For now I’ll set the goals a little more long term and know that tomorrow is another day closer to feeling good.

Below is an extract of a poem I wrote one night in December. Before that I’ll say I don’t like phrases with such cliché as ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,’. ‘What doesn’t kill you but gives you plenty of down time to think about what you really want to achieve and how to go about it, makes you more determined,’ is much more appropriate.

If I can just get this down I just might gaze through this cloud and see the joy in all that surrounds me.

Stuck in a balance of hope like an out strung tightrope, I’ll never be afraid of the fall.
Climbing back on is easy, only I can defeat me, it’s time that can ruin it all.

In sleep I have changed and somehow I’m afraid, I can feel that I’m not who I could be.
Why all this time can I not reach what’s mine and be the man that I should be?

If I can just get this down I just might gaze through this cloud and see the joy in all that surrounds me.

It’s as clear as the night that something’s not right and I can’t make sense of this muddle.
Perhaps it’s no use to look for a piece if you don’t know if you’ve got the right puzzle.

If I can just get this down I just might gaze through this cloud and see the joy in all that surrounds me.

I know it takes will but this horse won’t stand still, just how many times must I prove it?
The strength’s in me somewhere, I won’t give in I swear, I’m just so desperate to use it!

The first day of practice revealed a tricky riding surface. The locals call it ‘pea gravel’ and at was darn slippery. Asides the gravel there was plenty of flowing trails, rocky descents and short, steep climbs. A really challenging race track. ‘Anytime Fitness’ team mate Cam and local, friend and guide Adrian showed me how it was done. I literally couldn’t keep up with them. Not a good feeling two days out.

The MTBA National Series has adopted a different format where several races count towards a cumulative overall time for the round. In this case the first race was the usual Olympic Cross Country, followed by the new Eliminator and Super D the next day.

Under a crystal clear, blue sky with temperatures around 30, the race got underway. After a clean start it was straight into a super steep fire road climb. It was of course covered in a nice layer of gravel and tyres skidded and elbows bumped as everyone tried to grab a good position as the single track at the summit loomed.

I crested what I’d later refer to as the ‘oven’ in around 7^th position. Far from where I wanted to be but it was already clear that today was not going to be wholly satisfying. I accepted this and got on with the job of getting the best out of a body, which at least seemed capable of producing some power compared to previous days.

As the race wore on and the heat really set in, I continued to work hard. I was determined to get the best result possible and finish knowing I’d given my best. The course was really demanding and required non-stop focus. That I could do, and by lap 5 of 6 I’d moved into 4^th position. With weary legs I finished what I’d set out to do and was rewarded with a solid 4^th and a few important UCI points for this years World Cups.

Up ahead Andy Blair had taken out his first National Round win ahead of Sid Taberlay. Andy was on top of the world and I was very happy for him, a well deserved winner.

Sunday morning commenced with the Eliminator. First up was a time trial of the course to post a time for the overall and determine grids for the heats. I half held back and half gave what I could, and was fully smashed accordingly. I was a good 15 seconds behind on the two minute course. This had me lining up against the fastest guys straight off. I rode well and spent what energy I had when I needed to, making it through to the semi final.

The course consisted of an almost BMX style descent followed by a solid climb back to the finish. It was at the lowest part of the course where I managed to snap my chain. Still in 2^nd position I instinctively started to run. I looked back and no-one was coming. Sid Taberlay and another rider had crashed. I ran more. I could see Sid coming now. With 400m to go it was tortoise and hair, cat and mouse, mouse not good at running. It was down to the final pinch and Sid was coming fast as I scrambled my way up. Had it been another 30 meters longer I would have been watching the final from the side line. I made it.

The final comprised Andy Blair, Pete Hatton, myself and Josh Carlson who had been untouchable all morning. He got into the start of the single track decent first, I second. I just mirrored Josh’s speed through the jumps and berms. It was ridiculously fast! By the bottom Josh pulled out a small lead and there was no way I could pull him back on the climb but the hair raising run down the track had left me with a comfortable margin behind, and I took second place.

Next up was the Super D, an individually timed downhill run usually with a few ups to get the lungs working. I found myself riding much faster and closer to the limit than I needed to. This track essentially a four minute downhill and the Superfly felt super stable through the various rock gardens, loose corners and jumps. I was loving every second. I came down with a time good enough for another second place and to hold my 4^th position overall, capping off what turned out to be a rewarding weekend.

For now it’s just time to get healthy and build the fitness back up again over Christmas. Hopefully come the first few months of the new year I’ll be prepared to tackle the big events with confidence.

Thanks to the ‘Anytime Fitness Mountain Bike Team’ and it’s supporters, Trek Bikes, Bontrager, TORQ, Shimano, Fox. Also my personal supporters in Stromlo Forest Park, Pete from Capital Bicycle Hire, my super coach Mark Fenner from FTP Training and the staff at Pilates Canberra in Erindale, all of whom put together major pieces of the performance puzzle.

PARTNERSHIP PAVES NEW PATHWAYS AT STROMLO FOREST PARK

Canberra businesses and local mountain bike clubs have joined forces with the ACT Labor Government to build new mountain biking tracks at Stromlo Forest Park.

The ACT Government’s Trail Support Program gives local clubs businesses the opportunity to invest in building new tracks and upgrading existing ones to keep Stromlo Forest Park on the top of the ‘must ride’ list for cyclists from across the ACT, the country and around the globe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JUuazR8dUc

Stromlo – WIN News

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August 28 – Nowra

The NSW Champs brings about a good level of racing to test out the low season fitness. It can be bit of refreshment for a brain switched on to offseason training and casual riding events. I won the champs last year before starting the national series and I was keen to hold onto the title, albeit a little earlier in the year.

The race started out fairly casually. With a long fire road start no-one wanted to give anyone else a hand against the wind. The bunch was tight and elbows were bumping. I found a gap and gave it full gas as we hit a short climb. Andy Blair and Mitch Codner were straight on me. Coming into the first single track it was elbows out and I found myself relegated to third as Mitch’s bar end gouged into the back of my hand as we battled.

The three of us made a break as we negotiated the twisty single track. Towards the end of the lap I put in a solid effort on one of the longer fire road climbs only Mitch remained on my tail.

Over the next two laps I repeatedly put the pressure on on the climbs. Mitch was glued to my wheel and we were both riding the single track at a similar speed. It was a tough but enjoyable battle. I eventually lost Mitch over the biggest climb of the lap and kept at it.

For the last two laps I tried to extend my lead but avoid any mistakes. I took a few less risks in the corners and just tried to make up time on the straighter sections.

In the end I came through the finish after two hours of flat out XC racing with a couple of minutes lead.  I’m really happy with the result and the reminder that XC is truly hard, which I guess is why I’m putting myself through the winter training. Looking forward to the summer season.

Thanks to ANYTIME FITNESS for their ongoing support, Pete from CAPITAL BICYCLE HIRE for taking care of everything mechanical, TORQ for supplying race winning nutrition and STROMLO FOREST PARK, the ultimate place to practice.

2011 CORC:Ben Henderson Camp

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Heading from South Africa where I’d finished 67^th in the first round of the World Cup, it was onto Czech Republic to take part in their domestic season. Stepping out of the airport I was instantly settled in the area of Europe that I’ve become most familiar with.  I looked out over the lush, green, rolling hills, flourishing in the warming spring, trying to imagine that all this was covered in snow just a few months ago.

First stop was actually Germany, just over the Czech border. My home for now was in the staff dorms of the hospital where Jana, my friend (and host) Ivan’s fiancée worked. Each morning Ivan, Jana and I enjoyed breakfast in the small communal kitchen. Munching away we gazed out over the tombstones of the local cemetery. It was an interesting choice of scenery considering the surrounding buildings to say the least.

After a few weekends of low key racing we settled down at Ivan’s coach’s place up in the mountains on the Polish border. We enjoyed some solid training rides though the quiet mountain roads. We also did a race that was one of only an icy handful of races I’ve done in the snow. I would have sold my soul for a pair of winter gloves that day. Ironically this was probably my most enjoyable race as I just missed out on the win.

The next race was in Vimperk, in the far south west of Czech. It was a South Bohemia Cup, meaning Czechs, Germans and Austrian’s. I was keen as, ready for some serious racing. There was a slight hurdle though. I’d have to travel solo for the 500km journey. This meant driving alone, on the other side of the road, without understanding any more than just the basic road signs. Add to this I’d have to go through Prague. All good, I’ve got Ivans GPS, although it doesn’t speak English. Hmmm… she’ll be right.

40 minutes into my trip the action started. The GPS decided it was done helping. Low on battery and not accepting charge it threatened to turn off. Each time I suggested it stay awake as it guided me through village after village, but the inevitable came. Blink, black. All good, there were now signs to Praha. (Prague) I reached the highway.  Now Czechs rarely go over 200 km/h which I’ve come to perceive as ‘responsible’ driving.  So cruising along at 150 with a steady stream of cars overtaking me, I wondered how things were going to go once I reached the city.

Roads were starting to take on that spaghetti look. There were numerous options, peeling off and joining on. I chose straight. I consulted the maps I’d saved on my laptop. Back-up plan of the century! If the consequences of a wrong turn meant a quick U-ey I’d be confident, but it isn’t and I wasn’t. Next thing was the traffic. I remembered the piece cake that Jana had packed for me this morning. I chomped my way through the entire large slab, realizing towards the end that there was something funny about the cake. It seemed to taste a little ‘spicy’.

Ivan called me a few hours later, “Hey Ben, did you enjoy the cake?”

“Yes it was nice,” I answered politely.

“Really, you liked it?” his words sounding like they came through a smirk.

“Well actually I think it was a bit spicy?”

“Well yes Ben, Jana used paprika rather than cinnamon.”

“That might explain it!” as I burst out laughing.

The traffic cleared and I found myself going the right way. Things were looking up. At one stage the traffic flow went from around 150, to walking pace. It was banked up just over a rise. I slowed down okay, but as I neared the back of the queue, the guy in my rear view mirror was not looking like slowing. He was closing fast. Super fast. Not deviating from his path directly into the back of me. I waited another moment. I’d didn’t look like he was even on the brakes, maybe still at 150, not even seeing us banking up. I instinctively swerved into the other lane, trying to get myself out of danger. He swerved just as I did, putting me again in the path of destruction. He swerved further still and missed me by an inch, still going much faster than me. I continued on, the image of his car closing in so fast in the rear view mirror, whirled around my mind for a long time after.

After a few wrong turns I was running late to randevu with Ivans Dad. On top of that there was a noise coming from the front left wheel. I’d had been there for a while, but it was getting significantly worse, whirring away louder and louder. I arrived to meet Ivan’s dad who is a mechanic by trade. I made some noises with my mouth and motioned towards the wheels. “Langsam” he told me, German for slow (neither of us speak German). No worries. I only had 80ks to go.

I arrived safely and was absolutely starving. I discovered my host would not be there till tomorrow. I strolled into the town square searching for a Pizza joint that came highly recommended. It was now 10:30PM. Playing guessing games I ordered a risotto off the menu. I was starving. ‘Frutti di mare’ it was called. In my tired, hungry state I thought ‘risotto with fruit’ or something. Delicious. I waited patiently, my tummy churning. At last a steamy bowl of risotto arrived. It looked great! I dug in blindly. Something wasn’t right. Something was bad. The taste of frozen seafood suffocated my taste buds. I’m not a real seafood person and smelly old mussels, fish, and prawns were just too much. Turns out ‘Frutta da mare’ means ‘fruits of the sea.’ Everyone knows that. I savaged some bait flavoured rice until I could take no more. I paid the bill and walked home, hungry, exhausted and unsatisfied.

The track turned out to be a rippe. The trails clover leaved around the oval at the centre, dropping steeply down and returning steeping back to the top. Even after laps of practice is was a heart stopper. Some of the descents were of the ‘hold tight and keep it pointed straight’ description. Seriously loose and steep.  The longest climbs were about 40 seconds, so it was maximum power than hang on for dear life, over and over. My favourite!

I started from the back of the 40 strong field. Continuing my good run of starts since South Africa, I found gaps and holes until I pulled into 3^rd wheel, up with the big guns. The speed was unbelievable. I held back nothing and they were pulling away from me. I than tried to save some energy but that was almost impossible as it took every bit of power to get up some of the climbs.

After an hour of chaos (five laps) I was back in 7^th. I was hurting but there was only 30 min left and I was closing on two guys. I came into a particularly knarly section, I pointed the front wheel straight and skidded my way down in down in the compulsory out-of-control fashion. All good, just gotta pull it up for the sharp corner at the bottom. I began to turn in as I started to regain ‘control’. Next thing the bike was veering in the opposite direction to my body and I felt my shoulder extend a little further than desirable. In a pile of bike, bones and dust I cartwheeled off the track and down onto the road a meter below, into a crowd of people. I picked myself up and climbed back up onto the track.  One guy passed my bike up but as I grabbed it I felt my shoulder give way. It wasn’t going any further. I sat on the side of the track.

The medical staff wanted me to go to hospital, I just wanted to go home and lie down, I knew I would be okay. They called the ambulance anyway and I took a 500m ride to the hospital, which was actually only 150 meters across the creek. X-rays came back clear and including the ‘rescue,’ so did my wallet. Standing out the front of the hospital I could literally see the section of track where I crashed. Jirka took me home. I rested for an hour before I succumbed to my desire to know if I was still able to ride, knowing these injuries often take weeks to improve, meaning trip over. I rolled out into the street and found I was able to hold myself up okay. At least I could train on the road. I spent the next hour spinning the legs on quiet forest roads, reflecting on what had certainly been a day to remember.