Well, that's it. We leave these sunny shores for Austria tomorrow, where I will do my last minute altitude training to acclimatise ready for the big day. Sunday I will be taking part in the annual Radclassic - a 'hill' climb up the Egger Alm, which is basically straight up a mountain with 10-12% average gradiant (16% in places). I'll be aiming to beat my pb of 59 minutes from the town to the top. To warm up, there is crit lap of the town and then it's pain, pain, pain all the way. Included in the race entry is free pasta and beer at the top (well they are Austrians after all). On this occasion I'll be riding for Team Schluga with skinny, lanky Dutch colleagues/campers. Maybe I'll add a training loop in after.
Then I'll fit in one or two 4-6 hour mountain bike rides with Norbert Schluga and yet more skinny, lanky Dutch friends. Hopefully then I be ready. Ready as I'll ever be.
Unfortunately training lately has consisted of painting, laying flooring, looking for cars, hospital visits (poorly Mum and Mrs Fat Sprinter - who is neither fat nor sprints - had car accident and wrote hers off). But no excuses. I'll be there and I will finish. Grit and determination. And most importantly I will have Nathan and bro Wayne willing me on, fantastic team mates and a brilliant support team.
See you all there very soon.
Go Nathan's Flyers. Good luck guys.
Nathan Evington
28/02/77 - 03/11/07
About Nathan
Nathan, was a big chap in more ways than one. He was always to be found at the centre of the action, telling it exactly as it was – loudly!
In fact, Nathan was in such a hurry to make his impact on the world, he arrived on a cold February morning 8 weeks early. He was so premature that he spent his first month in hospital, and at the time was one of the youngest babies in Hedon Road hospital to survive!
Cycling played a huge part in Nathan’s life. He loved the film American Flyers and watched it many times. In it, there is a scene where the main character does the "torture test" which involved running on a treadmill for as long as possible before ending the test by hitting the "chicken" switch. After Nathan’s diagnosis of cardiomyopathy in 2004, he was actually quite excited to discover that he would be required to do his own "torture test" and spent a good deal of time psyching himself up for a good performance. In fact, he was so determined that it was ultimately the doctor, his Mum and the technician who had to drag him off, as Nathan refused to give in himself.
Cycling also revealed Nathan’s talent for remembering facts and figures. He was our very own walking cycling encyclopaedia. He loved to test his friends and show off his knowledge, and he was always the person you would want on your pub quiz team.
Nathan was determined to live life to the full, and unbeknown to his Mum he began playing in a football team a few years ago. The cat was out of the bag when a new football trophy took pride of place on the mantelpiece one evening. Nathan was very proud of himself and his team-mates, although I am reliably informed that Nathan was valued more for his enthusiastic participation, rather than his football talents – which led to his shots on goal just missing the target – 100% of the time!
Nathan was the life and soul of any party and loved to dance. He would always take to the dance floor first, and was quite happy to dance alone. However, his infectious enthusiasm always encouraged others to join him.
Nathan was a kind man, and always generous to a fault – on the benefit of his Mum and brother. He had a very special sense of humour – one he shared with his brother – and left his mark on everyone he met.
Wednesday, 23 July 2008
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