Josh Carlson: Latest CT Blog Update

Leading into this weekend, I have come to the conclusion that last year’s Scott 24hr prologue race was the first race result that made me realise that this mountain bike thing might be worth having a red hot go at! These thoughts led me to putting some serious training, time and effort into preparing for the 2009/10 National mountain bike series and the 2010 Australian Mountain bike championships.

This hard work paid off with a 3^rd placing in the elite men’s race in Adelaide at the 2010 Aussie Champs and then followed up with a 6^th overall placing in the elite men’s national series in my second full race season. My first focus of training and racing at the Australian national series soon turned to focusing on an international race calendar. BANG!! I’m off to EUROPE BABY!!!!!

A few months later and I was in Switzerland racing the world’s best on the International stage! After an amazing experience and an EPIC learning curve, i was then off to Italy and preparing for another smash fest in the ‘valley of the sun’ or ‘Val di sole’ to the Italians. 130^th in Champery, SUI and 129^th in Val di sole, ITA at my first attempt at racing World cup races. These two results would end up reshaping my entire mentality of training, racing and my outlook on just where I want to be in the world of Cross Country Mountain bike racing.

Since returning home and refocusing and organising my upcoming 2010/2011 race season with my coach mark fenner of ftptraining.com , come this weekend, the whirlwind of racing, training, meeting new people, sponsors and experiences will begin again and i cannot wait!!!

I have also had a change of lycra from my blue and white factory GIANT riding gear.. Not bike.. just riding gear...for the remainder of 2010, 2011 and beyond I will be part of ROCKSTAR RACING!!! Proudly supported by GIANT Bicycles. I am super excited about this new arrangement and stoked to be a part of an awesome presented and professional team to support me in my XCO races and the teams major enduro races around the country.

My first race in the new ROCKSTAR RACING kitwill be the Scott 24hr prologue and teams race as a part of my Spearman Cycles 6man team. Then I will be off to W.A with my new ROCKSTAR RACING team to race Margaret rivers 4 day mountain bike stage race, WA’S CAPE TO CAPE. I will be riding my fantastic GIANT carbon Anthem advanced sl, XTR equipped bike at as many races as possible.. Man i love that bad boy!!!!

So after a massive training block and a few long hours on the bike to reflect on the year that was, I can’t wait to see what the upcoming 2010/11 National series will bring and can’t wait to take on Australia’s best mountain bikers at the 2011 Australian mountain bike championship and series.

And one of the best things is ITS SPRING, DAYLIGHT SAVINGS AND WARM WEATHER......YIEEEWW!!! So now all you guys have no excuse not to ride because it’s not cold or wet. It’s time to start shedding those winter blankets and ugg boots everyone has wrapped around them and get amongst the warm weather and wicked trails!

Till next time, ride lots and get amongst it!

luv your work!

JC.