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Back with a bang: The Rory Sutherland diary 2008
In his first season on the North American circuit, Rory Sutherland swept up the individual NRC title while helping his Health Net presented by Maxxis squad secure the team prize.
Back for another year in his adopted home of Boulder, Colorado, the Aussie will be looking to add a heap more victories this season - and have a good time doing it. Follow all the ups and downs of Rory and his Health Net team right here on Cyclingnews.
May 27, 2008
Team-mate appreciation day
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It's been a pretty full-on last few weeks. Then again, it's been a full-on month. I have seen a lot of the US the last four weeks, a lot of airports, and have been to a lot of Starbucks. It's good to be home!
The month in short:
- Been to California, Georgia, Colorado, Texas, Arkansas, Oregon
- 22 days in hotel rooms
- 11 days in my own home, and my own bed
- One night on a plane
- No flat tyres/tires (punctures)
- No crashes (keep knocking on wood, or fingers crossed)
- Ridden up a brick wall in Georgia (Brasstown bald)
- Two time trial wins
- Two overall GC stage race wins
- Four days in the "ever so angry" jersey in Georgia (Most Aggressive
jersey)
- Podium time here and there
So, what has actually been happening? I think this is where I add all the content I can, talking about racing, training, bikes, blah, blah, blah. But no, this is my diary, the most non-cycling related diary you just might find. Then again, maybe it is cycling related by talking about things other than the bike. OK, now I'm just confusing myself...
Here we go - the post-tour chill out. Post-tour means down time, or recovery time. Something that I take very seriously! Now, one of my favourite Cyclingnews journalists may have put across an interesting story this week that can be taken in two ways. You be the judge (read here). So thank you Mark, you have managed to portray me in a new light, a possibly alcoholic light, but a new one all the same. It is in this vein that I have decided to expand on the goings on back in Boulder, post tour.
This week is Frank's birthday. Frank is my team-mate, and also room mate here in Colorado. Frank's been down in Arkansas for the last two weeks racing his butt off, while I was there, and then also in Oregon doing the same. It's only logical that we:
1. Celebrate his birthday in style, and
2. Get some recovery, and
3. Yes, be Australian and have a beer or two.
For the record, we are professional athletes. Like everything, I believe in moderation. There are times to be serious, times to train hard, time to easy rolls, and time to kick back. For all this 'we' are still responsible, are all of legal age, and are still doing the right things for what we do.
An opportunity arose recently and we were invited to the Avery Brewery in Boulder, Colorado. One of our newest friends, Peter Archer - titled as the 'Beverage Facilitator' (whatever this is supposed to mean) - gave us the tour, top to bottom. Best of all, he's an Australian. Who would have thought? An Australian giving tours of a brewery? Hmm.
Anyway, I think a lot of the photos show the story quite well. Avery is a top brewery, the guys are inviting, the place is pretty amazing, and to see the whole process is something that should not be missed. Of course, there may have been a drop or two tasted while we were there...
Avery makes some pretty amazing stuff. Real beer, none of this watered-down, excessively mass produced, over advertised rubbish that you find at your local bottle shop. Beer with body, flavour and zing. I am sold. Avery, you have me...
So, where to now? Home. Well, I am already home, but it's nice to actually be spending more than just a few days here. Two weeks of bliss, then off to the east coast for another two weeks of hard, fast racing. It's going to be fun. I love racing my bike, and of course, when things are going well it makes it so much sweeter!
Off for afternoon naps, coffee shop rides, and website/diary updates... It doesn't stop, does it?
Rory
www.justrory.com
www.teamhealthnet.com
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Rory Sutherland
- Mount Hood dominates the skyline around here.
- Scenic views from the Mount Hood area.
- A selection of Avery brews.
- Beer anyone?
- Sampling the stout...
- Pete the Aussie brewmaster.
- So that's where they store the lactic acid!
