now? R&R. Yep, I get a little time to unwind. Not too much though. I'll have a couple of weeks off the bike but will try and remain pretty active. Carole and I are off on our annual intrepid journey in a few days but by November, I'll be back on a pretty serious training regime and will kick off the season with the Tour of Malaysia at the end of Jan. The good news for the off-season is that I don't have to have my elbow operated on. At the time of the accident, it was thought that I might have to have an operation at the end of the year. Thankfully my recovery has been good and from all accounts, the risk of having an operation is greater than any benefit that I might gain from it. This is good news. They did recommend, however, that I get some more therapy on both elbows to try and improve the range of movement a little more than they have at the mo. I'd much rather this than an op.

Anyway, I'll continue to write periodically throughout the off-season and into the new year. Thanks again everyone for your support and interest over this season. It's nice to know that there's always someone out there cheering me on, even if you're not on the side of the road screaming your guts out!

Carole and I look forward to next year and hope you'll all join us for another ride...

I just want to thank my personal sponsors too for their support and enthusiasm this season. To all the teams at Comvita, Oakley, SpeedPlay,
Carnac, Tui Bees Waxes and Balmes, thanks you guys. Your products rock. And thanks also to the team from BikeNZ who were great to work with leading up to the Olympics and at the event itself.

I have one other thanks to make and that's to Ernie Ferrel, for making me and my bike work as one. Thanks Ernie, I'll be seeing you soon...

Julz

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