CycleNation - Cycling Blogs

Been racing for over 10years originally in XC mountain biking.

Switched to the road full time in 2009 with NRS team MACE- Wilson Racing.

Have lived with type1 diabetes for over 15years and in 2010 signed with US based continental Team Type1 on the development program. Returned to Australia in 2011 with a switch in focus back to the MTB completing the real Insurance XCM series and the Crocodile Trophy with team Subaru-marathonMTB.com. A further re switch in focus for the 2012 season see's a return to the road and the now pro continental Team Type1-Sanofi development squad in the USA. With a full NRC calendar ahead.

2011 Crocodile trophy-5th place elite men

2011 crocodile trophy 3rd place stage7

2011 Real Insurance XCM series 8th overall

2010 Greenville Spring series 2nd overall

2008 Sydney Northside road champion

Age: 25

James Downing has a true passion for two wheels and has been racing bicycles since 1989. Back then on the mountain bike scene it was all about the one bike for everything and suspension and clipless pedals were not even on the radar. Fast forward 20 years, and the bikes and the cycling landscape has changed dramatically, however the enthusiasm for the bike has not waned. James has raced cross country, downhill and BMX at the Elite level in the past, and is now focussed on the cross country disciplines of Olympic Cross Country, Short Track and Marathon racing. As the current national champion in the Veteran Class for both the Olympic Cross Country and Marathon disciplines, James also continues to be competitive at the Elite level at key races across the nation. With awesome support from both Lonsdale Street Cyclery in Canberra, and Cannondale, he is able to compete in 30 to 40 races annually and feed the competitive addiction! 

Garry is an enthusiastic and committed rider, who took up the sport in 1998. As an up and coming rider throughout his late teens Garry represented Australia at the 2005 World Mountain Bike Championships in Livigno, Italy. After a 3 year break to peruse other motorcycle racing interests and complete his business degree, Garry is now back on the bike and looking to forge ahead with his career as a mountain biker once again. Stay tuned for updates on training, racing and whatever things life throws his way. Garry is expecting to race at least 30 races this year, including the full national series. This would not be possible without the fantastic support of Cannondale, Turramurra Cyclery and E Load sports nutrition.

I have decided to create a blog based on unfortunate incidents athletes endure, who have become a victim of their own destiny during race season…injury…well, self inflicted injury!

I wanted to write this blog to highlight the highs and lows of an athletes trivial times both on and off the bike…before, during and after injuries and how they can be overcome even during the most important times of the season (I hope!)