Tory Thomas
Riding Discipline: MTB, a bit of road, and Mickey the wonder horse. (i'll probably change to track, triathlon or rhythmic gymnastics after london 2012)
Favourite riding spot: I like riding around home - trails in winter, road in summer . But my favourite thing is playing tourist and riding around exploring cities, towns and trails by bike, that's the ultimate.
Favourite bike: Ned, the Specialized Epic.
Years racing: 4 and a bit years in Olympic format XC. 7 if I can include 24hr or multisport stuff.
Serious Injuries cycling? Yes, and every time I crash and hurt myself I re-commit myself to my promise to ride carefully and within my limits, to respect my bones and ageing body... but then that memory of pain fades with the scars and riding in the moment matters so much more than the potential consequence of barreling down narrow bitumen pot-holed roads in Timor.
I figure crashes are part of training and racing - I don't mind all the scars that from falling down rockgardens or clipping my handlebars on a tree, generally these are all reminders to concentrate or improve my skills. But I do mind the scars from being hit by a car, I don't think cyclists should expect or accept that being hit by a car is just part of being a cyclist. I rarely ride on busy roads in Australia because of the real danger of being run over - this is something I'd love to change, there needs to be a massive cultural shift and radical policy overhaul so that cyclists can have a legitimate place on the road and better safety.
Greatest Cycling Achievement to Date: My career highlights would be riding in the 2009 Tour de Timor, and those few races or rides when you just nail the feeling of what it feels like to be riding well - that's the best. Also winning the 24hr solo, XC and marathon National titles.
Worst race or cycling experience: hmmm, I can't choose between the 2007 Tour of Bright, the 2008 and 2009 Otway Odyssey mtb race(s), or the 2008 XC mtb National Round at the You Yangs. I had the same feeling in all of these races - just shattered and wanting to be nowhere but curled up asleep at the bottom of a very deep dark warm hole! This isn't a very motivating thing to be thinking in a race.
Describe your favourite Race: The 2009 Tour de Timor, that was an amazing experience. Five days of tough hard racing, beautiful people, sunshine and spectacular scenery - bliss!
