Sim Green used to live and race in the US, but now lives and races in southern France. Read more about Sim here.

Finally I get some time to write another diary.  Well... more like I finally get my ass in gear to do some typing.  Since my last update the team has kicked off the season with some pretty good races.  I start my season next weekend along with a couple of the other guys. 

John Parks has arrived and has been racing already.  Last weekend was the Grand Prix D'Ouverture de Montastruc with a good field, including some Pro teams such as Aubervillier 93 (previously BigMat) and even a surprise showing from across the pond in the form of Navigators rider Oleg Griechkine.  (ed - picture below: i can never remember if it's oleg or vasilly who's the russian concussion...)

 
I have just got back from a week at the team house.  I went up there with JP to get him settled into his new home.  (editor's note, i have asked sim to write a longish diary entry on the team house where jp is living.  i will try to get input form both sim and jp and a bunch of pictures so you all can see a concrete example of how different the system is over there  - sg)

The house is pretty basic, but there's everything you need there.  JP is having a little bit of trouble adapting to life in France.  The team has been very nice and friendly to him, our DS speaks English and I have been putting him up at my place to insure a smoother transition into the life of racing in France, but just because his situation might be easier than for most Americans who come to race in France, that doesn't make it any easier.  With a little time I'm sure he'll settle in and be fine. 

I have been plagued with some back and knee issues during the last 2 weeks.  I had a week off school and was planning to get in a lot of good training, but sadly I wasn't able to get what I had hoped for.  That said, I still got in 3 hours with the team Wednesday, 3 hours Thursday, an easier ride Friday and a 4 hour ride Saturday.  I felt like crap throughout each and every ride, but I still got in the miles, so that's good.
 
I did want to mention something that might amuse readers in the US.  The team has a mini-bus.  Although I had seen it before I really hadn't paid much attention to it, and it was only the other day as it was parked in front of the team house kitchen window that I noticed there is a big picture of the riders on the side of it, with the every rider's name listed below.  Kind of like on the side of the T-Mobile truck, only... not!  Even as a "mortal on a bike" it's easy to start thinking of yourself as a star when you see that.  Then you go for a ride and you remember quite quickly that you are in fact a mere mortal. 
 
Today some of the team went to south eastern France for an Espoir race, another bunch of riders left early for Brittany in Northern France for a round of the French National Cup (Coupe de France de DN2), and the rest of team is pretty much sitting on their asses (or training) waiting for their season to kick off.  I am in the latter category, where as John Parks is in Brittany... it is snowing up there!  Ha ha, I'm happy I'm aiming for fitness later in the year! 

I've just been reading some of the questions and Answers on the Racing Union website.  The question about capitalization brought about an impressive reply from Scott Gibbons... nice one Scotty, talk about bullshitting your way out of admitting to laziness.
 
My first race of the season is a small National race called Castre.  My next race is the boucle du Vaurais, which is a race Scott did over here last year.  They have changed the format for this year: it used to be a 1 day, 2 stage stage race, and it is now a 1 day race.  My first few races are between 100 and 130km, so it'll be good for me to start with some reasonably short/standard distances.
 
Tomorrow is also the Start of the Giro Del Capo where my buddy Darren (wearer of the Mountain jersey in Langkawi) will be racing.  Sadly he isn't team leader, but I'm looking forward to the race anyway.  Right now, I'd better be off to do some school work and take care of my knee.  I hope you are all staying safe an away from the Bird Flu.

Thanks for reading
Sim
PS: I just got a call from JP, he's up in Brittany and has forgotten his license at the team house.  Woops!
jetlagsports@wanadoo.fr

JP and ex-Credit Agricole rider Mathieu Lamothe

Swedish Aubervillier pro (ex Big Mat) John Nilson