Jess Douglas – A past and a promising cycling future

Jess has just sent me this to publish on our website. it's all about her fantastic win at the 2009 AUSTRALIAN 24 hr Solo MTB Championships Race and the build up to it.

By Jess Douglas.



A brief history will bring you up to speed on my love and possible pre disposition towards endurance racing.

As a kid I was a loner mostly by choice and somewhat by force.  Not really fitting into the sporty mould, nor the popular group, I always had a select few friends.  If they were busy or not home, I would always make my own fun.

Sometimes it would be drawing, or writing stories, reading books, building cubby houses but mostly I always had a bike and very relaxed parents who were keen for me to be gone for hours riding along the river trails or even as I got older, day trips from Geelong to Queenscliff and back.

Then through high school I read about the Great Victorian Bike ride and convinced my teachers to get a group together and do it.  I attended this event 2 years in a row.

The bike was also a form of independence, taking away my reliance on money and parents to travel and visit friends etc…

Now at the age of 36, my love of cycling is 10 times greater than 20 odd years ago and is ever growing as I realise my potential to succeed and have more fun is only partially met.

My husband and I run a business called MTB Skills and are both Treasurer and President of Forrest MTB Club.  We ride most days, road or MTB and are a great influence to many people we meet.

I consider my lifestyle “wonderful and indulgent” but I do work hard for it.

It was after a real dead patch in my cycling life, early in December 2008, that I realized I needed help.  I was lucky enough to have met Brendan Rowbotham at Cycling-Inform's Bright Boot Camp in November 2008 and when the time came to call on someone, I knew that the Cycling-inform Remote Coaching Program would be just what I needed to keep me accountable as well as get me over the plateau I was experiencing.

The moment Brendan started helping me he was so enthusiastic I could not help but be swept up with his belief in me.  Everyday – rain hail or shine, I would just look at what was on the program and try my best at completing what was prescribed.  Even days when I just could not manage it all for whatever reason, I kept telling myself to just do what I could, it was better than not doing anything at all. 

Mostly though I have managed to complete at least 90% of the program, some weeks better than others.  I did not berate myself over the loss of training, instead stayed positive and met the next day with renewed enthusiasm to achieve what I could.  I cannot begin to tell you how this mind set has continued in my racing now.

For example, a race is not going to plan, maybe I am not feeling great to start with, maybe there is some gun smashing me to bits, maybe its just a bad day.  Whatever the case, I avoid any negativity entering my mind and continue on and often push through the barrier in my way and do better than expected. Often beating my opponent in the end due to my “never give up” attitude.

There is no doubt in my mind that I am growing in my self belief and trust in my ability.  This is one element of my racing that was always missing.  Having regular contact with Brendan is definitely a component in keeping me on track, continual progression and a never ending source of motivation and positivity.

Already this year, 2009, I have had huge achievements that have flowed on into my personal and business life.

In February, one of my goals was to aim for a podium finish at the Otway Odyssey 100km MTB Marathon.  Whilst I just missed out on podium by about 5 minutes, I did knock off 2 hrs from my 2008 time of 8:10 to finish in 6:12.  Felt wonderful and the race was a winner for me none the less.

A week later was the Masters Games, I was looking forward to the road race, however this was cancelled due to predicted high winds and extreme temperatures.  The MTB race was still on for the weekend and I blitzed this to take the Gold in the 30-39 age women’s age group.

March 21,22nd took me to Mt Buller for a MTB Stage race.  3 events consisting of a 25km XC race, 7km Downhill and a 50km XC Marathon.  My dog died this weekend and put all sorts of mental barriers in my way, and eventually I came through with the overall victory and walked away with $1000 prize money and some more mental toughness in the bank.

April 5th, just a little training RACE, a “B” race if you like.  This race was a State Series XC race at the You Yang’s.  I love riding the trails here, but not normally a speedy Gonzales required for a 2 hr race like this, I was expecting to finish strong and start slower than the other girls.  Starting in Elite Women, I took off with an explosive start that I sustained prior to entering the single track.  The first climb was a long one, not too technical and I sat on the back of the first 3 girls.  By the top of the hill I was right on their tails getting ready to pass as soon as the opportunity arose.  I could not believe it, on the first lap of a 4 lap race, I was in front and feeling fine.  I won this race by 6 minutes which as I said, is not what I am renowned for.  Feeling really fast now.

April 11th and 12th, the first big milestone for Brendan and me to see how I am really travelling, mentally and physically.  Have I done enough?  I believed I was ready, Brendan knew I was in the “sweet spot” and Norm (my husband) was so nervous with anticipation, knowing I could win.

This was the AUSTRALIAN 24 hr Solo MTB Championships.  A national title to win that would see my net $5000 and the ability to wear my championship jersey to the World Titles in Canada later in July this year.

The girl to beat was primed and not keen to let me take the win from her.  She was the reigning champ from the past 3 years and World No.2.  I took the lead in the 24 hr race for the first 6hrs, and whilst she passed me as night set, she asked why I went out so hard and made it difficult for her.  Hhhmmmm????  What the?  So she led at a cracking pace during the night as it rained hard and made the pine forest into a slippery course of mud and tree roots.  This is where my mental training came into play, I convinced myself that I deserved to win.  I had done all the training and was GOING TO WIN.  I just knew I had to stay steady, ride my race, eat and drink, ride safely and stay in touch with her.  I was waiting until daylight to pounce.  She wanted to see me crack under pressure and I was not going to let it happen.  So I had a wonderful time during the night and smiled the whole time.  Stayed settled in a nice tempo and was social and interactive.  This kept my spirits alive and focused on the enjoyment of riding for 12 hours of rain and darkness instead of focusing on the toughness and uncomfortableness of the situation.  The morning came, she was slowing, drinking way too much Coke and relying heavily on gels and quick fix sugars.  I was on fire, riding the big chain ring, smoking the elite men to bits too, and barely needing a swig of Coke or other energy enhancers other than my electrolyte drink and the occasional gel.  Norm asked if I wanted a bit of porridge for breakfast, “just a quick spoonful or two” he said.  I told him, “No, I want to Smash her, just food on the run thank you”.  In the end I beat my rival by 2 laps, which is over 1 hr.  Imagine pushing yourself for 23hrs before being told you have definitely won the race.  That’s a long time to stay focused and positive.

This feather in my hat now not only consists of a national title, but also a total belief in what I can do on the bike.

I am excited to see how this will translate into my next serious race.  I am now at that next level of rider that I never knew I could reach. 

Brendan and I are now going to work out our World Solo 24 hr Championships winning formula.

I will let you know at the end of July how I go.  I do believe I can become the world champion and am ready to accept the new level of pain and suffering.  It’s all fun, and if you are not growing, you are slowly dying!