Gidday everyone

Nearly got everything sorted. Had two study options, carry on in psychology and potentially make lots of money or start at square one in sport science and do something I have a real passion for. So mid Feb it's off to CPIT to start their new degree in Applied Science in Sport and Exercise Science. A three year course covering all aspects of sport like physiology, nutrition, biomechanics and psychology. They have a cool new testing lab with all the best equipment and being the first year it is being run means we will have first dibs on using it for projects.

The best thing is that I can use cycling as the sport for any project so will be looking forward to testing some theories in regards to power meters, bike set up, fuel choice and motivation for racing. If I do well it means I will look at Post Graduate Study to carry out more research.

I am leaving Bike HQ so will have my weekends to get more involved in coaching and bike racing. Although my schedule is looking pretty full already....

Jan 24/25: Last weekend in HQ
Jan 31/01: Commissaires Course in Invercargill
Feb 07/08: Canty Track Champs
Feb 14: Help run Leeston Classic
Feb 21: Canty (old Benchmark Tour) Points Series Round 2
Feb 28/01 NZ MTB Champs
Mar 02/07: NZ Track Cycling Champs
Mar 13/15: Tour of Canterbury
Mar 21: Canty Points Series Round 3
Mar 28: Le Race
Mar 04: Grape Ride
Mar 11/13: Tour of TeAwamutu Junior Selection Event
Mar 18: Round Brunner

As you can see very full on for start of the year.

Will also be moving in with a friend to save on living costs while doing full time study which will mean main forms of communication will be email and Skype and if in Christchurch am always up for a coffee at most times whether close to the Polytech or out at Uni as I will be using their Library at times.

I am still planning on riding at Track Nationals and doing some road racing. I operate better on a busy schedule so hopefully now things are sorted I can get more done. Still need a lot more feedback from riders. I can do a far better job of preparing you for upcoming events if I know what you want to do, why you want to do it and where you feel you are at in relation to your goals.

Congrats to Amy Laird on winning round 2 in the North Island Cross Country Series in the Open Women's Section. Cam Cole placed 8th in Open Men's riding a 4Cross Bike with only 8 gears!!!

All the best

Hamish Ferguson

Update: Directions

Hope the Festive Season was a good one and you have sat down and set some challenging goals for 2009. It adds fire to your year to have 2-3 main focus points and lots of other smaller challenges along the way.

I am taking on the challenge of heading back to University. Will do some third year Psychology papers and if the grades are good and the passion for study is strong will head into a Masters Degree. Will also look to start my internship as a Sport Psychology Consultant through Sport and Exercise Science NZ.

While this will mean busy weeks hitting the books I will have free weekends to spend more time with my local riders, to race more and to do more practical coaching work.

Congrats to Amy Laird for winning round 1 of the North Island Cross Country Series and Cameron Cole for 2nd in the Elite DH Section. Will Bowman completed his first Elite Road Tour in the Tour of Vineyards competing well against far more experienced riders. Thomas Hubbard unfortunately was set back by a cold.

I took the opportunity to race down in Timaru and while the form was not good still scored a 2nd in the B grade Devil. Battling another cold but fired up to ride well at the NZ Track Champs in March.

Look forward to more Nutritional and TrainingPeaks Tutorials coming soon.

Hamish