Tracy Piggott writes about her first season racing with the Vets.

Coming to the end of my first season with the vets, I am able to look back on the last 5 months and feel that I have really made progress. I have met some great people, learnt so much, and most importantly, really enjoyed the whole experience.

Bar one Sunday morning when I managed to throw myself onto the ground just before the finish line in Batterstown, I have always felt a great buzz and elation to just finish a race and know that I have 'done my bit'.
I am amazed at how similar the tactics are to horse racing. Getting the right position, watching the other riders, finding your gap at the right time, and being calm and patient.  LP. would have been very disappointed if he saw me the other day completely misjudge the distance to the finish and go too soon! I learnt from that too.
Another major lesson is that I have realised that just having a go is so important, its' not all about winning all the time, but really giving it your best shot.
When I think back to last year when I had a go in the open races, I can remember driving home most Sundays balling my eyes out and feeling useless after being dropped yet again after trying to hang on to the juniors hopping and darting up the road. Not so this year. I come away knowing that my efforts are paying off and that I will get there one day if I keep trying. I look back and think of the characters that I come across each Tuesday and Sunday. The great stories of years gone by, the help and advice, and the genuine friendliness of everyone. I am constantly inspired by the tenacity and grit of so many there who have been cycling for years, keep themselves in brilliant shape and never give up.

It is a wonderful sport for so many reasons. The challenge is constant. The bike will always find you out, and you never get to the bottom of it. I like the fact that you get back as much as you put in, and that the hard work pays off in many ways. There are so many more things that I need to learn about racing, and as Seamus Kennedy says, you never stop learning.
I find it so funny that before every race I am far more nervous than I ever was before fronting a live chat show, or doing an interview. Its' a totally different feeling, and the high afterwards is much more potent as well. 
It was about this time last year that I was getting ready to go across America. I was very lucky that I was able to come and sit on the back of a few of the races before I went, and join in the tours. It helped me so much, and when I got the news that the ladies age had been brought down to 35 I was delighted. I have to keep telling people that in case they think I am over forty!!
The only time I really want to be over fifty is in the age standard races, then I would happily admit to being 55!

I will be sad when the season ends, I will miss all the craic, the comaraderie, the jitters, and the adrenalin rush. I am determined to train hard through those mucky winter months, and come back stronger next season.

Its great to see Susan O'Meara doing so well, watching her gives me hope, although her experience far outweighs mine, she is an excellent role model. As is one of my favourite people, Tess Quinlan, who has been dogged with annoying little problems this season, that has meant she has missed so much of it. I am so looking forward to having her back in the group, the countrys most glamourous granny!!    

 Finally, in closing I would like to thank all the organisers who do such a remarkable job and make sure everything runs smoothly.

Thank you too all the Vets for being such a great bunch and accepting the 'blow in' and making me feel so welcome.  

Tracy P.