Ulmer wavers on biking future

Gold medal-winning Olympic cyclist Sarah Ulmer has given her strongest hint yet that she may quit competitive cycling. Ulmer said yesterday she was at a crossroads as she decided whether to resume training to defend her Olympic cycling crown or quit to pursue other opportunities.

But she had real doubts whether she could ever repeat that golden moment in Athens. "I truly don't believe last year will be topped."

While she believed there was no physical reason why she couldn't compete at the next Olympics, she confessed she was daunted by the effort that would be required to return to peak fitness.

After 12 years of a gruelling training routine involving at least 25 to 30 hours a week, Ulmer is now enjoying the simple pleasures of life that many others take for granted - running on the beach with her dogs and just having fun.

"When you are training, it is a very narrow focus. You don't notice how one-dimensional it is until you get away."

Seven months after Athens, Ulmer is still amazed at her record-breaking Olympic win, describing it as a dream race. "If I had done it in any other race, I would have blown out before the end but because it was the Olympics, there was something about the occasion that made it happen."

However, having spent most of her adult life as an fulltime athlete, leaving behind the sport was equally daunting, she said.

"It is easier to get back into training, that is my comfort zone, it is harder to break away."'

Ulmer will be joined by 1600 women and children today, for the Bike Day Out, cycling through the back roads of Clevedon.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY