WADE'S JOURNAL

February 1, 2001
I am now in Chile, South America spending my last few days before my race season begins. What a way to end my off-season; with some old friends, getting home from the night clubs just before sun rise and heading out by lunch time and spending the entire day swimming and lying on the beach.

I am also doing some training here and feel like I am on track with my training program. Even though it feels like it was yesterday that I just finished the 2000 season, I am ready to get back into racing again. I had a great time back in Australia and look forward in going back again at the end of the year.

I am planning on getting a new YZ 250F dirt bike when I go back to Australia as I will have plenty of time to ride with the top moto and super cross riders and down hillers of Australia. I was just borrowing Mal's and Chris Kovarick's bikes this year, so next time around it will be a lot more fun with my own bike so we can all ride together. I learnt a few cornering techniques while I was there, so hopefully I can use them in my slalom racing this year to help me corner better and faster.

I ended up doing a few interview's while I was back in Australia, 3 TV, Mountain bike magazine and one with the newspaper. It seems weird sometimes, as the people back there think that I am an American as I have been living in the States for the past 7 years. This is why I want to do a mini tour next year down under and cover BMX, Mountain Bikes, Moto cross and track racing. Have some fun and do some races, it's going to be great.

I ended up going back to the AIS in South Australia and rode the Velodrome track with the National coaches. We did some quick little drills and to see if I could ride the bike ok. Even though you just go round and round, it is fun and challenging. I got to hang out with some of the Australian Olympic track sprinters, as there was a race that same weekend. I ended up doing the warm up ride with all the riders one night and got to feel what it was like being on the track with other riders. These guys are all a great bunch of fella's, and they sure know how to have a fun night after the races.

I did a little house shopping so I could get a better idea of a place to buy when I go back to Australia at the end of the year. I am still up in the air between a house on a water front canal or a town house or apartment on the beach. Either way I think I will be happy, this place is beautiful.

I did not spend to much time on my BMX bike this past month but I did do some great road rides, I wanted to stay off my BMX bike just so I had more time to do other things, like road rides, moto cross, gym work, bumming in the pools and the beach. I think it is good to have a little break now and then. It will be fun to get back to sheep hills and have some fun at the trail.

I ran into a lot of old friends while I was on the Coast. It still blows my mind, that from all of my racing days I now have friends all over the world, it is good to sit back and remember some of the things we have done. With January at an end, so is my off-season and now is the time to start to focus more on my racing and preparation for my racing season.

With having BMX as a training tool, I look forward to be ready for the Mountain bike season starting in June.

See you soon,
Wade Bootes

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