Now seems to be the perfect time to look back on my bests and worsts of the 2009 cycling season.

MTB XC
Bäst Västgötacupen: Ymerracet Borås
Something was right on this day and I could control my sliding in a wet Borås. This was the first time of the year where I didn't finish last and I passed 4 people by running up a hill, a strategy I used many times in CX.

Sämst Västgötacupen: Dynamitracet Uddevalla
Wet course...fell three times and I only had to do two laps. Most of the problem was that I could not find the place so I was too late to try the course.

Improvements for 2010:
I will still see these races as teknikträning and I will probably move up to Senior class to avoid starting with 40 people in Sport.

MTB Marathon
Bäst långlopp: MTB SM/Bjursåsbiken Falun
For the first time I had a great start and was keeping up with many along the grusvägar. At the halfway point I was in the middle of the battle between the leaders of D30 class until I had to stop for a drink (they had people to hand them stuff). If only I hadn't run completely out of energy around 55km. Still, 68km is the right length for me and this race proved that I do have the potential.

Sämst långlopp: Långa Billingeracet and Grenserittet
Neither of these were really horrible but because of my revbensfraktur I could only do three races. Billingen was worst because I was simply not trained well enough for it. But I did have a great finish and was not last place in H30. And Grenserittet gave me a taste for more Norwegian MTB races and was my first attempt at starting fast. But a hell of a cramp in the middle meant that I had to slow down. I also did not realize that the last 20km were essentially flat so I could have went faster. My last 10 km was impressive.

Improvements for 2010:
More races and more Norway are key parts of my långlopp strategy next year. Better training will also help. I also need to spend more time adjusting my bike so I can be more stable in tougher terrain and on the grusväg downhills.

CX
Bäst CX Cupen: Valhallcrossen Stockholm
My worst race in 2008 was this one but 2009 it was my best by far. For the first time I had the energy for the 40 min and I could battle away with others at the back of the field. This was the first cross race of this year where I knew that this is my sport and this is what I will emphasize most 2010. That kind of feeling is priceless.

Sämst CX Cupen: Allecrossen
I was sick for this and probably never should have started. Things went much better on this course at CRC CX1 in my first cross race of the season.

Bäst Göteborgserien: CRC CX6
How could I possibly close that much of a gap up to Peter and then manage to build up an equal gap in front of him in only 4 laps? This was magical.

Improvements for 2010:
Start training cross sooner is a major improvement. By the time my shape was coming, CX Cupen was over. But the main improvement will be a Ridley X-Ride frame in combination with the components I want rather than what the stock bike has. My Merida can be my second bike.

Other cycling:
I did a bit of other cycling in Göteborgserien so I got to try a few things I would not normally try.

Bäst LVG moment: DM at Fjärås
Even if I was actually lapped, the GP-style course was a great one and gave me a nice sense of speed.

Sämst LVG moment: Orust Runt
I pretended to be a motionär for this race just to test the rumour that it is much easier to ride in a group. I found a group which planned to average 30km/h for 80km, something I could never manage on my own. In a group this was a joke. I was basically coasting around. It was only out of kindness that I didn't spurt away from them for the last 5km.

Surprising LVG moment: The three tempo races in GBGserien
The bergstempot at Brudaremossen basically gave me an asthma attack. The second in Kungälv actually proved that I could push myself through the pain and managed over 40km/h on my 10kg cross bike! And in Landvetter I also had a respectable performance. In fact, after these races I felt stronger and had more confidence. Yes, interval training can be useful.

Once I have thought a bit more, I will list out my goals for 2010. But 2009 was certainly a year of great improvements and I owe that all to a truly great cycling club...Mölndals CK.