In a cruel twist of fate, the season has come to a crashing halt for Loh. His recent good form, and ambitions for a strong showing at the South East Asian Games have all gone to naught after a crash in training. –Ed.

The 2011 season is now a distant memory. (Photo courtesy of Mohd Mokhriz Aziz - Cycling Asia)

In cycling, and especially for racing cyclists, the bad days far outweigh the good days. You have to work hard to be good in the races, but the reality is nothing can be promised in return. Things can change at the very last minute, and this is what has happened to me - a crash in training has left me with bone fractures of my 4^th posterior rib; acromion, and scapula (shoulder blade). So, in spite of the hard work, and the will to ride into form for the last race of the season, I now find myself lying in bed with an arm-sling on.

“It is what it is,” I tell myself. Or should I say, I try to convince myself; to let go. But it isn’t easy to do. To let go is to accept failure even before I get my shot at the SEA Games. There is a Chinese saying -拿得起放得下- that reads “if you are able to lift it up, then surely, you can also put it down.” To me, it means that if I dare take up a challenge, I should also have the courage to face defeat.

Now that the inevitable has happened, there is nothing I can do to change the circumstances. With the SEA Games only less than a month away, I have resigned to the fact that I will be watching the race from my sofa. The doctor has placed me under house arrest with at least 6 weeks of recovery to let the fractured bones heal.

Occasionally, I think of next season, but perhaps it is too far away to think of for now. Rehab and physiotherapy will begin in 2 weeks, so it may be wiser to put all my energy into healing. In the meantime, the doctor has advised to abstain from coffee and alcohol to aid my recovery. Those who know me well will know how hard this is going to be!

As they say – c’est la vie. It is time to hit the reset button, and go back to basics this off-season. This episode has been a humbling one, and one that reminds me of the more important things in life. Although I am frustrated with the injury, I have to consider myself lucky this didn't happen during the race season. Instead, it has timed itself as if to say, “It’s time for rest!”

So bring on the off season! As I found out only 3 years ago, a calm and quiet off-season will usually bring on better racing the next year. During the 5 hour journey home, I was reminded of how much I have missed my hometown. The monsoon season has just started, and in spite of the pouring rain, the neighbourhood’s kids are still outside playing. The smell of the wet ground, and rising levels in nearby rivers welcome me home. I was born, and will be re-born in the monsoon season.

Get well soon, Loh - we are behind you all the way!