Sudbury Cycling Club (SCC) member Thomas Hums is dulling a lot of pencils right now.
The Junior cyclist has been working overtime to scratch
completed goals off his 2006 "To do" list at a blinding pace.
Even when bad luck reared its ugly head at the most recent
Ontario Cup circuit race in Kitchener-Waterloo, Hums overcame
the odds to make the Ontario provincial squad, which stamped
his ticket to Canadians National Cycling Championships in
Quebec City from June 29 to 30.
Making the provincial team and going to nationals were two
major goals for the young rider.
"I had mechanical problems at my qualifying race," said
Hums. "My shifter broke and I was stuck in a small gear. 
I suffered the whole race. I was disappointed because the
course was perfect for me. The Ontario coaches were impressed .
. . I was the only junior to make the team for nationals.
I'm quite proud of that."
Hums isn't looking to win it all at nationals. He's
looking to perform well and plans to keep it simple and
continue at his own pace and soak up the experience.
"For me to achieve what I want, it will take focus and
determination," said the 16-year-old. "I wish to get a decent
result. My performance there will determine whether I make Team
Ontario for the Tour D'Abitibi - one of the biggest races
of the year."
Making the jump from cadet level to junior level has been
punishing and rewarding.
"The hardest part so far was the increased distances," said
Hums. "This year, my races are 85 to 120-kilometres long as
opposed to the 60 to 70-km last season. The speed is higher and
the competition is stiffer. Overall, I am not doing so bad. I
have had consistent results in the Top-Five in the Ontario Cup
races. I can't say I am happy because I don't have much
to be happy for. Hopefully, there will be better things to come
in the future."
Hums is on the right path.
"He's right on target with the training," said SCC head
coach Battista Muredda. "Even though he had bad luck at the
Kitchener-Waterloo race, he impressed the provincial coaches
enough, with his determination, to make the Ontario team."
There's no questioning Hums' abilities.
"By being picked for the Ontario team, it shows the provincial
coach is noticing his development and effort," said Muredda.
"This is an adjustment year for Thomas...and he's adjusting
quite nicely. He's always placing in the Top-five in his
races and that's really good."
Hums will be competing in the time trial, road race and the
criterium race.
"My best talent seems to be sprinting," said Hums. "I can
accelerate fast and I have good top end speed. My power is
coming along. I haven't had a growth spurt yet and once I
fill out a bit more, there will be trouble (for the other
riders)."
Regardless of results, Hums is learning more about himself than
ever.
"I've learned how much harder I can push myself and how
much harder I have to work and focus to achieve my long term
goals as a cyclist."
Hums isn't the only SCC rider heading to the nationals.
He will be joined by Rob Rice and Peter Sanowar (both competing
in elite men), Jeff Dickson (disabled races) and Amanda Sin
(elite women races). Former SCC member and Olympian Eric
Wohlberg will also be competing in elite men.