This is the time of year Grace Brown would normally start rebuilding her, working back into fitness for that Australian block of races in May when the country title is determined and the home crowd gets the chance to cheer the roadside. But this time things are very different.

Retiring from professional cycling after a year of dreams – the 32-year-old became an Olympic gold medalist, claimed the personal Time trial World Championships and even the monument in Liege-Bastogne-Liege - means the routine is broken. 

She no longer needs to work towards the early start of the racing New Year, or brace for another long stretch from her life in Australia with her husband Elliott, family and friends. 

It was good when Brown returned to Melbourne after the European season. 

"It's a strange process, coming down from everything and changing habits around exercise and all the other lots of small decisions of the day ride my bike

"So it's a pretty big change mentally as well, but yeah, I get home and know that I don't have to rush again soon." I love you.

Although retirement certainly does not mean her attachment to the sport or her role in it is over. 

Even before she was riding her last race with FDJ-Suez, Brown was already trying and helping to play a role in the progress of women's cycling and is currently also participating as an ambassador for the Kadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.

"I want to maintain a connection with the sport. All of these things I do are part of making sure I don't. Disappear, I guess," she said with a laugh.

The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race is so close to Brown's home town show that as a result it holds a special place for riders.

"I've always really loved this race and it also has a bit of a community aspect to me, since I grew up in Camperdown, Geelong and the surrounding area is somewhere I spent quite a bit of time as a young person," Brown said. It was. 

"There's an aspect of the cycling community – being close to the Australian racing scene and all the people involved in it to stay involved."

Instead of racing among the professional WorldTour peloton at the event that Brown first lined up in 2017, she was surrounded by about three thousand cyclists of all ages and abilities Lou "Grace inspired the country at this year's Paris Olympics and became the starting line for people's rides. Having her a cycling fan

The new role is far from the extent of her involvement in cycling and community events, as she wants plenty of opportunities to celebrate Brown's success. 

The Olympic gold medal in particular has increased her excellence in a country that is focused on cycling, it is a medal at an event once every four years

"It is really nice to come back and have the opportunity for the Australian public to celebrate the Olympics and other things a little bit." It is. A lot of friends and family are also really excited because they haven't seen me since.That's a great level," said Brown, who now needs to be adjusted to be recognized on the street.

Other items on the agenda for Brown in the next few weeks include beaming for a look at the civic reception at Campers Down and a festive tour of bright pre-events.

The biggest agenda of a retired rider who laughs and admits that he doesn't sit much is to hope that he enjoys a lifestyle that he has "put on hold" until now.