getRequestCycle null after session serializes

Hello,
            I have a strange problem (well.. at least I think it's
strange). I have extended BasePage for pages that need validation and
access to the database. In my page I have a method: "getSession" that
pulls the db connection data from the request cycle ( or checks if it is
already there really ). 
 
It works perfectly until I either: 
1. Disabled page caching and refresh the page or click any links that
involve a refresh
2. With page caching on, wait 2-3 mins or so for the server-side session
to be serialized ( that's my guess at least ) then try and refresh. 
 
I noticed that in the FAQ it says that disabling page caching is a good
way to: "test that you are persisting server-side state correctly".
 
I believe I am doing this correctly, I don't see how even implementing
this incorrectly would result in "getRequestCycle" returning null..
unless perhaps I am forgetting to call super() somewhere?
 
Thanks in advance...
 
Luke Galea 
Software Development
BlueCat <http://www.bluecatnetworks.com/>  Networks
905-762-5225