Week 11 (Thursday, March 15, 2007)
MOUNTAIN BIKING ON SARDINIA
We're back again in fantastic Italy, this time on beautiful Sardinia. Based on what we've seen and experienced here, this must be a pure Mecca for mountain bikers, no matter what level. We're here to prepare for the first mountain bike race of the year, to be held here on Sardinia, so we're quite excited about that.
I completed my first race of the year on-road, last weekend in Switzerland, and it was really fun. I got a good exercise stint out of it, and confirmation that I'm where I should be physically. The results didn't matter that much, just as long as I got to complete my climbing exercise, plus that my body and legs felt as if they were ready for a new season. According to our plan I'm not to be feeling this strong for a long time yet, and I felt it was much more than expected when I arrived with the first group and came in on 10th place.
We had three very busy days at home in Stavanger, with total chaos in the washroom after three weeks of cycling on Majorca. Typically, all our clothing has to be washed when we get home, even though we've washed it all regularly during our stay. One's clothes never get properly clean until one gets to wash them at home.
Kenneth stayed at home in Norway while I did my road race in Switzerland. Then he left the house and our four-legged «children» on Monday morning to meet up with me here at the airport on Sardinia. I left Milan on Monday afternoon. All of Kenneth's luggage had naturally disappeared when he arrived, but we got to fetch it at the airport next day.
These last two days we've ridden the race track and enjoyed ourselves in wild and demanding terrain, consisting of ascending and descending single-track. It's wonderful to be back on my favourite bike again, and to feel the excitement of riding such demanding terrain as this. It is also no secret that I find it to be very exciting and wonderful to be seated on a brand new bike. This year's Merida Carbon FLX, which we're racing this year, is even better than the last model, and is an utter joy to ride off road.
Today we've been at a press conference in the town of Sinnai where the race is being held. This is the first of many races in the Italian MTB cup of 2007. The track is perhaps somewhat too demanding to be the first race of the season, but all the cyclists will be in the same boat. The track consists of loose and dry sand and stones, steep and long climbs, and very technical descents. I felt like a novice yesterday when we tried the track for the first time, but luckily one soon adapts and starts to feel in control.
Today we've had a short trip in a good 20 degrees under blue skies. We've just had a delicious dinner here at Hotel Setar, consisting of a perfectly prepared pasta, fresh salad and a tasty fish dish next to it. Every time we're in Italy I'm always amazed at how they manage to prepare the pasta to such perfection. We have exactly the same pasta for sale at home in Norway, but it never tastes as good!!!
Well, I hope many of you have started cycling again after the winter, that you have felt a bit of spring in the air, and that you're under way with preparations for a new cycling season. Remember that good health and healthy food all contribute to a wonderful life. Combine this with some exercise every day, and your body will be bursting with energy and vitality. I wish you all a wonderful and active weekend.
Cyclist's greetings from Gunn-Rita and Kenneth
Multivan Merida Biking Team