We’re back again at wonderful Boulder after a completely amazing start to the season of 2005. My last World Cup win at Willingen tasted extremely good as always, and ensured a very enjoyable return trip across “the pond”. Now I have a good two weeks of exercise and relaxation here at high altitudes in Colorado and we’re really looking forward to the stay.

We got to Boulder on Sunday evening and have spent two days more or less in coma over here. The high altitude and the jetlag, combined with a very long plane-ride and fatigue due to the past weeks’ exertions, have left us both feeling giddy. But it doesn’t matter so much when we know we can look forward to a quiet and relaxing period together with our good friend Mark and the dog Hunter.

It’s been two very intense weeks since you last heard from us, and naturally it’s all been very exciting. The build-up to the World Cup in Houffalize in Belgium went as expected, and it meant a lot to me to win again here. The countless enthusiastic spectators really provided a unique atmosphere in the small town. This, combined with one of the wildest off-road tracks in the World Cup circus, makes such experiences unforgettable.

The World Cup at Willingen took place only six days after Houffalize, in other words rather a short time for restitution, but plenty of time to make lots of mistakes. So our main focus last week was simply rest and restitution, both for body and mind. The race-course in German Willingen was tough, including long and steep ascents, rapid descents, and a very varied terrain. I took the lead early on in the race, but it soon became obvious that this was going to be a cliff-hanger of a race between German Sabine Spitz and me.

A margin of 39 seconds back to Sabine sounds undeniably comfortable, but not this time. My lead stabilized at around 40 seconds after two of the seven rounds, but that’s not a lot. On the steepest climbs, where one hardly moves forward at all, it felt more like a lead of only a few metres. As usual, Kenneth was sprinting around on the race-course to give me times and helpful comments to focus my efforts, and it was invaluable as always. Yet again we managed to haul in a highly esteemed World Cup victory, number 19 so far.

And now I’m looking forward to a period of exercise, two weekends completely without racing, a little relaxation for the both of us, and a chance to recharge our batteries. No matter what one does or works with, the mental aspect remains the most important in reaching one’s goals. Here at Boulder our focus is training, but in a somewhat different way than during competition weeks. It’s also great to be just Kenneth and Gunn-Rita for a short period of time, doing something other than just cycling. Soon we’re going out for a walk in the Rocky Mountains, pure medicine for the entire system.

Tomorrow we’re going to the movies and on Friday we’re going to our favourite Mexican restaurant here in downtown Boulder. I’m going to do some shopping on one of the days, and naturally also visit the amazing costume shop just down the road from where we live. Tomorrow I have an appointment with a specialist, Andy Pruitt, to run a “bike-fit-test” for my new Merida carbon bicycle. It’s going to be fun and educational, and maybe it can give me an even better feel to my bike, if possible! You’ll hear from us again in the course of next week, and by then I expect the summer weather over here to have worked its magic with my shining white summer skin colour!

EXERCISE STINT OF THE WEEK: A low-intensity spin here in beautiful Boulder, with wonderful sunny weather and a very relaxed feeling in my whole body.
DINNER OF THE WEEK: On Sunday evening we had a delicious barbecued salmon with salad and corn on the cob from the out-door barbecue. Amazingly wonderful just sitting on the veranda just enjoying the peace and relaxation of the summer evening, accompanied by the soft music from the insects around us.
TIP OF THE WEEK: Find your barbecue and enjoy a different kind of dinner together with your family some day this week.