WEEK 25 – 20th of June

SOLID WEEKS OF TRAINING
[Translation: Crispen T.P. de Lange]

Two weeks at Boulder has provided us with the relaxation and rejuvenation we were looking for, in addition to incredibly good exercise every day. We’ve done gruelling intervals at high altitudes, a lot of very good technical training, lots of strength training on the bikes, and more relaxed long distance trips in between. This is a completely necessary investment in all that’s to come in the next weeks up towards the World Championships in the beginning of September.

Time really flies when one’s having fun. These two weeks in beautiful Boulder have been pure therapy for the both of us. The days have mostly been used for exercise, rest and restitution, but we’ve both managed to gain our composure and recharge our batteries, and that’s important for both of us. Now we’re ready to launch off on a new and exciting period which actually stretches all the way up to the World Championship in Livigno, Italy, on September 4.

It’s Monday afternoon over here and I’m sitting in the living room with my PC-friend on my lap, trying to remember some of what these days have given us. Apart from the training, we’ve barbecued a whole lot of delicious fish and sat relaxing on the veranda every single evening. We’ve gone to the movies a couple of times, been to our favourite Mexican restaurant Boulder Downtown, had my sitting position and bike’s set-up tested again at Andy Pruitt’s (educational as always), done some shopping, and had visits from friends and acquaintances.

We’ve naturally also had some wonderful trips out with our huge poodle friend Hunter, who is always at the ready any time anyone says the word “hiking”. Mark hasn’t come with us on that many bike-rides, as he’s had to work almost every single day, but he’s promised to get in good shape in time for the Birkebeinerritt in August.

Kenneth took a long-distance trip on his bike alone last week and came home all bloody and bruised. What had happened was that one of these thousands – trillions – of prairie-rats one constantly sees around was on its way out into the road and Kenneth had to swerve to miss it. It all ended with him doing a summersault over the handlebars, and really got a bad skinning on his knees, hips and shoulders. He was most worried about the sores on his hands, that they might prevent him from doing good massage, but luckily it was alright.

Tomorrow morning at five o’clock we’re being fetched by a taxi-bus which will take us to Denver airport. From there we’re headed for Quebec, Canada, where we’re taking part in a new World Cup race this Saturday at Mont-Sainte-Anne. It’s a bit strange to think that we are now going to race our bikes again. We’ve been a little restless these past few days, and I guess that’s a sign that we’re ready for new and exciting challenges on our bikes again.

In Canada we’ll meet up again with the rest of the Multivan Merida Biking Team, and will be travelling together for two weeks. Lene Byberg will also join up with us there, and is taking part in the World Cup races in Canada and Brazil. It will doubtless be an exciting and educational experience for her. The last week before the World Cup in New Mexico on July 10, Kenneth and I will be alone, but we’ve managed alright just the two of us before, so it won’t be a problem. We have team sponsors like SRAM (gears and brakes) and Manitou (forks) which also provide any necessary support before a race. Apart from that, Kenneth and I will just run our usual preparations, which have provided us with great results many times before.

I’ll try to write a summary of the race next Sunday, and send it before we leave for Brazil. Now we’ve packed up most of our stuff here and are ready for new, exciting challenges in the big world. We will no doubt miss Boulder and all our dear friends here, but we’re comforted by the knowledge that we’ll soon be back again. Have a continued wonderful summer, all of you.

EXERCISE STINT OF THE WEEK: Race against Kenneth two days ago…..I was more or less crushed by him, and I didn’t like it!
DINNER OF THE WEEK: Fish tacos at Mark’s house this evening. Grilled tuna steak and chicken, with lots of greens, home-made guacamole and tasty beans.
TIP FOR THE WEEK: Always use sun-screen. I forgot to apply it one of the days we were out, and it resulted in pink arms which glowed for a whole night. Not to be recommended at all!