WEEK 6

BACK ON MAJORCA

It’s simply terrific being back on Majorca with the prospect of several wonderful weeks of exercise and preparation ahead of us. We still remember clearly the 16-day period of preparation we had here before the Olympics, just before leaving for Athens. The temperature is quite different here this time, but comfortable and nice for training.

A few weeks have passed since you heard from us last, and many exciting things have happened. We had two weeks at home in Stavanger, and the days were used for training and other related activities, and much, much more. It’s always like that when we get to go home for a short stay: a whole load of various chores and responsibilities pop up.

For example, it would be lovely if all the dirty clothing could make its own way to the washing machine, or if the newly cleaned clothes could find their way back to the various cupboards and drawers, or right back into the luggage, as is the case for many items. Some of the clothing which one has worn practically every day for many weeks is placed right at the back of the wardrobe for a few weeks (or years) of rest!

The main attraction of being at home is simply spending time with friends, family and doing one’s own activities. In addition, it was lovely to have our four-legged children scampering around our feet from early morning till late evening. Getting to exercise, rest and shop for food at home was also great.

We’ve also been involved in a press conference with Stians-Sport and Merida Norway in Oslo. I got to meet many young and promising cyclists which Merida plans to support through the 2005 season and onwards. That same day I also had a lecture for the employees at Shell in Oslo, about exercise, nutrition and energy for every-day life. I also attended an exciting press conference put on by my new sponsor, Natumin Pharma, during my 2-day stay in Oslo.

The following week we spent a day in a photo studio together with a professional photographer in Stavanger. We took many stylish photos, both in full cycling regalia and beautiful dresses from Gunn’s Stil. Some photos were for my own use, and the rest were for our sponsors. On Saturday before leaving for Majorca we got to see a children’s cycling race in the winter carrousel at home, with Bryne running the race. It was amazing to see so many enthusiastic and happy kids on their mountain bikes. An amazing 105 kids from 6 to 16 years of age took part, and this means new possibilities for Norwegian mountain biking for the youngest riders. Both Kenneth and I experienced this as very enjoyable and uplifting.

So now we’ve spent a week here on Majorca already, and have managed to complete our exercise schedule properly, in addition to getting in enough rest and relaxation, as is necessary when training at this level. We tend to refer to it as holiday together with our bikes. No matter, we at least enjoy our days doing the job that we know is necessary in order to be ready for the upcoming cycling season.

Next week we’ll get a visit from the whole of Team Merida, meaning bags of action for a whole week, with press conferences and lots of meetings to plan a new season. Lene Byberg and many other promising cyclists will also be coming here, so it’ll be a great group of us going out cycling together for the next 10 days.

We’ve enjoyed lovely weather with sun and blue skies since we arrived, but it’s not all that warm. Some place between 10 and 15 degrees is normal down here at this time of the year. But compared to most days at home in Norway at this time of the year, it’s very good. I hope you’re all doing well, and that the weather is good enough for some sort of physical activity. We’re staying on here for a good two weeks more, so I expect you’ll hear from us again before we leave for home to the sunny coast and Stavanger again.