Spring in Europe

Early spring in Bavaria

It was a bit of a shock to step into the early spring in Europe after enjoying the warm embrace of South Africa for the past weeks.  The leafless trees and grey skies of Bavarian Germany had us feeling like it might have been a better plan to stay south a bit longer to train or take the option to participate in one or more of the world class stage races that highlight the global endurance cycling scene…next year perhaps...

No matter where you are in the world, Stan's NoTubes is #1!!

Mary and I spent a couple of days in Ingolstadt, Germany adjusting to rolling out of bed directly into down jackets while we outfitted our sweet little rental RV with healthy foods and the latest update of winter riding apparel and bike parts that we had shipped ahead of time to what would likely be the last stationary address available to us for the next several months.   

Our plan to attend the next 3 rounds of the World Cup series that will be held in Houffalize, Belgium (4/15), Nove Mesto Na Morave, Czech Republic (5/13) and Le Bresse, France (5/20) as well as National races in Italy and Austria will have us covering a good portion of the EU while continuing our first hand experience of the highest level of XC racing in what is sure to be the most highly contested season to date. 

Team presentation ceremony in Nalles, Italy.

Our European travel experience has transformed drastically over the past years, happily much for the better.   We began our travels here 9 years ago with a complete ignorance that often resulted in unnecessary self inflicted suffering.  This was only possible to overcome with an incredible amount of enthusiasm for what we were doing and a good bit of laughing (at ourselves) and the ridiculous situations that presented themselves around every corner. 

Another inside tip of where to eat the best pizza!

We are now happy to able to rely on a wealth of knowledge of how to travel Europe by RV.  Although the most important lesson we have learned is in no way exclusive to any one mode of transportation or global position.  It has everything to do with the people that we meet along the way and being open to communicate and learn from them regardless of any language barriers.   Those who become friends always seem to go above and beyond to make sure we are not too far off course in their areas of expertise.   The location of the best pizzeria, the best place in the neighborhood to park the RV, or where to get the laundry done are always first on the list of questions.  As much as we love our Gamins GPS units and can absolutely rely on them to show us the way (and way back) there is nothing like riding with a good friend on their home town trails and back roads.

Wide angle view from our camp spot in Nalles

The price of living and traveling in Europe has increased drastically in just the past 6 months with diesel commonly topping 1.70 euro per liter (um, roughly $11 per gallon!!) and the astonishing number of police speed checks clearly aimed at bringing revenue to needy economies.  Even with the significant kilometers we will be driving we feel that our RV attack style has a lot of merit, enough economy and certainly remains our preferred approach.  The ease in logistics of not having to book accommodations while keeping the opportunities open to change plans when other ideas present themselves really makes up for a lot.  

Change of plans happily brought us to Lago di Garda...

Mary and I headed south to Nalles Italy this past weekend where we were happy to see some signs of spring.  Here the apple trees that dominate the local agricultural economy were in full blossom and even the grape vines were beginning to awaken from another hard winter.  We came to contest the 12th consecutive running of the Nalles Sunshine Cup and experience what has become one of the premium XC races in Europe.  The level of racing we found is sure to only be possible at a European based venue as the top end of the field was multi national and could have easily made up  the podium at any world cup.  The crowds and press who came to see the spectacle really made it apparent that mountain biking in Italy is taken seriously as entertainment, professional sport as well as for business. 

Mike preps the bikes for the Sunshine Cup.  Nalles, Italy

The world is quickly catching on to off road cycling for fitness, sport, lifestyle and passion though it still seems the European community in general is enjoying a bit of a head start.  That's what brought us here in the first place and why we have made an effort to be here year after year to experience and be a part of the real deal.  We look forward to utilizing and sharing what we learn here as we travel to other parts of the world to ride and compete in the many disciplines of this sport that defines our lifestyle.  Competitive off road cycling is now found in every continent and is sure to soon be found in every corner of even those places where it still may just be in its infancy.  We are hopeful that the majority of those places will grow this beautiful sport up in the right way.   

For now, on to the second round of the world cup in a town steeped in cycling culture - Houffalize Belgium! 

Good rides and health to you all!

Mike and Mary

Mary on mechanic duty...

Rest day cave exploration on Monte Mauro, Italy.

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