Stepping into Summer
Saludos de Chile!
Hope everybody enjoyed a great holiday season!
Mike and I were happy to celebrate a quiet winter solstice, Mike's B-Day & Xmas with our friends and family in Massachusetts. It was a nice way to cap off what has quickly become several months at home and served the purpose of regenerating our energy and drive for another big season of travel and bike racing!
The fact that it was officially the second warmest year on record for North America is clearly NOT good news in the big picture… But in the mean time Mike and I were able to really enjoy the late Fall and transition to Winter with relatively warm weather that allowed us to get out with unusual ease for our every day fitness missions.
We were stoked to get in couple of sweet wintry rides with fast frozen ground and a bonus day of carving first tracks through the perfect blanket of fresh light snow… Although we felt happier to be headed to warmer climates as the temperatures succumbed to the constrictive grip of winter.
It took days of uncomfortable logistics, minimizing and evaluating to pare down and pack everything we would need for the next month into four 50 lb bags (just don't weigh our carry ons...). But it is certainly well worth the struggle since once we unpack we are all set up for a good stint of training. Both Mike and I love to get in those winter activities but there is just no substitute for good weather when you really just need to get in the long miles on the bike.
Of course the economy travel here was little more than 36 hours of Slow torture, resulting in a 5 day neck kink for me and both of us getting the not so random sickness that we often succumb to from overnight airline travel. Thankfully our salvation began immediately upon arrival to our dear friends' house in Santiago where we took in some much needed sleep, recovered a bit and were re acquainted with our vehicle and other critical gear (surf, camping, bike, etc.) that will make our time down here a full on charging adventure.
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| ALL loaded up? or down. |
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| Big wheels keep on rolling... |
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| Plenty of "road" riding in the open hot sun. |
We are now into the rhythm of the longer training hours and the alternative lifestyle we've come to know and love here in Chile. Our base in Pichilemu is a bit far out, but it has a certain undeniable flavor as well as some very special people who have helped us find exactly what we need here.
This is a place where stepping out to the East gives us direct access to long challenging rides in a (relatively) safe environment with very few cars. And to the West, nothing but incredible beaches, ranging from soft sand to sheer rock cliffs - many blessed with the right type of set ups to groom the consistent pacific ground swell into world class waves… Pretty much the perfect place to call our winter training grounds!
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| Gate crossings into remote riding areas |
This is a place where stepping out to the East gives us direct access to long challenging rides in a (relatively) safe environment with very few cars. And to the West, nothing but incredible beaches, ranging from soft sand to sheer rock cliffs - many blessed with the right type of set ups to groom the consistent pacific ground swell into world class waves… Pretty much the perfect place to call our winter training grounds!
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| Powerful south swell. |
Our rides into the country bring us into contact with a world less influenced by outside forces. Here the huascos (cowboys) still typically travel with well mannered steed and wagon, farmers hand thresh wheat & quinoa, while other entrepreneurs rely on hand processing of sea salt or crafting artesian pottery to make their living. People in the country here still live close to the land and we feel lucky to enjoy the fruits of their labors as we shop directly from the farmers market and buy fresh fish caught by the hardy locals in open top skiffs.
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| Local traffic |
For us living here seems more simple and this allows us to find the time and motivation to get in the yoga, strength & balance training that we find really makes a huge difference throughout the competitive year.
ANd right about now we are more hoping the regimen is going to be effective for next weeks' 6 day stage race : The Trans Andes Challenge (Jan 21-26), which is considered to be one of the tougher off road cycling challenges on the planet and is the primary reason we made the trip to Chile at this time. We are now doing our best to find that elusive combination of training and rest that will have us in good form for this incredible event. Once again Mike and I are looking forward to the challenge!
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| Mike improvises a balance board, honing his skills on the foam roller (no fins). |
ANd right about now we are more hoping the regimen is going to be effective for next weeks' 6 day stage race : The Trans Andes Challenge (Jan 21-26), which is considered to be one of the tougher off road cycling challenges on the planet and is the primary reason we made the trip to Chile at this time. We are now doing our best to find that elusive combination of training and rest that will have us in good form for this incredible event. Once again Mike and I are looking forward to the challenge!
Wishing you all a healthy, balanced New Year!
Mary and Mike
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| Punta de Lobos, Pichilemu, Chile. |
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