World Cup Finals complete!

Our first ride in Norway near a fjord in Larvik

The September forest in southern Norway is rapidly declining in vibrant fall colors and has recently offered up some very cold wet days more reminiscent of November at home on the east coast.  Mike and I scheduled in a couple of extra days in Norway to wind down and take the chance to see a bit of what is up here… Unfortunately the weather changed from dry and summery to incredibly wet and gnarly overnight and looks to stay like this for a while. 

Mike's always looking to get in the water.

Over the past busy weeks Mike and I made our way from South Africa to Norway where we brought our XC world cup campaign through to the finals here in Hafjell.   The Hafjell ski resort/summer bike park  is located only 2.5 hours north of Oslo, but since we chose to drive our RV from central Germany, taking a ferry from the tip of Denmark over to the small port of Larvik, it took us a while like 3 days to actually get there.  On the way up through Germany and Denmark the scenery was pretty tame but all that changed after a short 4 hour boat ride across the North Sea and we arrived in Norway.  We immediately found the country  quite beautiful and also very quiet as it well past the tourist season way up here.   Once we found our way to the race venue where we camped for the week it was business as usual and time flew by as we trained and prepared for the event from our little mobile home unit. 

Our outdoor yoga studio for the week - glad the rain held off!

It is always a great vibe when the WC disciplines of Cross Country and Down Hill racers come together.  Walking thru the combined venue gave full flavor of the level of mountain bike as both an olympic and professional sport.   Seeing the considerable investment the the big programs make in these disciplines seemed to fully legitimize what we do as athletes and representatives of our sponsors for the economy of selling bikes and bike equipment.  Mike and I always appreciate these opportunities to check out the racing to experience the level the DH has progressed to.  Although we find it now more firmly than ever beyond anything imaginable to take on personally, it is still just fantastic to see the highest level live and appreciate what these men and women do & try and pick up some tricks.  Always cool to talking to the gravity riders, team managers and mechanics from around the globe.  Not the worst strategy if you may soon be in their town in the near future looking for the trailhead.  

Huge thanks to the SRAM race support crew for an awesome season!

Mary headed off "to the office"... and happy about it.

The XC racing took place on a newly built  track that was carved into the very bottom of the Ski slope.  A bumpy ski hill face filled the majority of our time on course with steep climbing only interrupted by  a few carefully placed rocky sections that provided some slow technical pieces.  The coolest aspect of the course was the inclusion of several technical areas featuring multiple line options that gave athletes the choice and opportunity to pass up others and find their own best way through the riddles of root and rocks.  There were also several bike park style berm and jump features which provided some smooth sections but also took tremendous skill and commitment to ride well. 

Punctures were an outstanding issue all week as riders tested their speed and line choices over fast open descents which (as seemingly does this whole country) held TONS of sharp rocks.  This was the type of course that seemed really quite tame and uninspiring compared to many of the tracks we have had the opportunity to compete on.  Though after several laps it became apparent that it would be a great track for racing as it came with plenty of passing room, it demanded fitness, power, skills, race tactics and overall race savvy. 

After the usual preparation of looking at lines, choosing gearing, tires, figuring race plans, and etc, we were ready to go on race day.  

Mary on the line with her game face on...

I made it thru a typically hectic start riding comfortably into the top15 for the first few laps… I was so stoked to be in position to have a great result… until I punctured, ripping the sidewall right out of my tire on a sharp stone hidden in the fast grassy descent.  Rather than stop to make a repair I continued riding and running the features until I got to the lower pit.  Thankfully, Mike was watching (while warming up for his race) and could assist me with a quick wheel change :-) Yes!  I was off again but now chasing and trying to minimize the lost time and salvage the day and some series points.  I had lost a bunch of time and several positions but I was happy to have good form and to finish 24th on the day.  

Mary post race: dusty, sweat crusted and tired, but still (sort of) smiling.

I cooled down for 10 minutes after I crossed the finish line, went back to the RV for a quick recovery drink and shower and was off to the feed zone for Mike.  I was pretty exhausted but stoked to watched him gracefully battle from the back lines of another hectic world cup start to finish an eventual 57th.  Congrats to him for digging deep with all that he manages as a racer, mechanic and team manager!!  

Mike racing down "speed trap"

Straight UP climbing!

We made a solid season effort in attending 5 of the 6 world cups on the schedule this year I ended up 22nd overall in the series and Mike 88th overall.  We both had some great races and experiences this season and were especially happy to have persevered for another year with our custom built two person team effort!  

It has been an exciting year for Mike and I as we have continued to pursue the highest level of olympic xc mtb racing as well as put ourselves to the test in several alternative styles of open international competition.  Just to be involved with the sport of off road cycling at this level takes a tremendous effort from ourselves as well as the backing from a fantastic program of amazing sponsors!    We wanted to reach out and thank all of our increeible sponsors, friends and family who have helped support us along the way!  

THANK YOU!!!!

Our bikes/and complete program of team issue equipment all performed incredibly and perhaps even more outstandingly held up to the untold rigors, the thousands of miles, the airline travel and all manor of unavoidable abuse that we put everything through in this profession.  Mike and I remain super grateful to be ambassadors of such incredible companies and people who take the to care to innovate & refine such top quality products!!   The passion to continue on is something that we in part owe to each and every one of you who has made one or all of our rides easier or more fun, faster or safer or more comfortable.

Here's to many more good rides this Fall!

Mary and Mike

Team KENDA - Stan's NoTubes

Fall is here!!

Getting back into hiking!

We have our own fjord here at the campground.

Hope to get more of these days

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