Season Finale in the Olde World

M & M with their Intense Cycles Enduro Bikes in Aragon, Spain:  Mary's Tracer 275 and Mike's Carbine 29er

World Cup Finals, Val di Sole, italy

The past months were busy & exciting with World Cup XC finals in Italy, Eurobike in Germany, XC World Championships in Andorra, and the Enduro World Series (EWS) in Spain.   We knew we would be pinned for a few weeks... But we  live in a house on wheels and were happily motivated to have such RAD opportunities to be involved in the cycling community! 

Before we dove into this heavy block of travel and racing, we had planned a rest week, training at elevation in the Haut Alps of France.  It is always good to give the body space to recover and rebuild in order to get stronger.  We discovered the sweet village of Valloire and the amazing big mountain trails in attending our second Coup de France enduro…  Seemed like a good idea to stay around a few days after...  

French Cup Enduro Valloire 2015 -  A great event!  Mike was running Top 4 in Masters. Conditions deteriorating, he was ready.  Then they cancelled the final stage.

We were happy to stay put in the local campground where we could catch up on internet, do the laundry, and access some perfect  training options including the stunning Col du Galibier road climb.  We felt pretty fortunate to have time to appreciate the incredible scenery and culture while getting ready for the upcoming events.  

Top of the Col du Galibier

WORLD CUP XC FINALS - Val di Sol, Italy 2015

I felt good going into the World Cup Finals in Val di Sole, Italy  -  it was our 4th time racing here since 2008 and it is always nice to return to a familiar venue and fun to see what the race track is like… this year there was a tough power course with many short climbs, some new interesting twists of trail and transitions that required utmost focus.  

Always exhilarating to be racing in Italy where the passion for cycling is so strong!  Always funny (to me) to hear italian fans cheering in their home language "Dai, dai!" meaning "you go! you go!" :-)  I usually feel like dying.

Despite starting on the back row (again) we both did well… playing the traffic game, and moving ahead best we could.  When the track opened up, it was super fun to lower my seat post and comfortably rip down the slippery root and rock filled chutes… My legs and heart rate were able to recover quickly after riding hard for several minutes - this feeling of peak fitness is what we strive for all year!   Stoked to have it come now and be able to move up through the elite women's field to finish 26th!  

Mike rode strong too, although his starting disadvantage at the back of the larger than ever elite men's field caused him to loose over 5 minutes on the first lap… Hard to be totally satisfied with this type of racing, but we both had good moments and enjoyed pushing our limits and putting our equipment to the test!    Overall an amazing and challenging time!

On the start line in Italy.  

Passing through the feed zone

EUROBIKE 2015 Freidrickshaven, Germany

Soon enough the RV was buzzing north.  Mike and I wanted to stay up at elevation as much as possible, even if it was just for the night, With World Championships at 2000 meters above sea level (6000 ft) in a few weeks, we wanted  to maintain and maximize our fitness.   We found some quiet dead end valleys in the northern reaches of Italy where the pace of life was quiet and the air much thiner.  The days passed quickly as we recovered and made the move to Fredrickshaven for Eurobike where we could meet face to face with many of our partners and check out the latest and greatest developments, products, and ideas related to all things bike.  

It is always a spectacular scene at Eurobike - truly a meeting of bike culture and where a lot of connection and inspiration happens.  Even though it can be exhausting in a way that being on your feet and talking more than we normally do, Mike and I still really enjoy making this a part of our events calendar.  

It was especially great to catch up with our friends and industry partners - KENDA Tires, Intense Cycles, Stans' NoTubes, Crankbrothers,  Fizik Saddles, Squirt Lube and many more cool industry folks… So many great people all in one place!! : - ) It was hard to pry ourselves away, but it was Time to pin the camper south to Andorra for my 14th World Championships… 

It took a lot longer than we planned to get to this small and mountainous country in between France and Spain, but the trip down from Germany went pretty smooth and we got to see some more beautiful places along our chosen route.  It may have been the "long way"  but maintaining our elevation training (and being rested) was a priority, so we'll call it our  "white road" experience.  We made our way south through Switzerland, across Italy into the mountains of France.   By my calculations … we should have been arriving to Val Nord midweek … but driving over 1200 kilometers on the highways of Europe, over the alps, along the busy & expensive toll ways in your house can be somewhat stressful and demanding.  We could only take about 6 or so hours of driving daily if we wanted to balance our training and lifestyle needs.

Stopping for a spin along the way

 

How's we end up here?

HAD to stop to see the Mediterranean for a dip before heading into the mountains!

A view from the top of Andorra - overlooking the ski area, Val Nord, where the Down Hill, Trails and XC Mountainbike World Championships took place this year.

XC WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS - Val Nord, Andorra 2015

The XC track at Worlds was really demanding with a great mix of up and down, some fun wooded trails and ribbon contrived s-turns through open fields.  The elevation was killer!  The weather fluctuated between cool and sunny to freezing and rainy with U23 racing getting a good dose of these gnarly race conditions the day before our race.  The track deteriorated as hundreds of laps happened with deep mud, slick corners and treacherous down hills that became dangerous to ride.  I figured we would be running quite a bit on race day (which we did) so I choose the lighter weight hard tail with dropper post - even though I would have preferred the comfort of my dual suspension Spider Comp, the long and excruciatingly steep open climbs that awaited each lap made for my decision. 

I had a blast racing and I truly enjoyed the challenge of tearing it up from the back row - digging in and recovering, gauging myself carefully.   There was a lot of traffic and it was frustrating to get blocked up, not be able to ride sections because someone is in your way.... but this is how it goes in XC racing.   

I focused on the positives and that sweet peak fitness I was still feeling … & the AWESOME equipment and products I am so lucky to use!  My bike was set up perfectly for these conditions!   It felt RAD to move forward passing dozens of riders ultimately finishing 3rd American and 30th overall.  I was stoked and honored to bring some good form to represent my team, all our Fantastic partners and USA Cycling.  

  

ENDURO WORLD Series Ainsa, Spain 2015

As we were getting ready for Worlds, Mike and I found out we were the lucky recipients of last minute wild card entries into the World Enduro Series in Ainsa, Spain.  We were really excited to check it out!  This region in the central Pyrenees turns out to be one of the most beautiful quiet spaces with an incredible climate and amazing (signed) trail network - some of the BEST big day single track experiences we have had in a while!  

Out exploring the Zona Zero trails surrounding Ainsa, Spain

The EWS in Ainsa was perhaps one of the most exciting and fun race experiences we've had this year!  We really enjoyed the format of racing, the people and the long days out riding.  There was a fun Friday night TT through the stone built city center and then two days and 8 stages - which the final one got cancelled due to flash flooding (while I was out racing on the course!!!).  Overall fantastic riding, heated competition and good vibes!   I think I was smiling all weekend - a memory of a lifetime!   

It was nice to have a clear shot at the times sections with our individual starts, where we could push our skills in a way that riding above the normal level can only do. 

Mike racing the Prologue on his Intense Carbine 29er - Turns out he was in podium contention all weekend- with an overall finish of 4th in the hotly contested category the Master 40+.  Too bad they cancelled the results of the final stage (8) because before the rains fell, he actually won it!!

Me? well, I played it conservative - There were some extremely rugged rocky descents and critical exposed sections on loose gravel - which were a bit unnerving.   My goal was to finish each stage safe and enjoy the experience.  And I did!!!  pleasantly surprised to finish 23rd!  Yes, we will be back for more of these next year! 

Here I am on my Intense Tracer 275 - The traction and performance of a true enduro bike id SO FUN to ride!

Wrap up

After living in the camper for nearly 6 months, Mike and I were still quite cozy and appreciating the simplicity of our lifestyle... but it was time to head back home to the USA.  

We both feel so grateful for such a healthy and successful race season.  Huge THANKS to all of you who have cheered us on and made it possible!!  

Wishing you all safe and beautiful rides!  

:-)

M & M

"Mountains are not stadiums where I satisfy my ambition to achieve, they are the cathedrals where I practice my religion." -Boukreev

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