Excited to get into 2016!!
An action packed Autumn of rebalancing and powering up at home has all too quickly taken us into the realities of winter in New England.
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| Mary's tracks - Jan 5, 2016 |
Daylight is scarce now and Freezing weather is the norm, (somewhat) compromising our outdoor training opportunities but leaving us with more time to plan and prepare for the light at the end of the tunnel.
Throughout the fall Mary and I have been developing our team program to incorporate all that we need to meet the challenges ahead with the best advantage as we put together a race calendar that will incorporate a return to international racing on many fronts.
Mary's continued dedication to the Cross Country side of the sport will take us on an incredible mission right from the start of the early season. Her passion for XC competition has recently been re invigorated by her nomination to the US Olympic "Long Team" - an eight woman squad from which USA Cycling will select two representatives to compete for the USA at the Rio Olympics next August.
No doubt that a trip to the Olympics is highly coveted by athletes in any sport and battling for her third Olympic bid will be no easy task - especially at age 44! But Mary is hopeful and motivated to give her best effort in embracing this amazing opportunity. We know of course there are no guarantees, but perhaps more importantly we know from experience that just in choosing to follow this path will put us out there, and this journey of striving to be our best is reason enough to just go for it.
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| Mary cartwheeling on a warm December day - Keeping nimble, supple and strong as she bounds into the future... |
Alongside the Cross Country Mary and I are really happy to be able to continue to stock our schedule with a diversity of events. This will have us following our passion for riding dirt and following the evolution of the sport into stage racing adventures, enduro, and the type of competitions that are calling to us from a wide variety of events in many places these days.
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| Packing up for extended trips is no easy task... Making sure to have the right gear on hand is critical. |
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| The beginning of a long flight… leaving the east coast |
Coming up is our return to Chile where we will continue our training, and soon take part in the eighth running of the The Trans Andes Challenge. This epic 6 day mountain bike race in Patagonia has become the preferred start to our racing and season and after 7 years in attendance Mary and I are still looking at it with the anticipation and excitement of our first go round. The TAC is a tremendous event that is part epic bike race, part exotic adventure with a huge group of like minded folks, making it a truly special experience.
Huge THANKS our team of partners, including title sponsors KENDA Tire and Intense Cycles as well as our incredible group of friends, family and supporters that together combined create our diverse support network which will ensure we are fully outfitted throughout another huge season of competition and adventures. We look froward to continued promotion and representation of each of these companies as we make our way forward… And are truly honored to represent!
Hope you too are getting ready, set and going to meet your next adventure with balance, vigor and health!
Here's to making 2016 great!
Mike and Mary
Team KENDA - Intense
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| His and hers - Ready for anything! |
Pictured: Small and Medium Spider Comp 29er by Intense Cycles
Specs: Kenda Karma Tires, Stan's NoTubes "Valor" and "Bravo" wheels and sealant, Sram XX1, Rockshox 120mm Sid and 115-130mm Monarchs, Avid XX and Guide brakes, ESI Fit and Chunky Grips, Crankbrothers (Candy 11) pedals, Fizik (Aliante and Gobi) saddles, Crankbrothers Highline seat dropper post.
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Please visit our social media outlets for regular pics and updates:
Instagram: mikeandmaryride
Twitter: @marynmikebike
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| Mary keeps up with our nutritional needs - an important part of feeling good! |
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| Off for another adventure! |
"When man invented the bicycle, he reached the peak of his attainments. Here was a machine of precision and balance for the convenience of man. And (unlike subsequent inventions for man's convenience) the more he used it, the fitter his body became. Here, for once, was a product of man's brain that was entirely beneficial to those who used it, and of no harm or irritation to others. Progress should have stopped when man invented the bicycle."
~Elizabeth West~
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