I'm now in Parkcity, Utah. I'd forgotten how tough this altitude is on the body. We're at around 2500m here, so that's pretty high! The first few days were not too bad, but yesterday I hit the typical 4th day knockout. I was like a zombie trying to get air, falling asleep at 3pm and waking up with what felt like a bad hangover. But hopefully that should be the worst of it, and hopefully it should be fine for the 3 days of racing we will do this weekend.
I'm doing this whole US trip on my own this year. Julian decided he didn't want to do any of these races and instead focus on world champs. I had already not come to US last year, so I just decided to do it myself. To make the most of it I'm combining a bunch of races together, and made a nice little 6 week schedule including 2 NORBA's and 2 World Cups.
Leaving home was a bit sad, with summer on the way things were just starting to amp up. But arriving back to US was awesome.. I had 3 days alone (so to adjust to the altitude) which were mostly spent relaxing. US has the best organic supermarkets in the world, such as Wild Oats or Wholefoods. I can spend hours doing my groceries, drooling over all the nice, yet healthy stuff. Only problem is the bill once you get to the counter!
I also checked out the course, which was about as different as possible to our last race in Willingen. This 15km track is probably 90% flowing single track... wicked to ride, but I guess it will be tough to race.. and no passing.. but heck, its so fun!
Finally all the teams started rolling in on Wednesday and I started meeting up with all my old friends again. So many of the people I've worked with from the Volvo/Cannondale days are still around, and its been a blast to catch up with everyone again. My old team manager, Eric Wallace, is now the captain of the Maxxis US programs, and he's helping me out with lodging for the next few races. Last night Paul Shlitz, our old Aussie/French soigneur came over and we had sipping hour... one of our old traditions where we share some fine red wines, played pool and just had a great laugh.
This is just what I've been needing.. Racing in Europe can get a little to serious at times, and its sure nice to be able to come over here and relax again.
Today we will start our mini tour with a uphill timetrial up the Olympic bobsled track.. Tomorrow is the XC and Sunday the short track.
CU all
Kashi
I'm doing this whole US trip on my own this year. Julian decided he didn't want to do any of these races and instead focus on world champs. I had already not come to US last year, so I just decided to do it myself. To make the most of it I'm combining a bunch of races together, and made a nice little 6 week schedule including 2 NORBA's and 2 World Cups.
Leaving home was a bit sad, with summer on the way things were just starting to amp up. But arriving back to US was awesome.. I had 3 days alone (so to adjust to the altitude) which were mostly spent relaxing. US has the best organic supermarkets in the world, such as Wild Oats or Wholefoods. I can spend hours doing my groceries, drooling over all the nice, yet healthy stuff. Only problem is the bill once you get to the counter!
I also checked out the course, which was about as different as possible to our last race in Willingen. This 15km track is probably 90% flowing single track... wicked to ride, but I guess it will be tough to race.. and no passing.. but heck, its so fun!
Finally all the teams started rolling in on Wednesday and I started meeting up with all my old friends again. So many of the people I've worked with from the Volvo/Cannondale days are still around, and its been a blast to catch up with everyone again. My old team manager, Eric Wallace, is now the captain of the Maxxis US programs, and he's helping me out with lodging for the next few races. Last night Paul Shlitz, our old Aussie/French soigneur came over and we had sipping hour... one of our old traditions where we share some fine red wines, played pool and just had a great laugh.
This is just what I've been needing.. Racing in Europe can get a little to serious at times, and its sure nice to be able to come over here and relax again.
Today we will start our mini tour with a uphill timetrial up the Olympic bobsled track.. Tomorrow is the XC and Sunday the short track.
CU all
Kashi
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home