Anything to do with adrenalin

Just checking out some of the routes for the Trans Alpes.

As Im sick, (I seem to have picked up a virus since last weekend) Im doing some mental preparation! Just taking it easy over the weekend to try and shake it off before I head to San Francisco for work next week.

MY FIRST 24 HOUR

Davos 124

Its not entirely true to say I did an entire 24 hour race last weekend because it was a team effort but I am now convinced that I am more of a marathoner than a cross country racer than ever! I loved it! It was my first time competing in an exclusive 24 hour mountain biking marathon and THAT was a first and definitely not a last. I thought it might be a bit boring compared to adventure racing because you dont change disciplines but not at all…it went surprisingly quickly and I definitely was never bored.

THE TEAM
We entered as a team of 6, and I was kindly allowed to do more laps than the rest on the team (which of course I was regretting at about 1am) but in the end it meant that I effectively did 14 laps, which is the equivalent or more, than people competing on a 4 person team. Andy, Matt, Nadine, Dan Valerie and myself and not one argument in the whole weekend, pretty impressive for rookies!

THE COURSE
I was surprised and disappointed but also relieved that the course wasnt technical at all, no jumps, two nice little single track downhills and a really fast approach across a road into a grassy downhill surprising you mid air! Compared to the racer bikes cup XC course, this was peanuts!

It begain with a relatively steep climb, into a further fire road climb and a fast fireroad descent into a a narrow single track downhill of about 200 metres which shot you out onto another fast fireroad across a bridge and a stepp grassy, muddy climb onto a ridge with more bumps than I can care to remember (I was out of my saddle for most of it and pedalling in a high gear to save bruising!) This brought us onto a sharp right hand turn and up a constructed ramp with some interesting muddy bumps and spitting you out into a quarry with lots of sharp, fast turns. Out of the quarry the grand show was a high bridge forcing you to speed into it for momentum and fly down the other side in front of lots of people hanging around the entertainment tent and the campsite. Then a lap around the campsite, more climbing, more single track and back again for another trip around the campsite until you came into the changeover area to pass the baton.

THE RACE
I started the race and clocked a 19min lap and quickly realized that I had made a big mistake and left out the second loop of the course (which was closed for training). But I was on again in 2 rotations so got an accurate time of 24mins and I felt good. We were rotating me, the 3 guys Andrew, Matt and Dan, me, the two girls Valerie and Nadine, me again and so on.

The hardest part of the whole thing was stopping and starting, I felt crampy on the climb at the beginning of each loop but by the end of each loop I wanted to keep going (another indicator that perhaps the continuous moderately slow events are my niche).

SLEEPMONSTERS
We decided to split the night into two shifts, Andy and I doing the 9pm until 2am shift wtih double laps of the course and Matt and Dan from 2am until 6am. I felt surprisingly good at night and it went really quickly except my back was giving me a lot of trouble and every time I came back to base I had to stretch it out. But I guess thats normal, I was riding a hardtail which was pretty unforgiving on the bumpy bits.

At 2.30am after taking the lights off my bike, I crawled into bed to get some shut eye, it had been a long day. I was woken up again at 7am and within 20 mins was on the bike again to take over from Valerie and resume the day time shift while Matt and Dan were getting some shut eye after their night shift.
By this stage, I thought my performance was going to rapidly drop off…it felt like it anyway! But surprisingly I was back doing 24-25min laps again even though I felt much slower. But I felt so good I was thinking of doing double laps until I figured there were still another 5 or so laps ahead of me.

THE END
We finished at 2pm with 46 laps and we came 16th in the team event which is a very respectable result as out of all the teams ahead of us, only 3 teams had less than 10 people and we did it with only 6!

I also compared my amount of laps and average time with the teams of 4 and I would have been compared to the average lap time of some members of the top 4-man teams (couldnt find any girls to compare to in those teams). So I was very pleased with my relative performance!

Going around the course, it wasnt the fast guys clocking laps like they were nothing who most impressed me, it was the slow semi comatose and delerious at times solo competitors who were in it for the long haul and surely confronting any demon their sleep deprived brains could possible conjure up to haunt them.The athlete who blew me away was placed 3rd in the solo event, experienced marathoner, Andrea Kuster (36 years old)who stole the show from the men on the podium with a standing ovation. She is a testament to the theory that in endurance sports, the women are definitley holding their own against the men. Go Andrea!

All in all, it was a great experience. I would love to do a full 24 hour before the summer runs out. Im looking…support crew anyone?

The Stats:

 16. Stone Free 50 24:00.34,9 (913) Foto 24h 41. 28.48 1: North Matthew 10 5:06.22,3 30.38,2  2: Lovett Daniel 8 3:57.20,3 29.40,0  3: Dean Andrewv 9 3:50.25,1 25.36,1  4: Foley Fiola 13 5:43.38,7 26.26,0 5: Walsch Nadine 5 2:30.39,4 30.07,8  6: Trouet Valerie 5 2:52.09,1 34.25,8

Its been a busy few weeks. I tried my hand at XC bike racing and got a big surprise, but I found great reassurance in my performance in the 2nd edition of the Biennathlon  on Saturday as part of a fun team called the Cookie Monsters. I volunteered to do the bike leg, as it would be a great training session. 25 km and 860mtrs of climb. The course was amazing and I felt great, passing people all the time and staying with or ahead of others. I was quick on the downhill too, even though it was trickier here to pass people as it was pretty narrow single track. The course consisted of a long steep series of killer switchback in a forest overlooking the lake of Biel/Bienne, then on the top entering a series of nice single track sections. Unfortunately I got a pinch flat and even though I had brought CO2 with me, I wasnt using tubeless tyres so had to use my pump (or so I thought) to get some air in the new tube to start. THen my pump wouldnt work, so I had to stop someone (clock ticking clock ticking) I got a tube, started pumping and repairing but I had lost 6 minutes at that stage (I was timing myself out) and got stuck behind a bunch of really really slow people on the single track, trying to pass them wherever I could.

Racing back on the road to the finish to let Giulia go on the run, I was devastated. I was so diappointed, especially since I knew I was doing well and would have been able to get a really good idea of how I fared over a good challenging course and in full competition. My final time was 1.47mins but I figure I could have taken 10 off for the puncture and consequences, so a final 1.37 would be definitely more realistic.Thats a time Im happy with.
It was TOUGH! Within 10 minutes of the race my heart rate was in hte 180`s and by 30mins on the climb it was still there! There was no let up…but Im excited and so happy to have done it and been in the racing environment and really holding my own against the other men and women.

This week its 14 hours of training, shifting to more intensity. Today  I ran to work (1hr and Ill run home also). Im starting swim training on Thursdays too and hope to keep that up over the winter to give the joints a break and perhaps prepare for the Zurich Ironman next summer. But focusing on the Trans Alpes, less than four weeks to go! Cant believe its happening…

Here a pic of local biking buddies near Zurich Lake a few weeks ago

The wind up to the Trans Alpes has finally begun. I can feel it getting nearer.

May was a rough month. On the 6th of May, I had a face plant on Uetliberg whilst out training for my first race in the Swiss Cup that coming Sunday. I went out, on my own, really just for a technical spin, and went over the handlebars on a drop off which had a difficult landing.

I hit my face on a rock and got a deep cut from the bridge to the mouth, broke my nose and a knuckle too. On my own, I knew that it was bad…and couldnt stand up without the fear of fainting but luckily a biker came along on the trail and found me, then two more. They called the ambulance and took me to a place nearby which could be reached by cars. We waited about 30mins before someone came and then I went into shock. I was taken to the nearest hospital, who then sent me to the largest on in Zurich, Universitatspital because I needed plastic surgery. Apparently the cut was so deep it had severed muscle and nerve.

When I got to Universitat Spital I was taken care of, but had no phone, so couldnt notify anyone to bring me clothes or my phone so it took a while to locate my flatmate. Eventually he came…God love ‘im : )
So then I waited 18hours to get operated on as the theatre’s were particularly busy
So I spent my 30th birthday in hospital getting stitched up and trying to suck my birthday cake through a straw. It wasnt my favourite birthday to say the least. But it was made better by my new friends visiting, Sukarna, Charles, Stu, Nick..Lisa..thanks…
Doing good now. Back on the bike, just eased my way back into some technical stuff. Still won’t go on the Uetliberg trails without my full face helmet like I have promised myself.

Its 7 weeks away until the Trans Alpes and Im looking forward to it. I still need to build my new bike, but hopefully Ill have all the bits after this weekend and I can make a real stab at it. I should have it ready for the 24 hour Davos race and Ill really get to know it well then.

I feel good again, fit and healthy. My face is healing nicely although its still a bit stiff Im looking after it and massaging it.

THe only problem is there isnt enough time in the day for everything…but I feel lucky to have such a fulfilling life!

This Sunday Ill race in the Swiss Racer Bikes Cup in Granichen, the following weekend, I’ll do the 24 hour Davos Race, then Winterthur Racer Bikes Cup race followed by normal, week, a trip to California and by then, its the Trans Alpes. Luckily Ill be able to squeeze some training in while in Cali. with colleagues.

Thats the score. Will try to update more now that the final wind up is kicking in.

Well. Its been a while. Ive completed my first ski tour, been up and down Uetliberg lots more times, bought a lovely little city bike affectionately called The Allegro and my thighs are about twice the size they were when I arrived here in January.

Its been an eventful few months to say the least. Between a work trip to California and moving into my new apartment, training has been squeezed in but not much else. However Ive managed to find a group of like minded souls in Zurich, all as enthusiastic about biking and skiing as I am so it looks like its going to be a busy and fun filled summer. We’ve already been to Gurten, one of Bern’s best kept secrets, a tram up to the top of a hill with a super fast downhill trail to the bottom. Full face helmets and body armour required as I ate dirt on the last run!

Ski Tour Engadine Report

My first experience of ski tour was great.I went with registered guide www.berie.ch, Hermann Berie, and a group of Germans, to Engadine and we set off from Pontresina, near St. Moritz and skied our way to Coaz mountain hut www.auf-die-berge.de/huettenbuch-chamannacoaz.htm at 2160 mtrs.
There was no stopping though!
From there we made our way up with the skins on our ski’s for about 3 hours hard work to summit El Capuchin with ice axes and crampons at 3,300mtrs. We then skied our way back down to the hut for the evening. I was pretty wrecked and the skiing conditions were very difficult , knee deep powder, every experienced skiers dream but not so easy if you aren’t so proficient. However, I made it.

The next day we did something similiar on the sister peak of El Capuchin, La Mounja and we skied down the glacier, that was pretty nerve wracking and steep in parts, with crevasses everywhere. The visibility wasn’t great either so it was difficult to guage where were were going were it not for our guide going first and showing us the route. I wouldn’t recommend doing any of this without a guide, unless you have lots and lots of mountain and glacier experience. Ropes and harnesses and the full avalanche rescue gear had to be worn at all times in case of an accident and you need to be pulled out of a crevasse.

The Valley and Glacier

When we got to the bottom, we had a 20km cross country ski ahead of us (see above) out of the valley, boy was it hard with those big skis, and awkward looking!

It was such an amazing experience. Tough going for a newbie skier and I wouldnt recommend it if you didn’t have a lot of skiing experience already. I think the Herman had the heli on standby for my rescue! I have vowed to return to it next year after this years little sample of how it can be, but not until Ive dont a freeride ski course and also the avalanche rescue course. The hut was remarkable, they get their food once a week from a heilcopter, to see their way of life was impressive, the view over the tips of the Alpes was spectacular and the quality of snow, well, say no more.

Davor (below) the fittest 56 year old man I’ve ever met.

But now, thats all over for me for 2009, Im back in the saddle and have already put down 14hours in the last 3 days. Tomorrow is another big ride and Ill be taking my camera with me so expect to see photos soon!

I am constantly in awe of the adventure possibilities here in Zurich. To be able to bike up a hill (Uetliberg, 871mtrs) in the Albis mountain range from your doorstep in the city and look around, surrounded by the Swiss Alpes, is special. For the last week, I’ve been running and biking around the Albishorn and Uetliberg which overlooks Zurich, from the west. Initially, I wasn’t sure if biking would be possible, as there is a lot of icy snow on the ground, but yesterday we attempted an attack on Mt Uetliberg and to our surprise, it was a success!
A tough ascent from Wiedikon, a suburban area of Zurich, we climbed the 800 metre high Uetliberg pretty fast, despite the shocking gradient (today we ascended from a more forgiving northerly approach) The mountain was a hive of activity with sleds whizzing down at an almost unavoidable speed. I had an encounter with an out of control sled which knocked me off my bike!
The easiest way up Uetliberg is the tram which shuttles tourists and locals to the top of the mountain, where the view of Zurich and the snow covered Säntis massif is breath taking. One can also grab a coffee and something to eat at the restaurant on the top, or the little bistro. I tried a Mandelsomethingorother on the top, which was delicious and then we started the single track descent. Oh boy, its quite difficult, the only comfort is the knowledge that if you fall, you land on snow. Its hard to predict whats going to happen when you bike on snow. Its like biking on the muddiest trail, I guess the trick is to lay off the brakes as they only make the wheels slide around but thats easier said than done! Its great practice for your bike handling skills however!
Today we tacked on a bit more to our session and biked along the northwest side of the ridge. I got really cold and of course even colder on the descent, so the last 40 minutes of the trip were in silence as I tried to get home as fast as possible, easier said than done as we kept on meeting with very slippery paths. Almost in tears when we reached home, I had already revealed my worst weaknesses to my new training partner, the cold and hunger! Next weekend its ski time, I’ve been warned I need to get skiing if I am to have people to hang around with on the weekends, and its expected to snow next week so the conditions should be perfect.
As for my German, it hasn’t been getting any better. I have to knuckle down, but first things first and thats finding a job. Easier said than done too! Switzerland is one of the richest countries in the world, having gotten used to living in countries where being Irish opened so many doors for me, here I don’t feel particularly special at all! So its taking a little readjustment, but I’ll get there. Always one to step up to the challenge.

Today is the first day of 2009, and instead of tearing around Killarney and Torc on my bike as planned, I’m laid up at home with a cold! It isn’t that bad (I think thats the Neurofen Cold and Flu speaking), but its better to rest now than be really sick tomorrow. Yesterday was such a perfect ending to 2008. With a group of friends, Chris, Mags and Niall we clocked up 45km around the Dingle Peninsula.

We mounted our bikes in Dingle town and made our way to Annascaul, turning left at the famous Tom Crean pub, ascending increasingly narrowing roads towards Annascaul Lake. From there, following an old bog road, we made our way up to the saddle overlooking the lake and the magnificent Cathair Chun Rí (Town of The Kings as gaeilge).

What followed was exhileratingly superb! Niall took us over some bumpy bog, maintaining our altitude until we came to the ridge of a valley where we began to descend along the most perfect little single track created by sheep and farmers all the way along the side of the valley until we reached its floor and ribbon lakes. The downhill was perfect although Chris and I both agreed we would like to give it another go and let it rip, now that we know what to expect! I’ll be back again asap.

We then biked up the Conor Pass, a hard slog to the top, not popular with everyone (Niall!) Then from there we headed off-road again, down into Dingle town over the bog, surprisingly fast yet slushingly slowing you down when things started to get out of control! I noticed a few other bike tracks there too. There was the potential for more, to add on the fabulous route included in The Turas World Series, however with none of us being able to decipher if we actually still had toes left or not (brrrr), we decided to call it a day and try some of Dingle’s finest chowder in a warm bar.

The New Year celebrations were more tame than last years Edinburgh escapade. A few drinks with my family in Falvey’s Bar in Killorglin and not an all-night fiasco. Falvey’s was like a cave full of madness with a few regular legends crowd surfing and bar-diving into the arms of very merry locals. All in all, a good way to end 2008 and ring in 2009.
I hope to be able to continue to improve this year and become a better biker and have all the health and happiness supporting me in this mission! Here’s to 2009…bring it on…wishing you happiness and prosperity.