Sub-Zero Training

Snow has fallen in Denmark and temperatures are still well below those found where the early season racing has begun. Human physiology doesn’t care about this so the option is to either head south or ride in freezing temperatures. Let’s leave out the third option that no serious racer would consider. For those restricted to train in the cold and wet in northern Europe there are several tips to make life easier. For some it may seem logical but it is my experience that many riders even with years of experience are suffering more than necessary. I have done so myself, and spend hours and hours crying like a little girl once the warm water from the shower made my blood circulating in hands and feet again.

Feet and hands belong to the outmost peripherally limbs of the body. On a bike they move less than a potato-couch on a Sunday. So if you have a tendency to get cold feet and hands they will become numb long before you can call it a day. While your white summer shoes may be the new black or look bling they are no good in sub-zero temperatures. Nobody sees them under the shoe-covers anyway. Get a descent pair of winter-shoes and some good quality shoe covers. You will actually be able to feel your feet while riding instead of imitating an amputee.

If you’re out on your mtb you will need a few fingers to occasionally grab the brake. A big-ass lobster glove is the only way to go if the alternative is crying like sissy (like I do) after an hour of riding. If riding on the road I will pass this tip from former pro and Team Colombia DS, Brian Holm. A pair of good old fashioned leather mittens, isolated with lamb-wool. They are expensive but are without a doubt the best investment I’ve ever made. I guarantee your hands will stay warm.

It is just as crucial to get loads of fluid and energy in cold weather but not really appealing to throw down a bottle of slush-ice when also riding around in it. Tug the bottle in the back of your pocket. It will be a bit of a hustle to get out but the liquid will be kept warm enough to drink without any hesitation. Take the time to fish the bottle out among the layers once in a while. It is worth the effort. When puncturing, tug your gloves under your jacket or shirt. It will have same effect as with the bottle. The gloves will stay warm and you will not waste energy having to warm them up after fixing the flat. In very cold weather your fingers may have a hard time getting warm again.

If you are still reluctant to train in the cold do as I do. Hit the gym!

Permanent Link

Winter Fun and Games

Continuing the winter theme here on rivette.dk, we have a couple of race reports and some notes from the Danish National Junior Team training camp. Which sounds like junior-chaos, but supposedly it was all good, clean, healthy fun. Well, junior riders aren’t what they used to be I guess.

National Team Training Camp and Winter Racing

As you might have noted on the previous post, Kristian Axelsen is sporting a national team kit vest over his Rivette outfit. Here he tells about the training camp with the rest of the National Team.

Friday evening I went to stay with Simon Qvortrup to drive with him to Odense on Saturday morning. We were in good time and arrived as the first to the local cycle-track. Simon has just got his driver license, so I was clinging to the seat a few times on the way

At nine o’ clock the others arrived and we were supplied with national team kits, and were then accommodated in the dorms at the track. There was no size L national team jersey, so I had to go with my brand new Rivette kit and a national team vest.

After changing, we drove out to a local climb and rode at 1 × 20 min. race pace, 5 min. break and 1 × 10 min. race pace. Then we rode to Vissenbjerg and ran a practice race on the national’s course for the year 2006.

Then we headed home and washed bikes and ate lunch. In the afternoon the plan was 1 × 10 min. race pace on the road. In all we clocked 4.45 hours. Back at the track we cooked dinner: Pasta with meat sauce. It had a fine taste, except for the un-peeled carrots. In the evening we had a personal interview with our trainers, made out with the bikes, etc.
During the days training the national bowling team was accommodated at the track hotel as well. They continued the rest of the evening with a card game and cola, long after we had gone to bed.

The next morning we went to a local winter training race. This was done on private property in a Christmas tree plantation. The route was quite muddy.

I got a good start and was right on the wheel of Jonas Pedersen and Christian Poulsen. However, they pulled away from me and I rode for 3 laps alone. Then I came up to Christian P. and we rode 3 laps together. He pulled away again and I rode the last 3 laps alone. It was good enough for second place, as Poulsen DNF’ed. There was no prize ceremony, so I do not know exactly who came in third. Simon Q. also DNF’ed. Michael Borup and Frederik Mørkebjerg rankings I didn’t quite catch but all in all it was a great weekend

/Kristian

Winter cup # 5, Silkeborg

The race was the last round of the cup and really lived up to its name. The day before Silkeborg had had a fair amount of snow. During the night it was raining, making most of the snow disappear. The only places where the snow wasn’t gone were on the trails where we were supposed to ride. Lots of the paths were icy and tricky to ride upon. The rest were just muddy and wet.

I haven’t ridden any of the other rounds in the cup, so I didn’t have to worry about what place I got, or how many points I needed for the general classification. I Thought: ”why not just attack right away and let the others fight for the leftovers”.

I followed my plan to perfection. I took of from the gun, made a (small) gap on the others, was reeled in, (about here I’m switching to Plan B) and drooped.....! Well, I got my 15 seconds of fame and after readjusting my race strategy I just cruised the course within my own physical abilities.

My effort was enough to collect the last prize of the day (5th place) and with an envelope containing an amount equal to the entry fee, I didn’t lose any money at least. Only Pride!
I was not alone to represent the Rivette jersey, as junior team mate Kristian Axelsen also was on the starting line. He unfortunately pulled his front brake a little too much on one of the steep muddy downhill sections making him go over the handlebars. According to the young dare devil he hit his genitals so hard in the crash that he was unable to get on his bike for three full minutes. Every mountain bikers nightmare.

Kristian got on his bike and completed the race. That’s the spirit! I talked to his mother after the race and she thinks that Kristian has a need for speed which also resulted in a horrid crash on the family’s skiing holiday in Austria last week.

By the way, Klaus Vesterlund won the race and for those of you who are interested in finding out who was in what place or what the riding time was, please visit http://www.vintercup.1900mtb.dk. I don’t care about that at all! Remember, it’s not about winning; it’s about participating

/Peter

Permanent Link

Goodbye country, hello night club…

Kristian Axelsen flashing both the 09 Rivette Team kit and the Danish National Team vest. Photo: raspy.dk

…is the title of the excellent 2001 Groove Armada album. It was an album I was introduced to by a now former mtb-rider. I came across the album not long ago and it reminded me of the good old days. As I looked at the title once again it also seemed like a good metaphor for new times in Danish mountainbiking. Jakob Fuglsang are seeking new roads on the road (!), Klaus Nielsen is reorganizing somewhat, putting together a combined work/racing deal in the industry and others are out for entirely different reasons.

We have the new superliga series coming this year and along a whole new armada of riders in the junior category. These youngsters seem eager and motivated which makes me believe that a new Djernis could happen once again. The opportunities for the boys to develop are tremendous considering several of them already have the backup of teams and professional coaches. Team Rivette have engaged three of them. The riders we are talking about are coming from across the country and without much further ado let’s welcome Niklas Bangsbro from Varde, Kristian Axelsen from Århus and Frederik Mørkeberg from Copenhagen.

Niklas is from Bramming and a first year student at Esbjerg Gymnasium. Up until this point he has been doing all sorts of sports but is now concentrating on the mtb. Some of his performances include results like 24th place at the European championships 2007 and two DCU victories in 2008.

Kristian hails from Galten near Århus and is attending 10th grade. He has a background in middle-distance running and has been cycling since 2005. He will also be the giant on the team with his 190 cm and may even shield some of the elite-riders next year☺. His palmares include a 3rd place at DM XC 2008, 2nd at MX DM 2008 and 11th at the Bundesliga final 2008.

Frederik is a bit more experienced in the world of cycling, haven ridden on the road since 2001 and off road since 2005. He is a first year student at a Technical Gymnasium. Frederik took 2nd place at XC DM 2007, 1st place overall in the Post Cup and a 7th at the Budesliga final 2008.

They will all be racing in the junior category in 2009 and 2010. They undoubtedly already know each other and will bring some dynamics to the team. Hopefully all of us involved in Team Rivette can contribute to the development of these guys and thereby the development of the entire sport on a national and international level. I’m sure the guys are going to contribute to the further development of a strong Team Rivette.

Permanent Link