2013 in numbers

Another year is over. Huh, it was quick, wasn't it? Time goes by so fast these days that's not even funny...anyway, I was checking out some of my bike related data for the year. So here it is, my 2013 year in numbers.

Distance:                             4105 km

Training time:                      213 hours and 29 minutes

Elevation:                            67796 m

Rides:                                  87

Longest ride (distance):      202 km

Longest ride (time):             7 hours and 42 minutes

Races:                                 5

Well, this is not a lot I know, but I also know that I have to work with the time that I have on my hand. Balancing family life, work and cycling is not an easy task but I think I managed somehow to find the right balance this year. Did as much as I could and had absolutelly brilliant time on the bike everytime I went out. And that's what counts I'd say! :)

Murphy's Law...again...

Getting sick is never a good thing, but when I'm on my Festive Holiday and have tons of mountain biking planned getting sick is worst than anything. So, here strikes Murphy's Law once again! I'm grand all winter long (so far) and of course I'm picking up some manflu sort of nonsense when I actually would have time to ride my bike...grrr...

Need to get rid of it and I need to do it fast! I'm on it, I'm on it heavily! Getting my faithful home remedies going to shake this little uninvited "guest" off asap. 

The magic potion: honey, lemon, ginger & garlic. Taste a bit funny but it sure works! Real immune system boost it is!

And here's the other one: real home dried, organic rose hip tea (thanks to my friend Csaba and his grandpa back in Hungary). There's about a ton of Vitamin C in this bad boy! :)

So, all I need to do is getting these things into me like there' no tomorrow. I know they'll work, they always do. And after that I'm going to hit the trails and make the most of my remaining winter holiday. Yes, that's what's gonna happen! :)

Christmas in my home // Photos can say it all! :)

Merry Christmas everyone!

Yes, it's that time of the year again: putting up decorations around the house, wrapping presents, trying to undo the knot on the lights from last year, eating gingerbread & mince pies 24/7! Yes, it's Christmas again! :) 

This year will be fun indeed 'cause my son Rhys is 1 and a half year old, so he is going to like all the Christmas fuss around the house! This is his first real Festive Season, can't wait to see his reactions in the coming days! :)

Merry Christmas everyone, have a great time!

The last spin before Christmas

I had my last spin before Christmas, in the next few days there will be 100% preparation for the Festive Season! I took out the Anthem and the main destination was the new trail up on Threerock. I've seen photos, heard about it, so there was no way out: had to check it out! 

Today was absolutely miserable (just like many days in the last one week). Strong wind and proper heavy rain. I got soaked by the time I hit the end of the road...

Got up to the trail there and had my first test ride on it. The feedback is 100% positive! Great little trail, very well built. Nice flow to it and great mix of turns, rocky sections and also some amazing views along the way. Simply brilliant! 

Had a great time out there despite of the weather, but when the rain turned into sleet first then snow about ten minutes later I decided to leg it and get home as fast as possible. It was possibly the best decision 'cause by the time I got home I was freezin' to bits. 

After nearly 2 hours out in the miserable weather nothing is better to get the life back into the body than a good aul' hot bath and a massive mug of tea with lemon & ginger! Oh, yes! :)

So here it is, the last pre-Christmas spin. Was savage, was great, was everything that a winter spin in Ireland can be! Roll on Christmas, happy out! :)

Got a proper fright today!

It doesn't happen too often, but every once in a while I get a good fright on the bike. The kinda moment, that makes me stop and makes me glad because everything has worked out well. One of those lucky moments! It could be a sketchy situation on the trails, weather related or simply the madness in the traffic.

Today I went up to Threerock to do my nice Saturday after lunch off-road spin. The weather was absolutely miserable with rain and mega-strong wind. The higher I got up on the side of the mountain the worst the wind got. I knew it is far from being a fun bike ride but I kept going higher anyway. Even just to keep the bike rubber side down was a serious task!

From the top I was heading towards the Schizeile Loop and as I was riding up the first part the wind pulled down a tall tree right in front of me. Luckily I still had a bit of a gap, so I stopped and waited until everything settled.  

Shortly after I decided not to go any further I had a short stop. Just as I hopped on the bike and left a mammut size tree came down again...the wind broke the thing like it was a freakin' chopstick... The whole thing sounded like a mini Earth quake, I stopped and watched the big tree falling to the very spot where I was standing about 10 seconds earlier. I was about 50 meters away when it all happened, so I'm happy I didn't hang around longer!

The second tree landed exactly where this photo was taken!

At this point I just thought the best is if I simply get a hell out of there! Quick descent back to the carpark and then back home. Wasn't happy I had to cut my spin shorter then it was planned but on the other hand I didn't want to push my luck and I was more than happy to arrive in one piece.

Today was absolutely wild out there and the lesson of the day is that never underestimate the power of nature.

Relaxed XC spin up in the Dublin Mountains

I've been spending most of my time on the road bike in the last few weeks and I just couldn't resist no more, I had to get out on the trails and enjoy some lovely mountain biking at it's best! I went to the usual "never-fail-destination" and had a brilliant off-road spin around Threerock yesterday.

There was a lot of riding up the hill and riding down the hill with a massive smile stuck on my face. It was a very civilised, easy going spin. Pure fun, nothing else! And it was very refreshing indeed, simply loved it! :) 

Oh, and the best part is: there's no sign of the winter so far! The 5-8 °C temperature and the fairly dry trails are just the best gift that a mountain biker can ask for in December! Don't you think?

2014 European XC Marathon Champs // Update # 3

Big news! I'm after getting a fantastic news today: I will be getting support and sponsoration from The Beauty Boudoir Beauty Salon. ( http://www.beauty-boudoir.com/ )  

Judit Török, the owner of the Rathmines based business decided to support my preparation to the European XC Marathon Champs with some very valuable sport massage. This will be a huge help for me during the upcoming months. 

I'd like to take the opportunity here to say thank you for the support! I'm very happy and truly thankful for everything!