A Test on Christmas?

 Most people love Christmas and despise tests.  When Focus XC Italy team got together to test their new offroad training bikes, it sure felt like Christmas.  But this was a test, right? 

The new  off-road training bikes

No tree, but there sure is a lot of new gear from Fi'zi:k, Limar and Focus

It  may be January, but this weekend felt like Christmas for the Focus XC Italy Team.  We had a team get together to hand out some the sponsor gear from Fi’zi:k, Limar, and of course, the Focus Raven training bikes for offroad training.  Nobody could really wait to try the new stuff out the next day, so decided to take it out on the cross country course just above Verona on the famous “Torricelle” for training.  

Fabian Rabensteiner and Beltain Schmid look like they got just what they wanted

For those who haven’t heard of the Torricelle, it is a hill just above Verona which was used in the UCI World Road Championships in 1999 and 2004.  Just off the road, it also happens to be a perfect place for cross country racing.

Did I mention the course is just above Verona?

The team takes a moment to see the view from Castel San Pietro

The course has a little of everything, some drops, technical, rooty, rocky descents, short punchy climbs as well as longer ones.

Me on the caboose

Yea, I’m last wheel, but still stuck in.  This is just a test day, right???

If it hadn’t started to snow, I’m pretty sure we’d have done a few more laps, but after getting a good feel for the bikes, we had to head for home.  It felt a lot like being called home from playing kickball by your mom.

Gladiators ready for battle in 2013!

The usual New Year's Resolution

...2010, 2011, 2012, 2013... 

 A racer wants the same thing every year: To go faster.  

In action in my last race of 2012

My first year mountain bike racing was a learning experience that I'm looking to build on in 2013.

New Year. New Focus.

Stay tuned.

(Some of) the guys of Focus XC Italy Team. Me, Beltain Schmid, Fabian Rabensteiner (L-R)

Out of Siberia

The holidays are not easy for cyclists aiming to get into, or stay in, shape.  There is always something around to detract from a training routine.  Food, family, and friends are welcome distractions to even the most obsessive athletes.  However, for those of us from climates that turn the winter into the set of Rocky IV, it is particularly tough. 

After 2 weeks of temps around 10F (-15C) in my native hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota, I'm on my way back to Verona, Italy, my home away from home.  Though I certainly didn't get out (or into) shape, I really cannot wait for the first training sessions with my Focus XC Italy Team around Lake Garda and through the famous Valpolicella vineyards.

Looking forward to a great start to 2013!