An abnormally long Christmas break from uni, along with a lack of architectural jobs in Dublin at the moment, has meant I’ve moved back to York in England for a couple of months of living with parents. Normally it would drive me crazy, but its been a great chance to get out training without having the distraction of a 60 hour working week in architecture.
I’ve been doing lots of road riding, mostly because lack of transport and being surrounded by really, really flat countryside means mountain biking opportunities have been limited. Still, it makes for good base training and I’m sure I’ll be glad of it when the race season arrives. Yorkshire is hardly a typical pre-season international training camp location for cyclists. While other people have headed off towards the Mediterranean, I’ve had to contend with icy roads, frozen water bottles and numb fingers. Still I can’t complain, I’ve more or less managed to avoid excessive rain so far!
I have managed a few good mountain bike rides too. Riding a selection of full sus bikes on test for ‘What Mountain Bike’ through the mud and roots of Harrogate woods would make anyone love winter biking. I was doing my best to keep up with my brother Eóin and Guy but they’re pretty damn quick! Took me a while to realise just how fast you can go down stuff on big bikes like those, they’re great fun for a change.
I’ve had a few trips to the North York Moors too, also great fun despite the muddy conditions. Its like a big sponge up there at this time of year, must be great power training, driving your way through thick, sloppy mud! It can be frustrating, but if I’m in the right frame of mind I can get really into it. It gets slightly dodgy when technical, rocky descents are covered in a layer of wet mud too, I end up accepting I can’t be in control of the bike and going for it. Good for an adrenaline rush!