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Today was the best stage yet although a complete blur between the extremes of pain and suffering and adrenaline and exhilaration. It began like a road race with a 10km neutral start to cross the city, before we hit the first big, incredibly steep climb. We lost sight of our Topeak Ergon-Hansens Flodeis Team targets during the start, but managed to catch them just before the top of the climb. From there a great day of battling began!

We had to push hard to stick with the girls on the climbs but knew that if we managed that then we could be faster on more technical descents. Halfway through we came to a massive long rocky descent that must have gone on for half an hour. Sally and Kristine were in front going in to it so we chased them down rocky drops, tight corners, around big berms at breakneck speed. It was SO much fun! Towards the end one of them overshot a turnoff and suddenly my racehead kicked into play – I darted in front and hammered the rest as fast as possible to try and get a gap.

The caught us again on the next climb and we were back to chasing along a dusty, trail of drops and kicker climbs following a river. It was a struggle to hold on for another two long, steep climbs but fighting the pain we just about managed it until the course left the steady fireroad and hit a killer steep technical climb. It was unrideable in parts, especially at that stage in the day when my leg muscles were screaming to stop. We were still only a minute or so back and felt confident we could catch them on the final long descent. I can´t believe that the graph of the course is accurate because everytime we thought we couldn´t possibley have to climb more, it kicked up again so that in the final few km it was back into survival mode. In the end we were 6 minutes back from the girls, 1st in the mixed cat and much higher up in the overall field than previous days.

After the stage recovery is almost as important as the racing itself. Firstly a recovery drink whilst we clean the bikes an prepare them for the next day, next a hot and cold shower followed by compression clothing and more food. After stretching and a massage (provided free by the organisers), its time for a rest and maybe a snack. Then the daily award ceremony and video followed by a big dinner with our rival team at a great Italian we found down the road. To be prepared for the next day eating enough is really important but you have to eat so much its getting to be really annoying! Tomorrow is a monster - 115km, over 2000m climbing.

Josh’s video is here

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Handlebar video from the stage is here.

Today we were gridded at the front along with all the pro men and world champions and with tv helicopters buzzing overhead we instantly turned into a mental descent down a steep scree slope. There was carnage with riders all over the place, some attempting to ride, others sliding at high speed on foot. We negotiated safely to the bottom and it was straight onto a flat 8km dirt track that required some good road racing speed.

Our target for the day was to keep up with women´s team leaders Sally Bigham (Topeak Ergon Team) and Kristine Norgaard (Hansens Flodeis). Into the first long climb we were perfectly positioned following their wheels and kept this up until halfway through when mechanical issues meant we dropped back. There was less of yesterday´s mental xc pace early on and my legs were feeling more recovered than I had expected. We climbed for ages up through cow meadows and pretty farmland before finally reaching the top.

Todays trails were mostly less technical, which although nice to give the body a break, meant our techncial skills brought less of an advantage. The sun was scorching but luckily we spent a lot of time in shady woodland and splashing through streams was good to cool off.

Just after halfway Josh´s bottlecage came loose and shortly after he got a puncture. The one disadvantage to big 29er wheels is they need more air to pump up and we lost a big chunk of time! All was not lost, once fixed we charged on, following some great twisty tight trails and fast descents before hitting the final climb.

The day ended with a long technical rocky descent back to the hotel – a lot of fun and I was pleased to feel far less destroyed than at the end of yesterday. We completed the 78km in 4hrs 26 and retained the leaders jersey for tomorrow (results here).

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The 2011 season started in style today. The day began with 1300 racers parading around Córdoba before we got to the race start and set off up a 40 minute climb at a hair raising pace. I´d forgotten how hard racing is.

Today it was important for Josh and I to figure out how best to ride together as a team, where our strengths and weaknesses are and how to manage them. A few pointers from more experienced team riders at breakfast proved very helpful. As the female I quickly had to accept that I was slower and Josh used his extra strength to give me a push on the climbs (something I could get used to, might employ him for xc races!). He was also faster on descents but if he slowed slightly I was able to push myself and hold onto his wheel. It didn´t take long to get a good system going and it worked very well.

The race course was absolutely brilliant, a real mixture of terrain and scenery. Tight, twisty singletrack through dusty ground covered in herb plants. Swooping fast trails with fun bombholes and kicker climbs. Tough, technical rocky climbs. Steep, rocky descents with big drops. We went hardish on the climbs but descending was the real place to gain time. All these Euro riders need signs on their backs saying ´danger´, the amount of people walking or riding really slow was unbelievable. I did enjoy passing guys though but don´t think they liked it!

The crowds cheering us on were amazing too, I was wearing my Irish national champ jersey so got loads of ´champion, champion´ cheers, and in general they were particularly enthusiastic when a girl went past. Great to help forget the pain on the many nasty, steep climbs. The lifestyle here is incredible, we passed loads of families up in the mountains having bbqs in the sun (in February!!).

I enjoyed it all until the last climb which was pretty hellish. Every time you thought it had to be the top it would kick up steeply with loads of technical rocks to negotiate, I was pretty destroyed by the end. We finished the 75km in 4 hours 33 taking first place in the mixed pairs category and beating all but one of the women´s teams (full results here, and you can follow life timing on the website each day). Standing on the podium alongside world champ Jose Hermida was pretty cool and riding in the leaders jersey tomorrow saves washing kit in the sink. Absolutely shattered but very happy!

Josh´s handlebar video gives a good impression of the race, mostly of the first half which was faster and less technical. Also photos here.

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So far the Andalucía Bike Race is looking good, I´m not sure if I´m in Córdoba or heaven. This morning Josh and I went to explore the trails out the back door of our hotel and the start of tomorrows race. Steep climbs in 25 degrees heat takes some adjusting to but I could get used to it! We found some great singletrack, a mixture of fast and bermy or technical and rocky, with stunning views out across the city and surroundings.

The race organisation is incredible with every need catered for, and with accommodation in a 4* hotel this really is the life of luxury. The atmosphere is super chilled out with loads of world class pros hanging around to chat to.

This afternoon we explored Córdoba, wizzing through the narrow streets, dropping down steps amongst the old ruins and Moorish buildings and scattering tourists. Traditional tapas and a sneaky beer on a sunny terrace were essential race preparation too.

Can´t wait for tomorrow!

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