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My damaged knee has been dragging on much longer than I’d hoped and still doesn’t seem to be 100% fixed, I’m registered to race next weekend but I’m really not sure it’ll happen. Training has been limited to the flat cycle paths along the Rhine Valley at a steady pace and reduced distance.

Its been a real lesson in why to avoid injuries in the future. For a start, its difficult to stay motivated when you can’t see much benefit to time spent cycling – I’ve really just been trying not to loose too much fitness but not actually progressing. Then getting passed by roadies all the time as I’m on the MTB with knobbly tyres, not to mention looking up to the mountains surrounding me and seeing new trails appearing everyday as the snow melts.  But actually the worst thing is the frustration of seeing all the time and hard work from training over the winter being lost at the only time it really matters.  I was really starting to feel strong and ready to start racing before all this. I know, its a long season and theres plenty of time to get it back but its still very annoying!

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I’ve just had THE most frustrating week ever.  2 weeks ago I took a day off to go skiing (more or less the only day i’ve skipped training all winter) and fell and hurt my knee.  It wasn’t too bad at the time so I didn’t think much of it, I was fairly cautious with training the next few days but it seemed fine.

Nearly a week later I went out doing some hard hill intervals and the next morning my knee was so sore I could barely turn the pedals.  So I took a week off and some ibuprofen thinking that would fix it.  That was a week and a half ago, and it seemed to be hardly getting better. I was beginning to think I’d torn a ligament and feeling like it’d never be better. Being in the Alps, surrounded by trails, sunny weather, and everyone else out doing fun activities while I was stuck at home resting was horrible!

So yesterday i went to the physio really expecting the worst – like 3 weeks, 2 months to recover. Turned out to be the best news possible under the circumstances.  I’ve damaged the ligaments, have some fluid and slight instability but it should be healed in a week with the help of anti-inflamatories. AND not only that, I can ride at 70% HR on the flat in the meantime! not ideal but enough to keep me sane.

A week would then give me 12 days until the first round of the Swiss Power Cup which I’m hoping to race. I won’t be as fit as I’d hoped, it’ll be the biggest, hardest training session ever, but fingers crossed I can take part! its taking place 5 minutes from my house, there are posters up everywhere and the world and olympic champions signed up for it!

So lesson learnt. No more skiing.

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I’ve been enjoying life in the Alps for just over a week now, the first few days for fun and German lessons, and on Monday I started my architecture course.

I’ve been getting out biking quite a bit, but unfortunately haven’t had chance to go with anyone from here yet so I’ve been mostly been enjoying getting stuck into interval sessions and big alpine climbs on the road (climbed 7500m since arriving!). Its a bit surreal riding a bike up these alpine roads with a meter of snow either side of you and passing people on skis, sledges, snow shoes etc. Really hard to get the clothing right too – roasting going up if its sunny but icey cold coming back down – especially as I’m usually breaking all the speed limits to get home!

I’ve had a few attempts at trail finding but not managed to find anything hugely exciting yet – mostly either problems with snow or fairly tame non-technical singletrack. Hopefully will do better this week, need the practice as the first race of the year is approaching fast!

Starting college was a bit of a shock to the system, its pretty hardcore here – I was hoping for an easy life compared to UCD but no such luck. Fitting in training is not going to be easy at all, I can be flexible with time a couple of the days but for example Thursdays I’m in lectures from 8.30am until 9pm with only an hours break! And continual assessment with marks for attendance means skipping school is not an option. It’s been good though so far, interesting and all that.

Juha & Laura

There are been plenty of activities with new Erasmus friends – last Sunday I went skiing in Montafon, Austria which was great. Perfect blue sky and sun, fresh powder and great runs. Living in Leich is a bit crazy, you need a passport and 2 currencies with you all the time just in case you cross into Austria or Switzerland (both 10mins down the road!).

Nights out are a bit suspect, the place isn’t exactly a night time hotspot! Places close very early and busses are not that frequent – the student dorms seem the best bet for a good night!

End of Carnival

We had a trip to Austria for the end of carnival celebrations – a big, incredibley precisely made bonfire, massive firework display and gluvine.

Its very hard to get used to the precise time keeping around here too – 7pm means 7pm and not a minute later! and yes, even for a party! I’m constantly late.

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This is the view from my new bedroom window – not bad really!

I eventually managed to get here after the most last minute of last minute rushes – didnt start packing my bike into its box until 10am on Wednesday and the flight was at 12.30!

Carrying a bike box, a 15kg rucksack and a 6kg rucksack across airports and train stations was not at all fun – in fact it was horrible, the only solution is to stay here forever so I dont have to do it again! I’m still aching all over from it.

Went for a quick spin up past the king and queens castle this afternoon – the trails are covered in snow but the roads are clear.  Can’t wait to do some proper exploration over the weekend!

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