The wheels on the bike go round and round ......

Out last night again for more savagery! I don't have the benefit of an altimeter but my legs were telling me that I was doing a lot of climbing. For those who know Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor I had two laps of the following: Ulster Way, Yellow Water, Red Bog, Ulster Way, Cloghmor Stone, Killowen, Giants Path. Light was fading so I knew it was time to go home!

Met some of the DH'ers off the MTBRider forum and ended up fixing Paddy's snapped gear cable with a spare I had in the Camelbak - must remember to replace it before the Transalp.

No rest for me this evening - back out to the local patch for more pain ........

Never ending climbing!

Got out for nearly 5 hours tonight completing 6 laps of Cavehill, Belfast's local downhill spot for a total of 1560 metres of climbing. Its still a long way short of the transalp's average of 3000 metres a day though...... I'm looking forward to a well earned rest tomorrow.

Hello Everyone

I’m the other half of Team MTBRider and even I am tired after reading Simon’s training schedule for this week!! I too have competed in a few long distance events and multi-sport events over the years and train 3 or 4 times per week (family permitting) pretty much all year round.

The months leading up to May were taken up with preparation for the Irish Adventure Challenge and from then it has all been about the Transalp. I have been combining long road spins with long days on the mountain bike trying to build on whatever strength and endurance I have! Now with three weeks to go I will put in a “hard” week this week and then slacken off somewhat which will allow me some time to go over all I need to get sorted for the event, get the bags packed and spend a few more hours with my wife and daughter before jetting off to Munich on the 13 July.

I don’t know if it is an advantage but I have done the Transalp before (in 2004) and I must say for organisation, scenery and out and out mountain bike trails it is the best event that I have ever taken part in. Some of the climbs are killers but you will be guaranteed that there are some amazing trails on the way down the other side – dusty, deserted roads, endless singletrack through forests in Austria, Switzerland and North Italy and super fast road descents – the Transalp has it all.

This day three weeks we will be on our third day and on our way to Scuol in Switzerland – we’ll keep you posted as we go.

Good luck for now ………….. Rowan

Training 26th June

Another 4 hours of training tonight! My legs felt grand but i was pretty tired and hungry by 9pm. After a shower and a big feed im feeling much better, time for sleep!

This is the last big week of training before the event

• 2 hour race last Saturday
• 3 1/2 hours in the Mournes with Rowan on Sunday
• 4 hours tonight
• hopefully 4-5 hours tomorrow.....

Training to date

Ive done a few long distance MTB races over the last two years and have trained fairly constantly over that time but ive had my sights on the transalp since we were confirmed entry at the end of January this year.

Generally ive been getting out on the bike 4-5 times a week for anything from 1-5 hours usually short rides weekdays after work and a long spin at the weekend.

Plenty of painful hours have been spent in the saddle getting ready for the event but im sure nothing can really prepare you for it!

Transalp Challenge 15th - 22nd July 2006

Ok, this is the first post in our blog as we prepare for the transalp challenge!

"15th till 22nd of July 2006, the BIKE Transalp Challenge, toughest and best known MTB long distance race in the world will be held for its 9th consecutive time.

Many of the best, many of those seeking adventure and many more very courageous will come to challenge the alps on an easterly route in categories men, women, masters and mixed to eventually become a finisher of this race!

700 kilometres and 22.000 meters of altitude may be considered as a real challenge."

We are Simon and Rowan and together we are team "MTBrider", Rowan has completed it once already in 2004 but this will be my first experience of the transalp challenge. There's only 18 days left till the race starts and everything else is left behind...