They always say that some races leave the best for last. I’m not sure that’s the case for Cape to Cape, and I think plenty of people would agree that they leave the best bits for Stage 3. This might sound controversial, but I think the trails in The Pines, and the new trails we […]
Going until you can’t at Cape to Cape
Yesterday was a surprise result for me at Cape to Cape. 23rd doesn’t sound like much to write home about, and I have finished better on the first stage at Cape to Cape in other years. But I also had different fitness those times. On stage one this year, I went in with very moderate […]
The best in the west – Cape to Cape Day One
It’s October, and that means stage races are going crazy. With the Cape Pioneer Trek, the Crocodile Trophy, Cape to Cape and soon the Brazil Ride kicks off – it’s a pretty hectic time. If you were gifted with unlimited funds, you’re looking at four really diverse events to pick from. In Australia, the clear […]
What’s it like to race XCO World Champs? Imogen Smith reports on Lenzerheide
I may not be an XCO racer most of the time, and on paper my result was nothing to write home about, but unless I suddenly become a rockstar, nothing I do in my life will come close to the exhilaration of racing XCO World Championships in Lenzerheide. So what’s it like racing XCO World […]
Livigno Training Camp: Day Seven
What the hell just happened? How did an 8 day stay in Livigno just about come to an end? It seems like so recently that we arrived in Livigno, anticipating epic rides, amazing food, crazy Italians, thin air and mountain scenery. For the most part – Livigno delivered. While we didn’t have seven days of […]
Livigno Training Camp: Day Six
The rain, which Accuweather tauntingly promised us would clear up today, stuck around so resolutely that by 9am it was clear to me that I was going to need something special. I marched Mike up the road, in the freezing drizzle, to a pasticceria and forced him to order me a filled croissant, then, when […]
Livigno Training Camp: Day Five
Sitting here on an early Saturday evening, I just realised this is the longest I have spent in Livigno at one time. While in 2013 I came and visited for about 4 nights, headed off to race Dolomiti Superbike, then came back again for another four or five nights, this would be the longest consecutive […]
Livigno Training Camp: Day Four
As Mike and I have been watching the weather forecast like the vital signs of a dying man, we knew today would be a great day to have off. But imagine my disappointment when, after the jubilant excesses of yesterday’s climb to the top of Livigno’s mountains, I woke up again with a painfully sore, […]
Livigno Training Camp: Day Three
It’s out third full day up in Livigno, and after Imogen and I went our different ways yesterday, we regrouped for one of the other highly popular activities in Livigno – shopping! It wasn’t a mega spending spree, but we did both buy some headbands, so we could feel the part in the high mountains. […]
Livigno Training Camp: Day Two
Mike and I were always going to go our separate ways in Livigno. For Mike, this is a special place overlaid with memories of gypsyish Euro-tripping bikefests of day-long, epic rides over high passes and into wild valleys, all of which he wants to relive. For me, this is the last chance to get in […]