So I’m 8 weeks in my new found training-enthusiasm. And when you start training for something specific, really making an effort to set a goal (or multiple goals) and intend to do the work. The first few weeks you will get by on motivation. There’s no noticeable difference, you just have to do the hard work and stick to it. If you’re like me, you need some time to adjust to the new ‘regime’ and stop your mind from thinking to much about it and struggling with the effort to have to do.

Then, you will notice a small difference, any difference. The first thing I noticed was improvement in my fitness. Now that wasn’t a big accomplishment, because it was horrible. And that’s not only because I come from 3 month’s of doing nothing. To be honest, I had years of mediocre fitness and I got by simply because I’m a good technical rider.

So after about 6 weeks I had the “hey, this gets easier” bonus-feeling and after 8 weeks (right about now) I noticed other stuff… my body is changing ;-) No I’m not going through puberty, again. I’m talking about muscle-tone (yay)! Core-stability can be a pain, but it’s starting to feel (and look) pretty okay. Or how about arms that don’t ‘blubber (that much)’? I can (and will) get used to this!

So, when is getting fit making a difference? When you stand on your scale and it’s slightly more, but the body looks more solid! When a lap on your local trail isn’t wearing you out as much and you go around faster (or do more laps instead). When workout starts being fun and less ‘hard work’. Holy crap… this is just the beginning. There’s still a long way to go to UBER-fitness, but I can’t help but think… this can only get better!!

If I look at the bikes I currently own and at the history of my bikes… I see something funny going on:

1. Trek Remedy: a CherryBomb (2003) evolution
2. Santa Cruz Bullit: well… we’ve been down that road before (2003)
3. Trek Fuel ex: reminds me of my Giant xtc (2001)

So, in the past ten years I’ve been figuring out what my perfect ride would be. Trying out several bikes from the same genre, just to try and find THE ONE bike to do it all. While the answer is: multiple bikes (bikes I used to own, sort of)! Kinda elite, right?!

However… I still consider the Remedy to be the best choice for the all-in-one bike. It’s an awesome all-round bike most versatile for the trails I love riding the most: going down, only to climb uphill to do it again!

a Fuel Ex

Yes, the Fuel ex is the newest addition to the family and it’s the work-horse from now on, where the last two years the Remedy took on that role too. Yesterday’s first ride in Schoorl hit me like a ton of bricks. I’m far from top-fit, but going round with the Fuel felt like having wings. The bike is about 3 kg’s lighter then the Remedy and has 3 cm less travel. But basically it’s the same bike, with all the exceptionally great riding capabilities. Just: the Remedy is the downhill-champ, the Fuel scores on uphills.

It’s a pleasure to ba able to own both bikes, I will now enjoy xc-training-rides, so me and my show-pony – the Remedy – can have ultimate fun in the Alps this summer. I still wonder if I will be enjoying a full marathon, 6 hours or more on the Fuel with another steep uphill every time you go around the corner. I have a few months to figure out how the half-marathon will go down.

Great bikeshop

Pictures? I’ll make some pretty soon, it’s pretty standard so far. With Continental Race King tires. When I have some more km’s down, I’ll have a better idea of tuning (or not). Anyway, let me tell you about the guys that arranged my bike to be delivered within a few days, the awesome guys from www.fietsshopuitgeest.nl. Helped me figure out which Fuel to get and got it ready to ride in a matter of days (and it was a steal too!). They’re all just as nuts about Trek bikes as I am and you can walk in their store and find a Scratch or a Remedy in the wild! Maybe a Session too if you’re lucky! Thanks for your excellent service, it’s great shopping at a bikeshop that knows about enduro-downhill from first-hand experience in the first place. And totally get your bike-obsessions (Fuel, Remedy … what not).

I thought it was kinda weird, when I typed ‘Personal trainer Apeldoorn‘ in Google. I’ve been riding for so long and read so many books, I can do this myself… right? I used to have a trainer/coach before, someone I never met and send me a schedule via email and I’d do the hard work on my own. But you know… I wanted a little more and better. It’s always so much more fun when you’re really fit and can ride with more flow and… yeah speed, that too.

After last years nasty little bump with a tree, I was restricted to doing nothing for over 2,5 months. That’s too long for my good spirits (and my wife’s too) and left my fitness at level sub zero. But that’s okay, level sub zero is an excellent level to start working with a Drill Sergeant uh Personal Trainer.

Because of my crash last year, I’ve decided to take it a little easier on full on downhill and try and find some joy and entertainment in xc-marathonriding. Wondering like me how long that lasts? I’m planning to ride the 55km in Sorpetal april 30th and do a full marathon sometime this summer. Between the PPdS and Trek Bike Attack. And if I like it… maybe a multiday-marathon next year.

So… 9 things to do in 2011?

1. Train with Personal Trainer
2. Trek Bike Attack: in the 11th gear!
3. Sorpetal 55 km marathon
4. Full marathon 100 km
5. Week of bike-fun around the PPdS & more F4G trips!
6. Shoot a freeride4girls movie
7. Clean my garage ;-)
8. Don’t freak… I may actually ride a xc race in Apeldoorn!
9. Get the Remedy in top shape before PPdS & TBA