This
post was originally posted for Conquista Cycling Club & can be found
here...
Being
Australian has limited benefits when it comes to professional cycling in
Europe; however, one of them is that I have an endless summer. While the
Europeans are preparing for next season with cross-country skiing, riding a
‘cyclocross’ bike or relocating to Southern Spain in search of the sun, I am
back in Australia training in the summer. Then, just as sunrise starts to take
a little longer and the nights begin to get chilly, I head back to Europe for
the Spring races.
As
a result of this, I have never seen snow. I mean, I have seen the leftovers of
it on the ground, but I have never actually seen snow falling from the sky. To
be honest, I’m not entirely sure what I am supposed to be looking out for. Most people from Europe don’t believe me when
I tell them, but where I live, the lowest temperatures on a winter’s day are in
the mid-20’s Celsius. I never even owned a puffy jacket.
Every
year, the team equips me with all the cycling kit that I could possibly need.
This includes near endless amounts of winter warmers, jackets, gloves and rain
gear. I think this is all thrown in to accommodate the Dutchies with all their
complaining about how cold it is training in the Netherlands. The first time I
even open my winter kit is at the first European training camp of the season.
Before this, I beg for more summer kits.
When
it rains in Australia, a rain jacket is redundant. If you put a jacket on
during rain in summer, you will end up wetter than if you didn’t because you
will be sweating so heavily. Rain is a welcome relief because it cools you down.
Even then, the temperature barely drops below 30°C. In Europe, it is a totally
different story. If it rains, it gets cold…typically really, really cold.
I
honestly don’t know how the European riders train during the winter or when
it’s raining. Most guys say they use a trainer. Personally, I couldn’t think of
anything more boring. This year, I have spent a grand total of two hours on a
trainer. That’s less time than what most pros do in a single session.
I
cannot stand putting on heaps of extra layers just so I can ride outside. I
feel like the Michelin Man. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that this week I am
going to need my rain bag. I am in Bergen, Norway, for the Tour des Fjords
where it rains more often than it doesn’t. It is supposed to be summertime, but
I am walking around in a warm jacket. It’s cold, it’s wet, and it will be like
this all week. I spent an hour on the trainer today while other teams braved
the weather and went riding outside. Maybe I need to forego my endless summer
this year and try to ‘toughen up’ during the winter. Then again... No thanks!
