Training Log Archive: Funderstormin

Great last day of biking in Fuengirola. Beautiful warm day that was perfect for riding. We had a quiet last night so that we would bring our A game to the last ride and it paid off. Started on a mountain again with a long climb, then a hike a bike to what we were promised would be worthwhile singletrack, and it was! Slight downhill all along the side of the mountain. Agreed to check out an unknown trail with our guide as we were promised it meant we could name it. Since the trail was barely rideable we decided Funderstorm was an ideal name for it as we often bite off more than we can chew! Lunch in the town of Mjias and then a fun ride through the countryside and along the sea back to where we are staying.

Tomorrow will be a travel day as we navigate the bus system to make our way to the tiny mountain town of Bubion for a couple of days of trekking in the Alpujarras. Can't wait! Only disappointment is realizing that the summer clothes I brought with me are likely going to stay in the suitcase!

C • Pics? 3

Today it was just Stephania and I with our guide, so we chose a ride that would offer different scenery from where we rode yesterday. We rode in a location called Coin forest where we found a good mix of fun downhill singletrack and uphill doubletrack in pine forests. Sadly, the weather wasn't quite as cooperative as yesterday and it started raining partway through our ride, making a lot of the rocky trails quite slick. Got a few hours in but decided to head back after lunch at a nice Spanish restaurant.

Bruiser and I are in Fuengirola on the Andalucia coast of Spain doing a 4 day mountain biking trip with Sierra Cycling (www.sierracycling.com) before spending a few days touring around. After 24 hours of travelling (Toronto - Brussels - Madrid - Malaga) I got here around 10:30 last night. Bruiser and I promptly found a place where we could get some wine and catch up. Felt a little groggy and jet lagged in the morning after missing a night of sleep but think I will be caught up by tomorrow morning.

We were driven partway up a mountain and the first hour or so of riding was mostly uphill (hello lungs, hello quads) on rocky doubletrack that reminded me a lot of RTNX, followed by some sweet descents into the town where we stopped for lunch. I am really happy the Giant Anthem that I am riding and it handles much like my own bike. Bruiser earned her nickname quickly with a couple of solid wipe outs in the morning, so much so that Japanese tourists at the place we were eating were stopping and pointing at her bloody legs!

Afternoon was spent on a mix of double and single track with a good combination of up and down. Back to the beach house in time for happy hour on the patio. A great first day. Elapsed time 5:45.

C • nice! 2

Combination of hills (have I ever mentioned my feelings about hills?) and tempo.

C • hills... 5

Took someone new to Canada out for her first snowshoe at the Hydrocut. Probably not the best use of my training time today but a lovely day to be outdoors nonetheless and she had a great time.

C • Nah 1