So, with 23 days to go, I decided to enter a mountain bike race to see how my training has been going. There were 3500 entrants, and it was on a beautiful wine farm Boschendal, where you are not usually allowed to ride. It was 55km long, and because I was not seeded, I had to start with hundreds of people way back in the bunch. I played catch up the whole race, and the last 15km, all the age groups were thrown in on the same trail towards the finish line. It was chaotic, with kiddies and grannies and very large people on bicycles, you had to control yourself not to race past the kids and push over the grannies, but to still try and get to the finish line ASAP! I finished 18th overall out of 50 in the pro women’s category, and only 7 min behind some of the top xc pro.
Archive for the 'Anka Martin' Category
We have been entertaining the idea of changing the course venue for the # 2 Fluidride cup at Ski Bowl. Mt Hood has been hit hard this year with snowfall and it is looking like there will still be some coverage come race time in May. This is why there have been some recent changes to the schedule on the FR Cup Page.
After careful deliberation we have come to the decision to stick with the original schedule and Venues. The second Fluidride Cup will be held on Mt Hood as planned regardless of snow level. If the regular courses cannot be used, the race will be held on the Bridal trail. If the snow level prevents a slalom to be held, the slalom series wil be converted into a best 4 of 5 race series. If the Bridal trail is used, bring your 6″ trail bikes as this more Super-D trail than DH. Continue reading ‘Fluidride Cup updates’
From Fluidride Team Rider: Anka Martin
The reason that I am in South Africa is because I am participating in the Absa Cape Epic, a 9 day xc stage race where Megan (my partner) and I will be riding 920km (580 miles) on dirt!Our team is called the Ironhorse Maidens, and we will keep you updated here on what we are getting up to with our preparations for the Epic.
From Fluidride Team Rider: Anka Martin
As I am writing this, I am struggling to stay awake after having ridden many miles in 40+ (102) degree heat on the one day and sweating buckets in monsoon style rain and humidity the next. We rode some of the finest singletrack in South Africa in Jonkershoek, Stellenbosch on Sunday and in Grabouw on Saturday. The South Easter wind has been howling everyday, and it has just gradually been getting hotter and hotter, yesterday being the hottest day I think I have ever ridden my bike in. The weather has been very strange this year, not normal at all, and not cooling down at all. I woke up to pouring rain, which was a pleasant welcome after Saturday’s scorcher.
Continue reading ‘Monsoon rain, heat, sweat and sweet singletrack!’
From Fluidride Team Rider: Anka Martin
We made it home after 15 hours of driving from Bend to San Clemente, 10 hour flight from LAX to Paris, 12 hour flight from Paris to Johannesburg, 2 hour flight from JHB to Cape Town and then a 30 min drive to my parent’s house! Rather jet lagged to say the least, sleeping until 1 o clock in the afternoon was a first for us. Waking up from the heat was quite a change from the minus degrees and snow up in Oregon.
Oct 18, 2007
Fluidride will have a new look in 2008 on the racing circuit.
Fluidride/Virtual Descent has been formed to suit the needs of a growing race program. The six Fluidride/Virtual Descent riders have been selected primarily for their own unique goals for 2008. The racers are:
| Simon LawtonLars Sternberg
Casey Northern Sven Martin Anka Martin Nathan Riddle |
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Each member will have their own target area of competition around the world, covering everything from regional Downhill, DS, and Super D- to international World Cups, and Mega Avalanches. The list of official sponsors for the new team is building rapidly, and should be announced soon.
Stay tuned for updated rider bios and blogs.
