Saturday, 14 April 2012
Europe - Part 1 and 2
So it’s been a week since I’ve landed in South Africa coming from an Amazing trip in Europe for 2 weeks. It was definitely a trip I will cherish forever and a trip that I also learnt a lot.
The day we landed in Switzerland we drove straight to the BMC factory . It was so amazing to be able to see how all the bicycles and parts were manufactured .. everything we saw was the real deal ! BMC really is a Swiss precision quality brand !
Our first race took place in Zobing , Austria , so it was quite a drive all the way from Switzerland . Zobing is a very small but beautiful town and we received a very warm welcome from the owners at the guest house we stayed in. The food was always superb . They definitely made sure we were fuelled up for the race that was going to take place on the Sunday . I tried different foods that week and I had coffee for the first time. Now .. I know what you’re thinking .. she’s never had coffee ? what is wrong with her? But I just never thought of drinking coffee , and partially because my mom always told me I wasn’t allowed to drink it. So yes , I had Coffee for the first time the day of my race and boy , did it give me a kick start ! It really did help me !
Race day dawned on us and we were all preparing for what was about to be a very difficult race ! It was my first time that I ever raced internationally . I was nervous and had no idea what to expect. The Junior woman had to do 3 laps plus a start loop and we were a field of 16 girls . We started with the pro elite /u23 woman. As the gun went off , we all sprinted to get to the top of the hill. It was evident that there were definitely some strong junior girls . Positions were switching between the girls the whole time and I eventually fell into 6th place. I saw my teammate Ashleigh ,who was slightly ahead of me the whole time on the track and she was my motivation to go faster ! The first lap was the longest as it included the start lap. We received a lot of motivation from all the spectators. Each lap was a shock to the body as we had an enormous amount of climbing to do in such a short distance. I stayed in 6th position all the way up to the end of the race. Your competition is everywhere and there is no time to even stop pedalling just for a second because then you will definitely loose your position in the race.
I was happy with my race result ! We decided to go to Kremes for the last time before we left for Switzerland the next day . The scenery in Austria is absolutely mind boggling and I took thousands of photos . The ice cream there is just amazing .. I recommend the hazelnut and chocolate flavour to anyone who is planning on having a holiday in Austria soon :) Sometimes I thought I was in a movie because everything was just so picture perfect and clean . The churches are beautiful and there are at least 3 coffee shops around every corner ! It was absolute bliss. We decided to go and relax next to the river and have a few laughs before we had to go back home. It was a great way to end off our first week in Europe !
Part 2
For our final week in Europe we had to make our way all the way back to Switzerland as our final race took place in the town of Buchs . Before we started our very long journey , we stopped in Vienna to do some shopping . WOW .. I would live there any day, and if you’re wondering .. yes i did do A LOT of shopping :)
On the last stretch of our journey in the car on the way to the hotel , we noticed that we got to a point where we were just driving uphill. The Town below us was now long gone and slowly but surely ,we made it all the way up the snowy Mountains. Ashleigh and I exchanged glances as we knew this was going to be one tough hill to get up and down every day with our bikes . We stayed in a fantastic little pension and made ourselves very comfortable in our warm rooms. The snow was pretty .. but the cold was not so pretty.
Every morning after breakfast we would suit up and brace ourselves for what was about to be a very cold ride. 0 degrees down the mountain didn’t do my fingers , toes or mouth any good.
Some days we would ride and stop for coffee in any town we found ourselves in . What a mission it was trying to order off the menu , at least you learn along the way, I now know that Gemuse are vegetables so next time I go back to Switzerland I’ll be sure to use some of my language skills :). We all also learnt that there were a few foods you stayed away from .. Johann please don’t eat blue cheese again ;)
Two days before the BMC Swiss Cup race in Buchs , we went to ride the track . I was not at all surprised to see that this course had almost as much climbing as the category one race in Austria. Seems like the Europeans like their hills ! Probably explains why they are so good ..and of course for the fact that they cycle everywhere they go because cycling lanes occur everywhere in Europe .
That Sunday we were preparing for our final race . I had my morning coffee and I was ready to rumble. I don’t think I have ever been so cold before a race in my life. It was unreal. The junior girls started at 11:20 am . By that time it had warmed up a little bit and the sun started showing its face. I had a much bigger field of girls in this race (about 23) but unfortunately I was seeded stone last. I fought my way into the field but I was amazed at how aggressive and strong some of those girls were. It was overwhelming ! Every lap I improved on my position and finally made my way to 13th place. I was happy with my result and I knew that I gave it my all ! I was also relieved that it was over and that I didn’t have to stress myself out anymore .
We said our goodbyes to Candice as she stayed in Europe to compete in the second World Cup in Houffalize,Belgium on Saturday the 14th April. The drive to the airport was sad as I had such an amazing time in Europe with my coach and teammates. I learnt so much and there was a lot that I could bring back to South Africa to make me a better rider. Thank you to my Coach for showing us what it was really like out there and for all the support. We all came back stronger riders thanks to you ! To my BMC teammates for being such great people and of course .. lets not forget Kyle Dorkin who rides for Ellsworth (who by the way had a super impressive ride in Austria and came 3rd in the Junior mens field) and of course without my parents , this trip could not have been possible ! THANK YOU , THANK YOU ! This was definitely an experience I will never forget and will forever treasure the amazing memories that came with it !
The day we landed in Switzerland we drove straight to the BMC factory . It was so amazing to be able to see how all the bicycles and parts were manufactured .. everything we saw was the real deal ! BMC really is a Swiss precision quality brand !
Our first race took place in Zobing , Austria , so it was quite a drive all the way from Switzerland . Zobing is a very small but beautiful town and we received a very warm welcome from the owners at the guest house we stayed in. The food was always superb . They definitely made sure we were fuelled up for the race that was going to take place on the Sunday . I tried different foods that week and I had coffee for the first time. Now .. I know what you’re thinking .. she’s never had coffee ? what is wrong with her? But I just never thought of drinking coffee , and partially because my mom always told me I wasn’t allowed to drink it. So yes , I had Coffee for the first time the day of my race and boy , did it give me a kick start ! It really did help me !
Race day dawned on us and we were all preparing for what was about to be a very difficult race ! It was my first time that I ever raced internationally . I was nervous and had no idea what to expect. The Junior woman had to do 3 laps plus a start loop and we were a field of 16 girls . We started with the pro elite /u23 woman. As the gun went off , we all sprinted to get to the top of the hill. It was evident that there were definitely some strong junior girls . Positions were switching between the girls the whole time and I eventually fell into 6th place. I saw my teammate Ashleigh ,who was slightly ahead of me the whole time on the track and she was my motivation to go faster ! The first lap was the longest as it included the start lap. We received a lot of motivation from all the spectators. Each lap was a shock to the body as we had an enormous amount of climbing to do in such a short distance. I stayed in 6th position all the way up to the end of the race. Your competition is everywhere and there is no time to even stop pedalling just for a second because then you will definitely loose your position in the race.
I was happy with my race result ! We decided to go to Kremes for the last time before we left for Switzerland the next day . The scenery in Austria is absolutely mind boggling and I took thousands of photos . The ice cream there is just amazing .. I recommend the hazelnut and chocolate flavour to anyone who is planning on having a holiday in Austria soon :) Sometimes I thought I was in a movie because everything was just so picture perfect and clean . The churches are beautiful and there are at least 3 coffee shops around every corner ! It was absolute bliss. We decided to go and relax next to the river and have a few laughs before we had to go back home. It was a great way to end off our first week in Europe !
Part 2
For our final week in Europe we had to make our way all the way back to Switzerland as our final race took place in the town of Buchs . Before we started our very long journey , we stopped in Vienna to do some shopping . WOW .. I would live there any day, and if you’re wondering .. yes i did do A LOT of shopping :)
On the last stretch of our journey in the car on the way to the hotel , we noticed that we got to a point where we were just driving uphill. The Town below us was now long gone and slowly but surely ,we made it all the way up the snowy Mountains. Ashleigh and I exchanged glances as we knew this was going to be one tough hill to get up and down every day with our bikes . We stayed in a fantastic little pension and made ourselves very comfortable in our warm rooms. The snow was pretty .. but the cold was not so pretty.
Every morning after breakfast we would suit up and brace ourselves for what was about to be a very cold ride. 0 degrees down the mountain didn’t do my fingers , toes or mouth any good.
Some days we would ride and stop for coffee in any town we found ourselves in . What a mission it was trying to order off the menu , at least you learn along the way, I now know that Gemuse are vegetables so next time I go back to Switzerland I’ll be sure to use some of my language skills :). We all also learnt that there were a few foods you stayed away from .. Johann please don’t eat blue cheese again ;)
Two days before the BMC Swiss Cup race in Buchs , we went to ride the track . I was not at all surprised to see that this course had almost as much climbing as the category one race in Austria. Seems like the Europeans like their hills ! Probably explains why they are so good ..and of course for the fact that they cycle everywhere they go because cycling lanes occur everywhere in Europe .
That Sunday we were preparing for our final race . I had my morning coffee and I was ready to rumble. I don’t think I have ever been so cold before a race in my life. It was unreal. The junior girls started at 11:20 am . By that time it had warmed up a little bit and the sun started showing its face. I had a much bigger field of girls in this race (about 23) but unfortunately I was seeded stone last. I fought my way into the field but I was amazed at how aggressive and strong some of those girls were. It was overwhelming ! Every lap I improved on my position and finally made my way to 13th place. I was happy with my result and I knew that I gave it my all ! I was also relieved that it was over and that I didn’t have to stress myself out anymore .
We said our goodbyes to Candice as she stayed in Europe to compete in the second World Cup in Houffalize,Belgium on Saturday the 14th April. The drive to the airport was sad as I had such an amazing time in Europe with my coach and teammates. I learnt so much and there was a lot that I could bring back to South Africa to make me a better rider. Thank you to my Coach for showing us what it was really like out there and for all the support. We all came back stronger riders thanks to you ! To my BMC teammates for being such great people and of course .. lets not forget Kyle Dorkin who rides for Ellsworth (who by the way had a super impressive ride in Austria and came 3rd in the Junior mens field) and of course without my parents , this trip could not have been possible ! THANK YOU , THANK YOU ! This was definitely an experience I will never forget and will forever treasure the amazing memories that came with it !
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About Me
- Savannah Vosloo
- Cycling is my passion and I love the fact that you meet so many new and different people at races or events every time ! I began cycling when I was 15 years old and plan to continue to be the best that I can possibly be ! My journey has only started and I am excited for everything that is still to come !
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