Breaking news!!!!

Snow in the Wicklow Mountains

So many things have been happening since the end of the 2009 season, so here's a little update about what has been going on since then.

After the season I took it easy for the month of October after breaking the female record for cycling the Wicklow Way in one go (and coming dangerously close to the male record broken by Ryan a year beforehand ;)). November and December were very busy months with regards to college work and the crappy weather here in Ireland made it hard to keep training consistent. I have been on the turbo trainer a lot more than usual due to the weather. A broken rear derailleur on my training mountain bike meant it was out or action for a little while too, but Ryan offered me to use his bouncy bike, which is a lot of fun to ride.

We are proud to announce that ZipVit have agreed to come on board as our new nutritional sponsors this year, and a pallet load of ZipVit energy drink, recovery drink, gels and bars arrived on Monday, just in time for our winter training camp in Gran Canaria. In our short time working with ZipVit so far we have been very impressed with their product and professionalism. And of course it feels great to be supported by the same people that sponsor the Cervélo Test Team - my dream road team if I ever became a professional roadie.

ZipVit delivery :)

On a similar note, we are very happy and thankful for our friend Stewart Carr for offering his services as physio therapist to us, which our ever tired legs are gladly accepting.

Another big news was Ryan's and my engagement on the 23rd of December, just in time before xmas when we could announce the news to the family. Team Ryan and Mel are going stronger and stronger :)
Just wondering how I will juggle cycling, PhD AND wedding planning...

I said yes :)

Finally, there has been a lot of snow in Ireland and it was very cold for the last few weeks. Almost every spin I have come home freezing and with hands and feet like iceblocks, so I am glad we are travelling to Gran Canaria soon for our winter training camp. It is a lot easier to do a few hours endurance riding in the sun than in the miserable weather in Ireland, even just from a motivational point of view. We would have left for GC even earlier, only Ryan was supposed to take part in the Irish National Cyclocross champs which were later cancelled due to poor road conditions that would have made it problematic for many to travel to the race.

Riding in the snow is tiring!