I have finished my studies now and so it was my duty to go at least for one time on the ball of my sports university. I was very excited to go there see all the students, especially the men in their nice and elegant bests suits compare to the fact that I know them all just in jogging pants and T-shirts and sneakers. And I haven’t been on a ball since ages, maybe about 5 years ago I don’t know. I felt like a teenager, not that I am so old, but I went through the same process….it was very funny to giggling around with your best friend before and help each other with difficult hairstyles, makeup and the right ball gown choice. Girls stuff!! Great… After we were styled and dressed up like Cinderella we were ready to meet our prince charmings. Okay her was already waiting since hours at the entrance because we were running so late…

The ball took place at Vienna’s city hall so it was a very nice and adequate location. The bands were very good and it gave me the heebie-jeebies, because the one singer, she sang just brilliant. So we didn’t miss the chance to dance the classic dances, like fox trot, boggie and of course walzer. Hmm but honestly it was more freestyle than correct steps. But nobody cared so did I. The disco fever sparked about 12 o’clock and did end until I danced without shoes….

LENE

Today my friends and I went for a ride with our 4 cross bikes. “Trainings group number one” are they called. And yes it was good training, lot of mud and lots of good drifts. I had the chance to test my Morewood and it’s great. Just great.

Now I can say that I have acclimatized. Everything works well here not very exciting, but yes of course what can easily trump the last months. The last week I hanged out with my friends, who I haven’t seen for ages and trained a lot. It was nice to speak about other stuff than forks, brakes, titanium springs, the world cup schedule… Both girls don’t bother about biking so it was quite relaxing, giggling around and doing other things. I had also a chat with my trainer and we talked about my coming season and so I am working basically on my endurance and torso strength. The weather doesn’t offer other opportunities than cross country riding and sitting on the home trainer. But the other day I did a new XC round with some friends of mine and it was just great. Really nice tracks and some good downhills. So I have not so say that my heart beats for downhill but XC riding is a part of it and tracks like these are making the training easier.

Yesterday I spend nearly the whole afternoon in my cellar. Very cold so well prepared with 5 layers of sweatshirts and T-shirts I worked on my bikes, cleaned my work shop and built up my new 4 Cross bike from Morewood. It looks really hot and I did some laps. It feels good but I have to work a little bit on the weight. Today I wanted to do some real training runs on my hometrack but it is raining at the moment and you can’t ride there when the ground is wet… too sticky.

But anyway it’s easter Sunday so it’s family day. I have already got my easter rabbit and a present. A perfume which I have tried at the airport in London and my mother took a smell at this little perfume cards you can use to try it.. the girls will know what i mean. In 3 hours I can tell, we will sit in the dinning room with big bellies, caused by my mothers’ fabulous cooking, and talking about the family members who are not here, I will have to answer the New Zealand questions, my aunt will amuse us by her lovely stories and my mum will laugh and cry because she is so funny and my father’s half brother will enrich us with his life anecdotes. So yes I am proud to be a member of this family. Happy Easter see you LENE.

With one dry eye and one wet eye I left Wellington on the 28 Feb midday.

Leaving good friends, who I had embosomed to go home and see the best friends again…I had a awesome time in NZ but know it was time to go home the races were finished and my budget too.

It was a good journey. I had no long waiting durations between the flight, no lost bike or bag and okay seats, good food, nice weather so a very good view out of the window

and so good entertainment on board. Heaps of good music and films. And I was so surprise when I watched an NZ movie, called “the devil dared to me” to see one of the Junior Rider as one of the main actors. First moment I thought ” wau he looks very similar to the kid I know from the race series..but then I saw his name and could believe it - Zach Baker is not only fast no he can act too.

Now I try to find my day rhythm here, until now it works pretty well and have to sort out many things for the starting World cup season and today I have my official Frontworx contract signing meeting. We didn’t have time before I left.
See you LENE