It’s been a bucket-list type of race. The kind I had to try at one point. The biggest Gravel event in Europe - TRAKA. With 4 different races and distances over the course of 4 days, it seemed more like a little bike festival than anything else. I decided to do the 200km race on Saturday, which seemed to be the most competitive in the not-ultra-long gravel scene. I mean, the longest distance you could sign up for was 560?! Mama Mia. And also the 200 was a distance that for me would be challenging, but achievable, while still feeling kind of ultra…

Almost caught them again, and then the biggest climb of the day came as a wall in front of me. 
The temperature was rising up to 30 degrees, we were almost 5 hours into the race at this point, and I was having my first proper crisis. Time to find the famous 'panic'-gear (the smallest I had). 

After the downhill, there was a longer flat section again, where a group from behind caught me. I did my best to stay with this group, but I really felt how the pain and efforts were creeping up on me. And there were still 60km and 2 climbs left. My mind was questioning everything at this point. I had no more left in me, I felt how my brain started to work more slowly and how the effort made me dizzy. How much longer? 
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One of the best parts of the day was my equipment to be honest, the bike was so comfortable to ride. Okay, well, on the rocky sections I definitely missed some suspension (but which mountain biker wouldn’t want that??). But the way the Scott Addict gravel is handling the corners, climbs and downhills is so cool. And the gears and brakes, just wow, was an absolute pleasure. For mechanical emergencies, I had a saddlebag with a tube, tools and CO2. Besides this, I also carried a pump and a plug ready to go. I had all my fixing stuff with me from Topeak, which I fortunately didn’t have to use. I was terrified to flat on those little tires tbh. 

An overall great experience with a fun group of friends and a challenging yet spectacular race to finish it off!

What now? Maybe it’s time to shift to another bike for the next month? A little change never hurt nobody ;-) 

Yesterday I watched the race in Albenga and it inspired me write this: 

Today, on International Women’s Day, I’m at a mountain bike race on the Italian coast. I’m not racing today, but standing on the other side of the tape, and I’m reminded of something bigger than just racing. I mean today it’s about the women here—racing, supporting, working behind the scenes—each of them contributing to the incredible cycling community.

So today, I want to shine a light on the women who make this sport what it is. The racers giving their all out there. The racers who celebrate each other on the other side of the finish line. The teammates offering a word of encouragement. The mechanics, coaches, managers, volunteers, sisters, mothers, and fans who show up and make it all possible. You are seen and you are valued.
Let’s keep showing up for each other. Let’s keep pushing boundaries. Let’s keep riding—together.

/Malene

I couldn’t fall asleep for two nights, and the hotel breakfast on Saturday morning suddenly seemed unappealing. Friday afternoon, I drove 4 hours to a place called Ulricehamn in the southern part of Sweden. I was at the seemingly unappealing breakfast buffet because I had signed up for the Danish/Greenlandic national Championship in cross-country skiing. More precisely, the long-distance freestyle competition which took place Sunday morning. And I’m a total beginner. 

Flow is maybe not the right word, think flow as in a state of mind, not flow as flowing well on the snow. Technique is quite something in this sport, and I haven’t mastered it - yet. So, my strong cycling muscles carried me through to 4th place overall and 2nd in my age group. I also didn’t know how to fuel while being stuck to two sticks, so I just ran 1 hour 51 minutes without any fuel at all. As a reference, I take one gel every 20 minutes in a MTB race + carbs in my bottle. I crossed the line empty. I hadn’t been able to use my full physical capacity because every time I tried to go faster I lost my balance on the thin skies, but I had tried so hard for almost two hours. 
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I learned two things: “It feels scary because it’s unfamiliar, not because I’m incapable.” (Michell C Clark), and that “yet” is a word I need to use more. I haven’t *** yet. I don’t know *** yet. 

So many opportunities, so many adventures ahead. January has treated me well, and in 2025 I wanted to challenge myself and try new things. We’re off to a good start. 

/Malene