For the past 3 months I have been working hard on building up a good foundation for my 21’ season. I have been spending all this time in Spain, moving around for trainingcamps is just not easy in these times. It makes me so grateful for the open boarders we normally have in Europe. How lucky I am to live in such a union. Anyways, it has been going great. Rarely have I had such a good winter of training, training gone well, almost only good days, no illness, no injures, no big hurdles (should I knock on wood now?). Consistent good work day in and day out. Normally that’s a pretty good start for a successful season. So let’s see what I can build on top of this! ​

Last week we got the season kicked off with two races back to back. First one in Spain, Banyoles, second on in Italy, Andora. Big thanks and shout out to the race organizers, I imagine that it’s no easy task to organize an event at the moment. I came to the races with the plan to leave them with more race experience and a heart full of motivation. I knew I didn’t come in a super race-shape, but when you have a plan you have to stick to it. So I left the ego at home and went head first into the two races with world-class fields. And got my ass kicked just a little, haha. ​

I ended up 13 and 12 on the result list, nothing glorious, but I was super happy with it. In Banyoles I really felt how it has been pretty much half a year since I last did a xco race, after a good first 30 minutes my body was just like ‘gurl, what da heck are you making me do?’. It was such a chock to the system, and it felt really horrendous. But I was glad I did it. Felt like I needed it. Then I continued to Italy where I had a way better race, already improving from race number uno. I was more in tune with what racing is like and it felt like my body rememerd that this xco thing is something we do every other weekend, for fun. haha. ​

Now I’m back in Spain looking at two good month in front of me, full of hard training and racing. I’m pretty excited to do this and hopefully next time I race I feel just a little more speed in the legs. If I can do that at every race until the World Cup, I have done something right, haha. ​

Finding a purpose and small goals doing your preparation races are super important, I think. I wanted to get back in tune with what racing feels like and all the small stuff around it. And I believe I achieved that. ​

As I progressed into the Junior cat, I got a feel of what the life in the mtb world was like, I travelled a lot with the national team and I had some really good junior years. With a really nice balance between, racing, training, school and social life. Which I think, looking back, was one of the key factors to my later success. 
Now that was a lot about me, but what about you? or your daughter or son?

1) A dropper post
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This gift will bring joy, trust me, when riding you will feel more confident, comfortable and it will improve your riding.
When I'm using the dropper post, I use the KS suspension: 
https://kssuspension.com/product-category/droppers/

2) Suspension service
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Give him/her a gift card to the local bike shop where they can get a fork or shork service. This is something  we don't do enough, but oh, when we do it feels great! Almost like a new bike :) (PLUS it also supports the local businesses in these Corona times) 

3) A bling-bling Chain
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We all want our bikes to look 'mazing. A golden chain really makes any bike look SO much cooler. 
I'm riding KMC chain's 12speed (you need to check the current chain they are riding to know what kind of 'speed' you need to buy. Don't ask me why its called speed). 
Link https://www.kmcchain.com/en/product/bicycle-chain-x12-12-speed

4) Winter jacket
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Oh baby it's cold outside! Give the cycling-addicted person a warm winter jacket for riding outside. (The bonus is that you will avoid to have them laying on the sofa warming up the rest of the day, and actually be able to do something else with you. Avoid buying this, if you like them to lay still and be quiet).
I'm riding the EKOI winter jackets. And I'm hot 

5) New bike day!
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I have no idea about your budget, but if you are the bike-aholic you might want to give someone else the joy you feel from riding bikes! You could buy with a nice commute or gravel bike, to get them started. 
Orbea (my sponsor) has some nice ones! ​https://www.orbea.com/es-es/bicicletas/urbanas/vector/cat/vector-drop

6) Thule gear
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The Swedish brand Thule, has lot's of great stuff for the outdoor life! It could be a bikerack for some awesome adventures or it could be their bags. I use the Chasm line in green and the Easy Fold XT 2 rack. The products are such a good quality and so useful
​https://www.thule.com/da-dk/luggage/travel-duffel-bags/thule-chasm-90l-_-3204300

7) A handlebar Bag
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I know this is a hype, but give them this hipster accessory and they will love it. There are plenty of brands who makes this just google it! You can fill them up with extra tube, energibars, a pump and more!
(I actually put this item on my wish list :D ) 

8) A Smart trainer
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It's a little bit like the indoor bike your grandparents might have, but a little cooler. And slightly better.. ;) Again, I don't know your budget, but this is a way to give your bike-enthusiast more time at hand, because he/she wont be able to train nearly as long as outside! There is different brands, an idea could be the Kickr! 

9) Coffee Beans
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As every cyclist your cyclist is probably also a self claimed coffee expert, so give him some quality beans! Might be from your local roastery or fx Yellow Bird Coffee in Copenhagen;
 https://spinchy.com/da/shop/los-urena/ 
Tip; figure out if you have a grinder, if not, get the beans grined and not whole-beans. 

10) Cyclist coffee cup

Now when we are talking coffee, then what about a cute coffee cup to fit the lifestyle? There are plenty out there on the internet, but maybe your local bikeshop/cafe has some for sale?