Being grounded

The new Michelin tire range is now available for everyone who wants to try out these world-class tires. On my team, KMC-Orbea, have we been riding them for a while now, and we all loved them. The feedback we had from the previous range were taken into account and personally I find the new ones awesome to ride. So. There’re the ‘Michelin Jet XC2 racing line’ for fast and mostly dry trails, then we have ‘Force XC2 racing line’ for when the trails get sticker and steeper​

(I often choose this in the front for extra grip) and last we got the ‘Wild XC racing line’ which is a bigger tire that really can handle some more slippery tracks- those were my weapon of choice for the Olympics. I wanted to make a write’ about the new tire range of Michelin, because when I thought about the new tires my brain started to think about being grounded, finding grip - what does it even mean? And can we have more of that? ​

Making the good choices (also regarding tires, hah) are so crucial. You gotta get the grip on your nerves and the dirt. ​

Google says that being grounded means that you are connected with earth and present in your body. If you aren’t grounded, you're like a leaf in the wind - thrown off balance real quick. Next google search: “What does it mean for a person to be grounded?” Mentally stable, realistic, remains calm and connected to who you are in the face of uncertainty.
Hm. ​

---

Being grounded is such a rad personality trait. Like people who can stay calm (and cool) and doesn’t get thrown off balance when things doesn’t appear the way they wanted them to, are always impressive. I think in elite sport, you got to work on your grounded-ness.
Going on course practice on a muddy day when nothing is going your way, but staying present, calm and finding the grip. Making the good choices (also regarding tires, hah) are so crucial. You gotta get the grip on your nerves and the dirt. ​

I don’t think it’s possible to always have the perfect travel, training, workday, off-day, race day, you name it, but I think it’s always possible to take a breath and find your ground. I want to be more grounded - not a leaf that easily get thrown off balance. That’s something to work on this season.

Now step one - find the right tire set up, so I can feel grounded on my bike - everyday.

/Malene​