Racing on the Other Side of the Pond - Jean Ann's Report

My first time racing the World Cups in Europe has been a positive and fun experience. Mountain bike racing is a bit of a different thing here. Races take place in town centers. People bus in from all over to watch the races, and cheer on their favorite pros. It is a spectacle, festival, and a lot of fun. The fields are deep, and racers are challenged to race hard for every single position, from start to finish.

Not only was the racing amazing, but being a part of Team Canada was also a special opportunity. The teammates, coach and mechanic were all super positive. We had a fun time with the adventure, beyond just the racing.

World Cup #2: Offenburg Germany
Jean Ann McKirdy 54
Sandra Walter 75

Word Cup #3: Houffalize Belgium
Jean Ann McKirdy 52
Sandra Walter 70

Full results here

Canadian World Cup Team in Offenburg Germany, for World Cup #2.
From left to right: Dan Proux (Coach), Marie Claude Suprenant, Jean Ann McKirdy, Sandra Walter, Mical Dyck, Adam Morka.

The race starts were one of the biggest challenges. The women's field had around 100 starters and the men's over 200! We were both starting mid pack, and the challenge was to make up some places before being funneled into a narrow piece of singletrack where a traffic jam inevitably occurs.

The race courses were rooty, spectator friendly, and always had at least a few very steep chutes. Racing was particularly exciting, as there was always a group of competitors nearby, ready to challenge or be challenged. Here Sandra pedals her way up one of the rooty climbs in Offenburg Germany.

The fans were great. The venues were packed with spectators, beer and waffle stands abounded, and people would line the dirt track encouraging all competitors along the way with horns and bells. Some even wore costumes. Sandra poses between two of the pinkest fans.

The "A" Team
Left is Dan Proux: coach and chauffeur, feeder, manager, all round good guy.
Right is Scott Kelly: mechanic and of course also chauffeur and everything between.
Both quick with a good joke.

Our bikes, lined up, tuned up, and ready to go, Houffalize Belgium.

Besides getting to race some world class events, we also had the chance to see some beautiful places. This is the farm country we were staying in just outside of Houffalize. I loved the quiet roads, hilly farmland and beautiful forest scenery of Belgium.

Local Ride water bottle on the go.

Sandra and I enjoying a good recovery ride in the Belgian countryside. I hope to be back next year!