Okay, that was it. 2018 is out the window and we are really almost past the first month of 2019. You know, I could start writing about how busy I’ve been, having no time to update the blog. Despite the fact that that is partially true, I’m not going to do that (at least not yet).

I actually started writing a draft for a post in October. We had just spent 2 weeks in Italy, and after being ill and everything, I was looking towards getting back to training. But I guess then life happened. I think the best way now is to summarize 2018 somehow, and start looking forward. 2019 could be the year in cycling I’ve been waiting for, so a lot to talk about and fuzz about, but I think we’ll begin this journey by breaking down 2018.

I will do the year recap in two blog posts. Why? Well first of all, I want to keep this post “short” and easy to read. Secondly, there are probably many things I want to point out, and many pictures I want to share, so just easier to break it up.

So to begin this lightly, I’ll dive straight to pictures and stories, and take the goals reached and stats in part 2.

Spring

The year started off well. I tracked more hours than ever in January, and got in a decent February as well. And then, after many years, we got to travel to Italy with my bike. I had a bad start to March, but was eager to start putting in some hours in Italy. March usually is already decent weather-wise, but we really didn’t have the weather Gods with us this time.

March

We traveled to Senigallia, and after our arrival, it started snowing in the nearby hills. So it was all but sunny and warm. But I had decided I’d ride, so ride I did. After the snow, the wind picked up, and the region was hit by some stormy weather. So I had to adjust my riding, but managed to track some 18 hours of riding in 5 days.

First day of riding went well, despite lack of sleep

Day 2 was rough. After an hour of riding I started realizing I had a snowy ride ahead

I really had to dig deep. I was cold, tired and really just wanted to get back to the hotel after 5 hours…

The snow was gone day 3, but the winds were really heavy

Day 4 was still windy, so had to adjust my riding accordingly. Visited good ol’ Monte Conero and my old hometown Ancona

Marche really has some enjoyable small hills to ride

The trip was great all in all, despite some really bad luck while travelling and with a really not optimal weather condition. But I guess that just shows you that if you put your mind into something, you can do it.

April

The road cycling season for my part in Finland was opened April 11th. The roads were still partly wet and icy, but the temperature was +6.

The season was opened with the traditional Kakskerta-clockwise

There was still plenty of ice in the Aura river

We also try to make these pre-work rides a tradition each year. Usually we ride early spring, when it’s freaking cold, and when the warm summer mornings arrive, we forget about these. But still, already looking forward to freeze my toes during these rides.

At the end of April, I could already wear short gloves, since it was already +10 degrees..

May

The month started with rainy weather, but then it all changed, and eventually we had a superb summer weather-wise. May 9th marked the first ride with short sleeves and a few days later I did my “welcome-summer” -ride. That’s the annual ride I do, it’s always the same route, and what’s special about it, is that I listen to Vikingarna, during the whole ride. The route is some +100 km, meaning I listen to Vikingarna for almost 4 hours. The weather must be really like summer, and this is serious in a way that several criteria need to be met before I can do this ride. I also had Sebu visiting me for a Kakskerta-ride during May, and that was really great fun.

One of the great mornings in May, with birds singing putting your mind at ease.

First ride in short sleeves was ridden around Kakserta, May 9th.

Gotta love the light green spring colors

Guess he enjoyed Kakskerta. Well who wouldn’t!

The most beautiful part of Finland - Archipelago

Can’t wait to get to see these views again

So, to keep this “short” I'll end the first part of the 2018 wrap-up here. I hope you enjoyed it. Stay tuned, more to come!

‘til next time!

Wrapping up 2018 - Part 1

Spring

March

April

May