It all starts here...

Well here we go. My first blog and the first week on my road to complete mountain bike fitness. Quite a goal, but one I can't wait to embark on.

So why am I doing this? Well, there are many reasons so let me explain.

First, as my 30s have progressed, so has my waistline unfortunately. I guess it comes to us all once we get closer to 40 than 30 but I'm not one to just accept the status quo in any walk of life and the 30's 'spread' is certainly no different. I will always challenge myself and any 'rules of ageing' are, in my opinion, there to be broken...so the 30s expansion has to go! Cycling is a low impact and enjoyable way to both improve my fitness and lose a bit of weight in the process. It also brings me into contact with some real personalities and people I would not otherwise have the pleasure of meeting or knowing.

Secondly, and here's the big one. I love cycling... especially mountain biking. I adore it. It makes me feel alive and de-stresses me.  The adrenaline rush of hitting a downhill trail at full speed, the sound and feel of the air rushing by you, the chattering of the bike as you take rougher terrain harder and faster than ever before and the smell of the fresh woodland air on an early morning ride. Sheer and complete perfection.

So why start the fitness challenge right here and now?  Why not wait until after the Christmas splurge and indulgences? And why not just enjoy the mountain biking without lots of preset goals?

Well, it's the competitor in me to blame. Over the years I've dallied with the odd mountain bike race and endurance event and loved them all but always felt something was missing. A challenge is not a real challenge unless it's a huge one!

To this end, I have always wanted to compete in one of the major international UCI stage races. Day after consecutive day of mud plugging and pushing myself to the absolute limit really appeals to me for some strange reason and so, call it a mid life crisis or sheer madness...I'm finally doing it. I've registered for one of the biggies in 2011. All will become clear in the forthcoming weeks but for now, please believe me when I say...I will need calves of steel, nerves of iron and quite a bit of puff in my lungs....it's going to be tough....and I can't wait.

I won't be alone in my UCI quest though. I'm lucky enough to make my living from the sport with my Marketing, PR and Event Consultancy - Red Cloud MC - giving me the chance to talk bikes and cycling every day of my life. It has also introduced me to some really amazing athletes and some top people. These same people, these same athletes who I have admired for their talent and ability on a bike over the years, are now helping me in my quest for complete bike fitness and the major race day in 2011. Over the coming weeks, I will introduce you to these people as they help take me from weekend warrior to UCI endurance race competitor.

I'd like to invite you along for the ride too. Any help, advice or guidance is always appreciated and hopefully somewhere en route I may be able to help you with your riding too. It's gonna be fun!

And so it begins...

Cheers
Mark