Styrkeprøven

In the heart of Norway’s rugged terrain, where the air was thick with determination, three members of the Velodoom cycling team embarked on an odyssey that would etch their names into the annals of cycling lore. Vincent, Gustaf, and Mattias had taken on a colossal challenge – the Styrkeprøven, a test of mettle that spanned 560 grueling kilometers from Trondheim to Oslo.

As the sun cast its golden glow over the picturesque landscape, the trio lined up alongside a sea of fellow riders at the starting point. With a sense of both excitement and trepidation, they set off, wheels spinning in harmony with their hearts’ palpitations. The first few hours were a whirlwind of camaraderie and adrenaline, but as the kilometers stretched on, reality began to sink in.

Halfway through, Mattias found himself teetering on the edge of exhaustion, his body pleading for respite. The hills seemed steeper, the wind fiercer, and the road unending. Doubt clouded his thoughts, but it was Vincent who became his beacon of resolve. With a stern yet encouraging gaze, Vincent reminded Mattias of the indomitable spirit that had driven them this far.

Gustaf, strong and steady, served as their anchor. His unwavering presence and steadfast pace provided solace to his comrades, a reminder that they were in this together. Through valleys and peaks, they pressed on, their spirits fueled by the legacy of countless cyclists who had braved this journey before.

As dusk painted the sky in hues of violet and gold, fatigue clung to their muscles like a relentless adversary. But there was no turning back. They could feel the finish line’s magnetic pull, a beacon of triumph drawing them closer.

With just 30 kilometers left, the trio faced their ultimate test. Vincent’s determination was matched only by his grit, but the effort had taken a toll. Blood seeped through his shorts, a testament to the sacrifices made in the name of their shared goal. Yet, with a stoic smile, he rode on, his heart transcending the pain.

Crossing the finish line was a symphony of emotions – relief, elation, and an overwhelming sense of achievement. Vincent’s bleeding wound was no match for his unyielding spirit, Mattias had conquered the abyss of doubt, and Gustaf had led them all with an unspoken strength.

As their tires rolled to a halt, they looked at each other, weary but triumphant. The journey that had begun before sunrise had culminated in a moment of victory, etching their names into the history of the Styrkeprøven. Through blood, sweat, and sheer determination, they had become a part of the enduring legacy that echoed through the ages.

The power of heavy

Igår blev det premiärtur för hela Velodoom med en 70+ km runda. Vädret var fantastiskt och medlemmarna i olika fysisk form. Några har legat i hård träning medan andra legat i soffan. Men i vissa fall så finns det fördelar för soffliggarna, nedförsbackarna! De små lätta hårt tränande medlemmarna kan känna sig som bortblåsta av den soffliggande medlemmen! Som en lastbil är den näst intill ostoppbar i nedförsbacken! 

Hoppet är det sista som lämnar en

Det talesättet används ofta för personer med en stark längtan till något bättre. Idag visar en av Velodooms medlemmar dock att hoppet om vår aldrig lämnar en genom att helt enkelt bestämma sig för att våren anlänt och att landsvägscykeln ska fram för en 35km uppfriskande tur. Med en temperatur på -2 grader i slutet av turen, mycket pannben och en stor portion idioti lyckades Velodooms mest storfrustande medlem tillryggalägga de 35km helt utan vurpor eller parkourliknande lastbilsunderåkningar. Vi får väl säga att det var tur att inga plötsliga händelser uppstod då händer som hade kunnat agera kylklampar åt ett storkök knappas kan bromsa. 

Nu hoppas vi att nästa tur blir mer vår än den senaste vårturen. 

När ChatGPT berättar om vintercykling

There was a cyclist named Max who loved to ride his bike through the park every day. He would wake up early in the morning, put on his helmet and cycling shoes, and set out for his daily ride.

One winter morning, Max woke up to a thick layer of snow covering the ground. He was determined to continue his daily routine, so he bundled up in his warmest cycling gear and set out on his bike.

As he pedaled through the park, he noticed that the ground felt different than usual. It was smooth and slippery, and his tires were having trouble gripping the surface. But Max thought nothing of it and assumed it was just the snow making the ground slick.

As he continued cycling, he noticed that he was gliding more and pedaling less. He looked down and was surprised to see that he was no longer on his bike, but instead, he was wearing ice skates.

Max was confused but continued to glide along the smooth, icy surface. He found that he was actually quite good at ice skating and began to perform tricks and spins, feeling exhilarated.

After some time, Max finally realized that he had accidentally stumbled upon the park’s frozen pond, which had frozen over due to the winter weather. He had been ice skating all along, thinking he was cycling.

Max was amazed by his newfound skill and decided to take up ice skating as a new hobby. He continued to skate every day, feeling grateful for the happy accident that led him to discover a new passion.

From that day on, Max never assumed anything without taking a closer look. He learned to stay open to new experiences and to embrace unexpected changes. And he continued to enjoy both cycling and ice skating, knowing that each brought him a unique joy and sense of freedom.

Vintercykling

Sedan flera år har Velodooms medlemmar cyklat även på vintern. Vintercyklingen består oftast av pendling till och från arbetet på vägar som både är oplogade, plogade, sandade eller sopsaltade. Dessa förutsättningar sliter enormt på cykeln men gör att vårsäsongen aldrig behöver börja eftersom höstsäsongen aldrig har slutat. Benen får dessutom extra utmaning när vindarna ofta är starkare kombinerat med det extra rullmotståndet vinterdäck, sand och snö har.

För den oinvigde vintercyklisten väntar nedkyldhet, avdomnad i nedre regioner, vurpor och växlar som ständigt är dåliga. Det sistnämnda växer däremot aldrig bort av erfarenheten då det av självbevarelsedriften inte lämpar sig att byta kedja och kassett mitt i vintern. Det kan däremot vara en idé att spara gamla kassetter och kedjor inför vintern då de slits snabbt. Så om din granne har en påse med gamla 50-75% slitna drivlinedetaljer som ska slängas så ta hand om dessa och bjud grannen på kaffe som tack! Detta blev min räddning denna vintern när växlarna i veckan gav upp totalt. Så nu sitter det 50% slitna ultegradetaljer på vintercykeln. Mycket trevligt.