Faget Maraton 2013

In every season comes a race before you can't sleep. For me its one of the first races in the seasons or the nationals. The nationals are a bit away, but the Faget Marathon was held last weekend so i had some sleeping problems. Well couldn't do much about it, i was nervous, what can i say. New year, new team, new bike, new goals and lets say it, better results expected. I only saw the design of the new kit, didn't had the chance to try it on. But arriving in Cluj on day before the race, managed to take my registration pack, and later the evening my racing kit. What can i say? Gorgeous. I like the material, like how it feels, seems a bit small to me but i like it aerodynamic :D 

In the morning before the race i made my rituals, and went on sight. Was pretty hot outside, didn't do much warm up, just waited for the start, to much time without racing. At first i thought the short trackers will start separate but at the and the pulled all of us together. This part i didn't like that much. Right after the start the police car got held up, and everyone spread in hundreds of directions. What can i say, got a bit messy but in a few seconds everything got back normal, and we had a huge sprint on the tarmac towards the forest. Separate starting helps a lot to avoid start crashes. Many rookies mixed up with some assholes how just don't know how to ride in peloton, cause unpleasant events. Luckily got away with no scratches. 

Did not know in which place i'm rolling, so took the 110% tactic, as the race started with 15 km , 7 degree average climb. Was a bit uncomfortable to roll in 110% mode, but i felt ok, had some problems with some youngsters who are becoming pretty fast, but i'm not that old also, so was nice to battle. After the race we had almost only descents, here i started to have some tiny problems with my brakes. I did not manage to brake correctly before the corners and went through a few times. Soon i will upgrade them. I lost a few seconds with this problem, but as i got back on track pulled hard on the pedals and kept on going. Was a bit frustrating to lose the hard earned positions. Before the last climb my tube and pump fell of my bike and had to stop to get them. A rider passed me, as i found out later in the finish he was the winner of my category. I almost had it....damn. So back in saddle, fight goes on. The last climb is coming, but shoot!! i didn't rest a bit for it. I started on bike but could not make it on it so pushed till the end, 3 riders passed me luckily only one of them was in my category. Tried to catch him but the climb took my last reserve of energy. On the downhill i enjoyed the advantages of the 29er wheels and finished the race in 1:39, 3rd in my category and 13th overall. Almost achieved my goals, but being so close, makes me optimistic in the future.

Nice race, nice track, nice organization nice ride. 

Many thanks to my family for support, thanks Ioana for being number one fan of mine, thanks INTERTEAM for the logistics and administration, thanks NUTREND for nutritional supplements and many thanks KROSS for my awesome ride. 

See you at the 11th Buda Marathon in Budapest.

Cheers.

Nephew

CJP - FAGET MARATHON 2012

M-am gandit ca o sa fie un alt maraton, doar ca mai lung de data asta. Este a doua incercare a mea de a termina un maraton lung. Ce-i drept am reusit de data asta.

La inceput e de mentinut ca aproape toata saptamana o infectie mi-a afectat antrenamentele, defapt mi-a anulat 2 din ele. Pana sambata nici n-am reusit sa pedalez.  Duminica dimineata pe la 7:30 impreuna cu Horatiu si Alin, amandoi iubitori de senzatii tari, si cu prietena mea ne-am dus spre Cluj. Drumul a trecut repede, am ajuns cu bine, am dat o fuga pana la inscriere, ne-am ridicat pachetul de start, repede o fuga pana in mall, dupa care m-am schimbat in costum de concurs. Eli de la Marossport m-a ajutat cu ceva geluri energizante, pe care nu le gasesti asa de usor oriunde, si mi-a dat un GPS-device prin care ma urmareau in timpul concursului. Repede am facut cateva miscari de incalzire si m-am aliniat la start pentru a porni cat mai din fata. Punctual, s-a dat si startul si lumea a pornit in forta, noroc cu masina politiei care mergea in fata, de data asta cu viteza decenta. Au oprit masini pe unde apareau, pe drumul principal, pe drumuri laterale, THANKS POLICE!! Dupa vre-un kilometru de asfalt s-a urcat brusc in padure, aici am avut ceva probleme cu cei din fata, ca era inghesuiala si trebuia sa cobor de pe bike. Dupa ce am urcat s-a dezlantuit iadul. A venit o urcare mai mult fals-plata, si fiecare rula in viteza. N-am avut ce face, n-am vrut sa raman in urma, am incercat sa-mi gasesc ritmul cu care puteam sa tin pasul. Spre norocul meu m-am adaptat repede si am inceput chiar sa depasesc oameni, fara ca sa depun un efort prea mare. Am mai fost si eu depasit, dar eu aveam cativa concurenti in tinta si pe ei vroiam sa-i las in urma sau macar sa-i ajung din urma. Urcarea asta mi-a placut cel mai mult, pentru incalzire a fost suficient. Spre norocul meu la coborari mai ajung din urma pe cativa concurenti iar la urcari am incercat sa ma tin cat mai aproape de ei. Undeva la kilometrul 20-25 l-am ajuns pe un concurent de la Tibiscus, prima data credeam ca e Pantani. A avut ceva probleme tehnice cred, si dupa ce a urcat pe bike a pornit sa recupereze locul pierdut.  M-am tinut dupa el ca doar nu o sa las o sansa ca asta sa treaca pe langa mine, si imi simteam si picioarele capabile sa tine ritmul. Ma bucura si faptul ca nu eram in aceiasi categorie deci o sa ne ajutam, facand schimbul la trena. Dupa vreo 2 kilometrii am ajuns intr-un sat, pe numele Comsesti, mergeam cu viteza destul de mare,   si dintr-o data o explozie ciudata. Nu-mi venea sa cred, anvelopa din spate s-a spart in lateral. Era un cauciuc nou, dar model vechi. Din pacate am optat pentru varianta asta din doua motive, model nou e scump, si ce aveam in dotare era prea folosit deja pentru terenul maratonului. A mai aparut inca o problema, mi-am lasat pompa in masina, da Murphy atotputernicule, trebuie tot timpul sa te arati, chiar si cand n-am pompa. Satenii au fost foarte ajutatori au sarit una doua, sa ma ajute, mi-au adus pompa dar din pacate cu valva de masina :(. Dar cum treceau concurentii, un prieten de a lui Radu Vadan mi-a aruncat pompa lui, deci am fost salvat. Repede am cerut un cutit, mi-am taiat  camara veche, am scos valva si am lasat ce a ramas in anvelopa sa pot sa pun alta camera. Am uflat roata si am vazut ca iese putin camera pe gaura dar o sa ma tina pana la punctul de alimentare. Am pornit si lent, lent am ajuns la PA 2, vroiam sa abandonez ca doar am pierdut locuri bune. Cei de la PA mi-au zis ca ori ma intorc ori continui drumul ca doar sunt la cel mai indepartat punct al concursului. Sah, Mat! Am vrut sa abandonez, vroiam sa-mi las bicicleta, pur si simplu am pierdut prea mult. M-am hotarat, ma duc la urmatorul PA si o sa vad de acolo ce fac. Am mers incet dupa care am vazut ca roata nu se dezumfla si chiar se tine bine. Am ridicat ritmul, si am inceput sa revin in cursa, am depasit cativa concurenti, am inceput sa sper ca daca nu o sa fiu in top 10 macar sa termin in top 15.  Ajuns la urmatorul PA, am alimentat cu apa si am continuat. Well dupa o ora de pedalat s-a rupt filmul si au inceput sa ma doare mainile de la arsuri m-am simtit putin ametit, dar am continuat. Cu gelurile eram foarte atent ca terminam apa foarte repede, si nu puteam sa inghit oricand un gel. La fiecare 50 de minute cate unul, am ajuns sa terminat 3 pliculete, ca restul nu-mi venea sa inghit. Am continuat traseul n-am mai vrut sa abandonez, vroiam doar sa termin. Soarel m-a stors de-a totului. Am oprit la umbra unui tufis si am stat intins un pic. Mi-am revenit, am continuat. Am mai avut urcarea infernala a traseuilui, incredibil de abrubt, WOW. Oare a fost cineva care a pedalat pe partea asta? Probabil. Trebuia sa ma opresc la o umbra, tot veneau oamenii si ma intrebau daca ma simt bine si sa cheme ajutor, am zis, vreau doar sa termin. Interesant a fost ca tot mai multi oameni ma recunosc, si ma-u strigat pe nume. Dupa 10 minute de odihna, am continuat si am inceput ultima coborare a traseului, frumos cum a descris si LEVI. Si asa am terminat in 5:32 un traseu de 72 de km si 2300 m diferenta de nivel, pe locul 21 la categoria mea si 53 overall. Nu sunt mandru de mine si de rezultat dar am invatat 2 chestii importante, sa iau mereu  cu mine pompa, si urcarea pe bike Cyclocross style ca doar erau portiuni de push-bike.

Organizare buna, semne-marcaje din belsug, puncturi de alimentare bine aprovizionate, vreme buna o duminica reusita.

Multumesc Horatiu si Alin pentru logistica, mersi Ioana pentru sustinere morala, mersi Eli pentru geluri, Gabor pentru filmari. A fost un concurs GREU.

I thought it would be another marathon, only the longer one this time. It is my second attempt to finish a long-distance marathon. Well, I did it at last.
First  to mention, that almost all week an infection affected my training, I actually canceled 2 of them. Till Saturday I did not managed to pedal. Sunday morning at 7:30 with Horatiu and Alin, both sensation-hunters, and my girlfriend  went to Cluj. The journey to Cluj passed quickly, we arrived safely and I ran to the registration tent, got a peek in to the mall, then I changed into race-costume. Eli from Marossport helped me with some energy gels, it's really hard to find some in this area, thenafter he gave me a GPS device, i was followed during the race. I did some warm-up exercises, after it I lined up to start. At eleven o'clock sharp, we had the start and the competitors started in force, luckyily that the police car went before, this time with decent speed. They stopped every car that appeared on the main road or side road, POLICE, THANKS! After one kilometer of asphalt the frontgroup has skyrocketed in the woods, where we had some problems with some guys in the front, it was crowded and had to get off the bike. After we got there the hell unleashed, and everybody ran at a high pace. I had to do the same, I wanted to stay behind them, I tried to find my rhythm and pace so I could keep up. Luckily, I quickly adapted and began to pass some riders without much effort. The climbing that came I liked most, it was enough for my warm up. Luckily on the descents i cought up on some competitors and then on climbings I tried to keep as close as possible to them. Somewhere at  20-25km I got behind a rider from Tibiscus, Pantani!! was my first thought, but it was one of his teammates. He had some technical problems I think, and after he got on the bike, we started to recover the positions he lost. I kept it after him, i had a good opportunity, and my legs felt able to keep the pace. The rider wasn't in my category, so we could help each other, sharing the trail. After about two km we reached a village, Comsesti, at very high speed, and suddenly a strange explosion. I couldn't believe it, my rear tire burst on the side. It was a new tire, but an old model. Unfortunately i opted for this for two reasons, the new model is expensive, and the one i had already was too used  for this marathon. Then a small problem appeared, I left the pump in the car, so "Murphy Almighty", do you have to show yourself at any possible occasion, even when I forget my pump? The villagers were very helpful, and jumped in a second to help me, gave me a pump but unfortunately the valve did not match. But as riders went by, a friend of Radu Vadan threw me his pump, so I've been saved. Quickly I asked for a knife, I cut the old tube, I pulled the valve and put the new one inside right next to the old one, so it won't explode again. I inflated the wheel and saw that the rubber has a little cut on the sidewall, but the tube isn't gettin out so I continued till the closest feed point. I arrived slowly to CP 2, I just wanted to abandon. Most of the guys from CP2 told me that i could go back or continue the track because i was at the farest point of the race. Checkmate! I decided to go to the next CP and from there i'll see what im gonna do. I went slowly, but then I saw that the wheel does not deflate. I lifted the pace, and started back in the race, I passed some riders, I hoped that i will  be in top 15 at the end of the race. Arrived at the next CP, I supplied myself with water and continued. Well after an hour of riding, the film broke and my hands started to burn and to hurt, I felt a little dizzy, but I continued. Till then, I took the gels  very carefuly, but finished my water very quickly, and I could not swallow any gel after that hour. I went on, thenafter I've never wanted to abandon , I just wanted to finish. The sun squeezed everything out of me. I stopped in the shade of a bush and stretched a bit. I stood up, then I continued. I had a hellish last steep climb, WOW. Did someone,  ride on this climb on the bike? probably! I had to stop in the shadow, many riders came and asked me if I felt good and should they call for help. I just wanted to finish.It was a bit akward that more and more people recognize me, and I call me by name. After 10 minutes of resting, I continued and started the final descent, beautiful as described and by LEVI. And so I finished in 5:32 a route of 72 km and 2300 m height difference, 21st in my category and 53 Overall. I'm not proud of myself and the result, but I learned two important things, next I'll take the pump with me, and managed to hop on the bike cyclocross style.
Good organization, plenty of signs and markings, well supplied feed zones, good weather and a successful Sunday.
Thanks Horatiu and Alin for the logistics , thanks Ioana for supporting me moraly, thanks Eli for the carbo-gels, Gabor for filming. It was a tough race.

Maros Bike XCO Cup 2012

Al doilea concurs de anul asta, pentru mine, a fost Cupa Maros XCO din padurea Faget, Cluj-Napoca.
Evitand superlativele, pot sa spun ca editia asta a concursului Maros Bike XCO, a fost foarte reusita din punctul de vedere a unui concurent amator si a unui de spectator.
Editia actuala a fost mutata mai devreme si imi era frica de vremea ploioasa. Cu noroc am ajuns cu doua nopti inainte de concurs in Cluj si m-am odihnit pentru antrenamentul de vineri. Inainte de pranz m-am intalnit cu antrenorul meu, si ne-am dus pe traseu sa vedem ce ne-au pregatit cei de la Maros Bike, in afara de ce stiam din anii trecuti. In mare parte a fost acelasi traseu dar au mai aparut sectiuni modificate, si alte linii de abordat. Chiar antrenorul mi-a atras atentia asupra catorva linii interesante care te ajuta sa-ti mentii elanul sau viteza. Ajuta enorm de mult sa te consulti cu cineva care face asta de ani buni. Am exersat liniile, sectiunile dificile si incercam sa fac sa-mi iasa totul bine. A fost o zi reusita pentru mine pe traseu, dar nu si pentru antrenorul meu, caruia i s-a defectat frana, ("damn"o frana noua si  tare scumpa). A trebuit sa-si schimbe frana complet.
Vineri seara a inceput sa ploua lasand teama mea sa se adevereasca, eram fara cauciucuri de noroi, pe langa astea eram pregatit mai mult pentru praf si pietre.  Norocul nostru ca totusi nu a plouat toata noaptea, dimineata am gasit traseul intr-o stare destul de acceptabila, dar si asa mi-a alunecat roata din fata de vreo 2 ori, si la urcari am pedalat in gol. Dupa start am pornit foarte bine, am mers cu primii concurenti aproape pana in capatul primei ture. Sectiunea Phoo-tai mi-a venit de hac si anul asta, m-a scos total din echilibru. In rest am parcurs ok tot traseul, pe liniile alese la antrenament. Pe la jumatatea turei a doua mi s-a intamplat ceva ciudat, si am inceput sa pierd pozitie cu pozitie, eram depasit de concurenti. Am facut cateva gafe din care o sa invat si sper ca in viitor sa nu le mai repet.
Dupa desfasurarea competitiei pentru amatori, a urmat concursul rachetelor (elite), ei urmareau puncte pentru calificari la Jocurile Olimpice. Au participat rideri destul de importanti din Ungaria, Slovacia, Serbia, Polonia, Germania, si normal si din tara noastra. Concursul a fost castigat de ungurul Andras Parti, urmat de campionul Poloniei. Parti s-a impus cu un avans de 2 minute. In urma lor au fost lupte acerbe intre participanti (Buruczki, Juhasz, Blazso, Sonntag). Fiecare isi juca tactica si vroia sa-si arate albul dintilor, dar a fost ziua lui Parti care a facut o demonstratie de forta. Simt ca acest concurs ia amploare in fiecare an si cred ca in scurt timp o sa devine un eveniment important in zona Est-Europeana.
Anul asta n-am reusit sa ma autodepasesc dar simt ca evoluez, si cu antrenamentele constante sper sa am si rezultate in scurt timp. E prima oara cand concurez pe sistemul 2x9 si pot sa spun ca e fenomenal, trebuie un antrenament mai serios dar, cu siguranta este mai eficient decat cu 3 foi.
A fost un concurs si un eveniment pe cinste, cu prieteni, biciclisti amatori, profesionisti (legitimati de talie de cupa mondiala), abia astept editia viitoare 'to let it roll'. Ma bucur ca ne indreptam catre ceva mai bun, macar la MTB.
Multumesc prietenilor, colegilor  si celor care m-au sustinut de pe margine si m-au ajutat, mersi Marci pentru bikesetup si sfaturi, mersi Eli de cadou - un gest surprinzator, multumesc Freestylesport - magazinul care ma sustine, si o nota de 10 pentru cei care au venit sa faca poze si sa transforme acest eveniment intr-unul de neuitat. Locul 12  e un inceput bn.

The second competition this year for me was the Maros Cup XCO in Faget Forest, near Cluj-Napoca.
Avoiding superlatives, I can say that this edition of the contest , has been very successful in terms of an amateur competitor and a spectator too.
The current edition has been moved earlier and I was a bit afraid of rainy weather. With luck I arrived two nights before the race in Cluj and rested for friday's track inspection. Before lunch I met with my coach, and we went on the track to see what the guys from Maros Bike prepared, except I knew from previous years. The track was almost the same with some modified sections, and other lines to approach. Even the coach drew my attention to some interesting lines that could help me keep the momentum and speed. It helps enormously to consult with someone, who is doing this for years. We rehearsed the lines, the difficult sections and it worked out all right. It was a success for me on the track, but not for my coach, whos right brake system leaked("damn" a new and very expensive brake), it had to be changed completely.
Friday night it started to rain, leaving my fear come true, had no mud-tires, besides I was more prepared for dust and rocks. Lucky for us that it hasn't rained all night, and in the morning  found the trail quite acceptable, but even so my front wheel slipped 2 times, and in the climbings i was pedalling empty. After the start I went very well  with the runners almost to the end of the first lap. The Phoo-tai section took me completely out of balance. Otherwise went all the way ok, the lines chosen on practice went also ok. In the second half of lap 2 something strange happened to me, and I began to lose position by position. I made some blunders from which i have to learn and hopefully will not repeat them in the future .
After the competition for the amateurs, the rocket contest followed (Elite), they raced for Olympics qualifying points. Very important riders participated  from Hungary, Slovakia, Serbia, Poland, Germany, and from our country. The race was won by Hungarian rider Andras Parti, followed by the polish champion. Party has won with an advance of 2 minutes. Behind them were fierce battles between the participants (Buruczki, Juhasz, Blazso, Sonntag). Each played their tactics and wanted to show their skills. It seems that the competition got tougher every year and I think that soon it will become an important event in the East European region.
This year I didn't managed to overcome my latest results but i'm evolving, and with constant training hope to have good results soon. It's my first time competing with the 2x9 system and I can say it's phenomenal, needs a serious workout but certainly more effective than 3 chainrings.
It was a good race event with friends, amateur and professional cyclists(World Cup class). I just can't wait for the future 'to let it roll'. I'm glad that we're heading towards something better, even if only in MTB.
Many thanks to my friends, colleagues and those who cheered, supported and helped me on the sideline and , thanks  coach for my bikesetup and tech-tips, thanks Eli fro the gift - a surprising gesture, thanks Freestylesport - the store which supports me all the time, and 10+ for those who came to take pictures and turn the race into a memorable event. 12th place its not a bad start.

2012 CJP 1. Et.

Unul din cele mai asteptate momente dintr-un sezon este primul concurs. Anul acesta a fost cel din Cluj-Napoca, prima etapa din seria Clujul Pedaleza. Nu m-am asteptat sa fie atat de reusit traseul si atmosfera. M-am simtit enorm de bine, probabil a contat si faptul ca ii cunosc pe multi din participanti si organizatori. Mai cam toata lumea a luat acest concurs ca si un antrenament, la fel am procedat si eu. In afara de 2 coborari traseul a fost de "fuga". Eu am ales o tactica foarte neinspirata, am concurat cu cauciucuri prea moi si dupa start m-am lasat prea usor depasit, gandindu-ma ca spre final recuperez. N-a fost sa fie. Am ramas blocat dupa cineva, si tarziu am observat dupa pulsul meu ca mergeam prea incet. Portiunea tehnica am parcurs-o cu brio dar cam incet. In total am facut un antrenament bun si sper sa evoluez treptat. Alte impresii in  videoul atasat mai jos.

On of the most anticipated moments in the season is the first race. This year was the one in Cluj-Napoca, Clujul Pedaleza series, the first round. I never expected that this event could be so successful. I felt enormously good, probably it mattered that I knew many of the participants and organizers. Almost everyone took this competition as a workout, as I have done. Apart from two descent sections was "run"-race. I chose a very uninspired tactic, soft tires, I left the other racers too easily to pass, thinking to recover till the finish. It wasn't ment to be. I got stuck after someone, and later I noticed that my pulse droped after pedalling too slowly. I took the techncal sections successfully but kinda slow. In total i had a good workout and I hope to evolve gradually. Other impressions in the video attached below.

C.P. et. VI.

   Ultimul concurs din an pentru mine a fost cel din Cluj, si anume ultima etapa din Cupa Clujul Pedaleaza. Daca ar trebui sa scriu un motto cu care m-am pregatit pentru concurs, ar fii "sa trec pe partea intunecata a fortei", adica sa pedalez noaptea, pentru ca si concursul a fost unul nocturn. Ajuns sambata dupa masa cu trenul meu "personal", am avut prilejul sa-mi vad o parte din familie. Dupa care m-am echipat pentru si m-am indreptat catre concurs. Am ramas surprins ca foarte multi paraseau deja fata locului, probabil din cauza frigului. Avansatii repede si-au facut turele, asa ca si cei de la elite au luat startul la fix. Numai ca din senin a disparut toata lumea. Au ramas cativa organizatori si prietena mea care m-a incurajat in fiecare tura, sustinandu-ma cu "te descurci foarte bine". A mai fost cineva care ma incuraja cu: "Hai martianule!". Multam mult, mi-a placut la nebunie strigatul.

Concursul a fost unul reusit zic eu, a fost ca si intr-o familie, deja ne cunoastem cu cei din categorie. Am facut cinci ture si ne-am dus la Polus, ca sa urmarim acordarea premiilor pe etapa si pe general. Traseul a fost spectaculos atat datorita marcajelor fluorescente cat si din cauza ca am pedalat mai mult singur si am putut savura din plin. Pacat ca n-am putut sa ma tin dupa nimeni, dar asta sper sa se schimbe la anul.

Multumesc Clujului Pedaleaza, multam  Levi & Co., si celor care au ramas pentru a incurajari. E fain la Cluj, ne vedem la anul, precis. Levi, keep it goin!!!

MBM 2011 Report

Dupa o saptamana, am ajuns sa relatez despre acest eveniment foarte reusit. Am plecat din Oradea cam nepregatit dar totusi cu sperante mari, traseul il cunosteam de anul trecut, in afara de mica schimbare dupa ultimul PC. Logistica de calatorie am reusit sa o fac impreuna cu Costi, un prieten-biciclist care venea din Timisoara si m-a luat cu masina pana in CJ. Drumul a trecut repede, din moment ce nu duceam lipsa de teme de discutii. Seara mi-am pregatit bita, presiune in roti, profilul traseului. Dimineata m-am intalnit din nou cu Costi ca sa mergem din Cluj pana in Gilau. Ajunsi acolo i-am urat noroc si am inceput sa ma incalzesc putin, sa-mi salut prietenii veniti la concurs si sa ma aliniez la start. Incerc tot timpul sa ma asez in fata la linia de start, ca sa nu ma incurc in primii kilometri. Startul a fost putin cam aiurea, dar am reusit sa scap destul de bine, si mi-am promis sa nu trag pe prima urcare si sa nu ma iau dupa nimeni ca sa am forta la urcarile grele. Dupa 7-8 kilometri picioarele imi erau destul de incalzite pentru ca sa schimb viteza si totodata si ritmul. La primul PC nu m-am oprit ca mai aveam apa si eram si bine aprovizionat inca de la start. La coborarea dupa primul PC frigul m-a scos putin din ritm dar am compensat cu un pedalat mai in forta. Noul cadru si furca Recon faceau o treaba buna, ma simteam foarte comod pe bicicleta, doar saua imi dadea dureri. A doua urcare a inceput cu bine, am ramas pe bicicleta, pana si-a pierdut echilibrul cineva din fata mea si am fost obligat sa ma opresc si sa imping mai departe bicicleta. Dupa vreo 100 m am reusit sa urc inapoi si sa pedalez mai departe pe urcarea abrubta. Picioarele pedalau foarte bine, chiar m-am gandit ca o sa castig cateva locuri, asta inainte sa ajung la Creasta Paltinei, unde iar trebuia sa ma dau jos cativa metri ca sa nu fortez prea tare picioarele. Inapoi in sa, mi-am revazut colegul de echipa VSO, Dumitru, anul asta spectator/ fotograf, care zicea ca sunt cam la 20 de minute fata de primii. O fi fost adevarat sau nu, mi-a dat un impuls si am inceput sa invart pedala si mai tare. Ajuns in varf a inceput coborarea cea mai extenuanta a traseului. La final abia mai puteam tine ghidonul, m-am cam lasat dus de val. Ajuns pe asfalt m-am odihnit, cativa clujeni au stat pe marginea de drum si facusera galerie, chestie foarte rara intalnita la un maraton, respect. Undeva dupa partea de asfalt a fost PC 2 unde m-am oprit sa iau o banana si vreo 2 pahare de isotonice, mi s-a umplut bidonul cu apa, si am inceput a treia urcare, cea mai grea dupa parerea mea. Pe asta am reusit sa o traversez complet pe bicicleta, fapt ce ma bucura enorm. Undeva aici m-am intalnit si cu masina oficiala a concursului condusa de Eli, si el ne striga sa pedalam. Dupa ce am absolvit si urcarea asta am coborat spre asfalt. In momentul in care am iesit de pe asfalt am simtit ca mi se inmoaie roata din spate. Am crezut ca am facut un snakebite, repede m-am oprit sa-mi schimb camera, si dupa cateva minute am fost inapoi pe bita, m-a prins un rider de la Geiger care mi-a promis sa facem trenuletzul si sa recuperam cateva pozitii. Chiar la momentul potrivit a sosit ajutorul. Am ajuns la PC 3 iar el s-a oprit si eu am pedalat mai departe. Ghinion, iara, pana roata spate. Repede roata jos, petic rece a'la Park Tools, si am pornit iara. S-a lasat iara dupa 5 metri. Petic pe cealalt camera, dar si aia s-a lasat. Am pornit pe janta goala, dar spre norocul meu a venit concurentul nr. 403 si mi-a oferit o camera pe care n-o pot multumi destul de mult. Asa pierzind vreo 40 de minute cu probleme, am pornit spre ultimi 10 km. Am asteptat sectiunea noua de care imi povestea Eli. Un big "NICE" pentru organizatori, foarte tehnic si spectaculos. M-a facut sa uit de problemele tehnice. Am terminat chiar pe 100 overall. Sunt nemultumit de rezultat, dar asta e. Nu m-am lasat si am reusit sa termint fara cazaturi sau alte probleme. Organizare super buna, traseu frumos, tehnic, spectaculos, vremea ideala pentru concurs. M-am si intalnit cu lume buna, am avut si pepene verde. In timpul concursului am consumat 3 geluri, 2 flacoane de isotonice si 3 camere. Multumesc lui Costi pentru drum, multumesc tuturor celor care au accesat linkul Marosbike de pe blogul meu, organizatorilor pentru eveniment si Freestylesport pentru echipare, cauciucurile Maxxis Crossmark si Aspen au facut treaba buna. La anul ne revedem.

Clujul Pedaleaza et. II Skoda

Egy ujabb hetvege, egy ujabb versennyel. Helyszin: Kolozsvar, Colina Park. Kolozsvar teker, masodik Skoda-etap. Ujra a profikkal tekerhettem. Most tobben gyultunk ossze, 27-en voltunk "szakik" kategoriaban. Jo tapasztalni hogy lassan az XCO versenyek is teret kapnak a versenynaptarban es nemcsak a maratonok. Ezennel is koszonet Levinek a kezdemenyezesert.

Egy gyors vonatozas Nagyvaradrol Kolozsvarra. Delutani erkezes, utana meg terepszemle. Nehezebb palyat keszitettek mint amire szamitottam, de ez igy volt rendjen, fejlodni kell. Elsore rosszul mentem vegig a palyan, de hamarosan Vlad utbaigazitott es tekertunk egy kort egyutt. Egy kanyart sikerult benezzek amibol vegul csak karcolas maradt. Utana meg probalgattam kulon a szekciokat es meg is volt a terepszemle. Mehettem haza a hugomhoz. Este egy kis varosnezes utan jott a szereles, allitgatas es a megerdemelt alvas. Reggel szerencsere nem kellett koran kellnem mert az en kategoriam indult legutoljara valamiko del korul. Nyugodt reggelizes es laza tekeres a verseny helyszinere. Kicsit elhuzodott a start de pont jol jott a tolodas mert kozben leeresztett a hatsokerekem. Johetett a panik, mert nem volt nalam abszolut semmi, mivel tulsagosan biztam abban hogy a bringam optimalisra van beallitva es semmi nem tortenhet versenykozben(ahany versenyen indulta soha nem volt gumi-defektem). Most is elotte tortent, csak hogy ne romoljon a statisztika. Mazlim volt hogy Eli ideatta utolso racelight belsojet, ezennel is koszi. 

A star hirtelen tortent, rosszul voltam pozicionalva es picit beragadtam a sipszonal. A start utan egy becsapos nyujott emelkedo jott amin nem tudtam megfelelo sebesseg kombinacioval menni, es hezert hol kicsi hol kozep tanyerral mentem. Ezutan meg egy apro domb jott hogy kibillentsen a ritmusbol utana meg hab a tortan minden, sok le-fel-le-fel, meg egy kis aszfalt(pfuj) is jutott. A finish elott volt meg egy nyujtott emelkedo ami szinten kiszedte a maradekot belolem. Roviden: szuper palya volt, latszott hogy dolgozva volt rajta gratulalok a rendezoknek. Vegul 16. helyen vegeztem. 

Koszonet a szervezoknek, kosz Eli a belsot, kosz  Vlad a tanacsod es a rajtszamot, kosz Levi & co. a szervezest, kosz Ioana a szurkolasert, kosz a Freestylesport-nak a kulsokert, kosz Andras a szervizert

Inca un weekend, inca un concurs. Locatia: Cluj-Napoca, parcul Colina. Clujul Pedaleaza etapa II Skoda. Iar am avut sansa sa pedalez alaturi de elita mtb-ului din tara. Ne-am adunat mai multi decat la etapa anterioara, acum am fost 27 de "experti". E bine de vazut ca XCO-ul castiga teren si adepti in acelas timp. Mersi mult Levi pentru initiativa. Cu un tren "accelarand" din Oradea am ajuns repede in Cluj dupa masa si imediat m-am dus pe traseu sa-l "recunosc". Prima tura am parcurs-o gresit, dupa care Vlad mi-a aratat traseul corect si am facut o tura impreuna. Intr-o curba dupa o coborare mi-am adunat cateva juluituri dar nimic serios. Dupa care ne-am dus sa ne dam pe sectiuni. Dupa recuonasterea traseului m-am dus acasa. Seara am iesit putin la plimbare, acasa am mai schimbat setarile, am mai reglat ceva la bitza dupa care a venit somnul bine meritat. Spre norocul meu nu trebuia sa ma trezesc devreme pentru ca startul la experti era ultimul, deci puteam sa mananc linistit si micul dejun. Am pornit spre concurs prin orasul plin de soferi de duminica. Startul a intarziat putin, spre norocul meu, pentru ca am facut pana. Eu fiind ferm convins ca nu se poate sa am ceva probleme de genul (la nici un concurs nu am avut pana de cauciuc)  nu mi-am adus absolut nimic. Spre norocul meu, Eli de la Team Marossport mi-a imprumutat ultima lui camera racelight, mersi mult.

Startul a fost din senin, nu m-am asezat bine si am ramas blocat putin. Dupa start  venea o urcare pe care nu mi-am gasit combinatia optima de viteze, asa ca ba mergeam cu foaia mica ba cu cea mijlocie. Dupa care a urmat inca o urcare mica care m-a scos din ritm, iar dupa asta a urmat cireasa de pe tort, sus-jos-sus-jos, si putin asfalt (pfui). Inainte de finish am mai avut o urcare prelungita care a mai scos ce a mai ramas in mine. Pe scurt, super traseu, s-a vazut ca a fost lucrat mult pe el, felicitari organizatorilor. Am terminat pe locul 16.

Multumesc organizatorilor, mersi Eli pentru camera, multam Vlad de sfat si numarul de concurs, multumes Levi & Co. pentru organizare, mersi Ioana de sustinere, multumesc Freestylesport pentru cauciucuri, si mersi Andrei pentru setari si service.

Maros Bike XCO Cup - UCI C2 2011

Egy sikeresnek mondhato hetvegen vagyok tul. Kolozsvaron voltam a Maros Bike XCO Cup UCI C2-es besorolasu Cross Country versenyen. Csutortokon felutaztam mar Kolozsvarra hogy kiprobaljam a verseny elott a palyat, no meg segitsek a Maros-csapatnak a palya-elokeszitesben. Pentek del korul a startnal talalkoztam Eli-vel es Iuliaval, kesobb megerkezett Nicu is a Marossport-tol, vele keszitettem el a Startloop-ot. Lassan megerkeztek mas segitok is, a profi csapatok is jottek edzeni. Szep szamban volt profi versenyzo, magyar valogatott, szerb valogatott, a roman elit, volt szlovak es spanyol resztvevo is. Pentek delutanra megerkeztek a varadi tarsaim, Andras, Anna es VSO csapattarsaim Zaki meg Norbi. Korbejartuk a palyat megbeszeltuk a megbeszelni valot utana nyomas pihenni. Szombat reggel talalkozo, irany a palya, egy gyenge bemelegites es irany a startvonal. Jol startolam, 3-ik kent mentem at a celvonalon, Andras elottem, es a kesobbi gyoztes legelol. Paran megoleztek mert iszonyu hajsza volt az elejen, tartottam magam amig birtam de a gyenge bemelegites nem segitett, nem volt jo a pulzus plussz a hideg levegot nagyon nehez volt lelegezni. Egy celom volt, top tizben vegezni, ez azt jelentette volna hogy mindenkepp tulteljesitek a tavalyi eredmenyemen es tovabba egy sikeres helyezest. A masodik korben ugy ereztem bemelegedtem es probaltam tartani helyem, meg elozesre is ravettem magam. Vegul 11. helyen futottam be a junior 1. helyezettel egyutt. Az idommel nem vagyok megelegedve de ennyire volt kakao. Technikailag kifogott rajtam a palya, mindemellett nagyon elvezheto volt.  Csapattarsam Norbi a masodik korben sajnos elesett es a mentosok nem engedtek tovabb, szerencsere semmi komoly, Zaki is sikeresen befejezte a versenyt egy latvanyos esessel tarkitva. A varadi kulonotmenybol Andras 11. lett a kategoriajaban, Anna 2. lanyoknal, Egri Robi pedig 19. en es Zaki kozott. A verseny utan odaalltunk szurkolni az elitnek, felkuszelve a buzditasra meg a kesobbi autogramokra. Szuper hangulat volt szuper verseny, latvanyban nem volt hiany, igazan megeri nezni ezeket a raketakat.

Koszonet Eli-nek, Marossport-nak Levi-nek es csapatanak, Andras-nak, Freestyle-nak, Zakinak es Norbi csapattarsaknak, Ioananak, a csaladnak es nem utolsosorban az idonek hogy nem esett az eso.............annyit. Jovore ugyanitt, kemenyebben fogok tekerni. Elmeny volt es remelem sikerul nepszerusiteni ezt a sportot.

Am trait un weekend de succes. M-am aflat in Cluj, am concurat la concursul de Cross Country Maros Bike XCO Cup - UCI C2. M-am dus deja joi, sa testez traseul si sa ajut echipa Maros in pregatirea traseului. Vineri spre masa, m-am intalnit cu Eli si Iulia la start, mai tarziu a sosit si Nicu si impreuna cu el am pregatit Startloop-ul. Incet incet au venit si alti ajutatori, au sosit si riderii de la elite. Au venit in numar frumos, o parte din nationala Ungariei, nationala Serbiei, elita Romaniei, dar au fost concurenti si din Spania si Slovacia. Vineri dupa masa au venit si colegii oradeni, Andras cu Ana, si coechipierii de la VeloSport Zaki si Norbi. Am parcurs traseul, am discutat discutabilul si dupa aia mars la odihna. Sambata dimineata ne-am intalnit si impreuna ne-am dus la start. Dupa o incalzire scurta si ineficienta ne-am aliniat la start. Am luat startul destul de bine, in fata mea era Andrei si castigatorul probei de la amatori. M-au depasit cativa, a fost o cursa infernala la inceput, m-am tinut cat am rezistat, dar incalzirea slaba nu m-a ajutat. Nici pulsul nu l-am simtit ca e ok, si aerul rece m-a facut sa respir si mai greu. Am avut un singur target, a termina in primii 10, asta ar fi insemnat ca mi-as depasi performanta de anul trecut, si o performanta buna pentru anul asta. Spre jumatatea turului al 2. m-am simtit deja pregatit si am incercat sa-mi mentin locul si chiar sa depasesc. Pana la urma am iesit pe 11 impreuna cu 1. de la juniori. Cu timpul meu nu sunt multumit dar pentru atat am avut benzina. Tehnic m-a invins traseul, dar pe langa asta am savurat fiecare metru pe care l-am parcurs. 

Colegul meu de echipa, Norbi, in tura a 2. a avut un accident, a cazut si echipa de interventia nu l-a lasat mai departe, din fericire nu e nimic grav. Si Zaki a terminat cu noroc concursul combinand parcurgerea cu o cazatura spectaculoasa. Din comandoul oradean Andrei a terminat pe 11. in categoria lui, Ana a venit pe 2 la fete, Robi Egri pe 19 intre mine si Zaki. Dupa concurs ne-am dus sa facem galerie la elite, pregatiti cu "arme" am facut putin zgomot prin Faget. Dupa concurs am adunat si cateva autografe. Buna dispozitie, super eveniment, spectacol din plin merita sa vezi "rachetele".

Multumiri lui Eli, Marossport, Levi & Co., Andrei, Freestyle, Zaki si Norbi coechipieri VSO, Ioana, familia, si nu in ultimul rand vremii ca nu a plouat.....atat de mult. La anul ne intalnim, o sa pedalez si mai tare. A fost o experienta, si sper sa popularizam sportul MTB.

Next race

A fenti bannere kattintva segitesz a MAROS XCO '11 versenyen valo resztvetelemen.

Un click pe bannerul de mai sus si ma sustii sa iau parte la concursul MAROS XCO '11.

With a click on the banner you will support me to start on MAROS XCO '11 race. 

Prep '11

I've started to prepare myself  for the upcoming season. This year i will start with a half marathon race just to see if i'm capable to run one and a half hour continuously in a good rhythm , and i haven't ran in a race for 15 years so it's a comeback :D.

The race will be on 10th of April just a week before my 1st XCO race. Let's hope this year will be better.

Elkezdtem a felkeszulest  a kozeledo szezonra. Ebben az evben egy felmaratoni tav lefutasaval kezdem a verseny-szezont, hogy lassam, kepes vagyok futni masfel orat jo ritmusban.Mindemellet mar 15 eve annak hogy versenyfutottam, ezert ime ujra!

Aprilis 10-en lesz  verseny 1 hettel az elso XCO versenyem elott. Remeljuk az idei ev jobban sikerul.

Am inceput pregatirile deja pentru sezonul  ce o sa vina. Anul asta o sa incep cu un semimaraton, sa vad daca sut capabil sa alerg intr-un ritm bun o ora si jumate. Pe langa astea, n-am alergat de 15 ani intr-un concurs, iata revenirea.

Concursul o sa aiba loc pe 10 Aprilie numai cu o saptamana inainte de primul pe concurs de XCO.

Mars of Mars's

This weekend i decided to do something different, or to do something but differently like usual. So, took my dog and went to Cj. I met up with D. from Velosport, who came also to Cj, he was visiting family. All along the past week i was planning this fun race. The arrival was ok, not to mention the train-delay of 30 min's, but this is how its done here. After arriving we headed to my sister to meet up with her and 2 of my friends, M. and G-man. G-man borrowed his bike for this race, and made one of my dream projects come true: to participate on an MTB-race with a rigid-fork+frame bike. Thanks to the race staff that they made an easy track, without to much stone or rocky sections. I wont describe the bike, let the pictures talk. First the ladies started and made 2 laps, thenafter we had our start with bit delay. I didn't expect so many riders to come. The race wasnt difficult at all, it was fun, all parts of the course. It was a walk in the park, still i couldn't resist to push a bit harder to see myself a bit racing. Had some problems with the bike, 'cause i couldn't shift gears, so i had to push the bike on the steepest part. I managed to finish the race in one piece ... the bike also, thanks again G-man. After the race we had the usual festival-meal, meat-beer-wine-bread-onion(red). It was nice to be there, good weather, good people in the mood for riding.

Thanks XCBikers, MarosSport, Eli and see you next time.

Oooh, and im now officialy a martian who pedals:D

 E.T. 

Marossport MTB Marathon 2010

Finally, a great weekend. For two weeks i watched the weather-sites, hoping that Marossport Marathon will stay dry. Asked a lot of people for their opinion if they'll go or not in case of rain. No one wanted to. So i prayed and prayed the last days for good weather. One week before the race I asked the guys from Velosport if they could take me to Gilau cause i had no ride and nobody knew if they would come. So they agreed as they were also prepared and decided to race. We went one day before to Huedin, to rest ourselfs for the race. All evening, and almost all night long we were on the web watching weather forecasts. We were optimistic.....a bit. After fooling around, we went to sleep before midnight. In the morning...the shock: wet outside!!!!. A shower during the night......well that could mess up things. Wtf? we're goin whatever it takes, we'll see how the weather changes on sight. At 8 and something AM we've arrived at the check-in, took the numbers and prepared the bikes for race. We had an hour to warm up so we crruised around a bit raising our heartbeat. Btw. i didn't had a heartrate monitor. The start was separate for elite 80 km, and hobby 80km and those for the 50km open race. I was starting in the 50. We've waited 15 minutes for the start but at least i could take a yellow:D. 10:15 - took a good start, went off with the first 5 or 6 riders. Than the first climb came, and probably lot of hobby-riders didn't knew that this will last about 13 kms and tried to pull themselfs in front so it was a bit crowded in the first 4-5 km. I maintained my rythm, so i climbed quite good the 13 kms went over like no-time. The first CheckPoint came and i passed by. Let some riders behind,so i went after a girl for a while (she won 1st place in her category). In the new section of the race i went in front of her. This new section was awesome, so the climbing part as the downhill section, my respects to Eli. Good choice man!! Please keep it for next year to cause i enjoyed it, its so technical so awesome. All the way down one song came in my mind, the one from AC/DC-Highway to hell. Hell of a ride it was. Next part, the track separation for those on the 80 and for those on the 50 track. A heavy climb i say, but maybe cause i was tired already. No problem, took my bike on my back and went on like that to rest myself a bit. After a few kms the girl appeared once again. So i tried to raise the rythm as long as possible. Went good till the top of the climb. After tha downhill section again, just wonderful. So i went down like crazy, slipping from one corner to another. Before the race i put my brake levers inside the shifters, so i could grab the lever with only one finger. It was a great change, more stability on the handlebar and you can brake with one finger damn good. I had to stop twice for 5 second to rest my palms cause i barely could hold the handlebar. My fork was without a poplock or lockout so it was a bit stiff. Arrived to the first asphalt-section, managed to rest myself a bit more, shaked my hands, drank and looked after the bike if it was ok. Lucky me, the 2nd CP after the asphalt was just seconds far. Took a banana and some energizing drink and went off. The hardest section of the race it had to come. The "Pape" climbing. The pro's do it on bike, some of the trained amateurs also. I was about 50-50,or something,  cause i ran out of fuel and my camelbak was almost empty and couldn't drink. I pushed  and carried the bike, i felt a bit dizzy,  but pulled myself together and tryied to hold on. (No more race without a heartrate monitor). The girl arrived again and passed by, some other riders also. I took the last drops out of my camelback and went off strong cause i knew it wasnt much till the end, and so it was. The next downhill section was gorgeus,  it felt wonderful, no rocks or roots. So i rested a bit for the finish. The 3rd CP after a short asphalt was just in the best position possible, stopped there, fixed my rear wheel took an orange, drank a bit and went off like crazy. This part was like last year, just on my taste....fast. Little uphills, little downhils. Than the hardest part of the race,  one last climb. I did it on bike, without the last part, when the track enters the forest cause i had a cramp in my right foot. So i ran along the bike. After the climbing jumped up the bike and pedaled till the finish. I managed to take over on last rider and that made me pedal even faster. I looked back and two riders pedalled after me like hell, so tried to mantain my position, not that it would count but hey! its a race. The girl finished before me, with 35 seconds advantage so i was to lazy in this race. Alltogether it was a good race, a fun race and also a hard race cause a girl got injured and was taken to the hospital, and lot of riders got small injuries. The girl is ok by now. She was one of my friends girlfriend, Andras. Though the forecast it rained just after i came in the finish, and those who were on the big track had part of it, a lot. I wood like to participate every year at the MAROSSPORT MTB MARATHON, so guys keep up the good work. Thanks to Velosport for the ride to Gilau, thanks to Andras for coming and bringing my girlfriend with you, thanks girl for beeing my n'1 supporter. Congratulation to all who have started and managed to finish, to those who won and to those will come back next year to try it again. Prepare yourselfs :D

P.S.: Btw. I finished 15th in my category and 36th in overall.