Finnmark 2019 here I come!

I've always wanted to visit Norway, and also I'd heard about a mountain race in the Arctic Circle - Offroad Finnmark. I thought that if I entered the race it would give me a reason to go, and a real challenge for 2019. So after a couple of drams one night when Abi was away I bit the bullet and signed up online (what had I done!)!

Time to get shot!

I've entered the easiest category, 150km in a 16 hour cut off. Interestingly I'd asked someone who attempted it last year and they said 'if you are going all of that way do the 300km at least'! I think that the 150km will be enough of a challenge for me...

the lovely bit, good track, sunny!

I've spent the last 2 weeks hassling cycling friends to help come up with a training programme and I now have an excel spreadsheet that may well take over my life in 2019! My training officially starts in 2019... but I feel excited by going to Norway and it has inspired me out on my bike already.

Looking at North Kessock, Kessock Bridge and Inverness 20 miles away!

So yesterday I went for a leg spin in the wilds of Srathfarrar, a nearby glen. The route was only about 22km, and I'd read some of the tracks were much better after a dry period (its been mild and wet lately). It started off well, on a good track that gained height and gave great views... But soon deteriorated and because wet and boggy!

Lush forest - if only it luted longer (before the swamp)

I pushed on (literally), seeing lots of deer and I think an Eagle soaring high up in the sky... After an eternity of hard slog (eventually) I started the descent back to the tree line on a great steep track in the old forest - yip yip. But the good cycling quickly ended. The last few miles were very rowdy, wild river crossings, barely a trail, swamp riding, shoulder high bushwhacking, fallen tree's, wet roots, hidden holes to fall in!

One of the interesting crossings!

I rode carefully and I thought afterwards this was probably the slippiest most difficult trip I've done in 2018! The 22km took 3.5 hrs!!! But I really, really enjoyed myself. So glad I got out :-).