Camping and cycling, can they be combined at all?

Today we bring you the first of a planned series of interviews with our cyclists and generally all the people involved in and around our team. We hope you enjoy the interview.

First we have prepared an interview with our young racer Klara. We won't delay any longer and get straight into the interview. Enjoy your reading.

Hi Klara, how are you today?

I'm great. I enjoyed a two-phase training session today and I'm looking forward to the day off that will follow.

Tell us how you started cycling and what brought you to it?

My parents encouraged me to take up the sport from a very young age and I have been cycling with them since I was very young. I didn't really like it though. However, during my teenage years my relationship with cycling turned around, mainly thanks to the Bike for Life series, where my dad dragged me and my mum. Since then, cycling has been my biggest hobby.

What is your most interesting experience related to cycling?

The most interesting experiences would definitely be the racing ones. The B-race at the Drásal race from the KPŽ series, which I did 2 years ago, is definitely etched in my memory. It was hot and it was also very long for me at that time. But the whole race was very nice, so I enjoyed it as much as possible and after reaching the finish line I collapsed to the ground with fatigue. I wasn't feeling very well at the time. But the inner joy after overcoming that fatigue is indescribable. Next, I would mention the Prima Cup series race in Hradec Kralove, which is a race that takes place on the local trails of Marokánka. This race is very nice and technical, but also quite demanding (30 km is wound on the trails). That time I also arrived there completely exhausted, but actually happy. So the best moments are definitely the ones at the races. Mainly because of the people, the atmosphere and overcoming myself. Apart from the race itself, I definitely love when we can just hang out with the family and have a nice day. So even these free days on the bike without training and racing I really like.

How does the fact that you spend time in your caravan affect your racing?

It definitely affects my performance a lot. The fact that I can sleep in my own bed at every race is very beneficial, it also allows me to be at the races the day before the event and have a good night's sleep and get everything done that I need to. It makes me less stressed and allows me to be very close to the race center. On the day of the race itself it is also very enjoyable. Often times we have a race full of mud and when I get back I can shower right away and not have to wait in a long line for the showers in the backstretch. I can also conveniently wash my bike and go home clean. So it's a big relief overall and I don't have to stress about extra stuff compared to others.

Do you use the caravan for other trips than racing and where?

Absolutely! Ever since I was a kid, I've been used to spending time on weekends or various holidays and vacations away from home in the caravan. It's actually natural for me to spend all my free time somewhere in the countryside, or even somewhere abroad. It happens to us that we go to a campsite somewhere here in Bohemia or somewhere in the mountains for conditions that we simply can't find in Prague. Or we go to a training camp somewhere. For example, this year we were even in Italy in Tuscany and it was really great by caravan. During the winter we often go skiing in the Alps, which is also much more pleasant than staying in a hotel. So I like to spend time in my caravan outside of racing because it allows me to train very well in other conditions or simply spend time away from home with my family.

What are the most common challenges you encounter in racing and how do you try to overcome them?

The most common challenges and problems are of course the weather. Often we find that the race takes place in either rain or wet conditions, which is of course a fact that every racer has the same, so we can't make excuses for it. The conditions are the same for everyone, but I have to admit that racing in these conditions is noticeably more difficult. However, since I travel to the races in my motorhome, I can solve all the problems after the races in peace in my facilities. Another challenge is often the heat. I'm a racer who prefers cooler weather so temperatures above 30°C are not exactly what I like and what I would be comfortable racing in. But I always try to keep calm before the race and clarify in my head what my priority is and then everything goes better. Some of the worst problems can be the internal struggle in my head. But I have to say that I've been much better the last few years and I can keep calm. The nervousness doesn't bother me so much anymore either and I enjoy the races much more.

Can you tell us what a typical race day looks like for you?

Sure! I always set my alarm the night before the race so that I can get up on time and get ready. About 3 hours before the start I try to have breakfast. For breakfast I usually have cereal with some fruit and peanut butter. Afterwards I have some coffee, but only a little, because the combination of stress and coffee doesn't always do me good. After breakfast I usually get ready somehow, maybe chat with the other racers and get ready to race. If the race is in a hard frost I wait for the last moment to start, but if the weather is more favourable, I spend 45 minutes on a good start. About an hour and a half before the start, I get on the bike that I always have ready the day before the race and I go for a ride. As far as the warm-up is concerned, I put in a few more brisk sections to prepare my body for the next load. I try to eat some more carbs during the warm-up and then move to the start corridor. After the race, I always try to hydrate my body first. So I drink a lot of water and have my first carbohydrate in liquid form. Then after I shower and get myself together, I have my first solid food. After the race we usually head home and spend the whole afternoon in the car. If we're lucky enough to stay at the race site until the next day, we might go for a walk around the neighborhood or a light ride. In the evening we have a nice dinner and then I just fall into bed tired.

Which cycling events would you recommend visiting?

I would definitely recommend one of my favourite races and that is the Salzkammergut Trophy. It's a race that takes place in Austria near the Salzkammergut. My family and I always spend a long weekend there. It's a spectacular event that is unparalleled in the Czech Republic. I love the atmosphere, the nature and the many people who share the same passion for cycling. It's nice to cycle here even outside the race, so everyone will find their own thing.

What are your tips for cyclists who would like to combine camping with cycling?

Don't be afraid of it. The beautiful thing is that traveling gives us the freedom to ride our bikes in a different place every day. Of course, this has its pitfalls, as it comes with a certain amount of discomfort, but that's becoming very blurred in today's modern motorhomes. For example, my training camp this year took place in a motorhome and I felt the difference in having to get more things done when I come home from training than when I arrive home or at my hotel and can slap myself straight into bed. You have to think about things like refilling water or taking out the garbage, but I think the freedom overcomes all those responsibilities.

Thank you so much to Klara for the interview and we look forward to hearing more about her next time!