Leana checks in from France

Leana Gerrard checks in from Nice, France where she is enjoying a winter of mountain biking and flying, yea that’s right flying planes!

When I first arrived I was greeted by sunshine and it didn’t take me long to put my bike together and ride up and down the Mediterranean coast in a shirt and shorts. Since I’ve been here however, I have encountered a few problems: one being I have no idea where the good riding spots are and another being that once I find them I don’t have a car so it is difficult to get to. Oh, and the fact that I don’t speak French- at all. But I’m slowly figuring it out and even the days when I am just riding the roads around my town I am still stoked on the awesome mid-winter weather.

When thinking about coming here I had a difficult time deciding which bike to bring. My downhill bike, the Cannondale Judge, would be fun, but I wasn’t sure how often I could make it to the mountains. My Cannondale Rush would be a great bike for riding cross country trails and cruising the roads on the coast, but then if I wanted to do something a bit more extreme like jumping I would be struggling. My choice then went to my favorite bike, the Cannondale Rize. With only a few adjustments I could make it a good bike for riding downhill trails, or I could use it for cross country or take it to the local BMX track for some sprints. In my world it is the perfect bike for doing just about anything on.

Since I’ve been here I’ve made it to some radical riding spots. I’ve gone downhilling in the mountains behind Monaco on lose rocks and shale. I’ve done a few cross country rides up in the alps. One on a nice trail around a big lake and another in the snow in the Alps (which of course was due to the fact that I couldn’t read the guide book in French clearly stating not to ride it in the winter). I’ve also found some sweet downhill trails near Cannes that include a gnarly straight up climb but fun, flowy trails down making the climb well worth it. The local BMX track is also pretty cool, allowing mountain bikes on it as well as free gate practice.

Aside from riding I’ve also had some flying lessons in Cannes. My friend is a pilot here at a flying school so he’s been nice enough to take me out a few times. It’s funny though, almost the entire time I’m in the air I’m looking down for trails to ride.

I’m scheduled to be here for another few months and then I’ll head back to the states in time for the Sea Otter Classic. Hopefully by that time the weather in the Northwest will be a little better and perhaps I’ll know a bit more French.

Cheers,
Leana