Wonderful days gone fishing

Norway, September 16, 2007

We caught a big load of fish this weekend, and Kenneth was the clear winner in terms of quantity. This evening, however, it's time for revenge here on the ocean outside Stavanger. Fishing with rods from the rowing boat has provided us with valuable time off, in between all the training.

We had a slow-paced and relaxing weekend at the family cabin in Jøsenfjorden (Suldal) where we had plenty of time to fish. After our first training stint on Saturday morning, Kenneth disappeared down to the sea and stayed there for the rest of the day. I wasn't able to join him until after a ride later in the afternoon, and by then Kenneth had managed to catch more than 15 fish. Most of them were large, fat pollacks, but he had also managed to catch a few mackerels and a horrific-looking wrasse.

On Sunday morning we awoke to cloudy weather, but with glimpses of blue sky, 13 degrees and an incredible quietness. The fjord lay like a mirror, not a breath of wind, so the only thing to do was to jump into our clothes and get out into the boat. It's only a little rowing boat with two oars, nothing fancy, but then and there it really felt luxurious. No racket from cars, completely calm water, no two-legged individuals for many miles, fresh sea air, a couple of seagulls gliding around, and wild mountains on either side of the boat.

We caught a lot of fish. Kenneth used his fishing rod and I used another fishing tool called a "harp". We mostly caught large and beautiful pollacks, but also some mackerel, plus a strange little bright red fish which seemed to be completely worn out when we got it into the boat. We showed mercy this time and let it go again. One fish ended up as dinner for our two flying friends in the air. A wonderful day on the sea, balsam for body and soul.

On Sunday afternoon we went back to Stavanger, where I had prepared a small surprise for Kenneth. He was having his birthday on Monday, so I had invited the whole family and good friends over to Restaurant Mexico in Stavanger on Sunday evening. Kenneth didn't suspect a thing and was really caught off his guard. It was great meeting up with the family and our dear friends again - a fantastic group which always backs us up no matter where we are in the world. Next year we'll definitely have a huge party, as Kenneth is turning 30 then.

I guess there were around 70 guests at the dinner, and I really enjoyed meeting all of them again. I unfortunately managed to catch a cold just before leaving, so I wasn't feeling too good and didn't have much of a voice. But even so I got to experience the great enthusiasm and optimism which is very present in the Merida family the world over, as all our dealers are doing particularly well these days.

This coming weekend we're going to Oslo to take part in the Nordspo on Bike Expo, which is to take place at Tryvannskleiva on the September 15 and 16. On Friday we'll take part in a kick-off evening at Røa with Stians Sport, where next year's selection of bikes and equipement will be presented in a somewhat informal atmosphere, accompanied by food and music. It's guaranteed to be a really enjoyable evening together with many different types of cycle enthusiasts.

This evening we're going out to try our luck fishing again, and I'm very set on revenge this time. Sure enough, Kenneth did catch a few more fish than me this last weekend, but now I get another chance. We have a couple of friends, Brit and Thorbjørn, who have invited us out in their boat which is now waiting in the water at Roalsøy where they live. First we'll fish a bit on the fjord, and then we'll stop to barbecue on Langøy (probably a very quick stop) and then more fishing.

Norwegian cross-country mountain bike racer Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå made an impressive comeback last year after sitting out much of the previous season due to illness. In 2008, she won the Madrid, Spain, round of the UCI World Cup and the UCI Marathon World Championships and finished 12th in the World Cup final standings.

Dahle Flesjå will take on a new challenge in 2009 when she gives birth to her first child, expected in late March. With the support of her husband Kenneth Flesjå and her family, she aims to return to competition within a few months after becoming a mother.

Don't count her out for the late season World Cups and World Championships races. She was World Champion in 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2006, plus Olympic champion in 2004. In 2003 to 2006, she dominated the sport, winning the World Cup overall.

Follow her exploits in 2009 on Cyclingnews as she takes on a new, joint role as mother and elite racer. Or, for more Gunn-Rita, see her personal website: www.gunnrita.com