Hungary for success!

It’s always good when a nice idea turns into a reality.  A work colleague from my part-time job in a bike shop was planning on returning to his home country of Hungary, and by coincidence this just happened to be at the same time as a class 2 UCI race in the small village of Pilisvörösvár and by further coincidence this just happened to be the home town of Barbara Benko.  Well it was just too good an opportunity to pass up!

My base for five days would be the new home of my former work colleague (who had moved in only two days prior to my arrival!) and good friend Peter along with his wife and two children just outside Budapest and less than 12km from the race venue.  The hospitality was amazing from the outset and I was quickly introduced to one of the Hungarian pastimes of wood chopping!  I have some work to do in this department and was lucky to keep both feet on the end of my legs!!

After a good night sleep it was time to go for my planned training.  Then disaster struck.  My lefty fork had no air in it (or so I thought) after pumping it up and letting the air out and fiddling around for some time it became clear it had a major problem.  So with a locked out fork and Peter’s company I set off in search of a bike shop.  After no joy in the first two, and the word being that only one guy in Hungary knew anything about lefty forks I called my friend, Barbara Benko. 

I met Barbi in Israel and have remained in contact since.  A much loved athlete riding for Focus-MIG after two successful years with Rothaus and well thought of in these parts.  Barbi had already helped me by entering me into the race and kindly answered my many questions before I left for Hungary.  A quick call and I was invited down to her father (Laszlo’s) bike shop in Pilisvörösvár (the location of the race) where the mechanic also had a good try before giving in – but in the meantime Laszlo had called another bike shop the other side of Budapest who arranged for the “guy who knew about lefty’s” to meet me in the morning and take a look.  Barbi then let me have use of her own car – a wonderful gesture and showing the amazing hospitality that this nation shows.

The next morning I was rocking down to the other side of Budapest with the funky tunes left in the CD player for company, where the “the guy who knew about leftys” saved my bacon by fixing the broken fork and allowing me to get on course for practice that same day.  Phew!  The course was excellent.  A real old fashioned up and down course but with varying terrain up and some fast breathtaking descents on the way down.  It suited me and was dry as a bone.

My adopted family for the weekend helped me prepare for my race as if they had years of experience with bike racers – great food, quiet time and it was an early night as I looked forward to racing in Hungary for the first time.  I awoke to what I thought was a dripping tap.. oh no… it was rain!  As it turns out it actually helped dampen the dusty course down and gave more grip, which meant I could go faster! 

The race itself went well for me and although gridded at the back I quickly made my way around the outside and into the top ten where I stayed for much of the race having a good battle with a Hungarian and a Slovakian.  I had great support with Laszlo feeding me and Peter running all over the course offering support and encouragement, not to mention the crazy Hungarians singing “beautiful bike” to me as I climbed on my Scalpel every lap.  I eventually finished 11^th after a really tough race – this was just outside the UCI points but I was pleased with my performance.  I had ridden a controlled race and although lacking in the climbing parts I was flying down the descents on my new Scalpel at break neck speed!

After refuelling and getting a good nights sleep, I washed Barbi’s car, did my recovery ride and then made my way into Budapest for a look at the city, some coffee, a massage and some of the world famous Goulash that this wonderful City has to offer!

Suddenly my trip was coming to an end but not before one last ride and an early start on my day of departure was enough time for Peter to show me the amazing trails around the outskirts of Budapest, which was a really fun ride! 

Like Israel, Hungary is beautiful.  As a cyclist you sacrifice… the training, the long cold winter months, the suffering, the injuries and the dedication.  Why?  For everything I describe above.  The sights you see, the beauty in the world that most others miss, the places you visit and the people you meet.  I may sacrifice but I’m privileged.  I love this sport!

I must say a huge thank you to Peter, Anna and their two beautiful children for putting up with me for five days.  Barbi and Laszlo Benko for helping me so much and the mechanics who sorted out my lefty fork.  Without these guys my trip would not have been possible!

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