My story (by Gunn-Rita Dahle)

I was born in a small community, Bjørheimsbygd, a little place among all the fjords around the city called Stavanger on the West coast of Norway. As a little girl I had a lot of energy and was always running around doing all kinds of activity. Farming and hard physical work have always been a part of my life. When I was twelve I started track-running and plying soccer. In the wintertime like most Norwegian children I spent my time ice-skating and skiing, something everyone learned from early age.

My mum and dad have always been my inspiration and were my best training partners up until I was 20 years old. I got more and more into long distance running around the age of 15, but never competed at a high national level. When I was 17 years old, I went to Australia as an exchange student and had a great time attending college in Sydney and learning the culture and language during my stay.

After finishing a kind of 3 years college study in Norway, I started working at the local newspaper in my hometown, Jørpeland. 15 months later a started a 2 years degree in journalism in Stavanger.

My first interest in mountain biking started in April 1995. I was invited to do a bike ride with the local cycling-club in Stavanger and I got hooked. I won the National Championship two months later and became the Nordic Champion three months later. My first meeting with the big starts was in Plymouth in a UCI World cup in August the same year. It all happened very fast and by the end of 1995 I signed a contract with a professional mountain-bike team from Holland. Since then I have spent a lot of time on my bike, travelling around the world and meeting a lot of interesting and great people.

With almost 280 days away from home I do miss my two kids ( our cats Isak and Petruss), my family and my friends. My boyfriend and fiancé, Kenneth, is also my coach, my masseur and manager and that makes it all a lot easier. Now, we travel the world and enjoy our time together. After 9 years as a professional cyclist I love mountain biking more than ever.

You enjoy your rides and have a great time. Maybe we meet one day!

Your bike-friend Gunn-Rita Dahle