This shot of a full Irish kit-clad international in a shanty town in Ethiopia is exotic even by the standards of very well travelled riders.
Irish cyclists are a well travelled bunch and even since we’ve been publishing all the news that’s fit to print (and some that isn’t – Ed) we’ve had to track riders far and wide to keep up.
But we’ve never brought you a photo quite like this; the full Irish kit whipping down a dirt track in an African shanty.
The scene was captured by Ryan Sherlock; one of Ireland’s very best MTB and road riders.
In the shot is Irish track, MTB and road international Mel Spath. The duo, who are married, are currently in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Spath was in Hong Kong last week as part of the Irish team pursuit line-up that rode in the UCI World Cup there.
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With that completed and having normally travelled to Gran Canaria for some warm weather training at this time of year, they decided on Ethiopia this time around.
Sherlock’s brother lives there and now that he is leaving soon a last trip was always on the cards.
And with both continuing to train towards what will hopefully be successful seasons, they brought their bikes to get some miles in and see some of the countryside.
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Sherlock's verdict on Ethiopia?
“It’s an amazing place; like breathing through a straw at times though,” he said.
“The MTBing is very good too. Internet is not the best so we weren’t on social media in about a week. It’s a nice detox and we’re getting a lot of work done.”
Sherlock’s first MTB race of the season is in New Zealand at the end of February while Spath will focus on both track and road in the months ahead.
MTB champ turned top road man, Ryan Sherlock is Spath's husband and both have been getting out on their bikes in Ethiopia.
Spath stops for a photo in front of some traditional looking homesteads.
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