Provincial Championships Of The World

So after kinda slacking for a while when it come to blogging, and riding as well, it was time for provincials. Off to Highlands Nordic up in Duntroon, where it is always either snowing or raining was having some strange weather yesterday. It was actually sunny. After cruising around a bit and socializing i got geared up and warmed up.

At the end of lap 1 there was $100 for the person leading so the pace off the start was rediculous. I was sitting about 20th going into the first singletrack and from there on started working my way back up. Legs started to feel pretty good and when the first 2 juniors came by i was able to ride withe them for a bit. Stuck behind Marc-Antoine for a bit and when he got away Bretton caught me and i was glued to his wheel. That lasted a couple singletracks until i followed him off a drop off that i wasn't expecting, and i hit the dirt pretty hard. Got up and picked my bike up to realize my rear wheel had come off and i had broken my seat. Popped the wheel back on and bent my seat back to a useable position. Put the hammer down to gain some time back but had nothin left. Put it in survival mode and rode it home.

Kinda disappointed with the result, but that's racing, and there is always next time. I.T band was super sore after the race too, going to spend some time rolling it out and stretching and try to get ready for the 8 hour in 2 weeks. Not sure what other races i'll be doing this fall, but i'm sure something will involve the cross bike. All for now, i might try to update this a little more often....

Mountainview 9 hour

Summer seems to be winding down a little here, all those thunderstorms we kept getting promised the past two weeks finally arrived yesterday at around 12:30 in the afternoon. Day started with Matt and I arguing about where the sun will move in the sky and whether or not 1.5 liters of fluid an hour is too much. (i think it is)

Anywho got started, solo field was stacked, Andrew, Matt 24 Solo Ontarios premier endurance racer, & Lee, it was gonna be a death match. After a few guys missed some turns I was sitting in 3rd overall. And had a little gap on the rest of the solos, except Andrew who was ahead. It was a lot of fun just riding fast not crazy hope i don`t crash at this speed fast just easy speed.

Got settled into a pace, about 4 or 5 laps came through and Matts bike was on his car. that was fast. For the first few hours I was rocking the 3/4 unzipped jersey, so nice, then the clouds started rolling in each lap at the top I could see the sky getting a little darker. About 3 hours in started to rain, no big deal it was super sandy, but it didn`t take long to turn to grease. And then the thunder and lightning came, I was gonna pull over and sit in my car, but didn`t have to make that call as they closed the course. I love modern day safe races. Not like the 90s where the commissars would tell us to be careful before starting in a lightning storm at chicopee.....Not that i have done that since i started racing in 1998.

Didn't get changed or wash my bike during the rain delay, Tmas figured it would be an hour. It was tough getting motivated to get back on the bike. So much so i actually almost missed the restart. Got on my bike, wet shoes and no gloves were key, legs were angry for sure.

Managed to get another 5 or 6 laps in before 6:30, pulled the plug at 6:00, before the rain started to come down again. Took my second career 8 hour podium. First being Hardwood 2 years ago.

In summary 8 hour races are awesome you just go out and ride your bike, and win a Batman pez dispenser.

14 laps of mountainview was awesome.

If You're Not First, You're Sixth

Check out my Kelso report on AWI Racing....

All Fixed

So this week got my latest fixie project built up. Still not 100% done, but all the parts are on it. I still need to match up the handlebar, seat post and crank. I took it for a half hour ride on thursday morning before work on the Orillia bike path. It almost needs a bell or something to make some noise as its a super quiet bike and scares people as you ride past. Anyway, here is a pic of it so far...

Buckwallow

Ok so. After Albion took a week to rest the legs, then got sick and coundln't ride without dieing on the side of the trail from my cough, so that was bad news bears. Got a solid 4 days of training in before Buckwallow so i was right on form and ready to go.

Woke up in the morning and nearly got heat stroke loading my bike on the car so i knew it was going to be a rough day. During the warm up it went overcast for a bit and was kinda nice. I'm not one to complain about the heat since i hate cold weather, but it was just intensely hot without giving us any time to get ready for that.

Gun went off and Atkins and the other Kunstadt boys turned it up to 11. Might not have been that high but it felt like it since i'm fat and slow these days. After the first time through the 1:30 only singletrack i felt pretty good but knew it would be hard on the body for the next 4 laps. Nothing too exciting happened for the next couple laps except for my legs slowly fading away. Bunch of people doing A-hole passes for no reason, i was ready to knock someone into the woods head first, or tell the guy in the camera car to come do it. (Tour reference if you don't know that).

Anyway 4th lap heading trough the rocky section.....you know, the single track with all the rocks...blew a spoke in the rear wheel. Stopped to try to get it "fixed" a couple times but kept unwrapping itself from the other spoke i twisted it around and getiing all caught up in my brake and rotor. Not wanting to destroy my new wheel or anything else on my bike, after 10 minutes on the side of the trail debating i pulled the plug. My body was glad i did, but my brain didn't want to.

After having a couple crappy races now i'm thinking i should take up something easy where you don't need fitness......maybe endurance racing.

And on that bombshell it's time to end.

New Ride

After exactly 3 weeks to the day my car was written off i now have a new one parked in the driveway. Davenport's in Orillia was putting the final touches on it yesterday while i was patiently waiting at work. They just had to get the windows tinted and do a little wheel swap and then i would be good to go.

Right around 2 o'clock the phone rang and it was all ready to roll. Took my money and stole Tristan's Rabo and rode over to pick it up. Got the paperwork sorted and then it was all mine. Threw the bike in the back with not disassembly which was nice, and still had some room to spare. Now i just have to wait for the roof racks to come in and it will be all set for the cycling adventures.

"I got Tammy's ring at the hock shop and i regret it" - Anonymous

Bonking, Resting, and a New Car

So long time no post eh. After racing Albion and epic failing there i decided my legs needed a bit of a break so this whole week has been off the bike. I have been too busy this week anyway, been car shopping, had my birthday, busy at work, you know, all that jazz.

Looked at a few different cars and made the final decision to get a Subaru Legacy Wagon. Haven't picked it up yet, still been battling the banks and whatnot trying to get some money. Hopefully by wednesday or so i'll be able to drive it off the lot.

Other than that there hasn't been too much excitement going on around here so i'll leave you with that for now.