Happy Canada day!

Hello all, despite my car accident I have returned to my training. It now includes going to the physio! Ihave a swimming event tomorrow for Canada day. I call it a swimming event because although some people will be racing, I can't qualify as a racer when it comes down to swimming, I don't float which doesn't help! That said I'm looking forward to the training opportunity to swim 2 km in sasaamat lake. I will be back at it racing this Sunday at the sprint triathlon at Jericho beach, part of the subaru west coast serie. This will be my 4th year doing so. This race is just down fast. A 500 m swim,26 km bike and a 5 km run is what's on the menu. I have some goals set but that me to know and you to find out. I'm also entered in the emergency division. It would be great to see people down to cheer, this is such a beautiful venue. Race start at 745 at Jericho sailing club if anyone feel like coming and watch. If not you should be able to track me live at http://www.triseries.ca/results.php happy trails

Carpe Diem

Test of metal turned into bent carbon fiber :(

I was all set for the test of metal this weekend. As I was coming back from the bike shop Friday afternoon I was rear ended which resulted in a destroyed mountain bike, bike rack and tail gate. It also resulted in me having a sore back. This would officially prevent me from racing. This was a big disappointment for me as I was looking forward to better my time this year with all the riding I did in Italy. Well I still went up to cheer a few guys that I knew who were racing. I have to admit it was hard to be on the other side and watching people finishing. Great job on the boys from experience who finished in 3;25 Roy and his brother In law as well as my buddy Tim. As for next weekend, my off road tri was cancelled due to lack of participant. Next stop will be on Canada day which I will take part in a 2km swim event at sasaamat lake. Hope you are enjoying the summer so far, happy trails.

Carpe Diem

Cardiac Classic

I took part in the Cardiac Classic yesterday. For those who know Burnaby mountain, the race included the famous cardiac hill, which was climbed 3 times. I was racing with a different bike this weekend. My Specialized Epic was on the fritz with a bad bottom bracket and despite the effort from the Gang and Experience Cycling, they just couldn't get one in on time. I got to ride Chris's bike, which is a sweet Norco full carbon hard tail bike. That bike weighs about 6 lbs lighter than mine. The weather for the race was perfect, overcast and cool. There were 15 guys in the master 30-39 division and I was hoping for a better placement than the last mountain bike race. After a few falls and a lot of mud I booked the 25 km in 2:04, which placed me 8th position. I was happy with my result considering I had done a half Iron the weekend prior. This Saturday I will be back at it again. The Test of Metal is classic 67 km mountain bike race in Squamish. This will take place this upcoming Saturday. Happy trails

Carpe Diem

Oliver 70.3!

I was back it this weekend for ironman 70.3 (half distance) in Oliver. This was my first kick at the can for a half iron, on the other hand, this was the very first triathlon for my friend Rebecca I have to admit i was a bit nervous, and to add a bit of stress I had a problem with my rear tire while setting up which prompt me to go see the bike guys as i didn't have time to deal with it. I'm not the best swimmer to start with and looking at these far buoys can be intimidating. The day was overcast and cool which made a perfect racing day. The swim start was broken down in 3 waves. Men under 45 were in the first wave so i was off at 0730. It took me 42 min to swim the 2 km. I was hoping for a strong bike leg since I had done a fair amount of riding in Europe. It was nice to catch up on better swimmers. I booked the 93 km course in 2:42. As I finished off the bike, it was now time to attack the half marathon. My lower back was sore off the bike but started to loosen up after a few kilometers I ran the half in 1:45. With transition and all my overall time was 5:19. My goal was to be under 6 hours which I met. I was quite please with it. As for Rebecca she did an awesome 5:49 for a very first tri, which is very impressive. The rest of the iron cop crew from vpd did also great and everyone crossed the finish line. My physio from trailside was even there cheering on. As for me, today was a wine touring day,but Im back at it this weekend at the Cardiac Classic at burnaby mountain. This is a mountain biking race part of the BC cup.

Carpe Diem!

Verona and the giro time trial

This past Sunday we rode to Verona to watch the last stage of Giro D'italia. We rode for 109 km with the brother and cousin of famous Italian rider Gilberto Simoni who has won the giro in the past and came out of retirement for on last Giro. It was great to see the stage and even better to see the atmosphere. The cousin of Simoni owns the B&B that we stayed at, in Palu. Little village of 600 People. Funny enough another famous Italian rider came from Palu, Alberto Moser who also won at the Giro. I hope their talent rubbed off me or maybe it was the water, which I also drank. In any events this trip was awesome and I have to thank Chris from Experience Cycling for organizing this great trip. More races are coming, no rest for the wicked, my first half iron in Oliver this weekend.

Carpe Diem!