Cycle cross race aka hurt fest!

Today was my cycle cross race of the season. For those who don't know what it is, it's a fall cycling sport, using a road bike with knobbier tires. Race directors creates a course in parks, usually a couple km loop with sand trap, barrier tight corners, sharp hill, you get the idea. I have been bumped to master cat 1/2 this year. I'm treating this race as a tune up for the worlds, I'm definitely not in cross shape. I finished second to last, it is what it is but I'm sure it will pay off for Maui. My brain surely doesn't learn, I will be cycle racing next Sunday at Vanier park, I must be a glutton for punishment. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

5 peaks trail running race

Woke up to a beautiful sunny morning, felt like summer. I wish I would have been at the US Xterra nationals competing today in Utah, but as a Canadian the only way you can be the is as a pro. Lance was there and it would have been great to see him. My frien Al and GL were competing and would take 3 respectively in their age group, what a great job! After taking a weekend off from racing, I was looking forward to run in my back yard trails! I entered the sport course today, 8 km of trail running. The gun went off at 10 sharp, with a self seed, I placed myself at the start. I know il get caught but I rather start up front. As the race progressed I got caught by 2 young men, who ultimately would finish 1 and 2 overall. I'm treating this race as a tuned up race for the worlds, but I was still giving it all. With about 500 m to go I would get caught by one more male, he would finished 10 seconds ahead of me. I took 4th overall and first in my age group. I'm pleased with the result. Today was also the first day of racing with my new Salomon cross race shoes. A super light trail running shoe, these babies are for racing. In really liked them although the bright colors of lime green and red could be a bit more subttle. I have the first cross race of the season tomorrow, frankly I will probably get killed. I'm racing master 1/2 for starters and I'm not in cross shape. That said I'm treating this race again as a tune up race for the worlds. Weather forecast is rain, just like a cycle cross race should be. Brighton park in Vancouver is the site if anyone is interested to come watch, 1 pm is the start. I want to congratulate Al and GL today for their performance, I know they seized the day. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Giro di GranFondo

This year was the second edition of the Vancouver GranFondo, 122 km ride from Vancouver yo Whistler. I would be joined by 7000 of my friends for this ride. The Giro division I was in was the race field, open to Cat 1,2,3 riders, with money prizes and bragging rights. I didn't have any illusions of grandeur racing the Fondo, I was hoping to survive with the "boys". We were greeted with a pleasant morning, warm and what promised to be a beautiful day. Women field started at 6:40, men's at 6:50 and the rest of the riders at 7. It was a control start, meaning that the race would not start until wr reached the first hill, Taylor way. We were greeted by a breath taking view of the sun rising while having the lion's gate bridge to ourselves. Sadly, it would be the last time I would enjoy the scenery. As we made our way up the hill, the front pack was already breaking off. I ended up in the second smaller pack of about 8 riders. We would work together as drafting is much easier in a group. After about 15 min of riding together, we were like a well oiled machine, working a line like we were at the Tour de France. At that time, life was good and it made me recall how enjoyable riding can be, even with a group of strangers who have a common goal. 35 km into the race, disaster struck, as I'm changing gear for a hill, my chain derail, I'm thinking, that's it, I'm done I won't be able to catch up to these guys on my own. In true sportman like fashion and riding etiquettes, the boys waited for me to fix it and catch up. They could have decided to go, but bike riding is like that, if you have been doing your share in the line, they'll wait for you. Greatful I caught up and continued. We would encounter lone soles, a few men and women that had been spun out of their pack. We encourage them to join our line as riding alone is hard. The first part of the course until Squamish doesn't have much climbing and we made great time as we caught the women field. We passed them and forged on until one of the hill, where they caught us and pass. For some reasons the race referee decided to neutralize us, meaning we could not pass them. Unsure why, we seemed to be doing the very same thing at the same time, we all reached in our back pocket and started eating. After about 10 min, the ref decided to
let us pass and we were off again, these boys were dropping the hammer and this last part is
all uphill. Now you have to understand, I weight more than your average road rider, by 10 to 40 lbs. Hills tend to hurt after a while. Approaching Whistler, we were hit with a strong head wind. With about 15 km to go the inevitable happened, I got left behind climbing a hill. I just couldn't hang on anymore, ad I saw these guys forging on, I knew it was going to be a lonely 15 km. I would finish the race in 3:45 and was desapointed as it was 9 min slower than last year. I also wish I could have stuck with my group to the finish, they were a good munch of guys. No racing for me next weekend, I think I need a mental and physical break. I plan of doing a short trail running race in 2 weeks at buntzen lake, it will be a good prep for the World championship in October. I also plan a few cycle cross races to complement the training. Stay tuned for more updates, I'll post the fondo ranking when's it's up. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Xterra Canada, in a race where only the strong would survive

After an early arrival to set up my transition, I was to marking and pick up mu chip. It was cold this morning but once the sun came out, it warmed up pretty quickly. My friend Roy was also racing. The water temperature wasn't too bad but the glare from the sun on the water made the sighting of the first bouy was very difficult. Now swimming is not my strength and I would exit the water on 28 min, not too bad but I wish I could be faster. My transition felt sluggish a bit but I was off to tackle a very technical 9 km loop on the bike. All was going well until I crashed closed to the end the first loop. The way I fell and hit a root, I'm lucky I don't have a bruised kidney. I forged on my second lap, knowing that my buddy Roy was ahead. The second lap was smoother, although I wish I would have been faster, I was happy with my bike. The run was a monster, 10 km ish, 1800 feet of elevation and lots of climbing. I fell running, I was lucky not to break a leg ( notice a theme here this weekend?!) I crossed the finish line in 3:34 , 4 minutes short of the goal I had set up for this race. Roy did great and finished 9 minutes ahead of me. Although I placed well overall 41/ 125 or so, I was disappointed with 8/11 in my age group. This was by far the thoughest Xterra this season. I have a collection of cut and bruises. I will be back in Whistler next Saturday at the end of the Grand Fondo. This road event isa race ( the giro) for licence riders with cat 1,2 and 3. I will be in that start. There is also a recreational division. The race leaves from
downtown Vancouver and cover 120 km of road to Whistler village. Hope you're enjoying your long weekend. Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

When you get knock down, you have have to get back up again

I left this morning for Whistler. I was meeting my friend Roy who's also doing the race to ride the course since it's fully marked. In already knew the first half and the last bit but I was looking forward to see the rest of it. This course is very technical and if it rains, it's going to be crazy, but so far the forecast shows sun. As we entered the black diamond section near the end, I didn't negotiate a turn on a 4 foot bridge and as everything went in slow motion, the inevitable happen, I fell one foot clipped one unclipped from 4 feet in the air, I was lucky no to break my leg but I bended my rear wheel to the point that I didn't think it was fixable. A few words came out of my mouth which won't be repeated here. I rode back to the truck with Roy, with a sore leg and my ego bruised. Luckily enough I was able to find a bike shops that could fix my wheel to the point where I can ride it but alas I will need a new rim when I get home. I know the boys at Cap's will be ablemto hook me up with a sweet wheel. Ice, advil, beer on the program tonight. Light swim and run tomorrow and packet pick up. Race start at 9 am on Sunday.