Xterra Portugal

4 hours to go before the start of the race, hardest part is to wait till 2 pm and figure out how to fuel, not used to late starts.  Looks like the sun might peak out today and some cooler temperature might prevail ( 24 Celsius is the predicted high) It's currently touch and go for a wetsuit legal swim so won't find out until I get to transition.  Big shout out to my wife who has been looking after my legs and treating them so they can be fresh.  Distance today 1.5 km swim, 34.5 km bike which had a been modified due to floods this past week and an 11 km run through fields vineyards and orchards. Stay tuned for the race report, till than happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Tale from the trails

After a few days in Lisbon, we arrived in Golega. Order of business was to build the steed and go ride the course. I was lucky to have some riding companions including one of the pro from Belgium who had ridden the course.  Let me preface this, they had lots of rain here these past few days.  We're talking flood type rain! Having said that, the course was fairly dry overall.  There is a section that might be diverted but I was able to ride the course.  The first 7 km is a very flat and fast section, but don't think it's going to be the norm.  There are a lot of climbs, usually short but steep, some even punchy.  Combine it with loose rocks and you now have to pick the right lines.  The descents are the same, single track and rocky which requires some bike handling.  With an elevation gain of 1800 feet or so I'm opting for a 30 ring upfront ( running a 1x11 on my awesome Felt nine1) will loose a bit of speed an the flat but I think it will pay dividend on the climbs.  Lastly there was a section near the end where I had to walk my bike as the water came above my knees. Was quite refreshing though! Dirt factor 3.5/5 stay tune for more scouting report.  Happy trails!

Carpe Diem 

XTERRA World, 20th anniversary

The calm before the storm, 800 racers will be on the beach tomorrow 9 am sharp to see the 20th anniversary of Xterra go off.  Excited for my buddy Roy who has overcome a kidney transplant to be at the start line! Same goes for Dave Desantis, Xterra warrior 2015 overcoming cancer who will be on the beach, all smiles when the gun goes off.  If that's not motivation to get out there, what is I wonder.  I sure will keep these two inspiring men in the back of my mind when the going gets though.  Condition for the race are shaping nicely with some hot weather in reserve.  I also want to wish all the best to my usual suspect, GL 72 year strong, his son Patrick.  Retired Commander Alan Moore(go navy) and his daughter Allison.  The kind of friendship that I forged with theses people all the way back to my first Xterra in 2011 in Saipan and their family will last a lifetime. As for me I hope for a good race, seem that the broken foot earlier this year should have appeased the Xterra gods but who knows.  Join me on the start line #572 in your program and follow tweeter @chuck98 where my wife will keep up to date.  Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Scouting Report, Maui World bike course

Started this morning with the gang as we progressed on the course, I ended up riding with Roy and Erin.  Have to admit the course had a chance to dry so it was in much better shape.  The addition this year is what I call the great wall of China.  A steep old golf cart path who gets you to the lake.  Now further down the path we have a huge puddle of mud and water, frankly I'm unsure that it can dry before race day but who knows.  No major surprises this year, the course is fairly similar than last year.  All we need is Mother Nature to be nice.... Mind you we have high surf advisory for race day so that could make things interesting to say the least ( do I hear duathlon? Likely not but I can dream!) as for the steed and I we have forged bond through lava rock and with Roy's help, the front fork is dialed in. What's in store tomorrow? Open water swim clinic and practicing some ins and outs in high surf courtesy of Ben and Jacqui.  Stay tuned for more updates, happy trails! 

Carpe Diem

Tale from the Trail, Maui style!

After arriving Saturday night in Maui, Sunday was marked with a easy run and a pool work out.It was time to built the steed in order to go out and ride a bit.  Fast forward today as Roy and I, sporting his Donate Life kit were out to see a bit of the course.  Only the lower loop at the start was open, with mix of ups and downs and some technical single track. Add a wet muddy terrain and that's what we were dealing with. The course should be dry as long as there is a few days of sun. This being so early in the week, no need to hit the panic button just yet.  We than headed over to DT Fleming beach, and for once, the waves weren't so gigantic! (Again early in the week and wave advisory for Wednesday) After practicing some ins and outs it was time to pack it for lunch.  The usual suspects are arriving tomorrow for the most part and Wednesday the course should be fully open as the Xterra Crew is working round the clock to make this 20th anniversary a success. Stay tuned for the scouting report.  Happy Trails!

Carpe Diem

New Stable, new Steed...I FELT it

I am proud to announce that I have a new stable to call home.  Dandy Horse Cycle in Burnaby has been kind enough to bring me on board as one of their riders.  This family business is exactly what I was looking for.  Attention to details, great customer service and one of the best mechanic in the business ( Yes that's you Jason) made this a no brainier.  In addition I have been fortunate through the shop to get on with FELT bicycles for my new racing mountain bike which I will use in Maui for the Xterra World Championship in 3 weeks. Let's take a look at this new racing steed.

The Bike: Felt Nine 1 2016 hard tail 29 er

The Set up:

This racing machine comes with a full carbon frame seat post and handle bar.  Full SRAM XO groupo and XO breaking system with a 1x11 drive train and SRAM fork lock out.  Rock shock racing CIS fork with through axle at the front and rear.  Complemented with DT Swiss X1800 and Schwalbe Racing Ralph on at tubless set up.  This machine is part mountain goat part pure breed and has a faster acceleration than a Tesla.  At 21 lbs on an XL frame it makes it the perfect weapon for any serious XC racers. With a wicked black finish and accented with some red trims, this beauty is also stealthy.  My first ride today FELT amazing so stay tuned for more news and more posts leading up to Maui.  Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Xterra Quebec City

Xterra Quebec City


I had the chance to take part in the second edition of Xterra Quebec City this past weekend.  Although still in its inception, this race would not disappoint and procure plenty of challenges. Nestled near Stoneham Ski resort, Lac Delage is about 30 min north of Quebec city and is the race site chosen by the race director.  The swim course is a giant square of 1200m, favouriting the non swimmer as it is a bit shorter that the usual 1500m.  To the dismay of many, including yours truly, the water temperature last weekend was too warm to be wetsuit legal.  Although unaware at the time, speed suits weren’t supposed to be allowed as Tri Quebec follows the ITUI rules that on a non wetsuit race, whatever you wear going in the swim has to be kept for the rest of the day.  I had spoken with the race director a few days before and that was not the case.  After a quick discussion as I was in transition with an official, she gave me a break and I continued on without penalty. To my defence I was not the only competitor with a speed suit.  If the swim is on the short side and probably not as hard, the bike course is definitely the opposite.  One could describe this course as reminiscent of a true world cup cross country course in “La Belle Province” the 6 km loop  that had to be done 5 times posed plenty of challenges and demanded technical ability on the mountain bike.  This true cross country course has it all from the Chicken pass option almost at the start of the course to steep power climbs, rocks and roots and tricky descent; mountain biking skills are a must.  With two waves being 10 minutes apart, the trail was not too crowded given the fact that it was a multi loop system and all riders that I encountered were very gracious to let faster riders pass as soon as they could.  The nice thing about the multi loop system is that it is great for spectator as they would see you in a pump track style every lap where a live band, music, and beer garden were accessible for them.  The run course was in itself also a challenge as although not a lot of elevation gain was taken on the bike compared to other course around the world, the technical and short power climbs would still tire your legs.  The run course was a 5km loop to be done twice and with longer ascent and some technical descent, one could not take a rest. This run course was also a true cross country run presenting all the challenges that one would expect. Adequate aid station were on the course as last minute decision from the race director to add a few due to the heat was the right call to make.  It is to be noted that if this course was in the rain and mud such as last year, it would be very challenging to say the least.  Although in its infancy this race has definitely the potential to become a marquee race and should definitely be on everyone’s race calendar who is looking for a challenge both on the bike and on the run.  The volunteers were great and you can see that a lot of hard work has been poured on the trail system.  As for me, it was nice to be back to racing after having being sidelined for three and half months with a broken foot.  Happy Trails

Carpe Diem

Text: Chuck Fortier
Picture: Pascal Gagné