The Wildlife.

Over the last little while I have been doing “power intervals” and I was eager to see the results, if there was going to be any kind of gain in fitness or wattage output. Last night I made my way over to Edworthy Park to test out my achievements. When arriving at the top of the park road I had notice that there were a bunch of the Tri athletes doing hill repeats, and I figured it would be a good test to see if I could give them a head start and see if I could catch them, and then pass them on the way up on my trusty mountain bike. The Tri athletes were riding the Areo Bar equipped road bikes, and I had a hardtail mountain bike with Knobby Nic tires.

The first climb I was in the middle ring and the 3rd cog from the bottom. I couldn’t believe I was able to maintain that gearing all the way to the top of the hill. I had waited until the other riders had a good 30sec start on me before I attacked. I passed all of them on all of the three hill climbs that I had done. I had forgotten to time myself, but I do know that I am stronger than last year. At this point that is all that matters.

On the fourth climb I went on the trail that goes up to the left, it is a pretty steep sort of washed out single track. When I was a youngster we used to toboggan down this hill. I was climbing and had my head down picking my lines, and was looking ahead at all. But when I did look up I almost jumped out of my skin. There was a deer about 5ft in front of me, and it didn’t seem to matter to the deer that I was that close to it.

I waited and waited for the deer to leave, but it just stood there and looked at me, actually we were looking at each other. He was probably wondering why this person was climbing this hill on two wheels, and was interrupting his evening.

When the deer started to move on I had gotten back on my bike and started to ascend the hill again. But for some reason it felt like something was wrong with my bike, I couldn’t steer it very well and I was all over the place. I had realized that I was bonking and it was a good thing I had a couple of gels in my little pack. Once I consumed the gels I got back on track, but I wasn’t feeling 100%. I didn’t really feel good until I had gotten home and had some supper. This is the first time this has happened to me, and I can only figure it happened because I didn’t that all that much for lunch. That is my best guess.

Bacon Buffet race.

Despite the problems I had encountered on Sunday the day of the race, it did turn out to be a good day. Was able to get some good photography in, and cheer some people on. There was a lesson or two I had learned, and I will do better the next time. Here are a couple of photos of some fellow racers.

Giver8r Course.

Training hard in the last little while has been paying dividends, but I need to improve on my technical skills. Having rode the Giver8r course last night, and doing a second lap with Craig Stappler I realized that I really need to improve on my technical skills. The climbing was fine, and the flats I was fine as well, but on descending the hills is where I am lacking. Craig flew down the hills like I have never seen. he is so smooth and makes it look so effortless.

The course is just over 6kms and doesn't have a whole lot of climbing, but it is technical and makes for around a 30min lap time. That is sure a far cry from the Terwilligar Park course that was just over 7kms and around 20min lap times. The single track is very twisty, rooty, and up and down. It will help if you are able to bunny hop and do tricks like this.

When we have the race I am sure there is going to be some people that bail on the course, especially when people start to get tired. I am not going to ride the Giver8r race, but I am going to do support and also take some pictures at the race as well. I have found some excellent places to take some photos and am eager to see the results.

Perogy race report

Having not ridden outside for the last couple of weeks due to the weather and only riding indoors on the trainer, I wasn’t sure how I was going to perform in the race. I was doing fine until I had my little mechanical on the trail. Earlier last week I had taken my bike into Bow Cycle to get worked on, and have learned that I should have thoroughly gone through my bike and checked it. (loose allen bolts, stem etc). The derailleur cable allen bolt was secured inadequately on my bike, and I had went to shift and the cable slipped. It took me a little bit to figure out what was going on, and it also took me a little bit to realize I had a tool in the pocket in the back of my jersey.
The decent after fireman’s road I was able to ride without getting off of my bike(roots etc). This is something that I wouldn’t have been able to do last year. That is for sure. The course was super fast and super fun. I would totally do it again, and again. I have also heard that the provincials are going to be held at Terwilligar Park the same place the Perogy Race has been held at. If it isn’t muddy it will be super fun again. That course is pretty scary when it is wet.

The photo is of Tracy that races for Team Juventus.