Top 10

Firstly, congrats to Wendy simms, for a 5th place at the World Cup in France. Knowing how hard a WC is, that is a huge accomplishment. Ironically as we were driving back from Toronto today, I predicted that she would come 5th. Crazy stuff.

Why were we in Toronto? Well I went to meet my new Teammates at Jet Fuel Coffee. So Jet Fuel is a coffee shop in Old Cabbage Town in Toronto off Bloor on Parliament st. Not sure why it is called Cabbage town, I'll get back to you on that one. Anyways the coffee is great, the shop is really cool. It's full of old cycling memorabilia like old trophies, pics, leaders jerseys and all kind of wacky art. It's a really laid back atmosphere and there is something really unique about it. The team itself has a lot of history and it is really cool to be part of it. I really don't want to sound like a total wanker, but it really makes me feel like I am going to be part of something and that whatever we do, it will be remembered, that it is part of something bigger kind of like being part of a mini legacy. Ok I know should slap myself upside the head cause that is total nerd talk fromage, but whatever, I've worked too hard to get to this point and I can spread a little cheese every now and then.

So I know I promised a 10 things I learned in Belgium list, but some of the stuff is only funny once you've been, so here are the.....

Top 10 things I've learned in 2007

10. Don't ever reach down and try to fix a speed sensor on your fork while racing a 250 km road race. This will most likely result in a severe crash which will make your face hit the pavement rather hard and you will loose lots of skin, also it is very hard to get blood off shimano road shoes. Look what happens



9. There are many reasons why Cross stage races do not exist. Doing 3 consecutive cross races in Europe is sure to make you feel like you have been run over by a garbage truck...or possibly even like a piece of garbage.

8. When in Europe...don't ever admit that someone was better than you. Even if you win, don't ever, under any condition, admit that you were a 100%. Always blame an extreme amount of training hours that week, fatigue from travel or an unknown viral illness as the culprite of your current state. Oh yah, the weather as well, say it was too hot or too cold or too humid and if none of those work you can say an old injury was flaring up. But always say that you think you will be in top form very soon and you can feel it coming.

7. Pastry tastes better in Belgium. Why? It seems like an ongoing theme, because they care. That is one of the biggest differences between North America and Europe, they pay more attention to detail because they care. Just as the pastry chef meticulously places each layer of cream, flaky crust and elegantly rolls it in delicious chocolate, this same care is taken to the making of all food, fashion and athletic endeavours. Why are Europeans such great cyclists? They care and they just don't give up and they will kill themselves to win (in more ways than one).

6. On being a professional cyclist. Man where do I start. I am not a professional cyclist. Who is a professional cyclist. I'll tell you, it is someone who makes a living racing. It is someone who is gets fired if they they suck. It is someone who views cycling as a job and takes it seriously. Racing your bike and not working does not one make a pro, it makes a cyclist who "enjoys" racing. Cause for the most part, there is nothing enjoyable about the actual race part. If you are having fun in a pro race you are most likely severely delusional about the efforts you are putting forth. Anything else than throwing up bile and feeling lactic acid seeping out your sternal notch and taking huge calculated risks without hesitation is not acceptable. Yah there are some elements of racing that are social, like small local races and such. You have to win a lot more than a few hundred bucks a year to be a pro. It undermines a lot of hard work that others put forward when anyone who has a credit card and a race license calls themselves a pro.

5. It is possible to be too easy on yourself.

4. There are two times to take it easy. The first on is something I like to call Monday. I know God said Sunday was a day of rest...but there is way too much racing Sundays...hence Monday.
The other, well it is called retirement.

3. You have to learn how to win, more importantly, you have to learn how you can win.

2. You have to lose. If you don't routinely race outside your comfort zone, you'll never achieve your potential.

1. Enjoy the journey just as much as the destination and it will be a good ride. You will get there if you really want it enough...eventually.


Here's the new kit, well last years kit until we get the new ones. It may look like I've been working out, but I just cropped the pic to look slender. Believe me I swear tonight was my last Shwarma until I loose 5lbs...diet starts tomorrow.