Shout out to Warren Mac"attack" Donald for clinching the Master A National TT Championship in Beauce today. Warren, remember that this is not any old race, it is a National Title and you are the Champion. Congrats, bring that Maple Leaf jersey back to O.
DSJ
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Happy Birthday Tasha
Happy Birthday Natasha. I think this will be Natasha's year.
I'm trying to make her birthday wish come true. She wants to go to BC and race BC Superweek after the OBC GP and crit champs. We would fly into Vancouver do the Tour de Gastown, a crit with 40,000 fans downtown, then the Giro de Burnaby, then the 3 day Tour of Whitrock.
The Tour de White Rock has an epic hill climb with 16% climb, Tasha's speciality this year, I think she could do something really good that day, for sure.
So just as we used wishful thinking to get our butts to Belgium, I'm going to try my best to drag our bodies to Vancouver so we can show our colors.
We've recently adopted the attitude of it's now or never, so we endeavour, we give it 100% and then we can sleep in peace.
DSJ
I'm trying to make her birthday wish come true. She wants to go to BC and race BC Superweek after the OBC GP and crit champs. We would fly into Vancouver do the Tour de Gastown, a crit with 40,000 fans downtown, then the Giro de Burnaby, then the 3 day Tour of Whitrock.
The Tour de White Rock has an epic hill climb with 16% climb, Tasha's speciality this year, I think she could do something really good that day, for sure.
So just as we used wishful thinking to get our butts to Belgium, I'm going to try my best to drag our bodies to Vancouver so we can show our colors.
We've recently adopted the attitude of it's now or never, so we endeavour, we give it 100% and then we can sleep in peace.
DSJ
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Coupe de la Paix
Derrick and I drove up to do the last two Coupe de la Paix's this weekend on Sunday, Monday. For me I wanted to at least race a criterium this year before I went to nationals to do the crit next week and also before I attempt to defend my provincial title in less than 3 weeks here in Ontario.
From the way I rode the first crit this weekend it was probably a very smart move. Tactically with no teammates I was an idiot to say the least. I chased everything down in the first half of the race, I was on the front more than anyone and getting frustrated as team specialized had 6 or more girls and they weren't doing a thing. About half way in my new seat post popped and made the last half of my race pretty uncomfortable. The seat tilted up and stayed that way. No more riding in the drops for me. It did stop me from really getting in the race with about 5 laps to go and then my attempts to move up in the last lap were too late and I wasn't really sprinting for any kind of position. I ended up ninth and learnt some valuable tactical lessons.
Next day was my kind of race. Little longer loop and a significant little ring climb with a fast down and a sweeping off camber right hooked turn. Not add it was raining before the race started and the course with pretty wet for the first half. So we began and first time down the hill I was second wheel and took the turn on the outside. Heard breaks and wheels sliding behind me and about 6 girls went down. Joelle and I instantly got a gap on the field and then road hard and up and down the hill and then lap 3 started and the organizers let all the girls who crashed jump in on us. I was pretty ticked off......then we went down the hill for the third time, second wheel again, I hear skidding tires and crashes again from behind. Yep, the girls took the same lines and crashed again. Once again Joelle and I are off and a couple girls bridge up to us and then after another lap they let the crash victims in with us again. I made it hard up the hill each lap after and dropped a few by the end. Never letting anyone take the downhill corner in front of my except for Joelle. By the last time up the hill there was 4 of us and then through the down hill and around the bottom half coming to the finish it was 3. As I tried to take the outside line and also the furthest line away from the finish I ended up not getting around anyone. So ended up third as Derrick and Eric Lyman cringed on the sideline as they saw my line to the finish. I figured it's okay though, make the mistakes in these first two crits I did this year and then not next weekend. It will come, from Sunday to Monday's race I definitely raced smarter throughout the race, just not at the very end.
Derrick's racing also went very well yesterday. He was off in the early break of 4 guys and took all the prime laps (which was 3). He had the guys in the break on the ropes and at his mercy. The group did eventually get caught and then a LG guy countered and won the race solo. Big pack finish for 2nd and pretty horrible crash through the last corner. Derrick was out of the mess but sat up for the finish, knowing that he had done well to be there and contest and win all the primes for the day.
NCE
From the way I rode the first crit this weekend it was probably a very smart move. Tactically with no teammates I was an idiot to say the least. I chased everything down in the first half of the race, I was on the front more than anyone and getting frustrated as team specialized had 6 or more girls and they weren't doing a thing. About half way in my new seat post popped and made the last half of my race pretty uncomfortable. The seat tilted up and stayed that way. No more riding in the drops for me. It did stop me from really getting in the race with about 5 laps to go and then my attempts to move up in the last lap were too late and I wasn't really sprinting for any kind of position. I ended up ninth and learnt some valuable tactical lessons.
Next day was my kind of race. Little longer loop and a significant little ring climb with a fast down and a sweeping off camber right hooked turn. Not add it was raining before the race started and the course with pretty wet for the first half. So we began and first time down the hill I was second wheel and took the turn on the outside. Heard breaks and wheels sliding behind me and about 6 girls went down. Joelle and I instantly got a gap on the field and then road hard and up and down the hill and then lap 3 started and the organizers let all the girls who crashed jump in on us. I was pretty ticked off......then we went down the hill for the third time, second wheel again, I hear skidding tires and crashes again from behind. Yep, the girls took the same lines and crashed again. Once again Joelle and I are off and a couple girls bridge up to us and then after another lap they let the crash victims in with us again. I made it hard up the hill each lap after and dropped a few by the end. Never letting anyone take the downhill corner in front of my except for Joelle. By the last time up the hill there was 4 of us and then through the down hill and around the bottom half coming to the finish it was 3. As I tried to take the outside line and also the furthest line away from the finish I ended up not getting around anyone. So ended up third as Derrick and Eric Lyman cringed on the sideline as they saw my line to the finish. I figured it's okay though, make the mistakes in these first two crits I did this year and then not next weekend. It will come, from Sunday to Monday's race I definitely raced smarter throughout the race, just not at the very end.
Derrick's racing also went very well yesterday. He was off in the early break of 4 guys and took all the prime laps (which was 3). He had the guys in the break on the ropes and at his mercy. The group did eventually get caught and then a LG guy countered and won the race solo. Big pack finish for 2nd and pretty horrible crash through the last corner. Derrick was out of the mess but sat up for the finish, knowing that he had done well to be there and contest and win all the primes for the day.
NCE
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Beauce 6 and final thoughts
Ahhhh...it's over! Beauce 2008 is in the legs and it's done.
THis year, I didn't just want to complete Beauce, I wanted to compete it. That being said, my plan from day one, was to try to go for GC day 1, if that was a no go, just save my bullets for the last day in Quebec city. It hs been a dream of mine for a long time to stand on the podium in Quebec city. Not exactly sure why I always think about it, maybe it's cause that's where I did my first Road Nationals and there's just something very European about this stage and circuit that makes you feel like you are racing in Europe. So I decided to put all the eggs in one basket and try and go for it. I knew even if I was feeling good, that wouldn't necessarily mean I would be in the winning break, cause you just never know what one will stick, well you know what ones won't, but it's just like rolling the dice sometimes.
So I was on the attack from the get go. I'm pretty sure the move that stuck was a little sneaky, you see if I remember, the guys started attacking around cones on the back side of the course and the road was jammed and I knew that on was the one, but I just get through the pack as the road was jammed with yellow and black. As this was supposed to be my day, I saw it roll off and I thought "ah man, don't let that roll off" as I had been involved in 70% of the attacks previous to that one. I kept my head on my shoulders, didn't panic...well maybe a little...but just waited behind the Symmetrics train and attacked at 120% into a head wind to get across to a chase group. It worked, they let me go, we rolled around trying to close a 45 second gap, the chase eventually swelled to like 12 guys, we were 6 seconds from the break...I could see them on the hill...they were so close, a German and a guy from TT1 went across on the hill, obviously I should have done the same, but I hesitated and it was a critical mistake, cause I ended up chasing all day with Charles Dionne and Matt Toulouse and a few others at random times, almost getting aught a few times, but I didn't give up and stayed away until the last lap.
I tried to position myself well for the last corner into the climb, but the efforts wore on me and I sat up and just dragged my carcass up the last climb.
In retrospect I beat myself up about hesitating on the climb when the break was so close...but looking at what I think was the power at that given moment, I think if I could have I would have.
So I'm still happy with the way I stuck to my plan and I had the confidence to try what I wanted to do, I know I can do it now, it's just a matter of time. Not too bad for a guy who trains 15 hours a week and still manges to keep a job as a professional.
A huge congratulations goes out to Kevin Fields, and Symmetrics for their phenomenal display of teamwork in finally winning the Tour with a full Canadian squad. I'm sure this will cement Tuft's Olympic spot and give Canada excellent chance at a great result.
I'm not sure if it's because I raced this tour at the front, but I actually learned a lot by watching the tactics of the S team. They basically let Teco's take the lead for the long hard windy hilly stages, then got the lead in the TT, then defended it on circuits where positionning was key and riding at the front was more likely economical then trying to jump out of corners. What they did to the field on the Nationals course was pretty impressive, boy that is gonna be one hard race for me. Other teams there had a lot of strong riders, but no team could rival the congruity of the S team.
Today was my first day back on the bike, after such a huge increase in intensity and volume Ken and I thought a few days off would be in order. 900km, 20 000kj of work and 26 hours later, I accomplished some of my objectives, safe and sound, smilling, 30 Euros richer and hopefully the form will roll over and I'll be able to rock it in a few weeks.
THis year, I didn't just want to complete Beauce, I wanted to compete it. That being said, my plan from day one, was to try to go for GC day 1, if that was a no go, just save my bullets for the last day in Quebec city. It hs been a dream of mine for a long time to stand on the podium in Quebec city. Not exactly sure why I always think about it, maybe it's cause that's where I did my first Road Nationals and there's just something very European about this stage and circuit that makes you feel like you are racing in Europe. So I decided to put all the eggs in one basket and try and go for it. I knew even if I was feeling good, that wouldn't necessarily mean I would be in the winning break, cause you just never know what one will stick, well you know what ones won't, but it's just like rolling the dice sometimes.
So I was on the attack from the get go. I'm pretty sure the move that stuck was a little sneaky, you see if I remember, the guys started attacking around cones on the back side of the course and the road was jammed and I knew that on was the one, but I just get through the pack as the road was jammed with yellow and black. As this was supposed to be my day, I saw it roll off and I thought "ah man, don't let that roll off" as I had been involved in 70% of the attacks previous to that one. I kept my head on my shoulders, didn't panic...well maybe a little...but just waited behind the Symmetrics train and attacked at 120% into a head wind to get across to a chase group. It worked, they let me go, we rolled around trying to close a 45 second gap, the chase eventually swelled to like 12 guys, we were 6 seconds from the break...I could see them on the hill...they were so close, a German and a guy from TT1 went across on the hill, obviously I should have done the same, but I hesitated and it was a critical mistake, cause I ended up chasing all day with Charles Dionne and Matt Toulouse and a few others at random times, almost getting aught a few times, but I didn't give up and stayed away until the last lap.
I tried to position myself well for the last corner into the climb, but the efforts wore on me and I sat up and just dragged my carcass up the last climb.
In retrospect I beat myself up about hesitating on the climb when the break was so close...but looking at what I think was the power at that given moment, I think if I could have I would have.
So I'm still happy with the way I stuck to my plan and I had the confidence to try what I wanted to do, I know I can do it now, it's just a matter of time. Not too bad for a guy who trains 15 hours a week and still manges to keep a job as a professional.
A huge congratulations goes out to Kevin Fields, and Symmetrics for their phenomenal display of teamwork in finally winning the Tour with a full Canadian squad. I'm sure this will cement Tuft's Olympic spot and give Canada excellent chance at a great result.
I'm not sure if it's because I raced this tour at the front, but I actually learned a lot by watching the tactics of the S team. They basically let Teco's take the lead for the long hard windy hilly stages, then got the lead in the TT, then defended it on circuits where positionning was key and riding at the front was more likely economical then trying to jump out of corners. What they did to the field on the Nationals course was pretty impressive, boy that is gonna be one hard race for me. Other teams there had a lot of strong riders, but no team could rival the congruity of the S team.
Today was my first day back on the bike, after such a huge increase in intensity and volume Ken and I thought a few days off would be in order. 900km, 20 000kj of work and 26 hours later, I accomplished some of my objectives, safe and sound, smilling, 30 Euros richer and hopefully the form will roll over and I'll be able to rock it in a few weeks.
Quote of the month
As I posted before, I am attempting to be more positive about my experiences on and off the bike for now on. In my attempt, I discovered my quote of the month. Here it is: "If you continue to work hard and don't get discouraged, even when it doesn't seem like it's going your way..........that's when good things happen."
That's the quote and I pretty much feel like that is what is going on. I had some testing done yesterday with my new bike fit. Without giving away too many secrets or anything, I'll just say things are getting way better and leave it like that. 5 rides into my new bike fit and nothing hurts, actually I've been training harder than ever and things oddly enough hurt less. Hmmm, things really don't make sense sometimes but I'll go with. That's the plan go with the flow and keep positive as the National championships are only less than two weeks away. Starting with the crit, which Derrick and I will both do on the 30th and then my road race on the following Saturday and Derricks' on Sunday.
Derrick is back from Beauce and he finished the tour having a pretty stellar last day. I'm sure he will put up some closing thoughts on the stage race later this week. I'm really proud of him, and also really glad to have him home. Even though he was only gone for a week, I still missed him very much. Our backgrounds in training are complete opposites and when you take my motivation and dedication and put it with his craziness to go harder and harder and dig a little deeper you get some great results. Honestly, I think if you fused Derrick and I together it would be one scary athlete. Bet our parents can't wait until we have kids!
What else is new....broke my SRM head unit yesterday. Just going with the flow, didn't even really get mad. I actually didn't break it, the computer just went off for some odd reason. It froze up, not really sure why. The guys at SRM said they haven't really had any cases like that before, leave it for me to be the first. When I spoke to them yesterday, I said I can't be left with out my power for more than a few days, so they agreed to send me another unit if I paid (which will be reimbursed) while they fix mine. At first I felt like saying, "do you know who I am", but I thought that wouldn't get me very far cause I don't really know if I am really anyone. All well, it would of been funny if I said it. I did ask the guy if he knew Matt Pacocha, and said he was the only one I knew from Colorado (he writes for velo news and we stayed at the same house when we went to Belgium last Christmas for cyclo cross). Anyways, he didn't know him in person, but knew of him, so that didn't really get me anywhere.
Okay, enough rambling, I got to go ride my bike. Positive thoughts, keep all that positive energy flowing. haha
That's the quote and I pretty much feel like that is what is going on. I had some testing done yesterday with my new bike fit. Without giving away too many secrets or anything, I'll just say things are getting way better and leave it like that. 5 rides into my new bike fit and nothing hurts, actually I've been training harder than ever and things oddly enough hurt less. Hmmm, things really don't make sense sometimes but I'll go with. That's the plan go with the flow and keep positive as the National championships are only less than two weeks away. Starting with the crit, which Derrick and I will both do on the 30th and then my road race on the following Saturday and Derricks' on Sunday.
Derrick is back from Beauce and he finished the tour having a pretty stellar last day. I'm sure he will put up some closing thoughts on the stage race later this week. I'm really proud of him, and also really glad to have him home. Even though he was only gone for a week, I still missed him very much. Our backgrounds in training are complete opposites and when you take my motivation and dedication and put it with his craziness to go harder and harder and dig a little deeper you get some great results. Honestly, I think if you fused Derrick and I together it would be one scary athlete. Bet our parents can't wait until we have kids!
What else is new....broke my SRM head unit yesterday. Just going with the flow, didn't even really get mad. I actually didn't break it, the computer just went off for some odd reason. It froze up, not really sure why. The guys at SRM said they haven't really had any cases like that before, leave it for me to be the first. When I spoke to them yesterday, I said I can't be left with out my power for more than a few days, so they agreed to send me another unit if I paid (which will be reimbursed) while they fix mine. At first I felt like saying, "do you know who I am", but I thought that wouldn't get me very far cause I don't really know if I am really anyone. All well, it would of been funny if I said it. I did ask the guy if he knew Matt Pacocha, and said he was the only one I knew from Colorado (he writes for velo news and we stayed at the same house when we went to Belgium last Christmas for cyclo cross). Anyways, he didn't know him in person, but knew of him, so that didn't really get me anywhere.
Okay, enough rambling, I got to go ride my bike. Positive thoughts, keep all that positive energy flowing. haha
Oh yeah, the above picture is Derrick at the start of last O-cup race in Milford. I think he thought he was zoolander or something.
NCE
NCE
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Beauce stage 5
Well, almost done....
Today the break went on the first lap, well the field was neutralized for the first lap, then it went.
I wasn't positioned to be able to get in it. I tried, but it was futile.
So I just rolled. The course is the same as Road Nationals will being in a few weeks. It's a 9.6 km loop, with a significant 1.5 km climb, today we did it 14 times, Nationals its 18 times. Ouch!
Thing is this course is all about positioning, there's lots of room to blow yourself up for nothing.
Symmetric rolled it to a tee and controlled everything. I tried to attack with 3km to go. I thought it wasn't an obvious move, since everyone is waiting for the hill, but Glen Chadwick jumped on my wheel and he is up there in the GC, so that was over. I still managed descent ascent and punched it for the line. It's kind of silly to be racing that hard for 20th or whatever, but it's still a race and often all that people see are the final results. It's not like you can write on your race resume "raced well, was in the lead group instill the end". Rather it's other way around, hide, be "unseen" and give it full gas at the end. It's the polar opposite of the way I used to race. I would be up front until the end, and all the guys using their heads would have a full deck of cards at the end. So that was that. A good warm up for Nationals and some gas left in the tank for tomorrow. I want to slap myself in the face for not getting in the early break, cause I knew it was going to happen, I just didn't think it would be that soon. Just goes to show you, that when the boys are there to race, they race.
Funny thing about the course, it seems like their is way more downhill than uphill, I know that's mathematically impossible, but it feels like you are always descending. Very bizarre.
So one more day...total racing time this week 22 hours on the bike...woh.
DSJ
Today the break went on the first lap, well the field was neutralized for the first lap, then it went.
I wasn't positioned to be able to get in it. I tried, but it was futile.
So I just rolled. The course is the same as Road Nationals will being in a few weeks. It's a 9.6 km loop, with a significant 1.5 km climb, today we did it 14 times, Nationals its 18 times. Ouch!
Thing is this course is all about positioning, there's lots of room to blow yourself up for nothing.
Symmetric rolled it to a tee and controlled everything. I tried to attack with 3km to go. I thought it wasn't an obvious move, since everyone is waiting for the hill, but Glen Chadwick jumped on my wheel and he is up there in the GC, so that was over. I still managed descent ascent and punched it for the line. It's kind of silly to be racing that hard for 20th or whatever, but it's still a race and often all that people see are the final results. It's not like you can write on your race resume "raced well, was in the lead group instill the end". Rather it's other way around, hide, be "unseen" and give it full gas at the end. It's the polar opposite of the way I used to race. I would be up front until the end, and all the guys using their heads would have a full deck of cards at the end. So that was that. A good warm up for Nationals and some gas left in the tank for tomorrow. I want to slap myself in the face for not getting in the early break, cause I knew it was going to happen, I just didn't think it would be that soon. Just goes to show you, that when the boys are there to race, they race.
Funny thing about the course, it seems like their is way more downhill than uphill, I know that's mathematically impossible, but it feels like you are always descending. Very bizarre.
So one more day...total racing time this week 22 hours on the bike...woh.
DSJ
Whirlwind of Emotions
So as Derrick is on his second last stage at Beauce today and I wish my sweetie the best, I hoping I can send him all my positive vibes today.
Today I feel on top of the world. I've kind of just went through what I could say a whirlwind of emotions. From 3 weeks ago at Leelanau feeling like I could climb through any body any day, to crashing at the world cup, getting the flu and feeling like I couldn't even push out negative 20 watts if I tried. I literally and as well as physically and mentally cracked last Friday. Then went on to somehow winning an O-cup race last weekend, not sure how as my power files where pretty pathetic. As much as I wanted to travel up to Beauce and watch Derrick race, I have taken this week as down time and gotten myself back on track better then ever.
Oh what a week has done for me. I decided to go and get a bike fit from Richard Coburn,
founder and president of Ace Custom Cycles in Ottawa.
All I can say is that everything happens for a reason and by no way was I ever going to let and trust anyone to drastically change my position 3 weeks ago when my power has been increasing all year. I guess I had to get the flu, hit rock bottom and crack for me to let someone touch my position. Honestly this was the best thing I have every paid for in cycling related world besides my coaching from the Peak Centre. So Richard drastically moved my cleats forward and also raised my seat by 2 cms. Needless to say the quad pain that I usually feel riding has totally gone away. I thought all this was normal and part of training but I guess I was wrong. It's been 3 days now, no pains anywhere, I did a pretty hard workout yesterday and somehow squeezed a few extra watts out. Today was my first ride outside on the new position and I had a lot of fun going out with some of The Cyclery boys for an easy spin in the park. This is kind of one of my favorite things to do, I haven't had a lot of opportunities like this, this year because of all the racing I have been doing and it was fun just to go easy and chat with the local guys. I can always get new ideas off of them and just pick there brains a bit about bike racing, training and stuff. Oh yeah, the new position outside if your wondering, translated to more power and less energy. Even though the ride was pretty easy you do still have to climb through the park and I ended up riding 80k with some extra km's I added at the end by myself. Sitting here right now I don't even feel like I've ridden yet today. It's pretty crazing, I don't think I myself could of every raised my seat that much and trusted it. Richard did a great job and I have a report on paper to help me out anytime I need to switch bikes again. He also will take a look at things in a month to see how I am progressing with the new fit. I guess if I can, the seat could still go a little higher.
As I kind of got my game face back, I am still taking this weekend off from racing. Coaches orders. I've raced every weekend since April and sometimes twice in one weekend, away might do me wonders. Just going with the flow and happy that I'm positive Natasha again and not negative. As much as I want to surprise Derrick and see him ride his last stage, I guess it is best that I don't sit and drive in car this weekend at all. So I wish him luck, love and all my positive energy. He ended up 18th yesterday and I can feel an even better result coming today or tomorrow!
NCE
Today I feel on top of the world. I've kind of just went through what I could say a whirlwind of emotions. From 3 weeks ago at Leelanau feeling like I could climb through any body any day, to crashing at the world cup, getting the flu and feeling like I couldn't even push out negative 20 watts if I tried. I literally and as well as physically and mentally cracked last Friday. Then went on to somehow winning an O-cup race last weekend, not sure how as my power files where pretty pathetic. As much as I wanted to travel up to Beauce and watch Derrick race, I have taken this week as down time and gotten myself back on track better then ever.
Oh what a week has done for me. I decided to go and get a bike fit from Richard Coburn,
founder and president of Ace Custom Cycles in Ottawa.
All I can say is that everything happens for a reason and by no way was I ever going to let and trust anyone to drastically change my position 3 weeks ago when my power has been increasing all year. I guess I had to get the flu, hit rock bottom and crack for me to let someone touch my position. Honestly this was the best thing I have every paid for in cycling related world besides my coaching from the Peak Centre. So Richard drastically moved my cleats forward and also raised my seat by 2 cms. Needless to say the quad pain that I usually feel riding has totally gone away. I thought all this was normal and part of training but I guess I was wrong. It's been 3 days now, no pains anywhere, I did a pretty hard workout yesterday and somehow squeezed a few extra watts out. Today was my first ride outside on the new position and I had a lot of fun going out with some of The Cyclery boys for an easy spin in the park. This is kind of one of my favorite things to do, I haven't had a lot of opportunities like this, this year because of all the racing I have been doing and it was fun just to go easy and chat with the local guys. I can always get new ideas off of them and just pick there brains a bit about bike racing, training and stuff. Oh yeah, the new position outside if your wondering, translated to more power and less energy. Even though the ride was pretty easy you do still have to climb through the park and I ended up riding 80k with some extra km's I added at the end by myself. Sitting here right now I don't even feel like I've ridden yet today. It's pretty crazing, I don't think I myself could of every raised my seat that much and trusted it. Richard did a great job and I have a report on paper to help me out anytime I need to switch bikes again. He also will take a look at things in a month to see how I am progressing with the new fit. I guess if I can, the seat could still go a little higher.
As I kind of got my game face back, I am still taking this weekend off from racing. Coaches orders. I've raced every weekend since April and sometimes twice in one weekend, away might do me wonders. Just going with the flow and happy that I'm positive Natasha again and not negative. As much as I want to surprise Derrick and see him ride his last stage, I guess it is best that I don't sit and drive in car this weekend at all. So I wish him luck, love and all my positive energy. He ended up 18th yesterday and I can feel an even better result coming today or tomorrow!
NCE
Friday, June 13, 2008
Stage 4 b
Crit. What else can I say. Felt good, way better than the morning TT. Came 4th in the pck sprint, maybe good enough for a top 20? I'll take that for now, but I've been sticking to the plan and hopefuly I'll get my time to shine soon...Above is the TT pic, obviously.
Beauce stage 3 and 4a
Yesterday proved once again to be a little chaotic. Mont Megantic is a 150 km ish stage, rolling hills and then you climb the highest paved road in Quebec. Yah, steep, I think right at about 3 km to go, it's the longest km in Canada...seriously it just doesn't end.
Anyways once again some chaos before the end. Kebler Ramos, the white jersey holder crashed and I had to pick him up and then help pace him back. THere's a kind of unwritten rule that the guys sit up when a "jersey" goes down, so it wasn't that bad, but it was pretty cool to be helping him out like that and working for one of the race leaders.
I flatted again, front flat with 7 km to go, about 1 km from the bottom of Megantic, so it was over before it began. The climb, took 30 minutes, with an average speed of 12km/hr and it still hurt like a bugger.
Today's TT. I had a good intention on giving it full gas, but after the first climb I found out that it wasn't in the cards, so no need to dig into the suitcase of pain this morning and just rode it to at least save face. Funny that's exactly what I didn't want to do, go semi-hard. At least if you just roll it to make the time cut guys know your rolling it, but when you go at half speed your neither fast or slow, just in between. What can you do when it's not there...I'm not sure, I guess stay positive and eat and drink and fire it up later...
DSJ
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Beauce stage 2
Frigin flatted about 7km from the line. Today felt a lot easier than yesterday, it wasn't quite as warm, actually started with arms (warmers). They got peeled off pretty quick. Lots of tumbles today, stayed out of trouble, I was getting positioned for the sprint, well to help Kleber and flatted. Almost lost my life chasing on, thought maybe I could make it through the caravan, but after looking at the SRM file, it took 2 minutes to get a wheel. Ha as if I could catch a pack of 100 speeding towards the sprint finale. A boy can dream. I rolled in with Andrew Pinfold who apparently flatted at 5km to go as well, seems a few others did as well.
Kleber, the Brizillian, is 2nd in the GC, has the points jersey and best young rider jersey.
Octa Shizer! Man, what a difference there is with morale this year. Crocs are riding at the front, well that's not true Teco's is riding at the front, but we're up there.
It's really a good thing to have come here this week. This is what racing is about. Sure you can go well for a day or two, but three, four five...it gets long.
I looked like a total freak today, bringing my own breakfast concoction, a Tupperware with large flake oats, berrys and almond butter...mmmmm. But it worked out well, cause I put some crepes and egss in the Tupperware and gobbled them down post race...nice.
Tomorrow is the Queen stage. Mont Megantic. If the name doesn't scare you, the climb should. Not to mention there are 160 ish km's before of hills, rollers, cross wind from hell to soften you up, but then the mountain is 6km steep climb, up to 19%. If you don't know what 19% climbs look like, all I can say is you are lucky. Most guys have to ride S style and zig zag up the climb. The GC is still tight it's anyone's race, so tomorrow the s%^t will go down.
I'm sure Teco's will be drilling it and hopefully so will I.
DSJ
Kleber, the Brizillian, is 2nd in the GC, has the points jersey and best young rider jersey.
Octa Shizer! Man, what a difference there is with morale this year. Crocs are riding at the front, well that's not true Teco's is riding at the front, but we're up there.
It's really a good thing to have come here this week. This is what racing is about. Sure you can go well for a day or two, but three, four five...it gets long.
I looked like a total freak today, bringing my own breakfast concoction, a Tupperware with large flake oats, berrys and almond butter...mmmmm. But it worked out well, cause I put some crepes and egss in the Tupperware and gobbled them down post race...nice.
Tomorrow is the Queen stage. Mont Megantic. If the name doesn't scare you, the climb should. Not to mention there are 160 ish km's before of hills, rollers, cross wind from hell to soften you up, but then the mountain is 6km steep climb, up to 19%. If you don't know what 19% climbs look like, all I can say is you are lucky. Most guys have to ride S style and zig zag up the climb. The GC is still tight it's anyone's race, so tomorrow the s%^t will go down.
I'm sure Teco's will be drilling it and hopefully so will I.
DSJ
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Tour de Beauce-day 1
So I managed to get to do the Tour de Beauce again this year with Garneau-Crocs
Day one. 165 km to Lac Etchemin, pretty solid day. I got in a few moves, I thought for sure they would stick, but the boys are tiered it seems from Philly week.
Kleber,one of the two Brazillians on the team,came 5th, got the Young Riders jersey, sweet!
The peleton shattered with 5km to go...like schrapnel, I managed to hang in for 37th.
Usually I'm not really excited about that, but I rode pretty modestly except at the end, so I'll take it. I'm 1:17 back in the GC I think...but I think tomorrow should be interesting.
It was hot, the roads are better than what I remember. The food is good, but
I'm bringin my own oats to breaky in the morn. Spend a few days with 2 Ausies, 2Brazillians and 2 Quebecois and You will find yourself talking with all kinds of sign language, messed up broken franglais with spanish...it's pretty funny.
Ok, I'll keep it brief. I'm staying away from desert until I deserve it.
Tomorrow 166 km after breaky...
DSJ
Day one. 165 km to Lac Etchemin, pretty solid day. I got in a few moves, I thought for sure they would stick, but the boys are tiered it seems from Philly week.
Kleber,one of the two Brazillians on the team,came 5th, got the Young Riders jersey, sweet!
The peleton shattered with 5km to go...like schrapnel, I managed to hang in for 37th.
Usually I'm not really excited about that, but I rode pretty modestly except at the end, so I'll take it. I'm 1:17 back in the GC I think...but I think tomorrow should be interesting.
It was hot, the roads are better than what I remember. The food is good, but
I'm bringin my own oats to breaky in the morn. Spend a few days with 2 Ausies, 2Brazillians and 2 Quebecois and You will find yourself talking with all kinds of sign language, messed up broken franglais with spanish...it's pretty funny.
Ok, I'll keep it brief. I'm staying away from desert until I deserve it.
Tomorrow 166 km after breaky...
DSJ
Monday, June 9, 2008
Elliott and ST John win in Milford
Hey,
first off congrats to Haily and Peter, for tying the knot in Burlington Saturday night.
We travelled to Burlington on Saturday for a beautiful wedding at the Patella Mansion on Lake Ontario. I was a groomsmen and with exception of sweating profusely in my tux, it was the most fun I've had off the bike in a long time.
I felt like a loser for sticking to my sober self throughout the day, since we had to race Sunday and I'm starting The Tour de Beauce tomorrow morning. But we manged to repeat the double,
with Tasha and both winning the O cup yesterday in Milford.
The start of the season I felt like I was riding in a continual headwind. I felt like no matter what way I went, or what we did, on the bike or in life, it was just hard. A few tactical mistakes, a little mechanical mishaps, a few crashes and being hit by a car, it was just one thing after another. There were a couple times I wanted to pitch all the carbon, tubulars and technology in the river and just get an old steel bike with thick tires and heavy rims that I wouldn't have to fix.
But ever since Tasha got the news about coming 3rd in the QOM at Leelanau, I feel like there is somewhat of a tail wind. Things are starting to fall into place, the work is paying off and we've gone through a rough patch. I wish /i could say that I stayed cool and was the voice of reason, but I lost it a few times, out of frustration. I would like to say that I stayed positive, but I'm not sure I did. Maybe that's why it took some time for things to roll around.
Oh yah...the race. Tasha's field was pretty minuscule, but sometimes those are the hardest races to win, so good on her for using her head and playing it out well and riding away with 8 km to go.
That's not say that she didn't attack her brains out, they just wouldn't let her go.
Jet Fuel on a whole rode a text book race. Sending one guy in every thing that got more than 10 feet up the rode. But the good thing is we deserved this one. We had a plan going in, we did ot of work, got 4 guys in the break and I sealed the deal with 30 km to go, I attacked and rolled through 30 painful km's rolling in with a pretty nice gap. Bryson just missed out on 2nd, coming 3rd and Ryan Attichison, who is a junior finished 5th, Pete in 6th. We smothered the podium, it was great.
I think it's pretty safe to say that I won't be trying any moves like that this week though. It's going to be a hard week, but I've got my plan and I think I can make it work.
Tour be Beauce here it is....
first off congrats to Haily and Peter, for tying the knot in Burlington Saturday night.
We travelled to Burlington on Saturday for a beautiful wedding at the Patella Mansion on Lake Ontario. I was a groomsmen and with exception of sweating profusely in my tux, it was the most fun I've had off the bike in a long time.
I felt like a loser for sticking to my sober self throughout the day, since we had to race Sunday and I'm starting The Tour de Beauce tomorrow morning. But we manged to repeat the double,
with Tasha and both winning the O cup yesterday in Milford.
The start of the season I felt like I was riding in a continual headwind. I felt like no matter what way I went, or what we did, on the bike or in life, it was just hard. A few tactical mistakes, a little mechanical mishaps, a few crashes and being hit by a car, it was just one thing after another. There were a couple times I wanted to pitch all the carbon, tubulars and technology in the river and just get an old steel bike with thick tires and heavy rims that I wouldn't have to fix.
But ever since Tasha got the news about coming 3rd in the QOM at Leelanau, I feel like there is somewhat of a tail wind. Things are starting to fall into place, the work is paying off and we've gone through a rough patch. I wish /i could say that I stayed cool and was the voice of reason, but I lost it a few times, out of frustration. I would like to say that I stayed positive, but I'm not sure I did. Maybe that's why it took some time for things to roll around.
Oh yah...the race. Tasha's field was pretty minuscule, but sometimes those are the hardest races to win, so good on her for using her head and playing it out well and riding away with 8 km to go.
That's not say that she didn't attack her brains out, they just wouldn't let her go.
Jet Fuel on a whole rode a text book race. Sending one guy in every thing that got more than 10 feet up the rode. But the good thing is we deserved this one. We had a plan going in, we did ot of work, got 4 guys in the break and I sealed the deal with 30 km to go, I attacked and rolled through 30 painful km's rolling in with a pretty nice gap. Bryson just missed out on 2nd, coming 3rd and Ryan Attichison, who is a junior finished 5th, Pete in 6th. We smothered the podium, it was great.
I think it's pretty safe to say that I won't be trying any moves like that this week though. It's going to be a hard week, but I've got my plan and I think I can make it work.
Tour be Beauce here it is....
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
More Good News!
So Derrick got into the Tour de Beauce again this year with Louis Garneau. This stage race starts next Tuesday June 10th and you can follow the race at http://www.tourdebeauce.com/. I'm very proud of him because he stuck to his plan and tried to do everything possible to get on a team again this year and he deserves it. He will be in Pink again and the LG team looks to be stronger than ever this year. It should be a great race for Derrick to do well at. I really hope to be able to make it to the last stage next weekend and cheer him on.
As for me, I'm finally over my illness. I got the flu Sunday night and felt awful. I kept thinking and replaying in my mind why I was so unmotivated to train on Sunday and why I wasn't ready to chase back on Saturday at the World Cup after my crash. Well for one, the crash scarred the crap out of me and there was no way I could get back on through a downhill in the rain. The amount of time it took me to recollect was way too long and also for that matter to find my bike. At first, I thought I was loosing my magic touch, what makes me "me". Anyone who knows me well enough or who has ever coached me, knows that I always want to train and race hard. I took Monday off and felt a bit better, but even so, on Tuesday I drove all the way out to Kanata to do my training only to here my coach say I shouldn't. But just him saying that made all the difference. He also lifted my spirits in many other ways. I was still upset about the weekend at the World Cup, and he changed my point of view on some things. Things might be looking up for me over, oh I don't know, say maybe the next 4 years (2012). Just keep my head up high, train hard with all the determination I have and things will happen eventually, right?
So, what's up for this weekend? First off, Derrick and I are going to a wedding. Don't worry, not ours! One of Derrick's closest friends. So I get to get all dolled up and feel pretty and more than just a jock for a day. Luckily my dress is cut exactly right to cover up the road rash on my right leg that I occurred at the World Cup last weekend. I just hope that the farmers tan is gone by Saturday!
After and before the wedding we are staying at Chateau Elliott's for two nights. Can't wait, parents are the best! On Sunday we might race the O-cup in Milford. It's right outside my parents house, so probably easier to do than my training when I get home that day.
Good luck to all my teammates who start the PEI stage race on Sunday!
NCE
As for me, I'm finally over my illness. I got the flu Sunday night and felt awful. I kept thinking and replaying in my mind why I was so unmotivated to train on Sunday and why I wasn't ready to chase back on Saturday at the World Cup after my crash. Well for one, the crash scarred the crap out of me and there was no way I could get back on through a downhill in the rain. The amount of time it took me to recollect was way too long and also for that matter to find my bike. At first, I thought I was loosing my magic touch, what makes me "me". Anyone who knows me well enough or who has ever coached me, knows that I always want to train and race hard. I took Monday off and felt a bit better, but even so, on Tuesday I drove all the way out to Kanata to do my training only to here my coach say I shouldn't. But just him saying that made all the difference. He also lifted my spirits in many other ways. I was still upset about the weekend at the World Cup, and he changed my point of view on some things. Things might be looking up for me over, oh I don't know, say maybe the next 4 years (2012). Just keep my head up high, train hard with all the determination I have and things will happen eventually, right?
So, what's up for this weekend? First off, Derrick and I are going to a wedding. Don't worry, not ours! One of Derrick's closest friends. So I get to get all dolled up and feel pretty and more than just a jock for a day. Luckily my dress is cut exactly right to cover up the road rash on my right leg that I occurred at the World Cup last weekend. I just hope that the farmers tan is gone by Saturday!
After and before the wedding we are staying at Chateau Elliott's for two nights. Can't wait, parents are the best! On Sunday we might race the O-cup in Milford. It's right outside my parents house, so probably easier to do than my training when I get home that day.
Good luck to all my teammates who start the PEI stage race on Sunday!
NCE
Monday, June 2, 2008
TDL - QOM RESULTS
Thanks goes out to Terry Ritter from Team Giant getting back to me today about the final QOM results from Tour de Leelanau. Turns out I came third overall, I would assume Anne won it and probably Leah Hobson came second. Terry your email made my day. I was bummed from Saturday's world cup and now have a fever and a cold. Now I'm going to suck it all up and go to work and then train my butt of this week! Okay maybe I don't always get bad luck, just seems that way sometimes when I work so hard and feel so fit, and never feel like I have any good results to show for it.
NCE
NCE
The Cross Curse
After I have done some reflecting on our recent racing, I have decided that Derrick and I have the cross curse. It seems like many of my friends/enemies, maybe I can call these people my friendemies. This is the crew that I raced with all cross season, that were my friends off the bike but my enemies during the race. It seems like all these people have the cross curse as well right now in their respective other sport (road or mountain). They have either had a bad crash or just haven't had a lot of luck during their races. The sad thing is I know how stupid strong most them are and they just can't get their luck to go right.
My race report for the world cup is super short. Pouring buckets of rain, started the race, went up the climb twice, was feeling good, at the front of the pack for the both climbs (in the top 10). Ina attacked on the top of the second climb and I saw everything clearly. Then the paced picked up and the next minute I know, Jeanie Longo, another rider and I are sliding down the back side of Mount Royal. My bike had left me about 150 metres up the road and I just kept sliding. Luckily that the road was pretty washed out as I came away pretty much ok. By the time I was up and the medic had seem me, I really wasn't ready to go and be psycho on the downhill and try and catch on. This is the World Cup, there was no way that I could get back on, and I was a little shaken up as well.
In a short 15k, my race was over and I didn't even have any reactions, nothing. Later that day I wanted to cry but I couldn't. I just told myself, that I train hard, I am ready and one day my luck will turn around and I will have the best race of my life. It was hard though, as my parents came and so did Derrick for the support. I felt like I let them down and also my teammates. I wanted to do well, my goals were set to come top 15 and the way I was climbing and how felt had indicated it was all in the cards. I really wanted to have to turn myself inside out on the 9th and 10th time up Mount Royal, but I never got a chance to see how I was going to hold up.
On a positive note, all my teammates raced really well. Sue finished amazingly in the top 35 and then Sophie, Trish and Julia all hung in there and almost got to the very end. Everyone had sent their goals high and accomplished them as well.
Yesterday Derrick and I went for a great ride in the park. 110 km of hills and Derrick pushing the pace here and there. I kind of didn't even want to ride at first. In the end, I finally got him at the sign sprint. I actually scared him as we were going over 65 k an hour on a flat and he jumped and I stayed on his wheel. I made some noise to try and come around him and it freaked him out and then I got the sprint. Considering I didn't even want to ride yesterday and was really bummed out, the ride ended up being a blessing in disguise. In turn I think the crash might of been a blessing in disguise as well. As now I am fighting the flu off this morning. Even though I didn't show it, I think the emotions were up and down the last few days, and I didn't feel quite 100%, but didn't want to admit this. I was even considering trying to get on a team to start the Montreal stage race that starts today. So luckily I didn't and now I have some time to recover, rebuild and wait for my luck to turn around. Hey if it doesn't, cross season is only 3 and a bit months away!
NCE
My race report for the world cup is super short. Pouring buckets of rain, started the race, went up the climb twice, was feeling good, at the front of the pack for the both climbs (in the top 10). Ina attacked on the top of the second climb and I saw everything clearly. Then the paced picked up and the next minute I know, Jeanie Longo, another rider and I are sliding down the back side of Mount Royal. My bike had left me about 150 metres up the road and I just kept sliding. Luckily that the road was pretty washed out as I came away pretty much ok. By the time I was up and the medic had seem me, I really wasn't ready to go and be psycho on the downhill and try and catch on. This is the World Cup, there was no way that I could get back on, and I was a little shaken up as well.
In a short 15k, my race was over and I didn't even have any reactions, nothing. Later that day I wanted to cry but I couldn't. I just told myself, that I train hard, I am ready and one day my luck will turn around and I will have the best race of my life. It was hard though, as my parents came and so did Derrick for the support. I felt like I let them down and also my teammates. I wanted to do well, my goals were set to come top 15 and the way I was climbing and how felt had indicated it was all in the cards. I really wanted to have to turn myself inside out on the 9th and 10th time up Mount Royal, but I never got a chance to see how I was going to hold up.
On a positive note, all my teammates raced really well. Sue finished amazingly in the top 35 and then Sophie, Trish and Julia all hung in there and almost got to the very end. Everyone had sent their goals high and accomplished them as well.
Yesterday Derrick and I went for a great ride in the park. 110 km of hills and Derrick pushing the pace here and there. I kind of didn't even want to ride at first. In the end, I finally got him at the sign sprint. I actually scared him as we were going over 65 k an hour on a flat and he jumped and I stayed on his wheel. I made some noise to try and come around him and it freaked him out and then I got the sprint. Considering I didn't even want to ride yesterday and was really bummed out, the ride ended up being a blessing in disguise. In turn I think the crash might of been a blessing in disguise as well. As now I am fighting the flu off this morning. Even though I didn't show it, I think the emotions were up and down the last few days, and I didn't feel quite 100%, but didn't want to admit this. I was even considering trying to get on a team to start the Montreal stage race that starts today. So luckily I didn't and now I have some time to recover, rebuild and wait for my luck to turn around. Hey if it doesn't, cross season is only 3 and a bit months away!
NCE
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Toronto Market Crit/MTL World Cup
Oh my god,
where to start. Well, drove to TO to do the St Laurence mkt crit. Great race. Four corner rectangle crit. One downhill into a tight corner, little uphill and voila. Add some high caliber Canadian riders and a flurry of mixed ability M1 M2 riders a couple thousand people watching, eating, drinking, a little rain, and a finish in the dark and that sums it up. I was in a chase group with Eric Wholberg and Marc Walters. They had no interest in in giving 100% to the chase as two of their guys were up the road. So I ended up working pretty hard. But that's the way it is.
I slipped out on a corner, when the rain made a perfect oil patch for me Somehow didn't rip the shorts. It happened so fast , I never let go of the bars, but got right back up, ran and hopped on Cross style, took a couple of laps to get back to Walters, Wholberg made his move, and he's pretty skilled and I just couldn't corner as well after being a little disheveled from this. I probably could have had a free lap, but I was in "squirl mode, looking for my nuts" so any rational thinking was beyond me. Oh hindsight, I love you , but you are a bugger.
So we never caught Eric and then Buck caught us, we rode around and then the pck caught us about 10 feet from the line, neither Buck or myself, or most of the field understood that this was the last lap. Have they ever heard of bells or laps cards...I don't have ESP nor do I have extra special power that let me hear the announcers from the other side of the crit...anyways I guess I needed someone yelling in an ear piece. The radios don't do us any good on my nightstand.
Great race though. It was probably pretty exciting to watch. Lots of people screaming for Jet Fuel, it was pretty wicked. Fans were loving it. Hats off to the S team...man what a unit. Those guys are seasoned pro's. Anytime I'm at a race and they are there, I always give 110%.
I drove halfway to MTL, stayed in Bellville and drove to MTL the next day. Tasha was riding as planned. Slight mishaps, someone crashed and a few went down. She's ok, most importantly., but could not continue the race as her bike was about 150 meters down the road and she was pretty shaked up. Let me tell you, that level, you can't just chase back. It's just not possible. You loose 30 seconds or minute and it would have been suicidal to try and chase on the rest of the downhill.
Oh well, it just wasn't in the cards for us this weekend. If you ever find that your life is boring and want to have a roller coaster of emotions and feel like you are loosing your mind, just race your bike at the elite/pro level and you'll learn a lot about yourself.
Most importantly, Tasha and I are there for each other through the ups and the downs. As funny as it sounds, the things you would think are hard, they are not. Training hard...give me a break, that's the easy part. Driving 2600 km's in a weekend...not that bad. The disappointments after a race where you "could have, would have,should have", for us that's the hardest part. Keeping your head on and not throwing your bike in the river or punching a hole in the wall Seriously, that's what part of me wants to do. The other part just wants to mope. Good thing that the best part of me tells me it's ok, that tomorrow it will be ok. The best part of me tells me she stills loves me, that it's ok, she helps me tie a knot into the post race remorse and throw the negative parts to the curb. I try to to do that for her too.
The skin heals, so do the feelings. When they do you are better and stronger. If it was always good, the greatness wouldn't be so great. Today, I couldn't have cared less if I rode or not. It was not peachy, the duo was kind of bummed out. Yup. But as stubborn as we are we headed off for a ride and saw Vince and C Dodson in the PARC somewhere in between we forgot about the bad and all that was there was the ride, in the rain and mist in the hills. Somehow it all went away when the legs got going and everything was back to normal.
Moral of the story. If something sucks, don't worry, don't stress...just ride.
DSJ
where to start. Well, drove to TO to do the St Laurence mkt crit. Great race. Four corner rectangle crit. One downhill into a tight corner, little uphill and voila. Add some high caliber Canadian riders and a flurry of mixed ability M1 M2 riders a couple thousand people watching, eating, drinking, a little rain, and a finish in the dark and that sums it up. I was in a chase group with Eric Wholberg and Marc Walters. They had no interest in in giving 100% to the chase as two of their guys were up the road. So I ended up working pretty hard. But that's the way it is.
I slipped out on a corner, when the rain made a perfect oil patch for me Somehow didn't rip the shorts. It happened so fast , I never let go of the bars, but got right back up, ran and hopped on Cross style, took a couple of laps to get back to Walters, Wholberg made his move, and he's pretty skilled and I just couldn't corner as well after being a little disheveled from this. I probably could have had a free lap, but I was in "squirl mode, looking for my nuts" so any rational thinking was beyond me. Oh hindsight, I love you , but you are a bugger.
So we never caught Eric and then Buck caught us, we rode around and then the pck caught us about 10 feet from the line, neither Buck or myself, or most of the field understood that this was the last lap. Have they ever heard of bells or laps cards...I don't have ESP nor do I have extra special power that let me hear the announcers from the other side of the crit...anyways I guess I needed someone yelling in an ear piece. The radios don't do us any good on my nightstand.
Great race though. It was probably pretty exciting to watch. Lots of people screaming for Jet Fuel, it was pretty wicked. Fans were loving it. Hats off to the S team...man what a unit. Those guys are seasoned pro's. Anytime I'm at a race and they are there, I always give 110%.
I drove halfway to MTL, stayed in Bellville and drove to MTL the next day. Tasha was riding as planned. Slight mishaps, someone crashed and a few went down. She's ok, most importantly., but could not continue the race as her bike was about 150 meters down the road and she was pretty shaked up. Let me tell you, that level, you can't just chase back. It's just not possible. You loose 30 seconds or minute and it would have been suicidal to try and chase on the rest of the downhill.
Oh well, it just wasn't in the cards for us this weekend. If you ever find that your life is boring and want to have a roller coaster of emotions and feel like you are loosing your mind, just race your bike at the elite/pro level and you'll learn a lot about yourself.
Most importantly, Tasha and I are there for each other through the ups and the downs. As funny as it sounds, the things you would think are hard, they are not. Training hard...give me a break, that's the easy part. Driving 2600 km's in a weekend...not that bad. The disappointments after a race where you "could have, would have,should have", for us that's the hardest part. Keeping your head on and not throwing your bike in the river or punching a hole in the wall Seriously, that's what part of me wants to do. The other part just wants to mope. Good thing that the best part of me tells me it's ok, that tomorrow it will be ok. The best part of me tells me she stills loves me, that it's ok, she helps me tie a knot into the post race remorse and throw the negative parts to the curb. I try to to do that for her too.
The skin heals, so do the feelings. When they do you are better and stronger. If it was always good, the greatness wouldn't be so great. Today, I couldn't have cared less if I rode or not. It was not peachy, the duo was kind of bummed out. Yup. But as stubborn as we are we headed off for a ride and saw Vince and C Dodson in the PARC somewhere in between we forgot about the bad and all that was there was the ride, in the rain and mist in the hills. Somehow it all went away when the legs got going and everything was back to normal.
Moral of the story. If something sucks, don't worry, don't stress...just ride.
DSJ
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