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Eastern Ontario Cross Action

Sorry that there have not been a lot of updates lately. We ve been busy trying to sort out a bunch of stuff.

First off, wicked race last weekend held by the RWR crew. The venue was great, the competition was intense and the course design was outstanding.

The young guns of the area were in full effect as they were givin' their all to take home the massive trophies. Luckily we were able to take the hardware home and put in some great racing in a low key environment. Not sure if you saw the videos of the race on www.kriswestwood.wordpress.com but he also did an awesome job in recapping the weekend.

The OBC crew didn't lest the Ottawa city ban of cross races get them down, they held the race in Renfrew at the fair grounds, it was great choice. This series is also evolving. I really like the way it has a few tape off sections, a more of a staggered start and the course length is close to what we see at any UCI race. There were a couple really cool elements in the course that I was not expecting. Even Mc Neely put up a great fight and I could actually hear him breathing down my neck. It was great to be able to watch Tasha in the same race as well. Which by the way she won the challenge. My challenge was to try and lap her, her challenge was to stay on the same lap...so I m washing the toilet for a month, and believe me, when you eat as much vegetables as we do that is not fun.

If you are racing in the cold...the glove to get is the LG CX Kevlar, it was the perfect choice, first off it looks cool, cause it's white...secondly no problems shifting, hands stayed warm.

Also rocked the LG Plastron with wind protection, then the LG compression long sleeve thermal under my skin suit, LG Thermal underwear and I was golden racing in -4 degs.

I know it sounds lame, but thanks to all the guys who stood in the cold, to chat to cheer, to race. It was a great few weeks at home, we definitely appreciate all the support from the community.

I didn't think that I went that hard yesterday, but I missed the exit for Cornwall...

We got home and I threw some wood in the wood stove now all our stuff smells peperoni.

DSJ

Hammertime

SO this weekend is the RWR Hammer and Anvil cross race www.ridewithrendall.com.

I expect some stiff competition as some of Canada's best riders will be there.

Come by and race, watch or say hi.

I promise that the race will be entertaining.

After the race, Shawarma Palace Rideau street here we come.

Nationals and then some

So Nationals has come and gone. And as much as Derrick and I thought those Jersey's would change our lives, well they don't. You win some and you loose some. I really did think it was my time to finally be racing and representing Canada as the national champ. I suffered off the bike for 6 months with health issues and took care of everything before I began training again. I'd made sure my body was going to be able to handle it and at the start of my season I wasn't thinking about any National title. I was just happy to be racing, but then it started to happen, my racing got better, I began winning races and getting better results than before. I thought this year was going to be the year and for all my suffering and pain off the bike, not only thinking that I might never ride again but the fact that I might never be healthy and happy again, that this nationals was going to be some magical day. Sure it wasn't a given but leading up to the race I thought my chances were really high.

The day wasn't meant to be for Derrick and I from the moment we woke up. From the rotten soy milk I had purchased the night before and was going to drink it before the race until I smelt it. To forgetting our electric pump charger at the hotel when we arrived at the course. Also to straying from my normal warmup and doing something different. To even changing my training the two weeks before thinking that it would work better to what I had been doing and was working great so far this season. What was I thinking. As that list goes on, so does the list of bad luck events off the start line of our races. I was shocked at the series of bad lucks, and verbal abuse that happened in the first 1 minute of the race. Then the crash in front of me which I somehow in a split section chose to ride over the riders bike and not the rider as she sprawled herself over the corner of the course. Which later lead to my seat post completely snapping in half, I thought something was a little off after it happened and then one little bump and snap. Everything played out in my head for the next 24 hours. But regardless, the mind and the legs weren't working in sync like they usually do.

As much as we both didn't want to race on Sunday, it was the only right thing we could do this weekend. Sure our legs and minds weren't even 100% on day 2 after tossing and turning all night, but it was nice have a little bit better day.

The greatest thing about this nationals was all the lessons I learnt, it's kind of how the season has been going. I think cause maybe my legs havn't fully came back from my illness, that my body is just saying go for it everyday this season and everything you learn in the process will stored away for the rest of this season and even better for next year.

Also the even greater thing about nationals was all the love/hugs and support we got from our fans, family and friends. Even though we complained to them or maybe cried on a few shoulders, it didn't matter, they understood completely. It showed Derrick and I that even though these people knew those Jerseys' were right there for us, they still loved us for having an off day at the office.

So part 2 of the cross season is about to begin. Everything happened for reason and it means for a few changes for the rest of our journey, but most importantly to only change the things that are not working not the ones that are. It's still a long season with Glen's Hammer and Anvil races, then off for the finale of the NACT series is Massachusetts, as well as UCI races in RI, then just a little low key stuff after that, like world cups and world championships.

My horoscope on Sunday said not to regret or get mad at time. Just to move on, don't try and make time stand still or go back as it will get you no where. Forget, move forward and believe in the greatest things to come.

What is a Snuggie!

So apparently I haven't been home on a weekend to chill out and relax and watch tv and see all the amazing tv commercials of what great things you can buy now a days. Just 5 minutes ago I saw something for a Snuggie. Man these things could probably sell at a cross race :). For those cold races, just wrap yourself up in a snuggie and then your hands are free to still ride your bike. They also would be very convenient at my parents house, as they like to keep the heat really low all winter long.

This week was great. Got to recover from two seriously hard days of racing in Kentucky. If you want to see how hard I went, just go to cyclingdirt.org from the Saturday race and watch at about 40 minutes. See me cross the line and then fall down like a turtle being flipped. What you can't hear on the video is Derrick coming over and telling me to get off the ground. I went so hard I didn't know anything that was going on. Then as I was down on the ground I had like 5 camera's around taking pictures, it was pretty funny. Anyways I have forgotten how hard I went those two days but not by too much as I have put all my efforts into my training this week. It's been going really well and this year I'm trying the complete opposite of what I have done the past 3 seasons for Nationals. Maybe it will work, maybe not, but what ever happens, I just want to been crossing the line saying I couldn't of gone 1 second faster or pushed 1 watt harder.

Kentucky was great prep but my racing was far from perfect. The first day I went ballistic off the start to crash and loose my 5 second lead that I opened up in the first minute of the race. I regained composure, crashed again, but then got a gap on the chase and finished 2nd. 2nd day I doubted myself a little bit and didn't think I could put in a good day again. In the first lap if I had only realized I was riding faster than day 1 maybe things would of went better. The videos don't give me justice cause as I was within 3 seconds of Georgia the announcers thought I was someone else, but no that was me chasing her down. Again some bad luck with not being confident enough on all the work I have put in this year in a short period of time. Even though I was closing on the first place, I became more concerned with what was going on behind, stupid, stupid me. I crashed more times I could count and each time I looked behind more and more until finally a mechanically left me loosing 30 seconds and dropping back to 8th. I picked myself up and ended up almost catching 3rd with 1 lap to go and then bobbled a bit to end up 4th.

How many times I have been mad at myself this week for Sunday's race can be more than one could imagine. Each time my races have been so so this year, I have beat myself up about it. Why am I so hard on myself, considering I was quitting racing in May this year during my illness, I have no idea. In years of past, I don't think I have ever picked apart my races like I do now. Maybe I know that I can do better or I should have more confidence, who knows, maybe I'm just searching for that one perfect race where everything lines up and I am unstoppable!

NCE

Kentucky

Morning,

just getting ready to pull out of Findlay Ohio.

Saturday Tasha was on fire, she claimed her first USGP podium, she got the whole shot, had a 10 second gap , bobbled a bit in the sand, Gould passed her, and she could not match Gould, who would have most likely would have won any race on the planet that day.

I started like...I started like I don't know but it wasn't the best. Anyways, Pit bull to work and plowed through all the way to seventh, fought with Jamey Driscoll of Cannnodale and I hit a post and thought I broke all my ribs, Jones passed me and I finished 9th. I was happy with this this, not hitting the post, but the ride.

Sunday Tasha almost had Georgia, she really went for it, that was the plan, to just give'er. She went so hard she absolutely lost her mind and started riding into stakes, dropping her chain, and just being too frazzled. But hey, she tried her best for three laps to try and catch Georgia, the reports don t give it justice, it was insane to see her so fired up, she just went a little too deep into cave and it cost her a few places.

I had a great start, but just could't relax my upper body as my shoulder was giving me grief and I was grabbing handfulls of brake in the first lap, I was in about 8th, but some sloppy riding and I finished 12th.

The course is awesome, this is the 2013 World's venue, course will be different, but it's gonna be great...Louisville is a great city, wish we could have stayed longer, thanks to our hosts/pit crew/course builders/volunteer/racer Dwayne and his wife Michelle, and former host John R for the additional pit crew, hopefully next time we can bring a mechanic and don t have to leach off you guys.

Ok, Tasha wants to go to Walmart to get a yoga video.

DSJ

2 days in Toronto

So back on this side of the border for some racing in one of our favorite venues in Toronto. We like this race, cause it's kind of home, well closer than most races, this time of year you get some good cross weather, not blistering hot, like 30 degs in Ohio, but not frigidly cold that as soon as your done you have to get out of dodge. It's great to chat with people that we don't get see very often and it's a pretty relaxed setting.

Maybe it was a little too relaxed the first day, as Natasha was a little behind the 8 ball. I'm not going to say that she didn't race well, she raced ok, but it's cross right, you put forth an ok performance you'll get an ok result. She finished 2nd on Saturday. She was forced into racing a different race, racing more defensively, almost scared. Saturday night she looked at me and said, "I'm not racing full out, this is gotta change".

Sunday, she put on her game face and she did her race, man, what a 360. To go from the nail, to the hammer in 24 hrs. I was fired up. I saw her ride in warm up and I knew that the fire was burning, she threw a match on it and I tried to poured the kerosene.

Jon Safka, cycling news photo

She rode awesome. I saw the lines, through the corners, on the off cambers, big steps through the sand, fluidity over the barrier and lots of pain in the pace...perfect.

For myself, Saturday ended up being a little bit of a cluster, crashing all over the place, having barrier tape fly across the course into my gears, almost taking out Alex in the first bike exchange, pushing so hard up the hill that I unclipped a pedal on a 20% gradient...but I struggled, fought back, found composure and put in a solid day.

Sunday was much better, it was a race. I lead most of the race and dictated the pace, put the attacks in and was relentless, I hammered over the hill through the drop off and bobbled, causing Davide to attack and could not match his acceleration after this. But I know it was a race, yah I went so hard that I forced my error, but eventually it would have been him who would have dabbed and I would have done a similar thing...

But it was 56 minutes of pain...today I know I raced when I woke up. Sometimes after a so so race on Sunday, I think I can't wait to better the performance next Saturday, today I thought, holly shit, it's gonna take me at least 48 hours to physically recover from this effort and probably 5 days to recover from the effort mentally, good news is that should work out just fine. This is what I wanted, this is what I got, there is no doubt in my body and mind that once I recover I am better and stronger than before.
Jon Safka, cycling news photo


So funny that on paper, 2nd place both days looks the same, but it's like the difference between Ultegra and Dura Ace, they look the same, but clearly not the same.

Strong Belgian Ale Beer Label

So here it is, the beer label. It's probably the coolest thing I've ever had the opportunity to be involved with as far as bike racing goes.

A friend of the photographer (Chip) facebooked me Friday evening and I was able to meet both Chip and Rob on Saturday before my race in Gloucester. All the credit for the photo goes to Rob Bauer. Check out all his photo's at http://doublehop.blogspot.com, he takes some pretty awesome shots.

The beer is a limited edition brewed by John Harvard's Brew House (http://www.johnharvards.com/index.shtml). It's a small chain restaurant with locations in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York. There will only be 10 bottles or so of it made, mainly for the upcoming race tomorrow night in Shrewsbury, Ma. It's called The Night Weasels Cometh. If your interested in the race you can go to check it out. I think online registration is over, but they do take day of registration. http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=11740

I am fortunate enough to get one of the beers and it will be saved for my Dad and brother in law. I might hold a bidding war between them to see if they can pay for my trip to Europe this winter!

Thanks to everyone involved to make this happen as well as special thanks to Steen Sawyer, the General Manager at John Harvard's Brew House. I'm truly honored that you chose me to be a part of this.

NCE

Gloucester Day 1 and 2

So, we are back home again. Got in late (1:30 am), but not feeling that rough today. Mandatory day off should be good to get things organized in the house again, lots of bike cleaning for Derrick and house cleaning and groceries for me.

Thought I write a little race report on day 1 and 2 of Gloucester of how things were shaping up. It was absolutely awesome. Day 1, like Derrick said shifting problems off the start, a little bit of no race sharpness left me digging deep in the first lap or 2. But I made it to the front group only to be dumb enough to stay on the back of it and keep getting popped off and then crash and pop off again. I saw myself trying to pass in the wrong sections and just getting boxed out and losing all momentum. My race sharpness was awful. Then I rolled a tubular but fortunately right before the pits and ran in grabbed my bike from Alex Sanna (are awesome pit supporter for the weekend) and came out probably in 20th as it was 2 laps into the race and still all together. Then it happened. I just got all this fire, and moved through the field. The months of suffering and being sick and thinking I couldn't ever be where I was before all became a distant memory. Sure enough I never made it to the front 2 but I got with 4 seconds on 1 to go. It was so close and the crowd was going crazy for me. In my mind it was like I was winning the race.

I ended up 3rd and the congrats I got after the race from the announcers and people I knew and people I didn't was amazing. If they only knew what kind of things happened to me in the last year and that in May I said I would never race my bike again.

The race was also a valuable lesson of how you can be going terrible in race for the first few laps and have everything go wrong and still come back from it. When I was in 2oth or so, I didn't think for a second it was over, I just put my head down and tried to do the best I could do from then on out, hammered the off camber straight aways, jumped out of the corners, came in with speed and exited with speed, I rode every section the way I wanted to. Here's me in the hunt for the 2 leaders:

These are the kinds of lessons that pay off huge when you race on an even bigger scale in Europe and at the World Cups.

Day 2, I wanted it and I tried, but again, not a great start and I was fighting to be on the tail end of the lead group again. I thought I was having trouble with the run up, but then after watching a video learnt it was the line I was taking, the long road which was also looser dirt and harder to get traction. I never got to lead the one section I wanted to, from the run up to the barriers and fast down towards the pits. So, then I tried attacking early, a little too early, another tactical error. I got a gap twice only to get reeled in as I never got out of sight enough. Then of course the 3rd attack done by Meridith was the one that went. There were certain sections that I was not riding well hanging in a group as I would come in with lots of momentum in the corners only to fly up into the wheel of the rider in front of me and scrub all my speed for exiting the corner. I needed to lead it but just didn't pick the right times or spots to go. I was in a fight for 2nd but couldn't get to the front of the group of 3 and was closing gaps for the last lap or 2. Ended up 4th, which I seem to racking a lot of these places up this year. I'm sure Saturday's efforts paid there toll on me a bit, but I still gave it a go on Sunday and fought hard and tried to get away.

Derrick came in 11th day 2 and although he raced much better, he still ended up having a better placing in the first day. It's crazy how that happens, but he was happy with his efforts for the day. Both in the men's and women's fields it is so close at the top, that a couple people have a bad first day and then come on strong the second and vice versa. The results can change day to day and it's all about having a day when you feel good as well as a little luck and riding the right lines. It's also becoming a lot more tactical on dry fast courses. The women's racing is progressing and for us to race in more of a pack than the men's race is awesome to see. That doesn't happen too often in women's racing, but let me tell you it makes it way harder to ride your lines and you have to fight for it every step of the way to not let someone pass you. I think we spend more time in the lead group taking each other out than anything.

So I'll take the 3rd and 4th from this weekend and remember the long term goals and go from there. I'm coaching myself right now and I know the work I've done and what is planned over the next few months. It's kind of a cool feeling to really understand what the real point is of your training and where it is going. I also have been trying different days off during the week (there is always one day off every week) and just seeing how my body reacts to them. I'm experimenting this year, sure I'd love to have a coach, but for right now I didn't want to commit myself to a strict plan until I knew how my body would recover and react after almost a year of being ill.

So to some it up, great weekend. Gloucester always feels like home and I always get treated well there by the organizers. We had awesome host housing offered to us last minute as a few changes were made and everything worked out great. The races this weekend brought out some great competition with some of the best roadies and mountain bikers from North America. I knew tactically the races were going to be super hard with a former US national road champion and Laura VG with more career wins than probably the field added up together.

You can check out the videos from this weekend on cyclingdirt.org. Colt does an awesome job with everything. I think he keeps on interviewing Derrick and I to keep the Canadian viewership high. Let me know what you think to them. It's fun to do them and I guess you hope people like them and see your personality but don't judge you too much. I'm sure people are going to get sick of watching me or hearing me say after every race it was a "great race". I guess that's what you say though if you are just so happy to be out on your bike again. I can't seem to wipe the smile off of my face. I just need to grit the teeth a little more on the starts and not let people in!

Thanks for all the people cheering for us this weekend, and all the post race congrats, it was awesome and truly meant a lot to me! Also to all our sponsors and supporters (everyone at the Garneau factory), Alex Sanna (http://www.soigneurraceservices.com/index.php), and friends and family.

Got to go, Derrick just mooned me from the window outside as he is cleaning bikes. Ha, ha, we may be tired but it's nice to see him having fun cleaning the bikes, until later tonight when he is on the couch at 8pm sleeping with slobber coming out of his mouth.

NCE

Gloucester day 1

Hey

Quick little update. Traveled to Gloucester yesterday, arrived in a timely way..then started to ride the trainer...Tash said "let's go to the course"..so we rode to the course...she flatted, I rode the flat 20km in the pouring rain and it was completely dark. Oh well, it's all about perspective...

Tasha had crazy amounts of bad luck today, a shifter problem on the start line, then a a bad start, then rolled a tire, then ran to the pit, then managed to get up to third. She put in a great ride! got way too excited and half assed my warm up, so I was a little off the pace at the start.

I had a small little crash that cost me a bit and shook me up a bit as I went over my bars, but it's ok. It wasn't the best ride, in the top ten, but I kind of shut it down and I plan on going well tomorrow...picked up 40 $ in cash through the barriers, 20$ on the ground and 20$ out of a lady's mouth...gotta make a living eh?

So other than that...Tasha is gonna have her picture on a brand of beer, limited edition for Cross season...wicked, free beer, wooohooo!

Other than that, great weather today, I love it here, it's so nice, the Ocean, the atmosphere, the race, love it. Nice sun shine.

Oh yah check out www.cyclingdirt.org we are going to have a funny post race interview.

Ok...relax time.

DSJ

Check it out

http://www.cxmagazine.com/2010-nact-season-continues-in-gloucester#more-14382

Yup, Gloucester this weekend. This is one of the best cross races of the year..I think there were 90 guys in the mens filed and almost 50 in the womens, that's a lot of people on 3km of track!

DSJ

Wednesday morning update

Ever wonder where they get those cyclists to do ads and photos...wel I guess some of them are racers after all.

http://www.louisgarneau.com/lang_select.php

You can check out the specs on our new cross bikes on the LG website as well. Our b bikes are pretty much specked out like the retail high end version available to consumers.

http://www.louisgarneau.com/ca-en/product/381525/1303062/Cyclocross/STEEPLE-X_ELITE_BIKE

Which reminds me, Natasha will be selling her "A" bike from last year, the blue steeple x elite, size medium, with full dura ace, EASTON ecx 90 FORK.

Now that I think of it, she is also selling her LG MNT bike, size medium, XT and XTR, with rock shock SID, XT wheels, Kenda tubeless. It's in great condition as she rode the bike a grand total of 4 times! Send me a mail, derrickstjohn@hotmail.com.

So if you know anyone that needs a cross or mountain bikes, gives us a shout well be glad to give you a smoking deal on either.

Alright, now that all the buisness is out the way...

We did the Rochester UCI Cross race this past weekend. It was a a great day.

We basically decided that after Seattle and Vegas, we didn't want to do the trip to Wisconsin and totally blow our budget for the year in the first 10 days, not to mention that is alot of racing, travelling, logistics...so we penciled the Rochester race in, one day, four hour drive...it was

Tasha took her first win of the year. She got the hole shot and never looked back. True it was a smaller field than usual, but we used it as a bit of a training race, to work out some kinks and pick up some points and cash. Gotta make a living right?

I think I may have pushed it a little too hard Friday, as I was feeling bagged on Sunday before the race. I hate to say that I was counting the money before I even put my shoes on and sure enough it was a bit early for that. Another "fast guy" showed up and I had to put myself in a world of hurt that I wasn't really expecting just follow his wheel. He (Justin L) won the race the day before in New Hampshire, so I knew he is in top shape. We put on a great battle, jockeying back and forth, I attacked so hard a few times that I thought I face was going to explode and I began to really hate just how hard I could push myself for what seemed like an unusual amount of time. In some ways it was harder than going up Megantic...more like going up Megantic and getting off every now and then to run, and then somehow not eat shit in a crazy down hill corner...I messed it up a bit by pushing myself so hard that I came into a technical section in the wrong gear and had to dismount to not loose too much speed, he took advantage of this and I could not make that 5 seconds back and I had to settle for 2nd. Just goes to show you how hard it is to actually "win" races, show up 5% down and it makes it so hard to win. But I think it was a success in many ways, as to put in an effort like this for a "training" race, was awesome and the cash at this race was great, so with the exception of not getting the cool trophy it was a 9/10.

Admittedly I was nervous as hell cause I knew it was a great chance to win, but it will have to be another day. Great to see Tasha hit her stride again and just make it look so effortless, although I know she is giving it, she just has a way of making it look so nice. Plus after what we went through this winter, you have no idea what it means to both of us to have her not only on her bike, but on her game making her way back up.

DSJ

Vegas baby, your money baby

Not sure if you've seen the movie Swingers, with Vince Vaughn, but I always think about that line when I hear Vegas.

Below, pic from Tim Gasperak, from Sunday's Rad Racing GP in Seattle...yah that's why I spent 4 hours cleaning bikes before our flight to Vegas...

Alright. So how dry is it in the desert? Nose bleed dry. Bone Dry. Dry Cleaners...ok that doesn't make any sense, but you get get the picture.

SO for me, I feel like I 'm really close to where I want to be. I finished 16th, which doesn't really sound all that great, but I was in the lead group for most of the race. The lead group of 16. Haha I was the first one to get popped off of it as I was at the back and Trebon's accelerations out of the corners were killing me at the back, definitely felt the elastic. There are times when I thought, holly shit I should have ridden my cross bike more than 5 times this year, but the technique and the fluidity will come over the next couple weeks, as my technique gets better as I race and get accustomed to my bike. I know it sounds dumb but the geometry on the new bikes is alot different, so I just didn't bother riding the other one too much, no sense in getting used to it, cause I had to change. Maybe I'm just lazy.

So back to the race, I was riding in the group and I was just making my way to the front when Driscoll attacked and I started to go up high and I was going to try and follow, but Tim J shut the door and I had to jam on my breaks and I ended up losing a few spots and being at the back of the train again. I just kept thinking..."feel like shit, must attack, feel like I am going to die, probably a good time to attack"...but I just couldn't quite get up there enough to launch it.

WE rode a pair of file treads I glued the day before...usually the tires take a day to dry, but cause there is no humidity, the tires were dry in a bout 3 hours, crazy. Anyways, probably would have helped to ride the files a few times, as I didn't really push them to their limits, but rode them respectably none the less. Great to be in the mix(for a bit) in this race, a few tweaks here and there and I'm in striking distance.

On the last lap two guys caught me, I had done so much work to ride by myself in no mans land for 3 laps and I wanted to fight for my spot. SO I'm running up the final Barriers and I hear a guy yell..."c'mon you ve worked so hard for this, if you don t do it now when are you going to do it". That was enough motivation for me me to just crank it up over the last km and crush the sprint.

It's really funny what you can take from small moments like that. Cause if you can't teach yourself to win from a small group fighting for table scraps, how are you ever going to win when the stakes are 10 times higher right? Anyways it the little things like that I believe are important to focus on when you are trying to progress to taking things to the next level.

So next time your in a little group , fight for those small spots, cause eventually, those small victories add up and could make the difference between landing on the podium or just off the mark.

Tasha rode well. She wasn't totally overcome with joy about her performance, but the race on the weekend and the travel, and the jet lag did kick in a bit, a little more for her than me. But her plan was come out strong at the beginning of the season, and get stronger. Where as in previous years she has come out blazing, and faded, the plan was to be on fire in November, so you gotta go with the flow.

Huge thanks to Phil Cortes and Pierre Perron (Director of LG USA) for standing in the pits and giving us a hand at the race.

No rest for the wicked as we leave again tomorrow to race the Rochester UCI race on Sunday, should be good times. A little bit of a smaller venue and race, but should be good none the less.

West Jet flight, Vegas to Montreal...less than four hours, and 3bike bags...0$...insane...West Jet is the way to go...seats were more comfortable as well.

DSJ

Seattle to Vegas

Man, what a week. So busy, barely had enough time to breath before we arrived in Vegas.

We are staying in an absolutely breathtaking house in Vegas, the more you look at the intricate architectural nuances of this home, the more appreciate the fact that some one spent alot of time designing this place. Not to mention that our host family both families here on the West coast have been absolutely fantastic and in a strange twist, are both husbands are Anesthesiologists. What are the odds?

Speaking of odds, also time to double down tonight for the showdown in the desert. Gonna be fast,hot and fun.

Ok, I think you can check the race out on line but women's is at 8 pacific and men's 920...so most East coasters will be in bed.

DSJ

Star Crossed

So we are just about to hit the hay, but I ll give a little blurb.
Got the new bikes Wednesday, i built both of them as the factory couldn't get them to us in time built, so i did em. Shit, ever build 2 bikes in a day, then take em apart and pack 4 bikes before a flight...long day.
Flew out to Seattle Thursday, paid an insane amount for bikes...can t even think about it makes me nauseous.
It's always raining here in Seattle, but it;s a really cool place. We are on Lake Washington, great view from he third level of our hosts house...who are really nice and generous, I feel like I live here.
Had the best Sumatra Aged coffee..so good.
Tasha raced first, opted for "normal" tires, but she crashed then grabbed the other bike with the muds and she was good, finished 5th, i think it will be up from here. She was happy with that as she s been away from racing all year so not quite sure how it would go.
http://www.cyclingdirt.org/coverage/237604-10-NACT-1-Star-Crossed-2-Rad-Racing-GP/video/356410-Natasha-Elliott-Post-Star-Crossed
I somehow managed to get my glove caught in a cassette or chain on the first lap crash, after i recovered, i put down what I would say was one of my better "muddy" rides, as i was 10-15 seconds behind a close battle for third, after I had to claw my way back from 20th or so.
I'm happy with this. I think i ll sleep well i ll take lucky 7 for the first one.
Im just not happy with the laundry and bike cleaning that will have to be done.
Star Crossed is an awesome race, wicked fans, awesome atmosphere, lots of fans cheering their brains out, good times. Have to say though racing at 8pm Pacific time is not easy though...i m more of a morning person.
K bye , I will eat some cabbage and go to bed.

DerRICKYism

What exactly is a DerRICKYism it's when you are trying to say

something but say something else cause you are so messed up from training. You'll notice every now and then I forget to hit the spell check...sorry.
Anyways chaos this week getting everything sorted out...total panic at times...lots of frigin Vittoria glue all over my basement and lots of sweat on the floor below my computrainer and lots of mud tracked over our house from our new bikes...which are the bomb! Man they are Fantastich(DerRickyism). Huge thanks to all the people at LG for pretty much trying to bend over backwards to have all systems go by Thursday.

Lots of getting up at 5am to get the day going...but from the Ranch coffee taste pretty sweet watching this...

Up top a sneak peak of the new bikes, protoype kits, prototype shoes, and effects of my only eating cabbage and carrots and fish for a month.

DSJ

For pleasure or pain

SO big little chunk of training done. My sisters wedding reception is tonight so I have a well deserved "off" day. Lately I've not been scared to really push the training a bit more and when I need to be off, I just take a day or two until I'm fired up and ready push myself extremely hard. For me this approach seems to be working pretty well, we'll know for sure in a few weeks.

Tash and i got out the other day to teach a beginners level Cross Clinic. I was surprised hoe hard it was to explain things and pic certain techniques apart, I mean I don't really think about jumping on or off it just happens...but it took a few years to make it effortless that's for sure, I remember plenty of bruises to the groin.

We're doing a more int/advanced clinic Monday. I have some surprises for that one.
Technique aside, in some ways Cross training hurts so much more than anything. You got an hour put all the suffering in to. I make myself do workouts that hurt really bad, but eventually I'm able to find the pleasure in the pain and them I'm on.

I read something the other day that I thought was interesting...the athlete says..."do the intervals have to be that hard?" Coach says"well in general to win in cycling it is hard, if you are not prepared to do this, perhaps this sport is not for you". Really there's not much more I can say.

Sometimes when I hear about the "sweet burn" I think of drink a nice glass of lemonade...but to me most of the time you gotta eat raw limes...the sweet pain is good but the sour pain separates the best from the rest.

DSJ

Cyclo Cross Clinics

So just some quick updates on the clinics Derrick and I will be holding. I know we said we would be doing more blog posts, but our little ranch lost it's Internet and we are waiting for the service providers to set up an account again. A few more days and we should be back in business with more blog posts of silliness that you probably don't even want to read. Back to the clincs, please read below........

CYCLEFIT Cyclo-Cross Beginner and Advanced Clinics

For men, women and kids ages 10+

Cyclo-Cross: 2hr BEGINNERS clinic
Location: Strathcona Parc - Ottawa

Monday Aug. 30Th, 2010
5:30pm-7:30pm

Rate:
FREE for CycleFit CHICK members
$15 of all other participants

See below for Beginner clinic details

Cyclo-Cross: 3hr BEGINNER and ADVANCED clinics

Location: Strathcona Parc, Ottawa

Monday Sept. 6th, 2010
Beginners Cross Clinic - 12pm-3pm
Advanced Cross Clinic - 3:15pm-6:15pm

Rate:

$20
See below for the Beginner and Advanced clinic details

HOW TO REGISTER:

Email CYCLEFIT@ROGERS.COM

Information Needed:

Name
Email
Phone/Cell number
We will phone to confirm and then bill you via PAYPAL

Beginners Clinic: For those getting started in cyclo cross (0-2 years experience). We will be working on bike mounts/dismounts, the basics of clipping in and unclipping, crossing low barriers, carrying/shouldering bike and running with it, as well as cornering on various surfaces (gravel, sand, dirt, grass).

Advanced Clinic: For more experienced cyclo cross racers and have been doing it for a few years but need some tips and methods to practice and develop their skills further. We will be working on barriers with speed and how to keep your momentum, off camber riding, tight cornering on various surfaces (gravel, sand, dirt, grass), as well as steep hills and how to power over them with out getting off your bike.

Both Clinics: Will also discuss equipment, clothing and tire selection advice. Warming up for races, the best way to warm up as well as get a feel for the course, and cooling down. Any questions/discussions from clinic participants.
Also minor help in setting up bikes as it is slightly different to a road set up.

What to Bring:

Helmet
Bike and Equipment/clothing (even a MTB could be used)
Snack food and water bottle

About your instructors- Natasha and Derrick:

Natasha Elliott is a professional cyclo cross racer with Garneau Club Chaussures. In 2008 (her 3rd season of cyclo cross), she started to excel and really find her love for cyclo cross racing. That year she won 7 international UCI races across North America and her highest ranking was 16th in the World, she also placed 13th at a World Cup in France. 2009 brought even more success with bigger wins, including the Grand Prix of Gloucester double wins, considered the New England world's of cyclo-cross, the NACT series overall championship title and was ranked as high as 13th in the world. Back from an illness that kept her out of racing and training from last fall to this summer, she brings to the 2010 season even better form and expects to have even greater success. Through out her campaign she has raced on many different circuits in many different countries around the world. Natasha is very energetic with lots of tricks and tips she has learned through her cyclo cross career that she is willing to share with you. You can follow Natasha and her husband on their blog at

derrickandnatashathedynamicduo.blogspot.com

DERRICK ST.JOHN

Derrick St John is a professional road and cross racer with Garmeau. He finished 2nd at Canadian Cross Nationals in 2009 and stepped on the podium several times in the Verge series and Toronto Intl Cross. This year he also finished 2nd at the mount Megantic stage at the Tour de Beauce. Derrick will share tips to make you strong and has some unique skills that will amp up your cross riding.

NCE

Cross Schedule

So, here it is.......The D and N's cross schedule for 2010-11 season. Still to be TDB is some of the stuff at the end as well as if it will go any later in the year and also into 2011. We are still waiting on the dates of Glen Rendall's Ride with Rendall cross races this year (The Anvil). I have heard that they are going to be pretty exciting races this year and we are definitely going try to make them fit with our Calendar.


2010-11 Cyclocross Race Calendar


DATE: RACE: PLACE:

Sept. 18/19 StarCrossed/Rad Racing, Redmond/Issaquah, Washington
NACT SERIES

Sept. 22 CrossVegas Las Vegas, Nevada

Sept. 26 Rohrbach's Ellison Rochester, New York
Park Cyclocross

Oct. 2/3 Gran Prix of Gloucester,Gloucester, MA
NACT SERIES

Oct. 10 OFF or OBC race Ottawa, Ontario

Oct. 16/17 Toronto International Toronto, Ontario
Cyclo-Cross

Oct. 23/24 Derby City Cup, USGP Louisville, KY

Oct. 31 OFF or OBC race Ottawa, Ontario

Nov. 6/7 Canadian National Toronto, Ontario
Championships

Nov. 13/14 OFF or OBC race Ottawa, Ontario

Nov. 20/21 Super Cross Cup, Southhampton, NY
NACT SERIES

Nov. 26/27/28 Bay State Cyclocross or Sterling, MA
Jingle Cross Rock (3 days) Iowa City, Iowa
or World Cup Koksijde, Belgium
TBD

Dec. 4/5 NBX Grand Prix or Warwick, RI
USGP Stanley Portland Cup Portland, OR
TBD

After December 6th TBD

There you have it, there's were the reigning 2009 North American Trophy Series Champion is going to be all cross season. Most notably what I like you to notice is that the OBC or off weekends. I will try and be out for one OBC race hopefully, but one of the these weekends is definitely going to be off and no race of any kind at all. It doesn't mean I can't come out to the OBC race and show my local support and cheer people on. All I'm saying is that a true champion learns from mistakes and this 1 or 2 weekends off this year will probably be the most important weekends of the year.

I'll let Derrick see it and then post in on the side bar, so you can follow us every weekend and check for results and updates.

NCE

MTL Que

Ok, so I'm a little late on this one, but by blogging this now, it gives me a little time to prepare myself for today's workout...which looks like its going to hurt more than that race.

So, we had 9 guys on the start, full squad. The plan was simple, guarantee the Victory. That means, even if you are in a break you don't fully commit until you are 110% sure that you win.We had 5 guys in the race capable of winning, so race it accordingly and it will workout.

We let a small break go, then some others followed it, with one of our guys in the mix, Joel.

The gap got up to 4minutes plus, but no one really got too worried as the wind was such that we were rolling at almost 40 km/hr with hardly any pressure on the pedals.

As the race is PRETTY LONG 250KM'S, THE "REAL" racing usually happens after about 200 km and lots of guys fall apart much before that. But as most races in Ont are Que are <150km,so>

The boys got together once at the front early on to put everyone in the gutter...maybe about 80km into the race, so if you were on the wrong side of the split before the 50 meters of gravel, it was because we had the gas open on the front...funny enough here is that exact moment...

Look at the faces...pain man, pain.

Photo courtesy of Antoine Becotte

The race wasn't nearly as hard as usual and was slow at times. I think everyone knew that we were the team to watch, so we did have to race a bit negative here and there. I'm not a big fan of this and there are times where I have to really police myself as I'm use to attacking alot and just rolling as hard as I can.

after about 150 km or so we did manage to put 3 of us into the break of 13 or so, it rolled fairly well, until about 50km to go and a young guy from ORA by IF attacked, JS covered it, with a Josh Dillon(Bike Reg) and for some reason, the others guys in the break didn't chase it. I didn't really want to tell people how they should racce, but basically with 2 of my guys in the move, Aurelien in the pack, JS up the road, they had to understand that we had no interest in chasing, but the race is long and guys were getting tiered and I think the last thing those guys wanted to do was give me a free ride to 20 km from the line. Which would have been perfect for me as I knew the last 20 km so well and had every intention on crushing them had they given me an armchair ride.

But that didn't happen, the guys sat up, we got caught, and then I had to go to work as Aurelien was back in the mix and I knew without a doubt that if we brought the pack 5km to the line we would win for sure.

This is the part that is hard for me to do a little. As I cover all the moves and where as beofre I take my chances and roll away with let's say 3 guys and take my odds, I play team ate and set it up so he can guarantee the win. Good in lots of ways as it assure the team a win, which is important.

I know the importance in what I did, as I had control over the race and dictated the outcome.

WE raced really well coming into the finale km's, we had guys go solo, then we sent Miguel and James up the road, but the hill was a little too much for them.

I did get a chance to attack formyself at the top of hill with about 6km to go...with funny enough is right around this photo...

Photo courtesy Antoine Becotte.

Even funnier, well sort of is the fact that I had done the last I don't know how many km's with a front flat, as when I attacked, I felt the front tubular come right off the rim and the rim smash the pavement...it felt like I broke the wheel..I thought the tire was going to come right off.

If you look at the photo you can see the front wheel is flat, in Comparison to Aurelien's wheel, a few guys back.

So I gave(Aurelien) him the opportunity to get to 3km without having to do too much, Will attacks, he follows, I make sure no one else goes, and voila that's how its done.

Maybe you won't read about that anywhere, cause there wasn't any real good coverage of the race, but that's how it was done.

We should have tried to put another guy in the top 5 and one in the top ten to make some more money...but we would have look like jackasses if we didn't win. But we actually had to annihilate the whole team for Aurelien to win like that, so good job boys! He wasn't the only one that deserved the win, although his was the only pic in the paper, the whole team rode great to secure this one for Louis.

We did bugger up one satiation as a lack of communication, but the outcome was great, so maybe it worked out for the better.

Other race notes...I heard that Glen Rendall, my coach was in the break along with Mike Nash, I thought that was awesome...

Justin "Fester" Hall our rookie...was scared stiff at the start and finished ok, even took a few pulls. Matteo Dal Cin did a nice move at the end to attack and had I not jumped on his wheel may have had the winning attack..sorry buddy...you are too dangerous to let go.

The Jet Fuel boys rode awesome, Kevin Hazzard finish 9th which I would say is a great result...nice job.

Will Goodfellow was rewarded as that guy has a really nice aggressive attacking style, somewhat like mine, good to see that he got himself a podium.

And most impressive I would like to give myself a huge shoutout for not messing with my speed sensor as 1km in the race, my wheel magnet was not picking up and although I was tempted to move the sensor with my finger...it brought back the time I did that I ended up in the hospital in Trois Rivires...see that's why experience pays off...

DSJ

Fire

I didn't change the layout of the blog. That was Derrick's idea. Now every time I look at it I have that techno song in my head "I got that fire, fire, fire.......on the dance floor." We'll change the words a bit and say I got that fire on the cross course.

It's very ironic that he put the flames up there as back in my CCU running days our coach use to talk some BS about the burning flame and the fire. I can't remember the whole thing that well cause a lot of things our coach use to say to us didn't make any sense at all. Sometimes I use to think he would tell us such nonsense just to get us fired up before the race and mad at him.

The other day one of my teammates from CCU found some pics from the old days and was able to scan them and put them on facebook. I leave you with some silliness of the week, check out these uniforms from like 1960. Now you probably don't think it's that bad racing a bike in a skin suit, do ya?

I'm in the pic hiding, I think in embarrassment. Also holding our sweats is US Olympic hammer thrower Amber Campbell. The second pic, I'm not in but I wanted to show a picture of our coach. That's him, Coach Connie, at the far left.

A fresh new start

So I thought I'd get back into the swing of things and start blogging again, even though I never use to do it that much in the first place. No time like the present to start. Things have been going well in the new home at STAW, let me rephrase that, better than ever after a long winter and spring of illness. I never wouldn't of expected what has been happening lately, quite frankly if you asked me in May what I was going to been doing later this year, I might of told you that I would probably never race my bike again. Funny how things can turn around for the better.

It seemed very long from October to July for me, but some how I got threw it. While other people were getting ready for their cycling tours/races this past spring, I was doing the tour of the ER's in eastern Ontario. It's now all in a distant memory, thanks to my support crew of family and one of the best doctors I've ever seen. If anyone has any GI problems, let me know, as I know just the guy to see. I remember I had this analogy that I wanted to explain to my doctor about what not cycling meant to me to get him to really care about treating me. Funny enough this doc came to me saying it this, he took the words right out of my mouth. He said "imagine one day I had to stop practicing medicine and how that would effect me, it was what defined me and how would I go on in life."

This was all referring to how I was feeling when ill and I couldn't ride my bike. He also wasn't scared to tell me I wasn't sick anymore in July and things were going to be okay. I still had some issues (post infectious IBS) and it would take time/months to clear up but I was going to be okay. Another great point he made was that doctors are so scarred when they have had a patient sick for months to tell that they are better and the patient has a hard time adapting to life when they are well again as they don't remember what it means to be well. Ever since my last appointment in July and hearing all the things he had to say and letting one last cry out.......everything has been better than okay again.

I was not the only one in the Ottawa cycling community to be struck by bad luck this past year. My heart goes out to Jen and Allison. I think about them all the time in training and hope that they are just as successful as I am in getting better. They also motivate me to give it everything I have in my racing this fall, because at some points in your life you might be with out it. I don't take any training day for granted and know that it is a blessing to be able to do this sport again, but at the same time realize that it is not everything and other things are needed in life to balance it out.

Training is great, I've been able to think clearly again and when I'm out there training I have a ton of ideas of blog posts, etc. It's like old times again and my mind isn't filled with the thoughts of what is wrong, why am I sick and how can I get better the fastest. Now its all about how can I get faster on my bike, stronger, and take the lines better on my own personal cyclo cross course to be even faster. I'm being my own coach for now, mainly because I didn't want anyone else to train me until I was absolutely positive I could follow the program. I think things have been working out fine, I starting riding July 1st, got an OCA licence the week of the catsills race and then almost won the QOM jersey while at it, just one point off.

The race was fun and I couldn't wipe the smiles off of my face while suffering. My tactics were complete opposite both road stages. The first day I left everything too late when going for QOM points and never really sprinted as my timing was way too late. Second day I was way too early for all my attacks, if had tried the in between I think the end result would of been different. But it truly didn't matter as I really was just so ecstatic to be able to race my bike again.

I feel like a kid again, just starting into sports, the sky is the limit. Each day I feel stronger and somehow I get a little faster. While I wasn't riding for a few months, I started a little bit of jogging, but not too much to make me feel sicker. When I was feeling better but didn't want to commit to bike racing yet in June I started running, got up to 60-70 km a week. As I integrated the riding into my training in July I have kept a lot of running there. In the past, I would have never ran this much for cross, but it is keeping the training interesting and fun. Some of my workouts might seem a little insane to most, but from a former distance runner who went to University on scholarship for it, I don't think its that bad. And we might see a whole lot more running and dismounts on the cross courses this year with the new rules. I do remember someone last year (I think her name was Lynne Bessette or something) doing very well on a course that was very muddy and had lots of running. I think she was training a half marathon around this same time and not really riding her bike that much at all.

Stayed tuned for some more posts later this week of my to run or not to run and some of my insane workouts. Also I'll have some details on clinic that I'm going to doing before the cross racing begins. I'll post a race schedule shortly as well, pretty cool stuff on that front as I am being offering start money to race some races in North America. It's not a whole lot of money or anything, but it is pretty cool to have organizers emailing you begging you to come do their race.

I'm trying to get our blog viewer ship back up, so spread the word and give me any ideas of anything you want to hear Derrick or I rant or discuss about.

For now I must go train. Wait a sec, let me rephrase that, I'm going to go train not because I must, but because I would love to.

NCE

WSA

So I know lately our blog has been kind of lame. I haven't really done much with it over the spring as when Natasha was sick, it was really hard to pretend everything was ok. I couldn't really write all these posts saying how everything was good, on the other hand I didn't want to be all doom and gloom.





So the plan is to get things going again as she kicking it up and getting ready to thrash it.


So there should be a lot more updates, anecdotal stories, and twitter updates.





This week was pretty hard for me, came off the Catskills race, then road Lachine, managed to do 5 plus hours in Sterling Thursday, hard computrainer ride Friday, 100 km Saturday, then race yesterday.





I wasn't tops yesterday for sure. Goes back to the 2% rule, you fatigue yourself just a little extra here and there, even just 2%, 3 or 4 times and all of a sudden your down 6%.





It's easy to know, cause yesterday as the race went on I started to come around...unitl the last corner when the only thing that didn't want to come around were the Vittoria's. Great tires, but they are a little temperamental, if they are a little over inflated in the rain, well, it's basically like skating...I should have checked the forecast.





We put Jamie Riggs in the break, and he ended up 4th...just off the podium. I think it's a good step for him, maybe one of the better results in a Quebec race for him? I let him role in the break as he did a great job last weekend rolling tempo, so he got his chance yesterday.





I've been in the break so much over the last few months, I actually forgot how easy it was to sit in the bunch, but the racing was on cusp of negative and I'd rather spend my day in front of the race most of the time.





Near the end though I was able to give some good gas and split off the front with a group , as the race was purely training, we were really hammering coming into the end. It was good to see the character of some of the guys and although we were only going for minor placings, the guys were racing really hard, which in my mind is one of the best ways to learn how to win races, get stronger and try to tear everyones legs off.





So I now this last little bit of a push I'm doing is going to have me going well in September and early in the Cross season. Then I'll be watching the wick on the candle burn til Novemeber.





Here's a shot of Natasha's sisters baby Milo...so cute. We tried to resist holding him, I told Tasha that she could catch Babyitis..but then her sister told her some pretty graphic stories of pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding so I should be good for a couple years. Anyways being an uncle is a pretty sweet gig, and it's more of a part time thing...

DSJ in West St Andrews

back to civilization

Well its been a while, no internet , no cable living in the country can do that to a racer.
I got kid of sick after nationals..ok well not kinda, full on bronchitis. So had to skip Fitchburg. But I was due for some rest so we just tweaked it a little to use it as a mid season break...ah so nice.

We also moved to St Andrews West, which is north of Cornwall, so now we are really Country.
But its great, we love our new home. I don't really know who won the Tour as we were totally disconnected for a while.

I ve bee putting in good training, and I've landed on the podium at OBC, Tour of Quebec, Catskills and finished 4th last night at Lachine all well doing high load quality training. Aurelien (that French Guy) is going pretty well, so its been my job to cover late attacks and bring him to the line. No glory for me coming 4th, but the guy knows how to win races so I figure its good as I ve been able to race so incredibly hard as he has been cracking the whip on me that my form is better than it has ever been this time of year and i'm on track to be even better than I was at Beauce, and that was pretty good. Sometimes you almost have a take half a step backwards to get two steps forward.

I m really impressed by the entire team effort at Catskills...guys great job. Aurelien had the jersey and we rode to a tee. Very pro, on the front tempo all day, I cover dangerous moves and the last 15% of everything and drop him off at the line...it was a beautiful site to see the team riding in unity and just shutting down anything and everything. i have to say that the Devils Kitchen climb was tough, I think a race with circuits doing that climb 2 or 3 times would be the coolest though...either that or you may never want to ride again, ahah.
I did come 3rd in the TT, 4th on stage 1, then 4th in GC, lost 3rd by 1 second. I wasn't really that heart broken as I was riding for Aurelien and we won all the stages, the kom and the race, if I would have been selfish I would have jeopardized that. Just like last nite, I had the legs to win, but that wasn't the plan so...

I really enjoyed Lachine last nite, in the rain, it was fun. Really get to test the skills...

Oh yah...Natasha is back racing and somehow was 3rd on Devil kitchen climb...after only riding her bike for three weeks! She really is something, and I think we will all see her reach her true potential this year in Cross...three weeks of training and she finishes 5th overall in this hard ass race...yah that's all I am gonna say. Glad to once again be part of the Dynamic Duo.

D

Dogs on a plane

Last time I checked, I didn't really think people could bring their dogs on the plane, but we were stuck beside a sneezing dog owner and a stinky pooch on the way pack from Edmonton.

Road Nationals proved to be an interesting race. The end result was ok, I ended up 12th, 9th in Elite Men. Not really the result I was aiming for, for I'm still happy with the way I rode up until about the 11the lap. I then let my emotions get in the way , wanting to win, getting frustrated, and I stopped applying logic. JS managed to come across to the original break as little groups were always coming up the road to congest the break. He was able to get in a chase group and then my hands were a little tied, I tried to go, but I couldn't bring a group up to his, so there it is. Considering how hard I rode to try and get across I m throughly impressed I could still put an ok sprint in to finish after 180km's.

I guess it just wasn't in the cards. We still had a good time in Edmonton, our hotel was quiet and I was able to rest alot, and it was relaxing after Beauce to just sit around.

After getting home from my ride yesterday Natasha showed me I was on the "long list" for the National Team Pro Tour races in September. I have to say it is a nice feeling. It's not a done deal yet, as it is the long list and does not guarantee that I will do the races, but it's close.

Derrick

Edmonton

Today is Natasha's Birthday, as the years go on, somehow she manages to look the same and even though she hasn't been training she still has really nice legs...wait to go her.

Natasha's sister Katherine and her husband Chris, also have something to celebrate as they have just given birth to their first child, baby boy Milo. Which makes her parents grandparents and give us a new nephew.

Hugo won the U 23 ITT yesterday, so now we have a National Champ on our team, nice job Hugo! I opted not to do the TT as I wanted to go shopping and get some B day gifts for Natasha.
No seriously, I considered the racing we 've done, the trouble of packing and bringing the tt bike and accessories, considered the best case scenario and just thought it was better to skip it.

I celebrated a good Tour de Beauce at Louis' House Sunday after the Tour, he bought me a few huge beers and laid out quite the feast for the team at the club house. I was probably about 5 lbs heavier the next day but it was worth it.

So celebrations all around.

We are in Edmonton, relaxing at Comfort Inn. Hotel is ok, except for the curry smell of the Chinese restaurant downstairs.

Edomonton is pretty nice during the summer, it s a alot different than when we came to -13 in October for Cross Nationals.

SO I'd like to say that tomorrow is the big day, but it just doesn't feel like that. It feels like I had a bit of a holiday this week, sleeping, resting, watching reruns of CSI for hours on end. If anything maybe a little too relaxed.

What I've realized this year is that you can create your own reality, whether it be good or bad, so you just have to believe that everything will come together when the time is right.

Thats it.

DSJ

8 seconds from yellow

To me it's all about perspective. I could look at the week I had at the Tour Beauce and think, man I was so close to achieving greatness, 8 seconds from winning one of the hardest stages in North America, 8 seconds from wearing a yellow jersey at a UCI continental tour.

But that's not totally the way I see it. I look at my performances leading up to the tour, taking everything in stride, not panicking, sticking to the plan, but modifying it here and there when I was really buggered. My coach Glen Rendall kept me on the right track, it's not like he gave me some kind of magic program, just lots of hard work, and when I was on the verge of cracking told me to ride to the coffee shop.

What I am most proud of is the ride I had on Wednesday. I made it happen. I covered attacks but missed the one that stuck. I started to go across to it...but even at 500 watts I couldn't catch them. The moto came by with the sign 1:30 to the pack....the break was almost a minute in front of me...maybe more...i was stuck in the middle. That was the turning point, maybe one of the most important moments of my cycling career. I thought I have 2 clear options...either I go for piss and let the pack catch me and try again on Megantic, or I wait till that massive climb in a few km and just give er'. In my head it was an eternity...seriously my world almost stopped for a second as I heard all the wisdom that has been passed through my ears over the years..."are you a BIKE RIDER OR A BIKE RACER"..."ALWAYS CLOSE THE GAP TO THE BREAK ON HILL"..."AT SOME POINT YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE SHITY LEGS, BUT YOU'VE TRAINED WITH SHITY LEGS"..."MAKE YOUR OWN RACE HAPPEN". So I went for it.

Tried to roll at eh same pace as the break, then on the hill clicked 2 gears harder and stood on pedals and pumped for 6 minutes. I caught the 5 guys at the top of the climb and to say they were shocked was an understatement...something like "how the hell..." in Italian and Ukrainian it was pretty funny. Jeff Louder from BMC asked me how I did it...I said I just rode hard..."that's impressive" he said.

So we held the gap at 3minutes and any time someone tried to go two hard or fast they would get sworn at in all kind of languages and Kobzarenko threw a water bottle at at Bjorn Papstein(2007 German mountain bike National Champ). I kind of got sucked into working in the break as it was in my interest to keep it a way. But I did manage to exaggerate my fatigue a little HERE AND THERE so I could miss a pull every now and then. As we approached Meganic, I didn't really have to exagerate it any more cause I was cracking a little. SO I eat everything I had left in my pockets, 3 gels, mushy wrappers, I may have even sucked on a gel wrapper that had 3ml of GU left in it.

I broke the race apart in my head, one race to Megantic, one race up Megantic...over and over in my mind. I knew last year it was just under 20 minutes to go up the beast. But this year

i just imagined it was a long driveway, it's just like going up a long driveway, that's all.

So we hit the bottom, the pace slowed, I knew the pack would be blistering at mach 4 behind, so I waited for the pitch and hit it. I held 10-15 seconds all the way up until about 150 metres, a United Health rider passed me and held my tail between my legs for second. Almost pulled the hugest result.

But I am happy with the ride I put. I made my destiny, I rode to my abilities using my head and my legs and by believing in myself. Yah the win would have been great, but I am 100% satisfied with my performance on this day, I could not have asked for more out of my organism on this day. That's not to say I won't strive for more, it just shows me that there is always room for improvement and little tweaks can be made to deliver phenomenal NATURAL performances.

The rest of the Tour was good, maybe not so great in the TT, but after Megantic, hey whatever.

So check mark beside Tour de Beauce. We leave tomorrow for Nationals, having a good Beauce takes the monkey off my back, so looking forward to what seams like a very interesting circuit.

Thanks to everyone on the LG team, Ch Leduc, France, Marc(mechanic), Emily (Masseus)at Beauce, my teammates, My Boss Louis, My coach Glen, my beautiful Finace Natasha, my parents, her parents, all whom believe in my crazy dreams and are a huge part in supporting me to make them a reality.

Breaking news - DSJ 2nd at TDB stage 3

So I just have some amazing news. Funny, I haven't wrote on the blog for almost 7 months or so now. But I have something very exciting to say.

Derrick was 2nd at Tour de Beauce, stage 3 today. He went for it. I followed all day and knew the whole time something very special was going to happen for him. If he didn't win, I knew it would be close and he would almost die trying.

I had a blog post ready last night to put up about what has been going on with me and also how proud I am of Derrick and knew that the something was going to happen today. Obviously, I didn't want to jinx him and couldn't put it up.

It's been rough for me since last October, and somehow I magically started to get better just a week before the TDB started. I knew it was a sign from above. It was a hard time for both of us and Derrick deserves every bit of his success. He also gave me the inspiration today while I read about his time in the break to give my comeback a shot. Well let me rephrase that, I knew I was going to try to comeback all along, he just made me believe in myself today to think anything was possible and even though I haven't been riding for months now as I was really ill, today confirmed that I can do it and be even better than before. We'll call it the parasite effect.

So I'll spare you the details of what happened to me. I wanted to write on the blog about it a while back, but I wasn't getting better and I just didn't want to speak about it. I had no energy and my thoughts were just all over the place. I was kind of embarrassed about what was happening and almost had a numb feeling to everything around me. Nobody had any answers until 3 weeks ago, and then boom, bang, just like that my body has started to turnaround. I remember at the beginning I just thought I was burnt out, but no training didn't help. Now that I think back, I was stupid to think I was ever burnt out, I should of known something was wrong. I think to myself now, "do you have any idea of what you've done and accomplished in your life". I don't burnout, my nickname use to be the energizer bunny when I was in high school. Man I was dumb to believe in what some of the doctors I saw said. But I guess I never truly believed as I kept on searching for a diagnosis and finally got one. Somehow my same attitude towards racing never gave up, even though I thought I had given in, that internal strength was always there fighting for me.

Anyways, I think I can say it is over and I just want to keep the positivity flowing. I know it is not going to be easy and my body is not fully recovered yet, but that's going to be the fun part about getting going again. It's a whole new adventure for me in life. And now the dynamic duo can be the dynamic duo again and not the dynamic uno.

Oh yeah, did you know that party and parasites really sound alike. Maybe because when you have parasites inside of you, they are having millions of party's all around you as they take over parts of your body. Sucking the party life out of you!

Ok that's my joke, first one in 8 months, might be a little lame, but hey that's normal me coming back. And if you ever tick me off in a race, I know exactly what word I will use to describe you in my cycling dirt video after the race. It's the worst word you could call anyone, trust me I know.

Anyways, for Derrick, I am really proud of what you have done over the last little bit. You deserve every minute of it and thank you for being there for me. I love you more than ever and see you tomorrow.

NCE

Grande Visite de Gatineau

Race Report. Started fast, tried to go faster, then tried to go fastest. Good enough for 7th on the day. Not bad. Would have been nice to squeak in to top 5 but the legs had a 7th in them so there it is. Great course, super fast, well organized. Perfect to have it in Gatineau.

Next up is Tour de Beauce. I'm in Quebec right now, we head down to St Georges tomorrow.

I'd love to blog it up, but it's time to rest a little, focus and save my energy.

DSJ

What it takes

Just stumbled across this...
http://ibikeblog.com/?p=148It's
The guys at I bike wanted the power file from our win at GP Hudson, if you click on my ride file you can get all my "secret" training info and numbers...maybe not so secret anymore...haha.
Anyways, all the work I do goes into producing efforts like that, look it over if you're interested and next time you see me go off the front you'll know that I'm traying to stick it.

DSJ
Oh the pic they have is a cross photo, but I did indeed ride a rode bike that day...I'm not that strong. I'm just full of jokes today. Last thing, don't ever do the Tour of Connetecuit, there was an unmarked metal bridge in the third stage that took 30 guys down, sent 5 to hospital, forced the race to be sort of neutralized, but not really then the pack got lost an did 180 km km, instead of 145 and there were no podiums, and they send the prize money via pay pall...hate to say this but this race should never happen again and the organizer cut way too many corners to make it happen, as a professional it makes me sick to think of the danger we were exposed to.

Charevoix

Where to begin...well we added a new member to our team. Aurelie Passeron. H rode with Saunier Duval and in 2008 he did the Tour de France. He crashed out in stage 8 in a sprint. Now he rides with us...man o man. He came to Canada with a vision of forming a very special kind of of team. An organic, real, sustainable team that leads by example. A team that performs by eating well, living well, being well, where obviously it is important to win, but not at any cost. After all there are limits. This is what I have learned. He brings with him a whole bag of knowledge and know how been there done that, this is the way it really goes down. I'm sure Tasha is probably already annoyed as she thinks we have a bromance going cause I've been telling her all about his vision of cycling and his ideas. But hey, just when you think you know things, you end up learning so much more. There are things that make cycling here in Canada very beautiful. Especially around Quebec city, cycling is very pure. Maybe it's the fact that Louis is out there and he has a large influence on the culture of the sport, of healthy lifestyle. LG's employees are paid for an hour of work if they bike to work and I think Louis pays their breakfast at the caf. That's not bad eh?

Anyways, lets just say sometimes you need to remember why you do something. Inspiration comes in many different places and formes. As I nurse I support my friends view of cycling, I like the idea that people are doing the sport to be healthy, add years to their lives not take them away, look like they have a motor in their bikes, but not actually have one.

SO we had a good showing in Chrlevoix, I was able to get comfy on my TT bike and rode to a solid 4th place, which in previous years, my time would of been enough to win.

We messed up the crit a little and ended up with not a whole lot to show for it. But we played the cards right during the road race, we had so many cards to play, we executed an intellingent race plan to perfection and came away with the stage win and 1,2 in the GC. The way it shook out I ended up with a bit of a support role in the pack, which ended up being ok. We isolated the major threats on the GC and our team ended up on top. I know some people still really don't get it, but it is after all a team sport, not everyone is on the same page, but maybe one day they will understand.

So, Aurelien and myself, rode back from the race almost all the way to Quebec city...210km total, in the big ring...not to be too dramatic, but you can learn alot about yourself in that time.
Also you get to really wear in your chamois...gross! He tells me this is what it takes to do Paris-Nice...how the hell would he know...oh wait a minute he was 9th. After the ride he said "la ont a fait une bonne journee, la ont est costaux" Basically, that was a good ride now we can call ourselves studs.

Crazy French guy only eat one bannana! Then he got home and ate salad! I just about pissed my pants. Louis had us over for supper and ordered some Sushi...thank the lord...trying to be French is hard work!

Le D