Intermontane day 5 - time to show some respect.....

... to the riders!

Here is a link to a fellow rider that have pulled out http://tracksidenews.blogspot.com/. My response to her was;
"I 100% support you in your decision to leave the race and I was very surprised in the little response in the riders meeting during the discussion. I was very close to not racing on day 4 but ended up riding as I love to ride and so far in the event I had very little fun. I did enjoy the trails yesterday, but felt wrong by starting and going through the finish line. Today I will pull out as well, in support of all of us that have spent time and money to come out for this event. There are many events we could have chosen, but we chose this one. These sorts of events are a business and if you promise a product you need to deliver. In my field there is no way I could get away with attempting something I didn't know anything about. I think we all have the some rights here, but we can not keep showing up at the start line. Unfortunately or fortunately, there is only one day left. I'd love to ride the hills, but I can do that on my own time, lets not support this race until it shows some professionalism and come clean."

So with that, I'm out! I would like to thank all the volunteers and people around the event that has been pulled in to this mess with all best intentions. With out these people no event can go on and there would be no races on any level, so thank you!

Happy Riding!
kate

Day 4 Intermontane - to bad it took 3 trials...

...to make day 4 a great event. 10 km longer than announced but minor at this point. The course (97 km) was well marked, a few road climbs but when the decent is good then its all worth it. It felt like a good endurance mountain bike race. There were lots of smiling volunteers, not sure were they all came from, but they kept us on track and fed. Unfortunately a little late in the game as some pros decided not to start.
As for my day. I started with same game plan, go easy when road and save legs for fun single track. It worked well, it was about 40 km before any real fun, and after that it was 30 km of great fun. Still tough as it was up and down on roots and loose rocks, before ten km of fun fast down hill. I was smiling all the way down. Unfortunately another Canondale guy went down very hard and was sent to hospital. I hope he is ok. At the last feed I'd passed three girls and many guys so I was pleased. And I thought it would be a cruise to the finish. But they took us up behind TRU for some more climbs and more fun downhill. Had a great day but after almost hundred km I was happy to get back to the cooling tub and my support.

Tomorrow is a TT, so of course not gone be easy as ill just be getting into my one pace that I have and the race will be over! Will be fun day though if all goes well, new format for me with staggered start and only 20 km or so. My goal will be not to get passed by too many of the faster riders behind me.

Happy Riding!
kate
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Day 3 Intermontane - bit of a joke..

... is how I feel about the race and how things are turning out. I might not be fair in my blog today as it is first years event and some things are out of peoples control, but I have some standard set when taking a week out of my time to come out to play.

Today was suppose to start at 8 am, which I was very happy with as it's been very hot, even at 8am it's almost 30 degrees. When arriving at the start people had been informed that the start had been delayed to 930 as some guy (local rider) took all markers down and cut trees to block trails that were part of the course. And to the events defend, it's hard to fight those guys who want to ruin the day, so they were remarking a shorter course (50 km, took out the top section which was suppose to be the fun of the day coming down). So while waiting we went back to the hotel and relaxed. We came back to the start and got ready to line up, when again, it was announced that start now would be at 1030! With that the heat would be just as previous days. The start eventually went, and for 40km it was a road race like I've never done ! There was 3 feed stations and we hit them all before any trail (and in my head I had 50 km as the target finish)! After the last feed I was so exited to see some double track at last, 10 km to the finish, then some single track, then some really fast down hill double track and then.... ops! A T -intersection with no marker!! I had passed a few people on the downhill and as they came down I went one way and checked the course out, but as I ended up on top of a climb with no markers or tire marks I went back down and we all took the same turn. After we climbed that hill one guy decied to go back the other way, so four of us continued on, no idea if it was right or not. It was a bit of ups and downs, motorcycle style track, and then a fence line, and eventually we found the markers again, at this point all I see is about 2 sets of tire tracks in the sandy trail. So we're thinking we're the only once who actually got on the course, or we are on tomorrow course!? But who cares at this point, I didn't, I just wanted to ride downhill and get to the finish! I had 50 km on the gps at this point! After a bit of fast down hill we see feed 1 below us and lots of "further back riders", I just wanted to continue on the marked course (which I now know was tomorrows course) but the girls down below called us down and sent us on the highway for almost another 20 km!! Brutal... At the finish line we were told today will not count! Which is fine, but yet not fine.... This event is advertised as a top class event, with huge money to winner in open men and women category, people spend lots of time to prepare and to come down to this event. It's ok to have one, or two bloopers, and say sorry, but this is over the top. There is not enough people to run this event, and my biggest issue at this point is the safety of the riders. Bishop was sent to the hospital today, I hear he had a fall in the end but made it to the finish and then didn't feel to good. This could have been someone off the course, way out there, lost by them self, in 40 degrees! I was lost today, but in a group of four, we had a gps, but it only gives you a direction, there are endless trails you can pick. Not a good thing when the organizer have to drive the lead Moto as he is the only one who knows the trail! The meeting tonight had a lot of feedback from riders, some pretty upset about the profesionalism of the event, some backed it up, personally I agree with those who is a bit upset. As we spend lots of time preparing and training and picking events, some travling from other countries, the events we chose should respect this and put it on with more effort to give us an safe and fair event. Monday many people got lost which for some ruined the change of winning, and they did not make it neutral, while today they did?

Anyway, there is two more days so we will see if they learned something from today, and hopefully it'll pick up for the better. Long stage tomorrow and up heigh! hopefully not all on road in the sun. I hope for the best, I just want to ride some fun trails. Todays best was post race massage! Thanks to Catherine for recommending a great therapist and I got visit from my favorite support crew at first feed station! so with that....

Happy riding!

kate

Day 2 Intermontane - more heat and more...

....gravel roads! There is a lot of hills around here and they all seem to have a nice steep gravel road and no trees! Day 2 was not much different than day 1, a little shorter in distance but similar riding, a little bit more single track in the end, but nothing technical of sort.

After a night of feeling hot I don't think I'd totally recovered from the heat yesterday. So today I was set at taking it easy, making sure to enjoy some of the riding rather than empty out and risk heat stroke. I think that was a good plan. Even through town in the group ride I felt the heat, probably around 30 at that point, so I stuck to my plan. My legs felt good and I kept my heart rate at a lower rate (average today was 148 vs 165 yesterday), but was able to push it up in the above 170 when putting in some effort, but as soon as some effort was put in the heat would knock me back so I stuck the game plan through the race. In the end I could finish with a smile and able to stand on my feet, it was great!
The course didn't have too much to offer again today, a little bit more single track way in the end, but after the first few major climbs they took us down on some really fast double track/roady sections, pretty disappointed to loose all that gain so quickly on a road!!
Yesterday I got a bee stuck in my jersey and it stung me a few times before it found its way out, and funny enough, I got one in again today! I'm staring to believe my green and yellow outfit looks like a flower, and maybe I smell like a flower too :) Only one sting today though.

The course was marked much better today, only one spot, on a high speed decent did I end up missing a turn, but quickly turned around. And there seem to be an award of some sort and a riders meeting in the evenings, it just wasn't announced anywhere, so tonight I'll wander up to the TRU and check it out.
Sue Butler is riding strong and yesterday was way ahead and took the win again today, as for my self I'm not sure how much time I lost, but quiet a bit. Had a bit of a break while fixing a chain break for a rider, and my pace was nice and slow! But in the end I had a nice and safe day in heat I'm not handling to well, which is more important. I hope to have some fun tomorrow, as I've heard it might be a ride with some technical descents! 85 km long and 2300 meters of gain, we'll head up to almost 2000 meters, so maybe we'll be in some trees even! They might start us at 7 am which will help a bit with the heat. So I'm looking forward to tomorrows ride! Try to be better prepared so Meredith doesn't have to rush back to hotel to get race food 10 minutes before start! I just blame the heat :)

Meredith and the dogs are doing great as support, I love coming down the last bit of trail and seeing them there. While I'm out riding, they enjoy some of what Kamloops have to offer of lakes and hikes. Today they went to Pauls lake for a dip, much needed to cool off! In the afternoons the dogs are just done, I think the head wipes them out as well. Or maybe they are just bored out of their mind wondering when we're going back to McMurray so they can come riding too.

Off to shine up the green machine and a bit of rest and load up on drink and food!

Happy Riding!

kate and the crew of Meredith, Toby and Sequoia!

Day 1 Intermontane

So one day down and 4 to go. Very hard day for me and for many others as the heat was just unbeatable. Of the over 80 km (suppose to be 74 but a wrong turn made for a little longer race, some had more than one wrong turn) we did plenty of gravel roads and climbing totally exposed to the sun. The little bit of single track was over so quick I can't really remember much of it. During the first decent just after feed one I also lost my water bottle so now all I had was one for the next 25 plus the wrong turn! I found a creek to get a little drink but tomorrow I'm making sure its mounted on big time. In the end I ended third is what I hear but haven't seen the results, and there doesn't seem to be an award each day. To sum up the day it was a day of survival and a day for the fittest to show what they had, but with a few misroutes it added to it all. Third place will be very hard to maintain tomorrow as it looks like a very similar stage. And I admit I'm not the fittest, and I sure didn't cope with the heat as well as I'd hoped, but the heat I'm sure hits most of us.
Tomorrow is just over 60 km and about same gain as today.

Happy riding!
kate

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Day 0 - registration and running around....

...in Kamloops in search of dog food.

I'm not sure how ill get on my bike for five days in mid to upper thirty degrees! Today I failed on my pre ride, when I walked out of my nice cool room with my bike and just made it to the lobby to cool off again. Well all in the same hot boat!

Registration went by quick, we never found good dogfood but Mer almost came out with another puppy! Bike is ready and fridge filled with goodies! Think I'm as ready as I will be. Mer had a glass of wine and as ready as she will be stringing away on her guitar. Dogs had a swim and some nice junk food so as ready as they will be, both currently wiped out from the heat.

Stage one is 74 km and 2300 m of gain and that's about all I know besides it will be hot!

Happy riding!
kate
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Fw: Jasper wild life

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-----Original Message-----
From: "Kate" <k4kicker@hotmail.com>

Date: Sun, 26 Jul 2009 02:58:45
To: <go@blogspot.com>
Subject: Jasper wild life

So after a long drive and a few wild life sightings we made it to Kamloops and the hotel, well, Toby and I did while Mer and SQ drove so fast while taking photos that they missed the exit! And almost run into me! Lesson learned she says. Now we're waiting for our complaint verdict. Our room smell like smoke though non smoking and there are no other pet rooms. When I booked way back (I know, quiet unusual for me to be prepared like this) I was guaranteed no smelly rooms.
Dogs and people are hungry so if we don't have to fine a new hotel there will be dinner soon.

Happy riding.
kate
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En Route to Intermontane

So here we are, on the road once again. Toby, SQ, Mer (following in her Jetty, I just hope it makes it) and I are on our way to Kamloops for the Intermontane starting Monday. It was a hot drive (30+) down to Edmonton so dog were happy to have a break at the dog park by the river, and added bonus was a visit from Sarah. We almost had her convinced to join us in the adventure to Kamloops. But the good gf she is, she must take her journey to fort mcmurray to see Chad.

We enjoyed a good Italian dinner with gelato at the end. And spend a little time finding a hotel with OLN, but lucked out. Now all four of us is ready for the sleep and on the road after hopefully a good stage of the tour in the morning.

To backtrack just a second to last blog. The test was a joke in the sense I had no idea how it went, which is it then ethical to accept a pass? Well maybe I will have to write again, if so then no need to ponder on that. Very possible.

Happy riding!
kate

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12 hrs to test...

A few more hours to get through Practical Law and a few booklets. Toby is being great help, making sure I stay focused. Whatever I don't get to, ill have to go through when it comes time to retake the exam :(

Done some shorter rides to keep legs moving a little and they feel ok. Tuesday will be last day of any real effort and then its time to pack up for Kamloops. They have posted start list and I'm gone have a tough shot on top three even five. They have put out some big price money and that seem to have worked to attract some good folks even first year. Good stuff, looking forward to it.

Well better get on with the Law!

Happy riding
kate
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The blog that never updates...

... that's my blog, have to admit I'm terrible and keeping this going. Though, here comes the excuses, during the BC bike race it just wasn't easy to get on a computer, and my BB still have a few bugs that need to get some figuring out. I would have like to take some notes, as today, each and every stage is pretty much a blur! In summary I had a fun, hard, painful, joyful and plenty of single track riding week!! A must have in any event, and the BC bike race folks did not disappoint! At one point I remember thinking "will this single track ever end?" And I do not think those thoughts very often!









As for a the race it self, Steve and I partnered up well. We had our scuffs but nothing that couldn't be worked out and in the end it just thought us a few things about working together. I think we had it all figured out by the last day :) He finally pushed me up every single hill, so I could work on my tan and start recovering for a week of building deck. Thanks to Steve I now have a great deck to study in the sunshine for my Monday exam. Joke a side, I lucked out with partner and support crew, couldn't have asked for anything better or more. And already signed up for next years single track adventure of the BC bike race! Steve? you in yet?
We also lucked out in so many other things, weather! perfect every day until I left Monday morning in rain, and it rained hard and didn't stop until I hit Fort McMurray a Tuesday night.
We had no issues with our green machines! With one week of riding some terrain that can be very hard on the machines I'd say that is luck and some smooth riding helps of course. I'm staring to really enjoy the Titus X more and more, and I'm sure very soon it'll be my new favorite bike! It definitely got more attention along with our outfits than Steve and I as riders did through out the week :)
We had no cougar or bear issues, we had no major crashes, just some minor that hurt the pride more than anything. So in a week long race what else can you ask for!?
I even made it up the last little hill in to Edmonton and Hardcore store on empty with a trailer!

Back in Fort McMurray I've been busy building a lower deck in my yard. It took a bit of trial and error to get done, but now I have a dirt free yard, almost and can focus on my APEGGA exam for Monday. That gives me 3 full days of study!! Hopefully that'll do it! Not too much riding lately, but to study efficiently breaks are required, so what better break than a nice trail ride!

Have to get the legs back in the motion. Only 1 week until departure for the next stage race, Intermontane in Kamloops. 5 days of riding trails I've never been on. Have no real idea of what to expect, so just going with an open mind and hope for not too hot weather and some fun riding.

until next time...

happy riding,

kate