Monday, September 21, 2009

Day 3 cts

Wow, what a day!
Brisk morning but the camp offered a great breakfast buffet and hot coffee to get us going. The day would start with a 17km neutral ride to the start then 54km to the finish. My favorite day last year.
A pretty fast start so I let off to not burn and bonk like the day before as I knew the last part of the course was demanding as well. I only had about 5 min on second but not too concerned as I knew our differences. So if I can just keep her behind me or in contact until secon half ill be good.
She eventually caught up to me on some of the longer road sections and I did what I could to just hang on. I manage to do so until we hit the beginning of the fun for the day. We chatted and I had no worries as we rode away on some fun single track. All of a sudden on a flat I hear Snap! What! My derailure is on the ground attached to the cable only on wrong side of wheel with a spoke stuck around cogs. Oh well. I had a spare hanger so no worries a few minutes and I should be back up. But as the new hanger went on I had to take the half left on the deraillure off, but that was not gone happen. It was jammed and bent so it was impossible to get off. A few strong guys and some hammering rocks but no luck! So eventually I had to accept the fact that it was done. I had no cable cutter and my fancy cement end made it impossible (for me anyway) to get deraillure off so with some back patches and old tape it was mounted on the chainstay. The spoke a problem at this point. I made it a single speed but as I rode chain kept coming off or putting so much tension on the wheel that it bent and rubbed the frame. I made it to the second feed and got some help setting chain but shortly after it snapped! And it snapped a few times. I'm now pro with the chain tool! From second feed to end it wad about 17km. I jogged and walked most ups and flats and rolled down. At on down my nicely wrap of a spoke decided to unwrap so I got some plastic bag and had to tie it off to another spoke. But the weather was great, the lakes I rode by beautiful and the many riders I got to ride with briefly as they flew by made it all worth to keep jogging along. The single track decent were still great and so was the BBQ waiting for me at the finish!
All in all I've been spared for major mechanicals for all my races so this is just part of the game. I missed the podium this day and the overall win but held on to second.
Sarah finished in great shape today. Three days of long hours in the saddle, what a way to jump into the mountain bike racing. Very impressive, way to go Sarah!
So with all my trouble I ended up winning a Norco bike frame. Not bad. Thanks to Norco for helping out with breaks and supporting the event.
Crank the Shield is well put on, a great fall event with great riding and highly recommended. Now boarding flight enroute Fort McMurray.

Happy Riding
kate
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Saturday, September 19, 2009

Sarah is back!

She did it again! Long day in the saddle but nothing was gone stop her from finishing todays 87 km ride. She had a good day and ready for some dinner and a shower!
Good Job!

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Day 2 cts

The Juicy loaner worked great!
The stage today started with breakfast at six, load bags and then a short ride on the hgw to the start line. It was pretty cool but perfect again for riding. The start was a little quicker than yesterday and things felt really good today. The trail was lots of fun, lots of ups and downs on exposed rock and dirt and with the ability to stop in an instant I could enjoy all the decents to the fullest. I felt so great I totally forgot about the importance of eating! With less than 30 km to go (mostly double track and rail road) I hit the wall to the point of no recovery. I ate, drank and "rested" but there was no coming back. So I accepted the fact that for the remaining rail road ride it was gone be about survival.
I made it home and overall the fun today totally makes it a great day of riding and a valuable lesson learned to add to the experience.
Had a ice bath in the warm lake and waiting for Sarah. I hope she had an equally great day.
More to come!

Happy Riding!
kate
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Day 1 cts

Red spots on carpet under bike should not be ignored!
The little bit of rain in the morning stopped by the time of the start. The day brought pretty perfect riding weather. But right off the start something seemed more wrong with my rear break than before. It was totally dead! I tried to do a bit of pumping but nothing. Then I though of the red spot at the hotel, guess it wasn't there before and soon ill probably see the bill in the mail. The good thing is I still had a front break but my head was not getting over the dissapointment of the break after spending all the prior morning getting them fixed. Long story short I never got into it Day 1. Legs didn't have it, head was off and all the great added single track that I should normally enjoy was just a pain. At the very end I manage to turn my mindset around and started focusing on the amazing scenery with the rocky single track and beautiful lake.

Sarah on the other hand had a great day! When I finally found her she was still smiling and I'm happy as it was definitely a very demanding course. Con grats on pulling through stage one!

Stage 2 will be less technical but still good riding on lots of exposed rock so with a rear break on loan (thanks to the Norco folks!) I hope for a better day.

Happy riding!
kate
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Friday, September 18, 2009

Haliburton

We made it to Haliburton just before seven after a pretty scenic drive up. We did registration and looked at the course for tomorrow. Its new from last year and the story is less water and some new cut single track. It might even become the best of the three. We will see.
There was a lodge restaurant at the park so we decided to eat before heading to hotel. Food looked great but hidden behind the great look was some way overcooked pasta and bland sauce and a yacky feeling after. The window view was pretty though, so all is good.
Another 20+ km and we are now at the hotel. Bikes are tuned and bags repacked in the new crank bags, a little upgrade from last year. Sarah even tested her new race outfit, crank it up!
Race start at ten thirty, possible showers, 15-18 degrees, should be a good day for riding!

Happy riding!

kate
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Thursday, September 17, 2009

Crank it up Sarah!

We are on our way! ETA hopefully before 8pm.
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Wednesday, September 16, 2009

She didn't flee the country...

Sarah did come get me and she is still riding though we almost didn't make it off the airport..but after a few variations of packing we got on our way.
Had a little spin around the hood here and bike seems good besides the rear break issue which will be tackled tomorrow...
Nite site and happy dreams!
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Crank the Shield 2 days to start

So I made it to the city of Toronto and waiting for Sarah to finish school so she can pick me and my luggag up. Been sitting at the airport chilling and pondering if my box will fit in Millie or Nellie, Sarahs little ripper car. Maybe I should just unpack and build bike while waiting.
The last few weeks haven't really been dedicated to biking and race prep. But I'm still exited to be back. Even with lack of fitness I hope to see a great event put on by Chico racing. Last year, despite a wet course everyone left happy and with some new friends in the cycling world. Unfortunately Chad had to back our due to work, but as replacement, Sarah has stepped u to the challenge and will race in his spot. Way to go!
3 days in the Haliburton area, added single track since last year and hopefully the same stellar catering! Very exiting. I will do my best to post each stage.
Today I hope to build bike and maybe I can get my rear break functional tomorrow at a shop. If not I guess ill just be going extra fast.
Hmmm where is Sarah? ....more to come..

Happy riding!
kate
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