Sunday, May 29, 2011

Giver8er..

...start. Team BiciCore, with Shawn doing the first 4 hours and my self the second half.
After all the rain Calgary received the last few weeks we sure lucked out. A bit chilly in the morning but blue sky all day. The course had a few mud sections but the rest was great.

Shawn started of with the fastest first lap and kept going equally hard. When it was my turn he already put in 8 laps! That left me 3hrs40min to ride. I figured thatll be easy. I was terribly wrong. Legs felt heavy off the start with a good road ride in them from yesterday and the course felt like it was always climbing. After a lap legs didn't hurt as much until the last two when I wad just tired. Got in the sixth lap with only a few min to spare. That totaled 14 and enough to win the mix category. Thanks to the DeadGoats for putting on a great event.
Planned on Tacos but opted for a stop at McDonald on the way down from COP, Ill regret later!
Little bit of office tomorrow then back on the road for the week.

Happy Riding!
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Friday, May 27, 2011

Continental divide

New Mexico and Arizona..

...did not disappoint with hot and sunny days.
On our way to Tyrone we passed by the Continental Divide Trail sign so stopped on our way back to check it out. Got a few shots to share with Craig who will be, I expect, happy to see this sign as it will be near the end of his ride starting in Banff! Bike fanatics ride 7-9 day races, crazy people ride the Continental Trail or cross continents :) Wishing him the best of luck of course!

Tucson was amazing as it always is, was disappointed to learn that there was no possibility to change flights and stay for the weekend :( so off to Calgary via Los Angeles with out a ride up Mt. Lemmon. We drove it last night, beautiful drive up from 800+ m to 2700+ m. On the list for ride to do this fall.

Weekend in Calgary might include some rain, a couple of Deadgoat races and repack bags for trip to Boron (Bakersfield, CA), next week. This time I might plan it better, do my research upfront and plan to stay and ride after. Think its close to some nice areas to ride and tour.

Happy Riding!

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Tucson tour..

...and now I'm not wanting to travel back to rain..
Stay or go?
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Wednesday, May 25, 2011

How to survive 4hrs in an airport!

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Race track..

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Biosphere...

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Last day..

..in Montreal.
Started work early and with late nights I'm feeling it. Been a while since I went passed midnight a few days in a row :)..not good for this old body of mine.
Tried to make it through all the vendor booths today but between presentations and being pulled aside by previous vendors I've worked with I didn't even catch a third of all the set ups. It amazed me the size of this arrangement. The afternoon talks brought some good talks, morning ok talks. So all in all a good day.
Planned to meet my colleges for dinner but learned that sun was out and that meant late bikeshop hours and time for a quick ride. After all the food I've ate the last few days it was an easy call.

I managed to forget my map today, so a very broken up ride, stopping reading the city maps, which I yet have to find the marker "you are here" on. That made it a tricky navigation and since I was on time restrain it didn't help me much. Though with some lucky choices I made it to the Mile long bridge, and from there its only a sliver of gravel road with water on both sides over to the Circuit Formule1 track. Neat ride over, but no one ever told me about all the bugs. I must have swallowed 5, and that is with concisely trying to keep mouth shut! The race course was neat and lots of riders. Wish I had more time to play. But now only had 20 min to make it back with no map and lots of waters to cross somehow. Got to a locked door 5min before 8! After a few calls I decided to give it a knock before going back to hotel with a bike. A mechanic was still there so lucky again.
Ordered a kids meal of Pizza to end the Montreal visit.
Off to New Mexico in the morning..

Happy Riding!
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No sculptures..

...in this picture. But my ride today (Monday), took me west along Canal de Lachine to Park des Sculptures. Due to less time I cut it shorter today. The pathways and bike lanes still impress me, my toe is getting better so the cracks and bumps don't bother me as much. Great seeing so many people out again. Return was along Canal de l'Aquedue, that was the bumpiest part but still paved path all along. Little bit lost again trying to get back down town but made it back in time to stop for some Pizza on the waterfront before my shift and afternoon of presentations.
Not too busy at our booth, but great to see old colleges. Presentations today didn't impress me but there are some neat ideas to play with.
Tomorrow talks start early so no ride unless it doesn't rain and rental drop off stays open to 8...hoping for that as I'd like to get a ride across the one mile bridge and over to the race course.

Happy Riding!
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Monday, May 23, 2011

Go big or..

..go home..
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Sunday, May 22, 2011

Seem to be more content..

... to the city and the life here.....
My ride took me out a bit from the city where I got a bit lost but not really, can't be lost when exploring, it just adds to the ride and the experience so you just keep riding.
Eventually made it back to the city, I went through a few public parks, including the Olympic arena.

It amazed me all the people that were out being active in many different ways. There was music, dance, stick fighting, bike riding, running, picnics, ball games etc.... I had to wonder if I got a few friends together (adult and kids), dressed up like warriors, and made weapons out of stuff and had a pretend game in a park, if people in Calgary would stop and join, or stop look and wonder what the heck? or not even notice?





This city is just full of "life", I got caught in a parade sort of session, with bands and music going, then as I entered the "mountain" there was more music and people dancing and have a party all around. I saw a sign to the "chalet" and with my poor french, thinking Castle.. ah.. well the rule has it, if a town has a castle you climb to it, so I did, nice gradual climb up on a gravel road, surrounded by shortcuts that would have been great on a mountain bike! I arrived at the "castle" and quickly got my mind together, ah.. chalet... not chateau (or however that's spelled), nice ride up though, but the down was hard on the little toe :( very bumpy.
I found a way back to the hotel but with all the one way streets I was forced to ride against traffic to get back in time for my evening duties at the CIM.

The evening was not too busy, met a few old colleges and had a great dinner that went a bit late.

Montreal is a neat place, looking forward to exploring some more tomorrow.

happy riding! (some more shots below)

Party in the park

My "castle"

City view from the "castle"

 

Life is good..

...in this moment.... Crepe, mocha, street table, relaxed people, a bike :)
I can get used to Montreal.
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And bike all set..

:)
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Good coffee search..

...after less than great hotel coffee.. I think I have options ..

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CIM ...

..day 1.
Quick visit to the booth, a stroll through exhibitors sites being built, and a view of the rescue vessel used in the mine rescue in Chile. Now off to pick up bike, and so far no rain.

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Saturday, May 21, 2011

Another airport ....

...visit. Leaving Calgary for CIM in Montreal then from there to New Mexico for a mine visit later this week. Who ever scheduled the CIM must have had a bad day that day. A long weekend! Well, off I am and might be good for the damaged body. Besides Portugal bruises that are healing well, my arm is totally weak and sore from tetanus shot yesterday, and my jammed little toe from last weekends ride seem to only hurt more. Its been a while since I felt no parts of my body so a bit of a break traveling might cure that.
I'm sure CIM will bring a lot of old colleagues and already at the gate I met a few, and its always nice to catch up. One is in first class so obviously done better than me, or maybe he doesn't spend all his money on bikes :).. I'm happy in my seat, planning my next bike trip.
Rented a bike for a couple of days in Montreal so...

Happy City Riding!

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Sunday, May 15, 2011

Post Portugal..

...update...
So finally got unpacked today, only a week later, not bad. Bike need some new tires and bottom bracket fix, but other than that all good! Ok so maybe some new pedals but they were already worn. Not bad from nine days of brutal beating!

Got in a couple of easy rides this week and knees still feel sore so probably continue with easy. First ride was Dead goats group ride and it didn't go so well. The first sign was going there when I could close gap to some recreational riders. Then dropped by group ride within 30 min. So after that I stuck to my big bike and played on city trails. One day with Heather and yesterday with Scott, same loop. Hopefully knees heal up soon so I can start some higher intensity stuff before Fernie.
The next two weeks will be hard as work trips to Montreal, New Mexico and California will not let me bring my bike. If anyone know some rental spots in Montreal that would be great.
When done trips Ill have 3 weeks to get ready for Furious 3...doesn't feel like enough but might be good for my scared body.
Today has been spent cleaning garage as well as cross bike tune up, two more bikes to tune then my wall is complete.
Salmon Arms Salty Dog was on today, sad to miss it but happy to not be traveling. Wishing all Calgarians good luck!

Happy Riding!

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Friday, May 13, 2011

Nesten 2 uker etter..

...og stinga er borte.. Til de som liker litt mer grafiske bilder..
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Flaska med..

...lykke bandet paa!... Fikk meg igjennom 9 dager paa sykkeln.. Takker Mathea!
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Tuesday, May 10, 2011

So long Portugal...

....its been a great visit.
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Monday, May 09, 2011

three kings and the girl...

..the stairs were hard but we did the tour of the castle..
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The three kings..

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King of the castle..

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Lisbon

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Sunday, May 08, 2011

TP day 9 - finale!

Last day is finally here! It has been a long but great (speaking of both the ups and the downs) 8 days. Last day of any stage race usually goes by quick as you are just happy to start recovering soon. This morning I felt a little different about the last day, really tired. But it didn't take too long after the start and the body got the idea. One more day. It started with a super steep climb and legs did the job this morning, so I was happy. The stage was the shortest at 99km and just over 2000m of climbing so no need to hold back. At somewhere passed halfway I stopped to refill water as I didn't want a repeat of yesterday and just as I finished tapping it four guys came flying pretty fast. I figured I'd get caught quick today so figured I'd get a group ride as long as I could hang on. Held on a few km at flying speeds and then a road climb up so had to drop back. Legs didn't want to push it that hard. After the climb we could finally see the ocean and the cliffs and ending of the race. And from there u know there is only 2 more climbs of the day to speak of, and no one in sight behind me. If I could only make it up the last climb I'd be ok. We got to walk on the beach, climb back up to the cliffs, ride down a pretty schetchy decent and then back up, rode along the cliffs for a bit, down and the final road climb out. And just at the start of this climb, Harry and another 3 guys came. I hung on for dear life to ensure I crested with a group and it worked well. Had a cruise to town, but on a really short hill not far from finish 3 of them crushed me and I could close the gap, so 8th today but had a good day, as last day always is!

Finish line was at the beach, got a quick swim in the ocean, felt good on the bruised up body. And just finished the event with a great meal and awards. 4th place overall and very happy with the race.
I really enjoy the format of hard racing, easy in between, and these guys really made the time off the bike a super easy rest time. Great hotels, great food, great people and great staff that always seem to be there for u. Portugal is an amazing country and seen it from north to the south on your bike would be my recommendation! Fantastic event!

Tomorrow they take us to Lisbon were we hang out for the day then fly home Tuesday and work is waiting, back to the rough real life. Think I'd take dog bites and bruises over all the real life stuff. One day maybe.
Happy traveling !
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TP day 8

138 km, it felt like it would never end today. I cant say I felt great at the start but who would after 7 days of racing, so stuck with same plan as yesterday. Today another girl stayed with me for a bit, she impressed me with her strength on the road when she put her mind to it. Road through a few showers and some good wind, but in a fairly easy pace to rest my legs until the super duo would show up, since the stage was a Portugal flat day the last 30 km or so. The boys came by on around 50km mark, or maybe a bit earlier. I have to admit I wasn't super happy about it as I knew now the work begin. My legs had nothing in them and knees where wondering why I still kept pedaling. But I hang on, and on climbs I'd get a pace more friendly to me. But unfortunately Henry broke his chain, they stopped to fix it and I took Barts bike up the steep climb and it was a heavy bike! No wonder he slows down on the climb! I figured they would catch me pretty quick so went on in a easy piecy pace. And in not too long the lead group flew by, in it was Craig! Didn't hang with them for very long. But got yo see Craig again, he had gotten a little behind putting new batteries in his gps, so flew by again, the I saw him off course shortly after riding back north or something. I called him and shortly after he is flying like the bullet he is by on a climb. But not enough of Craig yet, shortly after I see him again and he had flatted. I think he fixed that one, but ended up having a major tire blowup later and got to ride the off road jeep up the last few big climbs, not what he had wanted as he felt so good today. I on the other hand felt like crap and would have loved a ride in the jeep, though made it through alive. I never got back with the super duo though. I was way off in my head today, and had no water left so on a pretty fast decent I was looking for possible houses to ask for water and was assuming a route and go off track quiet a bit, us I was climbing back up on course again I see then getting on the road, and on the road with a big gap I can't catch them. And I didn't get water either. This was just before the big two climbs started. The first big one was a steep dirt road climb, since I was on empty I could really work it that hard, so it didn't feel to bad. I knocked on the door to the first farmhouse there but no one home. Then I saw Bart, but decided to get off the track and try the second house, which was a good call. I really needed the drink for the next 30 km. I didn't even clean the climb, it was too steep for the legs today, not a good feeling to have to walk the bike but oh well. The next big climb was on the road, and it just never ended. I was in granny gear on parts that most day anyone could probably big ring it, there was just nothing. But enjoyed the spin and the views of some beautiful valleys. Made it up and then it was decent to the hotel for the next few km. I manage to mess up navigation several times before finally crawling in. It was a long day, but since I didn't have much to put in it didn't feel like the hardest as for some. Erik had a long day as he put it, you know it's long when your batteries run out on the gps. John seem to have had an ok day as well.

We are staying at an awesome hotel tonight but as we know there is one more day tomorrow. Have a great dinner and get ready for the finale to the ocean, can't wait to see the waves!

Happy racing!

*****************
kate aardal
*****************
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Friday, May 06, 2011

TP day 7

So my plan for rest day didn't quiet work out as I had in mind. I started out very well, off the start I made sure to at least have one girl with me, that to ensure I kept a rest pace. It ended up with the Polish girl, I cant say her name well or spell it so I'll leave it out, but a strong steady rider this week. We have one guy starting with is as well, and he hung on as well. He came here from the USA and will as Craig, ride the continental divide race later this summer, though staring in the South. He rode very strong on the road, and eventually the Polish girl fell off and not until the super pull duo, Henry and Bart showed up did we loose the American. So at this point around 50km in my rest plan was working ok. The next 100 km was not so much rest. The two guys are very strong and to hang on specially asphalt flat or up road I give it my all. A few times the thought came of letting them go, but quickly another thought of being out there alone all day came and took over, so push that extra as on the slight down slope I can rest. But not too much as you can see what happens if u rest your mind too much. We were going pretty fast down a gravel road around 60km from finish and I made a mistake on my line choice and knew right away it was bad news and think I even got a swearword in before the crash. Went down pretty hard, and slid for a bit (felt long, and long enough to scoop up a good handful of nice tiny rocks that is now in the shower reminding me of the slide). When things came to a still, a few more swearwords and no more time to waste as I was holding up the pull duo, so back on bike, still putting out some words. The boys rode behind me for a few minutes after that, maybe to let me vent it out, thanks for waiting and letting me continue to hang on! My brand new shammies are broken :(
Close to the end another rider, not from the main start rode up to us, and from there the pace went up slightly. And when we got an update that the main group was about 4 min back it went up even more. This was about 10 or so km from finish. Non of us were sure of distance today as there was a detour earlier. I was hoping for 147, but when we passed 147, and all I saw was fields and dirt road, I knew I was wrong. And shortly after I let the three boys fight it out for the win. I finished right behind them but first got stung by bee as turned to go toward the finish line! Might as well have it all in one day. The main field never got us today, they came in about 4-5 min after. And of course Craig was there, John was pretty much right there and Erik was right behind him, and all had a great day.

Tomorrow is a big day again, not like today wasn't, but in the organizers view these flat days are easy, tomorrow we get some big climbs in the end to look forward too. Right now I'm not even sure how I'll get on my bike, but I will finish this race, if tomorrow take me all day! My massage after the race is getting tricky as one side is not really that nice for them to touch, and on the other leg I have a slightly infected dog bite that they really wanna work on, so today it was more stretch and rub, which nevertheless felt amazing.
The dinner tonight was also amazing, finally ice cream! Had a nice big bowl that should have sleep good tonight.

No race brief tonight, not until morning. I believe my start is at 811, main group at 9, and stage 8 will be 138km long and I sure lots of elevation.
Can't wait to see the beach in about 2 days!

Happy Racing!

Thursday, May 05, 2011

TP Day 6,

So no magic over night, I woke up with empty tank, and for some reason my eyes swollen shut. It took a bit to get ready to walk in public for some breakfast, bit managed to get down shortly after 6, plenty of time to my start at 737. Though eating is not as easy, seems like everything I try is not what my body wants, but force down some egg and bread, coffee, and a bowl of cornflakes. Legs were extremely tired right off the start, and I was very early on wondering how long this 165 km stage would be. The first 15 or so km is climbing, pretty steep in parts took me about an hour. The cobblestone decent down was so bumpy it shook so hard my vision was all blurred at the end. I also ended up getting a flat, my first so far, but I quickly put some co2 in and the stans did it's magic. But maybe a bit too quick as I forgot to close my seat pouch and rode the remainder 140 or so km with no tools as when I finally noticed they were gone. Today it went slow, after the decent the stage looked a lot like yesterday's struggle to the end. I was pretty much in granny as soon as the road had any gradient to it going up, not great. Figured it would be a long day. But because of my very slow pace, the south African, Henry and his ride buddy (Bart, or Burt?) were on my wheel pretty early, actually before I was on Ann who star as the very first woman, and that was a first. So for about 100km I rode with these guys and what a different race feel, it was great, hard as heck, but in a group I'm able to dig a little deeper, and they also had tools, so good to stick with them :) About 60 km from the finish I think, a group of three got us, and I was happy to see Craig was one of them! Nice work, we had a short moment of fun hanging on but on the first climb let them go. It also helped to be in a group for opening and shutting gates today. I struggled with one for a few minutes on my own earlier trying to untangle the wire so it would shut. With the group I hang on to a bike while the boys would shut. Not too many stories from the day, it was up then down, fields and towns and then of course the finish line town has a castle, so guess what? The ride ended with the famous cobble stone climb to the top. I had to let the guys go, but only a km to the finish so happy I lasted that long.

Craig, the super goat, got another stage win! John had a day in the van after a few tire mishaps, which is too bad, he was riding very good. Erik had a good day as well, but didn't get any update yet.

Tomorrow another flat day, and I think my rest day is due. It might be the perfect day to ride easy until Henry gets there then push. We will see...right now I can't even picture sitting on a bike (saddle has been great, but it's been a few hours too many in it.)

Took a couple of shots, but update when I get them off gps

Happy racing! For 3 more days..:)

*****************
kate aardal
*****************
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Day 5 ride buddy..

..again..
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TP day 5,

Day 5 was by far my hardest day. The 144 km seem to never end. It was a planned "rest" day, but rest assure that did not feel like rest. There was no big climbs to speak of, neither was there any down hills to speak of, so I had pedal and pedal very much alone all day. I went back and forth on how hard I should pedal, if I took a regular approach my bike just didnt move, and the km on the GPS didnt move either. If I pushed it a bit at least I'd role in some km and possible make it back for dinner. Trying to stay positive on a day like this is hard, and if I said I was 100% of the time I'd be lying. But you try, and I did. Highlights are checkpoints and the smiles when going through them, my new friend below in the picture who let me draft for a second, and his toothless awesome smile, the Garmin pickup with Antonio cheering on and giving updates, a can of coke at 110km (by the way my first water-stop which wasn't smart), Henry from South Africa that passed while I had my coke and let me hang on almost to the finish, and of course the finish line in the castle. (and yes, a castle is always put on the highest top around here in Portugal). If I were to list the low points I can't really remember them in detail, and that is why this is so great, regardless of how hard of a day you always end up with the gain of some great experiences. 

Tomorrow 
165 km
3000+ elevation
My start 737 am
Group start 830am

After the first 15 km this will be another Portugal flat day, and after today's stage I'm on empty tank, hopefully some magic can happen in my sleep and I'm ready to go again.

Erik and John seemed to have had a good day, besides a involuntary piercing of Eriks ear.  While superstar Craig, had a few flats to deal with and have now officially ditched the lightweight tires. But he was still a superstar being one of 3 as far as I know to clear a very steep climb, not short either.

Happy racing !




*****************
kate aardal
*****************
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Tuesday, May 03, 2011

TP day 4...

...and Craig is the champ! I even got to enjoy a few km with them today, great fun. Sunny day, but lots of mud in the start. Took a break with a grandmom and her grandkid (I'm guessing), to wash and lube my bike a bit in a cute town we rode through. Kept looking back for the boys but they didn't catch me until just before the last major climb. But during the climb I caught up to two of the guys, not that I wanted to climb hard, but again my bike force me to push that bit extra. After the down on the other side I found my self with the lead group and Craig :) it was great to ride for a bit with the group, imagine going high speed down a shallow grade and not even push a pedal, and imagine chatting with a real person! Well all great things come to and end and so did this. Had to let them go eventually on a climb. If I could only have that 10 second upper end to hang on.
At the finish Craig got the win on a sprint, he is riding better and better. I came in about 5 min behind them.
Jon had a good day, and Erik too (again rumors) though not seen him yet.
The country side is now very different from where we left, seem to be a little bit more dirt and less rock. According to a Portuguese rider it will be less towns, we will go through some farmland no longer in use and it'll be flatter, but that said I don't believe Flat exist in Portugal. The dogs on this stage were mostly tied up and will all have a bad necks tonight.

Tomorrow 144km with 2600 (flat?) or so elevation.
Womens start is at 813am, men 900am.
And we will pass the halfway point of the nine days!

Happy racing!
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Monday, May 02, 2011

View from the bike...

..on the first long climb today.

TP day 3 - last decent..

...with a rainbow over it.

Today was probably my favorite course of the three days. I generally felt good but had some major shoulder spasm and on top of that my knee would let me put any down force on it. So pretty much an old lady now, and maybe if I took better care I could enjoy a beautiful stage such as this even more. Riding a 29er is for sure a different style than I'm used to, its not a spinning machine on the climbs and on top of the big wheels I'm missing my easy gear, so I've been riding with a lot more leg work than normal. Today was no different, we start out with a long steep climb and then two more huge climbs! Which both were rewarded with a equally long and fun decent. The good thing with my gearing is that with nicks and pains ill still climb at an ok pace unless I wanna walk, which is really not an option since I'm here to ride my bike. So with tears and inside smiles I pushed hard with the left leg and managed to get to see all of this awesome leg of the race! This part of Portugal I'd come back and explore again :)
Craig had a great race today, he passed me early on the last big climb like a flying goat on a mission. Only two had passed me so he was in third which he held to the end. Unfortunately race rules says we are responsible for our gps, charging, picking maps, settings etc. And today Craig got his back in a little different format than he was used to, so rather than turning on his tracker it was turned off, meaning there is nothing saying he did the race today. Very unfortunate, be we all know he had an awesome day and he will have more!
John had a fun day, haven't caught up on stories, but knowing him, he probably has a few.
Erik I haven't seen yet, bit rumors has it he had a good fun day!
The hotel today is something else, for a bike race this is the best I've seen. To bad we couldn't change the race plan and have a rest day here tomorrow.
Tomorrow we leave the mountains to flatter lands.

Happy racing!
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Sunday, May 01, 2011

Day 3 briefing..

...tells us we are climbing part of Portugals tallest mountain, to about 1700 m of it. Total of 3683 m elevation over 108 km... Should be fun.

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TP Day two photo...

...not been taking many pictures but today I had moment during my rise to use this functionality of my gps...a little obstruction ahead...
Also, Erik was pretty tired as well after a hard day, now happy to be on the massage table. If not in public he would have skipped the fork and licked the food up....that's tired. Many of us know the feeling but now there is only 7 more days! ..
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Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell.

TR day 2

Since my day was less eventful I'll start with what I forgot to mention yesterday.
Due to the limit of 75+- riders in this race they came up with a classification system that makes it one open class bases on preset handicaps based on age and sex. So since I'm female under 40 I get 14%. Both female and male over 40 get the same handicap in increments each five year I believe. The handicap is deducted from previous years course record (still not for sure about this) and that gives us minutes that they deduct of the start time for the rest of the field. So today I started at 920 vs 10 for the main field. There is only one other person on the course before us, she stared before 9 sometime. Now we become chase rabbits for everyone behind!
If only the women's field was deeper this might work really well, but for me it means a very lonely ride for a long time. Yesterday that wasn't too bad as the terrain was enough to keep me entertained but today I was really looking forward to checkpoints to say hi to the people there. It's hard to get the real stage race feeling that I'm used to with the star line adrenaline, all the people, find your group u work with for the week, stories we can share etc. And on a day like today, and days after tomorrow when the flatter stages start, your fighting the wind by your self all day. Until the end of the day when the lead men come cruising by and you enjoy a little fun times hanging on them, until a climb have to ruin the fun, if I only can handle the burn on the hills to stay with them. Though this is a different race and rules are up front so take them for what they are. They do a great job with everything after the finish and because it is such a small crowd you get to know most and their race stories at that time.

Today, in short, it was hard, very hard. I couldn't settle in a nice pace, if I did I was barley crawling in the wind, so I could be out all day in a comfy pace, or work really hard and get to the hotel before dinner! I chose dinner. When the lead group of five today, vs just one guy yesterday came by around the same point of the race as yesterday, I think about 40k from finish, I finally got the joy of riding with a group, high speed fun! Lost them on the next longer climb, but enjoyed the short bit of time. One of them I ended up riding with a bit later as the pace got to him as well. The course was great if it wasn't for being so exposed to the wind from the south, of course where we are heading. But a few old towns, a super neat valley at the start, an old castle, some more roman cobblestones, some dirt, some exposed rock, so no complaint, I just like to share this great rides in accompany with some other riders today. Hopefully I didn't empty the tank for tomorrow, which some says is harder than both today and yesterday, we will see.
Oh, fourth yesterday, sixth today.

Tomorrow
Star 10
My start 913
Dist 105
Elevation looks like lot forget how much...

So far this race is highly recommended, hard but well put together and some really great course layout which gives a bit of everything. We need to deepen the women's field and I'm sure a woman can take home the gold.

Happy racing!

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kate aardal
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Sent from my iPad