Kate's Blog 2011

Second and third ...

2011-09-08T09:50:00.000-06:00

... day of awesome Calgary weather for a perfect long weekend! And as of today it looks like a chance of a dry awesome Bow80ish weekend...crossing my fingers.

Had a pretty slow Sunday with the intent to ride but started a five minute bike fix (chain swap) and that quickly turned into a full day thing....i road around town thinking it was Saturday and wondering why all bike shops were closed! So the city bike ride was all i got in and now the Superfly is on pause until i can track down a small chainring! Not easy! Butter hey no big deal, i do have my red machine!

So Monday i met up with Mani and Graham with my red bike and had an awesome ride of the Bow race course (minus part of canyon creek and down raceofspades)...another beautiful day out and bike did a good job. Happy day!
Until yesterday ... A quick ride with Toby up Pnuma was the plan ...i got almost up to the first lookout and i was climbing a small steep section and a root I thought id hit and role over instantly stopped me..well the bike...i kept flying (if that is the right word when barely moving) over the handlebars ... When i opened the eyes i just hoped all my fingers lined up...they hurt but phew ..all good! Now pretty embaraced but alone i picked up bike to continue on ...front looked ok so got on but rear felt funny....oh no...wheel taco !... Still not sure how the rear could have hit that hard when coming down...i was climbing very slow!...either way..my last bike is now also on pause!...turned around and carefully road back down the way i came up...

Mission today is to get wheel rebuilt or buy a complete crankset as a chain ring is not anywhere to be found before next weekend...or even better if i also had a bike for Saturday Calgary corporate challenge at COP ...going for gold!

Happy riding!

Ride 1...

2011-09-03T20:56:00.001-06:00

...September long weekend.

After a very long and slow week with no attempts of riding i was looking forward to a long weekend of riding. I started out with a quick warm up ride with Toby last night. We almost made it to the car before hail and thunder but not quiet, ouch and ouch and by the time we got down we were both wet and cold...

Today i started out with a regular "traditional" at Cadence and with Alana, Michelle, Andrew and Mani show ul as well it was to be a great day.
Cool morning so dressing up has to be re-learned. You'd think we would know by now.....i left knee warmers but glad o brought west and arms...
We road to MooseMtn rd, climbed up pnuma to the top, down pnuma were i had my slow motion wipe out on the rocks trying to balance my bike to avoid big dog and then realizing support was required and leaning on to the nearest tree rather than stepping out of pedals seemed like a good option until i learned that tree did not wanna support me....down i went...
Now down at start of Moosepackers, thouh we turned right, climbed back up and eventually on to Shaft, still fun but a bit wet from the last rain and hail and snow... On to elbow something, up sulphur and back to truck!... Oh i love fall riding! Blue, sunny sky, great trails, and refreshing air!

Now at vet with my bud Toby. Second time with infected jaw, poor guy...think tooth will have to go and no more bones!...but as always he's a trooper!

Happy fall riding!

The true...

2011-08-28T21:28:00.001-06:00

...champ this weekend was definitely the only one i could convince to ride along to Hinton. I obviously would not have had the races i had or actually raced at all this weekend if it wasn't for him. He is such a trooper, never complains and escorted both Gabor and i safely through the pre-ride. He carefully watched the truck during both the short and long course for bears or other creatures that snuck around. So i had no choice but to dedicate one of the jerseys and the medal to my very best buddy on and off the trail, Toby!

Great but a hard weekend of racing. Hardcore had a great crew out and Cory did a fine job putting on a challenging course both days.
Back in Calgary with a perfect feeling of beat!

Happy Riding!

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Hinton weekend...

2011-08-27T10:46:00.001-06:00

...with Toby and the bike.
Alberta provincial seem to maybe be a bit late as it seems like most people who would normally show to events are staying home. Though thought id get out if town and try something different.
Toby, Gabor and i pre-road last night the short course for today and it got approved by TToby ....nice single track that was soft on the paws !
Today we race short and tomorrow is marathon ....should be fun...beautiful blue sky and dry as can be!

Fueled up with some mcdonalds so should be all set ..

Happy Riding!

Sunday ride...

2011-08-21T19:40:00.002-06:00

...in Canmore on a hot summer day!
Met up with the boys at a coffeshop in Canmore and it was already 18 degrees at ten am. Had a quick mocha and apple strudle..yammy ..and headed up to the nordic centre. We decided to ride the Highland trail which I have never done, so i was happy. It started off down of the dogpark and quickly went from not so steep to really steep loose switch backs. Nice hard climb then it all turned into some awesome fun twisty, up, down, rockie and all you can think of ...just plain old fun mountain bike trail. On the way back Gabor and i took one wrong turn at the end and got rewarded with some more fun fast downhill rather than coming down the loose switchbacks we came up ..more smiles !
We estimated about three hours but it wasnt even two, so got in a nice little ride at the nordic center to end the day.
Thinking of Hinton double header next weekend...so maybe a few shorter rides this week.

Happy Riding !

Saturday ride...

2011-08-20T18:26:00.001-06:00

...with Toby and Keith. Not a big group today, but still a great ride. Started with a quick coffee pick up and brrrr was it cold out! Fall is coming quickly. Met Keith in canmore and we decided to head out to try Prospector in exshaw.
Good call, my first ride over there this year. I forgot how much fun this little loop is, even thouh short. Toby came on the first lap. He got to have a break on the second. Think Keith quiet enjoyed this loop that has a fairly nice climb up with a huge reward of flowy single track including almost all terrain you can. After the second lap i put the bike back on the truck but realized it wasnt even lunch time, so decided to go out for one last. Toby got to come and by the end of it he was very much done.
Think tomorrow will be a few more folks and a little longer outing somwhere around Canmore again.

Happy Riding!

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Saturday...

2011-08-13T23:48:00.000-06:00

...group ride started out at Cadence again. I had a less than great breakfast, just didn't have it for food this morning. But coffee was good as it always is. During breakfast it was a bit of discussion where to ride, everywhere from Canmore to Bragg, what trails in Bragg etc. In the end we ended up with a plan to do a Tour of the Moose Mountain. And as usual I don't really pay too much attention as I don't know the trails well enough to really follow all the discussions and I'm just looking to ride, and with these guys, Craig, Keith, Craig (second), Gabor and Jon, I'm rested assure that it'll be a great outing.

Though after all this discussion I almost missed my ride, as on the highway I was heading to Canmore, head just not there today! Made it to Station Flat and found a parking spot (not easy, it was packed!) and we started our ride.

Moose Mountain in the back, a great switch back climb!

We climbed up little bit of Sulphur (backwards) then on the highway for a few hundred meters to get to Moose Mt. Road. We rode up Pnuma and had a quick bottle drop off halfway up. Continued up to the top of Pnuma which then rewards you (depending on who you are) with a super fun, rockie downhill section. Rather than going down Moose Packers we continued on and decided to have get a peak of Moose Mountain in. I climbed this once before, and knowing it would not include a scree hike I was more than happy to ride up, and hoped to clean it this second time up. I stepped down once! It was very upsetting, I really wanted to clean this climb, next time! On the way down we did a "follow Jon" approach, so no switch backs, just shortest route down. Fun times, though as we came close to the bottom Jon had pulled over with a flat front tire. This turned out to a much longer stop than anyone had thought, and maybe next time someone will carry a hammer and a chisel, or maybe at least a Leatherman....

Everyone but I (not sure why I never did try...) had at least one individual try at getting the valve out of Jon's rim, some lost a bit of skin off their fingers trying.

Then several team efforts went in to the project, various tools from the surroundings (rocks mostly) were tried.

After all failed attempt, the idea of putting the tube in, get some air and stuff the valve in the tire came up. On the second try this worked great, enough air to maybe find a hiker with a leatherman, or make it all the way down to Moose Mountain parking lot with all the downhill folks parked, that probably would have tools.

Plan worked out, found some "dirt addicted" guys below that had any tool you can imagine (well at least one that we could use) and the valve came out. Only one more flat after this! Not bad for a day on tubes!

So with Jon's bike back up and running, we continued on with the ride plan. We rode from here over to SHAFT (SuperHappyAwesomeFunTrail, I think), and that was all the words plus some that shouldn't be said! So much fun! With one handle foamy loose, I had a couple of near-death experiences when hand would slip off on the steepest parts, added some extra adrenaline, and hence, more fun!
To get out we took some "connector" trail over to a road (I forget what road, but IngsMine maybe), and at the bottom of the road we climb back up to Sulphur, then some more Sulphur climb backwards, a little down and we were back at bottle drop, and good thing, as all the guys were out by this time. Climbed back up Pnuma to the start of SpecialK and ended the day with some fun descending once again. Little bit of Ridgeback and out to parking lot, nice and tired. Very happy with ride today, paced well so climbing felt better than last weekend, cleaning things I didn't before. Food was up next!

Happy Riding!

Midweek riding....

2011-08-10T22:30:00.000-06:00

... has been pretty great, with Calgary summer at its best. Tuesday I did my regular Sulphur spring with the dogs, we come out early enough to avoid any traffic on the trails so the only big trouble is cows and cowdudies... which Toby is good at finding.
Great ride, the two four legged does great on the climb and not too bad going down, but the lack of water on the trails makes it tough. They love the creek in the end.
By the time we get back the the parking lot it is full!

Wednesday a second JP/Cox ride was planned. Keith really wanted to head out with his new tires. Great plan. Though as I drove home from work it didn't look to promising. Quickly went home, got dogs out, picked up some supper at Subway and went to the dirt lot. Gabor, Mani, Craig and Keith showed up as did the rain. The clouds to the west looked even darker. So after a bit back and forth and nobody wanting to totally pull out (though inside my head I sort of was ready to head home), we ended up driving out to Dawson, but planned at heading up Lusk rather than the full loop.

Little cooler at the top!

Great choice! The ride was as good as it can get, some rain on the road, and as we climbed up a little moist, but made for perfect trails and temperature to be out riding! It was hard, the last little bit of Lusk I just bit my teeth together and tried not to cry as I desperately tried to turn the pedals, walking is just not an option, even though I'm sure at that point it would have been faster. Up ahead, Craig and Gabor (on his single speed) had already peaked!! Well, the first climb. Cox was in great shape as well, didn't clear as much as last time I rode it but great ride all together and great company! The down I don't even need to mention as everyone who knows this trail, it is always heaven! Though today I must admit it was "awesomer" then ever!! The little bit of moist made it a little tacky, maybe slick, all which I prefer over the super dry, and I was just so happy that the 29er, hardtail, rode like it did, so much fun, what can I say!

When you only get two rides in, I'd say, the two I got was the best!

Happy riding!

Walk...

2011-08-10T08:14:00.001-06:00

...in the park.

With black clouds sort of floating around i decided to stay local and hikecop with the dogs. It didn't look too bad, only one big one and it lookedlike it was heading downtown. But i couldn't have been more wrong !
It poured down so hard i was soaked through every piece of clothingbut it wasn't cold so i quiet enjoyed the walk ....untill all of a sudden igot hit in the head by something hard, then again and again...ouch ..even the dogs started looking for shelters.

Both Toby and sQ quickly hid under some bush and it didn't take longbefore i had to join them. The hail came harder and bigger. I snapped acouple of pictures of the dogs, they were not impressed at all. But itstopped and by the time i got home it was already drying up on mydeck. Guess it was just bad timing. My phone wasn't as lucky. Totally dead! So quick trip to Bell and out with a new phone....no moreblackberry storm !

Happy Riding !

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Nice riding ....

2011-08-06T22:58:00.002-06:00

...and a hike.

Stared out Saturday with a breaky and coffee at Cadence before heading out to Station Flat. Plan was a 5 hour ride. We ended up doing 2/3 of the Bow 80ish course, skipping JP and some of the road. High pace and lots of climbing! September will come soon and it'll be a hard race event with weather nice as today. The trails were in great shape, Gabor rode up all the climbs on his single speed like a mad-man, there was no way to hang on. Craig on his geared bike hang on though, so for most of the ups we didn't see those two boys. In the end we descended SpecialK down and by Craig's suggestion we did part of Ridgeback, "all down" Craig said, but by now I should know better. Still fun, Gabor rode a bit more humanly (he had bonked). Thanks boys for a great ride!

Still time left in the day, so another crit to watch. Dogs got to come and they quiet enjoyed the race (or maybe the squirrel on the other side of the road). Toby was able to find something nice and smelly to bring home, to add another hour of cleaning up before ending Saturday outings.

Sunday I wanted to treat the dogs to a good ride so went out to Barrier Lake with Craig, only to find it was closed due to grizzly with cubs. So ride turned into a hike up Bawldy. Dogs loved it, and my legs said thanks as well, nice to switch it up. When we got back we decided to get a little coffee ride in. Rode over to Cadence for some food and of course when out for a ride with Craig it'll be and adventure, even when on a coffee ride. We road downtown along the river, a little bit of trail but mostly amongst walkers and weekend riders on the paths. In to Kensington, second coffee stop. The a stop at a park trying to figure out the game of cricket (or something like that). I'm guessing coffee would be a good thing as match drink as it would be along quiet outing for some of those players. All this while African drums were playing .....so a bit of culture discovery in this city I thought had none.

Great weekend.

Happy Riding!
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Who knew...

2011-08-05T09:24:00.001-06:00

...a midweek ride after work could be an epic outing!

After arriving home a bit later than I'd hoped I was close to calling off going to a group ride I wasn't even sure was still on. But after a quick walk to the river with the dogs and still ten minutes to meeting time I figured I might as well...hard to get going but when on the trail I always love it...
I drove over to the "dirt lot" they usually call Invisible Esso, but quickly started thinking about what original message read yesterday...oh...dirt lot by COP...quickly speed over there. Craig and Keith were getting ready and that ended up being our group.

We biked up the road (felt long and slow on my "big" bike) to the access to Jumping Pound ridge climb, beginning of climb felt hard and I was a bit worried I'd be left in the dust (it was dry). But made it up, and felt better as time went on. What a great ride that is! We paused for a minute at Cox hill so Keith could look for a bear (didn't find it) and now to some of the best descending in the region! :) big smiles all the way...until unfortunately Keith had his first flat of the evening, Craig offered his tube as mine was a super light ...but after a few more minutes he needed mine as well, so now the next stop would have been patches! But we made it to he car with no more bike issues. Happy I took my big one out, haven't had such a great fun in a long time, descending back down!
Took us about 240 so daylight was no issue....

Happy Riding!
Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.
Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell.

Sunday rest and ...

2011-08-02T20:25:00.001-06:00

.... Monday ride...

So after a long Saturday outing I decided to spend the day getting the house cleaned a bit and get the dogs out for a few good walks/hikes. Calgary weather has been so great the last little bit, house cleaning is not easy, and of course that plan didn't come through today either. But dogs got out, we walked over and watched all the Tubers go down the river... I need to get out and try one day before summer ends! Anyone?

Though reading the news today I guess not all made it down the river in the tube, or without a ticket!

Got my bikes cleaned so not completely wasted day. The 29er got a new band aid as yesterday's was sort of a quick fix. So now it's good to go for a bit, one extra zippy tie on this fix!

Monday was a day off so the plan was to go for a semi epic ride with Craig, but another group ride was forming with Alana, Jeff, Lisa and Ryan, a little shorter ride. So when I met Craig at Cadence I suggested maybe we should join them, this might allow for some spectating of the Bowness Crit they were just starting to set up for on the main street. So we did!

We met the group at Station Flats and had a great fun ride with only minor delays. Craig and Jeff had to take a different route to catch Lisa who we lost about 1km in... Alana, Ryan and I, climbed up Sulfur (sort of backward from what I'm used to) then hooked on to Pnuma and met Jeff and Craig at the intersection of the start of Sulfur (the normal way) and Pnuma, but no Lisa there either. We continued up Pnuma and caught her just before the start of the upper section. She must have hammered up those hills. We also saw the TR marking guys, getting ready for next weeks event!

From there we climbed up the upper sections of Pnuma, and eventually hooked on to Moose Packers down to Ridgeback and so on.... not sure of the name of the trail that takes us out (new tom snow?). It was all about fun today! Great ride with great company!

And we still had time to make it back to Bowness for the men's elite crit race! My first ever! It was so exciting to see my little "town" so alive (Bowness that is). And the race was really neat, I like the concept and will spectate more of them now that I know, still unsure I'll do any of them though. And Steve didn't help convince me it is all fun either! But glad he is OK, and you really should check out his facebook picture sequence of the crash. Funny enough, Craig and I spoke earlier that they should almost hire some stunt folks to make sure there is at least one crash... you know... spectators always love crazy crashes... Steve gave them all of it!

Some nice Mexican on the street to end the long weekend!

Happy Riding!

The Epic and some more...

2011-07-31T01:00:00.000-06:00

...day of riding!

It all started with a great idea, then the idea grew a bit to lets ride from Moose Mt. Road to Top of Norquay ski hill in Banff, connecting all our favorite trails somehow! The Idea was never really research in much debt from my side, but I'm big fan of point to point epic rides, so I trusted it would be a day of awesome riding, and epic it was!

The ride was sent out to a few folks but it ended up being Jon, Craig and my self. They stopped by the house around 7AM to start early, we had some food and a few little bike fixes to do. I still figured we had plenty of time do all the logistics around car drop etc and riding before the end of the day. I ended up changing my mind about the big bike vs the broken 29er in the last minute, chose the 29 with a bit of a dummy fix (getting good at this fix), and it would be a great choice! We got on the road just after 8AM so lots of time left in the day. First stop Banff to drop of my truck. Then we ventured back towards Calgary, and to Moose Mt. Rd to get started with the day. On the way we stopped at Barrier Lake to do a drop off of some drinks and snack for later. This would be approximately half way of our day we figured. I thought Id heard a six or so hour day, so I left a can of orange pop, that should be a good addition to the two bottles I had with me, and get me to the Husky on Highway for some more supply.

Jon and Craig and my self finally ready to get going. We started out with Pnuma, climbed up the lower section, then the upper part which I don't think I've done before. It was technical and steep in parts and I felt we were going at a pace I wasn't sure I'd be able to sustain for the day, but tried to keep up. We came out somewhere on Moose Mt, and from there on I'm not sure I'll use the right names of trails we did as it was mostly new stuff for me. We descended something I have done before (double track down to Moose Packers).

We then started climbing up Moose mt, my favorite (well I think, as far as I recall) part of the day. Under Jon's hand in the picture there some awesome switchbacks and behind there an awesome hike-a-bike section up to the summit! Truly Epic! And I was in heaven!

We made it to the "Helli pad" and a little bit further before the first hike-a-bike started. Not a very long section up to the Summit, a few hikes, and a couple of guys on bike was coming down, but probably did an in an out, and maybe that is a smart thing to do.

A quick call and a breather to discuss options on where to go next. In my head I had no clue, looking around it seemed like the only way was back out the way we came. But Nope! Craig knew there was a route across the scree slope, as he did this 9 years ago (which all along I thought was 1 year ago! Not only did he remember that, he also remembers there is a trail from the gas plant up to Jumping pound. And according to Jon, since he had done the topo research, it should be mostly downhill!! Ha ha..

So we ventured out on the scree! We planned on not loosing too much elevation as far in the distance and some closer too, we saw some cliffs and would like to come from the top rather than have to be stuck under. I think that planned worked out pretty good. It took me a good 30 min to an hour just to get used to the height and steepness of the slope. I now see the benefit of getting used to pushing your bike on both side of your body. As all the way across (1 hour 30 min total) I had to push and cary bike on the up slope, there was just no way the left side could do it. I know will practise for next epic!

Early on I lagged behind a bit so Jon kindly came back and took my bike down for a little bit. After this I sort of pulled my self together and forgot about the height and potential fall to death scenario!

This is very close to the end, and Craig had taken a lower line, while Jon and I was up high, above the cliffs I mentioned earlier. Jon went down to look around the corner to see if maybe we could get around as just above us it looked steeper and hard to get up. It felt like he took forever as I sat and "enjoyed" the view, and got my self thinking too much again about the height, to the point I felt it took so long I worried he wasn't coming back! ha ha.. your mind is a crazy organ.. or at least mine is. But thank goodness he came back and the verdict was no go around corner, so up the hill it was. And it wasn't as hard as it seemed. But we were a bit concerned about Craig who were down below and had to make it up the cliffs. When I saw Jon get on his bike a few meters up from me I smiled inside, very big smile! We road down some a sketchy slope full of rocks down to Husky plant and waited for Craig, well before I got on my bike I ensured I saw him cresting as well.

Might not seem so bad and long, but this slope is looking back at what we just did, pointing out you can't see the full path as it is a couple of gully's. I think next time we should maybe try the ridge it self? or maybe there is another way around.

Everyone were still smiling, so all was good, so now, 3 1/2 hour in or so it should be easy breezy, get on Craig's trails to Jumping Pound ridge! Guess nothing came easy today. I now learned it wasn't a year since Craig did this ride, it was 9 years, hence the memory a bit lacking, can't blame him for that. We road down the Husky road looking for the trail head, climbed back up and came up with the plan on staying on top of ridges (open, so we can see where we go). Our other option were to turn back, get Jon's truck, drive to Banff, get my ride and never speak of this again! We chose to continue of course. Jon's GPS wasn't really our friend either, but we had a good guess on what ridge in the far view was Jumping Pound and aimed to hit it. So we bushed whacked a bit, got to a open ridge. From here it looked like we had to peak two tops before topping Jumping Pound. We went down and up the first, we road around some trees for a bit, and by chance we just happened to run into a trail. All of Craig's memory now came back, this was the trail! We still had to do some hike-a-bike, but the ride or hike was still amazing and epic as can be. A little bit more confusion on the second peak, but we peaked Jumping 5 hours into the ride and 27km in distance!! We now only had, according to original plan, Down JP to Lusk, over to Barrier to climb Jewels, up to Razors Edge, down to highway, on TR. Canada trail to Canmore, then Rundle mountain to Banff and up to the ski hill!! hmm and about 5 hours of daylight. A bit of revision of plans. We made it down to the Powderface road, and had a quick chat with a local couple, and also got some much needed water as the two bottles we each brought were long gone! We took Lusk, which was beat up pretty bad, when we arrived at Barrier Lake I was so happy to get my little orange drink! But the boys came out of the bush with no drink for me?? First I thought Jon was pulling a joke, but someone seriously had stolen my drink, and also Jon's power bars!! I was so disappointed, well for two minutes or three.. Jon offered his red drink which almost made up for my loss, and then Craig gave me one of his two bottles as well, so all of a sudden I had two bottles of drink (for those who know me, that's a lot of drink for kate), but didn't think much of it. After the the ride I know I should have....

We rode over to Jewels and climbed, it felt really good actually, to be back on the bike, riding some real trails. We had a quick stop at the waterfall, both boys had a quick shower. At the top of the climb we waited a little bit for Craig, I asked him how he was doing and he had got a cramp and stopped for a bit, but I still didn't clue in on the fact that he only had one bottle as he gave one to me, and I didn't know he was on empty, felt really bad after. Though, we got down and on the highway both the guys seemed to have got some second wind, or maybe I just lost all mine! We flew away and I could barley hang on. Our new plan, stay on the highway to Banff, with one stop at Husky. I made a quick call to my friend Vlad, to kindly have a check on my house and dogs who I'd left at home, a can of coke and a yogurt (the only "food" that was appealing at the time) and on the road again.

Craig and Jon was nice enough to slow down the pace on the road a little bit for me. We estimated an hour to Banff from the gas station and they were pretty much bang on!! ha ha... for once..

When we got to Canmore we jumped on the bike path, super nice I'd say, the picture was pretty much my view for the most part on the road, thanks guy for dragging me in. As the sun were setting we got into Banff, but of course hardcore plans don't end with a car parked in town. In my head I'd decided that there was no way I could climb up, I'd be at least an hour and it was late already, close to 930PM! So I suggested we plan what to do for food, Jon thought we'd just pedal hard and plan food when pace was slower while climbing up to the truck, that didn't help my plan on not riding the hill.... so I sold them on the idea of "time management" basically.. I'll bike into town, order some food, and it'll be ready for when they come back down! I didn't have to sell to hard, they didn't seem to mind that I bailed out of the last climb. I rode into town, stopped at the place that had the word Pizza in it. And by luck, as it was 10 min to ten and kitchen was closing at 10 so I just got the order in on time.

Jon and Craig came down closer to 11, we all huddled in the truck in our bike gear and stinky bodies as you know by now, we are still learning the tricks to an epic day and point to point... none of us left anything in the drop off car! We drove to Bragg Creek, dropped Jon off and I got back to my house passed midnight..... EPIC DAY!!! and no complaints! Thanks Jon and Craig for being such great ride buddies!

Happy Riding Always!

Under the rainbow...

2011-07-28T15:10:00.001-06:00

...I got to drive!
Home from Bragg Creek last night. I was lucky and had a nice ride with the dogs and barely got mud on the bike.

Happy riding!
Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.
Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell.

Lost for words...

2011-07-26T21:41:00.000-06:00

... and still in a bit of disbelief. I spoke with my dad shortly after the first attack, even that seemed unreal, he had left Oslo as they shut down the city. Little did we know what was coming.

I left worked early as didn't really get anything done, spoke to my brother, spoke to my mother who was with my sisters family, I watched the news, prepared for Edmonton, watched some more news and struggled with what to think, things like this just doesn't happen back home. Listened to the news on the drive up to Edmonton, registered and skipped pre-ride, it was wet! Watched the news on the TV at the hotel. Didn't sleep much. Got up and watched some more news, and it just kept getting worse. How could it get so big? how could one person? These are just kids, living in what we thought was the safest place to be!

I tried to focus on the race I came up to do. I wanted to do this Canada Cup after a bad event in Canmore. I went down to the course early to pre-ride as my start wasn't until 230pm. But when I got down to the venue I saw some pretty muddy bikes come back from riding the course, so I decided to keep my bike clean for the main ride. When back to the hotel for some breakfast and back to the TV. Not the best prep, but the race wasn't really important at this point. Though, I came to race, and needed to ride to get my mind on something else. I had an ok warm-up, not long, but got my heart rate up a bit and felt ok. The start was fast as usual and I was the last person in the field and struggled to get up with the really fast girls. As we got to the single track I thought I was in an ok position until one girls pretty much pushed herself in front of me, and another followed! OK! guess that's how it works in short intense xc races, but there should be a rule that if you push your self in front you better keep going and stay with the rest! But we didn't, we quickly lost contact with the lead girls, the fast girls and there was no spot to pass. I got in a comfortable pace and eventually got by two, then a little bit later I picked up another, and then I lost count, might have been another here and there. It was very muddy and slippery, specially second half of course, which first lap was pretty much a run a bike (or walk a bike). I ended up riding most of the race on my own, so got stuck in a comfy pace for a bit and had to kick myself in the butt to remind me that it was a race, but all and all I had a good day on the bike. The body responded properly to hard effort and did what it should when I slowed down, so I was happy. Cathrine Vipond won the day, two girls on pink bikes I think and then Mical fourth, some other girl, and then me. Alana won the single speed category, and did the elite race on the same muddy bike after! Nice work!

After the race it was back in the car and drive home. Saturday I went in to Canmore to see the finish of the 24 event, can't say I miss riding at night, but it's something about these events that makes them attractive. Meredith and Angela took Toby for a ride, while I walk around the course for a bit.
Headed up to cougar creek for a nice hike with SQ, and that was the weekend pretty much.

Now, a few days since the horrible situation Friday, it's been some time to think, but there are still no words really. I'm sad but also proud to see how the nation is coming together.

I'd like to share a quote from AUF member Helle Gannestad;

"When one man could cause so much evil - think about how much love we can create together"

My thoughts goes out to those who lost loved once, family members and friends. It seems everyone is touched in one way or another, and it is truly admiring to see how Norway have chosen to fight hate with respect, togetherness and love!

kate

A couple of weeks...

2011-07-18T21:44:00.000-06:00

...go by like that!

COP

The week after Fernie was very low key. Caught up on a few things around the house and worked and very little riding. Made it out for a midweek ride with the dogs, Meredith and Angela which was nice. We road up Pnuma starting at the Moose Mtn Road, which I had never done. Got to the top and there was a local midweek downhill race. We turned and went back the same way, on a very busy trail at this point, with people climbing up. The rest of the week was pretty mellow with some leisurely hikes at COP.

SQ enjoining the view from top of JP

The following weekend was pretty relaxing as well, with a road ride downtown Friday. Got Sequoia all tagged up for a summer in Calgary! Though crossing fingers that the tag never have to be used. So far so good, though she would love to figure out a escape route into our neighbors yard for some delicious orange cats on a leash!

Saturday we hiked up JP which was great, would have been nice on a bike as well, but I was pretty happy to be on foot going up. Coming down my little toe wasn't too happy with being pressed against the front of the shoe so the bike would have been a good option. Happy to see the snow gone, and both JP and Cox looks like a great ride. One weekend soon it will be on the to-do-list. A few more pictures in the end as well.
Sunday we played for a little bit at the Nordic Centre before meeting up with Steve for some dinner. He came down from Edmonton after just finishing, and qualifying for New Zealand might I add, in triathlon. So China this year, then New Zealand next year! I can only hope I'm close to as fit when I'm ready to retire! So happy for him.
So on to another work week, and even less riding. I made it out to Bragg Creek for one ride Tuesday, which I enjoyed, worked hard going up, then took it easy down and let dogs enjoy the ride. Got out early enough to avoid any traffic jams on the trail. Skipped Thursday COP ride with lack of energy and with some weird car sick feeling (when I'm the driver... sort of weird eh?). Met up with Lisa in Canmore Friday as I was picking up my registration pack for the race on Saturday. We did one lap of pre-ride, and quiet enjoyed the course. Fun, short and no sections to get bored on at all! Saturday I got up, had my regular breakfast, took dogs for a hike at COP and headed out to Canmore once again. The Canadian National Championships! wow.. big names and very serious, so obviously I got a bit nervous as this is not my cup of tea..had a very quick and low key warm-up, which could have been the reason for what to come!? The start was as quiet as a start I've ever attended, you could hear a needle drop in the grass!! it was very strange, there was a few people watching and you couldn't even hear them. Olympic spot in the view for some of them maybe? or maybe every race at this level is like this... not sure, it felt pretty intense though, and in my head I was smiling a bit, and this picture totally eliminated any nerves I had. The start goes, and the dust is flying (probably should have kept my glasses on for the first lap eh..) and in about a few seconds in I feel like crap, again, very strange feeling as this year the start (though this might have been harder than any of the others I've done) hasn't been my issue, I could handle the pain, hang on hard for about 20 min and settle in to a pace. But not today, I hung on, but there was no response in my body, I could go as hard as I could but no peak in heart rate, I slowed down, and not quick return of heart rate, I just plain old sucked. Sort of what I'm used to from other years, but not this year. While I'm riding, and feeling terrible sorry for my self, I'm analyzing everything I've done the last couple of weeks, sleep, rides, how I've felt, what did I do etc... the engineer in me is already looking for the root cause of failure!! But one lap in, I haven't figured it out, though at least I'm keeping my mind busy, still in pain and once in a while the thought of quiting come around trying to knock me out, but with people along the course cheering you on (people you know and people you don't know) it is not an option to quit, and I'm not a quitter. All I wished for was to not see a Luna come up from behind!! And then, through the feed zone half way through, I see a blue shirt over my left shoulder and I thought that was it, gees was I ever slow. Thank goodness, she was going through the feed zone on the other side! phuu! that was close....
Danelle Kabush had a great race, both of them rode really strong, I knew I had to ride hard and top of my game to stick with them, I tried but didn't have it in me. Pendrel took home the win, and another Canadian Championships, she is a amazing rider. And the rest of the girls strong as well, there is no shortage in strong Canadian female riders.

Trish enjoying a cool down!

So after a terrible day on the bike there is only one thing to do the next day! Find the fun again! Went out with Gerry and Trish and road up Prairie View and down Jewels, then up again, and down Hector!! oh yeah!! what can I say, the best day in a long time! Though if you asked Trish and Gerry, who had a bit of a longer Canadian Championships experience than my self, they might have a different view on the day. Though impressive ride by the two with a couple of hours of sleep :)
The dip after was probably the highlight, or maybe the nap later on?? not sure...

Still working on the root cause analysis and will update if I every figure it out, the science of my body and it's response to effort under different circumstances.....

Happy riding all!

Rest day at...

2011-07-04T16:42:00.001-06:00

... Rona, lifting 30 by 24 slabs. 3 more to go.
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F3 Day 3 - some more...

2011-07-04T14:12:00.001-06:00

...sweet single track and brutal climbs with exhilarating downs!
One of the noticeable differences this race year is the high end output I'm able to pull out in the start of a race and yet settle in my own pace and last ok to the end. This was the case day one, two and today. Though with the slightly more crowded trail after only a short time to split riders up, the climb up hyperventilation was a little more reasonable then earlier starts. With a questionable bike my plan was to avoid front shifting to much and ride safe, try to crest first climb in front as I thought it would be it for hard climbing of the day....I stuck with the plan though I was wrong on the only 1 hard climb! We came out roots and started climbing, not too bad, superfast road decent and then got turned on to Eriks trail up! Not too long but steep in the end. After this we road up kids stuff and from there on all new stuff to me. Eventually we started another climb that seem to last forever! Before we popped out on the road and got the pleasure of going down broken derailure and sidewinder to the finish. Such a fun day! A couple of near misses to remind me not to try to be a super woman on the downs, safe it in! Bike held up, zippy ties did the job. Margie Smith had a great day and came in shortly after me with a local Fernie girl and Marg Fedyna riding strong right behind.
Overall Margie got hold of second and Danelle third. Happy to be racing in a field of some very strong riders.
After a quick packing up, some good food and awards it was on the road back to Calgary. Not sure what's next besides some riding locally and enjoy the summer!

Happy riding!

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Bike fix for dummies...

2011-07-02T20:26:00.001-06:00

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F3-day 2 a bit of...

2011-07-02T20:25:00.001-06:00

...everything both in riding, interesting events and so on...
Day started an hour early today and it was noticeable cooler out, but I lived a bit on the edge and left arm and knee warmers behind :)...good call, it wasn't long before I hit the red zone again and heat naturally produced kept me toasty warm to hot for the rest of the ride. Very similar start to yesterday, hard pace to stay with the lead group, first climb in the top end for most of it and about an hour in I finally started feeling ok. At that point I had left the girls but knowing they are never far behind so no time to get too comfy. The field was stretched out much quicker today and found my self riding solo or with a couple of guys for most of it. It is nice as u can set your own pace and line going down but also tricky with very limited course markings. I found my self stopped many times looking for markers and hoping for people to show to verify I wasn't lost. But lesson learned from other races made me look twice even when riding in group. At one point we lost one guy flying down missing a right turn (which from the sound of it many missed), we tried to call him back but no luck. He missed some sweet single track! Two additional major climbs and of course rewarded with some fun down hill trails made for an all around good day. Ended up flying down the last road to a stopped train and only to be sent back up again. I missed a turn, so after being ready to be done I wasn't to happy a out that. I did the extra little bit only to see people flying down the road just like me and not getting sent up again...oh well, it is what it is and still love riding:) I quickly got over my little burst of negative energy and hope it'll be a better marked and marshaled course tomorrow.
So then bike cleaning. I always spend a little time cleaning bike after a race, makes for a clean bike and gives me the chance to ensure it is all good. Well today I didn't get that assurment I was looking for!
Crack around front deraillure mount and its pretty big. Not too much I can do bout it, but figured a couple of zippie ties will at least make me feel better about it, will see tomorrow....
On the more positive note, ended the day with a nice spin with Mer and dogs to the icecream shop and it was Good!

Happy riding!
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Day 1 - start and finish

2011-07-01T18:46:00.001-06:00

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F3 day 1 - Toby or...

2011-07-01T18:44:00.001-06:00

...I? Not sure who is more tired.

40 km should be easy breezy, but I've always found the shorter the harder! Start wad ok until we started climbing, road climb to spread the field before single track, plan worked, I tried hard to be first girl in to single track with took me in redzones I've not been yet this year and yet I had to see Marg fly by with no effort! 40 min in the max didn't seem like a good plan, but when we finally hooked on to the Coal discovery trail the pace slowed down. It quickly became a group as different levels of descending skills. Not easy to pass, but after a bit things spread out. I felt like in Portugal, I knew the girls were right on the tail chasing me down. After coal discovery we climbed up sidewinder (a fun trail to come down). I figured the girls (at least three very strong climbers behind me), would close the gap, I worked hard again to try to crest the climb first into next single track section and earn a little gap again (splitting bears)...only to learn next single track was out. Instead high speed descend on road! So no putting gap on the girls on this, so Hyperventilation had to hurt too, crested it and still not caught and for the first time I thought maybe I can get this stage!..safe it home. And I did, paying for it as we speak but hopefully I wasn't the only one who went full out.....by the looks of it Toby went full out also, hanging out by the track watching the start and finish.
No result postings yet, but a couple of minutes on Danelle Kabush, and I think Marg Fedyna third, didn't see Margie but I'm sure she was right there as well.
Tomorrow over to the ski hill side to play in the mud!

Happy Riding!
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A week of not so much riding..

2011-06-19T21:01:00.000-06:00

... and a weekend of a little bit of riding...

Calgary is not disappointing on the watery side! It keeps on raining and I keep cutting the grass (with my push machine I might add).... we got it all down to two times a week, my dream is zero... next year I hope to make it a nice urban rock garden!

So the week after Canmore racing ended up being pretty relaxed. Road to work and home a couple of times and that was it. Another weekend planned for Fernie canceled and Friday I figured I'd had enough of the rain, and went on a road trip to Edmonton, dropped off my bike for some tlc, and drove back.

Saturday happiness came back, with Jon's birthday ride! Jon, Erik, Shawn, Devin and Toby joined in for a day of play around Barrier Lake. The trails was in great shape compared to Chad's visit ride with much hiking in snow. And only a tiny bit of rain in the end, if I was Jon, I'd be very happy with the birthday ride!

Today I woke up not motivated for a day on the road in overcast and possible rain, so I canceled my plan after a mocha and dog park visit, called up Vlad (woke up Vlad also), and headed down to Bragg Creek for some play on the mountain bike again. Heather joined us as well on a last minute call. Toby thought the dog park was a sign of a day in the yard so he was over him self happy to get to jump in the truck once again.

Arrived at Station Flats and some kids race was happening, great to see kids out on the bikes having a good time. We struggled through some mud to start, some of us more than struggled and tried to swim a bit, quickly realized it didn't work, so a quick stop at the creek to wash up before continuing on my regular little loop of Sulphur spring. Short but awesome to be out on the mountain bike, remembering the fun of riding, forgetting all the rain we've had and just enjoying the fact that we got a ride in with out much of a a drizzle. A quick stop for coffee and back home for some work waiting :(... decided to skip work and go get some food for the week, then got really drenched in the rain, oh well, no big deal. Home for some work, got a little bit in before Vlad and family stopped by for a BBQ. Nothing like two little "tornados" running around :)

Week is looking great for Calgary :) and also for Fernie, so next weekend last call before Furious3.

Happy Riding! (oh gratulerer med kanadisk farsdag!!!)

Canmore Race Weekend,

2011-06-12T21:38:00.001-06:00

Saturday didn't start until 2:30 so I had plenty of time to get ready and goof around. Katy had suggested we leave at 11:30 to get a pre-ride in, I sort of laughed, but thought sure why not. Though as we woke up to pouring rain and it wasn't about to stop, we decided to push departure and skip pre-ride, no objection from my part.
The rain stopped though as we arrived Canmore, and I don't think it rained at all during the race. It was four laps of some pretty fun trails, though muddy, and some sections got pretty bad into the race. The start didn't feel like last year, but still pretty hard pace off the start, with Catherine Vipond and Pepper ahead of Katy and my self. Pepper on something that looked like a bike, but nothing I'd ever seen before, single speed and caliper breaks and all steel! We lost Pepper when it got to the major climbing and we also lost Catherine though in the other direction. As we started descending I sort of thought maybe pre-ride is a good thing in these short races, as I rode it like a clums and couldn't get any rhythm going. Though besides technically i was riding pretty bad, I felt OK into the 3rd lap, probably finally getting warmed up, pulled in after 4 laps in 2nd place so very happy with that. Katy lost her front break so she fell a little bit behind, but still not far, Trish had a strong day a few minutes behind me and of course Catherine took home the win a few min ahead of me. Good day all in all, and didn't feel too bad after, until I had sad down for supper and trying to get up again!!

Today the weather looked great! After the first lap, on a slightly longer course, including Georgetown climb, my technical ability seem to have come back. I started to trust the bike a bit more and really enjoyed the ride. It took a lap or two for the legs to sort them selves out, but during that time it helped to have Marg Fedyna fly by on the climbs to motivate me to push a bit harder. Somewhere in the beginning of the race, a couple of laps in maybe, a short, but heavy rain fall came through. It made for some pretty slick trail and I lost sight of Marg on the decent. I got comfortable in my own pace, maybe a bit too much so, as out of nowhere came Margie Smith. And she looked strong. This was start of lap five, which in my head I'd decided was my last one, I felt done! So I thought I'd just let her fly up the hill and be happy to be in second. Though, what kind of racer am I? so this other voice in my head took over and said, hang on as long as you can at least! so I did. At the end of the lap I decided to do an attempt on making a small gap to the finish to ensure first in, just in case for some reason we both did not finish a sixth lap. She didn't respond to it, so I crossed first and the clock said 1:11 left, so I had to go out for another. I slowed down and figured I'd be hanging on her wheel again, but I didn't see her coming, and figured I'll just give it what I have (which wasn't much at that point, other than adrenaline from almost being done!). Managed to hold her off and took first, very happy with that, as the few first laps my head was all about quitting, then it was all about 5 laps and that it... so I'm happy I was able to push that extra bit that I haven't been able to do before.

Happy to see lots of people out, and a good representation from the female population! Good weekend put on by the Spin Sisters and CycleMeister (or something like that)....

Now I'm looking forward to a rest day.

Happy Riding!

Lazy Friday...

2011-06-10T20:33:00.004-06:00

Tori ready to ride!

... started out pretty good, or rather not so lazy. Got up early to head out to Banff with some deadgoaters to see Tori off on her journey down to Mexico on her bike. The Great Divide or Tour Divide race started today and seeing all the participants made me think rather crazy things, such as if I had a bike right here, right now, I'd just join the ride and figure out the rest as I go, it'll be plenty of time to figure it out...... Though for some this is the result of a year of planning and preparing, their bikes were stacked with just the essentials, and hopefully the "justs" will be all they need. Tori on the other hand, spent just over a week getting ready, and she looked very much so, and was happy to be "sleeping in the dirt" again. Good on her, and we all wish her the best of luck, and you can follow her progress by clicking HERE and of course follow her blog. She'll have two races this year when she is done this one, and 17000 km or so??
So needless to say, after watching all these riders take off on such an amazing journey I had a hard time getting any of my other plans for the day completed, my mind was planning cycling trips, while I really should have been getting stuff done.

Bikes all stashed up!

After seeing them off from the start we stopped at MacDonald's for a quick coffee and breakfast thinking we had some time, then drove up above Canmore to see them again. But we missed Tori by a few minutes so she is on a mission, flying through! I decided to take the scenic route back to Calgary and it was a nice drive through the mountains.

Had big plans on getting both my race bikes ready for the weekend, but only got started on the one I used yesterday and noticed a few things. My little impact with the plank on lap one yesterday knocked out two spokes and put a dent in my rim, my pedals are coming apart and the bottom bracket seem to be coming loose again. So quick trip to the bike shop, unfortunately they didn't have time to do it all so we stuck with the critical item, the wheel, got it fixed and should be good. Tomorrow I'll rebuild some of my old eggbeaters and that should work for now, as both Hardcore, Bow and Calgary cycle did not have CB in stock.
By the time I got all that done (all=really nothing) it was supper time!

Now getting into two days of racing in Canmore.

Happy riding weekend!

Midweek...

2011-06-09T20:35:00.001-06:00

...mountain bike race at COP. First of 8 events, with a great turnout and the sun was out! 12km race, two laps of around 6, not my specialty and its been a while since I got my heart rate that high, brutal and painful and just over 40 min...one big interval...much needed. Toby was my cheerleader and made some good noise when I came around to start second lap, thanks buddy!

Off to Banff tomorrow to see Tori, and the rest of the continental divide racers off. Then double header in Canmore sat and sun.

Happy Riding!
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Dagens grill...

2011-06-08T17:28:00.001-06:00

....middag. Mini burger med sot potet fries og salat...

Gratulere med dagen Pappa! Haaper du hadde en like god dag!

Klem kate
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Rest day...

2011-06-06T17:42:00.001-06:00

...and loving the new bbq!
Easy spin to dog park, didn't get wet :)
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No race weekend...

2011-06-05T20:26:00.000-06:00

...but still some fun on the bike.
I woke up Saturday morning not feeling in the mood to put the $'s into a race and since Chad was down and Toby's first weekend back I figured it would be great to just continue on yesterdays note. I met up with the boys in Canmore and we went up to Benchlands for a quick rip. My toe didn't really enjoy the roots too much so when back at the car to get on to the west side Toby and I bailed out for the rest of the ride. It was totally dry though, a nice change from Fridays adventure.

Today I skipped the mountain bike ride to see if I can get this toe on recovery way again. It was much better but started going the wrong way on Jewels roots, and then Canmore did it in. So today I planned a road ride after a Toby ride to Cadence for coffee. Wearing sandals and limited mountain biking helped the healing before so figured that is the recipe for pinkie toe success, much needed so I can ride Fernie next weekend if the weather holds up.

I decided to do the regular loop to Cochran which breaks up the road ride with some gravel sections. Though, not knowing that since my last ride, when the gravel was smooth and hard packed, someone had fixed them all up, and they where now loos and the little rocks made for a rough ride. Not what my little toe needed! It made for a long ride (not in terms of time, just in my mind), and then headwind special as I turned to go east and back to Calgary :)
I road nice and easy through COP and was happy to see all the kids out on the hill, looked like they all had a great time. Stopped for a sub at Subway, but for some odd reason they where out of all subs, but the flat break!? How can Subway be out of subs? Anyway the flat bread tasted great so no complaints.

Continued the day with cutting the grass, second time in a week! A bit of bike tuning, not without trouble and a second visit to Bow. And never got to the bike that it all started with.
Toby and I just ended our day with a pedal over to Angles for an ice cream with Alana. Well deserved for her after a full weekend of racing in Canmore. For me, well I don't usually need any excuses to have ice cream, but it was a nice day in Calgary today, so for that reason everyone should enjoy a huge ice cream! Mondays always come to quick!

Happy riding!

First real ride..

2011-06-03T18:42:00.000-06:00

...of the season. And I'm back in love with mountain biking! I could have done without the snow, but the hiking in knee deep snow was all worth it for some great trail riding.

Chad and Mike is down from McMurray and I took them out to Barrier Lake to do my regular loop, including Prairie View up, partly down, hook on to razors edge, climb back up quaite, and down Jewels.
The climb up was great, not too wet and no snow. As soon as we started descending we hit snow, so it was more or less hike down to razors edge and most of the start of it it, but then it the fun began!

Chad on the bike...

Something with the fresh mountain air, it does strange things to people...

Couldn't have asked for better conditions coming down!

Toby looking for something to chase.

The climb up from the highway (Quaite..) was not ideal, but still a good grunt and some snow hiking, I didn't mind it after the fun I just had coming down.

As we hit Jewels I got a bit concerned, as the trail was covered in knee deep snow as well, but thankfully it didn't last too long, and a supper enjoyable decent again! Big smiles and tired dog! Toby had a great ride, and had a grin from ear to ear the whole time. He must have been training hard in McMurray the last month as he kept up like champ!

After a good ride we figured a good ice bath of the legs in Barrier Lake would be good. Not so much! it was very cold and feet did not do so well, so my 7 min did not happen. Chad got in a second try but not sure he lasted 7 min either. Toby on the other hand enjoyed several swims to catch a stick and didn't wimp and cry like we did.

Chad chilling out!

Now I'm ready to try my new BBQ if it would stop raining for a minute. Then I need to figure out weekend plans, race or ride??

Happy Riding!

My boy is back:)

2011-06-03T08:56:00.001-06:00

After a too long time Toby made it home and back in the navigator seat...
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Trips done..

2011-06-02T17:45:00.001-06:00

...and now I'm ready for weekend BBQ!

No rides to speak of this week, but another mine visit. This time CA, after a few flight issues I arrived to LA and had a 2 hour drive to the Mojave desert. Arrived passed midnight so didn't get to enjoy the view but on the way back yesterday I quiet enjoyed the drive back to LA. Think I spotted some great potential mtb trails. Though after last weekend at home I decided to bring bike and stay. I quiet enjoy weekends at home and better yet, Toby is back tonight!
Chad and Mike is driving down for a weekend of riding and was kind enough to let hairy Toby join them...probably regretting already, as I'm sure he magically have pushed him self from the rear to the front, and left many white hairs behind to make sure he won't soon be forgotten.
Finally got a BBQ, only took me a year, but the assembly took my ride time so that's not so good.
Not decided on riding or racing this weekend. See what morning brings..

Happy riding!
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Giver8er..

2011-05-29T18:23:00.001-06:00

...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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Continental divide

2011-05-27T22:17:00.001-06:00

New Mexico and Arizona..

2011-05-27T19:53:00.001-06:00

...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..

2011-05-27T11:54:00.001-06:00

...and now I'm not wanting to travel back to rain..
Stay or go?
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How to survive 4hrs in an airport!

2011-05-25T13:23:00.001-06:00

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Race track..

2011-05-25T12:44:00.001-06:00

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Biosphere...

2011-05-25T12:41:00.001-06:00

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Last day..

2011-05-25T12:38:00.001-06:00

..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..

2011-05-25T12:21:00.001-06:00

...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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Go big or..

2011-05-23T18:32:00.000-06:00

..go home..
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Seem to be more content..

2011-05-22T16:16:00.000-06:00

... 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..

2011-05-22T11:00:00.001-06:00

...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..

2011-05-22T10:29:00.001-06:00

:)
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Good coffee search..

2011-05-22T10:27:00.001-06:00

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

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CIM ...

2011-05-22T09:57:00.001-06:00

..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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Another airport ....

2011-05-21T18:30:00.001-06:00

...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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Post Portugal..

2011-05-15T16:55:00.001-06:00

...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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Nesten 2 uker etter..

2011-05-13T18:30:00.001-06:00

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

2011-05-13T18:24:00.001-06:00

...lykke bandet paa!... Fikk meg igjennom 9 dager paa sykkeln.. Takker Mathea!
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So long Portugal...

2011-05-10T00:27:00.001-06:00

....its been a great visit.
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three kings and the girl...

2011-05-09T09:42:00.001-06:00

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

2011-05-09T09:38:00.001-06:00

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King of the castle..

2011-05-09T09:36:00.001-06:00

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Lisbon

2011-05-09T09:02:00.001-06:00

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TP day 9 - finale!

2011-05-08T17:01:00.001-06:00

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

2011-05-08T12:51:00.001-06:00

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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TP day 7

2011-05-06T15:31:00.000-06:00

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!

TP Day 6,

2011-05-05T13:30:00.000-06:00

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..:)

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kate aardal
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Day 5 ride buddy..

2011-05-05T12:09:00.001-06:00

..again..
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TP day 5,

2011-05-05T11:55:00.001-06:00

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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TP day 4...

2011-05-03T10:02:00.001-06:00

...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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View from the bike...

2011-05-02T15:24:00.000-06:00

..on the first long climb today.

TP day 3 - last decent..

2011-05-02T11:13:00.001-06:00

...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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Day 3 briefing..

2011-05-01T14:44:00.001-06:00

...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...

2011-05-01T12:47:00.001-06:00

...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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TR day 2

2011-05-01T11:50:00.001-06:00

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!

*****************
kate aardal
*****************
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TP Day 1

2011-04-30T16:09:00.001-06:00

I was gona cheat and say see Eriks blog, but since I got a few minutes with my legs on the wall I'll do a quick overview of my day, though the day was all but quick.
Had a great breakfast and felt pretty rested, I did steal a bun with cheese after much back and forth in my head. Some other boys was already in trouble with the very strict server. I only took one small bun and felt bad for about one minute, and great at halfway point when I had my little treat.
Women under 40 and some older men had start time at 811am. I got my bag down and as I was walking I hear my cleat screw bouncing. It came off at the perfect time, easy fix. Got my bike and road the parking lot in a little bit of rain until the start. Only my self and one other girl showed up, I guess the other decided to go with the masses.
Start felt good, did my own pace and the first hill felt good. Only 132 km left! To short it up the body felt good, hills feel a bit heavier with the 29er, just don't have the spin gear so I'd push them a bit harder but try to pace my self. The weather was on the cooler side with some light to superheavy shower on and off which should suit me better than the 30s and sun! I was a bit concerned about my gps and my phone which both can lead to penalties if not used right. The phone I didn't turn on until I was just started and then it asked for pin, so it was on but I didn't have the pin for this pay as you go Portuguese phone but the rule was to have it on and that it was. Secondly we have to use record the track as we go but I didn't see that happening, so I could have ridden 142 km and got it counted for nothing. But it turns out my color was the same as the track so all good. Both those issues was quickly forgotten around 25 km. 4 big locally bread hurding dogs came running and barking at me, and one of them got my leg pretty good. I road as fast as I could to get away and when they gave up I had a look at the damage. It didn't seem too bad, not much blood. Checked in once in a while and it change a few colors but seemed ok to ride the race. We road through some amazing places, all sorts of terrain, we had all sorts of weather, I had a dead gps at cp1 (fixed with spare batteries), a few meters from lighting strike, roman cobble climbs, nice cafe stop for juice and pee break in one of the many old towns, lubed my chain 3 times, I think we agreed that there was indeed less poop puddles than AB, so all in all a lot of experience for the bucks! I truly enjoyed the day, could have done without the hospital visit and four stitches but that's part of the game sometimes. I will try agIn tomorrow but it'll be hard to top this one, after a quick check in with the race doc.
Craig, Jon and Erik all seemed to have enjoyed today's ride with some good stories to share as well.

Tomorrow:
110 km
2892 m elevation
group start 10am
My start not sure yet, but around 920 they say

Time to get some sleep! Oh Eriks blog... Bikkingbakke.blogspot.com

Happy racing!

*****************
kate aardal
*****************
Sent from my iPad

TP getting to day 0..

2011-04-29T15:08:00.001-06:00

...was little bit less than great, after a long bus ride we arrived in the Northern part of Portugal and again its passed midnight before we get to bed. But happy to be here and to get going with the race tomorrow.
Today we started at 815 and I just finishes getting ready almost 2200. Long day with no stop, from meals to bike build and various orientations. We managed to get a quick spin through the town we are in, the only time the sun didn't shine and it actually showered pretty good. Cute little town though, we did a quick ride up to a castle and then the very first (tiny first) part of the course. The cobble stone riding takes a bit getting used to, specially when raining and probably will see some of it as we pedal through the small towns. Tomorrow include some Roman cobble stone marked technical in our race briefing.

Tomorrow:
My Start 811am
Main group start 900am
Distance 142 km
Climbing 3842 m

Big day! And us girls are sent out as bait so we will see how long it takes before the big group eats us up!
Oh the girls also have to carry a gps tracking device so some of us will be tractable live on their website. There is a link on the right side of my blog.

Happy racing!

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Love the cobble stone...

2011-04-28T04:13:00.001-06:00

...but the sandals had to go..
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First impressions...

2011-04-28T04:11:00.001-06:00

...of Portugal.
Arrived at the airport on time and with it being one hour earlier I felt good that it wasn't passed midnight yet. Got my luggage after a long while and then tried to find my pickup. No sight of TP officials so I went to Torisimo counter, but they only seemed annoyed with tourists and their questions about big cabs for bikes. Told me to see the Police, so I did, a little hesitant since the group of three all had guns and didn't look too happy about working nightshift. But after a bit of language confusion we agreed that I go in the Taxi line up, a very long one. I parked the bikebox at the "finish line" which was not in agreement with the older cart man, so out of the line, get the box and wiggle it in through to the back of the line again. When it finally was my turn after 30 min or so, the younger policeman came over. We moved the box back to were I had left it, to the annoyance of the cart man, and waited for a large enough taxi. The police guy told me he rode with the guy in charge of TP and wanted to the race next year. Just as he for me a large cab the TP official showed up..ha ha now I'd annoyed the tourist guy, the cart man and a cab driver, thankfully the guy with a gun was smiling and wished me luck.
We drove to the hotel and my luck continued, no rooms and my name not on any reservations..hmm well after a long Portuguese conversation I did not understand I all off a sudden was on the list and had a bed to sleep in. It was now way passed midnight, I wasn't sure how time went by so quick.
Today I got up, figured I'd shower quick before breakfast. Took me about 15 min to figure the shower out and when done I had a been "hit" by the flying showerhead and flooded the floor. Maybe I should have pulled the line from the ceiling marked SOS. Good thing I fuel on these kinda of experiences :)
Today I'm trying to cover Lisboa, so what better way than the subway system. I got a map and walked my way to the subway, I then learned why time went so quick. It was one hour earlier than my watch. Guess I didn't complete pushing the buttons when I set it at the airport last night. Well it felt like I earned yet another hour, great, I should use this trick more often.
I took the subway to the far end on the blue line to have a walk at the waterfront, though the map didn't say it was covered in construction work and fences and barricades block the water view. Or mention. That u get offered sunglasses and small bags of green herbs as u exit the subway! 1 hour walk along and still just fences. I'll walk a bit further in the hope of some water and then subway to next stop and see what it brings.
Beautiful day, 24 and sunny!

Happy exploring!
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Up and away..

2011-04-27T11:20:00.001-06:00

..no turning back!

Have to update on Norway trip later, but sadly ended today. And the airport security took my hotdog stick:(
that was my race advantage for food! Oh well..
Kids and family were great, hope it will be shorter between visits..

Happy travels..
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Destination Trysil...

2011-04-22T14:44:00.001-06:00

...and family time. Bike built and time to relax with some card games..
No snow so a ride tomorrow looks promising..
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The one important stop..

2011-04-22T09:04:00.001-06:00

...and amazingly I manage to come out with only that..Solo and Polse I Brod...after a few years away from home I saw lots of goodies I need to catch up on but prior to a 9 day race I probably should think twice....ok so next stop Trysil..
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Home again...

2011-04-22T08:59:00.001-06:00

...almost there..found car and keys and had to repack a bit but soon on my way to Trysil..well one stop..
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Ready, set....

2011-04-21T18:11:00.001-06:00

...Fly!... First part of trip started.. London next..for some food and body stretch..
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Lots of city paths,

2011-04-17T21:19:00.000-06:00

Soon I'll be able to ride in my blind to and from work, as every ride I'm doing these days seem to at least include those paths!

Toby and Sequoia enjoying the snow!

Saturday I had a bit of a late start as I couldn't decide on a big hike and no ride, or a short hike and a ride...

I ended up going with the second option and took the dogs to Bragg Creek for a snowshoe loop hike. It was perfect, the dogs did great and got a good run in and shouldn't be too upset with me leaving them for a ride.

I didn't mentioned it snowed the whole time, and still when I got home, seem to be the norm.

Back home I'd hope to find someone to ride with but team Portugal seem to have other plans this weekend. Craig was working, John wanted to go hard but not sure if he went out, and Erik is getting older this weekend so had to watch his health and opted for massage :) (gratulerer med dagen gamle man!). So I was on my own again, and it took me until 2pm before I got my mind in the right place and got my bike gear on. I decided to do similar ride from last Saturday but only city part of it, using my GPS as a guide and for practise to Portugal.

My missing pump!

I rode through Bowness and when going under Bowness under path I heard this weird sound from the rear wheel, but I also had my music playing so didn't really know what it was and didn't really care since the bike seem to work fine. Got to downtown and since I didn't really eat lunch, I was hungry already, I got in my back pocket and NO! my Favorite pump is gone! Oh, the sound, right on, now I just had to hope that it would still be there when I go back home.

Navigation didn't really start until I had to get off the Little Elbow path, but from there I got some good practise and starting to figure out this GPS on the bike deal. Though I also got some local help, when some dude rode up from behind, and it was Ryan! Great, another group ride, beats riding by your self any day. Ryan rode with me down to Fish Creek entry and through Fish Creek to Macloud and from there I basically remembered the trail, so the navigation training was so so. Thought I'd stop for coffee at Rosso, but when I looked at the time it was too late, and my plan was also to get a massage in!! I stopped downtown for a quick call to ensure that would still work out, nice! And look, my lucky day, a few hours later and nobody took it, snow is good for some things, like hiding my pump!

Not bad, almost 100 km or cleaned (for the most part) paths! Made it home for a quick cleanup, stop at Subway for dinner and off for a massage.

No better Mocha!

Today started like the last few mornings, a bit slow. Dogs were not as lucky today, but had a good dog park visit instead. We ran some errands and hopefully I have all I need for Portugal, still looking for a good seat pouch but duck tape will fix my old one. Managed to get motivated by 1pm today, got on my cross bike, still covered in dirt and ice from yesterday. I rode the well known city paths again! down to Cafe Rosso, for the best Mocha in Calgary! Rode in a easy pace back home...worked on the house and my bike. Got some new tires put on, sealed and all, looks brand new again after it's dirty venture on Friday!

Pretty much ready!

So all in all the weekend turned out pretty good, I've learned that the weather only makes it hard to get out, but as soon as you're out the ride is as good as any, well any other path ride...and mountains will be ready sooner or later.
Steve sent me some Portuguese words that will be good to know, I got some last supplies, have three more days to ride a little, pack up for trip, then a few days in Norway to tune the bike and play with family and rest up the shoulder/back.... I think I'm as ready as I can be this time a year.

Happy riding!

From good week to ...

2011-04-15T23:40:00.001-06:00

... shitty! I got a great first training week after rest week, then this week I hoped I'd do another good effort. But it got cool and my shoulder/back was in bad shape. Though I had to try my new ride, so Wednesday I took him to work with me! Spoiled I'd say. Different feel to it, would be nice to get a mtb ride in to really try it, but with the snow and less than optimum body it just didn't seem to be happening this week.... until today, well an attempt. After work I felt I really hadn't done any riding this week, and Portugal is coming up soon. I eventually managed to get out of the couch and on the bike. Took a chance on the Bowness trails to try some short steep climbs to test the bike. Hmmm now I really mucked it up! It was messy, so ended up back down on the path with a very dirty bike :( On the Bowriver path I see this geeky looking rider, with some flashy pants on, though the helmet looked familiar? It was Scott on his bike ripping in an hour before heading on vacation tomorrow. So I had a partner for a city ride, nice, hadn't seen him all winter so good to catch up, Nina and him are traveling two weeks in Italy, good timing! The bike and are starting to feel it, but this weekend I'll put on some different tires as the stock once feel a bit knobby. I also left the fork way too soft so need to play with it a bit, still need to get a mtb ride in, the paths just doesn't give the right feel.
Forecast is snow flurries all weekend, and group rides seem to be non-existent, so need to build my own motivation and get out.... planing on path ride tomorrow again after dog duties.

happy riding!

The tool for Portugal..

2011-04-11T20:28:00.000-06:00

....not quiet set up right yet, but here it is. The machine I'll bring to Portugal that hopefully will become my new best friend very quickly.

Thanks to Hardcore Bikes for helping me out and getting it built so quickly.

Didn't get out on a ride yet, beside one loop around the block with Toby, who is a wild dog after! Think he was more into it than me today, ready for more. It definitly rides different but will get to test more when I'm ridable again. Today I drove around trying to find a massage therapist, without luck. Jen, my regular is away and it is a bad time to be away. My shoulder and back area is doing something funky, which is nothing new after longer rides, but I don't have much time to let it rest so a little extra help is required. I have 1 and a half week to get in the last effort of training and fitness before I fly off to see family and hopefully rest up a bit, then 9 days in the saddle exploring all through Portugal.

happy riding.... :)

Sunday Water Valley ride....

2011-04-11T20:15:00.002-06:00

...2011, and here is a link from 2009 which I didn't ride but Erik is better at referencing places, for me it's all the same, road, another road, some farms and some more road.....
Here is a shot of the ride, we rolled for 8hrs and 29 minutes.

There was six of use that left Cadence shortly after 9AM. To my disappointment Erik was not one of the six, my plan B for the day was to join him on the short loop if I had to fall off, as he had some other commitments for the day. So as we left Bowness and headed north I was trying to come up with a new plan B, and the best I could come up with was to finish the full route, the B would just mean alone. On our way out we met Dallas who was joining the ride also, up until that point I enjoyed the fact that the pace was manageable and quiet enjoyable, and it actually stayed that way all the way to Water Valley Saloon, about 3 plus hours in (must add I wasn't the pace setter, but comfortably sitting behind). The pace turned around at the saloon, were the few orders we had took a long long time! We filled up on drinks and headed out again.

A second group ride on bike also had a pit stop.

At this point Dallas turned to home duties and took short way back, I thought a bit about joining him as my shoulder was in bad shape, but then who am I kidding, hanging on to Dallas on his sprint to make it home in time for cooking duties... hmmm not so much. So long loop it was. Now it ride was just pedal and pedal some more. Just like any long ride it sort of becomes a blur for me. I'm not sure how people remember so many details about places they go, all I remember is quiet time, just me and my bike, with no worries in the world. We did some great climbing up to a point just before hgwy 40, which I do recall as it rewarded us with some fun fun downhill, nice wet soft sections that made it extra fun on the corners. On the bottom we regrouped and then back to pedaling... and it felt like we were going up a lot, so I lost a few of the guys and figured this is looking like plan B. But we regrouped again and everyone seem to be ok with keeping the group together, and that made me happy, I probably would still be out there pedaling if I had to go to plan B.

Besides for the shoulder issue, I hadn't really hit a low point, I just didn't have the power to go any faster up hill than I did, but I was enjoying the ride, then at about 160 or so km, I really thought this is it. I was ready to be done, and was happy when someone had agreed that we were taking the shortest way home, whatever that meant. Then we got to a stop and some discussion around a "wild cat hills" came up. Very timely since I was sure I had zero left in the legs. Craig made the selling point "when will you ever get to do such awesome climb when you're this tired??" and Keith who had suffered the last little while took off, in the direction of the hills! So off we went, and what an awesome hill to ride when you're at your lowest, I thought I had to come off the bike at one point, but manage to use my weight to get the pedal to go down, and somehow managed to get up, and all of a sudden I felt a little more energized, just by the fact that we did the climb, completing the ride the way it should be completed. So thanks Craig! We all appreciated that after the fact.

We stopped in Cochrane for some drinks and fuel, and again I had to let the boys go on the climb out of the town, but made it up and from there its just a breeze. Since I moved to Calgary I've not been so happy to see COP, it looked so great in the distance, still enough snow to ski on.

When I got to my house I felt the best I have in a long time, it reminded me why I love this, it's that feeling.

Looking forward to next year!

happy riding,

The troop, still having fun.

Calgary south... ramping up..

2011-04-09T16:00:00.046-06:00

... to Sunday, the Portugal Gang decided to explore the south country of Calgary. We rode some great city path ways all the way down to 22X pretty much. I'm trying to pick up on where we go, but I'm sure I'll have to ride them a few more times before guiding anyone along. Super day for a ride though. Craig and I drove down to Erik's place and had a quick look at his new spot, which looks great, impressed with his interior decorative skills, I should have him over here for some tips.... Two other Dead Goats joined us for the first bit of the ride. I quiet enjoyed the pace, nice and flat and perfect for getting ready for tomorrow. Then we got out of the city and the flat pathways ended, and was replaced with some pretty cool farmers roads. Nice and windy, up and down, and not to forget , Dry! It was a bit more leg work that I had hoped but I did my own thing, while Erik got some kicks of intervals in, don't even think I have the kick if I tried. On our way in to the city we had a short little stop in Fish Creek while Craig fixed the first flat I've experienced on these group rides. Some pedestrians were quiet concerned and felt very bad for us, like it was the end of our happy ride. We ended up at a great sandwich place, but like with the name of anything, I can't remember. It's a hidden little spot not far from my work and it was very tasty.
By the time I got home I must admit I was a little bit concerned about tomorrow.... legs are feeling the riding the last week and tomorrow is the big day, biggest single day in my cycling life.

happy riding....

GPS and I are figuring things out... handy to be able to take a few pictures with it....

Weekend warm-up ride,

2011-04-08T15:45:00.022-06:00

So this week I actually got some riding in. I started off with easy ride to and from work Monday, and now that the weather is good the other "breed" of cyclist are showing up on the path in the moring, which I've had on my own the few times I rode in over the winter. So easy it's not easy to do when you are being passed by the commuters! Tuesday I road to and from with the plan to do a longer loop home, but I felt tired so road hard in a good pace, and then rested up. Wendsday I rode in and on my way home I joined up with Alana and got my longer loop in. Thursday I rested up for a good weekend of riding.

So today, day after restday I needed to get my legs moving again, so the Porugal Gang set out for a weekend warm-up ride. Craig, John and Erik was meeting at a church in West Hills, so I figured I'll ride there using my GPS to get some practise for Portugal as there will be no course markings so I better know how to follow a map. I used my little mapping tool and drew out a track to get to West Hills, from there I figured there wouldn't be too many churches so I'll find them. But the GPS and I never made friends on this ride. I got sent home and then west and in all directions until I recongniced the spot I had met Alana once and from there I sort of new how to get to West Hills. I was already late, but figured I'll try, but I'll take the road. I got to West Hills, went to the only church I new as it has a big tower on it. But no boys, I figured I missed them so started my own ride, when I saw John and Erik riding down. Sometimes being late pays off!
I thought I had a bad start until John told me his story...he was on borrowed shoes, drink and pedals, and with two right hand gloves...

We ended up finding Craig and had a nice touring ride towards the Bow river. Nice pace until I let the boy play boys up the hill coming back out.

Tomorrow a little bigger ride to ramp up to the big day on Sunday.

Happy riding!

weekend of celebration..

2011-04-03T21:20:00.000-06:00

...of old age and more snow!

But it didn't slow us down too much.

Friday I picked up Mer at the airport and went to the regular red's breakfast place, I'm starting to think I really need to explore different breakfast places around the city, but this one is safe. Made it home in time to join the noon ride that Alana put on. The weather wasn't as great as we expected but we got in two hours, but to Jeff's disappointment we never made it to the coffee shop in Cochrane.
Enjoyed a good movie, and even better ice cream after. The weather had start turning at that point so I figured Saturday ride was probably not in the plan.
And that was the view from my car Saturday morning on our way to Tim's birthday breakfast. So the day was spend running around after a little trip to the dog park. Enjoyed a great dinner and evening at home. Mer made my favorite beef salad and of course some more ice cream. Another movie, but this time not as successfully as Friday.

Sunday was airport drop off then attempt to get some exercise after a lay low week. I was out of luck until I figured I'll see if anyone is doing group ride, sent Erik a message and sure enough, he was on his way out for a solo, and now we all of a sudden had a group ride! Yay, that beats getting gators out to go snow hike the mountains!
Since the focus of my training these days is Portugal, I brought the newly addition to the gear, my Oregon550, the GPS recommended to use for the race. Besides "loosing" the map, and not figuring out how to stop the timer I think I'm getting the hang of it. It's a bit hard to read off when in shade, but there should be some setting on it to fix that. And the symbols for peach trees is of course missing, but according to Erik will be a treat in Portugal. The cool camera feature works well too, I just twist it up and click, and a picture... and not too bad quality I'd say.

Awesome day to be out, mostly clear roads, but a little bit of this.....

A little snack in Cochrane. Erik posing for a little camera test...

Happy it wasn't too much of this, but at least we made it up on first attempt...better drive in our engines than a good old minivan which needed three attempts!!

this is what you get if you forget to twist the GPS unit up....

The ride definitely made my day, as I had pretty much discounted the day and classified as another rest day. And it couldn't have been much better of a day for a ride.

So all in all a great birthday weekend, and now I don't have to worry about getting older for anther year :)
Just dropped a load of cloths, drinks and lunches at work so plan to take advantage of the weather this week and ride to work everyday. I have 3 more weeks to ride my self in the kind of shape that will let me survive 9 days of pedaling through Portugal.

Happy riding!

Another winter weekend...

2011-03-27T20:18:00.000-06:00

... to make sure we really appreciate spring when it arrives!

Quick trip to Sylvan Lake on Friday to pick up Toby the dog. Steve got him self a nice little spot to enjoy life after work!

Saturday group ride was a small group of Alana and my self, with a coffee hello from Erik who stopped by only to say hello and have a nice ride. He had already got in his hours and was on his way home. So the "group" headed for a city ride due to a bit of time restrictions. It was good, a pace different than other Saturdays, and on a crummy day we still got a good 3 hours in on the bike. It still beats any hours spent on the trainer in the basement.

Today was the March Crazy ride or something like that. But with the forecast not so great, it got canceled, and to day I caved in as well on the "don't change your plans due to Calgary forecast".
I called a Toby and I day. I decided to unpack winter gear, not to confuse anyone to think that my life is organized by seasons, it was only a mental unpacking required. Ventured out to Barrier Lake and something tells me it was my lucky day. Sunshine, blue skies and perfect day to be outside, though at the same time the inside of my head wondered if this was the case in town as well, and was I missing out on the Ride of the Year?

Started at Barrier Lake with sunshine and blue sky! :)

Toby was happy to see the ride being postponed!

yeah!! is that sign of a real bike trail!!?? :)

...... the "real bike trail" quickly was gone.....

Finished Jewels and on to trek Prairie View up and back down on the other side

Closer to the top it was ice all around, while the sun was out it was a nice view.

At the top I realized my glasses were gone!!... turned around and went down just passed the photo above and found them in the snow like this... not only did they fall off my vest hook, I also stepped on them and both arms came off... but free glasses are not always crap, the arms are designed to come off on impact and so they did... easy fix. Thanks to the optometrist from Fernie many years ago...

At the top, sun hiding.

Came back into town and still foggy and overcast so I'm assuming I didn't miss out on a great ride today.

Looking forward to next weekend and hopefully some spring rides!!

happy riding :)

Quick road trip..

2011-03-25T14:57:00.001-06:00

..to Sylvan Lake. Steve has his retirement house here and was coming down so Toby put his paw out and caught a ride down. Now just waiting for the two boys. Cute town.
Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.
Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell.

New friend...

2011-03-22T13:11:00.001-06:00

...and hopefully best friend by the time we arrive in Portugal....

and what's up with the snow!

Happy riding!

stick with the plan...

2011-03-20T18:00:00.000-06:00

...someone said... Calgary weather forecast should not stop any plans you might have to get out... and second day in a row with snowfall warning we head out for a ride and it turns out to be the best ride of the year... well beside the hurt...

Craig and Alana both rode strong and I was just happy we had a coffee stop in Cochrane.

A banana bread and a mocha helped, it even had a nice flower on it to cheer me up! Then we hit a little bit of single track and that cheered me up even more :)
I'm not used to big miles and my eating after the ride doesn't seem to cover the calories, who thought I'd need to train eating as well. Can't listen to the body saying it's full when it really needs more, so keep stuffing my head with some more. So today I suffered and was hungry almost off the start from yesterdays ride. Now, after the ride, I had some snack and feel full, but I'm sure it didn't cover what I need. So I'll have a few more snacks before bedtime.... some say its the perks we get...
Thanks Craig for getting us out!

happy riding!

Love for the ride...

2011-03-19T17:57:00.000-06:00

...is slowly coming back!

After a week of fixing bleeding bodies, doing CPR, putting out fires and skidding around in the mud in a truck I was ready to ride a bike! Strathmore was fun but a week was a bit heavy on the nose, so I'm happy to be back home and getting back on the bike. Same plan as last week, easy Friday with goal for Saturday ride to hang on!! And with the forecast calling for 20cm of snow I really had no choice but to go as who knows the when the next good day or riding will be.

We did pretty much the same loop as my first time out with the group, this time a much smaller group but still strong! the start as always was a race to hang out, but different than last time, I seem to recover on the flats today. And that was the case through the ride. Not to say it was an easy ride, race pace for me, but the voice in my head was nice and calm, and seem to enjoy the ride! :) It was what they call a no drop ride, I like to call it a catch and release ride... catch them.. let them go...catch them... and so on... which is nice. Rather than a two hour hard, loose them and fall into my own pace for the next two hours, I kept a good hard pace for the whole ride. I enjoyed it so much, specially the weather since we all thought snow, I ended up doing a little extra loop downtown after the ride. Great feeling, and this is the ride I'll have to keep reminding my self of when those rough days come around, as we all know, they will come around again...

Portugal is about a month away... so one good day will need to grow to 9 good days..

happy riding!

Ouch...

2011-03-14T18:50:00.007-06:00

Weather finally picked up this week, with a few nice days during the week. I decided to skip swimming and ride to work, it felt great riding in to work in the morning and I hope this means I can park the truck more from now on!
Weekend looked great as well, so I took it fairly easy on Friday with a little hike out in Bragg Creek to let dogs run out some energy, while I could save up some for my second attempt on the Calgary group Sat cross ride. Since my memory from the last one, even though I try hard to forget, is the voice in my head saying "keep on pedaling, keep on pedaling" I figured Saturday wouldn't be any different since not much have changed in my bike fitness, but I set my goal for the day to just hang on.....
Goal quickly had to be modified after I lost the wheels of the group for the second time, after leaving Bragg Creek to do 66 down to the gate... the voice in my head didn't help this time...actually the voice wasn't as friendly this time.. I definitely have a lot of work to do!!
So the new plan was go to 55km, turn, wait at coffee shop with a coffee and muffin... so that I did. Though the group was not coming back, I later learned that it was a good thing they dropped me :)
Though it's hard, I'm glad the Saturday group ride is there, it gets you out and for the time I'm able to hang out, it pushes me that extra bit I wouldn't do on my own....

Sunday I went out with Lisa and her friend. I learned a nice new route to ride. The ride it self, planned E2 pace, again felt hard to me. Another wake up call on all the work I have in front of me. Though I know one day I'll enjoy the rides again!
It's always hard, specially mentally to get started and get the specific activity fitness back.

A week of work related training in Strathmore will put a bit of a breaker on my the bike, though brought it and hope to get it out. This place is as flat as anything, so that's nice, but the smell!! what is that..?? I can't imagine what it would be like in the summer.

Toby is visiting in Fort McMurray while I'm in Strathmore. I'm sure he is doing good with Sporty and Sequoia and his old favorite trails. But he wasn't sure about the drive up, it took him a few different positions in Meredith's car before he got comfy...

miss you buddy!

happy riding....

Weekend in Waterton...

2011-03-07T18:35:00.001-07:00

What can I say!? By far (of the very few) the best back country weekend! Thanks Christine and Troy for letting me hang out and getting another taste. At this time I'm guessing this is it for this winter but I can not wait until next year to get back there again!
Waterton had tons of snow, up covering windows on the houses in town and in the mountains even more. The weather was funny, giving me the scare with a bit of a cold morning Sunday but as soon as we got further in and got our gear on it was perfect for having fun going up and coming down. I had to give up trying to keep up with the Misseghers but did what I could, though going down almost hurt more at the end. Legs not used to this, but the mind was laughing and smiling the whole time!
Now I'm gona have to switch my mind and trying to get the smile and laughs back while sitting on the bike, not easy after this weekend, but with only a bit over a month until Portugal I better get my legs moving in circles....

happy riding!

Christine ripping it down on the board!

Me, not quiet ripping it, but getting down...

Getting ready to skin accross lake and try the other side for the rest of the day..

Quiet house!

2011-03-02T20:09:00.012-07:00

House is empty again, well, I'm left with two dogs for the week :) But I had a great visit and wish we could do this more often. I do miss Fort McMurray for those reason, the easy access to friends who loves to get out, regardless of weather and other things in life. Thanks for the visit and hope we can do it again soon! And even though we survived the cold, next time I'm sure it'll be warmer and even possible time to get on the dirt trails with our two wheels!

Happy work week!

Snow shoe and a very cold ski...

2011-03-01T19:56:00.007-07:00

Monday was shopping day for some, so Ken and I took dog duty. Packed up the truck and went to Bragg Creek for a quick snow shoe. As we got close to town the snow was coming down pretty heavy, and it didn't stop until after the shoe. A few inches of fresh snow made for a great shoe! We figured it would be great to get out again today for a ski. And true that!
Not a track in the snow from anyone, fresh snow everywhere, a few inches and if it wasn't for the temperature of well below -20 and a little wind, we could have played all day. What a difference from some days out there, where you can't even find parking. So nice and quiet, dogs loved it and of course had as wait a few times while they did their little run away game!
And to top of the day, a great mocha at the local cafe in town! I like weekday outings...but work comes in the way most of the time..

Happy cold day! (March is here... spring right?..)

Skogan Pass

2011-02-27T19:43:00.023-07:00

Great day for a ski! Meredith, Ken, Steve and I and of course the dogs and went out to Nakiska Ski hill to explore the Skogan Pass trail. I'm not too well known around the area yet so Annette was gona join us, but that didn't happen until a few our later for some snack and drinks at the ski hill pub! She then had raced the loop to try to catch us but by chance missed us at the only intersection we could have missed each other. But the good news is I didn't get us lost, it was pretty straight forward. We skied up to the lookout and decided to skip the top of the pass, had a snack and blasted back down again, so fast it was hard to stay warm! Nice rest at the pub, and then Taco night!

Good day with great company! Spring must be just around the corner??!!#$$@??

happy ski!

No spring yet...

2011-02-26T18:58:00.035-07:00

This weekend is booked for McMurray visitors. Unfortunately their plan on heading south for some warmer weather hasn't come true, but regardless of cold we managed to get out today. We are still waiting for Ken and Sporty (the dog) to arrive so today Steve, Kelly, Meredith and I ventured to Barrier Lake. We hiked up Prairie View in the cold, and enjoyed an even colder and windy view, and hiked back down. I think we all had a good hike, and treated our self to a nice meal at the local restaurant. Ken arrived just in time to enjoy the meal with us.

Hope to get a ski in tomorrow!

Happy weekend!

Flames night....

2011-02-23T09:44:00.001-07:00

Good food, great seats but no mini donuts.
Calgary lost and I'm sure someone back home is happy Boston took it home! I was hoping to feel the heat from the flames, literally, more often. Only once did it fire up.
Back on the bike tonight, radio rave is on I hope, as no sign of outdoor riding weather this week.
Happy riding!
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Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell.

Riding weekend...

2011-02-20T19:16:00.001-07:00

So from spending most weekends in the mountains playing outside, this weekend I decided to dedicate to the bike, as news since last weekend is the added TransPortugal to my schedule. A race I have wanted to do but not had the chance. Now I'm booked and better start getting ready, meaning more time on the bike.

little added playtime for the boys

Minor mechanical.

It wasn't the best weekend for riding outside, so Saturday was indoor session. Indoor cycling have never been my thing, and never will be, I've tried it all, movies, music, ipad, books etc... it will never fit the definition of fun. So yesterday I went over to Bow cycle and thought I'd get one of those Spinnervals, "motivational" training sessions for indoor, oh heck, lets just get 3 while I'm at it!! I'm sorry Coach Troy, you just did nothing for me!! and neither did the 100 riders in the room riding with him... so I was back at listing to my TV rave party and just getting through the session. So if anyone is interested in my three movies, two never used let me know!! Though what has added some element of fun is using Katys trainer which reads out power. Something new to focus on, so that keeps my attention for a bit. I even figured out how to calibrate it after my first ride, and now I can't get anywhere near the power I had before calibration. Prior to it I felt pretty strong... now I have a long ways to go!!

Today was a good day though, my first mtb ride of the season!! and it is never boring!! -15 seemed to be a cold one, but as usual I'm hot after my first two pedal strokes. Mostly from being scared for what will happen on this ride, my last ride with the group was long and hard, this one turned out to be great fun! Ended up starting the ride with a flat tire outside cadence, guess the cold did something to the Stans, or the fact that the bike hadn't seen the sun since the fall. Pumped it back up and it was all good.
Road trough Bowness, up to Tuscany, back down to Bowness and the valley over to Montgomery and the trails in Edworthy. And never got cold, not hands, not feet. Good winter day I'd say. And hopefully some more to come, and soon spring....

Portugal in end of April is giving me all the motivation I need to keep pedaling... even indoor!

Happy riding!

Snowshoe/Hike w/Toby

2011-02-13T19:28:00.000-07:00

Since Saturday was no dogie activity day, today it was all Toby's call. He gave me the "make it long hike in the mountain" look this morning so I figured that would be the plan and a good plan it turned out to be. Great snow, great fun! And I'm sure it was a record wind crossing the dam.

Til Mamma der hjemme, ha en riktig god morsdag!! kos deg masse. Klem kate og Toby.

Happy winter!

Saturday Cross ride - ok so here we go...

2011-02-12T20:26:00.000-07:00

...again, back on the bike, so why not start with the Saturday Group ride. Seemed like a great way to start on a beatiful winterday in Calgary.

A few hours later... I sure had a hard ride, if I wasn't clueless to were we where I would have found my own way home, but had to suck it up and hang on! Which of course now I'm happy I did, a good tired feeling and it can only get better right??

Almost half way there..

2009-11-05T12:49:00.000-07:00

.. for one of them anyway...

The last update from the Training Centre is that Toby is continuing on with regular obedience, while Sequoia will the next week be in specific training to work on her issues of aggression towards other dogs. This was the main reason for "shipping" her off. She will most of the time play great with dogs, she'll lay down and let little dogs play on her, she will be pulled and she will pull, she'll behave like a good dog. Then there is the occasion when she'll start to show signs of stress and dislike with the play, she'll start off whit lifting her lips a little bit, if this doesn't turn the other dog around, she'll show the pretty white teeth, most of the time this will turn the other dog around, but in the case of the other dog not taking this "dominance", it'll go to the next step --> doggie fight!! She does not accept that other dogs want to be the alpha and this is not acceptable to me as it creates situations out of my control. She is big and can easily cause lots of damage. On trail runs I always have to worry about meeting other dogs as on the trail it she is more likely to try to be dominant than at the dog park. This is my favorite time with them, as well as their favorite time, and I'd like to be able to give them this time. As a dog owner it's hard to accept that your loving, huggable, fluffy dog needs work. If Sequoia did never have to deal with other dogs or people, she is the perfect dog for me. But what kind of life would that mean to her? Be on a leach for the rest of her life, no more socializing at the dog park, no more being a dog!? That is how a lot of people would deal with this issue. Keep the dog away from what could turn ugly or stressful situations. I'm hoping it can be different and that training Sequoia the right way, she can be a good dog, more predictable and earn the right to enjoy a real dog life! So that is her focus for the next week! This also means she'll be one week behind in the regular obedience training, which Toby is on right now, so unfortunately her stay will be extended with an extra week. But in the end she'll be a happier dog, and I'll just have to suffer one more week of withdrawal.

Toby is on schedule as far as I know. No real update on how he is adjusting but I'm exited that he is halfway through and soon to come home. It's been a real experience to be part for this long, most people that do not have pets will not understand this connection, but they become such big part of your life and when not around it truly is an adjustment.
I missed the race in UT last weekend due to work. I finished up work late Saturday night and headed down to Edmonton Sunday for a training course.
This last week in Edmonton have been ok, the weather for this time of the year is great! I got to try out the Ibis Mojo last night and really like it, though very unsure about what bike to get if I go a bit bigger. Suggestions???
Course is done today, just having lunch as we speak, then Saturday I'll fly out to sunny FL to visit with my dad. Very exiting! Tomorrow I'll head down to Calgary for the day, maybe get a ride in.

Enjoy the November weather,

happy riding,

kate