TP Day 6,

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

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

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

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

Happy racing! For 3 more days..:)

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

..again..
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TP day 5,

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

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

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

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

Happy racing !

*****************

kate aardal

*****************

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TP day 4...

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

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

Happy racing!
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View from the bike...

..on the first long climb today.

TP day 3 - last decent..

...with a rainbow over it.

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

Happy racing!
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Day 3 briefing..

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

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TP Day two photo...

...not been taking many pictures but today I had moment during my rise to use this functionality of my gps...a little obstruction ahead...
Also, Erik was pretty tired as well after a hard day, now happy to be on the massage table. If not in public he would have skipped the fork and licked the food up....that's tired. Many of us know the feeling but now there is only 7 more days! ..
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TR day 2

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

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

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

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

Happy racing!

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

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..

...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...

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

...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..

..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...

...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..

...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...

...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....

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

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 ...

... 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!