lemon water?

Its my new thing. Well, for the past couple weeks anyways. I have my bar fridge next to my desk. Contents: 10 Rickard's Red, 1 Brita water filter jug, 1 container humous, 1 2lbs. bag mini carrots, and 2 containers lemon juice. I'm back on the Belgian program of drinking water like its going out of style. I just now mix in a couple decent squirts of lemon juice in the mix. Refreshing, and gotta have some kind of vitamin content I figure. That along with a few cups of tea and coffee a day is keeping my body running smoothly. I've been having these wicked cravings for chips lately. Usually after my ride while relaxing. Luckily I continue to show my resolve and not buy any while at the grocery store and am mostly too lazy to walk to the convenience store to buy a bag when the craving hits. This is the basis of the humus. I had broccoli to go with the mini carrots, but I've munched my way through that stuff. I'm also all into garlic right now. Garlic as near as I can tell is nature's method of keeping you healthy. Plus its tasty. Another long ride day on the trainer. Some homework. Made a wicked pasta with an olive oil and plum tomato sauce, little tuna, plenty of veggies and garlic. Pretty proud of it actually. This Hollywood script writers thing has finally effected me as well. I watch basically one show each week, Thursday nights - The Office. Turned it on tonight, bam, re-run. Wankers. This has gone too far. I tried to find another decent show to fill up this 1 hour period in my evening plan. Even though I couldn't tell what else was re-runs, there was nothing good. I'm pretty sure we have a baggillion channels too. Instead, I did laundry. Oh, and made some egg wolls. Exciting, I know. At very least, some of you should have a craving for: egg rolls, tea, chips, pasta, or humus.

school, not so much

I'm enjoying this program. Just not the need to attend class lately. I'm really actually hoping exams hurry up and get here so I can be done for a while. One more week of classes after this one finishes, tomorrow. In other news, I have further gone Belgian in my breakfast choices. I bought a box of PC chocolate granola cereal stuff. On sale because its new, or not enough Belgian folks in the country. Either way, tried it out this morning in my yogurt. Pretty good, I must say. It'll be a nice treat for a while. My room is a mess, and I keep putting off cleaning it. Gotta get on that.
In other news, I am now a full fledged nutjob. In case there was any doubt in your minds. Somehow my brain convinced the rest of my body that it would be a good idea to ride outside yesterday. Three hours it cried, no more. Then you can hop back on the trainer to finish the day off (?). Dressed up warmly, but seriously. Can you really dress warmly for a ride when the high is something like -10 plus wind chill? The answer is no. Got to my hour and a half turn around point, and looked down to find that I had flatted my front tubular on my trusty Gerber fixie. Oh, and both my bottles were frozen solid (even in my pockets) after 1 hour. Damn. With it seeming to be a slow leak, I decided my best option (aka option that would not have me getting frostbite trying to peel off a tubular) would be to simple keep stopping every 15 minutes, pump in 30 psi of air and then keep riding along. Little bit of rim riding, but it worked. I had it down to an art. left the valve core open, whipped the pump of of my back pocket, furiously pumped for about 20 seconds and then continued along. The worst part is, this has happened before (though with a clincher) and it always seems like a good idea. I was so cold when I got home, I made some tea, stripped off a few layers and hopped on the trainer for a while to get some sweat going and re-gain feeling in my extremities. The cold takes a lot out of you apparently. I was wasted the rest of the evening. Needless to say, I think I'll be riding the trainer today.

does he dare?

Quick addition to Keir's list of how to survive a winter of training inside. As someone not naturally in love with the trainer, I've always found that if you get one real long ride out of the way early, everything else seems easy. Example: if the longest ride you plan on doing for most of the winter is 3 hours, do a 4 hour ride early on. It will probably suck (you some of the many tips available to minimize said suckage), but when you get on for your normal 2-3 hour jaunts, time will go by a lot quicker. Plus you will mentally know that you could do 4, but you only HAVE to do 3 today. Grab a movie, I watched Th Flying Scotsman last night and would suggest it, and get rolling. Been a super easy day so far today, coffee, breakfast, and some surfing the net (mostly in hopes that the temperatures starts heading towards at least zero). I really want to ride outside for a few hours today. I think I may, as long as the temperature gets a little closer to zero anyways. Plus I gotta go out and get myself some winter tyres today, for the car that is. Check out the sweet Roubaix documentary I've posted below, not bad, as long as you understand French. Looks like I will be following the route of Keir for some testing at the hands of herr Vipond as well. And yes, I realize that he and I seem to have very similar story lines at many points. I need some kind of baseline, its easy to zone 1 rides - but eventually I may have to turn up the suffer knob. Plus its nice to have numbers to say, "yes, you are faster now than before". Or, "what the deuce is wrong with you. You're getting slower." I would hope for the earlier of the 2 options. There is talk from Keir of a "group" trainer ride on Sunday. And by group, I mean us two nutjobs. Not sure if many others, or any one other, are interested. But let one of us know. I may ski also.

Training corner, chez Sandy.

My view. This is mostly what I see for hours. Except during bottle refills.

Pass the trainer time and learn french.

Documentaire sur Paris Roubaix Partie 1
Uploaded by lafouine2229

Documentaire sur Paris Roubaix Partie 2
Uploaded by lafouine2229

Rain turns to snow, and other tails of winter

So my promising rain apparently turned to snow sometime around me falling asleep. But it's warmish again today, weather were I could ride outside if it wasn't for all the slush and snow on the roads. I'm afraid that it becomes slightly sketchy. Though trust me, I have considered it pretty thoroughly. Instead, I'm focusing my energies on downloading some new movies to entertain me for hours. Just got The Flying Scotsman, which I have been meaning to watch for some time now. Perhaps this will be the order of my evening spin. Morning class was a drag this morning, really didn't feel like getting up for drafting, especially with us having to work on computer drafting again today. We all know my general feelings on computers, and it mostly involves my foot in its screen. Got a few hours on the trainer again today, but first some food, rest and perhaps a nap in my class this afternoon. I can't help it. You try staying awake for a 3 hour slide show presentation. Things aren't looking good out there for some of you cyclocross folk, 2 straight cancellations? Life seems to be flying along lately, perhaps I need to develop a non school/cycling life. On a separate note, I think my trainer may be preparing itself to self implode. Either that or I'm a beast cause the flywheel in the back gets so hot after my rides that it is getting on the verge of burning my hand when I touch it. Let the countdown begin.

an ode to indoor riding

Got you. In actuality, I greatly dislike the indoor training. Hate is a strong word. Especially since I still do it. None the less, got a solid 4 hours in today, therefor watched several stages of the 2006 Giro & Hitman. Shower, groceries and now time for some tea and homework. Getting to the time of the year where I do actually have some stuff to do. Either way, I've got a good feeling about this week training wise. Maybe something to do with the fact that it is warm-ish and raining outside. Really don't feel like doing homework right now. Or ever really. Kinda just want to put my legs up and watch a movie. Such is life apparently. Computer is acting kinda funny right now too, issues involving getting the ever important ride data from the SRM onto Cycling Peaks. Stupid technology making my life more complicated. Really should have taken the time for a nap today I think.

tales from the woods

Went on my hike today. Keir bailed, so I romped solo through the woods of the Gatineau parc for just under 5 hours. Not bad eh? At very least I didn't have to ride the trainer for 5 hours. We'll save that for some cold days in Dec/Jan. Think I may ride the trainer for an hour or so tonight though, some of the less used leg muscles got a decent workout today and I'm feeling a little stiff. Just spin ze legs. Got back into Ottawa for a warm dinner, and to find that temperatures are indeed improving, even hear rumours of some rain! With the spring bike nearly ready, just gotta figure a way to attach full fenders, this could be good for me and my sanity. For now, I'll follow the trainer masters "tips to trainer survival/enjoyment" and keep the miles coming. Back in Perth now anyways, so no real option BUT to ride the stupid thing. I'll let dreams of a new season float through my mind. Nothing else much to report on around here, still trying to get to those insightful write ups... I seem to lack time to anything particularly useful on weekends. At least the school semester is almost done. Pretty much into the last 2 weeks of class for me. I'm pumped. Perhaps I'll leave you of some photos, entitled "Sandy gets lost in the woods".

weekend post

Drove in Friday night. Slightly sketchy with my cheepo all season tyres as usual in the snow. Headed out for a night on the town Friday night with some of the boys, good times had by all. The bar had some kinda deal on massive beer cars (like liter cans or something) so we had a few of those. Slept in until just before work today which was nice. Managed to get most of my spring bike assembled, just gotta figure out wheels and a few other parts. Headed out for some Chinese food with the grandparents just previous to this post. Good times as usual with them. Currently watching a very poor Senators game, we are sucking. Just realized I forgot to grab more race movies from the shop today, I better find my little DVD case of bike movies and races before I head back to Perth. Hoping to head out for a hike tomorrow as planned. Looking like it'll be a solo jaunt in the woods, seems no one else agrees with my logic or techniques. No worries. Exciting weekend, I know. Plus I'm tired right now, so I don't think I'll be doing much tonight.

Crankage

So I cracked. 3 solid hours of trainer time yesterday. Blew through the work that had to be done, finished off some more this morning in English, little more to do this weekend I fear. No worries. Still sweating like a madman as I curse out my window at the still falling snow. As optimistic/closed minded as I am, I don't think this stuff is leaving for a while. So, I am giving up on this option and choosing to focus instead on the early melt of the snow in the spring. I'm thinking in February sometime. Ideally right around my birthday. Today will actually be a day off the bike. Home after shop class, could be a slow drive, and then check in with my happening social network. I think there may be some type of party action going down. Maybe drop by if I don't fall asleep. Roller ride tomorrow, cause I'm not nuts like some of the local xc ski folk to be skiing on the thin layer of snow above the concrete. Then the usual Saturday at the shop, dinner with the grandparents, and hopefully some form of long workout on Sunday. Keir and I made plans to go for a long ride outside, but we may have to reconsider. We'll see how crazy the kid is. Cause I'm a man of my word. I just don't intend on being a solo nutjob on the roads. Maybe a long hike... For now, I've got an hour until shop class. Just enough time to make some food and get back to school.

Change of plans

So apparently I have some work today so far, so may be swapping my planned rest day for tomorrow with today's wide. Apparently, without knowing it I might add, I have let a few school things pile up. Not to worry, I have a full 2:45 minutes until the first one is due, and then until tomorrow until I should have the rest done. Nothing like a little added pressure. I think I want to track down some snowshoes this season. From what I can tell, the xc skiing around here may be far from adequate, but with "des raquettes" (I re-freshing my French for this coming road season) I can wander around through the woods and get lost for hours. Plus I think I've found some hiking trails or something. Maybe back country skis too. Maybe win the lottery... Such grand plans. While I'm at at, maybe I'll just move back to my Italian villa on my winery in the Italian Dolomites. But for now, I'll settle for some lunch and nice big bodem of coffee. A man's gotta have his brew (and its too early for a pilsner) with his work. I'm thinking, time dependent, on doing my own weekly "rules of the Euro cyclist" bit here on the blog. Look at stuff like Euro-logic (which I love), traditions in racing, and how to be a hard man. We'll see how this goes, but it could be entertaining and give me something to ponder and work out while riding that bloody trainer. Only a few weeks of school left in this semester. I can't believe I've lasted 1/4 the way through my degree. I guess I lost that bet. I leave you with a picture of my bike. Cause it, along with the plentiful snow out my window was what I saw first thing this morning.

Stevens Vuelta: Record, SRM, Fulrum Racing 5, Pro PLT cockpit.
aka. the tank. I love my tank.

Winter (shudder)

Went from super pumped to get up early for a long day in the saddle to going back to sleep. Nearly in tears. I mean damn, its not even bloody December yet. I know the malls have been dressed up since July sometime... None the less, got my planned day done. And some. Was a little distressed about the idea of a long trainer ride this morning, so decided to head into the shop and get the ol' SRM installed and ready to rock. Took a little longer than expected, but got er' done. Looks hot, but my bike is currently quite the training tank with its current wheels and this new crank. No worries, swap for race wheels and I'll feel like I'm flying come the races. Drove home, changed and set up the trainer here in my room. Forgot one thing though, how much one sweats while riding on the spot for the first time in the season. Seriously, even with the open window, I need a flipping fan or something. Luckily I put some mats down to dampen the noise as I discovered after 4 hours of saddle time (aka one episode of the Office and the 2 disc 2006 Paris-Roubaix) a massive puddle of my sweat. Also a good thing I drank so much water. like 7 bottles in throughout the ride. Seriously pondered leaving school for the winter term as well and moving somewhere warm-ish. At very least snow free. I gotta get the winter trainer bike built asap this weekend. Maybe steal a fan from home. Either way, time to go grab some salmon leftovers from last night and more fluids. Got another 3 hours to do tomorrow, and only some prayers that the snow is gone enough to allow me outside without danger of being run down by some hicks.

snow

Its here. It was predicted on this random collection of my thoughts yesterday. Now I wake up this morning, prepared for a nice long ride, and bam. White stuff, all over everything. This is quite upsetting. Now I have to do my 4-5 hours inside. Its not even December. I better get that fendered winter training bike build asap. I think I'll maybe head into town soon to get the SRM running and pick out some bike race vids to watch.

Important late breaking news announcemnet

Cannonball.


In other news, Sandy is now a part of the 2008 EVA-Devinci cycling team. More to come as I get more info. Just thought I'd post this before some stretching and bed. Too bad, cause there is a James Bond marathon of some kind going on.

winter, she approaches

Some good quality mile lately. 3 hours Monday morning before class, sunny and cold. Then the rain clouds blew in just as I finished. Nice. Cold, but quite nice in the sun if dressed warmly enough (which I was). Went out in the evening and picked up my new SRM. I'm pumped to install this sucker. I finally own this fine piece of German engineering. Now there is just one thing to complete my training library, Power Cranks. I wanna try these suckers out. Looks like a painful time. But hell, no pain, no gain. Snuck out between classes today for a rainy, windy and somewhat chilly 3 hours. Due to the rain, I decided to ride the fixie. I did briefly consider the trainer, but then realized that I would much rather get a little wet than ride in a basement for 3 hours. There will be plenty of that to come. Might as well make use of the little remaining road time. Fun though, fixed gear with some decent wind (head wind for the first hour and change), and plenty of hill. Did I mention how sketch it was descending and climbing the steep grades of the Westport hill? Freaky and hard to control the leg speed on the decent (glad I at least had a front brake to scrub speed) and hard as nails climbing the other side back out of town with some very steep grades and only a single, fixed gear. Grinded it out and felt pretty good. Missed the good weather today apparently though, sun blew in towards the last bit of my ride and is still holding out now. No worries, warm and dry now though. Hopefully another long day tomorrow with 5 or so hours. Considering making the trip into town as well to install the new SRM, but gotta work out my time to get 5 hours ride time in and then the extra driving (lame). Either way, got the iPod charging back up for the ride. I think some laundry is crying my name, and perhaps some more tea. Hope everyone else is still taking advantage of this weather and not pulling a Keir. aka riding the trainer.

Road to Roubaix
Watch this. I dare you to not want to go out and suffer. Got me through a cold (yet sunny) 5 hours in the flats around Ottawa. I'm having some serious cobble cravings. Damn. Maybe I'll watch Roubaix tonight...

Weekend update

No racing to report. Nothing really out of the ordinary. Not to much riding to date, heading out for a nice long-ish spin soon. Worked yesterday, watched the Sens game with some buddies in the evening followed by some original Nintendo/Mario 3 action on a 10ft. projection tele. Yes, you read correctly. The thing measures 10 ft corner to corner. Not only was the game wicked to watch (not because it was good hockey by any means), but you have not lived until you have been able to count the individual pixels in Mario. Oh, and Saturday morning I went were all middle aged baby boomer men go. Lee Valley. Needless to say, dropped some cash on some swanky new tools. I felt manly, yet old and annoyed. I really never want to need reading glasses to see the Lee Valley catalog. Work was productive, even managed to clean my bike and install some new wheels (say hello to Fulcrum Racing 5s) in preparation of the sale of my Power Tap. Picking up an SRM this week. Wicked, I'm pumped. Needless to say, I am now in the Power Tap selling marker. Power Tap SL, Campagnolo (will convert to Shimano with new freehub body if needed), 28 DT Swiss Revolution spokes, on nearly new Mavic Open Pro. Includes wiring harness and soon to be new computer head. Lets say $750, as a deal for you internet wankers. Tell your friends. Through some new bar tape on the old baby too, the white was wearing pretty thin and getting pretty grungy. Went with the extra gel padding of the black Easton for the winter. Little extra cushion and hopefully insulate my aluminum bar from getting my hands soooo cold a little better. Cold, yet sunny today. Spent my morning moving furniture and 340 lbs of washer/dryer so am somewhat excited to dress warmly and hit the road for a few hours. If for now other reason than to not be here at the house were I could be called to get to work at any second. Oh, and gotta go pick up some rollers this afternoon. Busy Sunday, I know. Little dinner tonight, then back off to the wonderful world of Perth. Next project, build back up the spring training bike. Sorry cross bike. Your time is done.

Usual

Nothing much to report here. Watching some movies, and relaxing after a long day. Early shop class, 3 hours on the bike, followed by safety class. On the plus side I get to go out and learn to properly operate a chainsaw and quicksaw. Look up quicksaw on the net, apparently its got some "wicked kickback". Nothing like a 140 lbs. cyclist operating some serious power tools. Ride was good today, cruised the roads for 3 hours. Legs felt pretty decent, got the urge to hammer a few times again (held off) and generally remained pretty happy that the rain held off. One more day of class before the weekend. Pretty much looking forward to it. Gotta buy some more tools I think soon again. Hopefully I can post some this weekend, maybe even some more exciting stuff. Otherwise perhaps I'll have to dig up something cool to post about. Life is really pretty bland this time of year.

Belgian weather

I like Wednesdays. No class, so even with this current shortage of daylight, I can take my time in the mornings, have a nice breakfast and coffee, maybe sleep in a little, and still fit in 5 or so hours on the bike. That basically sums up my day. Turned off my alarm, got that key extra 30-45 minutes under the covers, made myself my usual morning concoction of muselli & cereal with yogurt, some toast and a nice big bodem of Kicking Horse coffee. Relaxed with the internet for a bit, checking on the world (actually mostly my Facebook and cycling news) and then proceeded to get changed and ready. Pretty warm again today, though the dark clouds and high winds didn't help matters. No worries, basic Belgian day. 5 hours, rain or shine. So I dressed up nice and warm, plugged in the ipod and hit the road. Some serious headwind action for the first 2.5 or 3 hours plus some rain and what felt like hail off and on. Body felt good. Nothing like a long ride to clear the head and to feel good about yourself and what you do. As long as what you do is ride your bike. Or at very least enjoy such an activity. Got home, and made an omelet to fill the stomach and some tea to warm my core back up. Time for some pasta for dinner with some fish, some lounging time in front of the tele, and hopefully a nice early-ish bed time. Such is the life. Back to Ottawa for the weekend again soon, but no cross again this weekend for me. I'm pretty sure my season is wrapped up now. Hope everyone is enjoying what could possibly the last of the warm weather for some time. The weather on my homepage has informed me that snow is possible later this week. Not liking that much. Wankers.

Back to life

Early morning class today, followed by a glorious 3 hour ride through the quiet roads around here. Apparently like 10 degrees, and I believe it. Pretty upset that I had to spend the afternoon sitting in a classroom for 3 hours. Had to hand in a project. On the plus side got my last big one back (20% of my mark) and absolutely owned it. 92% styles. Thats how I roll. I figure this should allow me to not attend this class the next time (if there is a next time) it is this nice out. Logical, no? Got home, relaxed by the computer (recovery time is just as important as training time!) and then returned my houses empty beer bottles. Actually, more appropriately, traded in our empties for a new full case. Needless to say, I enjoyed a nice cold brew with my sloppy joes and potato casserole thing tonight. Now, tea or lemon water with my cake? Such decisions could very well effect the quality of my evening. I'm feeling a movie night. Stick the legs up and celebrate the fact that I have no pressing homework. Supposed to be like 12 out tomorrow too, I'm feeling long ride. Also feel like falling asleep early like the true cycling, party animal I am. But back onto the road of life, slowly meandering down towards christmas, and a new race season...
Pamplemousse. (What a wonderful word. I want one.)

Weekend update

Day 2 of racing went somewhat better for me mechanical wise. Didn't feel great, plus the awesome 3 hour ride I did with Nick's sis Catherine Vipond at 7am that morning probably didn't help a huge amount. Actually, I think it did, and will help a lot in the long run. For the most part, I had a good start (from back row to 15th or so) but was just simply riding like a little old lady off her medication. I was overshooting corners, undershooting corners, and generally riding like someone who had never handled a corner before. Took me several laps to get comfortable. Finally settled into a grove, mashing my big ol' 42x26 up the steep, long climbs 16 times during the race. Started to blow pretty good with 2 laps to go to. Lost the wheel I was on, but held of the dude behind me. I was seriously shattered when I finished. Made the money though. Two spots out of decent cash, but in the money none the less. Either way, good training day. Good fun weekend. Headed back to Nick's parents place, where a smokin' good meal was waiting for us before we hit the road. Huge thanks out to them for putting me up and setting us up with food, gear and general support. Also thanks to Nick's buddy Matt for supplying me with his bike/Nick's spare on day one as an impromptu pit bike. Never done a cross bike change. But I think its about time to end my short cross campaign. Time to fully focus on next season and laying down that foundation. Hell, I even remembered my trainer this time! Spent about an hour cruising Perth on the fixie today, snapping pictures of old houses for an architecture assignment, and getting my stitches out at the hospital. I'm pretty sure the nurse working on me was about 80 and mostly blind. The sound of the woman dry heaving up a bloody seal next to me didn't help matters. Needless to say I was glad to get out of there. Chuckling at the fact that the nurse told me to "keep talking it easy for a few days", I proceed to remount my bike and ride home (irony?). I didn't have the heart to tell her what I do and did. Burned a copy of "Off Road to Athens" from the Vipond residence, so think I may watch that to get me pumped for the week of training this afternoon, before really settling down on this architecture assignment. Time to get some food in me too. Here's to decent training weather this week!

Toronto

I write this from casa Vipond in the dirty 'Shwa. Things did not quite go well today in the first of the ouble header weekend. Wicked course, pumped to race, last line call up with poor Nick Vipond. But no worries, its all for fun. Decent start considering, basically went a little shy until the first corner when some douche cut me off. Then elbows came out Belgian styles. Fought good and hard up into the top 10 or 15 apparently. Second lap, my bb completely seized in my frame. Just after the pits. Ran halfway around the course back to the pits. Changed for Nick's spare, discovered his seat height is a solid 2 inches higher than mine, rode 2 laps on this gigantor SRAM bike until my back cried out no more. Pitted again to get the seat lowered. Got lapped during this, and then pulled. 3 laps to go. Unimpressed with my day, I hit the beer tent to watch the rest. Either way, thats cross racing. No worries. Getting to the time of the season where I think I need to pull the plug on racing soon. Get back focused for next season. One more race to go, the one I am still not looking forward to. Gotta run up that bloody ski hill again. Its gonna hurt and suck. But I'm ready. Kinda wish I brought my mullet wig. My current "moulet" is just not big enough. Time to eat. Sandy out.

Its on

I'm pumped to race and ride beyond belief right now. I should be making an appearance at the Centennial Park UCI cross races this weekend. Time to turn on some after burners, not crash and pull out some good races. Another couple of decent hours on the road today. Cold though. Seriously cold out. Back into Ottawa tomorrow, ride with Keir in the AM, into the shop to prep my bike and make sure nothing is too damaged from last weekend's festivities. Final knee check. Then into the car with Nick, Jenny, & Ridely. Not super pumped about riding backseat with a cat (see cat allergies and puffy eyes), but I can deal. Not that I don't like cats in general, just don't like their allergic effects on me. Felt pretty good on the ride today, other than being a little cold. Shoulder and wrists appear to be running at 100%, knee feels ok. Not feeling broken at least. Gotta get myself packed, just did some laundry. Cook up a nice salmon dinner. Perhaps get started on some homework action. Usual. For now, I got stuff to take care of. We'll see how weekend updates go from the Vipond residence in Oshawa.

The knee, it heals

4 hours on the bike today. Ridiculously easy, even by my easy Euro standards. Knee held up, even with the cold. Actually really cold today, bundled up with some serious layer action. On the plus side, bandages off. Things look to be healing nicely. Talked to boss man, looks like I should be good to go for a weekend of UCI cross race action. Do one more long-ish ride tomorrow to see for sure. More news to come in the coming days regarding Sandy's plans for next season. Some details are beginning to work themselves out. Stay tuned on that end. For now, I'm tired, full of burritos and try to focus on knee healing and getting back to 100% for a long winter on cold training. Maybe eventually I'll actually remember to bring a trainer and some rollers out here. Stupid dark at 5 o'clock deal.

Slowly loosing my mind

I just want to race. Actually right now, I just simply want to ride. The bandages will come off in a few minutes for the inspection. But screw it, I'm riding today. Managed to pass the non school time yesterday by watching bike races on Cycling.tv and then heading out to the pub with a bunch of school mates/Toronto fans to watch the game. Glorious evening for Sandy and the one other Sens fan is all I can say. I may have even broken into song. Feeling pretty good this morning, slept in a little, my shoulder and wrists are feeling much better. Knee feels flexible minus all the bandages. Needless to say I want to race. Thinking, after looking at the course and prize purse for this weekend, that I really do want to race the UCI double header in Toronto this weekend. Gotta see how Vince feels about being down another employee for the weekend first. And get my bike back into shape, but I have the itch to suffer. Also, I need some cross movies to get me rockin again. I can't find any of my copies. So if any of you internet folk have a copy to lend of Transition (or the new Transition 2) or Pure Sweet Hell.... Ouch, according to the weather network it is still below zero and "snow" in Perth right now. Though I see no snow. Maybe I'll procrastinate a little longer before the ride. Wow, my virus program thing has just warned me that Internet Explorer is attempting to access the internet. I love Windows. I will now leave you with some pictures of Sandy en action in Kingston...

Early on. Chasing back into the race. And sorry, I remember very little.

Chasing hard with one of the cheering sections in the background.

Time for some 180 degree off-camber turns! Wicked course! How bout' those socks?

Bombin' down. Caught Vipond, check. Caught Vince, check. Slap Vince on the ass, check.

Assessing injuries and answering questions regarding my current state of mind. Ironic,
with the mental health institute directly behind the race.

Bored

Wrists are basically good, shoulder is still super sore and stiff, and the knee feels surprisingly decent. Unless I bend it much. Needless to say, I am heeding some wise advice and letting it heal a bit before I get back on the bike. On the other hand, this has left me with a decent amount of newly acquired free time and a lack of real mobility. Can you say movies? To be honest, I think I'm nearing the cracking point. Not sure if I'll be able to survive 3 hours of Architectural conservations without a ride in my legs. I'm going stir crazy. My brain is trying to convince me that 1-2 hour super easy ride won't hurt. My knee doesn't want to blow out any stitches, especially considering I would like to race again next weekend. Even considering the Toronto UCI double header. Assuming Vince can man the shop solo. Maybe I'll talk to him later. I'll also have to do some serious work to the cross bike I think to get it back to ridable/race able shape. Though to be fair, it didn't implode at Kingston... All I know is I better be ride ready tomorrow, I have no idea what I'd do with a whole day in Perth without riding or class. I have no doubt I'll crack by tomorrow. Maybe I'll peel off the bandages and take a look. Pretty bland out today otherwise, at least its not raining as predicted yet. Even a little sunny. Sandy out.

Stiff, sore and sewn up

Interesting weekend. Friday had me not in the greatest of moods, so went out with good ol' Goeff who was visiting from N.S. and his lady Kelly. Ended up out a little late, and then got kicked out of my house at 7:30 am so some dude could varnish my mom's new hardwood floors. Being perhaps still slightly confused and intoxicated at this point, I figured I would make use of this time to sober up and clear my head with a cross ride until work at 10. Good times. Fully could not feel my feet by the time work came around at 10. A few dozen coffee's got me through the day and then, you guessed it - off for more drinking. Worked the wine a food show for Sante restaurant, cooking up lamb and chicken and generally trading food to the booze booth's for booze. Perhaps I'll write a report on the wine I sampled for my wine appreciation class next semester. We had a wicked evening at the show, went out to watch the rest of the Sens game after and then decided it would be a good idea to hit the bars. Fun times until good old Jenny pulled up to my house at 7am to head to Kingston for the cross race. Luckily, I staved off the hangover with some coffee. Got on my bike to do some pre-riding action, to find possibly the coolest cross course I have ever ridden! Huge shout out to Bob Woods for putting this course together. Super tech, tons of corners, short climbs, run ups... Needless to say I was super pumped to race. So pumped that I forgot to eat that day. Woops. Watched the first race and found that my bottom bracket had imploded and seemed no longer attached to my frame. Luckily I live by, if you don't think about it nothing bad will happen. Bb was fine-ish. Got the start of my life looking to bust the race apart early and not get caught behind people of the many techy sections, only to wipe out spectacularly solo about 3 minutes into the race. Off the front of pack, I flew into a loose gravel corner with wayyyy to much speed and ate it hard. It has been described as "ass over teakettle" and my favourite "a cloud of smoke and argyle". Somehow managed to not get run over by the other 100 riders while lying the middle of the road. Got up eventually, and Jenny came over the save me. To be fair I was a little out of it, and apprently began mumbling about quitting and then "just wanna ride" and then told her I was going to the car. Fixed the bike a bit, and then started riding. Next thing I know, I'm back on course and flying. Don't know what was going on in my mind, but people started cheering and yelling for "the crazy dude covered in blood". Next thing I know, I catch Vipond, catch Vince and I feel awesome. Other then the fact that I can't move my shoulder, can't shift due to serious wrist and thumb pain the the large blood loss coming from my knee. It was just one of those mentally on days. To prove how good I was feeling I managed to go from 6 minutes down on the pack to 14th place over the course of the hour. After finishing realized how much I hurt and Nick got even with me for wupping him by giving me some liquid from hell (I can only assume he stuck gasoline in his first aid kit) to clean my wounds out with. Went to Wendy's, stole some napkins to try and control my bleeding and then hit the road home. Got home, more cleaning of the wounds and then the discovery that my knee was both still bleeding and very much wide open. Told my mom to go lie down (afraid of blood) and got a ride from my dad to the emerg. 3 hours later, came out with 4 stitches in my right knee and enough hospital supplies to last me for a while. Good news is: new battle scars for the ladies, I can mostly move my shoulder again, the back pain has subsided, and my wrists are mostly mobile. Maybe a few days off the bike I'm told. Again, thanks to Bob for the wicked cross race (I know you too look forward to what Sandy will do next... especially with my nemesis Almonte next weekend!) and to all the crazy fans at the race who all happen to now know Sandy, that crazy dude leaning blood marks all over the course and barriers.

Major: Heritage Carpentry, Minor: Wine & Culture

Seriously. Apparently I need to find myself an online, general elective course for next semester. I looked through the list, there is everything from Greek Mythology to Modern Literature. I have now narrowed my choices to 2: Healthy Lifestyle or Wine, Food & Culture. I can't believe it either. On one hand, I could quickly score 100% in Healthy Lifestyle as the course is based on stuff I already do, aka monitor healthy eating, complete training plan and log, and keeping a healthy journal. Basically I could hand in everything before the course starts and still get 100%. On the other hand, I could learn about wine. Cause we all know how cultured I am already, plus I do enjoy good food. I would actually learn something too. So far I'm leaning towards wine tasting, especially when we consider the fact that I can then point out to people that I will have my diploma in Carpentry, but with a minor in Wine. Wicked. I just need to find out how to register, stupid internet. Otherwise pretty bland day. Windy again, threatening to rain, and I'm stuck inside studying for a safety mid-term this afternoon instead of going out riding. Have to ride after the test. On the plus side, my tool box is coming along nicely in shop and I'm even complicating things for myself now adding in dividers and whatnots. Maybe I'll make myself a wine rack next...