What almost was...

Close call this week, I was very nearly full on sick like everyone around me seems to be. My roommates were all sick, my entire class seems to be or have been sick, and I nearly was. Had that itch in the throat, tired, the whole deal. Myself and Matt made a quick anti-sick run to stock up on Zinc lozenges, enchinacea, and ginger tea supplies and it would appear to be at bay. Knock on wood. Or at least this wood veneered Ikea desk.
I find myself laughing lately, at many things really, but especially at our Ottawa Cross scene. I love it. This is where my first bike race was. I had a Sport Chek special mountain bike and was brought out to Upper Canada Village by a certain Kiwi to try out this odd Sunday morning activity. I am quite certain I got lapped probably 3-4 times, but did so with a huge smile on my face. I don't think all that many had "actual" cross bikes and plenty cheered me on anyways. I even have a fague memory of being pulled over on the way home by a confused officer telling Kiwi that he could not motorpace a couple of dudes home. I came the next fall with a different mountain bike and got faster. Every year I came back, sometimes with a new bike, and eventually with a cross bike of my own. Now here we are, same wonderful folks organizing us every Sunday morning (though now into 2 distinct starts due to the popularity) and many new and old faces to chat with. The smack talk seems to begin earlier and earlier every year as people get more focused, training changes and people rediscover some motivation lost towards the end of a long season. This year I have seen enough pimped out cross bikes to make many a World Cup hardened vetran jealous, not to mention the owner of Stevens' Bikes very giddy. But to me, this is the same series as when I first started, first timers welcome, everyone has fun, and don't bunny hop the barriers. I say lets go have some fun. Whether your goals extend beyond Ottawa or whether you simply want to beat that nemesis you battled so hard last year (heck, why not simply find a nemesis) common out. Even to just watch. I'll be the dude in white and orange with a ridiculous smile plastered on my face, come say hi.
And while you're at it, thank Bob, Cheryl, and Ian for all their work and dedication over the years. Heck, help set up or tear down even.
Ottawa Cyclocross

Midweek

Not much really happening at the moment. School is busy. The tt pretty much sucked. 55:05 was my final time. A nice solid 7 or so minutes down on the win. Headwind out, tailwind back. I couldn't get into a rythym or find the motivation to really push. Either way, last skinny tyred race of the season. Not a great way to end, but now its time for some fun and cross. Not riding a tremedous amount at the moment. More riding when the urge hits and riding my cross bike for some general explorations. Spent 2.5 hours yesterday being generally "temporarily misplaced" (we had a general idea which way to point to get home) riding on old gravel farms roads, dirt goat tracks and generally enjoying some sun. Found some pretty cool stuff and had a blast. That is what fall riding is about right now. I don't really have the legs or mental motivation to go out and train specifically or ride a road race (let alone a tt) but cross is motivating me and these random rides are peaceful and refreshing. Who knows, maybe after I get a cross race under my belt things will change. In the mean time, life is pretty stress free.

why? I have no rational answer

I am going to tt Provincials. I'm entirely sure on my reasoning behind this still, but am registered. Some work and cleaning needs to be done to the bike (aka this afternoon's plans) but otherwise I'm pretty much ready. Even have scored myself a ridiculously stylish set of eye wear to sport. Hopefully some pictures to come. My life lately has been spent in school with randoms amounts of riding thrown in. I pretty much spent my time sharpening tools until my arms and hands hurt. I have also acquired a few new coffee machines so am having some fun in that department. A race report will come, it has been a while since one of those. And then we'll be into cross season. As a side note, it smells like fall out there.

Plug

You hear that noise of dripping water, thats me pulling the plug on Tour of Quebec. Looks like a wicked sweet race, but my body is not into it at the moment. In fact, it needs a good rest. I have been feeling pretty bad lately in races and generally lacking a certain something. Generally at the end of the year I find you should either be coming into some form, or starting to be tired. I am tired this time. Went out to test myself last week to the tt and got the answer I knew was coming but didn't want to admit. I felt awful. Full aero gear and went just under 21. For the time my SRM was working, my power was almost 40 watts lower than I know I can hold. And my legs were "a block" as they say. That is French for "felt like &$)$*ing lead". Needless to say I am resting. Haven't touched a bike since Thursday and the tt. Don't even have one in Perth right now though I would like one. I will spend next week back riding again to test myself to see if I will be ready for tt provincials and then switch fully into cross training (aka beer drinking) and cyclo cross to wind down my year. Back at school for now and building some cool stuff.