tales from the wind

With promises of sun and fine weather, myself and several teammates decided to make the trek down south to the Niagara Classic, a Canadian National Calendar race. Waking up the morning we were to leave with an itch in my throat, I became very careful for the drive, drinking tea the whole way and trying to rest as much as possible as it would not be an easy day the next day. After arriving in Hamilton, we settled down and called it a night, Shawn was racing at 8:30 the next morning and I wanted to get as much rest as possible. The next day, after a good breakfast, and the same scratchy throat, we headed out the the race site. After a "detour" (we got on the highway in the wrong direction) we finally arrived at the race site, just as the rain was clearing into a cloudy and cool afternoon. After signing in, we discovered that the race start was at 1, not 1:30 as we had thought, so ran to the car and threw on our kits. Arriving at the start line just in the nick of time, we lined up and made small talk with other riders we haven't seen in some time. Right from the gun, 2 riders took off and the race went single file. I managed to slot myself in about 6th wheel and swore silently to myself as I began coughing up a lung. Taking the advice of a rider much wiser than myself, I went into the race with a game plan. Which helped a lot when the going got tough. I told myself that because of the sickness, I would sit in for the first half, make sure I was in any major splits and generally get a feel for my legs. The first time up Effingham, hurt, I won't lie. But as I looked around and began to pass riders, I realized that I seem to still be riding much stronger than many around me. I noticed this too in the flats and the windy gutter sections. This gave myself confidence a huge boost, I now new that I could still play a part in this race. With my teammate Steve up the road in the break (which would eventually win the race) I make the mental decision to save myself for the last 2 laps as I was still not breathing all that well with all the coughing and phloem. As I anxiously watched riders try to bridge up, I became more anxious, but stuck to my plan (top 15 paid out after all). After a brief talk with Mr. J Hall, I learned that I had somehow missed poor Steve getting dropped from the break and then from our pack. Shit. Finally the last lap came around, with several riders just off the front that had been dropped from the original break or where trying to bridge themselves, I made my first move by bridging up to a promising move with Magi and J Hall. Working well, we discovered that there where still enough of the usual Ontario wankers who where happy to chase but not race themselves to bring us back. As the pack began to close the gap, J Hall quickly told me "This is the time to go by yourself." So without thinking I took his advice and again launched myself. Caught again, just before the base of Effingham, and hurting I stayed top 5 and followed the first attack at the base of the hill leading to the line. With visions of another top 15 Ontario Cup finish dancing in my head, I dug deep and accelerated with it. Looking back we had gapped the field and where now pulling in the finish line. Happy my race, and with legs to spare (maybe I could have been with the break...) and happy with my form even while sick, I awaited the results to see if I had made my first Elite payday. After changing and gabbing some chow, I discovered that I was 17th. Two flippin spots from the money. Though according to pedalmag.com I am now actually 16th, so to make matters worse, I am now 1 spot from the cash. Next time I'll be there, I now have some anger and unfinished business.
The plus side is the training is working. I felt strong throughout, had no problems riding in the gutter, the wind, the hills, or attacking. Even without being in the break where I wanted to be and know I could have been, I have taken many positives from this race. That means more to me right now considering I leave for Belgium in a less than 3 weeks. Only a few more races to go, and some more quality training. Next up, Tour of Somerville NRC race in New Jersey then Charlevoix, QC.

knackered in the rain

So hard day today... Decided to head in to work early to be able to skip out early to get in a few miles pre-crit. Rain be damned, I need to become harder before Europe. So snuck out of the shop around 3 with Steve-O and Geoff and headed into the Gats. After deciding to do a reverse loop (up Blacks) we quickly encountered a dead man. Seriously, the dude was dead on the side of the road, looked like he had a heart attack cresting a hill. Luckily some motorists had also just pulled up and called an ambulance as we checked his vitals. Cold, and quite dead. After the proper authorities arrived, we were allowed to continue our ride, slightly shaken up but also with the company of local strongman JS. After working on my power big ringing/low rpm'ing up the climbs in the rain, we proceeded to separate for our different routes to the crit. Arriving at the crit minutes before the start, I quickly jumped in, forgetting that I had not eaten anything all ride, which was now approaching 3.5 hours. Deciding that I wanted to get 5 hard efforts in and then spend the rest just riding some tempo and playing pack filler, I launched up the road to bridge up to a solo Mr. Boocock. After catching him, we decided to attempt to inflict maximum pain on each other, he had also just finished a long ride. Unfortunately for us, other riders began bridging up and our gap continued to open. Realizing that I may be in for the long run, I began to work. After some time, I realized my mistake (other than the pain, I was running a little low on fuel). By this point the brake was of decent size, so I began to sit out some turns, and decided that I would not let go. As the attacks started near the end, I spent my last remaining bullets closing gaps and trying to not get popped. This worked until about 5 laps to go, when the pack began closing the gap, with 3 riders now ahead of us. Finally, I sat up and got swallowed by the pack like the rest of the break. Like I said, I'm knackered. Needless to say, I'm off to bed. But will see you back on the road again soon.

Motor pacing and other tales of hurt

So, being the social animal I am, I spent a good portion of my Friday evening riding my bike behind a motorcycle. Even missing part of the Senators game by doing so. But on the other hand, with the amount of hurt inflicted on me by the wonderful Westy, I should see some serious gains to my riding. 2.5 hours of riding (1.5 hours behind cruel Westy) and 100km later, I was knackered, sipping a beer and watching the remainder of the game. For the most part, I stared at the little BMW logo on the back of the bike and prayed that a stop sign would come. On the other hand, for some reason it was still fun. Yes, I know, if you don't ride a bike/race a bike you will undoubtedly find me to be nuts. Thats cool, I can deal with that. My name is Sandy, and I am a cyclist. To make it more interesting, the Senators game went to double overtime, plus a little celebratory drinking after and BAM, its morning and I've agreed to a "tits out" loop of the park. Basically, several of us met, and agreed to attack each other senseless on every climb. No matter how small. It hurt. But again, in that good, fun, crazy ass cyclist kinda way. Plus we managed to "end up" at the local bakery and coffee shop for some energy for the ride home. Nice day in the sun.
On a separate note, over a team steak breakfast Saturday morning, we received our sweet new team kits. Classic Belgian styles. Pictures to come of that soon. I have also just finished registering for the NRC Tour of Summerville and Bookbound Criterium at the end of May. Should provide a whole new level of race-hurt. Max field of 220 guys, all going for the 50 mile speed record. F*@^ing eh. Just finished watching a close 1-0 win for the Sens, life is looking good right now. Crit tomorrow, hopefully preceded by a good ~100km ride to make it extra tough. More details to come through the week, and of course some pictures of the new kits.
Ciao

why I dislike time trialing

So, tts still hurt. Even riding on a fine new Steven's tt stead, they suck. But apparently I need to at least become proficient at them to be a cyclist, or at very least make some time cuts. So setting out today, I became very aware that I must learn to suffer on my own better. I have been working on my bridging skills, and must now work to somehow translate that into solo riding out and back towards some random line across the road. Fun. On the plus side, my bike is sweet, and although I know I could have put out more power, it should just be a matter of riding the bike more and actually riding tts. Seems simple enough, the only problem inlying in the fact that I feel like a bloody tri-geek riding the bike. So the moral is, ask me to go for a run after my ride, and I'll punch you in the baby-maker. On the other hand, the Sens are making a valiant stab for the cup this year, another win, 1-0 for us vs. the Sabres. Rock on. Not really enough time so far to work on this make bread project, hopefully after the hammer fest of a Sunday ride planned. Recovery week coming to an end now, and time for that final build towards Belgium. Kinda scary actually, only like a month to go before my European oddessy. Shit. Time to get down to some seriously hard work. I'm off to hit the sack, time for another early morning ride. Did you know that there is sun at 6:30 in the morning, neither did I until this year. More on that later... Ciao

Midweek ramblings

So, the sickness has past, as has the first beautiful training weekend in quite some time, and a new week has begun. This week for me will be one of recovery and reduced volume. I must now begin adding more intensity in my build for Belgian racing. With this in mind, I made my way up to the first A loop of the Gatineau park this Tues evening. With a huge group meeting me at the start, I and some leftover phlegm from my cold still residing, I made the conscious decision to not do too much work early on. Hitting the first climb, I began to move up through the pack towards the front group, finding my legs to be feeling in good shape, I had no problems moving through the field. Approaching the Fortune climb, I was pulled to the front by my friend JS of the Calyon team, with a smile on his face as he told me that I "wanted" to be at the front. After a good tempo climb (I feel better and better about my form every time I ride just by watching people around me!), I decided that I had had enough and was time to do some work. The ride ended fairly safely (for this group) after some good hard work by several riders. After the ride, I made my way down to the local depaneur and then to the river to enjoy a few "recovery beverages" and a baguette with cheese with several other riders from different teams.
On the food side of things, I have successfully started making my own yogurt again, and am now back to working on the baking my own bread project. I am currently working on finding a good simple, and healthy recipe. On a separate note, if any of you out there know of how to make the little Euro pastries you get in a race musette in Europe, or what you call them, please let me know. I am so terribly sick of Power Bars and the like, I would kill for a good recipe for something like that. All for now, next up my first tt on the new tt bike. Wait for news on whether Sandy no longer hates tts! Maybe even enjoys them....
Wait thats a scary thought. But hopefully I at least don't suck. More on that after the tt.

Sun, hills, wind and some tunes.

What an wicked sweet training weekend. Glad that flu passed quickly. Sun, about 15 degrees, and some wind. Well, the wind wasn't sweet, but it makes you hard, so it evens out. Set out Saturday morning to meet up with les boys Keir and Jamie up in the Gats. Took the long way to get there and managed to track them down eventually. After some riding around in the hills, I discovery they had never been to the Chelsea bakery. This alarming bit of information, launched you henceforth to said bakery. After some of the most delicious treats you have ever laid eyes on (a cinnamon bun and ham and brie croissant for myself) we the proceeded down the street to the local coffee shop for some espresso to re-enforce us for the remainder of the ride. After finally managing to leave the Gatineaus, I then showed les boys some of the many bike paths that traverse Ottawa, eventually popping us out by the airport. Cruising back roads from there to Manotick at 45km/h, I began to worry about my choice of riding with them, as I would then have to ride solo into the wind to get home. Deciding that it was a good day, and I had some awesome new tunes (courtesy of several CBC radio 3 podcasts, which are incredible and should be checked out by all at http://radio3.cbc.ca/) I then decided to attempt to minimize the direct headwind by taking the longest possible route home, and riding mostly with it as a cross wind, but occasionally hitting me head on to slow me to a crawl several times. After just over 6 hours and 165km, I finally made it home. Just in time for a nap before watching the Senators trounce the Devils! After some mandatory celebration in the form of copious amounts of alcohol, I met up with my teammates Steve and Geoff for a nice 4 hour ride in the hills today. Luckily the sun was out, and no one was particularly interested in pushing the pace, so we continued along, picking up more riders along the way. Riding the gorgeous Macgregor lake loop on the Quebec sided proved to be the perfect hangover cure. 4.5 hours and 135km later, I now sit here in the sun typing this and drinking a cold beer. Quite content with myself, my fitness and life in general right now.
The next project for the week will now be to start baking myself some homemade ride fuel and learn to bake my own break. Nothing beats fresh bread in the morning I've decided. My morning ritual needs to be expanded, currently it involves an Americano, a grapefruit, some toast and some homemade yogurt with granola. Thats how to live! More information to go on this project as available, perhaps even some pictures of the end result. Until then, go enjoy the sun...

Midweek update

So after a gorgeous weekend of racing and riding, and the usual Tuesday night crit yesterday, I am feeling a little under the weather. Woke up yesterday with that little tickle in the back of my throat, did the race anyways 'cause I'm dumb like that, and have now woken up with a somewhat runny nose and a sore throat. I blame a tough weekend and a shop full of sick co-workers. What a bunch of wankers, I told them to not breathe near me! None the less, I spent the crit working on my bridging skills and then yelling at sketchy riders regarding their riding skills, such as the group of Cycles Marinoni kids who kept sitting up in the middle of the pack and looking behind them, and the crazy duchebag wearing a tt helmet trying to push his way out of the gravel should back into the pack. As for now, I'm popping zinc lozenges and drinking liters of tea, all in an attempt to not feel too bad tomorrow for my first ever motor pacing session. On a plus side, the weather has been glorious as of late, and according to those ass monkeys at the weather network (if you can believe them) should continue for some time. Which would be nice, cause baring the continuation of this damned sickness, I intent to pound out a mega-hard weekend. I may even follow the trail of Keir and start baking my own ride food, I'm running out of expired Power/Cliff bars...