BikeAlberta’s own Mike Sarnecki (yup that’s me) has teamed up with Mike Blennerhassett of Hardcore Racing to compete at Team Pedal at the 2010 TransRockies.  (Okay, no more referring to myself in the third person - I’m not Jimmy!)

So Mike & I are officially covering the TR by racing and writing as Team Pedal.  The official Pedal coverage website is [here]. We will be reporting on each day’s stage and you need to follow along for all of our in depth, behind the scenes, investigative reporting.

For the unofficial report, well to read more about how Mike & I are doing specifically, well, you can check it out here on BikeAlberta.

Here’s our bios:

Provided by Ken Hurd

Canada Cup race weekend began rather ominously… Driving up to Edmonton we ran through one of the worst rainstorms I’ve ever had the displeasure of traveling through. The effects of the storm on my mood were amplified even more by my apprehension of what all this rain was doing to the course!!

Sadly, my fears were realized Saturday morning when I met up with Sheldon and Gord, to pre-ride the course. I would say optimistically that 1/3 of the course was ‘walkable,’ another 1/3 was super greasy and sketchy, and the last 1/3 of the course was ‘manageable.’

Needless to say we weren’t exactly feeling ‘race ready’ after our pre-ride. Amongst the riders we ran into speculation was flying as to whether or not the course would dry up, or whether it would be a mud-ridden suffer fest.

Come race day, however, I would say the conditions were damn near perfect, with upwards of 85% of the course being nice and tacky, and the rest either requiring a very careful line selection, or a quick muddy run. To be honest, I couldn’t believe the course dried up as well as it did.

Despite what great shape the course was in, I was in for a slightly ominous start to my race as well… Not used to the clockwork-like organization of Mike and Evan, when I finally decided to grace the start line with my presence (15min prior to the start) I found that everybody had already assembled and that names had already been called… Gulp!

I found myself on the ass-end of by far the biggest racing category of the day (59 riders) and could hardly see Smart and the rest of the boys up there in the front row!

…read more [here]

Our Husky Feature racers of the month for July are the husband/wife duo of Team Bow Cycle Gabor Csonka and Team Spin Sisters Boglarka (Bogi) Gyorfi. Outside of Gabor’s iconic hot-pink, rigid single speed, the couple is probably best known (and admired) for pulling the whole family together for most of their races. From serious racing roots in Hungary and the Midwest to training, racing, working full time and managing two energetic young kids – we get a brief glimpse into the controlled chaos of their lives!

Gabor Csonka

You’ve been racing for a number of years (including at a professional level in Hungary) – When did you first start racing, and how did you get started?

I started in 1992. I picked up a 12 month loan to pay for my first MTB, (an orange Scott Peak with Shimano 200GS!). The guys in the shop convinced me to try this weird muddy bike race on the weekend. They even give me some VHS tapes with Overend and Tomac and others racing the world cup. So I did try the race, crashed hard many times and finished 2nd behind the series leader back then. Later I joined the local MTB club and started to race the national series.

I notice that you’ve raced road, triathlons, duathlons, mountain bike races and running races. I would imagine that mountain biking is your focus?

MTB is definitely my love. All other races I did for training, or just to try it out. The MTB training/racing is way more fun (for me) than running, or even road riding. Icing on the cake is the people; I find the MTB racer community a lot friendlier and laid back than competitors in other endurance sporting events. The best place to find good friends.

You have a family, you have a job, you have two kids… What’s the secret? How do you find time to balance these with training and racing?

Oh man… I think I am still looking for the balance there… Last year was the first year when I raced while having two kids. It was kind of fun as I was getting faster each race, without much training. This year I tried to follow my old training plan, but in about 3 weeks into it I realized I cannot devote that much regularity to training. My training is rather ad-hoc, whenever I have and hour I go out and try to hammer. It got me where I am, but it will be hard to get significantly faster. Next year my kids will be bigger and if work permits I will be able to train more. I also commute 50k / day since October. I think it helps a lot to get some basic miles in.

I’ve seen you at marathon/enduro events as well as shorter sprint races; what is your preference? Why?

My preference used to be the shorter XC races. Recently I have done some marathons, and I am learning that my body is reacting better in the longer/slower races. It is probably the result of daily commute (slow) and lack of quality high intensity work in my training. The goal for the next few years is to get faster in the XC races.

You’re probably most recognized for not only your iconic pink bike, but also for the fact that it’s both a single speed and a rigid set up. I’m sure many of our readers (and those watching you race) will simply ask… Why?

Who’s got time to clean those cassettes, derailleurs and suspensions?

For the long answer I give you my history of single speeding:

Single speeders are nuts - this is what I thought 7 years ago. Later I raced against our single speed world champion Jesse Lalonde, who almost always beaten us (midwest elites) on his rigid, SS. Then I built up a rigid SS for winter riding ONLY(because single speed racers are still nuts). Then I started enjoying it. Then I figured it makes me train harder on the hills, so I used it for training in the summer as well. Then I started comparing my speed on SS vs my speed on my geared hard tail. I was not much slower on my SS and had way more fun. Then I was converted. Fun takes priority over results - with some exceptions.

How has this season been going so far?

Pretty good. I am faster than then last year and slower then next year I hope.

I notice that you’re in the process of overcoming a slight knee injury – Any advice you can give other racers in staying healthy and injury free on the bike?

NEVER ignore it. My problem is minor, but it started about 10 years ago. I ignored it and my body did the best to adjust to the problem so I kept riding and running with fairly small pain. As a result my bio mechanics are quite screwed now. One of my legs are way weaker than the other and some muscles are way too tight or weak. Good news I can fix it, the bad news I should have done it 10 years ago. I would be faster and healthier. The other advice is to find the right doctor. Someone who works with athletes. They will understand your goals, where general practitioners or most chiropractors will not. I used to see a chiro - not much help, they kept telling me to rest and ice. Now I am visiting the Chiropractic Performance & Sports Therapy Centre in Calgary and it makes a lot of difference. These guys work with Olympians, they understand training and racing and they will want to make you stronger - not just cure your pain. And at last: just don’t get injured.

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Bogi Gyorfi

A competitive downhill skier, kayaker, orienteering runner, mountain biker, triathlete and mother! Is there anything you don’t do?

Yeah, i do not work

I am so fortunate to stay home with my kids. I think this is the only way we can keep up this active lifestyle. If I stayed at my profession, I was a gymnastics coach, we could not arrange riding , racing times for sure.

I know that a family can have a profound impact on a persons athletic endeavours (especially a woman’s), what advice would you give to other women wanting to keep their interest in sports, but also interested in starting a family?

After many years of training and racing there is time to try different things, like raising kids… Which is the most challenging thing i have tried so far. After I have reached some of my athletic goals and was not going to go to Olympics… I was ready to have family.

It was a totally different life for the first year, a nice change from the athletic scene. It is interesting how our perspective has changed after having kid… Life just got real and full. We both became whole persons as parents.

After the baby years off course the desire to get back in racing is natural for both of us. I think everyone who loves competitive sports understand the craving for that adrenalin rush. Life is different now but during a race I feel the same…. Of course before and after is a gang show with kids.

I think everyone can do it just matter of willingness. It is hard to drag out the whole family… Packing snacks, diapers, bike tools…. Oh I forgot to eat before the race, almost late for the start… Going hard… Race is over, kids eating my after race meal, let’s cheer for daddy, go for a nap…

But everyone loves it even the kids seem to enjoy it and hopefully grow up wanting to do something similar.

Outside of a few races last year this appears to be your first year back racing seriously, how are you finding the return to racing?

Seriously? There is no such a thing any more… Still no training just riding… No training plan, just trying to do whatever fits in the week… No race preparation, just barely making it to the start line.

Even it is not serious I found myself getting back to my racing shape and enjoying my racing a lot. I think I would not even like to train more or race harder, I am just happy to have fun and be around other bikers.

I just wish some more families would come to the races.

How does the racing and racers in Canada compare to the Midwest, or Hungary?

Back in Hungary I was just getting introduced to the sport following Gabor and only 2-3 other girls had MTB back than

In the Midwest we were part of the WORS (Wisconsin Off Road Series), which is the best organized 12 races in one season. With average 800 people it was super fun and verycompetitive. In a good way of course, our biggest rivals became our best friends after camping with them at the races every other weekend.

We were surprised that the MTB races are so small on numbers in Alberta. We think it is because there are so many fun trails and riding, hiking, scrambling, etc. that the people find more fun playing out there than racing. In the midwest there is nothing to do just racing…

You don’t share your husbands love for rigid pink bikes? I half expected you to be rocking a blue fixed hard-tail this year

Unfortunately i am not strong enough to pedal in one gear… I have a SS bike and tried at the muddy Giver8er course since I did not wanted to wreck my nice bike.

Actually it was the first time I understand why Gabor does it. It is pure, and fun in a way. I was really proud that I could do it. I will do it again if it is muddy!

I’ve noticed both your children on bikes at many of the races, is it a forgone conclusion that they will one day join the race scene?

That be great to be able to bike with them when they get older. If i had a bike dream that would be that we could do TransRockies as a family. But off course it will be their choice. I just like them to do something what they enjoy and will keep them out of trouble…

Leading up to the 2010 Edmonton Canada Cup, each month from April on, we’re going to be highlighting one feature racer, getting their thoughts on the upcoming 2010 Edmonton Canada Cup, plus any insights they have in general on riding and racing in Edmonton, Alberta and across Canada. No matter if you’re a seasoned vet, or new to the mtb scene, these Husky Feature Racer articles will worth checkin’ out!

Our Husky Feature racer of the month for June, is none other than team Hardcore Bikes, Bridget Linder. If you’re from Edmonton, you’ll likely recognize Bridget as she’s been sporting that iconic Hardcore green for number a years now in the women’s elite category. In this article she talks about her very first race, what’s so great about riding in Edmonton and balancing her racing goals with ‘real life’. Here we go:

Let’s start out with a little history on how you got into riding and racing. What’s the Bridget Linder Story?

I dabbled with mountain biking when I was in high school growing up in Kamloops. Unfortunately, sometimes I feel like my time in Kamloops was wasted. Maybe not wasted, but it was definitely spent doing other things like basketball and volleyball. I rode a bit, but my friends that rode were spread out across the city and I really didn’t get out much. Prior to Uni, I sold my bike, bought a cheap four-wheeled vehicle complete with a combustion engine and moved to Calgary. My passion for cycling remained but I didn’t own a bike or have any friends that rode. After a year or two without a bike I caved and bought a sweet used Rocky Vertex with a Mag 21R and Kooka cranks. I credit any of my technical descending skills to using this oversized (19”, I ride a 17”), under suspensioned bike as a shuttle bike during my summers home in Kamloops. Unfortunately, this didn’t help my climbing!

Fast forward to the day I met my husband… I think Dave fell in love with my Kooka cranks before he fell in love with me. Dave loved cycling and had been mountain bike racing for a few years before we met. Dave was my “in” to mountain bike racing, which was something I’d only dreamed about before meeting him. With a new riding partner/racer (and much more) I had finally found my way into the sport.

Do you remember your first race?

My first race was the 2002 CAUSE Canada Race for Human Rights. This seemed like an ironic first race. It was snowing, muddy, freezing and the most painful racing experience of my life. My V brakes lasted one lap and I broke my rear shifter while trying to shift with my fist because my fingers had literally frozen solid. I would say I’ve never been happier to finish a race, but it was my first, so all I can say is that I was ecstatic to finish, and only mildly hypothermic.

I knew that everything would be easier compared to this first race experience. I continued to recreational racing over the next couple of years until I found myself unexpectedly upgraded to Elite and completely out of my league. I retired. Saying “I retired” makes it sound like I gave up, what I did was recognize that I needed to ride more to compete at that level.

Dave and I moved to Edmonton almost three years ago. We hooked up with Hardcore our first summer here. I went out to volunteer for the Hardcore Devon Dust Up and ended up racing on Karen Martins hardtail. After my two years off I was hooked again and decided it was time to put in a solid training effort. Living in Edmonton and riding with Hardcore enabled me to bring my cycling to a new level. Before, I had no idea that it was possible to live in a city AND have wicked singletrack minutes from your doorstep. I used to be a weekend warrior and now I’m out at least four times a week, work and weather permitting. I credit Edmonton, its amazing cycling community and the passionate cyclists at Hardcore with any improvements I’ve made over the last couple years.

Sounds like you ride and train quite a bit, so how does it fit into your life? How do you manage your racing goals?

I love riding. I would love to quite my job and train and race. Unfortunately, as everyone knows, reality bites sometimes. Currently (as if that will someday change), I train around my full time job as an environmental planner. This is a really busy year for me and I don’t have the time to get as many training hours as I did last year. Then again, last year I was training for triathlon, which required a lot more time. I had a plan for this year that seems to be crumbling but I’m trying not to stress about it because that will just bring me down. You have to be flexible and adjust your goals as the season and life progresses. I was hoping for top 10 at Edmonton Canada Cup and top 15 at Nationals but it all depends on who shows up. In my dream world I wouldn’t be more than 10 minutes back of the leaders in Canmore but right now, with my slack training, it seems like a far off dream. The Edmonton Canada Cup course was so great last year that I think it will attract more competition so top 10 may be a stretch.

I have to ask here, what’s it like racing against Pepper, and that cyclo-cross bike of hers?

Haha. You’ll have to ask Pepper about her CX love affair. For me, I love my CX bike and I love CX racing. I really love it. However, when it comes time to mountain bike race I like to use the right tool for the job.

You mentioned the Canada Cup course, so what was your experience at last year’s Edmonton Canada Cup?

Last year it was HOT, I mean it must have been over 30C! I was there way too early cheering and felt drained before the race even started. It was the first time I had ever trained and peaked for a race so I wasn’t sure what to expect. In the end I was satisfied with how the race played out but it left me pumped to go at it again in Canmore. It was a surprisingly small field last year, but as I said before, I think that’s going to change this year.

My absolute favourite part of the race was passing men on the 2pm drop. Oh sure, they passed me again soon afterwards, but passing men at all, let alone a technical section, doesn’t happen very often for us women, so I basked in the ‘glory,’ albeit briefly. I have to admit, I’ve only looked at the 2pm drop this year, I’m not sure I feel as confident as I did last year (i.e., it makes me nervous).

My least favourite part of the race was when a back-of-the-packer from the men’s race thought that his race was more important than mine and ran me off the trail in a narrow section. One of the realities of women’s racing is that it is always second string to men’s.

I think it is fantastic that any city can hold a mountain bike race in its core. It is even more fantastic that it is the city in which I live. It’s unbelievable and I think that it is easy for alocal to take it for granted. I admit that I was skeptical about river valley riding before I moved here from Calgary. This skepticism is prevalent among non-Edmontonians and I think that’s why there was a lower turnout for the Edmonton CC than the Canmore CC. Canmore is associated with the outdoors and mountain biking and Edmonton is a city with river valley paths, at least that’s what people think. After last year’s race people’s perceptions will have changed. I’m optimistic, I think this is going to be a bigger turnout and hopefully will bring in more local spectators to come see what this sport is all about. Having an easily accessible race enables all types of people – including youth and families – to spectate and potentially recruit new racers for the future.

Keeping on the topic of women’s racing then, what’s your opinion on the local Women’s MTB scene?

We’re pretty thin on women’s mtb racers. The trick is hooking them young. It’s great to get into it later in life, but I think to really develop the sport and competition it helps to at least be exposed to it at a younger age, for instance, in high school. The Catch-22 is that to attract youth we need more women mountain biker role models.

The other problem is that mountain bike racing is expensive. I’m not even talking about the bike and equipment - I’m talking about licensing, race registration, and travel. I think local grassroots events like Hardcore’s Fat Tire Tuesdays are fantastic for the sport, for women and men. It’s a low-key, inexpensive ($5) way to try out racing. The only problem is that you still need ABA insurance so people, even the newbies, need to plan ahead and join a club.

The Day of the Bike is at hand — on Sunday, June 27 Super cyclist Matty Decore mapping out 180-km race in Big E

Check out the article by Journal writer Nic Lees [here]

Euro P2 (don’t mind the bum shot)

O Hey there Gang!

Welcome to the second half of the European update I promised. Now that i’ve sold out and gone mainstream on Bike Alberta I expect my reader count to skyrocket from 3 hits per day to somewhere around 7 (mom, just hit refresh or something to make me feel better). I dedicate the following few paragraphs to Belgian Beer and Waffles so chip chip cheroo, this ones for you.

Arrival at our Belgian Farm House, about a 30 minute ride from Houffilize nestled in the rolling Ardennes hills brought an amount of relief. Finally a chance to live the good life with plenty of time for sleep and riding. The focus of the week was mostly spent following Doc Watson’s All Gluten Diet which guarantees increased awesomeness on race day. An unsettling part of the Farm House was the fact you could hear a bunch of rodents running around above your head all night in the attic. River based ice baths, baked goods and Mystery PI were the highlight happenings.

Houfilize Game Day:

As I cross the start/finish line after the 4km start loop and having burnt 15 out of my 20 available power matches I end up being 6.5 minutes off the leaders pace. Welcome to the highest level of off road bike racing I guess… If I were asked to put a start lap of a World Cup into a worded description it would resemble the following:

Ride for you life from a cheetah for 5 minutes. STOP!! Rock a crying baby to sleep while pounding Red Bulls for the next 30 seconds. Ride as fast as you can from a rabid Polar Bear for another 2 minutes and then compete in a jackass style slip in slide contest. Now its time to run from a fire breathing dragon for 2 more minutes up a slippery slope while jumping hurdles (bodies and bikes). Then you get tossed into the octagon for a short UFC match with some euro dude who just T-Boned you into a fence. Add in some more hardcore sprints for corners and some time spent waiting to get into a piece of singletrack while listening to elevator music. Wallah you’ve just experienced the first 15 minutes of a European World Cup.

Once the traffic cleared and when I had open track to work with I actually felt pretty decent and was happy with the power I was able to climb with. The race was a true mudder which am always up for…good times. I managed to ride with Liam Killeen for the whole 3rd lap which was a good learning experience in passing and a departure from my less than aggressive Canadian style. Ended up doing 5 of 6 laps and was about 1.5 minutes off being able to finish the race which was my ultimate goal. Its good to do these races to find your weaknesses and learn what level you have to reach to compete with the best in the world.

On the way home I managed to dodge a $160 euro bike charge and saw Alexander Vinokourov at the airport. I would rate the European World Cup Extravaganza as 11 Magical Elephant Eggs out of 11.5. Big thanks to Dan Proulx and Scott Kelly who put in a TON of work making this trip happen. Thanks to Kyle Douglas for fixing my brakes on 3 separate occasions and Shimano for the new brake caliper. Also I would like to thank everyone else on the trip for putting up with me for 2 whole weeks…

OUT!!

CC

Go Go Gadget…European Adventure?

Hello Reader Palz,

First off, Im extremely jealous of all who travel with Elite Status cards…unreal luxury!Today I bring you a two part update regarding my European World Cup Extravaganza. I last left you part way to Rome. From there I met Scott Kelly (Team Mechanic) and we started our Northbound Journey to Dalby, England. Accompanying us was two 70 pound hockey bags full of tools and bike junk, my bike and a luggage bag each. Game on!

Ill give you guys the short version. We ended up taking about 14 different trains from Rome to Brussels. Most trains were oversold as everyone in Europe was resorting to traveling by train. We were always the last ones on the trains as the only place to put out huge bags way at the doorway of the train and to do this we had to be the last ones on. Because we were always the last ones on the train we always got screwed out of seats and spend the majority of 2 days in hallways and stair wells. Only one of our trains broke down and we only missed one connection.

Once we reached Brussels we got a textular message from Mr Kabush that he was flying into Paris as that was the only way he was going to make it to Dalby for sure in time. So our journey made a small detour to Paris to pick up A Team bike rider and transport the valuable cargo to Dalby forrest. On the plus side we got to take the Chunnel under the English Channel as we were now transformed Cinderella style into a first class shuttle van. Unfortunately I spent most of the drive sleeping as I missed roughly 3 complete nights and was suffering from jet lag pretty bad. Missed out on some quality time with the current king of mountain biking in North America. Once we found Team Maxxis’s Sweet Pad and dropped A Team off we made our way to a pair of slick cabins in the country side just outside of Pickering, England.

Dalby:

First day involved a nice grocery run…unreal store, food and town!!! Then it was preride time. I caught up with A Team at the course and dialed in the track nicely. The Dalby course was SO good! It was real mountain biking and every section was something to look forward to. Then it was time to suite up as I was going to be the lone Canadian representative in the Dalby Dash Street Sprints. This was unreal!!! 4 cross style, 2 minute race through the streets and backyards around the Pickering bar district. There were thousands of people out to watch and some of the top racers in the world on the start line. Fontana,Fumic, Shurter, Frishy, Bart, Hermida, etc. I was far too pumped up and crashed in the first pavement downhill corner and was eliminated I slept and watched movies for the next two days…

Game Day:

Warmup felt awful…started 131st of 180 or so riders. After the first corner and after dodging two crashes I was second last. As the race went on I started to pass guys and every lap I seemed to get faster and faster as I shed some traveling fatigue. Just as I was about to get the turbo’s warmed up they pulled me…apparently I just missed the 80 % time cut by less than a minute.

Quote of the day: (Sauser just blew 3 spokes in his wheel and rolled into the pits looking for his staff…this is all in a girlie swiss voice btw)

Susi - “Wher ar you?”
Mechnaic - “SUSI!! Wer ova heera!!!”

You’ll have to ask about it ok.

From There we ate pizza and sat in hot tubes. The next morning we drove to Manchester, caught a flight to Buussles and then drove the rest of the way to Houfilize.

Part Two coming to Wildcat Productions shortly…

CC

A new feature this year from our friends at Alberta MTB Racing and the Edmonton Canada Cup is the Husky Feature Racer.

Leading up to the 2010 Edmonton Canada Cup, each month from April on, we’re going to be highlighting one feature racer, getting their thoughts on the upcoming 2010 Edmonton Canada Cup, plus any insights they have in general on riding and racing in Edmonton, Alberta and across Canada. No matter if you’re a seasoned vet, or new to the MTB scene, these Husky Feature Racer articles will worth checkin’ out!

Our April Husky Feature Racer is local Edmonton Pedalhead club racer, Dana Ouellette. 2010 will be Dana’s second race season, and he’ll be a veteran of the Edmonton Canada Cup event. I tossed a few questions at Dana and he’s clearly a man who has learned a lot about riding, racing and himself. If I had to title this one, it’d be called ‘A Year Older, A Year Wiser‘.

When did you start riding ’seriously’ and what got you started?

I only started seriously mountain biking in June 2008. Back in the late nineties when my parents still lived in Edmonton, my dad got me into mountain biking. My dad and I would go to Terwilliger and just ride, not seriously, just have a good time. That was on an old Specialized RockHopper, which sadly got stolen. It wasn’t until June 2008 that I bought a new bike. I was excited because I had a lot of positive memories associated with cycling (just my dad and me having fun). So I bought a Rocky Mountain Fusion to go out occasionally on the weekends, and I got totally hooked. Then weekends turned into 4 or 5 days a week.

I don’t know why I got so hooked. I started riding with Pedalhead, and that was probably a large part of that. Once you make friends who ride, you want to get faster and be able to keep up, it becomes not just fun, but addicting. And it’s good for the self-esteem. It’s always motivating when you clean a climb you’ve never done before, or fly down a technical section you used to struggle with.

At what point did you decide to start racing?

To be honest, I really don’t know why I started racing. I started going out with the Pedalhead riders after our Wednesday night rides and a lot of them are racers and told stories about racing. That peaked my interest, but I still never thought I’d do it. Then all of the sudden, less than a year after buying my first mountain bike, I found myself buying a full suspension bike for racing. But I still wasn’t 100% sure I’d actually do it, until I found out about the Edmonton Canada Cup. I live only a few hundred meters from the Kinsmen Field House. When I heard where the course was going to be, that’s when I realized I could actually do it. Even if I sucked, at least it would be on trails I’m familiar with and ride a few times a week.

What was your goal for the 2009 race season?

In all honesty, my goal was to try and to survive a race. I didn’t even get an ABA license. I just wanted to use a day license to try a race. I decided to focus on the Canada Cup race because I was familiar with the trails. So at first, just doing the Canada Cup race was my goal. But as it got closer to being a reality, my goal wasn’t just to finish. I was worried I’d end up dead last, so I started really training so that I wouldn’t get humiliated.

So, what did you do to prepare for the ‘09 Edmonton Canada Cup?

I got myself a trainer on a Boxing Day sale, and started riding in my living room for an hour every other day all winter. After the snow melted, I realized that it might be a good idea to try a race before the one I was focusing on. So I decided that I’d do the Perogy XC race as well, since you are allowed to use two day licenses. I also started going to Hardcore Bikes Tuesday night Fat Tire Tuesdays. Those were great. It’s only $5, so it’s no big deal if you crash or flat, and there aren’t a lot of people there to care if you suck. It’s a low-pressure way to get a feel for racing, to pass someone, and to get passed, and all the things I was nervous about.

And how did that work out for you? How did you finish?

Not to sound overly dramatic, but if I had to answer this question with only one word, it would be “heartbreak.” I made Edmonton Canada Cup race such a huge goal for me. I was feeling really good on the bike, and sitting about 15th or so out of sixty, which would have been really good for me, but I broke my chain on my second lap and I did not finish…

Now with a year of racing experience under your belt, how have your riding and racing goals changed? Will you prepare for this year’s Canada Cup race any differently?

On one hand, I will be racing a lot more in 2010, and I have bigger goals. I actually got an ABA license and I’m going to do all the local races, and maybe provincials. My main goals for this season are to finish in the top 10 in a race, and to actually finish the Edmonton Canada Cup. But on the other hand, I’m taking a much more relaxed approach. My situation in life has changed a bit since last year. I decided to go back to school, and I’m working part time as well, so I’m not training as much as I did last winter. But I don’t necessarily think that is a bad thing. I went pretty hard last year and ended up straining my IT band. I think that taking it easy for the winter is a good idea so I don’t get burnt out.

My training is going to be very different this year. I’ve only been riding once a week, with some xc skiing thrown in there to try and maintain some fitness. But once classes are over in early April, then it will be a suffer fest and I will really start training hard. I’m going to suffer through the Perogy XC and Bacon XC races, and the Fat Tire Tuesdays, and I’m hoping that by July, I should be a good enough racing shape for the Edmonton Canada Cup, and for 24 Hours of Adrenaline.

Any final thoughts or advice you want to impart to other ‘newbie’ racers out there looking to get their start this year?

I’m not so sure I’m the best person to ask for racing advice, considering I’ve only finished one ABA race… But if I had to give a piece of advice to someone interested in getting into racing it would be to tell them to relax, and not take it too seriously at all. I stressed and worried so much about my first race. But what’s the point of stressing? This isn’t a grand tour, and you don’t have sponsors. Just have fun. It’s OK to set serious goals, but don’t get hung up when you don’t reach them. And don’t focus so much on one single goal. Things happen. Even the best pros have days where they just aren’t feeling great on the bike, or flat or have a mechanical. That stuff just happens. If you break your chain on the one event you’ve made your only goal for a year, like me, you will be really upset.

I’d also add that a new racer should take advantage of the Tuesday night Fat Tire races. They are a great place to test out what racing is all about without the pressure and cost of a full length ABA cross-country race. I learned a lot doing those races last year.

For more information on the 2010 Edmonton Canada Cup please click to www.edmontoncanadacup.com

My fello Chumps and Chumpettes!

This section of the update is being created at 32,000 feet while being distracted by crying babies and the hope of one day making it home. Flights have again been canceled, delayed and missed due to American pussies scared of slush. My Costa Rican adventure has sadly come to an end but on the bright side this is only the first of many planned bike trips of the 2010 season. The fitness is again back to a respectable level and the last two weeks have been a great success. If your bored or daring enough please read on…

Stage 9 was the only flat stage of the race. A 98km circuit race around the surfing resort town of Jaco and officially the most fun day of the trip. Our team decided this was our last real chance to shake n‘ bake and we would lay it on the line today. With Vincent aka Twenty Hundred, Charles Tibo, C-Hippy and myself left in the race we were BY FAR the fattest team in Costa Rica and flat terrain was our only chance at success. The gun went off and Twenty Hundred and Tibo pretty much followed or initiated every move for the first half of the race. With 4 laps to go I took a dig to try and bridge a 2 min gap to a 3 man group that we missed getting a guy into. I got about 300m off and then hit an imaginary lack of fitness wall and eventually got sucked back into the pack. No more than 30 seconds later C-Hippy launched off the front and successfully bridged the gap to the leaders. Unfortunately mountain biker tactics left The Hippy aka the strongest rider in the break with nothing left for the sprint as he tried multiple times to get away in the last 3 km. Myself and Tibo abandoned our tail gunning duties temporarily to be at the front for the sprint in case the break was brought back at the finish. Afterward we ate dinner at some beach resort and went swimming in the surf. Super times were had. On the drive back to the hotel we stopped beside a river to play with some Crocodileo. C-Wally and a Guatemalan got pretty adventurous poking the little crocs with a stick.

Stage 10 was a real doozie with a 65km long climb gaining 9000 feet over a 130km stage. Essentially we started on the hill and then descended to the finish line. Being completely sick of the provided diet i’ve ventured yonder in search of varied nutrition the past few days. Not really thinking much about it i’d been eating pretty much exclusively fruit and vegetables. The whistle blew for a 10km neutral ride out of the city and on 3 occasions I was already off the back. O dear! The legs are officially the worst ever. Survival mode (aka Operation Gortex) seemed like the best option and I started loading up on food, water and just went my own easy pace in an attempt to make the time cut. I was the second last rider over the climb as I soft pedaled at maximum effort the whole way. Then I did a nice tuck for the 45km switchback decent where I caught and passed 5 other riders to finish and make the 18% time cut for the day.

Stage 11 was a 30km flatish individual time trial. Pedaled a steady pace and tried not to use too much energy. Took a 2 hour nap and ate nearly 10,000 calories. The calories included 2 Mcdonalds cheeseburgers, ice cream, 2 beer, 5 sandwiches, 4 bowls of cereal, 2 heaping salads, a bunch of fruit, Dorito chips, a bowl of mashed potato’s, roast beef, peanut butter and banana toast and probably more but I forget.

Stage 12 was the final stage and for our team it was the Stanley Cup Finals. Every man for themselves and first across the line takes home the ultimate prize…bragging rights. This stage was exactly the same as stage 10 but run the opposite direction. With the traditional lack of warmup I was off the back from the gun. About 2 minutes into the 45km, 9000 foot elevation gain climb something funny happened. My legs started to suck less than they have in a very long time. Downshifting 3 gears and standing on the pedals I still felt easy and relaxed. Within 10 minutes I caught the second group on the road consisting of about 8 riders. At first I just rolled on past them but they started to yell at me and call me “mucho loco” so I figured I would just chill for a bit and wheel suck the Pizza Hut train for a while. Eventually the group swelled to about 15 riders with some of us joking and having a good time and others suffering just to hang on. It was a really nice feeling to be near the front of the race while still feeling very comfortable. In the end C-Hippy and myself rolled in 19 minutes after the leaders in a group placing 15-30. During the last 10km of the race the road was lined solid with people cheering us on and at the finish there were literally thousands of people to welcome and congratulate us. It felt almost like a stage of the tour with all the people, helicopters, camera’s, media and the whole deal.

In the end the Vuelta a Costa Rica was a really cool experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I’ve met a ton of really cool people, learned a bit of spanish and experienced the biggest cycling event to date. The organization did a surprisingly good job providing us with everything we needed to get the job done. A big thank you goes out to Marc Dufor (team manager) and Jean Michelle aka J-Mike (manager/rider) for all the work put into making the trip happen.
So until next time gang, keep fit and have fun!!

Wildcat

More photos can be viewed [here]

Albertan’s Cody Canning & Cory Wallace are currently racing the skinny tires down in Costa Rica.  Here’s Cody’s 2nd take on the experience…

Provided by Cody Canning http://codycanning.blogspot.com/

Ohhh Babycakes!

This puppy is being generated via the Ambassador hotel lobby. We’ve got DJ Vellieux doing a sing along to the classic “Uptown Girl” and some Dutch peeps throat talking to each other as per usual. The sun has set and the boys all got there recovery nylon’s on. Its almost time for bed here but first, I bring you a short update.

Stage 4 was the longest of the Tour at 190km and is considered a flat stage with only one major climb and a few short steep pitches. As always we start off fast with a flurry of early attacks but things mostly stay together until the only KOM at the 100km mark where all hell breaks loose and packs of 5 guys scatter the route. Myself, J-Mike and C-Wally start crushing souls and together we bridge group to group back up to the leaders. Up next was mass chaos. Imagine cruising downhill at 70-80km/h dodging 1 meter diameter, 30cm deep potholes. They were everywhere and they were deadly with guys crashing, flatting and splitting bikes all over the place. This section alone took out 3 Guatemalans! Most guys who flatted or got dropped motor paced the team cars back to the peloton in the next 40km of flat crosswinds to the finish.

Stage 5 at 140km with no major obstacles looked to be the easiest of the Vuelta but in reality it was defiantly one of the hardest. The stage started with some crazy sketchy loops around the city of Liberia which included 1/2 lane roads in corners with oncoming traffic. J-Mike ended his tour in the intermediate points jersey on one of the corners going down and never having a chance to catch the flying peloton again. The circuit rolled full boar onto the Pan American highway and into massive crosswinds. In short the peloton was guttered and shattered for the next 2 hours. Then pummeled by about 20 vertical wall climbs averaging 50km/h and ending with a 3km 20% climb to the finish.

The 140km Stage 6 was our first official day in the mountains and my first day wheel sucking the Dutch. The main obstacle was a 12km steep climb near the beginning of the stage. I don’t remember much other than it hurt and I followed the big lanky Dutch groupetto all day. At this point the provided rice and beans three times a day diet was turning to the dark side and supplemental nutrition was a must. The tiny Columbian team jumped, pinned and shaved the head of our 300lb bus driver Spencer as a joke. Tap water was deemed mostly drinkable and our nice white Tour de Quebec kits now resembled the brown polka dot jersey. The french of our team gave up trying to remember Marvin Guzamins name and instead call him Garmin Slipstream Transitions presented by Chipotle for some french reason.

Stage 7 aka the hardest day of the race was a true mountain nightmare. 80% of the stage was uphill as we started at sea level and finished at 1500m. Again being 10lbs too fat I wheel sucked Team Amsterdam for much of the stage and suffered like no other to finish somewhere in the first groupetto. Mini banana’s and Oreo’s courtesy of the Pizza Hut truck fueled the days events as well as watching a Guatemalan eat it while trying to take a leak on the go over speed bumps. By now the legs are starting to seize up nicely as it takes at least 2 minutes of hard riding before any power is able to be generated. I am also developing a spot of tendentious on the back of my left knee which makes racing up hill all day feel a little like listening to the song Fergilicious on repeat for 5 hours straight.

Stage 8 brought a 13km uphill time trial from the town of Catigo up the side of a volcano literally finishing in the clouds. Gradients in the switchbacks topped 25% as team cars were having to be pushed by spectators up the steepest sections. My legs simply did not work on this day and I lost 8 minutes to the winner with a time of 41 minutes. Seeing as both myself and C-Wally are mountain bikers we had a inside bet with ourselves going that if we didn’t win the stage hair cuts were on the agenda come rest day.

Rest day. The Hippy picked a sharp classic style from the local Mens Style hair magazine. I ended up translating in broken spanish and hand signals that I wanted a mohawk and a mullet. With our spiffy new dews taking a surprising 3 hours to complete darkness had taken over and we were going to have to navigate a 30 minute ride through San Jose in the dark. In short it nearly ended in Christmas Eve death but it was a good time. Mucho Sleepio was the main activity of the day.

Happy Christmas,

CC Mc Sunburn