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Crank the Shield, a 250km 3 day stage race through the Haliburton area of Ontario was this past weekend. I got to race the event with Norco teammate, Matt Pazuik. With the majority of racing done for the year this was our final event and training leading up to it was pretty low key.  We got in a couple of rides together with Matt showing me the local real estate, I still don’t know what you would do with a seven car garage, as well as some local bike path rides and a hot chocolate stop. This year there was no messing around and Matt and I turned my hardtail into a Faze 1 dualie. We set our race plan to having fun, and stopping at every aid station.

Day 1 was a completely new course compared to last year and it was a big hit. Lots of new single track through Haliburton forest and since it was early on in the race you even got to enjoy it while fresh. The start was pretty relaxed with everyone knowing there was lots of racing ahead. Once we hit the single track things heated up and any thoughts of riding chill were thrown aside. It’s a race it was go time.  Matt and I had a really good day, we both felt strong and steadily moved up throughout the stage finishing in 12/13 overall.  The 4.5 hour stage had been about an hour longer than we anticipated but we were able to push through to the finish. Crank the Shield uses summer camps for accommodation which is kind of neat. Eat in a big hall and sleep in cabins. Matt and I had our own cabin which meant it was nice and quiet but with a few holes in the wall it made for a rather cold sleep.

Day 2 used a very similar course to last year of which I remembered lying in countless mud bogs with frogs jumping around. This year promised to be only mid calf deep bogs, I quickly realized this was not true as the first bog I went mid thigh deep and riding through one puddle which looked more like a lake Matt put his hands underwater. I didn’t see any frogs this year though. The course was actually a lot drier than last year with lots of routes around the worst bogs but still there were some that were unavoidable. Early in the race it was hard to get into a rhythm on the rocky ATV trails that we actually quite technical. There were lots of people around and passing was difficult. I had some issues there too with a nice uphill endo into the granite shield.  After the first aid station there was a good section of dirt road and we put in a solid 20/30min effort getting some time on a large pack of riders before settling into our pace again. It was much easier to ride when you had a clear run at things. Unfortunately Matt then burped his tire and we had some difficulties using our CO2, neither of us realized there was a safety on the head. Once we got going again we were able to make up what we had lost and were feeling pretty good however I then put my chain and derailleur into my spokes. My derailleur was pretty twisted and we had some issues straightening it out. We had some great comments as riders went by and the two of us were staring at my bike in one hand and derailleur in the other. We were lucky however and got it back together and found a gear that worked so I was on the 3×1 gearing. I could shift a little just felt like I was never in the right gear. The single speeders told me that was how they always rode. The next half hour was a lot of mud bogs and seemed to last forever, Matt and I sort of lost motivation but fuelled up as our day goal was approaching. We knew the last 19km was rail trail not nice rail trail but loose, sandy, bumpy slightly uphill rail trail. We had planned on attacking this and that is what we did. Matt ramped the pace and I suffered, huge. I was doing all I could to hang on to his wheel for the first 6km but then I started coming around and felt a bit better at the pace. We were catching riders and no one was able to stay on it was fun. Matt had given all he had and with 6km to go I went to the front and rode the hardest 6km I think I ever had. I was planning on going till I died and figured Matt would take over at that point. I was surprised with what I had left. I made Matt suffer and he was pretty cross eyed by the finish. It was a fun way to end the stage we both buried ourselves on that rail trail, probably not the best stage race tactic but we enjoyed it. 4:57 on the day was another long day on the bike. From the finish in downtown haliburton it was a short bus back to Camp White Pines.

Day 3 started with a neutral 18km ride over to the start. We opted for a little motorpacing which I quickly found out was way too hard for me. We were crushing the hills and I was dead. I dropped off and rode into the start myself hoping the legs would come around a little. Right off the gun the pace was intense there was some riders fighting for their category titles and they were determined from the get go. The course was great. Lots of climbing only two puddles that hardly got you wet. We did a massive climb up to the lookout and we made sure to look left as we rode by so that we could enjoy the scenery. Some fun new single track, some forest roads, dirt roads, atv trails and to finish some great single track in Haliburton forest. However it wasn’t nearly as fun as the first day as it just seemed hard and I was looking forward to that finish. Matt and I both suffered today, he rode a single ring up front for the race and says it was great but it meant he had to push all the steep stuff and I had no power today so basically suffered on every steep climb to go with him. I however felt pretty good on the roads and rolling terrain so was able to push there. At the finish we were met with a great barbeque and awards ceremony.

Matt and I met our goals we enjoyed ourselves while pushing each other to our limits. We stopped at every aid station even if it wasn’t necessary and came home with far more food than we started. We’re pretty lucky that Norco is a sponsor providing neutral support at the race so we had lots of help with mechanics and team support. The atmosphere of the race is pretty cool and we decided it is a great end to the season kind of like a yearend banquet. Thanks to Chico and the crew for putting on a great event, and to Norco for their support. For results and information on the race check out www.cranktheshield.com.

(3 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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Posted under MTB: ENDURANCE

Wow time is flying by. June has been a busy month with lots of racing and travel. For the first weekend I opted to do a local Ontario Cup race at Boler Mountain, aka Boler Bump, a ski hill built on top of a garbage dump in the middle of a subdivision in London, Ontario. Top to bottom is 25seconds with a couple turns in there, I’m sure it is great for learning to ski but it is more of a bump than a hill. However, the race course was a ton of fun with fast and twisty trails and hard packed course conditions. After an interesting night of missed hotel reservations, driving the wrong way on one way streets, lost motel room keys and being very happy to have remembered a sleeping bag for the sketchy beds, it was off to the races. The fields were relatively small but they were competitive. In the women’s race three of us stayed together for the first half of the race but a steep climb early in the lap split things up and we all ended up riding in solo. I had a great race to finish up second.

From there I headed to Edmonton where I spent a couple nights out of the city, camping in Elk Island National Park. I got in some cool rides there and saw some great wildlife including a herd of bison that did not want to move off the road, I’m glad I wasn’t on the bike at the time.

 Edmonton was a really cool race. The venue was right downtown in a river valley. The course was awesome, not a lot of climbing but they took us up every hill they could find. There was some fast technical single track, bike paths, roots and a scary drop that many top pros weren’t riding. The best part about being downtown was all the spectators that came out and were exposed to cycling.  I had a good race start but went a bit too hard, faded in the middle, but then recovered to finish 4^th. The organizers put on a great post race party as well, though I opted to spend the evening in the emergency room with fellow racer Jean Ann McKirdy (Local Ride/Xprezo) who crashed on the drop Matt Hadley (Xprezo) is riding in the photo below.

Next up was another Canada Cup in Canmore, the site of the 2010 nationals. This is another neat place to race. The race venue is within riding distance of town and is surrounded by mountains. Really I just like mountains! It was pretty fun to spend the week there and enjoy some of the great riding in the surrounding area. The course itself is pretty solid. After a steady 8+ min climb there is some fun technical single track and lots of steep chutes including the famous coal chutes which turn crash victims black.   I was pretty tired for the Canmore race, but still rode well to finish 8^th, putting me 4^th overall in the Canada Cup series. 

From Canmore I headed home to Kamloops for a much needed break from racing.  I had a pretty easy week but kept myself entertained playing fetch with the cat, reading by the river and watching fire bombers put out a nearby forest fire. The week went by quickly though and I’m already packing up and preparing to head back east for Canada Cup Finals in Bromont, Quebec next weekend.

(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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Posted under MTB: ENDURANCE, NON-BIKE

Post Sea Otter I made the flight back up to Kamloops and got in a couple weeks of dry, dusty riding. It was great the trails are in amazing shape right now and some of the newer trails are getting the needed traffic to smooth out, they are pretty fast right now.  I was hoping to get to a local race in Merrit but unfortunately it was cancelled. The course for this race is tons of fun and I was really looking forward to racing it. The trees of the area have had a rough time lately. The Pine Beetle has hit hard and the organizers deemed that there was too much risk from dead standing trees.

With a cancelled race we decided that we might as well get in a little road trip. We packed up our truck, I mean Pontiac vibe, and headed out in search of some rocks and roots. First stop was Kelowna. Trails were great lots of rocks, drops and chutes. We rode through an area that was struck by a fire a couple years ago and the number of fallen trees is pretty crazy. Wouldn’t want to ride there on a windy day so probably good not to be racing in Merrit.  We had a great day of riding, it felt good to get on some rougher trails and I only left a little skin while testing out the abrasiveness of the soil.  

From there we headed to Revelstoke. Driving in we were a little worried as there were still snowbanks on the road and snow in the woods but we’d been given the word that the trails were in good condition. With a little rain overnight conditions were perfect, just a little slick so we could practice some wetter riding. Riding was awesome tons of roots and lots of single track. Pretty fun to be in the woods, something I definitely miss in Kamloops. The logging roads that connect the single track were still snow covered so that made for some entertainment and quickly ended the no dabbing bet for a burger.

After some organizing and packing for the next seven weeks on the road, I headed back east to Southern Ontario. After getting lost driving around my hometown in the morning I hit the road for a ride. It was a bit of a shock to the system, after being spoiled with bike paths, paved shoulders, bike lanes and quite roads I wasn’t used to all the cars.  I have a friend from BC staying with me and she even called my ‘big’ climb that I have used for all my hill intervals for several years a false flat. Hitting the rollers and avoiding the traffic almost seems like a good decision though it is interesting seeing all the new housefields that are sprouting up.

Up this weekend is an Ontario Cup race, should be fun catching up with everyone again. Following that is the beginning of the Canada Cup Series which I am definitely looking forward too.

(4 votes, average: 4.75 out of 5)

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Posted under MTB: ENDURANCE

The 2009 Sea Otter Classic is well underway. Just being part of Sea Otter is a pretty neat experience. There really is no other event that brings so many different cycling disciplines together. For me, being part of a multi-discipline team, it is a great time to meet up with my teammates as I won’t see them much during the season. I’ve learned a lot about dual stunt, trials and jumping, things that I do not attempt.  

The short track races went off yesterday, a quick way to start the season. There was a crash at the start of the women’s race that I managed to avoid but meant I was near the back of the pack. This ended up working out well for me though as it was pretty motivating to slowly reel in riders throughout the race. Unfortunately I was pulled with two laps to go just as I was catching up to a pack in front of me. 

Today I’m looking forward to tackling the classic Sea Otter cross country course. Two laps of the 19mile course will make for a long day.  The course is fast and dusty right now with lots of sandy corners. Should be lots of fun can’t wait to get started.

(5 votes, average: 4.80 out of 5)

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Posted under MTB: ENDURANCE, SEA OTTER CLASSIC

Spring break came and for me it marked the end of my winter work season. After a couple busy weeks of random shifts I put in my last hours and was finally free. With the weather taking its time to warm up in Kamloops we searched all around for optimal riding weather. Unfortunately, or fortunately for us the best we could find in a 10 hour driving radius was Kamloops. With that settled we started our own spring break training camp from home.  A home training camp can be a great thing, no hassle with travel or packing, you get to sleep in your own bed and you have all the conveniences of home. With no work and lots of time we were able to analyze every weather report we could find, follow the radars and ride in the warmest part of the day, there is a big difference between riding at 4degrees and 8degrees. My coach and I were able to put in a great week of riding, we pushed the limits in many aspects getting ourselves stuck in some snow drifts and hail storms, and repeatedly attacking each other. The best part of the week was watching the snow/ice mix leave the trails. We were somewhat disappointed by a ride in snow with melt water flooding good sections of the trail and decided that road would have to do for a while. However, we headed back two days later to find dry, dusty trails. Kamloops is incredible, two days from snow to dust. No other place seems to be like that. Sure is great to be back on the mountain bike and not have to worry about ice around the corner. Now with work out of the way, snow off the trails and double digit temperatures it sure feels like bike season.  I can’t wait for my first race of the year, Sea Otter Classic, in just over two weeks.

 Dry and Dusty once again!!

(3 votes, average: 4.33 out of 5)

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Posted under MTB: ENDURANCE, SEA OTTER CLASSIC