2017 Woodnewton Ocup #1 & Kingston Ocup #2

April 23 - Woodnewton - such a great fun day!  WOW could not really be a better day - warm sunny perfect dirt on fun trails.  Plus so many of my favourite people were racing too which made it even better!  (still working on sorting out that knee...thankful it's better on a bike!)

Hike-a-bike city

May 7 - Kingston mud fest....

we arrived on Saturday to the scene of riders totally covered in mud bikes just caked thick.   So we chose to hike the pre-ride to save the bikes for racing Sunday.  (My husband was with me this time - excited he was going to race too!)

On our pre-ride-hike so many fun sections but 90% of the trail was soupy ankle deep glop which for me is basically hike-a-bike city.   It was challenging staying upright in some places just walking in hiking boots vs cycling shoes & no bike to push!   

 Plus it was still raining. And it rained all night.

And the morning still raining:

Rain starts?  It never stopped!

And I learned I have a limit to what I will race in! (plus my grumpy knee was a factor - on the bike it's fine - after hiking not so much) So I just said no & decided to save the bike & body & not race.   Sad to not ride - but happy to not have a giant mess to clean!  Ya definitely getting old & soft.  Huge kudos to the tough cookies who raced!

Kingston - we'll be back!  Those awesome trails have cool stuff!

April 15, 2017 Homage to Ice...Why am I doing this?

Long time no blog....been busy with 3 injuries in the past 2 years! Ugh! 

  Finally cleared in March to resume normal activity.  My normal means mountain biking!  So happy!  

 Very excited to share I was at a bike race last weekend!  And not just spectating, cheering or helping out with timing, but RIDING MY BIKE in the Homage to Ice XC Marathon Race!  

A bit crazy for a first mtb ride I know but it sounded like fun idea for a Spring ride & I've heard that Substance Projects events are pretty cool too - so I signed up for the 1/2 marathon distance of fun on trails that are supposed to be sandy & dry - and also barely known to me (maybe 2 ocups worth of knowledge). I was looking forward to get a good ride in following arrows & not being lost!  

Ha! I obviously misread the weather forecast (I swear it said 20c & sunny)...but nope we got this

 Basically the weather was terrible.  Really quite unpleasant & unnerving for a first MTB ride after a long time away being hurt!  

I even skipped the usual on-bike warmup.   Instead I chose to warm up by delaying getting cold & wet by getting fully ready to ride then hiding from the rain inside my car as long as possible.  

While I sat there watching the rain pummel my windshield I considered going home.  

I don't have to do this.  It's no big deal.   I can decide to be a fair weather only rider.  Starting now.  Nobody will mind.  

WHY am I doing this?  I've raced in disgusting weather before but somehow maybe because this was the first ride of the year for me or because after 2 years off being hurt my idea of a fun time has changed?   

Or maybe not...so with thoughts of 'suck it up buttercup' & barely 3 mins before my start time I shut off my complaining brain & jumped out of my car & on to my bike & rode to the start area to line up in the rain & cold with the big crowd of crazy people.  

And boom we were off!  I was riding my mountain bike! On really fun trails!  In the rain!  So much rain the whole time with bursts of even harder rain just like the weather radar map shows.  Plus no leaves on the trees to block it meant the trails were full on muddy & all the wood especially the 1000 logovers were super slippery & excellent practice.   I was so happy I remembered how to ride over logs especially since with my shoulder injury from last spring no way I could even do one of them never mind the 1000 I did last Saturday.   

Just being on my MTB & how it feels flowing along in the forest....wow I missed it!  So happy!

Even happy to remember how slippery corners feel, and slippery hill climbs, slippery downhills, etc etc.  And did I mention the logovers?

And I wasn't alone.  Approx 200 racers were zig zagging through the trees & no leaves means you can see people all over the place which is really neat.   

Then it was over.  And the rain stopped.  And people hanging out & chatting (many I hadn't seen in 2 yrs!).  And there was FOOD c/o Substance Projects - part of your entry - how cool is that?

Fun riding bikes & great people - definitely glad I didn't wimp out & go home.  

That's WHY! 

My poor bike actually doesn't look too bad but took me 2 hrs to clean

Baby stepping like its 2015

Yup.  Again. Just like last year.
Just in time for riding in the forest.
Injured!
Except this time I partially tore my rotator cuff...argh!

Not even exactly sure how it happened (playing on the Hardwood low ropes course? crashing my mtb on that last ride in Pennsylvania? too many pull-up attempts?)... probably a combination of these things & I'm fairly certain my daily riding through the pain was making it worse until my angry shoulder just wouldn't let me hold handlebars anymore!

Looking back at the past couple weeks I am very thankful for the more minor nature of my injury.  I shudder to think how it must feel to have a completely torn/damaged shoulder...my one partial tear has been so painful I now understand how it's possible to become addicted to painkillers.  Scary!  Especially since I think my pain tolerance is pretty strong!

But the fact that as of today I can now sit here at this desk and type on my computer without too much discomfort makes me super excited that I'm moving towards being able to ride soon I hope...

Here I go again...baby stepping like it's 2015.

Maybe a little carried away with my love of the colour red?  2016 Ocup #1 at Woodnewton in the rain...kinda hurting...but still having so much fun.  

A little bit glad I wasn't able to race Ocup 2 at Duntroon Highlands! WOW crazy 'winter in spring' conditions!

Happy to cheer on the awesome tough Master Sport Women braving the Duntroon SNOW & MUD!

Meanwhile...

MTB Marathon Nationals at Horseshoe Sept 13, 2015 - Adventure in the Citizen category!

I got a new 'hand me down' computer this week & found this post from last fall that never got posted....so thought I'd share...



After getting my cast-boot off & getting back to riding again mid summer I saw a post for this race & right away I wanted to do it.  It sounded like an awesome tour through some of the best trails in Horseshoe Valley ski area & across in Copeland Forest & also over at the Heights of Horseshoe.  All in one long event!

I really had no idea this was going to be probably the toughest race I've ever participated in to date.

But looking back - there were a few clues...

Clue 1 - Before registering I asked Peter if I should sign up for the full 70km distance or the 1/2.   He did not hesitate to advise that the 35km (1/2 distance - 'citizen' version) was going to be a better fit for me & will definitely be a great challenge. 

Clue 2 - A few days prior - my assigned workouts became really gentle.  Filled with terms like 'easy spin', 'easy effort', 'eat well', 'nap', etc. Not even a course pre ride.

Clue 3 - The fact it was the 'Canadian Marathon Nationals'. For real.  Huge clue.

Hmmm.

On race day I woke up to rain pounding my bedroom window.  Instead of going back to sleep I got up & ready to go looking out every few minutes watching more rain fall.  I was seriously hoping by some odd chance it might not be raining at Horseshoe.  Considering I live less than 5 mins drive away from Horseshoe Resort this was very unlikely.

And for some crazy reason I left my nice warm dry house where my family was having breakfast by the fire & drove over to Horseshoe.

5 mins later I arrived and parked my car & sat in it for a minute while the rain pelted the glass.  Had a moment thought of maybe it will let up a bit.  Nope. And for some strange reason I also did not once consider leaving & going back home.

Got on my bike & warmed up a little by riding around in the rain for just a few minutes.  Not sure I was actually physically getting warm but I was busy warming up my brain thinking positive thoughts of how it's good we will be in the forest and not out on a road, etc.

And then my family surprised me by showing up!  Not sure if they were there to laugh or cheer but the fact they also chose to leave the warm dry house to be out in the rain says either they love me or were there to rescue me or both.

Then I gave away my rain jacket & it was go time!

Go as in straight up...the 'start loop' to separate the riders started straight up. Up & down the ski hill at Horseshoe twice before crossing the road to Copeland.  I was pretty much crushed after the first 5km & super happy I was signed up for the 'citizen' version - pretty sure I couldn't ride that twice!

Then under the tunnel across Horseshoe Valley Rd. to the Copeland.

The Copeland forest section had lots of double track mixed in with some singletrack & all the hills possible including the steepest hill in the land.  (20% grade) Which I totally had to hike-a-bike up.  But it was ok!  It was covered in footprints. Actually many many hills were covered in footprints which really made me feel better - I was not the only hike-a-biker out there!

Then the course took us over to the vintage singletrack trails from the olden days (1980's??) over at Horseshoe Highlands. All new to me though & the parts I remember most were super extra skinny off camber across the hill trails - very cool & interesting but my difficulty was in dealing with all the random crazy angle fallen trees across the trail - that were of course wet & super slippery.  In dry conditions - even never having seen them before (no course pre-ride) they weren't that big & I'm fairly confident I could ride them.  So approaching the first one business as usual....then zip!!! I'm off!! Ok back on the bike.  On to the next one....zip!!! Off again!!!  Wow getting back up & going again after those was totally zapping my energy! So plan B - hike-a-biking over the angled logs though slower was less risky & for sure less tiring & there was still a long way to go.

And there was the rain. Still raining.  Even just part way in my shoes were totally full & each pedal stroke I could feel the water sloshing.  Still I was having a lot of fun!  Totally embracing the adventure & the challenges of unseen trails in pouring rain & also keeping to a schedule of eating & remembering to drink - even when not hungry or thirsty.

Then we were back through the tunnel and into the Horseshoe Valley side.

When I was looking at the course map I had read it thinking we would ride all the Horseshoe trails first, then Copeland side then back to finish by the main chalet.  But nope they saved the majority of the Horseshoe trails for the latter part. Which included all the race trails at Horseshoe with no 'sport class friendly' ride arounds (of course not! remember clue #3 - it's marathon nationals!).  Many sections I had ridden before in the rain in 2014 and many that were totally new to me.   So many steep slippery climbs to hike-a-bike while sliding backwards each step.  Each time I was so happy to make it up and celebrate that I was only doing 1 lap around!

And while doing my 1 lap....remembering the amazing elite riders at the front were going to catch up to me soon... I was a little worried about getting run over!

But when they caught me what actually happened was not that at all...they just passed me easily & I got to watch them ride & hike up stuff right by me & appreciate their skills & strength close up!  So amazing!  (and yes they were hiking sections too - but wow such awesome fast hike-a-biking!)  Some of them were so smooth & it was amazing to see how different riders handled tough stuff in different ways.  Some with powerful finesse & some with more of an agressive attack style.  All of it awesome.

Then....just as I thought we were near the end & it was almost over....I noticed people riding back up the hills we rode at the start....oh no...the first time at the beginning that start loop was super tough - now at the end...omg no idea how I rode up those hills again but

somehow I did it.  Finished that 'bleep'er!

And a few weeks later - with more appreciation for a sunny day.... back for more fun in the beautiful Copeland forest!

Summer Break 2015

Right at the beginning of riding season (shortly after doing Paris to Ancaster) I broke my foot!
And no - not from a spectacular bike crash...just from slipping on the stairs in my house & slamming it into the metal spindles.  Really very lame.  So lame I given up even trying to cook up a better story.

After I did it I went through a period of denial.  Pushing aside the fact that my foot hurt a LOT & got worse every day.  Various friends told me it looked bad/might be broken/go get it looked at/xray/etc (even a physiotherapist & a nurse).  I ignored them. Though even to me I had to admit my foot looked terrible.  All toes were black, black on the top & left side & even black on the bottom. 

For a week I held on to the notion that I just bruised it really badly.  No way it's broken. It even felt better in my bike shoe & pedaling hurt way less than walking.  Plus the snow was gone, trails were finally dry & it was just the start of riding season!!

And for a whole week I kept on stubbornly riding like normal.  I even raced the first Ocup....

which was the final straw.

Holy $%^& that was painful.  Advil & adrenaline can only do so much.  Even clipping in my foot into my pedal  OUCH  Pedaling hard up hills OUCH  Riding over rocks OUCH... So much OUCH.

2015 Ocup #1 Woodnewton - Being stubborn - but psyched I was killing the big rock garden this year OUCH

I finally surrendered & limped in to the hospital.

Sorry it IS broken

And a cast & 6 weeks of couch time to start.  A highlight was getting switched from the plaster cast & crutches to a space boot cast. I could make coffee & carry the mug to the couch so easily without crutches!  Then when the cast came off fully I was allowed to road ride for physio.  I could carefully mountain bike too - but absolutely no falling/banging my foot around because even after the 6 weeks in a cast my bone still wasn't fully healed.  If I rebroke it only way to fix next was surgery which I was lucky to have avoided in the first place.  It still felt really delicate too (the bones were movable - so gross) and I was super happy to be able to do fun little rides again with my kids in the woods. 

So then for the rest of the summer - gradually getting back at it. Back riding.  Slowly.  Holy smokes...6 weeks plus 4 more in hard flat sole shoes only & being careful & much grumping around & probably too many cookies... thank goodness bike shorts are stretchy... feeling like I'm starting at the bottom...

But also I've come around to feeling OK with being at the bottom!  I was so upset at the start.  But realized not only was I really lucky just a minor injury but my life with bikes is a forever thing & this was just a blip.  Just another hill to climb.

And now I sure am dying out there but I am so happy & thankful to be BACK!

Aug 30, 2015  back racing again - Provincials at Duntroon Highlands - awesome tough fun course - hills were killing me but my foot felt good!

Paris to Ancaster - April 26, 2015

So I finally did it.  After many years of thinking about it…I did it!  My first Paris to Ancaster!

I knew it would be a big race but it was huge...2350 riders this year!  For sure the largest crowd of people & bikes I have ever been in.  It was even exciting just waiting in the start line!

Me & my P2A friends at the start.   

The first 60K was awesome.  I was having a great time.  A nice day riding country roads, farm lanes,  muddy off road sections of trail, some rail trail, some fun adventures too - like getting my foot stuck in a hidden-in-the-mud wire fence,  etc....all part of good times on bikes.

60k of Happy Times!

Then the last 10K happened.  What the heck? I was just riding along a nice fire road with a nice (!) NE wind in my face when my legs decided happy times were over & started cramping up.  Ugh.  I had to totally slow down to soft pedal mode to keep spinning to just get done.

 Either it's just my perception or it's actual fact - the last 10K of Paris to Ancaster is the most killer part.  I was expecting it too - but really didn't know what I was in for.  Earlier on (somewhere in the first happy 60K) was a mudslide.   I partly carried my bike & partly rode down it (proud!).  After that I was thinking this mudslide business isn't so bad.  But I learned they saved the real crazy one for later.

 The last 'mudslide of death' went on forever and ever and ever.  Thank goodness my bike is pretty light to carry but hiking down a steep chute keeping my balance with my bike on my shoulder with legs screaming at each step of deep mud sucking at my feet...was a long way from happy times.  All I could think was  "why am I doing this? what is wrong with me? I paid money for this?"

And then...not too far after that...THE hill.  I was warned about the awful hill at the end.  I knew it was coming.  I had done practice rides to include a big hard hill at the end to be ready.  But - I never practiced climbing a big hill at the end of a long ride with cramped up legs & shoes full of 100 lbs of mud.  The Martin Rd. climb at the end of those final 10k with delicate crampy legs was pretty awful.  Some hike-a-biking helped get it done & I managed to mostly stay on the bike and pedal quite a bit including the last steep part near the end though I didn't know I was near the end...

I had no idea I was at the top at this point of total misery.  10 seconds later I was all smiles!

And then it was done!
And I want to do it again.

2015 Milky Way Intergalactic Fatbike Race - March 8, 2015

Fatbiking is a big thing!  Everybody's talking about it, doing it, loving it....and I wasn't so sure.  It just looked kinda slow & weird....and so I kept not trying it.

Until this winter & I finally ended up going for my first fatbike ride at Hardwood with some neighbourhood friends & fatbike lovers...and I had a really fun time!  

But that was back in December & since then its been all about skiing - always DH for sure but the biggie this year has been XC at Hardwood & lots of it!  

Then with winter coming to the end....it was time for The Milky Way Intergalactic Fatbike Championships - very seriously fun deal - costumes encouraged, etc....and I just had to do it.  Borrowed a really nice Trek Farley from Hardwood & lined up for my first fatbike race!

Matchy matchy - Trek Farley blues!
Really fun ripping around the XC ski trails as fast as possible! (and next year...a costume & no snow pants!!) 

Woo hoo 1st place! 

2014 O Cup #7 - Provincials at Horseshoe - Sept 21

Still cleaning up after this one!  Muddiest race for me EVER!

Caution Slippery.  That's what the sign said.  

Didn't have a great start off the line - was a little hesitant - wondering how all this is going to feel under my tires & almost wiped out just on the start loop!  But saved it...and had lot of those 'moments'...and kept saving it so kept on going a little faster, passing people along the way as I got more comfotable with the muck.

Got a full on glimpse of how much my riding has changed in a year.  Last year I was too scared to race here.  I chickened out!  I pre-rode & found it way too hard.   Sure I was expecting lots of hills but it was the technical level of the course that was too much for me last year.  Lots of steep downs & ups & tight switchback corners & rocky stuff that was just over my head.  When I pre rode I felt like I was about to crash every 20 feet.  No control.  Way too scary.

This year when I pre rode - first lap felt awful climbing just because I was getting over a cold but the trails were FUN!  Next pre ride lap a little less awful climbing and the trails & downhill sections even more FUN!

And then the mud element...I was a bit unsure how I'd feel...and with each corner...wow the skills work (thank you Peter)...I am in control!  Riding steep downs & ups & stuff through trees in the mud...in control!  Not scary anymore.  Still hard...but fun instead of scary.

And then I caught up to Michelle.  Through the woods & out to the big fire road climb that goes up the whole ski hill...and I was able to pass her at the very top steepest section! wow!  (thank you again Peter)

I was psyched! I knew I was near the front (turns out I was in 2nd then)and on a mission to make space and catch up to 1st.  Until...while riding down the super fun downhill part...my chain came off.  Oh no!  Tried all those tricks - pedalling & shifting to hook the chain in between corners.    Had to stop to get it back on.  Even had my bike upside down trailside to figure it out!  

And...they all passed me back..ugh....(and Michelle took a moment to ask me if I was ok - yup she's awesome)  Oh well.  Got it back on & back on track to go get them again.  I think I was just a couple minutes & maybe I could still catch up...

Well I caught up to 3rd!   Then in the woods my chain came off again.  This time it refused to go back in place.  I was trailside for probably 10 mins this time & I just couldn't get it to stay on & just as I was about to surrender & hike back...another racer stopped and helped me!  Totally would never have expected that (maybe its Karma?) and he was able to get it to work & I was able to finish!!  Thank you Angry Johnny jersey man!!

Then it was over...and the sun came out...and I joined the line to hose off my bike.  48 mins later (yes they really need more than 1 hose!) done spraying a layer of muck off my bike & I stopped to cheer for the winners today & overall results for the season.  Turns out I didn't finish last like I assumed after all my trailside tinkering!  

 Finished 4th for the day & 3rd Overall Women's Master Sport 40-49!

Just 4 pts apart for 2nd & 3rd!  Love it! 

2014 Ocup #6 Mountainview Midland

Racing at Mountainview summed up so much of the things I love about mountain biking & racing.
It was hard & fun & felt badass!

 Mountainview ski area is like a place out of a movie.  Old & funny & like a secret hideout hidden in a forest behind a mall.

On Saturday - pre ride day - I arrived early to get my ride in because it was supposed to rain in the afternoon.   But...just as I headed out it had already started to rain.  The first few minutes of riding the trails were fantastic & grippy - but by the end of my lap I was completely soaked & totally muddy.  During my muddy ride I met up with another friend slip sliding through the forest & we laughed silly like kids riding & sliding our way to the end in the pouring rain & mud.  So I was lucky...got a fun lap in before the course was closed.

And then it rained more.  Lots more.  I went home & cleaned up my muddy mess.
And it kept on raining all day.

In spite of the rain I was feeling excited and confident about racing on Sunday.  Even though I knew I was going to line up to race on a slippery course again (like Nationals! Yikes!).  I was feeling good about my prep (tires at low pressure!) and after a fun time pre riding on Saturday in the heavy rain - followed by some very enjoyable socializing in the funny Mountainview chalet/secret hideout - I was in an awesome positive mood!

Lining up on Sunday...not very many of us girls brave enough to race after the deluge (50mm as per Superfly racing).  I was in 'bring it on!' mode anyway so didn't matter who was there.  I was good to go & just focused on the trail ahead.
Some sections - especially the downhill stuff on narrow tight edges and the big steep switchbacks for sure last year I would not have ridden.  In fact I doubt very much I would have even lined up to race!  But this year instead I was feeling all confident and badass - and rode those sketchy downhill sections clean with people cheering & blowing horns!  In wet slippery conditions too!  Yeah! Bring it on!

Such a challenging & interesting bunch of trails. So cool to be so completely focused the race felt like it was only 5 mins.   Until I crossed the finish line & it hit me.  Totally spent - get me some chocolate milk - that was awesome!

And to top it off...this!  Woo hoo!!

Can't get broken

Lots going on since Nationals & another Ocup coming up!


July 26 was the Trek Women ride at Copeland forest - such a neat place - I am looking forward to one day having time to go figure it out since there are no signs in there.

Should be a stream crossing on this one

Then on Saturday Aug 2 a bonus pre ride for Ocup#6 coming up at Mountainview in Midland - bonus because it's not open for regular riding & another place I've never been to.  It is awesome!  Super hilly but fun & challenging with lots of twisty climbing and descending & lots of rocks of all sizes!

ER doc not impressed I took this pic 

All fun & games until someone breaks a hand...one of those Mountainview rocks was not so kind to my hubby.

Pretty sure it was Aug 9 when we got there

Now as the remaining fully functional parent I can't get broken!!...so rode a lot more cautiously on the last Trek Women ride of 2014 on August 9th at Buckwallow...but still had a fantastic time because it's so much fun in there!




 And now this weekend coming up Ocup #6 at Mountainview... my plan is to ride strong & fast & smart!

2014 Canadian Nationals at Hardwood

Wow.  What an exciting, tough, challenging, fun, exhausting weekend!

For 2014 I arrived ready & super excited. I was able to spend lots of time practicing the course (living nearby sure helps!) and I was feeling happy and good to go!

And off we went...up the new loose gravel start hill which is steep and nasty...and I wasn't as fast up it as I would have liked but my wheels were spinning out so to keep traction down I pedalled smooth & as hard as I could & kept with the pack getting to the woods.  Then about 5 mins into the singletrack...boom!   I slipped out and was down!  Up again as fast as I could to catch up...and then another 5 mins or so...boom!  Again!  and then again a couple more times - I think 3 or 4??  Crazy!  What the heck!  It wasn't really muddy but the roots were pretty slick and many were down to the white..but this hasn't really bothered me before. I just couldn't keep on my wheels!  It was like I was riding on ice!  And it didn't help I was upset about losing everyone & being so far behind & super spent from picking myself up so many times and it was only part way through the first lap!  Ugh!

So it wasn't a good race for me.  But maybe it was...I sure learned lots...and

Smiling for my family who came to cheer & take blurry pictures

was super thankful for my family and so many friends who were all over the course shouting to me!  I was struggling & hearing everyone cheering & hollering encouragement was so amazing & really helped!

This sure wasn't the race I was expecting when I lined up!  But I am sure happy I was able to finish it with just a few dozen new bruises and some new things to practice & prepare better for next time!

2014 O cup #3 - Sir Sam's - All about the rocks

My first time to Sir Sam's!   I loved it!
The terrain & course was totally different - more technical & rough & steep!  Like nothing I have raced before!

Pre riding on Saturday - first lap around - I found the climb up to be not as bad as it looked from the bottom, the twisty trails at the top to be pretty rough/rooty/rocky so really happy for full suspension, and the downhill to be really pushing the edge of my comfort zone for steep downhill switchback corners plus general steepness!

 And...one other thing...a BIG pile of rocks on a bmx section at the top near the chairlift that concerned me.  First lap of pre-ride I checked it out but decided to save riding it for pre-ride lap 2 when I was riding without stopping to chat so much and had more of a riding flow.  All I decided about it at that point was that it looked like the right side was the better way over.

Then pre-ride lap 2 happened with no chance to try the BIG pile of rocks. By then they were running Eliminator races and had the section closed off!  So....I watched a whole lot of people ride over it (mostly Elite riders who make everything look easy) and noticed that the line I was thinking to ride over looked best.

So I finished pre-riding Saturday thinking the start hill wasn't too bad, the BIG pile of rocks was concerning but I had a plan and have ridden so many piles of rocks lately (though not with such BIG boulders!) I was confident I could get over it, the twisty trails at the top were all good & fun, & the downhill I was respectful of & a touch nervous of.  Those double black diamond  & caution signs on the downhill trails were having full effect on me!

Then on Sunday....race day...

I had a terrible start!  Total opposite of Mansfield!  I was called up to the front row again (so cool - love lining my wheel up like that!), they said go...and a whole bunch of people zoomed ahead of me!  Bleah!!  So I had to settle in to climbing up the ski hill and try to pass whenever I could.   The past 2 O cups had nice wide start hills so easy to pass...this time it was not easy at all because the trail up was like a goat path switchbacking upward with just a few wider spots.   But...I was able to pass a few people on the hardest sections of the climb - there were 2 extra steep sections my bike made me climb faster - no jet pack super power - just because of having fewer gears -  I had no choice but to suck it up & pedal!

Yeah! 

Then it seemed like 2 mins later we were at the BIG pile of rocks.......and......

Oh yeah - I was pretty pleased!  And suddenly conquering those BIG rocks made me see the whole rest of the technical stuff on the course as fun instead of scary.  Especially the downhill & all those switchbacks.  Yahoo!  Still thinking about the downhill trail.  So much fun...and with all that the blur of a race still on....and another 5th place finish!

2014 Ocup #2 - Mansfield

Time flies when you're having fun!
Ocup #3 at Sir Sam's in Haliburton was last weekend (June 9)...which reminded me I hadn't reported on #2!

So before I write about Sir Sam's... here is my Mansfield story...

Waiting in the start pen...I was feeling hyper & anxious to get the yucky first hill climb over with.  In case you haven't been to Mansfield it's on the escarpment and the start is always straight up.  Every year my fitness has improved and the climb has been a little less awful...so I knew it wouldn't be as bad as last year but racing hard straight up it is always tough!

I made sure to get there in time to get a good start spot - I didn't want to start at the back again like the first Ocup. And then the coolest thing happened...because I finished 5th last race...I got called up!  My first time having that happen!   I lined my tire up in the front row right next to Michelle.  Hee hee.  It's on baby!!

Go time!
 So cool like never before I felt powerful as if I had a jet pack on or something.  I just pedalled strong & even changed gears a couple times for more speed (harder! going up? yeah!) & found myself on the back wheel of super fast Shannon.  2nd spot all the way up to the singletrack...the whole rest of the pack behind me...WOW!  Even cooler than getting called up...having everyone behind me on the Mansfield start hill!

Then we hit the singletrack.  I was trying my best to be smooth, flow,....breathe....I couldn't breathe....Shannon was so fast in the trail!  So awesome.   I was so totally cooked from my super fun & awesome start hill bonanza.  The rest of the race was kind of a blur while I paid for killing it at the start...trying to not lose too many positions... (my sad snail speed through the feed zone wasn't helping).  Definitely not the smartest race tactics...or maybe not too bad??   For sure was fun & good for another 5th place finish!

Happy & barely standing up spent!

2014 O Cup #1 - Woodnewton

So some of you know already...I've been "training with Peter" (yes the famous Peter Glassford from the Trek Canada MTB Team)  for about 6 months now and so I was pretty curious to see how all this Smart Athlete stuff comes out in a race situation.  I've been feeling good on the bike & actually really good in general - sort of an overall strength & goodness feeling.  Actually ever since getting back full-bore into mountain biking I have improved my fitness generally every season but felt like I kinda hit a plateau last year & was sliding backwards by the end of last season.  And after asking around for help & suggestions...Barry Near (also quite famous big cheese of Trek Toronto/Aurora/Barrie) suggested I get in touch with Peter...and now here I am...learning tons about cool stuff I never even thought of...and doing lots of burpees and eating sweet potatoes.

And after a long winter - rarin' to race bikes again in the woods!!

Lookin serious on the wooden stairs...forgot to smile!

Finally my chance... the first Ocup!

In the start corral I probably visited with the other girls a bit too much...as usual.  Was hanging out at the back of the class chit chatting & waiting for the start...like usual...

Then GO time!

I flipped into race mode & possibly after my start lap in 10000 bikes experience at last years Summer Solstice I just started weaving quickly through the traffic & within probably 1 minute had worked my way up to the front group.  Cool!  Then around a corner to a flatish section...then up again but steep...and caught a couple more riders!  Way cool!

I found myself chasing Denise.  I know she has been training to do the 24hr race solo so she's in fine form. And Michelle was chasing me...this year on a 29er...plus her awesome singletrack skills - I was feeling stoked to be monkey in the middle...and working to not let her catch me while keeping Denise in sight!

We were like this all the way to the big rock garden at the end of the lap where I am a chicken.  What I mean is I can do the chicken line (around the rock garden) pretty fast & way faster than I can ride through the rocks so that was my plan.  Michelle was chasing...we split...and I beat her!  Oh yeah!  Now for sure she will be on me like glue so I put everything I had into keeping her from catching me.

I almost died for sure on the steep part of the start climb next lap - but I could see Denise near the top of the hill & could hear Michelle probably a couple bike lengths behind me...had the 'why am I doing this. it's so hard. I could just walk a bit & catch up. I wish I had an easier gear.' conversation in my head...fought it off just to keep Michelle from catching me.

And the rest of the lap...same order - Denise, monkey me, Michelle...all 3 of us fighting to get the other...until back to the big rock garden near the end again.  I chose to stick with my same plan...gave the chicken line all I had...and this time Michelle pinned it through the rocks like a shot and totally got me. Awesome.  High fives!!  (and a 5th place finish for me!)

Wow! What a great race!  And for the first time - I was racing it the whole time & not just surviving to get the laps done.  Yay Smart Athlete!    Wicked Fun!

Cali baby!

Oxnard, California
February 2014
6 girls
3 sunny warm perfect days for riding bikes
1 awesome coach & guide

Peter Glassford (Trek Canada MTB team) slowed down for a few hours each day to take us out riding on some really cool trails.
Brave man!  The 6 of us are all +40 Moms...and we can be quite the handfull!

In addition to guiding - Peter helped us with skills.  Like this....ha!

Ahhhhh the views!

Joyride Women's Weekend 2014

This year was my first time coaching at the Women's Weekend and I knew it was going to be really fun but had no idea how many brave and determined girls I would get to help!  What a great time!!  I was so proud to be able to help!

I was there on Saturday coaching all day in the "Learn to Joyride" section (#1) with Katlyn Dundas.  I was really happy Katlyn had done this before and had a good plan how to get everyone going & how to speak really loudly so everyone could hear!  My guess is we had about 30 girls arrive at our section first thing Saturday so we were busy busy!!

Being in the beginner section was amazing.  I was so impressed!   The range of ages was very cool too.  I think the youngest girl was about 7...all the way up to my age....over 40 ish...(ahem).  

I even had my phone with me so I could take some cool pics to post.
But...ended up taking pictures of people using their own phones...forgot to use my own! Duh!

My first Joyride instructor's shirt!
We got purple...and the participants got black!

130 women riders woo hoo!!

NEW BIKE

Went to the Trek store today...and look what was there....

Oh my!!

 So pretty.  So shiny.
My 5 min stop in turned out to be muuuuuch longer.  Just couldn't leave...had to keep looking...I am in love...

Yes yes yes!!

C'mon spring....

Canadian winter - this time it's for real.

So might as well embrace it...and get out there for some fresh air (it's extra fresh right now too)!
Just like Moms everywhere kicking kids outside - it will make you feel better - really it will - even if all it does is make that coffee, hot bath, fire, stew, etc even more awesome.

And a great way to get hot on a crazy cold day....go snowshoeing!  And since spring is coming soon (I hope) snowshoeing is great cross training for all the cycling that will be happening really soon (I hope) & WAY easier to figure out than XC skiing.  I know because I've tried XC skiing... and I seriously need help...but that will be another story.

Meanwhile - I was very lucky to sneak in a short trek in the woods this morning and somehow managed to be out during the only sunny part of the day!

Goggles totally needed for the field crossing to get to the forest.

In the woods...not feeling the -1000 coldness out of the wind & making my own trail in deep snow! Hard work - stopped to switch to thinner mittens!

 Had to cross this skinny bridge VERY carefully.  It's the width of one snowshoe & the crosses over a stream flowing 10 feet below.  Still thick with ice from the famous ice storm so kind of rounded on top so not feeling stable even with snowshoes....glad I made it across but was freaking out a bit!!

2013 Tour de King

Sunday Sept 22nd was the 3rd annual Tour de King point to point race from Cold Creek Conservation area (on 11th Concession in King just north of King Road) to Seneca College King Campus on Dufferin Street.
It's a really cool fall event on a 50k course through road (paved, dirt, gravel), double track trail road allowances through the Happy Valley forest, some private singletrack, Centennial park (a.k.a. the King trails), and the fun singletrack trails at Seneca, finishing up with a great BBQ with all your friends at the end.

The weather for this year was calling for a great day - no rain & warm fall temps for the race.  However, the day before it rained a LOT.  And it even rained some more during the start and for probably the first few kms it was still raining.  Which meant mud.  Which for me was a good thing since I had not bothered to change my tires.  I have great tires on my bike (big knobbies) that are terrible for the road.

I don't have a biking computer thingy on my bike so I am guessing how far the sections are by counting concessions and figured the first approx 8-10 km is a mix of dirt and paved road.   I was really feeling slow along this part.  My tires were noisy, it was raining, the wind was blowing in my face, the wet gravel was splattering up from my front tire all over my glasses and I felt like I had to pedal a lot harder than I wanted to to just keep up with the people around me. Ugh. And it was only the beginning!

Smiling on the road - happy & warm in all my rain gear! Thinking maybe some fenders would be nice...

We turned up on to the 8th Concession and a couple hills later...the entrance to the first singletrack section. Sooooo happy.  Didn't even mind that the way in is straight up a big hill.  Bye bye people from the road.  My bike is perfectly setup for the forest.  No more wind, no splattering gravel, no slipping & sliding either - just happy times in someone's private forest full of trails.  Very cool.

Then back on to the road.  Another 6 -8 kms (guessing) until the next trail section which starts at the road allowance the end of the 7th Concession.  It goes up (first hill is steep but rideable), then crazy up (2nd hill is rediculous steepness up a giant trench with a deep rain rut down the middle...hike a bike city) and then up once more (steep loose gravel but also rideable).  Then fast down to the next double track trail road allowance at the 16th Sideroad heading East.  I was feeling awesome through here!

Then we pop out of the woods to cross Weston Rd, then over to Jane St. and up to the King trails.  Also great and the connecting trails out the 'back door' (and through someone's back yard - so cool of them to allow us to race through!).  We were routed through some neat little trails eventually popping out on to Keele.

Then down along Keele St.  Fully paved regular road. Windy & sunny...and LOUD!  Holy smokes my tires made my bike sound like a monster truck!!  By now I'm starting to feel my legs getting tired.  No idea how far I am in kms at this point but I was trying to tuck in and roll as fast down the hills as I could to avoid having to pedal on the up sides.  Still had to pedal up.  And thinking maybe I should have changed my tires!

Oh well - soon enough back on to trails again at Seneca so must be almost done!  Except that I think the course was set up to go through every single trail in the Seneca forest.  I kept seeing people winding through the trails in the trees everywhere and felt like I was turning around and around in a crazy maze and it would never end!

Nice mellow double track climb in the woods.  Still smiling!

 The trails in Seneca are pretty cool.  One day I will go there to just ride for fun with non-tired legs.  Riding in there near the end of 50k was slow going for me again this year.  My legs were getting crampy but still good to pedal...and granny gear was my best friend!  I never had to fully stop - just kept on going...until getting stuck behind 'sneaker guy'.

A little steeper...more serious face...c'mon legs...

Sneaker guy is my new reason to do the Tour de King next year with better fitness so I don't get stuck like this.  He was just fast enough and I was just not powerful enough.  Anything twisty/roots/or log over and he was off his bike. And blocking the whole trail. Which happens. But usually the 2nd (or 3rd or 4th) time you mess up a climb and have to get off and have a rider still on their bike riding up behind you - it is polite to let them ride by. Yes I know it's a race but really - it's not like we are fighting for the big money or anything.  But with crampy baby legs spinning granny through the woods I had no such bursts of power available and each time I had to clip out, hike behind him, and clip back in, my legs were screaming.

Until the last twisty climb out.  I didn't know it was the last one - but there we were - sneaker guy in front, he encounters a root, puts his sneaker feet down, gets off and starts pushing his bike...totally blocking the trail again...and I'm riding behind... I slow up to see if he would hop back on (nope) and then look up and noticed the trail twisting up.  Oh no!! He's totally going to push his bike the whole way up. I just can't unclip again.  So much easier to just keep spinning along in granny and I am seriously terrified the way my legs are feeling if I unclip I will cramp up and not be able to move (this happened in year 1 - I was locked up totally on the very last steep hill for 10 mins)!  So... I yelled at him.   Move over pleeeeease!  Still riding! (insert seriously irritated Mom voice) And he moved...and I pedalled up...and at the top was a long straight flat.

And now my head is all busy...I can't believe I just yelled at someone, my legs are yelling to me to stop, I'm yelling (now in my head - I think) to my legs to calm down just keep spinning...and wondering if this is going to ever end...(and why didn't I ask 'sneaker guy' to move over 100 hills ago when I was still able to speak calmly?).....
then I see my family and friends cheering at the end of the long straight!  It was the end!  Oh sooooo happy!

Done!  Good for 6th place in my category - 50k women age 40-49!

Right after finishing a race is pretty much the best part.  Relief, happiness, excitement all bubble to the top - groups of riders & friends & family at the finish area - all hyper to share what just happened with each other.  It is so cool and makes lining up at the start (even in the rain) totally worth it.  If you haven't tried it (and I mean any bike race at all) you really have to do it at least once.  Beware...it can be addictive!

And yes, for the record, I found 'Sneaker Guy' at the finish area and went over and apologized!  :-)

2013 Canadian National MTB Championships - Sunday Master Sport Women Edition

I hadn't had a big crash in awhile.  Just lots of little ones - nothing too bad or scary to even considering not getting right back on and continuing riding.  Until pre-riding Nationals on Friday.

I went up with the plan to pre-ride 2 easy laps just to scope out the course.  At my age I find if possible to not ride the day before a race is best and taking it easy a few days before is also a good idea.

So easy lap 1 was fine.  Just a minor tumble - I skidded across a slippery sand covered root while braking in a section full of people practicing riding a rocky section.  No biggie.
After rolling off the course on my way to head back to re-fill my water, I was given a little VIP treatment from the Trek World Racing crew - I stopped to say hi to Emily & Adam and while chatting with them, Emily's mechanic came over and wiped the dust off of me so I was ready for easy lap 2!  How cool was that!

Easy pre-ride lap 2 was all good and I was feeling happy with the course and ready to race it on Sunday!   ....Until I reached almost the end.  I could see the chalet and just had one little section left to go...then BOOM.  Down I went.  Hard.  Hard enough I cried a little!  I was going full speed, something grabbed my front wheel and I flew off.  I remember the feeling of my head clunking the ground & my glasses smooshing off my face. I had to sit on the ground a few minutes to collect myself, then slowly got up, arms & legs still working, and check my bike.  Brakes ok, levers all twisted, grips shredded, chain back on, gears working...ride back slooowly to the car.

Back to the car where I made a new friend.  The girl parked next to me was helping her kids load up their bikes and saw me... "oh my gosh are you racing on Sunday?".  Apparently she was planning to race Sunday also (in my category too!) and my messy situation freaked her out a bit!  I assured her the course was totally fine - just a 'moment' for me in an easy section.  I still had no idea what the big deal was so she took this picture of me with my phone so I could see myself. 

Didn't look too bad.  Hurt like heck!

So I put my bike in the car & headed back to the chalet to clean up & see first aid to get a bandaid.

While in the chalet changeroom where there are mirrors I really saw my mess!  Gross. Scrapes all the way up to my shoulder.  I cleaned my arm in the tiny sink as best I could.  A friend of mine who works at Hardwood saw me in there & came back with the first aid kit and helped clean out the little stones from my arm. Ouch!  Then she bandaged me up. Aaaaah.
Then I got changed and got to see the other scrapes and locations of bruises to come...oh boy...my hip is going to look nasty.  No wonder I hurt so much.  And the actual race hadn't even happened yet!

Next stop Trek Aurora - for Zach to do a quick emergency bike check - make sure my bike is safe and good to go again.

So by the end of day Saturday - bike was perfect & after a whole day of resting & icing & Advilling...I was getting more & more nervous!

It wasn't that I was nervous about racing- those kinds of butterflies are normal...I was nervous about just riding!  I kept re-playing my fall in my head & it wasn't helping that my husband was also worried and was asking me a zillion questions to figure out what happened so it wouldn't happen again.   I consider myself a cautious rider - I won't ride over my head, won't be tempted to try something I'm not comfortable with...but this fall was in an easy section that I had ridden through hundreds of times.  If I had crashed trying something tricky that would make sense - but crashing while just riding normal???  Freaking me out!!

Woke up Sunday...race day...nervous.  Feeling physically not too bad as long as nothing touches my right arm or hip. Made the nervous decision to go race.  Packed up & drove to Hardwood.  Not quite fast enough.

I was doing everything more slowly than usual. Going through the motions - nervously changing into my riding clothes, putting on my number plate, saying hello to friends parked next to me...I didn't have time for a warm up ride around so went straight to the start line.

Lining up with my category is really cool. It kind of feels like home in a way.  We are all ready to shut off the world and just give 'er!  I rolled up and got a big hug hello from 'switch back girl' & talk about how nervous I was!  I wore a sleeve (arm warmer) on my right arm to possibly protect it from additional scratches so of course got lots of questions about why the one sleeve, etc., etc., etc....ugh so nervous....hoping once we start pedalling I'll feel better.  My insides were in knots.

Go time!  Pedalling up. Long double track hill under the shady trees.  Big ring. Hmmm. Feeling calm. Remembering just a few years ago riding here for the first time not being able to ride up this hill without stopping for a rest.  Then making it up in my easiest gear.  Now feeling comfortable in big ring.  Breathing calmly. Pass some people.  Hearing a girl ride up & past me. She is breathing really hard. Ride my own race.  Don't ride hers.  Get to the top, zoom down some rocks & up & pass another rider on the up...not nervous anymore...feeling the flow!  Yaaaa hoo!

The rain that fell on Friday evening turned the trails into a singletrack paradise of traction!  I don't think I've ever ridden Hardwood in such perfect conditions.  It was amazing and I was so happy to be riding!

When riding alone or with friends my mind is constantly busy.  Talking, thinking, dreaming, etc. In a race I feel like I am disappearing into another world.  Completely focused on riding without thinking about anything else but flowing smoothly and catching up to the girl 20 secs ahead.  And catch her I almost did in my fierce battle for 7th!  I kept getting closer to her on the climbs - feeling like I might barf a couple times trying to close the gap.  In the last km her back wheel even almost fell off (skewer flipped open) and I got ahead - for a second...then let some fast guys by...and she was able to get her wheel back tight fast enough to be quickly back on her bike & right behind them...totally suprised to see her there - gave her a 'nice'...& hopped in right behind to chase her to the end.

So much fun.