tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1321451553319736712024-03-13T19:46:39.409-07:00 RACER DIARIESAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191788890691453876noreply@blogger.comBlogger439125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132145155331973671.post-48570198016708678202015-08-19T16:54:00.000-07:002015-08-20T11:52:49.214-07:00Lyme Disease: A Living Hell<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warning: Ticks Live Here</td></tr>
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Please join me in welcoming a guest author to the blog! If you ride in North County San Diego, you have probably met Dee Folse--he is one of the friendliest, warmest (and coolest!) riders I've met since moving here, so when he asked me to help him help a friend, I was all about it. </div>
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<i>Dee’s friend would like to remain anonymous, which I think is appropriate. Because given the topic we're about to discuss, Dee's friend could literally be any of us. </i></div>
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This friend was recently dealt a crummy hand: an encounter with a tiny bug while out mountain biking in North County has turned the last 15 months into a living hell. Only recently—after almost a year of wondering if it was MS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Dementia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crazy, You Name It—were doctors able to help Dee's friend understand what had happened. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friends check friends for Ticks</td></tr>
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Now, they are able to get the treatment needed to stave off the intense fatigue, clear their head and eyesight, and be able to pursue a normal-ish life where you can make plans like going out to ride your bike…or even go to work. <b>Chronic Lyme Disease, delivered by the bite of an infected tick, is on the rise, and anyone who plays outside is at risk. </b></div>
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The worst part is that getting treatment is far from cut and dry. In fact, the reason Dee’s friend has asked to remain anonymous is because until the CDC properly recognizes Chronic Lyme Disease, there is technically not an approved protocol for treatment. As I understand it, that means doctors who take care of you through this debilitating disease are at risk of professional repercussions. </div>
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As an example, if you went to the doctor with strep throat, and your doctor prescribed chemotherapy to treat it, that is obviously against the protocol for strep throat, and that doctor could be reprimanded—even lose their license. With <i class="">no</i> approved protocol, or even the acknowledgement of Chronic Lyme Disease, any treatment of Chronic Lyme Disease or its symptoms with antibiotics or other therapies is <i class="">against</i> protocol. To add insult to injury, insurance companies are likely to deny the funding of these treatments. Thus, there is only a shadowy path available for those who need help to get out the other side. Please take the time to read Dee's post below, and help us spread the word so we don't have to watch any more of our friends get sick:</div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">By Dee Folse:</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">In the last 15 months I have come to know more about Lyme disease
then I ever wanted to know. What I can definitively say is, tick-borne diseases
are on an incredible rise. The CDC reports that in 2013, there were 30,000
cases reported. In 2014 the number of tick-borne illnesses including Lyme
disease, has exploded to 300,000 cases.</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I've also discovered that this is not a disease that is limited to
certain corners of the United States. In fact, it is spreading down the eastern
seaboard, across the Gulf and straight up the west coast through California,
Oregon, Washington, and parts of Canada.</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Despite the alarming increase in tick-borne illness, discovering a
tick on you is not necessarily a bad thing. However, if you suspect it has been
there for longer than six hours, and it has attached or become engorged, that's
where there is a potential problem.</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">If you find an attached tick, the first thing to do is take a
picture of it, and save it if possible. Second, Google “tick removal,” and
become familiar with the many options there are to choose from.</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Within the next three-to-six weeks, if you start to experience
symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, cognitive failure, blurred vision, fever,
chills, and/or muscle aches, see an immunologist immediately. An immunologist
will be able to take the proper blood test and do a proper analysis to find out
if in fact you're carrying a tick-borne bacteria. This doctor should be a “Lyme
Literate Doctor.” I know several</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">—</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I can help.</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">
<o:p></o:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">It’s also important to know there is a difference between Acute Lyme
Disease and Chronic Lyme Disease. Chronic Lyme Disease is the one that can
easily be misunderstood. It can hide for years, then present when the body is stressed.
Oftentimes pregnancy, divorce, death or stress can allow Chronic Lyme to take
hold. </span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> </span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">In my community, we live in the outdoors, hike on the trails and
ride bikes. Lyme disease is out there, and it's a very serious thing. We’re
becoming more aware, but there is still a long way for us to go to catch up to
the growing number of cases. I urge you to learn more by reading about it
online, joining Facebook groups devoted to Lyme disease awareness and support,
or you can call me and I can direct you to some videos, and some suggestions
for Lyme Literate Doctors.</span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> </span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Even if you don't remember being bit by a tick, or you never experience
the famous “bulls-eye” rash, if something feels <i>off</i>, and you’re having those symptoms, pay attention to your body
and seek out an immunologist. Trust yourself, and push on even if your doctor
says, “You look great there's nothing wrong with you;” or “If there <i>is</i> something wrong with you, it's out of
my area of expertise;” or my personal favorite: “Try to exercise more and eat
right.”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> </span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Please feel free to reach out to me anytime; I would hate to see
anyone go through what my friend has gone through.</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I'm certainly not trying to spread panic</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">—</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">just
awareness. I’m here to help.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> <o:p></o:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> -</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Dee</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="mailto:Teamshoebacca@gmail.com"><span style="color: #386eff; font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Teamshoebacca@gmail.com</span></a></span></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7B6jzyoSuoE/VdUUzTV3x3I/AAAAAAAALwc/v2AiL7N7AJ8/s1600/tick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="353" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7B6jzyoSuoE/VdUUzTV3x3I/AAAAAAAALwc/v2AiL7N7AJ8/s400/tick.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>More on Lyme Disease and Ticks: </b><br />
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<a href="http://pontiactribune.com/chronic-lyme-disease-new-era-ignorance/">http://pontiactribune.com/chronic-lyme-disease-new-era-ignorance/</a><b><br /></b>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bicycling.com/training/health-injuries/could-you-have-lyme-disease-and-not-even-know-it">http://www.bicycling.com/training/health-injuries/could-you-have-lyme-disease-and-not-even-know-it</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bicycling.com/training/health-tips/keep-ticks-away-these-tips">http://www.bicycling.com/training/health-tips/keep-ticks-away-these-tips</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.outsideonline.com/1915071/rise-tick">http://www.outsideonline.com/1915071/rise-tick</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191788890691453876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132145155331973671.post-73722822938785511342015-08-16T04:44:00.001-07:002015-08-16T09:41:49.029-07:00BCBR Recap Episode 9: Stage 7, WHISTLER<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-igGe4-IepeQ/VcbvHuc4-LI/AAAAAAAALs8/QD2JxcVHIdE/s1600/07_04_15_BCBR_07_0350-%2528ZF-5691-03469-1-009%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-igGe4-IepeQ/VcbvHuc4-LI/AAAAAAAALs8/QD2JxcVHIdE/s400/07_04_15_BCBR_07_0350-%2528ZF-5691-03469-1-009%2529.jpg" width="400"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
<b><i>This is the final report of my BC Bike Race adventure -- catch up with the story so far at the links below! </i></b><br>
<b><br></b>
<b>Bike Mag Coverage!</b><br>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bikemag.com/events/bc-bike-race-day-0-dont-eat-shit/">Day 0 - Don't Eat Shit</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bikemag.com/events/bc-bike-race-day-1-2015-cumberland/">Day 1 - Cumberland</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bikemag.com/events/bc-bike-race-day-two-welcome-to-the-powell-riviera/">Day 2 - Powell River</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bikemag.com/events/bc-bike-race-day-3-earls-cove-to-sechelt/">Day 3 - Earl's Cove to Sechelt</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bikemag.com/events/bc-bike-race-day-4-sechelt-to-langdale/">Day 4 - Sechelt to Langdale </a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bikemag.com/events/bc-bike-race-day-5-north-vancouver/">Day 5 - North Vancouver </a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bikemag.com/events/bc-bike-race-day-6-squamish/">Day 6 - Squamish </a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bikemag.com/events/bc-bike-race-day-7-whistler/">Day 7 - Whistler </a></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>My Race Reports: </b></span><br>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://krisgross.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-big-bcbr-recap-episode-1.html" style="color: #c95f5f; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-decoration: none;">The Big BCBR Recap! Episode 1.</a></li>
<li><a href="http://krisgross.blogspot.com/2015/07/bcbr-recap-episode-2-day-0.html" style="color: #c95f5f; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">BCBR Recap, Episode 2: Day 0</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://krisgross.blogspot.com/2015/07/bc-bike-race-recap-episode-3-day-1.html" style="color: #c95f5f; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">BC Bike Race recap, Episode 3: Day 1, Cumberland</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://krisgross.blogspot.com/2015/07/bcbr-recap-episode-4-day-2-powell.html" style="color: #c95f5f; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-decoration: none;">BCBR Recap Episode 4: Day 2, Powell Riviera and Conquering Demons</a></li>
<li><a href="http://krisgross.blogspot.com/2015/07/bcbr-recap-episode-5-day-3-earls-cove.html" style="color: #c95f5f; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-decoration: none;">BCBR Recap Episode 5: Day 3, Earl's Cove to Sechelt + An Airplane Ride!</a></li>
<li><a href="http://krisgross.blogspot.com/2015/07/bcbr-episode-6-day-4-sechelt-to.html" style="color: #c95f5f; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-decoration: none;">BCBR Episode 6: Day 4, Sechelt to Langdale ... + CANADA DAY</a></li>
<li><a href="http://krisgross.blogspot.com/2015/07/bcbr-recap-episode-7-day-5-north.html" style="color: #c95f5f; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-decoration: none;">BCBR Recap Episode 7 - Day 5, North Vancouver *Crash!*</a></li>
<li><a href="http://krisgross.blogspot.com/2015/08/bcbr-recap-episode-8-day-six-squamish.html" style="color: #c95f5f; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">BCBR Recap Episode 8: Day Six, Squamish + Mr. G's Wild Ride!</span></a></li>
</ul>
<br>
<div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Sometimes it takes me forever to complete a
book I’m reading because I like it too much. I’m dying to finish it, but in no
hurry to be done with the story. I have been finding
it is the same with the BC Bike Race. Thinking about--then writing--each stage’s report is like
reliving it, and once I finish this one, it will all be over, for real. It’s
funny, because you would think crossing the finish line in Whistler, along with
600 of your new friends, and the warm embrace of the race’s staff, volunteers
and the friends and family you brought with you would be signal enough. But I
think the race is just too big, too special, to fully realize in that moment. I
tried—here is a video of me taken by the paparazzi parental unit that begins to
show me literally trying to catch my breath and feel all the feels while
clinging to Gerhard—but I couldn’t grasp it. I was emotional, but also
overwhelmed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span id="goog_1694982678"></span><span id="goog_1694982679"></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxZTM7HgR-gV45hHwXj2MJYOMlPYl8tG8qKn9sDKPigkactKD8N_Os23ubSzsEJzxj9pDVfqLUGzgVA15SCPQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>
</div>
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Let’s go back to the beginning of the
finish, and I’ll tell you all about the final day in Whistler. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Our crew opted to head out from Squamish
early because my parents really loved Whistler last year, and my dad was all
about hitting up Satchi Sushi as we had the year before (and as he raved about
for the following 363 days). This year, I was liking my chances that we would
actually attend the final banquet, so the eve of Stage 7 was our only sushi chance! We
arrived (if you recall from my previous post) with some very tired riders, but
who had also worked up a great appetite. It was awesome to be joined by family
friends Dennis and Diana, too. With a night of protein and carbs, I was
relieved to knock off my Bike Mag coverage and get to bed on the early side. My
bike slept the night back in Squamish, so I made a plan to ride Gerhard’s
borrowed Altitude to the start line where I could collect my rig, and leave the
demo for G to pick up when they got to the start. <o:p></o:p></span><br>
<span lang="EN-US"><br></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The bike trucks were unloading when I
rolled up, and my bike was on one of the trucks last to be de-biked so I was happy I’d
had a chance to spin a little on the way there—my warm up was getting shorter
by the minute. On warm ups: I had really high hopes for them all week, especially since
strong starts seemed to be a theme to my success, but honestly, by Day 7, ANY
pedal stroke beyond those which were required to get me to the finish line
seemed like risky, match-burning business. My legs were feeling a little like
sand bags, literally held together by tape. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-in1r96m5KZE/VcbuNpFas3I/AAAAAAAALsc/CwvfRg6D-zk/s1600/IMG_9894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-in1r96m5KZE/VcbuNpFas3I/AAAAAAAALsc/CwvfRg6D-zk/s400/IMG_9894.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to line up on Day 7</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US">I spun around a little to make sure my rig
was race ready, but my “warm up” was cursory at best. I should have
investigated the start a little further … <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">For the final stage, we lined up in the
Olympic Plaza, which brought back great memories from my Vancouver 2010
experience. A hundred meters on the grass, and then we were on the road, barreling slightly up towards Blackcomb. As we approached the ski hill from the pavement on a slight left, a unanimous
“are you kidding me?” rose from our start wave. Straight. Up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">And so, we were thusly introduced to the
“don’t think of it as a victory lap” final stage of the BC Bike Race. After
that pitchy first double track, the pain continued along the access road, and
then into the woods for the hardest, longest, most technical, body-English
singletrack climb of the entire week. Combined with the emotional dynamics of a
wheel-to-wheel train of racers, it was a stressful ascent. Thanks to some
errors by both riders around me, and me, I ended up at the front of a group
which was actually the most pleasing place for me to be. I was able to ride how
I ride, without worrying about running into a wheel in front of me, and
focusing 100% on being smooth. The guy behind me however had a bit of a slinky
thing going. He would stumble, and accelerate, stumble, then accelerate,
causing the riders behind him to get vocally aggressive. It was the one time
during the week that I heard racers lose their cool. I opted to pull over and
let them all go around me so I could enjoy the final day. But that was a
mistake. Once you stop in Whistler, it is nearly impossible to get the
flow back because every pedal stroke there is another “thing” – wheel lift,
bridge, skinny, roots, drop, etc. By the time we topped out I was exhausted
mentally and physically, and I wasn’t sure at all how I was doing. A couple
exciting moments flying down steep rock faces and we were flying over a gravel double track to
circumnavigate the lake. I made good time in the open, and the rest of the course
was definitely trending down. Locals and visitors were out in droves cheering
us on through the LAST singletracks of the week. <o:p></o:p></span><br>
<span lang="EN-US"><br></span>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hPBkWnCcifQ/VcbvsBwjuPI/AAAAAAAALt8/ODLFII9apOk/s1600/thumb_IMG_7395_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hPBkWnCcifQ/VcbvsBwjuPI/AAAAAAAALt8/ODLFII9apOk/s400/thumb_IMG_7395_1024.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two years in the making. Feels like I got away with something. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I could hear their energy coming from just a
few switchbacks away and had my first thought of, “oh my gosh, I’m about to finish
the BC Bike Race” but had to quickly banish the idea in case I blew it in the
last few hundred meters. Desperately trying to maintain focus and composure, I
rolled through that cheering section I’d heard only to find that they were our
friends from the massage/chiro/rehab tents. AND they were dressed up
like Wonder Woman, French Fries, High Fives and even a UNICORN in a TUTU. </span><br>
<span lang="EN-US"><br></span>
<br>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;">
<a href="https://instagram.com/p/4umvK6H7YB/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">Cheer zone @bcbikerace Day 7! #BCBR2015</a></div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
A photo posted by DrColinWilson (@drcolinwilson) on <time datetime="2015-07-04T20:48:39+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jul 4, 2015 at 1:48pm PDT</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
<span lang="EN-US">For
whatever reason, THIS is what put me over the edge. A dude dressed up like
French Fries. I lost it, and tears started welling up and my chest hurt even
more than it normally does on course and I had to tell myself out loud to stop
it and finish this thing already. But in a nutshell, those race staff who are so excited for us to finish they hiked into the woods dressed up in costume, screaming their faces off at us is a perfect illustration of how awesome this event is--you felt like that all week. Maybe they weren't actually wearing Super Women costumes, but the volunteers and staff were nonetheless super, and often, even heroic. Certainly, Nathan and Colin (physiotherapist and chiropractor respectively) were my heroes. Huge thanks to them -- Not sure I could have made it without their expert fixes. <o:p></o:p></span><br>
<span lang="EN-US"><br></span>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F3t0OXNW8qM/Vcbu3DBh4kI/AAAAAAAALss/ipEQU1z1EvU/s1600/IMG_9912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F3t0OXNW8qM/Vcbu3DBh4kI/AAAAAAAALss/ipEQU1z1EvU/s400/IMG_9912.JPG" width="400"></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I raced through the last village trails,
raced down the pavement, raced past Tippie in his famous fro wig waving the
checkered flag and high-fived the BC Bike Race gate for the last time as I <i>crossed</i> the <i>finish</i>. The
amazing volunteers were just as stoked as the racers as they awarded us our
belt buckles. <o:p></o:p></span><br>
<span lang="EN-US"><br></span>
<span lang="EN-US"></span><br>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GEYBTRTyF9Y/VdB5aD4eoUI/AAAAAAAALvk/YuPRDq1vgjo/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-08-16%2Bat%2B4.47.26%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GEYBTRTyF9Y/VdB5aD4eoUI/AAAAAAAALvk/YuPRDq1vgjo/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-08-16%2Bat%2B4.47.26%2BAM.png" width="367"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Stage 7 Results </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US"><br></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wy0SxRbX-aQ/VdB5Z4YRZmI/AAAAAAAALvo/knzOqd-WnO0/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-08-16%2Bat%2B4.47.48%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wy0SxRbX-aQ/VdB5Z4YRZmI/AAAAAAAALvo/knzOqd-WnO0/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-08-16%2Bat%2B4.47.48%2BAM.png" width="321"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final Cumulative Results</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<span lang="EN-US"><br></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><br></span>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rpR3OH3UBVs/VcbvAXZgZ4I/AAAAAAAALs0/e3zk45pcx8g/s1600/IMG_9919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rpR3OH3UBVs/VcbvAXZgZ4I/AAAAAAAALs0/e3zk45pcx8g/s400/IMG_9919.JPG" width="400"></a></div>
<br><span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>I did it. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I came back stronger and better than ever
after heartbreak the year before to finish the day in 6</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">th</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> and the week in 5<span style="font-size: 14px;">th</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> place. I put in the training, I picked the perfect bike, I raced smart, and it
all led to this moment.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ovJCVp04xq8/Vcbt8AKt3zI/AAAAAAAALsU/9NbME2-_AIk/s1600/IMG_7485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ovJCVp04xq8/Vcbt8AKt3zI/AAAAAAAALsU/9NbME2-_AIk/s320/IMG_7485.JPG" width="240"></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>We did it.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I may have signed up for the solo category,
but I was never alone. Gerhard supported long hours doing “crazy” training,
never said boo as I spent all of my money (and lots of his too) on power
meters, equipment, plane tickets, and physical therapy. My parents were all in,
twice, arriving in style with a meal plan the Tour De France would be envious
of. They were amazing supporters, comic relief, and mom even became a DJ,
making sure I had a race-ready soundtrack to enjoy with the breakfast she
served every morning (all the while me complaining that I don’t want to eat <i>ANY MORE</i> things). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">And there they were at the finish line, and
they had all the feelings I was too tired and overwhelmed to feel. But I could see them in my mom’s happy tears,
my dad’s proud smile, and my husband’s big bear hug. As I look back now, just
over a month later, it has really sunk in. I was so fantastically lucky to have
the amazing support of my family not just for the week, but for the entire two
year process, including the first attempt last year. I am so incredibly
grateful for them, and almost wish I was signed up for 2016 so we could do it
all again! Dad was so excited by the race, he wants to sign up. If he does, you
can bet I’ll be first in line to drive the RV! <o:p></o:p></span><br>
<span lang="EN-US"><br></span>
<span lang="EN-US">I also want to thank Christine and Papa Gerhard for hosting me in the week leading to the race, and for hosting the whole crazy circus as the race rolled through Cumberland. Thank you for keeping the party going over in Powell River and for all your support, always. It means a lot to me that you share your excitement, and that you've even been inspired to get back to daily riding!! </span><br>
<span lang="EN-US"><br></span>
<span lang="EN-US">Thanks to my amazing nieces Ella and Clara for sending such inspirational video messages! I LOVE to see your pretty faces. Thank you to your expert camerawoman, Kim as well. Love you sis, and appreciate all the pep talks. Thanks also to the head of the Mombourquette-Lake clan Bryan for star appearances in FaceTimes and inspirational videos as well. You guys rule. </span><br>
<span lang="EN-US"><br></span>
<br>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R_rhPH5W-54/VcbvTA_suSI/AAAAAAAALtE/2T34PHk8jy8/s1600/IMG_9922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R_rhPH5W-54/VcbvTA_suSI/AAAAAAAALtE/2T34PHk8jy8/s400/IMG_9922.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Congrats to my coached athlete and Team Ninja teammate Bjorn <br>
for his amazing top-ten finish!! Thank you for being an inspiring, <br>
dedicated athlete. Your hard work showed. I'm so proud! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US">Thanks to Grandpa and Aunt Mindy who followed along and sent their cheers through Mom and Dad! </span><br>
<span lang="EN-US"><br></span>
Thanks to Coach Richard for all of the training leading up to this thing (twice) and thanks to all of my Team Ninja teammates for being the best crew to hang with in all of the races leading up to this one.<br>
<br>
And finally, thank you to everyone who left notes and encouragement on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br>
Keep reading!! There are a few more people to thank as well!<br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.bikes.com/">Rocky Mountain Bicycles</a>: My <a href="http://krisgross.blogspot.com/2015/01/why-rocky-mountain-thunderbolt-is-my.html">Thunderbolt 770 MSL was the perfect rig</a>, but more importantly, it was awesome to feel a part of the Rocky Mountain family, especially as news of my new role with the brand came together on about Day 2. Every day, this crew made you feel like the Rocky Mountain lounge was the place to be. Thank you also for helping Gerhard do the biggest MTB ride of his life on Day 6 with a demo Altitude!! Meant a lot to us! <br>
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A photo posted by Kris Gross (@_krisgross) on <time datetime="2015-06-28T04:07:12+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jun 27, 2015 at 9:07pm PDT</time></div>
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<a href="http://guenergy.com/">GU Energy</a>: I could NOT have done it without the support of GU, and especially Yuri who is always just an email away with the magic elixirs. He even made sure I had a fresh tub of GU Recovery Brew in Chocolate, when it seemed like there was none to be found, anywhere. Yuri, I had that every day and thought of you gratefully every time! GU Brew (lemon tea!!) in my bottles every day, and GUs were taped to my top tube each morning in the perfect assortment, including my favs #SaltedCaramel and #MapleBacon, keeping me properly fuelled and flying. Thank you so much GU!!<br>
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<a href="http://elielcycling.com/">Eliel Cycling</a>: "You know you have the best kits out here, right?" - random racer on Day 5. I totally knew. Spending seven days straight in the best bibs and jerseys ever is its own kind of heaven. Thank you so much to Eliel for making the most amazing gear, but double thanks for making it specially for me--my custom, commemorative BCBR Kits are badass as hell, and super special reminders of an amazing week. Thank you so much for being part of an incredible season.<br>
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<a href="http://ridecyclery.com/">RIDE Cyclery</a>: Between last minute equipment "needs" (yes! I <i>need </i><a href="http://raceface.com/">RaceFace</a> NEXT carbon bars and cranks!), and getting my bike race-tuned and neatly packed, RIDE was there. I'm so grateful for the friends I've made at this shop who were all high-fives as I rolled my bike out in its new case right before departure. I didn't have a single mechanical issue with the bike all week which I know is part luck, but I like to think it's also partly our mechanics' magic. Thanks to Jimi and Blaize for the final customizations and tuning! And to Blaize who does a mean bike pack. Could not have done it without RIDE.<br>
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<a href="http://zoic.com/">ZOIC Clothing</a>: Thank you for being amazing supporters, and for making BC-worthy baggies that I practically lived in. Though I kept it "XC" on the race course, if I was pre-riding or recovering around base camp, my Naveahs are what I reached for. Plus, all the pockets mean I can usually get away with riding pack-free which is always a bonus if you're on the trails and it's in the 90s!<br>
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And with that, it's all done. So much awesome stuff has happened since the race, and in some ways, it happened <i>because</i> of the race. This special week, and its two-year lead up will always mean the world to me. If you're thinking about doing it, <i>do it</i>. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this photo of mom enjoying the scenery on the Peak to Peak. They headed up for some tourist time! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one is really cool. That's my mom! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">.... and that's my dad! Obviously, Peak to Peak was mom's idea. ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom and Me</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191788890691453876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132145155331973671.post-18164619814252367652015-08-01T14:39:00.000-07:002015-08-01T14:39:27.276-07:00BCBR Recap Episode 8: Day Six, Squamish + Mr. G's Wild Ride! <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4IWSZ3n_Flw/Vb0qEhv5XjI/AAAAAAAALpo/wH2nkiBK5Uo/s1600/07_03_15_BCBR_06_0184-%2528ZF-5691-03469-1-002%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4IWSZ3n_Flw/Vb0qEhv5XjI/AAAAAAAALpo/wH2nkiBK5Uo/s400/07_03_15_BCBR_06_0184-%2528ZF-5691-03469-1-002%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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After a little delay I'm happy to be back to project "write all of <a href="http://bcbikerace.com/">BCBR</a> down" with a recap from Stage Six in Squamish. As is the case with this event, every day was my new favorite day. Could not be more true in Squamish. One day, I want to live in Squamish and ride my face off until the end of my days.<br />
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The heat was of course still with us, and thankfully, we started out at a nice morning hour so it stayed manageable for the first couple of hours. We lined up at the community center for the penultimate race of this adventure, and it felt like the nerves were all time for me. I wanted to finish safely, but I wasn't quite ready to be "almost done." I also felt the other ladies nipping at my heels a little bit -- the competition was top notch and no one was giving up anything. Hence, I wanted to have a solid race on our last real shot at GC gains (and at the very least, prevent any losses). </div>
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I have raced in Squamish before, years ago, for the Test of Metal so I had some idea of what was waiting for us out there. I also remembered how awesome it was to climb through town and have so many locals out cheering us on! Even ran into Sarah, who I used to work with back in the Premier's Office! </div>
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Squamish is also awesome because the trails don't wait for you to get out of town limits -- they are right there, in between houses and neighbourhoods. So we moved from road to single track and back again before finally settling into a day in the woods. </div>
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The first descent of consequence was SO fun. Rock drops, big bermy switchbacks, roots, skinnies ... everything you could ever want, challenging enough to scare you, but still just inside the limits of my capabilities, which means you get that awesome pay off: big sense of accomplishment, translating to a confidence boost. Got kind of drunk with it. </div>
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My usual suspects were buzzing around but I maintained my usual strategy of consistent and steady, with no mercy on the climbs. I knew I was holding fifth and hadn't seen the other ladies much after the first technical section. For this big day I added another couple turns of the screw so that I was often riding a little above what I knew I could push, relying on opportunities for recovery to help me balance it out.<br />
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Stand out sections were Half Nelson -- which they should have some kind of warning about. I'm picturing a sign that says "Maximum Fun Ahead" or something -- just so you're not taken by surprise at video game turns, berms, drops and tables. Rollercoaster smoothness, with tons of Gs and I was quickly losing my MIND. I could barely concentrate because I was frothing so hard. More locals were up there cheering us on and trying to impress some kids I accidentally nose-wheelied a landing off a table which was exciting for all involved. So happy to ride it out and hopefully they thought I did it on purpose! </div>
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Half Nelson kept bringing the thrills right into the day's feature trail, Pseudotsuga. Which was basically MORE thrills like Half Nelson's buff single track but with more big berms and a little bit of chunder thrown in.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://www.bikemag.com/events/bc-bike-race-day-6-squamish/">Interviewed this spaceman, Tippie, and found him to be "out of this world"</a></td></tr>
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Squamish was also the biggest day for climbing so adding in its nearly 1,500m was making my efforts costly. I realized I'd overdone it shortly into Powerhouse Plunge and its follow-up single track through the highlands. All of a sudden I felt like my gas pedal had gone dead. Whoops. </div>
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It seemed to be something I could mitigate with just a little more mental focus so I tried to stay centred and remind myself what I was doing constantly. Therefore, the final few km of the stage were some of my hardest. I was thrilled when we popped out back on the pavement, a sure sign the finish was coming quick. Thrilled at least until a pack of 5 in my category mobbed me, and hit the gas through town. I was thusly motivated. The last stretch ended up being an exciting battle through town and connector rec trails as I worked to haul back all but three of the ladies that jumped me. It didn't matter that much, my fifth place in the GC was well-protected. But every day is a race, and I wanted to post a good result as the week wound down. I had to settle for 8th.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1XZupGk3Uk/Vb0tj4ELiZI/AAAAAAAALqo/M4yFZY0S3Ks/s1600/IMG_9888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1XZupGk3Uk/Vb0tj4ELiZI/AAAAAAAALqo/M4yFZY0S3Ks/s320/IMG_9888.JPG" width="213" /></a>With my race over, it was time to recover for the final day in Whistler. But on Day 6, I also got to play support crew! Gerhard joined the industry and sponsor guests of the race to get a taste of Squamish riding and the BCBR experience. His wave left after all of the racer waves, and he'd been out riding all of the same terrain -- all <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/339207180">55km of it</a>. <a href="http://bikes.com/">Rocky Mountain</a> had a sweet Altitude 799 MSL Rally for him to use, Lululemon kitted him out, he borrowed a few things from my stash, and he was off to the races. Literally.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gerhard has a nappetizer before sushi</td></tr>
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I'd love to read his race report on his day but I'll share what he told me at least. Sounded like he started out pretty great with a solid 20km, but then his newness to mtb-ing and sudden dive in caught up with him after the first aid station. He was doing a good job with his eating and hydrating, but on a hot day with a surprise effort like that on your body it was hard for G to keep up with the caloric deficit. Still, he had the same breathless descriptions of the best bits like all of us, so I knew he had a fun time. In the end, he crossed the finish line at 6:29:37, salty and shattered. I have never seen him like that. But under all the sunscreen and dust, there was that telltale single track smile.<br />
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Ladies and gentlemen, Gerhard is now a mountain biker. I was so proud of him for taking on that challenge and for sticking it out right to the end. Just wish we could have ridden it together!!! We will be back.<br />
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/4xDk4ENCOh/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">55 kilometers, 2,000 meters of climbing and nearly seven hours to finish the Squamish stage of the #bcbr2015. I was wrecked after one day. Huge respect for all the riders that ground it out for seven days. Thanks for lending me this empathy machine @rockymountainbicycles.</a></div>
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A photo posted by Gerhard Gross (@gerhardmg) on <time datetime="2015-07-05T19:39:08+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jul 5, 2015 at 12:39pm PDT</time></div>
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Both of us were only too happy to have the AC in the RV and we finished the day with a massive protein intake at Satchi Sushi in Whistler village with mom, dad, and family friends Dennis and Dianna. An awesome day. And just one more to go!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting focused in Wave 2</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another one from the paparazzi </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the front of the race gets ready to roll including our women's winner, Katerina Nash</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gerhard finishing an awesome day in the saddle!! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The face of a champion!! yay G! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">G's borrowed shred sled</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191788890691453876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132145155331973671.post-82407573199569579092015-07-21T21:38:00.001-07:002015-07-22T08:31:18.539-07:00BCBR Recap Episode 7 - Day 5, North Vancouver *Crash!*<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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The gnarly <a href="http://www.bcbikerace.com/the-journey/the-stages/day-5-north-vancouver/">North Shore is the stage</a> looming on most racers' minds. Famous for its signature technical steeps, ladders and roots, it sure isn't one to take lightly, even though it featured one of the shortest distances of the week.<br />
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In preparation, I did a short loop the week prior with a qualified tour guide who showed me all the quick lines -- some were hiding very well. The Bridal Path climb was therefore my favorite section because I was able to avoid traffic, even while in traffic, by snagging all the secret up-and-overs. Flow is the key to riding the North Shore and once you lose it, it's really hard to get going again so I was stoked to be flowing like crazy. Partly thanks to preriding but also partly thanks to the condensed lesson in mountain bike skills that is the BCBR. Also it's possible I was too tired by day five to get off my bike so just letting it roll actually felt like the easier option. </div>
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The day's most poignant climb was Old Buck, a trail as steep as it was long. It was a toughy and I was starting to feel like maybe I didn't bring enough gears as I kept grinding out the up. To my surprise, looking up from the wheel in front of me, I saw a racer coming the other way. Then another. Then a bunch in the leaders' jerseys. What the heck? </div>
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Our group started murmuring and this huge pack of riders riding down told us we were fine, they'd gone the wrong way. But it doesn't matter, you still panic that you're going the wrong way too. We reassured ourselves all the way up Old Buck while remarking, when we see those riders again, they are going to be mad ...</div>
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Apparently, rumor goes the entire front of the race had become victim to some course sabotage on the streets leading to the trails. A couple of our pink trail-marker flags were pulled down from a turn and that sent them off on a tangent. They had to haul ass back the first aid-station to make sure they checked in. I couldn't even imagine how bummed I'd be, but everyone I talked to was so good natured about it. BCBR is full of the best people. </div>
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With heightened awareness of pink ribbons, I kept on trucking, processing nerves as I went but also really happy with how smooth I was riding. <a href="http://www.bikes.com/en/bikes/thunderbolt/2015">Thunderbolt</a> was home and you could tell. It was a joy ripping corners, dropping steeps, and shredding through the tech.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Eyes forward!</td></tr>
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That said, this is also the day I had my one significant bail of the week. In preriding, I knew there was a section that was a little too steep and loose for me to tackle. I planned to grab the hiking route because smooth is fast and I knew that running it would be the smoothest for me in that section. Except on race day, I was better than I guessed, and was happily following a flowy wheel through all the awesome rocks and roots and yup, down that same section. Just as I started my drop, my tired brain caught up and said "oh hey wait, we were going to walk this!" .... And I hit the brakes. </div>
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Probably, I had it. Probably, it was actually already completed if I'd just kept my head up. But I "tripped" and the back end of the bike came up over my head in slow motion. Seriously I had some remarkable hang time. Enough to tell the guy behind me in a full sentence, "I'm going to need some room." Than *splat*. Full face plant.<br />
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Collarbonecollarbonecollarbonecollarbone ...?? Check. Hands??? Check. Nothing but a few scrapes on my elbow and knee and I had to pull the chainrings out of my hip but they'd only made a dent. Didn't even rip my <a href="http://www.elielcycling.com/">Eliel bib shorts</a>. The guy I crashed in front of was a doctor so that's twice in two years I have wrecked in front of medical professionals. But this time I knew I'd be continuing. Phew. Close call. </div>
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I was proud of myself that the incident didn't get into my head and I got right back to riding with the same confidence as before. In fact <i>more</i>, because by then, Christine Shandro had caught up from getting off course and was keeping all the riders around us in check single handedly. With her on my wheel, I had the chance to focus 100% on regaining flow, until she'd got around the last rider between her and me. I led her until she was ready to dust me and then she was gone, fueled by that earlier frustration no doubt, but also offering an awesome clinic as I watched her. The North Shore is her backyard so I was only too happy to hop on her wheel.<br />
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I rode and rode, and some of the climbs were the toughest of the week, combining some line choice, tech and pitch that had you out of the saddle redlining around every switchback. At the end of the last single track climb, we met some awesome locals with the best signs of the day: "beer ahead", "ride it like you stole it" and my personal favorite: "only five switchbacks left". </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We saw this gang and their awesome signs later on the trail. Here they are at the start line. </td></tr>
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I knew where we were: the bottom of the final fire road climb that would take us to Expreso, the day's feature trail, and one I'd had the pleasure of seeing before last year, although this year, we'd get to ride it dry. Someone passed me what I swear was the most delicious orange wedge that ever did wedge, and I settled in and pushed lactic threshold all the way to the top, passing riders and eventually getting a great amount of space between me and others around me so that I could ride how I ride without worrying about holding up some of the guys who LIVE for this kind of stuff. Wade Simmons and friends from the Rocky Mountain "Living Room" up top gave me a super soaker dousing for the road and I was off! Barreling down Expresso was a highlight of the week for me. I rode the entire thing where last year I was too timid to even attempt some of the sections. With a new bike and new confidence I felt like I did some of my best descending of the week so far. Plus, a rider I passed told me I had the best kits out there (I was wearing my <a href="http://teamninjaelite.com/">Team Ninja</a> kit so of course he did!) </div>
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Even though I thought I was super fast, there's always someone faster so when I got passed by local (and fellow Rocky Mountain ambassador) Melanie towards the end of the stage I was a little bummed but I turned it into energy and got by her again, trying to stay on the gas to widen the gap back as much as I could. I did a pretty good job, dropping her on some of the trails through the residential areas, but her home court advantage was actually enough to have bridged to my start wave from the one behind. That means she had two minutes on me that I didn't realize were there til I checked the results. So although I crossed the line ahead, I was 6th on the day behind her 5th, and holding my 5th place in the GC, still enjoying the buffer I'd built up on Day 1.<br />
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I was thrilled to have survived the North Shore and was surprised how much it had been weighing on me. With the weight lifted, and my awesome team of mom, dad, and Gerhard, we loaded up and headed to Squamish in the air-conditioned comfort of our RV (which is the envy of most RV-ers we'd discovered ...always someone asking about "our rig"). </div>
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The end was in sight but there was still so much racing to do. My brain was having a hard time getting it actually, and when we arrived in Squamish, a blistering heat wave was waiting and added to my addlement. No doubt about it, I was tired. With Squamish being the last chance to make any big GC moves, I wanted to have a good race. Gerhard helped me get refocused and we put some extra effort into recovery that night so I could be as fresh as possible. </div>
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We joined Ryan Leech for restorative yoga, and then why not? I signed up for some recreational IV support, sucking up a bag of vitamins and minerals through a tube in my arm. More stretching, rolling, deep breathing, eating (the food on our trip was excellent!! Thanks Mom!) and then it was bed time. Squamish -- the tallest and second longest stage of the bunch -- was waiting to say "gooooood morning!" </div>
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More photos from Day Five: </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rise and shine! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The start waves begin filling in</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Game face</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was in the second wave, so I had the pleasure of trying to catch these speed-demons every day</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last-minute instructions from Dave</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The support crew checked out Lynn Canyon while I was out racing</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">G and Mom, photo by Dad! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of what they saw on their hike</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, crossing the line on Day 5</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TgSKPLjGmHs/Va7lA6RWnyI/AAAAAAAALms/no5T41tTtg4/s1600/IMG_9878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TgSKPLjGmHs/Va7lA6RWnyI/AAAAAAAALms/no5T41tTtg4/s400/IMG_9878.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#ninjaspotting! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out the day's results with Mom</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191788890691453876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132145155331973671.post-3181968146195633352015-07-17T22:29:00.002-07:002015-07-17T22:40:58.028-07:00BCBR Episode 6: Day 4, Sechelt to Langdale ... + CANADA DAY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XO4rrrRwtas/VangJqA7aLI/AAAAAAAALhY/eMRM00DWwts/s1600/thumb_IMG_7363_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XO4rrrRwtas/VangJqA7aLI/AAAAAAAALhY/eMRM00DWwts/s400/thumb_IMG_7363_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Canada Day! Let's Party. </td></tr>
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For Canada Day, we were back at the finish
line in Sechelt, which was now the start line for Day 4. Somewhere on Day 3, the BC Bike Race surpassed the <a href="http://krisgross.blogspot.com/2015/05/race-report-belgian-waffle-ride.html">Belgian Waffle Ride</a> for the honors of "hardest thing ever," and I remember thinking, wow, I can't believe we're only a hair over the halfway mark. Therefore by Day 4, I was definitely well into my daily morning whine of “I’m really tired,” so I was in need of an extra energy boost.</div>
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Just as I was feeling a little dubious about my capabilities, we got to enjoy the most uplifting rendition of “Oh Canada” by one of the ladies from Obsession: Bikes. It brought goosebumps. That was followed by a Sasquatch ripping a guitar solo so
really, anything can happen at BCBR. Stoke restored. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f7sNRsNwjeg/VangmIzqfPI/AAAAAAAALho/P1_XQE2dqAQ/s1600/07_01_15_BCBR_04_0897-%2528ZF-5691-03469-1-005%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f7sNRsNwjeg/VangmIzqfPI/AAAAAAAALho/P1_XQE2dqAQ/s400/07_01_15_BCBR_04_0897-%2528ZF-5691-03469-1-005%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Princess Leia Impression ... so much single track! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I figured since Day 4 was another A to B
course, we would have a similar experience as the day before – plenty of
fireroad connectors and long climbs to look forward to. I was wrong to assume.
Day 4 snuck up to the top of my list of “favorites” in the bunch thanks to its
healthy dose of tight, twisty singletrack featuring rocks, roots and flow. I
kept waiting for those “Death Marches” up gravel roads, and they never really
came. So. Much. Single track. </div>
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Oh wait, there was one stand-out climb. I had run out of water as well which just added to its endearing qualities. Luckily, Tippie and a full cab of BCBR Crew came by and thus, this moment will always be remembered as that time I sucked on Tippie's hydration pack hose, while he held it out a moving truck window, while we climbed up up up. The Thunderbolt loved the climbs, but it really shone on the grand finale ...<br />
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The end of the climb (and day) was an insane near-9km descent
through some of the most fun singletrack of the week. It was the kind of thing that
makes you feel like Princess Leia on Endor. Just insane. Though it was quite
technical at times, Thunderbolt and I stayed upright, though I saw plenty of people
toppling over off of bridges and ridges. My only complaint of the day was that
I was not mentally prepared to really find that extra shredtacular gear, and
therefore traffic was a bit intimidating. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cdXlR2DC0s8/VangdKOBgMI/AAAAAAAALhg/exwusIlshlE/s1600/07_01_15_BCBR_04_0179-%2528ZF-5691-03469-1-006%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cdXlR2DC0s8/VangdKOBgMI/AAAAAAAALhg/exwusIlshlE/s400/07_01_15_BCBR_04_0179-%2528ZF-5691-03469-1-006%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US">Once we got to the bike park (!) I found my
flow (hard to miss!) and had a good rip through trails I probably would have
thought twice about dropping just a few days before. BCBR has the added benefit
of making you a better bike rider. Adapt or die. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I crossed the line with a huge grin on my
face (and sore hands!), sweaty, dusty, and happy in 5<sup>th</sup> place. I was
so happy to have a support crew that day as well because the race ended at the
Langdale ferry terminal on the tarmac, but I just went and hid in the RV with
the AC on, sleeping off the heat, and emerging only for a quick bite of gelato, and a pep talk about mental toughness with Alex Deibold.
Thanks mom, and Olympians! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--DXW_VKXqm0/VaninfZj4jI/AAAAAAAALh0/NBFRKE_BSA0/s1600/IMG_9848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--DXW_VKXqm0/VaninfZj4jI/AAAAAAAALh0/NBFRKE_BSA0/s320/IMG_9848.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US">On the ferry, I got <a href="http://www.bikemag.com/events/bc-bike-race-day-4-sechelt-to-langdale/">some more interviewsdone for Bike Mag</a>, hunted down Margus Riga (who I had been ambushing every day with my "subject du jour" demanding portraits), and even did an interview with Tippie where <i>I </i>was answering questions instead of asking them (which hopefully will never air anywhere because I was a tired, babbling wreck). And then we were off to North Van, where I had to get a
little work done with the my new friend Nathan and the other amazing health pros that travel with the race. Knee/leg/back were holding on ... but only barely. </span>Once I was restored as best we could, it was back home to
bed, and ready to race Day 5, which had definitely been on my mind. Mom, Dad and Gerhard hiked up to the Lions Gate Bridge and watched the fireworks but I was saving whatever "pop" I had left for the course.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/132405100?color=ff9933" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe> <br />
<a href="https://vimeo.com/132405100">Day 4: Sechelt to Lansdale Presented by Ryders Eyewear</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/bcbikerace">BC Bike Race</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191788890691453876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132145155331973671.post-35987447722627263462015-07-15T12:40:00.000-07:002015-07-17T22:44:39.066-07:00BCBR Recap Episode 5: Day 3, Earl's Cove to Sechelt + An Airplane Ride! <div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1wK-2tobnHc/Vaa0goIgfFI/AAAAAAAALf4/UDyKLAiGssQ/s1600/thumb_IMG_7378_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1wK-2tobnHc/Vaa0goIgfFI/AAAAAAAALf4/UDyKLAiGssQ/s400/thumb_IMG_7378_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Ripping the feature trail. Photo by Margus Riga after I yelled, "hey Margus!" </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
For Day 3, I got to fly in a float plane
for the first time. It was the race’s longest day, and toughest logistically
as well. We woke up in Powell River but then had to transfer to Earl’s Cove for
the start of the stage. The majority of the BCBR took over a ferry for the
trip, but a few of us were selected for alternate transportation with the
race’s title sponsor: Harbour Air.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="200" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/132332276?color=ff9933" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe> <br />
<a href="https://vimeo.com/132332276">BCBR 2015 Day 3: Earl's Cove to Sechelt</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/bcbikerace">BC Bike Race</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dyoHrQcV5Zk/Vaa0ba7hPKI/AAAAAAAALe8/nqHg8nUf3Eo/s1600/thumb_IMG_7312_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dyoHrQcV5Zk/Vaa0ba7hPKI/AAAAAAAALe8/nqHg8nUf3Eo/s200/thumb_IMG_7312_1024.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">ExaminingAlex Deibold's <br />
Olympic Ring</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Our flight crew was awesome and included
Olympian Alex Deibold and the newly engaged Sir Geoff Gulevich, and adventurer Tito Tomasi (check out his race report for Enduro Mountain Bike Magazine <a href="http://enduro-mtb.com/en/race-report-french-aventurer-tito-tomasis-full-bc-bike-race-2015/">here</a>!) as well as some other awesome
characters savvy enough to wait for the last flight (or who like me, just listened to BCBR Med Team member-turned-racer, <a href="http://smilewithyourheart.com/">Jenn Thiel</a>). Since there was no one
waiting after us, we got to go the long way and our pilot Reggie skimmed the treetops before the earth fell away as a cliff, complete with waterfall; a sparkling mountain lake; over some cool tidal whirlpools and we were even
joined by some other aircraft and flew in formation with them all the way into
the dock. It was like being in--and watching--an air show all at once.<span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f4e_mLZxRNQ/Vaa0cGNdxcI/AAAAAAAALe4/PVTetZks_Rw/s1600/thumb_IMG_7315_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f4e_mLZxRNQ/Vaa0cGNdxcI/AAAAAAAALe4/PVTetZks_Rw/s400/thumb_IMG_7315_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Up up and away with this crew</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">Regardless of how the race went, I felt
like that was a good day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">However, taking the last plane ride, though extremely
exciting, also left very little in the way of time for getting dressed, ready,
and warmed up. So the start was a little more frantic than I would have liked –
in fact, warming up was out of the question. Plus, it was a mass start, so
before we were going anywhere you had to muscle your way into a good position
on the line. Mine wasn’t great. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPBagx4oqS8/Vaa0f9HFs3I/AAAAAAAALfo/d5IHCHWup0s/s1600/thumb_IMG_7357_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPBagx4oqS8/Vaa0f9HFs3I/AAAAAAAALfo/d5IHCHWup0s/s400/thumb_IMG_7357_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The start line, right at the ferry terminal</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US">Luckily, the course began with a road
section to get us off the ferry dock and into town/trails. With a large pack in
front of me, I was able to get warm in the first few minutes of
racing and was ready to rock by the time we hit the day’s first dirt climbing.
Which was punchy to say the least. It would be easy to underestimate this stage
if you judged it by its first 15-20km as there was plenty of double track,
fireroad under power lines, and even a <i>rude</i> hike-a-bike so steep and hot it made my
calves cramp. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2iStmCStYno/Vaa2lLrsJqI/AAAAAAAALgQ/Amn4EqPGRuQ/s1600/06_30_15_BCBR_03_0297-%2528ZF-5691-03469-1-004%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2iStmCStYno/Vaa2lLrsJqI/AAAAAAAALgQ/Amn4EqPGRuQ/s400/06_30_15_BCBR_03_0297-%2528ZF-5691-03469-1-004%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: BCBR</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">It was a long one, and I was beginning to get
to know some of the competitors around me so it was also mentally taxing as I
worked out some strategies for staying ahead of them. It was also becoming clear what each of us brought to the table in terms of strengths and weaknesses so it was hugely fun to try and use that knowledge to some advantage. Thank goodness for Eliel kits and chamois!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The day finished in grand fashion on a huge
descent which also happened to be its feature trail section. It was fast, steep,
loose, and littered with photographers and cheering sections. It was so fun,
swoopy, with just enough chunk that you could easily forget baking in the
exposed sections earlier in the day. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6FCL9P3Mnc/Vaa2ohsY9JI/AAAAAAAALgY/9ChsQz4KFT8/s1600/06_30_15_BCBR_03_1241-%2528ZF-5691-03469-1-007%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6FCL9P3Mnc/Vaa2ohsY9JI/AAAAAAAALgY/9ChsQz4KFT8/s400/06_30_15_BCBR_03_1241-%2528ZF-5691-03469-1-007%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: BCBR</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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Day 3 was the longest, and in some ways the
toughest of the week, so it was a wonderful feeling to put it behind me, again
back in 5<sup>th</sup> place on the day, and holding 5<sup>th</sup> in the
overall.<br />
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<span lang="EN-US">Day 3 was also dad’s OFFICIAL birthday –
June 30 – so we hopped in the RV and headed out to a local brew pub to
celebrate his 60<sup>th</sup>. There were some other racers/support crews there
as well, enjoying the great location by the water. Back at the campsite, we
gave him his birthday gift of a new Garmin 810, and had delicious coconut ice
cream because have I mentioned? It was hot. </span><br />
<br />
<i>More photos from our flight: </i><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191788890691453876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132145155331973671.post-67565257016032022072015-07-13T17:49:00.000-07:002015-07-17T22:47:29.214-07:00BCBR Recap Episode 4: Day 2, Powell Riviera and Conquering Demons<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nETmGpYgm-Y/VaRSQNiHkBI/AAAAAAAALdA/qB6xFc876xo/s1600/thumb_IMG_7306_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nETmGpYgm-Y/VaRSQNiHkBI/AAAAAAAALdA/qB6xFc876xo/s400/thumb_IMG_7306_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Day Two is Rocky Mountain Day! But you could count on the Rocky Mountain lounge all week :)</td></tr>
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The night before this one, I had to make a stop at the rehab tent where I had the occasion to meet Nathan, the race's physical therapist, who is amazing. Quickly, all the work I had done with Dr. Hagner seemed to be coming unraveled which was both half-expected and maximum depressing. At this point, I still had the idea of DNF looming in my mind because while I wanted to finish this thing so badly I'd already done so almost every night in my dreams, I also didn't want to rip apart an achilles or blow out a knee to do it. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ac75lDTuqEQ/VaRSSHQEcqI/AAAAAAAALdg/IZpzpHShVHU/s1600/thumb_IMG_7379_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ac75lDTuqEQ/VaRSSHQEcqI/AAAAAAAALdg/IZpzpHShVHU/s200/thumb_IMG_7379_1024.jpg" width="150" /></a>Nathan made sure nothing was tearing, and helped to unlock some of the muscles that were having their tug of war and then helped my system out with some strategic taping that was like a miracle in how well it worked. Later, I was walking by the area again and my old friend Dr. Colin (Wilson) stopped me (he had been witness to all the aftermath of my debacle last year, AND had consulted with Nathan as to why I was hanging around the med area again) and did a drive-by adjustment on a couple of things which instantly made me feel better. At the BC Bike Race, you feel like a queen in how well they take care of you, and it's so clear how much everyone wants you to get to the end. I love it. </div>
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So with renewed faith and hope, I headed to bed (after pounding out some words for Bike Mag in one of the nicer "offices" I've ever had the pleasure to work in). </div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dy2wRQc2l9s/VaRSRryLRfI/AAAAAAAALdU/S0lkQ7AYaSc/s1600/thumb_IMG_7310_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dy2wRQc2l9s/VaRSRryLRfI/AAAAAAAALdU/S0lkQ7AYaSc/s400/thumb_IMG_7310_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">My Office on the eve of Day 2 ... wrote <a href="http://www.bikemag.com/events/bc-bike-race-day-1-2015-cumberland/">this piece</a> sitting right here while <a href="https://instagram.com/margusriga/?hl=en">Margus Riga</a> shot one of the portraits we needed with the same backdrop -- absolutely loved working with the BCBR Media Crew! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Powell River is where my race ended last
year (review that sad story <a href="http://krisgross.blogspot.com/2014/07/what-happened.html">here</a> and <a href="http://www.tetongravity.com/story/bike/7-days-30000-vertical-feet-6-tips-to-survive-the-bc-bike-race">here</a>)--so this was my return to the scene of the crime. I didn’t think I had a problem with it though because I knew what went
wrong and how to make sure it didn’t go wrong again. But I was surprised to
find I couldn’t shake the thoughts of what happened. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It felt like every root and tree was
out to get me and that caused me to ride very cautiously. Like, I was a total road block in the singletrack. I was still strong on the
climbs so I made time there, but lost it again once we narrowed up through the trees and those darn roots had me all tense and sketchy. I was passed
by two of the women in my field, and couldn't do a thing about it, so I came in 7<sup>th</sup> that day. I was bummed
about the result, but also really happy to have made it to the end of the
stage. It was one of the best and surreal feelings of my week to NOT be sitting at the (albeit lovely) Powell River Hospital. It felt like I got away with something. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-13DzCtDp5bk/VaRViwiOvBI/AAAAAAAALd0/DlWzZKHLeTk/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-07-13%2Bat%2B5.17.49%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-13DzCtDp5bk/VaRViwiOvBI/AAAAAAAALd0/DlWzZKHLeTk/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-07-13%2Bat%2B5.17.49%2BPM.png" width="343" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">By the way, the stage was a pretty brutal one as well, made slightly more gentle by the amazing people of Powell River who upped the ante on their ferry-boat welcome by lining the trails in costume and high spirits to cheer us on -- even in places that sure felt pretty darn remote!! Vive Powell River. Their encouragement was welcome, as there was much
more pedaling required over very bumpy terrain so it took it out of you, both
mind and body (with special call out to hands). There was a long “flat” section
that was a full-body experience that had racers fighting for every inch. And the bridges, which were awesome (especially the one featuring hula dancers and an amazing corkscrew trail construction) often had railings that were exactly as wide as my Thunderbolt's 760mm bars. Tight squeeze! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xbdmCWG958k/VanoTapX-cI/AAAAAAAALiU/mLWrBVgrWS8/s1600/06_29_15_BCBR_02_0384-%2528ZF-5691-03469-1-003%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xbdmCWG958k/VanoTapX-cI/AAAAAAAALiU/mLWrBVgrWS8/s400/06_29_15_BCBR_02_0384-%2528ZF-5691-03469-1-003%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US">A year ago, I was thinking the entire time
about walking tired, hot quads into the cold ocean but never got the chance
since I had to detour to the hospital. </span>This year, my prize was I got to wade out into the
water. I was feeling pretty overwhelmed (like, a tear or two) standing there. Even though it wasn’t
my best result, it was the best result. Take that, demons. </div>
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P8tslsW8QZw/VaRSPUSTWYI/AAAAAAAALcw/TucRCQxsVCo/s1600/thumb_IMG_7304_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P8tslsW8QZw/VaRSPUSTWYI/AAAAAAAALcw/TucRCQxsVCo/s400/thumb_IMG_7304_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">At last, I got to join fellow racers for that well-deserved dip</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US">Meanwhile, the boys had gone fishing with Captain Dean (again), and
although they didn’t catch anything, Captain Dean wasn’t going to let them go
empty handed so we had some fresh salmon on the BBQ for dinner. A perfect
evening spent with the Gross-Lake clan. Night's like that make you grateful to have the support of family in your crazy adventures, especially thinking back to a very different salmon dinner just a year ago. Onward!!</span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oTv8B64PCYI/VaRSR0bKa1I/AAAAAAAALdY/5Wgze7FvuHo/s1600/thumb_IMG_7309_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oTv8B64PCYI/VaRSR0bKa1I/AAAAAAAALdY/5Wgze7FvuHo/s400/thumb_IMG_7309_1024.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Team Kris, at our same camping site! Christine, Dad, G, and Gerhard, headed back to the ferry escorting my in-laws after an awesome dinner together, prepared by Mom, our 5-star chef</td></tr>
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<b><i>For my Bike Mag coverage of Day 2 (with awesome photos as well as interviews with the Tent City boss, Pup, and Olympic snowboarding bronze medalist Alex Deibold) head over <a href="http://www.bikemag.com/events/bc-bike-race-day-two-welcome-to-the-powell-riviera/">here</a>. </i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/132182192?color=ff9933" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe> <br />
<a href="https://vimeo.com/132182192">Day 2: Powell River presented by Rocky Mountain Bicycles</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/bcbikerace">BC Bike Race</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rdSS1r6wfW8/VaRSPVBNt6I/AAAAAAAALc0/tCQmbe51OzI/s1600/thumb_IMG_7299_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rdSS1r6wfW8/VaRSPVBNt6I/AAAAAAAALc0/tCQmbe51OzI/s400/thumb_IMG_7299_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yoga in Powell River with the gang from Lululemon </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O90DlpuuBMw/VaRSPu_RQDI/AAAAAAAALc4/6dtGsLUVX8g/s1600/thumb_IMG_7305_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O90DlpuuBMw/VaRSPu_RQDI/AAAAAAAALc4/6dtGsLUVX8g/s400/thumb_IMG_7305_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A glimpse of my favorite basecamp</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j5-XXLzcV9c/VaRSQwutysI/AAAAAAAALdQ/osi7TNK3GNs/s1600/thumb_IMG_7307_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j5-XXLzcV9c/VaRSQwutysI/AAAAAAAALdQ/osi7TNK3GNs/s400/thumb_IMG_7307_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The race's Penske trucks all seemed to have their own hashtags -- this one is #R2D2 because of course. </td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191788890691453876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132145155331973671.post-29257150908494720222015-07-12T12:08:00.001-07:002015-07-17T22:50:08.091-07:00BC Bike Race recap, Episode 3: Day 1, Cumberland<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Race Ready with my <a href="http://www.bikes.com/en/bikes/thunderbolt/2015#/models/thunderbolt-770-msl">Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt 770 MSL</a> and brand new AMAZING custom kit from <a href="http://www.elielcycling.com/">Eliel Cycling</a></td></tr>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Day
1 – Cumberland <o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<i>Course info found <a href="http://www.bcbikerace.com/the-journey/the-stages/day-1-cumberland/">HERE</a>. </i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">This stage was important for the race because it would
decide your start wave for the week. It was important for me because I love
riding in Cumberland, and knew I had my best chances for good racing since I
was most familiar with this course. I used the ride from Courtenay to Cumberland as a
warm up and a moment to get centered. Even with the Day -1 debacle, my knee
seemed to be okay, bike was perfect, and I was raring to go. It was awesome to take a minute on the way to the start line to do some big deep breaths, and reflect gratefully on all the people, miles, and work it took to get to this place. Honestly, just making it to the <i>start</i> of the race feels like an achievement to me. There is so much that goes into an event like BCBR, and then on top of that you also need to hope for a little good luck. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l36owXoIRQE/VaKlNGFoDwI/AAAAAAAALbU/HUx7q88lCZk/s1600/raven-of-culture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="352" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l36owXoIRQE/VaKlNGFoDwI/AAAAAAAALbU/HUx7q88lCZk/s400/raven-of-culture.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Learn more about the Cultural Undertones of the BC Bike Race in Cumberland <a href="https://robinincumberland.wordpress.com/2015/07/10/the-cultural-undertones-of-the-bc-bike-race/">here</a><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">Racers were rolling up Dunsmuir already
getting into the start gates so I joined them, quickly finding Bjorn (the athlete I coached to get him ready for this event) and his
partner Eric in the 3.5hrs wave. I had to work really hard not to get swept up in the pre-race festivities because I knew if I started chatting and commenting on all the interesting things happening, I'd lose some focus and I was determined to be 100% "on" this time (lest I wipe out chit chatting on a trail as per last year). And there were festivities! A beautiful "owl" and "raven" danced in the store windows (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJGVqmm_Euk">we later saw them on course as well</a>) and the Comox valley poet laureate, Kevin Flesher</span> delivered an amazing poem, "I am a Mountain Biker," that had us all grinning. </div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Later, when I was <a href="http://www.bikemag.com/events/bc-bike-race-day-1-2015-cumberland/">speaking with course designer Jeremy Grasby about the stage</a>, he told me that Flesher came to a few Cumberland events to help immerse himself in our MTB culture before he wrote this masterpiece. He nailed it, so obviously he is a worthy man for the title of Poet Laureate. Check it out (kudos to Step Carruthers for uploading this awesome memory!): </span><br />
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During his performance, I was nervous but not nervous. Excited maybe is the better word. I felt like even though there was the surprise heat, I had a good race in me and was eager to get through the weird energy at the beginning of the BCBR, when everyone is gnawing on fears of the unknown, and move into the "in progress" stage of the ultimate singletrack experience. </div>
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<span lang="EN-US">On "go," I had some ground to make up to get
to the front of the wave and hopefully cut down on the dust inhalation. I
skirted the pack up the side, and got into the fireroad near the front. Gave it
some gas before settling in to the first big climb of the day … about 45
minutes to the top, with plenty of it exposed under the hot sun. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uafH81jmCAE/VaKDgCF5FtI/AAAAAAAALa0/otPfVtqnXYU/s640/blogger-image-333788492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uafH81jmCAE/VaKDgCF5FtI/AAAAAAAALa0/otPfVtqnXYU/s400/blogger-image-333788492.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The start of the start of the ultimate singletrack experience.</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US">I remember last year the first singletrack
was tough as it was technical, uphill, and wet from the morning dew. This year,
there was no morning dew. It was bone dry, I had a different bike much better
equipped to handle the technical roots and drops and I was rolling really well. Nothing to do but pedal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I made great time on the climb, and lost none in
the singletrack. Thank goodness for the women of the Wednesday night ride for showing me some of the opening sections, including Blockhead, Bucket of Blood, and Bear Buns. I was able to coach a rider through some of the sections to prevent any impediment to my own progress, and nailed a few lines I was too shy to hit the week previous, including a gnarly drop, the likes of which are not normally in my bag of tricks. Before I knew it, we were beginning the second loop.
It was tough to go through camp … and lots of people opted not to finish the
stage, that’s how hot it was. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">Next up was the Trent Main ascending to Thirsty
Beaver. I got some serious work done passing another three women in my category
suffering on the climb. This is where living in SoCal I think gave me an edge. I was working, but I never crossed the line into "suffering" until the final few meters. I could just "set and forget" at lactic threshold and diesel my way up like I was back on my old dump climb at La Costa. I LOVE Thirsty Beaver, had practiced it, and nailed all
the cleanest lines. Powered to the day’s feature trail, Blue Collar, and
shredded the hell out of that too. It's always awesome when a rider gets on your wheel, you ask if they want by, and they say "no way, you're ripping" -- so I was stoked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Crossed the line super happy with my ride,
confidence, and focus, and was even happier to find out it was <a href="http://racedaytiming.ca/results/2015BCBRDay1#.VaK5B2C3A0s">good enough for5th place</a>. I juggled my delicious daily dose of <a href="https://guenergy.com/">GU Recovery Brew</a> (in hard-to-find chocolate, thanks to Yuri!!), Coke, and as many potato chips as I could cram in my face. </span></div>
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Results:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="200" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/132078347?color=ff9933" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe> <br />
<a href="https://vimeo.com/132078347">Day 1: Cumberland presented by BC Ferries</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/bcbikerace">BC Bike Race</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">The team was with me, and after grabbing a quick shower at the race -- which was 100%, all-the-way-over cold -- we were off to
Courtenay and then the ferry, ready for Powell River. I did some more
interviews on the boat and then we got to walk off and enjoy the amazing
hospitality of the town as they welcomed us with drums, pipes, and crowds. We
felt like rock stars. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1uE5kCzT5mI/VaK4nsHXnpI/AAAAAAAALbg/nSjlCT0YsqA/s1600/thumb_IMG_7294_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1uE5kCzT5mI/VaK4nsHXnpI/AAAAAAAALbg/nSjlCT0YsqA/s400/thumb_IMG_7294_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to the Powell Riviera! A warm welcome from the community. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4hQcMbxogKQ/VaK4nvZI25I/AAAAAAAALbk/tHKIkDFuvSU/s1600/thumb_IMG_7296_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4hQcMbxogKQ/VaK4nvZI25I/AAAAAAAALbk/tHKIkDFuvSU/s400/thumb_IMG_7296_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first time I've ever been piped in anywhere! So awesome. </td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191788890691453876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132145155331973671.post-36103077859743736272015-07-11T16:30:00.000-07:002015-07-11T16:30:00.341-07:00BCBR Recap, Episode 2: Day 0<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_UayT_Nin_A/VaFtNwdtaUI/AAAAAAAALZs/Q_wADaVdrvY/s1600/thumb_IMG_7283_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_UayT_Nin_A/VaFtNwdtaUI/AAAAAAAALZs/Q_wADaVdrvY/s400/thumb_IMG_7283_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt 770 MSL, ready to race</td></tr>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Day
0 – Vancouver <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Day 0 of the BC Bike Race is Safety Meeting
Day. We learn about course markings, race protocols, how to take care of
ourselves and each other and other important info. It’s also the first time
everyone is in the same room together. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I cabbed over while Mom, Dad and
Thunderbolt got packed up and ready to head over to Courtenay on the ferry.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FLkLHUbZQt8/VaFtLLOTkVI/AAAAAAAALZM/BdNM8pEB4gQ/s1600/thumb_IMG_7269_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FLkLHUbZQt8/VaFtLLOTkVI/AAAAAAAALZM/BdNM8pEB4gQ/s400/thumb_IMG_7269_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">BCBR Class of 2015</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Ninja Spotting! Me and Benjamin</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Once our meeting was finished … details you
can catch in my <a href="http://www.bikemag.com/events/bc-bike-race-day-0-dont-eat-shit/">Day 0 coverage of Safety Director Brooks for Bike Mag</a> (be sure to click because those photos are way better than mine!) … we
loaded into the buses and headed to the ferry terminal at Horseshoe Bay. I rode
with Benjamin, a fellow Ninja from the Bay Area. We marveled at what “Drought”
looks like in BC vs California. Everything was still so green and lush compared
to home. It was also awesome to see the Sea to Sky from the perspective of
someone seeing it for the first time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
<span lang="EN-US">From online to real life! This is <a href="https://twitter.com/_krisgross">@_krisgross</a> make sure to follow her stories I promise you wont regret <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bcbr2015?src=hash">#bcbr2015</a> <a href="http://t.co/AF9JEzoCT0">pic.twitter.com/AF9JEzoCT0</a></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US">— Norma Ibarra (@LaPir0) <a href="https://twitter.com/LaPir0/status/614867213196070912">June 27, 2015</a></span></blockquote>
<span lang="EN-US"> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
At the ferry terminal, we had a wait, so I
did some writing, sitting in the shade, and visiting. I met Mark, a fellow with
a cast, and I asked what happened – he’d had a crash preriding in North Van and
broken his wrist. He wouldn’t be starting the race. My heart broke for him and
I tried to offer some encouraging words to travel with the race, and come back
to do it again once he’d seen it all. I hope he does but I didn’t see him again
during the week. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Hard at work. <br />
Clayton (Mountain Bike Action) and me (Bike Mag)</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">On board the boat, Clayton and I made use
of the business cubbies and sat quietly together writing. We had a good laugh
at the interview I’d snagged with Brooks … the parts I can’t publish that is …
and before we knew it, we were in Nanaimo boarding the next set of school
buses. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I rode with another
social-media-turned-real friend Mike Sarnecki. And none other than Brett Tippie
sat down behind us. The trip to Naniamo included a Tarzan joke, and a long riff
about enemas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tippie and I en route to Cumberland </td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Cumberland was the hottest I’d ever
experienced in BC when we arrived. The grass was crunchy, the heat oppressive,
and the splash park full of adults … <a href="http://m.bikemag.com/events/bc-bike-race-day-3-earls-cove-to-sechelt/">including two guys in stars and barsspeedos. My first glimpse of some other Bike Mag profiles I did during theweek. </a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment--><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">Gerhard and Reinholt picked me up and we
spent the evening in Cumberland celebrating Dad’s 60<sup>th</sup> birthday
together with Gerhard’s family and mine. I also put the final touches on race
preparation. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>BC Bike Race had arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><i>A few more photos from Day 0: </i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S2eRrtgUHUQ/VaFtKfKNQsI/AAAAAAAALZA/4adSSDUIr4Y/s1600/thumb_IMG_7262_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S2eRrtgUHUQ/VaFtKfKNQsI/AAAAAAAALZA/4adSSDUIr4Y/s400/thumb_IMG_7262_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Good morning BCBR!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iOu7o1Fh3Kc/VaFtKcjfYoI/AAAAAAAALY8/4WL-xRlKiVU/s1600/thumb_IMG_7268_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iOu7o1Fh3Kc/VaFtKcjfYoI/AAAAAAAALY8/4WL-xRlKiVU/s400/thumb_IMG_7268_1024.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Wild beasts among us</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QoSyR3dy89c/VaFtMPpn1ZI/AAAAAAAALZU/2BEurA6frfs/s1600/thumb_IMG_7275_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QoSyR3dy89c/VaFtMPpn1ZI/AAAAAAAALZU/2BEurA6frfs/s400/thumb_IMG_7275_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">The race about to offload in Nanaimo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JszpUa4zmAU/VaFtM9pch5I/AAAAAAAALZk/njN9BA4HRtc/s1600/thumb_IMG_7280_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JszpUa4zmAU/VaFtM9pch5I/AAAAAAAALZk/njN9BA4HRtc/s320/thumb_IMG_7280_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The happiest place in Cumberland: splash park </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wEnnI_U3DMc/VaFtN7AGQ5I/AAAAAAAALZ0/eeBsO4O-f8w/s1600/thumb_IMG_7284_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wEnnI_U3DMc/VaFtN7AGQ5I/AAAAAAAALZ0/eeBsO4O-f8w/s320/thumb_IMG_7284_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Birthday dinner at the Gross home in Courtenay</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191788890691453876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132145155331973671.post-21101205430050673642015-07-11T11:27:00.000-07:002015-07-11T11:27:35.043-07:00The Big BCBR Recap! Episode 1. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6EJiC_5thj0/VaFb913HaeI/AAAAAAAALX8/F_U8UKNdgZk/s1600/thumb_IMG_7231_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6EJiC_5thj0/VaFb913HaeI/AAAAAAAALX8/F_U8UKNdgZk/s320/thumb_IMG_7231_1024.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Thunderbolting on the Ferry (Day -2)<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I wanted to blog throughout the race as I did last year but it just wasn't meant to be because I was too busy kicking ass and stuff ;) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"></span><br /><span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">So! For your reviewing pleasure (and for posterity) I have been chipping away at a recap day by day, beginning with "Day -1" ... which was a doozy. Stay tuned and I'll keep posting daily updates all week. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"></span><br /><span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It was been two weeks almost to the day
since the BC Bike Race adventure began, and the time since has all blurred into
one long snoozy state between napping, eating, and thinking about singletrack
past. Billed as “The best week on a bike,” I think if you ride bikes, you can
just cut it down to “The best week.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">My week was made even better because I was
joined by so many family members, including Gerhard, Mom, Dad, Gerhard’s Mom
and Dad, and my brother-in-law, Reinholt. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My sister Kim, brother-in-law Bryan and
favorite nieces Ella and Clara sent video messages of encouragement along the
way as well, joining us virtually. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Gerhard, Mom, Dad and I were the core crew,
RV-ing our way along the course and getting along the entire time despite the
cramped quarters and insane heat wave. We began in Vancouver … <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Day
-1 – Vancouver (Friday June 26)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5heZpHoIJbc/VaFb-LK98wI/AAAAAAAALYo/isLFI3cfdGc/s1600/thumb_IMG_7233_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5heZpHoIJbc/VaFb-LK98wI/AAAAAAAALYo/isLFI3cfdGc/s320/thumb_IMG_7233_1024.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Getting around North Van by boat, bus, and bike (Day -2)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Hate to start off on a bummer, but this day was a nightmare for me. But better
to get this all out of the way before the actual race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The day before, I moved over from the Island,
got in an awesome ride with Bryan from Rocky Mountain to check out some of the
North Van course and then enjoyed Bjorn and Amber’s hospitality as they
graciously let me crash at their North Van hotel. That set me up perfectly for
Day -1. It started out all right<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>… I had
my bike, so I was using that to get around. Unfortunately, I also had a
50-pound pack to get around with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I headed to <a href="http://www.endlessbiking.com/">Endless Biking</a> in the morning
to catch up with <a href="http://www.bikemag.com/events/bc-bike-race-day-3-earls-cove-to-sechelt/">Kelli Sherbinin for an interview for my Bike Mag coverage</a>,
which was easy – Endless Biking was about 500m from the hotel. From there I had
to get over to registration at the Harry Jerome Rec Centre (less than 5km), and
from registration, connect with my parents at the RV park (another 5km that was
actually more like 7km). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I had hoped to hear from them in the
morning so I could ditch my pack in the RV when they rolled by, but thanks to
Verizon being totally useless, I had no cell service the entire time I was
outside the US. Unless I had wifi, I couldn’t text or call anyone. <b>Verizon,
this is therefore all your fault. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pOqsDsc_li8/VaFb-EUO-HI/AAAAAAAALYA/S6SdUS_ORjM/s1600/thumb_IMG_7236_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pOqsDsc_li8/VaFb-EUO-HI/AAAAAAAALYA/S6SdUS_ORjM/s320/thumb_IMG_7236_1024.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Like a moth to the flame: WiFi hotspot (Day -2)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">By the time I heard from my parents, they
were already comfortably parked and set up with the RV at the RV park. So I was
on my own. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I figured, it’s not that far … I’ll just
ride, get this done, then spend the rest of this hot afternoon resting getting
ready for the race. I was anxious to get my feet up because truth be told, I
had been a little too enthusiastic with my pre-riding on the island, but how
could you NOT ride Cumberland when it’s right out your door? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I started the short roll to the rec center
and quickly realized I had made a big mistake. My route included a hill that
had to be at least a category 2. There was no way I was riding up it with this
dang pack on. So I hoofed it. In the hot sun. Very quickly, sweat stains ceased
to be a concern because my top was just 100% soaked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Once at the top of this mountain, the going
was much easier, and I thought, well, I will definitely figure out something
else to get to the RV Park because that was insane. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lt4TXLMTZhI/VaFcAAayNDI/AAAAAAAALYU/xjtlGYh6ips/s1600/thumb_IMG_7258_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lt4TXLMTZhI/VaFcAAayNDI/AAAAAAAALYU/xjtlGYh6ips/s400/thumb_IMG_7258_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The gathering throngs at registration! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Registration was awesome, it was so cool to
meet all the racers and see the bikes being unloaded and red racer bags on
their way out the doors. I ended up in the mix with a fellow media person,
Clayton, so we went through the process together. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Once we were done, it was back to figuring
out logistics. Since Verizon sucks, I had been taking screen shots of apple
maps to help me while I had no connection. So I had directions, after a
fashion. Now I just needed transportation. Riding was not going to happen
because now I had a 50-pound pack, a bike, AND my BCBR-issued red racer bag. (I
did try riding, one-handed with the pack on, and towing my roller bag, but it
just felt like the beginning of the worst BCBR non-starter story ever …). A
volunteer called me a cab, but I quickly realized it was useless to call a cab.
By now, registration was in full swing, with cabs and riders all over the
place. I tried to get three or four cabs, but kept getting beat to the punch. It
was 35<span style="color: black;">°C out, and I was already up to an hour of
this. So … I thought I’d walk. At least away from the rec center and try for a
cab elsewhere along the way. However, unbeknownst to me, the only map I had
showed me a route that went basically 100% through a residential area. After a
solid hour and a half, someone drove by me yelling “yeah!! BCBR!” then they
realized I was a long way from anything and stopped to see if they could help
me. It was Pup! <a href="http://www.bikemag.com/events/bc-bike-race-day-two-welcome-to-the-powell-riviera/">Another one I interviewed for Bike Mag </a>– this was our first
meeting. He thought I was heading back to the hotel and that he could maybe
take my bags but I was headed elsewhere, and he didn’t have room for my bike.
So that didn’t work out. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c7imaYLMQk8/VaFb_LT1fHI/AAAAAAAALYI/z1tUayCOyuw/s1600/thumb_IMG_7250_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c7imaYLMQk8/VaFb_LT1fHI/AAAAAAAALYI/z1tUayCOyuw/s200/thumb_IMG_7250_1024.jpg" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">directions, wifi free<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kYF3OtjM3OQ/VaFb_pA_0II/AAAAAAAALYQ/k2_e8Lhl46o/s1600/thumb_IMG_7251_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kYF3OtjM3OQ/VaFb_pA_0II/AAAAAAAALYQ/k2_e8Lhl46o/s200/thumb_IMG_7251_1024.jpg" width="112" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">This all happened in
the parking lot of a mini-grocer, so I told him it was fine, I would call a cab
from here (the first public anything I’d come across). So he headed out. And I
looked for a payphone. The store didn’t have one. And she didn’t speak English
very well and wasn’t into me using their phone. But there was a boy in the
front selling raspberries. He said if I bought some berries, he’d call me a
cab. By this point, I’m half (okay, 100%) stupid with dehydration and heat stroke and had
tunnel vision about this cab idea. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">So I spent my only Canadian cash on his dumb
berries (which was good anyway because I hadn’t eaten yet and it was already
well-past lunch time) and he called the cab. “It’s busy,” he said. “I’ll try
again.” After a really valiant <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">two</i>
tries, he gave up and basically just left me to fend for myself. “Where are you
going? Oh that’s really close, you’re almost there,” he said dismissively. I was dubious,
but out of options, I continued. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">Another hour of this
insanity and I finally reach an area of shops and busy streets. There are
buses, but I didn’t know where they went, nor did I have any fare because I
gave it to the useless berry seller. But I did find a Starbucks and a wifi
connection and was saved. I texted my parents who called a cab to come and
collect me. But they didn’t tell him there was a bike, so when he got there, he
almost said he wouldn’t take me. But I bullied the bike into the back of his
car, got in the front, and demanded he take me to the RV Park. Now. I was
starving, hot, frustrated, and the best part was I was pretty sure I’d blown
all the physio therapy I’d had on my knee since it was howling with pain, two
days before the race. I could have thrown up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">The team caught me at
the RV Park, put food in me, and I got into the pool. I swear steam sizzled off
me when my overheated skin hit the water. I went to bed shortly after that
because that was the stupidest day ever. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">Great start! </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for my cab. At last. </td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191788890691453876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132145155331973671.post-32860987515534678322015-07-01T21:20:00.000-07:002015-07-01T21:20:06.046-07:00Update from #BCBR2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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I'm too tired to blog so how about a video update?!<br />
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BC Bike Race is like mountain bike summer camp, everyone is awesome, the crew is next-level, the riding is amazing, the emotions are high and my support team (parents, parents-in-law, bro-in-law and husband) is just outrageously awesome.<br />
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I'm having the best time, and holding a fifth place in the overall GC, as well as 3 fifth place stage finishes, and one seventh place.<br />
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Met tons of awesome people, laughed a lot, suffered a lot, and honestly can't say enough about the race. And we still have three days to go!!<br />
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Tomorrow we tackle North Vancouver before heading up the Sea to Sky to Squamish, and then Whistler for day 7. Cross your fingers for me! It's the BCBR and anything can happen.<br />
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Hugest of thanks to Eliel Cycling (who have just launched their new website and retail line, check it out!), Rocky Mountain, Gu Energy, RIDE Cyclery, ZOIC Clothing, and Schwalbe. My Thunderbolt is perfect, tire choice (Nobby Nics) is spot-on, there is no other kit I'd like to spend this kind of time sitting in, and I don't think I will EVER get tired of #saltedcaramel. But sometimes I have a #maplebacon just for fun.<br />
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PS I've been writing away for Bike Mag as well this week, so check out some of my coverage over at bikemag.com :) It has been awesome to connect with so many rad people.<br />
<a href="http://www.bikemag.com/events/bc-bike-race-day-0-dont-eat-shit/">Day Zero</a><br />
<a href="http://www.bikemag.com/events/bc-bike-race-day-1-2015-cumberland/">Day One</a><br />
<a href="http://www.bikemag.com/events/bc-bike-race-day-two-welcome-to-the-powell-riviera/">Day Two</a><br />
<a href="http://www.bikemag.com/events/bc-bike-race-day-3-earls-cove-to-sechelt/">Day Three</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recovery dip in Powell River </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Base Camp</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ever-popular Rocky Mountain Lounge </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Kris! Thanks Christine and Gerhard for everything! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our air crew!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wouldn't know where to start ... </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The BCBR Racers are way down there on that boat</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flying with friends</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our ride</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The start of Day 3, Earl's Cove to Sechelt -- the longest of the race </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This morning's start in Sechelt en route to Langdale </td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191788890691453876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132145155331973671.post-29302083480862427932015-06-26T12:19:00.002-07:002015-06-26T12:19:57.808-07:00BCBR update 2 from Day -1<br />
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I have been on the go a lot over the past couple of days - another couple of rides in, connecting with my parents who are now here in Vancouver, with Gerhard following tonight, and meeting all kinds of awesome members of the BCBR Family, including racers, course designers, bike patrollers and more. </div>
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This year on top of riding (cause that's not hard enough), I'll also be sharing some "tales from the bike wash" for Bike Mag so stay tuned for coverage starting on Sunday. Let's see if I can pull this off, eh? If you're reading this and part of the race, let me know if you have a great BCBR story to share and I'll come find you :) </div>
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Anyway, to keep it quick, here are a few pics I snapped on my phone over the past couple days with some rambling to go with them. Energy is building, excitement is palpable and everyone is ready to get rolling! </div>
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I am SO thrilled to be working with my sponsors at <a href="http://www.elielcycling.com/">Eliel</a> all the time, but for this particular week, I'm on cloud nine. Just LOOK at what they have put together for me for this special occasion! I will be rolling in style. Gerhard has the new kits which on Monday were just a couple of jpegs, and by Thursday afternoon were fully printed and sewn, high-end, high tech examples of kit-doping. Look for these on the trail! Stoked. </div>
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Spotted this 2016 Thunderbolt on the Cumberland Women's Ride (UROC) on Wednesday night. It was the best night. Thanks to the six women in my group for an epic tour and awesome vibes. Got a nice preview of the BCBR course over Blockhead and the newly routed Bear Buns, plus we did a bonus round on Climax with some time on Broadway, and some other new-to-me trails I can't name this second but that were all amazing. We rode until 9pm and it was still totally light out. Cumberland is heaven. </div>
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This is the whole ladies' group meeting outside the Riding Fool Hostel in Cumberland - the place to stay if you're visiting the area, which you definitely should. Our group had THREE Thunderbolts out of six riders in it ... it was a THUNDERSTORM.<br />
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There are so many awesome trails in Cumberland, even the locals gotta double check the map. </div>
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The Wednesday Night Bike Gang. </div>
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The next morning, my Thunderbolt and I made our way over to the mainland from Nanaimo. Thanks to Gerhard and Christine for the lift -- I was the last one on the boat but just made it! It was funny to learn that your bike is treated like a vehicle so I got to ride on with the cars and then roll on up to the front. This is the view -- a first for me -- of us docking in Horseshoe Bay. I met lots of cool cyclists on the ferry and one day it would be neat to do it with a proper touring bike like they were.<br />
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Next, Thunderbolt and I hit up the bus! It was a long beautiful trip into Vancouver and I can't get over how many senior citizens use the public transit! And even more next-level, they ALL seemed to know each other! For $4, it was a nice alternative to riding with my giant hiking pack. </div>
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After posting up at a Starbucks to do some work, I got a quick tour of Rocky Mountain HQ and then hit up some North Van trails with my tour guide, Bryan. Perfect "gnarly north shore" shake down ride and I was feeling great, albeit hot. It's going to be a tough week for hydration! After the ride, I connected with the athlete I've been working with, Bjorn, down at BCBR central for racers, the Holiday Inn. From there, we headed to Granville Island for dinner at The Sandbar with my folks. And check out these silos we spotted! </div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VWpQbMtZNfc/VY2gDNqyenI/AAAAAAAALU0/du7eMyYZPg8/s640/blogger-image-1447533500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VWpQbMtZNfc/VY2gDNqyenI/AAAAAAAALU0/du7eMyYZPg8/s400/blogger-image-1447533500.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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When we got back to the hotel after a nice little tour of Stanley Park and the Lionsgate Bridge, we saw this sign and had to wonder.<br />
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And that brings us to this morning when I was caught having a threesome. o_0</div>
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Registration is today, and later I'll be moving into our home on wheels, the RV so stay tuned on Instagram for more shares a little later on. </div>
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Tomorrow: Safety Meeting and transfer to Cumberland! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191788890691453876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132145155331973671.post-18282056015542930652015-06-24T10:32:00.002-07:002015-06-24T10:35:45.750-07:00Back to BCBR<b>Q: How do you know if someone's doing the BC Bike Race? A: Just wait. They'll tell you.</b><br />
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It's hard not to bring up <i>this thing</i> that takes up so much of your time, money, and daily strategizing, so I can't dispute that punch line. But I've tried to keep it to a dull roar so as to be a little more respectful of my friends' and family's attention spans now that we're two years deep into project "Cross the Finish Line in Whistler."<br />
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Before I say anything else I want to say thank you to my coach Richard La China, my husband Gerhard, my mom and dad, Gerhard's mom and dad, my friends and riding buddies who hear about almost nothing but, and Dr. Tony Hagner who helped me over my last hurdle. Honestly, if you find yourself standing on the start line of BC Bike Race, with all the stars and luck having aligned to get you that far, pat yourself on the back. You've done a great job. The hardest part is over. The rest is just riding your bike.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0FzHfDN5oqM/VYrmdt078OI/AAAAAAAALSk/bqbprdwCy-M/s640/blogger-image-467312111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0FzHfDN5oqM/VYrmdt078OI/AAAAAAAALSk/bqbprdwCy-M/s400/blogger-image-467312111.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BC Bike Race, here we come! </td></tr>
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I left SoCal on Monday, had a lovely dinner in Calgary with my friend Aoife who got me drunk on peach sangria and sirloin Alberta beef steak before putting me back on the plane. Next stop, Comox, to stay with Gerhard's parents for a few days and check out Cumberland, which is only a short ride away from their back yard.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zoklmOogMkk/VYrmxVq-CiI/AAAAAAAALTc/USKQ9dHayv0/s640/blogger-image--364942394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zoklmOogMkk/VYrmxVq-CiI/AAAAAAAALTc/USKQ9dHayv0/s640/blogger-image--364942394.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">One last shot of my long hair (read on!) ... and mounting the derailleur</td></tr>
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Special shout out to the team at <a href="http://www.thule.com/en-us/ca/products/carriers-and-racks/bike-carriers/bike-carrier-accessories/thule-roundtrip-pro-_-1683468">Thule</a> who have made a <a href="http://reviews.mtbr.com/gear-review-thule-roundtrip-pro-bicycle-travel-bag">bike bag that is an absolute joy to travel with</a>. And extra thanks to WestJet who handled it with kid gloves apparently -- it emerged without a scratch, scuff, or even a spec of dust, and when it was time to build my bike, it was literally 15 minutes start to finish, thanks to a handy built-in work stand. The bike goes in vertically, rather than the traditional clam-shell style, with plenty of room for wheels on either side of the frame, neatly housed in their own special bags.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l6kM3ZqqA2M/VYrmb69Fq6I/AAAAAAAALSc/CO5C9u-zvWs/s640/blogger-image--1296341053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l6kM3ZqqA2M/VYrmb69Fq6I/AAAAAAAALSc/CO5C9u-zvWs/s400/blogger-image--1296341053.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Step one ... remove all the foam! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">15 minutes later it's pretty much done!!</td></tr>
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I will bring my bike everywhere now that I know it's that easy. Blaize at <a href="http://www.ridecyclery.com/">RIDE Cyclery</a> did an awesome job checking that last tune and packing it up for me so all I had to do was unwrap some foam, throw on my pedals, reattach the derailleur, and re mount the handlebar (not even the stem!).<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XJttzeVCc5M/VYrmvRpJToI/AAAAAAAALTU/z-Dz09jhgGg/s640/blogger-image-1082616111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XJttzeVCc5M/VYrmvRpJToI/AAAAAAAALTU/z-Dz09jhgGg/s400/blogger-image-1082616111.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt 770 MSL - Just add wheels</td></tr>
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I took a brief break to go get my hair cut because I figure I could knock off another couple of ounces by taming my unruly mane. I wouldn't normally mention my hair cut, but it was done by this fellow Jason, at <a href="http://rootsthesalon.com/">Roots</a> in Courtenay, who is amazing. He is a professional yo-yo-er, flies kites (in preparation for kite surfing lessons this year), dance instructor, dad, park rollerblader, mountain biker (hardtail ... in Cumberland ...) and some other stuff I can't remember now (there was so much!). But he pretty much 100% embodied the "<a href="http://cdn.someecards.com/someecards/usercards/1338265360835_809270.png">NFG</a>" attitude that makes people amazing, authentic humans.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PPX7TdDsrfs/VYrmp9Ohg-I/AAAAAAAALTE/N0402UNA0WU/s640/blogger-image-2138590965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PPX7TdDsrfs/VYrmp9Ohg-I/AAAAAAAALTE/N0402UNA0WU/s200/blogger-image-2138590965.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Quick bathroom selfie <br />
before I ruin my new haircut</td></tr>
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After that experience, my mother-in-law Christine and I headed to <a href="http://www.thebrokenspoke.ca/">Broken Spoke</a> -- a coffee shop and bike shop in one! -- where we sipped lattes and slayed the crossword puzzle. Pretty sweet.<br />
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Then it was time to ride. I'd been putting it off to be honest. I was nervous because for the last month, I've been dealing with a SURPRISE injury to my left leg that has apparently been lurking for quite some time but reached full painful potential a month before the race. <u>Because of cours</u>e. Unable to pedal my bike for most of the last few weeks, I have been a little dark-of-spirit.<br />
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Fast forward through plenty of stretching, icing, warming, arnica-ing, painful therapy, whining, and finally, a gentle return to the bike, and you can imagine my trepidation, I'm sure. I'm very happy to report that <a href="http://drtonyhagner.com/">Dr. Hagner</a> is in fact some kind of wizard, and has seemingly brought my leg back to life. My ride was awesome.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V0_V1L9H2Is/VYrmoHCLKmI/AAAAAAAALS8/gwjpyyNpENA/s640/blogger-image-384296171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V0_V1L9H2Is/VYrmoHCLKmI/AAAAAAAALS8/gwjpyyNpENA/s400/blogger-image-384296171.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The famous Syke's Bridge</td></tr>
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Stopped at two more bike shops for the fun of it (<a href="http://trailbicycles.ca/">Trail Bicycles</a> in Courtenay ... one of my favorite shops in the world, and <a href="http://www.dodgecitycycles.com/">Dodge City Cycles</a> in Cumberland, which is pretty much exactly as good and just as friendly). Then hit the trails. My ride was basically a preview of the second loop's downhill single track, but instead of preriding the fireroad, Chris at DCC helped me pick a more fun way up that included "Cimax" -- a new "up" trail that is meant to help keep people from climbing Thirsty Beaver (a "down" trail ... don't do that). It was the rowdiest climb ever and I loved it.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZiIi0DqLASM/VYrmgef1WPI/AAAAAAAALSs/T_m9h5jI9jE/s640/blogger-image--174776266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZiIi0DqLASM/VYrmgef1WPI/AAAAAAAALSs/T_m9h5jI9jE/s400/blogger-image--174776266.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">My most prized possession at the top of Climax</td></tr>
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Once I'd maxed out Climax, I was on the course for BCBR so I followed that to Upper Thirsty Beaver, over to Blue Collar, then Railroad, Crafty Butcher, Double Pumper, 50:1--where I met my new friend Sean--and then we closed by exploring the new Josh's (very new ... very raw ... very awesome) and then out the rest of Josh's. So. Rad. Leg did great, bike did great, and I was grinning like an idiot as I rode past Riding Fool hostel on my way back to Courtenay. (Ohhh, now I get it.)<br />
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Gerhard's mom and dad took me out for dinner to this lovely little place called Kingfisher and I had an awesome meal of Ling Cod, Pork Belly, and some delicious veggies and then it was home to bed. A terrific first day!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XJZD1XQfAso/VYrmsX1TBUI/AAAAAAAALTM/cQqy2YBLsaI/s640/blogger-image--1046862838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XJZD1XQfAso/VYrmsX1TBUI/AAAAAAAALTM/cQqy2YBLsaI/s400/blogger-image--1046862838.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the Kingfisher: Powell River in the distance!</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191788890691453876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132145155331973671.post-8271692247856929362015-05-15T09:13:00.000-07:002015-06-24T09:15:11.669-07:00@Vernor's New Rocky Mountain: Insta Awesome This is how I felt for my new bike day on the same whip, <a href="http://www.bikes.com/en/bikes/thunderbolt/2015#/models/thunderbolt-770-msl">Rocky Mountain's Thunderbolt MSL 770</a> ... but I definitely don't have the creative skills of <a href="https://instagram.com/vernor/">@vernor</a>! So check out HIS New Bike Day celebration, and give him a follow on Instagram (like you haven't already ...)
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/2rsFugAAjX/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">I got pretty excited about my new bike so I made this little vid. Muchas gracias a @morga_deth for the camera work, @moi_is_moi for stunt consultation, along with @rockymountainbicycles & @parkerdusseau for the goods. ⚡️#newbikeday ⚡️</a></div>
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A video posted by Brian Vernor (@vernor) on <time datetime="2015-05-15T00:34:54+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">May 14, 2015 at 5:34pm PDT</time></div>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191788890691453876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132145155331973671.post-83507916640618798412015-05-04T18:14:00.000-07:002015-05-05T09:01:40.615-07:00Race Report: Belgian Waffle Ride<br />
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It was so hard, my brain has blocked a lot of it from memory. But here are a few photos to help illustrate my 8 hours and 22 minutes on the 143 miles + 10K+ of climbing on road/trail/gravel, as well as the highlights that shine through. Sorry they're so late, but for the last week I think I've been trying to catch up the over 5,000 calories burned, and deep training hole I dug. I'm finally starting to feel myself again! Without further adieu: </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ivcFbJz7IWo/VUgJQJNIEcI/AAAAAAAAK1M/v_JxOjI0pk4/s640/blogger-image-1779552960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ivcFbJz7IWo/VUgJQJNIEcI/AAAAAAAAK1M/v_JxOjI0pk4/s320/blogger-image-1779552960.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New kit day for me and Cynthia at <br />
RIDE Cyclery with Eliel Cycling! </td></tr>
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1) So awesome to line up with Cynthia, my <a href="http://ridecyclery.com/" target="_blank">RIDE Cyclery</a> partner in crime, totally kitted up in our matchy matchy <a href="http://elielcycling.com/" target="_blank">Eliel</a> kits and twinned accessories, right down to socks, shoe color and helmets. Since all "the Gents" were in different start waves, and us girls got our own, I was super happy to have a teammate in the mix.<br />
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2) The Expo was awesome!! So great to see everyone there -- it felt like you couldn't take two steps without saying hello to another [crazy] member of our tribe. Plus the food was excellent!<br />
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3) Our friends. The Belgian Waffle Ride is more than just a single day event -- I feel like it's come to inform a great deal of the riding we do together for fun and Strava most of the year. This one event thus carries with it so much energy and excitement as well as goodwill to see each of the buddies reach their goals, and celebrate together at the finish line. And/Or begin plotting for next year's.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E0tdvX71JXM/VUgJhYRGtQI/AAAAAAAAK2s/a2Z7HIOOuUM/s1600/blogger-image--1875219768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E0tdvX71JXM/VUgJhYRGtQI/AAAAAAAAK2s/a2Z7HIOOuUM/s320/blogger-image--1875219768.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The CHP were winners! Jake Orness photo.</td></tr>
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4) The route was amazing, and protected by California's Highway Patrol with perfection. These guys were awesome, waving us through stop lights and intersections, making sure we stayed on course, and letting us have our fun for a day so it really felt like we ruled the road everywhere we went. That in itself is a treat worthy of the cramps and sun burn.<br />
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5) The Belgian Waffle Ride participants who weren't on bikes. I knew a lot of people riding it, but I think I knew an equal number of people who put up with long days of training for the whole year, and then came out to cheer, support, set up aid stations, write our names in chalk on double peak, give a push, ring a bell, and drive tired battered bodies home again. These people are heroes. Especially Shelly who had water ... and carrots ... at the precise moment(s) I needed it and fought off other thirsty riders to save me that bottle. Priceless.<br />
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And to close this out, here's a brief sketch of my day:<br />
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We met up with all the awesome riders of North County and were beyond stoked to get this thing rolling. The boys got a detailed call up in Wave One, but we didn't waste any time doing formalities in wave two for the women, despite being a well-stocked field of pros, former pros, and champions. *ahem.* So before we knew it we were off.<br />
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Cynthia and I hung around the front mugging for the camera and also for me, as a mountain biker not super used to pack riding, I get a bit nervous when I can't see the road (and potholes) in front of me. By the time we finally got to the first dirt section of San Dieguito road, I was feeling ready to go. Neutral roll out was pretty easy going, but I wanted to start turning the screws.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">First Dirt by Kristy Morrow </td></tr>
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The dirt separated the pack, and Cynthia and I found ourselves in the lead group. From here until the top of the first QOM we were together and it was my favorite part of the day. We were ripping in a group of about six, sharing the work, rotating through, and still chatting a little.<br />
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The first climb however seemed to take my legs by surprise. Rhonda Quick - eventual winner, and three time BWR Champion - is a gifted sufferer and surged ahead powering up the first moderate part of the ascent, and then she got really impressive as it pitched steeply up. I think I hung on in third or fourth wheel and with Cynthia cresting shortly behind me, the two of use were able to work together to reconnect with the lead group, minus Rhonda who I think from this point on must have been gone off the front. She certainly never looked back.<br />
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Sandy Bandy was next and again, we got through the technical dirt section with good momentum, and no bad luck. About this time, the next wave had caught up, so traffic increased bringing with it some added challenges, but also opportunities to grab more wheels and let others do the work of pulling us into the wind.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#SaltedCaramel aboard, of COURSE! #GUCrew</td></tr>
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Somewhere in here, we missed a turn and added a couple miles to the already very long day. That was not a great feeling, but on the other hand, it's such a long day I figured we could work it back with a little focus.<br />
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At the next QOM, Cynthia let me know I was "cleared for take off." The BWR was a last-minute decision for her, so she thought better to stick to the 70-mile Wafer length since she didn't have so many miles in the saddle. I was sad to lose my buddy, but pretty far gone into the pain cave myself, so I understood. I hammered up the dirt QOM Cougar Pass in hopes of making a mark on that competition and felt a second wind.<br />
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I latched onto groups where possible and put my head down for solo efforts while alone until we made it all the way back to the Lost Abbey to close out loop one. I did not let myself dilly dally there, knowing that the temptation to just stop would be great. Indeed for many, it was too great. In and out again, I was back on the road with a case of deja vu for loop two.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Photo by the lovely Leah Crane, proof I was up there.<br />
Because it seems impossible I made it.<br />
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By now the racers were very spaced out literally and figuratively. I was alone except for a couple of guys I scooped up in my travails. The best part of loop two was Del Dios both ways in a trio that included Ben Jones before Lemon Twistenberg. I had caught a glimpse of the top five women, and it felt like it was going to be possible to close if I could just get into a group. They had groups, and I think that was a huge stroke of luck for them, because I was definitely feeling like I had the legs at this point.<br />
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A lot of work later, and I was alone again on Modest Mule, alone on Saint Lusardi, alone through Fortuna and alone at the base of Questhaven. Til this point, I had held my goal of 17.5 miles/avg but Questhaven undid me.<br />
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This <i>whimpering</i> began and I wondered what was making that sound, and I realized, it was ME. I coaxed my legs up while it felt like my quads were melting into my calves. I felt sun screen stinging my eyes and was shocked I even had any left up there. Stabbing pain accompanied every pedal stroke and getting off the bike to step over the horse bar was insult to injury. But then I saw a familiar face at the top of "the wall" - Laurie! A couple more watts. Then some more volunteers and people cheering from the street. A couple more watts. Then the base of double peak and knowing it was not "so far" to the top. A few more watts. Catching back on to some guys that had dropped me earlier. More watts. Seeing my NAME written in chalk on the steepest section, right when I thought I might have to walk: a TON more watts!! I heard my name being called from the side of the road, too, and barely recognized it but that was some more watts as well.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Couldn't have done it without this amazing sight!!<br />
Thank you Julie Kelly and kids!!</td></tr>
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At last, I wobbled to the top and began the final descent back into the finish. I connected with another group and they talked about cheeseburgers and beer and the other things they wanted immediately when they crossed the line. For once, cheeseburgers were not on my mind. The only thing I wanted was to lie down on cold grass and close my eyes.<br />
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In the end, my tired body clattered over the cobble stones constructed just for the occasion, and crossed the finish line in 6th place. Even despite the calamity that was that final climb, I managed a third place finish in the QOM competition. I hung around the expo until I figured I'd better get home before I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. So for the second time this year, I missed a podium moment due to acute misery, and general unawareness of anything except immediate need for calories and salty things. Maybe I'll try again next year. Though the amnesia hasn't completely worn off. Yet.<br />
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Scroll for photos from the amazing, talented people on course, of the amazing talented people on course:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Women's podium by Jake Orness<br />
<ol style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: arial, 'helvetica neue', helvetica, sans-serif;">RHONDA QUICK</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: arial, 'helvetica neue', helvetica, sans-serif;">AMANDA NAUMAN</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: arial, 'helvetica neue', helvetica, sans-serif;">CHRISTI PATRICK</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: arial, 'helvetica neue', helvetica, sans-serif;">MARY DANNELLEY</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: arial, 'helvetica neue', helvetica, sans-serif;">JILL CEDERHOLM</span></span></li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Pre Race Bike Prep with <a href="http://rinsekit.com/" target="_blank">RinseKit</a>, <a href="http://feedbacksports.com/" target="_blank">Feedback Sports</a>, and <a href="http://wd40-bike.com/" target="_blank">WD40 Bike</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The kits we made with Eliel were sponsored by some amazing local businesses, including this one ... mine :) Check out <a href="http://truenorthcommunications.com/">truenorthcommunications.com</a>!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bikes of the BWR by Jake Orness</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Faces of the BWR by Jake Orness. I spy some of my favorite riding buddies: Steve and Tom. Missing are Chris, Rich, Steve, Johnny, Marc, Greg, Eric, Richard, and Steve S.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">We're off! Kristy Morrow photo (see Morrow's photos from the women's race <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1061019403927699.1073741838.355066887856291&type=1&pnref=story" target="_blank">here</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">JensonUSA photo, at the start</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The BWR begins. Kristy Morrow photo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another face of the BWR by Kristy Morrow (and I helped ... what the.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing Eliel kits in action at the front of the women's field, by Kristy Morrow</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Kristy Morrow photo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"oh, picture?" Kristy Morrow photo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The women's field looks awesome next to the bougainvillaea. Kristy Morrow photo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eliel up front again. Kristy Morrow photo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The long stretch through Hodges. Todd Gunther photo. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A portrait by Jake Orness, the day before. #facesofthebwr</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191788890691453876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132145155331973671.post-76065224665369510892015-04-22T10:20:00.002-07:002015-04-22T11:19:06.101-07:00Race Report: Sea Otter<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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There was no way I was going to do well at this race. Covering Sea Otter for <a href="http://reviews.mtbr.com/author/kristen-gross">MTBR</a> meant that from the beginning of the week, it was go go go. Not a lot of sleep, a ton of standing and walking, countless missed meals, a few added wobbly pops, and a serious case of scatter brain. But going fast on bikes is fun no matter what the outcome on the results sheet, so I was still excited to line up with the amazing women of the pro field.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">#TrailVision: PreRiding the course on Friday </td></tr>
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I love warming up at Laguna Seca. And I love having so many friends around, thanks to the expo. Morning of, I did a quick lap of some booths, including sponsors' <a href="http://bikes.com/">Rocky Mountain</a> and <a href="http://guenergy.com/">GU</a>, to get good luck high fives and then hit the track for my warm up. </div>
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Everyone was up there doing the same thing but the energy was a little more relaxed. Sea Otter is such a different event. There is a lot going on besides the racing, and the course itself is better with an ally or two. </div>
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The start had another level of excitement as the "<a href="http://littlebellas.com/little-bellas-sea-otter-camp/">Little Bellas</a>" young ladies' mountain bike club cheered like maniacs for us, the "Big Bellas." It is so amazing to see all those girls stoked on bikes and the perfect note to head out on. </div>
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The whistle went, and we LAUNCHED into action. It was an exciting start as we powered through the first straight away and then settled into "track speed" (there is no point charging on the asphalt) for a lap of the raceway. Just before the dirt, something happened (tire rub? brake check?) and the pack scattered in squealing tires and sharp intakes of breath. I watched Catharine Pendrel sway violently before riding away clean in just a couple pedal strokes. A close call, and the nerves now ruled. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://rinsekit.com/">RinseKit</a> + <a href="http://www.wd40bike.com/">WD40 Bike</a> = Race Ready at Laguna Seca</td></tr>
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As soon as we left the track, the attacks began, and we all jockeyed for position, taking up both lanes of the road out, much to the surprise of oncoming Gran Fondo riders. They surely didn't expect to be faced with the World Champion and her friends, National Champions and Olympians. Heck, it's still a shock to <i>me </i>every race. </div>
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And speaking of me, my start was as expected: legs were flat, I was slow to respond, and my brain was in about three other places. Once tires finally hit the dirt, I was able to bring back the focus and come up with some kind of strategy (get to the front, get to the front, and get to the front) and even my legs were beginning to wise up. But then, CRASH. </div>
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The loosest, finest sand of the day is on a moderately steep descent down to the final asphalt section of the lap. The gal in the front of our four-woman train went over then bars, causing a chain reaction through our group, ending with me. </div>
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So here is my <a href="http://sandiegomountainbikeskills.com/">Ninja Mountain Bike Skills</a> approved, step-by-step guide to crashing: </div>
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1) Try to ride out ... </div>
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2) But if you can't, crash sooner rather than later. </div>
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3) Dust yourself off and check you, the bike, and that you have all your bits (Garmin, bottle), in that order. </div>
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4) Get back on the bike!</div>
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Riding out was quickly ruled out as my options became lay down the bike or run over a racer. So I just put it down in the gravel and carried on with steps three and four. A couple raspberries on my elbow and knee, but otherwise, everything seemed to be fine. </div>
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And to be honest, <b>I think crashing was the best thing that could have happened in this race. </b></div>
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Sometimes after a crash, I get timid, but in a race, usually the opposite happens and Saturday was no exception. The adrenaline flooded in, and my brain was instantly back from its daydreamy tour of new bikes, parts and apparel found at the expo and screaming just one thing: Get back on the group!! I rode that "fight" response for a good 1.5 hours. </div>
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Through the feed zone I had the pleasure to be assisted by Scott from <a href="http://bikes.com/">Rocky Mountain Bicycles</a> who I'd Shanghai'd into the gig just that morning once I realized, wow, this is going to be a long race. So thank you to Scott, I heard about racers who missed their feed or lost their bottle and they suffered a much different second lap, so I am hugely appreciative I didn't have to cut any hydration corners.</div>
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Lap two was tough. I'd burned out all of the adrenaline from the crash, I was tired of sucking wind on the open sections, and my legs were pretty much over climbing. No amount of beautiful scenery could convince me I wasn't ready to be off the bike. I was still racing, chasing down girls and passing, but I also got caught once or twice, and my mind was back to writing stories for MTBR. </div>
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We got to the final long climb on the way back up to the track, and its punky little sister, that final left turn, and my quads felt like they were melting but the the finish line was in sight, and the next girl back didn't have a chance to catch me. Is there a better feeling than cruising into the finish on a race car track, with your nobby tires screaming down the asphalt? Not after almost three hours of racing, there isn't. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Results: Made the top 31 ;) </td></tr>
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When all was said and done, I pulled out a 31st place finish, and was feeling like I'd had an unexpectedly great race! </div>
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I have lots of people to thank for that, including Drew, Chris, and Julie for fielding pre-race nerves.</div>
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<a href="http://bikes.com/">Rocky Mountain Bicycles</a> not only for an amazing rig but also for being a super fun group of Canucks to visit with all weekend--not to mention for adding my bottles to the pile in the feed zone.</div>
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<a href="http://guenergy.com/">GU</a> for much-needed energy in the form of delicious Roctane and of course my go-to Salted Caramel -- so great to finally meet the rest of the #GUCrew and our fearless leader, Yuri. </div>
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<a href="http://www.elielcycling.com/">Eliel Cycling</a> for making the most head-turningest kits out there, which are also apparently pretty tough! Survived the crash no problem.</div>
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Thanks to <a href="http://teamninjaelite.com/">Team Ninja</a>, especially Shelly, Paula and Regina for appearing at the start line for high fives, and <a href="http://richardlachina.me/">Coach Richard</a> for helping me with last minute tweaks. He definitely unlocked at least another 10 watts--amazing to feel the difference, thank you!</div>
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<a href="http://ridecyclery.com/">RIDE Cyclery</a> and the crew there -- thanks for all the support, always.</div>
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<a href="http://zoic.com/">ZOIC</a>, thanks so much for your energy all weekend ... your booth was the best one there, who else has JENGA?!</div>
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Sea Otter is done for another year, and once again, it was the best weekend ever. So much more to share about it but for starters, be sure to check out what I was up to with MTBR <a href="http://reviews.mtbr.com/author/kristen-gross">here</a>. I'll have more articles to share all week. Thanks Ocean Weasel! </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191788890691453876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132145155331973671.post-63342849176927404122015-04-14T10:38:00.000-07:002015-04-14T11:40:37.781-07:00Race Report | US Cup 3: Bonelli HC<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kathy Burcham photo. </td></tr>
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Back to Bonelli for US Cup number three this past weekend, and what a change from our first visit. Most notably, the temperature was much more hospitable. Coming a close second on the list of positive changes was the course. Though it still had a heck of a lot of climbing (362') crammed into such a short loop (2.6 miles), it was definitely more flowy, and the added technical sections were of my favorite variety: log overs!<br>
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Morning of, I arrived nice and early, got registered and then headed out with a teammate to walk the course and see it for the first time. At first look, the log and rock features were definitely intimidating. But I decided to include a lap as part of my warm up, and that took care of that.<br>
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Although we've had plenty more time together since the last visit to Bonelli, my <a href="http://www.bikes.com/en/bikes/vertex/2015">Rocky Mountain Vertex</a> is still "new" and these were actually the first log overs I'd tried with it. Verdict? I felt like I was cheating. The bike has so much clearance I didn't need to worry about hitting the chainring, and it felt like it just <i>wanted</i> to get over stuff. That must be the magic of 29ers I've been hearing about. Super stable through the whole maneuver, and the wide handle bars really gave me the control I needed to get over smoothly.<br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My fav part! Thanks to the cheering section! Michelle Allen photo. </td></tr>
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Though there were about six log/rock overs total on course, the section that attracted the most blood-thirsty spectators had a set of two large obstacles: The first was all logs, and the second was of similar shape but made of rocks, and only a few pedal strokes away on a slight uphill. Momentum is your friend.<br>
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On my first attempt in warm up, I balked and had to redo. I realized I was looking at them as a set so I decided to just concentrate on the first one first, and then work on the second. A quick refocus and it was up and over, no problem. My third attempt I threw in the second feature, and rode away with fresh confidence. It was a great reminder that when you're working on skills, progression is key. Start small, then work your way up, and you'll be amazed at what becomes "easy." (PS: Here's more info on <a href="http://sandiegomountainbikeskills.com/2014/09/22/how-to-ride-over-a-log/">log overs</a> from my fellow coaches at Ninja Mountain Bike Skills!)<br>
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Once I'd lapped the course once, I took the rest of my warm up to the road and the start loop. I love these moments before the race when it's still anybody's day. The energy is electric. When it was time for staging, we all gathered under the limited shade near the start line. I was in a gaggle with the US national champion, current US Cup points leader, Swedish national champion, and the World Champion, listening to them joke with each other and offering up my own comments from the peanut gallery. Young girls came up to have their picture taken, and the media was around snapping photos as well like paparazzi, calling out "Hi Catharine; Oh hi Georgia; Lea, over here ..."<br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://www.toxxxik.com/ninja/index.html</td></tr>
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I knew I wanted to do better at getting off the start so I selected a "go" gear and got ready to mash it out for position. I think everyone must have had the same idea because it didn't feel like an option for me to skirt around the pack. The opposite seemed to be happening as my lungs began to burn and my HR shot up, and 37 tigresses surged off the line.The start lap had me dogging it, but once we hit the steep climb, I was back in the mix. <br>
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On my first lap through the logs, I reminded myself to be calm and smooth. But I forgot there would be spectators! If I fell on my face, there would be an audience for it, at least. The girls in front of me got hung up, so I slowed momentarily so they could clear the way. The Vertex flew up and over both without a problem, and I pedaled away relieved. With every lap I gained more confidence, until by the end, I could hardly wait to hit those big log overs.<br>
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I raced back and forth with a girl I don't know except by her blond, curly pony tail. We seem to often be racing near each other so I focused on catching her. As the course doubled back on itself, I realized our time was running out: The front of the race was quickly coming at us from behind, with Emily Batty and Catharine Pendrel in a tight fight for the lead, which they maintained right to the wire. (<a href="http://shoaircyclinggroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/2015BONELLI2_XC_RESULTS-PROWOMEN.pdf">Emily took the win</a> by less than half a second.)<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-22QWfTo8p40/VS1FO4hEWKI/AAAAAAAAKWo/7gDxNjj-YuI/s640/blogger-image-1048966625.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-22QWfTo8p40/VS1FO4hEWKI/AAAAAAAAKWo/7gDxNjj-YuI/s400/blogger-image-1048966625.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily Batty 1, Catharine Pendrel 2 after a really impressive, tight race. </td></tr>
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With only one single track left I heard them charging up the climb so I pulled off just before the entrance to let them through. Since they were alone ... and I was alone ... I then quickly jumped on their wheels for the fun descent and tried to hold on. It was like going for a drive in a friend's sports car. I flew through the section, pulled along by their jet stream, and then jumped on the pedals to try and stay with them. They were in the heat of battle, so it lasted maybe all of 7 seconds but it is not every day I'm hanging on to Canadian MTB Queens' lead group. So thanks for the ride, ladies!<br>
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Of course, once the leaders go by you, you can be assured you will be pulled thanks to the UCI's 80% rule, so that was my grand finale. I was happy with how it all turned out: I rode every part of the course smoothly without incident, I worked hard, and I got in one more lap than I did at the first Bonelli to finish just one lap down from the leaders. Good enough for 29th place, and putting me in 31st in the <a href="http://shoaircyclinggroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/2015_US_CUP_PRO_WOMEN_STANDINGS-AFTER_BONELLI_2.pdf">overall ranking</a>. <br>
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Looking forward to Sea Otter this weekend for the final round of the US Cup that I'll be racing, on a course that I think is absolutely perfect for the Vertex. Not to mention beautiful!<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UtS44dG93Mg/VS1FRR37dxI/AAAAAAAAKW4/JkJodh8uvQk/s640/blogger-image-871865143.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UtS44dG93Mg/VS1FRR37dxI/AAAAAAAAKW4/JkJodh8uvQk/s400/blogger-image-871865143.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocky Mountain's Raphael Gagne finished second to Schurter </td></tr>
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Big thanks goes out to <a href="http://www.bikes.com/">Rocky Mountain</a> for the race rig; and congrats to Rocky Mountain's <a href="https://twitter.com/raphaelgagne">Raphael Gagne</a> (also on a Vertex) for taking second to current world champion Nino Schurter's win in the pro men's race. Thank you <a href="https://guenergy.com/">GU Energy</a> for the <a href="https://twitter.com/GUEnergyLabs/status/586889287834046464">shout out</a> before the start, and for all the goodies I so happily received last week! <a href="http://teamninjaelite.com/">Team Ninja</a>, you guys are my favorite. It was so fun to see all of you and cheer on our riders together. Thanks to Brigid as well for being an awesome help with carpooling and hangtime. Can't wait for Sea Otter and beyond! <a href="http://ridecyclery.com/">RIDE Cyclery</a>, I can't do it without you! Thank you so much for helping me with all the little things (like how DO you quickly, easily, and bloodlessly change your pedals?) and for being the awesome community of riders you are. <a href="http://www.elielcycling.com/">Eliel</a>, the kit is amazing. It breaks my heart every time they make us put safety pin holes in it for number pinning. And thanks <a href="http://www.zoic.com/">ZOIC Clothing</a> for all your support!! Thank you thank you thank you. Next stop? Sea Otter!! Can't wait to see everyone there! <br>
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Watch the whole race, announced by legends Bob Roll and Christian Vande Velde as well as US Cup stalwart, Colt McElwaine, for both pro women and men (you can see my pink shorts off the start and for a little cameo at about 1:23:52) <br>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="253" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bqFnL6Umapo" width="450"></iframe>
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And here's a a few more photos: <br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mm_8RmCOQY0/VS1Go_e8LfI/AAAAAAAAKXY/3Pbdy0pefOw/s640/blogger-image-1535533155.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mm_8RmCOQY0/VS1Go_e8LfI/AAAAAAAAKXY/3Pbdy0pefOw/s400/blogger-image-1535533155.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super proud of my coached Cat 3 athlete Bjorn, here on the third step at only his second race ever! Congrats! #BCBR2015, look out for this ripper! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fDVQQpMkQ8I/VS1FNqNo7GI/AAAAAAAAKWg/xWwyoHJhq_8/s640/blogger-image-1793580664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fDVQQpMkQ8I/VS1FNqNo7GI/AAAAAAAAKWg/xWwyoHJhq_8/s400/blogger-image-1793580664.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pro Men's field gets ready to launch, including reigning World Champion, Nino Schurter</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Future World Cup course? Bonelli Park. Michelle Allen photo. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loving the Bonelli course! Michelle Allen photo. </td></tr>
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<br>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191788890691453876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132145155331973671.post-1898502254738385892015-03-30T15:20:00.000-07:002015-03-30T15:20:00.197-07:00RACE REPORT: US Cup 1 and 2, Bonelli and Fontana<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fontucky. Photo by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jakespointofview?pnref=story">JPoV</a></td></tr>
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The first two weekends of the US Cup have provided some of the most exciting racing of my life. Fresh in my new category, in new kit, with a new bike, there was plenty to get the juices flowing. After an awesome weekend logging some more endurance miles and spending time with my family while they were in town, I'm ready to finally get this post up! Read on for thoughts and feelings about Bonelli I and Fontana/Funtana/Fontucky.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Cannondale for a day!</td></tr>
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<b>BONELLI - US CUP 1, UCI C1 </b><br />
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I headed up to Bonelli to ride and visit with the ShoAir-Cannondale crew the Thursday prior on assignment for MTBR which was an exciting way to kick off the weekend. Manuel Fumic wanted to make sure we were "actually media" which I think was a compliment. "You should race," Evelyn Dong told me shortly before I endo'd over the handlebars on the steep backside descent. Embarrassed, I let her know that I would be somewhere near the back of the pro women's category and she kindly offered up some tips and line choices on the course. It stuck, so I had the treat of her voice in my head each lap! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darryl Sykes photo: I survived Bonelli! </td></tr>
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I rode that first lap on the Cannondale Scalpel so I thought it would be a good idea to sneak out out my new <a href="http://www.bikes.com/en/bikes/vertex/2015">Rocky Mountain Vertex</a> to make sure I could get around the tough course on a hard tail. About then is when Tedro and crew started hammering the railway ties into the A Line. And I still couldn't even get my brain to allow another attempt on the steep section, let alone acrobatic wheel lifts. *gulp*</div>
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Thus dampened of spirit, and short of time, I returned to Bonelli only the morning of the race, without having had the chance to sort out my trouble spots, which i knew were mainly mental. I chatted with Gerhard part of the way (he was in Colorado) to try and understand the nerves, and hopefully put them to bed.<br />
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Let me tell you, it does nothing for nerves to hear your name called out at the bottom of a very long list of national champions, world champions, and Olympians. What <i>does</i> help with nerves is when the whistle blows, you get clipped in, and start moving.<br />
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I was pleasantly surprised to find I was not chewed up and spit out the back as I was sure would happen. I was with the group, though yes, near the back thanks to being called up in 55th place, but I had contact and it wasn't so scary afterall!!<br />
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I got to work on the very short course, and to my excitement, found I was passing girls on the climbs (of which there were many). I should probably also mention that the temperature was a blistering 90+ degrees. There's tough, and then there's <i>tough</i>.<br />
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I got in about an hour of racing before I was met with a line of tape across the course, and directed to the side. The UCI 80% rule had been amended to 50% to accommodate the short [2.35 mile] course and I was done (and 'well-done', after an hour in the oven).<br />
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Even though I was pulled, and finished in 32nd place, this was one of my favorite results ever. I met all my goals: ride safe, figure out hardtails, know the unknowns, and get in a workout.<br />
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<b>FONTANA - US CUP 2, UCI HC</b><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fontana, with shots from Drew and Ben</td></tr>
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For Fontana--a course I really enjoy for its technical rocks and long "power moves" climbs--I set new goals. Now I understand that you can't race with all that extra fear. And you can't race like you're going to get to ride all the laps. You gotta go NOW like you're on your last lap, every lap. So the biggest adjustment for me was pacing.<br />
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Thankfully, the heat was down a little with the temp comfortably in the 80s. My folks and Gerhard made the trip as well which always makes me dig a little deeper. Fontana was ranked HC by the UCI so we again had a truly impressive group of riders to line up with vying for those valuable points.<br />
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They announced my name in the call up much sooner than last time, however I didn't get to take advantage of the better start position as the staging took a LOT longer than anticipated. So again, I was in the back row, but I had a much better idea of how to handle it.<br />
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After a few laps, I came through the start/finish expecting to get pulled and every lap that wasn't the case. I was joyous, but also totally shit-wrecked because I was racing like I was about to get yanked thus not leaving as much in the tank as I'm used to. However, I found out that I have a lot more in the tank than I think! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fontana: Drew Engelmann photo</td></tr>
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We had a few great bike races --another thing I like about the US Cup and racing in the pro category: other people!! and I enjoyed playing "what would happen if..." to test out different strategies and tactics. I won a couple rounds, and learned from a couple more.<br />
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The best part of this race though was the support from so many friends, family and Ninja teammates along the course! It seemed like every corner on the way to that grueling asphalt climb had someone else yelling my name. Big thanks to Mom, Dad, Gerhard, Drew, Tony, Liana, Dawn, Todd, Derek, Vinny (Vinny especially!!), and last but not least, Jake (and I'm sure I missed some names!!). Jake was up top taking photos and his "Yeah Kris, Stay on it" was such a welcome message near the end of that climb. Except the last lap, he added, "Yeah Kris .... you want some beef jerky?" which almost made me fall over. It was just the smile I needed to get my hot crampy legs up that final push one last time. Thanks Jake! And thanks for the photo too!! <br />
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I raced clean, my bike was SO AMAZING, and I finished <u>all five</u> of our laps for a 35th place. I couldn't have been happier if I'd won the thing. <br />
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<b>TAKEAWAYS: THINGS I LOVE ABOUT RACING IN THE PRO CATEGORY </b><br />
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1) So awesome to have big fields! It makes racing 1000% more exciting when you bust off the line with almost 60 other women. <br />
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2) Feeling like even though I'm at the bottom of the pile, it's pretty much the raddest pile ever. <br />
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3) Short laps. I kind of love it! I thought I wouldn't but besides getting lost on the lap count sometimes, it is really fun to roll through start finish/feed zone and get that energy boost from your friends<br />
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4) Ours is the only race on course. I don't mind sharing a race course, but this is just darn luxurious.<br />
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5) The pomp. I love the call up, I love the helpers standing around with umbrellas, and I love national anthems.<br />
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6) My fellow competitors are awesome! Everyone is super nice but you can tell they're also there to do well, and they recognize that you're there to do well too. It makes for a really cool vibe of mutual respect.</div>
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Thanks again to all of my amazing helpers this season: Top shout outs to <a href="http://www.bikes.com/">Rocky Mountain</a> for that hardtail you sent me. Good lord I love that bike, especially after Brock at<a href="http://ridecyclery.com/"> RIDE Cyclery</a> helped me get it dialled in. Thanks to <a href="http://www.elielcycling.com/">Eliel</a> for helping me look the part in the best-fitting kits I've ever had. Thanks <a href="https://guenergy.com/">GU Energy</a> for keeping me fuelled and well-stocked in salted caramel, and heat-beating hydration. My stylish new white shoes are courtesy of friends at <a href="http://www.gaerneshoes.com/">Gaerne</a> and they are a perfect fit right out of the box (thank goodness, because they were an emergency addition to the shoe rack after Temecula wrecked All The Things). And of course, thank you to <a href="http://teamninjaelite.com/">Team Ninja</a>, the awesome gang in black and pink! The season is just beginning and we have so much more fun to come! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fontana: Drew Engelmann photo (hi Tony & Liana!)</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191788890691453876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132145155331973671.post-30471705780525495012015-03-19T07:55:00.000-07:002015-03-19T15:04:46.117-07:00Something is New at GU!This morning an exciting email arrived in my inbox! <a href="http://guenergy.com/">GU Energy</a>, the sports nutrition company I'm proud to be working with this season, has officially launched their brand new look and a website that is simply gorgeous: modern, functional, dynamic. That means that the communications/writer side of me is just as excited to be part of the #GUCrew as the rider part of me! Happy Day! <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FonuM2fpT0g/VP8UOSJrIyI/AAAAAAAAJag/e4WQUZ-2Hng/s640/blogger-image--496276258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FonuM2fpT0g/VP8UOSJrIyI/AAAAAAAAJag/e4WQUZ-2Hng/s400/blogger-image--496276258.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gonna need a bigger treat jar! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U-GfVsBF_M8/VQsLRoUZ-VI/AAAAAAAAJxI/FBGnc4Ijef8/s1600/11002495_10153633778739115_8696933736081070974_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U-GfVsBF_M8/VQsLRoUZ-VI/AAAAAAAAJxI/FBGnc4Ijef8/s1600/11002495_10153633778739115_8696933736081070974_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sneak preview logo cap, at #24HOP</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-08EnQNosnHY/VQsLRM7lj-I/AAAAAAAAJxE/iASlq5HIkrI/s1600/GU_Logo_4Color.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-08EnQNosnHY/VQsLRM7lj-I/AAAAAAAAJxE/iASlq5HIkrI/s1600/GU_Logo_4Color.jpg" /></a>As an athlete with allergies, you could say GU came to my rescue. Many gels and potions used to help fuel training and recovery contain ingredients that cause me to break out in hives, inflammation and upset tummy. When I was introduced to GU, I felt like a weight was lifted. Not only does a Salted Caramel gel bring a smile to my face through even the darkest of struggles, it <i>works</i> for me, and I can almost feel the energy come coursing through my veins, or imagine the video game version of myself's "health bar" fill up.<br />
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I'm super grateful for the support of GU this season as I chase down some big goals, like the <a href="http://bcbikerace.com/">BC Bike Race</a>, and for all the training along the way. My favs: Salted Caramel (duh), Caramel Macchiato (we have a theme!) and if you haven't tried the root beer, get on it! When I get home, Chocolate Recovery Drink Mix has been a god-send, especially since I'm always trying to pack so much into a day--it's grab-and-go goodness. <br />
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So yes, gone is the old GU "splat," and we're saying a warm hello to the new, bold, "building block" hex. It's lined in three colors, representing the three needs athletes have for nutrition: hydration, energy, and recovery--the GU Nutrition Matrix.You'll see me (and others ... and you!) using the tag #GUForIt because no matter what you're doing to chase down your dreams, live your passion, or reach for your goals, there's a GU for it. And it's delicious. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NzKlZ1ldJ_Q/VQsLRrl5USI/AAAAAAAAJxQ/tT6oPBrurIg/s1600/IMG_6386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NzKlZ1ldJ_Q/VQsLRrl5USI/AAAAAAAAJxQ/tT6oPBrurIg/s1600/IMG_6386.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>New packaging shows key info clearly</i></span></b></td></tr>
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The re-brand is <u>much more</u> than a new logo. New packaging includes ultra-clear communications (my <i>favorite</i>) so you can see immediately which key ingredients are in each just from the front panel<b> </b>(e.g. amount of caffeine, or sodium). GUs are now vegan!! And they are still gluten-free, which is one of the many reasons I'm happy to be part of this awesome group. Bonus: The packaging has moved to more sustainable materials, such as recycled cartons, and they're using the <a href="http://www.terracycle.com/en-US/brigades/performance-nutrition-brigade.html">Terracycle</a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"> packet recycling program</a>. <br />
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GU is all about assisting, educating, and inspiring people to reach their highest athletic potential. And starting today, they're taking their next steps into an bold/beautiful future for the brand that as an athlete and communicator I find equally exciting.<br />
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Check out this video that does a way better job of explaining what they're all about ... and that might just inspire you in your chosen activity today! <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="265" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/121317928?color=ff9933" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="https://vimeo.com/121317928">GU Anthem</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user13187357">GU Energy Labs</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>About GU</b></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></i>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">In 1993 GU was born as a solution to the real
challenges faced by Laura Vaughan who needed easy to digest and compact
energy for ultra endurance training and racing. Over twenty some years, it has grown into an energy gel and performance
nutrition leader that truly cares about its community of athletes and its impact on the planet. At the dawn of 2015, it aims to be known for its passionate commitment to sport, as leaders in all forms of
performance nutrition, as well as the source for nutrition
planning and training expertise. Its bold new logo, clarified product
naming and creative look and feel is engineered to express more fully
who they are today, who they aim to be <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_60184566" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">tomorrow</span></span> and allow athletes to easily combine their products into superior nutrition
plans. </span></i></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>Follow GU</i></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>#GUCrew, #GUForIt, #SaltedCaramel</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="https://twitter.com/GUEnergyLabs">@GUEnergyLabs</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RoctaneUltra">@RoctaneUltra</a></i><i><i> <a href="https://twitter.com/SaltytheYeti">@saltytheyeti</a></i> </i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/GUEnergyLabs?ref=ts&fref=ts">Like GU on Facebook</a></i></span></span><b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></i></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191788890691453876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132145155331973671.post-31682914615313111882015-03-09T16:24:00.000-07:002015-03-12T08:59:56.782-07:00Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt - First Impressions<div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5HKznybmwLM/VP8VhhfP-RI/AAAAAAAAJaw/ILTrPf_cwxg/s640/blogger-image-1679647053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5HKznybmwLM/VP8VhhfP-RI/AAAAAAAAJaw/ILTrPf_cwxg/s640/blogger-image-1679647053.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">My <a href="http://www.bikes.com/en/bikes/thunderbolt/2015">BC Bike Race rig</a> is here thanks to the fine people of Rocky Mountain and North of the Border bike shop. If NOTB is your LBS then you are a lucky person! They are small but mighty, carrying top Canadian and Californian brands, Rocky Mountain, Norco, Marin and Turner. </span></div>
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My LBS is the amazing RIDE Cyclery, so Blaize did the honor of getting this red rocket all built up and rip-ready. When I first saw it in its stunning red paint job, I mostly just felt humbled. For <i>me</i>? Really?? Some days it feels like I've got all the luck. </div>
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Since then, Thursday night, I have been out riding on this handsome beast every day. Here are my first impressions: </div>
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<b>Day one: the "women especially" RIDE Ride I lead on Friday mornings, through Calavera. </b></div>
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I was happy for this to be the first outing because I knew it would be shorter, which is important to me when dialing in a new rig. Sometimes, the littlest thing out of whack, e.g. seat height, won't show its ugly face until you're sore the next day. Millimeters matter. </div>
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On the climbs, the Thunderbolt surprised me with its "stick-to-it-iveness" thanks to its XC inspired geometry. With only small inputs from me, I could easily keep the front wheel down and the back wheel catching, even over uneven terrain. This thing climbs. </div>
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But point it downhill and it's a fire-red fiesta. The first time I got the chance to let it fly, I picked up a QOM and felt like I was more in control and confident in that section than I ever have before. And this is the first ride!! I hadn't even begun to play with the Ride-9 chip! We are off to a great start. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For more Thunderbolt thinking, check out the <a href="http://krisgross.blogspot.com/2015/01/why-rocky-mountain-thunderbolt-is-my.html">post that explains why I chose it.</a> </td></tr>
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<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-C81vwv0Hess/VP8Vfv5n1CI/AAAAAAAAJao/BBdmGVywYSg/s640/blogger-image-1647579773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"></span></a></div>
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<b>Day 2: the regular RIDE Ride, Saturday morning, Calavera </b></div>
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This ride is decidely more "dudely" and the training plan said "no rules" so off we went to add in some mileage, steepness, and tech. </div>
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Right off the bat, I was wowed again by the Thunderbolt's climbing prowess. First climb was very steep and loose and we went up like it had an escalator. Bam. </div>
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The rest of the day featured some tech descents and the dropper post made such a difference for me. Confidence was sky high. </div>
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Jumps were fun and easy, and the bike is a joy to get off the ground, while landings were solid and squirrel free. </div>
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I felt like this bike made me a better rider by the end of this one. The "gel" had begun in earnest. And with no tweaks, aches or pains to speak of, I was ready for Sunday. </div>
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<b>Day 3: La Costa with the "Fountain Ride"</b></div>
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For me, this would be a true test. La Costa is my backyard and the place where I've done by far the most riding in North County. When I'm testing/reviewing bikes for MTBR I always make sure to do a La Costa ride because the trail is so old hat I can really tell what difference the bike makes. </div>
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The Thunderbolt pedals so well you can forget it has rear suspension at all. On the flat ride into the Copper Creek section, it was almost getting away from me as my velocity was always greater than I thought I deserved. A good thing! </div>
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First climb is a real bitch taking almost 20 huff puff minutes to the top. But at least it's steep. The pitch and technicality of it were welcome though and the Thunderbolt thought nothing of it. </div>
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By the top of this thing, with lots of hard rides on my legs, stress in my life, and sun beating down, I <i>did</i> start to feel the weight of the bike a bit. I'll be looking at ways to lighten up but the spec is already drool-worthy so that will be a challenge. </div>
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Coming down La Costa I learned my new favorite thing about the Thunderbolt: corners. Especially descending switchback corners. </div>
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With the wide bar, and slacker geometry, I felt like one of those guys in the DH videos who just slice through the bottom of a turn and come catapulted out the other side. I'm sure that's not how I looked but it was still an awesome sensation. One of many good vibrations rumbling from the Thunderbolt. </div>
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Whereas before adopting this handsome devil I had to take deep calming breaths remembering the ferocious terrain of the BC Bike Race, now I can hardly wait to get at it. </div>
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I'm so happy with how well my homework paid off; I absolutely made the right choice. Thank you Rocky Mountain Bikes. This one's a fighter. </div>
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"Rocky Balboa." </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191788890691453876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132145155331973671.post-90098312651826625932015-03-03T07:23:00.000-08:002015-03-03T14:29:01.624-08:00RACE REPORT: Vail Lake Kenda Cup -- Hope You Brought Your Snorkel!<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On a day like that, all you can do is laugh. <a href="http://instagram.com/krystofandres">Krystof Andres</a> photo</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JmxXBK5mPeE/VPYkmzgtxQI/AAAAAAAAJNo/aPguEvqCF8Q/s1600/darryl.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JmxXBK5mPeE/VPYkmzgtxQI/AAAAAAAAJNo/aPguEvqCF8Q/s1600/darryl.jpg" height="200" width="148" /></a><br />
"<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088012386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088012386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088012386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088012386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$text0:0:$0:0">Awesome job! Congrats </span><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=710187385&extragetparams=%7B%22hc_location%22%3A%22ufi%22%7D" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088012386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$range0:0" dir="ltr" href="https://www.facebook.com/darryl.sykes.50" target="_blank">Darryl</a><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088012386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">!!</span></span></span></span>" I posted on my teammate's podium photo. "<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$text0:0:$0:0">Thanks </span><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=510894114&extragetparams=%7B%22hc_location%22%3A%22ufi%22%7D" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$range0:0" dir="ltr" href="https://www.facebook.com/kristenmgross" target="_blank">Kris</a><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">! Nice work getting on the podium yourself!!!" he responded. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">Wait, what? </span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">During yesterday's race at Vail Lake in Temecula, any thoughts of winding up on the podium evaporated when I lined up behind the likes of Lesley Patterson, Evelyn Dong, Larissa Connors, and Marine Lewis for my first race in the pro category of the Kenda Cup West/US Cup series. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">And what a day it was was.</span></span></span></span><br />
<div>
<br />
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"></span></span></span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aHZEDHGDlk4/VPVTw44PgsI/AAAAAAAAJMc/-A14QRcPy_0/s640/blogger-image--578438086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aHZEDHGDlk4/VPVTw44PgsI/AAAAAAAAJMc/-A14QRcPy_0/s320/blogger-image--578438086.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a glimpse of the carnage to be seen at #KendaCup</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">I naively held on to the hope that it would be like last year -- an hour or two of non-raining to let the course dry out "just enough" and provide tacky excellence for the later start times. I was wrong. Instead, it poured right before, giving a course that had already been torn up by all the Cat 2s, 3s and endurance racers a fresh helping of slop and, I swear to god, peanut butter. That's what that was, right? Sticky, crunchy, but not-so-delicious peanut butter. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"></span></span></span></span>
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">I didn't warm up properly because I was too scared to leave the relative safety of the team tent. It was cold, raining and windy. "Belgium" was being thrown around as an adjective. Eventually, I summoned the strength and headed out to spin the legs and make sure my bike was at least going to <i>start</i> in working order. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"></span></span></span></span>
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">Rolled up to the start with 2 minutes to go, felt deeply intimidated to find myself surround by very fast humans, and quietly collected myself in the back row. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">On "Go" we sprung into action, quickly stringing out as all the wet brakes and rotors sang in a cacophonous symphony up the first climb. I was with the girls, and my one triumph of the day was clearing a wet muddy climb that had everyone else walking thus giving my shoes an extra two minutes free of trench foot. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">Lesley went around me when I baubled on something ... I don't remember what exactly but skateboarding was involved. And then I was kind of alone for a minute while the Cat 1s caught up. Riding the next singletrack seemed out of the question, though not for lack of trying. I realize now I ought to have just kept moving on my feet because the constant slippery struggle of getting on and off the bike was eating up the clock. </span></span></span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yjT6rbYfJJI/VPYkmrT9yDI/AAAAAAAAJNY/m0znaYTe-uw/s1600/IMG_447020347-3.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yjT6rbYfJJI/VPYkmrT9yDI/AAAAAAAAJNY/m0znaYTe-uw/s1600/IMG_447020347-3.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Will she ever be the same??</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">Racing in these conditions, my bike quickly had had enough. I lost my big ring's capabilities almost immediately, so I was down to middle and small (that's right, I rock a triple). Then only small. With the cassette skipping and jumping all over the place, and a pretty reliable sudden stop in the cranks for the last two laps as well. It turns out it's hard to pedal and find your flow when you're never sure when that sudden jam is going to seize your momentum and stop you dead. Speaking of stopping, don't even get me started on the state of my brake pads. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">Anything off camber was particularly terrifying because not only would your wheel slide down laterally, but it also had the tendency to turn it off course. I promised myself as long as I <i>could</i> go, I would go, and just changed my expectations to finishing the damn thing. And also staying out of the way of the pro men ... who didn't seem to notice there was a problem with the course at all, at least judging by the moment race leaders Raphael Gagne (Rocky Mountain) and Stephen Ettinger (Team Sho-Air) came by me at full sunny-day speed. It was awesome to be on course just to see that. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">Despite all this, I managed to only crash once -- not that I'm one to take many chances though. The worst part was that I was wearing my brand new Eliel kit. I was so bummed when I felt my bum doing a big slide through some of the rutted out muck as I bounced down the trail after what I think was actually a pretty impressive front wheelie.The spectators nearby cheered anyway. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oLdvyUVgMWg/VPYkl7H2XRI/AAAAAAAAJNM/O_6UR6RY8rY/s1600/IMG_447020347-1.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oLdvyUVgMWg/VPYkl7H2XRI/AAAAAAAAJNM/O_6UR6RY8rY/s1600/IMG_447020347-1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ninjas Dan and Mark after the Cat 2/3 race</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">Sometimes, on the fire road, I did actually feel like I was going good (or at least as much as you can in the small ring) and that was fun. Also awesome to see how well my Racing Ralphs shed the mud as long as they got even a short reprieve. That's over and above, <a href="http://www.schwalbetires.com/">Schwalbe</a>! Thanks! Because those were certainly not the best tires for the day, but they were what I had. (Then again, is there any tire that could stand up to that??) Then it would be back into singletrack [of doom] to try and keep the flow going. Only, I was afraid to really let fly because it seemed like you couldn't ever trust the trail -- at any minute, it might grab you for a little mud wrestling. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">Anyway, nearly three hours of slip slidin' practice in the mud is not something we often have in
California, and you never know, it might come in handy for BC Bike
Race. To be honest, once I got over my preconceptions of what the race "should" have been, it was pretty hilarious to be out there. Like, laugh out loud funny. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<b><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">Here are some thoughts on <a href="http://sandiegomountainbikeskills.com/2014/02/27/xc-mountain-bike-racing-in-wet-conditions/">racing in the mud</a> after Sunday's race in the mud: </span></span></span></span></b><br />
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"></span></span></span></span><br />
<ol>
<li><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">Tires matter. Choose wisely. Duh. </span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><a href="http://www.wd40bike.com/">WD-40 Bike</a> frame protectant, PAM cooking spray or the secret sauce of your choice should be applied to help keep the frame shedding those extra pounds of mud. </span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">Run water in your bottles so you have something you can use to spray off your drivetrain if you need to</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">If you lose control, let the bike drive a little until you can get it back. Fighting it usually just had me down in the mud ... you have to relax and roll with the punches</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">Stay off your brakes if you can ... it invites more sliding </span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">Skateboarding: use with caution </span></span></span></span></li>
<li><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qb9HzGbYHEw/VPYklSfU8WI/AAAAAAAAJNI/Op0ykKJ_p8g/s1600/IMG_447020346.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qb9HzGbYHEw/VPYklSfU8WI/AAAAAAAAJNI/Op0ykKJ_p8g/s1600/IMG_447020346.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post race, pre rinse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">It's all mental: it's really easy to get negative in conditions like this, and it's also easy to check out entirely. Stay focused, and enjoy the chance to get dirty! </span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">Have a good post-race game plan ready to execute with minimal touching of clean things with dirty things. </span></span></span></span></li>
</ol>
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">By the time I finished my three laps, the course marshals had packed up. The pit zone tents were coming down, and there was zero traffic on the trail -- I had the whole thing to myself. When I rolled across the finish line, they were already announcing the awards. By this time, having not had much of an opportunity to eat or drink for the past nearly three hours, I was hungry, shivering, and kind of not finding it as funny anymore. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">I headed over to the remnants of casa Team Ninja to check in and say my so-longs. I used the last of my energy to get back to where I'd parked. I was so happy to see the RinseKit I'd packed. Usually Gerhard uses it when he goes surfing, but this thing's powers became the highlight of my day. After slogging it out, battling with the mud, <i>FINALLY</i> I was going to come out on top. I got my destroyed(?) kit off piece by piece, standing on RinseKit's handy lid, trading my jersey, bibs, best and warmers for dry layers as I went. I hosed off each piece and left them soaking in the top compartment for the ride home. I think rinsing my kit with RinseKit <i>saved</i> my kit from stains. Straight into the washer when I got home, and it came out almost like new. One more round and it's like it never happened. Check out <a href="http://www.rinsekit.com/">RinseKit</a> for your next mud race (or a thousand other uses): </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="253" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/REmAr7PYlv0" width="450"></iframe>
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><br /></span></span></span></span><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1ma.1:3:1:$comment10153162032677386_10153162088937386:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">Oblivious to anything but my need for In N Out and my car's heater on full blast, I hopped in and drove my sorry mud-butt home. </span></span></span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
But <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I forgot something. Turns out I had a podium finish for all this trouble, but hypothermia must have caused brain freeze and I forgot to check results. Had I done that instead of lock it down into self-preservation mode, I would have a podium shot to share from the hardest, muddiest race I've ever done. And a trophy to remember it by! Not that I'll have any trouble forgetting it. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u_v2nUJyS_M/VPYkmG7L1gI/AAAAAAAAJNQ/MzCqJjRKHyw/s1600/IMG_447020347-2.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u_v2nUJyS_M/VPYkmG7L1gI/AAAAAAAAJNQ/MzCqJjRKHyw/s1600/IMG_447020347-2.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My kit survived!! I thank RinseKit for on-site headstart! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Congrats to everyone who stuck this one out. Congrats to everyone who even showed up. </span></b></i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://shoaircyclinggroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2015VailXCResults-Preliminary.pdf"><b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Results: </span></b></a><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">1. Larissa Connors - RideBiker Alliance </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">2. Evelyn Dong - Team Sho-Air </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">3. Kris Gross - Team Ninja </span></b><i><b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></i></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And of course, big thanks to my friends and teammates on <a href="http://teamninjaelite.com/">Team Ninja</a>. This was only fun because of your smiling faces and good sense of humor in the face of this crazy adversity we paid good money to ... um ... enjoy. Check out Darryl's version of events <a href="https://sykeslikesbikes.wordpress.com/2015/03/03/how-to-slide-your-bike-in-the-mud-or-kenda-cup-vail-lake/">here</a>. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Big thanks also to anyone who came to support a racer, take their photos, and to the organizers for responding to conditions and delivering a memorable day in the harshest environs ever. My own parents are in town but I advised them to stay home for this one!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v26YrH0J4CY/VPYkm1AxGVI/AAAAAAAAJNc/xlAaqUuZ-1k/s1600/IMG_447020347.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v26YrH0J4CY/VPYkm1AxGVI/AAAAAAAAJNc/xlAaqUuZ-1k/s1600/IMG_447020347.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A perfect day to kick it with a caramel macchiato! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And thank you to my sponsors and helpers for all you do!! </span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.elielcycling.com/">Eliel</a> - I'm so sorry for what I did to your kit. But it survived! It's just as beautiful as ever. I was stoked to show it off at its first Kenda Cup. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://guenergy.com/">GU Energy Labs</a> - "I'm only bringing salted caramel with me today because I'm going to need all the happy I can get" - Me, before rolling out to battle. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.bikes.com/">Rocky Mountain</a> - Don't worry. I did not make this bike-destroying mud fest the new bike's maiden voyage. (Meanwhile I think I killed the one I did bring ...)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.zoic.com/">ZOIC </a>- Thank you for providing the soft, warm, easy-to-get-into clothing I had for post-race. I have never been so happy to get into a pair of Naveahs. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ridecyclery.com/">RIDE Cyclery </a>- The bike ran awesome ... For the entire warm up ;) I know I can count on you guys to help me bring my old girl back to life, and that was the thought that kept me going instead of calling it a day. So awesome to have you in my corner. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">See everyone at Bonelli! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">More photos: </span><br />
<a href="http://www.pbcreativephoto.com/GALLERIES/CYCLING/MOUNTAINBIKE/CROSS-COUNTRY/2015-KENDA-CUP-1-TEMECULA/i-B7cTM4p/A"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">PB Creative </span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ckrystof/media_set?set=a.10206353074171487.1073741828.1406311521&type=1&pnref=story">Kystof Andres </a></span></div>
<div>
</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191788890691453876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132145155331973671.post-22717880540734097052015-02-26T11:48:00.000-08:002015-02-26T11:48:02.915-08:00RACE REPORT: 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo with Wolf Pack Cycling <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kbslIAeA6oU/VO9xM-LLuvI/AAAAAAAAI_A/tl9mcV1k0oE/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-14%2C%2B14%2B15%2B55.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It has been over a week since I
rolled through the exchange tent for the last time at the 2015 <a href="http://www.epicrides.com/index.php?contentCat=5">#24HOP</a>. And yet,
every morning, I’m still blowing desert out of my nose, and coughing it out of
my lungs. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A small price to pay if you ask
me. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">With the cost of admission, you get
Arizona sunsets and sunrises, the warmth of the mountain biking community, singletrack
galore on the famous course, drum circles, beer gardens, The Whisky Tree, the
camaraderie of your team, and as much <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=cholla+mountain+bike&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=xXfvVIfFGsiDoQTJ8YDwCQ&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAg&biw=1382&bih=864">cholla</a> as you, um, want. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thanks go out to Dee who first
alerted me to the idea – I hadn’t heard of the event before, but now that it’s
behind me, I know I’ll never forget it. Sort of a mini Burning Man meets
Mountain Bike Race, all orchestrated by the fine people of <a href="http://www.epicrides.com/">Epic Rides</a> (who you may know from such
events as the Whisky 50 or the Grand Junction Off Road). </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I was very happy that the four
strangers Dee put me in touch with turned out to be an awesome group of dudes,
racing for <a href="http://www.wolfpackcycling.org/">Wolf Pack Cycling</a>. For
this weekend, they let a Ninja tag along, and it was truly <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Epic</i>, just as advertised!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QZmOgL60RZc/VO9xQdS-KDI/AAAAAAAAI_4/P8S2VlD8cos/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-15%2C%2B16%2B09%2B27.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QZmOgL60RZc/VO9xQdS-KDI/AAAAAAAAI_4/P8S2VlD8cos/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-15%2C%2B16%2B09%2B27.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wolf Pack + Ninja. Eric, Travis, Stan, Jimmy, and me. </td></tr>
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</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So my biggest thanks go to these
gentlemen—Travis, Stan, Eric, and Jimmy—for hammering out a stellar
performance. We had consistent laps, we stuck to our order, helped each other
stay focused and stoked, and it was all good enough to put us on the podium in
third place. </span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">GETTING THERE</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BwRzTfZbhx8/VO9x1f5K8jI/AAAAAAAAJBM/l83VUfvOoAs/s1600/stowaway.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BwRzTfZbhx8/VO9x1f5K8jI/AAAAAAAAJBM/l83VUfvOoAs/s1600/stowaway.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fly joins us on the Queen Mary's rearview camera</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span>The adventure started early the
Thursday before when I was introduced to our rolling palace, the Queen Mary
(a.k.a. Travis’s luxurious RV). We had a mainly uneventful trip to the venue, with
only a couple good blows climbing the mountains on the 8, and let’s not even
get into the parking situation at 24 Hour Town. I’ll just say, 38’, pitch
black, and not much room for maneuvering. Our apologies again to the cactus we
smooshed. But huge kudos to Travis for wrangling all of this [while I cowered in
the back]. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l7zWoVOaLb0/VO9x56oYF3I/AAAAAAAAJBU/_bqdFAmXwu0/s1600/11002495_10153633778739115_8696933736081070974_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l7zWoVOaLb0/VO9x56oYF3I/AAAAAAAAJBU/_bqdFAmXwu0/s1600/11002495_10153633778739115_8696933736081070974_n.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most amazing parking spot EVER. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span>When the sun rose in AZ glory the
next morning, I couldn’t believe our spot. STEPS from the action. SECONDS from
the exchange tent. What luck! Because lord knows we didn’t do it on purpose. We
spent the day getting familiar with the layout of the temporary metropolis that
was home to 4,000 people over the weekend before it changed back into its true
form as a remote cattle ranch, a 25 minute, dusty drive from the nearest paved
road. We spun a couple of laps to get acquainted with the course, and its “Seven
Bitches”—a deceivingly difficult section punctuated with extremely high
potential speeds over loose/rutted terrain, followed by punchy climbs. And repeat.
</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ON THE EVE OF BATTLE</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J4IqWwLYLVk/VO9xRfp3H6I/AAAAAAAAJAE/Frg95CtjYwg/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-25%2C%2B21%2B18%2B04.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J4IqWwLYLVk/VO9xRfp3H6I/AAAAAAAAJAE/Frg95CtjYwg/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-25%2C%2B21%2B18%2B04.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset on our preride</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span>The rest of the gang arrived that
evening, and we took one last spin of the course together, enjoying those AZ sunsets
before digging into a team dinner back on board the Queen Mary. We decided our race
order, got to know one another, and snacked on <a href="http://blissandbaker.com/">Bliss and Baker’s</a> delicious, custom,
salted-caramel rice crispy treats. Then I got my brand spanking new super hero
costume all laid out, and made plans to spend some time TLC-ing the bike with <a href="http://www.wd40bike.com/">WD-40 Bike’s</a> goodies both to help calm
pre-race jitters and make sure my girl was absolutely ready to rip. Huge thanks
to <a href="http://www.elielcycling.com/">Eliel</a> for the amazing kits in our
respective versions. Wolf Pack’s looks ferocious, and my Ninja edition is
actually the nicest kit I have seen or imagined. I love it. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0FvQ7nYSwRg/VO9xRNnO7EI/AAAAAAAAJAA/d-xD8u2QuuM/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-25%2C%2B21%2B17%2B56.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0FvQ7nYSwRg/VO9xRNnO7EI/AAAAAAAAJAA/d-xD8u2QuuM/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-25%2C%2B21%2B17%2B56.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you WD-40!!</td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Later that evening, Regina and
Vanessa, a.k.a. <a href="http://liveresults.epicrides.com/24results/Default.aspx?TeamType=0&NumResults=0&Event=2015">Team
Va-Gina</a>, stopped by to share in the pre-race excitement as the drum circle
got going nearby. The sounds of celebrations continued long into the night, but
I was passed out in queen-size glory, “roughing it” in the desert. </span></div>
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<b>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">24 HOURS IN THE OLD PUEBLO </span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For the uninitiated, a 24 Hour
Mountain Bike Race is exactly how it sounds, and yes, some people are nuts
enough to do it solo. But for those of us slightly less masochistic, you can join
a team. The object of the game is to see how many laps you can squeeze into a
24-hour period on the 17+ mile course. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rDkFyrhUOHo/VO9xXCfSlOI/AAAAAAAAJA0/uol1TJKqQ_4/s1600/Video%2B2015-02-14%2C%2B11%2B02%2B06.mov" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rDkFyrhUOHo/VO9xXCfSlOI/AAAAAAAAJA0/uol1TJKqQ_4/s1600/Video%2B2015-02-14%2C%2B11%2B02%2B06.mov" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The insanity in motion!! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span>Eric bravely volunteered to lead
us out, including the #24HOP’s famous Le Mans-style start, featuring a [really
long] run [if you’re wearing a helmet and MTB shoes]. He was a champ, got out
in what we estimate was the top 20, and banged out one of the top lap times of
the race. Our hero! </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Stan was our “two-seat,”
continuing our momentum. I was number three, passing the baton to Jimmy, who
waved on Travis, rounding out a full rotation. By the time we all had a lap in,
we were sitting pretty in fifth place, but only minutes out of fourth, which
was separated from third by only 60 seconds. The Wolves were hungry. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6pfFMjjjYX8/VO9xNMG7s0I/AAAAAAAAI_E/BiKQnbdgpoI/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-14%2C%2B16%2B04%2B30.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6pfFMjjjYX8/VO9xNMG7s0I/AAAAAAAAI_E/BiKQnbdgpoI/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-14%2C%2B16%2B04%2B30.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Jimmy between laps. Legs go up. GU goes down.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span>Through traffic, the constant
threat of cholla cacti, headwinds, dust clouds, and fatigue, we battled. “I don’t
know if I’ve got another one like that,” we all said after each and every lap.
And then we went out and did it again anyway. I think our consistency was
thanks to our dedication to good recovery and fueling, thanks to our shared
sponsors at <a href="http://guenergy.com/">GU Energy Labs</a>. It definitely
helped us make our move. Because sometime in the three o’clock hour, I was
roused from my light nap by Travis’s excited exclamation that we had slowly clawed
our way up onto the podium. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When I woke up for my morning
lap, I had to ask if it was real. I was so excited and proud of our team, I
found the gas for my best lap time of the whole event. And I wasn’t the only
one. Once we felt that momentum, there was no stopping us. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">To seal the deal, we sent Stan
out for the last lap of the race with just 10 minutes before the cut off. We
followed him as a team, cheering him past the Whisky Tree, slapping his butt up
the last climb, and screaming our heads off at the Rock Drop and home stretch. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ft56-SQlPs4/VO9xQ3MAnbI/AAAAAAAAJAc/IyeAzjTas8s/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-15%2C%2B16%2B47%2B59.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ft56-SQlPs4/VO9xQ3MAnbI/AAAAAAAAJAc/IyeAzjTas8s/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-15%2C%2B16%2B47%2B59.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PODIUM!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">All told, we completed 22 laps
putting us at 11<sup>th</sup> place in the overall ranking, and 3<sup>rd</sup>
in our category (5 person, coed, 200+). Check out our full results <a href="http://liveresults.epicrides.com/24results/teamresult.aspx?TeamNumber=411&NumResults=0&TeamType=0&Event=2015">here</a>.
I was personally stoked to see that I had the 9<sup>th</sup> and 11<sup>th</sup>
fastest female laps of the day, out of a total of 958 female laps. At night, I
did a little better, claiming the 6<sup>th</sup> and 7<sup>th</sup> fastest
female laps. I’ll dedicate those to the portable sunlight I was using, thanks
to <a href="http://www.niterider.com/">NiteRider</a>. </span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">HIGHLIGHTS </span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Besides finishing with such an
awesome result, there was a lot of amazing things to note about the event.
First was the great support from local bike shops. Huge thanks to them because
I think I wasn’t the only one who foolishly bent their derailleur right off the
bat on one of the bike racks. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">SRAM was also there and we had to
make a few visits to their tent where they were super understanding and
generous about equipment woes. Thanks to the support of 24 Hour Town, we were
able to keep our mechanical troubles relegated to base camp, rather than out on
course. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Whisky Tree is also worth
shouting out again. On our sunset pre-ride, we accidentally stumbled into a Drunk
Cyclist(?) party that was just getting going. A gaggle of plaid shirts, beanies
and MTB shorts blocked the remote section of trail. No one was allowed to pass without
a drink or a solid heckling (“STRAVA!!”). With bottles tied to its branches—and
the occasional creepy character waiting in the dark with additional bottles—you
could be sure to get some refreshment if you wanted it every time you passed.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x_ZKkBbTUyU/VO9xOAtea8I/AAAAAAAAI_U/Q9ZlHmxBMa0/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-14%2C%2B17%2B51%2B16.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x_ZKkBbTUyU/VO9xOAtea8I/AAAAAAAAI_U/Q9ZlHmxBMa0/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-14%2C%2B17%2B51%2B16.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minor cholla-related surgery for Eric.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One of the most famous features
of the course are the thick cholla cacti everywhere. I couldn’t figure out why
they included a comb in our swag bags. Then I became educated! From now on, I
will carry my comb on every desert ride. It’s the only way to remove those
prickles without subjecting yourself to further prickling. Just lift them off,
and tweeze as necessary. I got surprised on a pass once and wound up punching a
cholla pretty good. My wedding bands still don’t go on quite right due to
swelling from what I suspect is one last stowaway. Do not underestimate the
value of tweezers and combs in Tucson. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">24 Hour Town was also an
attraction in itself. Maxxis had a “tire toss” for fun and prizes. Camelbak had
a “hot tub” that was creative, but a little scary if I’m being honest. There
was coffee, beer, and BBQ so pretty much every need a cyclist has was met. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">All in all it was a super fun
event, reminding me of all the good times had back in Ontario at the <a href="http://chicoracing.com/">Chico Racing</a> 24s. Mountain biking is fun,
and 24-Hour events do an awesome job of capturing some of the very best parts:
light-hearted good times combined with lip-smacking competition, friends
supporting/heckling each other, night riding, and any excuse to consume huge
amounts of calories, all sorts. Will hope to be back again. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Keep scrolling for a few more photos from the event! </span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UumJEAQ7Hew/VO9xII0lh2I/AAAAAAAAI-A/iX33-eUSurQ/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-13%2C%2B07%2B47%2B03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UumJEAQ7Hew/VO9xII0lh2I/AAAAAAAAI-A/iX33-eUSurQ/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-13%2C%2B07%2B47%2B03.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hi from 24 Hour Town!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fIDvHA84q_Y/VO9xIlqZioI/AAAAAAAAI-I/z1N2b4x1YYE/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-13%2C%2B07%2B46%2B41.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fIDvHA84q_Y/VO9xIlqZioI/AAAAAAAAI-I/z1N2b4x1YYE/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-13%2C%2B07%2B46%2B41.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">24 Hour Town in the other direction (taken from on top of the Queen Mary)...most hadn't even arrived yet! </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_gLgOU7G23U/VO9xHWjvlUI/AAAAAAAAI98/sL-R0bg1qoY/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-14%2C%2B10%2B01%2B08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_gLgOU7G23U/VO9xHWjvlUI/AAAAAAAAI98/sL-R0bg1qoY/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-14%2C%2B10%2B01%2B08.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our "Before" photo</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--dLVF29gr50/VO9xK9lLa1I/AAAAAAAAI-0/Qf0SMeT0PUk/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-14%2C%2B11%2B02%2B12.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--dLVF29gr50/VO9xK9lLa1I/AAAAAAAAI-0/Qf0SMeT0PUk/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-14%2C%2B11%2B02%2B12.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you look really close, you can see Eric on the move. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pLHYaAqlhbg/VO9xI9i4B1I/AAAAAAAAI-Q/x0Hy5EvUQSM/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-14%2C%2B10%2B16%2B52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pLHYaAqlhbg/VO9xI9i4B1I/AAAAAAAAI-Q/x0Hy5EvUQSM/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-14%2C%2B10%2B16%2B52.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old School Rocky Mountain spotted in the timing tent!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SxvkgZukiEA/VO9xM62O71I/AAAAAAAAI_M/OYFPJ6RA6NU/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-14%2C%2B12%2B51%2B44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SxvkgZukiEA/VO9xM62O71I/AAAAAAAAI_M/OYFPJ6RA6NU/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-14%2C%2B12%2B51%2B44.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About to head out on Lap numero 1. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lv51NPXgw6Q/VO9xLpg5G_I/AAAAAAAAI-w/XD62uobXekg/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-14%2C%2B11%2B04%2B41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lv51NPXgw6Q/VO9xLpg5G_I/AAAAAAAAI-w/XD62uobXekg/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-14%2C%2B11%2B04%2B41.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">24 Hour Town Walrus</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H30YBC6rH68/VO9xLXjozOI/AAAAAAAAI-s/shBLtIrZe34/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-14%2C%2B11%2B04%2B29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H30YBC6rH68/VO9xLXjozOI/AAAAAAAAI-s/shBLtIrZe34/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-14%2C%2B11%2B04%2B29.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alice the Camel[bak]</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ahl4jJmbwGE/VO9xN7OFaEI/AAAAAAAAI_s/PAm3vEG8UxI/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-14%2C%2B16%2B30%2B30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ahl4jJmbwGE/VO9xN7OFaEI/AAAAAAAAI_s/PAm3vEG8UxI/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-14%2C%2B16%2B30%2B30.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wolf on the Rock Drop. Are you a biker? Or are you just a Belieber?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r8D2r3NgXvo/VO9xOhRYknI/AAAAAAAAI_c/yKoDrPjCeHg/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-14%2C%2B23%2B43%2B44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r8D2r3NgXvo/VO9xOhRYknI/AAAAAAAAI_c/yKoDrPjCeHg/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-14%2C%2B23%2B43%2B44.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Live by the board.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AIJxwTaAfmU/VO9xPTmvEmI/AAAAAAAAI_k/sZgyoGSeQxQ/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-15%2C%2B06%2B00%2B58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AIJxwTaAfmU/VO9xPTmvEmI/AAAAAAAAI_k/sZgyoGSeQxQ/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-15%2C%2B06%2B00%2B58.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise as I get ready for my final lap</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7D7gTWeTp_E/VO9xP869iiI/AAAAAAAAI_0/GLwDQbJIWVk/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-15%2C%2B10%2B52%2B09.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7D7gTWeTp_E/VO9xP869iiI/AAAAAAAAI_0/GLwDQbJIWVk/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-15%2C%2B10%2B52%2B09.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eric bringing it home just before cut off! </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rpx01lQaObQ/VO9xQeegnpI/AAAAAAAAI_8/FLsUlj7jBV4/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-15%2C%2B13%2B30%2B42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rpx01lQaObQ/VO9xQeegnpI/AAAAAAAAI_8/FLsUlj7jBV4/s1600/Photo%2B2015-02-15%2C%2B13%2B30%2B42.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#ninjaspotting: Regina ... + silly string</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_iPygoKfPww/VO9xXfrtckI/AAAAAAAAJA4/pzx9GVhcv8U/s1600/queen%2Bmary%2Binterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_iPygoKfPww/VO9xXfrtckI/AAAAAAAAJA4/pzx9GVhcv8U/s1600/queen%2Bmary%2Binterior.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home Sweet Home. "Roughing it"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pluP5LguaMQ/VO9xSMvwQRI/AAAAAAAAJAQ/-DovXwUklPs/s1600/Queen%2BMary%2Bext.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pluP5LguaMQ/VO9xSMvwQRI/AAAAAAAAJAQ/-DovXwUklPs/s1600/Queen%2BMary%2Bext.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The proud and magnificent Queen Mary</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191788890691453876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132145155331973671.post-89583425064605297262015-02-03T12:41:00.000-08:002015-02-04T09:24:22.602-08:00Best-Fitting Kits Ever: Eliel <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n4oKy4ZaGG0/VNEyzvxwklI/AAAAAAAAIEE/hyhN8-ybJlQ/s1600/IMG_5912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n4oKy4ZaGG0/VNEyzvxwklI/AAAAAAAAIEE/hyhN8-ybJlQ/s1600/IMG_5912.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early Eliel | top: testing prototypes. left: sewing machines at the ready. right: bib shorts about to be laser cut.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-peNb6ySgaZ4/VNEltuUpOXI/AAAAAAAAIDM/0PS521jczuY/s1600/10950649_10203896303314715_3602190146601768922_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-peNb6ySgaZ4/VNEltuUpOXI/AAAAAAAAIDM/0PS521jczuY/s1600/10950649_10203896303314715_3602190146601768922_o.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kits are first printed on special paper </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Do you know how kits are made? With fricken lasers, that's how. I know because last summer, I got to visit the brand new Vista factory of new apparel makers on the block, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ElielStudios?fref=ts">Eliel</a>. Eliel provides high-quality (like, atmospherically high) custom cycling apparel, and a new consumer line is set to launch soon as well. <br />
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I've been really happy to help them in their noble mission to make the best-of-the-best cycling kits. I started dropping by to help out as a size model and I am honored to say that I helped a tiny bit to create the amazing fit Eliel is becoming known for, far and wide (at least if you're a ladies' small, though the guys I ride with are also reporting extremely positive results).<br />
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When it came time to put together kits for this year, they were my number-one pick, and to my delight and glee, we're taking our relationship to the next level: Size model becomes sponsored athlete.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m-IPO5aLiTU/VNEl67C0Q8I/AAAAAAAAIDU/bcAfKvvFY7U/s1600/IMG_0637.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m-IPO5aLiTU/VNEl67C0Q8I/AAAAAAAAIDU/bcAfKvvFY7U/s1600/IMG_0637.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ink is applied to the fabric ready for laser cutting. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Derek Wibeck and Ryan Cady have been the friendliest, go-getting-est, most passionate entrepreneurs I've met. They were at Interbike, patrolling the garments section to see best practices, scout out the newest fabrics, and talk to athletes and industry folk. They were at Ironman, launching their brand, and providing next-level comfort to next-level athletes. And they have become the official supplier of kits for my friends at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RIDEcyclery?fref=ts">RIDE Cyclery</a>, not to mention a ton of local teams in the area including Wolf Pack Cycling, UCC Cyclery, and Surf City Cyclery. And the list is growing!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ke0oh5jajFg/VNEl661jOiI/AAAAAAAAIDc/Qi83a0ErmS4/s1600/IMG_0635.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ke0oh5jajFg/VNEl661jOiI/AAAAAAAAIDc/Qi83a0ErmS4/s1600/IMG_0635.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many panels go into making each piece of the kit </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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To help them spread the word, I wrote a piece about co-founder Ryan for the UC San Diego alumni magazine, Triton, which covers his background and how this all came to be. Check it out here: <a href="http://bit.ly/1Ht6QX9">http://bit.ly/1Ht6QX9</a>. But this quote from Ryan pretty much sums it up for me: “I wanted to produce something that someone who spends as much time on
the bike as the racing crowd or the super enthusiast would actually want
to ride in.”<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Legs of Eliel's famous most-comfortable-ever bib shorts</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Mission accomplished, Ryan. I'm so grateful to have met these cycling aficionados who know exactly what a good pair of shorts and a well-fitting jersey can add to your ride. I can pedal in these things all day long without a hint of discomfort. I can answer the call of nature <u><i>WITHOUT</i></u> having to remove my jersey, thanks to their genius mono-strap design. Serious. And wow, this Team Ninja kit is looking sharp decorated with the logos of all the sponsors and supporters I'm so humbled to be working with this season.<br />
<br />
Thank you so much to Derek, Ryan and all of the amazing team at <a href="http://www.elielcycling.com/">Eliel Cycling</a>!! It's truly an honor to be working with you, especially from so early in the game. I can't wait to see where the Eliel story goes. Thank you for having me along for the ride.<br />
<br />
<i>This Eliel kit is going to look amazing atop the <a href="http://krisgross.blogspot.com/2015/01/why-rocky-mountain-thunderbolt-is-my.html">Rocky Mountain</a> bikes that are on their way. You can get in on the Eliel goodness at <a href="http://krisgross.blogspot.com/2015/01/its-all-about-ride.html">RIDE Cyclery</a>, another partner I'm proud to work with in 2015. And they feel amazing under <a href="http://krisgross.blogspot.com/2015/01/i-heart-baggy-shorts-thank-you-zoic.html">ZOIC</a> shorts when skills clinics or group rides call for a pair of baggies. </i><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="253" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ypKG32y0dps" width="450"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191788890691453876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132145155331973671.post-49204568279238175412015-02-01T14:14:00.000-08:002015-02-04T09:23:56.063-08:00RACE REPORT: 6 Hours of Temecula<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IfTiy_pmtPo/VNJVkHQlUPI/AAAAAAAAIF0/HtMynPl-0cU/s1600/DSC_5900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IfTiy_pmtPo/VNJVkHQlUPI/AAAAAAAAIF0/HtMynPl-0cU/s1600/DSC_5900.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/118374088697382889429/TeamNinjaVailLakeEnduro?authkey=Gv1sRgCMWZ7KD8xvWTlgE&feat=directlink#6111134005219021762">David Nguyen</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>UPDATE: Due to a mixup with timing, it looks like there was one more surprise from race day: I won! Thanks for clearing it all up, SoCal Endurance! </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Skill testing question: What <i>one thing</i> can make or break your race day?
Is it a) A solid nutrition plan, with delicious on-the-bike snacks like the
ones from <a href="http://guenergy.com/">GU Energy Labs</a>? b) A super comfortable "six-hour" chamois
like the ones from <a href="http://www.elielcycling.com/">Eliel Cycling</a>? or c) Knowing the location of your car keys.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's right!! While A and B are both critical, the correct answer is "C."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has been a long week--thinking we would be in Arizona teaching <a href="http://ninjamountainbikeskills.com/">skills clinics</a>, I have been busy logging in some miles to make up for *not* riding
this weekend. </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But then we rescheduled the clinics at the last minute, and what's a
girl to do with a free weekend? Race! Obviously.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thankfully, Bill at <a href="http://ridecyclery.com/">RIDE Cyclery</a> was able to get my race bike into race-worthy condition on short notice, so at the end of a long week, and a long day, Friday night I went home and began the
meticulous work of prepping for my surprise first race of the season. Feed bag,
check. Bottles, check. Kit, check. Shoes/helmet/gloves, check. Layers for
post-race, check. Butterflies, check.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the morning, the complicated and lengthy process of pre-race fuelling
had me up at 5, so I'd be ready to go by 6, and at the venue by 7, a full two
hours before start time at 9, which is my rule. It's my rule for exactly these moments: two hours is enough time to fix almost any last-minute mess. Like this one: Time to
pack up the car and drive away? No deal. Where are my keys?! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I tore apart all the bags, my clothes from the day before, the house and
couch cushions, I even checked in the recycling bins and the trash. There was
nowhere else to look so I called AAA and had them pop the door. Time check:
7:10am. No keys.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How happy was I to finally lay eyes on this little sucker!</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course, the end of this ridiculous "where are the keys"
story was in an embarrassingly predictable place. Once I had them, I
peeled out of the driveway, triumphant, at 7:30am. When I rolled into Vail Lake
Resort at 8:30(!!!), I then realized in my haste, I'd totally left the garage
door open. "No problem," I thought, "I'll just call Gerhard, and
he can give me the neighbour's number, and surely, he won't mind closing
it." Only I had no cell service. Thanks to Ninja James who let me borrow
his phone, so I could call Gerhard in CO, who called the neighbour and by now, I was
just a few people back in the registration line.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8:53, I'm back at the car, throwing GUs in my pockets, putting on my
race number, and debating whether or not I should wear arm warmers. You know, the
only time I ever missed a plane, I still got to fly because as luck would have
it, the flight was delayed. This reminded me of that.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the start gates at 9:12, and a new start time of 9:25 is announced.
Laughing and visiting with fellow Ninja (and 12-hour winner!!) Rhonda, and
friends Denise and Amy, I'm pretty confident that "the hard part" of
the day is finally done. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Okay, let's talk about racing now!<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have never done a "solo" anything before. 24, 12, 8, or 6. I
don't know if I have the heart/legs to do it again--mad respect to those who
take on those long distances. Not knowing how this was all going to go, I went
out at a pace I thought would work and tried to separate from the huge pack.
Amazing turnout for this race, by the way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Here it is, get ready for 650' in elevation gain," said someone in the bunch. "WHAT?!" screamed my brain. Oh yeah, did I mention? I didn't have a chance
to pre-ride this course, or even properly examine the profile. Another fun
surprise! </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Dam Climb was definitely a prominent feature each lap, and
sitting here writing this surrounded in food and drinks from the relaxing safety of my
living room floor, I can't believe I ground up that thing seven times. Scratch
that. I can't believe RHONDA ground up it an incredible 12 times.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But as tough and punishing as the Dam Climb was, the Tunnel of Love more
than made up for it. Oh man, that section is fun. So much flow and I can't even
explain how much I love the sound my <a href="http://www.schwalbetires.com/">Racing Ralphs</a> make over the hard-packed
G-outs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the first four hours, I was feeling like a rock star. Good legs,
good attitude, and feeling pretty technically sound. And then, for the last two
hours, not even the Tunnel of Love could get my mojo going. It was hard. And I
had to go pee. But I didn't want to stop in case my legs cramped up. Special thanks to <a href="http://krisgross.blogspot.com/2013/10/does-your-bike-fit.html">Aaron Hauck of Inner Strength Fitt Labs</a> for all his help with bike fits because I'm pretty sure being able to sit on mine for six hours in a row is in large part to his amazing work. Look him up! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last lap I felt the horses sensing the barn, and had a happy fun time,
but the clock was running five minutes longer than the first ones. Still, I was
happy that overall, my lap times were pretty consistent for not knowing exactly
what to expect over six hours. <o:p></o:p></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks <a href="http://richardlachina.me/san-diego-cycle-coaching/">Coach Richard</a> for your help in what has clearly been a productive winter of training!</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post-race? Eating <br />
whatever I want.</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The event was a really fun time, and well-organized, even with
the surprise rush of entrants they had. The course was awesome, spaced people
out well, and there were plenty of passing opportunities. The expo was also
really cool, with demos available from Intense and NiteRider to name a
couple. Petal Power was there with samples, as well as friends with OSO MTB. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I was finished, I finally got to head over to the <a href="http://teamninjaelite.com/">Team Ninja</a> tent.
Which for 2015 has doubled into two tents! And a fancy <a href="http://feedbacksports.com/">Feedback Sports</a> A-Frame
for all the Ninja Weapons. So awesome to see all these amazing teammies and
their smiling faces. Special thanks goes out to Derek who brought my bottles to
the tent, and John who--even without prior discussion due to my time
constraints at the race start--handed me bottle after bottle (and picked up a
bunch too). Thank you so much John!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Congratulations to the 6-Hour Ninjas and 12-Hour Super Ninjas! </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TEAM NINJA: 12/6 Hour Contingent. Darryl Sykes photo. </td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I caught results for these teammates: </span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rhonda - Winner, 12-hour solo</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Darryl - Winner, 12-hour solo</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stephane - 3rd place, 12-hour solo </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Courtney and Richard - Winners, 12-hour team </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">James - 12th place, 6-hour solo</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aaron - Winner, 6-hour solo, single speed</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Michael - 22nd place, 6-hour solo</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And here's to our other teammates whose results I haven't heard yet: </span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Derek and Shelly - 6-hour team</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dan Bergstrom - </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6-hour solo </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chris Patton - </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6-hour solo </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tien Vo - </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6-hour solo </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eric Knowles - </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6-hour solo </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tony Brand - </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6-hour solo </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Advait Ogale - </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6-hour solo </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ben Ulfers - </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6-hour solo </span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Awesome turn out Ninjas! Awesome day! Best of luck to all the Ninjas racing the Enduro today, especially Shelly
who raced the 6 hour AND is back at it again today. Randy, Siobhan, Regina and Paula will be
out there too, and young Ninja Dylan is set to shred as well. Looking forward
to hearing how those events go! Good luck, Ninjas! </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fantastic first weekend at the races, and a great start to 2015. I'm so
excited to be back at it! As for results, my seven laps were good enough for
<strike>2nd</strike><b>1st place</b>. Today? Eat all the things! </span></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MGhmYHf5MB8/VM6g4K9uWVI/AAAAAAAAH_w/weLAjz2_WxQ/s1600/Photo%2B2015-01-31%2C%2B16%2B20%2B31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MGhmYHf5MB8/VM6g4K9uWVI/AAAAAAAAH_w/weLAjz2_WxQ/s1600/Photo%2B2015-01-31%2C%2B16%2B20%2B31.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6-Hour Solo Open Women's Podium</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="https://www.strava.com/activities/248804959/embed/c5ca5da3539ce3c9fce7f021b6869a79db54827a" width="590"></iframe>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kCIEkX12y_8" width="560"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11191788890691453876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132145155331973671.post-15106898730125658752015-01-15T10:48:00.000-08:002015-01-15T10:49:11.129-08:00It's All About The RIDE! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yc6okP3TnKs/VLf_H8R3JgI/AAAAAAAAHhY/TfGo5GIeKOk/s1600/10403638_10153298885429115_1043167368266883202_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yc6okP3TnKs/VLf_H8R3JgI/AAAAAAAAHhY/TfGo5GIeKOk/s1600/10403638_10153298885429115_1043167368266883202_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When I first relocated to North County San Diego in 2013, I was in a bit of mourning bike-shop wise since I'd been spoiled for so long by my friends at <a href="http://www.sweetpetes.com/">Sweet Pete's</a> in Toronto. My new go-to shop had a very high bar to live up to. I quickly learned that there are a lot of awesome bike shops in San Diego! But for me, there was one that stood out from the pack: <a href="http://ridecyclery.com/">RIDE Cyclery</a>.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yZwKAWWaCtQ/VLf_HUmzYQI/AAAAAAAAHhU/SFsELJFJwec/s1600/10468230_10153034904654115_3338839489788194097_o.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yZwKAWWaCtQ/VLf_HUmzYQI/AAAAAAAAHhU/SFsELJFJwec/s1600/10468230_10153034904654115_3338839489788194097_o.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stage 2 of #BCBR2014 in my RIDE kit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From day one, these guys have impressed me with their customer service, and how they work to be involved in the community. They host amazingly well-attended group rides every weekend (complete with coffee and bagels!) as well as trainer workouts during the week, led by <a href="http://michelliejones.com/www.michelliejones.com/Michellie_Jones.html">IRONMAN World Champ, Michellie Jones</a> (for free dollars!).<br />
<br />
And the mechanics have been top-notch, taking on the simple stuff (like I'll be forever grateful to Brent who taught me the trick to getting the battery cover off my PowerTap!), and big stuff, like getting my bike BC Bike Race ready for a week of abuse. Blaize worked long and hard to clean out every bearing, tighten every bolt, replace cables, tires, and other parts, and deliver a bike that felt <i>better</i> than new. Swear, I've never been on a rig that felt more frictionless. <br />
<br />
<br />
So it's with a huge amount of pride that I share the news that RIDE is officially going to be taking care of me and my race bikes in 2015. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3n08cl7GWKM/VLf_H3mYzvI/AAAAAAAAHhg/j5IuKZcPjJQ/s1600/10857745_10153443109464115_2827573196525588760_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scenes from RIDE's holiday party at the Carlsbad shop</td></tr>
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I'm excited especially because for 2015, RIDE has also shown the cycling community they're serious about us mountain bikers by opening up a second location a stone's throw from Carlsbad's Calavera trails. There you'll find some seriously drool-worthy machinery from the likes of <a href="http://intensecycles.com/">Intense</a>, <a href="http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes">Specialized</a>, and <a href="http://www.yeticycles.com/">Yeti</a>, as well as all the parts, snacks and soft goods (like <a href="http://www.zoic.com/kristen-gross">ZOIC</a> and <a href="http://www.elielcycling.com/">Eliel</a>!) you need to enjoy "the dirt side."<br />
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<i><b>You'll also find me! </b></i><br />
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I like hanging out at RIDE so much I asked if I could have a few shifts. So come see me on Fridays! I'm there because I'm hoping I can help the ladies of mountain biking with their women's specific needs. I read all the time that having a female in a shop helps invite more women to the sport, and I thought, "I could do that!" <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fBoNEf5dlcc/VLf-iSott3I/AAAAAAAAHhI/Hfem9t10c2g/s1600/10153202_10204723562554706_8016008896778585696_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fBoNEf5dlcc/VLf-iSott3I/AAAAAAAAHhI/Hfem9t10c2g/s1600/10153202_10204723562554706_8016008896778585696_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Find us under the chicken! </td></tr>
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I hope to learn more about bikes, and meet more members of our awesome riding community, while also serving them. I'm also leading a <b><i><u>MTB ride on Friday mornings</u></i></b> (TGIF! Dirt before work! Yay!), so stayed tuned for more information on that. It will be social-paced, no-drop, and we're extending a special invitation for ladies to join us (though dudes are welcome too!).<br />
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Please join us on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/RIDE-Cyclery-Carlsbad/745272828873795?fref=ts">https://www.facebook.com/pages/RIDE-Cyclery-Carlsbad/745272828873795?fref=ts</a><br />
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And find us on El Camino Real, between Tamarack and Canon (under the Chicken!) <br />
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I start on January 23 and I can't wait! Thank you so much RIDE Cyclery for being an awesome shop, for welcoming me to the team, and for being cool people who love bikes. <br />
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<a href="http://ridecyclery.com/">RIDE Cyclery</a> is the latest 2015 partner I've been so grateful to announce, joining the fine threads of <a href="http://krisgross.blogspot.com/2015/01/i-heart-baggy-shorts-thank-you-zoic.html">ZOIC</a>, and the singletrack crushers of <a href="http://krisgross.blogspot.com/2015/01/why-rocky-mountain-thunderbolt-is-my.html">Rocky Mountain</a>. Stay tuned for more announcements! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FDzTc_Rs75s/VLf_Ha2H2_I/AAAAAAAAHhQ/ia-O6Ck8h8c/s1600/10489715_10152980133494115_1998161087275198576_n.jpg" height="400" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end of Stage 2 in the 2014 BC Bike Race. #BCBR2015, here we come. </td></tr>
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