I BELIEVE .... AND WAY BEYOND!

WE HOPED ... WE BELIEVED ... WE DELIVERED ... OH CANADA - FOR EVER!!!

Oh Canada...

Chasing Ghost Bike Riders - TNR 23 Feb 10

The Tues Nite Ride report from yesterday's FGBC ride tells some of the tale of my mostly solo ride that evening.

Here's my tale ... told in my usual video way:


Chasing Ghost Bike Riders ... a very cold ride, but kinda fun anyways!

Ashleigh's Moment

I really enjoyed watching the women's ski cross competition yesterday while doing a workout - what a cool sport. It didn't hurt that Canadian Ashleigh McIvor pretty much dominated from the opening heats thru to her gold medal finish in the final run.

This morning I caught a brief interview with Ashleigh where she was asked what her favourite moment of yesterday's gold medal experience was (the interviewer assumed it would be something like climbing the podium, receiving her medal, listening to the national anthem, etc.).

Ashleigh's answer: "Standing in the starting gate for the final race, getting ready to go".

Maybe that answer is what defines an elite athlete.

On to the Indian

Jessica has made it thru the Atlantic Ocean and now 'only' has to cross the Indian Ocean before arriving safely back in Australia so I figured it was time for another post. After over 4 months at sea she is still on track to become the youngest person to sail around the world unassisted. Sort of like when I paddle to the Forks, only 3600 times longer.

Check out reports on her latest progress here.

Flighty Flamingos

Sustainable Fitness recently partnered with Clear 102.3 fm and Bikram Yoga to create the 4 week Get Fit Challenge, where a select group of participants kick start a more active lifestyle by doing 3 bootcamp / TRX fitness classes and 3 hot yoga classes every week for 4 weeks.

The participants are welcome to attend any of the classes offered by Sustainable Fitness and I've enjoyed working with a couple of them myself. Four gals who are participating have put together their own blog, the Flighty Flamingos, to document their experiences so I've included a pic taken from their blog and pasted it above, and have added a link in our blog list on the left side of this page - I'll leave the link up thru to the end of the Challenge.

Although I haven't met these particular four participants myself I of course wish them all the best as they work through the 2nd half of the Challenge - it looks like you gals are doing great!

Omand's Creek Bridge

It's the beginning of the end for our humble little Omand's Creek Bridge. It's amazing how much bike and pedestrian traffic this bridge gets and it's probably time for a major upgrade, but Deanna and I will miss what has become our official sign of spring - when the bridge is flooded and all of the traffic uses the unofficial detour down our street or back lane. For about a month every year our back lane (which services just four houses) is disproportionally popular.

For the last few spring thaws Deanna and I took it upon ourselves to shovel the bridge clear of all the mud and other residue left after the water level dropped and we kind of enjoyed taking some ownership of the bridge but I guess this will be the last year we need to break out the shovels. The new bridge is supposed to be built above the high water mark. I guess that means we won't be able to kayak overtop of the bridge in the spring - I hope it doesn't serve to block our progress in spring time. Regardless, it's good to see some tax dollars being put to very practical and healthy-lifestyle promoting use.

THE DUDE? - Our Canadian Olympic DUDE!

Having recently watched The Big Lebowski movie at Sloth Cross and seeing their version of "The Dude" gave me a new perspective on "DUDE-ness" ... then along came our Canadian Olympic Skeleton Gold Medal Champ - Jon Montgomery ... a real Canadian DUDE!!!

The Olympic Potential:


The Olympic Performance:
Jon slides to the Gold Medal

The DUDE-ness and the Beer Performance:

Check it out > HERE < (no embed allowed).

Oh Yah ... he's my vote for Canadian Olympic DUDE!

Sloth Cross Video

SLOTH CROSS - "24 HOURS OF THIS AND THAT" ... THE VIDEO TELLS IT ALL - AWESOME!

My new secret weapon...

Aha!...local cycling domination is finally within my grasp (or not) with the help of this new product brought to my attention by my helpful brother-in-law:

"The Japan Trend Shop is selling an oxygen pack to help people train at a more intense level by breathing a more oxygenated mix than is available naturally. Apparently manufactured by Mitachi Industry, the Oxyfit was announced back in 2008 and is now available for $2,681 plus shipping. We won't comment on the actual benefits this thing promises to bring to your exercise routine and overall health, but a serious talk with your doctor would be appropriate before investing in the device.

Some hype from the product page:

Lightweight and discreet, it can be worn during nearly any activity, and boosts available oxygen from 20% or lower up to 30%. Not only can this help with fatigue and other symptoms of low oxygen, but it can actually boost brainpower and metabolism as well. More oxygen lets you run farther, work longer, and even lose weight! An increased supply of oxygen speeds up your body's metabolic engine, burning more calories and stimulating fat loss. Finally, the improved circulation from increased oxygen levels can produce nootropic (brain-stimulating) and anti-aging effects (through increased moisturization of the skin). "

Nice hoops

So I sez to Liam, I sez "I picked up a white bar and stem (and cable housing) to match the white saddle and accents of my Karate Monkey and plan to purchase a white Fox F29 fork in the spring, and I've ordered a pair of White Industries hubs to build up some new wheels too (ironically the hubs are not white, they're polished aluminum). Any idea where I can find a nice set of 29er rims in white?", and he sez "right here..." and pulls out a newly arrived set of NoTubes ZTR Arch 29er rims in powder coat white, in the correct spoke count and everything! Sold. I'm going full bling on this and using blue nipples to match the frame. I've been trying to run away from my inner dork for a while but I think it's time to embrace who I am.

Sloth Pic

This is the singular photo I took while at 24 hours of Sloth, but I think it's a fair representation of the spirit of the event:

Sloth Cross - 25 Hrs of biking, movies, beer & friends

The good Dr H has already reported on a totally awesome FGBC Sloth Cross!


Group photo from the "media lap". Others showed later and rode at least one lap each - great showing!

Here's a slideshow of my pics and others snatched from FGBC's blog:


Well, I finally made it to a FGBC 24 Hr event and I will be back as many times as possible! 25 Hrs of time avail for riding, movies, beer, BBQ and great socializing (highlighted by the Big Lebowski movie & the Sal's Breakfast lap) - beyond terrific!!

Big kudos to Tomek and Arlene for hosting us so well in their unique and comfy home! Tasty soup Arlene. Big thanks also to Colin and Anita for hosting, food and bike storage.

It was a pleasant surprise to have Scott join the event and ride a number of laps with him. Deanna's cupcake treats were enjoyed by all (a little too much by me - ergo the extra laps!). Graham dropped in from his busy work schedule to say hello (wishing his timing was other no doubt).

I enjoyed all 13 laps (136 + kms) I rode with the large group, with single & multiple partners and solo as well. My later laps had some right knee pain due a nasty downhill fall, but pressing on is all part of the zest of life ... life was zesty good this weekend! Finishing just behind the speedy Jonny G and KK was cool for me (thanks KK for dropping me on that one lap bud ;-)).

I have tons of helmet cam video and will put together an event video soon.

What a blast of winter biking and fun times!!!

A brief 24 Hours of Sloth recap

I think there's a reasonable chance that Tom will post a pic or two of the recent 24 hrs of Sloth, and full write-ups will likely be written elsewhere. I don't have a great deal to add, except 1st to say thanks to the organizers and Tomek for the use of his house. It was a fun event and the first FGBC event I've shown up for in a long while.

With almost perfect winter weather conditions and "sloth" right in the title of the event I figured I had no excuses to stay home, though I only decided to get my gear together and commit an hour or so before things started. Deanna very kindly went out and bought me food for the day after she dropped me off at the pre-ride meeting (and she returned later with cup cakes!).

The neutralized media lap exposed us all to a great course - IMO it was a perfect length (about 10 km) and most was easy to ride - all except the monkey trails that got chewed up as the day went on. I actually walked the monkey trails on the last 2 or 3 laps. The bit thru the Forks was good but I wouldn't mind if pedestrians looked past their own noses to see if anything else was happening as they arbitrarily and randomly crossed the river walk, and I don't know why families have to walk 5 people wide taking up an entire 8 - 10 foot wide path so that no one moving faster than them can get by, but on the other hand most people out yesterday were friendly and smiling. It seemed like almost everyone was happy to be enjoying a postcard Canadian winter weekend.

My plan was to keep riding from the 10:00 start time thru to darkness taking brief breaks between laps to refuel, and I pretty much stuck to that. I did one lap in the dark to test out a lighting system that I hope to use in a couple of events this summer, but then I settled in to watch a movie back at the race headquarters. This being an event for sloths you got a lap credit for watching a full movie. I made a strategic error by watching the last half of one movie and the first half of another, for which you get no credit, but I did view one in its entirety. As I type this I honestly don't even remember which one it was.

As it rolled passed midnight and it seemed as though no one would be going out for another late night ride, and taking advantage of Graham who showed up to see what was happening for a bit and was about to head home, I bummed a ride home where I could sleep in a little more comfort. To that point I had by no means set a blistering pace or done tons of mileage but I got in maybe 7 laps (I could be off) and felt pretty good, though my quads were starting to ache a bit and I was sleepy.

I flopped on the couch at home and Deanna and the mutt both kissed me goodnight. I think I was asleep before they got into bed themselves but I woke up around 7:00 am feeling quite refreshed so I decided to put my gear back on and head out for another lap. I did one full lap before returning to headquarters and briefly thought of doing another but instead watched another half a movie while Chris and Tomek rode one more lap at what seemed double my pace. When they got back to headquarters the last time we all geared up and headed out to Sal's for breakfast. It's been 20 years since I've been to Sal's, but evidently nothing has changed in that time. It is what it is. After getting some eggs, back bacon, potatoes, and toast down my throat it was time to head home to wish the two ladies of my life a happy Valentine's.

Hmmm, maybe that wasn't as brief a recap as I thought. All in all it was good day. Many participants did many more laps than I did, but that's not a surprise and for the record I may have doubled my outdoor winter riding mileage for the year in one 24 hour period. That's not saying much, but regardless it was a good time. Thanks again to all involved in putting on the event and everyone else I rode with. Good stuff.

Great Tacx ride

Just finished a great ride on the Tacx virtual trainer (and I'm trying not to remind myself that Deanna rode the same course twice yesterday). The video below isn't mine, but it gives you an idea of what the ride looks like on screen while I'm pedalling.

Third Hand Smoking

This is interesting. Not that we needed more reasons not to smoke (and I know I'm preaching to the choir here) but according to this article appearantly 3rd hand smoke is bad too.

Who flats during a trainer workout?

I read Deanna's tweet and thought a response was appropriate to the question " Who flats during a trainer ride?" I do too! Two weeks ago. What started as a small bulge in my rear tire slowly became larger and eventually created a small tear in the tire casing. On that tire's last ride the thump as the bulge moved over the roller of my trainer became more pronounced, with only 8 minutes left to finish my ride, "BOOM!"

My wife was at the bottom of the stairs and the blowout scared the c**p out of her. Since then she has been more cautious when coming down to the basement.

Icebike 2010

Wow, that was cold. Here are a few pics of Icebike 2010. Maybe a few more to come if I'm so inspired:

Awesome winter ride with Brett

Terrific day for a winter bike ride with my oldest son Brett, through Woodhaven, Assiniboine Park and on the river edge footpaths. Brett's normally very busy with university stuff, but he really enjoyed getting out for a ride (me too!). Mind you he enjoyed riding my Giant Anthem a little too much ;-) and I probably shouldn't have let him try my Karate Monkey later in the ride (he wouldn't give it back)!

Btw, I highly recommend the recently opened Joe Black Coffee Bar ... bike friendly staff, great eats and drinks ... all right across from the Assiniboine Park footbridge.

A shout out to Graham our 'Trg Coop Racer' or 'Silent Partner'

Saw this pic of Graham racing at the MCA MTB Provincials in 2008 and thought I'd post it as a shout out to our "silent Coop partner" of late ... whaas up Graham?

Randy + Mark = Motivation

If I needed any motivation to get my butt up into the gym today this should suffice:



I figure if two guys in their mid-forties are willing to literally go head to head and pound the crap out of each other until one is left standing I can push a little iron. Don't know yet if we'll spring the big buck for the PPV show, but I'm tempted...

Poor Caloric Choices

I see lists like this every now and then and usually the info they contain is pretty obvious, but this one contained a few surprises for me so I thought I'd share it:

The Wost Drinks in America (most are available in Canada too)

Slightly used Ktrak for sale

This thing looks crazy enough that it just might work. An Olympia customer recently let us know that his Ktrak tracked rear drive kit (used just twice) is up for sale. Note that he's selling the kit, not the whole bike pictured above which is copied and pasted from the corporate website. In his words the Ktrak kit is "well made stuff, but not for an old guy trying to cycle snowmobile routes as I like to do".

For more info feel free to call Steve Sheppard @ 204.753.2747.

New Jerseys

Coming to a trail, road, and course near you soon (though at least in my case not very fast): New blatantly self promotional jerseys.

"Ice Biking The River" Video

It was a cold -20C day, but sunny and not too windy along the Assiniboine River for a great "Ice Biking The River" outing. I went to the Forks and back from the Sturgeon Creek area, through Wood Haven, Assiniboine Park and along the river edge "hiker" packed paths and The River Trail, which is shorter this year, but pretty good from Wolseley to the Forks. About 4 hours of slog ride/hike time and just over 40 kms - a great workout and memorable scenery for sure.

Highlight of the ride (skip to 4:50 in the video) was running into some guys (John, Brent, Tim & friend) along the river at their backyard bonfire drinking beer (their kids had just gone in after tobogganing) and they offered me a Kokanee beer - Oh Yah!

But just when I thought the surprises were over ... near the end of my ride, I stopped at the Assiniboine Park winter shelter for some hot chocolate that Lori had doctored up for me and ... a little Captain Morgan's rum surprise ... thanks babe!