Not quite a 400 km lead ...

Well February biking is in the books and it's time for the month end "Get Yer Butt on the Saddle Race" update.  A very good month for both of us.  Brian turned it up a notch in duration and speed.  Tom kept the mostly outside biking going through the bitter month and got in 167 kms at Sloth Cross (yah, but it took him 15 hrs though!?!?).  Yet Tom fell short of his goal to be 400 kms ahead of Brian at the end of Feb ...



Tonight (28th) Brian put in over 40 kms, while Tom only spun out 26 kms ... 4kms short of his goal (slick Brian!).

 


Brian's the super consistant purple line (vectoring up) and Tom is still the up and down red line (like his cross bike).



Brian's 2010 Cycle of Hope - Last Ride Video

Here's the 2nd video I edited for Brian from his 2010 Cycle of Hope ride. This one is Day 13, when they rode back into Winnipeg with police escort and finished up at the Habitat For Humanity build site that they we supporting. Very cool ... a great ride and a great cause ... well done Brian!!


Included in the video is Scott taking pictures of the group riding by his locale and a great picture of Brian.

Shredded?

Well, as of Friday morning I completed the first phase of my fitness goal for 2011 - Jillian Michael's '30 Day Shred'. I needed a bit of a kick in the butt after Christmas and spending the better part of January spinning my wheels (or more accurately, not spinning my wheels). Jillian certainly delivered the kick I needed. My Marvin Martian clock - a Cmas gift from Tom - was there to keep me going when I wanted to quit (and that was often!).

The 30 Day Shred consists of 3 levels of increased difficulty and intensity. Within each level you are asked to start with no hand weights, then move up to a 3 lb set, then ultimately 5lbs. Doesn't sound like much but with the combined high intensity aerobic and strength moves - it adds up fast. It is based on 3 six minute intervals: 3 minutes of strength, 2 aerobics and 1 abs. So short and sweet, with no rest - total: 27 minutes.

The premise of this scheme is that you do 30 workouts in 30 days. I managed 10 workouts before my body demanded a day of rest. After another 8 days I had a late night and skipped the morning workout - another rest. Finally I took a third day of rest this past week just so I could finish on Friday and take the weekend off!

I started with Level 1, but moved up to level 2 after 3 days. I stayed at Level 2 for 17 days and used the extended time to master the workout using 5 lb weights. The last 10 workouts I did Level 3, and by the last 4 days I was able to complete the workout with 5 lb weights - but it was still super tough.

I intend to use this workout for days when I'm super short on time. Overall I really like the three 6 minute interval approach: I felt I got a lot of bang for the buck in a short time and it was not boring. The workout was heavy on upper body strength - lots of thrust moves from a push up position: mountain climbers, jack thrusts and just plain old two legged torturous thrusts - I dropped a few f-bombs here since upper body strength is my area of greatest challenge and these are super tough. Almost all the moves incorporate core work and I feel the workouts were all well choreographed.

Results: Throughout the 33 days, I ate an average of 1400 calories/day, keeping my carbs at aroung 45%, fat 25% and protein 30%. There were about 3 days when I indulged for one reason of another. I lost 6 pounds, 1 inch around my waist, 1 inch around my butt and about 1/2 inch around each thigh. The weight loss is not what I had hoped but throughout this process my body was grabbing water and holding on to it, so my weight fluctuated throughout the 33 days. Most importantly, I feel different - my core feels tighter and stronger. I enjoyed the challenge, but it took a lot of mental energy at times to do the workout (again!). I must also admit that I feel somewhat drained as well - perhaps that is my age showing (!!) or perhaps anyone would feel the same.

These workouts confirmed my areas of strength and challenge: I was able to quite easily managed the aerobic and the abdominal aspects of the workout. My upper body strength, always my greatest area of challenge, certainly made some moves super tough. Jillian Michaels promises that your body will hurt in the beginning - I didn't have much muscle stiffness but I did find my neck and shoulders hurt the first few days. I worked hard to hold my neck properly to avoid straining it, and my shoulders stopped aching after the first week.

Phase 2 starts Monday!

Seeing back to Brian's 2010 Cycle of Hope ride

So before Christmas, Brian asked me to edit some HD video footage from his 2010 Habitat For Humanity Cycle of Hope ride which he could not process. No problem says I and then slowing forgot about it ... until today, when I discovered just the right song and put on my editors hat (Surly riding cap of course!) to make this video. Here it is, including footage when his rearview camera falls off and survives to show the tale!


Kudos Brian for completing the COH five times (or is it six?) and for committing to it again this year! A great cause, which you have raised a lot of money for and put in a lot of kms ... even more this year toward our little "Get Yer Butt on the Saddle Race" ... thanks! ... really ;-)

More of the "Long and Short of It"

Just looked at the latest graphical display of how Brian and I are doing in our "Get Yer Butt on the Saddle Race" and the differences keep growing.  My latest big spike of a ride being 167 kms at Sloth Cross makes the graph look even more skewed, but check out Brian's upward track!  Oh yah ... Brian's picking up the pace and length of his trainer rides ... the challenge is being met! I spiked up to 1350 kms, but Brian is over 950 kms now.  Not sure if I'll be able to build enough of a lead before Brian's Cycle of Hope at this rate.

Sloth Cross - In Video

It was awesome times again at Sloth Cross this year and here it is for all to see in HD:


Just my own little video to record the event and the fun had. I've offered my raw footage to Darryl NB at FGBC to augment his super creative work. I snagged a few picks from the FGBC Sloth Cross Report - a good read.

Btw, I got the music "Lookin' Out My Back Door" by Creedence Clearwater Revival, directly from a funny section of the Big Lebowski movie ... it seemed to just fit ... Dudes!

Sloth Cross brief review

A graphic interpretation of what my first lap of Sloth Cross felt like. It got much better though (this could also serve as a review of more than one of the movies that played during the event).

Honestly, the 1st two laps were tough enough because of the wind packed snow that made a good portion of the route a hike-a-bike that I seriously considered ditching the bike and walking the course instead (in no small part because walking/running instead of biking counted for double points). As things got packed down though it got much better.

For next year I'd like 8 different complete team kits, toques, mitts, etc. so I don't have to keep putting on my used, wet gear before heading back out into the cold again.

Congrats to Tom for putting in a ton of mileage, and Graham waking up after a brief sleep and putting in 4 more laps, and for finishing the race on a rim.

The Long and The Short of it ...

Found a new graphing function on the MapMyRide site today when I checked our "Get Yer Butt on the Saddle" Race status.  Here you can clearly see the Long (my outdoor-mostly rides right now) and Short (Brian's consistant 1 Hr-ish long trainer rides) of our race challenge:

Notice how Brian's super consistant training rides have suddenly angled up!
Is he nervous?  Or is he just loving the trainer??  Am I nervous???

Dreams of Sloth and Slog!

Having some good day dreams of Nordic Cross slogging and slothing to come this weekend at Sloth Cross!  The course looks worthy and so does the weather!  I plan to continue my endurance training build up and ride lots ... plus some slothing "Clint" fun as well.

I figure if I have a beer after every 3 laps, then a six-pack is guaranteed!  With that plus chips, gum drops and pepperoni sticks as rewards ... I'm ready to rumble and pedal and push ... giddy up!

I also look forward to riding some laps with Scott and Graham.  We may have to make a break for the lead off the start, because after that ... ???

Now of course, none of my motivation has anything to do with our "Get Yer Butt on the Saddle" Race ;-)

Jen & Mark get blown away

Cool!...Jen and Mark Barber recently visited a wind tunnel for an assigment with Lava Magazine (Ironman's publication - Jen is the online editor).

We see pictures and videos of these things all the time in bike magazine but it would be pretty neat to actually be in one and witness the testing first hand.

No, that's not Mark in the pic (he's taking the pics). If it were him he'd be hitting his head on that white spaceship looming above.

The brief article and more pics are here, and appearantly a video is to come.

Get Yer Butt on the Saddle Race: Mid Feb Update

The trash talking has increased and so has Brian's riding time, but then so has Tom's pace ... it's going to be interesting for sure!!

Tom's almost 300 kms ahead ... but then spring is coming ... but then so is Sloth Cross ... but then Brian's about to move up to Zone 3/4 from 1/2 on the trainer ... what will happen?  Kinda makes ya want to get on your bike and ride - doesn't it!?

Link Here for the latest details.

Team Photo

The first ever TrainingCoop team photo, taken by Rodney Braun of Eve Studios.

The photo shoot was primarily to provide our jersey sponsor, Puratone, with a thank you and evidence of their generous sponsorshop, but it was also a fun afternoon out which resulted in some good pics.

Go Pro LCD Bac Pac ... a little bit more awesome!

So Scott and I have ordered up these cool new additions to our GoPro HD cameras:


Plus they come with new case backings, so you can have them active while filming in all conditions.
Go Pro HD ... just a little bit more awesome!

Brian & Tom "Arm Wrestle" for the "Medal"

It was bound to happen ... at yesterday's Training Coop photoshoot at Eve Studios (more on that later from Scott), Brian and Tom met face to face ... for the first time since starting their "Get Your Butt on the Saddle Race" and well, let's just say the trash talking was in full swing!  In fact, they even started to fight over Tom's Surly Karate Monkey ... which led to an arm wrestle.  Check it out:

Who will win the struggle to pedal for the medal?

Still friends right?  Always!

Avoiding Yellow Snow!

Got my butt on the saddle again today for a trail ride ... not because I really want that medal or anything ;-)

The temps were rising, but the paths were still icy and after my first little slide almost into a large patch of yellow snow (man's best friend I assume!), I suddenly started noticing that YELLOW SNOW WAS EVERYWHERE! I mean, not just on the trails and park paths, but EVERYWHERE ... especially right after every shiney slippery patch ... like landmines strategically positioned!

Anyways ... I rode around Assiniboine Park, along the river edge trail, up & back Truro Creek, past Bourkevale Dog Park(!) and as far as Kenaston before heading back via the Leo Mol Garden (no bikes allowed apparently - saw the sign on my way out).  I even successfully avoided the yellow snow and even kept most patches out of the camera's FOV.

2 & 1/2 hours of good riding, bright scenery, fresh air and 39 more kms for the race total (slow but steady - eh).

Here's some pics ... especially for Brian ;-)

Icy Trail Ride for the Karate Monkeys - Video Time!

Alrighty then ... with two HD Go Pro cameras ready to capture Scott and I on our recent icy ride, you just know I caught a few crashes on film ... well I actually only got two of them, but they made the final editing.  You have to wait til the end though (skipping ahead is not cool!) to observe.

Btw ... I KNOW THE SONG IS SUPER SUPER HAPPY HAPPY and not my normal pick for a soundtrack, but this one got big smiles from Lori, Brett and Scarlet ... so it just had to used!  Enjoy ...


DON'T FORGET TO CHOOSE 720 HD AND CRANK THE AUDIO ... TRUST ME! :-)

Icy Trail Ride for the Karate Monkeys

So Scott and I decided we would meet in Assiniboine Park for some trail riding yesterday. Good idea on paper ... windchill about -30C ... no problem - we're Canucks - check ... Surly Karate Monkey 29-ers for both of us - check - excellent ... studded tires required? - heck no - not needed SO FAR this year!? ... all is well! Right?
Well ... let's just say that with a Super Freeze after a Super Thaw ... it was SUPER ICY ... I've got the wipeout(s) video footage to prove it (but that's for a later screening)!


Scott cruising up before our little Assiniboine Park Monkey Trail ride on our Karate Monkey 29ers. We should have stuck to the trails ... the pathways were murder!

So we hit the trails and it kinda looked like this ... no I didn't use marker on the actual sign!

365 marathons in 365 days

I don't even know what to say about this, other than to wonder aloud at how much this guy's food bill is...

Report from Reuters Life!: Belgian marathon runner Stefaan Engels celebrates after taking part in a marathon in Barcelona, in this handout picture taken February 5, 2011. The 49-year-old from Ghent, northwest Belgium, is now the proud holder of the record for the most consecutive marathons, complementing his Guinness world record for the most triathlons completed in a year (20). He has also completed 401 marathons in as many days: 18 on a hand bike and the rest on foot, including 365 in a row.

Just Growing

TheTrainingCoop was involved with the Just Growing project documented in the video below by donating some land use and a couple of bike trailers to the cause last year - more of the same is anticipated this season. Congrats to all involved, and Jen in particular, on a successful 1st year.

Pride Cross Report

Halberto organized it so of course it was AWESOME ... I know he would be too humble to say so I will!  In fact, I take great Pride in reporting all the details, but not for MY own satisfaction (I assure you! ;-)).

I'm sure there will be a way-wittier report over at the FGBC blog soon, but here's how it went down ...

It all started with a biking related Pride Quiz, that seemed to be loaded with questions designed to confirm how much biking shapes our lives and especially our race achievements, bike possessions and club, blog internet connections.  Now this meant extra pride laps for those with more of these ... like Tomek, Chris and of course Hal himself (like he planned it that way - fair enough), who had 3 extra mini-laps on top of 7 full laps to do.

The race it self was cold, fast and icy at Omand's Creek (which it turns out is one the Poosher's least fav places - so he says, but his big Pugsley seemed well suited to it's icy trails).  It was frick'n cold and so after the race it was straight back to Hal's for beer and Hal's personally baked pizzas, which were much appreciated by all.

Thanks for a fun one Hal ... good times again!

Halberto explaining the need for extra "Pride" laps and the how-to of it (while holding a mirror in our left hands ...).




Jonny G ... always smiling!

 


Brad the Impaler ... always pushing it!

 


Tomek the Poosher ... always fast!

 


Craig the Cricket ... super fast ... esp w/less pride laps!

 



What the heck is Hal doing outside in this cold?

 


Ahh ... thanks Hal ... terrific fresh pizza!

 

A Toasty Tour de Winnipeg

It was a beautiful "Toasty-warm" winter's day for a MTB-ing "Tour de Winnipeg".   So I strapped on both of my Go Pro HD cameras and set out for what was to be a marvelous five hours of biking, sightseeing and relaxing.

Check it out (in HD if you wish) and watch for the squirrel I almost rode over (on the Monkey Trails)!
Btw, I really love the tunes ("Surprise Me", by Alex, featuring Mykle Anthony), which I downloaded and remixed legally from ccMixter.



I rode through a bunch of city parks, along the Assiniboine River, past the Legislature, the River Trail ice path, through "The Forks" hub of gathering people, viewing the Canadian Museum For Human Rights (under contruction), marvelling at the unique Esplanade Riel Bridge, pausing at the historic Cathedrale Saint-Boniface, hopping over the Norwood Bridge and back into the Forks for a coffee at the Expresso Junction ... ahhh ... then a casual cruise home back along the Assiniboine, Wellington Crescent, Assinboine Park, Woodhaven and Sturgeon Creek.

Although the just-melting temps had some of the pathways a little soft, even the Assiniboine Park "Monkey Trails" were rideable ... very nice!

Winter in Winnipeg is highly under-rated! Some might avoid or hide from the cold months here. In doing so, they fail to connect fully with all that Winnipeg has to offer. Winter biking has broadened my connection with Winnipeg and inspired me to capture it's stark beauty on film.

Paddling the Atlantic (at age 64)

So what they're saying is that paddling to Lake Winnipeg isn't really that much of an accomlishment I suppose...

Get Yer Butt On The Saddle Race

So just after the start of this year, Brian and I were talking about our biking goals for this year and motivation to train for them.  Both Brian and I use MapMyRide to keep track of our workouts and rides.  In the past, we have used a "Friends" connection on the MapMyRide Rivals/Leaderboard to set up challenges to compare how our speeds on set trainer time trials were shaping up.  That was fun for motivation to train harder, but now were have other plans ...

This year will be about DISTANCE ... lots and lots of distance!  Brian is training for this year's Habitat For Humanity "Cycle of Hope" Ride (which will take place from 1-16 July, from St Louis to Winnipeg) and I am training to race solo in the 2nd annual 24 Hrs of Falcon Ridge (which will take place on 16/17 July).



 So, we are challenging each other to a "GET YER BUTT ON THE SADDLE RACE" and ride ride ride in preparation.  Now since Brian is generally riding inside during the winter and I am outside mostly on longer-time rides, we decided that the challenge should not be time on the saddle, but DISTANCE RIDDEN - BETWEEN JANUARY 1st and JULY 17th ... cunning race eh!

Of course right now, even with my slower speed outside, I am getting in enough longer rides to take the lead ... but I'll need it ... trust me there ... Brian's a machine!

Plus once we get to July 1st, Brian will be heading off on his COH ride, which will cover at least 1500 kms; ending on the 16th!  I will need to be WELL AHEAD of him by then or I will be a goner!  Mind you, my "Ace-In-The-Hole" might be the distance I bike in 24 Hrs of Falcon (including half of the 17th!).  Course Brian could always come out to Falcon to "support me" at that race ... hey, the COH ends midday on the 16th and it's not like he'll be saddle-sore or anything after a bunch of consecutive century rides ;-)!  In fact, I hereby challenge Brian to come on out to Falcon to receive his prize or "support me" in any way that seems appropriate at the time!!!

Btw, predictions/wagers (for the prize pot) are allowed and then there's the matter of the actual prize???

I've created a Icon/Page Link for the RACE on the near top left of the blog to keep track of our challenge and it also allows Comments ... let the Trash talk begin!

Click on the link up left or HERE to see who's working on wearing out their cycle shorts first ...

Super HD Video Test - Day & Night MTBing

Decided to turn my latest bike ride into a super HD (1080p/30) widescreen test for my Go Pro Hero HD helmet cam.  I also wanted to see how it filmed in the dark as well, so I did some double riding/filming of the same sections in Assiniboine Park and area.  I was really happy with the results, but confirmed that with the narrow depth of view vertically, that camera angle is critical to useful filming.

Check it out and let me know what you think of this view vice my normal 4x3 (170 deg) view:

FGBC TNR Report: 'Dry Cold' - My Ass!

It was a freakin cold night last night for a ride (some would say "Cold As Hell"), but that did not stop half a dozen of us from mounting our bikes for the weekly FGBC TNR.

Wearing all the right layers of clothes can help, but windchill has a way of making itself known ... deep under the layers, past the fogging goggles (what's with all the humidity these days when it's -30 C ... 'Dry Cold' - My Ass!), past the slight gap you left under your chin, under the iced over balaclava and deep into your numbing fingers when a mechanical fix requires mittens off (thank you hand warmers ... you are a God send!). Ah, but then there's the warmth of solidartiy in the company of other hardy bikers and friends out to pedal some warmth into the night and themselves.  Fortunately a 'mid-night' safe haven awaits such riders with warmth, libations, tunes and jocularity to be enjoyed.

Such was the FGBC TNR last night.  Four riders at first (Mark, Craig, Brad and I), then a quick Bill A. pick up, off through Assinboine Park (ok, just a little) and over ot the klubhaus; to be joined by Jonny G riding in and the company of Chris the Dark Lord (knee injury) and Darryl the Secretary (hockey).  Plenty of discussions ensued of MTB, MUCR and Roadie meetings for this year's racing schedules and how great it will all be ... depending upon the potential 'mega' flood in our spring future.  Dreams of great fun to be had at Sloth "Clint" Cross, the Spring Ride and 24 Hrs of Falcon were kindled and firmed.  As was the firm sense of awe we all felt for what had just been accomplished at the Arrowhead 135 by Lindsay, Ian and Dallas. Those guys are real winter adventurers!

Btw, Brad made some mention of a super sweet deal on a Pugsley for sale somewhere and it does have me thinking ... ??? ... Arrowhead 2013???


The Hipster (Mark), Cricket (Craig), The Impaler (Brad) and I meet Bill.



Bill (with studded MTB & Colnego jersey) joins the Hipster.



Brad & Bill insights ... "you're faster, no no you're faster ... ok maybe"!

The always entertaining ... "will Brad's lock come off tonight" ... Yes!

Looking forward to the water again

Every year around this time I start to yearn for the water. I don't know if I'll ever take the plunge and try my hand at sailing (a guy can only have so many toys, and I enjoy my kayaks, along with my land-going machines) but there's something very appealing about working with the wind to propel yourself across the water.

Darn, these multi-hulls can move!...just don't tip over.

P.S. I can't imagine owning a boat that even remotely resembles the one below in this lifetime (the one below is attempting an around-the-world speed record), but even a simple single hull design can get expensive fast. One of my favourite quotes from a paddling DVD we own: "To me sailing is like standing in a cold shower and throwing money down the drain", spoken by a guy taking a sailboat to Antarctica so he can launch his kayak from there and paddle the icy coast.