Edmonton

Edmonton Canada Cup was the most organized and best laid out course so far this year. I know thats saying a lot especially since it's the first time these guys have organized a Canada Cup but here's what made it so great. It was DOWNTOWN Edmonton thats right the race took place in Kinsman Park right next to the university so there were more spectators there and it brought racing to where the people are rather then trying to get people out to the race. The course was excellent. It had a good mixture of fast single track technical descents and steep climbs. The organization was great and they had everything ready to go and also one of the biggest expo areas I have seen at a Canada Cup, or Nationals for that matter. It was great to come to Edmonton to race. And I look forward to coming back next year!!!

here is a link for some photos taken by Ryan Hoppings.

Tremblant a little late

Last weekend I raced at Mount Tremblant for Canada Cup #2 and unlike so many other years there the course was dry and fast! The Elite men did 6 laps and by the 4th lap up the middle climb my legs were feeling the effects of goign hard and had that feelign when you know they could cramp but you still keep pushing hard because its only another 2.5 laps and the top of the climb is maybe 30 pedal strokes away. I had a decent race. It was an improvement from the week before and I am feeling faster al the time. I rode steady which was the plan and found I could be more aggressive on the climbs and just felt better all around. I was happy with my race and finished in 10th position. I would have liekd a better result but they will come.

This Sunday is Hardwood Hills for canada cup #3 and I'm looking forward to it!

the day before

It's the day before Canada Cup #2 2009 in Mont Tremblant Quebec. The course is pretty much the same as past years with some work done on the trails in a preventative measure in case its muddy.
One thing I have noticed with riding many of the same courses over the years is there is a huge difference in my own skill level and the speed I can ride. I was thinking this today as I descended a section of single track which used to give me trouble and I now pedal in my big ring. Or on the middle climb of this course I remember struggling up it the first year I raced and reaching the top and just being glad that I was at the top. It hasn't gotten any easier for me, I just am able to go faster.
We'll see what happens tomorrow, my legs are feeling good though.

Back In Tremblant

The Canada Cup circuit has started and round two is taking place this upcoming weekend in mont tremblant quebec. The first race was held in baie st paul on a bumpy, rooty, twisty course with quite a few climbs and not much recovery it wasn't my best race but also not my worst and I have a long season ahead of me so I'm moving on and focusing on doing well at tremblant now.
The course is the same as always with a big climb into some singletrack and a shorter steep power climb (which lasts about 1-1.5min) in the middle followed by a fast descent before starting it again.
I'm looking forward to the weekend!

'09 race rig

OK well here it is the picture of the bike I am racing in 2009.

Frame: Blue Carbon

Fork: Reba Team

Wheels: Industry Nine XC wheelset in Gold

Cranks: FSA Team Issue

Brakes: Avid Juicy Carbon

Shifters: XO twist

rear deraileaur: x-9

front deraileaur: XTR

flat bar

zero layback seat post

US cup #5

Sunday April 26 was US Cup #5 in the Santa Ynez Valley, the weekend following Sea Otter. Opposing the scorching heat in Monterey, Los Olivos was a much more comfortable racing climate with the high being around 20 degrees and lots of wind.
The course took riders on a rolling eight mile loop through ranch land with two longer climbs and no rocks or roots making the course extremely fast and quite different from anything in Canada.
Twenty –Five riders started the men’s race which would consist of three laps. On the first climb a small group consisting of Sid Taberlay, Aaron Olsen, Andy Schultz, Manny Prado, Craig Ritchey and Daniel Sessford left the rest of the field with Taberlay attacking the group getting away and Andy Schultz and Aaron Olsen Chasing. The next person to Launch an attack was Craig Ritchey who got clear and ended up soloing for the three laps finishing fourth almost catching Schultz at the line. Daniel Sessford rode for most of the race in fifth fading a little at the end and being caught by Dana Webber to finish sixth just off the podium.
The Next race for the Blue Boys (Craig Ritchey, Daniel Sessford) will be the Canada Cup #1 in Baie St Paul May 17th.

Sea Otter and camping

I raced Sea Otter Classic for the first time this year. It was great to be able to race against 170 other fast guys on a fast course. The only downside for me was the heat, not being used to riding let alone racing in 30 degree weather took a lot out of me. The start was great for me and I was able to ride comfortable in the lead group until about 40min in when my core temperature started rising and I could no longer get cool. After finishing all the water I was carrying (2 bottles) plus the water I could get out of the nuetral feed zones I had to realize that I needed to sit up and focus on getting through the lap and not dying since my legs and arms were starting to tingle and I was sufferign from heat stroke with feelign like throwing up and a bad headache. After the feed zone though I was able to recover a bit for the second lap and pass a few guys back to finish 36th. A little dissapointing considering I was doing quite well and I was wanting to finish in the top 20. The next race is going to be in Santa Ynez on Sunday and I think I will be more acclimatized to the heat!

After the race we went for a quick trip to downtown San Fransisco before heading to Point Reyes National seashore with Jenny and Emily for a couple of nights to camp and have a nice time at the ocean. To get there we had to bike in for 6.8miles with the first 4.5miles being a climb up to 1324 ft and then the last 2.3 being a decent back down to the ocean. The views were great and we had a nice time there playing on the beach and watching the waves. Although riding back out today with a pack and all the gear was a little bit of a grunt.

Oh the other thing I seem to have trouble with on a regular basis is customs. Everything went smoothly I went to the wicket, talked to the customs officer and he stamped my entry form and my passport and I said thanks and have a nice day and continued on my way out to pick up my bike and luggage. Just as I was about to leave security another officer stopped me and wanted to know why I had no previous stamps in my passport if I had actually been to the U.S. Well I don't know why they have never stamped it but he didn't like that answer and wanted to see my return ticket which I don't have because I am driving back to Victoria with Jenny and we are going to be doign some sightseeign on the way. But I never print out a ticket anymore, everything is done through internet. maybe in future I will have to print of my complete itinary. I guess telling them that the U.S. would not be my first choice for countries to sneak into wouldn't go over either. Well good thing the next border is going back into Canada!!!