We made it! After a long and rather snowy drive, we are here. Tabor, Czech Republic. Many thanks to Marc and Alex for handling the logistics and for driving me to Tabor. I was able to chill out and relax for the ride. The bulk of the Canadian team is here now. Had a great team dinner and quick team meeting. Great way to set the tone for the rest of the week and the racing ahead.

I got in a good little trainer ride to spin out my legs from the 10 plus hour long drive. Nothing like riding the trainer, watching the Czech National Cyclo-Cross Championships and listening to a CBC Radio Q podcast at the same time!

So I was just zooming through my emails and I came across the following comment that was posted on this web site:

“watched you race in holland with my friend johnny fokkema and was wondering why you do not compete at the master worlds instead of the world cup. would it not be better for you to finish in the top 10 at a the world masters championships then dead last at a world cup race. i applaud your competivice drive just think when representing canada you should be up there in the result list. Von who won came across the finish line seconds after you crossed it to do your bell lap.” (I’ve deleted his email address from this post, but if you want to find it – I’m sure you know how)

Now, I don’t know about you but this comment was pretty surprising. Surprising because I’m shocked that someone would take the time to write such a negative comment on my web site. I also found this comment disappointing. Disappointing because this person clearly does not have dreams and goals.

I’ll be honest, the first time I read this comment I was angry. Then after rereading it, I was hurt. Devastated is probably the better word. If you know me or have been reading my blog for a while, you know that I struggle with self-confidence. Let’s just say this comment didn’t do much for my self-confidence.

Luckily, Marc came to the rescue. He read the comment. Smoke started to come out of his ears and then he reminded me of the following:
– I’ve already raced the Masters World Cyclo-Cross Championships – three years ago – I was 4th – and in fact I’m ineligible for Masters Worlds (I have 160 UCI points and am ranked 48th in the World UCI Ranking)
– that Johnathan Page was multiple laps down in his first World Cups – he went on to finish second in the World Championships – and was 8th on Sunday in Hoogerheide
– how else are we supposed to get better as a nation at cyclo-cross if we don’t start at the bottom?
– that Vos hit the finish line as I was already past the pits
– that this guy really isn’t on the “same lap” as the rest of us

I can do two things with this comment: let it drag me into a pit of despair and zero confidence or I can use it to fuel my fire and desire. The old me would have wallowed in the pit of despair. Well, I’m not letting this guy put in that pit.

I’m going to use this comment to fuel me. To make me push on the pedals even harder. To attack every corner. To rip through the snow and ice. To rail the corners. To race so hard I can’t breathe and my legs are screaming at me to stop.

Deep down inside I’ll be laughing at this guy. Because I’m out here doing it. Mixing it up with the best in the world. Where is he? Sitting somewhere safe – not chasing his dreams? Watching the race on television? Settling for mediocrity?

Luckily on the same blog post I received this awesome comment:

“Thanks for all the reports and the great efforts that have put you on that same lap!
Sweet to sit in cubicle land here and get a few minutes of enjoying your adventure.
Tales from the big ring. Good luck next week.”

This comment was from a Canadian cycling legend (John Large). I have to say that his comments and emails hold much more value and weight than the other guy. John is a guy who has been there, done it, seen it all, and is now helping to inspire and guide cyclists such as myself who have hopes and dreams. Thanks John for the awesome comment. It means a lot.

Okay, time to switch gears here…

Lets just say, I’m super stoked to be here. This is a massive step forward for me in my bike racing career. This is not my last World Championships. This is my first. I’m looking forward to taking it all in. Learning as much as I can and having fun while doing it.

Looks like I’ll stick to the trainer tomorrow as well. It is supposed to hit a low of minus 12 tonight so I think the trainer indoors is preferable for me. I’ll get out on the course on Thursday and Friday to pre-ride and learn the course. I’ve watched the race video so many times, that I feel like I have it memorized. But as I’ve learned, you can’t believe everything you read/see on the Internet… Might get out and check out Tabor a bit tomorrow as well. Definitely going to visit the bike store and the grocery store.

Alright, I’m out. Time to zone out with some WWW surfing. Thanks again for the amazing support. The emails and comments are greatly appreciated. You will all be out there with me on Sunday.

The road trip to Tabor, Czech Republic starts in a few hours. We are driving through the night. Well, I’m not driving, I’m sleeping and chillaxing – Marc and Alex of Soigneur Race Services are driving.

I’m looking forward to getting to Tabor and settling into the hotel. Will be an interesting week – really don’t want to do too much. Rest. Train on the course. Get it dialed in technically. Have fun. Hang out with the other races. Put the legs up. Read my books. Relax with some magazine. Watch movies on the laptop. Then get out there and race on Sunday.

A pretty good week. Then we’ll be back here for a bit and then either home or to London, England for some relaxation.

Check in tomorrow – hopefully I have Internet access…

Many many thanks to my sponsors for their support in this journey:

– KingsBridge Disaster Recovery
– The Cyclery
– Bell Lap Coaching
– Clif Bar
– Outdoor Gear Canada

Here are some photos that Luc took of me racing in Hoogerheide yesterday. Thanks Luc! See you in Tabor.

Suffice it to say, today was an awesome day. Just from waking up to this point – the day has been truly great. I had a great time at the bike race today. I had spectacular support. I had good legs. I had a great head on my shoulders. My bikes were working great. Just a sweet day.

I’ve written a race report over here. My result really wasn’t that different from any other. With one major difference…. I did not get lapped! That’s right – you read correctly – I did not get lapped. I heard the bell. What a sweet sweet sound. Really, it was like a symphony in my ears.

I had so much fun out there. I kept things in perspective. I raced in a World Cup. I raced with past, present, and future World Champions. I held my own. I finished on the lead lap. I had fun. I smiled. I accomplished a few of my goals. And even better – I smiled while doing it.

The crowd support was incredible. People were supporting me through-out the day. From the warm-up, to the start, to the finish. Marc and Alex were awesome in the pits. Luc took some awesome photos. The Canadians were awesome today – the three juniors did their first World Cup, Erik did his second World Cup – they all cheered me on as well. This was just a great day.

We capped it off with a fine dinner at Sultan’s – many thanks to Erik for the supper. We even had dessert, I had a double chocolate Magnum bar – sweet nectar. Now I’m relaxing with a warm mug of chai tea.

(I don’t know what the Internet connection will be like in Tabor, so this might be the last you hear from me until after the World Championships.)

Great day today. Very relaxing morning this morning. Just me, Erik and Connor here relaxing and feeling the vibe. Marc and Alex were off at the Master’s World Cyclo-Cross Championships at Mol.

We loaded up the team van and hit the road to Hoogerheide. We did it without a GPS! One wrong turn but really no issues.

So the course. Well, it is different than it has been in years past. From what I understand, it is very different. This means one thing – no massive descent. In fact we go up the descent (running). There is a steep fast descent off the start that will be interesting tomorrow. The course was not too soggy while we were there. The rain was just drizzling but already the course was starting to get a bit soggy.

It will be interesting to see how the course will be tomorrow. If the rain keeps coming down it will be a mud bog. Cool. There are some interesting little twists and turns. One steep pitch before the fly-over. Some nice power sections as well. A good mix of technical, power, brains, and brawn.

How am I feeling? I’m feeling good. Had a great time on the course today. Had some good pre-ride laps. Good sensations. The thumb felt good. I opened it up a bit, but not too much. Just wanted to get in some good solid laps. It is always a challenge to not do too much the day before a World Cup. It is tempting to ride and ride, especially when you run into people that you know.

It was good to see lots of friends that I hadn’t seen in a while. This is one the best things about ‘cross racing – seeing friends you don’t get to see normally.

Looking forward to racing tomorrow. Check back tomorrow for a race report and report on the day. Thanks for the emails and fast vibes.