What a day. What a great day. Awesome day to be a cyclo-cross racer. Really, it was just a most excellent day. Only thing that would have made it better would have been to have Marc here (next year!).

So not only did I race in the World Cup today but I also had to get myself packed up and checked out of my hotel in Villorba. Many thanks to Jonas and Christine for transporting my bike boxes to the race (this saved me from having to go back to the hotel to pack up the bikes). Had a pretty chilled morning with a fine Italian breakfast of museli and fizzy water. Chilled in the room for a bit – catching up on the WWW action and just getting organized. Then it was time to get to the course.

My race was at 2:00, so I decided to arrive just before 11:00. I reasoned that this would allow me to beat the crowds int he parking lot and get a good spot. Well, lets just say I’m glad I arrived when I did – the parking lot was packed. Those motorhomes take up a lot of space. I basically parked in a non-parking spot. But it worked out well – I had a nice patch of grass to use later for my bike packing and I was parked across from Zdnek Stybar and the Belgian team. Pretty fast company. I put the bikes together and then ate my oatmeal experiment. Yep, oatmeal experiment… Typically I cook my oatmeal and add bananas, dates, and yogurt. Well, I didn’t have the means to cook my oatmeal, so I soaked it overnight with water, dates and spoonful of peanut butter. Then this morning I liberated a container of yogurt from the hotel breakfast room – I added this to the oatmeal and sliced up a banana I had bought earlier. It worked out pretty well. Nice taste combo with the dates, bananas, and peanut butter. Soaked oats taste pretty nice – basically a museli.

I had plenty of time since there really wasn’t much to do before the race. I pinned on my numbers and then rolled over to check out the expo. I was hoping to pick up some souvenirs for my favorite guy but no such luck. There was free gelato but I decided to pass on this!

Then it was time to get warmed up. Without a trainer to ride, I hit the open road and cruised around and got my leg spinning. A cool thing they do at World Cup races is use transponders to track the riders during the race – this gives feedback on lap times, etc – same idea as the transponders used in marathons, triathlons, etc. Excellent idea. The trick is remembering to pick up the transponder! Did this and then quickly changed into my skinsuit and jersey for some course riding. Things were going well. I had dialed in my lines. Decided to run the steep climb that I thought might be rideable… Then tragedy struck (okay, maybe tragedy is a bit dramatic…) – anyway I got a flat tire… Luckily Christine and Jonas saved the day. With this excitement minutes before the race, time really start to tick along. Then before I knew it I was lined up in the fifth (i.e. back row) and ready to start the World Cup! I wrote a race report with all the race details.

Suffice it to say, it was a good day on the bike. It was hot. It was dry. It was fast. It was cyclo-cross in Italy. I can say that the fans in Italy are much more friendly than the fans in Belgium. There was no booing or laughing. There were no visibly drunk people. Really just lots of cheering fans. I even heard a few “Go Vicki”‘s. Pretty smooth. I ended up 28th. Satisfied. But in typical fashion, I would have liked to have done better. But I’m content with this result. The trip was definitely worth it.

Have to say the water handed out at the finish was very welcomed. I was so thirsty during the race. It was funny to look at everyone – we were all covered in dirt, dust and grime. Signs of a good day of hard and fast pedaling. I quickly changed and then got down to business and packed up my bikes. It took about an hour to do – so I missed the men’s race. I would have liked to have watched this, but there will be many chances soon enough to watch the elite men race. So got the bikes packed, zoomed around and chatted with a few people and then took off for the airport. This was an easy 30 minute drive. Picked up the shuttle and I’m now settled in my hotel for the night. The hotel is literally two minutes from the airport. I took a bit of a walk and got some food. Pizza. Ice cream. It was pretty okay pizza – really just tasted like pizza at home. But considering I haven’t had pizza in over a year – I enjoyed every bite of it. And to finish things off – a double chocolate Magnum bar. Oh yeah, there is nothing quite like a Magnum bar.

I’ve got an early start tomorrow morning with a 4:30 wake-up call and a 5:30 shuttle to the airport. My first flight leaves at 7:00. I’ve got four flights tomorrow! Lots of flying. Hope my bikes make it all the way with me. Lucky for me, I’m getting picked up at the airport. Shaun’s mom is being super generous and picking me up. Thanks so much!

One thing I can say about this trip is that it was definitely made easier with the help of Christine and Jonas – they helped me out so much. Even just being around to talk to. Nice to just jabber away about nothing really for a bit. The wonderful treats from Belgium are an extra bonus – looking forward to a bowl of All-Bran Choco (might save it for Ottawa though).

Okay, I’m out. The morning is going to come fast and I must admit, I’m a bit wiped out right now. Thanks for all of your emails, Twitter messages/posts, and the speedy vibes you sent me. It all helped a great deal. I really felt like I could hear Marc’s voice out on the course today. As I zipped past the pits, I swear I could hear him cheering me on. And when I went through the twists and turns and made my way up the long climbs, I really could hear him cheering for me and yelling at me to pedal. Thanks Marc – you were with me every second on that race course today.

Spent the mid-afternoon over at the Treviso race course. Mission of the day was to get in a few laps to check out the course. Well, it is definitely grassy. A combination of grass and pavement. There are two steep climbs. One set of stairs. The start is at the bottom of a sandy/gravely hill.

Really the course has lots of power sections. A longish false flat on the dry grass. There are a bunch of fast descents followed by tight uphill corners and short bursts up and then turn around and go down again. The major steep climb is pretty insane. I’m definitely running it. I’ve checked out a bunch of lines and know how and when to approach this so I can get part way up before dismounting. After this steep run we have some recovery with a descent onto pavement and then a whip by the pits.

Next tricky part comes up with an off-camber descent and then a tight turn to another steep climb. Today I committed to running it. But after talking with Christine and Jonas, I’ll try riding it tomorrow during the race pre-ride. If I can’t get it 100 per cent, I’ll stick to my original plan.

After this little section we drop down and go through a few twists and turns and then hit the stairs. The stairs are funny – kind of shallow. I tried taking two at a time but my legs are a bit short for this. Who knows tomorrow with the race adrenaline, things might be different.

From here we drop down again and go through a bunch of sweeping turns and flat stretches. Then up a stretch of pavement on past the pits with a fast paved descent. There is a fun little transition here from pavement to loose gravel to chewed up grass with a fast off-camber descent. More twists and turns. Through the start/finish and onto the long gradual grass false flat/climb. Then we’re back to the longer descents followed by the uphill corners and climbs.

It will be fast. Really fast. I think the key is to maintain momentum as much as possible. It is tempting to overbrake on some of the descents because they are so fast but this causes you to scrub too much speed and work harder than needed for the climbs. A fine balance between too much speed and sliding out and not enough speed to kill the momentum.

I really have no idea how the race will go for me. I haven’t raced with any of these girls this season. I can only do my thing. I know a strong start is crucial tomorrow. So this is my mission – have a strong start. A strong start will allow me to get in a group. I can’t rely on the catch and pass game tomorrow – this is not the field where this can be done. I’m feeling good about the course. I’m comfortable with my lines and race plan. I’ll just roll with things and make sure I race my heart and lungs out.

Oh, I’ve got passes for a pit man, team manager, masseuse, and team mechanic… Too bad I don’t have anyone to give them to. Maybe for the next World Cup…

Met a few new people today and saw some faces I recognize. But I decided not to stop Sven Nys and Erwin Vervecken (they looked kind of busy).

So, I’m signing off with good sensations in my legs, lungs, heart, and head. I’m ready for this. Can’t do anything else to get ready for the race. I know I’m riding some good form right now. Just need to to do my thing. Yes, I’m a bit nervous. This is normal. But I’m not stressed out by the course at all. It is a good course for me. Nothing crazy or ridiculous. Just lots of fast pedaling and some guts required to take the corners fast and smooth. I can do this. I’m ready for it. 40 minutes. That’s it. Stoked. Sunday is going to be good.

There sure is a lot of “hurry up and wait” going on today. Today is the day before the big day. The main item on today’s agenda is to pre-ride the course. Everything else is pretty much ready to go. Bikes are in good shape (Jonas will check them out for me today at the course.) I’m organized (as is normal). Just really sitting and waiting.

Again, the temptation is there to go out and stretch the legs and the eyeballs. But I’m not here for sightseeing. Don’t worry, I’m having a great time. After all. It is October. I’m in Italy. It is 25 celsius. The sky is blue. I get to race in the first World Cup of the season. How can I not be having a good time. This is a bike racer’s dream.

Truly living the life. Best to soak it all up. Each and every experience like this is a building block for the next race and challenge.

Many thanks to Christine Vardaros and her husband Jonas for the extreme generosity and friendliness. Christine and Jonas are staying at the same hotel as me. (Well, I’m staying here because Christine told me about it…) We hung out last night. Was nice to just chill out and chat with people. Christine and Jonas brought me many goodies from Belgium – waffles, specculous cookies, and the coveted All-Bran Choco. Thanks so much guys – I really appreciate everything.

Heading over to the course in a couple of hours to pre-ride and pick up the numbers. Then it will be back here to relax, eat, and get ready for tomorrow. Feeling good. Strong sensations and looking forward to racing. I’ll post up later with my thoughts on the race course.

All the best to everyone racing in Gloucester this weekend. I’ll be with you in spirit. Pedal hard. Have fun. Go Marc!

Dudes, I can’t believe how smoothly things are going for me here in Italy. Got to admit I did have a few moments of panic on Tuesday when the reality of the trip started to sink in. When I really clued in that I would be traveling to Italy alone for a World Cup with my bikes and doing everything myself I started to question my decision. But I reminded myself that I’ve gone to many races in Europe alone and that this was no different.

And you know what? I was right. This is no different. Sure I had to drive a car alone. So what? If I was born in Italy, I’d be driving. Had to put the bikes together myself as well. Well, with some help from Vince and Marc I got it done. I took my time and focused on each small task that had to be completed. Then today when I was out for a spin, I stopped in at a bike shop (Bicci and Bikes) and had the mechanic Claudio, check-out my headset for me. He didn’t speak English. I don’t speak Italian. But we got through it just fine.

Tomorrow I’ll go and check out the race course. Most other racers will have at least one support person with them. Well, I’ll manage as well. I’ve already arranged with Christine Vardaros (American racer based in Belgium) for some help tonight. Her husband Jonas is going to give my bikes the once-over. And I’m sure that if I have any issues tomorrow, I can find someone at the race site to help me out. Really all I can do is ask for help.

So Saturday I’ll go and do some pre-riding. I’ll do a few laps. Then section the course down and practice any tricky or important sections. Then I’ll do a couple of hot laps. Followed by one easy lap. Then I’m done. Not a lot of riding. Just enough to get a picture of the course in my head and legs.

Went out for a little spin today to test out both bikes. Did an easy roll around and checked out the sites. Legs felt really good. Thought they might be a bit sluggish. But so far so good. I made sure to drink a ton of water during my travel day(s). I also wore my compression clothing (socks and shirt) – I think this helped. I think the larger than normal supper last night followed by 12 hours of solid sleep helped.

I’ve written a full account of my day over at Victoria’s Island if you want the nitty-gritty on what I’ve been up to.

As for the rest of the day? Well, it is tempting to go into Treviso and do the tourist thing. But I’m not going to do it. I want to make sure I’m well rested and ready for Saturday’s pre-ride and Sunday’s race. I suspect that I might be hit with some fatigue later this evening so I don’t want to make things worse. Think I’ll go set out on the amazing hotel terrace, take my book and just enjoy being in Italy. Tough not to go be a tourist for a few hours. Really tough. But my reason for being here is the World Cup. Treviso won’t be going anywhere. (Besides, I’d rather check out the city with Marc…)

Marc is on his way to Gloucester for New England World’s. Wish I could be with him. Love watching him race and I love racing at Gloucester. I’ll be racing with him in spirit this weekend. Best of luck to the rest of the Ottawa and Cyclery crew headed down to race. Massive thanks to Mike and Cathy for taking in Marc this weekend. Looking forward to reading the race reports.

Many many thanks to my sponsors – without whom this trip and season wouldn’t have been possible.

(written earlier this morning in Frankfurt)

So, I know I’m in the right place for me. Just saw a guy ride his bike through the Frankfurt airport. Yes, he was riding it. Not walking it. Not dragging it in a bike box. Pedaling through the terminal. Cool. Doubtful I’ll ever see this in an airport in North America…

So chilling out here in Frankfurt for a bit. Have kind of a long lay-over before my flight to Venice. It was either a 45 minute sprint through the airport or a 6 hour lay-over. I chose the 6 hour lay-over. Determined that this would help ensure that my trusty Stevens Super-Prestige bikes make it on the flight to Venice. Besides this is much less stressful for me. I’m sitting in a comfy chair in the Sbucks. Watching people. And being watched. This is what happens when you are wearing a compression shirt. As you know compression shirts are tight. And hot. Darn hot. Too hot to be wearing the comfy baggy shirt over top. So basically I’m naked from the waist up. Ah well, kind of used to this from spending a lot of time in spandex!

A crazy thing happened on the plane today. I was in the bathroom and quickly glanced at my reflection. I had the biggest grin on my face. I’m talking massive. Reality sunk in. I was on a plane. Making my way to Treviso, Italy because I’m racing in the World Cup on Sunday. How awesome is this? I really can’t believe it! I know it shouldn’t be a shock or surprise. I mean this is the path I’ve been working on for a while now. But when it all comes together the first time it is still a bit of shock.

I can’t really explain how happy I’m feeling right now. I just simply am. This whole trip feels right. It fits. What a feeling. Yes, there will be some craziness – putting together two bikes, driving in Italy, etc. But I’m not freaked out by it. I feel ready. I can handle the curve balls.

This is thanks in a large part to my number one supporter – Marc. This guy has my back every time I turn around. Words of encouragement. Advice. Stern words when require to shake me out of a fog. He is just so supportive, it really is overwhelming. Truly wouldn’t be here without him.

(now writing in real time from Hotel du Raggi)

Well, I made it. Long lay-over in Frankfurt combined with a one hour flight delay caused me to start to feel some serious fatigue. But hauling my gear through Marco Polo airport and driving gave me a second wind. Got here to the hotel without the trusty GPS. Not sure how I did it – followed some cryptic directions and the next thing I’m here.

Put the bikes together. Probably took longer than it should have but they are together now! Lucked out and was given an extra little room in which to store my bike boxes and bikes. The hotel staff are super friendly. Good supper here at the hotel. Tomorrow I’ll take the bikes out for a spin and then thanks to Christine V.’s husband, they’ll get a good once-over to make sure they are put together correctly.

So far things are really coming together. Got some emergency headset help from Vince over the phone. Thanks Vince – you saved the day. Now I think I’ll hit the hay. I’m beat. Thanks for the emails and messages of encouragement. I’ll be racing on Sunday knowing that so many people are cheering for me. This means a lot.