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November 25, 2010

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Busy Busy Busy

Wow – what a day! It has literally flown by. I’m only just sitting down at my computer now. But it has been a very good day.

Marc arrived today! Very nice to have him here.

So today has been busy – quick grocery run, trip to the Brussels airport in the snow, off to the bike store, putting bikes together, fixing up my bikes, packing for Koksijde. Pretty much non-stop go all day.

We’re off to Koksijde tomorrow morning. Marc is staying here so he can race on Saturday so I’m going with the Hoppners and Alex. We’ll hook up with Luc, Johnny and Ignace in Koksijde.

Looking forward to racing on Saturday. It is going to be a good one.

Sorry I don’t have much else to tell you today. But I’ll do my best to post a course review tomorrow night and a race report on Saturday.

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November 24, 2010

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Liking the Double Double

Wednesdays in this house mean one thing – double double. Road in the morning. Cyclo-cross in the afternoon. A good hard day of training that leaves me with a healthy glow in my cheeks and satisfaction in my soul. Today was a particularly good day of doubling up.

Started the day with a tempo work-out on the roads and paths of the Belgian countryside. I did this work-out without my SRM since I kind of cracked the head unit (nothing major – it is healing as I write). I’m pretty sure I rode harder than I should have in these intervals because I didn’t have any visual feedback. All I had to rely on was my heavy breathing, my pounding heart and my burning legs. A good ride was achieved on some of my favorite twisty roads and intervals roads.

Quick clean of the bike, change of the wheels and it was time for ride number two. I did get in some good downtime with my book and got some stuff sorted in the house. Karl and I hopped in the trusty Peugeot and drove out to Floreal Lichtaart for the afternoon.

The riding at Floreal Lichtaart is top-notch. The cyclo-cross course has a bit of everything and everyone is super helpful. Today we hooked up with Ignace (my mechanic this year) for some training. Ignace drove 100 kilometers to come train with us! Amazing! We did a couple of laps and worked on some sandy corners and descents. Karl took off to ride with one of his friends and I continued on with Ignace. We were quickly joined by a couple of “older” guys who come out to coach the riders. I got lots of amazing tips and advice from these guys. At times the session was a bit challenging since the three guys really don’t speak any English… But with some visual cues, much repetition and hand signals – we got the job done.

I really feel like I learned a lot today. Particularly about when to shift on climbs and how to really attack the climbs. I also got to work on my fearless descending skills. The one area where I know I really need attention is my cornering and just letting the bike flow in the ruts. Baby steps I suppose.

It was a great training session. We did a light spin on the road to shake out our legs and then it was home to clean our bikes. Today was the grimiest I’ve seen Floreal Lichtaart. It made for some interesting riding conditions and really changed the feel of the terrain.

It was a good day. I can say that I really enjoy these double days. Wish I could do them everyday. I hit so many sensations in my body on days like today. I’m also challenged mentally as I’m forced to push my limits technically and really open myself up to risks and rewards. Can’t ask for much more from a training session I suppose.

Alright, off to bed now. Marc is arriving on Thursday and it seems as though I’ve got a lot to accomplish before he arrives.

Koksijde World Cup on Saturday. Should be a good one.

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November 23, 2010

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An Attempt at Group Riding

It is Tuesday here. Tuesday in Blauberg, Belgium means one thing – group ride day. Karl and I waited until 1:15 and rolled out to meet up with the group ride. We went to the same place as last week. And we waited. And waited. And waited some more. Finally by 2:00 (after waiting for 30 minutes) we left and went on our own ride.

We had a great ride. Hit up some new roads. Did some climbing. Did some descending. Pedaled along roads that to Karl didn’t “seem like” roads. At one point we thought we were super far from the house – turns out we were in Zichem (a mere 10 km away…). We ended up in Scherpenheuvel and found a small little bike shop to get Karl’s crank tightened. The old guy there wasn’t convince that Karl knew what he was doing, but finally Karl got his hands on the tool and sorted out his bike. We hit up more twisty roads. Got turned around a bit. Warmed up and just enjoyed being out on our bikes. Quick detour to the Mie Moon Cafe to pick up my MEC waterproof pants (I ditched them while waiting for the group ride…) and we were finally back at the house.

I think we rode for just under 3 hours. I’m happy to say that I didn’t slow Karl down. At times my tongue was dragging on the pavement but I managed to keep pace with him. It was a good day out.

The funniest part was when we had sheep on one side of us, horses, a peacock and chickens on the other side of us. We called this the “zoo”. Yes, I think I’m still riding the wave of post-ride endorphins. Fun day on the bike.

Tomorrow I’ve got a double day. A road ride with some tempo efforts in the morning. Then it is off to Floreal Lichtaart for some riding in the woods. Tomorrow Ignace is meeting up with us to “train” us. Not sure what this will involve – I’ll be sure to let you know….

Many thanks to Alex for changing my brake pads and helping with my minor SRM issue (don’t worry Marc – All is Good). Oh, I’m going to start riding the rollers…. Alex and Denise picked up some rollers at the second hand store for 10 Euros – so I figure it would be good to get on those every day to get used to them and to work on spinning.

Next Tuesday we’re going to be sure to ride with the group… We’ll go to the start and do the entire loop – this way we’ll know it. Tim and Jos are pretty sure the route has changed – this is why we didn’t see the group. Tim says it was “IMPOSSIBLE” that there wasn’t a group ride today…. Mind you Tim also wants us to wash with cologne….

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November 22, 2010

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Ruminations

I had a great recovery spin this morning. Simply followed the windy twisty roads and kept my eyes peeled for the numbered routes along the way. I found some new roads and pedaled down some old ones. All the while I was listening to some CBC Radio 3 podcasts – specifically the Extended Play podcast. The first one I listened to was about the state of the Canadian music business with an interesting interview with Terry McBride of Nettwerk Records. The second podcast was about “being Canadian” and being a musician.

I know that you might think these podcasts don’t have anything to do with bike racing and riding. But to me these bikes struck a chord. I found it interesting to listen to the interviewer and interviewees talking about music, being Canadian, the Canadian music business, and just really about following your heart with whatever choice you make.

As a Canadian bike racer I think it is kind of similar to being a Canadian independent musician. Being a Canadian cyclist is not a “common” choice. It is not easy. It is not hard. It just is. You make this choice because of passion. A passion that pushes you out the door and onto the bike. No matter the weather. You just do it because you want to.

This is the way it is for me. I do it because I love it. I’m not the fastest. I’m not the most skilled. But I think I’m one of the most passionate. This pushes me forward out the door. Kind of like your favorite independent rock band that no one else has heard of. Think of me as that rock band – one day I’ll hit the big time. It might not be the same big time as the racers winning the World Cups but it’ll be my “big time”.

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November 21, 2010

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Ups and Downs at Asper Gavere

Today was one of those days – some ups and some downs. The course at Asper Gavere is hilly and muddy. It seems like I was either going up or going down. But through-out it all, I was smiling. I had so much fun today. Not once did a negative thought enter my head. I just focused on riding and riding better each lap – and I’m pretty confident I did this.

I did get pulled – darn 80 per cent rule. This was a disappointment – particularly since I felt like I was riding well. But this is bike racing. You can read my race report here.

It was a very good day from start to finish. Thanks to Luc for the driving, cheering, photos, and friendship. Thanks to Ignace for the pit work and for the bike work. Thanks to Karl, Denise and Alex for the cheering, support and good vibes.

Next race for me is the Koksijde World Cup on Saturday. This will be a good one as well – my sand training at Merivale Gardens will definitely pay off there!