We’re off today to Lac Megantic for the Canadian National Masters Road Racing Championships. Marc is racing in Friday’s road race and Sunday’s criterium. I’ll be there as a support person: bottle holder, cheerleader, cook and super fan. It has been a while since we’ve loaded up our trusty Matrix and hit the open road for a weekend of racing and all things bikes.

It is strange this year to be at road races and not be racing. At first I really didn’t want to be at the races and would purposely avoid watching the women’s races (particularly the races I had planned on doing…). But now after some time, I’ve come to a much more balanced place. Sure I’m not racing. But I can still enjoy being at the races and most importantly still reap the rewards that my bike gives me.

I started racing way-back-when because I loved riding my bike. And now during this summer of non-racing and training, I’m back to where I started. Riding for the pure joy of it. I honestly think this is a valuable experience for racers of all levels – simply get out and ride without thoughts of the next race, last weekend’s race or the impending set of intervals. Just get on the saddle, clip in and pedal.

When I look in my garage I have four bikes to choose from: road bike, cyclo-cross bike, BMX bike, and my city bike. Each affords me a different adventure. Each gives me that ticket to freedom and lets me forget about what I’m not doing and revel in what I am doing.

This weekend I know will be excellent. Lots of men and women out racing and cheering on one another. The post-race talk is often as entertaining as the racing itself. All in all it is simply going to be another great weekend – all thanks to the innocent two-wheeler.

If you’re out at Lac Megantic this weekend and see me in the feed zone with my nose in my Kindle or out huffing and puffing up the hills – stop me and say hello. Safe travels to everyone this weekend.

There is nothing better than a race weekend.

It is easy to forget about the little things that make a big difference in the grand scheme of things:

• Riding and not worrying about watts.
• A friendly chat with a stranger in line at the ATM machine on a busy Saturday afternoon at the grocery store.
• Friends coming together to help out someone in a tough time.
• Listening to voicemail from wee little Henry (my 2.5 year old nephew) – that kid has stolen my heart.
• Seeing Marc’s face light up when he talks about his young team mates.
• Time to sit and read.
• Peanut butter.
• Smiles and laughter.
• Riding with a young speedster and enjoying a coffee shop stop on a hot Saturday day.

At first glance it might seem that this post is not related to bike racing or training but if you look between the lines – you just might see that these little things really do make a big difference in how you ride your bike. We all find inspiration and courage in different ways and places. Count yourself lucky if you can put together a list of “your little things”.

This is not the summer I had planned. In fact it is the stark opposite of the summer I had planned. For a few days, I wallowed in not having the summer I had planned.

But now I’m in a new place. Now I am savouring the summer I have. I’m riding my bike. Some days only for a short 45 minutes and other days I can coax two hours out of my body. Some days I can’t ride at all. But I’m riding. There are no intervals. There are no training plans.

There is just me and my bike. I ride how I feel. I ride how my body will let me.

Definitely not what I had planned but I’ll take it. There is some freedom with this kind of riding. Something that as a bike racer is taking some getting used to. I long for the intervals and five hour rides – but I know these will be there when the time is right.

Right now the time is right is to listen to my body and ride when and how I can. Thanks to the bike for giving me this perspective.

If you know me – you know that I love bars. I like eating bars. I like making bars. I’ve tried a lot of bars – some are keepers and others unfortunately taste like cardboard or are so sticky I worry about the ingredients. Well, as you likely know, there is no reason to be concerned about taste, consistency or ingredients when it comes to Clif Bars. (Yes, I may be biased since I’m fortunate to be sponsored by Clif Bar – but since you know me, you’ll know that I’d eat Clif Bar nutrition even if I wasn’t sponsored by the company.)

But lets get to the real reason for this post: Gary’s Panforte Clif Bars. On Monday a box of these limited edition Clif Bars arrived in my mailbox. A very nice surprise and an even tastier surprise. I had no idea what to expect when I opened up the package – well, lets just say this bar is really really good. It is like no other bar I’ve ever had.

It is rich. It is sweet. It is fruity. It is light. It is has a great aroma. Gary’s Panforte instantly reminded me of my mom’s fruitcake and mincemeat tarts. Yes – this Clif Bar is like no other bar.

Really, I should just let Clif Bar tell you about this bar:

CLIF Bar, the original energy bar made with organic ingredients, was also born on a bike – in 1990 during a 175-mile ride in Northern California on which Gary Erickson had “the epiphany” that he could make a better tasting energy bar. Two years later the first CLIF Bars hit the market and Clif Bar & Company was off and running.

Made with organic ingredients, GARY’s PANFORTE is nutritious, delicious and convenient—good for you and for the planet. It’s a good source of protein and fiber, which help the body digest carbohydrates slowly to deliver sustained energy.

Definitely read the press release so you can read all about the Share Your Epiphany contest:

To add even more spice to its 20th anniversary, Clif Bar & Company also announced the “Share Your Epiphany” contest to celebrate the fans who have contributed so much to the company’s success. All fans are invited to share their own epiphanies, big and small, that have changed their lives for the better. Five grand prize winners will have $5,000 donated to a nonprofit of their choice by Clif Bar. In addition, all “Share Your Epiphany” contestants will be entered in a random drawing to become one of 20 winners of a month’s supply of CLIF Bars. “Share Your Epiphany” runs May 15 – June 11, 2012. Entries can be made online at www.clifbar.com/shareyourepiphany

Now, go online or get to your favorite Clif retailer (hint The Cyclery)

Thanks Clif Bar for the surprise box of bars and for the amazing support – I really do appreciate and I’m proud to be sponsored by a company that gives back to so many people.

Well, right now I really don’t have much to say when it comes to cycling, racing, training, planning for racing, etc. Currently my life revolves around trying to get better so I can back to cycling, racing, training, planning for racing, and having fun on two wheels.

I don’t want this to turn into an ulcerative colitis blog. This disease is something I have but it doesn’t define me. Yes, I’m very open about ulcerative colitis and what it is like to have this disease and I’m always willing to answer any questions others have about ulcerative colitis. (Yes, this is a hint that if you’re reading this and have ulcerative colitis or know someone who does and you have questions or simply want to rant, scream, shout or cry – I’m here and I’ll listen. Just email me.)

This is still a website devoted to cycling and all the bits of life in between. I haven’t ridden my bike(s) in one week now. I miss them. I did hop on my BMX bike the other day for a little cruise on my street – after a minute of standing up and working on carving – my legs were blown. This is what eight days without carbohydrates will do to you.

So if you’re a cyclist, runner or other person who thinks that a good way to cut down on weight and to lean out for the big races is to reduce your carb intake – take it from me – don’t do it. I’m eating only eggs, meat, pureed carrots and pureed squash – this gets pretty boring but worse than that it leaves me with no energy. Walking up a flight of stairs feels like a V02max workout. Seriously – you need carbs. Eat them. I have never been a huge pasta or rice eater but now that I haven’t had my trusty bowl of oats, fruit, super smoothies, brown rice, and Udi’s gluten-free bread – I really really miss them. Sure I miss peanut butter, chocolate and almond milk yogurt – but not as much as I miss those carbs.

Good news is I’m meeting with my doctor tomorrow and I’m looking forward to what he has to say about my treatment plan. And in two weeks I’m meeting with a nutritionist who has experience in both treating people with ulcerative colitis and athletes. So some good things happening.

Other than cooking copious amounts of meat and pureeing vegetables, I’m filling my time with some reading (currently reading Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby), podcast listening (Velocast, NPR All Songs, CBC The Next Chapter, R3-30 Countdown, NPR Fresh Air – all on heavy rotation) and reading about what all of you are doing out there in bike riding two-wheeling land are doing.

Some days it is very hard to keep my spirits up. It is hard to not feel like everything has been taken away. It is easy to forget to see the good things. I was reminded of how lucky I am right now after chatting with a young guy named Brandon. This kid is a rock. Just diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at the age of 17 and a bike racer – he is now in hospital trying to get through his first ulcerative colitis flare. If there is anyone who needs and deserves your positive healing vibes it is this young guy. Me – I’m 40 years old and have been through this enough to know that the good days will come back. But a young 17 year old who has just graduated from high school and had planned on racing and riding his bike all summer – well, it is a lot harder to believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel. So do Brandon a big favour and think of him – send him a smile or do something nice for another young bike racer – everything comes around eventually.