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”.

Today was day one of the double-header weekend. Just down the E313 from us is the GVA race in Hasselt. I did this race last year and really enjoyed it. This year was no different. There were a few course changes but ones that added to the race and made it more challenging – two new fly-overs, a second sand pit, and a set of stairs with a ramp-like descent.

(Read the race report here.)

I lined up at the back behind 43 junior boys. I was the only woman in the race. I had a lot of fun today. I rode okayish. My form is slowly coming around. My technical skills are coming around. It was a fun day out. Sun was shining. Course was fun. People were cheering for me. I had Karl there to help me with the course lines and to do the pits and Luc there to help out at the start and finish and to take photos. Couldn’t ask for a better support crew. The Peugeot is working out really well as a race vehicle – today we got three bikes in it and heaps of gear with no problems.

Now here I sit at 2:30 with two clean bikes, clothes in the wash and the rest of the day to relax. I’m racing again tomorrow in Aspere Gavere. This will be very different from today. In fact a stark contrast – where today was dryish, flat and fast, Aspere Gavere will be hilly, muddy and pretty much a slog from the word “go”. But this is why I’m here – to get better, to get smarter, to learn more and to keep finding the joy in every pedal stroke.

Well, it is the day/night before race day. It has been a pretty darn good day before. I got in a solid opening work-out on some new-to-me roads and some favorite roads. Saw Sven Nys go zipping by. Not sure if he recognized me….

Rest of the day has been very relaxing. Standard stuff really. Groceries. Bike cleaning. Then a little side trip into the suburbs of Antwerp to visit the Decathlon and nose around Ikea. Pretty good little adventure was had.

My bags are packed. Bikes are ready. I’m feeling good. I had an iron injection yesterday. This is different from an intraveneous infusion, instead the doctor injected the iron directly into my vein with needle/syringe. He said I need to come back for seven more injections. So basically one a week the entire time I’m here…. Keeping my fingers crossed that these help.

Sorry I don’t have anything else groundbreaking to share with you today. Really has just been a pretty standard day before racing day (well minus the 8 hour drive we’re used to at home…).

Karl is coming to the race with me. He is going to do his work-out on the course and then help me out by working the pits. This helps a lot since I don’t have to worry about finding someone to pit for me. The race in Hasselt is very close so this makes things easy as well. Racing at 10:45 and I’ll most likely be back here by 1:30. Alex arrives tomorrow as well. So lots going on. And of course next Thursday is the big day with Marc arriving…

Alright, time to go unwind with a magazine and take a break from this computer. Have a great Friday. Send me your fast vibes at 4:45 a.m. EST….