Wow – can you believe it is July? Let me simply say this: time flies. Even more so when I’m having fun. This summer has pretty darn fine so far. Maybe I’m still on the post-vacation high, but I like to think not. Yep, so far so good.

The vacation in St. Georges de Beauce was just what I needed. Not a typical vacation destination but it was just what I needed. We were pretty much detached from reality – no Internet or cell phone service at the house on Lac Poulin. At first I thought this might be an issue. But guess what – I didn’t really miss the Internet. Not having email was a hassle a few times but other than that I was pretty happy to be “cut off”. After a few days those web sites I simply had to check didn’t seem all that important. Instead I spent my time training, reading, sitting, talking and simply being.

After a few days I realized I was smack dab in the middle of a mini-training camp. My days were focused purely on my training. I pretty much had all day everyday to get my training in. This allowed me to really really focus on the bike. I didn’t have to think about fitting it in around my work hours or other appointments. It really was the perfect training environment.

I got in lots of long rides, a bunch of intensity work and a couple of easy recovery days. One of the differences for me was the terrain. Typically here at home I ride on pretty flat roads – the only nemesis being the wind. But in the Beauce region, it is all about hills. After a few days I was comfortable with the terrain and the mental aspect of climbing really wasn’t a factor. I actually started to look forward to some of the steep and long climbs – another way to test myself. (But don’t get me wrong, I’m kind of relieved to be going out for a flat ride today!)

So cyclo-cross season is getting close. I must say I did miss my cyclo-cross bike last week. Definitely looking forward to getting out on it this week. Hoping to do my Thursday recovery ride in the woods. Should be nice to hit up the trails and be in nature. Now is the time when I start looking at racing schedules, think about travel, etc. Exciting times definitely. Once again I’ll be looking for people who are interested in coming to Belgium and staying in the house in Blauberg. If you’re thinking of making the trip and having any questions etc., don’t be shy – drop me an email and ask away.

Dugasts. Dugasts. Dugasts. Do you want some? Of course you do! Well, The Cyclery has got them in stock. I suggest you get on the phone pronto and get yourself some sweet tires. You won’t regret it. Trust me.

Okay, I’m out of here. Heading out of the cubicle in a little bit and making the commute home. Then it is a smooth 2.5 hours on the road bike. Me, the iPod and the flat roads. Hello summer. Bring on the fall.

Back from Beauce. Kind of beat from the travel and all the training. I’ll write more later today or tomorrow about my week in Beauce and some of the traning sensations.

Today I want you to go to my other site Victoria’s Island and check out some pretty smooth photos. It will be worth the visit. The red and white jersey looks pretty darn fine on my favorite guy.

It is now Monday. Still here in St. Georges de Beauce. We are staying here for the week since Marc is racing on Friday and then again on Sunday. Nice little break for us from our day-to-day routine.

So Canadian Road Nationals were this past Saturday. Not really much to say about the race unfortunately. I didn’t have the best day. To keep things short, I did not finish. It has been a long time since I’ve had a DNF next to my name. Lets just say this was not how I had expected my race day to turn out. But as the saying goes “that’s bike racing”. I really don’t know what happened. Essentially, everyone went faster than me. I tried to catch back on – nearly made it, but close doesn’t help much in a race of forward momentum. So all in all I had a very short day on the bike on Saturday. No excuses. No reasons. It is what is.

While sitting in the feed zone watching my race, I received some good advice “put the race in a box. lock the box. put the box away. move on.”. Thanks for this DSJ. Really helped me keep my perspective. So this is what I’m doing, the race is in a little box. I’m not dwelling on it. It happened. It won’t happen again.

So onto better and more exciting bike racing chatter and talk. First off, massive congrats to the local Ottawa girls for such fine racing this past weekend. Shout out to Tricia K. for a very fine time trial on Friday and then to have a pretty darn solid road race on Saturday. Kudos to Sophie also racing for Stevens for putting together to solid days on the bike. Massive congrats to “newbie” road racer Cynthia Wilson of Ride with Rendall for racing the time trial and then following this up with a “never say die” attitude during the road race – finishing with the main pack. Congrats as well to Natasha E. for two strong days of racing – best of luck in France. Lots of inspiration and lessons to be learned from these bike racers. I’m impressed with the tenacity, positive attitudes and pure grit.

Sunday was the elite men’s road race. Cool. So you have most likely seen the results. Pretty darn fine day for Ride with Rendall – with Aaron Fillion capturing the elite men’s title. Nice ride Aaron. It was an interesting day to be in the feed zone and to be a biker racer/superfan. Learned a lot about taking chances, risks, and team tactics. All of the Ride with Rendall racers had strong days out there. Congrats guys for the great rides. Again, some pretty impressive role models and inspiration to be taken from these guys.

I’d be remiss to not send a massive congrats out to Warren M. for his most impressive time trial on Friday. Last year Warren won the Masters A national time trial title. This year he raced the elite time trial were he came a most impressive and admirable 6th place. Way to go Warren!

Osmond Bakker also had an excellent day on Sunday finishing second. Congrats Osmond!

All in all, I’d say Ottawa looked pretty good here this past weekend in St. Georges.

I’d say that one of the best aspects of this past weekend has been staying in the house with the Ride with Rendall team. Many thanks to Glen for once again offering me a spot in the “team house”. Very much appreciated. I really enjoyed hanging out with the guys and gals. Yes, I did disappear at times with my book. (I’m working on being 100 per cent social…) I really just enjoyed hanging out and talking with everyone. It was a great opportunity to get to know the new guys and to catch up with the old-timers. I find it really helps to be surrounded by a solid group of people in stressful situations and this weekend was no exception. So thanks everyone for the laughs, stories, words of wisdom and patience. I think what helped me the most were the few words I exchanged with some of you after my race – much appreciated.

Now I’m looking forward to a relaxing week of training and getting ready for Marc’s racing this weekend. Another batch of Ride with Rendall racers will be arriving this Wednesday for the Masters and Junior National road, time trial, and criterium nationals. Until then, Marc and I will have a couple of easy days of pedaling, sleeping, watching the waves on Lac Poulin and smiling.

Feeling pretty lucky right now. Have a good one. Thanks for the emails of support and encouragement these past few days – these mean more than you can probably understand.

(Best of luck to the Stevens team and to Natasha (racing for Specialized) next weekend in Fitchburg – looking forward to hearing all about the racing.)

Was out early for a recovery spin before hoping in the car for the drive to Beauce, Quebec and I simply had one of the best rides on my bike all week. It could be because of the more “relaxed” pace of the recovery ride. It could be due to some increased fitness gains and breakthroughs. But really I attribute the sensations to simply appreciating being outside with the freedom to do as I please.

Yep, feeling pretty darn lucky right now. Probably has to do with the great news Marc received from his doctor this week. He has been given the green light to race at Nationals next week. The head is clear. The leg is on its way. Perfect. I must say I’m pretty darn happy for Marc.

I’ve had a couple of really good days of training. Hit up the ‘cross bike on Monday after work. I wanted to escape the heat so decided to jump into the woods. Loved it. Nothing like zipping through singletrack listening to the birds. Tuesday I did a longish ride on the bike. When combined with my commute to work and back I had a four hour plus day! Then yesterday it was more of the same. Lots of pedaling in the sun and the heat. Had a super smooth avocado milkshake as a reward for the miles I put in.

Okay, well I best blast as we are about to hit the road. Miracle of miracles we are actually ahead of schedule. Hmm, I see a stop at Starbucks in my future. Have a good one. If you’re traveling to Beauce this week or next – drive carefully. Safe and fast racing as well, if I don’t get to wish you luck beforehand.

(For those of you not making the trip – feel free to send me some fast vibes at around 1:00 on Saturday and then send them Marc’s way next Friday and Sunday! I’ll be sure to repay the favor.)

(P.S. some big plans shaping up for the fall. Stay tuned for the exciting news! Oh yeah, I’m feeling super stoked about life and the future right now.)

Seize the day!

It was Father’s Day yesterday but in Ottawa it also meant it was time for Preston St. This year was the 35th running of the annual race. Pretty darn cool. This criterium is part of the Italian Festival action and always draws a huge crowd. This year was no exception.

There were three races on the day. My race was at 2:10 – this year there was a women’s category for the first time and we raced with the Masters 2/3 men. Apart from the rain and the crashing, it was a pretty darn good time. Yes, I’m fine – I was lucky to avoid the crashes. Though I did have a couple of close calls with my rear wheel sliding out on me. (I learned later that to avoid this I need to take a more straight line through the corners.) I was in the main pack when a large crash occurred, splitting the field. Yep, I was behind the crash. In the end I finished third. I’m content with this result. Not my best result but considering the conditions and my riding yesterday, I take this as a win. I must admit I didn’t ride the best race technically. I was a bit tense and apprehensive in the corners. Thanks to Amanda for helping me settle down during the race. (I’ve written a race report – go read it here.)

It’s funny, seems like the race was simply part of a pretty darn good day yesterday. I love going downtown for Preston St. Everyone in town seems to come out and it is an opportunity to catch up with people I don’t normally get to see or talk with. Thanks so much for the cheering yesterday – it does help so much. After the race we had the annual Ride with Rendall barbecue. Thanks to our hosts for a great evening. Lots of stories, reminiscing, rehashing of the racing, and lots of laughs. Not to mention some pretty darn good food – thanks Nuria – you really out did yourself! A great way to wind down the evening and close off a darn fine Sunday in June.