Please note that there will be only one race on Sunday at Mooney’s Bay.

The race will be at 11:00.

Dress warmly and bring a big smile, it is going to be a good day on the bike.

See you there. Remember one race – at 11:00.

This is how I describe this past week of training and recovering. Solid. Had a chance this week to get in a couple extra days of intensity. Felt good to go hard on back-to-back training days. I kind of missed this feeling. Race and recover is great. But I like to works myself over in training. Good thing I’m not self-coached or I’d be one of those bike racers who rides around at just below threshold all the time.

So one race on the calendar this weekend. Snow and Mooney’s Bay. Appropriate way to close off the local Ottawa ‘cross season. Of course, we could be looking at snow next weekend in Rhode Island. You never know in New England. Really looking forward to going to Rhode Island.

The first time we went to Rhode Island was three years ago. I was over the moon to be going to Rhode Island. I could have cared less about the racing. I really just was excited to “finally” be in Rhode Island. You see, way back in grade five, I did a report on Rhode Island. From that day I really wanted to go to Rhode Island. Kind of like how Mars is my planet, Rhode Island is my state. Ya, I’m a bit nutty some times. I remember when Marc asked me what the best part of the weekend was, I replied “Just being here in Rhode Island.” So, needless to say, I’m looking forward to going back.

Got a few more things stroked off the “to do before we leave for Belgium” list yesterday. Nice to be making some progress in that area. Really looking forward to being back in the house in Blauberg. It will be super smooth to be going out on the Tuesday and Thursday training rides and joining in on the big team ‘cross training on Wednesdays. Also will be nice to see our friends that we’ve made over the years. Think one of the first stops we’ll make is at the bakery. Then to the grocery store next door to say hello to our very helpful Flemish language teachers.

Did a nice recovery ride this morning. 90 minutes flew by on the trainer. Guess I’ve got my brain around the trainer now. I remember last winter when I was doing three hour trainer rides and then I’d do a 60 minute ride – the 60 minute ride would seem like it was over before it started.

Speaking of being over before it started – I better get back to some other typing. Or this day will be gone before I know it. See you on Sunday. And don’t forget Wednesday night at the Rideau Curling Club.

Not much going on right now. Just the usual stuff. Training – on the trainer. Endurance ride today. Time went by very quickly. (I discovered Californication…) Racing here at home this weekend. So the usual Thursday night scrambling of packing, cooking, and bike cleaning won’t be happening.

So really it is rather quiet here. Not that I’m complaining. Gives me a chance to get organized for the upcoming trip. Been making lists of things still left to be done. Trying to figure out the minimum amount of non-cycling clothes I can take. Bought a couple of magazines for the trip – hard to buy English magazines in Belgium.

See. Really not much. Sorry. This is a bit dull today. I’d post links to some cool action out there on the WWW but, all is quiet today. I think a lot of you are eating turkey and spending quality time with your important people.

Funny, I have two sites. This one (obviously) and this one. I worry that one day I’ll get them confused. This site will be full of words about knitting, recipes, and the work-from-home life. The other site will be consumed with training, racing, and motivation.

Okay, well really that’s all I’ve got. See you tomorrow? It will be more exciting. I promise. (Maybe I’ll just make something up.)

Happy Thanksgiving to those of you in the south. Happy Thursday to the rest of you.

Sunday. Mooney’s Bay. Be There.

It is Wednesday. Hump day. Just have to get through Wednesday and the weekend is that much closer. Funny day Wednesday. Anything you wanted to get done during the week, well if it isn’t done now – don’t count on it being done before the weekend. (At least this is what happens at my house…)

Excellent ride this morning. Well, excellent for the trainer. 5 x 10 minute intervals with 1 minute rest between. Yes, my legs hurt. But my brain was happy. It said “remember this feeling” “store this feeling”. I realized as I was pedaling away watching Canada AM, that in one month I’ll be racing in a World Cup.

Dudes – how cool is this? In fact in four weeks from now, I’ll have already raced on World Cup. Again – dudes – is this not cool? To think that three years ago I was racing at the master’s level and was way way off the pace of the leader in my category. And now I’ve got an elite license and I’m going to race in three World Cups (Nommay, Zolder, and Roubaix).

It just goes to show – that really anything is possible. Do you have a goal or dream? Does it seem crazy? Perfect – write it down. Put the piece of paper in your pocket – look at it every day. Feel that dream every time you reach into your pocket for change or your cell phone. Remember it. Live it. I’m serious about this.

Took the trusty bikes into The Cyclery today. They need an overhaul before making it into the bike bags and onto the plane. Thanks to Steve and Vince for taking care of me so well this season and for really looking out for me. Much appreciated. I would really be lost without their support.

Not much else going on. Looking forward to racing at home this weekend. Last race of the OBC series. Thanks to the snow, it will be epic. At least it won’t be really cold. Snow I can handle but I find the cold more difficult to take.

Saw that Barry Wicks and Adam McGrath are racing over in Japan right now. Very cool. A few summers ago I was in Belgium racing on the road and I met a very helpful man – Harry. He helps the Japanese cyclo-cross team when they come to Europe to race. So amazing this sport of ours. Brings out the best.

Have a good one. Time to get back to some of my other writing.

Not the fairy tale. No the great outdoors. It is so snowy and white out there. Beautiful really. Though I doubt the Belgians found it beautiful… But to us hardy Canadians, this pure fresh white snow is something else. It is so clean. So bright. A true sign that the seasons are changing. Can’t fight it so might as well embrace it. Looks like it will be a final snowy race at Mooney’s Bay this Sunday.

That’s right – last race of the OBC cyclo-cross series. I can’t speak enough about this local cyclo-cross series. Run on a not-for-profit basis with tireless volunteers, this Ottawa cyclo-cross series has done a lot for cyclo-cross in Canada. Many a national champion has gotten their start with the OBC series. The series has blossomed to now host two races a day – with large numbers and lots of smiling faces. I haven’t been out to many OBC races this season – but the ones I was at were some of my most favorite races of the season. The best part for me is watching the success and accomplishments of the “beginners”. These guys and gals are out there on all types of bikes slogging it up, down, around, and over barriers with a lot of heart and passion. Seeing this simply inspires me to race harder and to improve everyday (on and off the bike). I was a “beginner” only a few years ago (gosh some days I still feel like one) – it is the hardest spot to be. But also the best. Massive thanks to Ian, Bob, Cheryl, Bryan, and the countless other volunteers who set up, score keep, tear down, and put up with the complaints and questions every week.

Just finished an excellent training ride. On the trainer. But it was the perfect trainer ride – 3 x 12 sweet spot intervals. Tough. Blood pumping. Reminds me that I’m alive and kicking. I watched Charlie Wilson’s War during my ride. Excellent film. Watch it – you won’t regret it. Also perfect length for the trainer: 1:42 minutes long.

Really, not much else going on. We are here in Ottawa for only two more weeks. That’s right two weeks for now we’ll be doing the last minute packing and making our way to the airport. Ottawa-Frankfurt-Brussels. Sweet. Amazing how quickly the time passes. I’m looking forward to a week at home – no traveling, a local race, and time to chillax and recharge.

Don’t forget the OBC cyclo-cross awards and wrap-up night on Dec. 3. The evening kicks off at 7 p.m. at the Rideau Curling Club. Come out and have some laughs and share some stories with your racing buddies. There are typically big bowls of unhealthy snacks (think orange cheese puff things and those ring-a-los) – perfect way to get ready for the off-season. I’ll see you there.

Thanks so much for the emails, comments and positive vibes over the last couple of days. It means a lot to me to read your emails and comments. Sunday was a great day on the bike. But the last two days have been just as rewarding when I read the kind words you’ve sent me. Thanks.