As some of you may know I started the season off by doing some BMX riding. Many cyclo-cross racers come from a BMX background and I thought it would be fun to get out on a “little” bike – improving my technical skills and trying out a new sport. I got this and more… What I didn’t anticipate was the amazing Ottawa BMX community. I was welcomed openly and was soon meeting up with the team from TopShelf YESS and benefiting from coaching, advice and friendship from some great guys. I only managed to get out for the early part of the season but the people I met and the enthusiasm these folks have for BMX and for getting people out on bikes is contagious – yes very similar to the cyclo-cross community.

Ottawa has one BMX track located behind the Earl Armstrong Arena just by Blair Road and the 417. Choose an evening or afternoon and you’ll find kids (of all ages) out riding the BMX track on their BMX bikes and mountain bikes. Well, the good news for those of us living in the west end is that we will soon have a local BMX track on which to rip out some fast laps and learn how to “fly” through the air. Work has started on the Nepean BMX track and the plan is for it to be ready for riding in the spring of 2013. I caught up with Elio Marcantonio to find out more about the new BMX track.

Can you tell me where the idea for the Nepean BMX track came from?
I live in Barrhaven and have been racing BMX at the Ottawa track for the past 3 years. It is very well known that Barrhaven is a family friendly community, with LOTS of kids. In 2011, I thought of the idea of bringing BMX to this community.

Nepean BMX Association became an incorporated non-profit organization in June 2012 and the process of building the club began.

What goes into getting a track built and ready to ride?
First is to find the land. In our case, we received tremendous support from Jan Harder, our Councillor on helping us identify the Clarke Field location.

Second is sourcing funding to secure all the materials needed to construct a track. Dirt is the most important item which Minto has donated. But we also need funding to purchase a start gate, electricity source, asphalt, rental equipment, etc.

Another important factor is volunteers. The construction and maintenance of the track is done by members and volunteers.

What kind of support/involvement do you have from the city?
The city has been very supportive with this initiative. Our Councillor, Jan Harder understands that this will be a big benefit to our Community, both residents and the local businesses.

Have you been able to get some sponsorship/donations from area businesses? Are you looking for any further donations/support?
We received some amazing support from local businesses who provided prizes for our raffle event held in July.

We are proud to announce that Swiss Chalet and Baizana Insurance Brokers in Barrhaven are our two main main sponsors. Their donation will help us to purchase some much needed equipment. If any other businesses are interested in becoming sponsors, there are many opportunities available and we are open to discussing ideas. This will be one of the most exciting sporting activities in the community and it will draw a lot of attention.

When will the track be ready to ride?
Once funding is secured, we will be begin construction. We are hoping to be ready for racing in the Spring of 2013.

How will it work – can anyone just come and ride the track? What about racing? Or lessons for new riders?
We are sanctioned by BMX Canada and any member of Nepean BMX will have access to all race and practice events. Anyone interested in trying out the sport, can do so by registering for a “Free Trial” at any scheduled race or practice night. For those interested in joining the Nepean BMX Association, there will be a few different membership options.

The Association is hoping to run clinics during the season so that new riders can learn tips for good racing.

Why do we need another BMX track in the city?
Another BMX track will make the sport more accessible to the fastest growing community in Ottawa. Barrhaven has a huge population of kids and families.

Making the sport more accessible to more people, will in turn bring tremendous exposure and growth for the sport.

What is your ultimate goal for this new track – what do you think it could do for the area and for riders?
The ultimate goal is to bring families closer together in an environment which engages kids and parents in physical activity. BMX racing is a true family sporting activity for all ages and gender. There is no other sport where all family members can participate in a sporting activity simultaneously at the same event.

Can you tell me how and why you got involved with BMX?
I introduced the sport to my son when he was 5 years old. He loved to ride his bike fast and go off jumps. I did some research and found Ottawa BMX. The following year, my two girls and myself started BMX racing and now it is a great family activity.

What is it about BMX that you enjoy so much?
I love the fact that I can bring all my kids to one location and participate with them in a competitive activity we all love. “No one sits sits on the bench” in BMX racing.

I love seeing my kids racing against their competitors and then hanging out with them on the sidelines. They now have friends from all across the province of Ontario.

Can you tell me a bit about BMX – types of bikes, required equipment, who it is for, etc.
Almost any bicycle can be outfitted to suit BMX. A racing BMX bike is not mandatory. In my son’s first year of racing, he rode a $10 bike I bought at a garage sale.

The most important thing is safety. It is mandatory to wear a helmet, long pants and long sleeve shirt. If the child is interested in pursuing the sport, it is recommended to purchase a full face helmet.

How can people get involved with the Nepean BMX club?
We are very appreciative of anyone wishing to volunteer their time, be a sponsor or provide is with a donation.

Volunteers will be required during the construction phase to help with some minor construction components like raking.

For anyone interested in racing at our club, please keep an eye on our website and Facebook page where we will be announcing our Open House. This is when we will be accepting member applications and information session on BMX racing.

Our contact information is nepeanBMX@gmail.com.

Well, my last post really wasn’t all that positive… There are good days and there are bad days. I think the worst thing is watching everyone I know getting out and enjoying riding their bikes, running, and generally doing all the “stuff” I want to do. This is the first time in many many years that I haven’t planned out my cyclo-cross racing schedule, booked hotels, arranged for a car and bought plane tickets to the early season World Cups.

But you know what – this is okay. It sucks. But it is okay. I will get better. I will be out there again. Just not this year. Instead I’ll be traveling to races with Marc – I’ll bring my cyclo-cross bike and get out for a few laps before and after his races. I’ll be cheering him on and cheering you on. I may not be out there racing and training with you but I’ll definitely be there in spirit.

This week I’ve learned the hard way that I need to rest. Riding seven days in a row is not possible – even seven days in a row at and easy pace. So this weekend, I’m not riding. I’m resting and letting my body and soul recover so I can ride to and from work everyday this week. It is hard to not be riding but I have to look forward. I can’t ride today but I can ride tomorrow.

I must admit I’m not sure what I will do with this space… Normally I write about my training, my racing, my crazy brain, and all the bits in between. Now I’m not sure what I should do here. Do you have any thoughts or suggestions? I’m thinking of getting some guest writers – do you ride bikes? do you race cyclo-cross? do you race road? do you do epic road or mountain bike rides? do you want to write a blog post and have it posted here? do you have photos of a race or ride and want to show them off? do you have a rant about cycling that you want to share? do you have a story to tell? Let me know – I’m serious here – this is a community after all and it would be great to have more than one voice heard…

Alright, time for you to get off the computer and get out and enjoy the day. I’m going to finish reading the newspaper and then hit up the yoga mat for some strength building. Tomorrow I’ll be hitting up the bicycle paths bright and early for my commute to Kanata – if you see me on the Corkstown bicycle path wave and say hello! Have a great day. I know I will.

Thanks so much for the kind comments, emails, posts on Facebook and Twitter in response to my post last week. To say last week was a hard week would be an understatement. I’ve had a feeling for a while now that the 2012-2013 cyclo-cross season would not be happening for me but until I emailed my sponsors and posted on my website, it just didn’t seem “real”.

I’ve had days when I’ve felt sorry for myself. Days when I’ve been downright angry at the world. Days when I feel super good and decide to take up trail running or register for the BC Bike Race. Yes, a roller coaster is what I’ve been riding lately. For so many years now I’ve self-identified as being an athlete. And now, well now I’m not sure who I am. Yes, I know that deep down I’m still the same person but without having my cycling goals and dreams driving me, I’m struggling to find something to get me as equally inspired.

Going through this helps me understand why many athletes keep competing well past their prime – it is hard to know what to do when the bike is put away or the hockey stick is finally put down. Now I know that I’ve got so many other awesome things in my life and of course many other interests but for so long, these have really taken a back seat to my driving passion – racing my cyclo-cross bike. From what I ate to what we did on the weekend to how we planned our “holidays” to the job I had – everything was centred around cyclo-cross.

It is strange I have lots of free time now since my evenings are not spent pounding out intervals on Malakoff Road and my weekends are not spent on four and five hour rides or hours spent in the woods working on cyclo-cross technique. You’d think I’d be super busy now and be filling up my time with other interests. Sadly this has not happened. I feel like I’m in limbo – secretly hoping that I’ll wake up tomorrow and my ulcerative colitis will have gone into remission and I can get back to my life. I’ve got things I want to do but they’re all on hold until I’m healthy again. Yes, I have some interesting writing projects that are almost done – but frankly there is only so much time I can spend in front of the computer.

This is where I would normally write something like “well, no more of this wallowing and waiting for something to happen (remission) which I know isn’t going to happen anytime soon – it is time to get busy and take action”… Well, guess what I’m not going to do this. I don’t think I’m ready. I’m learning that I actually need to go through a few stages mentally and emotionally before I’m ready to get “busy” again. I’m through the anger stage. I think I’m through the grief stage. I’m not sure what the next stage is – maybe false hope or disbelief?

For now, well I’m going to head out on my road bike for a nice and gentle road ride. I may look at my power meter – I may not. I’ll be listening to some of my favourite music (likely my 2011-2012 cyclo-cross season warm-up playlist) and podcasts. On Sunday I’m heading out for a ride with a young whippersnapper of a rider – we’re taking our cyclo-cross bikes out for some trail riding in my favourite training grounds – I hope I can keep up with this young speedster.

I’m going to be okay. It is tough. Damn tough. But it will work out. Life is not all about the bike but darn if it isn’t a huge part of my life. Everyone should be so lucky.

Frankly I’m at a bit of a loss for words, so maybe it is best to simply include the email that I sent this morning to my sponsors:

This is a hard email for me to write and I am writing it with a heavy heart… I will not be racing in the upcoming 2012-2013 cyclo-cross season. Unfortunately I’ve been battling with a very rough bout of ulcerative colitis and based on my doctor’s recommendation – I have had to stop training.

Thanks so much.

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.