With about two races to go on the calendar (further trips abroad pending) it would be all or nothing at Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg, ON. According to calculations, two catagory wins in the final two Ottawa series races would set me up mathmatically for a third place in the overall standings (first and second being out of reach due to missing several races in the series).
Arrival in Morrisburg would give us sun, and a light breeze, however Temps at around -3c and a windchill aproaching -10, would make it interesting. The previous week had been nice and dry, but very cold, so the ground was frozen solid, and no snow meas FA-AST!
A bit of a smaller turnout, so off the gun, it would be easier to settle into position and get to business. Early on there were four of us at the front, Osmand B. would be in the lead as usual, with the three of us tagging along. Osmand had about a 30m gap, and I was ready to jump up to him, and hopefully be able to hang on for a lap or two to gain time on the others, that was until, I slipped up on some loose gravel and frost. I was immediately back on the bike and ready to regain position and have another go. About 200m later, we hit the grass, and on a chicane around some spruce trees, caught some heavy frost and hit the deck again. This time not as good, landing on the same side. I gathered myself after a bit of pause and jumped on to begin the chase, and we're only on the first lap!
I quickly worked my way back up through the group and caught up to Darren who seemed to be going well on the day battling it out with Casey. As I continued up through the group finally caught up to Rob O. who also wasn't having the best of days. On the start of Lap 3, on the first uphill barrier, I slipped while jumping over the barrier, landed across the barrier and partially on the bike, Ouch! This would be #3, and I'm done. I crawled back on the bike and instantly pulled myself off course and called it quits for the day.
Later I'd find a few good scrapes and some wicked road rash on the hip, knee, a finger, and what felt like full body whiplash, nice!
So with that, and all the snow we've been getting this week, I've called it quits for the season, looking forward to a few days or so of healing, beers, and then later on as the snow accumulates, we'll hit the tracks for some skiing. If this fall is any indication of whats to come, I expect a good long winter, and lots of skiing!
I'm also anxious to finally be home to catch some live feeds on Sunday mornings now of the euro cross season, should be motivation enough to get things going again in the spring!
So now that the seaon for me is officially over, I will be out to watch the final race of the year at Mooney's Bay. Give me a chance to cheer on Kelly, Darren and the others, maybe get some pictures, and who knows maybe I'll even tag along a few Mooseheads!!
I hope to keep posting over the winter, so well see what interesting things I can come up with!!
ciao for now!
Friday, November 28, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Back Row Shenanigans
Well after a nice trip south, a quick stop on the way home in Trenton NJ would bring us to a stopover for a round of the USGP series. Being tanned from hangin' on the beaches in Florida, we probably looked a bit out of place in the cool north east.
The weather was calling for cool and rain, we got warm and mostly cloudy, some sun, with temps toping out around 21 celcius! Although it had rained all week, especially the night before, so the mud would make its presence felt!
After a bit of a registration craziness, it was off to get ready. It looked like it was going to downpour at any moment, and the course was muddy, and with a tight schedule, warm up was on the road, and the first lap would be a blind one.
Line up for the start we'd have over 85 in the grid, and I was all the way to the back. A decent start, and lots of mud would facilitate slowly moving up the field. It was definitely a tough day, and with the body not feeling a hundred percent, likely from the travelling and eating over the trip, I was surprised to hear I was in the top 20. By race end I would finish 16th, a nice finish to a really tough day. It was warming up and the sun would even poke out by this point! Not a bad day.
We stuck around to watch the pro races, lots of excitement, amzing talent, and even more mud!
Next stop, two rounds to go in Ottawa!
The weather was calling for cool and rain, we got warm and mostly cloudy, some sun, with temps toping out around 21 celcius! Although it had rained all week, especially the night before, so the mud would make its presence felt!
After a bit of a registration craziness, it was off to get ready. It looked like it was going to downpour at any moment, and the course was muddy, and with a tight schedule, warm up was on the road, and the first lap would be a blind one.
Line up for the start we'd have over 85 in the grid, and I was all the way to the back. A decent start, and lots of mud would facilitate slowly moving up the field. It was definitely a tough day, and with the body not feeling a hundred percent, likely from the travelling and eating over the trip, I was surprised to hear I was in the top 20. By race end I would finish 16th, a nice finish to a really tough day. It was warming up and the sun would even poke out by this point! Not a bad day.
We stuck around to watch the pro races, lots of excitement, amzing talent, and even more mud!
Next stop, two rounds to go in Ottawa!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Flo-rida
So how odd has the past few days been? Well if 25 (celcius) and higher in November is any indication, its been nice. Departure from Ottawa Tuesday was as usual, later than hoping, but we arrived late, or early Wed. morning in Columbia Maryland. A brief stopover at Kelly's aunts, where we left Kona (the dog) for a few days, and headed to Florida, Clearwater (Think Tampa Bay) to be exact. Very nice, warm, sunny, beaches, palm trees. Not exactly cross weather, but very conducive to riding! Tomorrow (Saturday) Kelly is off the start line at 7:20am for Half Ironman World Championships, so a nice early morning!
So a good morning of support will be in order, very nice! Hope to get a ride in in the afternoon, as Kell will no doubt be recovering at that point. More "cityrvals" as I've found riding here isn't the best, its a bit too much city, stop and go. However, I've discovered the network of bike/walk paths, good for cruising, and a nice way to check out the city's parks and nicer scenery.
We'll keep ya posted, and hope to get some pics in too!
So a good morning of support will be in order, very nice! Hope to get a ride in in the afternoon, as Kell will no doubt be recovering at that point. More "cityrvals" as I've found riding here isn't the best, its a bit too much city, stop and go. However, I've discovered the network of bike/walk paths, good for cruising, and a nice way to check out the city's parks and nicer scenery.
We'll keep ya posted, and hope to get some pics in too!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Update
Well this one will be condensed, but a bit of a catch up over the past couple of weeks.
Starting with the first race back in Ottawa for the season, it was nice to be closer to home for a change, as its been some time! This would be a round of the Eastern Ontario Series, held at Mooney's Bay in Ottawa. It had rained a horrible amount the previous day, but the course other than a small couple of wet spots, was pretty dry and fast. The start was usual mayhem, an Ottawa trait that I'd forgotten, halfway through the first lap things were sorting themselves out.
The race was a long one, with only four and a half laps, it would be a grind. Halfway in our chasegroup of four would implode and we'd mostly end up on our own. A lap later I had two catch up to me and we'd gain back a spot or two by the end. On the final lap there were three of us, and it was going to come down to the wire. with half a lap to go, I made a move to be on the front, and lead out the end of the race, this would either be an advantage or kill me.
It did however work out as planned, I was able to lead off the second half of the course, and be in best position for the final set of turns before the sprint to the finish!
Result: 1st MA (6th overall)
The next week, we would be in Kanata for another round of the Eastern Ontario Series. This was the first time racing there, but first impressions were good. It was an awesome course, one of the best in the eastern series yet! a nice open fast course, a small hill and some twisty switchbacks on the decent.
Had a bit better start than the previous week, was nearer the front. I was uncertain of my condition as minimal riding the previous week, and a bit of illness had taken its toll.
After a couple of laps, I settled in and gained up to a few riders, where we had a good group of four and trying to chase up to some of the leaders.
The group rode well and it would come down to the final lap again, a bit of a slip by Ryan Atkins would allow Thomas (forget last name) to get away as Greg Hawkes and I were behind Ryan when he went down. I managed to hold off the pair in the finish, for another win in the MA category!
Result: 1st MA (6th overall.... again)
We're off this weekend, "vacation" in Florida, Kelly will be competing in Half Ironman Worlds, in Clearwater Florida, then on the way home a brief stopover in Trenton NJ, for the USGP weekend!
Starting with the first race back in Ottawa for the season, it was nice to be closer to home for a change, as its been some time! This would be a round of the Eastern Ontario Series, held at Mooney's Bay in Ottawa. It had rained a horrible amount the previous day, but the course other than a small couple of wet spots, was pretty dry and fast. The start was usual mayhem, an Ottawa trait that I'd forgotten, halfway through the first lap things were sorting themselves out.
The race was a long one, with only four and a half laps, it would be a grind. Halfway in our chasegroup of four would implode and we'd mostly end up on our own. A lap later I had two catch up to me and we'd gain back a spot or two by the end. On the final lap there were three of us, and it was going to come down to the wire. with half a lap to go, I made a move to be on the front, and lead out the end of the race, this would either be an advantage or kill me.
It did however work out as planned, I was able to lead off the second half of the course, and be in best position for the final set of turns before the sprint to the finish!
Result: 1st MA (6th overall)
The next week, we would be in Kanata for another round of the Eastern Ontario Series. This was the first time racing there, but first impressions were good. It was an awesome course, one of the best in the eastern series yet! a nice open fast course, a small hill and some twisty switchbacks on the decent.
Had a bit better start than the previous week, was nearer the front. I was uncertain of my condition as minimal riding the previous week, and a bit of illness had taken its toll.
After a couple of laps, I settled in and gained up to a few riders, where we had a good group of four and trying to chase up to some of the leaders.
The group rode well and it would come down to the final lap again, a bit of a slip by Ryan Atkins would allow Thomas (forget last name) to get away as Greg Hawkes and I were behind Ryan when he went down. I managed to hold off the pair in the finish, for another win in the MA category!
Result: 1st MA (6th overall.... again)
We're off this weekend, "vacation" in Florida, Kelly will be competing in Half Ironman Worlds, in Clearwater Florida, then on the way home a brief stopover in Trenton NJ, for the USGP weekend!
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