hammer anvil

This weekend was the return of the Ride with Rendal 'cross race. Last year was the Anvil, 2010 would be a two day event; the Hammer/Anvil. The Hammer would go on Saturday, and was nearly identical to last years Anvil course, fast, grassy, but dry this year! A good start saw 4 of us ride away, John Fee, Matt Surch, Yohan Patry (jr) and myself. Simon Smith was behind but chasing. The four of us rode off, I was riding third/fourth wheel, and it felt tough to hang on. On the second lap, Matt took a tight inside line, and clipped John into the tape. I got around clean, but Matt jumped in front still and pinned it hard. Kind of a tough one, but it happens.John seemed instantly defeated, which stinks, he is riding well. Matt got away from me with Yohann, and I was stuck 5-10 seconds back in no mans land.. hmm.. this seems to be happening lots. There was lots of pressure up front, as well and Simon coming up from behind. By mid race I was able to reel Matt back in, I think he had a small slip, then kind of seemed to have slightly sat up(?). Once on his wheel, he definitely seemed to have eased off a bit seeming to maybe play tactically. The pace was good for me (weather it actually was slower or not, it seemed good!) but Simon and John were looking like they may have put a couple of seconds back into us. I was considering an attack, or at least an increase in pace, either way something had to give. On three to go, I took the lead before the "hill" a small bump we'd cross back and over a couple of times, and on a switch back, I heard Matt slip out. I couldn't tell what exactly happened, but the crowd cheered to "hammer". I guessed he'd slid out and so pushed the pace. By lap's end I'd put a gap around 10 seconds. Yohann at this point was up front, I didn't expect to catch him, and really it didn't matter, as he's in the junior category, but I pulled him back, and the two of us rode the rest of the race. With two to go, we'd put some more time into the field, and the race was looking good. We'd hit the bell lap with about 15 seconds clear to Matt and another 5 or so to Simon. It would just be a matter of keeping the pace up. Halfway 'round I let Yohann take the lead, but he was slowing over the hill, so I went back to the front as to not risk any time. He did well to tail, as we rounded into the finish. At the sprint Yohann was right there, and I have to admit, it wasn't contested on my part, as he took the honors. I was quite happy to take the MA category, and put my name on the inaugural Hammer trophy! Matt came in second, Simon rounded off the podium.

Day two was the Anvil race, a different course, some of the Hammer run backwards, with a lot of new sections too, very technical, meaning turny, and still fast. Ideal.
I was feeling good after yesterday, and was motivated to defend from last year.
Another clean start, with the usual suspects, this time adding Michel (from this season's Quebec duels). John, Matt, myself, and Michel took the lead, with Yohann mixing it in also. Matt and I got clear on the first lap, until Matt made a wrong turn, and I made the mistake of following him and not the course. We rode into the tape, and the other three caught up to us. The next lap would keep us all together. Michel would however begin to fade by the end of lap two. Lap three was again status quo, save for a lead change or two, Matt John and I were riding away from the field. On the fourth lap, Matt had a small slip up, followed very shortly by a slightly bigger slip up. I (we) got around him on the second slip, I had a small slip of my own, but was right back on, and pushed the pace instantly. I knew that I had to make a go of it, we were three to go, so it was go time. John Fee came right back, and the two of us were gone. Yohann fell of the fast pace, and turns out Matt would also roll a tire. He got it back on, and would continue, but was never able to regain. Two to go, and John and I were flying. I was feeling a bit tight, but stayed on the front. It was a course where leading was full advantage, with all the turns there was really no where to draft (despite a decent wind), and it was easier to set the line this way. I pushed a small gap on the (very slight) hill, John would reel me back in. Finally on the bell lap fireworks went off, John attacked on the only long straight to take the lead and a couple of seconds, by the time we'd hit the slight hill I was back to him, and used the hill to go back in front. I was thinking just hold on until the barriers then push the final few corners, as they were tight. The final corner came 50-75m to the finish, so it would be key to get in first. To my surprise, John attacked into the barriers regaining the lead, not what I was expecting. I held his wheel tight to the finish, hoping he'd take the final corner easy. As I'd hoped he took the final corner cautious (loose gravel by the way) I drove it full on, but just wasn't quite able to pull the bike back to the inside line, losing any chance of getting around. A hard fought and well deserved second. Disappointed to lose a sprint, but I'm more a drag racer less and accelerator, but probably more disappointed to get my name on the trophy again... Still though, a good day either way!

nationals and revenge weekend

Last weekend the family packed it up and headed for Toronto for the National Championships. Drive went well, no issues, some rain snow mix as we left Ottawa, but clear by the time we got to Toronto.
Saturday morning we packed the car to head for race, only to find one broken bike tray on the roof rack, and an over packed Tim Horton's. So spare bike stayed at the hotel, we waited patiently in line a Timmie's, and finally made it to the race site.
We'd been to Cedarvale before, and had an idea of the course, this would be different! fast, lots of turns, and heavily abusive over in the bowl, going up and down all around for a whack of climbing!
Last years trip to Edmonton paid off, netting me a start list spot on the front row. This took a bit of load off, and put the mission square on a clean start. I had a good jump, and right off the gun was in the front four. We'd go clear after a turn or two, and put a gap into the field. By the end of lap one, the front three started to distance me, I would try and hang in a few seconds back as long as possible. One of the lead three would crash and fade back on the second lap. Near the halfway point a pair from behind would catch me, putting us in the first chase group. A 40 minute race is way harder than the full hour, its a full out with no where to ease off. The course also had no recovery points. Just after the two caught from behind, they'd soon drop me and move on. I would sit 15-20 seconds behind, now in 5th place. I could see Matt Surch, and a couple of other Ottawa guys chasing, so I tried focusing on the guys in front, and not getting caught by anyone else!
By the end I ended up 5th about 18 seconds off 4th.
The course was a bit damp over on the hills, a series of short up and downs across the bowl, a few short steep climbs, totally rideable however. One set of super fast barriers, we were easily hitting them at 30kph! And a flat section over on the top half of the course with some fast corners too.
All in all I was really happy with 5th, I was hoping for a top ten, top five, and higher placing than last year in a deeper field is wonderful!
Sunday would be the "Revenge" race, with the time change we were starting effectively and hour later. The Master B group would run simultaneously, a minute later. The course was pretty much identical, with a couple of minor changes, including a couple of small man made trenches across two of the steep hills. The course was drier, and faster! The start field was a bit smaller, but mostly same faces. Another good start put me in with the top three (yesterdays 1-2 finishers). We'd again gap the field instantly and start to run away. The lead two shook me off by the end of the first lap, setting a really strong pace. I was feeling a bit better, and just worked to keep the pace up. I would notice by the mid point of the race one chaser (yesterday's 4th place). He was sitting at about 20 seconds back for two laps. I was able to hold him there until 2 laps to go. I knew from Saturday he was stronger in the second half of the race, so I'd need to work hard for the final two laps. He would catch up to me at the bottom of one of the steep hills, the was a tight s-turn going in, so I stalled at the bottom, and gunned it up the hill, hoping to force a dismount in order to gain some time back. A "tactical" move most certainly, it did somewhat work, he stayed on the bike, but I did gain back 7-8 seconds which I held for the rest of the lap. On the final lap we'd come into the same s-turn/steep hill, I was ready to repeat the move, but he expectantly anticipated it and waited 'till I was through before entering the tight corner. At the top of the hill he was a second or two off my wheel, and would pass me after a couple of hundred meters. I was fully thinking I'd blown, but somehow managed to hold his wheel relatively well. We hit the final part of the course, the tight up and downs on the bowl, he'd go in 7-8 seconds ahead, I was trying to gain some time in hopes of a sprint. I noticed he slipped on a corner and ran up, but I'd only gain a couple of seconds. I sprinted across the bottom of the bowl, and took no prisoners on the final corner into the finishing chute. A strong sprint finished off a great race, but I'd end up 4th by 1.2 seconds. Often this might be a bit disappointing, but I was really happy with my race. I gave it all, enjoyed it, probably couldn't have pushed any harder, and fourth isn't too bad at all!!
Another great weekend, getting used to the doubles again, and for the first time, feeling stronger on the second day of racing!

Saturday after the race we'd gone up to Barrie to visit Bikeland, pick up a new tray for the roof rack (to get the spare bike the the race, and the home) then stopped at Vaughan Mills to shop, (that place is madness). Saw a few new things, lots of changes, but good to see the old shop too!!

Next weekend, the Hammer/Anvil. This was my favorite race of the year in 2009. Hoping for twice as much fun this year as its a two day! Hoping for good results, we'll see what's left in the tank!

quebec city day two, series finale

Day two in Quebec City was to be the final race of the year on the Quebec Calendar. I had only done one other series race (Laval) so for me, this would be a day to show off the "Bleu et Blanc". To be honest, wasn't sure how the legs would hold up from the previous day, and was fully expecting Michel to take a run at it. He is leading the series, with a solid lock on it, so I was rooting for him to take it home in style, BUT, I also have a bit of a streak going (in the province of Quebec) and wasn't quite ready to hand someone the opportunity to end it!
Weather was good, really close to the previous day, maybe a degree or two cooler, overcast and dry, a bit more wind too. Oh wait no, there is a big difference between 2 and 4 degrees! The course was a bit modified from Saturday, but a lot of the same features repeating.
Off the start I had a good jump, took the holeshot and pinned it hard. I vividly remember thinking why am I going so hard, but kept pushing harder.. odd. We had a larger gap between starts so we didn't plow into the back of the elites, which was nice.
Halfway through lap one I was already distancing the field and had a 10 second lead. Also, by the end of the first lap I could not feel my fingers, literally! I went gloveless, maybe a bad choice. I knew I was shifting well and pulling the brake levers, but braking was weak, at first I thought cause I froze my fingers, later realizing it was cause I was jamming my ring and pinky under the brake lever stopping full force. Yeah, that cold, I was crushing my own hand and didn't feel it! I tried the only two methods I know, as I couldn't just pull off at the car and grab my gloves, breathe on my hands (warm air is nice) and go harder (to get the blood flowing). The latter worked somewhat, except going harder often means going faster, which in turn ups the "wind-chill" factor.. catch-22. By the third lap I had gained a significant 25-30 second lead, and was getting feeling back in my fingers. The lead held there for a couple of laps. I was feeling strong, and although I was watching behind, I kept the pressure on hard for the first 40 mins.I had thoughts about the upcoming national championship race, which is, 40 minutes vs. the normal full 60. After 40 min, I figured I'd just take it as it goes.
Fortunately, the legs held, and I was feeling stronger as the race went on. I kept the pressure on, and by the final lap kept the lead going. The last lap was fast and fun, almost felt like cruise control, and my fingers were happy to know it was almost over. I finished off a nice wire-to-wire win, by 45seconds. A good day, and a nice topper to the weekend!
National Championships in Toronto next weekend. Hoping for good sensations, a podium would be beauty, but maintaining last years 7thish is the primary goal.
Until next time...
(pictures again by sharron harrison)

championnats provincial de cyclocross

Day one in Quebec City, 'cross provincials! Drove up Friday night after work crashed at the HoJo for a good sleep, then up in the morning to head over to the race venue. It would have been nice to check it out the day before, but work beckoned, and hey, my mantra has always been - First lap is a warmup!
I got parked, registered, changed, situated, sort of warmed up and so on.. made my way over towards the start, pitted the spare and looked for the start. I'd gotten a chance to ride some of the course, but not very much. Mostly the grassy stuff. So I was going to go into it a bit blind. Not a good plan for a big race. I had a poor start, missing the jump. We'd fly into a set of barriers really early, catching the tail end of the Elite race, so I got wedged in, fell back a few more spots and before you know it, I'm in about 5-6th place 15+ seconds off the lead. Not the best scenario, but it is just the first lap. I decided to remain calm, and play the hand as given.
By the second lap I was able to work up to 3rd, and managed to dump off a few riders leaving a cleared contact to the leader, but was now 20-25 seconds off the lead, but calm. Lap three, I'd regained a few seconds to the lead, but was contently sitting in second place, feeling good. I though it best to start a move, as we were nearing the halfway mark, so I gave a good push through the start/finish, cleared the rock steps nicely, and gassed it on the backside gravel climb. By the top I'd worked my way up to the leader and was within 5 seconds. We'd come through together with 3 to go. From here out it was looking too familiar, with thoughts of Laval setting in. Michel and I rode away in Laval, and were doing an even better job this time. The lead was traded off a couple of times a lap. We had a good chance to feel each other out, I felt he was weakening, but whenever I put in a dig, he was always right there. With two to go, pretty much the same as previous, although I was having a tough time on the steep grass climb. Michel was clearing it, I had to dismount, he'd get around to lead through the start/finish. This was looking all too key for the final lap. After the hill there was a fast open section, into a narrow down/up, across an impossibly narrow bridge, followed by a right turn onto a paved section for the final 150m, of course with a (bigger than) 90degress left turn with about 75m to go. So, first man onto the bridge would be likely winner.
I started the final lap on Michel's wheel, passing him on the rock run up. Over on the gravel climb I went full gas to the top, he would hang in as we descended down into the slick switchbacks. I cleared the sand hill (another narrow section, slightly sandy steep climb) and notice Michel was off, so went for broke. He caught back on down by the flat section (through the straights and grassy turns) and I would lead into the super steep hill. Deja-vu, I was usually in first, but he was getting me every time. It was a do or die moment, I grunted myself over the hill, and cleared it for the first time of the day, got to the top, and again full gas. We hit the narrows, then crossed the bridge. As soon as we hit the pavement I began the set up for the corner and sprint. It can be sketchy railing a paved corner on a cross bike. We rolled through and instantly sprinted out of the corner.
I had no problem holding the lead out to the line, clinching my third consecutive provincial title! An excellent race. It was the toughest of the three to win, but will likely be the most remembered! (so cliche LOL) One day down, one more to go, the next day would be the series finale. I'm not in for the series, as I'd only done one other race in Quebec this year, so I'll get some good rest, then enjoy another day in the blue and white!

(photos thanks to sharron harrison)

perth

Going back a week or so to the Eastern Ontario Series debut race in Perth. I got up super early for this one, drove over to meet Bob and crew to help set course for the day's racing. It had just began raining on the drive over, and would drizzle, light showers for the whole set up time. The course layout was nice, compact, with all kinds of turning, a small hill, and a brilliant sand pit!
After course set up, I headed into the pavilion to change, and nicely warm up as it was heated! After the first race finished we got a lap or two in for warm up, and all was staring to look ok. Amazingly it didn't really rain much during the race, but everything was good and wet already. Start went well, got good position. Matt S. was pushing hard for the first lap, but coming back from illness he was having breathing problems and would fall back a bit. I hit the sand pit in decent position, about 12thish, ready to dismount for instant chaos. Came out, rounded over and hit the hill. The first half of the race was good, I was up in the ranks a bit higher from previous weeks, I started with the Ridley, it was cruising well, all was good. Mid-race I was thinking about a bike change, it was really muddy. I would actually slide out on the hill, actually slightly dislodging my front wheel enough for it to start rubbing the brake. I got up rode it out to the pit, likely losing 20-30 seconds on the lap, but a quick bike change got me back out and on my way. I made a spot or two up, and rode out the rest of the race with Rodd H. (also from Tall tree) We had a good ole time trading off the lead, chatting, and digging away. Coming into the final lap I put in a small dig and managed to dislodge Rodd, with sights up the road on another rider or two. It would come down to the final climb where I put in a good effort to sprint up the hill with a quick lunge at the line to pip one of the Cyclery riders at the line. It was a good call, as it turned out to be Kris W. also in the Master's Cat putting me at 3rd for the day (about 14th overall).
After the race, I stuck around to help with teardown, and of course the rain started up. ugh.
Next up, Quebec Provincial 'Cross champs, and series final in Quebec City!