Packing? Don't Forget Keys...

At the Master's Provincials last year an H & R Block rider (Trev, help me out, was it Adam or Gideon?) drove out to Crossfield, only to realize he forgot the keys to unlock his bike from the roof rack. His race was over pretty early, and we all felt for the guy. Of course, my race was over early too. A Cat 5 in Masters A? I was a little out of my league...

But seriously. Stuff I have forgotten or has been forgotten by people I know:

- helmet
- cycling shoes
- front wheel (thankfully, not for a race)

And don't forget the race license.

For Sale

2 Bronzed Pistons

• They are in very good condition because they've hardly been used outside
  
• Good Type I to Type II fiber ratio
• Decent development of the sartorius, lateralis, femoris, medialis and biceps femoris
  
• Very good femur/tibia ratio

I'm selling them because I'm tired of only using em indoors. They need to be outside and it's just not fair keeping them cooped because the weather won' t cooperate--they need room to roam.

I'd prefer to sell them as a pair for $300,000, but I would consider selling just one if the price is right.

Aryeh

Lethbridge Coulee

Hey everyone,

I talked to Phil Rayner, organizer of this year's Lethbridge Coulee race, and he wanted me to mention a few things to the team (since the entire Cat 5 lineup is from Speed Theory).

First, the price of the Hill Climb on Saturday has been reduced from $20 to $10. Score!
In no way, however, does that entice me to want to do it now. But for all of you who are, you'll get a hefty $10 refund at some point in the weekend.

Second, the race entry was to be sent in by mail for the sole purpose that being the time of year of unpredictable weather, last minute cancellations would be easier to fix by tearing up a cheque than refunding through Karelo.

Finally, the route for the RR is not going to be the easiest. You can read this on the race info page, but just to reiterate, it's full of hills, hills and more hills. The way out is a long 1-2% grade uphill for about 40km. At the 20km mark there is a 3-5% grade KOM climb about 2.5km long, so this should start to create a gap in the pack and separate the "vertically challenged" (me). After this first pain fest, right before the turn around, is another 3km KOM that is a bit steeper than the first...that will spread the pack out like nutella on a bagel. Oh, and did I mention this is typically into a headwind?? But look at the bright side, this means coming back in we're all going to be going 103km/h down the hills and holding a solid 80km/h on the flatter sections.

I've booked a room at the Travelodge (I think Thomas did too) so if anyone else wants to be cool like us you should stay there.

Lethbridge Weather

I called my brother this morning and asked him to look out of his office window. He reports that the pavement and sidewalks are bare and dry, with about 2-5 cm of snow on the ground. However, he believes the snow should be gone by Friday. So, the hill climb and road race should be OK; those doing the MTB race could get quite muddy. Sort of like the 24 Hours last year...

Bow 80 Pre-registration Friday morning.

I'm not sure if there is many mountain bikers in the room, but the Bow 80 pre-reg starts Friday morning at 9:00. It is a wicked race on some of the best trails in these parts.

Sign up to receive the pre-reg link Friday morning at http://bow80.com/

It sells out extremely fast so register early.

2009 Bow 80 - "Off the Wagon"

The monument of enduro XC racing in Alberta – The Bow-80 – is set for Sunday, September 20th this year. Are you in?

This epic race will take you around Moose Mountain in Kananaskis Country and give you stories to tell for years. Fantastic views, lung searing climbs, and arm busting descents are waiting.

A Possible Race for those not doing Lethbridge

The Crankies do a race on May 3rd, that might be a good one for some of our newer team members, or anyone that is not planning on going down to Lethbridge. I did this one many years ago, it is a fun race, not too taxing.

It is called the Bearspaw Crit, it is basically 3 races in one:

First race is a 1 lap individual time trial. Each rider is started independently and rides solo and the elapsed time is recorded at the finish line.

Second race is a 1 lap team time trial. Teams will be made up by organizers using a fair system based on riders ITT results. The team size will be determined at the event but will be made up of either 4, 5 or 6 riders at the most. This is a great time for the experienced team members to share knowledge and expertise and rookies to feel the thrill of being coached, coddled and comforted by their fellow team members as they ride in close formation. The last rider's time will be used unless there is a mechanical failure then the last of the remaining riders time will be used.

The third and final race is a series of road races. Here riders will be able to put their final effort and new found racing acumen to the test. Each race will consist of only 5 to 8 riders to help ensure safety and will be comprised of riders with similar ITT times. Each rider will be carrying the colours of their team they rode with during the TTT. This is sure to bring the cheering to a rising crescendo as the finish line is approached. The last of the races will have the clubs' best riders strutting their speed and finish line punch.

This is a great race for anyone, who is maybe a bit intimidated by racing, particularly at the ABA level. It is an fun/easy entry level event that our friends at Crankmasters put on. It is always great to support our fellow teams and the races they put on.

Motivation

"You will never walk without a limp, your days of active sports are probably behind you."

This is what I was told 17 years ago this fall. Not very good news for an 18 year old. 

Sitting in the surgeons office, he read the results of the arthroscopy detailing the extent of the damage to my left knee. Further surgery would not be recommended to replace the torn ACL, remove torn cartilege and repair of the medial and colateral ligaments. Not good. The following 5 months were spent in a drug and alcohol filled pity party

I sought out a second opinion, and the surgeons in Rossland BC felt I was an excellent candidate for the repairs required. The surgery procedures were scheduled and 3 operations over 16 months took place. Almost 4 months on crutches and countless hours in physiotherapy, the rehabilitation began. Everyone knows the trials of an extensive rehab schedule, the loss of strength, weight gain, feelings of despair. It was at that time that the physio mentioned that I should look at buying a bike, it would be good rehab.

It was 8 years after the last operation that I finally decided that I needed a new challenge. With the help and support of friends, I started a basic running program. I then entered three triathlons the following spring. Since 2002 I have completed 11 triathlons, 2 Ironman races, 6 half marathons and 2 full marathons. I have also raced in the Transrockies the last 2 years, highest finish was last year, 12th in our age group. Last year I also raced in 11 road bike races. 

Am I motivated to race this weekend? You bet I am. Every time I get on the course I think of where I was in my life. Sitting on the sidelines, watching the events, looking at the athletes faces, wishing that I could share that experience. 

"You'll never walk without a limp." Well buddy, I wish I would have sent you the finish photo of my first Ironman race as I crossed the line with my kids. I wasn't limping then, and I don't plan on limping across the line at Lethbridge either.

I'll use the one finger salute as I cross the line, first place or last place. 

Have a great day and I hope to see you guys this weekend at the race.

Slayer Dan

cow commits suicide.

is this a family show ?.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrO8AFGi_rc

Pigeon Lake

Can anyone find the details on the Pigeon Lake RR? I'm trying to schedule some stuff later in the afternoon and need to know the start time.... anyone?

Dallas at Maple Ridge's 'Race the Ridge'

Dallas 'represented' this weekend in a race in BC. I love the video work of the start of the circuit race and in the pack there... cool. Check out his race report.

Know Your Victory Salutes

Shamelessly stolen from RoadBikeRider.com:

• Two arms upraised: Classic, says it all.

• One arm upraised: See above, only too tired to raise other arm.

• Rocking imaginary baby: I dedicate this win to my newborn daughter/son.

• Pointing index finger skyward: I dedicate this win to my deceased teammate/coach/bike washer.

• Pumping a clenched fist: Take that, you disbelieving team manager/cycling journalist/boy- or girlfriend who dumped me.

• Firing invisible pistol: I'm the baddest hombre in town.

• Shooting invisible bow and arrow: I'm the baddest indigenous person on the prairie.

• No salute: I hope there isn't any drug testing.

The Spirit Of Volunteering

Team,

It is great to see the interest in the team and how many new riders there are sporting the red and black race colors. To go from 30 riders to over 80 is amazing growth. 

To sustain this type of growth takes considerable effort and time to manage, create posts, organize and plan. It is critical to the success of the team that we all look into ourselves and our volunteer spirit to help in any way we can.

Top 5 Reasons Why I volunteer:

1. Opportunity to do something different. I remember being asked to be a lifeguard for a fringe event that had never been done before in the Cranbrook area. The event was the Wasa Triathlon. I was one of the lifeguards in the inaugural event. Trev was a wee lad then, so cute with these little curls in his hair.

2. Pay my dues. It takes countless hours to put on a good event. By helping, I can support someone who may have a newborn at home. The favor will be returned when I may need assistance.

3. Dependability. It is very satisfying to know that you completed something that everyone depends on. Building start ramps, moving start ramps, placing sign posts, smashing your fingers with a hammer putting up Powerbar signs. It has to happen.

4. Teambuilding. After all that work, you would have never thought a hamburger tasted better!

5. Responsibility. As a member of the team, I signed on to what ever the team needs help with. I have a van that can be used to pull a trailer and I have a strong back that can lift heavy things. I owe it to the success of the team.

Top 5 Reasons that You Should Volunteer

1. Your name isn't Tom Boonen, you just don't show up and ride.

2. Realism. There is 80 guys on the team now. That means we have access to around 80 spouses, girlfriends or boyfriends. Share them.

3. Trev can't do everything.

4. If the team is growing, it needs support. Volunteer support. That means you support.

5. The main reason, because I said so.

If you want more examples of the volunteer spirit, the Brier was just here. Tons of volunteers. Ironman Canada is noted to have to the best volunteers for any race, some of the volunteers were there for the very first race.

It is important that we all do our part and it is time for us all to step it up. If you haven't committed to helping out yourself, or providing someone, it would now be the time to start taking resumes as a personal assistant. 

If you think I am going off on a rant, I have already organized the utility trailer I need to pull all the large sign posts out, I need to get them located and ready. I need to get the start ramp put together and moved into place for the start. Then I have to move the posts off the course and take the start ramp down and get all of it back to Calgary. In between all of that, I am supposed to unleash hell on the course. And don't think for a second I don't have to balance that with my daughters dance competitions, my son's spring hockey and wife's schedule.

Provide your comments and make sure that sign up for something.

Slayer Dan

Volunteers

OK, Thomas and I have figured out, since we are going to do this race up awesome on the 6th of June, and we don't want any hiccups in terms of not getting the venue for the Provincials, that we need 17 volunteers. We are going to treat this as a dry run of the Provincials, so we hope to make it pretty slick.

This is NOT INCLUDING the people I have already contacted to help me out pre and post race. These 17 volunteers will be people helping DURING the race, so they can be wives, husbands, friends of our membership... or members who don't want to race.

If you provide a volunteer for this race, you will be the last to be contacted for the JayLap weekend. The race will commence at around 10am, so volunteers will be expected to be ready to help from 9:30am to about 1pm, depending on how many racers we get. You can tell the volunteers they will be fed and watered well. We will provide lots of food and coffee for volunteers.

Leave a comment with your name, and the name of the volunteer you are providing. We will contact them through you.

The people we already have pre and post race are: Slayer and Rob L., Carl, Lachlan, Stephen K, Tom K, Mike G., Trev, Alex, Sandra, Paul C., Ryan M., and Thomas. So you guys don't need to provide anyone if you don't want too.

Trev

Calgary 70.3

The Calgary 70.3 organizing Committee is looking for approximately 15 individuals to act as bike drafting marshals during the race, no experience necessary (but always appreciated) as we will be conducting a level 1 officials course prior to the race. No motorcycle experience required but individuals will have to be comfortable riding on the back of a motorcycle. The local BMW owners club will be supplying the drivers/bikes and will be conducting a motorbike ‘do’s and don’ts’ seminar the day prior to the race in conjunction with the level one course. Anyone interested, please contact the ATA.