Training Log Archive: revy

WCOC Middle Blue Lake Map - M21-35. We spent the morning walking on the model map. Lots of contour detail - little 5-10m rises and depressions. Though mostly mapped as white forest not very fast running and not very many trails at all. Expected that it would be a technical course and I was not wrong. First two controls I felt like I was a bit stunned from the technical nature of the terrain (the area around the first 3-4 controls was especially convuluted). Also ended up around 2 guys running the same course as I which was a little annoying at first though we lost each other after 5. Got confused a bit going to 9 and likely missed it by 10m on the wrong side of the hill before relocating on the trail. Could have been 4 min faster but looks like most people also had issues. Next two controls were long with a lot of running - lots of high stepping over logs and bushes... Lost 6 minutes at 12 - got confused by the contour intervals and thought I was looking for a spur rather than a re-entrant and ended up relocating back to the previous control. The rest of the controls weren't too bad other than being drawn to the wrong control on the way to 15 very obvious on my GPS track).

Winning time was 48 minutes which seemed slow - it was very technical terrain so I would be surprised if anyone ran really clean.

Wakana did great on her course while Courtney was frustrated by the technical terrain and missed a few controls.

C • Courtney needed shin guards... 1

Middle - Course 10 - Splits

Overland trail in Jasper. Probably my favourite ride in Jasper. Kind of reminded me to the Minnewanka trail but without the lake or the crowds. The first few km are doubletrack but then becomes super nice single track. Flat for the first half and then some good ups and downs with scenic side hills. Out and back ride. Best weather day of the trip - pretty unsettled summer weather so far this year...

Valley of the Five Lakes in Jasper. We parked at the main parking area and rode to Old Fort Point (where there was never a fort - go figure) on trail 9. Back on 9c with a detour on an unmarked trail and then along the lakes (9a). Some fun sections of trail and others that were typical wide parks trail from lots of usage. These are old hiking trails so some punchy climbs and a few interesting technical bits. The section along the lakes was scenic and fun though a few too many hikers (and it was fairly quiet when we went - worse later in the day). Would go earlier or later in the future - also would ride 9c and 9 clockwise next time for a better descent. Weather was a bit meh - overcast and a bit drab.

Took a break for lunch and then checked out a purpose built bike trail on the Pyramid Bench. These rogue trails are now legal (though not on trail forks). To connect to the bike trails we used the old hiking trails which again were fine xc riding but nothing amazing. Razorback was quite fun though and worth the climb.

Driving to Jasper/Hinton for the weekend with Courtney and Wakana. Broke up the drive by hiking up Wilcox Pass near the Columbia Icefields. Was thinking of scrambling up Mt Wilcox but the weather was cold and windy with the summit in clouds. Nice views of Mt Athabasca and the ice field but could have been nicer with sunny weather. Driving the parkway in mid summer is a bit ridiculous. I guess this year is especially bad for tourists - Lake Louise was closed to tourists as the parking lots were all full. We saw one bear munching on berries on the side of the road and about 20 people were taking pictures about 15-20m away.

Dropped off the truck by the airport, rode back to give the dog some exercise, then paddled downstream back to the truck (with some flatwater in the last canal).

C • multisport 1

Exploring the new trail on Boulder with Courtney, Atsuko and Vikki. Only took an hour to climb the road. First time I have felt good exercising since the bike trip. I guess I did ride enough to make the recovery time similar to like after a stage race. Fun riding on the upper part of Iron Lotus then the new jump trail. I am not good enough to take the jumps but fun rollercoaster ride none the less. Some good challenging bits on Iron Lotus. Took a bit of a detour at the bottom when the girls decided they wanted to ride some more (in the wrong direction). Finished with Loggin Leftovers.

Eagle Pass mountain with Courtney and her parents. Very productive in terms of some brushing and clearing - took the chainsaw with me again. Nice weather, trail is a bit wet but no snow. Flowers are not quite ready to come out. North sides of surrounding ridges still have alot of snow.