Training Log Archive: Bash

Track & Tower Trail in Algonquin Park after a big breakfast. 'Bent and I have done this trail in pouring rain twice before so it was a nice change to see it on a cloudy day. Sunshine would be even better - maybe some day! We ran into almost no one on the trail - except a family we know from Bolton. There were a few good climbs to help us earn our lunch.

'Bent and I parked at Lake of Two Rivers Store and rode the connector trail to the Old Railway Bike Trail, which has been extended in the last couple of years. It isn't as smooth as the Caledon Trailway; some sections have loose gravel, sand or rocks but that makes it more interesting.

We rode out-and-back to the western terminus, then to the eastern end at Whitefish Lake. We could have extended our ride a little into the Pog Lake or Rock Lake campgrounds but otherwise we covered just about everything. It was fun and relatively fast although lots of people were out enjoying the trail today.



Whitefish Lake



We were stopped by a very confident spruce grouse who didn't want people to pass by on the trail while his wife was having lunch.

After too much yummy lunch (yet again), 'Bent and I headed to the north end of Little Joe Lake and followed the twisty creek until we hit a portage. We were able to paddle through a section that sometimes needs to be portaged. The weather was changing.

There were SUPs so we had to paddle them too. And do a little yoga.



Then we went swimming in the lake but I'm such a poor swimmer that it doesn't merit logging. It felt great though. Light rain started falling while we were in the water. Perfect timing.

'Bent and I got off to a slow start with coffee, good books and a hot breakfast. There is no cell signal or Internet at the lodge, which feels like deprivation at first but ends up being wonderful.

Every time we went out to Hwy 60 for an excursion in the Park, I pulled out my phone to check Benoit Letourneau's progress at UTMB. He had a terrific race, breaking 35 hours and finishing well within the top 10%. He had a few long breaks that looked like naps so he was running quickly in between.

There are only three lodges in Algonquin Park so we have occasionally crossed paths with well-known Canadians at Arowhon Pines. This weekend there was an Olympic figure skater as well as the wife and children of a seriously ill Canadian singer whose well-loved band had a nationally televised concert last week. 'Bent had a brief chat with the Olympian; we left the others alone with their thoughts.

It was a spectacular day so we paddled from Little Joe Lake to Joe Lake.







In accordance with tradition, we paddled past the canoe campsite where we were married with 100 guests sitting on the rocks. It's a great site that is almost always occupied so we didn't get to walk down the aisle for our almost-20th anniversary.

After too much lunch and too much lazing around, we dragged ourselves over to the Centennial Ridges Trail near the Algonquin Visitors' Centre. This is one of the most beautiful trails in the park. It's rocky and rooty, and I moved cautiously to avoid twisting an ankle. I wish we'd come earlier so we could sit on the ridge and watch the clouds go by. Stunning views - and they'll be even better in a few weeks when the leaves change.

Sunset paddle with 'Bent on Little Joe Lake, Algonquin Park. It's our first evening at Arowhon Pines lodge, the "base camp" for our multisport wedding almost 20 years ago.

Runners and Animal lovers: The Furry Friends 5K is coming to Burlington on Sunday Sept. 11. Over the past 5 years, their Whitby event has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for animal rescue charities. Our friend Caron Shepley, who has worked tirelessly to make Furry Friends a success, has added a 2nd event this year to help more charities but entries are currently lower than hoped.

Runners and walkers are welcome. Electronic timing is provided and there is a special category for participants with dogs. Great swag including a professional photo and an official race bandana for doggie participants. Please consider coming out on Sept. 11 or sponsoring 'Bent, who will be running with AdventureDog. I'll be running too but I want A-Dog to have the sponsors! :) http://www.furryfriends5k.ca/event/burlington

Funderstormin', Mrs. Tiny and Heidi came up for an evening Hockley run. We only did the first two side trail loops since our priority was dinner before the Black Birch closed at 9 p.m. After all the days with humidex of 35-40, it was a treat to run in moderate albeit humid conditions. Lots of chatting on the trails and one face plant by yours truly. Even before that, my right leg/knee/shin was feeling strange - and of course that's the one I landed on. Not sure what that's all about but it had better be nothing!

We followed the run with a great dinner, capped off with a surprise slice of birthday cake with a candle. Thanks so much, ladies - my favourite kind of party. :)

"There were Americans everywhere" as wind blows 1,500 U.S. partiers to Canada.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/floatdown-sa...

I rode to Albion Hills to meet Dee in beautiful, non-heat-wave weather. She is strong on the bike so it was hard work for me, which was awesome. I haven't seen her since Italy and it was great to chat.

We had a 3-hour ride planned but unfortunately I got a flat when we were at the north end of Palgrave Conservation Area. I've had very few flats in my life and am not quick to fix them. It would be like watching a video in slow motion so I didn't want to put Dee through it. I pumped the tire up and we rode to our place which, luckily, was just 1 km away. I drove Dee and her bike back to Albion Hills - so sad to bail but we'd had a pretty good ride.

I timed my flat tire fix and it's safe to say that Team Sky will not be hiring me anytime soon: 18 minutes!!! However, I found a tiny thorn embedded in my tire so I resolved both the symptom *and* the root cause of the problem. For someone with extremely basic bike repair skills, that counts as a huge win. I even got the bike computer working again!

UPDATE: 'Bent just came in the front door and said, "Your front tire is flat." Ugh.

UPDATE 2: Dr. 'Bent diagnosed a small puncture in the tube I installed. I was super careful to avoid a pinch flat so my guess is that the spare tube got damaged over the years of riding around in the seat pack with other tools. It's the same spare tube I carried at Tierra Viva in 2013 so it's been around a long time. Glad I used it today when it didn't matter.