Training Log Archive: arg

On the X bike (Argon 18 Arsenic, FYI): Observatory for a couple of repeats, Hartland to check out any mtn biker buddies heading off into the snow, then meandering about and home.

Mt Doug trails from Glendinning.

R calf issue. Stretch time.

Mt Doug: trails had a light dusting of snow, maybe 2 - 3 cm. Windy down by the water courtesy of the Sou'easterly which brought big rollers onto the shore.

No one else in the park but for a couple of dog walkers.

Island Cross on the Rock series final cancelled due to snow and host liability concerns.

I was hoping to have snow underfoot in Mt Doug Park, however, light snow with wind was all nature could muster. Climbed quite a bit up and down, but held back the linear distance somewhat.

I race tomorrow in the last race of the islands' Cross on the Rock" series. Should be great - the Shawnigan L area will have snow and this will ensure only the diehard cyclo X boys and girls will be out and will increase my chances of getting some points. Ahrr!

Mt Doug trails.

Here, there and somewhat everywhere - mostly waterfront.

In the city, at the corner of Pandora and Wharf, I listened to a girl singing. She was wearing a distinct form of head gear in the fashion of Victoria's iconic blue bridge, which is the subject of debate by the municipality to replace or refurbish. The young lady's head gear was a model of the current bridge and her lyrics supported refurbishment at a lower cost than replacing. A ride with entertainment....that's why I like Victoria.

Mt Doug trail run

Cross on the Rocks: Port Alberni

Cyclo X: Cross on the Rocks Series: Port Alberni. Gotta admit, this was the best race ehvah! It was wet and oh so muddy on a great course.

This the the third cyclo X race I've done and maybe the 6th time I've been on the bike and my learning curve has been steep. Things to keep in the back of my mind:

- Hammer to get position at the start, otherwise you get stuck behind slower riders in the twisty bits and as the top field gets away, you can only watch;
- Look way ahead in your turns. I was dropping my gaze down to a couple feet ahead of my wheel when going thru switchbacks and that doesn't work. From my first race on, Fluffy has been yelling at me to look up at where you want to go. I should know this with mtn biking, but I wasn't applying it until this race where it was such a factor in riding thru the mud.
- Tire pressue: what presure will get your through the race/mud/rock gardens without pinch flatting. There were so many folks flatting during the race - I bumped my up from 32-ish to 38 psi and I was still in danger when going thru the rocks. It did help try to stay afloat in the mud though.
- Dont' give up and finish the race. DNF's don't look good in this spectator friendly forum as you walk the walk of shame;
- bring serious wet weather gear to keep dry during the event. Frick it rained a lot yesterday.

Highlight of the day: getting hosed down to remove all the mud and grime by the awesome host at the McLean Mill while she was giving me a history lesson of the mill.

8th in the masters. 2:52 off the winning time.

One more race in the series Nov 21/10.

Brr. Cool down while wet. Chafing. Mud in eyes. Cold fingers. Then bike maintenance.

Hose mud off bike. Hose mud out of all the little areas mud can get into on a bike. Hose mud out of areas that mud can get into a person, like ears/nose/throat etc.

Hose off helmet.

Hose off hose.

Pass hose off.

I am a hoser.

Commute to work

Work to home via the unknown. Had the X bike out and put in a serious 22 sec effort to train for tomorrows Cross race in Port Alberni. Yup, you read right....Port Alberni. Gonna be a good time.

Ride into work. Dodged the pumpkin debris on the side of road thru Mt Doug Parkway...makes for slippery riding.

C • Pumpkin pie eyed 3

Morning commute via Mt Doug Parkway - carved pumpkins of all shapes and sizes have been deposited along the route post Hallowe'en....makes for a great ride in the early morning darkness as the bike headlight flickers across their faces.

Rode to work on the Cyclo X steed - gotta tame that beast.

C • Lots of steeples on the Goose huh... 4

Work to CBI for Rounds.

CBI and meander to home.