Cyclo-cross Nationals: MUD, SAND, GRIT



A Little Wet

November 15th, 2012...and beyond, 
After great success at cyclo-cross provincial championships, Will (Nub) Elliott and I made our way out west. Our destination: Surrey, British Columbia and Cyclo-cross national championships. 

The weather was as we predicted, slightly wet. It was a solid decision to come across the country with mud tires, the forecast was only rain. 

Once arriving in Vancouver, Will and I made our way onto the transit system. We had a bit of a journey ahead of us to get to Surrey. Might I add that the Vancouver transit system is very good and convenient to a pair of underage guys trying to get around. We arrived at our hotel, built our bikes and went to bed. 

The next day was jammed packed with exciting Jackie Chan movies and some homework. We left for the course at 3pm to meet up with our coach's sister, "The" Wendy Simms, to pre-ride. Pre-riding went well as it was only damp. The course was barely destroyed by the end of the day, but that would soon change. The night before the race it rained and rained.

Race day was cold and wet. It wasn't raining in the morning but as Nub and I began to get ready to leave the skies opened up. This was going to be a very cold and wet day. As we made our way out to the course, the spare clothes that we brought got wet. During some pre-race laps we noticed that the course had changed to a great extent. Most of the off-camber was un-rideable as it was just too slick. The race would become very interesting now.

As we lined up behind the elite women the tension gained. There was a solid amount of water on the ground at the start. Up the road, over a curb and into barriers was the first 500m. It was going to be carnage. As the start got underway, a couple wobbles here and there, everything was good so far. Surviving the turn, the curb and the barriers was a great success. Next was just full gas, slip and slide, and elbows. Good racing I’d say. The group quickly broke up and I found myself in the lead group of three. This was going excellent. The course and conditions were such that pack riding offered little value. Riders in front would kick up way too much mud and riders behind would slide into you on turns. Because of these factors the ‘group’ wasn’t much of a group and the lead changed consistently. By the final two laps we had dropped another; two riders in the lead and I was one of them. Superb! With the final section the make moves approaching I gunned it! With no resistance from my opposition I figured I had it. Apparently he knew better. As we were running across one of the off camber sections I lost my footing in the mud and he passed me. Bad news for me as my cables we so clogged with grit my gears wouldn’t have been changing fast enough for a sprint finish. However, as I got back on in pursuit, he fell. It was super unfortunate to have to pass a fellow racer while he was on the ground tangled in the tape, I truly felt bad, but this is racing. Pulling out of that section and down the path, having only a bit of a lead, the sprint had to be mine. Some solid effort put in that day – came across the line 1^st. I had finally achieved my goal to get a national champion jersey. It was amazing!

Big thank you to Cycle Solutions/Angry Johnny’s Racing and Trek Store Barrie for helping with support, it was greatly appreciated.

Next, WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS! Yes, you read that right; I will be attending Cyclo-cross World Championships in Louisville, Kentucky in February. Thanks to everyone for your support and stay tuned.

Cyclo-cross! More Mud, More Sand.

It’s fall. It’s cold. It’s raining, nope never mind, it’s snowing. Yet we all dream of racing cyclo-cross.

Well, yes, it’s a grand old time! Slaying the grassy turns. Bombing into mud at full speed. Everything you could possibly want comes from cyclo-cross – minus single track...

It all started at the Real Deal Tuesday night cross series in Horseshoe Valley. There the races consisted of Will Elliott, Adam Jamieson, Andrew Watson and a few others. It was a grand time, on a very challenging course.

Next I moved into the S-Cup series, hitting up the Real Deal Horseshoe race and winning it. 

Then onto the Angry Johnny’s Albion Cross race where there was some crazy stuff that went down. The boys, or the kangaroos, were jumping the barriers and I was having trouble keeping up. So, smart me decided I would try to hop the barrier for the first time with no practice. Yea, I went head over heels. Getting back up I noticed my rear rim was warped; a quick unhooking of the rear brake two laps later and I rode in an easy 3^rd.

Then Hardwood Ski and Bike's cross race was awesome! Taking the "W" there was a difficult one! The course was exceptionally challenging and posed multiple show-stopping technical areas. A solid ride indeed.

Next up was cyclo-cross provincials. Wow! That was some craziness. A nice course in the Barrie Sporting Complex. It was completely flat and bumpy, but the mud hole...made my day. Six to eight inches of sludge, you had no choice but to just blast right through it. 

It started out with the five of us: Adam, Will, Tyler, Conner and I. After the first lap, I got a little bit of a lead. Will managed to join me a lap or so later and we worked together to pull away from the group. Riding together and taking turns to pull – usually unwillingly – we had some upsets. Will managed to trip up on my rear wheel and I heard him squeak – he was going over. After yelling sorry, I took off. There was still a lot of race left and I was not confident with riding alone the whole time, thus I did not drop the hammer. Once Will had rejoined we were sitting at two laps to go. Through the mud again uneventfully, we were hauling.

And then it happened...

We came around one of the turns and Will pulled out to the side to let me lead. Well, it just so happened I was half-wheeling slightly and I ate it. This was 1.5 laps to go. It took me the better half of the last lap to catch up. Then I sat in until the mud. I excelled at the stairs – they were a lot of fun. I blasted every straight stretch that offered good passing potential. Then there was the final straight. This was the only part where being in front could pose an issue. I wasn’t about to give a lead out so I hit it! A solid sprint across the finish line with Will about five feet behind me.

Provincial Champion Title was attained!

Off to nationals in Vancouver in less than two weeks. Let’s hope we have a repeat of provincials!

A Year in a Nutshell

After World Championships I was feeling good. I got home, tired from the trip. What an exciting experience it was!

The day after I got home I proceeded to unpack, build my bike (not fully seeing it was clean and I did not want to dirty it again this year) and get my school things in order for Grade 12. Exciting (in the most flat, draining voice possible)…

Jet lag didn’t last long. Getting to school the first day was easy, I was practically sleeping into noon when I woke up for the bus, but by 5^th period on my first day, I was feeling a little tired. Let’s make matters more interesting: I missed about a week and a half, that’s a substantial workload. As well as that I had my first class of night school that night. That meant that night school running from 6pm-9pm was running me (on Austrian time) from 12pm-3am … class was swell.

Getting off the bike was very important for me. This entire season had been built on ‘what if’ scenarios. What if I make it to the Mont St. Anne world cup? What if I make it to Worlds? This put my coach and I under a little stress. It was a ladder we had to climb.

From the beginning of the year, Paris to Ancaster, right up to Worlds it was stepping stones. From starting the O-cups, making the Canada Cup project, to making the Nationals project, I was well on my way. The next was a big finish at nationals, but there were hurdles to hop. The week before nationals at the Albion Ontario Cup I hit a tree. Overcoming injury for nationals required patience and discipline. After making the North American World Cup start list, not the project, there were plans to make! Finding places to stay and such. Huge thank you to Opus, Trek Canada and the Waglers for touring me around and giving me a place to stay! After an exciting world cup experience with a 6^th place finish at St. Anne it became a waiting game. Wait for the announcement about Worlds.

Training proceeded as ‘normal’ and racing did not stop. I went to the Ontario Summer Games for the last time in my career and came out with 4 golds; winning the Time Trial, XC race, Relay race and Overall Team. It was a superb exit! I am excited to see how Quinton Disera does in the up coming OSG’s.

Then the announcement about worlds came out. All the support that everyone displayed was incredibly helpful and overwhelming at times. It was and is truly appreciated. The planning and such that happened is listed in other posts. I just wanted to thank everyone again.

And now we’re back, to the present, almost two weeks after worlds…

Cyclo-CROSS! Woot! Season starts up soon! Not excited about the cold weather but I think I’ll learn to live with it! I am Canadian, eh?

World Championships - The Race.....

I have always been told by my family and friends to never say sorry after a race. My girlfriend says she hates it when athletes apologise, they have already done so much...
Well sorry but I'm sorry...If you don't like me apologising then view it this way; I'm sorry to myself. The person I let down the most is myself. I was there! I could do it! I was physically prepared. I was mentally prepared for the 150% start. And then it happened...

The morning started at 5:45am. Up for breakfast. Then shower, chill about, listen to music, get dressed and head out in the 10 degree weather. Arriving at the tent we got out chips and headed out on a warm up. Ripped a lap of the start loop and then did some tempo on the road. We proceeded to get in the pens. After being called up and squeezing/fighting your way closer to the front, I had the ideal start position, two rows back, left. This was it.
All the people that had helped to get me here went through my head in a flash of nerves. Music. Crowds. I was numb. 15 seconds... "This is it baby!" I remember saying... BANG, and we were off. Zero to 40km/h in 30 feet. Insanity. Every time you heard brakes of gravel flying I cringed. It was a mad swarm, turning and flowing, everyone fighting for position. And then it happened, I heard 'him' hit the fence. 'He' went down and the whole pack went down. The sound of carbon, shoes and helmets on the pavement is something I will not forget. The only lane that made it out was my lane. I was lucky, but not safe. Even though no one went down in front of me I had a Scott bike hurled though the air towards me. Flipping and flipping until it took out the rider in front of me. I made it through, fazed, but quickly refocused. "Full gas. Full gas. I can do this." The start loop went quick and well.
Lap 1: Fast. Don't let up. This is Europe. Don't let up. Push yourself beyond your limits, block people to hold your position and keep it smooth. I was near the top 30 after lap 1.
Lap 2: Same thing, don't settle in, just blow your brains out. Now in the top 30.
Lap 3: First climb, really feeling it. Tasting blood, but keep going, push yourself. Made my way up to 25th at one point, but that didn't last long. And then it happened...Maple Syrup Falls. Steep, rooty, slippery and slightly scary. I fell on it first lap and second lap didn't feel it. I was going to drop my foot and rip it this time. all went to plan and the front tire found the groove. I leaned in to rip the turn, and apparently it just wasn't meant to be. I ripped the tire right off the rim... Remaining surprisingly calm I grabbed my Big Air. Screwed in my regulator. No sound... It wouldn't puncture. It wouldn't puncture! No! No! Now I freaked. All I wanted was a smooth race, no flats, no mechanicals and no injuries. This moment was a moment of utter disappointment, sadness and awe. No time for moping, RUN! And I ran. Nobody was making it past me without working for it. I was going to hold as much of my top 30 as I could. I ran the entire downhill. Just booking it. My tire had come off the rim, my rim banging against the rocks; another sound I will not soon forget. After getting a new wheel on and setting off in probably 80th. I was going to fight, fight for 79th, 78th, 77th...I was going to.
I quickly made my way up, making up positions. Working hard. Coming passed the feedzone again I made a gnarly pass! Took the guy on the inside, force him out. Aww yea. I quickly sprinted my way up to speed and then took a drink. And then it happened...One hand on the bar, drinking, and another really aggressive rider.. He bumped my bars as he went past. This sent me flying! I slid across the gravel on my side and back. Quickly I got up, swearing and bleeding. I was going to kill him.
Lap 4: Chasing this guy, I caught him and as I passed he made no motion to block. Right as I got in front he said he was sorry. I couldn't be mad. I decked him the turn before too. It's racing...
Unfortunately between flatting and fatigue, pain and injuries and constantly trying to refocus, I lost too much time. I got pulled. 1 Lap Down... Really a huge disappointment for me. I could've stayed up there. I could've done one more lap... Could've, would've, should've...DIDN'T...I'm Sorry.
Lap 5: Non Existent...

Overall, great first 3 laps! I got where I needed to be, I was still able to see the front in the start, I was there. A few crashes, I was not impressed with my technical riding, stupid mistakes. But I made it here. I'm in Austria. I just did a race with over 100 juniors in it! I survived the start crash!

I finished 73rd - 1 lap down.

World Championships Course

After some rain early on in the week, the sun finally came out. Bathing in this new found glory and happiness of warmth we hit the course. Riding the day before was like driving in the winter; brake well before the corner. It was a day of peanut butter trails; don’t touch the front brake unless you’re going straight or end up on the ground (slightly exaggerated). The gnarly off camber trails were a lot of fun! Roots quickly became nicely polished and were like riding on ice. You really had to be paying attention! Pressure control, brake control and balance were key!

With the continual sunshine the course started to dry up. The roots and polished rocks are still very slippery but on the steep drops braking was ultimately doing something! Looks like a great time!

Team Canada was very lucky to be able to ride the course at such an early time (Monday). Tuesday and Wednesday were absolutely nuts, with about 50 people crowding around the ‘Rock Drop’ and another couple dozen around ‘Maple Syrup Falls’ (check it on Strava). It was insane trying to get a turn to try it and get people out of the way!

Ok! More about the course so you know what I’m talking about!

Starting on an oval track and shooting straight up the road for the start loop! The climb is 8.5% for 600m. Pretty gnarly… Then you shoot down a grassy decent back to the stadium and out the oval to the first flowy single track. Then the climb starts. It consists of 1.2km of bumpy double track up, anywhere between 4-15% with it getting continually steeper near the top. You also cross a stream twice and get wet.

Then you hit up ‘Maple Syrup Falls’. It is a hard right into a log drop that you can roll, then a 35 foot gnarly steep section with roots and rocks and the works! At the very bottom it’s an awesomely hard, off camber left turn! People would just shoot right through the turn! Check the video of it! http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/photo.php?v=496122823732573&set=vb.100000045780492&type=2&theater

So then you rip through some tricky roots and more slippery off camber trail. It’s so gnar! Lap traffic may pose an issue, but just run the person in front of you over, right?

Then you hit a fast root covered double track with some sweet slippery turns and then hit the feed zone! Up the road climb (same as start loop).

Next you’re into the ‘Rock Drop’! Some switchback climbing to start, then drop in down another off camber right-hander. Over some slippery roots and hook a left, BOOM, drop that. The rock is fairly large and has a knuckle, meaning it kicks your rear wheel up (as in flipping you). But these guys can hit it up quite well! Just drop it!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/photo.php?v=496115260399996&set=vb.100000045780492&type=2&theater

After a series of turns and small log drops, you hit the grass! Or as coach Dan says, ‘Hit the grass, hit the gas’ Crazy Canuck style! You go a decently fast speed with some sludgy turns.

Following getting your face plastered around your ears you hit the biggest fly-over I have ever ridden. It is 4.7m high! Once you survive coming down and not rolling your tires then it’s quickly through the feed zone again. And then you have arrived at the final chute – quick drop/roll over, loose sand and gravel, down some rocks…easy.

Quick loop around the track and you’re done!

Euro Trip - What Weather is this?

Cold? Wet? Really? Waking up today around 11am here today, but 5am for me still being jet lagged. It was cold. I didn't want to move out from under neither my down comforter. I was so warm! It was pouring outside. I got some breakfast, had a long warm shower and got dressed. I put on most of my warm stuff and set out.

I had no idea where to go. The streets are confusing and tight and the country side…I have no hope of understanding the signs. I thought I was going the wrong way when I passed a sign with a red slash through it, but apparently that just means that you have exited the town. People were staring and stopping to watch me go by, I thought I was doing something illegal. Is it illegal to ride in town on Fridays? I guess they didn’t think anyone would ever want to bike on such a cold rainy day.

Then I got home and realised we had left windows open. The apartment was freezing, so we turned on the oven. That was effective seeing the central heating system wasn’t even on. Our stuff is still not dry as we do not seem to have a dryer…or any laundry machine. We’ll see, working on my German now!

Town

Don't let the cows out?

Left or Right?

Flood issues?

Horse, and the sound of a rooster

Euro Trip - Stage 1

The flight... After arriving man hours before my flight, getting all my bags checked in and saying goodbye to my parents, I was off. The flight was 8 hours and we made good time. Right as I was about to fall asleep they served dinner... I proceeded with caution. It was a pasta meal, not too bad, not too salty. I gave my brownie to the Germany woman sitting beside me. She enjoyed that, but continually tried talking me into indulgence.
The airport MUC... WiFi sketch of the world! Nothing wants to actually connect. But it's a nice place. Good size. Plenty to do, from clothe stores, to lingerie stores, to shoe stores, convenient stores, and the Ke$ha outlet store (extreme hipster).
Waiting now for team Canada to come pick us up!
With a large cargo van filled of bikes and a bus filled up with all of our stuff we were on our way! Loading up on any food from the airport that was good because this was going to be a long bus ride. The bus ride was on fast highways, twisting streets and tight towns. I was very impressed with the driving skill, and also scared for my life at multiple points. Driving along the edge of a mountain looking down 500, 600, 700 feet with no guard rail and going 80km/h was fun...
After using the GoPro for some of the gnarly roads and mountains we arrived in middle of no where Saalfelden! At some gorgeous chalets/apartments! After building the bikes and connecting to WiFi it was off to acclimatizing...which I should be doing rather then blogging! Ha, bye!

On My Way!

Getting to the airport was easy! Not too much traffic. After checking in my bags and saying goodbye to my bike I made my way to security. No issues there so I made my way to my seat....where I'll wait for the next 2.5 hours. Good times though! The amount of sun on my back I should get a good tan! Ha!

Packing - Not Easy...

Positioning the frame, fork and wheels in the bag took hours to get it right. With about '10 pounds' of foam, bubble wrap and other protective materials, it was secure.
It was apparent that I was not going to be able to fit everything in the big bag. Realising I had another whole bag worth of stuff I could fill up I was suddenly in the over packing mood! It still closed, so all is good!
Today will be the day of excitement and anxiety. I will probably end up pacing waiting for tomorrow to come when I finally leave!
However, for now I'll just sit in meetings at school trying to sort out my time tables for the upcoming year. Gotta be studious!

Cruising to the Cottage

Big Chute Marine Railway

Another lovely day out, not too sunny, not too windy, and not looking like it's going rain; epic road ride day! My day started when my brother Quinton decided that we were going to ride up to my aunt and uncle's cottage. It was smooth sailing with little traffic on the roads these days - due to the price of gas.  The 67km road ride took us a mere two hours - we were haulin! We saw two smooshed rattlesnakes, and the tram at the Big Chute marine railway.

Classic cottage ride!

Ontario Summer Games 2K12

The 2012 Ontario Summer Games were a huge success for cycling! The OCA did a wonderful job running the event. The bus drivers got us to and from York U each day on time. And the food...it was summer game's style!

After much anticipation and excitement it was finally here. This was going to be my last time competing in the OSG's and I was stoked! But before we could even face the excitement of competition there were other 'exciting' matters to attend to; like the opening ceremonies, battling hypothermia throughout the night, and trying to find an available shower in the morning. Don't get me wrong though, it was a lot of fun!

The opening ceremonies were awesome! After eating on a soccer field and being given small, soft, fold-up Frisbees what else were we going to do? The rest of dinner you braced for impact for all the Frisbees flying around, in no particular direction. It was hilarious!
Then we were huddled up in sport and brought into the stadium. Marie-Pierre Nadon, Soren Meeuwisse, Will Elliott and myself got to carry the banner in and lead our sport. When we finally found our seats and our S.W.A.G. (stuff we all get) bags, the show began. With Circus Orange (a trampoline act), cheerleaders and soccer specialists taking to the stage for entertainment. After a lot of talking, two London 2012 Olympians set fire to the torch. The games had begun!

Making our way back to York University via the subway and buses was fun. When we arrived back at the dorms everything seemed a bit chilly; only to find that every AC in the entire building was left on high. We lost most of the athletes that night due to hypothermia...Just Kidding!!! But everyone was frozen.

Breakfast...ummm...this is what they said to us, "You can only go in once, so take all you can and get out!" Bad decision to tell cyclists that. Two plates, pockets full of fruit and almost spilling my juice with every step; but I was well fuelled for the day! After breakfast it was on to the bus and off to Albion Hills.

Day 1 of competition was the ITT (individual time trial). 4.7km course of Albion's finest flowy, awesome single track and we were set! 10:56 was my time for the ITT averaging around 26km/h. It was fast!
Thanks to M&D (Mom & Dad) racing for bringing us blankets for night #2! They were necessary.

Night 2: Shenanigans.....

Day 2 of competition was the XC race in the morning and the Team Relay in the afternoon! The men were doing 5 laps of a longer course, which included the Green Monster. The Green Monster is a hill, it lives up to its name being 10%+ grade and about 350m long.
It was a solid race. I broke away on lap 1 at the Green Monster.  For the next several laps there were solid battles for 2nd - 6th. Will Elliott turned on the jets on the last two laps and took 2nd with fellow team mate Adam Jamieson slaying the last spot on the podium. That's Cathedral Pines 1, 2 and 3.

The team relay...WOW! It was gnarly! Team Central Timmins/North Meets South consisted of Marie-Pierre Nadon, Jake Sternberg, Adam Jamieson and myself. Our rival team of BTG/BCC #1 consisted of Will Elliott, Martin Rupes, Eric Johnston, and Siobhan Kelly. It was going to be close. Marie-Pierre strained her back in the XC race just hours before and we were not sure if she was going to be able to ride. However she was determined! With a lot of taping and icing she was ready. Adam opened a nice lead for the first lap, then MP didn't let too much time go against Martin. Siobhan left with a 2.5 minute lead over Jake; Jake killed it! Leaving only a 20 foot gap for myself to make up against Will. I quickly closed the gap and sat on his wheel, waiting to attack. On the last punchy climb I went, getting into the single track first was good but I knew this was far from over. The entire lap I couldn't shake Will. This was going to come down to a sprint (if there was room to sprint). After sprinting one of the final straights we were just hauling coming into the finishing area. Hitting the last tight 'S' bend I almost died...there was a root that kicked out my back tire and tossed me into a whip. I managed to recover from it but lost significant speed. Will was right on me but wasn't able to cross the line first. That was one tight, exciting relay!

At the award ceremonies team North Meets South took the overall team victory! It was an excellent experience and I am sad that this was the last time I was of age to compete.
For full results go to http://www.ontariocycling.org/race-schedule/race-results/
Next goal: Canada Summer Games!

Buckwallow O-Cup

No pre-ride Saturday after three inches of rain. Water and puddles everywhere. This was the scene for the Buckwallow O-Cup

For race day it was overcast and cool. The sun shone a few times. The trails dried up and became actually quite tacky. A wonderful way to race

After destroying myself at road provincials the day before I knew this was going to be a challenge. With the abundance of double track it was full gas and then rip the single track as fast as you could. If it weren't for the single track I don't think I would've been able to drop fellow roadie Brendan Etzl (who won road provincials the day before). It was a good course. A bit of rain in the last lap added to the fun. Only dinged my rim a couple times, scaring the heck out of me!

Good times though. Took the win with a 5 minute lead. (I do ride at Buckwallow quite a lot)
Overall great event!
Thank you everyone at the Buckwallow event for the huge support! Chico racing! Thanks to Angry Johnny's Cycling Club for baking some goodies for the bake sale!

Road Provincials

After about four days of continual nagging from fellow cyclists Adam Jamison and Eric Johnston I decided I'd participate in Road O-Cup #8 (Provincials). A decision I have yet to dictate a good or bad one....

111.8km was the race with 1100m ascent. Decent - if you race road regularly.

After a long first lap and taking to the front to pick up the pace I realised this was going to be very hard...
By the second lap (of five) I was feeling it in the legs. Mountain bike races are normally 1h30m at max. By the time we hit 2hours I was pretty much cooked.
With the lack of long climbs every up we hit was a sprint. I was consistently getting dropped on each climb from the third lap on. But somehow managed each time to rejoin the group. I don't know how I managed that. With multiple attacks and gearing issues with my bike (not being able to drop into the hardest gear) the last lap was miserable. I got wrecked on the second last climb of the race and dropped from the group. Tucking I was able to catch the group by the bottom. I blew past them with speed - this was my chance, if I could find my legs. With the help of some of 'The Boys' slowing the group down I managed to get a 100m gap. On the last climb I dug deep and crested with about 80m gap. On a slight down (and my gear issue) the group slowly closed the gap. I was spinning at 150rpm doing all I could. At the 1km to go sign the gap was 50m. About 150m from the finish I got caught, completely popped and finished about 10 second behind the group. Oh well....

Buckwallow O-cup tomorrow
Got to recover!

Getting the ball rolling...

So, against all person battles I have in fact decided to release a blog. This blog over the next month will focus on my 'Countdown to Worlds' theme. Super stoked to be heading to Austria!
- all for now. Expect more! -