Mid-June to Mid-July

I haven’t been around in a while. Truthfully I’ve just had a bit of writers block so nothing worth while could be (or ever has been) written. Let us review.

Summer Solstice - Race Report

It rained, we had a blast. Our team came fourth in the sandbagger category. I say this because we, the 4^th place team, were fast enough to win the Expert category. 

The most dominate team of the weekend. They were agressive, very active and everywhere.

Buckwallow O Cup #5 - Race Report

The planning started in late 2009. It was executed so well, things couldn’t have gone better.

Up at a cottage on Pine Lake (20min. east of Bracebridge) for the entire week leading up to Buckwallow. I spent a lot of time floating on the lake with beer in my hand. I’ve never had better recovery after cycling. And that’s what I was there for, cycling.

The road leading up to the cottage was 20k of twisty, hilly awesomeness with a few great views so obviously it was a prime spot to shake out the legs the day of my arrival. An out and back with a few hard efforts in 40 degree heat and a bear crossing 20m in front of me was exactly what I was looking for on a Monday.

Tuesday was my first ever trip to Buckwallow. My plan was to pre-ride the O Cup course for a warm-up lap the hit up the other trails for the rest of the afternoon to explore and enjoy the unique riding experience. Amazingly enough I arrive about 2 minutes after DeCal (totally unplanned) and we did the warm-up lap together where I got ‘scorpion’d’ on a rock. This caused some skittish riding for a bit as well as a few bruises. After the lap we headed our separate ways but met later for some lunch in the parking lot. Then it was back to the lake for me to get healed up.

Wednesday was upper body workout day in the kayak as well as sleeping for 12hrs straight. Headed into town to watch the Germany/Spain WC game and some awesome BBQ and Muskoka beer wrapped up the day around sunset.

Thursday was my planned “serious” riding day at Buckwallow. I got in four laps of the O Cup course then took a break for some dinner before the Musdslinger Weekly Series race. I met Henri and Conlon, who were also at cottages, for some warm-up and the race. Can’t remember what my place was but my time was just over 26 minutes. Very nice to do a lap at race pace, close to someone’s wheel.

Friday was rain so it was a rest, stretch and bike cleaning day. Headed into town for laundry and lunch.

Saturday was the main arrival day of all the friends and club members. Pre-riding galore. Did a lap the VV to go over a few lines. Chatted with countless people then went out for one more fun one. Of course this is where I crashed and ruined the entire week and a few weeks to come. I hit a little 8” high root that had been covered in dirt and pine needles the same as I had done about ten times throughout the week. Only this time I made the mistake of turning my front wheel and when it hit the ground it rolled off the rim a bit, I went over the bars landing on my chest and head. Yes, my helmet came up and my head made direct contact with the ground. Fortunate to have just a minor scrape. Ended up with a strain in my neck and shoulder as well as a fractured rib. I rode a few k to help shake it off and I seemed like I’d decent for the race.

Sunday morning I was still sore from the day before but I figured pills and adrenalin would help me overcome. Warm-up was done on the road and I headed towards the golf course for 15min out and then back. My legs could not have felt better, amazing. Lined up front row and had a great start settling into second place, exactly where I wanted to be over the long double track. Then on the first section of single track I knew it wasn’t my day. Like a light switch went off, my ribs were suddenly feeling the pain. Roots, rocks, climbing, pulling up on the bars, everything hurt, I couldn’t ride aggressive and I gave up a few places finishing the first lap in 5^th-ish. A note here is that I was 4^th but AJCC guy attacks me in the feedzone almost taking us both out into the tape. Bad Karma. 

So I started the second lap and got a few hundred meters into Loam Rider before I decided to pull the plug. Moote said I didn’t look “into it”. He was probably right. I think with no injury a top 3 was automatic since the leader DNF’d as well. Congrats to Al, our new O Cup Sport 30-34 leader. I think the top five in our group are all strong riders and all are capable of victory over the next two races. Unfortunately the lingering rib injury means I haven’t been on the bike and my top end has taken a hit. Got two weeks to get something back.

Kingston Marathon – Race Report

I was a no-show at this race over the aforementioned fractured rib. No way could I ride for 3-4 hrs over techy terrain. Instead I headed to Champlain Lookout. Beautiful.