Pros

What makes the pros different, #7 is the one.

http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2010/12/7-things-that-make-the-pros-different/#more-16073

Ran into Patrick who rides with the club a bit ago. Mentioned he was in 17 races this summer, say what I said! How did you do that with a wife and children (not sure how many he has). Either way good for him to increase his fitness this summer and gain more experience in racing. Envious of all these dads I see in the valley racing non stop, do they ever see their wife and kids. Just joking but really.......

Nearly 2 weeks after Bow 80 and I have not done 1 minute of physical activity while putting on 10 lbs, mmm ice cream. My usual let it go for several weeks, get back at it soon.

Aggressive Clara Hughes

Article on Canadian Clara Hughes from her effort at last week's World Champs
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/hughes-aiming-for-her-best-at-london-olympics

She is 39 yrs old as well, yes there still is hope for me :)  

Love this line - I was really surprised but I’m glad at least I made a move,” Hughes said of the tactical stalemate. “It was a pretty lame race. I understand the sprinter teams, but not every nation had sprinters who could win the race. I’m surprised other nations weren’t aggressive.

Clutch $$ shot!

Bill Haas' $1.4 million up and down shot on playoff hole, would think one of the all time clutch shots ever - especially for that cash!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf1lp-LC_n0

Kootenay Krusher

Must enter the Kootenay Krusher 50km race in Nipika next year, heard it is a riot.

Leighton and Craig back at it week after Bow 80. Leighton winning his category with 3rd overall. Canmore Norco sponsored rider Jon Firth only 37 secs off Rocky Mtn's Stefan Widmer - 37 secs down after 3hrs of racing - awesome!

Have to stop plotting out next year's races....or will it be just 3 or 4 like this summer? Tough with kids and full time work to race more but more important priorities in life. Perhaps just Banff Bike Fest on the road and more mtn biking this time around??

Schooler living the dream, a win this weekend at his race in Edmonton and this www.cxmagazine.com/pro-bike-profile-aaron-schoolers-norco-threshold

Suffer much?

Edmonton's Pepper Harlton placed 9th in the womens

More Bow 80

Few more Bow 80 posts and pics
http://gibsonpictures.wordpress.com/

Cory's post, even funnier is his 2009 recount after racing in Squamish and driving direct to Bow 80 and winning it.
www.corywallace.com

Found random old pics

Random old pics I found, miss our travelling days

Thorung La Pass, Nepal - holy skinny!

Rajhastan, India

Blue River Heli drop 

Seth Banff Bike Fest 09

Wapta Icefields

Other's Bow 80 thoughts

Other riders thoughts on the Bow 80
Erik Bakke http://bikingbakke.blogspot.com/  Must have been rough being at the Sasquatch then departing Banff at 5am  
Dallas  http://dalrock.blogspot.com/ 

Without a cross bike, season is finito. Kind of an anti climax after such a big race where that is it until next spring now. Excited to get back out skate skiing, backcountry touring and days spent at Norquay with Seth shredding, scared for what he will be doing this year.

Check this trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn6ie1zCkZU&feature=player_embedded#

Bow 80 beat down

As always, the Bow 80 chewed me up and spat me out on the ground. Tough long 5 hr day in the saddle, my entire body this morning feels like it was run over by a freight train then kicked continuously by the mad cows that were on the trails. At least I did not get attacked like the guy a few years ago breaking his face, hence the event's name this year -

Thought taking out J-pound and Cox would result in a tad less climbing, quite the opposite to say the least! How does a 45 minute climb feel 3.75hrs into a race? The steep endless descent after that climb was one for the books, think Upper Stoney over and over.  Riding well for first 2hrs where my legs then turned to lead weights, very humbling for there on in  :)

Cory W had endless mechanicals but still managed a 2nd place. Think he jinxed himself in his latest blog post about not having to use his latest sponsor  http://www.corywallace.com/  Xterra champ Mike Vine from Edmonton took it

Results not posted but think Leighton was top 5 or 10 with diesel train Craig Bartlett 3rd in his age group, those boys just keep trucking - impressive 40+ yr olds.

Overall such an epic race. Loads and loads of climbing with bomber descents, a true mountain biking course. The race made me realize how much I miss mtn biking where I started in the sport, so different than the road. See what next year brings? 

Cross Vegas

If I was going to attend an event, Vegas Interbike would be the one. Entire week of seeing the latest and greatest of new bike porn.

But seeing this live would be a topper  http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/crossvegas-2011/elite-men/results

Schooler with a 15th place, impressive!!

Saw this week the Bow 80 organizers took out Jumpingpound and Cox - those climbs and descents are what made the event. Though now says more climbing so I am sure we will be gasping in one way or another, 2 days away!!

Group riding article

Some lines that play out in our club Hammernight rides, good and for the bad  :)
http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2011/09/the-lost-art-of-the-group-ride-2/

Another tough weekend

 30 degree temps and blueskies made for another perfect weekend away in Fairmont and Lake Invermere. As always we indulged in delicious home cooking and drinks. Great to catch up with mom and dad.

Buddies

Trying scurfing again, so fun!

Seth figured out how to paddle on his own

Next door neighbour's yard

Morning walk to viewpoint

Left Fairmont with 30 degrees, arrive to a windy chilly 16 in Banff  :(

All sorts of events this past weekend in the world of cycling.
Congrats Trev w/Speed Theory 3rd Overall in the Banff Triathlon
Saw a 56 yr old guy killed it in the Mt. Revelstoke Hill Climb
Zach Garland winning by 5 mins in the Whistler Gran Fondo, nice $3000 1st prize!

Around Tunnel and around Tunnel

Mountain bike last night with Keith, variations of trails around Tunnel. Loads of climbing with fast single track made for a fun several hours.

Gorgeous night!

Off to Fairmont this afternoon, excited for some BBQ home cooking and time on the lake.

Seth's 1st day of Playschool

Seth started 3yr old playschool this week, cannot believe how fast time flies. He was too cute all dressed up with his new 'Thomas' backpack.

With friends Laken and Aidan

Good grind with the boys yesterday afternoon on the bike, legs quite heavy after Moraine Lake. 

Hope to get out for a mtn bike tonight with Keith then heading to Fairmont to see mom and dad for the weekend. Hope to visit Kels and Fred in Windermere and go for a boat ride again.

Late day Moraine Lake ride

I was unable to make Sunday's ride with Keith and Robbie, but last night's solo ride made up for it.

4:15 departure into a nice head wind with Moraine Lake the goal, made it back to Banff with zero light to spare.

No cars and 1 other biker made for open roads with beauty weather, saw a momma black bear and cub on the 1A with 2 moose off Vermillion Lakes.

Apple/cinnamon danish at the Esso gas station in Lake Louise never tasted so good while providing that needed spike in energy.

Solid 150km afternoon/evening!!

Weekend walks

Walked up Tunnel and Ribbon Falls in K-Country with the family this weekend, more gorgeous weather!

Friend cycling across Canada

Worked with Ozzie Tim 3 years ago in Banff. He has since had a stint back home while living in Vancouver last 2 years. Has decided to bike across Canada to raise funds for Canadian Cancer Society but more so for Smiles for Sam. A tragic story of an 11 yr girl who passed away end of July to cancer.

Tim, his girlfriend and brother rolled through town Sunday night. We met the owner of his main sponsor for dinner in town http://www.ecofuelsaver.com/ 

http://www.cycle4life11.com/   Please help him out if possible

Ya girl!

Canadian Catherine Pendrel is XC World Champion!
http://pedalmag.com/?p=139437&c

Congrats Emily Batty and Marie-Helene 8th and 9th as well, 3 in the top 10.

Frost on cars and roofs this morning, chilly but hitting 23 this afternoon. Hopefully get out with the boys this afternoon but not too hard though as planning a beauty long day with Keith tomorrow.

2 weeks till Bow 80!

Patio weather to snow to patio weather

Monday with several friends and kids over

Tuesday's 5 degrees brought this

Marn took Thursday afternoon off to hang with the kids. While they all napped, I had a nice 2 hr road ride. Twice up Norquay with loop around Tunnel etc.

In the evening spur of the moment ride with Keith. We went to meet the Hammernight guys at the highway but no go. So around Minnewanka/J-Lake various times in different directions and around Tunnel - just shy of 2 hrs.

Solid 4 hr day all up.

So so weather forecasted today but mid 20's and sun all week ahead.

Seth making a mess painting