AB Cup # 1 - Grande Prairie

To start this post off I want to give shout out to the Bikehawk Bike Club, Nitehawk Ski Area and the ADHRA for organizing a great weekend of racing. The Bikehawk and Nitehawk volunteers worked hard to make sure this event was fun, they all had tons of enthusiasm and organized a great event. I'll be honest coming into the event I wasn't expecting much from the course knowing they had limited vertical and it was a relatively new hill. However, as with all the riders I spoke to, we where pleasantly surprised at how much fun the course was, and how it wasn't only a great race but a great event with the race, a BBQ, opening the Freestyle Ski Water Ramp , fastest speed with the RCMP on site with a radar gun and camping right near by. The course was approx. 2 minutes long, with some steep sections, well manicured berms, a variety of terrain, multiple little jumps, drops, natural features, and even if the area is a little short on rocks and roots they did a great job at adding some technical bits with some off camber sections, quick shoots and tight corners leaving all the riders stoked about the weekend and the fast course.

From my standpoint the weekend went well and I'm quite happy with the results considering I had a scary spill on Sunday's practice before the race run. I' will say I'm glad I decided to start riding with the Leatt Brace this season though as I felt my helmet hit the brace as I came down hard head first and walked away with minor bumps and bruises. As a result I was a little hesitant on my race run but my times where still respectable with a 10th place finish out of 18 or so riders in my category but more importantly I was only about 2 seconds off the pace I was hoping to be on which would have had me close to the top 5. The Rest of the DHR had a good showing as well with 1st and 2nd in the Elite Class, The fastest the womens time on the day and 4 riders in the top 10 for Senior Sport. Unfortunately I won't be able to make the Kicking Horse next weekend so the next race update will be sometime after the Rabbit Hill Race in two weeks. (I'll hopefully add a few more pictures as they surface in the coming week.)

Panorama Mad Trapper BC Cup # 2

Well well another race weekend in BC, how to sum this one up. Wicked fun course, awesome people, great weather and the snow melt made sure the course was just muddy enough to be a riot to ride. So after an amazing 2 days of riding, and maybe a little drinking I can home stoked as soon as I managed to forget about my race run. Two falls and Dropped chain resulted in my worst finish ever and I guess I'll be looking to regain a little pride once the Alberta Cups start next weekend. But oh well that's racing! A quick Shout goes out to Tyler who took a top 10 finishing 7 in his class in his first race after killing it all weekend, look out for him on the Alberta Cups as he has a lot potential for some podium finishes in the near future.

Hiking in Kananaskis

Well this weekend saw another weekend of the many I plan on spending in the Rockies pass by. Me Jess headed down to Peter Lougheed Provincial Park for the weekend with the Hopes of Hiking Burstall's Pass. Knowing the pass was snow covered we knew there was chance we wouldn't be able to complete the desired route. But our hopes where high and we where ready to thrudge through some snow as long as it was safe to do so. However, we where greated with high avanlache danger and suggestions not to hike the route so it was time to reconsider and we ended up hiking Pocaterra instead. Which was an awesome day, (what day isn't when it's sunny, cool, and you're in the rockies). However, the hike has been added to my do not repeat or suggest list. It's was basically a 22-24KM fireroad walk with a good view at the top. Oh well i guess another trip will have to be planned for Burstall and a couple of the Alpine hikes in the area. Enjoy the pics.

Kamloops Race the Ranch

We'll last weekend saw Race the Ranch in Kamloops come and go. It was a fun weekend, as all weekends that include friends, bicycle and a mountain always seem to be. I have to say racing in Kamloops is an entirely different ball game though., and the picture to the left sums it up pretty well. The thick powder of dust on the trail resulted in perpetually changing lines, and multiple riders falling into pillows of Dust. For myself the runs where mixed. In all honesty I only had one practice run where I felt good in this foreign terrain. So I had hoped to just take it relatively easy on my race run in the top portion which seemed to be claiming so many racers and then pedal my @#% off on the bottom to tie in a decent run. Well the top third went well, but trying a slightly different line I got sideways took out flag pole amd in an attempt to make up the lost seconds bailed twice on the bottom sections killing any hopes of a decent finish. However as always it was fun weekend rippin' on bike, and I can't wait till the next race to try reclame a little bit of pride ; ).

Baseline Mountain

First chance to get out and ride some vertical and looking forward to Race the Ranch in Kamloops this weekend.

May Long Weekend in Banff National Park

May long offered a chance to get out for some early season hiking and we lucked out with the weather as many complained of snow and rain, we saw warm Sun and Clouds all weekend. With the high pass and good hikes still covered in snow we had to do some of the more tourist oriented hikes, however it was a great way to start the season, and get the legs moving. Here's some pics enjoy!

Day 1 - Near Banff - Hoodoo's - 1/2 way to Johsnton Lake and back - Bow River Trail - Tunnel Mountain; 13 KMs easy hiking). Iwouldn't suggest the hike unless you are in the early or late season and their aren't many options, most views are scared by the development around the city of Banff and there's very little elevation gain except for Tunnel Mountain where the views are over rated.



Day 2 - Bow Glacier Falls - Nice hike, especially at this time of year where the only people we met where skiers coming back from a backcountry trip and the snow added a little adventure. Would be busy in the core season since it's short, easy and offers great views, which wouldn't make it appealing to me in the summer months. About 10KM out and back and a couple extra of exploring.

Lake Minnewanka - Spring Bike Ride

Me and Marty drove out to Banff yesterday to ride at Lake Minnewanka for an out and back trip to the Warden Station resulting in a picturesque 22km spring ride. We lucked out with the weather as the forecast was cloudy with sunny breaks, showers and a chance of snow (I offer my thanks to the weather man for that insight). But after driving into what looked to be a day drink pints on a covered patio in Banff instead of riding, we arrived at our destination with break in clouds and they weather stayed that way for most of the ride. The first KM or so was slush and mud but as soon as we turn the corner after the climb the trails where dry and we had a great day of ridding. If you haven't ridden here before it's a nice spring ride before the loop has a lot of tourist, dries quickly, doesn't have too much climbing for the winter legs, and is a nice intermediate skill level ride (nothing to technical a beginner/intermediate rider could probably get through the trail with only some small hike a bikes.) Anyways enough chatting and here's some pics.

Endless Ocean of Air?

"We look into the sky it seems to us to be endless.... we think without consideration about the boundless ocean of air, and then you sit aboard a spacecraft, you tear away from the Earth and within ten minutes, you have been carried straight out of the layer of air, and beyond there is nothing! Beyond the air there is only emptiness, coldness, darkness. The "boundless" blue sky, the ocean which gives us breath and protects us from the endless black and death, is but an infinitesimally thin film. How dangerous it is to threaten even the smallest part of this gossamer covering, this conserver of life."

Vladimir Shatalov, The Home Planer

and on that note I'm off to Banff to Mountain Bike this weekend, if I remember to take pictures on the weekend I'll post some pictures.

A Couple Quotes About Our Balance with Nature

"We must convince each genereation that they are transient pasengers on this planet earth. It does not belong to them. They are not free to doom generations yet unborn. they are not at liberty to erase humanity's past nor dim its future."

Bernard Lown and Evjueni Chazov

We are at the beginning of the third millennium. With explosive speed, we have been transmogrified from a species like most others that live in a balance with with their surroundings into an unprecedented force. Like a species introduced into a new environment free of constraints, we have expanded beyond the capacity of our surroundings to support us. It is clear from the history of the past two centuries that the path we embarked on after the Industrial Revolution is leading us increasingly into conflict with life support systems of the natural world. Despite forty years of experience in the environmental movement we have not yet turned onto a different path.

David Suzuki

New Wheels!!!!

Just a few pics of the new ride






Intense Tracer VP - Medium Frame
Fox 36 Float
Fox RP23
Hope Pro II's/Mavic 819's
Maxxis Ignitor UST 2.35
Avid Elixir R's
X.9 Shiters, Rear deraileur
XT Front Deraileur
SLX Cranks Dual Ring 22/36
Selle Italia SLR Gel Saddle
Raceface Evolve Bars
Raceface Ride Seat Post
Weighing in at 30lbs, 1 Ounce with Maxxis Advantage Tires and Tubes I'll update the weight with the tubeless tires.

A shout out goes to River Valley Cycle for the Bike the and Build

A few pics from the Yamafest at Revy

Just a few pics from the weekend at Yamafest, ahh a hard day at the office

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Could Photosynthesis Solve our Energy Woes

Currently the world consumes 15 Terrawatts annually; by 2050 however scientist estimate we will consume 30 Terrawatts annually.

So what would we currently have to do to meet that demand?

• Building a new 1 Billion Watt nuclear plant every 1.6 days till 2050 would yield 8 Terrawatts
• Consuming all the vegetation not used for food to make Biofuels would yield 7 Terrawatts
• Covering every inch of land on the earth with wind turbines would yield 2 Terrawatts

Hhm not much luck with today's Technologies. However MIT's Daniel Nocera believes the solution is the Sun. The Sun beams down approximately 800 Terrawatts on the earth daily. However, our current solar technologies have some issues.

For one the technology is still quite costly. But first and foremost is the storage of energy for evenings and periods of extended cloud cover. Currently it would take approximately 2000lbs of lead batteries to store enough solar energy to power a household for a whole evening. This is where Professor Norcera pulled from the theory of photosynthesis to essentially recreate the process of electrolysis you experimented with in high school which uses electric currents to break down H2O in to Hydrogen and Oxygen. Using this process you can then store the Hydrogen in a fuell cell. However, this process is also expensive and isn't the most efficient, which is where photosynthesis inspired them. By infusing Cobalt and Potassium Phosphate into the water the process can now be recreated using only a volt of power bringing the storage cost down from thousands of dollars to tens.

So how does it work. Essentially throughout the day Solar panels would power your house and the excess energy would be sent to a small container of water where it would split the oxygen and hydrogen. After the sun goes down the Hydrogen and Oxygen would be re-combined in a fuel cell to power your house, charge your car, etc. There's obviously still a lot of issues to be ironed out , but this sounds like the first truly promising process in while.

If this process proves to be successful this could

• Solve the storage issue as a gallon of water would replace 2000lbs of batteries.
  
• It could provide decentralize the solar power.
• Would lower the cost.
• Provide a clean form of energy

I'll definitely be watching Professor Norcera's developments closely.

Spring Training

We'll with everything that led me to Edmonton over the winter I'm a little (ok a lot) behind on my cardio. But as thing settle training has begun both on and off the bike.

Revelstoke!

Well I arrived in Edmonton and trying to settle in. Been a busy couple of weeks! Between the move and settling into the new job I haven't had much time to share but I have a few things I'd like to add here once I'm done with all the unpacking. However, for now here's some pics from New Years in Revelstoke. 3 Days of skiing trees and powder, Enjoy!

Top 10 Dream Trips

As I sit here and contemplate how life has caught up with me in the last few months, with work, moving, an injury that just keeps creeping back, and trying to figure out how I'm going to get back into race shape by summer. I started thinking of all the places I want to go in the near future and though I'd share my checklist. Now to convince my employer it's a good idea to give me an extra 2 weeks worth of holidays every year so I can get enough time off.

Complete the Annapurna Circuit through Nepal plus a week in Tibet






Unforgettable Andes Mountain Bike Tour
www.ridebig.com


Kayak and backpack the coasts of Greenland


Cross South America by motorcycle


Kayak the Polynesian Islands and visit Easter Island


Kayaking and Backpacking in the Torngat Mountain Range


Tour Mongolia by horseback


Race the Mega Avalanche - Alp d'Huez (32KM Downhill Mountain Bike Race, with a mass start on Glacier)


Ski Touring in the Selkirk Mountains
http://www.hauteroute.ca/hr_canada.html


Mountain Bike the Haute Route in Switzerland and DH in the alps for a week.
http://www.alpsmountainbike.com/mountain_biking/Chamonix_to_Zermatt.php

Aging

Just a quote I thought I'd share

"Aging is not a scary thing if you spend the time you have on this earth making it count, packing it with meaningful interaction always learning and evolving"

Could We Ever See Positive Campaigning in Canada?

Rick Mercer hit my thoughts on Canada's current state of politics right on the head. I keep crossing my fingers that Canadian politics will soon see positive campaigns based on platforms and Merritt not bashing the other candidates.

"So here it is, inauguration day in America. And like everyone else I can't help but get caught up in the moment because honestly, as a Canadian, I did not believe in my lifetime I would see a man like Barack Obama become President of the United States. And not because he's black. No, no, no, no. Because he ran a positive campaign and he actually got elected.

And if recent history has taught us anything it's that that could never work up here. Because when it comes to politics, we haven't seen anything remotely positive in a very long time.

Think about it. In the last American election, the defining themes were "change is possible" and "hope," and they had the highest voter turnout in 40 years. In our last election, the defining themes were "stay the course" and "destroy the enemy," and we had the lowest voter turn out in our entire history. Clearly we are on two different tracks.

Which is fine; we are a sovereign nation, we are unique on the world stage. For example, we're now the last nation on earth that wants Guantanamo Bay prison to stay open and it's not even our prison. Yes, it's a brave new world and we're old school.

Now that doesn't mean we shouldn't celebrate the new President. No, no, no. Everyone loves this guy. Cripes, when Obama announced that his first foreign visit was going to be to Canada Stephen Harper looked so excited I thought his head was gonna pop off.

And I don't blame him. I'd like to get my picture taken with Obama too. And clearly the fact that he's visiting Canada is very exciting; because, as of today, he is the 44th president of the United States – and eight hours in, he's doing a bang up job.

And the fact is he got that job by doing something that no Canadian political leader has done in a very long time: he appealed to the very best in his fellow citizens and gave them something to believe in. So when that visit finally happens, let's hope some of that rubs off."

T25 City Car Concept

Are Our Views on a Green Car All Wrong?

Currently all our efforts are being put into alternative fuels. But does this really make sense? Long term, yes we will need an alternative to oil based fuels. However, at the current rate a real alternative is at least 15 + years away probably another 10 after that point before the flow through of old vehicles start going off the road. Can we wait that long? Hydrogen sounds like a good option, but it will take years before we can build a distribution network across the continent (even a province) so you can take a trip. Plus safety is still a question mark. Bio Fuels sounded like the savior till we remembered a world food shortage is looming. There is some sort of Algea alternative but can we really power the 500 million cars on the road with it, oh don't forgot they estimate that number of cars on hte road will double in the next 20 years. Electric Cars, now there's the answer, right! I new it was simple. Wait a minute, how we going to create enough electricity to recharge these. Coal? Nope, no good. Nuclear is clean! Damn it all the nuclear waste we can't do anything with is an issue. A true solution seems like a tought find.

So this brings me to the T25 City Car designed by Gordon Murray for which he was awarded idea of the year by Autocar magazine. Who's Gordon Murray? Well the designer of the Mclarren F1, the worlds fastest naturally aspired car and now he has re-thought the process of a green car and it just seems to make so much sense.

First the environmental impact of automobiles involves so much more then CO2 Emissions at the exhaust. What about production, raw materials, transportation to dealers, noise pollution, congestion, etc. This is where Mr. Murray steps in looking at the vehicles impact on society throughout it's entire life cycle and came out with the T25 City Car concept he is about to release later this year. See the 14 pictures below touching on his concepts in comparison to a small hatchback like the mini and read through the following links if you are interested
http://jalopnik.com/5063312/gordon-murrays-t25-city-car-revealed-sort-of
http://www.gordonmurraydesign.com/T25.html.

Now I'm sure I'll here someone tell me you drive a truck (required for work) and work in the motorsports industry, suond a little hypocritical of you. However, these concepts could also be applied to larger vehicles and we would end up with a much more efficient Automotive Industry. Plus aknowledging what lies ahead, ultimately we will soon have to start rethinking our method's of transportation and infrastructures.

The Great Pedal and Paddle - 2008

Some of you may have read my previous post about planning an adventure with the hopes of a trip we’d refer to as truly Epic. The resulting itenerary was a 2 week journey that would see us cycling 1100KM’s (800 across Newfoundland in 6 days straight), then Kayaking the coast of Newfoundland’s Gros Morne National Park and ending with some hiking in the parks fjord’s which are nothing short of breathless. Our hopes where to test our limits, learn about life and little did we know, we'd end up discuss everything from politics, to careers, to women, to life, building a bond that will most likely last as long as our souls themselves. So how did it go…

As most trips of this extent the week leading up to the trip was nothing short of hectic! If I have one regret for the trip it was rushing the start. I finished work Friday afternoon, rushing to airport after trying to finish things up with work, scrambling to make my flight. Thankfully I made through security as boarding began and after a brief nap I’m landing in St. Jonh’s where Dave would be waiting for me after spending a few days relaxing with family. Greated by smiles and excitement it was game time. We arrived at his families, cracked a beer and proceeded to build our bikes, pack our gear, and prep for the next two weeks. As 3 AM rolled around we where close enough to being ready. The excitement had worn off, replaced by tired eyes as we retired to our rooms to make the best of the 5 hours sleep before starting our trip.

Up with sun, excitement in the air once again and a big breakfast to start off day 1. Dave's aunt and grandmother graciously offered to shuttle us to Cape Spear, starting at the most easterly point of Canada slightly behind schedule we were sent off with smiles, hugs and a little concern as motherly instincts prevailed. The first section of highway saw multiple short but steep grades, which combined with the added weight of the bags, and running a two ring set up was more noticeable then expected. This first pedal back to Saint John’s re-assured us this wasn’t going to be a leisurely pedal to average 120Km’s/day. All I had for time in St. John’s was a pedal along the harbor and lunch in town before we set off again in an attempt to get off the peninsula in our first Day. With the start of the trip so rushed I found it was hard to disconnect and get into the mental place this trips deserved. To start over I would have definitely taken a n extra day to enjoy St. Johns. However, aside from feeling like I was on a post work stress relief ride, the first day went flawless and we made it off the peninsula. The strong headwinds we faced most of the day had us questioning how much fun it would be to hold our pace as we stopped for dinner, devoured our food, and then re-awoke our tired legs to set up camp a little ways back from a tourist info station.

We awoke to a cloudy/foggy day from our humble abode (the cosy little tent you see was our shared accommodations for the next 2 weeks), with a gorgeous view of the lake. Pleasently surprised that our pre-mixed Nestle coffee packet actually tasted good, we pakced up and set off around 10:30 just as the sun was breaking through the clouds, which became the trend for the trip. Those first difficult pedal strokes burned till our tired legs warmed up after 5 or so Km’s. Then our bodies caved in and we fell into our groove alternating from riding side by side and drafting in tandem as we would for the next 5 days turning into a well oiled team on their way.

By the time we stopped for lunch over our tiny stove at the tourist center about 4hrs into our day my mind finally gave away. I had reached that blank state where the real world leaves your mind, hypnotized by the rhythmic rotation of your legs at 90 RPM nearing a state of meditation at times while appreciating life for what it really was. Then, there, in the moment, finally starting the journey. We completed our first full day reaching our scheduled stop at a local campground, with sites that lived up to the province’s nickname of “The Rock”. Regardless it was an ideal stop with a quiet lake and countless laughs, setting the tone for the rest of the trip. We spent the evening relaxing as we demolished our vacuum sealed sandwiches, had a refreshing (i.e. F#%^$& cold swim). Dave was then entertained by my determination to set up a hammock regardless of forgetting rope, and a chance to relax by a campfire in the heart of Newfoundland knowing we would barely see a city for another 2 weeks.

Day 3 was our shortest day, as we planned on staying at one of Dave’s aunts in Bishop Falls. With a smooth day of pedaling and multiple attempts to set speed record drafting and slingshoting each other to break 70Km/h on our loaded bikes down hills. The last 20 Km’s we got our first taste of rain. But our spirits where high and the laughs persevered as we pressed on. Nevertheless, mother nature did show me who was boss as I challenged her with devilish laughter as the rain intensified, but just as I was screaming “is that all you got” in a torrential downpour, the combination of a large puddle, a bridge and Jeep engulfing me in a tidal wave of water ensured she displayed her supremacy. We slowly pedaled into town drenched as the sun broke, with locals giving funny looks to these men in spandex pedaling through town in a rain storm. The stop provide a well earned hot shower, hearty meal, and a chance to explore a local village getting a feel for the true Newfoundland lifestyle.

We arose to more rain and a brisk morning. This was the last day of where the route averaged an elevation gain. But first we would have to conquer the forewarned Gambo Hill before a day and half of descending back to see level. After all the anticipation we pedaled through the town of Gambo, geared down for the climb and hammered to the top with authority. However just as we felt like true athletes, we stopped and realised that the tailwinds where so strong they would slow us down if turned and headed downhill resulting in more then a little help from the elements (but we’ll keep that between us). After nearly an entire day of on and off rain, we arrived into Gander and decided a dry room, with a hot shower was a better alternative then pedaling another 10 to 20 KMs past town after diner to set up camp in the rain after our longest day yet. After some consultation with locals we headed into town on foot for a hearty meal before heading in for an early night.

The next day and half, went smooth with an increase in average speed as the hwy averaged a slight downhill grade for the entire day. This portion exposed us to the nicest scenery so far pedaling through the scenic Green Bay area. Our nights stop ended up in an Inuit Quarry after exploring an old abandoned campground, where after nearly losing a knee falling through an old water powered Mill we decided on setting up elsewhere. However the old go kart track provided a few fun laps.

Day 5 would see us end our trip on the Trans Canada at Deer Lake and head North towards the edge of Gros Morne National Park.We had lunch at the top of the last descent into Deer Lake where we'd be back at see level. On the outskirts of Deer Lake we found an Oasis, A berry booth! We filled tupperware with fresh berries for the days ahead. The end of the day saw the entrance to Gros Morne where we had two options. Set up camp in town or pack up with canned beans, power aid and snacks to pedal to the top of the first peak in Gros Morne. A brief discussion leads us to an easy conclusion and we where off “attacking” (or slowly persevering) up what turned out to be a 45 Minute standing climb up approximately 2300ft. But at the top we where greated by a Moose and what was one of the most spectacular views I’ve seen reminding me of the coastal Fjords from my time in Norway making sure we new it was the right decission. After figuring out where to set up our tents in a hidden location as it may have been a no camping zone, and avoiding what looked like the area that a bear took a nap in after gorging on berries, we had dinner and enjoyed the evening., reading, writing, laughing. When the sun rose we took our time enjoying the morning view, and set off at 10:30 once again on par with our routine that was about to end as we transitioned from cycling to exploring Gros Morne National Park.

We had an easy pedal into Rocky Harbour, where we were set to celebrate with our first pints (or a drunken stupor) since we set out in Gros Mornes, Rocky Harbor. Rocky Harbor is a picturesque coastal Nfld. village. An afternoon was all it took to reasure me that life in Toronto (or major city centers for that matter) was but a stepping stone on my path to find a road to Nowhere. (Read my initial blog post from March 08 to understand the analogy.) After enjoying an afternoon of walking along the coast, pizza and wings, and countless local beers in the local pub at capicity with patrons over the age of 60. We retired to our B&B in the wee hours of the morning, after a phenomenal day to transition from our cycling portion of our trip. Next we made the short pedal (yet painfully long as the previous nights pints took their toll) we arrived at Sally’s Cove, home of Gros Morne Adventures, for our second rest day before setting off on some kayaking and hiking excursions in one of Canada’s most beautiful landscapes. With our arrival came a slight suprise though. Our local courier didn't deliver our gear which resulted in having nothing more then what we packed for the cycling portion (i.e. a lot of spandex and river shoes). But the small hick up wasn't going to get us down, and the situation provided amunition for countless Earl's Courrier jokes. (I am still confused how Earl made Dave feel guilty for the fact that he forgot to pick up our stuff?)

For the next two days we experienced our first taste of ocean paddling, which has planted the bug for future adventures (Watch for a 2010 or 2011 Torngat Mountain Range Trip). Oddly enough Kayaking is the opposite of what I look for in most activities searching a rush, a thrill, excitement, and adventure. Ocean and Flat Water kayaking generaly sits at the opposite end of adventure exploring at a relaxing and soothing pace but is something I plan on doing much more of in the years to come. Especially if my body starts to reject some of the more aggressive hobbies I partake in.

The balance of trip saw a scenic hike up Gros Morne Mountain which we made good time completing a 4 hour round trip including lunch and photo op's, which we ended with a 10ish KM Jog back to Rocky Habour. Some relaxing time by the beach, reading by the ocean, and an exploratory trip to Brooks pond which lead us to planning our trip ending hike. On our last day we woke early and cycled up to brooks pond for what was going to be an 8 hour unmarked hike (I'd almost list as an Epic)to the top of the Fjord that lines Brooks pond (I strongly suggest that any backpacker add the long range traverse to the list of places to go). The hike to top is about 2.5 hours where you traverse multiple different Geographic areas starting off on a marked trail through marshland, forest, and along beaches for about hour till you Veer off up a trail that was created by water run off and it’s another hour hike up approximated 800m (or 2,400ish feet) for an hour till the trees start to shrink and then you eventually reached the tundra’esque terrain, with nothing for vegetations except for tuckamore and berries. Once up top we were greated by amazing views, 2 herds of Cariboo and 2 groups Moose. We continued to hiked another half hour to the first ridge that gives you a view point down Fjord. We extended this moment sitting up top the Fjord with a view of nothing open spaces, and no signs of humanity as long as we could. We were forced to leave before we lost daylight to find our way home for a last pint and to catch a ride back to Deer Lake, and ultimately what the majority of us sadly call reality.

Did we succeed at getting what wanted out of this trip? I’d be hesitant to call the trip a true Epic, a few hic ups in our plans resulted in the trip being a little less “adventurous” then we expected for me to classify the trip as a true Epic. (However I think my standard of Epic is a little higher then most.) Nevertheless I’m sure Dave will agree the trip will forever rank as one of the best trips we’ve done. It has set the framework for many adventures to come, we’ve came just a little bit closer to answering those question that we have about life and ultimately solidified a friendship that will last a life time promising to ensure we continue searching out adventure and never look back and say I should have!

Season Re-Cap

We’ll since the end of the year was really busy I missed out on a few race reports so I figured I’d throw together a quick summary to wrap things up. First off thanks to Lee, the rest of the Poisonfrog crew and Cycle Solutions for all their support throughout the year. Lee did a great job at assembling the team this year which was recognized by our nomination for 2008 Team of the year at the DH Awards tomorrow for a combination of strong performance on race course and participation off the course.

The O-cup # 4 at Camp Fortune was on the Provincial Course with a few changes to the top sections and was my favorite O-cup course of the year. It wasn’t as technical as I expected after everyone’s comments about how tech Camp Fortune was, however the Dump and Couch’s Corner did claim a few casualties over the weekend. It didn’t turn out to be a great weekend for myself, at the top of my third practice run I put my pelvis out coming off the first table which sidelined me for the day and most likely the weekend. However about an hour before the race run I just couldn’t keep watching every come down after the long drive to Ottawa so I decided to suit up for one easy practice run and figured I might as well take an easy race run since I was there. We’ll I can’t say it turned out to be the best idea I ever had. Coming into the Race run without having done a fast run down yet resulted in a poor run, multiple mistake, and Couch’s Corner getting the best of me as I pogo’ed my front end, went over the bars, and landed hard into the rocks. But at least I can say I got the run in an

Next up was Blue Mountain with a fun fast wide open course without any tech sections to speak of. If you’ve followed my other post I have yet to have a smooth weekend getting in the practice runs I’ve was looking forward to tying in a good run. Practiced went as planned following down Andrew or Grant for most my runs come race time I was feeling pretty good with all my lines dialed and practice going well. And I came through the first section the best I had all weekend and I’m sure the first 1/3rd of the course I was on par with the leaders times, then I nailed the bottom the portion of the course as I wanted (however knowing I’d fall behind the front runners through this section) I was feeling good and ready for my best finish, and coming out of the last sections my chain came off, which led to tucking and pumping the last section losing a few seconds, but all in all it was my best finish with a time split that was where I needed to be to get the upgrades point for expert next season if I could put together 3 race that clean. Also I want to throw props out to Andrew who won his first DH Race that weekend before moving the Vancouver a few weeks later.

Finally to end the Season it was off to the provincials in Ottawa. With nothing really to gain or loose in regards to upgrade points there was no pressure and I was looking forward to a good fun weekend of riding and that’s what it provided. I was having a decent weekend, having had a couple clean practice runs Sunday with my lines selected and was aiming for a similar finish to Blue. Off the start I came into the first wooded section of my line which threw me off a little on the top third. After nailing the next third the best I had all weekend I made the mistake of pushing to hard to make up for the mistakes I made at the top and end up in rhubarb of my bike. But I still managed a mid-pack finish and had great weekend.

All in all my first season was a great learning experience and a lot fun, an now it’s to hit the trainer throughout the winter months to be in better shaper for next seasons with the goal of getting the upgrades points to step up to Expert.

Revival of Canadian Politics?

Is the Coalition Government what the Canadian Political system needs as a revival?

First I want to say it’s great to see a revived interest in Canadian politics! Through the last two elections I was quite disappointed and said multiple times I can’t wait for the day that one or multiple of our parties leaders are charismatic, intelligent and trustworthy Candidates. At my age I can’t say I remember a candidate that fit that bill. Before I voice my opinion I want to state that I do not have any political "denomination". Since I’ve reached the age to vote I’ve voted for all 3 major parties at some point based on what the Canadian situation is and who/what I thought the country need at time based on their platforms. On that note let’s get into the thick of this post.

First lets thing about two facts that have nothing to do with actually policy or the economic situation alone I think this is a great event.
1) It’s infusing a much needed interest into Canadian politics which been dropping in the recent elections which I feel is a result of a lack of any real solid front runners for our two main parties.
2) More importantly is anyone else flabbergasted that theirs some real cooperation going on between parties. After Multiple terms in the Martin/Dion, Harper, Layton Era that have seen our politics result in what seems more like school yard banter then people out to run a country I think it’s impressive to see relationships formed with the intent of governing the country based on team work not my stick is big then yours or you need me to get this through but your going to give me X to get it.

Now I'm no political scince major but lets look at why this makes sense from a political side to me as well.
3) This coalition government would represent the majority of Canada’s vote.
4) Our current world economy needs some drastic measures to ensure we continue to stay ahead of this recession and the Conservatives missed this point apparently (anyone remember the Japanese’s oversight not to long ago.)
5) In a minority situation Harper is attempting to move a platform/budget that is strongly conservative by tradition when that doesn’t represent the majority of the Canadians beliefs. I’ve been baffled by Harpers arrogance and bullying in the past but I never expected he’d step it up to this level regardless of some speculation during his second term he was going to lean further towards his parties belief, but I didn’t think he’d follow through. Then trying to keep power by tearing Canada apart reviving an issue that barely existed anymore through the statement that this is just a Socialist and Seperatist power grab is a disgrace. I can’t believe he’s trying t to bully his way and not earn his way out instead of convincing us he is right.

I’m going to take a little side note here to state that I’m amazed I don’t here many people agree with me on the following. But I think a minority government is the political structure I want to see effectively running a country. It’s keeps the parties in Check. Ultimately from coast to coast Canada’s people and their needs are very diverse and I don’t expect to ever see one party equally addresses everyone’s desires. As a result a minority government where the Prime Minister has to convince one of the opposition parties which represents a significant % of Canadians views to get something through only seems to make sense to me. I think to only problem is our current party leaders can’t put aside their childhood banter, trying to win the next election by degrading the other parties instead of based on their own merit, to work together and run the country with a government that represents the divided views of our Canadian citizens. OK enough of that rant.

Regardless of the outcome this will lead to some interesting times indeed. I look forward to following how this all unfolds in the months to come. I’ll also be honest and say I look forward to what may be the end of Prime Minister Harpers leadership of the Conservative Party and hope to see a new leader that’s a less of an Arrogant Bully.

August Long Weekend - Bromont WC and Whiteface Mountain.

August Long weekend me and Drew planned a little intense weekend around the WC Bromont but what a weekend it was. Friday we started off making the 4 + hour drive to Kingston (damn cottage traffic had us arrive in Kingston a good 2 hours behind schedule.) But the beer was in the cooler with ice and Geoff and the girls where waiting to BBQ dinner and one thing led to another and no one got to bed till 4 or 5 AM. However, being the troopers we are me Drew weren’t going to let a little lack of sleep stop us from making it to the WC so we where up and off at 8AM to make the DH Finals. We arrived and promptly tracked down some people to see how the Ontario riders and they represented well with where doing and we found out Rob Fraser from the team finished 112th (no small feat at 17). His training partner for the weekend Marcelo from Columbia, qualified for the finals on his Banshee Legend, Sheila squeezed in to the women’s final (and ended up 19th), Dean Tenant and Drew Pautler from Primary Devinci also qualified for the main, and Justin Brown rounded out the Ontario showing in 110th.

So after our quick update we hiked the course to see what had changed from the Canada Cup we raced early in the year, and they defiantly made enough changes to make this a great WC course. I wish I could have road the course. The bottom section had a new drop added that was about 6 to 10ft and the landing was in corner going the other way, a couple nice gap jumps, the berm after the long rockface that saw a lot of injuries at the Canada Cup was built up, and then the rockface that you road down after you shot out of the opening single track had a pro line option with a 15 to 20ft rock drop.

We ended up at the new drop just in time to watch the pro women launch of it without any signs of fear. And Rachel Atherton continued her dominance wining the women’s category. We had hiked down to one of the more tech sections for the men and watched the top men make everything look so smooth and witness some awesome riding up close. Sam Hill was the man of the day with the seemingly regular top 4 standing atop the podium Hill, Peaty, Minnar, Gee. Then Marc Beaumont rounded up the top 5. Next up was the 4 X course which was awesome, and we saw some tight racing, huge bails, and stood beside the Santacruz Syndicate as they drank and funneled beers through air horns. After dinner and pint we where off to Whiteface New York, for a day of DH riding.

We didn’t arrive till after midnight and after only a few hours of sleep over the last 40 hours I passed out as soon as my head hit the pillow. Sunday we where greeted with rain for our day at Whiteface, but that was going to ruin our spirits so geared and headed up the Gondola to the top and followed Mikes first run suggestion of the complete 26 where it intersects with 27 the second time to 4 (or something) for our first run and found out what whiteface is all about. Now I would have preferred have a warm up run before being thrown down the mountains toughest run (I’d suggest going 23 -24 – 25 as a good warm up). With the slick mud, rock, roots and rain 26 had to be the toughest trail I’ve had to navigate. Not steep but tough with lots of big rocks and some steep of camber stuff. I’d love to go back and rip through it in the dry. Or at least dry enough that my hands are slipping of the brakes and handlebars. So how do you sum up Whiteface, the hill with the most potential east of the Rockies? Lots vertical, Lots of potential for Growth, some awesome trails, and non existent line ups (we walked straight onto the lift every time). What’s missing? Well first off too many sections are tied together with fire roads and flat singletrack across the mountain (The fire roads wouldn’t be so bad if they where smoothed out a little) Some faster lest tech trails you can fly down, get some air with tables and berms, more Intermediate/Beginner Terrain I wouldn’t have wanted my first day on a DH bike to be there, and more riders. I wish Mike the best of luck, he was great, and is putting a lot of passion into the park and hopefully he can get the numbers he needs to continue growing the park till reaches it’s potential. For those of thinking of doing the 5K downhill race go for it.

After our ride we where headed back to Kingston for a DH ride in Kingston on J&J’s Farm trails which where a lot fun, just too bad I felt like S@#$ and couldn’t get a good ride in. Maybe I’ll be able to find time to head back in the fall before the snow falls.

Summer Update

I know, I know I’ve been terrible at keeping on top of this with new and interesting stories ( Well I guess if they are interesting is up to you guys, but at least new stuff) Luckily I have a lot on my mind to write about so I should keep regular updates coming for a while. But first I’ll try and give a quick rundown on some of the exciting things that happened through the next couple short post.

So what’s happened? We’ll lets give you a little re-cap from where I left of to bring you to speed. First, Canada Day saw a quick little tour of BC with my parents, from Calgary across to Revelstoke and then down to Kelowna and back along the southern route. I must say I’ve fallen in love with the Nelson/Rossland area and could easily call that area home someday. The trip also allowed for some mountain biking at Kicking Horse and my first big mountain riding experience has me stoked to move closer to the area in the New Year. The trip was a little fast as there was business on the agenda but it definitely further opened my eyes to the fact that I’ll never call Southern Ontario Home

This brought me to ask myself even more about why I’m living in the GTA. The traffic, the commute, the stress and pace of live, and the distance from outdoors and I question why a lot of people choose to call this area home. To add to the negatives mentioned above that surround a lot of large cities, you can add to fact the cost of living keeps climbing and in among canada’s highest, however the median/avg. income continues to drop. Toronto’s average household income has now dropped below the national average which says something about where the economy is going. The staple of Toronto’s employment Bay street is even moving a significant number jobs to Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton. Leading towards a larger division and increase in Toronto’s wealthy and poor, as the middle class slowly disappears in this city. Toronto seems to be going the way of many US cities such as Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia in this respect.

Thankfully our social system and lower tolerance for Racism will ensure we never hit the extremes some of these cities see. However, I definitely do not see Toronto as one of the prosperous city and Canadian economic hub it once was. The city of Toronto is going to have to make some quick changes to keep it’s international reputation of a clean, green, with strong values, and being a melting pot of people, cultures and social status that all work together.

I returned to a weekend of leisurely racing with a fun team at Chico’s 24hrs of Summer Solstice (yes you can read fun as drinking team). This event should be added to as a must do for any mountain biker in Ontario. It’s a great event that really encompasses the mountain bike scene or vibe, with a mix of Pros and weekend warriors competing in categories from Solo (i.e. ride your bike in a 15 – 20KM loop for 24 hrs straight and see how many times you can get around, yes these guys are crazy), and then a variety of competitive and non-competitive teams in the 2, 4, 5, and 10 man team taking turns doing laps. There really is no reason to be intimidated by these events as 99.9% of the riders are courteous and just there for a good time. After racing multiple 24hr events on Competitive team aiming for the podium, this year we entered a 5 man team with no expectations other then to have fun. We did well considering we where a couple DH Riders, and guys who had not put in many KM’s this summer, with the exception Josh who ripped it up all weekend, we finished 15th out of 45ish team in our category and where short of a top ten by 2 mechanicals that weren’t fixed trailside. So not to shabby and ultimately we had a lot laughs, beers and fun.

Check back soon for a mountain bike season re-cap and a the results of my Nfld. adventure.

2008 Mountain Bike Season Update # 7 - Kelso DH # 2

Well it’s been a few weeks since the last update after the two Quebec races. I must say I miss the bigger hills and technical terrain coming back to Ontario. Quickly bringing you up to date the last two weeks still saw me as involved as ever in the MTB scene, even without the racing. I completed the NCCP Level 1 Technical program (now I have to do the Theory so I can get certified), participation in the Kelso build day, and a weekend with some social rides as a little break from racing with the next few weeks going to be jammed with Racing. As we just finished Kelso DH # 2, next weekend is the 24 Hrs Summer Solstice, followed by the Horseshoe DH Race before the little mid-summer 2 week lull in my race season hits.

Last weekend the Ontario Cup Downhill racing returned to Kelso for race # 2 over the weekend on a brand new course, and the consensus is it was the best Kelso DH course yet, with a great mix of a flowing top section, into a wide open section with a nice step down, and then a small gap, into a fun tight section that some last minute rain as the race runs started made an interesting area with a lot carnage going on. As always A great job was done by Pete and his crew once again. Now if we can only find a way to double Kelso’s vertical we’d be golden. Maybe we could do a new all mountain race, starting at the top of the extreme trail ending with that new DH run step down and all. It would be a lot of fun to compete in an race format that would let Ontario’s DH and XC riders go head to head. Hhmm or cmaybe a collaboration between Pete and Chico and we could throw a challenge out to find the best overall mountain biker with a 20ish KM XC race on Saturday followed by a DH race Sunday, and the winner could be determined by a scoring system based on points assigned on your time spread from the first place rider in both races to find out who’s Ontario’s best overall mountain biker. I personally think a few DH Riders may just come out on top.

Enough with all that how was the racing? Well Great! Practice saw some great weather, not to much trail congestion and a lot of fun riding. For myself some good practice runs and things where looking good. I couldn’t wait to get going down the course on my race run hoping for an improvement on the last race. But a little twist was thrown in as Mother Nature dropped a 15 minute Thunderstorm down on us, to make things a little more interesting. My race run was a little disappointing however. After the start I came into the first berm funny ending up with my feet backwards, not a big time killer but awkward, the rest of the top section went smooth, the fire road and gaps golden, then coming into the tight wood sections still solid a little dab as I sciked myself out worrying it maybe be slippery from the rain, then coming into the next section I unclipped a pedal somehow dogging the trees at the top and did the steep and the drop with one foot unclipped, resulting in a little bobble at the bottom, slipping out a little. Determined to keep a good run tried to clip back in on time while getting and get in a couple pedal strokes as I commited to try and clear the double over the log in hopes of salvaging my run, but no luck clipping in under pressure forcing me to roll threw the sections terribly with no flow coming essentially to a stop and totally losing it mentally threw till the end. If I only took the time to clip in instead of scramble after the drop and I easily would have shaved 5 + seconds off my time. The up side is I know if I tie together a good run I can hit the top ten. I still finished 18 out of a field of 35 riders and it was a fun weekend regardless. The rest of the poisonfrog boys did well with a few personal best and almost everyone else finishing in the top 10.

The other sport class riders Grant and Trevor finished top 5 and top 10 respectively putting Grant in # 1 overall in Senior Sport with a 4th and 5th places (while fighting through a shoulder injury), look for him on a few podiums in the near future. Ben ripped it up in Junior Sport with his best finish ever at 5th. JP bailed and still only finished about a second out of 1st taking second place. Watch for JP and Rob to be chasing each other for the top spot on the rest of the Jr. Ex. podiums this year. Jeremy ripped it up, with a time of 1:17 getting a solid third in Masters discovering bronze medals serve as good beer bottle openers, Kristen was one step off the podium, Chad ripped a good run, and Moose well?? Whatever did happen to mosse no one saw him after his run as he disappeared quickly? Well, that’s it for now and I’m looking forward to Horseshoe!

Once again thanks to Intense from Dropmachine.com, Rick Loftus, and JuanTV from ubiketv.com for the awesome pics.

User Groups and Sustainability?

The topic of trail users damaging the ecosystem seems to keep coming up in discussions around me lately. Some discussions positive and some negative. Groups like Sirbikealot Racing, Kelso, the Ontario Fereration of Snowmobile Clubs, and IMBA - Internation Mountain Bike Association (I'm still not convinced that all their re-routes are necessary but they are doing the right thing as a whole) etc. have been putting in a lot of effort into sustainable low impact trails over recent years. However, our public image isn’t necessary improving by leaps and bounds. After being asked the other day how can you call yourself environmentally responsible while participating in hobbies such as Motorcycling, Snowmobiling, Quading and Mountain Biking without feeling guilty? I figured I should say something. ?????? How do you address this question! Lets look at it through two points.

Firstly I'd ask what is the true impact of these groups. Our core environmental problem do not result from the recreational users. I’d be surprised if recreational activities even make up 1% of the overall environmental problem/impact after you take into consideration the footprint left by corporations miss-use of our resources such as non-sustainable logging practices, oil extraction and processing, mining, steel production, etc., then add the environmental impacts of transporting goods in our current global economy by boat, planes and trucks, wait now don’t forget all the commuters. I think you’ll find the recreational impact becomes a minute point. Ultimately I think their interest in protecting these areas benifit the protection of the environement which is where I'll go with point#2.

Most recreational users implement practices such as bring out what you bring in (many bring out more then they bring in, and sustainable trail usage i.e. not to mountain bike in a sensitive area after rain for example). Many also argue that simply using the land damages the natural habitats and vegetation. I also think this is often blown out of proportion. Find a mountain bike trail that has seen 10 years of traffic but has been closed for about 2 or 3 seasons and you will most likely see that the vegitation has taken over the trail in most cases. However, we do realize that sensitive ares need to be protected and the trends in trail building are towards building “sustainable” trails that minimize the environmental impacts. Involvement from Environental Scientist or Biologist in reviewing plans and evaluating areas for new trails is quickly becoming the norm. Many leaders in trail building now even come from an environmental background. I believe both of Ontario’s principle race promoter come with educational backgrounds in environmental science for example. The majority of those large beaten paths through the woods you find unsightly and damaging are generally from old logging operations, farming and back roads traveled by heavy vehicles. Also agruments are often heard that motorized recreational products simply cause polution with no real need. However, this is being minimized with motor sports users making purchases based on cleaner product with this trend being reflected in the sales of Yamaha Canada’s nearly exclusive use of cleaner running 4 Strokes and BRP/Envinrudes Ecotec 2 Strokes engines running cleaner, quiter and more efficiently.

Secondly I actually think recreational users may be part of the solution. We have a vested interested in protecting green areas and the environment because without them our hobbies would no longer be accessible. Quite often you will find that the majority of people who participate in these types of activities are the primary advocate groups for environmental protection and are often leading the clean up initiatives, protection and lobying. I don't think many will argue that the majority of the spring cleanup in Toronto’s Don Valley due to the garbage from the surrounding apartments are done by the mountain bikers who use the area. To expand on being a primary advocate group when it comes to protecting these areas. We have a strong interest in protecting the areas we use as escapes into mother natures heart because we’d all mostly be admit into insane asylums if we where all left living in the hustle and bustles of North America’s cities without our escapes.

That's all for my thinking aloud (I'll have to re-read this later, I doubt this article will stand on its on two feet with the little thought or research I put in, but hopefully it may make you think a little). However, next time you think of trying to ban a user group or attack them because of your perception that they are the cause of our environmental problems, or deterioration of your favourite park or conservation area why not try working with them and hopefully you will find 1) they are on the same side you are and 2) the extra impact you have due to the increased number of supporters will fast track your efforts to stop the true villains.

Oh and a quick thanks Dave Stone as I stole the pictures from him (sshhh don't tell him)

Kiss the Flag

Bellow you'll find the lyrics to Kiss the Flag by Evans Blue which I think does a great job at capturing the situation many soldiers and their families are going through. I thought I'd share them with you after reading an article in the Toronto Sun about approximately 200 US Iraq war registers who have fled to Canada to avoid being sent to the War in Iraq. I generally keep my thoughts on the war fairly quiet because I'm slightly embarrassed to say I feel that I'm not educated enough on the subject to really make an informed decisions on what's necessarily right or wrong, true or false. I definitely have a lot of respect for our troops in Afghanistan who are oversees trying to help rebuild and provide stability to an area that most of them had never been too, did not know anyone from, and ultimately addressing problems that did not directly affect them, their friends or their families. On the other hand of the Iraq war, I can say I did not approve of Saddam Hussein and his regime. I'll ultimately admit they scared me a little. However I don't think any of us can argue the against the fact the US had some ulterior motives to go into Iraq that they weren’t up front about, and should have waited for a mission approved by the United Nations if their weren't any other motives.

The article in the Sun definitely brings an interesting topic for debate. They use the example of Phil McDowell who after 9/11 enrolled in the military to defend his country. However, after serving in Iraq from March 2004 to March 2005 says "I trusted my government that we were going to enter a justified war". ... "I felt betrayed". After being ordered back for a second tour of Duty he sought asylum in Canada, similar to nearly 50,000 US citizens during the vietnam war. Now with a motion in parliament which has the support of the three opposition parties’ to stop the removal orders of those who have refused or left military service related to a war not sanctioned by the United Nations a decision will be made if they have to return to the US or not. I think this definitely puts Canada in an interesting position as a country who’s citizens on average do not support the war in Iraq would lend to the majority of Canadians supporting their residency in Canada. However, from an international relations point of view it is difficult for us as a nation to not support the US. (http://www.resisters.ca/inthenews.html for some more info on the issue)

Anyways enough of that finally I'll mention the other reason I chose to post this, which is to support a great Canadian group that has a lot of talent with a vocalist who does an amazing job at capturing emotion in his lyrics and singing. I highlighted a few of the lines I think are more powerful. You can listen to the song here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6W7runJ8qU (a video the singer put together.)

Don't shoot, until you see
The red and white
And blue in my eyes
They say were straddling fences
And it's not so comfortable

He thinks he grew up to be boring
And so he goes to change his life
I saw you get up on your toes
But don't step back too fast
Or you'll cut yourself in half

I wanted,
All I wanted was to find
Something here inside of me they couldn't keep
They woke up to hear me screaming

Just shoot until you see

The red on white
And blue in my sky
The proof is in the pictures
And it's not so comforting

He knows that one day they'll ignore him

And push him to the side
He said he kissed the flag before he died
He took one for his country
She said i'd do anything to have him back

I wanted,

All I wanted was to find
Something here inside of me they couldn't keep
They woke up to hear me screaming

God help us Can we really win this fight
Cause no one knows which side you're on
Anymore, anymore
I'm lost and by myself

When this ends

Will freedom be the casualty
Or will it only
Will it be, only me
Will it be, only me
Will it be, only me

I wanted,

All I wanted was to find
Something here inside of me they couldn't keep
They woke up to hear me screaming

God help us

Can we really win this fight
Cause no one knows which side you're on
Anymore, anymore
You're not lost or by yourself

If you like this song a couple more you can check out

Beg - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82k6n1EjOf8
Pin Up - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBi2lsFDnDQ&feature=related
Quote - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9AgYM5urZQ

2008 Mountain Bike Season Update # 6 - Mont Tremblant Canada Cup/Quebec Cup DH

Tremblant Canada Cup? Interesting weekend to say the least! The course definately won't fall on one of my Top Ten places to ride lists. The flow is minimal, the majority of the tech sections aren't traditinal DH in my opinion, lots of rocky pedally sections (kind of like riding XC on big bike to handle the rocks, which may sound like an odd complaint comming from someone who races some XC as well), fast sections are mostly just long wide open fire roads, minimal berms, jumps or drops? I was actually quite suprised because the hill has so much potential with the terrain and vertical that this was the course layout they choose for the Canada Cup. You'd think after apparently running the identical course years they'd build something a little more flowy, with more steep section, and do something with all the open sestions (some berms, some jumps or maybe drop vs. just hammer across a field). However, Will I be back next year? Most likely. Did I have a great time? Definately. Was the racing great, tight and filled with excitement and suprises? Without a doubt! It was a great place to hone some skills where you can't use momentum to just plow over stuff, a great environement around Tremblant and DH scene as always, and ultimately resulting in a weekend of fun riding and racing.

So what hapened? The story of this weekend was Rob comming back from his 15th place at Bromont, where he knew a mistake cost him the placing he wanted determined to show what he could do. He spent the weekend dialing in runs and lines with determination and all the hard work paid off. A time of 4:43:050, killing the Jr. Ex field and finishing 11th in Pro! I think he made his statement. Can't wait to see what this step up in confidence will do for his riding and focus over the next couple of sesaons. For myself and the rest of the poisonfrog.ca crew can't say the runs went as well. After strugling a little in most of the practice runs my last runs Saturday and Sundays went well and I thought my chances of meeting my goal of finishing about mid-pack in my class should have materialized, but the stars wheren't going to line up for me. The first singletrack sections was the smoothest I'd felt all weekend, stoked and in the zone I come out to hammer into the two berms and heard the sound of metal breaking. Thinking I just blew my dearailler I pulled over in utter disapointment, realized it was just my chain but decide to DNF instead of run the entire course chainless and risk holding up the riders behind me. Plus with so many tech sections that you needed to be torquing the pedals to get through I can't imagine the hike a bike through the rock gardens would have been any fun. As for the other riders on the team simialar runs where had. JP had bike issues off the start, and had a dissapointing run. (However I must say he was one of the fastest riders going through section just above the off camber wet rock, all the while yelling out to us "this is a shit run".), Ben blew his chain a little further down the course then I did, and Chad had a decent finish with a 6th place but he caught up to the rider ahead of him who wouldn't move and he lost a lot of time making his run quite frustrating as well. But that's racings.



All in all I was quite bummed at the end of my run and watching people run through the course. Seeing how many sport riders where bailing everywhere didn't help because I was pretty sure I could tie together a relatively clean run without bailling at least. However looking back on things today the weekend as a whole was a blast with a lot of good riding which I'm sure improved my skills riding through muddy rocks on Saturday. Some good times where had over beers with a bunch of the Ontario riders, as well as Andrew and Laura who came up for the XC Race. And Steph managed to somehow keep me entertained over the 12+ hours of driving over the weekend. Leaving me wishing the next race was comming up sooner then it was to try and forget about that snapped chain.

Last note huge thanks goes out to Kevin and guys from the Norco Factory Support team for helping us out (me and Rob) before our race runs with some tech issues. With the limited resources we had available in Quebec and lack of a shop in Tremblant (Rob busted a derailler hanger and I needed a brake bleed) neither of us would have had the opportunity get in race runs to our fullest potential without the help. It's great to see the support of the sport and sportmanship between the Ontario riders and teams.

The Blog should be quiet for a few weeks with no exciting plans over the next few weekends. See you on the trails.

2008 Mountain Bike Season Update # 5 - Bromont Canada Cup/Quebec Cup DH

Last weekend me and Andrew headed up for the Canada Cup in Bromont, which I have been Stoked about for weeks now with the DH course layed out basically the same as the World Cup course comming to Bromont later in the season.

«The new downhill course, already under construction, will be created in a hostile environment filled with rocky outcroppings, wooded sections and abrupt descents. Many tight corners, jumps and other obstacles will follow one another to create a course with a difficulty level that even the most hardy downhill kamikazes can scarcely imagine.»

Here's a few pics from walking the course Friday

Well the course was sick and had pretty much everything you'd want in a DH course. The top section was part of an existing run (Boomerang for those of you who have been to Bromont before), with some fast singletrack strewn with rocks and roots to rip through, shooting out to a smooth slightly off camber rock face. The second sections was the tech rock section that saw a lot of bodies laying across the course, and was wicked when you tied together a clean run through it. Then the bottom third of the course was flat out, with some nice berms, a few new singletrack sections that seemed to change a little with every run ending with a gap to flat landing just before the finish. The bottom sections needs a little work before the world cup to add a little more excitement in my opinion but the course was a perfect run for the season opener. One of the highlights was watching the top 20 Pro riders rip the tech section, with the UCI points so important a lot of the top Pros from Canada and a few from the States made it out to tear the course a part. It's unbelievable how fast these guys can ride and how smooth and in control they are riding on the edge. The run that stole show for me was Steve Smith (even if he finished 2nd by 2 seconds because he bailed in the wide open bottom portion he was definitely the fastest man on the hill). Anyone who watched him rip through the tech section we where at was astounded as he killed a line the way no one else did all weekend. Airing the entry to the section, and flying through the rock sections like I would never have thought possible. I think Andrew summed it up with "Holy S$%t that was retarded."

Rob and JP from the team where rippin' all weekend. I think you are going to see these kids on a lot of O-Cup podiums this year and wouldn't be surprised if either made it on podium at Tremblant either. JP killed his race run riding on the edge, rolling the rock steps on his front wheel barely holding on and finished 7th, 4 seconds off the podium and about 2/10ths of a second out of the top five. (check out the video of him riding the front wheel out through the steps down, the crowd loved the recovery as they all though he was done for.) Rob was also killing it all weekend and finished 15th in tough field but had to dab a foot at the bottom of the off camber rock face to berm costing him 5 to 10 seconds which would have put him right with JP in that tight 5th to 10th spot. Watch out for him at Tremblant as I think he might have something to prove.

So how was my weekend. Well all in all wicked, Friday around lunch walked the course and was getting pumped, but Friday afternoons practices runs went terrible. First I put on a 38tooth Chainring for the weekend but my bash guard wasn't large enough to prevent my chain from bouncing off, and it came off 2 or 3 times per run (once in the fast bottom section which resulted in a painful bail at who knows how many KM's per hour and some nice purple bruises on my thighs). The chain issue made the first day frustrating, and to top it off a mistake in the tech section pierced my rear brake line resulting in a loss of brake fluid and my seat. So that night saw us track down an E-Thirteen chain guide and Selle Italia seat at Intersport. Installation of the E-thirteen took a little fabricating to clear the swingarm as they didn't have an SRS wide but we got it on in dark under the tent by the campsite. A new day and on run one a flat on the front tire. I'm thinking here we go again, but the rest of the day went better and ended with a few good runs and dinner combined with a couple pitchers instead of bike maintenance. Saturday also saw Andrew rip the XC course finishing 6th after 5 laps around a course with a stupid climb up the ski hill and some tech rock sections. Looks like Andrews finally coming into his own this season after a few rough starts.

Race Day, I'm feeling a little tired from two night sleeping in tents and some not so smooth practice sessions, but I'm looking forward to lining up. Around 9:30 up the lift for the mandatory practice run and hopefully to set the stage for a good day and I bail in the tech section ripping my shifter off the bars and this is starting to look like the start of my Kelso race. Thankfully the guys set up beside us, had a spare X.9 Shifter they hooked me up with and I scrambled up to the lift to hit one full practice run before the race, and to my relief it went smooth. I felt that if I could do the same on my race run with a little more pedaling, it would have got me the results I wanted. So now with some time to kill I figured I'd hike up and meet Andrew in the tech section to watch a few of the pros in the Jr. Ex/Pro only practice. Unexpectedly at this point I witness a bad crash by one of the Elite girls, and ended up involved in a back boarding situation due to my Ski Patrol experience. I want to give a pat on the Back to the Safety Crew at the race as they did a spectacular job tending to the situation. It makes you feel better lining up to race, as we all know the risk we are taking that if something does go wrong the right people and equipment is there. I usually wouldn't comment on this but everything turned out reasonably well thanks to her protective gear. If you can read French visit her site http://www.marieevemarcotte.com/index.html to get the story from her perspective. She's one tough girl and I can't wait to see her ripping up the course in the near future.

Up the lift for my run and it went well but not great. It was clean, no falls, no feet coming off the pedals, but I'd guess my last practise run was about 5 to 10 seconds faster and I should have been able to shave that 5 to 10 seconds off my race run. My time of 3:43 saw me come in at 40th out of I believe 65 riders (58 who finished) which is about where I thought I'd place however I was hopping to place closer to the middle of the pack for my first Q-Cup race i.e. top thirty in this large field. All weekend I felt best about the top section but after a few hard bails in the practice runs I was little shaky off the start and lost some time through that sections before I settled down. I would have been happier with a time around 3:33 to 3:35 but hey that's racing. If you can't get focused and push yourself on your one race run you won't be seeing the results you wanted. However the race run and the weekend was still awesome, with support and cheering all the way down and the end of my run felt good as I caught the rider who left ahead of me at the bottom of the course and felt good about how I rode the bottom third of the course. Now it's back to work for 3 days and off to Tremblant Canada Cup/Q-Cup #2 (I've had a few questions about which pics are of me since we're all geared up, I'm in the last two above)

I'll leave you with a bunch of pictures from thedave on DHRACER.COM who had some great shots giving you a good feel for most of the course.

Reversal of Globalization?

For my birthday a couple of weeks ago I received, Let My People go Surfing by Yvon Chouinard that I look forward to reading. Yvon is the founder of Patagonia (an outdoor clothing and gear company) and has strong views on corporate/social responsibility and protecting the environment and ethical business practices. His book should prove to be quite interesting as he essentially covers three topics, creating a successful company you are passionate about, being environmentally and socially responsible and it is also kind of an autobiography about an interesting life following his passions. Skimming through the book (I still have to finish my book on Marco Polo before I can sit down and read it) he brought up a point that got me thinking a little and could generate a lot of discussion about the future of our economies.

In the reprinted version from 2006 he added an intro discussing what could essentially be a reversal of globalization to a certain extent, with a localization of our economy. His reasoning brings up some interesting thoughts.

"A dozen books have come out about oil, all pretty much saying the same thing: the end of the petroleum era will come sooner then later and we should prepare for a lifestyle that will be far different then what we have been enjoying for the last 150 years"

With the increased cost of energy comes an increased cost of transportation. The primary cause is the cost of oil, resulting in the cost of fuel going up, but also with the increases in energy costs results in the cost of building and maintaining trucks, boat, planes, etc. When you take the example of the clothing manufacturers they tend to follow a process similar to the following; Purchase cotton from Turkey, ship it in bales to Thailand to be processed to fabric, then shipped to Texas to be cut, next off to Mexico to be sown and finally back to a warehouse in the States before being redistributed across North America. As transportation cost are going up, they may soon outweigh the cost of manufacturing and materials in certain cases ultimately making a global economy based on cheap transportation unsustainable.

What effects would this have on our economies? Canada Exports nearly $500,000,000,000 in merchandise goods each year. Would the effects of localisation and curbed international purchase by Canadians be enough to counter these losses. How about a country like Australia that does not have the natural resources needed for food or to obtain lumber for construction? Will their economy be able to swallow the increased transportation cost? Crude oil cost have increased nearly 400% since 2003 and nearly 160% in the last 2 year! It's more than safe to say that outweighs inflation rates by an exuberant amount. Last time crude oil cost where rising this quickly it resulted in the recession in the early 80's. Now consider that many scientist estimate that our current access to oil supplies will last about 20 to 25 years before the extraction will become much more costly to get to the oil reserves that are more isolated. Will we be able to bounce back from a recession in the same way if the oil isn't as accessible anymore?

Needless to say the research into new forms of energy, hydrogen, solar, wind, Biofuels, etc. may eventually curve these increasing cost meaning business as usual but with the continuous reports how quickly our situation is decaying it leaves you to wonder, how much things will change in the next couple decades.

That's enough about the economy for now, contiue on and read something a little lighter like last weekends race stories or something.

2008 Mountain Bike Season Update # 4- Kelso DH O-Cup (Race Day)

Well where to start, first I want thank Lee and the rest of the guys from the team (Poisonfrog.ca) for an awesome day. It wouldn't of materialized the way it did without their help. (Especially Chad's who bailed me out with a fork when mine seized up). So how was my first DH Race? Things didn't roll as smooth as I would of liked but all in all the race was awesome. After Saturday's mudfest I didn't get in the practice runs I wanted but I wasn't in a hurry to get up the hill first thing in the morning either. I was hoping after a few riders rode the course it would dry up a few lines. So I got there around 8:45 with the goal of hiking the hill between 9:30 and 12:30 and hopefully getting 5 or 6 faster runs to get comfortable with my lines so I could pin it on the race run.

Well turns out the old Manitou Stance that was filling in as I'm waiting for my Boxxer decided it had had enough with yesterdays conditions and seized up on me. Thankfully Chad felt pity on me seeing the condition of my old Stance on the new Banshee and brought a Sherman in case I wanted to swapped them up. It was no longer a decision between more practice runs or a better fork, but a necessary change. After all was said and done I only managed 2 practice runs, and a hike up the bottom section for a third run through the bottom third of the course. So not feeling like I was comfortable enough to run at 100% of race pace as I probably would have made a few errors (whether it be the rock drop, the jump to log drop, or one of the off camber corners) I changed my game plan to running about 90% and just hitting a clean run on Sunday to help clear the nerves for the rest of the year. I also figured if I can make a clean run through the top rock section and then just flow through the rest I'd stay above the bottom third because the course is to short to make up the 5 to 10 seconds for bailing or uncliping somewhere. So what was my first race run like? Lets take you for the ride.

Lining up was a nice change from the XC scenes mass sprints, a lot more chill, more like buddies about to hit any other run than in intense I'm have to blow you away of the start. Then you're up, with a 30 second gap between the last rider. Right gear selected for the start? Check! Deep breath, focus, 5, 4, 3 ,2, 1 clip in and go. 3 or 4 smooth pedal strokes, try and pump down the first jump getting as little air as possible to pedal into the first small rock garden as fast as possible, pump, pump into the first two undulations, hop the last rock, turn right, pedal drop two gears to pedal through the flat between the first and second major rock sections. I'd been taking the right line over the second rock garden which meant going up the straighter but rockier/steeper line to the right where you used the first portion of the rock to hop up the rest of the rock garden. (Since I didn't have time to get comfortable with the rock drop in practice it left you a better line into the B route around the rock drop so I didn't feel the "easier" option to the left was the right choice). Tight left out of the rock garden staying on the rock around the tree for a clean line into the B route, shift up two gears before dropping down and into the flats and I've cleared everything that was "technical" using the lines I wanted and a few cheers coming over last garden and down the chicken run that I was looking good had me off pedaling the flat section.

Flat section, 1) remember to breath (thanks for the reminder Stephie, I probably would of forgot till I was half way through and breathless), coast through the last turn and catch your breath at the end, pedal, pump down into the jump (i.e not doubling over the log drop), off the little drop, take the high left line, pedal, pedal, jump through trees over the little gap and clear the roots at the bottom no problem, oops no a little to far to the right, slide the back end out and get back on line lost a few more second there, damn it. OK focus, through the trees, take the left line off the last log drop, hold a line as far left as possible, then down and I didn't get up as high on the off camber as I would have liked to carry more speed, jump to berm, hammer through the bottom, through last rock sections, and hammer to the finish line and done, gasp for air, gasp again.

A time of 1:52, 21st out of a field of 42 so bang on Mid-pack leaving me stoked for the next race knowing I could have shaved a few seconds off that run by simply pushing a little harder if I was confident and I'm pumped for the next races which should be a alot tougher running the Q-Cups/Canada Cups in Bromont and Tremblant, but also alot of fun running the Quebec terrain.

A quick congrats to all the racers, as a team the guys well, Rob cleaned house, Kristen looked great, Jer and Chad laid down good runs, Matt was killing it all weekend, got unlucky with a flat but still rode the whole course faster and smoother then I did with a flat tire. I now know I have to chase Grant down in the practices runs if I want to set sights on a podium as he was one step away, and JP was looking good all weekend but had some shotty luck on his race run. Can't wait see everyone out at the second Kelso race and thanks to Pete and the rest of his crew for a great event, Cycle-Solutions for all their support, and finally Jaime (dropmachine.com), as well as Lee and Greg (www.poisonfrog.ca/Photo_Gallery/p17_sectionid/15) for the images on the last two posts. (In case you are trying to decipher who's who, I'm plate 335.)

2008 Mountain Bike Season Update # 3 - Kelso DH O-Cup (Practice Day)

First I'd like to thank Jamie Edmundson of Dropmachine.com for the use of the pictures.

This weekend is my first DH race, showed up with a mix of excitement, adrenaline and nervousness. At least I wasn't coming out to beat anyone but myself, or place anywhere in specific but secretly hoping to stay our of the bottom third. Ultimately I didn't put any pressure myself. I tried to go out for some practice runs on Friday hoping to get really comfortable with the course, but the Kelso staff stopped that idea since they try to minimize the riding in wet conditions. I ended up walking the course and by the end and was stoked as the course looked fun. However, I was also a little nervous about the rock drop, which the drop itself is nothing to worry about (maybe 4 ft) but the run in makes it tough to set up as you are coming down a rocky face with only about a bike length to settle and hit the drop. The majority of those who hit it make it look easy, but if you don't hit the little flat properly before the drop you are most likely doing an endo over the rock face.

Saturday morning came with a tacky course the first few runs went well. I hit everything smooth with the exception of taking the chicken run around the rock drop, but was hoping to make a few runs at it in the afternoon. However, before lunch the downpour started and it rained all afternoon turning the rest of the day to a slop fest. I must say that the vibe was awesome though. It seemed to turn into an afternoon where everyone looked like ten year olds having fun in the mud on their bikes. Kind of brings you back to what used to bring excitement to biking when you where a kid. Needless to say I'm sure there won't be one line tomorrow that was the same as today. They are calling for a nice day tomorrow, but things where so wet I'm skeptical on the courses ability to dry out. The only mishap of the day was on my first run down after the rain started there was a little double at the bottom of the course that I had hit the first couple runs as a double, however the combination of a muddy run in slowing you down and the lip softening up, I managed to get enough speed to put my front wheel right into the gap and send myself over the bars. Over to the right is a picture of the line up for the hose at the end of the day, I'm in the clean blue rain jacket near the back of the half hour line. Looking forward to tomorrows race.

Finally I'd like to end off with a comment on the new Scythe after it's first real ride. Banshee has came along way in the last couple years with their design. The bike was solid all around, railed the lines you wanted, easy manipulate through the rocks, pedaled well and overall just a great package. The team also had a couple guys riding Wilcards and Ramparts, and the same thing was being repeated regardless of who was on which bike, this bike rips!

The Art of Living

“A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between his work and his play; his labour and his leisure; his mind and his body; his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing, and leaves others to determine whether he is working or playing. To himself he always appears to be doing both.” – Francois Auguste Rene Chateaubriand

I thought I'd share this quote because I feel it really resonates my view on how we should be evaluating our careers and lives. Ask yourself does your current job or direction in life reflect who you really are? Does it reflect what drives you and what you enjoy? Don't get me wrong and read this thinking that I'm suggesting you all go out, quit your jobs, and just play. You need to find a balance of rewards between self-fulfilling and financial. Personally I think I've put myself on the right path with my career move to Yamaha Canada, providing me the opportunity spending everyday around an industry I'm passionate about. Hopefully while working my way through the ranks I also manage to find a position that reflects my personality quite well. However, for the guy who plays Sudoku on his lunch break a career as a financial analysist may the right choice, if they couldn't pull you away from the building blocks as a kid maybe a career in structural engineering would be a fit, or if you are as compassionate with animals as you are with people, you should end up being a Vet, or maybe an animal trainer. I could go on and on with examples.

The other questions I would ask is why do so many people accept a career that doesn't reflect who they are and the really don't enjoy? Social status, expectations put on you by others, to make the big money? Why would I want an exuberant salary? To afford trips, cars, toys, a big house and hobbies, makes sense. However, would someone like myself be better off to give up a big house and new car if you could do what you wanted every day? Maybe being mountain guide in the winter, and a bike/kayak guide in the summer? I wouldn't need as many holidays if I lived the life I wanted day to day and then would the material things really make me any happier? There's definitely a line somewhere between the two extremes that is the perfect fit.

Ultimately as the quote above mentions, the focus is to blur the lines between work and play. How much the line is blurred, and what side you stand on will be different for everyone you.

2008 Mountain Bike Season Update # 2 - Mansfield XC O-Cup

Well it feels good to have the season in full swing again. After I got the cobwebs out over the first couple rides things are starting to feel good and I'm having some fun. Still no hardcore training (i.e. hill day, sprint day, endurance day, and recovery day), but really... I have no illusions of going pro. I'm currently a mid pack sport rider, with the goal of making expert in the next few years and I'd be ecstatic. In reality it's all about fun, getting away from the stress of life and getting a little adrenaline out. I didn't get anywhere near as much riding in before the mansfield race as I would have liked and feel like my asthma is acting up a little. So I had no idea how the start of the race season was going to go. Saturday I pre-rode the course with Dave and Andrew which went well, the course was fun, flowy single track lots of passing sections and the climbs aren't too bad. Should prove for some good racing and I'm hoping for a finish in the top 50% of the field.

Well... Sunday didn't go as well as I'd hoped. Saturday night was my birthday, but I behaved. Only 2 or 3 pints and was in bed before midnight (not the ideal pre-race routine, but it could have been worst. For those that where out with me I'm sure Kevin wouldn't have been up for much the next day). However, I was spacy most of the evening (anyone who tried to hold a conversation with me was probably wondering what planet I was on) and by the morning was definately feeling off my game. By the top of the first climb I was probably just a little below mid-field which would have been fine, a few spots back but I'd have almost 30KMs to make up some places. However my legs felt like I had just raced 50KM's by the top of that first climb and the race was less then enjoyable from that point on, frustrating really. So I simply hunkered down and peddled to get through the 3 laps and finish. Needless to say I'm looking forward to the second race at Albion as I should be able to gain 5 to 10 spots hopefully and have a lot more fun.)

The second part of Sunday was a little more exciting as Version 1.0 of the Scythe was built up. The build went relatively smooth, with a few hickups such as a brake bleed done with two - 2 TBSP oral seringes spliced together, a little use of a hack saw, and not being able to line up the rear brake caliper which lined up perfect first thing the next day without any modifications? After a quick ride in the Don the bike feels awesome, feels lighter than it is (haven't weighed it yet but must be just under 40lbs.), feels easy to throw around and with the 34tooth chainring it actually is quite fun trailriding. Tomorrow's the pre-ride for DH O-Cup #1 and I'm excited yet a little nervous that I haven't done any Downhill yet this season.

Here's a couple pics and specs.

New
Frame: Med Banshee Scythe
Rear Shock: Fox DHX 5
Rims: Mavic 321's (Currently my old Big Earl on the front till the other 321 is built up)
Bar: Truvative Carbon
Grips: Raceface
Tires: intense DH Lite WC 2.5 in the rear DH - 2 Ply 2.35 in the front
Pedals: Crank Brothers Mallets

Transplanted
Headset: Cane Creak (To be replaced with Chris King - Devolution)
Front Fork: 7" Manitou Stance (temporary till my Boxxer WC comes in)

Brakes: Hayes HFX9
Shifters: SRAM X.7
Dearaileur: SRAM X.9
Cranks: Saints
Rear Cog: LX (not sure if I'll be going with an XT or road cassette)
Seat: Big Earl
Once I get the Boxxer WC, and Gamut P40 I'll post up a couple more pics.

Planning an Epic - 750Km Cylcling and 6 Days Kayaking

Half the fun of truly intense trip is the planning and anticipation you dream about your escape from reality So I thought I’d share the experience as me and Dave plan our Newfoundland adventure.

Some of you may have read my my post on the Snowmobile trip that I refer to as Epic, but that trip received its status purely by coincidence, which leaves me with the question can you really plan an Epic? My opinion is no! You can almost guarantee a fun trip through careful planning, but for a trip to be truly Epic there either has to be a certain amount of adversity, challenges or unknown variables. As a result intentionally planning an Epic involves adding a risk of failure and then becomes a fine line of calculating reasonable risks that will provide the challenges and adversity needed that you’ll hopefully overcome. Understandably not everyone is willing to risk failure of a trip due to the cost and limited time most of us have in today’s society. As a result I find most of the experiences that people refer to as epic either happen unintentionally or are quite watered down. On the other hand for those of us who really want to push our limits and increase the odds of a trip being an Epic how do you plan for it? Hopefully I’ll succeed with the planning of this trip to Newfoundland and this can become a template of sorts.

Living in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area, in case you are from somewhere else) I have to live with planning 1 or 2 trips a year to really get my adventure bug out. This year Dave stepped up having just finished his undergrad and looking to plan something “epic” in his own words, before entering the real world (or going back to school for the seemingly endless journey to become an architect). So when he approached me to plan a trip my mind went wild. Let’s kayak/hike Alaska.... or Greenland, bike the Inca trails in Peru or cross South Africa on bikes where our guides need to be armed to ensure our safety. Well….. I still hope to eventually do, all of those one day, however we where driven back to reality due to cost, time and ultimately contemplated two trips.

A) Spend a week Kayaking/Hiking/Cycling in Gros Morne national park in Nfld.
B) A road trip with the Mountain Bikes

The bike trip idea was to see how many IMBA certified Epic rides we could do in two weeks and had a schedule that would have seen us riding 8 IMBA Epics, probably about 500KM in North East States and Canada, living out of the car and tents, eating what we could grill up on the Colman stove (I’m sure a stop or two for a steak or rib dinner would have found it’s way in somewhere), ultimately avoiding as much of civilization as possible and ending with Paul’s Dirty Enduro, who’s 100KM bike race was certified as an IMBA Epic last year. Definitely not a bad way to spend 2 weeks! However after some thought Kayaking Gros Morne National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) sounded like something a lot more out of ordinary and an experience we’d never forget.

My original thoughts where for an unsupported trip just me, Dave, 2 kayaks, and the bare necessities, but it seemed a little unrealistic due to our limited ocean kayaking experience (i.e. none) and neither of us even being expert fresh water Kayakers either. The trip would have had the potential of turning into a story the locals started with: Remember that crazy French kid from Ontario who though he could brave the Atlantic with no experience. The coast has taken in oil liners what chance would 165ish lbs of Dustin stand in a 12 to 15ft foot piece of plastic. So the first step was to find a guide that would tailor a trip to our likings. The original search didn’t provide us with many leads as the trips all seemed to tame for our likings Kayaking one or two days out of a bed & breakfast. So I started to E-mail a few of the companies looking for someone who could provide a custom trip and hit the nail on the head with Daine from the Newfoundland Travel Network formerly Long Range Adventures who was willing to do something a little different. After a couple E-mails telling him about what we where looking for, i.e. a 5 to 7 day point to point Kayak tour. Daine offered a tour traveling through a lot of the areas we planned on combining some camping with stays in bed and breakfast’s that he is hopping to offer to clients in 2009 and wanted to do a dry run in the fall. What more could we ask for then a guided tour for me and Dave with the owner of one of Newfoundland leading Eco-tour companies, laying out the groundwork for a 6 day tour he’s never done before! Sounds like a good base for our 2 week journey.

Now that is settled, what can we do with the other 8 to 10 days to make sure this trip turns into a real adventure? We mulled over ideas and decided we could take our adventures and exploration to another level by flying into Saint John’s and cycling the 750KM’s across the province from Ocean to Ocean (i.e. coast of St. Johns to the Coast of Gros Morne). The plan is to rent bikes in St. Johns and to travel for 5 consecutive days across the provinces, with a tent and some dry food and we will see what faith throws our away. So the plans are starting to fall together for what has the potential of becoming an Epic Journey, as it should provide both physical and mental challenges, ensure uncertainty without planned accommodations, and stops, ultimately traveling through some of Canada’s most scenic terrain powered purely by ourselves

Here's the draft of our itinerary
1. Friday, Aug. 22nd fly into to St. Johns in the evening
2. Saturday, 23rd spend a day in St. Johns before we start our journey (Also do all the leg work such as ship our gear and clothing needed for exploring Gros Morne to Deer Lake, pick up the road bikes, and visit St. Johns)
3. Sunday, 24th till the 28th head to coast to start our voyage across Nfld.
4. Saturday, 29th and 30th spend a couple days recovering and hiking in Gros Morne
5. Sunday, Aug 31st till Sept.5th start our Kayaking portion with Daine
6. Saturday, Sept 6th board a plane in Deer Lake to head home.

So what’s left to do.
1. Book flights – Easy enough just waiting for the seat sales
2.Find bike rentals – If you have any suggestions send them to me? (http://www.canary-cycles.com/ apparently rents bikes, I should get on that as it's a crucial part of the trip.)
3. Figure what gear to bring for Cycling portion (5 days on the bike with no planned accomodations, most likely a tent, some food, being prepared for the weather, etc.)
4.Making arrangements to get our gear for hiking and kayaking to Deer Lake from St. Johns – Daine’s kindly offered to hold our stuff if we send it by bus.
5.Finalize details with the Newfoundland Travel Network. – Things have going smooth so just a call or two make sure we bring all the right gear should probably cover it.
6.Brush up on our Kayak skills – Hopefully a couple weekends in the water will bring us back up to par.

Check back in a few weeks and I’ll hopefully have an update with all the big plans being laid out, and if our dreams of planning an Epic are rolling forward or being rolled over.

Collapse - Jared Diamond

“With Collapse, Jared Diamond has written a fascinating account of the collape of civilizations around the world. … A reader cannot help but leave the book wondering whether we are following the track of these other civilizations that failed. Any reader of Collapse will leave the book convinced that we must take steps now to save our plant.”
- The Boston Globe

To all of you who haven't read this book yet, I strongly recommend you do. The authors research makes it hard not to wonder if we are on the same path as the many societies who didn’t survive. Combine this with our global economy and the scenario is even scarier. The key reason this book had a bigger impact on me then a lot of the other info I’ve read about the state of our environment is it wasn't written from a one sided point of view, the worlds coming to end, over-exaggerated perspective that many of the environmental books seem to be. Instead the author uses scientific/archeological examples of societies that have succeeded and have failed, building a strong case all the while being an extremely interesting read as he walks you through the history and cultures of multiple civilizations current and past.

Through this book the author analyzes civilizations/settlements such as; Easter Island and what seemed like a plentiful land when first settled, also exploring its many mysteries; The Polynesians and how the majority of their small and large settlements survived but the medium sized ones such as the Pitcairn Islands didn’t; The Anasazi’s in North America failing to survive in the South Western States with some of the most advance agricultural and political structures of the time; The Maya's collapse; The Norse Vikings settling in Greenlans and their inability to survive there while the Inuit did; Papa New Guinea and how they’ve succeed to survive for almost 3200yrs as a society, however the current involvement of western cultures will make it’s development interesting to follow over the next 10 to 20yrs; The Genocides in Rawanda and why it happened; A comparison of why the Dominican Republics environment, political structure, international trade and history of civil war are much more favorable then Haiti's while being on the same small island; China’s significance and its consequence leaving the largest environmental footprint on earth and what will happen if the reach current first world standards of living; The Australians and their current dependence on trade partners as their population is currently above a self sustainable level. Ultimately he tires to answer the questions of why and how these disastrous decisions are made and how we can avoid making the same mistakes repeated so many times in the past.

So do yourself a favor pick up a copy of this book to educate yourselves on some of the risks and challenges that face our society in 21st century which is bound to influence your views on our current situation.

2008 R6 Press Bike

This Sunday I had the chance to break in the 2008 R6 press bike at work. Boy my jobs tough. I’ll save you from another detailed R6 ride report because every motorcycle website and magazine will critique/review this bike. Hopefully I can give you a little something to ponder comparing my thoughs on motorcycle classes for a sport bike for everyday use.

I’ve spent a lot of time on cruisers and dirt bikes in my life but the last Supersport I rode would have been a new Ninja 636 in 2003 I believe. Well after about a 500KM day on the R6 I'm thinking I might look good on a black R6. For those of you that know the area me and Matt did a loop up and around the 404 to hwy 48, then across the Kirfield locks to the Hwy 45/503 and back home along the 507 and hwy 7A till I cut down to the 401 to head home. It's a great route to try a bike on as you get some nice winding roads, with a few freeway stints giving you a good feel for a bike with lots of oportunities for gas stops and food. We where greeted with the perfect day for the first ride of the season after the weatherman threatened us with a forecast of Showers. The sun shined all day with those perfect temperatures where you are comfortable in leathers, no complaints of being hot or cold all day. As result we had a chance to make the most of our tying together the countless turns on Hwy 507/503/45 at reasonably fast pace to ensure we’d at least keep our license if we ran into an encounter with Mr. Police Officer during most of our trip.

Personally I’m a big fan of two classes of motorcycles the 600cc Supersports and the 1000cc Standards. The 1000 cc Standards, à la FZ1 provide all the performance you need short of a track day machine, a useable powerband, combined with all day comfort and touring capabilities. On the other hand the 600’s provide cutting edge technology, razor sharp handling, with rider inputs being translated immediately and effortlessly to road, and ultimately a top end rush to keep you giggling to yourself under your helmet all day. If you are on a twisting road or a track I don’t think there are many bikes out there that provide the entertainment value of the current crop of 600 Supersport. As a result when contemplating my motorcycle purchase I keep going back and forth between the above mentioned motorcycles.

A little on my riding style and you'll understand my dilema, I’m looking for a bike that will be comfortable enough for at least a half dozen to dozen 800KM days (a few of which will probably be 2 or 3 back to back days), a few track days, and the rest would be commuting and 300 to 500KM evening/weekend rides. When the R6 is doing what it does best, there aren't many bikes I'd rather be on (the only other two bike I would consider is the Ducati 848 or the GSR 750) . But you pay a penalty with the riding position for day to day riding. Can I deal with those few short commings? I think so! The low bars and hunched forward position aren’t as bad as lot of people say. If you are under 6ft, with some good core strenght, I don't think back pain is much of an issue. Plus if you are going over 110KM/h the wind blast takes a lot of weight off your wrist and I don’t plan on spending much time cruising around under 100 unless it's a really twisty road. The other usual complaint is the lack of bottom end torque, which didn't bother me either. The top end rush is a blast when you can use it. When you need to pass drop 2 or 3 gears till you are over 8,000 RPM and let her rip. I even found having a little less bottom end an advantage keeping my speeds down, since cruising around outside the powerband at 4000-6000RPM doesn’t have all that power teasing you to go faster. My only concern is I don’t have the greatest knees and just shy of 100KM’s my knee starts to cramp up like clock work.

The FZ1 on the other hand is still a blast on a twisty road, could still be taken to a track day even though it wouldn’t be as fun as an R6, but the trade off is you get a bike that’s much easier to live with everywhere else. Personally I find the riding position too relaxed and upright, taking away some of the responsiveness/feel and I even find this position puts a little more pressure on my butt/back. So the solution is probably a little modification to one or the other in the form of either an FZ1 with a set of clip-ons, (I have heard that the Harris Performance high clips or Heli-Bars for a CBR600RR mount quite well), some rear sets, a gel seat, and a Yoshimura Slip on (I just couldn’t live with the look of that big can). The R6 on the other hand would see a seat swap as well and an attempt to find some adjustable pegs that would give me the extra room for day to day, as well as some extra clearance for track days and posibly an Akrapovic exhaust and power commander to liven up the bottem end a little. After a few months if the weight on the wrist thing became an issue for commuting or long trips a set of Heli Bars could always added, but I don’t thing it would be necessary. Only time will tell what I'll eventually buy. Tonight I’m leaning towards the R6, it’s just too much fun to pass up on, yesterday the FZ1 made more sense. Either way I know which I choose as a next bike would provide countless hours of fun.

2008 Mountain Bike Season Update 1 - Let the Season Begin

Well the snow is gone, sun is shining, I've been out for two rides and I'm stoked for another mountain bike season. Hope you will all forgive me but my first ride was on the road (65KM) because things where still a little wet. Last night I went for a short ride down the Ridge, Catalyst and the Flats of the Don Valley for my first venture into single track for the season and trails are good to go. Tomorrow nights plan is for a good MTB ride afterwork and the sesaons going again.

So with all this good weather the wheels are turning and I figured an update on this seasons plans are in order. This season I wanted to concentrate on downhilling and I scored a spot to ride with the guys from Poisonfrog Promotions for the season and I'm excited to be riding with such a strong group of riders and Lee (owner of Poisonfrog Promotion and team manager) has been awesome, the teams seems like a good mix. Things are looking like it's going to be ripping season. (visit http://www.poisonfrog.ca/ and make sure to check out the racing section of the site.)

The plans for this year includes racing select XC Races hopefully about 5 O-Cups and is still going to be about building and getting my times down. I hope to pull some top 20 finishes in sport (at least being in the top 50% of the field) and by the end of 2009 I'd like to be turning times close to the Expert Class. Also on the XC side of things I'm planning to ride the 24hrs of Summer Solstice and Paul's enduro. Paul's is an awesome race I suggest you check out if you haven't. It's a 100KM enduro (with 40 and 60KM options) and I'd rank it as one of the best races in Ontario. I'm looking to come in under 8 hrs for the 100KM this year. But ultimately the big push is going to be on the DH Scene, being my first year I hope to race mid-pack sport and next year running in top third in sport. Definately pumped to be spending the extra time on the DH bike and can't wait for the first race at Kelso.

The other questions all of you riders will have is what am I riding this season?

XC will see the ol' Commencal Supernormal - with A new set of FSA XC 300SL's (they must be one of the sexiest looking wheelsets out there) weighing in respectively a 1.65KG complete and hopefully strong enough to deal with my not always smooth riding. A Thompson seat post was added Sunday (not by choice as I snapped my post on my first ride of the sesaon) and a Thompson 110mm stem was added to shorten the reach a little. The wishlist for upgrades as the funds become available is long; hydaulic brakes -Magura SL's or Shimano XT (the feel of the mechanical Juicy just aren't cutting it and the bike could afford to loos a little weight), seat Selle Italia SLR, FSA K-Light cranks, some Scwalbe Racing Ralphs once my tires need a change and maybe a new set of Candy 2TI pedals, but all this is on hold because of the investment in a new DH rig.

For those of you who haven't check out Banshee Bikes and still think of them as a big huck brand you should visit their site (http://www.bansheebikes.com/) and their Blog link. They've got a really tight line up this year covering everything from XC to AM to DH with a few things comming down the pipe in the form of the new Legend MK1 for DH which the bikes first races resulted in wins and apparently something for the weight conscious XC rider.

With that little lead in I'm sure you guessed my new bikes going to be a Banshee? I have new grey Banshee Scythe w/DHX 5, a Boxxer World Cup front, Gamut P40 chainguide, Crank Brother Mallets and the rest will be transplanted form my old bike for now mostly Bontrager Big Earl stuff, SRAM X.9 shifters, rear deraileur, LX front deraileur, and an XT cog. I'll be sure to add some actual pics when everything is in (frame should be here next week). Also as always the guys from Cycle Solutions have been awesome as well with help setting up the 2 bikes this season. If you haven't stopped by, check them out. The shop may seem a little crowded at first but the guys are awesome, great vibe, good mechanics and an awesome line up of brands.

Here's my pre-lim schedule for the season.

-Sunday, April 27th XC O-Cup # 1 - Mansfield
-May 3rd -May 4th DH O-Cup # 1 - Kelso

-Sunday, May 11th -XC O-Cup #2- Albion Hills
-May 17th - 18th Canada Cup Bromont (DH)
-May 24th - 25th Canada Cup Mt. Tremblant (DH)
-Sunday, June 1st XC O-Cup # 3/Canada Cup - Hardwood Hills
-Sunday, June 8th XC O-Cup # 4 - Kelso
-June 14th - 15th DH O-Cup # 2 - Kelso
-June 21st - 22nd 24hrs of Summer Solstice
-June 28th - 29th DH O-Cup # 3 - Horseshoe
-July 19th - 20th DH O-Cup # 4 - Camp Fortune
-August 10th XC O-Cup # 6 - Buckwallow
-August 17th DH O-Cup # 5 - Blue Mountain
-September 7th XC Provincials - Mountainview
-September 13th - 14th DH Provincials - Camp Fortune
-September 20th - 21st Pauls Dirty Enduro

A quick update my frame came in yesterday (April 24th), and the grey looks sick, almost has a copper undertone shining through it. Here's a pic, I should have her built up Sunday after the Mansfield race short of the Boxxer I'm wating for. I'll add a few picks of the build at that point.

Near North Epic Snowmobile Adventure

What makes an Epic? Adventure, adversity, the unknown, feelings of triumph, times of reflection, its definitely has to be out of the ordinary and unforgettable. We could spend our time debating these qualifications, but I think the answer is depending on the situation the recipe can vary wildly. Since I’m a mountain biker where the term is with out a doubt overused I get kind of annoyed whenever I hear “that was Epic”, because really… It usually wasn’t. (Except when Dave says it, I just seem to laugh). How Epic can another day riding the same trail as yesterday, taking a lift up and riding 800ft of vertical at blue mountain for a day or two laps around Albion hills really be. Now I’m not trying to harp on Ontario’s mountain bike scene, there’s definitely good riding and potential for epics. They could even include a stop at the above mentioned locations during a trip, however unless a trip includes the majority of the descriptors above they definitely don’t qualify in my mind. As a result Epics are ultimately quite difficult to plan and more often then not just come about when you are on what is seemingly going to be another traditional adventure. So why was this trip Epic? Well lets see, what was a simple trip for 4 Guys on sleds, doing two easy 6 to 8hr days on groomed trails, turned into 3 days, of adversity, testing our limits, with nothing going as planned as we rode for a 10 and 12 hour days, questionable trail conditions, crossing rivers on beaver dams, nearly being stranded without gas, going down a hill more suited for ATV's, trying to find our way down a closed trail and cold night riding without a windshield! However, it was filled with exactly what we where looking for, excitement, adventure, an escape from daily life, some fast paced riding and multiple evenings filled with laughter, beers, good friends and ultimately the three best days of my winter. Yes it was EPIC!

I had been looking forward to a couple days of snowmobiling for a long time now. The last snowmobile I owned was an MXZ before I moved to Southern Ontario for school, and even though I managed to squeeze in a couple of rides when I was back home on friends and families sleds I really hadn’t done any substantial snowmobiling in about 6yrs. I arranged to borrow a pre-production Nytro from work to head out with the Preston clan on a trip up North. I met Luke in my last year of University he’s became one of those close friends that you know you’ll never loose touch with, so I was excited to head up to this home town to do a little sledding with Luke, his younger brother Chad and his Father, Don. The plan was to trailer up the sleds to Sundridge and stay at his parents place on Thursday, Friday was going to be a 6 to 8 hrs day to Sudbury on the OFSC Trails, Saturday come home on different route, and Sunday we'd head home after a short ride on the local trails. Simply put som good, fast, adrenaline pumping fun, topped with good times and good friends.

The week before the trip saw a warm spell throughout Central Ontario that brought rain to some areas up North in February. As a result we knew some of the trail conditions would be less then ideal and the only firm plans we had made where to book a Hotel room Friday night in Sudbury so everything else could be reviewed on based on the trail conditions. Unfortunately Mr. Preston informed us he couldn’t come along for the whole trip because he couldn’t get away from work, but we where still stoked for the trip and hopefully he'd meet us on day two. After a few Timi’s stops (you don’t get to travel very far with the Preston’s unless there’s Tim Hortons en route.) we reached Sundridge on time and where greeted with warmth as always. First by Kuma, the family dog which filed in for the 3 kids after they had all left for school (I’m sure Mr. and Ms. Preston will tell you he is much more obedient then the kids ever where), then by his parents and sister.

It didn’t take long till we where looking at trail maps and analyzing the trails conditions on the OFSC website finalizing the plans for the weekend. Our original thoughts where to go to Sudbury on the trail system south of Lake Nipising (C105D and C106) then come back down towards Parry Sound (along TOP trail D) and then back along one of the trail north of the Seguin trail back to Sundridge. However, on the drive up we decided to add an Audible and consider spending a second night in Parry Sound to get some extra KM’s in. Since the rain and winds turned all the lakes to skating rinks of glare ice without any snow pack, combined with the two warm spells some of the trails weren’t maintained along that route. So plan B was to head up through Powassan along SSR700, (Top Trail C was closed due to the conditions) to North Bay then across to Sudbury about a 500km day. We knew that the Powassan area the trails weren’t going to be great since it received the worst of the weather, nevertheless the OFSC Trail report said the trail SSR700 through to North Bay was open but icy and to ride with caution. So our plans where set for day 1, day 2 we where to meet Mr. Preston for a late lunch about 2/3rds of the way down from Sudbury towards Parry Sound where we could do a little night ride after dinner and then Sunday’s plans where to come back across the Seguin trail to Sundrige for a late lunch and to be back in GTA shortly after dinner.

So the next morning I got up as planned and got the machines unloaded and prepped, as the Preston brothers finished getting ready, and by around 10AM we where set to leave. My first impressions on the Nytro where awesome and I immediately felt at home on it. A lot of people still prefer the Apex/Vector Chassis for trail riding, but I’d much rather give up the extra wind protection and larger gas tank for the Rider forward position, suspension and low/centered weight. I’d even argue it was less tiring then the other sleds on the long days. Now I have a tendency to ride throwing my body into every corner, and the Nytro’s riding position and center of gravity made that riding style feel Natural and effortless. It begged you to come into the corner hot, brake hard, lean off into corner, pin it again, lean off into the next corner and repeat. A recipe for guaranteed fun. Oh and when the trails got rough stand up and pin it again and things just got more entertaining.

Crossing the lake behind Sundridge to get to the Trail system confirmed what we though and the lakes where glare ice. But once on the trails things where going pretty good for the first half hour, the trails where a little rough since they hadn’t been groomed for weekend traffic yet but we where having fun enjoying the sunny day and my love for snowmobiling had already been rekindled. However, as the trails converged with a side road through Trout Creek to get us across HWY 11 things where starting to look a little grim. This went on for multiple KMs at a slow pace which included me getting flung off sled when the sled went from a sand to loosing traction on ice, resulting in the track spinning a little sideways and connecting with dirt high siding me off the sleds, flying over the hood and then coming to an abrupt stop as I hit frozen ground at about 40KM/h. Fortunately the sled didn’t role over and aside from a bruised ego and hip from hitting the ice, the only issue was my boot caught the windscreen popping of the plastic rivets off and the rest of the day was going to be ridden with the windscreen neatly tucked in my jacket. Yes the medium windscreen is that small, but it’s amazing how much of a difference it made without it. As we regrouped and the Preston’s where chuckling a little about me suddenly learning how to fly and we got going with hopes of reconnecting with an actual trail. Now as the snow is getting thinner and thinner to our surprise we turn north on the SSR700 towards Powassan and are greeted with a view of pastures showing as much grass as snow and a trail that is starting to show a few patches of mud. So we consider our options of A) turning around, which we aren’t to interested in or B) progressing through as there is supposed good snow as we get close to North Bay. Well I’ve never been a quitter and we where too excited about the riding after North Bay so we decided to inch our way foward on the limited snow. After about 3 hours, we’d only covered about 75 maybe a 100 KM's, but things where starting to look up as the snow cover was starting to get thicker again.
Then we came across the following downhill. Now I pull up, stop, evaluate the situation. I’m thinking if I come over that rock with my left ski just to the outside of it (you can't see it as you had to start going down about two sled widths over from the picture on the left.), my track will roll over it and as the pitch flattens out a little I can tap the brake slide the back end out, which should get my front end over enough to grab the line on the right around the large rocks, shift my weight to swing the back end a little and as long as I don’t touch my brakes down the icy pitch I’ll be at the bottom and off I go. Like clock work I get to the bottom stop and look up to see the Preston’s standing at the top conversing. I guess watching me crest the 75 degree pitch of ice off the start with smooth rounded rocks for about 1.5 sled lengths then slidding out the back end, straightening it out on the right side and coasting down looked a little more Kamikaze then how smooth I though I was and they where contemplating the other options down. After I hiked back up, (and fell back down 2 or 3 times) the discussion ended with me taking the other two sleds down because I was confident in the line I took. Now to Luke and Chad’s Credit this picture doesn’t do the pitch any justice as the first section you don’t see well in these pictures is the steep icy pitch of about 1.5 sleds long before you had to swing the sled 45 degrees to get the next line on ice in less then a sled length and straighten out again to coast down without touching the brakes and getting sideways on the ice as the risk of a roll over would have been high. After that things started to look good and we figured we would make up time on the abandoned rail line in towards North Bay. Nope, no luck again! The snow that was left was too thin and there was black railway rocks sticking out of the snow and we are moving at a crawling pace once again. Now finally after these two stretches of rail line we stop. Luke looks like he wants to call in the cavalry with a trailer once we get to North Bay and me, and Chad are frustrated as well. But then from this point the trail becomes solid again and as the pace picks up, so does our moral. We arrive in North Bay as the Nytro’s gas light comes on and we proceed in for lunch and fuel. Now we're about 2 or 3 hours behind schedule, but I’m optimistic about the rest of the ride to come, and Luke won’t say much but his expression says I’ve had enough.

So we leave North Bay and start heading west towards Sudbury and the trails turn into just what we needed, groomed smooth with some long straights to wind out the engines and when we stop, we all have grins from Ear to Ear thinking the rough stretch was more then worth it. We played tag with a couple groups of riders and things where great as we rode into the sunset, at brisk pace. Shortly after the sunsets we hit the old rail lines going down towards Sudbury and continue to make good time. Around dinner we pulled into what I believe was River Valley for gas, coffee and some stretching. We seemed to be the entertainment for the evening as all the locals stopped seemingly to buy a coffee and to say Hi to us. After a half hour and a little laughing about the scene we’ve caused we were off again. However, as the temperatures dropped I wished I had that little windscreen on and about every 30KM me and Chad would switch to warm up on the LTX. This continued till we turned off the main trail to go into Sudbury for our nights in Sudbury. We quickly brought our stuff in, showered and Boston Pizza was calling for a couple pints and some pizza to recharge and laugh about the day which was exactly what we needed.

The next morning we are waiting outside Sudbury Cycle for them to open so I could replace the rivets on the windscreen, with clear blue skies in anticipation for a great day. We where taken care of promtly with the friendly service we expected, I popped the rivets in and we were off. As soo as we left the trail that goes in and out Sudbury we where greeted by well groomed trails, and carried a casually brisk pace. After a few photo ops. we saddled up to meet Mr. Preston and Alisha for a late lunch before we headed towards Parry Sound. As we followed the trail signs towards Parry Sound for countless KM’s of tying together what appeared to be first tracks though wide winding corners at a flat out pace for while we where as excited as ten year olds in a candy store. However these first tracks at 11:30 AM on a trail that the groomer had obviously groomed in both directions already indicating it was groomed either the previous night or early in morning should have indicated something wasn’t right. But caught up in the riding we didn’t think twice as this was the first time things seemed perfect and we thought we'd be laughing all day.

Sure enough at the line where the Sudbury Snowmobile club turns over the maintenance to the French River trail system we where greeted with trail closed signs. Now we new the TOP trail was closed from the OFSC site however because it indicated the trails from Sudbury to Parry Sound where open we expected trail markings we couldn’t miss. So after a quick what now, we figured the trail was most likely closed due to the trail not having enough snow for the groomer but it looked like approximately 10 to 20 sleds had been through the trail since the last snow so what the hell lets go. The rough unmaintained trail was a mixed experience. It was rough and tiring and our average speed dropped to snails pace putting us way behind schedule. On the other hand the Nytro was a lot of fun to hammer through the bumps, which left me waiting for the boys on the vectors throughout this stretch. This section also provided some of the most memorably moments, crossing rivers over Beaver Dams, riding along a half frozen river, and some scenic views. We stopped after a while on the bridge below where it seemed like we where the only people within hundreds of KM’s and we just might have been. We finally made it too the gas stop around 1 or 2 and Called Mr. Preston who was already at our lunch destination in the little town with a about 6 houses a gas station at the corners of the C104D and C102D (Loring I believe). While we where still what turned to be about 5 or 6 hrs away through the ungroomed trails.

Things got better as we headed through the French River area. The conditions where less then ideal however the Scenery was phenomenal, and I vow to go back and ride that area. With a little more snow the scenic trails would definitely make the list of best rides in Ontario. Not having any indication of where we where in relation to the next gas stop the Nytro’s gas light came on again but we ended up finally arriving at our lunch stop around 8PM in Loring. Where we found Mr. Preston and Alisha had left hours ago (I can't blame them since we where 6 hours behind, and the gas station was closed. Luckily the population of Loring must be about 10 and the owner of the gas station lived right behind it and was happy to help us out an give us gas so we could make it to Parry Sound. We laughed at the resemblance our gas station owner had with Ted Nudgent and how he invited us up for a beer, and who knows what other substances. But we wanted to get to Parry Sound ASAP as we where burnt from 10hrs of riding, with some tough trail conditions. We expected the rest of the way to be quick and smooth as we clipped down the Hydro line into Parry Sound, but whomever staked the trail must have been drunk. I’m sure we traveled 3 times the straight line distance along the Hydro line, with trails that kept you on your toes as the warm spells meant there where numerous streams that melted through the trail.

Now for our last big decision of the day! Through our challenges we forgot to call ahead and book a room. There are two options going into Parry Sound, however you have limited access by snowmobiles, or going out to the old Jolly Roger (Travelodge) that has a reputation as a snowmobile get away with easy trail access, video surveillance, parking insight of you room, a bar, and a Golden Griddle provide all the amenities one could ever want. The only problem is it’s in the middle of nowhere and if they didn't have a room we'd have to backtrack a half hour to Parry Sound which we weren't in the mood for at this point. We decided to roll the dice and head to the Jolly Roger. Now at around 11PM we start meeting groups of riders meaning we must be getting close to our destination and as we meet at group of stopped riders we ask A) see if the need any help and B) find out how much further we had to go. Our face must of told the story of the day we had because the sledder said with sympathy only a couple more KM’s to go boys. Arriving at our destination with what felt like we had just finished Cain’s Quest (Probably the worlds most challenging snowmobile race) and where ecstatic that rooms where available. We walked straight into the Bar, Ordered a Pizza before even going up to room and we laughed at everything purely out of exhaustion. It must have been the best tasting beer I’ve had all year. We then demolished the XL Pizza between the three of us, and I fell asleep in my longjohns from the day.

A good nights rest, big breakfast at the Griddle and knowing that the trail condition where in top shape the rest of the way we where glad to be on the road home. We took the Seguin trail across from Hwy 400 to Hwy 11 which I must say isn’t a trail I’m particularly found of as it poker straight, has high volumes of traffic that ensure you keep your speeds down for safety and if you feel like throwing common sense out the window there’s always friendly OPP on the trail to give you a ticket. But it was groomed flawlessly, and we made good time till getting us to the trails heading back north back to Sundridge. These trails provided the perfect end to our trip as they where groomed meticulously, and windy allowing for a high speed adrenalin filled ending to the trip. But to top it all of the Nytro’s gas light came one while we where still a ways out to make sure the trip ended with a little nervousness as the final fill up showed only .3 Ltrs left in the tank but we made it back to the Preston’s where his mom had a wonderful lunch ready for us that we devoured, while reliving the weekend we just had.

24 Hrs of Killington

With summer around the corner, the snow almost all gone and the weather warming up I find myself thinking about fast flowing singletrack, more then the previous months and reminiscing about some of last years highlights. I thought I’d share what was probably the highlight from last year, my trip to Killington, Vermont to race Granny Gears 24hrs of Killington.

We had been having a great season racing with the guys from Elite Racing Association and we wanted to plan some riding somewhere different during the season. With Elite Racing’s strong track record in Ontario’s 24 hr events landing a spot on the podium of nearly every 24hr event they’ve raced since the team was assembled we wanted to see were we stood outside our environment? Killington sounded like a perfect test of our metal, about 4 laps each over 24hrs with 1800ft of climbing every lap (i.e. 7200 ft each) with a maximum elivation of 2,950 ft, a reputation of being wet, having the most technical single-track in the Granny Gear series and the guys from Granny Gear have a reputation of putting on first class events with strong competition due to their events success and points series, we knew we where in for something different. 2007 was Killington’s second year as a venue and the participation numbers were lower then their other events, however I couldn’t imaging racing that course with a sold out roster. It would have been havoc on the DH section getting mixed up with other riders.

So we assembled a team of 5 riders to race in the 5 person Coed class including Myself, Mike Harris (no he’s never had anything to do with politics), Marty & Allison, and Dave Stone. Marty, Allison, and myself took an extra couple days to drive down through Bromont, ride some downhill for a day then take our time driving in into Vermont, while Mike, Dave and their girlfriends decide to leave the day before the race because of school and work and making it an intense weekend. So we pilled into Marty’s Xterra afterwork, with 5 bikes (3 XC bikes and 2 DH Rigs) DH gear, everything needed to race a 24hr event, 5 days of clothes and where off towards Bromont. Finding a room at about12:30AM in the area proved difficult as there was some sort of equestrian competition or festival in the area and a lot of rooms where booked resulting in us back tracking towards Montreal to find a room, we where glad I'm fluent in French finding a room about 45 minutes outside of Bromont.

We woke up to the Sun shining, promising a great day of lift access riding with next to no line ups as it was Friday and most of the regulars where hard at work. It was scorching hot and the combination of all DH armor and navigating the technical trail had the sweat pouring, but it was a great day of riding and a nice change of pace from Blue Mountain. The DH riders out there all know Bromont has some of the best old school DH trails in the area. The World Cup is actually making a stop there 2008, I hope to make the trip to up to see some of the worlds best rip the track apart. Alley did some XC while Marty and I had some fun on the big bikes and we ended the day in the Water Park to re-energize. I’m not sure how appreciated me and Marty where swimming in the Water Park in the DH Shorts we wore all day, but no one commented on the circles of sand floating around us as we dove in the pool. Dinner was at Mikes in the honor of Mr. Harris and we headed for to the Comfort Inn and Suites self proclaimed Taj Mahal of Vermont, which is quite the statement. It is one of the nicest properties I’ve seen a Comfort Inn on but I’d have to say, Taj Mahal was bit of an overstatement to say the least.

A continental breakfast saw us leave the Taj Mahal and we where on our way to Killington. We arrived early in the afternoon, a quick stop was made by the local bike shop which had some awesome staff and we’re building road bikes from the guys from the Bare Naked ladies. Now I know a few of you are going scoff at following, but with the event based out of a resort and the suggested accommodations where slope side condo’s. I loved and rest of the team will concur. Sleeping in a warm bed, with a washer and drier ensuring clean dry cycling clothes, a warm shower after a tough cold night lap, fresh coffee and a full kitchen for your cooking needs makes 24hr event a lot less painful, allowing concentrate less on logistic and lack of sleep, and more on racing. I will admit it does take away from the cycling community/party atmosphere at Chico’s event and some of the energy is lost, but if you are there to compete and win the condo is the way to go. An early dinner in town with a pint to help the carb loading along, and then it was back to the room feeling a little more like a holiday than the race we ended up in the outdoor hot tub having a beer with some of the competition till 5-0 came to break up the festivities. Shortly after the rest of the crew arrived on a mission drive, unpack, sleep, set up, and race and things started to feel a little less like a holiday and more like a race.

Race day! Priming the bikes setting up the pits around the start are and then at 12 we are off. Dave’s old XC running days helped him out on the LeMans style start when the only guy ahead of him was wearing running shoes instead of his clipless shoes and by the time he swapped into his clips Dave was already off on his bike and heading up the ski hill. Now Dave got lost not once but twice giving him some extra climbing, and adding minutes to our opening lap (he swears the trail wasn’t marked as well on his first lap as the rest of them but I didn’t hear anyone else mention the changes). But Dave's exploring only had us a couple minutes back from the top of our category and still in striking distance of top teams overall (it is a 24hr race after all), and came back excited about the course. My first lap had me quite nervous as the riders reports was climb up the ski hill for half the course, then come back down over the 9.28 mile course. Not being a particularly strong climber I was worried I’d blow up, and to top it off Vermont received a lot of rain coming into the week and the technical DH was apparently quite slick. Well turns out they weren’t lying. The course was essentially a 5 mile fire road climb up Killington to get your legs burning then back down a Black Diamond DH run and then a Blue run down on XC Hardtails and the course was technical and sloppy resulting in arm pump like nothing else by the end of the weekend. Feel free to translate that into a rocky, slippery, blast that had you whoot'n and holer'n all the way, with the odd Oh S@#*. The short climbs in the singletrack on the way down where slick and tough with one climb being un-climable as every rider walked up the steep pitch with mud over your ankles. To my surprise this course turned out to be a perfect for me, as well as the team. The long climb was tough, but it was a sit spin gradual climb that didn’t put me at the disadvantage I though it would, as I could set a good pace and spin my way up. Then with Me, Mike, and Marty riding DH the way down was technical, but fun with the mud just adding to the excitement. I was having a blast beating the XC bike up, however got myslef in trouble a few times as I’d seemingly forget I only had 4” of travel up front resulting in me being thrown over the bars more then once over the weekend. After my first lap we saw some rain to add to the slick condition and they became nothing but sloppy. Our times where good and we where well ahead of the other coed teams, realizing our times weren’t far off the top teams overall and the excitement started to build.

Things were going smooth and as the night laps came up a lot of riders where loosing time trying to get down the hill in the dark, the shadows from the lights made it tough to navigate technical DH section (about 3 of the 4 miles down). Our teams done a lot of night riding thoughout the year though and it pay off as our times stayed respectable through the night stretching our lead in our category essentially locking up first before the sun came up. Doing night laps in a small field with a course that is spread out over a large area is you can spend 15 to 20 minutes without seeing another light feeling like you’re alone in the night wondering if you missed a turn vs. Chico events where dozens of lights are often in view. There may have even been a member who comforted themselves by talking out loud just in case one of those bear? that reside at the ski resort popped out. No mention of names though (cough cough Alley Cough). The guys from Granny Gear did a good job marking the trail thankfully and whenever you had doubts a sign seemed to pop up. The marshals stationed at the little break into singletrack you had from the 5 mile climb lit up the entrance to the short singletrack section like it was Christmas at your local trailer park so you wouldn't miss it (Someone else saw that right I was going crazy?).

With a firm hold of first in our category come morning, we set our sights on an overall finish in the top 5. The morning saw a couple strong laps and we where riding in 4th place overall about a lap back from the Men’s Expert team who eventually won the overall Granny gear series. I had the honors of the victory lap as we were a couple laps up on second. I was going to get the hand off for the last lap around 11:45 and as long as I got out before 12 we should have 4th overall locked up. The riders first place men expert team left just behind me, and my personal goal was to hold him off as long as I could on the climb. As the pitch steepened I noticed I bent my derailleur and lost the bottom 3 or so gears which may by why he didn't catch me till the end of the climb and I was starting to think I could throw down a fast last lap lighting a fire under my ass. This last lap was no longer a victory lap but a personal races to beat a member of the top US team on my last lap. I pushed hard picking my way through the rocks and got by him about a mile in, but the pass left me with an awkward line around the corner which saw me go over the handlebars bringing the bike with me still clipped in and I was brought back to reality as he gingerly picked his way through. I pushed my way through till the end and crossing the line to close our victory in Co-ed and fourth overall. After the banquet, awards and lunch/dinner we where on the road for the second shift of laps in the Xterra as me and Marty switched between sleeping and driving for the 8hr – 10 hr drive home.

Getting to Know Me

This next post is simply a quick overview of what got me to where I am today. It's not intended to be a really interesting or intriguing read but rather to allow those of you who don't now me very well to get an idea of where I come from and hopefully better understand my stories and views. The Coles Notes version would say I am a French Canadian from a small logging community in Nothern Ontario, grew up passionate about motorsports and music, went to McMaster University in Hamilton, graduated, was employed in my field of choice and making rapid progress to get to where I had dreamed I would be, at which point I started asking myself. What I'm doing? Working excessive hours, for little reward or enjoyment, to hopefully reach a position where I would make a lot of money, drive a fancy car, work long hours, rarely do things I love and rarely see those who are important to me. Hhhm this doesn't sound like much fun anymore. I had an epiphany that I should be working to live and not living to work. So I started the a search I'm still on today with a move to a career in a field I'm passionate about, spending every free moment around the outdoors and the things I love, and well.... trying to find that road to nowhere. For those of you that want to know this story in a little more detail read on.

So now that I started this blog thing what am I going to do with this space. (I'm feeling like its the end of this trend and definately isn't the cool thing do. I must be close to the end of the early majority or beginning of the late majority in terms of adoption [Technology adoption lifecycle].) I don't plan on being one of those excited bloggers that post multiple times a week letting you know my every thought that goes through my mind and every move I make (I'm really not that interesting). This space should be about the truly exciting adventures/trips I partake on, as well as the events and thoughts that really define who I am, and that a few of you may even want to read about. For those of you who don't know me very well, or just stumbled upon this page lets start with a quick background about where I'm from, and what defined me growing up and built the foundations of who I am today.

I grew up in a small logging town in Northern Ontario, called Longlac in what is seemingly in the middle of nowhere situated about 4 hours west of the Timmins/Cochrane and 3.5 hrs East from Thunder Bay on HWY 11. If you are trying to find it on map of Ontario don't forget to turn your map over to the other side. The population was about half English and half French Canadian (which I fell in and I'm quite proud of. However, short of speaking French at work I can't say I'm actively participating in it or ensuring its maintaince/growth.) First and foremost my family has always been a very important part of my life. I'm an only child, who's parents where always there for me. I can't think of any time in my life where they didn't find a way to provide me with what I needed (or wanted for that matter) whether it be support, love, friendship, financial aid, or a swift kick in the butt (not that it was needed often). We are still very close today regardless if distance separates us by thousands of kilometers. My mothers carrying, supportive nature and my fathers love, support and work ethic are nothing but things I strive for. I can still remember growing up and going out with dad to the lawyers, accountants, or coffee with the boys, being my first choice over playing with friends or family. I always wanted to be just like him (I wish I had the little picture of me in the worlds smallest cowboy boots, jeans with Ronald Mcdonald on the butt trying to do just that.) Up until oh.... lets say, the age of about 10 or 12, my life was pretty well the same life most kids who come from a loving and supporting family.

My current interests really started to form and consumed all my free time around the age of 12, namely Snowmobiles, Motorcycles, Music, and Fitness, with work interrupting every so often (however, I spent most of that time at work dreaming of motorcycles and snowmobiles). My love for Motorcycles probably started with one of my earliest memories. It was a spring day an I was on my first bike rides sitting on the pillion, instead of sitting on the tank between my dad legs when the sirens sounded of the local OPP, pulling me and my Dad over on his ‘81 FXR because I couldn't touch the passenger pegs (that might explain why I'm nervous every time I see a cop car). However that wouldn’t deter my father from taking the little guy out so he went about fabricating a way to mount a set of passenger pegs to the top of the shock mount and of we were soon at it again. As I got older I spent many days on Dirt Bikes with my friends and familly riding around gravel pits and old logging roads. I remember getting that first bike (Suzuki DR100) and my parents telling me you can drive around grandpa's yard but don't go to fast and stay in first gear. Well we all know where this is going and as soon as they where out of sight the challenge was how fast could I go and how many gears can I get through before I ran out of room. (I can proudly say I found third gear that day.) The search for the adrenaline rush and speed must be something you're born with, because I never wanted to slow down after that.

Around the age of 13 a new fire was lit though. I had my first chance to drive a snowmobile. My parents had just purchased a Grand Touring 580 and my dad let me loose on the lake. What a rush, speed, power, the handling. Now that Grand Touring only sat in our garage for 1 or 2 weekends as it got traded in for a Mach 1 (that speed gene must be hereditary). The next season saw another trade in for two new sleds my dad needed the new King, the Mach Z (disputed by the Artic Cat boys the following year with Thunder Cats, but they hadn’t figured out how to harness all that horsepower yet, so I stand behind the Mach as the top back then) and I got my own MXZ (well by my own I mean the second sled that was supposed to be shared with my mother.) Luckily living in a small town from then on essentially every day there was enough snow I was out on the MX Z, I’d get up early in the morning to start the sled so I could take it school, and after school we'd be out on the local trails and on weekends we'd be exploring the OFSC system, doing poker runs, ditch banging or trying to find some powder to get stuck in.

If I wasn't on a Motorcycle, Snowmobile or reading about them at this point in my life I was probably either playing guitar, basketball, curling competitively (wipe that smirk of your face, I swear it really is a sport.) I must say I didn't leave myself much free time. Music was the last of my passions when I was growing up. My passion for music started shined through when I was I too small to even reach the record player. My parents would leave the room and I would turn up the stereo to 10, take an AC/CD or ZZ Top Record, climb on the couch, drop the record on the record player I still couldn't see even with the added height from the couch, would shuffle it around till it fell over the pin and drop the needle on it. (If any of you are reading this going what? a record player? Give me break I'm not that old, at least I'm not talking about 8 Tracks). It never took very long for my mom to run out, turn the music down and tell me not to do that again. My parents bought me a guitar sometime around the age of 10 and they where subjected to countless hours of Chinese torture until I learnt how to play properly. (They where just lucky they didn't buy me drums, they could at least unplug me from my amp once in a while.) High School saw me pick up a bass guitar to play in a cover band. Then I played both guitar and bass in various bands through till about the second year of university when I just seemed to run out of time. The other hobbies I had all seemed to revolve around fitness, and I think came as much from my competitive drive as my desire to play the sports themselves, I spent many hours playing Basketball (well as much as you can call a bunch of French Canadians playing rugby with a round ball and throwing it into a hoop - basketball), Tennis, ball hockey, and weight training in the Gym.

Unfortunately around the age 17 reality kicked in and work got in the way of a lot my play time. The opportunities for employment in a small Northern Ontario community where great as long as you could get into the mill. It meant if you worked hard enough you could earn more in High School then quite a few of my friends did when they graduated university. However, 30+ hrs work weeks, holding a good avg. at school, and trying to squeeze in time for your hobbies brought a whole new meaning to time management. But most of us managed the live by the good ol’ work hard and play harder mentality. This time management and the ability to pick out the fluff in school also helped me out through university (I'm sure a few of my friends still scratch their heads about how I managed to get through those first 2 years of university with good grades after all the "Social" Activities I participated in.)

Those first 2 years of university where pretty standard of the educational experience most kids have at University. I met some of the best friends I could ever ask for and my curent Girlfriend. I'm lucky that the two core groups of friends still get together regularly and stay in touch. (I could tell countless stories of good times I've had with those friends but I'll spare you. Especially since if you ever spent a night drinking with all us you are bound to here some of them first hand.) University did bring about two opportunities that really helped define me though. The first was an Exchange or as McMaster liked to call it Student Ambassador Program (I guess it looks better on a resume). I sat through a presentation on doing a term abroad purely out of curiosity without any real intent on going. Coming from Northern Ontario the GTA was already quite an adventure! The night before the deadline I said to myself hey why not you only live once, filled out the application, wrote a little essay that night about why I'd be a great ambassador, and probability topped it all off with a couple of "beverages". Well what do you know a couple weeks later I get a letter in mail and I'm going to be living in Norway for 6 months? Whooot Whooot. 6 months in Scandinavia, adventure, a new culture, a new learning experience, travel, new beers and Scandinavian girls. Sounds like what just might be the time of my life. If I told you most of the stories I'd probably get in trouble so those you'll have to pry out of me (or give me a couple beers one night). However the experience was amazing and opened my eyes to what quality of life meant. The Norwegians traveled more, put a higher value on their personal life then work, lived healthier active lifestyles, and seem to be a lot less up tight then. I'll never forget the days Hiking in the Fjords, Whitewater Rafting, Road Tripping the country side, exploring Scandinavia, traveling some of Western Europe and drinks with the friends I made while over there.

The second was an Internship with Kruger Inc. Ever since I was 12 or 13 I wanted to be a controller (or comptroller the position must be important it can be spelt two ways?), eventually work my up CEO of some big company, drive fast cars, have a big house, etc. etc. So I set out to get my H.B. commerce, with a concentration in Operations Management and Managerial Accounting classes, the first summer I went back to Longlac, I managed to talk my way into working in the accounting department instead of on the plant floor, and next thing you know I'm interviewing for internship positions with multiple company's after my third year of University, getting a bunch of offer and Kruger who I had started with when I was 17 on the production line made me an offer I couldn't refuse in a new facility in Mississauga. Who would have thought moving 12hrs and getting an education would end with me working for the same employer and the same boss I had back home. So 6 months in, through all my determination to climb the corporate ladder as quick as possible I decide to start taking night classes and 24 months later of commuting from Hamilton to work on the QEW, managing a career and school I'm graduating on time with the rest of my class, working full time and starting to scratch my head. (As a side note I don't know how some of you commute from Hamilton to Toronto? I guess it's all relative, I could drive around the entire city limits of Longlac in about 5 mins. but I still think you are all crazy)

The year after graduation started with me trying to find new hobbies to drive some passion back in my life. Tried golf, that didn’t do it! Played some rec. league ball hockey which was fun, but without the adrenaline rush of Dirt bikes and snowmobiles I was a little aggressive. I also took up skiing and had some fun, became a ski patroller and found a new winter hobby in Nordic skiing (got bored of Ontario’s downhill scene pretty quick). Then I found mountain bikes. I heard about this thing called Downhill Mountain Biking going on at Blue Mountain and bought a Freeride Bike (a Brodie Thumper). A new passion was born. It's a very similar rush to dirt bikes but more accessible, and keeps you in better shape. Now after my second year I have a season of racing XC on a Hardtail Commencal with highlights being 1st in the 5 person Coed at the 24hrs of Killington, 12th at the Elliot Lake O-Cup and respectable completion of Paul’s 100KM Enduro. I’ve also done a season on Blue Mountains DH Bike Patrol and I’m committed to racing my first season on the Ontario DH Series as well as, hopefully a few races in Quebec.

The last thing I’m going to discuss here is somewhere between starting mountain biking a couple years ago and today I had that Epiphany, that set a new mentality that life is meant to be enjoyed and I started that path to find that road to nowhere I speak of. The first step was starting a new career. Trying to find something new I explored thoughts of becoming a paramedic, working in SAR, going away for 6 months to do a course with NOLS and trying to get employed in the outdoors. Finally I landed a job in the motorsports industry with Yamaha Motor Canada. Who knows what the future will bring, whether it becomes a long standing career with Yamaha, someone else in the motorsports industry, following a dream and starting an outdoor adventure company or something else entrepreneurial as I try and make some money to feed my hobbies. I’ve made the first and second steps in reaching that road I’m looking for (i.e. realizing it, the taking the first step towards a career I will enjoy and allow me to prioritize life.) So now you've gone through 25ish years of my life in one read and hopefully you'll understand a little more about me and the stories I right about throughout the future I post.

If you got through all of that and are still reading I’ll say I'm truly impressed and hope some of my future post will get your imagination going and mind thinking as I right about mountain bikes, racing, snowmobile trips, and whatever adventures I get myself into.

Where to start: THE ROAD TO NOWHERE

So I've been looking back at my life and looking forward to where I want to go and find things are often a blur. So I thought why not do as every other person who seems to have access to the Internet and start a blog so I can one day look back and at everything that happened, and if want to, share with others the fun things I've done, allow those who are far away to see what's happened and if I feel insightful one day maybe even share some thoughts with you.

Why Dustin's Road to Nowhere - Many of you will see this title and immediatly expect this to be sad, dark, or negative but I don't see the analogy Road to Nowhere as negative, actually it's quite the opposite. I believe the Road to Nowhere is where I want to be. It's that place or state of mind you reach when you are exactly where you want to be and you are traveling forward in time but you aren't trying to go anywhere. OK for those you that are going what hell is he talking about here's an example:

It's late January or early February, it's been a stressful week (I can't remember why?) and I'm out Nordic skiing at Duntroon Highlands, it's about -5, fresh fluffy snowflakes are falling, I haven't seen anyone in over a half hour. I'm seemingly alone in the wilderness, I've skied about 7 or 8 Km's nonstop, I have a smile, the stress from the week is a distant memory, my thoughts are void (Similar to the state of mediation that the Buddhist monks try and achieve through mediation and stay in that state for hours, days, months or longer.). All that can be heard are my deep breaths border lining on breathless and the gliding sound of my skis, I still have another 7 or 8 Km's till I get back to the chalet But I'm not trying to get anywhere, I'm exactly where I want to be and would carry on like this forever. I may be moving forward, covering distance, you could say I'm travelling, but I've already reached my destination, my goal. At this point I'm travelling A Road to Nowhere.

These moments can be found anywhere and are found in different places and at different times for different people, it can be when you are surrounded with laughter and the people you love, holding that special someone in the middle of the night, beeing isolated in the wilderness away from reality, tying together curves on a motorcycle down a deserted twisty highway, or scaring the shit out of yourself riding off an unexpected rock drop on a gnarly mountain bike trail. However, I think there's a lucky a few that follow their dreams, whatever they maybe and reach a point where every moment of their life they are travelling that Road to Nowhere.