Cheak Challenge

This weekend was a full on race weekend. Two big races back to back. What more could you wish for ?

So,as it stands the Cheakamus Challenge has always been a hard race for me, because of all the road and pee gravel. The race is a point to point 74 km race. I have the endurance in the legs , but no power. All I could do is just spin, spin , spin. I had lots of energy in the tanks , but when I try to bridge the gap on some riders. The power was just not there. You can always learn from races. My goal was to take time off from last years race. Mission accomplished. 16 came off my time from last years race. My legs were feeling it after the race.

A big shout out to Mike Bohem for winning in a very hard field in the Men's 30 -39. Also a big "whoop-whoop!" goes to my good friend Joanna Harrington( seen in picture racing at worlds) and Lesley Clements. These ladies rule the Mtn bike seen in Whistler ! Nice work girls locking 1-2 in the women's field.

Up next !

2 races down and, 2 more great race this weekedend. Up first is the Cheakamus challenge , a point to point Mtn bike race. Over 70 km from Squmaish to Whistler with some great single track. Last the day started of warm , then turn to plus 8 degrees and raining. Man, was I cold after that one. Had to stand in a shower for 40 mintues!

This year will be another great race, if you can make to the start line you can still sign up. race goal is not to get in a crash with a pack of meat heads, and finish after 4 hrs.

Sunday will be another test !

Alpine ride

Up over the "bumps" in the early am. Quick lap up to the peak then down Kamsir. All before 10 am, Followed by 2 hrs of pump tracking in the afternoon. Life is good !

Pumptrack Peller

winter is coming ......

But first there is still a lot more trail running to be done !

The 2009 Pumptrack World Championships in a back garden in Canberra

I know I have been pump tracking a lot. Check out the World Pump track Championships. The announcer is a bit annoying, but hey he is from Austraila. Haha.

The month of pain

My favorite month is here ........ a month full of pain. Lots going on. I am back on my feet running. Only 10 minutes pain free, yippeee! This week has been a good one, I have just finished a very long season of coaching for WORCA.

My hours logged on the bike for July were 150 hrs, Aug 94 hrs & Sep (so far) 6 hrs. 1,200 km on the Trance since May. I wish my running hrs were like that.

My foot feels a lot better after the rides in the Reelax Moc from Salomon. Month of pain is as follows.

Sep 12th - West side wheel up - Mtn bike race
Sep 13 - Terry fox run - I will be running it with my fellow firefighters in full gear , tank and all !
Sep 19th - Cheakamus Challenge - Mtn Bike race
Sep 20th - XTC off road triathlon - Oh god , what was I thinking ?
Sep 26th - Whistler Spirit run - 8 km trail run
Sep 27th - Rubble Creek Classic - 26 km trail run

If you can make any one of these events , you will have a blast ! All super hard , but all fun.

Pump trackin !

Pump track is the new workout. Forget out crossfit , or SUP. This is a great workout for your Mtn bike skills, and get totally pumped. Pump track is build up of rollers and berms. Check out the video below.

It works all of your Mtn bike mistakes, like not looking out of the corner. The skills learned in the pump track will help any rider. So last week, a Giant Method 24 came into life. With in 1 hour of the pump track, I went down in a left hand corner. D'o

Let me know if you want to try it !