Two wheels and a bottle.

Rocky Mountain 1200

2012-01-05T12:01:00.009-07:00

" He who makes a beast of himself, gets rid of the pain of being a man "
.... Dr. Johnson

And so it has been written, and committed. I shall attend the 5th Inaugural running of the Rocky Mountain 1200, a 1200 kilometer non-stop Ultra Randonee bicycle race event, running July 22nd through 26th.

Having once formally performed the role 'Director of Randonneuring' for two complete bike seasons I was given a great introduction to a part of cycling that precedes even the Tour de France. Two local Rando 'Gods', Bill Donner, and Larry Lemmesurier respectively, each had brief inconsolable laughs when I told them I was interested in joining up for their unique style Endurance challenges. At the time Bill had recently been awarded 'Most logged Miles' in North America for officially completing Rando events at over 26,000 miles in total. And Larry, no chump himself, would do such crazy things like seeing how far he could drive in one weekend to train himself for Endurance cycling. On one weekend, truthful story, Larry drove from Ft. McMurray to New Mexico and back, non-stop, and was back at work Monday morning.
How could I compare ?... simply I just never did... back then.

And so those experiences and the friendships made with those strange fellows, ignited something in me. My nubile passion for long distance bike touring was only the beginning. At a young age growing up in Northern BC how would I have known Ultra racing was actually a sport ? ... of course I was barely five years old when the first running of the Race Across America was christened, and I was simply into more fun childhood things like Atari and Lego, rather than outrunning fatigue in the middle of the night on a dark and isolated Canadian highway.

Since those early days of my first 200km Brevet on a mountain bike with slick tires in 1996, I've developed my knowledge, fitness and attitude towards competing in these most 'rotund' of cycling races. Texas Time Trials, Race Across the West, 24 HOURS Solo... Devils Gap ride with Stappy.. etc etc.

The RM 1200 features an exciting route of which I have yet to travel 100%, so there will be the allure of the unknown destination. Yet I've logged nearly 75% of the current course in times of rain, snow and darkness. But also under the relentless gleaming sunshine, exposing the roadside waterfalls as something heavenly and sacred... the water crashing nearby as a cool mist creates droplets on your sun baked arms while you roll past quietly. All the while hundreds of motorists whizz on by in their sedentary mode of travel.

To introduce the route actually gives me goosebumps. Starting In Kamloops, and riding North East on the HWY 5 towards Clearwater, then Blue River and on to Valemount, then Jasper. From Jasper then heading south into the Icefields Parkway, Columbia Icefield then Lake Louise. Then West along the Trans Canada to Golden, over Rogers Pass, to Revelstoke and Sicamous. Then South to Armstrong, back North again to Salmon Arm, and then to the Finish in Kamloops... totaling some twelve hundred kilometers of beauty BC cycling.

The current course record stands at a little over 50 hours, albeit in somewhat controversy as there are voices who say this record was obtained 'unofficially' with Non-permitted race support. The former Records are near 55 to 60 hours respectively, averaging 24 kilometers per hour, not including breaks.

You see, that's what makes Randonneuring so cool, its not like a typical Ultra Race where riders are required to have night time vehicle 'follow support', a hand off of fresh bottles and food, spare clothes and soothing words of encouragement and inspiration, Rando is Un-Supported.
Yes, there are Time Stations and 'Time Checks' that double as 'aid stations', and random race officials out and about on the course to ensure some rules are followed. But really, since there's no prizes other than a cold beer at the end, why would you cheat ?

It's about finishing.

And judging by the fact that Pre Registration sold out at 125 riders throughout December alone, from nearly 20 different countries, with a growing waiting list... Yes believe it or not, Rando is popular ! and people want to do this event badly.

... Now since I'm not a 'technically' qualified Ultra Randonnuer, who has completed a Series of Brevets such as the 200, 300, 400, and 600km events.. ( before I can officially race a 1200 ) I will be committing my weekends this coming Spring and Summer to pursuing my formal Brevet Cards, instead of racing ABA exclusively.
This means joining a Randonnuering bike club, and for this I've chosen the Alberta Randonneurs
( hopefully they let me join )

Since the RM 1200 only happens once every four years, I'd better get training !

The King

2011-12-09T23:12:00.003-07:00

Elvis' White Christmas album brings back some great memories of being at my Gram G's house during a December long past. In particular, the White Christmas album was the one and only CD that my Grandmother had owned for I'm guessing a 3 year period maybe ? In addition to the obviously required CD player ( a SONY ) with dual cassette deck and an FM receiver, the kind of boom box a young kid would sell his sister for... she just preferred to not engage in CD collecting or was just satisfied with radio music.

Now I believe she actually owned her CD player for some time without collecting many CDs. And although she was quite technologically savvy for her era, using a computer and Internet and such late into her 70's, self operation of the CD player was something not to be tackled alone. ( I mean this thing had a laser beam inside it, and came with an (insert JAWS music).. a remote control). So she simply preferred to use it as the Radio it was fully capable of, and an available 'Christmas music player' complete with a CD, when company or a visiting Grandson would require a seasonal jingle during that specific time of year.

So, Elvis White Christmas was the choice, the only choice. And I gotta tell ya, whenever I think of Christmas music, other than the horribly traumatizing experiences of grade school Christmas Concerts where us kids were forced to participate in an Auschwitz Apocalypse of harmony and melody... all while wearing some ridiculous garb our mothers would force us to wear, like brown corduroy pants and some handmade uber gay itchy sweater.. built by an anonymous friend of an Aunty's cousins sister from Norway who moved to Winnipeg in '46... made especially for us in 1983... ,

.. at Christmas, I only think of Elvis.

Ahhh, winter.

2011-12-06T21:26:00.014-07:00

Lower Kananaskis Lake

Took the afternoon off today and burned out to Elk Pass, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. This was my second of two XC ski missions in the past week. And with some recent fresh snowfall, followed by some grooming, the Fox Trail is super fast. Gotta love the FOX !

Seen as how I took a camera along, I thought I'd snap a few pictures of the scenic snowy goodness. It's really one of the only good things about winter.

That was a good ski, not bad for a Tuesday afternoon :)

Ahh Lyon

2011-10-31T22:46:00.014-06:00

I think I finally accepted it, I'm being delusional when winter starts approaching and I say, "time to put the bikes away ". And get out the ski's, snowshoes, climbing gear, avalanche equipment, the wood work project, play guitar, or that project in the basement to fix the shelf...
whatever. Lets ride ! I'm doing a 24 hour in February.

Seemed like a good night to reminisce on some summertime photos, and think about goals for 2012. when France popped up. I found this set of my last night in Lyon, past July.

" I remember walking down by the rivers, ( the Rhone and the Saone ) an awesome summer breeze blowing across the water. A late night rain shower was building up; but there was currently no real threat of rain'. It seemed like a great time to capture some scenery with the Canon. "

Sundown from Lyon.

Lots of Gothic era blended in Renaissance.

The skyline is littered with religious symbols, multi century architecture, symbols of peace and power, dedication and imagination.

... Was walking through the shopping district.
thinking about Kailee.

Lots of shopping in Lyon.

The VELO Bike share system in Lyon was the worlds first advanced community bike share program. There are thousands of members... and even more bikes I swear. The little red n white bike Depo's are everywhere, and every type of person uses them. Except me, as the sidewalk registration system only accepted France issued credit cards ?

FAIL.

Walking back to the Hotel.

A colorful cityscape, even on a cloudy evening sundown.

MTB Action.

2011-10-15T20:29:00.018-06:00

Seen as how this is supposed to be a cycling based Blog, I thought I'd post some evidence of todays visually complimented single track overload ride, the Lake Minnewanka Trail, Banff National Park. I hooked up early morning with long time friend from back in the Mackenzie days, the now infamous DJ Scotty, and an outstanding day was had by both, must say.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to make it to the 'Occupy Calgary' sit in/ protest today with all the rest of the 99% ers who are opposing Wall Street or something like that.

I remember when being a 1% er was supposed to be the hip thing ? but now everybody (well not everybody) wants to be a 99% er ? Well what is it guys, make up your frickin minds already.

Myself, I strictly prefer to be a 1%er. For those of you who aren't aware of the term 1%er and its actual origins, its kind of a not too desired label, yet there are many of us.

Digging Scotty's quote today, I shall recall;

Scott, " you know I've been DJ'ing for years now and there's lots of cool cats who dig the club scene and most of them are great people and stuff, but you know, doing things like this (mountain biking)... they just don't get it. "

Dallas, " ya well they're the unfortunate majority if you can believe it, we're the actual minority buddy, the 1% ers. "

Scott, " ya, the people who only live once ".

Dallas, " fuck ya, cheers to that bro ".

the Devils Gap off in the distance

Riding towards our planned destination of the Devils Gap today, I have to admit, I felt a breath of spine freezing cold inside a warm beam of sun, and was somehow drawn back to that day nearly 2 years ago. I experienced this brief feeling of angst and uncertainty, an uncomfortable feeling of something in the shadows, something in my gut, or lurking behind us, or awaiting ahead, something that could or could not have been. I think it was the feeling of concern, for my friends safety at the time, and somehow I relived that exceptional moment where I was afraid that he could be hurt, or worse, and I would be responsible.

Since then though, that cold ride in November 2009, or possibly before that I'm sure, I think he's somehow transcended into his own light, and most likely looks back on that day as a stepping stone into a realm of what I like to call, "real living", living with outdoor challenge, a life outside of the 99% ers boundaries, a life that very few approach.
And today we brushed alongside it.

The Terra

World class singletrack attack action.

Self explanatory.

The tunnel vision was in command.

fat Mule deer

The Glenbow Park

2011-10-10T21:32:00.011-06:00

Don't know if you've been out to Albertas newest Provincial Park, but the Glenbow Park is pretty darn cool ! There are little kiosks at every other corner that explain and share some in depth stories about the remaining old buildings, and the original pioneers of the area. Most of the dates go back to the early century, around the completion and working era of the railway.

There are several gravel pathways that go up and down and all around in addition to the paved paths, but 'No Bikes Allowed' is clearly stated on many gravel paths, so expect to jog or walk if you want to explore those avenues.

Bow80 or 65ish...

2011-09-19T11:12:00.013-06:00

It seems like the Bow Cycle Bow 80 mountain bike race, has been an on\off again affair. With only 3 races running in the last 5 years due to last minute snow falls that sort of 'buried' the off road hopes of many, it was exciting yesterday morning to know the forecast was asking for dry and warmish conditions. So yes, things worked out well and the event was actually a go for 2011.

Under cover of darkness, Gabor my neighbor picked me up in his school bus sized Sprinter van that measures no less than 24 feet long at about 5:12 AM. If you haven't seen the inside of one of these 'Van' things they are huge ! With no back seats installed at the current time, I was able to setup my TAXC trainer in the back of the van and spin out a decent warm up on the way out to Bragg Creek. Ya ya ok, so truth be told I actually led an entire spin class in the back of Gabors van on the way out to Bragg Creek.

OK, we get to Station Flats, its dark, the Van thermometer reads -2 and we head over to the Registration check in. Luckily Franzky is there and I get a big swill off his coffee and Baileys, and that sort of perks me up as I feel an early morning Buzzz kick in from the creamy alcohol.

To back track about 6 months, if you aren't familiar with my cycling exploits for 2011, you wouldn't know that I've only done ZERO mountain biking this year. Soooo, as of only a few weeks ago I pull the Scott Spark MTB off the hook and start to make the improvements and repairs that should afford me a successful BOW80 completion, are you foreshadowing yet ? So to make a long story short of it, I've had One really good ride on my bike this year (last last weekend) with barely a couple neighborhood excursions just to prove to myself that the SCOTT would survive. And in case you don't know about the SCOTT, in 2009 I rode three seperate events on it that totalled more than 36 hours of hard core off road racing, not including other rides and races, so yeah, its starting to ride like a 52 year old hooker, kinda loose and smells like salty garbage.

Continued... Gabor and I head over to the Start coral and I quickly realize I could be a little bit over equipped in regards to carrying my Fully loaded 2.5 litre Camel Back system + tools plus a water bottle and enough food to feed a small Mexican village. Perhaps I was, and am still traumatized by the near death weather circumstances of the 2009 Bow80 that featured a 50% DNF rate. .. As i finished a solid 8th wearing only an orange garbage bag that I had to beat up a check point volunteer for after she refused to give it to me, because she only had a small amount of garbage bags. (" listen lady, Nobody else is coming ! they're all dead ! its only me ! )... As Jon Nutbrown is being spooned in an outhouse at Dawson checkpoint by Jeff Neilson and Troy Misseghers.

So ya, I had a lot of stuff. SO BOOM! the race starts and I'm leading (because I jumped the gun by 4 seconds ).. then I quickly get passed by several fast guys, like returning Bow80 Champ Cory Ghengis Wallace and several other tougher than regular human guys. Whatever, I know where I stand this year and to clarify I do own a Bow 80 belt buckle from 3 years previous.

The first climb starts and my heart rate ramps Wayyyy over threshold and I start sweating profusely, plus my seat post is sinking into the frame, under the enormous load of my Camel pack I'm guessing ? so I have to stop and adjust that. Within mere minutes a pile of racers are passing me and I notice they all have about as little gear as you would need for a brief 3 hour ride ?... while I have enough stuff to supply the entire 3rd Race Feedzone.
"this freakin camel pack is sucking the life outta me ".... ugh !

I get to a spot in the race past Prairie Creek trail where there is a right turn and a good climb starts. Two guys pass me who I don't recognize, I'm starting to feel embarrassed now. But oh well, at least Keith Bayly or Erik Bakke hasn't passed me yet. Might as well ride and have fun, I'm not really racing any more so lets just enjoy the Course I tell myself :)

I guess I never reviewed the course map either because I swear I was lost most of the time, as I seemed to be riding by myself, except for being able to see Cody Canning way up there some where near the Powderface road. I thought we were supposed to go up Jumpingpound, huh ?..
As my Bow Cycle volunteer friends heckle me when I go by, haha thanks guys.

Eventually I pass a couple guys who blew past me earlier on 'that' climb, they appear to look like drunk Indians staggering on the side of the Highway 1A at six in the morning...
"bonkings a bitch eh ? " haha.

I realize I have so much fluids on board I'm just drinking for fun now... forcing it in for something to do. Bad side effect, I stop to pee on the side of the trail several times, worse than a dog on a long walk. I also stop to eat a few times and take a couple pictures.

Then I get near Powderface/Prairie Creek and have to pee again, and world famous racer Jon Nutbrown catches me, catches me racing (not peeing) that is. So we ride together like old times all the way over to his Pneuma climb. Thats when all hell breaks loose, about 3 km into the climb my bike has a severe mental and physical breakdown... rear derailleur in the spokes, broken chain, broken dropout. FACK !!! What could I do ?.. so I drink some more water.

In my limited wisdom I forget to pack one of my 5 chain tools into my CamelPack. I resort to running/pushing for most of the way up Pneuma Trail before Pat Dodge comes along and lends me a chain tool. I take about 20 minutes to build my Scott into a fully suspended one speed, but not really. Since the slightest compression of the rear shock causes the chain to fall off the specific cog in the back, and or tangle up into the chain stay itself. Basically I'm rendered to pedaling only on flat or downhill sections.

Push push push... run run run... I'm beginning to fill with rage like William Cory Wallace combined with... well... just my regular self I guess. When I realize I dropped my Rudy Project glasses, just to turn around and watch Steve Walsh slowly run them over as they explode into pieces of lenses and frame. "AAAHHHHH!!!!!"

I decide not to murder Steve with the left over anger of using Pat Dodges piece of shit mini multi tool chain tool piece of shit. And just suck it up. After all, Steve is kinda looking like one of those 1A Indians by now.... So I keep on pushing slash/ coasting pedaling the climb. Then low and behold the Special K downhill :)

I've heard of the Special K, but had never actually ridden it yet. Well lets just say the suspension on the Spark was way more active with half the drive line disconnected, as I shredded the shit outta that drop, passing the Gorbs who road past me on the climb up. Nice, "at least I'm still holding onto my downhill integrity".

Anyways I finished the race with out a DNF, and even stopped and visited Doug Fox at his check point there to slam some Pilsner, drink some more of my remaining water, and finish up to enjoy my hard earned Chicken Smoky, my 6th completed Bow 80.

Love the Bow 80. Great ride. ( Although I like the old course better ).

Dali out.

2011-09-15T10:09:00.000-06:00

The Blog is on Hiatus for now, check back at a later date.
Cheers

2011-08-28T22:02:00.005-06:00

One thing I tend to do other than ride bikes is take a lot of photographs... but one thing I do not tend to do is plaster them all over the Internet. Ya sure its fine for some people to post two hundred mediocre pictures of whatever, and have anybody anywhere do what they want with them. Share them, use them, make money from them, or call them their own, me ... I'm greedy. Or I guess more so self conscious, and would rather give away one good shot versus 25 average ones.

Every now and then I find a view that is pretty darn cool, in my opinion. Maybe its a view from a bike, maybe its a sight of nature, maybe its some sort of significant architectural construct that just appeals to the eye and imagination.

Or maybe its the sun rising over the Saskatchewan River, David Thompson Highway, Alberta.

2011-08-16T10:22:00.001-06:00

WHOA !

2011-08-08T23:24:00.003-06:00

A view of the Going to the Sun Road to Logans Pass.

Just a reminder that Kailee and I are heading to Montana this weekend (Saturday morning) to ride the Logan Loop with Going to the Sun climb. Last year we did this ride at a fairly steady pace with our other buddy Mike, to West Glacier, after a 2nd breakfast and coffee stop in East Glacier. Then the Huge monster 1 hour + climb/ sun road built in the 1930's. Hors Cat.

The whole loop is 220km ish ? I think, and you need to leave St Mary ( ride start) no later than 9am ish. You can drive down to St Mary (4hours) the morning of, or stay in Waterton the night before then cross the border after morning breakfast and coffees. St Mary is about 45 minutes from Waterton.

We have 4 of us confirmed 100%.
cheers

Speed Theory race.

2011-08-08T16:09:00.017-06:00

I'd like to say thanks to Carol who was our Cat 1/2 Road race commissaire, you were awesome out there and everybody knows it today. And Jim Smith, surprisingly you didn't gather the usual mob of haters like you always do at every event you're involved in. Perhaps it was all of us laughing at you while your brand new VW was broken down in ACME that allotted you some forgivance. I thought you made a rare call not to DQ that Crit racer who recieved mechanical assistance from a spectator ? But whatever, maybe it was peer pressure.

It was a windy weekend that started with Severe Thunderstorm warnings in the Calgary area on Friday night. Followed with severe results of said storm; a local calgarian got trapped in his car on a flooding street, and when he tried to get away from the swamped car he was swept underneath it, to be pinned underwater and died despite brave rescue by others. Else wear around the city the hail downpour plugged street drains and then the extra heavy deluge of rain caused some really bad flooding.
..
Saturday morning near ACME Alberta, featured no such evidence of the storm the night before that left many peoples gardens flattened to mush, mine and Kailees included. But with hopeful dreams of riding bikes in the Provincial Time Trial Championships, part of the Speed Theory sponsored Jason Lappiere Memorial Speedfest race weekend, our race bags were certainly accompanied with rain gear and coats. But the clouds cleared up around 9am and only a hard steady N, NW wind and blue skys were left over.

I was really surprised to see there was no bike check, at the Provincial Championships ? Relieved however, because although I make every attempt to ensure my Time Trial bike is 'UCI' legal for this 'bike specific event', the constant rule changes by the organization have made it very difficult to maintain a bike that has certain geometry, has specific sizes for parts, and ratios comparing those parts to others... lengths, widths, and bends. How does the weekend warrior manage ? TT bikes or triathlon/ TT bikes are very event specific bikes, and are otherwise Event specific only to TT or TRI. .. a very expensive event to be competitive in for Category 1/2's because if you want to be a competent Stage or Omnium race participant, you must have a TT bike.

In my Category there were at least fifteen serious Time Trial'ers who were there to Jam the 3 Event Speedfest Omnium.

I have an older (5 yrs old) bike, that is Triathlon specific. So the problem with my Quintana ROO is the seat tube makes it nearly impossible to have a saddle/ saddle tip that is 5cm or more behind the bottom bracket center line, so I use a saddle that is shaped so irregular (SHORT) that after riding on it I feel.. uh. ya. can you say violated ?

Anyways, no bike check, sweet ! There was one ABA Official who was helping out with accurate starting times, ( A paid job ) and Scott GC from ST was doing the bike hold. So I was really lucky that I got to race overall, seen as how my bike would never pass a real UCI bike check, due to the aerobars i had on. I didn't actually know my bike was again illegal until I was at the race I had already paid for, :( when one of the local coaches pionts out my Bikes faults in detail ).

Luckily I place 4th. And no, my bike was not illegal in anyway that gave it an advantage that's for sure. Also Kailee goes out Eddy Merxc style with no aero equipment, and shes only one of four girls. Ya, one of four, in Womans A. She does well, works hard just to complete her first Omnium event and places 4th of 4 :) and we go home with sore butts.

This same afternoon later in the day (after the drive home a shower and a nap) / and after the 40km Time Trial event, are the Speedfest Criteriums. Racing with exceptional access, in downtown Calgary, around the city block that encompasses the SHAW building. Also one of the only city cycling contests that features a childrens race.
One young guy (maybe 4 ?) showed up with his racing number still on his bike from last years race ! It was never removed. awesome.

.. I offered to assist Mike Godfrey on the Oakley Trailer again, and do Microphone Assassin MC duties up until I was to get ready for my Crit race. The views from the trailer were pretty great with a near full block radius view, and I still owe some racer guy 20$ after I was forced to pony up my own Prime prize to get some action outta those lowly Cat 4 racers.

Our Cat 1/2 field was totally stacked with all kinds of awesome sprinter champ racers. I would be lucky just to finish with the same time as the big guys like Cody and MarMac, and I did, winning 2nd on the line. There was only 1 crash in our race and luckily nobody else got hurt, but that one bad dip in the asphalt on the corner One was a force to be reckoned with.

It was fun crit with a fast pace and I even won a Prime, yet to be recieved ? :0 Also I saw that Kailee and Jenn got popped off the group in the Girls A/B combined, Kailee couldn't clip in or something and missed the initial attack by Katie Curtis. but both finished in one piece and Kailee won a Prime !

So off to the road race now Sunday Morning, and I was sitting 2nd in GC Omnium, and Kailee was still placed as the only Womans A Omnium, 1st no less as the ONLY GIRL. She was excited to be that one and only person who would probably earn one of the awesome Speed Theory Trophies. Although somewhat an ironic and rather sad statistic we both agreed.
One and only Woman A ??? to complete the Omnium. .. . Alberta Bicycle Association. huh .

This is where things go from awesome, to smells like that dead skunk on the side of the Time Trial race course. The Road Race officiating was deplorable in several instances.

Lets make this clear, from a Racers stand point. A centerline violation is :

A rider crosses the Solid painted yellow center line meridian, with intent to separate from the peloton, and accelerate past other riders in efforts to gain race position. This would mean crossing a solid road marking and breaking not only race rules but the Highway Traffic Act. As well, possibly endangering yourself and others in the process.

Due to winds, riders 'echelon' in a pattern favorable to drafting the rider ahead or beside them. Thus trailing in the direction of the prevailing wind. Riders Everywhere know that if you echelon over to the yellow line, and then are crossing over it into oncomign traffic, as a repeat offender, struggling to hang on to the person you are drafting... you could be Disqualified. Understood. You don't have to hit a car head on more than once to learn your lesson do you ?

I recall Pete Toth from Edmonton in the Banff Bikefest 1A race two years ago attacking wayyyy over the yellow line... yes, DSQ, and rightfully so.

In Alberta, the Center line Rule is important because its always windy in some direction or another. So for safety Reasons, Center line Rule is a mandatory and required rule for Road Racing. In Alberta we are lucky enough to gain access to roads where the Laws of the Province still apply, this means riding on the right side of the road. So it is important for riders to adhere to this standard, since race officials can pull rank on blatant offenders, we all know this.

Road Race Officials, 'certified' under the umbrella of the UCI, will ride along in a follow vehicle as passengers, and ensure that the rules of the race are adhered to. Each category, usually, will have one driver and one commissaire follow car.

So Kailee gets Disqualified out of her event for a 'Centerline Violation'. On a road with no actual painted line, no shoulders, basically a two lane country roadway, of course we all know what the middle of the road is. She says she wasn't blatantly over, yet learned a harsh lesson that basically brought her to some tears and dashed away her hopes of coming away from the weekend with a good memory and an even better result for her Team, 1st in Omnium. At this same time other categories are racing out there, myself included, and we were all quite aware that it was a desolate country road with very little traffic. However, yes it was windy.

Our Commissaire and the driver (The real handsome Rob) acted like this : Responsible. If riders were near violation, the Vehicle would drive up, honk and or let you know you were about to make a mistake. And yes, riders in our group were warned. I didn't particularly see any flagrant violations but obviously we are intelligent individuals and we're not going to ride on the wrong side of an open road anyways. Why would you .. in addition to possible infraction of the Rules. There was no need to DSQ anybody that I saw. We paid damn good money to come out and do this event, and the last thing we were going to do is deliberately take ourselves out of a race ?

So as far as I know, Kailee who was the one and only Womans A participant who signed up, Paid 105 dollars, and came out with a smile to compete in the Omnium 3 event series. Was disqualified, she says ( I agree) was a Blatantly poor call. Other riders knew it too. Embarassing and disrespectful to not only the athletes, but the race Organizer too. As noted, Trevor Williams.

Nice work race official ! An event that can't even attract more than five woman, let alone one and only one, and the Alberta Bicycle Association representative disqualifies her. Do you agree ? or do you not agree ?

ME: Thats a really great move dipshit. Way to think through your own agenda and look at the big picture. Lets just hope next year there are NO WOMAN racing, let alone ONE. I have to wonder if the Speed Theory President was even able to award ONE WOMANS TROPHY AT ALL ??? !!

I didn't mean to yell at Jim Smith, but I was at a loss for comprehension on how many other people were also Disqualified on this day. On a quiet country road, near back country Bergen Alberta.... As per my buddy Joel.

Now lets recognize Joel for a second. Joel and his partners company, 'the Niklas Group' , sponsored from their pockets this year, several thousand dollars to the Tour de Bowness, 10th Annual, 3 event race weekend. And last year they donated no less than several thousand in cash as well as 2 one week stays in Mexico as prizes ! Not only has Joel and his Niklas Group started a new and impressive riding team and club, they hired professional coaches to assist in developement with these ambitious new cyclists. I mean these guys deliver ! They Sponsor, they volunteer, they offer teaching for cycling, they bring their families too, and yes they compete.

So Joel breaks his chain while near the front of his race. He sort of veers in surprise but no less pulls off to the left of his race group as he decelerates at a rapid pace. With safety in mind, as the peloton roll past him, he's done from the race possibly ? needing something ? But no matter what, the ABA Official pulls up and yells at him, "your disqualified ". rather than, " whats up ? do you have a flat ? do you need help ?" /// no, " YOU'RE DISQUALIFIED. " IE: you paid some good money to participate, took an entire day off from your company to compete, drove out to the remote part of Alberta to enjoy yourself with your team, you brought some family out to volunteer... and in the end your name gets wiped off the Results page ? as if you don't exist.

Out of obvious surprise and dismay over his chain problem, he then gets insulted by a clueless race official who has no idea as to what has actually gone on here. He doesn't even ask, or show any concern, just a display and abuse of power. Sorry you broke your chain bud ! And sorry you didn't get to use harsh words on that jerk. I wouldn't have been so composed.

Good thing our Race license and entry fees go to these people wages, for 'facilitating and officiating'.

It seems to me that events like the Gran Fondo's, the Trans Rockies, the 24 Hour mountain bike and the Ride to Conquer cancer are doing a much better job at bringing more youth and vitality into cycling, while the ABA just tends to continually pedal backwards. I see the trend that has been occurring the last 10 years, in fact I've been a part of it. Long since are the days when the ABA was the only choice for people who wish to test themselves and actually try a recreational yet still competitive bike race. The numbers prove it, the race starts prove it, the feelings and 'talk-abouts' of the races are changing. And if the Alberta Bicycle Association doesn't take a long hard look at its morals, its ethics, and its mission statement... i foresee rebellion from Organizers who are having it 'up to here' with the blue t-shirt clad power hungry detached people who are essentially taking a recreational weekend for weeeknds warriors and ruining it with poor decisions. Organizers will one day exclude the ABA for all reasons other than race insurance, races will go the way in europe as how the ASO operates, and its already happening. We ( the organizers of races) will be excluding you in the future, if things don't change.

: } I understand the 'need' to develop athletes under the guise of the UCI for interests of National and International competitions, especially when many great Canadians do go to the World Stage in our Sport, a small few.

So what about the ethics of participation ? Rather than thoughtless regulation.

Sorry to hear about all the DSQ's yesterday, perhaps some of you genuinely earned it, but I know Two people who certainly did not. And rather than all the good, these two people regularly do for their sports and respective categories, this last weekend they're left with a nasty and awful taste in their mouth, from Officials with the ABA.

thats my rant.

The Act II

2011-07-27T18:17:00.024-06:00

Thought it was time for a race report. I think my brain has recovered enough to fire up the neurons that have mostly been in a coma since that fateful day in France. Featuring 208 kilometers that include 12,000 feet of climbing.

Issiore to St Flour would also be the first day of 'serious climbing' for the 2011 Tour De France. Riders in the TdF would be facing nearly 6 hours in the saddle over the undulating and often sketch ass dangerous course, myself ? Over 7 hours.

If you followed the TdF you'd know this in the Stage where Vino crashed, the Media car struck some riders... and there were more DNF's than any other stage. I'll tell you why...

I originally registered for the Etape over the winter when buddy Joel reminded me once again how awesome it was the last 3 times he's done it, so OK, I was in. This year for the first time le tour d'Etape (France's oldest Gran Fondo) added a second stage, during the weekend following the first event that was held in another region featuring the Alpe D'uez.

Based on the profile of the two events I chose the longer distance stage, the Act II, of course :)

To skip all the details of the tour company we hired, and the friends we made there will only save for another story, so I'll keep this report to the bike race only.

I tried to 'apply' for a good seating, based on a brief rider resume I sent to the ASO, which you can do. I really had no idea of what to expect other than there would be 100 invited riders/ Pros with a separate 5 minute head start, with the 'main' field limited to the available 6888 Entry's. Fields broken into 500's starting 5 minutes apart.

Picking up our race packages the day prior at the EXPO, I was awarded with #1188. OK. Sounds rad ! Except Joel and Ash got #'s 1680 and 1682, meaning they would be required to start in the 3rd coral for #'s 1500-1999, and 5 minutes back (of me) start time. Haha.. but trust those guys they managed to somehow sneak into the next (mine) starting coral and we were a Team of 3 once again. Joel and Ash with Niklas Group and myself in full Top Gear, representing Calgary and Canada.

{ at this time.. it's raining and the temperature is cooling, and its raining, and ya it's really raining. The conditions are getting worse and the sky's don't look very friendly, my adrenaline is boiling over... I love shit weather races.

Unknown to us at this time, but the poor weather from the preceding 24 hours deterred over 1000 Race Pack pickup riders from Starting, they DNS because of the rain and the forecasted potentially near snowing temperatures higher in the Massif.

The official starting field I believe was about 4200 riders.

BOOM! The 1st start takes off... the pro's and semi pros... with the First Etape wave grinding their teeth behind them waiting to blast off ! They go off, then the second group, 500-999 goes off.... BOOM !

"The first 90 kilometers is up hill.. great.... when do we get to go dammit ??? "

Roll up, our chute is under the Banner, the crowds are going gonzo underneath their umbrellas and rubber coats. I look around, so many guys shivering, not wearing any sleeves or legs. And then there's the other end of the spectrum with some people looking like they just dropped $500.00 at MEC rain gear section. Myself I'm wearing my Top Gear Team windbreaker, the water is shedding off. My arms are dry and warm underneath the top end Champsys garment, with my CC sleeves on, and some Mavic knee warmers I though it was pretty balmy actually, about +12 maybe ?

During the Roll Up Joel and Ash get ahead of me, about 30 people or so. The 1st group now has nearly 15 minutes a head start; [ yet we all still have timing chips that will provide us with Individual Times], nice.

There will be Race provided Neutral Feed stations all along the race, and our hired gun Tour guys, will also have two separate 'Private stations' for us Riders. Overall I think our Tour group was 10-12 people ?, plus some spouses, but not everybody in our group started the Etape. Again, the weather was more like Belgian cyclocross conditions.

BOOM ! we're off. My pockets are loaded, I even have a 3rd bottle on hand. Some Slayer Raining Blood is blasting in the Ipod, and I know Seasons in the Abyss is coming up next. We swerve and corner through town in about 4km, then we have it.. pure open roadway, no cars, closed course in the mountains in France, for 208km. Cyclogasm.

There is a long false flat leaving Issiore. This is where we found out that not only was it raining, but the wind was coming straight at us and to the right shoulder, pretty much from the W, SW off of the Cantal ( Europe's largest and dormant, Volcano). After a really fast start of 36-38km/hr, the pace starts to slow as we reach the first significant grade, around km 40. I have unfortunately lost contact with Ash and Joel behind me and am Soloing through the masses. Groups as large as 30 are all huddled together behind the wind, being driven by the rain and yet they still hammer on. I manage to go near the front of the groups and look for comrades to work with in efforts to gain more ground on those ahead. My efforts are rewarded, although I'll tell you that nobody was into Racing at this point. It seemed far too 'early' for many of the riders. There would be small teams in like jerseys, drilling it. With other riders as random as anybody anywhere, going to the front and taking a pull. Nice bikes and brand names I've never seen would roll back behind as I kept attacking... making progress.

Over the top of the first bigger climb I'm pulling into an ugly wind. 800 meters ahead I see another Groupetto.. my glasses are blurred by the rain but I can see I have the whole road ahead of me. 25 riders or so try to echelon behind me but I suck the very edge of the left side ditch and just slay everyone into the brutal wet crosswinds. Someone is yelling angrily in french.. , at me ? I pull over to the right to afford more protection to the rider and riders behind me, but nobody pulls through to relieve me... I nudge my elbow... nobody pulls through.

"FK you then", i go hard I pull towards my roads edge and SLAM! a guys grabs my jersey on my left shoulder and is yelling.. I turn to face him, I react to to punch him right in the Oakleys with a hard left, but I grit my teeth instead while others are yelling at him. Coinciding I grab his jersey with my free hand and could easily chuck him into the barbed wire... he lets go hastily. And I attack. After a long rainy grind I catch the next groupetto with the aid of a big downhill. For some reason I'm down hilling much faster than the Euros' ??? Then I realize why, they're all shivering and can barely hold onto their bikes. Motorcycle Safeties are assisting riders, already ? Really ? I realize that the crazy weather Calgary gives us may just be the perfect training for anything France could throw at you ?... maybe thats why Julie Beveridge does so awesome in France ? She's from the Rockies. ?

... The rain never stops, it's probably 8 degrees and falling.

I'm having fun and am now moving into riders around my level. We group up and work together as the longest climb of the event comes near, the Col du Pas de Peyrol. The clouds are thick as we ascend into a mist that simply engulfs the mountain side. Grinding away near 6%-10% incline for over 7 kilometers I don't actually lose any positions in my group, but one french guy and a Team Russia kit rider are basically waiting for me to summit with them. There is paintings all over the climb, on the road, " ANDY " .. CONTADOR.. and many others.

After the Puy du Mary there are 4 other Category climbs. On each one I manage to move ahead passing riders now, but finding them more and more sparse. I pass some Team Sky Pro womans and some SKY regional riders. I'm starting to see double digit numbers and I realize I must be near the top 250 riders now. Wow, how cool is that !? I keep drilling it.

I miss the 2nd only Custom Getaways Feed zone as it was in this big tourist parking lot area where you had to exit the race route and actually detour down into the FEED/ Aid area... F That! I was racing here and there was no way I was tired enough to pull way off the road for a drink, not yet anyways....

The sun starts to come out and I immediately break into a drenching sweat, " Holy crap turn the heat down ". I stop a feed zone near KM 175 and I see some golden sugar covered pound cake. I grab a handful about size of a Shih tzu and stuff it into the machine... all while filling a bottle with the free race juice. Then get back on an Jam hard again. I catch up to the young French guy I'd now been riding with. He didn't speak any english but when I called him, "THE MAN"... he laughed and called me, " the Professional" . The young guys yellow windbreaker and small wire rimmed spectacles made me realize I was now 'In the shit'.

Catching a small group of 6-8 riders on some false flats I don't hesitate to sit in, we passed the 50km to GO sign not far back, Frenchy sits on with the group and I attack over to the far left, going away with nobody responding. All this time we've passed castles and valleys with rivers, and fields of lavender and sunflowers. And hundreds and hundreds of people all out watching us Velo allez allez... viva le France.

With 20KM to go I'm still ahead of the last group, I've caught and passed a couple other riders who appear just broken. A long look back and a Pace Moto is riding with the group, then riding up to me and then back again. He asks me, " you are the Canadian ?" And gives me a time split to the chase, oh great, there is a chase.. It's Frenchy and his yellow windbreaker and he's driving the pack. 8KM to Go.... 5KM to go.... Up hill finish. I catch a couple more last few riders before the final sick 12% climb for 2.2 KM. Several riders in the chase attack Frenchy and he is left behind, they're coming after me. I turn the hairpin and the people are there cheering for me, my knees hurt, "this is supposed to be recreational !" ... ATTACK ATTACK ATTACK ! I pass one more rider as one guy from the chase passes me right at the line.

The 'favorite' from our Tour company 'Olivier', is standing there getting assistance from Petr. They both look and can't believe its me ? ?.. what ? At our dinner table the night before Olivier asked me in strong french accent, " what are your intentions tomorrow ? "

answer : " to crush you ".

Olivier started in the front group, 3rd row, and finished 20th. I finished 27th, and still 1/2 hour behind the Winner. But had earned a handshake from the french pro.

After a brief stop to warm up at TS 80KM, Ash and Joel continued on the route, Joel finishing really well time wise but of course was penalized his stopping duration, while Ash suffered 3 flats and an eventual broken Lemond frame; to finish anyhow ! no matter what with about 4 gears. That was impressive ! And BTW I had a blast hanging with you guys and would do ETAPE again in a heart beat.

.. In the end I heard there were more than 2000 DNF's, and the Course declared Closed for Time Cutoff at KM80 because of the weather. With this Etape ACTII declared the toughest ever ?

.. .. and I thought I was on vacation ?

2011-07-25T08:10:00.004-06:00

Well going to France was a pretty neat experience overall. I intentionally had gone over specifically to compete in a bike race, but the whole visit was much much more than that. Many areas of the country have extremely interesting connections to history.
One of the places I enjoyed was the Lyon Parc, its a free parc that you just walk in, enjoy, and walk out. No admission fees etc etc.
The zoo itself was pretty cool. Although I'm not one for seeing large wild animals inside Plexiglas boxes, seeing some of the other creatures, some I'd never seen before, was a great opportunity to practice some photography.

while in Lyon. from dallas on Vimeo.

later France

2011-07-19T14:10:00.008-06:00

I'm sitting at my hotel desk in Lyon, imagining that the blog could capture the true essence of the experiences that have occured... somehow it feels like an uphill task ? There are hundreds of photos, hours of video, amazing memories and a few small take home items of remembrance. But as anybody who has travelled knows, its how it feels that you wish to take home.

The last meal in France tonight was a great combination of Indian at the 'New Delhi Restaurant'. Why would I not go out and find something 'french' you ask ?.. well lets just say I was hoping to order something I could pronounce. And since I'm from Canada I knew Hindi would be close to home. .. as well as tastefull. I'm not really a food connoisseur by any means, but a couple beers, 2 samosa and some cheese naan sounded like a great starter, followed with some curried lamb and veggies on a side of jasmine rice.

Lyon is a visually over powering city by a new comers standards. There are so many eras of human history here, from Roman, to Gothic, Renaissance, and of course the Modern. Its kind of strange to know this is the 3rd largest city in France, yet is about the same size as the Calgary core, divided by two major rivers, the Saone and the Rhone.

About a week before I came here though, I was in Aix en.

2011-07-01T10:59:00.000-06:00

Happy Canada day weekend from Nosehill PArk ~!

Tour Divide

2011-06-09T12:23:00.003-06:00

This is a relatively 'extreme' event that is becoming more and more popular each year. The Tour Divide. Local rider Tori Deadgoat Fahey will be starting this grandiose adventure as of tomorrow June 10th. Most riders are able to carry a SPOT GPS and you can watch from home of their progress as they mountain bike the back country roads and currently snowy passes from Banff Alberta to the Mexico border, unsupported. I think there were about 75 starters on the list.
( hope you're packing snowshoes)

I think the current fast time is something like 17 days ? Go Tori !!

the rain.

2011-05-27T22:51:00.004-06:00

It was Apocalypse of the Worms out there lately, with several days of consistent rain. Riding my bike to work it was impossible not to run over the struggling terra bound life forms as they climbed aboard the only ark they could find, the asphalt bike path. With one such fellow attaching itself to my front tire only to be flung into the air, hitting the wind, blowing right into my face making the little gross piece sticking to me, almost going down the intake. Nasty, but at least it wasn't a slug.

The history of the duration of rainy days, in addition to the total days with rain and millimeters measured of precipitation in Calgary, historically proves this area to be rather 'dry'. In addition with the altitude and mountain effected weather zones, the rain storms we do see here can be quite 'powerful' some would say, but never really last more than three or four days. This is still enough time for smaller creeks and area rivers to swell to exponential flow volumes, leading to somewhat potentially dangerous and often destructive conditions, like the Elbow River, High River, Sundre etc. Luckily due to our elevation and slope, the water pretty much runs away from us quite quickly, to Manitoba for example.

In the patterns of rain, average rain and measured amount of precipitation, trends can be developed based on the historical measurements. Patterns indicate in recent decades levels of continuous or 'steady' precipitation are losing their predictability. One indicator that matches this trend is average snow fall, or winter precipitation. Any elder Natives or long time settled residents of Alberta all agree they remember times of a lot more and more frequent snow in the winter. Even though this last winter in Alberta was colder, its still only a part of the long term trend, which is warming and drier.

When rain comes down hard, one of the effects is of the disappearance of fertile sediments in areas where ecosystems 'do their thing'. These sediments are often washed downstream to be deposited somewhere else and recreate a new ecosystem where ever that may be; Unless the river is dammed, then int erupting this part of the the hydro logic cycle. And thus ruining once fertile landscapes downstream, like the Nile for example with vast areas of encroaching desert that was once natural farming land, barely 100 years ago.

Calgary is an isolated part of the country, weather wise. We don't experience any significant phenomenon like hurricanes, floods, mudslides or fires or geologic events like earthquakes and tsunamis, we're basically invincible here, doing what we please without fear. If there were a significant event that Emergency Response planners have modeled in the Calgary area its the chance of a very long and severely cold winter storm. Do you know what is required in a high rise office tower when the power goes down and the temperature drops significantly ?.. or a hospital for example ?. Weather can be badass. Remember those people stranded on the Highway 1 last winter in their vehicles ?.. The Emergency Services refusing to go out and help them ? Leaving them in there cars overnight at 45 below, and that was just one night. Are you prepared to do the same in your home ? For a week say ? How many of us are ?.. someone will save us right ? .. jesus ?
Really, think about it. Thats how delicate we are as a species, we basically survive, barely, in an environment that ranges from 40 degrees below zero to 40 degrees above. An 80 degree temperature range for our 'ideal' living conditions. Well take a second to realize the arctic average temperature has risen 3 degrees in the last 10 years, at a rate never witnessed by modern peoples.
Soon the arctic will be melted.

Speaking of, in the south west United States the country is experiencing a tornado season like never witnessed before. In regard to human damage there's been a record amount of deaths, and people missing. Newspapers read, "there are more of us spread farther apart", " with higher density populations in the 'tornado alleys', making us more exposed ?
But what is also occurring this year is a change in the actual number of tornadoes, there are several hundred more as compared to previous years, with more of them being stronger rating.

When I started to study climate change more seriously one thing I remember vividly was the temperature of the surface water in the Gulf of Mexico. How the temperature is measured, along with winds, pressures, temperatures, constituents of the water, etc., A very in depth project that was just really cool. Humans have began to learn so much more with space born instruments that we call 'weather satellites'. And this accurate and more importantly consistent measurement of all the changing variables show some exciting patterns.

1. As the earth warms in the last 50 years, the temperature of the water on the surface in the Gulf of Mexico also warms, and improves upon the ideal conditions for hurricanes. Recorded patterns show more frequent, bigger, and longer lasting hurricanes occurring from the Gulf of Mexico, in coordination with increased water temperatures.

But the best part, was the modelling. Predicting what is going to happen as temperatures rise one, two, three degrees centigrade. Hurricanes and also tornadoes are going to become even more powerful, and longer lasting. Tornadoes like are happening right now in the US, will last longer, getting bigger (up to 2 kilometers wide and thirty kilometer long swathes), within the next 5 years even.

..makes me want to go storm watching.

2011-05-25T22:43:00.000-06:00

trash

...

Max Slope =

2011-05-01T22:25:00.004-06:00

Some hardpack attack footage of the Wildcat Roubaix course was captured today, close up. Conditions look very fast and ultra scenic.

Thanks to Bill for the Gerbil map tour.

2011-04-27T22:12:00.012-06:00

So there I was in this place, never have been there before and a little under prepared at the same time, maybe. At night going into some deep snow on a muddy road on 700c tires. ? Rocks looked kinda like boulders in between the 4x4 ruts that I couldn't make out in the cloudy moonlight. Soooo, it was a for sure this way was not going to let me pass. So I turned around, doubling back on my tracks after all this long way, lost, somewhere around kilometer 170 . I was forced to turn around and seek shelter, or ride back to ... somewhere ? . It was clearly past dark and about 5 degrees Celsius. So either turn around, or risk a long night time road ride in the back country Okanagan, with little water and no food except one Gel. Waving my Bberry in the air, trying to get that one half bar, barely, to upload the map from Penticton going east over Carmi. But no, the map never uploaded, because this road was Off the Map, Carmi Creek forest service road ??? Stumbling in my stupidity, I use the Black berry light again to sort of see my way over to a road side sign and read it, "you're fucked " it says.

Setting out from sunny Penticton on a solo mission were the Orders of the day, although the day was more like afternoon since Okanagan wines were on the orders last night. It was nearly noon before I left behind north approaching rain clouds and the Okanagan Lake strip for the south east always sunny direction of Skaha Lake to OK Falls, and on to Vaseux Lake shortly after.

The valley was bright with that warming sun and the clouds were open high, shining straight down the valley in my direction. The roads were dry too, and came with a sweet tailwind that was sending me south at a very high average speed.

Motor traffic was still 'pre' season in regards, which was minimal, so riding felt safe.

Past Oliver around through detour, and head to the alternate 'bench route old Ranch road of course, passing Burrowing Owl Vineyard, to the old barns and across the bridge and into Osoyoos. The 7-11/ bike red cross is always the mandatory stop for randonator detonator epics like this was going to be, for some tasty Dixie Fried chicken and taters with a big Gatorade. I also hit up Double O bikes each visit and if you need a tube at a minimum its the place to go.

Hells yeah !

At times bike nerds will invade the 7 Eleven drooling and bonked out and wasted mad max anarchy riding victim style, leanign their sweat stained gross aluminum frames up against the windows... arriving either from Richters Pass to the west or those that return from an Anarchy climb. Anarchy psychosis was definitely approaching me too, this climb is so huge, I was scared, but not really, but ya. The Gods sent me a huge tail wind from the north, so up the first switchback I go, you know the one. up up and away !!!

Lets be clear, in my opinion, climbing Anarchy to the Summit, is not the same as climbing it only to the Bigfoot statue. The geography and geology changed geodramatically as I got higher and higher in altidude, trees get smaller and the air is cool and crisp with winter stillness and I actually knew I wasn't in Kansas anymore. In the middle of Coquihalla Hwy scenery ish. Huge. Lunar. Desolate. Landscapes and ranches...

... I climb for what seems like half hour segments... grinding up the HWY 3 east. The summit of the Anarchy is still under heavy setting of snowbanks in the brush and ditches are mixed with dry grass, water or deep snow drift. The snow that was still healthy, certainly called for a lower ambient base temperature than far behind me in the wine valleys.

I traverse the anarchy pass range and eventually am now descending from the Okanagan Valley to the Kettle Valley, to Rock Creek. ( see map ). Rock Creek is pretty frickin cool let me tell ya. Not so much one of the only cafe gas stops, but also the Intersection for HWY 3 and the Hwy 33 that goes north up the KVR. It was an amazing ride going up that valley, but getting too late now, I was getting worried. I got to Beaverdell a little later than I thought I would have, especially after the stop in Rock Creek where I basically broke their pastry section into apple turnover blitzkrieg and drank their hot chocolate machine empty with coffee mixer.

But if you ever desire a nice big long out and back, that will easily rival the 'toughness' of teh Ironman Loop, ride to Rock Creek from Penticton and return... (not what I did.)

Beaverdell is cool, you can tell its one of those places thats just rockin in the summer with campers, 4x4's , fishing bikes and boats, Yogi Beara. .. but dark... darker for sure. Once I got to Carmi Station, it was dark. But this is where the ride actually starts, Carmi Forest Service road up and over to Penticton. And a pretty serious ride no doubt, I thought I could die probably if I didn't turn around then. I didn't want to walking through snow in bike clothes somewhere in the dark I'd never been before./ Was bad enough I could hear guns going off out there in the dark somewhere as spring bear hunt was opening within days. ( And there were poachers out )
.

Anyways, I went to the nice bikers house and sorta yelled into his scrap yard, " Yo..hey..hello "
. Their Doby pitdog ratdog dog replies, " I'm gonna eat your balls for breakfast " barking through the front window, and suddenly I'm a little concerned. ' pitch dark out ' Old dude with cane and huge ZZ Top beard answers the door, I see a harley Davidson in behind him in the front porch.

" Uh ya man, I'm trying to get to Penticton and I thought the Carmi Road was here ? ".

" what ? " ... long pause/ " go back to Rock Creek or up to Kelowna. But you won't be going over the road, no fuckin way ".. ' walks away... shuts door on me. I take it as he wouldn't ride his Harley over the road >> Or I shouldn't try ?

Instead of Rock Creek or Kelowna, I take a different route over to the Carmi Forest service road turnoff again, gp up the road about 1km, when what do I see ? I see a fire. But it's so dark I can't even make out the people, so I approach this small sign of civilization that could either mean friend or potential foe for me, but I am not afraid.

And certainly, it was friend. jan and Jennifer from Kelowna, camping. Fed me beers and let me sleep in their truck for the night. thanks so much yo ! peace. The next morning, around 5 ish/6 I was pretty frickin cold sleeping in the Honda so I just decided to roll out as the sun came up. I then had to go back to Rock Creek, to Osoyoos, and then back up to Penticton, and I did.

It was like a back to back 170km. somewhere totally new to me. was awesome.

Wildcat Roubaix

2011-04-25T10:03:00.003-06:00

Wildcat Roubaix is coming soon ! Stay tuned, more details to come. Tech Guide is finished and all things are in order for one the toughest and most challenging (fun) bike rides of the spring in teh amazing back drop of the Rocky Mountain Foothills.. And yes it is now spring I am told.
Saturday May 7. Registration opening at 8:30am, racing starting at 10am for Cat A and 10:10 for Cat B.
Category Prizes and a Special Mens and Womens KOM Prize.

Conservative Parks politics, or just plain prejudice ?.

2011-03-27T16:14:00.004-06:00

I don't ever remember a Mountain Biker being attacked and killed by a bear ever in my whole life... running, yes, hiking, yes, tree planting, yes... but mountain biking ? Nope, never. Minnewanka Trail Closure.

Check check.

2011-03-20T19:04:00.010-06:00

After lasts years hugely popular Prairie Roubaix Presented by Speed Theory, I wanted to jump on the band wagon for a Spring Series event near Calgary and was able to create this darling little event, of madness. The Wildcat Roubaix, 1st born.

Be warned, this ride will KICK YOUR ARSE!, just completing the loop is very tough for an event deemed as 'Early in the Season' by some, yet will undoubtedly test the fitness of the Hearty and Motivated Racer types who have already been preparing for the upcoming Mountain Bike and Road Race seasons in and around Alberta.

Get out and do this ride Kids.

Rumour has it, Erik Bakke once had to push his bike up the Wildcat Pass one time ?! Yah, it's that tough... Road, cross, or mountain bike, this Ride represents Alberta Foothills landscapes like no other with vast prairie viewscapes shadowed by the snow topped Rocky Mountains..

I would recommend a cyclocross bike to make the pavement portions seem less arduous, but no doubt some will want the control of a 2.0" front mountain bike tire on the Wildcat Rd. gravel downhill. Myself, I would still ride a good ol' fashioned 700c road rocket.

Come on out. Will be awesome. Prizes. Only $10. Non-Licensed racers welcome.

Saturday May 7. Ages 8 - 80

{

2011-03-07T00:24:00.004-07:00

What do you do when its -20 all the time; and riding outside kinda sucks; and sitting on your trainer for more than 20 minutes feels like a colonoscopy lobotomy ? ... travel thats what. Get the hell out of Canada. You never know what you'll find, maybe even a little basket case.

2011-03-02T19:56:00.010-07:00

While visiting the San Francisco Bay area in California , Kailee and I brought our cameras everywhere of course. One morning we were up early, around 5 sih?maybe and bombed down to the Golden Gate before sunrise. The resulting views... (my first time at the bridge) were so cool. And the sunrise was really wicked as it came up over Alcatraz.

From there we started our 1ong walk back to Fisherman Wharf, on the Bay multipath.

If you click a pic you'll get full res.

Land of freedom.

2011-02-19T20:26:00.007-07:00

What is the land of freedom ? haha.. well it's the land of cheap beer ! that's right. A 6 pack of bottles, some snacks and it's not even a 10$ tab !?, gotta love my USA friends. But to add, however viewed as sarcastically or not, some people ( local Californians) find out Kailee is from Alberta and they ask, " whats going on there with your Oil sands ? " with disgust etc, I smirk appreciatively. Although knowing that the comments come from Canada's largest importers of our carbon based energy resources ( the people in question). Yes, the land of freedom is still the land of excess and ostentatious attitudes none the less, although cheap beer rules IMO.

Today Kailee and I, well actually Kailee, power walked/ hiked all around San Fran... myself barely keeping up with her fast young legs. But we saw: Alcatraz, the Fishermans Wharf area, the San Francisco absolutely stunning Farmers Market, a Marching Band rocking out in a public plaza, ( #1 ) the Chinese New years parade celebrating the Year of the Hare (unto which my mother delivered me), the San Fran China Town, a Bike Bike style City Bike boutique, 'My Dutch Bike', the Italian district... and my personal favorite, the Mulholland Store, of hand made 'Ultra' designer handbags and one of kind leathers. .. leave it to my girl to point out the first bag she 'likes', a bright orange alligator bag that rings in at no less than $11200.00. Kailee says, " you mean $1100.00? ".. Ya, that's right, no, $11200.00 . I thought it was pretty nice too, but I'm not trading in my car for a down payment for the purse sweetheart. (It's the thought that counts ?)
Oh, and I had some awesome all organic homemade super light puff pastry Chicken Pot Pie, on the dock, next to the ocean.. Damn... what a great day. ( see below :)

The Farmers Market from outside.
inside..

a chocolatiere

dockside seafood

p.s.. There are a ton of other photos ( some coming up) and video from the parade, which just blew us away. The Chinese New Year celebration in San Francisco is proclaimed as the 2nd largest Chinese New Year celebration outside Asia, and we're a part of it tonight ! just awesome. .. plus Alcatraz which is only too cool knowing my Uncle Al worked in the prison system for many years. i imagined him working at Alcatraz.. The inmates telling stories of how they could smell and would attempt to determine the source of the aromas that would waft across the Bay to the world most famous center of incarceration.
cool visit so far for a 'studying' weekend away.

Thanks for checking in.

...

2011-02-12T18:36:00.007-07:00

So some friends are helping some other friends move. You know, moving... I know the friends in mention but am simply ( luckily) not close enough a dear friend myself, to you know, move them, eh. But the chatting Friends were and are, so good on them, i guess.
I mean we all know about moving right ? It sucks, correct ? I mean Yes every once in a rare solstice we pretend that our civic duty as 'friends' is that we are entitled at some time to do the admirable friend thing and help you move, at least once, no ? So ya. . It is a hugely thankful gesture of being a Friend and we all appreciate it sometime in our lives.

Onward: The Friends have their minivan Loaded, ready to make the trip over to their friends new house. With two chioces they can follow the friends in caravan behind them or whatever, but they know the way by now.
So on their duteously friendly way, shortly behind the friends, the cell phone rings, and it's the friends !.
" Hello, \uh ya hey, it sounds like a box fell off our pickup and landed in an intersection and we just never noticed. Anyways a Cabby stopped right away and picked up the contents and is supposedly nearby at the Cab Depot or something. I guess our address and phone number was on the box so he just called us. Would it be a huge bother if you could swing over there and grab whatever it was for us ? "... friend.

" Uh ya, no problem, whats the address or where is the Cabby ? 'Girl friend' will look up the address on her Iphone and we're on our way ".

So. The Friends agree to call, and meet the Cabby at his specified location, no worries, it turns out he was just over at the Shwarma place taking a quick break. Friends in mention, arrive at said Shwarma place and meet the Cabby with no further distress. A described 'large' East Indo man comes out to his car and opens the Taxi trunk. And what appears before the Friends, in amongst a pile of busted up and dirty cardboard ?.. a whole bunch of sex toys. The friends sex toys.

The story, as described in cheezy Punjabi accent imitation, " There were batteries all over the road and stuff was rolling around and some even got ran over but this is what I saved".

That's just great I imagine... what an nobel man. Were they 'still usable'.. barely run over... just a bit of road rash ?. You can still use em ....?

ahhh.... Friends. you make me laugh.

2011-02-03T19:38:00.002-07:00

For May long weekend if anyone wants to ride the GT, Golden Triangle one Day, plan ahead yo /?. barring really bad weather ? cheers

Vitamin D

2011-01-18T21:22:00.006-07:00

Have you ever been out to Richards Road ? .. past Waiporous Village >? turn left at the Y , double back south west and head down to the Ghost River. The bank has some awesome snowshoe trails, fresh pow n stuff/ no avalanches either, just bomber sunshine. .. or if you go the way I do you go through Morley on the HWY 1A, and take the back way through the Res to Richards Road. then to the river ?

Twas good.

2011-01-12T23:54:00.002-07:00

.. when I'm out there.. and I mean out there. That's when I'm at home. .. out there. 800 km in, no sleep, and cyclocrossing.
; racing something, or someone.. or nobody at all. you can't even tell most of the time. You try to tell yourself you're racing that girl behind you, or that guy up the way... but it's just a rouse. It's yourself you're trying.

508 Last Stage highlights. from dallas on Vimeo.

wax nerds.

2011-01-10T20:11:00.003-07:00

I don't know if any of you xc skiiers out there do your own waxing ? or have wondered about it ?. But if you want to get into some garage tuning, you can make an easy ski form with some wood and mtb tires, or you can get the real deal. the skioli.' A long time ago, I had a job to wax skis n boards, an all that good shit . XC waxing is awesome. so I thought i'd geek out and make a ski form over the fall for this winter, and this video to show my buddy trev. haha.

Skioli One. from dallas on Vimeo.

2011-01-10T19:03:00.007-07:00

Actually Craig, that is what I do, and how's the Forrest Griffin ? . here's a few examples of projects I have some significant time into; some prototype stuff. ,. it's a learning process.

Solar Home

Solar Car

This picture is a little distorted to protect your intellectual properties from the oil companies, and you from being able to obtain the 80 mile per hour carbon fiber car . A badass piece of 4130 chromoly rod. . this is the main axle of the solar car. The solar motor main drive, that mounts into the motor housing. This piece here, holds a single brake flange with a 10" diameter stainless rotor. Also, two magnet holder flanges bolt to this an equal space apart, which match the coils mounted in the housing, rotor stator principle. The whole unit then has a single tire attached to it, mounted in the chassis, then is connected to the array. The (mechanical) heart of the solar car, and i got to make that at work.

And one of my personal favorites. the Pedal Generator, in association with Dr. Irvine Hallidays 'Light up the World Project'.

... if you hafta work like i do. it's feels good to get behind it. the team work is really awesome.

Extreme Ice

2011-01-09T09:11:00.016-07:00

For me, maybe not you or people close to you, but for me and many others... this is THE news.

I feel sickened when I look at the MSN homepage or Calgary SUN and really all that's included on these daily rags is 90% rhetorical crap. Are there not more important issues to be sharing with the world than how that 'star' got a DUI and crashed her car, what cyclist was implicated in a doping scandal, what 'new' car is coming out next year or what new medical prescription will fix your depression... you are wasting your life and you need to aim higher. It is a shame that we accept so much of this, as news. I understand that the USA invented and deployed the A Bomb to adapt and overcome a global circumstance in the past, but are we really that confident that if something unatural happens on our planet today that we have the power to overcome it ?

I'm certainly no psychology major, and I can't tell what the stigma is about human nature that pronounces us to only think about our selves and our short term actions and goals (self preservation of course ). But should our compassionate and caring traits not steer us in morally responsible directions ? Such as our peoples future and our global environment as a whole, and that of our future generations. Our genetic pattern dictates we mate and reproduce to ensure the survival and success of our species, well I ask you this, is survival such a hard thing now as it was 200 years ago ? What concepts should we be pursuing today to ensure a healthy future survival ? Is it more oil sands development, more pipelines, more off shore rigs ? Is it the latest automobile with all the comforts of home, the latest iPhone ? What will you do personally in your life to ensure our species survives successfully past one generation ? If you don't really care, why are you here ? What are your real meaningful purposes and contributions in life ? .. for me, I like to think I live a somewhat healthy life. And that I make choices to reduce my reliance on social medical programs. I've been provided with a significant amount of information that tells me that exercise and physical challenge leads to better health, and I try to influence others to do the same.

Humans have changed the world in a way that no other species ever have, and certainly not in a good way as far as the planet is concerned. We murder mountain gorillas and rare tigers and bears, we destroy entire forests for the exotic woods for materialistic purposes, we burn and desecrate nature at a rate that disallows healthy adaptation and recovery. We are responsible for more extinction of species, more global pollution, more destruction of forests and lands and waters etc etc, in exchange for industry and capitalistic profit driven ideals. And for what ? To ensure our survival ?

Always fascinated by nature and the effects humans have on it ( positive or negative) I started to study more and more, read more, watch programs, listen to and research both sides of a hypothesis. While trying to not be too much of a 'tree hugger' as my parents would say.

.. Even if you dispute 'man made global warming', the facts show for the last 35 years that global climate change is occurring at a rate never witnessed or discovered before/ barring the great asteroid that possibly killed the dinosaurs, things are changing around us. Things like atmospheric CO2 levels never seen before, not even before many ice ages ago. Loss of forests, loss of potable water, loss of self reliance. Fossils fuel usage is responsible for much of this, yes, I believe that. The earth isn't an infinite vessel, it is a contained system, think about it, if we pump ton after ton of CO2, car, coal, and factory exhaust and global gases into the air don't you think they will eventually make a planetary change ? Of course they do! If you get in your car and plug a hose from your exhaust into the car and start the car you will be asphyxiated in a short time. Well the earth is no different, it is a fixed volume, and it is filling with greenhouse gases, and yes, there is a fixed time before we start to get poisoned. Example, mercury particles from factory and auto exhausts are becoming evident in breast milk of nursing mothers of Arctic indigenous peoples, the mercury is accumulating in their food supply and it comes from global pollution delivered to the north by wind currents. .. that's gross. Mercury is bad if you didn't know that already. And has been measured in extremely high and increasing levels in the food chain of the Natives north of Ft McMurray... why ? For our survival, right.

Scary concept : If a HUGE monumental winter storm formed over eastern Canada, a storm so devastating that electric power was disabled and the usual grids of daily life were broken down... how long do you think it would be before social order and governmental control broke down ? A week ? Seven days ? Seriously, how would you survive 7 days in northern Canada with no household services or economic electricity ? How would you stay warm ? How would you stay nourished ? ... Are you prepared with solar or wind powered home electric generation systems ? Is this a risk you're willing to take ? What if ? ...

One thing I understand is this, when Ice caps and Glaciers melt, the fresh water mixes with salty sea water, changing the salinity and associated density of said ocean water near the mixing point. As the ice caps melt at a rate never witnessed by modern humans, the overall effect is yet to be understood even partially. We do know though, that as the density of the sea water changes in the Antarctic and Arctic oceans, it minutely effects the ocean currents in regards to flow patterns and circulation. This in turn is changing the associated wind and weather patterns connected to that water. We also know that ocean levels are rising and this coordinates with the recorded warming of global temperatures via stronger sea and land based storms, animal migration patterns, expanding deserts, changes in the Jet Stream patterns, less regular rain yet more frequent and powerful floods, and the decline of global food production capabilities. I don't really wonder when the tipping point will come as I'll be gone by then I'm sure, but something is going to happen and those people reliant on entitlement based societies will suffer the most, because they have the most to lose.

This is just a piece of a nearly hour long critically acclaimed program. Enjoy it if you have the time, the main feature is posted to link in the title.

Watch the full episode. See more NOVA.

2010-12-24T15:55:00.003-07:00

Merry Christmas to y'alls from Dalrock.blogspot. We hope all your 2011 adventures lead to hallucinations and spiritual enlightening... with or without your bike ( preferably with ).

Special thanks to all the friends and family and Sponsors from 2010, Top Gear Cycling, Bow Cycle, Calgary Cycle, Joel @The Niklas Group, Radical Lights and Mom n Dad too. And Kailee, Bob and Brent from Furnace Creek 508 Team 2010. Peace yo.

dallas

Spartacus

2010-12-18T16:02:00.001-07:00

2010-12-15T23:08:00.009-07:00

If you guys go down to Loco 510 ? My buddy Scotty is the DJ there, and rocks out in a rare and true record collector fashion. SteamWhistles are the bevy of choice and the Food is actually rated 3 star or something wicked. And the 510 was rated Best new Bar in Calgary, 2010.

And is really a classy hipster business rocker place you can ride your bike to.

That was awesome I ran into Scotty there ! We went to high school together and always ripped the shit outta the local mountain bike trails back home in Mackenzie. 1990. .. if you mention the Bodybag trail he'll know you're legit.

updates yo.

2010-12-14T19:48:00.003-07:00

Interesting concept this ' bike wash ' procedure. I pulled out the bottom bracket of my cross bike a little too late possibly ?... like since last winter.. I think ?. Anyways as I pulled the crank shaft out i could see the litttle balls and pieces of metal in the void of the bracket. crumpled.
like me.

This past 8 ? or 10 weeks maybe I don't even remember anymore, I've been at school again taking two super intensive and comprehensive classes. basically one is theory and philosophy of accident incidents, and the other HSE business management. In real time, we re-report and complete two fatality investigations, two seperate circumstances, yet both fatal to the worker. ... business is the easy class. Eventually, probably after the fact that I finish my 4 year Machinst Apprenticeship, I'll also have a professional designation as credible EHS Consultant too.
In Arizona, somewhere, watch me. go.. to somewhere.. warm.

It's almost 2011. Want to send a shout out to my lighting sponsor Hiran at Radical. looks like I got an additional Promo to be featured for next seasons Racer Profiles. cool ! if I ever get to Oz, it'll be to visit Hiran buddy ! haha. Radical all the way.

I heard Top Gear is going to have an unfair advantage next year over the local racing scene ? That's right, I'm back ! BAM ! .. hopefully I can get a big gold watch to wear to the races to match the bling of Quinneys new bike. wowzaa. And who else is on the Team ? chris mcneil, mark mcdonald, boltron, jesse, the list goes on..... Cyrus, Crazee, papa Boyko, Ian the Dr of Cat 3 pain... Kobe, Dan.. oh mannn . .all we need now is Trev Williams !

EL Tour Divide. fk ya. google it. race across america on moutain bikes. Nufffff Said.

I ran into Gideon while riding a couple weeks ago. No not like how speed theory does, I stopped and shook his hand. It seems the National Masters ITT and Provincial Champ is recovering well and is planning a Time Trial dominance like no other. I don't see any reason for me to buy a Time Trial wheel now, anyway... Cheers G Man !.

Apperantly Kailee blew up her TAXC trainer at the Talisman during testing ??? I don't believe it but credible overseers said they smelled smoke !.. Kailees gonna crush it next year with a HUGE Sponsor with a new contract with The Niklas Group no less ! How awesome.
For any ladies wishing to enter some competitve Road Racing under a very supportive Financial sponsorship, send me a msg and I'll hook yee up. In addition to the racing there will be some very informative and Guiding Light of the Universe skills sessions.

OK> that's it for now. Putting the Cannondale Two Four back together tonight, with beers.

2010-12-09T21:27:00.002-07:00

WTF ? hasn't anybody been filling out the blog cheeze ? damn. Gotta get on it. Couple vids in the works here and some stormin PhotoTon torpedoes to be comiin at ya in full 18mps res.

2010-12-01T22:36:00.000-07:00

AW RAD!

the headwaters

2010-11-27T20:00:00.003-07:00

Was hanging out in Jasper, it was cool.

2010-11-17T12:30:00.002-07:00

Not too many updates here lately. Have been super busy with school, traveling, work and stuff. But yes, there has been some Two Wheeled action just before the Blizzard of Oz blew in. Anyhow, time to get those skiis waxed up if you got'em ? or toboggan, GT snow racer. etc .
HUGE news from Team Top Gear this week. Outstanding really. Special thanks to the Directors for all the hard work and motivation. 2011 is gonna be a ringer.

Click to view. Wild cactus. CraZeee

2010-11-01T22:46:00.003-06:00

Novembre.

2010-11-01T18:07:00.019-06:00

I doubt Rob Ford will ever 'get' cyclists. Why so ?, is there a debate there ? Does it date back into his early childhood life, so far back as to when he was a pudgy little kid ? And when there was a bike ride or neighborhood hide n seek or dodge ball, he was just too outta shape to keep up with his non Cheezy Poof destroying buddies ? And then they'd yell at him, "you suck! and has to 'keep up !', poor Robbie.
... These events would have undoubtedly shaped his life, in ways only his cardiologist will understand. Nuff bout that.

Recently I learned that Boulder Colorado is only one of three American cities to be awarded the distinction of 'Platinum' level, with the League of American Bicyclists, along with Portland Oregon and Davis California. Successes with the respective City Council in Boulder has led to initiated legislature that requires Bicycle Infrastructure investment throughout town, 16% of the Budget actually.

Novel concept, Bike 'Parking' at business' and places that are perhaps visited more than a little often, not just occasionally by bike users. A little different outlook than specifically catering to purely motorist infrastructure.

I argue regularly, "why isn't there a parallel Bike User Interstate alongside John Laurie Blvd ?, a Major east west thoroughfare to commute by bike in the North ? And why doesn't the new ring road have a parallel C-Train built alongside the same fell swoop ? A ring road C-Train that connects to the Inner City Links, right? MASS TRANSIT ? eh ? anyone ?

My view of the world is skewed, I think everyone should ride bikes.

Back to Furnace again, ahh the desert... I don't think of the long long Ultra rides to be a 'challenge' as like a challenge of competition, more so a spiritual challenge. And at times I feign confidence of potentially destroying myself too early in the ride by trash talking the 'competition'. If a competition happens, well it's probably just a lucky Bi-Product of the event, and not something you planned for. Just ask the guy on the front of the race, " was it hard ? ". "Were you planning to Win 100% ?" ... hardly )

The race, or the ride, no matter 5 kilometers, or 500 miles, brings something memorable. As soon as you get on your bike, a challenge is beset that you will soon discover.

And is it all about having fun ?... that's depends on your idea of fun.

Furnace Creek 508. Part 4. from dallas on Vimeo.

Toronto's new mayor.

2010-10-27T14:38:00.000-06:00

Cyclist hit by Motorist near the UofC

2010-10-27T10:13:00.003-06:00

I road to work today, in the flurries, on my road bike, that was sketch. Anyways, I drove to work yesterday and ended up seeing something rather unpleasant.

Since I work at the UofC I was driving down the Crowchild south, where I turn off at Brisebios and then onto the Brentwood Road, the road in front of the CO-OP, Jamiesons, etc. Usually I see cyclists on this stretch of road here and I have to wonder if there's not a safer route ? But since the 'Bike Path' kind of leads you here I suppose many confident riders go this way for a shorter distance etc ?.
Anyways I pass Jaimesons, and am into the single lane on the right when up ahead I see a car dart out to the left and then pull back in to the right. Most cars want to turn right up here so they can get into the Crowchild South offramp. So then there's a big commotion of brakes lights ahead and I can't really see what going on...

Then it seems that a car pulls over, another car keeps going, and then the traffic is slipping through ... I pull up to see 3 people assisting a girl on the road, a Cyclist, who was hit from behind basically 30 feet from the red light/turn/ intersection. It was a pretty ugly scene. I roll up in my car with the window down and one of the helpers yells, " we called an ambulance" .. As I hear the audible blaring coming from the nearby UofC Ambulance/Midweek Station. I look down on the road and all there is a mangled mess of rubber, metal, and the remnants of a red rear blinky. All I can barely make of the bike for a Model is a CJSW sticker on the top tube, everything else looks just crushed.
The girl, crying, seems to be ok ? but from what I can see it looks like maybe she has a dislocated knee or a broken leg, I really couldn't tell. But she really got runned over good.

Reminder to you bike people out there, the season of darkness is upon us. And I don't just mean the dark reality of Bike Commuting in Calgary. You need more than one little red blinky, you need HI Visibility clothing, Several rear lights, several Good front lights, and most certainly you need to be more diligent in your riding. Your life could depend on it.

Random Cheeze

2010-10-16T19:57:00.014-06:00

It was really cool to not only traverse the Death Valley at night during the bike race, but we also drove through it backwards, on our way from Las Vegas into California.

In particular we stopped at the old Ashford Mills gold mine from 1913 ish, we stopped at Badwater, and at the north end of the park at Stovepipe Wells. The area was really spectacular with vivid colors of the mountain contrasting to the white salty valley, and the black rocks of ancient lava flows. .. and yes, it was hot with plenty of blue sky ...

little geckos dashing here and there on the road.

This is a photo of Badwater, Death Valley National Park, USA. At 282 feet below sea level, the lowest place of elevation in North America, and the second lowest place on earth. If you look over towards the mountain to the right, there is a sign 282 feet up it that says, " sea level ". It's a unique place that's for sure, and although the tribes people of the Timbisha Shoshone may not have known the Badwater was actually below sea level, it was a special place to them as well. Of course white people eventually desecrated the area with litter, native banishment, 4x4 tracks through the water and so on... but hey, I'm glad I got to see it. Badwater is called so because the first white guy who went there, his mule wouldn't drink from the water, hence the name Badwater. The water is not actually poisonous in any way, only salty. And supports a variety of life including the rare Badwater Snail which lives in the briny environment.

From the little parking area it's possible to take some pictures now without impacting the water pools via a wooden platform. You can also walk out onto the salt flats from the same location. Caution is urged in the area as the salt may only be a thin crust on top of deep soft mud. I myself didn't make the walk out on the flats as the temp on the van was reading 44 degrees that day, and I was trying to conserve as much energy as possible for the impending Mission.

During the Race event I found myself on the chase as we travelled through this area at night. I was riding in 4th position through Furnace Creek, with Akita the recumbent guy tight on my wheels. Far in the distance I chased the flashing lights of Crow and Chesapeake Bay Retriever for what seemed like forever... eventually losing sight of Terry Lentz the Overall winner, with Chris RAM Ragsdale still over half an hour ahead at that time, myself continuing to chase Crow for the next 10 hours. Akita seemed to get dropped on the Death Valley flats as the night wore long and dark, the hours of tedious pedaling pedaling pedaling taking their toll on us, no respite, no downhills, only pitch dark flats for 140km. We never saw the Akita guy again, but the Carp, Todd Carpenter decided to catch up to us just before Shoshone, so again, a race was on.

This is where the true life of the desert came alive, scorpions as large as the palm of my hand doddling across the road. My compact Cateye EL55 light was sufficient for light on the flats, as I saved the Radical battery.. And as the beam from the cateye would light the road in front of me, the headlights from the minivan would then create shadows off of every feature that was on the road. dozens of mice, rats, scorpions and tarantulas, and all the above in carcass form as well, after being run over by motorists. Myself, I could see the life that was scurrying about, as I silently glide past. Quickly dodging way of the little animals, not wishing occurrence with any such things named 'scorpion'. Although we did see a little coyote who ran out on the road and chased us for a little bit.. ( my Indian name is Coyote ).

After the Death Valley, was the climb out. A serious SOB of a MOFO climb. Two passes consecutively, Jubilee Pass and Salisbury Pass. The is where Terry Lentz passed Chris Ragsdale for 1st position, I was a ways back from that battle, chasing for 4th and trying to hold off 5th and 6th. And so at this piont in the race, the biggest climbs, Chris' strength and Terry's inhuman tolerance for pain were showing the light, far ahead of me.

Going into Death Valley was pretty awesome, and hot, for all the talk about, " it's cold at night in the desert ", well no, it wasn't actually, it was scorchin, even at midnight, + 28, +30, but what an experience of a life time. 300km into the race and the adrenaline is still pumping, the Team is stoked. .. and with that, more Cheezy Vid.

Furnace 508, etc. Time Station 2 to 3. from dallas on Vimeo.

When in Boulder City NV

2010-10-11T14:01:00.008-06:00

One of the things I like to do is collect Bike Shop business cards. I have a lot, trust me. There was never a purpose to always buy something or have a serious need to go to the most local bike shop for just no reason, especially if you go there and find out they sell Treadmills too...
but... if I can go, I will. On the day we toured down to the Hoover Dam from Las Vegas, I had one of those chances :)

All Mountain Cyclery was well air conditioned, like Euphoric AC, i swear they were injecting ozone or something ? And after hanging at the Super Huge Hoover Dam for a couple hours in the high 30's canyon heat.. phew. Too bad AMC didn't sell Hammer Products with the 5% label. But ya, it was a great stop.

.. So the guy from California/ sales guy who talked like Anthony Kiedis. claimed that we were lame for not bringing our MTB's. And i just thought, " doesn't your super long hair get caught in your suspension ? "
But ya I guess he didn't know anything about the 508 either. Or that Brent Strand was there in his shop, so no Autographs please.
But hey, " if you can ride here, you can ride anywhere ", the Pioneer Trail, or Bootleg Canyon.
thanks, awesome dude. rock on.
Some of the INTERBIKE Free Rides were out there.

And thanks, yes, there was this, out front of AMC, ... The Jack-a-lope Tall bike, mountain bike. Just simply awesome.

And their Card is really crisp, heavy glossed card on a nice guage, in full colour, with a small map to Bootleg on it. ... b

Happy Thanksgiving Canada !

2010-10-10T18:11:00.005-06:00

Since it gets colder here in Calgary than it does in Santa Clarita, us Canadians decide to have Thanksgiving a little earlier than our southern cousins, like tomorrow :) I can't really remember what thanksgiving was about, since it's not really a huge deal for Thor and Odin. .. except that it was pilgrims who gave Thanks, for pumpkin pie n stuff... like cyclocross ? Ya, cyclocross.

Well then, thank you.

Last weekend I went for a little ride while down in California, it was a 508 mile ride. 820 kilometers one stretch, one way, 8 Time Stations.

No, I didn't sleep, neither did the Crew.. but I did rest my eyes I remember as I stopped in Baker shortly, Time Station 5. 'Rest my eyes', yup, after the Stage between Shoshone and Baker, where a constant 15 mile/hr breeze was blowing directly into my face, for 80km or so... My eyes were just trashed. I don't know exactly how many retinal skin flakes blew away, but it was lots, my eyes have gone from blue to desert grey between the bloodshot lines.
( I never used the ITT helmet with visor at night because my Radical Light was mounted on the Rudy)

Today I went riding with Kailee. It was super cool to be on the bike again, after a week off. I was kinda wishing my 'cross bike wasn't in pieces so I could be out riding that right now... but hey.. it's just the trails and the leaves are so vivid.

In hindsight, I don't seem to be as traumatized after the 508 ride, like I have been after past Ultra efforts. I guess thinking about it I have over a dozen Ultra rides or more under my belt now in the last few years. But I didn't expect it to be this easy, like it was only a Sunday race ?
More so, I'm traumatized because the Furnace 508 didn't traumatize me. Should it have / What's the term... 'desensitized'.. ?

The Course at the Furnace Race, and the amount of participants is what makes it special. It's a huge race, absolutely the biggest field I've ever seen in a Marathon Cycling event... 75 + solos ? Awesome.

... the cold reality for some though, is it's lonely out there, Off the front.

Racing to California City, and to Trona. from dallas on Vimeo.

Marko's World attempt. 3600 laps.

2010-10-08T23:59:00.005-06:00

24 Hours World Record Marko Baloh 03 from groox on Vimeo.

Going Aero

2010-10-07T21:44:00.008-06:00

My white Rudy time trial aero helmet, the one I like to wear in Ultra rides. People ask, " isn't it too hot ? " . . well no actually it's not/ I don't really notice. I know it doesn't have as many vents as the traditional racing helmet, but for me there's a couple reasons.

1 - The huge roll down clear visor, with more than 30" of surface area that protects my face. I know glasses are only so good, and of course are more popular. But just sayin.. that I get chips in my glasses from flying stuff, like rocks, bugs, sand and stuff thrown up from vehicles, and the wind of course, or how bought rain and hail . .. and sometimes you know when something hits you in the head at 40 miles an hour it feels like a bullet. THWAP !

The visor is just plain more protection than glasses.

I suppose if I could find a cool GIRO, vented, maybe not so aero but more vented style, and it comes with a roll down visor glass, attached, Just like the sweet CCM hockey ones.

That would be the way to go.

2 - #1 is the only reason. Go visor for dry sandy rides over 300 km .

The Start vid

2010-10-06T00:36:00.009-06:00

Well I guess I'm feeling up to it again, so here goes. I went to the Furnace Creek 508 ultra endurance cycling race, and returned. The bike event itself was only a fraction of what the trip included in it's entirety, but of course it was the focal point. There are a lot of pictures and video to be sorted out into what will become a Furnace Creek 508 video, 2010. And as for memories, well, lets just say there are many that will never be forgotten.

The guy who won the OverAll in Solo, was in the Classic Bike Category. That means he had downtube shifters, leather shoes, metal toe clips, no aero bars... and a gear cluster that looked like a 21 big gear, and yes, he schooled it. Not only dropping myself around mile 150, but also pulling away from the defending Champ guy Chris around mile 250.

Myself I was in the Standard Category, which I found has brought about some confusion as to the 'placings'. Our team won 2nd in Standard Bike, and 3rd Overall. And we barely took 3rd. There was a full on race going on that last 50 miles... it was freakin gonzo.

For those of you who have never ridden a 24 HOUR solo or that type event before, I would have to say that multi day racing is THE true test of physical and mental preparedness, and no I do not include stage races in that, I mean Night Time riding/ racing as well.

So I suppose going to or living in a war zone might compare, but personally I can't compare that as I don't live in Iraq. Multi day for me is what really presses the limits of what I set on myself for being a full time employed/ student/ person seeking life fun balance. For you ? maybe that comes from going to SuperStore in Marlborough on a Sunday ( no thanks, too extreme ) But ya, there are som amazing people out there, who you may never have the oppurtunity to meet if you never leave your couch. really, truly, amazing.

... It is possible to fall asleep while riding your bike, trust me. Imagine how you feel after a good day of biking, or skiing, or just being out in the blowing fresh air. Then imagine that for thirty to forty-eight hours. There was so much constant breeze on this trip, about 150miles of headwind on a couple stretches, continually blowing into your eyes and out your soul. Washing, eroding, cleansing and changing, the wind.

The Race was broken into 8 sections, or stages. Each one having its own degree of significance that would make it more challenging than just some 'regular ride'. All in all though the Odometer tally at the end would read 818 kilometers, and measure more than 35 000 feet of elevation gain over that distance.

The Death Valley may be called that, but really it's so full of life, life you would never see here in Canada. And at night that life really came out to play. Scorpions, tarantulas, lizards and snakes, mice and rats, coyotes, birds and other flying things that would hit me in the head in the middle of the night, or fly into my unzipped jersey... whatever that was ?

It's hard to put into words.

The first step. from dallas on Vimeo.

A brief HERO cam of the start, for the Crews who didn't get to see it ( because they had to leave town before us, to get 25 miles up on the route )

Almost there.

2010-09-30T20:12:00.005-06:00

Sponge Bob giving me the Good Luck squeeze.

It's been a really great time down here in the land of Freedom, I almost forget that it's not really a pleasure based trip. We went to Vegas, saw the Hoover Dam, toured Death Valley, went to Hollywood, ate buffet :) and all that good stuff.
Tomorrow the business starts though as we do our required Pre Race Meetings and Bike, Car, and Crew checks to ensure our Safety will comply. I'm sure that stuff should go well none the less.

Todays temps were hovering around 38, 39 C with a hot wind that could make Jerky of you in a matter of hours. It has been 'unseasonably hot' here according to some locals, and by that I mean it was 47 C in L.A. a couple days ago. This will undoubtedly mean one thing, the Furnace Creek event is planning to claim some Victims that's for sure.

As for the field of Solo riders that I'm aware of, the field is stacked, and I mean STACKED. RAAM Finishers, Pro Tour retirees, RAAM overall Age group record holders, 500 mile race winners and Record holders, 24 Hour MTB racer people... it's just epic really. The field itself is filled up with 75 riders, to the point where Race Resumes had to be submitted so you were approved for your entry, type full up.
Myself, how will I fair ?.. well, lets just say I have some confidence to know that I can rely on my Crew when I need them, and that for me goes a long way. As for the race, I would say it's going to be really cool lining up with all the accomplished World class athletes, and even more cool to line up with the people who are trying, starting, testing, you know ? The riders with Heart, the people who haven't proved to themselves yet that 'they can do it'... those are the people who really make an event like this. And as for me as a Rookie Furnace Racer, I too am one of those people.

Strategy ? .. well the first 25 miles are Neutral as we leave town, then we do a very serious climb out of the coastal bowl area. And I mean serious, long, hot, twisty, little wind. This occurs in a place known as Johnson Canyon Rd. The race starts here, Drafting is not allowed, and overall it's going to be a Gong show that's for sure. Riders will be jostling to get out into the front of the race in order to meet their Crews at the 25 mile mark and this should allow your Crew the least amount of hassle of dealing with all the other Crew cars. I hope to be near the front at this point.

After doing a successful Recon of the Route, I already know where I will be strong, and where I will be even stronger. There are at least 6 to 10 other Very respectable Racers that I will also be able to gauge myself against, and over all I just hope to stay in the same neighborhood as them leading to the first 5000 ft climb, which by then will be in the Heat of the day. People have asked, " will you crush it ? ". Well honestly I don't think so, a Top 5 would be a stellar result, and a Top 3 would be even better. Winning ? Well, even thinking it is arrogant. In these kind of temperatures, Finishing healthy is the goal, as I do have to work next week.

Today's high in Death Valley was 46.

http://www.the508.com/2010web/ This will be one of several Links for following the antics of the Crazy entrants... not to mention, make sure you check out the Fixie Category.

Thanks again to our Generous Sponsors and the people who donated privately, Niklas Group of Calgary, Radical Lights, Bow Cycle, Top Gear, and of course Mom n Dad. As well as Ross Rader, Trevor Perky, Larry the Fabricator for all the motivation, and y'all else who cheer for sick ass crazy masochistic adventures of Truth. We'll do our best !.

D Rock Out

>)

2010-09-29T23:54:00.006-06:00

The Team went for lunch today, in Hollywood. It was a bit of a tourist day for everyone as we were able to sleep in a bit, have some resort breakfast and finish up some work on the racing bikes. In the last few days we drove straight from Calgary down to Las Vegas, stayed over night, visited the Hoover Dam, then came down to California. Except that from Las Vegas, as we headed out West, we met up with the Furnace Creek race course at Baker and I decided this would be a good place to get intimate with my old friend the desert. The temperature on the minivan at the time was 40 degrees C. I decided to ride North on the race course and do a bit of a ride.

As I left the Crew behind to finish their Stop, I rode towards Death Valley on the 127. The road is a bizarre place, an alien like environment I rarely experience.. a seemingly lifeless ecosystem. Trees don't really grow and are barely three feet tall, anywhere. The wind is hot yet relieving, as the dust and sand penetrate my clothing, a salty and sweaty crust builds up on my skin from the perspiration. Bearded Dragons, scorpions, geckos and snake carcasses litter the asphalt, as there is some traffic.
There are virtually no cactus like I remember down in the southern Mojave and Sonoran.
The road itself is like a piece of fly paper, I stick to it as the only human like reminder.. that once off the beaten path I would be defenseless and at the mercy of the 100 plus degree temperatures. Surely I would die quickly if I did, as I do not know this environment like the Natives of this area do.
The mountains are vividly red, brown, black and lava like. A million years ago I would expect to see some sort of prehistoric animal meandering across the salty flats, but there are none, only me. Only me, and my bike.

In a few more days I will become even more attached to this road...

2010-09-26T10:27:00.002-06:00

Woke up this morning, looked out my bedroom window toward the Rocky Mountains and thought, " hell yeah "...

Today our Team for Dallas 'Alberta Bison' Morris, Furnace Creek event 508, is now off to California.

Thanks to everybody, everyone who's helped and wished us best of luck. 800 kilometers non-stop racing... thirty five thousand feet of climbing ?... OMFG. .. crazy.

Can't wait.

time flies

2010-09-19T23:51:00.004-06:00

It was 10 years since I last stood on the ice there, at Columbia. That day, our travelling trio played Hacky sac in sneakers way up on the ice, as fully roped and crampon equipped climbers traversed past us on the other side of a deep crevasse, where a crashing blue waterfall was cutting its way into the ice.

And now there is only dry dirt there, 30 meters of ice has melted away since I was last there.

Honestly, the glacier retreating was something I didn't really appreciate until I went back and visited again. Some 'experts' say the existance of fresh water headwater systems are currently endangered, far past 'at risk'.
I had now built a time line, and a sense of judgement about the ice melting so quickly as compared to indicators of previous Ice melt rate, since the mid 1800's, at Columbia Icefield that is..

Soon there may be no ice left, delicate micro climates are already changing too rapid before adaptation can occur, in some areas.

Soon I will only be dust on those mountains, come and gone like every other human. But the mountain, will still stand there long after I am gone, ice or no ice, humans or no humans. I felt so small out there, it was bewildering, it always is, in the mountains.

sunrise with Columbia from dallas on Vimeo.

Top Gear Peleton Powered by Niklas Group

2010-09-15T10:02:00.005-06:00

The nearby Rocky Mountains have been quenched in rain and fog this past week. I can't say I've seen the peaks either but I'm guessing they are getting a fair dusting of snow as well. Hopefully not too much as I hope the Bow80 mountain bike race can go on as planned, I know Bob has been working hard to bring it all together as it does so each year, and seems flawlessly executed.
Regardless of snow or not, the course will be how shall I say it, 'formidable', none the less.

I wish I could ride in the Bow 80 this year but I've been saving up some energy for a different event of sorts that will happen one week after the 80, the Furnace Creek 508. It's quite easy to get lost in the 'trip' specifics rather than the race details as the departure day of September 26 approaches quickly. Once we arrive in California we will be staying in Santa Clarita which is basically the community beside Six Flags mountain resort. As well as a short 20 minute drive into nearby north Hollywood, Rodeo drive, and the Beverly Hills area.
The task of the 820km non-stop road race really isn't intimidating at all... should it be ? I mean I've done a couple similar Endurance events in the past few years and seemed to manage quite well, so I guess there's really nothing to be worried about. As with any bike race, there could be harsh or challenging weather, a serious bike mechanical issue, or I could even get taken out by some out of control car or bike rider... but what ev's. I'm going to see the country side and up close and personal with some other tolerating Endurance athletes.

For those wishing to follow the Furnace event, there will be live 24 hour feeds from the race which features a SPOT GPS Tracking link ( we will not have a SPOT ). But I believe there are several other Canadians who will be racing with a SPOT. Also Time Station time checks will be reported as well.

The weather for Las Vegas yesterday was a high of 37, and in Santa Clarita the high was for +27 and clear skies. Sweet.

Revelstoke Steamer Hill Climb.

2010-09-13T12:36:00.007-06:00

Well if you have a penchant for riding up looooonnng hills on your bike ? have I got an event for you. If not .. then just go for the mushroom soup, you won't regret it. Otherwise, if you do race bikes of any model, and you want to challenge yourself against the formidable opponent known as Mount Revelstoke Hill Climb.. and, you like to ride in the rain, and or eventually sleet.. with high winds, on the top of a mountain... for 27 km.

Phew.

It was really cool to do the HC again, the first time was in 2007 for the 2nd Annual, and this time, the 3rd Steamer Route with a 5th year in production. ( the last time I raced the HillClimb, it was a slightly shorter distance , We never went right to the very top last time)

Also, the Start line was lower down the mountain yesterday, than last time, for a nearly full 27km ascent, Paved too. Beauty. If only you could have the mountain bike ready at the top and then bomb the downhill on the back side ? That would be the shit, A 'Real Mountain Life' SUper D.

Most memorable moment was Kailee and I going to the car from the front door ; to go down to the Denny's and grab some breakfast, and as she gets to the front of the house, there's a huge black bear... right there. whoa ! haha. crazy///

Kailee got 3rd in Girls ( awesome ) under 40, with Catherine Pendrel winning, and Matt Hadley winning Mens overall, Dallas got 5th on the day, Gord Jewett was 4th.. and some 13 yr old kid slayed it for 3rd, and another guy I didn't know got 2nd.

Dali the Bison was first rider to the Top , in the pouring rain, and first to the chili Pot, baked goods, and chips. whoa hoo! I was really feelin the ride from Friday still, so that was good, sort of. I really suffered for 1:17:58, vs the Winner at 1:13 something .

Team mate Jessie 'the throw down show down down town' Collins finished up there in his Top Gear, after first missing his start ? And other local Speed Theory dudes, Michael Godfather ( 9th ) and Darcy Galluger. for 12th ?maybe. And my friend Laura from Revy Won the womans 40+. .. And, Brent Stranded Buffalo ( his native Furnace name ) crushed a Beer/Mtb/ Houseboat race, known as the Over the Top Booze Cruise, event, raising hell on Sunday.

Thanks to TW for pickin us up under the overpass, in the deluge. cheerZ )

2010-09-07T21:30:00.005-06:00

It's not much a hoax that Autumn has arrived here in the Calgary area. As of 2 days ago the nearby Rocky Mountains took a good dusting of snow, the leaves are now turning yellow without a fight, and will soon be falling to the ground. Cyclocross bike season is picking up momentum locally, and drinking beers with a toque on just seems ... 'right'.

It's a bit of a mixed up season for many, if you are like me. Just what are you supposed to 'focus' on now ? The summer is ending, the crops and gardens are now harvested, but still the winter is not here. There is a strange transition between the two seasons that seems to always throw me for a loop, the colder rainy mornings, sun filled bright afternoons, and evening comes earlier as the days just seem to demand more involvement so we will be satisfied with our lives by nightfall.

Last Saturday was one such day, demanding attention and seeking fulfillment. A select group of riders from around these parts, mostly my riding buddies.. ventured into the Realm. The Bow 80 realm that is, as we 'test' road the course on a somewhat 'casual' game plan.
Personally, I love that ride, only the whole Tom Snow trail has lost much of it's appeal. I mean can't there be an alternative route that doesn't include 10km of cow shit saturated mud that you can't really ride through .. you must walk, or 'hike-a-bike' as the REAL mountain bikers would call it ? No thanks. For other reasons specified I'm not taking part in what would be my 6th Bow 80 contest, and honestly, I'm not too concerned about it. For those of you who are racing the Bow 80 this year, it will be tough, I guarantee it, as tough as last year barring the same weather pattern, so don't say I never warned you :) .. On Saturday I blew my rear shock up, burned down 2 sets of brakes pads, and the shifter cables are all plugged up with... stuff.
Overall though, I felt so good burning up the 80km circiut considering I've gone Mountain Biking twice this year.

In other news, I was only too surprised how just totally satisfying it was to go out to the Madden Arena, and help out at the Youth and Para Road Provincials Race this last Monday. I've always prided myself as one of the racers who doesn't mind helping out at a race, as well as racing them. Once you become a race organizer, you will never 'not' be a race organizer, and maybe like me, you will see just how few Racers really make a difference in the sport they dedicate so much of their time to competing in, as so many never ever help out.

The event itself was just really really wicked, must say. Although the Categories were a bit smaller this time of year as per say, a Mid June Youth event, but the quality was still there. As well as appearances by Para World Championship Medallist Jay Milley of BICI Sport, and well known Hand Cyclist, another BiciSport Rider, Brian Martin. I managed to piece together a crappy Vid from my pictures from Corner 2.. hopefully you don't go into ERCB shock from watching it, it's really not that good. But I really dig Dozer.

For FYI, the U17 Men did 3 Laps for 74km, while U15 did Two laps, and U17 Woman and the Hand Men, did one full Loop... of a very challenging, and Hilly course.

This next weekend, I will forgoe my 3rd attempt at a Silver Medal at Masters Provincials, since I already have two... and will be going to Revelstoke to ride the Revy Steamer Hill Climb. I did the HC once in 2007 I think >.. and it was was really cool. An Individual Time Trial event based around how fast you can ride up the Mt. Revelstoke mountain road of 26km.

Should be a gooder !

Youth and Para Provincial Road race coverage from 'Corner 2' from dallas on Vimeo.

Awesome

2010-09-03T09:57:00.009-06:00

It's not really easy to Post all the Cycling related do-dads that happen weekly... I mean could you imagine ? The websites, the News, the articles and stories and pictures movies ...blah blah blah. It can be a little too much sometimes, only saying that the Cycling community is a big place that definitely encompasses the World, and as just one guy, I certainly could not attain all that information daily.

As the Furnace Creek 508 approaches, some of you may or may not know that this is one of those 'crazy endurance races' similar to Eco Challenge, La Ruta, the Trans Rockies Run... etc. Testing the Entrants/ Athletes abilities on all levels of existence, moral, physical, mental and definitely emotional. SOOO I thought it would be good time to send out some Pre-event Thanks Yous to those who have openly supported and shown support for an endeavor such as a 508 mile Bicycle Race. :
Joel Goralski of The Niklas Group of Calgary, who as of 2010 have agreed to Partner and Financially support some of these personal Cycling ambitions in exchange for some enthusiastic Development Team ideas, Race Organizing and Promotional considerations for the Team Niklas Development projects. Niklas Projects are definitely worth looking into if you're considering an approach into sustainable living in Calgary. And not to mention Joel has been instrumental in bringing some Higher Level Corporate Sponsorship to some of Alberta's and B.C.'s best sporting events ranging from Tri, to Running, and of course Cycling IE : The Niklas Group Tour de Bowness.
Bow Cycle, my neighborhood Bike Shop who over the years have certainly earned my debt and gratitude for helping me out year after year, regardless of which Team I ride with. In mention that would be Kurt, John, Doug, Taylor, Bob and Paul too start... Darryl, Port...Big Bri.
Hiran at Radical Lights of Wagga Wagga Australia. These guys are producing a level of Cycling and Adventure light never before encountered on the Endurance Ultra scene, these are World Class/ Military level lighting systems that will most certainly.. Blind the competition.
Adam at Top Gear Cycling Association for support and encouragement, Steve Kenny for the Disk Wheel plus Mom and Dad, friends and family.
And of course my awesome Crew Team of Brent Strand, Kailee Boyle and Bob Grunewald who will once again go the distance on their own terms, through one of the most dangerous and formidable landscapes North America has to offer, Death Valley.

So Shout out to Y'all because as any aspiring athlete knows, it can't be done alone. Or it can but then you're.. well... alone.

More updates will come soon, as well how to Follow Canadian cyclists during the Furnace Creek 508 via RSS Feed and Satellite tracking updates on the Internet.

D-Out

?

2010-08-29T16:44:00.002-06:00

Where does the time go ?. It seems like only last month I was in the Okanagan riding a bike on the roadside, cruising under some blossoming apple trees, but that was actually early May already, 4 months ago.
Then yesterday, Kailee and I were out hiking and there was fresh snow on the trail side, " uh oh " i thought. It would seem the Rocky Mountains are threatening a Bow Cycle Bow 80 mountain bike race that once again could be ... uh.. 'challenging' ? We'll see.
As for myself, I was just out riding in Calgary this morning. The temperature was somewhat unsettling at a mere 6 degrees above freezing and the drizzle was falling steady enough to promote a constant drip drip drip from the spout of the eaves trough. The leaves look to have given up their Summer time battle to remain green as many many leaves are already yellow now, and just waiting to Fall. The cold rain, it reminds me of that season, the cross, the mud, the fresh smells of a winter approaching.

Luckily, myself and a few friends will be travelling to California very shortly, only 4 weeks away now. That should be a nice reprieve from the Rocky Mountain Fall weather. You know how it is, you go to the coast area with your T-shirts and shorts and you see the 'everyday' folks who live there fully bundled up in their winter coats and so on, looking onward at us Canucks with a displeased fascination as if We were making them grumpy with our natural temperature resolve and downright enjoyment of their 'Autumn climate. California in October, can't wait !

... was quite concerned to hear about buddy Dennis from Speed Theory who was Hit and Run down by a motorist over the weekend. The assailant cowardly fleeing the scene and leaving him for dead near 4th st NW. Typical Calgary motorist in my opinion... not that the City has 'anything to do with it'. " Bikes ? on the roads ? no way ? dangerous ? in Calgary ? No way ? I don't believe it, Dangerous ? Calgary roads and streets ?

I'm glad you're somewhat OK Dennis, and although you'll have a long recovery ahead of you I hope you can ride again one day soon, before the snow flys.
take care

Seasons

2010-08-19T10:26:00.005-06:00

Hard to believe it's almost September in a couple weeks, some leaves are already changing as I ride down the Silver Springs Blvd. Working out in Waiporous for 4 years it was always the first place to notice the fall colors approaching. With cyclocross in the air, the Provincial Hill Climb awaiting, the last of the ABA Road Cups, and the Bow 80 Mtb race ( Western Canada's Toughest 1 day MTB Race )... soon to be.

One event unlike the rest awaits me though... unlike any held Provincially. An event of rather ominous productions and grandiose delusions of what 'sport' is, enter the Furnace Creek 508, Ultra Race, yes... 800 + kilometers of mountains, streams, and desert. 35,000 feet elevation gain traveled in a time period of 48 hours and no less than, or else you get a DNF.

This years line up features many Top Endurance Athlete Cyclists from around North America, and the World. Furnace is an event happening annually for some 30 years now, originating at the same time as the Great American Bike Race, now known as the RAAM, the "Worlds Toughest Sporting Event".

Ultra isn't really well known in Canada like it is in the USA, some would say they are familiar with Randoneuring, a close relative of Ultra, but not really aware of what Ultra Cycling really is.
Point to point racing, extreme distances, night and day, very little rest... and usually no prize money.

It's strange how those of us who have ventured into this weird and painful sport have become friends, acquaintances and mutual competitors over the years. You might think you're alone in your ambition of this sport at times, but you remember those supportive peeps you meet along the way; that guy from Ontario, the hero from B.C. or that lady from Texas... so may great stories and friendships to accompany them.

For me though, the Furnace isn't about 'what can I do', it's not about 'will I make it', it's not about my cause or my determination... I do it for Fun. And I know I can make it. With barely 6 weeks counting down to the Start of the 508, in Santa Clarita California I am preparing as best I know how. The gym with weights, core, stretching, massage, and of course on the bike riding.
I feel great, I'm riding strong, I'm determined, and when myself and the other Canadians arrive into California this year with our Crews, family and friends... we're gonna tear the race apart !
Hell Yeah !!!

" ... even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil "

As per Hijacked from the BikeCalgary.org

2010-08-18T16:44:00.001-06:00

Not again!!! Sounds like there is yet another proposition to ban bicycles in the MD of Rockyview.

Submitted by Funky Riddim on Fri, 2010-06-18 09:42.

I just spoke to a friend today who was chatting with a MD of Rockyview constable. The conversation steered to cycling at which the constable casually mentioned that a bicycle hating lawyer, who lives in Bearspaw, is bringing forward to council a motion to remove the status of a bicycle as a 'vehicle.' In doing so there is the possibility that bicycles could be banned from all MD roadways. This is new information and I don't have all the details. Just thought I should raise the alarm. I just checked and there is no mention of this issue on the June 22nd council agenda. The council usually meets every Tuesday and posts the agenda the week before.

This sort of stuff has happened before with the closure of Springbank Road and 17th Avenue. It was eventually challenged and the bylaw was struck down. The judgment was actually an entertaining read as the MD was chewed out big time by the presiding judge. Unfortunately in the interim two years there was no cycling allowed on those roads. I would suggest a proactive response would be prudent. Any ideas???

Please weigh in if you hear any more on this issue.

' Ride the Lighting '

2010-08-11T19:21:00.004-06:00

Yet to be confirmed 'Officially', but I have some Radical news in regards to some Sponsorship and Product support for myself and our fans out there involved in Ultra and Endurance racing, as well as Adventure and general use Commuters.

It features a whole lotta love in the name of Lumens and comes from Wagga Wagga Australia.

Introducing http://www.radical-lights.com/

Outstanding... and Yes, hopefully the Proof is in my pudding too.

Dead Things

2010-08-08T20:05:00.015-06:00

I had left Rocky Mountain House around 4pm Friday afternoon. This was shortly after my arrival ride to there, via Cremona, Sundre and Caroline. And was essentially the 'approach' of the day towards the mountains, as well as the final leg of the day's near 300km journey, ending for a nights rest in Nordegg.
The ride going North was really really nice all the way to RMH. I left Royal Oak and went out to Bearspaw, to Lochend Road, and took Lochend all the way up to the 22. The sun was shining, the temps were near 25ish, and the wind was often helping me out. Also a huge plus of this particular trip is there are food/ gas establishments at least every 40-50km, making Touring really feasible. Once past Rocky though, East on the 11, things change.

Towing the BOB trailer makes the cyclismic effort much more difficult, this was the idea however. Weighing in near 16 kilos, the trailer and gear together, I was pedaling about 3 gears higher than normal just to maintain a 90+ cadence. (It felt like I was lifting weights). Along with occasional heavy cross winds, the BoB demands you keep one hand on the handles bars at all times. Or may all of a sudden render you scared shitless on a near 65km/hr downhill, when you develop a speed wobble as the trailer is begging you to Jack knife at it's floating hitch pivot.. and pile your cargo/ humanoid ensemble into the ditch... as it's Gravity drives you downhills from behind. The trade off ? I have ever thing I need to setup a shelter, in what could potentially be an August rocky mountain snow storm... you never know.

Every thing was grand and I was making amazing Enduro travel time, up until Rocky, after that the weather opened up. Black clouds, visible lightning, and winds, were all starting to come towards me. The temperature was dropping and I could see Motorcyclists pulling over and putting on their Rain Gear. There was a wall of rain coming at me, fast, the thunder was blowing my ear drums and was right on top of me... I put on my plastic rain coat and carried on. The rain turned heavy, very, then hail started. I road along as if travelling through an Airsoft gun range, and my face was the target. SMACK! got one right off the lip... S.O.B. !!
That was that, I pulled over, reached into the Bob and pulled out a Beaver Buzz. Normally I only drink about 1/3.. but this BS pussy of a rain storm demanded I chug the whole can back.. gulp gulp....gulp. ACTIVATE IPOD, Metallica, Ride the Lightning, forward March.

I ride forth past the Reservations of the O'Chiese and the Sun child tribes, I am reminded of the Heritage of this land. These people, now oppressed and separated from their ancient ways, have inhabited this area more than Ten thousand years. With no tar shingles, no natural gas furnaces, and certainly no Deep Water horizons. I often dwell on how these peoples have survived here for millennia, living with simply nature as their religion. " I am lucky to be here, I am a visitor in their land. "

I press into the storm.

Enough with the Technicalities.
I arrive into Nordegg and head straight to the Restaurant, ordering Coke, Onion Rings, and the Spaghetti Platter to Go. I've ridden 300km today and am looking forward to a great meal as I hauled my SUKI B Train with Take Out into the Subdivision, and Rick and Autumns ( and brother Joes) house. Shortly after meeting Matt and Adi too, " Motley Crew live in Grand Rapids " on Blu Ray was on the huge plasma screen and we were pounding back some White Russian Enduro Power Shakes until 'am' hours were on the clock.

Rick and Autumn are currently assisting in the exposure of Kite Boarding into the Canadian Rocky Mountains, as one of the worlds coolest underground northern sports. The safety aspect though not takin lightly by those who know the power of these mountain weather patterns. All the while knowing the Tropics are more inviting to mainstream Vanilla Boarders.. who will one day come to realize these lakes are the forefront of the worlds most scenic water sports around .. wind powered human flights, over water. that's Extreme.

I rested well that night and my planned early ride turned into a Noon departure, haha, What evs. Leaving Nordegg there was a Hizzle of a drizzle in the air and the road was getting damp, but I wasn't using the rain coat yet, only Team Top Gear vest and Arms.

I observed what seems to be a higher propensity of dead little animals on the highway as I travelled west ?.. little bats, birds, little animals and bees and stuff... all forever napping as a I roll past them. Some Philip Glass comes into the Ipod as the rain turns heavy.

Soon I am very wet, and the hardest climb, to Bow Summit.. still awaits. The sun makes a brief appearance on a turquoise lake and I'm inspired to stop and take a picture. It would seem to me, like the Gods had opened up the heavens if only for a moment, so that they, not I, could look down onto this land and endure it's beauty, refreshing their souls, as was I.

HWY 11 brief from dallas on Vimeo.

Not yet at the Bow Summit, I am losing feeling in my soaked and cold feet, still ascending. I turn my cranks with a Touring Gear of 39-29.. and am barely managing 60 RPM. My hands are blistered and tired, the bikes under carriage is dirty and greasy and skipping beats occasionally... then it happened, I reached the destination : the toughest part of the ride.

The downhill into Lake Louise was full of promise, the rain slowed to a drizzle and I could feel the Valley warming. Once in the Lk I went to the Petro Canada station and dropped a quick 10$ for a coffee and microwave pasta dinner. Damn that was good. Walking around on the cement outside I started to get the feeling back in my feet and started to contemplate what I should do for the remainder of the evening ? Ride hoooommeee.. camp out, go to the Hostel and dry off ?

Hmm. Nope. Called up K Rock and invited her to meet me in Banff where we'd have dinner together and trade stories from the weekend, so that's what we did.

Today, I ate Hotdogs and Mixed Media... and feel like a Giant Killer.

2010-08-04T10:02:00.005-06:00

That was a really tremendous 3 days of bike Road racing this past long weekend here in Calgary. Bow Cycle with another stellar effort putting on the le Tour de Bowness, powered by Niklas Group of Calgary.
The quality of the local teams and riders this season has just been Top Notch. Personally I think the establishment of Events such as the Banff Bike Fest has really called on riders to enjoy themselves in a great Competitive environment as well as stepping up to each ones own A Game.

I would have to give my 'Most Improved' Team award to the Rundle Mountain Cycling Club of Canmore area. Wow have those guys really turned it up a notch this past season, representing their Club really well with hard efforts resulting in some Podium finishes. RMCC took top honors in the Criterium this past weekend in both Mens Cat 3, and Mens Cat 1/2. Now if they can bring some Woman riders to the scene they'll have a well rounded Force to be reckoned with.

As for our own Top Gear Peleton Team, this past weekend also featured some outstanding riding in our Cat 3 division, with Ian Auld taking 1st in the Hill Climb and the Road Race, bumping him up to Cat 1/2 now for the remained of his season as well as Provincial Championships, Ian also took Bronze in the Mens Cat A Nationals up in Edmonton. I'm sure our current Cat 1/2 Squad including the likes of Jesse Collins will have warm welcomes for Ian as he moves up to the Provinces most competitive Category.

And once again, Huge props to previous ABA Provincial Champion Sonia Utting who was on the Podium this weekend for Top Gear as well, for a grueling COP Hill Climb challenge Top 3 at the Womans B. Not a bad performance for basically just getting off the plane from France.

What's next ?. ... Speed Fest, Provs, Master Provs, cross... Bow 80... ??? nope.

Furnace Creek is next.
This past week, long distance Ultra Rider Chris Ragsdale, and 2009 Solo Winner of the Furnace 508, broke and set a new World Record for the 1000km Road ride, in a blazing time of 31 hours, 40 minutes. If you can do the Math there, that's an average of 32- 34km/hr, for 1000km, including stops.

I'm looking forward to lining up with Chris in October. .. for now all I can do is try to remain motivated in what seems to be a long and somewhat tiring cycling season.

the obsession from dallas on Vimeo.

Niklas Group Tour de Bowness.

2010-08-02T21:40:00.001-06:00

Whoa, that was awesome. sorry for the non report. need recovery.

Round Two

2010-07-23T22:54:00.002-06:00

Logans Loop Sun Road tomorrow. 220k. .. ahh, it's like ?.. a pilgrimage to Mecca. Sort of maybe complete to One stage of the Tour, and Grand Tour.. the Sun Road is awesome.

2010-07-22T07:26:00.001-06:00

hail damaged car

2010-07-21T20:54:00.006-06:00

Point One : There has been a lot of bike crashes this year. some really brutal skidmark action In the Mens Races . Speaking of. / not so much in the Womans though smaller Cats maybe ?

. . but skid outs... accidents, broken lines and broken people. . . Geez. Yes there seems to be lots of that this year . And really bad injuries too.

Right now I know 3 guys on my Team who've crashed out on the blacktop, a few guys breaking their TREK bike frames, some taking light injuries.

It's kinda sketch sometimes these last few Races... ' You're bombing a downhill or tailwind flat, averaging 57 - 60 km/hr. ' The competitor closest to you is merely 20 inches away, beside behind in front and around. Wheels whirring and the smell of brakes at times.. nervous attentiveness.

A guy gets in your space, and cramps you, you wobble briefly and feel the rush, or the stress, haha/ their wind alone is affecting you and at times causing you to react, maybe applying your brakes, or maybe accelerating. Either way it's alot like Nascar except you could be 5-6 racers wide at any given time. cornering. That's Criterium .

BACK to the NEWS

STampede Road Race report ? Yes, July 18 Well, . Whoa. It was tough, I made it 3 laps and then DNF'd after a huge Will to Live Mechanical after Trev dropped me at the Corner with the AFter Blaster Master Shredder Killer. And I departed into the Land of Carson Bannon caught me . after that I gave up.. with uh, ?. hmm . a pack of Rolaids in my car.

So don't forget, just around the corner, That's right, 100 of cyclists. bike racers . Shop and roll baby, all racing super fast. le Tour de Bowness . Niklas Group . soon. whoa... that's crazy. Two weekends from now.

Will I enter ? or will I be too afraid ?

Hill Climb ? Crit, Road Race ? phew.

But a month later, after Banff RR, my bike is finally rebuilt again and I can do some training. So hopefully see you out there. As I'll have to start training soon for the Furnace Creek race.

The Alberta Race categories are growing in a great direction this year, and Mountain bike too is Huge with a Canada Cup and the Nationals in our backyards too ? how awesome is that. All thanks to dedicated individuals, and the big clubs like Bow, Juventus, MidReK Crits, Speed Theory, RMCC and the Cranks. for starts. But is our little neighborhood racing the scene for serious accidents involving recreational race enthusiasts, more regularly ? why ?.

So we, the 'know it alls' believe, that there be some Learn To Race Clinics in Calgary/
So to assure, that before you just enter a Rec. Race and wreck other people. I think to sort of ' Certify Us ' out there, who took our Aerobars off to do the Road Race, and so that others will be safe near you knowing you participated in a LTR bike skills clinic.

hail damaged car. or bike racer ? Hard to tell right now.

Logan Loop ride.

2010-07-15T07:07:00.001-06:00

Doesn't really seem right how I can compress an 8 Hour ride into a 10 minute video ?. But I guess that's what happens right. And who'd wanna watch 8 hours of twitchy HERO cam.

Logan Loop with Going to the Sun Road from dallas on Vimeo.

distant relatives.

2010-07-14T10:26:00.008-06:00

I can't say I've been watching the Tour all that closely this year, as it stands it takes a lot of effort to actually find Video Footage of one of the greatest sporting events of all time.

I don't work on a computer all day, nor do I have access to a Television and satellite during daytime hours. And really, I just have more important things to do than watch the Tour.

I suppose if it was actually convenient, I'd be all over it. .. Back in 2003, while working in Northern Alberta, I was stationed solo in a remote outpost, complete with OLN's daily coverage of the Tour, I managed to watch 8 full days of the Tour twice while on shift, and was able to watch the rest while at home. Overall I think this amounted to something like 17 days of Tour watching... ahhh.

Since most modern North American culture is not really concerned about the Tour de France, nor our Canadian Athlete Ryder Hesjedal who was Top 5 for several days ? Like seriously, there's barely a 1"x 3" subline article near the back of the Sports ? It seems to me that Cycling is just a symbol of the middle to lower class establishment, do you disagree ?

As a Fan of cycling I sometimes feel like I'm one of few who realizes what a grand and amazing vehicle bikes are for really living a life on your own terms, compared to one that is more so dictated by society and it's expectations of us. Maybe that's why many people hate bikes ? They don't have the courage to get out there on a bike and do things their own way, travel a route less travelled, feel the speed and the wind, smell the flowers etc... they're just the kind of people who aren't able to take a step back in time, and just roll away.

One of my Journeyman at work has a close connection with Cycling, although never an avid bike rider himself, he understands. You see Dan Fantini is from Europe, Italy to be correct, the Abruzzo region to be more polite. Dan comes from a village called Fossacesia, near the east coast.

You see Dans father had a cousin named Alessandro Fantini, also from the same village. Although as Dan says Alessandro was a huge Star back in the day, as Dan was very young at the time of his older cousins death, he never really knew Alessandro. Dan was really young when he died in a violent crash, racing his bike. Yet to this day, there is a statue of Alessandro in their village, commemorating his accomplishments as a world class athlete.

The 'old story' goes from Dan, is that when Alessandro died in Germany, there was conspiracy afterwards that because of bad blood between the Germans and the Italians since WWII, that Alessandro was 'crashed' out purposely by a rouge German rider... and unfortunately, died of his injuries. Never to be proven, yet never disproved.

I had to wonder when I'd first started working with Dan, how he pointed out I had electrical tape finishing off my bar tape, rather than the supplied manufactures finishing tape.. he said "what the hell is this ? electrical tape ! .. that's not very profile Dallas "

.. haha. Thanks Dan.

Ride Invite. Once a year Epic.

2010-07-05T14:19:00.007-06:00

Ok, I wanted to Post this good and early in the week so if you see it, feel free to consider joining, or.. consider the consequences of not joining.

Logan Loop, in Montana featuring the Going to the Sun Road (pictured above) in the Glacier National Park. Going to the Sun Road, built in the 30's.. is what experienced cyclists in the know would call " the closest thing to riding in Italian or Spanish mountains ".

To plan, we will drive to Waterton on Friday after work. Camp out in Waterton, get up, have breakfast, and cross the border and park the cars in St. Mary's. Warning ahead of time, Camping in Waterton may not be possible due to the one Big camping site there being Full up. However, this has never stopped me before if you arrive late enough at night, you can just roll in past the Park gates and setup your tent where ever you see fit, hopefully not down wind of a prevailing Outhouse ?

The ride description goes like this : Leave St. Mary's at a strategic Time, this comes into play later. Ride south towards East Glacier/ Pastry Coffee break, then West, usually headwind, up and over the Continental Divide/ Mariah Pass, and reach West Glacier. This is a stop for significant Food break etc. Because, as I mentioned earlier.. Time is strategic here. Going to the Sun Road does not allow bicycles on the road at a specific time frame, this would be 11 AM to 4pm, normally. I think ? 11am. ya. just confirmed , no bikes allowed between 11am and 4 pm.
Then, we do the approach, and then the Climb, which for me is a 1 hour climb at Attack pace. Then a Regroup at the Top ( no there is no food only a water fountain at the top ), and then the descent which is a 60km or so roll down back to St Mary's.

Overall, the whole ride is just under 230km. With one huge mother of a climb near the end. Food, Hydration, proper Endurance pacing and Team riding is Essential for success.
Imagine that a small group of 6-8 solid male riders do this ride in around sub 10 hours. So... you be the judge if you think it's something you want to tackle.

Kailee and I are extending the hand of Invite to anybody who wishes to join us for this voted "Top 10 in the USA" ride.. and you are more than welcome to meet us at the Start is St. Mary's for 6:45am, departure by 7:15 hopefully at the latest/ Saturday morning.

I will be riding with Kailee the whole way, and she will be riding with me as well, so a No Drop policy for the two of us. Anybody else will be considered 'on your own, at your own risk' or simply self supported, but of course, ALL Group considerations will be applied.
This is not a Hammer ride. If you think the IronMan Loop in Penticton was tough, this will Top that by 5 Stars/... promise.

I/We are not responsible if you decide to bonk severely on the Big Climb, and end up puking in the ditch as the Park Tour Bus drives past and the Seniors on board are concerned you are dying... see Jeff Johns 2008 ride.
maybe you will be dying, but don't expect me to give you my last Powergel.

contact either Myself or Kailee if interested, we would love to have a group for this once a year, great adventure.

Master A Race Report. Nationals.

2010-07-04T16:23:00.002-06:00

First of All, huge Congrats for Carrie Tuck of Team Top Gear, who won Gold in the Womans Nationals 30-39 Individual Time Trial event, and then a solid 3rd on the Road Race.

Race Report :
Heading up to Devon/ Edmonton Friday afternoon I wasn't really too sure what to expect for my first National level Road Race event. How many Teams from other Provinces would be there ? Who or where would these 'Masters' come from ?
As I had guessed earlier, the fast wannabe Masters had chose to race Elite right from the beginning of the season, because they would have the chance to at least Start with some of the best Riders Canada has to offer, in the Elite Race. However, not all guys 30-39 are of Elite or Cat 1/2 Category. But, this means they can still have a chance to win a National Champs jersey in their respective Age Category Races/ hence : Masters A, B, and C categories.

.. myself ? well I had intentions to race Elite Nationals, but was unable to do so after the Banff race where I wrecked my bike pretty bad, and myself too. So, I was lucky enough to recover partially and re-apply for a New Racing license listing me as Masters. wha hoo ! .. Cakewalk ? No, not at all. Masters Category races are full of talent, and so was apparent in our thirty or so participants Mens race on Saturday afternoon.

I'd ridden this exact course before in the Devon Stage Race some 3 years ago, so I knew it's a relatively flat and boring course. There is one fair downhill and climb which features a bridge that crosses the Saskatchewan River, but other than that it's not a 'Selective Terrain' course at all. This means that the bigger guys like myself hope for a Windy day where the smaller Finishing Sprinter guys get wasted in the wind and their energy gets blown away.

So, in the first 20 kilometers, two of top Top gear riders, Ian Auld, and Dave Jetz roll away off the front, and are quickly joined by ERTC Racers Blaine Richter and Geoff McDonald. Along with them goes Quebec rider Yann Deville, the Break is away. What this means for the remaining 3 of us Top Gear riders in the chase, is that we essentially ride Neutral, no longer chasing/ racing/ just pacing, also if smaller attacks are attempted, we would chase down those riders and assure they remain in the Pack, thus allowing the Break to stay away as long as possible and hopefully all the way to the finish line.
Well that's what happened. Except, one lone Rider, Criag Debellfuel of Bow Cycle, rolled away from the pack, all by himself, he was 'let go' and eventually after a Looonnnggg solo effort, he bridged to the tired Break, riding with them to the Finish Line, and then Sprinting out and taking the Win for National Champ, 30-39. What an effort, way to go Craig !

As for our Team left in the chase, Jesse Collins and myself did our Sprint Train leadout as best we could for our man Jeff Bolstad, and Jeff then so took the 'pack Sprint', for 7th overall. Although a perceived 'Top 10 result, really nothing to be rewarded for other than bragging rights. The real Victory for our Team Top Gear was Ian Auld taking 3rd, and Dave Contesting through the Sprinting cramps to take the 6th place. SO over all we placed 3 guys in the Top 10, with one reaching the Podium. A solid Team result.

For me personally, the race was one big let down and a total disappointment. How else can I explain it ? You go to National Level event, wanting to do your best, and you end up basically 'sitting in' all day and not really 'doing' your very best racing. But hey, that's what Road Racing is on non-selective Terrain Road Race courses. who would have thought the remaining Chase group of National level Master Men 30-39 couldn't mount an organized effort to Chase down a very long Break that was barely 1:20 ahead of us for over 100km ? lame.

Although, all Props and Most Combative Racer Award goes to Gideon Krishtalka of Team H&R Block who pulled and pulled and tried to get some of the other riders organized, but nobody would commit to helping him. Definitely riding like a Champ yesterday after winning Gold in the Mens 30-39 National Time Trial.

... Just saying, 15-20 some guys from out of Province couldn't chase down 5 guys who ride into the wind for 3 hours ? And yet Craig eventually did it all by himself. Way to go Craig, again, you rode awesome and you earned your finish like no other, a real Champion.

Special Thanks again to Kirk Shotgun Champion Coach Hamilton, for lending me his awesome Orbea ORCA for the day. cheers. Wouldn't have made it without ya.
Damn that bike is fast, wish I could have put it to use.

Masters of the Universe.

2010-07-01T23:26:00.005-06:00

Well, I guess it's that time. The Universe has aligned itself in the last few weeks, and the hard working Cycling friendly folks in Edmonton have landed Alberta the Canadian National Cycling Championships. Way to go Edmonton !..

Criterium, as well as Time Trial and Road Race will and have all been contested.

: Insert shameless plug, some Bike Parts I built for the Oval Team of Calgary will be making their debut at Nationals as well... so here goes nothing. Hopefully I've learned something in the last couple years in my Trade. Big Dreams will be relying on my Craftsmanship )

.. After missing the weekend of the Elite Level races, it will be my time to shine in a less glamorized event, the Masters Category Races. .. And no, they are not the same Distance or Location of races as the Elite Road Race. In fact, the Masters Road Race will take place in an entirely different and less Racer selective topographical area that is West of Edmonton, near Devon. The 'tough' part of the race will be the large River valley of the Saskatchewan River that we descend into and out of, twice. Usually though this isn't enough to seperate the 'players', the best I can hope for is a brutal windy cross wind day that will punish the light weight 'Drafters'.

Sounds pretty cool sort of, and as luck would have it I'll be riding with several current and a few former Team mates in this race. ... I can only hope a National Medal goes to a hard working and dedicated athlete that comes from Alberta. Will I be one of them ? I don't know...

Either way. I'm almost 'burnt' from the Alberta Road scene already and it's only July ?... Not sure what it is with the boring pack Road Races where the terrain is so lame I feel like I should be rolling along in a wheel chair sometimes.. but hey, I'm from BC, and I miss the mountains. ( not that I'm a climber by any means ) I just enjoy the Team Dynamic of Road Races and this year the Team has been stellar.

My main focus and attention is still aimed firmly down the long road of Interstate 15 towards Beverly Hills California, and the impending Furnace Creek 508 Enduro Road Race, in October. Till then, there is alot of preperation to do, and I will eventually unfold a strict training regime as my Focus Event approaches. And hopefully I will be able to push myself to new levels that I have not yet attained as I will be racing against some of the most Hardened and Accomplished Bike Racers in the World, name Leah Goldstein as one.

And to confirm last count, the Furnace 508 has more than 75 Solo 508 Mile racers in various Age groups. Sweet. Can't wait. A real Hard race. 500 miles. No rest. No pretending. Lots of Pain.

The Coastal Mountains, Death Valley, California... 30,000 feet of climbing, one event.

Fk yA ~

the Pro Caddy 1.0

2010-06-29T10:18:00.004-06:00

Here at D-Zyne Labs we like to push the limits of all things HERO. Hence the Go Pro HERO caddy. Dezyned by Calgary's own Web Master/ Graphic Artist Thomas Yip, and manufactured by myself... this little creation has come together very nicely.
Featuring Hard Anodized 6061 aluminum brackets and base, stainless steel hardware, and durable plastic adjustment knobs. You can use a multitude of mounting positions...

the Pro Caddy is where it's at for All Weather hand held, or stationary, Movie Productions.

Contacts us here if you have any inquires into having your own.

Don't be Anonymous.

2010-06-28T22:06:00.011-06:00

The UCI has declared new 'limits' on the geometry and size ratios of Time Trial bikes ? Therefore making a whole slew of currently used models now 'illegal' for the purpose of competition on the International Cycling stage, which be governed by the UCI no less. This would include Juniors, Ladies, Tri-Athletes, or whomever else may have decided to enter a Time Trial bike race, and use a model that although not suited specifically for the Aerodynamic demands of Time Trial racing, was.. well lets say " good enough ". before. ..

Not anymore.

Disappointing. That's what I have to say at this 'current' level of Provincial Sport. I know for fact that when many people first decided to enter a 'Bicycle Race', the Individual Time Trial is what they entered. This is because mainly you race with yourself only, against the clock, you could sign up on Race day, instead of in a snow storm 5 days prior mandatory.. and try to do your best. If you enjoyed it, you might come back ?.

Now that Time Trial events are legislated to more 'specific' bike design policies, I feel that this will have a detrimental effect on grassroots cycling.

Seriously, an entry level 'Time Trial specific bike, will most likely set you back at $1800.00 minimum.. .. why bother ?. It's bullshit if you ask me. All there seems to be is this continuing trend of rules rules rules and people who want to feel power and control at the cost of the average Joe citizen cyclist who may have wanted to, on a whim, enter and try for the first time, a real race, like a Time Trial.

How about making this illegal ?. No Camelbacks while on a road bike. How can you let yourself look so stupid ?. There's a reason road bikes come with 2 water bottle holders on the frame you dingle berries ! Camelbacks are meant for their original purpose, Mountain Biking. Where you would most likely be riding a funky fully flexed pivoting comfort machine of non-traditional frame design, therefore limiting your Water Bottle carrying capacity.

( like my SCOTT )

Second of all, to the woman I saw riding on the Highway 66 on the mid level Cervelo bike with the fancy aerobars. YOUR HELMET WAS ON BACKWARDS! Ya .. .seriously. ya dum douche.

With the aero foil front design of her helmet streaking out the back of her head... the Rock Lock ratcheting 'headloc' mechanism firmly planted into her forehead ? I had to wonder if she was waiting for a big climb before she grabbed the ergonomic knob and gave it a good crank ?/

Sinching that thing to her forehead so tight the little vein to her brain started to bulge down by her cheak because she was cutting off the blood flow > ??> OMG !!!! I wish I had a picture of that. . .ya, helmet on backwards. Roc Loc seized tight.

And yes, Further more. No kidding Anonymous Comment Poster. I was not at Road Elite Nationals. For those of you not in the Alberta Cycling world who were not at Banff. I crashed hard in the Crit after a serious Bike explosion ( cause yet to be determined) and have been injured since then. And since a Record front shifter, Ksyrium front wheel and a Cannondale Slice carbon fork won't just appear outta my ass with good wishes, I had to miss the show due to a lack of bike, and yes, still injured.

And yes, if I were there, I surely would have thrown down a blistering attack to contest my Top 40 finish... yeah.

Hopefully though, Mom n Dad, I will be at Master Nationals this coming weekend, barring I still caaan race, and have equipment to do so.

.. so that's it ?. No. Wait a minute.

What ever happened to people having BALLS ? And I'm referring to people who were looking to jab you, tease you, or make fun of you and your life ?. Specifically friends ? Is that what this gay ass cycling Alberta scene has become ?. A bunch of Anonymous Pussy commenter's ? Taking strikes at my girlfriend ? Who I will add is a gorgeous intelligent outgoing 24 yr old University Grad with 2 Degrees coming to her this year. On top of being a Rock Star in a band and aspiring ass kicker in Womans Cycling . You rock Kailee. xo

Where I come from, your friends make fun of you, punch you in the arm, cut you down, etc etc... to your face. It's called respect. It's shared, and it's given back.

So note to yourself. Don't be a pussy. Don't be Anonymous.

R & D

2010-06-21T17:56:00.004-06:00

Here at D-Zyne Labs, we strive to be on the cutting edge everything related Cycle. Since our Mission Statement, created in 1993, " Break all the Rules " was first established, we've been on a great and often unequivalized Road, and Off-Road product research, design and testing thesis, dedicated to improving and changing the world you roll on.

This past weekend beginning Thursday, June 17th, an entirely new era of design in Road Racing Products has been developed specifically for Cannondale compatible road bikes.
Prototype, installed, tested, and created, in Alberta, at the Banff Bike Fest, Invited Mens Event, specifically : Criterium :

We proudly Introduce : For Road Bikes ;

The Cannondale Slice. LEFTY.

Blog Log

2010-06-14T22:09:00.004-06:00

Since my career as Shamwow spokes person fell through, I've been relegated to the home shopping channel of crappy blog productions. Videos are falling to the wayside, photo's are nearly non-existent, and articles of witty humour and spontaneity are waining... help me.. writers block be damned.

What else can you talk about on a cycling blog other than cycling ?... and oil slicks, and world domination of Wal Mart and the destruction of the small retailer ?.

Oh wait ! I have an idea ! Lets talk about me !. wha hoo.

Banff Bike Fest is coming up this week of June 17-20th. And how cool is that that I'm on an invited team, Team Top Gear powered by Calgary Cycle. Our local Team is funding Accommodations and Registrations for all our Top Elite level Team, thanks to generous sponsorships !
I guess I can say that I've been doing my best this year to represent my sponsors with a few victories, Prairie Roubaix 1st, Tuesday Night Crit #4 1st, and a Crankmasters RR with another 1st. Also can't forget our tremendous Team effort at the Pigeon Lake Road Race, where I was the lucky guy who got to lead out Master Sprinter TRON to the WIN over all. Also our Top Girl Carrie Tuck took the Womans Cat 1/2.

But what has really been setting up the training to Banff was this past weekend's road trip to Montana to compete in Whitefish, at the Great Northern Stage Race. This was essentially my first Cat 1/2 level Stage event of the year, featuring a Crit, ITT, and a Circuit RR.
All in all there were 3 of us who tripped on down to the US. Myself, Anthony and Micheal road really well against some Pro level sponsored Teams, to take a couple Primes in the Crit. Although myself, losing track of the Spectators Bells and the Officials Bells, didn't realize it was the last lap... anyways/.. should have had that one.

I didn't have room in the car to bring my Time Trial bike so just went Eddie Merxc. That was a tough pill to swallow as I could have made a Podium there I'm sure, but instead settled for losing 1:30 in the GC after the 20km ITT.
So that left Mic, Nails and myself to the the 12 lap, 5.6 mile loop windy road race. Without any real selections on the extremely flat course, there was no way to make a break and get away and stick a 1:30:00 come back. But working as a Team we were lucky to launch Nails out into a late and lasting break where he Sprinted in the group of 6 for a Top 5 placing @ 4th. Nice.
In the Unofficial GC, Mic scored Top honours in most phone numbers scored and most beers drank. and how cool is that the after Race party had 2 Kegs of free beer ?. NIIIICCCEE. Great Northern Cycles put on a really cool race, highly recommended for next season if you get a chance.
And thanks again to the Team for setting us up at the Grouse Mountain Resort Lodge.

Overall recap, there were a few heavy hitter Teams there, with full Sponsored Team cars and van's etc, but somehow they couldn't back it up ? :) They just looked Pro. Sorta like strong Alberta Cat 3's, with great Media management ? We'll see Lenovo at Banff thta's for sure.

We road well. It was good. Banff here we come.
Elite Canadian National Road Championships in Edmonton after that.

Nice.

2010-06-06T19:00:00.003-06:00

Great ride today, great weather. A few too many ERTC riders, but hey... that's ABA I guess. Not that I have anything to complain about as Top Gear had 8 riders given'er.
After a furiously fast last 2km... after chasing down ERTC and Lockie from Speed Theory, I did my best to lead out Jeff Bolstad, however, I more so blew up in a bug mushroom cloud and dropped Jeff off into no man's land about 300 meters from the Finish.

But... since Jeff is the TRON bike, he won. 1st. Top Gear. Pigeon.

Nice.

wow. what a commute yesterday.

2010-06-04T21:37:00.006-06:00

There's just too much at once and really nothing at all going on all at the same time. And who has time to sit at the Byte Bot anyway when the Outside is calling ?.

Was riding to work yesterday on the only actual stretch of marked 'Bicycle Lane' that there is on my commute of 11km... to and from a place of Universal Bicycle Use, the University, ya, no kidding.. THE ONLY BIKE LANE.

The north south road of 53st turning south from Varsity Estates Drive. Again, this is the ONLY stretch with a painted line and a nice safe shoulder that has actual recognizable Bike Lane markings on it.... so nice.. It's always kinda refreshing each and every single time I ride that short little 1.5 km - 2km section. It goes past a school and the associated school Zone Speed Limit kinda makes the daily commute seem not so Death Defying for at least a two to three minute time frame.

.. only yesterday I was in a grumpy morning mood.. Hadn't been to the grocery store in about 3 weeks and was starting to feel tired and worn out at work... low on energy. I think I had granola and water for breakfast ?..

Anyways, I'm heading south on 53st going up the short little hill that approaches the school zone, when out of the back alley to my left, on the other side of the road. This guy on a mountain bike comes flying out of the alley, cuts diagonally across the road, heading in the same direction as me, and proceeds to blatantly cut off the Motorist in the BMW SUV... then he hits the bike lane, blows through the 4-Way Stop at the corner of the school, and continues on his way. Pannier bag and MEC coat waving in the wind, it's obvious the guy is a 'seasoned' rider no doubt, only with the intelligence of some deficit disorder 9 year old.

Well I am nearly infuriated by the actions of this so called 'Cyclist'. Nice move douche bag !.. Man, seeing shit like that just pisses me off.

I stop at the 4-way, like usual, not so much a foot down stop, but I look both ways, the Motorists see me look both ways, and then I go because it's clear to. I catch up to the 'guy, and proceed to yell at him, " Nice move buddy !.. You come flying off the sidewalk on the other side of the road, you cut that guy off... then you blow the 4-way ! ..."

At this time I can see his lips moving, as I'm still passing him, but my Music is way to loud in my ears to really hear what he's saying.. and I complete my rant with, " it's riders like you who give all Cyclists a bad name ! ".

Know what I'm saying ? .. seriously. Don't you wish you could just do this more often in your motor vehicle to the stupid girl who is texting and swerving all over.. etc etc.

It didn't even really feel good to tell him off. It's just like there is this One little place where the Neanderthal City designers of Calgary have actually incorporated a special little place where Cyclists in the NW can ride safer, more recognized, and somewhat more respected.. and this guy has to completely destroy all that, in a brief split second decision. Make more bikes lanes for Calgary ? huh, why ? .. heard that story many times.

People. When you cut through Stop signs, and blatantly ride in a horrible and disrespectful fashion in regards to Motorists.. you are totally abusing all the rights that Cycling Advocates have worked so hard to obtain in this backward farm bred diesel burning war supporting Province. Think about what you're doing for a second.

And same goes for all you Asshole Bike Path bandits who ride 40km/hr on the Multi User path system. People have died in the past and have had horrible accidents, and one day, somebody you care about will be an innocent victim of somebody who is riding just like you have been.

that's my rant... man that pisses me off.

In fact. I was so MAD. On my way home, the ONLY way I can get to my home... other than ride on CrowChild, is to use the New Pedestrian Overpass that is built in the NW that connects Royal Oak to Arbor Lake, crossing over the new 6 lane, kilometer wide, Stoney Trail.

Now mind you this overpass has been 'usable' by persons such as myself for nearly 3 months now, since the concrete was poured and cured. However, the actual bridge approach has yet to be completed so there is a twelve inch drop or so, from the concrete into the dirt at each end.

Well, ok, the Landscapers have been there dumping fresh top soil on both sides of the new path leading to and from the Bridge. Which when it rained left a Mud caked Multi Path that was so gross the mud actually clogged up the forks of my road bike and I ended up having to carry it... again, this is a City of Calgary pathway...

And on... I'm coming home yesterday now, riding up the new pathway towards the overpass, the weather is somewhat cloudy but warm enough, it's been a good ride. But wait ! what's this ? Two big metal posts driven into the mud on both sides of the asphalt path, and double wrapped Orange barricade barrier shit blocking the way ?. WTF ! ..

Remind me, how else am I supposed to get to and from work using a bicycle while living in Royal Oak ?... there is NO OTHER WAY>.

I proceed to throw a bit of a tantrum, I grab the metal post and bend it over in half.. RAWWWW!!!!

and tear the orange plastic crap from the wire holding it all in place. DONE./ Then continue on my way towards the overpass fully expecting to see construction guys working there. But no, there are no construction guys, that I will add, say good morning to me everyday, and vice versa. But as I approach the bridge, there are no people... only more ANGER !! There is some sort of fully constructed wooden barrier, made with two by fours and plywood, wired up across the entrance of the bridge, for no apparent reason other than, 'Bridge Closed'. Not to hold back anything now, I start to untwist the heavy gauge wire hold the structure to the metal bridge entrance way, I get the first wire off and try to simply dislodge the whole outfit, but it's made well. .. but not Dali Strong. With Incredible Hulk rage I karate kick the assembly, blowing the wires apart on the one end, and then grabbing the 2x4 and tearing at it really hard I pull the spikes out of the wood. With half the Blockade in my hand now I throw it off the overpass... down into the black top soil mud below, followed by the rest of the stuff that is now my victim.

Crossing the bridge, I see the other side is the same, only build really really well. It lasts about 2 seconds, and is once again, chucked from the overpass. Really pissed off now I pick up the huge roll of landscape mat that is set to assist in the blockade, I am strategically with the roll set to ' unroll' like a big roll of toilet paper, and I chuck it off the over pass, with assorted buckets and Traffic barriers.

THOSE DICKS ! Who do they think they are that they can stop me from using my bike to get to and from my place of employment in a timely and efficient manner ?.

I'm almost tempted to push over their outhouse too, but settle for destroying the second large Orange barrier and metal pole fence assembly. EEEEFFF UUUUU !

.. this morning. Saw the guys again, said 'good morning', they said 'good morning'.. Wreckage everywhere. ya, that's right, don't fk with me and my commute.

This is what it should be all about....

2010-05-30T19:06:00.001-06:00

yeah.. well said, or written.. whatev

Oil Lords profit from decay.

2010-05-30T17:50:00.007-06:00

I used to work in the Oil and Gas business, directly. I was a worker who would control, maintain and monitor production of Natural Gas and Oil wells. Specifically I was an 'Operator, or in other words, a person who would complete the duties that machines could not do, such as : pump the pump, and dump the bucket. Aside from a menial maintenance task based job that rewarded me with a 6 figure salary... I was also a Supervisor. At times I would have 20 or more men on a site that I was in direct control of. Considering my career in Oil and Gas a success, means that no persons died in their line of work, while I was in charge.

Technically, the most important aspect of my job was ensuring that the gas or oil was flowing out of the ground( Production ) through the main Surface established component of the well, the Well Head.
I, as the Operator, was simply the person who had their hand, at all times, on the Valve that controlled the wellhead and the associated production of whatever was coming out of the ground through this well head, to the process plant and connected pipelines.

Let me tell you... as a simple human made of water and bones containing a warm heart... nothing that came out of the well was of any real use to me personally. In fact it was all harmful, all of it. Poisonous doesn't begin to describe what some the constituents 'are' of produced Oil and Gas. H2S for example, Hydrogen Sulfide, I worked with it every day.

Hitler also knew about H2S, and experimented with it's use in his Gas Chambers for murdering humans, except it's just so damn corrosive and deadly, it would dissolve the pipes used to transport it to the Gas Chambers. Often resulting in deadly explosions and deaths of his own Nazi soldiers. .. So eventually they began to realize that Cyanide Gas was somewhat 'easier' to work with/. Ultimately though, Carbon Dioxide and Carbon Monoxide is what the Nazis eventually used as 'cheap' death gas... hooking up the large Diesel powered trucks via Hoses to the Chambers where the Humans would be trapped, running the trucks continuously, and thus gassing the people at a slower rate than the aforementioned gases, but no less effective as death would result due to asphyxiation.

Speaking from experience with H2S in a 'small concentration, it took the life of someone I worked with. At another site where I was employed, an Operator who was overworked, decided to 'nap' in a rather large and heated well Metering shack... a small leak of 'sweet' natural gas in the building evicted the oxygen in the building while Cliff slept.. and he died there having his nap. My supervisor finding his dead body later that evening.
In other incidents a friend of mine opened the door of a well shack and introduced oxygen into the well shack that was 'full' of natural gas, a static spark ensued from his paper and clipboard, and he was exploded, thrown back nearly 10 meters into the snow, his hair and eye brows burnt off, and his underwear strap melted to his waist, Ryan lived though, and immediately retired from the industry.
You see, the office types, they don't understand what we go through out there. But it doesn't really matter, 'because we get paid a lot'...

.. Surprising how in a way each time we get in our Honda's, our Mercedes, or our Chryslers, we are essentially using relatives, or descendants of those Nazi Death Machines... as the vehicles we drive today still use the same carbon based fuels as those in the forties, or twenties... etc.. or the Rail. ? Sad really.

Hear are a few FACTS I have been researching in the last week or so:

A fuel tanker truck, a large one, say an 'extra long/ Tri axle' trailer... can hold accurately 30,000 liters of product. Weather that be water, gasoline, or even oil. 30, 000 liters, in the Oil business we would call this 30 cube, a rough term for 30 m3.
1 m3 = 1000 liters.
10 brrls US Oil = 1.5 m3, metric

The Bow River, as it flows through Calgary is constantly measured, here is a link. If you connect here to the link you will see that the Bow this past week has been flowing 97 m3 to roughly 105 m3, per second. Meaning obviously, that if you stood on the 14th ST bridge and looked into the water for 60 seconds, you would see roughly 6,000 m3 of water flow. Imagine that, watching the Bow river for 60 seconds... all that water... 6 million liters per minute !!!.

In comparison, with a 'Medium Estimate' of the BP Deep Water Horizon well is flowing roughly 3,000,000 liters per day of Oil into the Ocean. Assuming a low 'average' rate of 3000 m3 of Oil per day/ or 19,000 Barrels... since the BP Horizon well blew up on April 20/ 2010...

An accumulated amount of oil has been released equivalent ( 120,000,000 liters) to watching the Bow River flow under the 14st bridge for 20 minutes straight. Of Oil. As far as you could see up the river, and as far as you could see down the river, Oil, into the ocean.
From one well.

Wouldn't that be beautiful ?.

Canadians in the Tour of California

2010-05-17T23:26:00.000-06:00

need a nap

2010-05-17T21:37:00.015-06:00

whoa, I was reading the warning label on the Krazy glue, " May irritate eyes and skin. Contains Ethyl Cyanoacrylate. If in eyes or eyelids rinse with water for 15 minutes. Skin Bonding : soak skin in acetone or warm soapy water and call Poison Control.
Do not soak eyelids in acetone ". Do not soak eyelids in Acetone ?.. uh ya no shit !

How bout " do not create giant earth destroying oil spills " warning label ?. ... like seriously. wtf ?

I guess really, i should just say fuck it. Oil and carbon came from the earth, i guess we're just recycling it ?. in a way. No harm done. Fuck the Gulf of Mexico. ...

Late last year the Jehova's came by, you know, they do sometimes right. This time was different, it wasn't two serious lookin dudes in cheap fashion. It was a smokin hot south american Latina girl... and some blank lookin dude standing a few feet behind 'her.

So we talked. About God.

No I never invited them in for tea or anything and eventually I took the WatchTowers, haha... and said thanks. .. but man, that was nice. Then a couple weeks later... somebody's at the door, and I answer, and am requested by name. It's that guy again, but with another guy, not ' her '.

They are friends with ' her ' though, and were stopping by my place again, to deliver my Jehova Bible. Ya, you bet ! sweet. .. my own Jehovah Bible ! Wha Hoo ! Look out friends, I'm gonna be at your door next ~! ~~ " haha/ thanks guys :)

I ask, " where is she ? "

To, " not here today "

" Oh "

That was 8 months ago ish, today. And I tell ya, the Jehovah's, from where ever they are coming from ??? stop at my door now, relentlessly, at least 3-5 times a month. But never ' her again since .

You see, I have this cheap philosophy about religions that I've grown up with. And one of those beliefs is that I'd rather have Jehovah's coming to my door and preaching to me, than a religion which is viewed negatively in the Media, and is presented as threatening.

Politely, I answer the door.. sometimes, and hear their brief spiel and listen to there questions of me and my belief. There is always though, that one guy... who was with 'her that day, and he mentions obscurely sometimes, " I was with her ", that day.

whatever dude./ I'm not into Cult chicks.

.. I answer honestly, " yes, I've talked to the devil, we've visited several times.. but my great Gods always destroy the beast ". I suppose my Gods could be my bikes . :)

They are blown away and usually at a loss for words sometimes, I just over talk them.

In Jehovah God's land, scientism, is forbidden, also signs of darkness, such as Ozzy, Lord of the Rings, and especially Slayer :) are also very ' outlawed '. Give up Ozzy ? wtf ?...

Today though, was different.. . I've had enough. I was having a typical busy Monday, and you all know that's usually preceded with the awesome Sunshine basted kickass weekend, that leaves you struggling on all four's to get out of bed for that first day of work.

There they were, that one guy, again.. and this time a nicely dressed white girl, possibly 30 ish, that'd I'd never seen before.

I was abrupt you could say in my abrasive greeting, " yes, I was cycling again, racing in Edmonton, thank you ". Displaying my impatient and somewhat tired optimism of their motivations to bother me.

" Was it 10 spd racing ? "

Bewildered, I don't know what to do with this mawkish douche. How many times will he come here and not realize that I'm ever going to join their Club ?

I imagine vividly I have an Airsoft Machine Gun, with a full pack back reservoir of Ammo. Wearing my Red Headband, I mutter the words : "Run you Tip Top wearin Mofo, cuz you're about to get an ass full of plastic.. and you too BIATCH!.. you ruined my nap ! do do do do do"... however, I only imagine this.

" Enough. I want to see ' her '. Bring her to me", I tell him, " or don't come back "

slam.

Road Cycling.

2010-05-12T01:07:00.001-06:00

4:32 of your life, are you ready ?

Sunday Jam in Kelowna from dallas on Vimeo.

snap !

2010-05-10T23:00:00.004-06:00

Just wanted to help spread the Gospel for good buddy Kirk and the crew from River Valley up in E-Town, how's those Oilers ??/ haha ( Go Canucks ! )

Anyways !!! Not only is the DeadGoat Giver-8tor 8 Hour Enduro coming up, but

Alberta Cup #2, Perogy XC is next weekend. !!

There's food, prizes, bevy's and uh, ya, Perogies !!! sweeet..

2010-05-02T01:18:00.002-06:00

not much too report... . i'm being swept away . see you in a few days. or not.

YES YOU CAN !

2010-04-22T22:52:00.005-06:00

RAAM is approaching once again, and RAW too. This year I have several friends attending, and some competing as well. WOW, . The Race Across America. it's fkd up.. that's all I have to say..

It's difficult to me somewhat, to really accept what these people will be facing soon. In essence it's like when you're friend, or brother, are going off to war. Seriously, they just may never come back. So idealistically, why do they do it ?., Their 'cause', their Will, their Championissimo... It's what I describe as 'far superior human beings'. Really, these people are the source of my cycling inspiration. Shorter ABA type events, ok, they're very cool too.

but.. The World Toughest Bicycle Race. .. that's all you have to say.

It is a war, that ride, a war with yourself... 22 hours a day of riding, for 12 days. ..
i don't know if I could do it.

Looking back to my last UMCA event, the RAW 2009, I feel like I have a post traumatic stress type issue with the whole outfit. Who I was, how completely destroyed I was... that is not my proudest moment. To stand solemnly there, in the middle of the night, standing on a lonely dark and desolate piece of asphalt in the middle of nowhere.. leaning your hands on your saddle, and resting your face against your bike seat, resting... living, dying, pulling it all apart and putting it all back together again.

When you've ridden to 50 hours straight... And that Team Car pulls up beside you, they need to understand you are not the human they know of a week previous. They must understand you have transcended the regular world of civilization, you are no longer civilized.
The rider is now simply the tool of the Crew, to be driven, like a instrument. to success.

but try to have a good time.. .. for you cannot have a slaughter, without laughter.

2010-04-21T22:49:00.004-06:00

Anonymous.
I'm a bike addict, and I'm anonymous. It's a problem. I love that piece of metal and ingenuity. I really love it, like... as in a relationship love. It hurts me, rewards me, scares me, and sometimes, once in a while, gives me a victory.

When I had one of my first road bike 10 speeds, ( Dad bought 2 for 10$ ) I'd already had BMX before that, but never 'skinny' tires. A new transition was born from 1 spd BMX bikes, to a new Groupo of 10 yr old Kids, "'those with gears" ... from thereafter, we were invited into a new realm, of Distance.

Fishing poles attached and gear towed, Jason and I would bomb out of town, on many a variety of road, leading to creeks and lake side fishing. And how did we first get there, through the gravel, fishing gear attached, backpacks etc.. ... ?.
We shredded the shit out of it . On our 10 spds. 1985

Train

2010-04-18T23:39:00.003-06:00

Someone was asking me about my 'training', had I mentioned I did a spin class this spring... ?

on my trainer at home, warm up 10 min. then pyramid, 4 sets, 3 minutes each. 310, 340, 370, and 400 w.. then chill, 3 mins. 10 min TT@moderate/ dynamic. rest, .
then pyrmids, 15 sec on, 15 off x 4 =1 minute, + 1 min rest, then next step :
starting at 480, 510, 540, and 570w. = almost crying.

intervals. twice last week. threshold boosters.

the 'scan'

2010-04-18T17:02:00.003-06:00

I knew it ! it's outta the bag !

.. was discussing with an anonymous authority the suggestion that, or perhaps the 'hunch' that sometimes the ladies, or shall I say, 'fans', of bicycle clad men, may at times, inadvertently, not on purpose of course (sometimes).. give us, the ' The Scan'.
.. from behind the tinted, or not so dark, or no glasses at all, the I want to see 'scan'.

You know what I'm talking about don't you ?. hungry eyes ? ' The Scan ' /.. ?.. uh huh, it's true.

Oh yes !!, it was fully admitted by my counterpart of the female persuasion that this is admitted to be 'the' time when girls, I quote, " actually have a chance to look and see, or imagine... just what may be hiding under that oh so thin layer of fabric " :)
the scan. was revealed. beware men !! cover yourselves. size does matter.

.. or, do as I do and get the Dr. Phil Abbot ' Podium Prosthetic, now available at UofC Oval Sports, in the Balms and Creams section... Available in rigid, or inflatable. $9.99 for the 'Beef on a Bunnin", or $15.99 for the Trev Mel Gibson Williams.

I'm starting to see why guys invented Lycra shorts now with the colour BLACK, it's a censor
. ... i don't know ? what do you think ? .. . I can't say for sure ?> but since I wear XL.. well..

you just may be the subject of a Scan too ! 2010 has begun.

Saturday.

2010-04-12T21:48:00.002-06:00

Was going to be one of 'those' rides... you know, the kind where you eat cream corn or Hp sauce , or whatever the hell you can find that you think will satisfy your issues :)
Unfortunately for me, I had a pretty serious mechanical in the front wheel hub and was a DNF, so no go.. turned out that days Cheezy Vid became crap too, unfinished, and forgot to change the HD settings upon upload./ Shit happens. For further reports, follow Jeff Neilsens epic report of epicness.. jeeze, I guess it really was a Big Day Out :)

MI IV

2010-04-08T22:47:00.003-06:00

Stappy called it. Water Valley Loop 200+, -5 predicted for early morning.
Gig cards wiped, Lithiums charged, previews call for 5*****, the cover is printed.

HP is ordered.

the best of ? ya maybe...

2010-04-07T12:07:00.000-06:00

...something in the way

2010-04-06T20:48:00.005-06:00

War is what I am, today I accept that. It is all that I know inside, most of the time. Even, it is what I seek. The answers almost come clear, and are then obscured again, begging to be found, each new mission showing glimpses of the realm where the answers lie. What will be the next mission ?...

Yes, I have a cause, and no, I do not. I only need the conflict, for it has a purpose, to drive the machine. The good vs. the failure, the will vs. the weakness...
Perhaps my spirit is the likeness of living a thousand years ago... it seems like. Oh how it would feel suiting to plunge the tip of my sword into the heart of my enemy, satisfying you could say...
... so I do it on two wheels instead.

At times though, I have found peace, pure, uninhibited, peace, at times...

I may never know what drives this battle inside my heart, only that it feels empowering to me. Sometimes it does not do good for my life, and other times it is the good. The desire is above my life, above my work, above my friends, and yes, above all. It can't be controlled, only harnessed and set free in a forward rolling motion.
The Salty Dog, the Giver8tor, Death Race, Texas Time Trials, the Race Across the West, changed me... evolved my passion... pionted to my destiny.

The Furnace Creek 508 is still several months away. And as I wish to compete in similar events, I am just not able to. Restricted by employment, the bills, and conscious expectations of society, I feel tied down.. too often...
Would I simply get on my bike and ride into the apocolypse, never to look back... yes, I would.

I was going to ride to Penticton on Friday... but I've decided to use the Work time off instead in early May, for a more fulfilling purpose. ..

Hopefully some clarity comes soon, as the Cannondale six13 is nearly rebuilt.

9-5 is just not for me... I'm gonna break my rusty cage

Untitled from dallas on Vimeo.

Good Friday was indeed.

2010-04-03T22:51:00.005-06:00

How cool is it when you can go riding with somebody and at the end of the day they tell you, "that was the most kilometers I've ever done in one ride ", sweet.
The route started with a trip from my house to downtown Calgary and to Cliff Bungalow. Then out of the city to the South via 37th leading into the 773, across the 22x and continuing on into the hills of south Calgary. We road the 'road to Nepal', then to Millarville, then north up RR 33 to Plummers, then west on the gravel for a few k, reaching the pavement again at the 762 to go north up to Bragg Creek again. Super sunny stellar day :)

It must have been 'day of the birds' as we saw a few very colorful characters along the trip including a large Peregrine Falcon, a couple Marsh Hawks, and just outside Millarville was a tasty looking Ring Necked Pheasant running away through the grass. I guess I could have provided some pictures in the video, but the lo Res GoPro Cam kinda sucks at that sorta thing :} and who wants to carry a camera with them on all their rides anyways ?. I suppose decent technology for entertaining the masses still comes at a price.

Classic roll. from dallas on Vimeo.

back by popular demands !

2010-03-29T22:07:00.003-06:00

the skippy Super Tramp vid !...

nothing serious from dallas on Vimeo.

I tell ya, if you're gonna train for Road Racing in Alberta.. you ride with TRON, that's the way it is. And if Jesse James Colins is there ?... without Sandra ::: mission : destroy

Still -1 in the morning.

2010-03-23T21:04:00.004-06:00

Now that the sun is up earlier, and since the time change has passed.
I commute by bike a little more = driving less, to and from my destinations.

In the morning, I take the Crowchild to work sometimes, briefly. I head to eth 1A, then through Stoney Tr east to Nosehill Drive. * This is a little bit a shock to the system so early in the morning. * There's SOOO much gravel... one loose move and SKETCH!! and broken lumber and rocks n gnarl. . out.. death gravel bar grinder.. possible..., never.

So I ride in the lane, giving the cars 18-20 inches away, for about 700 mtrs, HWY 1A. All this at 7:30am, rush hour, and I'm totally stressed before I even get to work.. hahaha !
The one good thing though about this route, is it's the most direct, fastest way to commute to work. for my bike... So, if I don't make it through the Green light at Stoney, I usually have to wait at the Red, and then punch it from the GO. 0 - 60 in 6-8 seconds, off the front.
The road starts rising slightly... over the construction bump, and the 1st car or 3 go by me. .. The shoulder widens, a little bit at the end of the cement barrier, and I'm usually only 2-3 cars back from the lead now .. going into the downhill.

On the right ahead, is the Stoney Tr/ Crowchild off-ramp merge that I have to be aware of. A dump truck here, or box van is a great chance to catch the Draft and get up to 70km pretty easy.(in the 60 Zone), otherwise I stay in my main right lane, Sprinting downhill to the Nose Hill Dr. off ramp. Maxing out.
Then into Silver Springs, easy peasy after that. 26-28 minutes later, I make it to the UofC. But... if I hit all red lights, maybe then 30 minutes. Great way to start the day.

{(<\o/>)}

2010-03-21T22:28:00.004-06:00

I thought Dad would like this one since we grew up in the era of Chuck Norris, Arnie and Stallone.. ...

Decided not to go riding sunday morning. Jumped in the auto instead and aimed for a subject, in the direction of downtown, then the War Museum came to mind.

I'll have to maybe go inside one day ?...

sorry for the not cycling related Post.

war museum from dallas on Vimeo.

Cool story Credits go to the guys I work with at the University. They built the 'holder' that the CF-5 Jet is mounted on.