Blogs

Lets first start off with man it is a far drive. About 11 hrs of traveling for 80min of racing.

Drive was pretty uneventful until we got below the mountains and then the snow came. Not too bad but just enough to piss you off. Then the traffic jam on the 295 with some guy doing 25k in the right lane with his 4 ways on.

We decided to go early to the race on Saturday to help get Pierre all set to go but he was so hyped that he rode with someone else down to the race site. We all drove down a bit latter.

12cm of snow fell on Thursday. 6 degrees forecast for race day. What is going to happen. Mud and slush in the open and ice in the trees. How do you say crash fest.

First time this year that it is back to the age groups. I looked at the preredistered riders and MB is looking tough. I believe that Paul Greene is going to our ass followed by all of the other M1 riders in the field.

MA even has some S1 riders in their class.

did anyone record the "A" channel coverage of the cross race this past Sunday?

thanks

stephanegti@yahoo.com 

Well I can't believe we only have 4 races left this season. It seems like we are just getting started.

Most of the races have been very exciting. The closest being the M1 cat. The top 5 are very close at all races and usually comes down to a sprint finish. Very cool to see as most other fields are very spread out.

There has also been lots of movement between Cats. Some have gone up and I don't know if anyone has moved down.

Do you like Paris to Ancaster but are looking for a little bit more?

Well I can't believe I am going to say this but I wish the weather would change. The races so far are just too hot! I put a bottle cage on for Willow Beach after I had a near melt down at Valley Park. Drank the whole thing and felt much better.

I am also hoping for some mud. DUST SUCKS!

Last week I couldn't get out of work on time, so showed up way too late to ride, so this Tuesday at Centennial was my first 'cross ride of the year. I left my bike at home because it was pouring when I left, but the evening looked fantastic.

Started the night off with a loop around the park, where I had an issue with my crank - ongoing from last year - I guess it's not solved. After fixing that and getting a bit of a warm-up, Scott gave everyone a lesson on picking the bike up and then I did some hot laps, chasing the Bike Zone guys who are looking strong again this year, then stopping to chat, then another lap, building up to multiple laps and more mount/dismount practice.

After being Vergified the other week, I had the lingering taste of racing in my mouth, so being deep in southern Alabama the following week, I found myself at the Alabama Cyclocross State Championship with Aldo Sfalcin. The Alabama Cycling Camp took me in for the preparation of this race as long as I was coached by Aldo himself and to wear their jersey at the race. Not a problem!!

My coach, soigneur, team director and I hopped into my car early in the morning for the 2.5 hour journey to Cullman, AL. On our drive up, Aldo explained to me the facets of cycling and what I was doing right and wrong and went on about everything under the sun about cycling... The travel time just flew.... :p

With my experiences at Verge I cannot help but wonder what the elements are that could bring something like the east coast series to Ontario. Is it prize money? Is it major sponsorship dollars? Is it UCI rankings. Is it a local ground swell that brought the sponsorship? Is it plain old rah rah rah. I wish that I had picked someones brains while I was down there. One thing is certain, the senior elite racers wre amazing to watch. The best part was seeing kids on tiny cross bikes riding the same course as the pros. They stayed all day to watch the big race. I certainly believe that a forum like this one will make the cross community come closer together.