Lesson Learnt

Next time you're pondering whether to race or not, just frickin do it! I was close to not going today, but dragged my arse to Harborview even to get a training ride in.

It was long, uncomfortable and unusual punishment, but definitely worth it because I went home with these two hot almost identical twins. And believe me when i say they're hot! Not like Jessica Alba or the chick next door hot, but hot regardless.




My mechanic checking the hubs and build quality.



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Cyclocros Provincials 2010/2011

It's only two weeks till the 2010/2011 cyclocross provincials. I hope you're all sharpening your teeth and oiling the chain for the battle. Normally people go to Windsor Park to play golf or to ski, but this time it will be the venue for Manitoba CX provincials. The course will be bit hard and a tad technical, when it's dry, and quite a bit tougher if we get snow.

The partners have really stepped up and with the help of Woodcock Cycle Works, Kona, Chrome, Felt, Giant, Lambert and Norco have been secured as the sponsors for this race. Oh yeah...there will be the glory and medals up for grabs as well.

See below for more details.
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Date: November 7, 2010

Location: Windsor Park Golf Course/King George Park, 10 Des Meurons, Winnipeg, MB

Times: (Remember that daylight savings goes into effect on this day):

Citizen race at noon 12 PM, 20 min + 2 laps
Kids U13 race at 12:45 PM, 10 min +2 laps (modified course)
U15, U17, All Women, Men 40+, Men 50+ - 1:15 PM (35 min + 2 laps)
Junior Men U23, Senior Men, Men 30+ - 2:30 PM (45 min + 2 laps)

Registration: Registration opens at 11:00 AM and ends 30 minutes before your event. You must hold a UCI/CCA racing licence, MCA citizen licence or KOM licence. Registration forms will be available online and at registration. Please download the form and waiver, fill out and bring the completed form and waiver to the race.

Cost: $15 for U15 and above. Free for U13 and citizens holding a MCA citizen license. Cash and cheque only. Make cheques out to the Woodcock Cycle

Categories: The provincial championships are based on age. Because cyclocross is on next year’s calendar, the age category you race in is based on your age as of December 31, 2011. Additional categories may be added based on registration numbers.

Prizes: Medals to be awarded to each license category top 3. Additional prizing will be awarded for each start, male and female. Additional prizing is based on registration numbers. You must be present to receive prizing.

Race Course: The course will be between 2.5 and 2.8 km. There will be a double barrier, two ditch crossings, grass, some paved sections and gravel path sections. There will be a single wheel pit. Race course will be completely marked by 11:30 AM on November 7th.

Race Regulations: The race will be held under the Manitoba Cycling/CCA/UCI rules. All riders are required to wear a hard-shell ANSI or SNELL approved helmet while racing, warming up, and cooling down. For more details, see MCA website at www.mbcycling.ca

Parking: Parking is available on the King George Park parking lot.

Washrooms: Washrooms will be at Windsor Park Golf Course Club House and will be open 11 AM - 5 PM.

Extra: Cow bells available at the sign in.

The park is a public area. Marshals do not have authority to prevent people from entering. Keep your head up at all times. Be courteous to all park users.

Absolutely no muddy shoes inside the Club House. Also make sure that in case the race course is very muddy that you won't carry mud on your clothes into the Club House.

No riding on the golf course.

Cyclocross GP Weekend Re-cap & Provincials Coming Up

So another weekend is behind us and it turned out to be pretty good one...or actually an excellent weekend with awesome racing and good result for myself. The prices were awesome as well so now I have a super loud Moen bell and a glass suitable for having just two beers.

St. Malo course was nasty with a big run-up and long long looooong sand section on the beach. The fast corners were bit too much for my narrow rims and clinchers that tried to roll of the rims. Next year...build stairs on that run-up, or have two stair run-ups, or some nasty off camber stuff on that bank. The weather was nice, I like the +10 C weather for 'cross especially when it's dry. Next year again and little bit bigger with more people.

The run-up

Southern Cross didn't fail this year either. I missed most of the earlier action because I was running bit late, but it was at least as awesome as always. The course was really long though and I think B-start was doing +10 minute laps. I think we climbed up the hill twice a lap and the ABES guys had arranged a moving barrier in form of a feral cat. The cat wasn't afraid at all. He was more like ready to rip our eyes out than run away. I'm sure Samantha could pwn that kitty though. Well, at the end I was able to fend of Paul's comeback attempt and avoid running into any of the heckling spectators on the hill. Long lap was kinda nice though because there was no lapping of the slower riders. And post-race was as good as always. Special Southern Cross beer, farmer's sausage burgers etc. Maybe kids and B-race should be run at the same time to shorten the schedule a bit?

Photo of the day

But next it's gearing towards the provincials. I'll be organizing that race and I finally confirmed the venue. It will be a good one at Windsor Park Golf Course. I guess it's time to step things up a notch to match the other races. But it will be November 7th at Windsor Park Golf Course. Stay tuned for more details.

Southern Cross 2010

Another edition of Southern Cross took place today. Since the grand old man had to be in Cleveland, the junior sidekick had to step in. The outcome was unexpected, but satisfying, as was the grand prix of Half Pints IPA.







Those Altonanians sure know how to organize a good race.

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New Gear

Just got my (Melissa's) new rims in last week and my mechanic couldn't keep her hands off them.




They should build into a nice light wheelset.

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Decision Decisions...

OK...So I got my arse handed over to me for the second weekend in a row. Something must be done about this since I heard that there is actually some prices available for the fastest MB cross cup racer. I was prepared for the usual draw price action and as we all very well know, I've used all my luck already and from now on need to resort to skill. Or skill that I should have accumulated over the years of abusing the luck. I have heard from very reliable source (Google) that riding your bike may actually improve your ability to ride a bike, hence I will give this a try. I have been off the bike for good three weeks except the 'cross races and that may very well play a bit of a minor role in my resent state of inferiority.

Otherwise things are going pretty good. I've been too busy art work to have too many lunch breaks so I've managed to keep the weight somewhat reasonable. Leaving home at 7 AM and getting back home after 6 PM, with the darkness agonizingly inching closer and closer at both ends, does not make things easier. I'm in no rush going into the pain cave to torture myself, but then again, those blood thirsty pick-ups on Henderson are pretty scary as well.

I have this strange feeling, that Ajokoira (the hound? It just does not translate) may be packing his bags in Finland and planning a trip to Winnipeg. Ajokoira does not have too many riding buddies in Finland after much of the original posse has hung up their wheels at least for now.

And I got some goodies from the old country. Some dutch Edam, Brugse Zot and this delicious stuff called speculoos spread. This north American food just is not good for me.