Here we go ... again....

So it's hard to believe that the "rest" period of my season has ended so quickly. I took a couple weeks off the bike... still did some active stuff with the kids and at school but no official training. So here's the story of my first REAL training ride... i head out to the forest with Emily Batty for a couple hours of mountain biking... turned out to be the last ride in the forest before the snow fell. I go into the forest feeling good and looking nice in my white and red Trek Store coat... but come out feeling banged up with a whole lot of dirt on my clothes. "Who's the old guy riding with Emily that keeps falling? He should just get out of her way...".... yeah... 3 crashed later we get out of the trees and head home. Training has started pretty well... had a bit of a sore knee for a week or so, but i've stretched that out and am fine now. Just building base hours and will start serious training for next year come January. So for now... i just want to brag that i will have the coolest bike in the world next year... "So Barry... what bike am i riding next year?" .... "Well Jon, you did pretty well last year so i guess i have to upgrade you to the Fuel 9.9"... "Sweeeeeeetttt"....

I hope i get all the crashes out of my system in the winter..... Time to get the cold clothes out of the closet and get used to a 15min dressing procedure before actual training.... or spending hours in the basement watching re-runs of Lance Armstrong's Big 6.... oh well... it's better than getting fat....

Another Sad Ending...

So this is an unexpected post about another sad ending.... the life of a colleague and friend from West Hill PS where i work..... On friday Brent Trick passed away at the young age of 29.... too early by anyone's standards. It was a very hard day for teachers and students alike... and this week promises to be the same. You will be missed by all of us Brent....

The end of a good run....

So now it's over... all those months of preparing, training, eating well, sleeping (never enough) travelling and racing have come to a close... but i can't be upset with how things played out this year. The last 2 'cross races of the year were pretty good ones... although i never REALLY got into 'cross this year. Finished with a strong 3rd place at Hardwood... and a good suffering at Provincials. Had to make the trip to Ottawa for the final race... spent some time with the relatives and friends... and raced at Mooney's Bay. Tough course.... good competition.... skipping gears.... bad choice. Was riding well in 3rd half way through until i got caught again by Derek... rode his wheel and tried to ride the run-up hill (i did it every other time.....) but of course i slip out, stumble off the bike and lose the wheel... never to be re-gained again. Like i said... can't be upset about 4th on the day and 3rd in the Province. So now i look ahead to a few weeks off and active recovery before starting to build again for next year. Plans for the upcoming season? If my wife had her way... i'd sell all my bikes, give up on racing and use the money to hire a 21 year old Scandanavian massage therapist for daily treatments.... but i think i'll just keep racing. Quebec races? Yes.... Nationals in Canmore? Yes.... All the O'Cups? Yes..... Head to the US for a NACS Race? I hope so..... Crank the Shield? Hmmmm.... that could be fun.... But for now i just need some rest, some time with my kids and wife... and a few extra cookies to satisfy my inner demon....