Always a good time...

Went with Jake for a birthday party at Joyride 150... Great spot for kids of all ages to play.

Jake (and the Big Kids) is a fan of  the Foam Pit..... "I get to crash without getting hurt!!!"

Playing around on the Spagetti and practise Rear Wheel Tracking....

4Hrs at Joyride and my legs look like Glassfords....

Last time around...

Hit Durham Forest for the last time the other day.... Was a bit wet on the southern end but got better as I lives north. Always nice to ride the trails in December ... Even if it did require a full bike clean.
Was welcomed to the Forest with a 2wheel slide over a jump crash.... Nice one Barnes...

A bit of a different direction....

So I spent the day yesterday on a picket line for the first time in my life, and hopefully the last.  If you know much about me you will know that I have never been caught up in the fight between teachers and the government as we ask for more money, prep time etc…. I love my job and my kids, and have never complained about the money, hours, prep time or holidays, but this time is different.

I was listening to a talk show the other day on the way home from school, and they brought up a very interesting point, which I will explain.  At this point in history, where everyone in the education world, anyone who has a child or a heart is feeling the pain and suffering that follow the elementary school shooting in the US, it is upsetting to be denying the students a full education.  The point was made by a guest speaker, and one which I agree with, goes something like this (I may have the exact words wrong but the message is there….)

“At this time, where everyone has a heavy heart, it would make sense for the teacher’s union to withdraw their one day Rotating Strike because it is now very obvious how much teachers care for and love their students.  When there are teachers who hid their students in a closet, stowed them under desks and lied about their whereabouts, and were killed for their decisions and actions, it is painfully obvious how committed teachers are to the students in their classes.  These are professionals who, for no fault of the parents, spend more time with these kids than the kids spend with their own parents, and it would be understandable for them to forgo the one day strike and head back into the classrooms because they want to spend time with their students”…..

An interesting thought, and one that I hope the government and the public have been paying attention to…. I’m not sure there are many professionals who would risk their own lives, run to protect and assist others and put themselves in danger if their pharmacy, law firm or bank were in danger…. A bank only contains money, while a classroom contains the hope, future and most precious part of a family…. I can only imagine how those parents, staff and other students feel at a time like this….

So as I get back into school and my 31 kids come back to see me, I will smile at them and tell them that I missed them yesterday, because I did.  For those of us who love to teach, who look for opportunities to improve the skills and knowledge of our youth in every way possible, teaching is about the kids, and these contract negotiations are taking away from the learning and lives of our kids. 

Hang it up for another year....

So the end of the 2012 season has officially passed... i had my 9 days of "Rest" and it's time to start planning / building / preparing for the next season....
It's always good to look back on your season and focus on the Highlights and Challenges so you know what worked and what needs improvement... so here's my Top 10 Highlights of 2012:

#1) Nationals - not just because i won, but because it was a race that i could have easily NOT won after my multiple crashes, and it was probably my most mentally focused race of the year...

#2) Crank the Shield - totally fun race that was still very much a race, and was glad to be part of the Front Group for most of the time - great to change things up and challenge myself in a different way....

#3) Hardwood Canada Cup - my "Home" course, and one that has treated me very well over the years... and it's great to pay back by riding with the Kids and Represent the Trek Store that helps me out so much...

#4) TrekWorld - amazing to be part of the Test Rides, VIP treatment and an amazing Trek Canada Road Trip....

#5) WORS XC in Wisconsin - a great way to finish the trip to TrekWorld and an exciting challenge against a whole new set of competitors....

#6) Tremblant Canada Cup - again, not because i won, but because it's one that i won't forget because of the Crazy Events that happened with Jake on the day before the race - not "ideal" race prep, but sometimes it's just about Guts...

#7) Provincials - one of those races that i should not have won, but a reminder that Consistency and Control are just as important as Power and Preparation...

#8) Family Rides - now that Luke is officially racing, it has changed how i focus myself for the races, and a great chance to get out with the Family to train, which helps my heart in many ways....

#9) CX - was just planning on racing for "fun" but sometimes it's more fun when you are at the front controlling the game - 1st, 5th, 1st is not a bad Fun Season....

#10) Stava - makes Intensity and Intervals just that much more fun....

Here's to looking ahead to 2013 and the excitement that promises to come....

Oh Canada....

So i went for a nice roll today... 2.25hrs in the misty rain and it wasn't that bad... compared to what is coming... but i was quite dis-heartened with the sighting of an abunandance of Beer cans / bottles in the ditches... which got me to thinking during the ride 3 different things: 1) Why do people litter in our ditches?  2) Do people really have the money to throw Refundable / recyclable cans into the ditch?  and most importantly 3) Are this many cans really coming from people who Drink and Drive on their way home from work / parties / other locations? 
All 3 of these questions had answers that upset me... considering i (honestly) saw around 100 cans / bottles in the ditches....
The beer may be Canadian, but the action that put it there certainly is NOT.....

What else do you do on a Saturday morning?

Got to spend some quality time with Steve "Rango" Heck hanging out high above the ground.... fastening Christmas lights to Construction Tower Cranes... did the same thing last year so i think we have a little Business going on here....

The glow of the little Blue Lights with delight the night-time drivers on the 401 at Yonge Street... if you're driving by take a look towards the North East corner of the 401 / Yonge street to see our Handy Work...

Ran 30 sets of Red Lights on the Taller of the 2 cranes... and they look Pretty!!!

2nd crane didn't have the nice wide Internal Walkway as the 1st crane did... so we had to shimmey our way out the Boom along this little cat-walk... not that bad unless you are carrying 40lbs of lights and cords 225feet above the parking lot....

Ran them right up to the Tip Top also....

Wondering if 911 got some calls about "Jumpers" on the cranes that morning....

Durham CX

Had a great day for a CX race.. and my last of the year.... down at Heber Downs in Durham.... rode over in 15min as a warm up and had a great ride... wasn't sure how the legs would respond after a week fighting a cold, but things turned out well.... got off to my usual "In Contact With The Lead Group" start as we began the first of 9 laps... and 9 times up a hill that would not have been too bad but was VERY TOUGH for me with my non-climbing gears... had to stand it from top to bottom and crank out 50rpm....

Start of the 2nd lap, and Steve "Rango" Heck slipped out on the short power climb by the parking lot and then dropped his chain, followed by Mark Brusso dropping his chain in the same spot which gave me a great line through the middle to attack.... "Hey Barnes... it's pretty early to take off on those guys.... good idea?"

So i just settled into a strong pace that i could hold and kept an eye on the time gap... kept it around 25sec for the first half of the race.... until i saw Ed Makurchuk chasing me.... "Time to GO Barnes!!!!"  Rocked the down hill... most of the time ... looking smooth and fast....

.... until i touched the rear brake a bit too hard and layed out the Durham Drift..... impressive because i didn't eat gravel or bark....

...."Yeah.... I meant to do that... cool eh?"...

Held off Ed and Mark for the 2nd CX win of the year with a gap of 25sec.... "Rango... we're just going to race some 'cross for fun, right?"... Yeah Right....
I was actually upset that they lost the Mill St. Beer Sponsor.... i had every intention of pouring one back to celebrate the end of the season.... i guess Recoverite will have to do....
Thanks again to Jon Safka from cyclingphotos.ca for the support, cheers and pics....

MacGiver Move!!!

Out riding CX bikes in Durham forest a few days ago and got a stick caught around my cassette. Got jammed way in there so I couldn't pick it out and couldn't find a small enough stick to pull it out.
"Hmmmm.... C'mon Barnes. What do you have that is small enough to pull it out?"
ClifShot Gel. Not just for for adding oomph to your legs....

Dearly Beloved....

... we are gathered here today to remember a loved one who has been part of our hearts and dreams for years... the Top Fuel 100.... She has had a wonderful existance, bringing memories, smiles and enjoyment to the lives of all those who rode her.... Her smooth back end and graceful movements were appreciated during the long haul, and she has conquered many contests in many locations, easily becoming everyone's choice... and her performances will not be forgotten.

Smoothing out the bumps at Highlands Provincial Championships....

 Busting some air at the Trek Store Canada Cup at Hardwood Hills....

 She was invited to dinner in Ste. Feliciene to talk race strategies....

 Large or small rock obstacles become a thing of the past...

 I rode her to a pair of National Championships at Ste. Feliciene....

 She helped me show Geoff "K-Bomb" Kabush the fast lines.....

She joined me at the East Coast Open and graced the cover of Blue Mountain's Pamphlets....

 She became the subject of my Pro Card and tackled Tremblant's rocks, roots and hills many times...

 she stuck to the ground and provided plenty of traction for the famed "Son of a Pitch" ....

We have enjoyed the company of Olympian Emily Batty and Trek Canada's Adam Morka...

and taken me to 8 Provincial Championships in the last 10 years....

She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed..... and will live on in the legacy of the Fuel EX .....

But we must look past our saddness and our future love on the horizon .... and welcome with loving arms the arrival of the Trek Superfly 29'er... i'm sure i have enough love in my heart for both of them....

CX Provs are FUN!!!!

After 1 CX race under my belt... i thought that it would be a great idea to head up to Barrie and race in the Provincial Champs last weekend.... i did have some good training in my legs, but i'm not sure i could find a course that was LESS suited for me.... only 1 hill that was a Run-Up and everything else was Big Gear Flat Power.... but it was a pretty good day considering i didn't have the snap in my legs that i needed...

 had a great start and was in the front group of 5 for the 1st of 5 laps, and then we were caught by Andrew Croutch....OK ... so this guy doesn't Pre-Reg so he has to beg the OCA to let him race, and i'm sure he payed a huge fee and was called up Dead Last in our group of 45ish riders.... took him less than a lap to catch up to the front group and exactly 1 lap to pull away from us.... If he wasn't such a nice guy, i'd hate him...

Rolled around the course pretty well and felt alright, but was not able to Dig Deep and chase people down... was in a battle for most of the day with Edgar Apse who was riding Super Strong on the first half of the race but i was able to make time on him in all the corners on the 2nd half... so i had a location chosen to attack and stay away.... but hence my plan failed....

 instead i decided to wash out the front end on a sandy corner and take a Shoulder Roll and give him all the space he needed to stay away.... but it Fun to Play in the Mud after the short Run-Up .... finished up in 5th spot and happy with that.... Might throw in One More Race at the Durham CX race next weekend... hoping for good weather for it....

Loving every minute of it...

The Freedom of the Cyclocross bike cannot be compared.... ripping the gravel roads, rolling the pavement or blazing some trails... the Trek XO1 (now known as the Trek Cronos) lets you do whatever you want to do...

The leaves are fully ablaze in Durham Forest and the weather is perfect ... as long as you dress properly... but sometimes it's nice to go slower and stop more often.... training CAN be fun!!!

The only down-side of riding at this time of year is the early Sunsets... which can make for some dark rides home if you forget your lights... but also makes for some spectacular views on the way....

Get 'em while you can!!!

Doesn't happen very often so don't miss this one!!!!  Trek Store Toronto is having a CLEARANCE Sale this coming weekend... will be great deals on bikes and accessories.... but they won't be around long at these prices!!!  Mountain bike, road bike, Specialty bike.... get one of each!!!!

First 'Cross is always Horrible....

The warm weather finally brought me out for have some Fun on the 'Cross bike... and Albion Hills offered one of the best courses i have raced... a bunch of tough Kicker Climbs, Sandy Beach, Speed and Sunshine... good enough for Steve "Rango" Heck to make an appearance!!!!  Still dizzy from Angry Johnny's Spiral of Death...

 Playing in the Sand is always fun... as long as you make it across without Dabbing...

 Posing for the camera... Rango is still sitting so i wasn't going THAT hard....

 Rode the Mark Brusso Train for almost the entire race... was hoping to send out some fireworks and make an exciting finish but very willing to let Brusso take the W... he earned it... but he was cooked from dragging us around all day and let us go... he's a Good Man that Brusso...

 Celebrating the fact that i can stop the pain... and the Win i guess...

 Could be some "Fun" races in the future with these boys...

Is that a smile or the lip curl that occurs before passing out from lack of oxygen...?
Props to John Safka www.cyclingphotos.ca and Peter Kreiker www.kreikerphoto.com for their Awesome pics and support... great guys who watch too many races through a lens...

8hr of Partying!!!

 

Got to go play around at the Pulse Racing Epic 8hr race the other weekend...got the invite from Barry to fill in the Teams... it always seems to be bad weather for this race, so when not riding... this is the position i found myself in...

  

 Barry didn't even take off his helmet before Assuming the Position....

  

 Always nice to have the Trek Tents to shield us from the sun, wind, rain and hords of adoring fans....

  

 Especially when the Heavy Rain starts... at least i wasn't out riding for That Lap!!

  

 Although i felt like the Whipping Boy when i was Requested to do a Double Lap to try and close the 6min gap and get us into 2nd place... which turned into a Triple Lap during which i caught 2nd place with 1.5km to go and pulled the Trek Store Team #2 into 2nd place behind Trek Store Team #1....

 

 Made Barry happy enough to upgrade me from the Congrats Hug to the Congrats Kiss....

 

 Cayley "JJ" Brooks was equally proud of me... but didn't congratulate me with the same Enthusiasm.