How do you get fat...

Well, it has been a beautiful off season... but short lived!!!  I never really took time "off" the bike... just chose to train when i wanted to and when i had time... and this year has been a great one for getting out on some fun group rides and enjoying the bike...

Me and a couple EB's...

Beating Emily to the top of a hill can make you cross-eyed...

Thumbs up and all smiles... so much fun every time i get on the bike with this crew...

Snow???  That won't slow us down!!!

Being chased by Morka on his Fuel EX 650B is considered Intervals!!

Just can't stop going up hills....

Great times, great rides and great memories made this fall riding with a collection of Batty's / Morka's and Heck's... and a few other friends when picked up in the forest.... I love that the purpose of the rides is to have fun and stop for butter tarts on the way home!!!!

Finish it off with some CX fun...

Closed out the season last weekend at the Provincial Champs at Hardwood. Some good cold weather... Some mud... And tough climbs to make it that much more painful...

Had a good battle with Tim Marshall and together we couldn't catch Rob... So we beat up on each other.... I was stronger on the technical and Tim on the flat power. I missed my chance to retake the lead with 100m to go because I hesitated... So was out of the sprint. Can't be upset with 3rd considering I was never really in CX shape... Have spent way too much time playing in the forest and eating Halloween candy!!!

Don't hang them up yet!!!

As the weather cools down, CX season heats up... and there are still a lot of great rides to be ridden.  Don't be afraid to head out to the forest just because you think there is going to be snow.... sometimes it's nice to ride slower, stop more often, take different trails and ride with friends....
Was out last weekend with Emily and Eric Batty in the beautiful snow and Eric capture some shots of us on the trails.... a bit slick but it all helps build skills!!!

If it's hard to find the trail with all the leaves... just follow the track through the snow!!

As much as I love to ski... I'm hoping that there are a few weeks still left for rides like these...

Thanks for the Pics Eric.... let's do it again soon!!

Selfie Party

Been out lately enjoying the beautiful fall weather and the trails... Such a great time of year!!

Always nice to get out with some friends who also enjoy racing between conversations...

And then enjoying a friendly spin on the way home....

Also helping me get my lazy butt back into shape for 'cross season... 

#Ilovemybikes

Why do I do this to myself??

So now that the official MTB season is done... it's time for 'Cross!!!
A favorite course of mine has always been the Toronto CX at Centennial Park... but this year it changed venues to Wild Water Kingdom... so i thought i'd go check it out.
Not a bad course... but it took about 4mins to remember why i love to hate CX.... man it's hard!!!!
Got off to a decent start and did some chasing before settling into a group with Eric Box and Rob Holmgren... and we rolled pretty well.  I had to remember how to carve corners and lay off the brakes, but my downfall was still the deep sand!!

2 sand pits per lap x 8 lap - 15 bad lines = Lots of gaps to bridge...

With 2 laps to go, Rob put in a charge to get his gap, I tried to bridge up but couldn't, Box almost caught me... and I finished up in 3rd for M1.  Can't complain about my legs when i really  haven't been riding that much!!!

At the end of the day.... we all came across the line muddy and tired, sore back and cold fingers... and reminded that as hard as CX can be - it's about the suffering and enjoyment of pushing your body and equipment to the limit...

When's the next race????

Perfect day for the RFK!!

Under sunny skies and warm weather, the 2014 Ride for Karen started from Markham Fair Grounds.... and it was a great day all around.  A lot of riders showed up and were divided based on average speed (I was a Marshall for the 35km/h group) and we rolled out over some great roads for lots of great conversations.  I was very impressed with not only the organization of the event and the involvement of community businesses (Kirk and Kris ALWAYS run a top notch event!!) but with the attitudes and friendliness that flowed through the group. 

A good turn out.... and together we raised almost $200,00!!!  All to send kids with cancer to camps up in the Muskokas.... Thanks to everyone who sponsored me and joined the ride...

Kirk and Kris with last minute instructions for the groups.  our group of 40 stayed together for the entire ride.... getting into some good conversations and making new friends... but also finding time to lay down the Hammer!!!  there were some people that thought we should keep the average speed at 35km/h on the uphills also!!!

Just crossed the line... glad to be done, glad to have supported, glad to be part of a great thing... now it's time for Burgers and Cookies!!!  need to re-build those energy stores you know....

Another way to strengthen your heart....

Ok folks... it's that time of year again... when i put out a message / post to everyone who will listen (anyone out there??? is this thing on???)
For the first time in 6 years, the Ride for Karen does NOT conflict with an OCup race... so i'll be back riding 160km on the 7th of September to raise money to benefit kids with cancer, and help send them to camps in the Muskoka region.

I'm very excited about taking part again since Kirk and Kris Tobias are good friends of mine, and great guys.  They have lost their mother to cancer (Karen) and also their father (Kal)... and the RFK is their way of giving back to the cancer community - helping kids with cancer be a kid!!
In it's 12th year, they surpassed the $2M mark, and are always looking forward and wanting to grow.
If you would like to ride in this year's 160km or 100km ride, you can register HERE or if you are unable to join us, please be kind enough to make a donation to my cause.
My goal is $750, but would love to get over $1G.  My kids will be helping me run a RFK Bottle Drive over the next couple weeks to help my efforts.

My Personal Donation Page can be found HERE and all donations are secure credit card transactions.
Help be part of a great cause, and make a difference in the lives of kids who need our help....

A little shot of adrenaline...

So last weekend brought the return of the OCup race to Midland.... and a course that was great in the past and even better this year!!!  Thankfully got a chance to pre-ride on Friday because Saturday brought a ridiculous amount of rain .... about 70mm from noon to midnight!!  So rather than ride... we went to see a movie and then out for dinner!!!  Race morning turned out to be pretty nice... and the course dried up really well - the kids were coming back clean from the early races.  By the time my race time rolled around... the course was fast with tons of traction - a few rooty spots that needed attention but in great shape....
My legs didn't feel that great in the warm up, so i didn't really want to lead it out on the long double track start .... but neither did anyone else!!!  So off we went, and i found myself in a small group at the front.  My legs came around after a lap, but any gaps that i earned were quickly eaten away by lapped riders.  A few timely pushes kept getting me a gap, until i crashed on my head and Rob got past me.... although i passed him back when he had a coughing fit.  Just enough to get clear and then held it until the end... happy to win on a day when my legs didn't want to light up....

Post Podium was the Retro Ride (it was supposed to be Saturday but cancelled due to rain...) so a small group of us put on fingerless gloves, heavy helmets, huge glasses and flourescent clothing to go for a spin on our oldest bikes.... i had the honour of riding Dathan's (RIP) Retro Brodie.... built up with top shifters, loooong bar ends, ti handlebar, my old 1995 race plate, canti's and a slew of other really cool touches that haven't been seen in years.... remember the old Shark Fin chain protector???  Lots of fun.... we even re-named ourselves Tinker, Ned, Tomac, Frishy and Julie Furtado - if you recognize those names... you should have been riding with us!!!!

Enough for everyone...

As part of the birthday presents for the kids (their BDays are 6 days apart...) we went to see How To Train Your Dragon 2 (SO Good!!) and then out for lunch to enjoy a brownie that was much too large for a birthday boy...

 

And then we became part of History!!!

Went to see the Blue Jays play their longest game in history against the Tigers... 19 innings!!!  We stayed in our last of the 500 level for 14 innings and then filled in some empty seats in the 200's for the last bit and the Win!!!  Super long day but you can't really go home before the end once you've stayed for 15 innings!!!  We sure for our money's worth...

This is why I live here....

Another amazing morning for a bike ride... Always love seeing the sun start it's journey across the sky and starting my day on the bike... Doesn't matter what happens during the rest of the day - it started off right!!

That's Jiggidy-Whack!!

Wemt for a ride yesterday ... The day after that crazy storm... And Luke says to me "Daddy!!! There's snow in the ditch!" ... Crazy kid...

Turns out he was right!!  Accumulated hail that flowed in the ditch made "snowdrifts" .... Crazy!!!

So I threw the snowball at Luke and ride away!!

Are you up for a Challenge?

Spent the last couple Thursdays testing my skills on the amazing trails of Buckwallow cycling center... A tough set of trails near Gravenhurst... Definitely with the drive!!

They hold a weekly race every Thursday at 7pm... But you're going to want to show up early enough to pre ride. New course every week for $10 and always a challenge. They are also open for regular hours during the day and weekend if you don't want to race...

"This is a Trail??" .... Sweeeeet!!!

A day late... But still fun!!

Found some more Throwback Thursday Pics.... Funny!!!

2002 I raced for Hardwood and Bous Sports... This pics is from provincials at Bolar Mountain...

I also raced a World Cup in Canmore against Cadel Evans... He was called up first... I was called up 148th!!  He lapped me after 3 laps of a 6 lap race... Shouldn't have worried about pacing!!

Remember Treks early attempts at full suspension??  This was pre Y-bike...

 

And I made it into Mountain Bike Mag... When Worlds were at Mt Ste Anne... I lost my voice half way through the first race!!  

Yes the guy with a bad hair cut stole part of my fame...

Sometimes you just gotta go...

So this past weekend was one of my biggest weekends of the year... Nationals at Hardwood Hills... after tons of time on the course and more trips up Hwy 12 than i care to count... i came to the line feeling really good, well rested, confident with the course and ready to test it out...
After missing out on the the Maple Leaf Jersey because of a mental lapse last year... i was going to make sure it didn't happen again... and took the Bull by the Horns as they say...
Lined up with a bunch of guys who were going to start fast... i stayed with the top 3 on the loose gravel climbs and pulled to the lead on a long power uphill... looking back i saw 1 rider who was trying to stay with me (who i have raced for many years) and a small gap before what i felt was my main competitors... so i layed on the power and went for broke...

yes it was a bit earlier than i had planned to take charge of the race, but i took the opportunity and charged.... about half way through the first lap i was able to get away for my chaser (Eric Jobin) and was determined to get as many of the 30-39 Masters (who started 2min ahead) between me and the other chasers... so i always had someone to hunt down and look for...

I spent most of the 3rd lap riding along in No Man's Land until i finally caught up to / could see Danny Sutter who won the 30-39 last year... now i knew that there were only 2 riders ahead of me on the course - which gave me a bunch more motivation!!  i joked in pre-rides with Eric Batty that i was going to catch him... and he laughed me off (he's Crazy strong!!) but sometimes you need a Carrot to chase - and he was it!!

i only had one small brain lapse throughout the whole day .... clipped a tree and went for a tumble that spun my shifter down.... but other than that it was an aggressive, powerful, always-on-the-attack kind of day for me... and my legs gave me everything i asked for .... every once in a while you are lucky enough to have a day when you don't feel any pain - it's just all speed.... and this one was of those days....

Tons of encouragement from tons of people around the course kept me going hard, with legs that never cramped and a bike that performed perfectly.... going into the last lap i heard that i had a gap of 2:30 so i backed it off a little bit ... i was my race to take or lose at that point...., so i brought it home safely for a great win after a great ride.... not far off Eric and a comfortable lead over 2nd place...

It was great to have not only my family there to cheer and congratulate, but also the rest of Trek Canada racers and friends from over the years.... it's a tough sport that demands a lot from you, and it takes a little bit of that weight from shoulders when there are other people who believe in you and support you in every way.... 

Big thanks goes to Sue and the Boys as well as Barry, Taylor and the rest of the Trek Family / THT crew / Race Friends / Everyone else who yelled at me along the way.... Thanks!!

Fun times all around...

Had a fun couple weeks leading up to Nationals at Hardwood. Other than doing the normal Life Jobs... Had a chance to head down to the Trek Store to celebrate Taylor's birthday with sandwiches and Orangina...

Jake needed to relieve himself... And don't realize it was a church... Sorry God. 

Also spent many hours driving north to Hardwood to put in some laps on the course... And it's always fun chasing around Battys on Bikes!!

Smiles for everyone involved in the Trek Canada poster signing this past week... Love to see the kids smile when they get a poster and sticker!!

We also have a Trek Emonda on display... Don't be impressed with my Single Arm Overhead Press... It's a 13lb bike!!!

Trek Canada Party in Sudbury!!

So this past weekend the Team headed up to the Great White Sudbury for the latest edition of the Canada Cup series.... if you remember from last year it was a great course that bit me with a flat tire in the last 1km.... and i was hoping for better luck this year!!

Whenever the Team gets together... shinnanigans are usually involved...

Some great additions to the course actually made it harder.... and the rain overnight made the bark chips even worse to ride through (uggghhh...) but the group had a fast start (yes i lead it out...) and then Rob and I settled into our "let's kill each other" pace starting the second lap.... but this year it was Rob's turn to get bit by some rocks and suffered a flat... but with Nationals next weekend... i wanted to stay on the gas and test the legs...

After working my way through most / all of the 30-39 category... i decided to just take it home safely (and with air in the tires) to roll home for a nice Victory for the year.... a great race, some great feeling in the legs and a great tune up for Nationals next weekend... keep posted for more news about that Big Day!!

Might as well join them...

So... People are getting into this Throw Back Thursday thing... And I happened across some old pics last night in the basement... So I thought I would share a little something about how I used to be ... And what I used to look like!!

Before getting heavy into cycling... I used to be heavy into volleyball and waterskiing... To the point where I was part of a Team that out on shows around Ontario at powerboat races and for special everts... And kneeboarding was one of my Things...

Also spent tons on hours in the early morning or late dusk on the flat water bare footing... Tons of fun until you fall at 42mph!!!

Started off my "career" on triathlons... Did them for a few years and this is a pic of my very first one in Stouffville ... Came out of the water almost last... Got to top 3 on the hike and then held it for the run. Congrats via my grandpa in winning $25 and a bottle of Gatorade!!!

My legs were Burning!!

On a perfect night in a spectacular setting, with wonderful friends and a beautiful ceremony.... Emily Batty and Adam Morka tied the knot with marriage.... and it was great to be there to witness it!!  We have been very good friends with the whole Batty Crew for many years... and it's times like these that make you feel part of something / someone special....

After going through all the Official Business (and a wonderful service by Ordane Minister Friend Kate Sparling) it was time to celebrate.... 

We tracked down the Happy Couple after pictures for a quick shot with the kids.... and then sent them off to the babysitters for the night...

So we could get Cray-Zee!!!!  Danced until we wore a hole in the new concrete floor and the DJ shut us down at 2:30am.... but in typical Batty Family Fashion, we just pulled up chairs and had a great little conversation for another hour....

Snuck in a quick Selfie with Adam and Emily before the night was done..... Thanks for the celebration... and here's to a lifetime of more great memories!!!