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!!
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