Friday, July 25, 2014

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...

Thursday, July 24, 2014

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!!

Saturday, July 19, 2014

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!!!

Thursday, July 17, 2014

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!!

Thursday, July 10, 2014

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!!!

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

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!!!