Mike Nosco Memorial Ride 2014

Took in my 2^nd Mike Nosco Memorial ride. Wanted to get the Hammer Award (fastest time up a designated climb) as I gave the Hammer Award from last year to my couchsurf family. 

This year’s timed climb was 2/3rds of the way into the 80-mile course, Latigo, one of my favourite climbs for a beautiful canyon and average 7-8% grade.

Neutral descent down Los Posas road went ok, with a break of silence at the bottom to respect Mike Nosco's life
 - photo Facebook Mike Nosco ride

Then… the peloton dashed off in a flurry on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). Way too fast! I hung in due to the odd hill. A headwind finally slowed the leaders. Noticeably in the lead group were 4 of us women.

Up the notoriously steep Deer Creek climb, I chilled at a comfortable yet hard pace to conserve energy. I slowly passed a few riders.  Coming up on a strong woman rider, I recognized those legs again and said hi to Sue Sutton.

Tyler working the big gears! - photo rockstorephotos.com

When I reached the peak of Deer Creek the field was spread out. I was solo on the next few rollers. Lead the descent down fast twisty Yerba. At PCH, I was with 2 other riders. Fortunately, one was a strong flatlander, Tyler Locke. He hauled towards the peloton visible ahead a couple hundred metres. Myself and the other rider helped on the gentle climbs.

tough climb up 15% Deer Creek - rockstorephotos.com

Glad we caught up to the peloton by the beginning of the climb up Mulholland. Pace went nicely super casual. I noticed a guy take his cellphone out to take a photo of the peloton from the rear. Up in the peloton was a guy with the Mellow Johnny’s jersey though I brushed it off as I did not think he looked like the rumoured Lance Armstrong that was to be here as the Specialized helmet threw me off and his current physique.

Ha, Marg riding behind Lance! - photo Tyler Locke

At the peak, everyone stopped at the feedzone. I quickly filled up water and grabbed a slice of watermelon. Blazed the descent with a couple new riders forming a peloton of 6 riders along PCH.

Reaching the turnoff for Latigo, my peloton zoomed past the feed-zone to start the climb. I stopped to grab an orange and take a pee break. Another huge peloton went flying by.

Starting the Latigo climb alone, I went a hard pace looking for the painted KOM line. I had a race pace going already when I hit it and continued on to catch the peloton ahead. They were loping at a casual pace as I slowly passed the peloton on the left.

Only one guy came with me, and it was Tyler who was doing this event his first time. Tyler and I worked together for a couple km until all of a sudden he drifted back. I continued on at a good pace focusing on catching each rider ahead. Passed Steve Tilford riding casually with another rider and chatting. They started cheering “Ham-mer ham-mer” as I went by! I eventually passed the guys in my original peloton individually.

Riding westward there was a headwind so I chilled the pace treating it like the wind adding another 2% to the grading. Riding eastward, and in the sheltered canyon spots I picked up the pace. Happy to see the painted KOM line at the top and stopped at the feedzone 100m later with my head hanging. Felt like a decent effort!

When Tyler showed up,  I asked how it went. He said we both rode by Lance. "What?". Tyler points to Lance getting a coke at the feedzone. Tyler took a photo. What the heck! - photo Tyler Locke

Rode the rest of the way with a good sized peloton with Lance in it. It was interesting listening in on conversations with him… stuff like "how are the kids" and tri training. Just another cyclist now. I had boycotted watching the TdF years ago post-Lemond days. 

A few of the guys in the peloton commended me on my climb. One said it was interesting to see my climbing technique throughout. I thanked him though did not know what he meant by "throughout".

Marg sharing a "Hammer Award" beer with Tyler

Post-event, I chatted with Tyler who then told me that when he dropped off my pace, he floated back to the peloton. He ended up next to Lance who said to Tyler “Are you going to just let her go?”! Funny!

The peloton then picked up their pace. Tyler thought they were going the same pace as me though were too far back to bridge up. I had looked back one time though did not see any riders. Bonus for them to have a peloton in the wind. Mine was a good individual time trial effort!

Tyler took opportunity to get a selfie while on a 10% grade. Probably a record day of selfies and Facebook photos with Lance

Chatting with Rich Roll, vegan athlete

Post-event, it was fun to hang out and chat with the riders. The catered food at this event is one of the nicest spreads for a cooked meal I've seen at a race.

I handed in my GPS for the Strava reading for the Nosco Hammer. I managed to have the fastest women’s time, just under a minute of another strong woman, and 4^th overall of the guys who handed in their GPS.

http://noscohammer.com/Results 
Strava name is Little Hobo

California KOM Training

Tough to choose between finishing the cyclocross season and getting a couple epic mountain climbs in California. The training in SoCal would be more suitable for my upcoming adventure in Taiwan.

Even a police officer stopped to fill up with spring water

The always refreshing stop on-route at the North Ogden spring for water. Nice to see all walks of life of people lined up for water.

Poms for my birthday; gathering poms with Jan the neighbour

 At my couchsurfing home in Newbury Park, the neighbour’s pomegranate tree was in full production. I gleefully packed up a bagful when offered them. 

Oh, so luscious red poms!

Went in my 3^rd 100-mile Deer Creek Death Ride. Ride put on by local Matt Polk. The local bike shops Newbury Park and Win’s Wheels had feedzone tents on-route.

Start of Deer Creek from PCH - photo DCDR Facebook

After the first hill climb up Decker, a menstrual cramp had me bush bound. Starting back, I played catch up the rest of the way to the first feedzone.

Marg solo up Deer Creek catching up - photo DCDR Facebook

Happy to left the feed zone with Cat 1 rider Dusty and a couple strong riders. This was my first big ride since Haute Route. Every weekend since then has been double-header cross races, with the wicked ERTC hill climb ride on Thursday nights (50 km).

back view up Deer Creek - photo DCDR Facebook

After descending Topanga Canyon, I made my decision climbing epic Fernwood to Stunt Road to avoid a death march to the finish and omit the last 20 mile loop on Piuma (a super nice climb). Good call on my part as I rode back a shortened route with 2 heat-stricken guys. Ride ended up 85 miles 9000’ elevation gain, pretty good training day.

Other epic rides:

Descent from Highland Valley road near Escondido

Desert climb up Montezuma from Borrego Springs

Descent after Gibralter climb out of Santa Barbara

Hwy 33 ride north of Ojai, ocean view to the south

Same ride to the peak of Mt Pinos to the north

View from the spring water trail near Ojai

Visits

under the table with Lilly

Halloween in Encinitas to check out the Swami's carved
pumpkins with Barbara.
Many amazing costumes, kids, adults and dogs!

High school friend Patty in Torrance
 with Garrett and Gina (6' 1" grade 11!)

Patty & Marg on Redondo beach
Santa Monica mountains in the background 

Edmonton Raw Vegan Potluck - Coconut Opening Demo

Whenever I am in town, I'll make my way to the monthly Raw Food Potluck. Opportunity to taste the most amazing dishes people bring, and trade recipes. Just a good crowd of people to hang out with!

The most recent Raw Food potluck combined with the Vegan Potluck crowd and was held at Riverdale Park outdoors.

Samples of shredded coconut fresh from the dehydrator hours earlier, complete with all its oil (unlike commercial coconut flakes). And chunks of coconut meat from the dark coconut
(L to R) - photo Keltie Barbutza

As I am a frequent user of coconuts, I gave a coconut opening demonstration.

Great video by John Kohler, king of coconut knowledge. I used his technique shown at 12-13 min mark, and succeeded on my first attempt.

Made Cacao Vanilla Smoothies with my Vitamix plugged in to a few super long extension cords to the Community Centre, hence the parking lot view for the demo.


Three coconuts in various stages of life... the dark brown mature hairy coconut, a not-as-old paler coloured coconut and the super sweet and tasty Thai Young Coconut (L to R) - photo Keltie Barbutza



Would not do without the Coconut Tool to remove the thick meat from the dark brown coconut

Best spot to purchase Young Coconuts in Edmonton is at any of the Asian markets, like Lucky 97, where the turn-over is quick. Never know how long it's been since the coconuts were plucked off the tree and made their boat travel over from Thailand.

Another option is to purchase frozen coconut water and meat at Earth's General Store. The coconut water and meat is removed in Thailand before shipping, and is organic!



I gave a demo using the CocoCut Tool from Australia for opening Young Coconuts without a knife. My knife technique went so smoothly that there was little interest in this "workout" tool! I thought this tool would be awesome though took way too much effort.

Potlucks are open to all. For more information on the Raw Food Potluck, email rawveganedmonton@gmail.com. 

Check www.VofA.ca for more info on the Vegan Potlucks.

Smoothie demo I did at Pedalhead Roadworks on Whyte Ave
while Guri the owner was building a bike

Another October in California

After all the mileage and elevation climbs at both Haute Route races in Europe this summer, I still had the desire to climb a little more before x-c ski season.

Long drive from Calgary to Filmore, UT on my birthday, stopping at one of my favourite springs in North Ogden, Utah

Made the 3,000 km drive down and stayed in a few awesome couchsurfing spots on-route. It amazes me to continually find good people to stay with on the couchsurfing.org site that feel like age-old friends!

My endless pursuit to visit all the yummy fruits on their trees - my first freshly picked Avocado - super excited!

My couchsurf friends found a pomegranate tree in a neighbour's yard while they were dog-walking. They told the owner that a Canadian was staying with them that had never seen a pom tree before. We were given permission to pick the rest of the poms.
WOW, these were the best, most ripe poms I have ever tasted!!

Missed out on the persimmons tree - next year!

Haute Route - Recovery Days in Geneva

Took the Saturday night luxury bus the race provided back to Geneva. Mary whisked me away Sunday morning to the Market.

Greens! at the Geneva Market.
Surprised heartier greens like Kale not found.

My bounty of Miel - amazing flavours from different blossoms.
Acacia, Citrus, Eucalyptus, Chatagnier (chestnut), Forest, Sunflower (yum)...
I scooped even more in Spain... Bosque, Tomillo, Castano, Azahar

Later, a short drive to Dominques' farmhouse in France for an afternoon party. One of the older guests was the uncle to the wife of David Millar! The stories! I ate and ate and ate :)

Mary, Nigel with the cool shirt, Marg
I did partake in gelato outings :)

Lured to ride up Le Saleve with the views of Geneva and the fountain in the Lake.
1000m elevation gain to ride a short 44 km loop from town.
Winged navigating the crooked roads and managed to find my way

California Food Findings

I love checking out the local Farmer's Markets. Bonus is seeing produce growing that I don't get to see at home, especially on my rides. A few of my findings on my Cali trip...

My Food Bounty!!! Left to right... 
Hachiya Persimmons (from ConnieSue's where I couchsurfed in Escondido), 
Fuyu Persimmons (from Farmer's Market), 
Pomegranate (from mountain bike friend Mario's tree), 
locally grown red coffee bean (barely seen in lower pic ), 
grapes (from central CA), 
green apple guavas (had some at Barbara's agility dog haven), 
avocado (just plucked ripe off the tree), 
FIGS! (ate so many of these fresh),
unique green leaves (forgot name) 
caviar limes (super cool, super expensive), 
Surinam Cherry (look like baby tomatoes, taste tart and fruity), 
local Dragon Fruit (usually grown in Thailand), 
Avocado Blossom Honey (bold though unique taste), 
Orange Blossom Honey (tastes so amazingly like orange candy), 
fresh Pistachio nuts (still in their plant pod just picked!), 
15-lb organic black-seeded watermelon for $4 (wicked deal), 
huge yellow lemon (from high school friend Patty's backyard -missing in pic)
Passion Fruit! (missing as I ate them)

On-route Hwy 76 to Ramona, pomegranate trees!

On my mountain ride, passing through Santa Ysabel and the famous Julian Pie Company

Fresh apple cider and apple pie sweetened only with apple cider. Not raw though willing to partake after a long hot ride. Not saying that's my hand with the fork!

Ojai Farmer's Market - just happened to be on a road ride that passed through town. A few novel items like Pine Needle Juice and the freshest dates I'd ever tasted, though I was dismayed at the escalated prices as it is an artsy tourist town

Annual hike up to Belly Ache Spring for spring water, 
15 miles north of Ojai

Thrilled that Mario pointed out figs growing on trees on our mountain bike ride in Trabuco Canyon in Orange County. Bummer that the figs were green and unripe. 

Coolest produce and variety I'd ever seen at Good Land Organics at the Santa Barbara Farmer's Market

Les' daughter Naomi helped make a California Raw Snowman with his son Ken making the cool cucumber hat