All Glide! - My 8th Lake Louise to Banff Loppet

Last year the race was a 52 km S-L-O-G, as there was "no glide" after each double-pole! This year it was 72 km "all glide"! Was way better, though was still quite the effort with almost 80% double-pole single-kick!

The 2-3 cm of fresh snow overnight, nicely covered the slightly glazed tracks from the previous day's melting temps and rain.

Jumped on the 6 a.m. shuttle bus from Banff to the start at Lake Louise. At the bib pickup, relay skier Bill Young was kind to help arrange for my skate ski gear to be dropped off at the transition from Leg 5 to Leg 6.

photo SkierBob.ca

The race started barely at daylight on the frozen Lake Louise. There were a few racers to follow down the double pole descent on Tramline, as it was difficult to pass in the left side track.

A few lumpy road crossings had volunteers quickly shovel snow on the road after a car passed.

Leg 1 usually is the best tracked of all the 6 legs. This time is was just ok. I almost dead-stopped when my skis scraped a rock on the Hwy 1 underpass.

photo SkierBob.ca

An 800m section on Morant's Curve could not be track-set. Fortunately, there was just enough snow on the road to double-pole as the sound of ski tips hit the pavement. Just before the tracks began up the snowbank, heard the sound of grating skis likely hitting rocks underneath.

When the track swerved on a few lumpy sections, I fell a couple times landing forward on my knees.

Early in Leg 1, I managed to get in a few slurps of fresh frozen thawed coconut water from my Camelbak. It is a long leg at 22k. At the first transition, I asked for help and coached a spectator to grab a date from my forward-facing fanny pack. Excellent refuelling!

Leg 2 was the best scenic leg and was mostly in good shape (out of the 6 legs!).

photo SkierBob.ca

Leg 3 had a surprising crusty layer underneath the bits of fresh snow. The normally crazy fast descending section in the trees was calmed by that snow, thankfully. Just over half distance done… and feeling the effects of continuous double poling.

Skied mostly alone with a relay team skier passing me or me re-passing a slower relay teammate.

Leg 4 was hilarious attempting the big climbs with no grip using short weighted steps. On the descent, the track was set very close to the road. Speeding clumsily down the wobbly track had me cautious with the oncoming cars so close. It would have been a quick tumble into traffic with the skittish snow.

Leg 5 start - photo SkierBob.ca

Leg 5 was in the best shape I have ever seen it in all the years I've raced this loppet (when this section was included). Realistically, the track was still pretty lumpy with poling through deep snow every so often. I was so tired, and could not wait to get out of the adventurous back swamp section.

My double-pole single-kick muscles were maxed out!

My skate gear was waiting for me at transition… all zipped up in their bags. I quickly hollered for anyone to help me. A kind woman and guy spectator helped unzip the gear. I plunked my butt down on the damp snow to remove my boots. One toggle was iced up. Moments later to my surprise my whole boot was tugged off by the guy. Awesome help! I tossed on my skate boots. My guy then gave me my thermos I had prepared with Apple Blossom honey in warm water with cinnamon. What a great boost!

The 800m run on the pavement to the trailhead with gear dangling was awkward. Note to self to leave ski sleeves on.

Even though I now had skate skis on, I double-poled in the track whenever I could as the inner lane was lumpy. I was so happy to switch disciplines. The hill climbs were forever long. Finally onto the snowy bike path by the river, the bomb-field of teeny pine cones got me once. I fell to my knees with a screech as a couple Sunday walkers looked back at me.

photo SkierBob.ca

A short skate-ski on the river, and the finish was close by.

Ivana Novosel who I passed on the descent at Lake Louise on Leg 1 came in only a few minutes back. Looking at results, we flip-flopped for fastest solo women's times for the different legs. 3rd woman Jessica Stichelbout was also getting closer in time.

The top team "overall" was the dynamic triple of local Canmore/Banff women Maria Hawkins,  Kathy Davies and Theresa Gawron. They had a battle to the finish line with the top solo male.

I appreciate all the volunteers that shovelled snow on the road crossings, train tracks, and were marshalling all over the place (even in the back-swamp), and the cheers they gave.

I was very slaughtered at the end (and during)! It is a wicked challenge in a beautiful scenic area… to want to do it again. Each year with the varied weather conditions makes it a different course.

Epic!

Best snow at Lake Louise to Banff Loppet!

The first year out of the handful I've raced this event where a skier could probably get by with race skis unscathed. The snow was superb all the way!

Check out Tony Smith's review of participation of Team MitoCanada:
http://www.mitocanada.org/team/mitocanadas-ski-team-sweeps-the-podium-at-the-lake-louise-to-banff-loppet/

I was excited for the event though feeling the effects of long work hours, weekend warrior training only, and not sufficient rest.

The race started brisk. The first part is probably the hardest for me to keep pace as it has a long double-pole descent and my light weight is a factor. I worked it. Glad a few others went in front of me, especially down the wicked u-turn with everyone staying upright.

We took turns setting the pace... Tony Smith, Liza Pye, Brendan McCracken and myself. We were all happy to cross the train tracks before the morning train came.

I got my pre-mixed Vega concoction at the 3rd feed station handed out by competitor Theresa Gawron. She jokingly said "this is the only time she'd be supporting me" as she's usually racing with us.

The brisk pace caught up to me mid-way of the race at around 3 hours. That was realistically the time I had been putting in for training at pace.

I could hear women talking behind me with a woman on a relay team leading and Liza storming on her heels. Cool! If only I wasn't fading, it would have been fun to join in.

with sherpa side pockets, Marg still forging forward

It was time to majorly refuel if I wanted to finish in one piece. I let them by when a short herringbone climb approached as my inner leg muscle was ready to seize.

The rest of the way was lonely though scenic. Heading thru the marsh on leg 5, I could see someone in red gaining on me. I held him off until the end of the leg. It was Bill Young on a relay team with Mary Young. Mary was surprised I faded and Bill was happy he caught me!

First year I actually got to swap to skateski gear for Leg 6! Yay! Even still, I was pretty dog-tired skating it in. Ironically, on the Bow River I passed the same team woman that hauled by earlier. I welcomed the tailwind blowing me into the finish line! Good on Liza, she looked incredibly strong throughout.

Check out this video of the marsh section on Leg 5. Truly the adventure race of x-c skiing!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5o-BS8S4VPU

the La Ruta of x-c skiing

As I was finishing gingerly making my way on the uphill/downhill Hillsdale split on Leg 4, on the microscopic bits of snow left to ski on the pavement, dodging the odd stone... I defined the Lake Louise to Banff Loppet the "La Ruta" of x-c skiing! The snow was too deep this year for the snowmobile to pack a trail on the enbankment, so we had the choice to ski on the road or run. Glad I had my rock skis!

The lead guys descending on the Hwy 1A road - photos Tom Towne

.

"La Ruta" is a mountain bike stage race held in Costa Rica that has many environmental obstacles to endure. Need to go into that race with an adventurous mindset as it torments a bike racer that expects ride-able trails!

.

Same goes for the Lake Louise to Banff loppet with it's ever-changing course conditions each year. It is way more of an adventure than a buffed x-c ski race with pristine tracks. And the adventure is what makes it enticing to ski every year, along with the outstanding scenery of the Rockies.

the race starts with nice tracks

.

Lots of snow and ultra warm race conditions (start: -4C, finish: +1C) made for a few course changes. We started just past Lake Louise due to slush and had only 50m flat before merging to descend Tramline trail. I had a clean start descending behind a few of the speedy guys. Fortunately for bits of fresh snow made the crazy hairpin corner do-able for me.

I skied with Sean Huggins-Chan, Tom Maier & Tony Smith for most of Leg 1. At least 8 of us squeaked by just in front of a long CPR freight train. Earlier this year on Jan 2, I had the opportunity to meet some of these skiers as I had joined in with a good 12 of them, including race winners Blaine Penny and Kirk Howell, for the 100 km PLPP challenge.

.

After the climbs on Leg 2, I got ahead with enough time to drink a Vega optimizer drink at Leg 3 transition kindly given to me by members of Team Lifesport. I jumped back on with Tony as he passed thru. It helped to ski with Tony to keep the ski pace up.
.

Leg 3 was set real nice with snowy tracks until after Moose Meadows hitting a 500m stretch of logging zone where it was suggested to run. I chose to zip thru on my rock skis hoping there was enough snow to glide on. When I hit the fresh snowy tracks again, one ski felt a little sluggish with debris so maybe next time better to run.

Leg 4 had the crazy Hillsdale pavement section which was a long slog. This was my pick for hardest section this year as it took alot of energy to double pole on the pavement on snow that was barely there. Needed to be light on the skis on the descent to watch for anything that could deadstop my skis fast.
.

Leg 5 had sections of deep trough where the bank was too high to pole next to the skis. I altered my double poling to a 45 degree angle so I didn't lose the poles into the deep fresh snow. The backswamp section that takes us out to the Sunshine overpass was like backcountry skiing in fresh powder.

.

I slowed down my pace to save energy as I was excited with the thought of switching to skate skis for the final leg from the trailhead. I was offered the opportunity to have my skate skis dropped off for me so I took it.

With my focus on switching skis at the trailhead... which is after the start of Leg 6 and after the cattleguard, 800m down the road... I quickly ran by the crowd at Leg 6 transition... and unknowingly, by my nicely laid out skate ski gear (!)

lead guys running over Sunshine overpass

happy to see the wooden board over the killer cattleguard!

.

I got to the trailhead and was slightly dismayed not to see my skis or support person. I dashed back and forth abit then tossed on my classic skis and did my best to skate-ski on them.

Early on, Tom easily passed by me on skate-ski gear.

.

With a few spills when the wax stuck to fallen debris, I had a major face-plant going fast on a descent. Phew, amazingly not hurt... had to backtrack to pick up some fallen goods... onward. When I hit the river section I went over as many icy sections as possible to strip the remaining wax off my skis. I was surprised how quickly Leg 6 went by.

Marg skiing into the finish on the Bow River
dressed like an adventure racer with food in the side shorts pockets, Camelbak, Kahtoolas dangling from the waist strap
photo from Daniel Austin's article in Jan 25, 2011 Banff Crag & Canyon
.

Largest turnout of solo skiers finishing - 46 (31 men, 15 women)

Next year, maybe the women will ski in a pack the whole race with the likes of Liza Pye and Theresa Gawron! Liza had the fastest Leg 6 split using skate skis. I figure using skate gear (and not crashing multiple times) might have been a 10-min time savings... and higher smile factor of fun!

Oh yeah, we got awesome "Lake Louise to Banff" bula toques for entering!

When I arrived to the Rockies pre-race day after my 4+ hour drive from Edmonton, I realized I left my packed plastic container of my sport drink, race food and Camelbak at home. In a long distance race, race food is as critical as ski gear. Easy to purchase my Vega food at Nutter's in Canmore for a high$, and fortunate to borrow a friend's Camelbak. Glad I remembered my skis, boots & poles though!

I would still choose to switch my gear at the trailhead than at the Leg 6 transition... it is a quiet location, not in traffic, immediate access to the trail, tons of adrenaline from Leg 5 to endure the 800m run across the overpass, way easier to run in flexible classic boots than stiff soled skate boots.

I planned to use my Kahtoolas as traction devices for the 800m run after Leg 6 transition. They also came in handy for traction to run up Hillsdale for the first two camel hump hills

Awesome organization & volunteers - awesome race!!

Learning Lesson at Lake-L to Banff Loppet

Compelled with my competitive nature, I clung onto a nice pace of a neon-suit Team racer. He helped bring me within contention of super strong skier from Banff, Theresa Gawron, who sped away on Leg-1 descent.

my neon racer - photo loppet.ca, J. Bannon

Realizing I best begin refueling, I went for a sip of my yummy fuel energizing Vega Sport drink from my Camelbak. This was about 15-km into a fast paced race, yeah much too late! Yikes, the darn hose was frozen. This has happened only once to me in a race so I did what I could to save the hose, tossing as much into the collar of my shirt as possible. Unthawing was not happening. As I skied, I nibbled on the hose to break up the ice not realizing I bit into my lip getting a little blood on my race number. Replenishing with hydrating energizing liquids was critical in a 68-km race. Meanwhile I dropped off the pace as I was concerned with refuelling.

Into Leg 2, it was critical to get the camelbak functioning so I stopped. Some guys passed by. Lucky for me, I saw x-c skiing friend Mo at an intersection cheering on her teammate. I asked her to save my camelbak. Mo helped me put my jacket on and I kept onwards with no frozen beverage. Meanwhile hypothermia was setting in as I was shivering.

starting on the Lake (find little Marg!) - pic from loppet.ca

The start temp up top at Lake Louise was a comfortable -11C. As we descended 250m elevation quickly within the first leg, the temperature actually dropped to a frigid -16C. Unknowingly, this was affecting a few skiers. At the end of Leg 2, Mo was there with my Camelbak in action. THANK YOU MO! Darryl's support Meaghan left behind a cup of my special protein recovery mix. Within 10 minutes, I stopped shivering, was warming up and catching the guys who had passed me. Yay!!! Apparently, Meaghan also left me a cup of my "green" drink at the end of Leg 3 which I missed as I passed thru. Later, I heard everyone wondered what the heck it was being green and all!

Leg-3 feedzone with my designated sport drink - too bad I zipped thru & missed it! - photo Meaghan

It was close for me to have to stop my race. I would have taken the time to warm up in someone's vehicle, get beverages and food into me and hopefully recover so I could continue on. My learnings are to ensure my race food is in working order... food accessible which is was in my side shorts pockets and camelbak functioning. Most importantly to drink/eat early in the race, no matter what race mode I'm in, food is IMPORTANT. I am SO glad I brought a light jacket with me. It saved me temporarily. Whatever happens, these races are on the edge of survival in between the feedzones. I AM responsible for my well-being and will do so.

The conditions for the first 30-km were awesome. The snow was surprisingly fast with the fresh snow buried in the old tracks. The crazy technical sections were not icy and safe to go thru. Into leg 3, we had to go over the typical chopped off shrubs section where needed to be cautious to lift a ski here and there. This is where adventure skiing is at its finest. There is no other race out there with as much fun of an adventure as this one! After 30-km it is so topsy-turvy and the senses have to be on full-time "aware" for obstacles... trees, branches, rocks, ice flows, acorns, pine needles, leaves, grassy-hay(!).

Many times we crossed highway 1A where volunteers shovelled snow onto the road to help us cross. With cars passing by, the snow became gravel-laden dirt coloured.

like that is good for your skis! - photo loppet.ca

On leg-5, one section of road was not covered. The volunteer said "you MUST take your skis off". I questioned "Must I"? She quizzically looked at me and said "no, I guess not" as I walked across the road gently with my skis. We had already skied over so much crap, I was not concerned. I have officially designated these skis my "Lake-Louise-to-Banff-Loppet" skis after racing this event many times. 50m later was a train track crossing where again no volunteers were covering it with snow for us. I proceeded to walk on the jagged rocks side-stepping over the tracks to the dismay of the two men skiing with me. I laughed saying 100lbs won't hurt these skis! I then took advantage to double pole away on the short river section to the crazy marsh section as they had to put their skis back on.

Theresa Gawron finishing the Backswamp section - photo loppet.ca

Marg happily almost thru the BackSwamp - photo loppet.ca

Reaching the Sunshine overpass, I removed my skis and ran on the icy pavement 800 metres to the next trailhead. We were allowed to skate-ski this section which was perfect for the super fast flattened trail and my waxless skis by this point. Skiing to the Sundance trail was so much harder than I remembered. It was up and up and up, not that I don't enjoy that, just forgot it was there and I was tired. The Sundance trail was barely laden with snow hiding the odd teeny stone. I hit a stone slamming to a halt landing on my knees. That little stone created more damage to my skis than walking over that road.

Finally hit the river section with a few more km to the finish. A slight wind and tough pole plant, I happily made it to the cheering finish-line people. All in all, I am SUPER glad I managed to overcome the silly hypothermia ordeal and complete the event in one happy piece!

Tips for me for next year's race... make sure that my cool shorts with side pockets fit snugly overtop my tights... I kept having to pull them up as I had plumber's butt going on with them dropping down! Irritating and difficult with my nanu gloves on.

I pre-waxed my skis accordingly to expected weather reports from Sat morning when the race was Sun morning. I went a little too warm with my wax though managed to scrape off a little and apply what I needed with 15 min to spare race day morning. After base layer, I had VR50(!), VR45, VR50(!), VR45... scrape off stuff, corked it in, then applied 2 more layers of VR45, with two thins layers of VR40. Worked for me I'm just over 100lbs. Temp was -11C at start, cooling to -16C then finish at -5C.

Drink Eat Drink Eat Drink.... early into the race!

Thanks to the organizers for another well-organized event though I somehow missed out on the wicked Lagan's chocolate insanely loaded sugar brownies that provide jet-fuel. This was the first year the race offered a shuttle bus from Banff to Lake Louise at 6 a.m. which helped me out immensely with being a solo racer. Thanks for the lift!

Things I forgot to mentions in my race story...
After the Sunshine overpass in the run approach to Leg-6 trailhead, there was a cattle guard where only the middle half was covered with plywood. The plywood was too far to jump to. I had to carefully make each foot placement on the rounded grates with slippery ski boot bottoms as my pole straps were attached to my hands and each hand holding a ski. With the sketchy stability, one of my skis fell out of my hand and down thru the cattleguard. Lucky it didn't have far to go. I grabbed in, carried my skis/poles in a pile and carefully inched my way to the plywood. I felt like a little kid carrying too much stuff! After the plywood, same thing, had to be super cautious not to slip on the rounded grates. This feat would have been easy for any ski racer going across without skis/poles. It was dangerous without the cattleguard fully covered lengthwise, and not just for the height-challenged!
An interesting topic comes up for the Leg 5 to Leg 6 transition. It is known Legs 1-5 of the race are classic legs with an allowance to switch gear and skate-ski Leg-6. I overheard that a lead guy was seen skate-skiing thru the backswamp - did he not know spectators were watching him or did he just not know it was technically a classic race?! Then there is lack of clarity in the rules if a solo skier who wants to switch to skate-ski gear that they would just have to run freely 800m to the Leg-6 trailhead and put on their fresh new gear there while unsupported solos would have to carry everything. Not a big deal, just need clarity so then it's a defined choice on picking the best way for next time.
Rules help set the ground for a fair race. Myself, I had received support with my Camelbak in between legs, so technically I'm not sure where that falls for this race. Hope to get back to the organizer with some constructive feedback.

More than EPIC - Lake Louise to Banff Loppet

The loppet was a traditional epic Rocky Mountain race 71 km point-to-point from Lake Louise to Banff.

Marg skittering thru the rough trails

While the snow was in reasonable condition and the weather was pleasant, the previous night's wind storm with major snow devils blew debris over most of the trails making it the most challenging course ever!

A trail with only a little debris!

It was a feat to remain upright and not dead stop upon a pinecone or twig spread all over the trails in the trees. The open parts of the course treated us to sections of good snowy ski trails and outstanding mountain views.

Skiers crossing train tracks; Volunteers shovelled snow over the tracks after each train came by

After a long tiring race, a favourable 50 kph wind helped get me to the finish line quickly on the final 5 km stretch on the Bow River.

The marsh section, no tracks only flagging tape

My skis survived the debris with only marginally "natural" stone grinding. The party at the Sally Borden was superb with time to share stories with racers. A must race for anyone into epics!

Results at http:///www.loppet.ca

Team Bikes & Beyond - Paul, Jeff, Philip and Marg

Marg with former and current Winnipeggers on a post-race ski at Canmore

"Epic" Lake Louise to Banff Loppet

The Lake Louise to Banff loppet is a 71-km point-to-point classic race which starts on the frozen Lake Louise in front of the Chateau. It is a 6-leg relay race which allows solo racers as well. Leg 1 descends over 200 metres elevation in a few km and then follows old highway 1A meandering on trails tucked in the trees. The last leg is on the frozen Bow River 10 km into Banff.

The race was postponed last Sunday due to the -31C weather and windchill. With the darn Chinook's warm winds this week, the latter half of the course is abit icy. The temperatures will be nice around -5C to -10C, though it is to snow 5 cm as we are skiing making for slower conditions.

From my experience in the past, after the first two immaculately groomed legs, it turns into an adventure ski of an assortment of conditions including bare patches, jumping logs and icy descents. My rock skis are buffed and ready to roll across anything in its path... well almost anything.

I laughed at this entry the race organization recently wrote "Trail crews were out yesterday renovating the snow and resetting track where possible. Leg 2: Three delinquent moose are walking on the trail around Baker Creek. If you see them, give them the right of way. They're bigger than you are."

My old Ecochallenge teammate Philip from Winnipeg is flying in tonight to join me, and we'll be sharing accom with another hardcore skier Darryl Mekechuk from Calgary.

It'll be a fun race... with the unexpected along the way! I'm hoping to get the expected locally-made brownies at the feedzones which fueled me to the finish in 2004 and 2006!