Galibier!!! Stage 3 Haute Route

First words - ouch and oh my!! Doing 3 cols in one day is crazy and hard. Every rider was totally dehydrated by the top of the 2nd Col Telegraphe with no water in sight. 4000m was maybe 1200m too much for me.

proof I carried my camera up Galibier

On the scenic side... Galibier was the most amazing climb I've done for open epic-ness! It was definitely neglected to tell us about the WIND!!

riders & bikes packed in the gondola 

We had a 6 a.m. convoy down the hill in the dark then a climb, total 4 km distance to the gondola entrance. Each gondola was packed in with about 12 riders and bikes. Easiest and safest way to get the peloton down to town. Once all the riders were down we started at 7:15 a.m. with a 31 km neutral start- long.

I recognized the highway we were on as it was the main road that took me to the World Cup MTB marathon in Val Thorens back in 2006.

photo I took of Stephanie climbing on her own!

The race began once we were on the route to Col Madeleine. I saw Team SOLO working together. I decided to ride with them. The pace was slower than I would have liked though the rest may help for the later climbs. Team SOLO didn't seem too thrilled that I decided to ride in between their drafting line. With me behind #171, he wasn't aware he was dropping my solo woman competitor Stephanie. It was energy conserving to cling on his wheel.

relaxed and waiting for Team SOLO - photo Helena

At the top of Madeleine, I waited moments until Team SOLO got their feed and joined them on the descent. It was awesome and lots easier to ride fast behind #171 although Stephanie braked a little. There was a long flat section at the bottom where it was welcome to have #171 to follow. We slowly picked up more riders. Then #171 dropped off with a flat! 

hurry Team SOLO - photo by Helena

No problem, another French guy friend filled in for him and towed Stephanie and I up Col Telegraphe. On route, I was baking. My feet felt twice the size inside my shoes. I had blisters on my hands that hurt on every bump. My decision was to hang with them until the top of Telegraph. Racing time was over and I wanted to find a way to enjoy the last climb. It was noticeable we were all parched. I was impressed that Stephanie was holding up well and climbing consistently.

riding behind Team SOLO - photo by Helena

At the peak of Telegraph with no water in sight, we all began the descent. I hung on as the breeze from the descent was cooling. Riding through the next village, I looked left and right for a fountain. At the end of town I saw a cyclist just leaving one. I stopped for amazing cold flowing water. I soaked my head. I wanted to soak my bare feet in it though knew it would be difficult to continue after that.

After a nice break, I rode another couple km when finally there was a feedzone. I grabbed some skinny packages thinking they were gummies like Clif. Biting into one later, it squirted all over me as it was a liquid gel, nice.

Starting into Col Galibier, I felt more energized to tackle it though then I felt a wind hoping it was temporary. That strong wind was with us the whole next 1200m up on a super exposed very cool scenic mountain pass. To ride this Col was truly amazing. I was picturing crowds from the Tour all over watching the agony of racers climb.

Made it though, crap, my feet hurt!

I passed the odd rider as we crawled along. The finish at the peak was visible though was still so far away. It was a happy sight to see the 1 km to go sign and make it to the Finish at the top . Water and coke was offered to us, yet we still had to ride another 31 km to town, all down though I was wiped out.

Marg & Gabi in front of the climb up Galibier

Gabi had a great day and finished close to me. We started the descent together and we both had the same thought to stop at the first sandwich place we saw. We joined other riders that were there. My championnes soup was so delicious.

Lunch in front of Galibier with German Team Claudia & Martin & Gabi

The last 20 km to town was long and tiring. My hands were tired from braking.

That night when we were out for dinner, the waitress thought she misunderstood me when I ordered two separate main courses. The guys followed my double order.

A good night sleep in a cozy hotel for the 11.5 km time trial tomorrow! And more rest time.

Stage 2 Hot Shaded Haute Route

Stage 2 – 100 km, 3000m elevation gain

Neutral start was only 10 km though the roads were pretty bumpy. With a downhill warmup we went up the first climb Col des Saisies at race pace on a sweet average grade 7%. I was back to my old self climbing big chain ring (50 cog) and hung with the 2nd peloton of guys. The lead woman on the mixed team was super strong to keep with the front pack.

race photo

Long descent with the 2nd & 3rd mixed teams catching me at the bottom. Their pace was tough to hang onto for the next climb so I went at my own pace still going well. The best climb of the day was the Col du Cormet de Roseland… the top was super scenic with the turquoise blue reservoir amongst the peaks.

race photo

The descent was equally fun… fast… swoopy until the many sharp switchbacks. A couple cyclists skidded out on their own though no-one super hurt. The yellow Mavic vehicles were on support duty with wheels and bikes - something for them to do after le Tour.

We passed through the town Bourg-St-Maurice which was different in its square building structures and not typical Euro scenic.

It was hot today, 32C, though fortunately the first two climbs were shaded most of the way. The last climb to Les Arcs 1800 ski resort would have been favourable for me with a nice 6-7% grade. Now we were climbing in the hot sun and energy levels were lower. I decided to ease my pace, chatting with a few riders that passed by.

Cool bike markers every km - race photo

With 6-km to go, Team SOLO passes me! At that point I packed it in, dropped into my small chain ring and spun up the hill half the speed I had been going. Seeing the teams work together today, it helps to have a strong person to follow the whole race. It would be more interesting to see the Solo woman of Team SOLO race on her own.

I chilled at my slo-mo pace and contemplated I’m at the point of packing in racing high-end. I truly miss racing “fast”. It used to be so easy. Finally made it to the top, yay! hot!

view on my walk with woman racer Gabi to the Race Briefing

Hotel rooms were ultra Euro and cute at the ski resort in some weird diagonal staircase anthill maze. Hanging with the Brit crowd now living in Geneva, was fun having some real dinner at a restaurant. I had my first ever Buckwheat Gallette, vegetarian. The pasta dinner: plain egg noodles with a mystery meat red sauce, white bun, and sugar chocolate cake. Note, no vegetarian option or health option!

5 am breakfast, 5:30 check out bags, 6 am depart by motorcycle headlamps down the hill for the 7:15 am start for a killer day!!

3 epic cols in one day… Madeleine, Telegraphe and Galibier!

Tomorrow’s stage scares me mostly being on the exposed climbs in the heat. 4000m elevation gain. Game plan is to bring my camera, chill out and have fun!

French Alps Haute-Route Day 1

Stage 1 - 109 km, 2200m elevation gain

The race start was on the edge of Lac Geneve at 7:20 am. Earlier arrivers took in the free breakfast of a chocolate muffin and a peach!

The first 25 km was neutralized. I chose to stay in the top 20 of the field to minimize the stop & go pace. There were 6% women in this race and I saw at least 5 women at the front. Any woman going into this event would be a good rider – cool!

race photo

When the pace Peugeot car left, the front guys went hard. I hung in the draft. At the 50km mark we were at the base of the first climb Col de la Columbiere and each to their own pace. Wicked steep to start with a few 15% grades, then mostly 8-9%. The chalet at the top was a welcome sight.

Two mixed teams went by then I was in the mix of two more mixed teams and one supposedly solo woman. Supposed as there was a same-jerseyed rider waiting for her and her crying out when he pulled away from her. I’ve seen worse at TransAlps with the German women’s team and their flock of domestique men. I rode with Team “Solo” the rest of the way!

race photo

The descent was not just the usual crazy fast, it included dodging vehicles and oncoming traffic. We were descending quicker than the cars until they let us go by. A lot of brake pad was used up slowing down for cars.

The 2nd climb Col des Aravis was easier mostly 6% and big chain ring! I worked to feign off oncoming leg cramps concentrating to utilize my glut muscles. Managed until the easier section of the last 10km where I lost my peloton at 3 km to go due to coasting to relax my legs from cramping.

It would have been a sprint to the finish between myself and the supposed solo woman. Glad that didn’t happen as there were a lot of twists thru villages and congestion with traffic before crossing the line. And I wanted to wear my cool jersey from Greg’s Acupuncture clinic with the little Canadian maple leafs the next day instead of the leader’s jersey.

Finish feed had the most awesome red oranges. Free massage queue was long so I headed off to the hotel. The folks at Hotel Chalet D’Antoine were usually hosts for mtnbikers and treated us well. My bag arrived a couple hours after I did. I had to borrow 10 Euros and went in search of veggies and fruit.

view from Chalet D'Antoine

It was cool to see the planters all over town with Kale and Red Chard growing amongst the flowers. I grabbed a few leaves to munch on my walk. The town was an orienteer challenge even with a map.

my favourite photo - check out the red chard!

Awards was abit chaotic and hard to endure. I wasn’t called up for 2nd place. Later, I clued in that the top 3 individuals “overall” are recognized and in this case it was all the mixed team women. The yellow jersey only went to the top solo. It’ll be challenging to duke Team Solo woman for the jersey!

dinner with Andrew from Ireland - meat vs veggie!

Day 2 looks to be interesting with prospective 3000m elevation gain over 100 km. Only 3 ups and 2 downs!

Pre-Haute-Route

Adventurous day commuting by bike. My ride from near the airport to Stade du Bont-du-Monde to race registration was 8-km through winding streets. I carried my bunched up bike bag over my shoulder attempting not to hit any posts or pedestrians. Nice quiet morning and awesome bike lanes on the road.  

the Fountain early Sat morning

Race registration was well organized. Nice group of cyclists, easy to meet and make new friends. It was great to see one familar face Lenny from Israel who has raced both Tour-Trans-Austria and Tour-TransAlps same times as I did.

Mug shot with the race jersey

Made my way back to downtown Geneva thru tourists and to the race hotel. I chose "Premium" accom in hotels versus "Comfort" accom in the communal housing. Too much stress lately so I'm hoping more rest can be had with less unknowns. Checked in, left my bike to rest in the room. Hotel gave a free all day transit pass.

What I love about Europe is the closeness of the "big" cities and the ease to get around with the local transit. I walked 800m and was soon on the trolley back to Vincent's house. Grabbed fresh veggies from the garden for lunch and rolled my bag back on the trolley to the hotel. Organized for the next race day, short snooze before a ride 4 km to the pasta party.

white-snow capped mtns and the fountain in front of La Saleve

Sat with Andrew from Ireland and Iain from Britain (living in Geneva) for a bilingual race talk of logistics every racer best already know if they even considered racing this event... like how long the course is, the Cols, the elevations... It was nice they spoke first in French, then immediately in English. Hopefully the organizers will get feedback that to keep the racers happy it's best to feed them first (!) then have race logistics and awards.

The food was "typical" endurance race food... pasta and a bun, oh, and a sweet dessert! Not conducive to vegetarians or health as I know it. I came prepared, armed with Vega products and loaded up with fruits and veggies.

Here's a glimpse of Stage 1... long neutral start with two major climbs. The issue will be the weather... it is HOT!!!

Taking the Haute Route from Geneva to Nice!

The organizers for the European road stage races design the craziest most difficult courses with the majority of the racers being "hobby riders" or recreational athletes. Thanks to ERTC clubmate Aaron Falkenburg for bringing the event Haute Route 7-day to my attention, I was hooked and wanted to go into this Gran Fondo like stage race in its inaugural year. It's just what I needed... something new, different, and exceptionally challenging!

Tour de France followers will know these climbs way better than me, a non-Tour follower. So, I don't really know what I'm getting into... other than I've ridden my bike in the Austrian/Italian/Swiss Alps and Dolomites.

730 km in 7 days going up over 17,000 metres elevation gain through 15 Cols -- Epic!!

Within less than a week, I booked my flight, contacted the organizers for an entry in exchange for media exposure (thanks to Jim & Elsa), and worked my butt off to keep my work on schedule while I was to be away. Pretty stressful with minimal time... plane time was welcome!

After many couchsurfing requests, I managed to find an awesome spot with Vincent in his house near the airport...  with a wicked garden!  After a couple late departing flights, my bike bag didn't make my last flight to Geneva. Lucky enough it arrived the next day after I had time to chill and get organized.

Keep posted for the racing days and scenic Cols to come...

the commuter I used while I awaited my bike's arrival - thankfully!

Sinister 7 Try-outs!

 

Sinister 7 Ultra & Relay in the Crowsnest Pass

After Furious 3 ended Sunday night, I drove 50 minutes east to the Crowsnest Pass to visit my super duper bud Lory Mangion who used to live in Edmonton. Lory is venturing to bring amazing artists together via an online website. Her awesome pottery will be showcased as well. I'm proud to showcase her current epic pieces as well as a few originals (the learning pieces!).

Lory, Susan, local Kathy & puppy Kimo

Lory is excited to be racing Leg 6 of the Sinister 7 trail running race this weekend. Actually, excited is synonymous with "a little scared" as Lory found out her leg will start around 2 a.m.!

No worries there... I set her up with my blazing Lupine Betty headlamp... only 1750 lumens to light her path... and everyone else's! (A basic Petzl is about 40 lumens!)

On Monday, Lory arranged for me to join herself and two runners to check out their Leg 6. I set up the light for Lory to test out. What are the chances that one of the runners Susan had been University roomies with my friend Rhonda... with Rhonda and her partner Rick visiting her just that weekend... totally small world!

Unlike Furious 3, Sinister 7 had awesome race profiles for each leg. On paper, Leg 6 looked pretty easy. When we ran it, I was amazed how rough the trails were, much more like adventure racing. Lots of mud, creeks and run off to go through. I'm glad Lory was taking the powerful Lupine on her night run as the path was pretty treacherous on the steep descents when we ran it in daylight.



awesome mountain views on Sinister-7 Leg 6

 Kathy had raced Leg 6 numerous times before and gave awesome pointers along our pre-run. It was pretty cool to get to run with these gals today!

LORY!     Susan      Marg

Scouting the leg before the race boosted Lory and Susan's confidence for race night tomorrow. I look forward to hearing their race reports!

Fabulous Friends & Furious 3 in Fernie

This was one of those people-fest weekends filled with meeting friends, old and new, from all over!

I entered the newby event Furious 3 back in December thinking I could easily fit in a 3-day event in Fernie, BC not knowing where I'd be working and living by July.

Training bud Tim got into the sold-out race only days ahead of race time. We both had the pleasure to stay at the parent's house of my running friend Rhonda's colleague Tanya... love those connections. Claire and Al Berry were most welcoming and super intrigued having weird-ecentric-crazy athletes stay at their place in Sparwood for the weekend! I was equally intrigued with their stories and knowledge.

Quick synopsis... I prefer long multi-stage endurance events. This event was more a cross-country multi-stage event... super intense and short. And that's ok... The bonus was super fun hard days with plenty of time to chill and enjoy the town.

The Good
- the most outstanding trails around
- strong women's field with amazing local racers (AB & BC & MO)
- awesome supportive guys to ride around (except 1!)

The Bummer
- unknown race profile, distance and elevation
- being excluded from the Open Category
- fast lost riders

Day 1 - 200 racers lined up. It was scary for me not to know the course profile. Seriously, I was already anxious about what technical was in store for me. This was the first event I've been in of this calibre that did not provide a race elevation/distance profile. Kate Ardal who lived in the area at one time and knew alot of the trails was kind to fill me in with more detail.

The pace went out hard like any typical stage race I have been in. Immediately, my legs whined from the previous weekend's Rundle's Revenge ride & run finishing only 5 days ago. Yah, only I would do something like that and think I'd recover in time! And for the most part, I did ok fitness-wise.

Once we turned into the first single track, I did what I could to hang on though slipped out alot on the mud and roots. My saddle hit me in my sore ribs again, ouch! It was not fun at all to let the storming riders pass as it was difficult to start up each time. It felt like at least 30 riders passed by. I threw in the towel, slowed down and had to figure out how to enjoy riding on that stuff. I was ready to quit the sport (!).

Once we got into the long technical climb, I held my position. I was super thrilled to hit gravel roads and get to hammer for awhile making up many spots again. On the appropriately named Hyperventilation trail, I rode up with a steady paced group finally taking the lead of our group.

At the top, I was surprised with an immediate descent on one of those drop of doom descents (SUPER WICKED!) that went on and on... brakes clamped on while still picking up speed surfing down on the loose dirt trail. My quads and triceps were crying! What was awesome was I held my own on that section. No guys caught me until I let the Hardcore team guys by midway which helped me to follow them. Lots of rough double track to the finish. Only 2 hr 39 min, 41km and 4300' elevation - short, intense & fun (well, definitely the latter half!).

Tim JERRY! Marg

Marg met Jerry at Master World X-C Ski Champs

Lovely satellite map of Day 2 race course "clearly" depicting the 5200' of elevation gain!

Day 2 - My heart dropped when I looked at the Open results that morning and my name wasn't there... either I was missed or... turn the page... listed in the 40+ category. That was the organizer's choice. I requested to be switched. I prefer to race by ability not age. I wonder which category he'd put Tinker Juarez in...

Again, it was frazzling not knowing much about the course. We were told it'd be oh, maybe 10-km longer than the day before!

<-- posted on the race website... our clues to Day 2 race course!

Another fast start with a bottle neck of racers in a short dirt trail climb. A river trail lead us around to the underpass to cross busy Highway 3. Up double track before tree-d challenging single track for most of the way.

I don't think I've sat on the tip of my saddle as much on any given weekend! Most definitely goat climbs. Major technical ascents and descents, one steep hike-a-bike, a couple runs across wooden bridges with slippery muddy cleats, one challenging creaky boarded walk across dizzying fast moving water.

Many lead fast riders missed flagging and were riding in circles and were abit grumbly by race end. Fortunately, my technical descending was at a pace (slow!) so I could see the hidden red flagging. For an adventure race, the flagging was ok... for a mountain bike race, pretty sparse and lacking signs. I definitely missed having long stretches of gravel on course today. Trails were mostly up or down for long periods. Highlight was riding smack next to a beautiful snowy mountain. That section was very TransAlps, better yet it was in Canada!!

As I had no solid info on the race distance, I was going to fill my waterbottle at the feedzone. I was told excitedly to "go!" and continue to the finish just down in town. I zipped down the last bit of single track, under Hwy 3 along the gravel path to a couple stopped trains and alot of waiting riders. Awesome, I was due for a break! Our wait times were to be deducted at the end.

Once the trains were gone, it was a pack of riders racing to the finish. I worked to hang on to Danelle Kabush's speedy pace though lost contact. I worked to latch onto a speedy RMCC rider, just made it into his draft as we flew by Danelle, with her just catching onto us. What a fun way to finish!

My GPS clocked 49 km and 5200' elevation... so, yeah "about 10 km longer" than Day 1 and the elevation was only 900' higher!

Day 3 - Hard pace, up the rutted double track to the Hyperventilation climb again. I just wanted to chill, climb easy and have fun. I had to force a couple guys to go ahead of me, then I had a nice comfortable gap. A bunch of riders caught me on the next descent. I was alone for quite abit thru the next sections and rode comfortably. The riding was fun though quirky with sharp lefts or rights. Definitely not enough gravel road!

After lots more single track alone, lots more riders caught me. Deadgoat Steve came by and I challenged myself to work behind him. More ascent so I was sent to the front. On the final descent I worked it to keep the descenders from catching me. And I did, as I hauled in on the roadie section! It was a pretty fun day and good ending.

After not being allowed in the Open category I didn't care to look at results at all this whole time. I also just wanted to ride as my technical riding sucks and needed work even though my fitness is ok. When I left the sport after TransAlp 2007, I was lots better technically from racing mtnbike consistently. The time to re-gain health in 2008, recover from car/bike/gear theft in 2009 and last year's faceplant has held me back a little. I love riding on the road though I really need to ride trails. I'm keen to work at it and get that technical riding back!! All considering, not so bad for winging it technically.

It was awesome to ride with, or best said, around alot of riders. The women were exceptional to see them pass by midway on climbs or techy sections. Alot of guys were supportive when time came to pass me. Ultra cool to see Gabor Csonka race on his singlespeed!

Another awesome post from local woman racer Krista Turcasso I saw ever so briefly as she flew downhill faster than any racer I've seen!

Food-wise, I needed to pack immediate sugar sources to fuel energy for the intensity. I was prepped more for a nice long endurance day in spectacular BC trails!

Brendan representing Team MitoCanada

Iron Donkey at the Rundle's Revenge

1st time event Rundle's Revenge had an Iron Donkey category which had double the mountain bike distance of the trail run which was enticing to enter.

My last 2 weeks were spent healing my ribs from the OrganGrinder. So training and racing were on hold.

By Thursday, my ribcage was finally moving freely with awesome bodycare from Derek and Brad at River Valley Health..

Friday morning, I had decided best to rest after the ribs were sore from a Thurs night ERTC bike workout... though I was gloomy about the decision. Mid-day, getting text messages from Tim of "you racing?", "maybe"... that I went in full pack up mode and left for Canmore by 7 pm.

SATURDAY 100-km Kick-Ass Mountain Bike

Early Sat morning I arrived to race registration to see a very impressive start/finish area setup. I wanted to mtnbike 100-km for training though the 50-km trail run was daunting with minimal trail running, and I wasn't sure how my ribs were going to fair after biking. If it came to the point to grin and bare pain I knew I would so I wanted to prevent that scenario.

Nicki Rehn was the only woman entered in the Iron Donkey category of 100k mtnbike and 50k run. Nicki is an amazing ultra-runner with a whole bunch of adventures behind her... many wins of the City Chase events, the 336-km Tor des Geants 24,000m elevation gain "running" race in Italy, and a wicked self-supported run across Australia. Although our strengths were different, Nicki would be tough competition and I was sure her running strength would prevail.

1/2 hour before the start, I entered the Iron Donkey! Just as stubborn as one!.

On paper, the course looked non-technical for a mountain biker and good training mileage.

12.5 km and 400m elevation gain per lap... after getting bumped and bucked on the upper trails, lap after lap, I really wished I had a full suspension bike.

The course was fast and flowy, everything rideable, no death defying technical sections (like in the OrganGrinder).

Even though Margie Smith was in the 50-km bike event only, it was fun and challenging to keep pace with her each loop. I was a smidgeon stronger on the climbs and had to work to keep up on the descent. After blazing DOWN Georgetown trail, I hauled like a roadie on the climb all the way back. Thanks to Margie's daughter Sage and Sage's cousin Carter for helping me with support each loop, they were quick to lube my chain while I grabbed my food.

Into my 3rd lap, I was surprised to pass Nicki. Doing the math, I could use the much needed leadtime for my trail run. End of lap 4, my legs were starting to cramp and I wasn't storming the ascent as strongly. My lap 5 time showed my energy drop where I had to walk to let the leg cramps ease off. Next few laps, I stopped to eat at the 1/2 way feedzone and finish area... oranges, watermelon and gobbled down fresh cutup mango and pineapple. I had prepped little jars of Vega and my special concoctions (MSM, whole food Vit C, elk antler dust, 14-mix mushroom) though I was craving the sweet stuff! Energy was coming back - I felt stronger on my last laps, and the cramping went away. All comes back to food!

Lap 1-49 min, 51, 51, 51, Lap 5-62 min, 64, 57, Lap 8 - 59 min.

Nicki decided to end the bike at 50-km as she realized it'd be a hard effort to make the cut-off time, and her focus was on the 50-km trail run. I now had 8-hours to complete the 50-km trail run on Sunday. My goal was to run at a pace to conserve energy on my cycling legs. I had a 3-day mountain bike stage race starting the following Friday meaning 4-days of recovery.

Gabor Csonka won the men's 100-k event on his pink singlespeed with pretty much even split times, pretty amazing! And Pepper's mom, Judy, did awesome as well!!

SUNDAY - 50-km Mountain Mule Trail Run

Rain overnight had the trails nicely softened for the run. My ribcage was surprisingly fine. I purposely overdressed as my goal was to start super-easy, not faster than 1:30 and not slower than 2 hours. It was hard to tell. It was fun to get to start at the back and stay there.

My first lap was 1:39 for the first 12.5 km so I was pleased to be right in the range. The plan was to hold that "easy" pace for lap 2, then "really run" the last two laps!

Well, after completing 2 laps I wish it was 3 and I had only 1 more to go. The 4th loop was going to be tough. Despite running as relaxed as possible, my legs were not used to full body weight for running and it was inevitable for the muscles to fatigue. I was truly in adventure race survival-shuffle... just keep moving... I'll make it! And I did! in the same time as biking 100-km!!

Crazy Larry with Trailtrash runners

Met cool people running in the trails, though it was mostly a lonely day in the beautiful wooded trails with the most scenic mountain views.

I did have a unique thing happen both days while in the upper loop trails... a little bird swooped down in front of me at least 5 loops on the bike and 2 loops on the run. Same spot each time. It almost seemed like a game. Had to dodge one squirrel and only saw one hallucinatory deer. No bears, fortunately.

Thanks to Transrockies organizer Aaron for putting on another well organized event. It is always heartwarming to see Drew & Jo-anne... with Drew's familar voice announcing at the races and his calling out of my "Large Marge" team name from the adventure race days. I look forward to going on a helicopter ride courtesy of Kananaskis Mountain Helicopters Ltd.

just as lonely as in the trail running race

2011 Race Across America

Keep posted on Leah Goldstein's progress at 2011 RAAM going on right now! She's 8 1/2 days in and only 1000 km away from the finish!! Leah is holding an 11.45 mph average right now. The women's record average speed is 13.23 back in 1995 by Seana Hogan. Velonews Jun 19th

2011 RAAM route with 2,990 miles from coast to coast (4810 km)

Team Physical Culture at the 1999 Hewlett Packard Women's Challenge 12-day Stage Race in Boise, Idaho.... Leah Goldstein, Gina Grain, Karen Timewell, Stacey Peters, Marg Fedyna

Organ Grinder Completed!

My goal was to finish the Organ Grinder after last year's minor spill.
And I did!! Though not without a small casualty.

I need to be clear in my vision than just "keeping the rubber side down"... as I did... though heard the ever so soft c-r-a-c-k on one of the steep descents as the bike rebounded abruptly with the saddle jabbing my ribcage! Ouch!


Still had 1 1/2 laps to go and I was adamant to finish. Fortunately for strong abs, I braced my core on any rough sections. Inspiration thinking of Nicki Rehn who x-c skied the last 20-km of the Birkie this year after hurting her ribs in a spill.

The weather started out nice with the sunshine drying out the previous day's carnage of muddy trails. Two laps in had drizzling rain for 30 minutes. Then the sun came out again while we navigated our way thru the refreshed muddy trails. Made for a super epic challenging day... it would have been too easy if it was dry!

photo Jason Redfern

Loop was 11-km with 1060' elevation gain. I managed to complete 6 loops in 5+ hours. Fastest loop was 45 min, slowest was 55 min (with a cracked rib!).

My strength was the climbing sections. My age showed through on the technical descents as I balked more than ever. I have barely been on the mtnbike for a year now. I know with more practice I'll get back in the saddle on these sections. Without enough practice it is un-nerving to have high-energy guys behind me on a technical descent. I kept letting them go ahead and then lost my momentum to roll smoothly.


All in all, an awesome race course and one of my favourite races. I have lots to learn to ride on this course. I got to watch the smooth technical riding of Kate Aardal (1st), Margie Smith (2nd), and Shantel Koenig (1st mixed) as they went by. It was also a good group of guys I saw each lap as they descended faster and I ascended past them!

training buddy Tim - awesome mud & good hair
no one questioned my hand placement at the end of the race

shortest person on the lowest podium - marg kate margie

Riding Bamboo

The new Bamboo bike in the household!

Such a sweet looking frame, and more-so in person. The bamboo is held together at the lugs with carbon fibre taping. What makes it so cool looking is where the bamboo nodules jut out a little then taper back in very smoothly. Apparently, bamboo is as strong as steel!

ERTC group riders oogling the Bamboo bike

I acquired a cool new Bamboo bike in my household through my recent couchsurfer turned roomie for a few weeks for her summer internship.

I showed up on the Saturday morning ERTC group ride on the cool Bamboo bike and the comments were hilarious. Fortunately, Caylie was with me and we swapped bikes before we left for the ride. The bamboo bike is a sweet singlespeed setup with coaster brakes.

Caylie's boyfriend Justin (<-- link to great article) is one of the originators of forming Bamboo Bike Studio. Check out this cool racing bike photo.

North Ogden Spring Water - The Stump

Super welcome stop at a unique spring on my way home from Park City, Utah. Easy to find. It was cool to bump into a woman my age who has been filling up with spring water here since her grandmother brought her as a child. In 1931, pioneers had four horses lug the cottonwood tree stump, and created the stump into a drinking fountain for the spring. The land has since been donated on the condition that it not be commercialized and that the spring be tested twice a month. The city of North Odgen got behind it and funded an artist to create a fibreglass version of the original stump for the water to flow out of.

The spring water flows freely from the pipes and the fountains. Real refreshing taste. This stop will be a regular one for me, just off I15. Coming from the north, Exit 349 (UT-134) east 4-km to N Washington Blvd, turn north 150m... Stump fountain in park next to Lee's Marketplace (NW corner).