Frisby Ridge including Ultimate Frisby!

Later in the afternoon after the Kicking Horse Cup road race, 
I checked out CBT trail starting from the single lane bridge... 
pretty fun trail up & down - Golden

Next day, epic ride in Revie... to Frisby Ridge

Starting from town, west Hwy 1 to Hwy 23N to FSR...
9.3 km, 140m elevation, 27 min

Gravel forestry road to Frisby Ridge trailhead...
9.4 km, 768m elevation, 1 hour

Frisby Ridge trail to highpoint - 10.6 km, 734m elevation, 1:14 hr

A very rider friendly trail suitable for new mountain bikers

Super flowy descent, riding down (or ripping!) was way more fun than I thought it would be -  10.7 km, 35 min

Followed the gravel road down two switchbacks 4.7 km, and around the corner another 100m to the Ultimate Frisby Downhill trailhead

The 3 guys on downhill bikes did not question me attempting this trail with my hardtail!

I could almost keep up to their dog...until, I hit a few longggg steep pitches where I walked due more to sketchy loose sand/dirt.

I was riding fine until I decided to bail, with the bike unexpectedly rebounding back at me... pedal to shin - hard, bar to ribs - hard.

Hurt, though knew it could have been worse. Scraped the rest of the way down. Saw two of the guys and the dog waiting for their buddy to return with the truck.

If the GPS clocked it right, this descent was only 2.5 km with a 577 metre drop in elevation! - STEEP

Rode back into town with a slight descent and a tailwind

Epic! well-rounded ride

4:10 hr, 54 km

1990m total elevation gain

Wildflowers - OUTSTANDING!

reminder - horseflies, big as birds and majorly annoying

back in Revie for Jan's birthday with home-made cakes!

Kicking Horse Cup - Golden BC

5.77 km prologue - Golden to Nicholson

fun fast corner - photo KHC

Saturday morning - Time-trial, strong tailwind with minimal climbing, 47 metres elevation gain. Pedalled as hard as I could in the drops... and out of the saddle of course. Ended 15 seconds after Margie Smith in 1st place.

Hill-climb event was not until 4 pm. I took the opportunity to pre-ride. Took it easy up though did notice the strong winds which would prevent a record breaking day. Saw many cars drive up with bikes on top. Later, Shawna Donaldson threw a witty comment at me asking if I had ridden the climb 4 times that day! Good one ;)


13.4 km hill-climb to Kicking Horse Resort

Mass men's field crossing bridge to 11 km climb - photo KHC

Men's mass start left at 4 pm. Women's mass about to leave 5 min later as a train came thru town. Waited. 19 min later we started.

Margie Smith took the initiative to lead. The first 2.4 km was flat with a headwind. I took the next pull. Soon, a Deadgoat and TCR came through then a young woman (sub 30 category) in yellow.

Across the one car wide wooden bridge, the hill climb started with 11 km up.

A few pulls with mixed riders. After the first rise, Margie, myself and young yellow jersey woman Ali made a clean break away. The three of us took turns pulling with Ali pulling strongly. I was pleasantly surprised at her strength and happy we were flying up the climb at a quick pace. I had counted on Margie being there.

Margie Smith, Ali Wilson, Marg Fedyna - flying up the climb! - KHC

We were evenly matched. I took pulls on the steeper sections. Finish was going to be down to a sprint.

Pre-riding earlier, I saw the finish was up a steep pitch 100m, then not as steep another 100m.

I let the girls dictate the pace on the steep pitch. Ali dropped off, Margie went full force. Once the grade lessened, I had a few moments of gears clashing (only time I used the small chain ring on that final steep pitch). Once back in the big ring, I was able to sprint in the final bit. Chipped away 5 sec on Margie's GC.

With the strong headwind 60% of the way, it was definitely a 3-person effort to get us up in the time we did 36:10. Definitely record breaking potential on a calm day (need to break 35 min).


61 km road race - Australian Rules
New format of racing for me at this BC Masters road race with Australian rules. The older categories are given head-starts based on 10-year age groupings, with the younger categories chasing. First rider across the line wins.

look of concern about being chased! - photo KHC

Women were grouped within the men's 10-year age categories, adding 15 years to their age. This put me with the 60+ year-olds. I was not sure if I was suited for my category with my hill-climbing ability though thought I'd give it a try. I already conceded that Margie won the GC as once her age group would catch us, there would be no chance to gain over 10 seconds on a 6 km mostly descending finish.

The road course was 2-loops of 30.5 km eye of the needle form with ample hill-climbing, 415 metre per loop, on the very hilly and scenic Golden Upper Donald Road.

I took out the pace in my group start with the first few hills. Sheila Summers came by to help and a few 60+ year old men. We needed more power on the slight descents which we got from a few guys towards the end of the 1st loop.

I had no idea when the 50+ year old group would catch on. As I was leading up a climb into the 2nd loop, a rider came upon my shoulder. It was Olav Stana of famed hill-climb status! I quickened my pace and was super thrilled to group up with Olav and Brian Marsh.

Loop 1, Marg working with a strong 60+ climber who chose not to join Olav and Brian when they caught up as he did not believe he would hang on. I told him, you just gotta go for it! Worse case, is getting caught by the group. Best case, staying ahead! - photo KHC

We flew! I took a few pulls though knew to stick behind for any descents and flats, especially in the wind. On the final backstretch, I was surprised when Olav attacked on the steep climb. Brian attempted to respond. I was scared to lose them both.

Olav easily flitted away. Brian settled his pace and pulled super strongly up, and down. I could hang on though was not in any position to help. I was worked!

It was impressive to see Brian work his way close to Olav by the end of the race. This put me in 3rd place in the Overall Master's Race.

Olav only had a 50 cog chain ring on the front, so to attack when he did was his best move. Brian was impressive with his all-round ability to ride strong on the hills as well as strong on the flats and descents.

Marg - Post Hill Climb Smiles! - photo KHC

Thanks to Aleks and Mike Macklem for putting this event on! Including the little extras... Mike for removing dead carcasses pre-TT, and Aleks for keeping the women entertained with the train-delayed hillclimb start  :)

Ogopogo 2013

Last farewells to Deadgoat Henry as he heads back to Calgary. We had a few wicked rides together in the O.K.

Last Ogopogo blog post with awesome CBC radio documentary on the missing creature...

Western Painted Turtle Crossing

Whenever I ride 'round the lake loop of Okanagan Lake via the floating bridge (143 km, 1945m elevation), I have wondered about the "Turtle Crossing" signs on Commonage Road south of Vernon.

Road ride with Mark Woodhouse taking my Turtle Crossing photo

As I was cruising on a descent past the sign, I saw my first turtle crossing the road! Seeing a semi coming the other way, I thought best to double back as the turtle was headed for a 2' barrier.

photo from 'net

Put my bike down, and had to chase down the turtle until he allowed me to pick him up. Probably 8" shell. I quickly put him on the other side of the barrier so he could head off to the pond.

It was a cool feeling to help the little guy!

Found out it was a Western Painted Turtle. Thanks to Lia Brown (UBCO Middle School education, and artist) who instigated driver awareness by putting up her own printed flags after she investigated the history of the Turtle Crossing at Commonage Road next to Rose's Pond, Vernon BC for her final research (GRIP) project in teacher education.

Highway 40 South of Hinton

Finally, travelling on-route to the Okanagan I stopped to ride Hwy 40 South of Hinton... awesome pavement and pretty amazing mountain views.

Riding with Hinton-ite Bruce Voelker

On the return trip, bombed behind Bruce 85.9 kph bridging the gap, while Bruce only went 84.5!

Good roads for spring riding! Gotta gather the ERTC folk next year...

Swiss Tour of the Rockies

After Banff Bike Fest, my friend Alex Gisler from Switzerland arrived to Calgary airport Sunday night. Gave just enough time to unload, wash up, repack for 1 week of mountain fun.

Alex is the owner of a Swiss Mountaineer company and wanted to scope the Rockies for future winter tours.

Day 1

Hike on Ha Ling bumping into ERTC Trevor Sorenson on our way down

Hike up East End Rundle Ridge thinking it was a short 2 km jaunt. Ha, it turned into a pleasantly challenging scramble. Even though a thunderstorm came through, I was adamant to get to the peak.

Ventured into Grotto Canyon to see the waterfall. Got lured by the other end of the canyon. Explored the hoodoo cave, and ventured further into the canyon. Long day, so ventured back in search of food.

Day 2
Drove out on the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93). Many tourists were out, I was now one of them!

Put on the Kahtoolas and ventured onto the Columbia Icefields

With my new exposure to skimo, I was now enticed to come back to explore places I had only heard about to... Parker Ridge, Bow Glacier, Crowfoot Glacier...

At Emerald Lake, scoped potential trails, checked out the Natural Bridge.

Drove out Moraine Lake road, a first for me, as I've only x-c skied 9 km in. I was wowed by the mountain views.

Scoped Fairview trail until halted by boggy waters. Checked out the Hotel and Lake.

Mad dash back via Hwy 1A. Back on Hwy 1, saw an instantly stopped car which meant bear siting.

Day 3
Tour of Banff area starting with a rainy hike/run at the top of Norquay. The rains had begun today. Did the basic touristy things...  Farmer's Market, main street walk about, museum scope, Tunnel Mtn drive...

I was mistaken that the completed renos of Cave & Basin meant the hotspring was open! Yah, we found out otherwise when we arrived with swimsuits, though took the wicked tour of the hotspring origins. Did dip into the Upper Springs.

Day 4 - Thursday Flood Day
Constant rain since previous night. Socked in clouds. Alex and I were determined to head out to K-country no matter what. We had an action-packed day planned.

Miles, our host, was to leave for a westcoast fishing trip early that morning. We heard him return to the house mumbling "creek overflowing" and "road out".

normally a trickle of a creek

Alex & I dressed in full gortex walked to the creek, which was heard loudly from afar. We meant to glance and walk to the café for some food. Hours later, we stood mesmorized by the power of water and witnessing land disappearing every few moments.

Alex holding a local's umbrella so they could take flood photos!

The town had a ghost town feel when we biked to downtown for groceries. We biked back to Exit 86 to check out the local spring.

Massive amount of flowing water in the ditches. I was concerned. A small rise of a hill prevented any flood waters from affecting the spring. It looked same as usual.

what to do when it floods - jam and sing!

Funny that water was sold out in all the stores when this town has their own pristine natural water source!

Day 5
Still raining constant. With all the road closures, now wondering how to get Alex to Calgary for his return flight home.

Later that afternoon, Alex and I rode our mtnbikes to Three Sisters Parkway to assess. Took the bike path which funnelled onto Hwy 1.

My eyes opened to the carnage to the highway and trails, from every single swollen creek. We thought an escape by bike would be possible.

Picnic table on submerged island covered by water 12 hours later

Back at the house, divvied up all of Alex's gear in a huge luggage bag and a backpack. 4:30 a.m. a strong thought awoke me wide-eyed saying "pack your stuff, pack your stuff" so I packed my stuff into the car.

Escape Day
Early next morning, parked at 3 Sisters Parkway Exit. Rode onto the highway carrying over 70 lbs of gear. Happy to have a tailwind.

Surreal to be the only ones on Highway 1. No construction workers at work yet.

Deadgoat Henry picked Alex up at the end of the highway closure, Hwy 40 at the Stoney Casino. Knowing Alex was in good hands, I rode back to Canmore to save my car and gear.

Returning to 3 Sisters Parkway, I asked the traffic control guy when I could leave by car. He glared at me for coming from the closed highway, and said "get in line now". I managed to squeak in one of the first caravans of vehicles - Timing! and thanks to that little voice at 4:30 a.m.!

Banff Bike Fest - Saved by Tunnel Mtn!

Seeing "surprise corner" ahead! - photo Ken Anderson

Prologue - fun, short, scenic, over too soon

Hwy 1A road race - 64 km of avoidance of skittish rider, sprint finish with 500m to go with women coming back to me with a 6th place. Just gotta "go" on that last climb. Highlight seeing tourists walk out of their cars to take close up photos of bears eating foliage.

Time Trial - 21 km loop with super scenery around Lake Minnewanka. This photo depicts my eagerness to be a proficient Time Trialist

Which racer is different?! - photo Ken Anderson

Criterium - short loop 800m, smooth corners, short race. The top GC dogs duked it out. Put in efforts to keep from being lapped


photo Aaron Falkenberg

Tunnel Mountain Circuit Race - best event of the weekend!

Wish the course was longer, and started later (started 7 a.m. at 2C)... 81 km race of 6 loops around Tunnel Mountain... good climbs, wicked twisty descents, with a straight stretch that needed hills.

Good to see Team Red Truck with 5 riders keep the pace high right from the start. They needed to dent into solo rider Kinley Gibson`s GC lead of 52 seconds. Whenever the pace slowed on the climbs, I helped to keep the pace high.

The descent was twisty and fast and manageable without braking though the women still braked (?). Added a scary element to descend behind them with that factor.

There was one short steep grunt hill before the descent. I admit the youthful riders could stomp up it. In the last lap, I felt if we had another 4 loops, I'd be holding my own there. Managed to keep in the top pack finish.

This stage saved the whole Banff Bike Fest from being way less than a training effort weekend. Wish there were three more road races with similar intensity in this Stage Race!


Super fun to room at Zippy dog`s place in Canmore

Banff Bike Fest - Weather Roulette

Pre-prologue Eve... after the epic flash afternoon hailstorm and minor tornado siting, I spent extra time vacuuming water flowing via the weeping brick wall in my basement suite.

Pre-prologue Day... drove to Calgary to unload a few items, noticed things were damp from the trunk. Discovered a couple of gallons of water travelled with me from Edmonton's prior day's hailstorm via my trunk! Had a chance to toss everything in the dryer and bail out the water.

Got to the prologue in Banff with just enough time to warm-up. The sunshine in Banff helped defrazzle me from that extra unexpected effort.

Prologue... in my warmup, I was asked for "tips". I had forgotten what the stage was like from 2009 when I did it, only knew the profile on paper...  Relatively rolly-flat for 1.0 km, then climbs with a spike at 1.4 to 1.5 finishing at 1.6+ km.

After riding, my "tips" would be... "go HARD"... as hard as you can for the first 1 km", the steep hill always catches by surprise, hence called "surprise corner", AND it caught me again! It will hurt going up the grade no matter what! Love the final 100m descent which seems so Effort-Full!

scooped photo from Christina Smith, fellow racer, on her warm-up ride

In the first km, maybe I wasn't working hard enough as I certainly noticed the amazing scenery!

Weather... Earlier, just after drying out my trunk, it poured rain. Scared me for the race. Actual race weather was sunny, dry and AweSome!

Giver8er a few hours

Even though the forecasts all called for the rains to come, I was hoping different. Pretty amazing that I entered the event knowing those facts. Something about mud riding...

The first 2 hours were pretty nice. A drizzle was happening and all was good. Then the drops got bigger into the 3rd hour. Pretty amazed how the track changed from hard-packed to greasy goopy-ness within half an hour.

Excited for another muddy loop!

Going down one fast steep descent had the bike sliding sideways, so I bailed onto the grass and saved it. Not so much fun when even the open roadie sections were sloggish.

I had new tires on though the mud embedded between the knobs and made them like slick tires. A little concerned the mud wouldn't shed on the descent, though it eventually did.

After 4 loops, I paused for a food break. I was optimistic the rains were done, that within another hour the tracks would be rideable again. I was prepared to spray-wash the bike and head back in. 

Then the down-pour came. Hardcore mtnbikers stated it was dangerous out there. So, race was called early prior to 6 hours. Still a fun race!

Legacy Trail & Banff Road Climbs

Mission - ride the climbs around Banff

From Canmore, took the Legacy Trail bike-path towards Banff (first time on it, fun and rolly). Good timing to have a fast guy just fly by as I started so I jumped on his wheel as he hauled strongly into the headwind. He finally noticed me hanging onto his wheel and remembered me from epic Transrockies 2004 (a crash does that!). Cool to chat with him (Greg Stevenson) and ride to Minnewanka and back.

I then rode solo up Tunnel Mountain road, back behind Banff Arts Centre, up/down Sulphur Mountain road, up/down Norquay, along Vermillion Lakes road, back onto bike-path, onto Hwy 1 for 2-km to Sunshine turnoff. 

Went out/back 8-km one way to Sunshine gondola base - fun fun fun - as almost 1000' of climbing to the base, flew back to Hwy 1, headed 2-km to Hwy 1A turnoff, up and around the road split, stopped to fill a bottle with spring water (right at the fork at 3-km), back along the bike-path with a tailwind to Canmore - phew!

GPS battery died on-route, guesstimate mileage was over 135-km and 5,300' elevation gain. Super nice day, especially the tailwind back!

The Legacy Trail from Canmore to Banff is great! Way nicer than riding on the highway. Awesome to see so many riders/inline skaters/walkers/runners using the trail.

rainy spring days - Prairie Mountain

After a 2-day rain storm throughout Calgary area and the world... 
(Giro cancelled their 19th stage yesterday due to snow, worldwide flooding), decided to hike Prairie Mountain than be on a road bike in the cool temps.

Trail was bare 2 days ago.

Skimo friend Michelle Roberts joined me on her first time venture up Prairie Mountain.

Hitting knee deep snow at treeline - photo Michelle Roberts

Cairn at the top. Super stiff winds (note flag!).
Short stop due to windchill factor
Moose Mountain Fire Look-Out on the peak to the right.

The expansive view of the Rockies to the foothills
with Michelle descending from the peak

  Marg trudging thru snow - photo Michelle Roberts

Thanks to Kahtoolas for the great traction.

Great place to be...

Prospector Trail Exploring - Exshaw

Checked out a new trail for me called Prospector out in Exshaw (15 km east of Canmore) with a bunch of the Deadgoats and a few Calgary Canoe Club paddlers and mechanic Janet Liu.

Amazing Rocky Mountain views

crazy fun trail - photo Deadgoat Steve Walsh

Riding this trail got me more enthused to get out on my mountain bike more. I'm a roadie at heart though trails like this one certainly puts that permanent grin on the face for awhile! fun fun fun

Deadgoat Henry Yau zooming down the Canadian slick rock

Marg focused on the ladder - photo Deadgoat Craig Marshall

Following a good technical rider will have me ride scary sections I would probably have balked on. I was following ice-paddler Barney McIlhargey on his full suspension when we approached another ladder. There was an easy turn off to the left.

I was already on Barney's line when I saw him take a huge drop-off from the ladder. I was committed and made it cleanly on my hardtail! Then I hear Linda whoop behind me as she followed me as closely as I followed Barney, so she was committed too!

Deadgoat Linda Green cruising through the forest - photo Deadgoat Craig

Trail starts with a good climbing effort interspersed with flowy fun sections. Not a super long trail, though opportunity to ride a few loops in a beautiful area.

Deadgoat Steve ace-ing the rocky ridge

Check out this link for AMAZING photography of this trail!

Deadgoat ride debrief - photo ice-paddler Candace Mihalcheon