Monthly Archive for January, 2007

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Published on January 30, 2007 in Life. 0 Comments

Yesterday I had a successful trip home.  We woke up at 5:30, ate some breakfast, packed the van, and were on our way.  We got to the airport in good time and everything went smoothly.  The first lady told me my bike was going to cost 130 euros and I was like, no way.  The second lady told me 50 euros and I was like, okay I can do that.  But then the first lady came over and I didn’t have to pay anything!  Sweet!

I had also forgotten about the no liquid thing when I was packing my carry-on and had a whole bunch of stuff in my bag.  After a bit hassling, they took my nutella, deodorant, and coke.  Oh well, I got to keep everything else.

I was on the same flights and Brian and his dad and we did some last-minute souvenir shopping and then got on the plane.  In Frankfurt we went to McDonald’s for the first time in a long time.  I wasn’t able to sleep much on the plane, so it was a darn long flight.  In Calgary, customs was no problem, but I was getting worried about making my connection as I was waiting for my bikes.  My bag was ripped, but I nothing fell out or broke.

My family met me in Edmonton and we had a good visit as I unpacked and we sat around.  Sweet.  I woke up this morning to have nothing to do all day.  I’m back at work tomorrow and have a pretty full schedule for the next 2 weeks.

But I did get a hair cut.  Check it out:

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US of who?

Published on January 28, 2007 in Biking. 1 Comment

Today featured the womens and the elite mens races at the 2007 Cyclocross World Championships.  In the women’s race, Tara had a pretty good ride to finish 29th.  But the American, Katie Compton, pulled out another huge from the other side of the pond to finish second.  Two Americans on the podium!  Great!

And the men’s was one of the best races I have ever seen.  The course had changed a lot and was crazy with lots of ruts and difficult sections.  Everyone was crashing all the time.  Even the best riders in the world crashed multiple times.  Jon Page was riding well in the front group for pretty much the whole race and slowly worked his way up until he was fighting in the top 3.  Then it was him and Franzoi, then him and Vervecken.  It was a great race.  Kyle and I couldn’t believe what was going on… Jon Page is amazing!  He ended up making a small bobble near the finish on the last lap and couldn’t close the gap back to Vervecken who repeated as World Champion.  Greg and Mike rode well and represented Canada greatly.

Another perspective may be that when Jon Page, Jeremy Powers, and all the other guys that come over were getting lapped in the middle of races when they first came over.  There is hope for me and the rest of Canada!  Keep on keepin’ on!

Three Americans on the podium!  Now that is crazy!  Totally justifies the American World Cup next October.

I also wanted to add that I have just met Dave Coughlin (sp?), who basically started a big thing with Canadians coming to race cross in Europe and introduced us all to Tim and Jos.  He wrenched for us at the races and passed on much advice.  He is a great guy and I look forward to more time in Europe with him.

Home Time….

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World Friggin Championships

Published on January 27, 2007 in Biking. 1 Comment

Those guys are so ridiculously fast…

The course today tacked up a whole bunch and they opened it up a lot, so it was a lot faster.  But it was still really really and there was absolutely nowhere to rest.  I had a decent start, but stuck with the theory that I shouldn’t kill myself to get 3 spots before the first corner and things will work themselves out.  I felt like I was riding pretty well.  I was having fun on the technical sections and I felt like I was riding them pretty well.  I suffered real hard on the slog/power sections, but I did not give up mentally as much as I have in the past.  In the end, I think it came down to my legs, strength, and power that limited me.  I did go for a bike change on the second lap, but nobody was ready for me as Brian was changing a flat.  After losing a small amount of time I was on my way, only to crash a lap later and have Aaron fly over me and Brian swerve around.  I got back up and rolled my short back down and kept on giv’n er.  I just kept riding hard, but I could see guys, not even the leaders, pretty far ahead on certain sections.  I think I finished 4 out of 7 laps and was just behind Brian and Aaron.  Kyle almost managed to finish on the lead lap, but couldn’t quite do it.

The junior race seemed pretty interesting with Spencer having a good ride to finish on the lead lap and also feeling good with the way he rode technically.  Danny Summerhill of the US of A wound up in a 4-man sprint for the win and ended up second!  Pretty sweet!  Look for him in the future… 

In the end I didn’t reach any of my directly measurable goals, but I had a great ride and met all my technical goals to my satisfaction.  I had a great learning experience and am hoping to come back next year better, smarter, and stronger!  Time for waffles and beer now!

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Course and picks

Published on January 25, 2007 in Biking. 2 Comments

We went and rode the course today.  It was pretty muddy!  Not quite as sopping as the World Cup last year, but I’m sure it could get pretty gross.  Neil said it was slightly dryer than yesterday and it was sunny all day, so who knows….  it’s also still pretty cold out so I don’t know if it’ll dry up much.  It’ll also wear out quite a bit with all the riding.  I think I’m going to go back tomorrow.  I had trouble with a couple descents and crashed a few times.  But I figured it out better and better each time I rode a section.  I think I feel pretty good about it now.

So here are my picks:

Elite:

1. Nys

2. Wellens

3. Vervecken

Espoir:

1. Albert

2. Boom

3. Stybar

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GO CANADA

Published on January 25, 2007 in Life. 0 Comments

Yesterday we woke up to some fresh snow and freezing temperatures.  We also took our team pictures.  I watched Good Will Hunting and I guess the last time I saw it I was too young to understand, because I’m pretty sure it’s one of the best movies ever!  It was great.

Today there was more snow on the ground and we’re going to ride the course soon.  Should be good!

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National Team

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Getcha Betsin

Published on January 23, 2007 in Life. 3 Comments

Yesterday we moved into our new place in Hertsberge.  It’s pretty decent.  It used to be a hotel and you can tell by the room size and just the way it is set up.  The place as a whole is bigger and has more ammenities.  But the fridge is far from the counter and the tv is far away.  We do have our own bathroom though which is nice. 

The terrain around here is much different too.  There is much more farmland and it was way more open.  It is much flatter and I don’t think there are quite as many roads.  They are also more straight here.  It’s more like Alberta.  But things are good and the preparation is coming along nicely.  We are riding the course on Thursday so I’ll let you know what I think then.

Today was also very cold!  The coldest day yet, I believe, and definitely colder than some days in E-town before I left.  Still no snow though, just some frost.  Worlds could be interesting…

Speaking of Worlds… since racing is pretty much done until Worlds, let’s hear your picks.  I’ll let you know mine in a couple days…

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Aaron, Kyle, and I after Hoogerheide

The gang leaving Jos’ house

Riding in the new kit in the new place

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Sorry if I offended you…

Published on January 23, 2007 in Thoughts. 2 Comments

Well, I woke up to a few emails today about some offensive comments I may have made. 

I did not know it was offensive to call a Japanese person a “Jap” so that will be changed in my race review.

I also meant nothing harmful by my comments about Ryan Hopping last year.  Those comments were not necessary, I was merely trying to relate my performances.  I know Ryan can destroy me in pretty much any event right now and it would be fun to race against the Ryan from last year before he made improvements in 2006.  I’m sorry if I offended anyone by saying that I thought I was better than him last year or anything, but I did not mean it that way at all.  I was merely trying to say that I hope I meet my goals for this weekend at the 2007 Cyclocross World Championships (which include finishing on the lead lap like Ryan did).   Congratz on all you’ve learned and earned this year Ryan, I wish you all the best in your future endeavours!

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Can you cry in your sleep?

Published on January 23, 2007 in Thoughts. 1 Comment

I wrote this post yesterday and forgot to publish it, so pretend it’s yesterday when you’re reading it… 

Home called last night and the first thing my mom said was that she really missed me and couldn’t wait until I come home in a week.  It was a good conversation as I love talking to my parents and part of me is excited to go home too.  But then last I had a dream that my dad died…. I can’t remember how now, but I woke up and I don’t if I started crying right as I woke up or if I was crying in my sleep.  Anyways, it was kind of weird.  But I think it really shows how much I appreciate and love my family!  Thanks guys!

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Better Fredder

Published on January 22, 2007 in Biking. 2 Comments

The World Cup in Hoogerheide was much better than last week.  I had a much better week on the whole with a lot of great emails, still more comfort with this crazy place, lots of rest, and ton of positive thinking!  I went into the race with a great head and when I prerode the course I loved it, and I made sure to tell myself on every little thing that I liked that I would be flying and that would make it the best course ever for me.

I think it worked.  I had a pretty bad start position and not a great start.  It wasn’t a lot harder, just a lot faster.  I felt decent through all the sections and was riding in the line good, there were still a bunch of people behind me.  I felt like I was riding all the sections really well.  I could see Kyle and Aaron not too far in front of me.  The gaps started opening more and a couple people passed me.  I was chasing one guy for a while, then he opened up his gap.  Then I was chasing this Japanese rider and I caught him and passed him, then he passed me back and got a gap on me.  I just kept riding hard hoping I wouldn’t get lapped.  I still felt like I was riding sections really well.  I did a couple bike changes as it was pretty muddy.  I was suffering pretty bad on the false flat uphills through the mud, but I think everybody does there.  The lead guys are just absolutely flying right now and caught me as they were coming around with 2 to go.  Still almost 40 minutes of racing, it was a great course and a lot of fun!

Kyle and Aaron got lapped on the next lap so I figure they were a minute or a minute and a half up on me.  Not too bad…   days to just GIV’R!!!!

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Another day, another post… more photos…

Published on January 20, 2007 in Biking and Life. 1 Comment

Today was another Belgian day.  I woke up and had a decent ride in some good weather.  I was worried it was going to start raining, but it held off until I got back.  Unfortunately it hit Aaron as he was out.  Greg, Kyle, and Tara all went to go preride the World Cup course.  Aaron and I decided to save ourselves 3 ours of driving and will ride it tomorrow morning.long hair  almost long hair

I was looking at some pictures today from nationals and I thought my hair was long then… whoa man, is it long now.  I’m going to look really funny when I cut it when I get home!

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me and the house

side view

garneau

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