good, bad and the ugly

Well it turned into an interesting weekend and it’s only Sunday night of a long weekend. Some good and some bad and one major concern.

I’ll start with the good stuff. The Friday night bachelor party was fun, I will not expand on anything that happened. Those rules must be obeyed. Saturday’s wedding was fantastic. Congratulations again Al and Marinka. May your future together be wonderful. Great ceremony geld out at our friend Mike’s place.

The Ark is an awesome place for both the formal and the informal (I’m usually there for more of this side). It’s been a couple years since I’ve been out but lets just say that this place is awesome. It’s run completely off grid and self contained.

Of course the après wedding is always entertaining with the Ottawa crowd. A mix of mountain bikers, adventure races and runners. All endurance junkies and this includes the party side, or so I thought. We are all showing our age and I swear most of us consumed more coffee than wine and beer.

An interesting note of the night., when it came time for the groom to shoot the garter and the bride to toss the bouquet things went almost terribly wrong. That or very set up. First up comes to the garter. Of course I have my head down doing the “you can’t see me if I can’t see you” thought when they called all the single guys up. I dragged myself into the pack. Now the interesting thing was seeing my future brother-in-law Rick standing beside me. I was kinda confused. Of course I made a comment to him but I guess that unless the ring is on it’s a free for all, this will lead to another part of it.

Back to the garter, I didn’t escape and I swear Al set it up and put a bullseye on me. Apparently according to fate, which as most know I do sorta believe in but am starting to think I should change my mind on it, I’m the next in line. Well whoever the poor woman is, I apologize now for your misfortune!!. Most of my friends are thinking, SUCKER!!!

As for the women's side of this cruel tradition, I saw my sister up in the pack. Hey, all’s fair in love and war right?? Then I hear Rick scream “get those flowers honey!!” Apparently I’m the competitive one in the family!! Well I swear Jenn had the same bullseye on her that I did but she managed to throw a 7 year old in front of her to block the blow. Nice!!!Great evening in the greatest of events for two of my friends.

So onto the mix of good and bad. Met up with my sister on Friday to get some Myo facial treatment done. When ever I’m able to I get treatment from my sister since she is always on the leading front with her training. I good tune up before the 24 hour is always a bonus. She had noticed a few major issues with my body. I pretty much am a pretzel with a bomb inside it. She addressed a couple things and the treatment was great. Got home feeling good and started to get ready for an easy road ride. I never ever have issues with riding after a treatment, just keep things in check and do endurance/recovery pace. No worries I thought.

Headed out feeling really good. The first bit of the road I was on was pretty rough but nothing I’m not used to. About an hour into the ride I started on my return. Things felt a little weird in my back. Then it got worse, and worse. Not just ache but sharp pain. I stopped and when I put my foot down things went bad. I was on the ground in major pain. A phone call later my sister had a cab en route to get me. Spent the rest of the evening low key, even at the bachelor party. The pain had settled before I went out otherwise I would have been comfy on the couch. No go carting for me and I was mellow for the rest of the night. The next morning I woke up and I could barely stand up. Spent a good hour with heat on my back then another hour stretching. Things became bearable.luckily because of the wedding. I stayed seated as much as possible.

So that leads up to this morning. Woke up and things were better but still sore. Still very tight in lower back. What ever released has strained a lot of my lower back muscles. Time bomb went off. Of course having a 5 hour drive home isn’t going to help but the sooner I got home the better. Stretching and I was off. Lets just say that I’m very happy I have heated seats and power adjustable lumbar in the car.

Got home feeling not to bad so I did what I knew needed to be done and went for a very easy ride on the rail trail with the Anthem. Was back in less than an hour then did more stretching. Currently my back is very mad at me. It will be Advil very shortly,

So that is the bad part of things. The results were going to happen at anytime unfortunately they happened now. Two weeks from know I wouldn't care. It’s been a long abusive season and the body knows it.

So here is the concern. I’m less than a week out from the 24 hour in Michigan. Am I racing, am I not. I’ve been weighing options constantly and this is where I’m at.

At this time I’m still planning on going. It’s a week, very little riding, lots of yoga and stretching. Ice and heat etc. I have physio with Dr. Bill on Tuesday morning. I don’t need to make a decision until Thursday morning. If things keep getting better daily I’m not worried, drugs will help.

I’m still planning for the 24 hour BUT I do have an option. There is a 12 hour division. I can push through pain for 12 hours and this means getting to consume more beer than I would if I do option A. I still want to not think about option B but if I’m in Michigan and there is a hesitation I will opt for the 12 hour.

Third option will not actually be an option. If my back says no then I will be staying in Ontario, trying to recover, get shit figured out and then do either Paul’s Dirty Enduro or the Fall 8 hour or possibly both.

So the one outlook I have on this is being forced to rest will also have me going into this weekend more rested than I’ve ever been for a 24 hour race. You don’t lose your endurance levels as quickly as you do your intensity so I’m not to concerned. I’m more focused on getting the body in check. I’ll be updating daily on what and where I’m at.

I'm in bit of a frustrated position right now. Hansen Hills isn't exactly in my backyard so making the decision is going to be tough, really don't want to drive 9 hours, do a lap and have to quit because my back goes. I also really want to go, new venue, new racers, etc etc. The good perk right now is I'm on holiday's so I can completely relax. Hopefully things come together.

More tomorrow.

Have to vent a little

I'm currently sitting on my sister's couch drinking coffee. The trip out to Ottawa was, lets just say interesting. I saw stupid reminders how little people think about consequence in results to their actions. More so this generation of James Dean, want to be a rebel got my bike licence yesterday so I'm going to get a big ass noisy bike and terrorize the roads group.

For those I'm about to offend, sorry but you need to hear this. I am the first to admit that I am mature enough to know that I am not mature enough to own a motorcycle. I grew up around them, my Dad always had them including crouch rockets and Gold Wings. When I did ride I was reminded by him that on a bike, like a bicycle, that you will never win in a battle against a car and that you need to be defensive. Well maybe this rebel generation might want to remember that.

First up I do have to make a point about the noise. Sorry guys but going through town 2 gears lower than you need to be reving the shit out of the engine does not make you a bad ass. Inside info from a customer who just happens to be on the board of a large motorcycle association (HD) told me that there will be no sound limits coming soon. Fantastic!!!

Ok so onto the drive. Coming into Bancroft I followed a guy on a Cruiser who was going up in down with the speed limit, reving the bike constantly for know reason. Then I noticed the highlight to this. Where the hell is his helmet??? Awww tipped back off his head kinda like the cowgirl hat hanging by a string around his neck. HMMMM really friggen bright. The funny thing is this was the smarter of the two bikes. I haven't even started into the idiot behind me.

So there are lots of rules about riding bikes that the old boys all know and all respect, Dad constantly reminded me of these when we would be out on a ride. Dad rode for 40 years. Most of those rules are just straight out common sense.

On to the clown behind me. My video camera was beside me, I should have taped it. You would have been shocked at the lack of brain cells this guy had. I'm into Bancroft. 50Km/h zone. 6-7 cars in front along with the wanna be biker guy who has now put his helmet back on. The guy behind me feels that he deserves to be in front of me and squeezes between me and oncoming traffic. His mirror,my mirror inches. I saw him coming up and my window was down so off course I called out "what the fuck are you thinking!!!!"

This is the interesting thing. He pulls in front of me, then starts looking back at me and swerving all over the lane and slowing down. Of course I start to slow down trying to figure out what this moron is trying to prove or do. I'm also watching him wander close to the yellow line with big ass trucks coming in the other direction. I'm on the fine line of either coming to a complete stop, getting out of the car and confronting this guy or getting away from him as fast as possibly.

So first off there is no way in hell this guy was a gang banger, the town I grew up in we had lots so I kinda know what I'm looking for. I had some shady friends growing up. Anyways I chose for the later of the options, hopped the curb and pinned it. Audi versus Harley, sorry boy you don't have the go to keep up. I am still shaking my head at this guy, no thoughts on any of his surroundings or what could would should have happened. How did he know that I wasn't packin my 9, or that I wasn't some crazy and turn my car at him giving him a nudge. Car versus bike, you know the end result.

This is all the same with cyclists versus cars, gotta thing cause versus effect. Maybe I shouldn't go full out against motorcyclists but more a general statement. Cause equals effect, I've seen more red light runners than ever, more car wandering in a lane than ever, more stupid driving things that could cause something major ever. Maybe we need to think about what we are doing more than ever!!!

Ok, I see a bunch of people about to knock me off the soap box and pummel me. I'll be out on the road bike later this afternoon, I think I'll be looking for some empty roads.

ROAD TRIP!!!!!!

Not sure how many updates I'll get in this weekend. I also expect everyone to be out and about. It's looking like it's going to be amazing weather and I'm going to have a very busy weekend.

I'm officially on holiday's after my last service call of the day, from there it's jumping in the car heading east to Ottawa. A wedding on a long weekend always sucks but at least the group I'll be with a wedding is little different. A bunch of cyclists and adventure racers. Yep, the special type.

Friday night consist of go karting and drinking!!! Yep two things I'm kinda good at. Last time we did this I got flagged more than once. Remember that rubbin is racing thought, I guess they have never seen Days of Thunder. Let's see if I can put my brother in law in to the wall.

I will be armed with a road bike and plan on getting a couple easy rides in before heading back Sunday afternoon. Gotta be back because The Monday Night Something crew is doing the Monday all afternoon thing of some riding and some eating. No lights, just fun. There could even be some beer mixed into this. Wow it's going to be a weekend of hydration and carb loading. The ultimate pre 24 hour weekend.

Things seem to be coming together smoothly for the 24 hour. Even the weather at this point is looking like rainbows and butterflies with trails made of chocolate. No rivers since it's looking like there will be no rain at this point.

Check in on Andrew and Jacob's blogs today. Last night's final race for the season at Hardwood was supposed to be interesting. I did hear some siren's and saw the air ambulance heading that direction. Hoping there are pictures or video of this.

They were NOT heading out on the double track.

Gotta go, sooner I'm done, the sooner I'm done

no title, can't think of one

Thinking,, thinking. Nothing exciting on the bike front. Hotel is booked can't believe the price difference between here and the states. Starting to look at maps figuring out which way to go, where police hiding places may be, is there a faster way to cross the boarder.

Starting to lay out gear. My OCD side wants to start packing the car now. I'm staring at the weather network daily. Could, would, would we finally have rainbow and butterflies for a 24 hour race this season? Don't we deserve just one??

Riding wise things are starting to trim back. Well all the extra time could be going into a different effort. Mom has started to consider moving. This thought is a little hard on both my sister and I. It's the house that we grew up in, the house my Dad and Mom built to be the family home. Of course it's not our decision. Big family meeting of the three of us in Ottawa this weekend.

Of course the one thing I have not reminded Mom about her thoughts of the move. Don't you remember the hell I went through last year!!!!!!

Another ride tonight, not sure where yet, may take pictures, may draw pictures, may just say I did and ask you to imagine.

later

interesting comparision

Last night's single speed ride was fun, like usual. There were a few interesting things that happened along with some conversations brought up that had me thinking. The Monday Night Something single speed ride versus Nascar. That's right folks, non shifting cycling at night takes on redneck racing.

Like Nascar this ride is pretty much follow the leader around the trail. Everyone rides close and when there is a double track section there is always a pack two or three wide. As we head into the single track someone always slingshots around to take the lead.

Last night's ride there was more tire rubbing than ever. At one point I swear there were at least 3 bikes in contact. We all remember those famous words from Days of Thunder the greatest car movie of all time (not really) He didn't bump you, hit you, or crashed into you. He rubbed you and rubbin is racin!!!!

When ever there is a mechanical on the trail like Nascar the yellow flag goes up and everyone goes into caution and rides really slow so till everyone regroups. Yep, one particular rider kept dropping her chain, maybe the fact that her hubby runs a bike shop explains things.

The fastest riders/drivers usually crash the most. Yep, it happened more than once last night. One crash happened while the pack wasn't even moving.

As for crashing which means turning in most cases. Nascar drivers really suck if they are forced to do more than turn left. Well Tristan proved that last night. Actually it was both going left and right and over rocks and things. Next year all trails will be paved and 20 feet wide.

There are thousands of drunk fans in the stands at Nascar races. In our case we had one drunk fan in a wheelchair touring around the parking lot. We have to work on our cheering section.

There is always tree huggers protesting Nascar races and how environmentally damaging they are. well had a tree mover/hugger/planter on our ride last night.

Nascar drivers are paid vast sums of money to drive in circles. Us, ya sure it would be nice.

I guess Nascar still takes it from a fan and spectator sport, I still don't get it. I get dizzy watching them go round and round for hours. I think if more people found out about our ride we could fill the stands. Ok so there are no stands in Midhurst but if you build it they will come. Or at least it would give the free riders something new to jump off.

Work time, play time tonight.