ALLEY CAT!

This afternoon I participated in an ALLEY CAT race organized by Ryan of Bicycle Smile.

I dropped off my five bucks at the Bike Doc on a Wednesday morning when I was on my way to Story Time at the library with the kids. Ryan joked that trailers were acceptable and the kids could join in for free. Seth chimed in that that might actually give them an “edge” – like I’m some sort of serious competition or something… (Dudes… sure I was a bike messanger…. For a grand total of five months FIFTEEN YEARS AGO!!?)

Anyway, I somehow then forgot about the Alley Cat earlier this past week while Amanda was planning a ride with Susan. Well I hadn’t entirely forgotten about it, it was always in the forefront of my mind, I just didn’t somehow make the connection that it was at the SAME TIME that Amanda would be riding with Susan and I would then have the kids…

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)


So I got to bring along a mobile cheering section! HUZZAH!! I did, in fact, hear Keira shout on more than one occasion “GO GO GO DADDY!!”


Couple of fixed gear nerds checking out each other’s rides (the guy with the orange bike is Greg – one of the owners of the Bike Doctor)


Ryan explaining the rules and what’s in the package.


Some of the competitors with a couple of historic Saskatoon landmarks in the back ground – the Vimy Memorial to the right and the (Delta) Bessborough Hotel behind the bushes on the left.


Seth, in Red, large and in charge!


The Le Mans start!

I should have had my camera in a more accessible spot and took my time and stopped to take pictures as I went… I did actually run into a few people who were lost or doing things in a different order… Ah well…

Here’s how it went – we all had to go to Ryan’s place on Cumberland first (of course for any who were paying attention that took us right by one of the other places on the list…) where we were to pick up a package that we would have to carry with us for the rest of the race and if it was damaged at the end there would be a 5 minute time penalty. I expected it would be an egg…

Of course everyone tore away from me and bythe time I made it to the bottom of the University bridge there was on one in sight. At the top of the bridge as I pulled on to Clarence I could see someone in black three blocks ahead walking an orange bike… Greg? I caught up to him and he had flatted and had no repair kit so I pulled over and helped him change his tire – I left him with the pump to finish pumping it up figuring he would easily catch up… didn’t see him for another hour and a half…. Good thing I didn’t flat anywhere…

At Ryan’s I met Emily who was handing out balloons – which I thought was fun – of course they were rather large, very full balloons which took up a large amount of the space in the trailer – so the kids couldn’t really “play” with it much at all…

Next stop was the College Building where we had to take a rubbing of the corner stone – which was placed by Sir Wilfred Laurier on July 29, 1910 (Each race package included a crayon and three sheets of paper. It was there that Finnegan popped out balloon – I thought there would be tears, but no one seemed to upset…

Next stop the grave of John G. Diefenbaker where we were to take another rubbing.

Back across the river and over to the Woodlawn Cemetery for a third and final rubbing. WE were supposed to take a rubbing from any grave but I just took one from one of the plaques along the Memorial Boulevard… I don’t know... something about taking rubbings from a grave… it was close enough…


The one picture I did take DURING the race (well.. other than the Le Mans start…) I ran into these guys leaving the cemetery.

The rest of the locations were all of the “What business is at [THIS] address” sort. All four I could have guessed and a quick trip to a phone booth could have confirmed them all – but I didn’t think that very sporting so I rode around to all four; The Granger Building (home of White Cat Book Company my favourite book store!), TCU Place, Star Egg Company and Lien Thahn Bakery.

The I rode up the Broadway Bridge to make my way over to Amigos Cantina – the finish point. At 10th and Broadway I saw one of the other riders on a mountain bike and sprinted him to the finish and beat him… of course he still had his balloon….


Ryan and Tyler – the winner – waiting for the rest of the riders to show up. They had apparently been waiting a while. Tyler had finished the course in under half an hour!? I took about an hour. I wish I’d hooked up a computer (that works) to this bike so I could’ve had some STATS for the race…

Well I wasn’t DFL – even towing two kids there were at least five or six (out of 17 or so) that showed up after me…. And I know at least one of those that showed up before me didn’t actually make it to all of the locations… If only I’d had THE ROCKET… and a few less children to tow along…


Everyone hanging out at Amigo’s afterwards.


Tyler and his medal (and courier bag prize)


Finnegan and our medal. We won the “Most Fun Between the Legs” medal – which was supposed to be for the person with the coolest bike, but they decided to give it to us instead…


Some of the competitors bikes piles outside Amigos

It was totally a lot of fun! Big thanks to Ryan for organizing it. He was saying he’ll probably be doing another one in July (which I’ll definitely be adding to the “Race Schedule”!).

Ryan will probably have his own race report and pictures at Bicycle Smile - roll on over there and check it out!

Amanda’s Soma Double Cross

Here it is! The cork tape finally showed up and I’ve finished off Amanda’s new ride! Now I just have to dig out the spare pair of Crank Brothers cleats I have for those Mallets.

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)


Pretty isn’t it? It’s kind of hard to tell but it’s dark green (a dark, DARK green).


Maybe you can see the colour a bit better in the close-up.


Another little test ride around the yard – hounded by autograph demanding fans!

There may be a bit more tinkering over the summer – like removing the front derailleur and the big chain ring (she’ll never use them…).

The Cannondale XR800

This was the first bike I bought when I started working at the Bike Doctor. This was the spring of 2004 I had started racing cyclocross the previous fall on the Mikado and had a lot of fun, so I thought I might get myself a gen-u-ine ‘cross bike. It was a previous year’s model that was hanging upstairs – just happened to be the right size and a colour that I actually liked ( my very first mountain bike was a similar green…)

It had a mostly Shimano Tiagra drive train with a 105 rear derailleur and Truvative cranks. The rims were Mavic CXP22 with Continental Twister tires. The rest of the components were generic Cannondale alloy…

I immediately put some Panaracer Stradius slick road tires on it and started riding every morning out Valley Road. By the end of the summer I had put a couple thousand kilometers on it and burned the Panaracers down to nothing. As it turned out I never did use it to race ‘cross because by that fall I had ordered a Surly Cross-Check frame and built it up to race ‘cross on a singlespeed!!

It came with some black bar tape which I was never really keen on. I picked up some “natural” coloured cork tape and tried to stain it a darker brown. It didn’t really work so well….

I also bought my first pair of clipless pedals for this beastie - Crank Brothers Mallets. 

For the next three years it was more or less been used as my summer “hauling-the-kids-around” bike. I might have done a few road rides on it in 2005, but by that time THE ROCKET had become my primary road warrior!

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)


Here it is in is last operational capacity: hauling kids. I had swapped the carbon post and brooks saddle over and- let me tell you – that was the comfiest ride EVER! Conveniently the bike has braze-ons for a rack which was handy for some extra storage/hauling capacity especially when grocery shopping with two kids. At this point the tires have been upgraded to Continental Ultra Gatorskins.


Off to the zoo, or wherever….

I can’t seem to find any other earlier pictures of it…

This spring I decided the Mikado could be used as a year ‘round (or at least “three season”) single speed kid hauling bike and the Cannondale ‘cross bike became redundant.

I had thought about selling it but Amanda thought I shouldn’t, as I might not get much for it. Better to have not much than nothing and ANOTHER bike taking up space in the Bike Barn, I figured…. Then She decided that maybe SHE would like to have a ‘cross bike and race this fall – obviously this bike would be WAAAAY to big but I thought if I could find a reasonably priced frame and fork I could do a complete swap. I indeed found one and all the parts have been swapped over. This is now just a bare frame and fork sitting in the Bike Barn

…so if anyone’s looking for a ‘cross frame and fork….

Determined Girlie

That Keira is one determined chick – she is going to ride bikes!!

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)


Climbed up there all by herself - from the couch where Amanda is sitting - screamed bloody murder when anyone tried to pluck her off...!

Race Schedule 2008

Just for fun and to give a bit more purpose to all this ”training” I thought I might go out to a few races…. (also the whole point of Amanda’s New ‘Cross Bike was so she could race cyclocross this year… I mean really, what else would you use a ‘cross bike for, right?!)

So here’s a tentative list of races you might see me embarrassing myself at:

8 June 08 - Bicycle Smile Alley Cat Race. Already paid Ryan my five bucks….

The rest are Sask Cycling Association races which can be found on their event calendar. The ones I’m planning on attending are as follows:

6 September – XC8 (Buffalo Pound Provincial Park)- an 8-hour mountain bike enduro race. Something about the epic nature of endurance racing appeals to me…

21 September – AGM ‘Cross (Saskatoon)

27 September - Buffalo Pound 60K (Guess where…) – One Word: “Epic”. It sounds like fun but we’ll have to see how things are going fitness-wise and finance-wise… This will be the most likely event to be dropped.

4-5 October – Regina Double ‘Cross (Regina, duh!)

18-19 October – Saskatoon Double ‘Cross (yeah, you got it – Saskatoon)

26 October – Sask ‘Cross Provincials (Saskatoon) – Usually held right outside my doorstep in beautiful Victoria Park!

I guess I better get an SCA membership sometime….

I’ll definitely be at the four ‘cross races in Saskatoon. The out of town races… well… In order of preference I think I’d like to make it to XC8, the Regina Double ‘Cross (thought these two might be reversed for Amanda….), and if possible the Buffalo Pound 60. As we’d have to rent a vehicle for any of these we’ll have to see how we’re doing later in the summer (…and what the price of gas is!)

WEEK 2

The depressing thing is that after two weeks I weigh exactly one pound less than when I started… I’m hoping that this is because building muscle faster than I’m burning off fat due to the excessive tofu I’ve consumed as post work out recovery meals…. But maybe that’s wishful thinking…. Whatever – Start with getting fit and into a routine of riding, then I’ll worry about the slimming down.

I thought I’d mention – for anyone that cares – that all these road rides have been on THE ROCKET. Not trying to brag or anything – just put things into perspective – help you understand things like why I might not be so hot on riding great distances in very strong headwinds … 54x18 is a big gear to push sometimes.

Here we go another week of “serious” “training”:

Date: Monday, 26 May 08
Time: 40min on trainer
Notes: At 5AM it was -1°C (-5°C with windchill…). By fall I’m sure that will seem “refreshing” – as it would have in March… Right now it seemed way too damn cold!

Feeling tired and generally stiff and sore. Tired is probably because I stayed up too late fixing my wheel and building up Amanda’s new bike. My knee is feeling less sore.

Watched the rest of “The Flying Scotsman” while on trainer (backed it up to watch the bit at the ’93 worlds again…). I love that movie. Have I mentioned that…?

Stretching+
25 Ball Crunches
30 Back Extensions on Ball
10 Leg Raises
25 Push-ups

…. To quote Roy Batty; “… that….hurt….”

I better have middle bits that look more like a six-pack than CAKE by the end of the summer or I’m going to cry…


Date: Tuesday, 27 May 08
Time: 1:16:24
Distance: 29.5km
Average Speed: 23.17kph
Temp: 3°C!?
Wind: S 4kph
Conditions: Clear. Beautifully clear.
Notes: I hooked up with Ryan at the Roastery at 5:30AM for a little ride. We headed out Lorne Avenue and then turned at the Concordia Club towards the willows and I was SHOCKED to discover that the road – that last time I rode it was surrounded by wheat fields were now lined with half million dollar condos and malls!?! It was staggering – the size of the houses and buildings and just how many had sprung up! Wow! No wonder nothing gets done at River Landing or on 19th Street – everyone’s been working out there!?

Stretching+
30 Ball Crunches
30 Back Extensions on Ball
15 Leg Raises
1 Push-up

The crunches were hard. Leg raises, so-so. Back extensions, not so much. All day yesterday my upper body muscles were aching from the previous days push-ups and when I tried to do some this morning it just plain HURT! So I decided to lay of them for today. In my defence I’ll point out I haven’t bothered to do any in years and last time I did I wasn’t pushing up nearly so much weight!

I like riding with Ryan – hopefully we’ll make this a regular thing.

I also took Finnegan to the grandparents, Keira to gymnastics, and then Keira back to the grandparents… another 12km?


Date: Wednesday, 28 May 08
“Rest Day”

I had gotten into bed at a decent hour – but probably didn’t fall asleep until 9:30 or 10 (just couldn’t sleep – not because I was… y’know… doing something else…). I also had fewer disturbances through the night – Keira only woke up screaming once… But for whatever reason, when I got up at 5AM I felt just WRECKED. I checked the weather – negligible wind, totally clear – couldn’t ask for much better (though 4°C did seem a bit cold) and then went back to bed for an hour.

So we’ll call it a “Rest Day” today to do a bit of “Recovery”.

I did take the kids th the library for Story Time ~ 7km


Date: Thursday, 29 May 08
Time: 1:12:46
Distance: 30.86km
Average Speed: 25.45kph
Temp: 13°C
Wind: SE 10km
Conditions: Cloudy
Notes:
Dragging my ass a bit this morning and got out the door a little late so I didn’t ride all the way to the Berry Barn – turned around at the big “Tuff Turf” sign (30km out and back). Tired and sore when I got up as usual – not quite so much, though – and once I got out on the bike it totally faded and I was feeling GOOD the whole ride!

30 Ball Crunches
30 Back Extensions on Ball
20 Leg Raises
25 Push-ups


Date: Friday, 30 May 08
Notes: I stayed up way too late and forgot to set the alarm – slept in until 5:30. Got up checked email and the weather and went back to bed. I was just too damn tired to function – I NEED to go to bed EARLIER!

Hauled the kids over to visit Dean and Isaac’s. ~12km


Date: Saturday, 31 May 08
Time: 2:04:54
Distance: 50.68
Average Speed: 24.52 kph
Max Speed: 45.1kph
Temp: 3°C - 8°C
Wind: W 8-11kph
Conditions: Light Fog –cleared up – SUNNY!
Notes: Dragged my ass again and didn’t make it out until quarter to six…

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)




...then had to wait 10 min. for a train near the landfill….


If only…

A GREAT ride in all. A little chilly to start but soon warmed up.

I saw Red-winged Blackbirds, loads of Meadowlarks and a dead porcupine.

So many pop bottles and beer cans in the ditches…

30 Ball Crunches
30 Back Extensions on Ball
30 Leg Raises
30 Push-ups


Finnegan and Dad exercising.

Finnegan decided to get down and do some exercises with Dad… of course he did them complete with exaggerated heavy breathing – trying his best to sound just like Dad – who, honestly, probably sounds a little like two yaks mating while dong these….

Date: Sunday, 1 June 08
Time: 2:32:28
Distance: 60.25km
Average Speed: 23.71kph
Temp: 3°C - 10°C
Wind: N 10kph - NE 17kph
Conditions: Sunny!
Notes:
The wind to my back to start was fun – though I knew every moment of effortlessly cruising at 30kph mean twice as long suffering to maintain 20kph on the way home!


I saw some Deer

I also saw another Red Fox – quite close, less than 50m but wasn’t quick enough with the camera. I was thinking I should get a top bar bag like Amanda has on her road bike to put the camera in for a little quicker access… Something like THIS one…

Just for giggles I took a slightly different route home – at the north end of valley road, instead of heading into town and through southwest industrial area I turned right and headed down the road that turns into spadina – just to see how bad it’s gotten. In parts it’s pretty bad – loose gravel and/or washboard clear across the road. But then since I’m “training for cyclocross” maybe a bit of bumpity-bump in my weekly routine wouldn’t be so bad.


Also going this way I was able to avoid a wait for another train – though riding under that bridge seems a bit precarious – it feels like it’s going to collapse at any moment and all the cars are going to fall down on your head!

30 Ball Crunches
30 Back Extensions on Ball
30 Leg Raises
30 Push-ups

This was considerable less painful than it was earlier in the week.

Hauled the kids to swimming class then over to the Grandparents... another 12km...?

RIDE #2!
Time: 1:50:28
Distance: 43.96km
Average Speed: 23.87kph
Temp: 16°C - 18°C
Wind: ENE 15kph - NW 10kph
Conditions: Sunny! Sunny! Sunny!
Notes: Went out for a second ride in the afternoon with Amanda, Susan and Roger.


Roger, Susan, Amanda.

We went out valley road again but took a little side detour to explore a newly paved road none of us had been up before. There was WAY too much traffic at this time of day – at least for a group ride.

The wind was all over staring off from the east ending up from the north…

Because I’ve done a rather lot of riding this weekend I think I’ll start off week three with a “rest day” – also Amanda has been wanting to get out to the skate park early in the mornings (when there’s no one there to embarrass herself in front of – or crash into …!)

THE ROCKET

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)


I had so much fun riding fixed on the SURLY Cross Check I decided I needed to set up a dedicated fixey for the road. I found an old road bike hanging up upstairs with the used bikes at the Bike Doctor that looked perfect. I offered Dave $75 plus a case of beer and ordered myself in a Suzue track hub. I rebuilt the rear wheel and presto – for less than $200 I had a fixey for the road.

I can’t remember exactly when I built this up. It was the fall of 2004 when I built up the Surly… I think it might have been more or less at the exact same time or right away afterwards. I probably rode it a bit until the snow started flying and it has been my #1 bike for getting around summer bike (when I’m not towing kids) ever since.

I have no idea of the origin of the bike as it has no headbadge or decals – it did have one decal on the top tube when I got it that said “Sport Swap”….!? It’s lugged and brazed steel and I imagine butted cro-mo. It had a bizarre mix of components like a campy front derailleur with Dura-Ace cranks (really, really OLD Dura-Ace cranks… but Dura-Ace none the less!)

Later spoke started breaking on the front wheel so I replaced it with a wheel I had kicking around for a previous project bike, and in the summer of 2005 I took the rocket out for a 100km road ride (the only ride I did outside of town – let me tell you IT HURT!) and it occurred to me 50km from home as my knees felt like exploding and my ass HURT that perhaps the seat post was a bit short – so it was replaced with a cheap and cheerful post. Recently I swapped over my black Brooks Saddle then I decommissioned the Cannondale ‘cross bike. That’s about it for “upgrades”. Oh I might have put new tires on….

In the picture above THE ROCKET is rigged for a long road ride – for ripping around town my pump and tools and stuff would all be stashed in my Push bag.

The gears are 54x18. Tall gear to push up hills but at least I don't spin my legs off coming back down!