Kingston Trophy Half Marathon 2019

Once again it is the Kingston Trophy on the home trails. With a different course then the last 2 years. And unlike last year not doing it 3 weeks out from a stay at Humberview Hospital with a lacerated kidney.

Start was good and despite the usual 30 rider DVP style parking lot when it went to singletrack the first 3k went well. But then it decided to get interesting.

Noticed a little play in the pedals on one corner and when I looked down something wasn't right. Stopped and discovered that somehow my crank bolt had backed off and cranks was shifting around. Grabbed the tools , backed off the bolts, punched the crank back into place, stuck the blade of my knife in the plastic bolt and cranked it tight, tightened the bolts, and back to work. Not sorry that quitting is not in my race vocabulary.

Back on the bike and having been past by a bunch of riders it was catch up. And DFL in the Clydesdale Cat Or more accurately hunt each one down...one at a time. And to wait patiently for the rock and tech that was coming. Knowing that most will have gunned it to hard before it or to worried about the Pete's Loop bit of foreplay before it truly begins. Came out of that section of Home Loop and turned left onto Burbrook. Just before the exit had passed a racer who would be irritating shortly after.

Rode through the water on Burbrook and just slightly after got past by the rider I passed earlier. Who rode by in a hurry and  popped into the woods. Have no idea what was in his thoughts but....he gets to the climb barely starts. And decides to stop, dismount, and stand in the middle of the climb as I come riding up. He just stared at me as I rode up, dismounted, and moved rapidly past him. Got to the top and into Pete's Loop where truly the race begins. Rode Pete's well with flow. Nailed the downhill switchbacks Rob cut a few days prior. Past the aid station to head into the next 2 sections Route 66 and The Ridge.

Rode both well despite at one point smacking a tree on one downhill. Kept hunting down riders and picking them off one at a time. Nailed the Route 66 downhill exit perfectly. The Ridge went well and caught 2 Clyde cat guys in there. On the Ridge descent caught 2 guys riding duallys. At one point could briefly see Team Colin.

After that it was exit loop to Burbrook and into Rooney's in reverse still making up time and slowly reeling in 2 more guys. Get to the aid station 2  which was pretty much the end of the singletrack and began the farm field march of ugh. Only got passed by one guy in all the fields and lost contact with Colin and Simone the RCAF pilot. The Sandbox went well and the last km's where good. Didn't go all out as I knew after climbing up from the sandbox could see a huge gap between me and anyone behind. Caught and passed one more before the finish and was done.

End result was after major mechanical and having to hunt down half the field got first in Clydesdale. Don't know the math what this means in the series standings. Next up is the local 6 hour again then the Humbler.

 

Cambden East Loop

 October 2017 after some recce had found a loop that passed through Camden East with as much unmaintained  or gravel as possible.

Cambden East Loop

It took much longer than I had hoped to be able to ride this loop as 2017 saw in the Spring a huge amount of rain. And with a already high water table it left lots more water on the tracks then normal. It caused me to skip doing the 2017 Turbine ride again with that new route.

I should note that it took me several weeks to recce the sections of this route. I wanted to ensure that it was all on unmaintained Loyalist Township roads. These same roads also act as snowmobile routes in winter. And as it was a route I was going to share publicly wanted to avoid any potential trespassing issues.

Once I parked and geared up at the Camden East and 401 Kiss and Ride lot. Sans a kiss it was off to ride the loop for the first time.

Of course it has to start rain as I do this route. But then that would have been to easy. After a turn down Maple to the dead end where the track begins and a bit of grinding through the un-mowed grass it was a left turn onto the unmaintained section of Simmons Road.

While there was water on Simmons which included one section of having to dismount to hoof it around one big body of water. It was pretty good section. At the end of Simmons it was right on Switzerville to go a bit before a left onto McKeown Rd. I had a suspicion that the first half of McKeown was going to be a ATV rut festivus.

And I was right as the first half had lots of ruts from ATV's. So there was more dismount and hike than I would have liked. But it would be a boring route without a few challenges. And by about the half way mark the ruts where gone to be replaced by lots of puddles.

The weather despite the rain did work in my favour as the whole time the rain was warm for October. It could have gone the other way and things worked out. The only downside to the rain was that being in Limestone land was wet limestone. And as is well known by internet studies...there is no known tire known to stick to wet Limestone.

After McKeown had to make a right onto County Road 1 East as the other option was on private land and was avoiding that option. With it raining didn't stop long in Camden East so no gas station. It should be noted that the Esso gas station has baked goods that are good. And on a hot day can get a nice cold cola.

From Cambden East headed south on County Road 4 heading for Love Road another unmaintained road. a few k out of the hamlet turned left onto Love Rd.  Nothing scary here just sand and gravel with traction thanks to the rain. After passing a DND training area turned south again on a un named track that took me to Fred Brown road Rd which I turned left on and followed till it forked and took Thorpe Rd. Thorpe being gravel.  When it dead ended at Maple headed right till it met back up with County Road 4. Turned left to head back to the kiss and ride. And the Dirtbag Ute to eat and relax.

One big bonus of getting the Dirtbag Ute is even if it rains is being able to sit on the tailgate with the cap door as a cover. Eat some food and drink a Pepsi while relaxing after getting off the bike. Much better plan then trying to drive 10k hungry needing food. Plus it gave me time to think about the next mod to the Dirtbag Ute.

Race Face Indy Knee Weighed and Measured

Last year looking up leg armour specifically something a light and easier to carry on the bike. Picked up a pair of Race Face Indy knee at Mountain Equipment Co-op with a few other things as it was through a Christmas Gift Card.

For years have worn Roach or some form of knee with hardshell either internal hardshell like Fox or external like the old Hoots knees. Valuing the function of my knees does make me skeptical of soft shell with essentially lycra holding it all together. Of course getting them in January means one does have to wait till Spring and summer to use.

Once it was warm enough began using them. Felt more like knee warmers and in general stayed in place. Forgot a few times was wearing them. While it was all good there was one initial thing I noted. That the stitching to hold the loop in place on the upper part was pulling a bit away from the lycra creating a small hole.  But it was livable.

It was in the first 8 minutes of a ride in August that my skepticism in these was proven correct. After a low speed crash discovered as pictured above. Ok, I get they are made of lycra but it bothers me that all it takes is one crash and they are garbage now. Wow, is all I can say. I mean your paying at least $95 CDN per pair. So every time you crash you have to buy a new pair? Sorry, but that is just stupid to me. Then there is the consideration with how we are supposed to be throwing out less as cyclists. Well, this as far as I can tell is adding more to it.

So back to the modified Lizard Skins old school full leg. Full leg modified by hacksaw and scissors. A wee bit hotter a sveatyer than the Indy. But able to handle more than one crash which is better than shelling out $500 a year or more to replace after every crash.

$2,000 Bike Challenge- Dirtbag Edition

 In January there was a article on Pinkbike about the state of bike costs in North America. While it was interesting looking at it from a new bike cost perspective. And left it at that. Or so I thought.

Failing The $2,000 Bike Challenge

First incarnation in 2013

See it kind of connected to some thoughts from a couple of previous conversations about buying bikes in 2017. It resonates with me because I am a Dirtbag Mountain Biker and I have noticed the decline these days of other ways to get the bike of one's "dreams". So channeling both the Dirtbag and the card carrying member of the Retro Grouch Moto Club mindsets thus we come to the,

$2,000 dollar Dirtbag Challenge.

This is the current set up.....

Chromag Samurai Frame       $500
Rockshox Pike 409                $45
Shimano XTR Cranks            $35
Flat pedals                              $20
Time ATAC                           $25
Hope Pro Front Hub               $50
Alex All Terra 650b rim         $20
Shimano Deore rear Hub        $30
Alex AllTerra 650b                $20
Race Face                               $5
Surly Stainless Steel 34T       $10
Chainguide                             $25
FSA BB                                  Free
Enduro BB Bearings              $25
Gravity Dropper                     $40
WTB saddle                            Free
Control Tech Seatpost            $20
WTB Saddle                           Free
Shimano XTR shifter             Free
Shimano XTR rear derailleur Free
Danger boy levers                  $50
Sram cassette                          $20
Sram Chain                            $20
Avid BB7 calipers x2            $30
Suntour Grease Guard HSet  $25
Titec Stem 50mm                  $15
Salsa Salt Flat Bar                 $15
Odi Grips                               Free

And the total is roughly $1,045.

Then also add in the second wheelset  Transition Revolution 26" wheelset acquired for $60. And also add in the MTB Tools 12mm thru axle adapter for $30. Also the old school, crud catcher for $10. And a Roach top tube pad free and a Revelate Feedbag for $40

Winter set up

Total result was about $1,185.

End result of taking my time and not being in a  "Oh..my lordy...so shiny and new...must have the newest shiniest bike and parts" rush is a bike I like. Sure the parts are other riders upgraditis cast offs but the end result is they work well. Sure it took longer and provided no immediate instant gratification.  But the end result is the bike I want and one that I like to ride.

Yep....get what I want for less winning.

McKeown Rd Ride

This was a project I have been wanting to do for a while. I spotted this road last year in 2016 while putting in the route recce for a potential MTB type route to Napanee from Kingston.

With the rains we have had in this year a lot of these routes have not been as accessible. Due of course to the high water table and it taking so long to lower.

Cambden East- McKeown Rd

Beginning of October finally had a chance to try to ride McKeown Rd. The starting point would be the Park and Ride lot at the 401 and Cambden Road East.

 I have ridden the starting sections from Cambden Road, round back of the Onroute and up to Switzerville road earlier in the year. But turned back from Mckeown Rd due to the water levels.

There was still some mud on Mckeown from Switzerville to County Road #5. Some sections did require me to dismount and hike a bike. But the good news was the water levels where low enough to get through.

Once crossed County Road #5 the track was more rideable. And despite a flat near the end of the unmaintained section minimal problems. Though with time running short had to head straight back to the truck via the paved road from Cambden East. But the good news while grinding back to the truck did spot what I thought would be the next potential unmaintained road that could help complete a loop.

Seaton/Duffins Creek

Thanksgiving Monday the original plan after an errand near Stouffville was to ride at Greenwood Conservation area. But like most plans they never survive intact. In this case there was various detours due to construction. So headed to the Seaton or Duffins Creek trails instead.

Seaton/Duffins Creek

Of course no ride at Duffins would be complete with the look out, now with construction.

Then headed south to hit the DH to the valley floor and ride along the creek.

Of course have to go by the creek a few times. You know...to check for aliens.

Though this fall visit would come with a small bonus. Heard some splashing in creek. When I went to investigate...

Yep...nature is great.

10 Anniversary- All Because of A Bike

What does one say about the woman I love and adore?  And have done so for 10 years?

10 years that began really 17 years ago  because of a bike. On a grey drizzly Vancouver afternoon on the Cambie Bridge a journey that began with a smile and a U Turn to talk to this gorgeous woman who smiled back.

Who made enough impression on me to take a risk and leave all I knew behind to come to Ontario. Who for the last 15 years has supported me and guided me like no one else.

I still have no clue what she the retired National Team Volleyball player saw in a guy who's  first sport was so completely different from hers. And thought spending hours riding around on bikes was a good thing. Come on now...throwing oneself down a DVP hard race course at 100kmh isn't normal in a skin suit ...really.

Whatever she saw in me that got her attention I will never know. She has been there at my best and worst. She has driven with me all over the province to races and sat in chilly parking lots for 3 years.

And am privileged that she trusted me enough to take her and teach her to mountain bike. It was there in 2006 in the Don Valley at the Dirt Camp where I saw her at her best at least in my eyes.

Trying to ride a beam buried in the dirt she slammed into the ground. And when I rushed over thinking "Oh, shit. I screwed up" expecting to be in trouble. She was crying but pissed that she hadn't got it. I was never more proud and in love with at the time my Fiance. A moment when I could see the fight and passion that was hidden. But there would be more to come. You even went down Blue with me once.



When I was worried that my past, social ineptness , and other things would cause problems. Her response was we will do it together. And we have. Even when I had my bad day, she grabbed my hand. Even on my worst moments when my insecurities and anxieties come out she has been there.

I still remember the last defining moment before our wedding on April 12th, a few weeks prior I think it was. After giving up the running and swimming the year before, you know with wedding and a child on the way trying to do the right thing. I came up with the brilliant idea and presented it to Joely. That I would tone down the biking to casual. Her counter argument was very convincing,  "You do that and I will kill you." How can you not love someone who cares that much about you doing what makes you...you?


I  have watched the love of my life go from being a retired National Volleyball Team athlete to a coach. Going from an assistant coach to running  high performance programs. Both mentoring  young women athletes and developing Olympic athletes.  Her evolving from being a retired national level athlete to national level coach. Earning Gold medals at OUA and Canada Games. To now mentoring women at RMCC and being our CISM  national team coach.

If it wasn't for a bike I wouldn't have the woman I have in my life who has spent the last 10 as my wife.