Cool Air

Well, training is ok. and getting a schedule back. Couple of days a week I'll be getting up early to ride for an hour. Just to make life a bit easier.

Sadly, I had to cancel doing Paul's Dirty Enduro this year. It was out of financial necesity. Then to add insult it seems like, the replacement race in Trenton was cancelled. Sheesh this years has been really tough for scheduling races.

So now have to look to training for next year. Though I think I can do the local Cyclocross race in October though.

Moods and Seasons

Been lazy again.

Been doing lots of changes and such in the last 3 weeks. Most of it job related.

Training has been somewhat good. Am doing the Paul's Dirty Enduro on the 20th, the full 60km distance. Need one big race before the end of the season. Now just need to make some equipment decisions for the event.

The guy's at Eastern Woods Research have adapted their frame to the 29er wheel size. The OWB 29 is looking good.

http://www.ewrbikes.com/owb29er

And then looking to add a RST M29 fork to it. Kind of looking at these for next year. The forks more to save the joints from impact.

The coach's have added a new component to my training, Paintball. More about that later.

Dirty Enduro

Since I had to cancel the 8 Hour Enduro locally. I have replaced it with Paul's Dirty Enduro, entered in the 60km category. Lot's of suffering.

Lot's on the go,

Rough outline of plans for 2009
Building new wheelset
Job change

Just to name a few.

However training hasn't been great in the last 2 weeks. Problems with work have been allowed to interfere. However those problems have been rectified.

Cancellations

Another fun filled week. Had booked off the 16th for the 8 Hour Enduro that J&J Cycles was putting on. Well, was forced to cancell today as he 6 weeks after the fact decreed I race and basically lose my job.

Well, after that will be making a decision tomorrow about work. Let's just say it doesn't look good.

Training has been ok. Though am looking at Paul's Dirty Enduro as a replacement. Specifically the 60km option.

AWOL

Been absent for a few weeks. Life has a habit of getting in the way.

Not much to report since the Crank Cracker. Other then have some new jersey's on the way. Oh, and upon the advice of coach have taken up paintball. Coach reminded me that I need something else to do other then train and race.

Well, training is going well, though like most things could have gone a little better.

Now comes the lead up to the 17th.

Crank Cracker

Sunday the 13th was the 2nd running of the Crank Cracker in the Don Valley. This would be my first race in 2 years and my first real bike race.

Ziggy of ZM Cycle and Fitness started this race in 2007 because he wanted to see more races in the Toronto area. The race was a low key affair similar to the races years ago, even old school timing. No chips used at all.

The course was a 5km loop that was done 6 times for those of us in the 30k distance. And of course 6 times up the Sewage Plan Hill. Sadly the previous nights precipitation kept most away from the race. Which was too bad as the course was fairly dry and rideable.

Since it was my first bike race I went in just to see how I would do nothing more. Wasn't planning anything other then to simply ride my own race and keep the RFM going at my own pace.

This plan was good as I was pretty consistent for the 6 laps. Which resulted in me getting the 3rd spot on the podium.

Standing on the podium.

The new Salsa bars where great and did their job well. With the bar ends really helped with the race and climbing.

Ping and Spoing

Must have torqed really hard at one point on Sunday's 5 hour ride. Busted 2 spokes during Monday's 2 hour session. Had to limp my way into work this morning. Felt good though after the 5 hours. Though sadly wasn't able to use the new bar as UPS dicked me around.

Now need to consult with C&F team to plan out some weight loss measures. Though it will be on conjunction with some higher volume training as well. Gotta remember that it takes longer to lose the weight then to gain it.

Sold my Planet X off and will be building for my buddy Andrew's girlfriend who will be riding it.

Tomorrow will take pic's of my new 29er and the mods.