2011 Tour Du Butter Tart

And the first event chosen for 2011 was the Tour du Butter Tart. Planned by the same crew that brought us the Dundas Monstercross ride last fall.

The overlord of financing met with the Sith of Training to decide that attendance was mandatory in the 2011 training scheme. Specifically as thie little ride met the most important and overriding concern for 2011... that it was free. So on the morning of March 2oth with Ham Breakfast sandwich and large ice Capp it was the drive from Scarborough to Dundas. And the specific location of Cafe Domestique a coffee house worthy of it's own entry in the future.

Even though the meeting time was 10am like any social ride it's not written in stone. Everyone had their shiny modern road or CX bike with the luddite black beast being the oddball. And after intorductions, getting geared up, and the usuall waiting it was off.

For me this would be my first road bike ride in about 5 and a half years. The last being when I cracked the RM Rail's chainstay. So the bike was matched to my expectations.. that being a 100k spin. No chasing or road sign sprints.



In the end I have no real idea of the route as it was Marc and Kim's plan. For me it was the social aspect and using something to force myself out of the mental hole of lowered activity due to life of the last 3 years. And in the end this was a ride that was needed to push myself a little. It's easy to maintain the lower ride levels when one is busy running the house, taking care of their daughter, and helping Joely so she can coach. It's funny how when you are in the middle of it all you don't really notice this.

It's been 20 years since I last rode a road bike in the area near Dundas and the Niagara Escarpment. It's funny how little it changes in the more rural areas. The roads are still the same, drivers the same, the smell the same, and the usual wind. The headwind this time was pretty mild. I recall some pretty heinous one's I trained in while going to school there and no I don't miss them.

In the first 30 minutes was the usual ride occurance of a bunch powering a head and miss the turn. Happens on every ride or run.. All part of the fun of group rides really. Then it was down to riding at your pace to each of the pit stops on the route. The first was pretty uneventful. It was the second that provided the amusement with the owners wife fuming about no $20's. Hmmm... funny how one complains yet you have 25 plus riders ready to spend money. And the 3rd stop had the best of all....chocolate chip, skor, peanut butter, and other variations of butter tarts.

Shortly after leaving the 3rd stop nearly T Boned some farmers big hairy dog. Yep for the first time in 38 years of riding I almost T Boned a dog. Tom got to see that bit of fun as he caught me and went a head. And then it was back to the last bit which included a section from the Good Friday Road race which reminded me that I have to stop riding with road gearing and go with a cyclocross set up. Way easier on my ski racers knees. After a while it was the last stop which we all said just go as all where butter tarted out. Shortly after leaving there it was the Sydenham Rd descent. Fun though a little uncomfortable with a stem and bar to low. More on that later.

And then it was all said and done. The good bye's and all went there seperate ways after 5 plus hours of riding. For me it was the drive to Burlingto to play a little on some urban stuff with Mistress and coffee while I emailed Joely to let her know I was still breathing and not lying in a ditch having a nap.

2x4's and Tea

It was a big evening at Team NfI's world headquarters. The work list wasn't that big but as decreed by the technical section stuff needed to be adjusted.

First order of business food and tea.



First issue was the spacing on the roadie. As a modern hub spacing is wider then the frames original spec some adjusting was required. After a careful research of the internet and the previously mentioned tea. It was to work. As xcan be seen the tools where rather primitive.


After many measurements and application of torque. The desired spacing was achieved. Then after careful close inspection it was found that everything was in order and the job went perfectly. Didn't even have to make any changes.

The next problem was a rattling rear cassette. It was discovered that the plastic spacers were a wee bit to wide. After a little digging around in the bin of parts came up with this.


After checking the sizing. Installed it and voila....


No more rattling cassette.

Alt- Racing

You see it in running especially through Club Fat Ass out of Vancouver. The it I'm referring to is alternative events.

You hear it all the time people complaining about the costs of races. In cycling, triathlon, and running. And in Tri it gets even worse as some races are nearing $150 in Ontario. Sure I like going to event and seeing how fast I can go against others. But let us face reality. That being it isn't cheap and shelling out all the time gets expensive. And that's before you add in fuel and other costs to race.

That is what Club Fat Ass is about. Simply it's about an event that is no frills and fun. No fes, no hassles, and go. Sounds like a solution to the whole races are getting to expensive issue. Yet when ever this type of idea gets suggested especially in Ontario. All you get is silence. Well.. less now thanks to the Garage Monster for example. Add to that the group out of Brockvill and their mountain bike races every Tuesday in the summer.

Yet we see nothing when it comes to Tri. Sure we have the usual Sunday group rides or run at a store type thing. I don't get it. People will complain endlessly about the costs of say doing a Half Iron at $150 a race yet when it's suggested to do the Club Fat Ass method. You get dead silence. So people like shelling out $150 bucks before hotel costs, gas, food, and so on? And they do it race after race then complain about it.

I for one got tired of it. Sure I understand that events cost money. But at a certain point one simply because I'd rather spend the money on other stuff. I'd spend $20 to drive to Brockville on a Tuesday night to race for free. Then spend $50 to race a sanctioned event. I'd rather do a training event that is fun. Drink beer and hang out with people then jump through hoops.

This is the year of free events. The Tour du Buttertart is the first of the year.

Some Filler

Altura Attack Shorts

As part of the plan to buy gear that actually works instead of making do. Looked again to the masters of filth riding.. the Brits.

Finally got my hands on a pair of Altura Attack shorts . And of course in the only acceptable colour for cycling....black. And hardly had they arrived did they get used as we had a sudden warm day. Which meant lots of slush and wet road. A perfect test for waterproof outer shorts.



And after 2 hours of riding through wet crud.. no dreaded wet riders butt. Which is a good thing. And makes the riding way more enjoyable as a cold and wet chamois is about as much fun as paying taxes.




When inspected closer you see that all seems have been taped on the inside. There is a simple system for waits adjustment in the back. 2 tabs you can adjust to make the shorts a little tighter or looser as needed. And of course Altura provided 2 front zipper pockets. Perfect for say house keys to get in the house when cold and wet without that digging through packs or jersey's with cold hands



One has to keep in mind that while waterproof and sealed that it will still require care. Not washing with liquid detergents and all the other care requirements of this type of fabric. The shorts will also need once a year getting with the special re-waterproofing stuff like available from companies like Nik Wax.

After 4 months of rain and slush the Altura Attack shorts have done the job. AAnd I will be buying another pair later this year.

OCA Kills The Joy

So, it has finally happened. I have been robbed of the joy of being involved in a sport by the attitude of a governing body.

In the last few years it started as amusement then moved to frustration in dealing with the OCA. For a business, yes that is what it is. It is a business that runs a sport in the province. Yet time and time again the decisions made are not only baffling yet if this was in the real world they would be seeking protection from creditors.

A few years ago when finishing up my coach's stuff I thought it was a one off situation. At that time I was submiting the final paper work for my level one. Looking for some info about the process I go by the office to ask what needs to be done. You know, to make it easier. I get told that all I needed was to provide letters of refrence of 2 people I had coached. Easy enough, I even asked do they need to be licensed as members and if so what license must they have. I get told none.

Thus begins the circus.

A few weeks later I submit the paper work including the references. I included mailing address, phone numbers, and emails of those people in case they might be needed. Next thing I get told was those where now not good enough. I needed some one with a license.You gotta be kidding me. Even after submiting the new requirement it took nearly a year for it to be processed. And that was taken care of by the temp guy visitng from Australia. He wasn't impressed by this.

Flash forward to the last couple of years of cyclocross. Which I took up because it's fun. Yet the race fun began to dissipate. A large reason for that is the draconian rantings of the commissaire. Sure I understand there are rules but it does not require one to be continously ranting and yelling at people during a race. We race for fun not to be berated and yelled at. If we wanted that we would go to work that day instead and get paid for that.

I have raced for years Triathlon and Duathlon yet have no memory of this level of nonsense. And if there was the races would be far closer to empty of participants.

Then let's add the joy of dealing with the office. First try looking for a membership fee on the website. If you are a lowly Serf non card carrying point chaser there is no cost listed. And no response to emails. I know what the excuse will be.. they where overwhelmed by workshops.

Last fall 2 weeks before Cyclocross season began no schedule was up. And the excuse was beng overwhemed by Ontario Summer Games. Gimme a break. The summer games is every 2 years and if there is no plan in place by now then the entire office should be canned. This is simply a failure. And when you point out all this...heir response is to blame the member for not showing up to a committee meeting.

It's startig to look more tempting to give m membership money for 2011 to Tri Ontario for a coaching license. At least with them I'm not left feeling like a lowly Serf. To bad there aren't more non OCA approved "training" events.

Best of 2010

It's the last day of the year and it's that time to look at the best of 2010. Well the stuff that stands out that I used this year or events I took part in.

Best Components:

Hope Stainless BB: What can one not say about this bottom bracket. It has stood up to the dust of summer and now is taking on winter. And proof that the masters of riding in mud, filth, and grime know what needs to be done.

Marzocchi Drop Off 4: Not new but was a major upgrade in the fork department. Solid with little flex. And it met the finance committee's cost cutting requirements.


Best Clothing:

Endura Singletrack Shorts: Simple black shorts that are great. Well stitched and comfortable. Pretty adaptable to riding in spring, summer, and fall. One big bonus is that they do dry quickly.

Wool Socks: Keeps you warm even when wet. Doesn't stink the car up like a bag of 6 month old hockey gear. Is cool in the warm of summer and warm in the cool of spring and fall.

Yaktrax Sport: Simply put, I would have spent half of last winter doing head dabs as I ran or walked. Just don't try to walk across a tile floor with them on your shoes.

Events:

Paul's Dirty Enduro: Good local event that supports a good cause. Chili post race with lots of fun singletrack. Laid back race crew.

Dundas Monstercross: Fun non race event. New place to ride as well as meeting new people. Good pumpkin soup and warming beverages for post ride festivities with good people.