Ok folks here it is. My computer bit the dust about a week ago, so since then I havnt been able to update the 'ol blog. I've had to resort to using my Mom's work computer to check emails.

Lots has been happening, but until the new computer arrives there will be a lack of posts.

Plenty of stories to come, but until then.....

Fear and Loathing in Eligin

The Eligin 80 MTB race is always a great way to end the year. This year proved to be no different as it offered 4.5 hours of cold, bone chilling MTB riding through the wilds of New Brunswick. The Atlantic Regions have been getting steady amounts of rainfall and the course proved to be a waltz through water logged ATV track with some single track thrown in.

The boys and I awoke at 5 am to make the trek to the mainland. Of course Tim Hortons was the predicted stop as we all needed a couple cups of coffee to get us into MTB racing mode. I had a secret weapon of making some waffles the night before and taking them to eat in the car. Soggy, cold waffles represent ghetto MTB racing to me, and I don't think I would have it any other way.
There was great turn out at the race as Belliveau decided to show up on a borrowed bike that he got the night before. Of course Lamb, TT, and the other NS guys showed up forming the CSD Mafia. Burgess the fire fighter surprisingly showed his face too. I haven't seen that guy in years!

So, the first part of the race went as expected. The front group was made up of about 6 guys, me, Jamie, TT, Belli, and a couple others. Chaos was thrown in when I followed TT's line through one of the ATV sink holes resulting in a slide out of my front wheel. I hit the deck and slid for about 5 feet with everyone riding over me and then hitting the deck themselves. Chaos I tell you!

Luckily no one was hurt, but unfortunately a couple spokes were pulled out of one of the CSD guys wheel, so he got the chance to go back to the car and warm up.

From there we bushwhacked through the forest. Looking for the trails and hoping we were headed in the right direction. At the half way point we all gathered in the town to grab a couple fresh bottles and some food. I pounded down a coke and we hit the road again at a chill pace.

TT upped the tempo when we hit a gnarly downhill section that was literally a rock face. When the dust settled I was left with a flat. "Ahhhhhhh no" and I got off my bike to watch the crew pass me as I changed the tire. A couple minutes later I boarded my bike, and realized I had double flatted, and was forced to change the front flat.

"Holy Crap, what a day" I thought to myself and I waited for a couple minutes asking passing riders if they had an extratube they wanted to give up. Finally I found another tube and realized I didn't have enough C02 to fill a second tire......so I waited for Bruce to come along and he gladly gave me the shot I needed. (I owe you a coffee man, oh and that $5)

I was back on my bike! Riding alone this time going into the pain cave to try to catch up to the lead group. It gave me the opportunity to take in the sweet NB rock climbs and see the crazy nice foliage of the NB wilderness in fall. Unfortunately the trail was littered with BB deep puddles which resulted in all of us getting super wet and cold.

I rode hard by myself and finally made it up to 4th place. Still out of sight of the lead group but kept plugging away. Going into the last 10km I noticed I had a little more cushion for the pushin' and looked back to realize I had ANOTHER FLAT! Three flats on the day. Man, I need to ride a MTB more. Well, I didn't have a tube so I decided to ride the rim. The last of the race was basically minimalizing the losses as there as a crazy 3 km climb that went up and up and up. It was one of those climbs that you only want to do once a year.

I was in a pretty tired state by this point and when riding along you tend to go a little crazy. I found myself yelling at the climb I hated it so much with my flat tire. It made it seem like the eternal struggle that doesn't go anywhere. Like moving rocks from one pile to another.

Finally, which seemed like 20 minutes I crested the top and pedalled my cramping legs to the last single track section. My anger now went into the single track as I was mighty tired of riding a MTB at this point.

TT felt the same way as he was bonking hard. Apparently he tired to fix his internal pain by eating handfuls of crab apples that were on the trail in the last 1km. I wish I had of came upon that sight...hah.

So we all rolled in. I managed to hold 4th place. Just out of the money, but with no hard feelings. Afterword we all got cleaned up and headed for the great spaghetti dinner put on by the town of Eligin. I helped myself to 2 helpings of ice cream.


Jamie proved to be Mr. Consistency and took the win. I don't think that guy has lost a Maritime race this year with the Surprise being Belli who rolled in 2nd complete with roadie shoes. The rotten crab apples did TT some good as he held on to 3rd and I just missed him by a minute.


It was a great day despite the 3 flats. Bruce had a great race and Mr Creamer showed his metal by being the only guy 2 years in a row, to do the race on a Single Speed. Metal.


Now I fall into the fall riding scheule. That is riding whenever I want. I havnt been on the bike in 4 days but the new roadie was finally built up yesterday so I'm hoping that will re-kindle the fires.

Helligan

The seasons are changing and I'm preparing for the last race of the year. The legendary Eligin 80 MTB race. Last years race showed itself to be one of the highlights of the year with 80km of dirt road/trail that consists of 2 different, big loops. I don't know whats better, the scenery or the spaghetti dinner after the race.

Lamb is talking about going out hard....the night before, and us islanders may join him but as of 1:00 today I don't know if we're leaving the night before, or the morning of. Its either 5:30 tonight, or 5:30 tomorrow morning.

I ordered a new roadie this week. Pretty good for someone who has $13 in their bank account. Kevin is trying to get rid of some of his Casasti frames in Vancouver so I thought I would hop on the opportunity to get a killer frame for pretty cheap. I don't know what it looks like but it has handmade STEEL lugs and carbon tubes...interesting eh?

I'm topping off the rig with some new Easton wheels and last years Dura-Ace Grouppo. Who buys new grouppos first year production anyway? If the bike industry has taught me anything, its that you NEVER buy anything first year production.

The new/old Staccato that I was riding now has a new home. I know it'll get ridden hard. That girl has been good to me.

I have an Anthropology assignment due in a couple weeks. Its on the 'Anthropolgy of Eating' where I have to observe groups of people eating and take notes on their habits. Well Bruce, Mark, Kent, Jamie,Terry, Garrett, you are all part of my experiment as I've decided to study what is eaten before, during and after an 80km, MTB race. I think it'll be a bit differant than what the professor usually gets.

I've decided to forgo the pre-race MTB ride in favor of cruising down to the coffee shop today. I think I'll hit up the slack trails in the park to get some fresh blood in the legs...all in casual clothes mind you. Yeah, its that time of year!