Friday, September 12, 2008

My Bike Racing Season

Well, I've had a good season of racing. After surgery in December, this summer I planned to stay in BC and focus on getting stronger on my bike and just enjoy racing. I started out the year in joining my friend Silping in the Salty Dog 6 hr Endruo.


Then it was on to Merritt to Race the Ranch with the added 4km to the loop it made for a long, but fun race, where many participants were cut off after the first lap because they had a time restriction, but hadn't allowed extra time for the extra 4km. I ended up running out of food, not having planned on being out for so long.

I did the Test of Metal for the second time. The first time was in 2004 when I started out bike racing. I remember putting so much preparation into it the first time. I went to the clinic beforehand on how to ride it, and was really nervous about it. This year, I decided on the Thursday night, that, yeah, I'd like to do it again. I had a ride down there.

I beat my 2004 time by an hour! (If only I could take an hour off for next year, I would be flying.) I really enjoyed it. I wasn't too concerned how hard I went out this year. I just wanted focus on eating enough and feeling good throughout the race, which I accomplished fairly well. I even gave some food away to a girl that looked like she needed some glucose fast, if she was to make it to the end of the race. Next year I would focus on getting out ahead, to beat the crowd to the funnel affect that always happens.

Kamloops Nationals was the hottest race I have done (compared to Canmore last year.)
We started out in 40+degrees at 2pm. My motto was the tortoise and the hair. I would just keep going at my pace, and I watched girls falter out and break down in tears as they dropped out of the race, overheated and under-glucosed. I had Cory, my photographer and feeder hand me a bottle every half a lap to drink and pour over my raisined body, between taking photos. There was a sandy uphill section where the sand was too loose to ride. Running in it, I felt like I was competing in the Indian test of walking on coals.

I was happy to have finished 8th at this race. Getting top ten in a Canada Cup is a feat. Now I have enough points to race a world cup.... now I just have to get fast enough.






Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Salty Dog Win



Silping and I raced the Salty Dog on Sunday, May 4th. I hadn't been on the course before so learned it on my first lap, which came sooner than expected.
We had a plan. Sil would do two laps, then I would. About halfway through the time I thought it would take her to do the first lap, I decided that perhaps I should get my gear on and be ready....just in case. Maybe I jinxed it. As other riders were coming through, I suspected something was wrong.

Silping had chain problems and had to run most of the first lap. As she came through, she yelled, "Julie, can you go?" So just like that I was off, to learn how much hill climbing there was. It felt like 3/4 of the lap was hill b/c the downhill was technical (my favorite), then fast and fun.

I had great supporters for the day.... the team photographer, Cory, and two kiwi friends, Jo and Ej, who's tree planting experience had been delayed, so they got to come and spectate.

We managed to pull off the win.
our prize.... an apple pie.
we took it to the BBQ to share with the second place winners, our friends Marta and Melissa.

Monday, May 5, 2008

The day of the planned BFH brunch

Friday
Saturday (Ride and Brunch...maybe not)


Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Bicycles for Humanity - Bike 'N' Brunch

Myra and Danny have offered their awesome cooking abilities and house to raise money for Bicycles for Humanity. Join us Saturday the 19th, 9am for a ride, then have a yummy breakfast afterwards! Suggested donation $10-12 and for an extra buck or two (and a smile) espresso coffee may be requested Group rides will include a road group heading out towards Armstrong and a mtn bike group heading to the park (for those of you interested in the mtn bike let me know. We may start closer to the park)
2302 - 25th Avenue (corner of 23rd Street) in East Hill.
Lots of parking please RSVP with Julieemail: juliemelan@hotmail.com



http://www.bicycles-for-humanity.org/

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

spring training

As Spring is teasingly here, I've been out on the road a few times, but as it snowed today, I'm back to the indoor trainer.

I've had my lactate balance point test through faCT-education last week and am now on a structured training program so am looking forward to the next few months of just focussing on getting stronger and having tests to see my progress.

http://www.fact-education.com/

There are a lot of exciting training opportunities coming up.

There is Robb's Ride May 9-11 http://www.grandforkscyclingclub.com
through the Kootney's (our version of Le Tour) and our Friday night women's Two-X-elle workouts continue in Myra's basement.

The pictures are of a fun wattage competition we had at the bike shop called the crazy 8's. Our wattage was increased every 8 minutes. I had the best hair do of the day while using the tunes to crank out a bit extra wattage.