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.

The day of the planned BFH brunch

Friday

Saturday (Ride and Brunch...maybe not)

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/

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.

I am at home recovering at the moment from surgery repairing my 'handle bar hernia' and the other (congenital) hernia that the surgeon found while operating.

It's been a week so far, and walking up the stairs each day is my exercise, and walking to the end of the road and back. I wonder how long it will take until I become ancy and grumpy. It's been snowing for days... can't wait to try out the new snowshoes! Will have to wait until the 24th to get the ok.

autumn update

well, I've been off this blog for a long time now, since I had a crash on my nice easy trail at home. A tree jumped out and grabbed my handlebar taking me down with the bike. After being carried out (fortunately Justin was with me) I was off the bike for a month. I managed to get back on my bike in time to teach the bike skills clinic I had organised. It went really well, with eight women feeling much more confident on their bikes after a few technique tips.

I'm now back into a full schedule of training, with swimming and running included as it is getting cold out. I was looking forward to the month of December to get some snowshoeing and xc skiing in, but..... I met with he surgeon yesterday and yes, I do in fact have a small handlebar hernia, which will require an operation. I feel way to young to say that 'h' word. Not handlbar... the other one. So that will happen in December. It's nothing major, more of a nuisance than anything, but it will be good to have it done while I have time to heal.

Canmore

I haven't been on for awhile, but I have still been riding and racing. This past weekend I raced in Canmore in super hot weather. It was a challenge to finish it without heat stroke. Research says that in hot weather the best fluid to take in is tepid with electrolytes in it. My dad handed me my tepid sports drink at the start of each lap, and all I could think about was the cold water on offer about half way through the lap at the second feed zone. It was so refreshing to the dry mouth and cooling on the back.

The course was full of climbing... it felt like there was more climbing than downhill and the decents were fast and fun. The top decents needed to be carefully navigagated, while the bottom decents were fast dusty coal chutes.

It was great to have my parents there watching the race and the satisfaction of finishing a race in such intense heat.