Edmonton Canada Cup:DNF

Edmonton canada cup - photo by Gordon Brenner

It was a matching end to an unrewarding and unhealthy week. Packed the family into the van on Saturday,along with our friend Alistar,than headed to Edmonton. On the way we got into a big rain storm,that passed through the race course in Kinsmen Park the previous night. Really fun little park with fun,but technical singletrack system. When Alistar and I pre-rode the course it was very sketchy.  I did not feel at all comfortable with the wet roots. Pre-rode again few hours later and finally I could ride everything. On race day,Bogi took 2nd place in sport,but she said she could not enjoy the course,it was packed with riders from novice level to expert.

While she was racing I desperately tried to put our two kids to sleep in the van as they did not sleep much in the hotel. In secret I wanted to sleep myself. Not sure why but my body wanted nothing else but to sleep. I must be catching my 2nd bug of the week.

Soma also raced the kids race,he crossed the finish line proudly in first place,the only issue was that he missed the turn for his second lap….so he only did one. No problemo –got his medal and stickers anyways and was as happy as a 5 year old can be.

I made myself go to do some warm up and felt pretty decent in about half an hour. Listened to the new Eminem album and went to the start line just in time to hear them call me up. The field was impressive of course,the best elite riders of Canada. Not to get lapped would be a good realistic goal for me in the 6 lap race I thought.

Then we started,and did it really fast. Into the 1st single track section I was in good position,behind Brian Bain. But I already noticed that I was not riding well. The second more technical section totally got me. Crashed,while 4-5 guys passed me. Than crashed again loosing another 3-4 spots. Then as I tried to chase the group I could not believe how clumsy I was riding. Another bad line and slip,my front wheel burped most of its air out. Stopped added some CO2 and continued the hopeless chase. My skills at this point were good enough for the kids course,but nothing more technical. I even had to laugh at myself a few times –it was comic. In the open area I thought should have enough power to bridge the gap,but I was proven wrong again. Just could not turn the pedal. At that point I decided to downgrade my race to a ride,and hoped that my focus will make me able to ride the single track again. My riding was better in the second lap but I started to loose air really quickly again. Having lost most of my motivation to race I stopped once more and added some CO2. It lasted about 500m. This was the farthest point of the course from the feed zone,where I kept my spare wheels. This was it for me.

Things to do for the nationals:

1. Register
2. Sleep and get healthy
3. Learn how to ride a bike

ride hard.