One Lousy Racing Season

Sometimes the best laid plans fall short of expectations. This season consisted of only 2 races due to some nagging injuries. The Tour of Bronte and the More Cowbells Cyclocross Race were the only races that I competed in. Due to some confusion with my registration, my name doesn't appear on the results page at the ToB. As well I'm listed as a DNS in the Dirt Dash. Next season I hope I won't have to worry about switching races. At the moment I prefer to race in the road bike race but we will wait and see. At the cross race, it was my first attempt at that discipline of cycling. I absolutely loved it although I selected to use a dry condition tire and the course was quite wet in some places and I had to ride at a conservative pace. Doing a cross race on a Mountain Bike didn't make anything easier either.
All I can do now is start re-training for 2012 and get to some more races.
I wish everyone a safe off season.

Tour of Bronte (I took a knife to a gun fight)

The Tour of Bronte is now the first race for 2011. My wife Cindy and my friend Mike came out to show some support my way. I was originally entered in the Mountain Bike race but due to an unexpected rear wheel problem I switched to the Master 3/ Elite 3, 64 km race. I was entered as a Master 3 (35 yrs of age and up). I had no idea what to expect but all I can say now is that those elite guys are unbelievably fast. I got dropped at the opening sprint. All I could do was keep my pace and stay out of trouble. There was a crash on the first lap that took out a few guys and there were some mechanical DNF's. As for my bike, well, I should have brought my good bike. I took the 89 Concorde because I thought it would be more durable for the rough road sections. It held up well and one of the front runners said it was a sweet bike but I'm not as fast on it as I am on my Allez. Next year I'll be more competitive. I have no idea where I finished this year but it was somewhere in the back half of the Master 3 field. The next race is the Good Friday Race in Flamborough. Results will follow.

Here's a clip of me at the Tour of Bronte.

Racing Season is Coming!

I am excited about the 2011 racing season. At the moment I will be racing in the Dirt Dash 30 km race at the Tour of Bronte. I will be in the 60 km Paris to Ancaster race as well. There are plans for the Liberty Bikes Summer Series, the Lake to Lake, the Squeezer and maybe one or two O-cup races. If the Winter W.O.W Race goes we might be there. The Crank the Shield Race is not running this year, but I plan to be ready for it in 2012
I've been slowly increasing my weekly riding. I think I may have overtrained last winter. During last summer I felt tired and had trouble finding speed. I know I can be fast, but I have to keep from burning out half wy through the season.
Right now I'm having a little trouble with Back Spasms but I think I can get past it. At least for the shorter races that is. The longer races like P2A and L2L may be painful. I may have to stick with races that are 40 km and less in length.
I was planning on doing the St.George to Ancaster but Shawn talked me out of it. If he beats me at P2A I'm going to steal his chain the next time we line up at the start of a race.

2011 Race Schedule

le Tour de Bronte April 10

Paris/Ancaster April 17

Liberty Bikes Summer Series May 18
(every second Wednesdy)

Lake to Lake June 19

Squeezer Sept 25

I'll keep you posted with results and remember, Go Hard or Go Home!
Steve