canadian cycling culture: an introduction

I spent the better half of Saturday 'racing' at Paul's Dirty Enduro in the Ganaraska Forest somewhere north of the 401 between Kingston and Toronto. Luckily, I had enough foresight to register for the 60k.

The night before was filled with an evening of PopTalk and Yamatanka Sonic Titan
followed by a very well attended Sleuth Bears EP release show. Opting for the 60k (instead of the 100) meant that I didn't start until 11am; however, the race was a few hours away and I had a slow leaking tube to fix. I was out of the house by 7:30, while still managing to sneak in a solid five and a half hours of sleep. Not bad, if I do say so....

Pre-race Prep

Sweeping generalizations about everyone living north of Texas would say that there are few differences between Canada and the United States. I find this to be a generally misinformed statement. Canadians do weird things like eat Poutine and take their shoes off at the door even during huge college parties. They also have a different bike racing culture.

Before I begin to expound of the profound differences between US racing and riding in the North, let me say that as a Geographer, I am well aware of the importance of place. I should specify my comparison of geomorphology to riding in Pennsylvania and South Eastern Ontario; the cultural comparisons? Still trying to figure that one out....

60k Start

• Vast networks of Single Track (read: no fire roads)
  The trails were so extensive that they took attendance before they sent us off AND they sent us with our own maps of the conservation area. I guess getting lost is a serious risk when you ride in 10,400+ acres of woods with 700+ kilometers of trails.
• No rocks
  I was missing rocks for three reasons. First, because there is something strangely familiar about riding over bone-jarring rock gardens for miles on end (have I mentioned I miss Pennsylvania?). Second, the trails were sandy. As it turns out, I far prefer rocks to deep sand. Third, the few rocky sections seemed to pose a challenge to some of the other riders and gave me the opportunity to catch up.
• No Beer

  

  The Finish Line

  
  At an Endurance event where people were camping out? Really? Ontario alcohol control board is a total downer.
• (Almost) no 29ers
  This might have been the weirdest thing all day. Seriously. I could count the number of 29er bikes on one hand. Between all the 26 inch wheels and my pre-race Bikini Kill mix, it felt like the late 90s.
• Extremely Polite
  Funniest moment of my day - this guy pulls up behind me - "let me know when you would like me to pass you". Context reminder - we were in a RACE! Can you imagine? I probably could have said something to the effect of, "sorry sir, but I'd really like to beat you today if you don't mind" and he might have stayed right there for the whole afternoon. Gotta love those polite Canadians. 

It was a sweet event and I'll definitely race Paul's again next year... but I'll come prepared. I'll read up on tire tread, sleep more than five hours, carry a cooler of beer, and bring my own rocks.

determination is a wonderful thing

On a good day, my morning ritual involves a strong cup of coffee and about fifteen minutes reading my favorite bicycle blogger's latest posts.

This morning as I scrolled down the newest feeds on my google reader, up came The Bicycle Story - a blog written by college-friend Josh Cohen, who now resides out in Seattle.  Well written and full of interesting content, I always look forward to Bicycle Stories.

Today's interview was an absolute heart-warmer. Lowell Smoger has made it to Seattle and is headed down the West Coast. It is crazy to think that four months ago he and I were just heading into the Appalachian Mountain Range. It is a good reminder: determination will get you far.

Lowell and I in Lewisberg, WV with the Messmers