It’s fall. I may have escaped some nasty weather more closely associated with the Aleutian Islands in the storm battered Bering Sea than the Canadian Rockies (the weather in Canmore this summer has been… well… bad) frolicking in Eastern Canada, swimming in the great lakes, and eating poutine (my first-ever) and training under the blue and white flag of Quebec – but one cannot ignore that the days are getting shorter and the leaves seem to be losing their battle with their branches. Reality hit hard when I awoke to snow on the ground yesterday. Favre may defy nature and science, but I know that, as the day must turn to night, so too will winter come and the race season following close behind.
Still, that’s eight weeks away and our team is not procrastinating. We’ve been doing great training to prepare for winter, and after our great camp in New Zealand that ended in mid August, it’s been full throttle.
I had a great time with great people seeing Shayla tie the knot with her now-husband Matt down at the 320 Ranch in Big Sky, MT and enjoyed a few days at home training in sketchy weather before it was back on the road – this time off to Sudbury to catch up with some family and participate in the second annual “Share the Road” ride I helped organize in a community that desperately needs better cycling awareness and infrastructure.
It’s no secret; I do not look forward to going back to my hometown. I associate the place with tragedy, as it’s been nine years since Sofie was hit while cycling. As absurd as it sounds, I still feel like a dog that’s been told he’s going to the vet when the trip approaches. I find it tough to go home – even still.
This year we had organized a similar event, and again it was great to see so many stoked new and familiar faces. There were over 250 cyclists that joined STR founder, Eleanor McMahon and I to cruise around the 15km loop.
It was going to be another positive experience – another whopping success. But that changed quickly – only 800m after the stop at Sofie’s memorial, a car struck a member of the group. Even on a police escorted, organized ride to promote cycling safety – someone was hit. Needless to say, it changed the mood instantly and I was left extremely shaken.
It breaks my heart. We were all out there to promote and raise awareness for safe cycling and quickly the event went from celebration to nightmare. Even a few weeks after the incident I am left feeling upset, as it hit very close to home.
Thankfully the accident was not fatal, and the man (Giovanni Leon) is recovering well supported by his friends and family. He’s the toughest man I know and I wish him all the best in his recovery.
Left frustrated and rattled, I wrote an open letter to the Sudbury Star about the whole event that can be read by clicking here.
The Fox Islands – a small archipelago of smooth granite islands with their real-life “group of seven” trademark wind swept White Pine trees are about an hour and a half’s paddle from mainland. We spent two nights there and spent our time paddling around exploring other islands, jumping off cliffs into the clear blue water, reading our books and chilling out.
I was struggling to relax – my mind going over the events that occurred earlier in the week, but since my dad is bar-none the most relaxed person I know, perhaps through hanging out with him, a bit of that rubbed off on me. I left the Sudbury region feeling ok – still not happy with what happened, but better than I would have expected. I’ll be back next year, and we’ll do the ride again – for as an old adage says: “You have to get back on the horse that threw you.”
After a quick 24hrs in Toronto to catch up with some great friends, I was off to Quebec City to begin our low altitude training camp.
I was keen to see where my friends and teammates train and live (such as Alex, Brent, Phil, Len, etc.). I’ve heard more than my fair share from Alex about how amazing Quebec is in the summer, so I was eager to see what all the fuss was about.
I had a good time in Quebec. Exploring all Mont Sainte-Anne had to offer training-wise was a nice change. There are endless running options through the deciduous forests, and the single-track winds its way along hilly ridges, along and over rivers and creeks – it’s pretty sweet. The roller skiing terrain is perfect for training and you cruise through little villages with houses so close to road it’s hilarious. It’s as close to Europe as Canada gets.
Since the purpose of the camp was to hammer, we completed four different and tough intensity workouts in eight days. With a big exciting group of athletes pushing each other it was a really positive environment. Along with the CNEPH group, we were joined by two NTDC Thunder Bay athletes, “Seat ‘n’ Somp” – Harry Seaton from Orillia, ON and Michael Somppi from Thunder Bay. It was great to train with them and get to know them better (Somppi was at our Yo-yo camp earlier this year as well). I was impressed at their work ethic, attitude and dedication not to mention that they are great dudes and great to hang out with. It was a great dynamic!
The camp was a success, and while the weather conditions were dicey at times, at least in the East it’s warm when it rains. Canmore’s been pretty cold since I’ve been home….
Next up is our annual three-week altitude camp which is happening in Park City, UT beginning on the 25th of September this year. I’m already fired up about it. I love training at altitude and Park City is a great venue.
Also, it’ll be good to see George back in the fold (he’ll be in Park City) as he’s been busy with his first son, Gavin, and therefore didn’t attend the camp in Quebec. I’m excited to train with the guy I’ve done the most training with in my life again – and to see how much his little guy’s grown.
You know it.