Last Place Benefits!

Hi Everyone! Just a very quick note from the BC Bike Race. We are in last place in our category -- yeah!! We actaully are Ok with it -- we are just happy to be finishing everyday -- about 20 teams have already dropped out! But we have finished every stage so far. We are kinda close to a few teams -- but the high caliber of riders is truly amazing!!

Here's a few highlights until we can give more details when we are home:

Day 1-- they ran out of water @ both aid stations! Brutal...brutal...brutal. A lot of riders complained and they have solved the problem. Crazy day on the trails - tons and tons of single track made it a very long day. We were on our bikes for 7.5 hrs today.

Day 2 -- Longest stage of the race -- 125km -- mostly connector roads -- tons of dust in record Island heat (36 degrees and 39 with humidex) We were on our bikes for 8.5 hrs today.

Day 3 -- Best day so far (although our time doesn't reflect such) But we totally enjoyed the trails today. The last 20km would just not end for us tho -- very technical trail -- lots of riders complaining. We were on our bikes for 9 hours and 13 minutes today -- yikes!

Two ferry crossings to start the day (5am bus leave) tomorrow and the then we race @ 11am. Then it's a mix of trail for 65km before we end the day.

Mark (our support crew) has been a total life-saver -- at the end of the day we don't even want to see our bikes, never mind take care of them -- he's been awesome making sure we have everything we need and more! He got a little break today and was water skiing in Port Alberni after seeing us off this morning. Great to see family and friends @ the start/finish -- really helps keep us riding.

Time to ice our weary legs and get some rest. Enjoy some photos.

2008 BC Bike Race Route

The BC Bike Race has just released their final 2008 Race Elevations and Distance Charts -- we thought you liked to see what kinda fun we are signed up for!

The Charts really speak for themselves. The elevation is in Meters. Each day there are two (2) Aid Stations/Check Points to refuel and ensure you're not too behind before their cut-off times. We can't wait to put our training to the test!

Day 1


Day 2


Day 3


Day 4


Day 5



Day 6



Day 7

Our Gear Arrived!

Our gear finally arrived!!!! And...we love it! We were very pleasantly surprised with the quality of both the jerseys and the shorts. This has been an area of concern for us because if the jersey's didn't fit right or the shorts didn't have good padding we would have been scrambling at the last minute to go out and buy new stuff. Fortunately the gear arrived and it is awesome!!! Here's Katie showing off the blue version...

...and a close up of the bum of the shorts (isn't Scott's bum so cute!)...

...and finally Scott showing off the back of the green jersey.

We went for a quick ride in Fish Creek on Saturday evening and loved every minute of it. Calgary was about 27C on Saturday so it was a good test for our new gear...and it passed with flying colours! We were hot, no doubt, but the super light fabric of the jerseys helped cool us off in the muggy woods. And most importantly...no saddle sores!!! In fact, the shorts felt like we'd been riding in them all season. Woo Hoo...only 6 more days!

Stay tuned 'cause we are taking the laptop to keep you all up to date on our little adventure!!!

Weekend Tri

This past weekend we went to watch and cheer on a couple of friends who were doing a Sprint Triathlon (750m swim; 20km bike and 5km bike) in Calgary.

The ladies did awesome and placed 1st, 4th and 6th in their age groups -- very impressive!



Here's Alicia and the Laurens!

And here's Alicia making the end of the run look easy!

The race atmosphere was awesome and got us hyped for our race -- yeah!

Two Weeks....

Two weeks to go...and we will be...

In Victoria, BC trying to get some sleep before the June 28 Saturday morning start. Likely we will be trying to put the nervous energy aside, so we can get a good night sleep.

Making last minute checks of our bikes.

Freakin' Out!

Hydrating properly.

Wondering if we have enough shammy cream to get us thru 7 days of biking!?!

Where did the time go?!?
Our Bike Gear should have been shipped today -- we'll take some photos when it arrives!

New Bike

Katie was trying to put 10,000km on her road bike before she bought a new one. A very realistic goal that was quickly approaching. Even more so when you think about the kms that we put on this year in training. As it stands she has 2,000kms more to go.

But little things start going on a bike that has 8,000+ kms on it -- rings, chain wear, pedals break. And you start to think if you want to put more $$ into it, or look at something new?

That question was answered last night when Katie's brother, Adam, emailed to say he was selling the bike he just built. Adam is known for quality bikes. And since they just moved to a huge acreage and riding time is not happening - he wanted to sell the bike. We drove to the country last night where Katie test drove the bike. And, of course, it's a great fit and sweet ass ride. So we have a happy girl!

For those who like details: It's all SRam Force Components; Compact Crankset and a Titus full carbon fibre frame with aluminum joints - so it weighs nothing. She needs a little shorter stem, so she isn't as stretched out - but that's a quick fix.

This morning when the alarm went @ 5am -- Katie sprung out of bed (she NEVER does!) to see if it was raining. It wasn't - so she could ride to work today. And even tho I didn't have to work today, I wanted to be part of the inaugural ride - so we biked downtown together, had breakfast @ a great bagel shop, kissed and I rode back home. She had to go to work, but is probably just staring at her bike which is in her office ; )

Katie & Scott's Rules of the Bike Path

OK, first let me explain that we really like our bike commute. It's a wonderful way to spend an hour or so before work…watching the sun rise, getting an hour of exercise, chatting with each other, and taking in the birds and deer we see along the way.

This morning was another lovely morning, but the commute reminded us that there are a lot of people who have no clue about pathway etiquette!!! It started out with a motorist who quite obviously doesn't consider our bikes as vehicles and virtually stopped in the middle of the road (almost causing an accident) to let us go by. This brings me to Rule 1…


Rule 1 – Bicycles are vehicles too. There is a reason people over the age of 12 are not allowed to ride on the sidewalk! Treating bicycles like pedestrians not only causes confusion for you and the biker, but also frustrates other drivers and as a result gives us bikers a bad name. I wrote my learners test and I even have a driver's license so I do understand the rules of the road…and I do abide by them.

Rule 2 (this rule is directed at the other extreme of drivers) – We are riding on the road because we are supposed to! Please don't roll down your windows and yell at us (or honk at the very moment you pass to scare the $@#% out of us) or throw eggs at us…or try to run us off the road. Sure I'm little slower than you, but I also don't take up very much room – it is possible to go around me. Just be thankful I'm usually on the side streets and I'm not the size of one of those slow moving tractors you see out on Deerfoot!

The next rules deal strictly with the use of Calgary's bike path system. Calgary has an unbelievable network of bike/pedestrian paths to help us get around and enjoy nature in the city. During our training we have spent a considerable mount of time on these paths and have experienced all kinds of users.



Rule 3 – Slower moving people/bikes should be on the right and passing should be on the left. This one is common sense to me, but it isn't to a LOT of others. In conjunction, travel in a consistent and predictable manner! I thick the Running Room groups are a great idea and it's awesome to see such a large number of people getting out and being active…BUT…please learn that "on your left" is actually on your left and not on your left once you have turned around (which is now "on your right") …and…it doesn't mean I will come to a complete stop and get off my bike because of the mad stampede I've caused by telling you exactly where and when I plan to pass you!


Rule 4 (this one is directed at the Dog Park users) - When in a group or with your pets, use no more than half the path so you don't block the path from other users…or if you plan to stop and chat with others maybe you should consider the 20 acres of space on EITHER side of the path available to you! Oh, and if your dog likes to chase bikes, maybe you should consider keeping your dog on a lease even in the dog park…your dog will likely thank you when I don't have to throw my bike at it or kick it in the head when it comes charging at me snarling and barking!





Rule 5 – Look before entering a bike path! I realize that telling your best friend that little Johnny lost his first tooth is all consuming, but in the interest of personal safety you might want to consider having a look to see if anyone is about to run you down if you step out on to the bike path at that very moment. This rule reiterates the point in Rule 2 that asks you to travel in a consistent and predictable manner!







Rule 6 – If you plan on using the bike path in the dark get a light!!! When it's dark outside and you are dressed all in black, we can't see you!!!! We have both front and rear lights for our bikes, but it is still very difficult to see you. If you can't afford one let me know and I'll buy you a little flashing LED next time I'm in MEC (there only $3).






Rule 7 – Please, please, please be a responsible iPod user!!!!!! If you are walking, running, rollerblading, or biking down the center of the bike path with your headphones blaring out the latest New Kids on the Block tune, don't act surprised when I pass you and you don't know I'm coming!!! I have been saying "on your left" or ringing by bell (or maybe both) for quite some time…you just can't hear me because Jordan Knight is serenading you! I have no problem with people listening to their iPods, but don't turn them up so loud that you have no idea what is going on around you…and then blame me for being an irresponsible bike path user!

If you are more of a visual leaner we also found these handy videos to walk you though pathway etiquette!


http://www.expertvillage.com/video-series/847_bike-paths.htm


To be fair I do realize not all cyclists out there are courteous or abide by their own pathway rules – cough, cough, mainly couriers, cough – but most of us are aware of the "rules" and abide by them. Hopefully, by being a little more aware of each other, we can share the road and pathways and still have a great time.