The Life of Evan Guthrie

Tucson 2012

2012-02-12T15:18:00.000-08:00

This will be year 3 in Tucson. And so far the3 trip has not dissapointed! Each year I have had some interesting stories. Year 1 I had Mono and didn't know until I got home, and I also had nose bleeds everyday which turned me to riding with tampons in my nose to keep the bleeding at ease. Year 2 I thought about giving the cheap cyclist hostel stay a try, but that led to a drunk heroin addict pissing and throwing up all over the room..he also rolled in it. And now year 3 I had my MTB stolen from the garage on the second night. Atleast I can say I can say I will remember this trip. I must also take it as a compliment that there were eight bikes in the garage and my MTB was the only one taken. Either the person was a moron and couldn't ride two bikes away(any smart thief in my mind would take as much as possible..) or he was just some dude that needed transport and couldn't take a $50 bike, he needed like a $7,000 one. There was also some gold coloured stuff in the garage that wasn't taken either..I think if they are going to steal would take the gold stuff just because it's gold. So if your in Tucson and see a certain dude riding a bike with dirty jean shorts and no shirt its most likely not his bike so please contact local authorites (which is myself, taking matter into my own hands!).

On another note the roadie bike riding has been good, so hot yesterday I almost couldn't finish the ride! And today I think I found the road with the worlds most potholes and/or bumps. Great way to kick on the bicycling season on the special place.

I can't believe I just saw this neat video the other day, but tee dang you must give'r a go! Neato :

PS I would recommend watching all the episodes, they only get better!!

House set-up = BOOM sick!

Planning on conquering these 2 breasts

Ready? 3,2,1 Coffee!

Bunking with my Frenchman pal Antoine Caron, As Scott Kelly would say we talking about feelings and stuff

28 C on Feb 11...enough said.

More Gooder Days

2012-02-04T15:18:00.002-08:00

Well I have accomplished two things on my "to do list before I leave Park City". Yesterday I was able to get out and enjoy tube hill:

In the PM there was some people going off some big jumps and doing tricks and getting scored for it. I think it was called Freestyle Aerials..or something like that... Them Chinaman/Chinawomen clean house, but not without our Canadién French ski dude putting up a fight for a podium. I also froze standing there, some places were cold that shouldn`t have been that amount of time.

And today was another summiting of a 10,000 footer. There was some waist deep snow up there, but once you pick a spot to go there is not turning back. We had the fresh tracks and some of the boys ski touring up top were pretty surprised hikers made it that far. Wanted them to drop into the big bowl and see some real skiing but aparently there was avalanche risk..next time I`m taking my crazy carpet so I show those kind of people up.

2012-02-03T08:11:00.000-08:00

Well for first time I haven't spend the whole winter on snowshoes, Wednesday was my first one of the year. And since I'm only here in Park City for one more week I think it's time to soak in everything that I have't done. Which means one more 10,000 ft peak, actually snowboard on the hill as there is kinda of snow now, go to Olympic Park and do some skeleton, build a sled track with a 6" high booter and 6" gap to landing, rent a surly pugly and shuttle so I descend 2,000 + ft, go tubing on the gnarly local track, not get chased by another moose. Lot's on the agenda and probably won't have time for much but I will make 1-2 days beyond epic.

Canada.Lawnmower's.jumping.awesome.eh

2012-02-03T07:41:00.000-08:00

Warning course language and awesome Lawnmower jumping.

Winter in Park City

2012-01-30T08:25:00.001-08:00

Well, winter has finally arrived which means skiing, hiking, snowshoeing and all the fun stuff. I was even lucky enough to go sledding with the neighbors kids yesterday. Felt right at home building a start ramp, luge track with a jump and massive berm at the bottom. The ratio of work to sledding wasn't perfect but the track is now perfect.

I only have a week and half left in this amazing place so there are a few adventures I need to make happen. With two big mountains to climb with big bowls there is a change that my snowshoes with act like skis if I lean on the back and point down the hill, it would be sweet if a mini avalanche started because then I would feel like Vin Diesel in XXX. It been a great time in a new place this winter, as everything was different, even riding the rollers looking at a different wall was nice.

I was also able to experience SunDance. Lots of the experience came from traffic and grocery shopping, I did learn that people high up in the World of SunDance liked filling their shopping cart with boxes of cereal, super cheap beer and cookies. They also added rice milk or almond milk I believe because it just was in the gluten free aisle and if your important you have to be "gluten free" and make sure people know it! Although I don't think they realized the 6-pack of bakery cookies(that were 300 cal a piece) were not gluten free along with the boxes of Captain Crunch, Honey Nut Cheerios and Kashi GoLean.. It was better when you were at Whole Foods, but just because there is chocolate, cookies and candy at Whole Foods doesn't mean it makes it good for you.. I was fortunate enough to take in more movies in theater's in one week than I took in in all of 2011. I would recommend when Liberal Arts and Robot and Frank come into theater's to check them out!

Next Friday is the FIS freestyle ski Word Cup at Deer Valley in Park City. I am definitely going to swing by and check out the aerial's, I may even learn a few tricks to try and master my back flip on the dirt-jump bike.

On Feb 10 I`ll be heading down to Tucson for year 3 of bicycle riding in the sunny desert. I will be staying some of my favourite french people, I`m going to have to go back 5 years to Gr 11 and try and remember that language that I technically got my second language in. From there it's off to Mellow Johnny's for MTB race #1 of the season, It's not actually at, as Mr Kabush would put it, one nuts ranch as they have changed venues..dang.

Yesterday I was out running and came across what I would call a small cow moose compared to the one's near my house in Peachland..I got nice and close for a picture and it kinda of trotted my way for a few steps and then took off. But it wasn't getting away that easy. I have heard of people getting chased by the moose here but I didn't fully believe it as when I see animals back home I usually taunt them a little. So I turned the IPhone on video and started running towards it and one I got within about 10 ft it turned and started chasing me..It didn't totally occur to me to that before I started chasing it that it was bigger, faster and scarier than me..I tried this herding method back in November and it just ran away, so today I was going for it 100% In my mind a herding success would have been touching it and running away nicely with no problems. But this one turned back as I didn't pre-plan very well with being in a open field, 1 ft of snow and a ways into a good day of working out. This video explains all, but I did nearly trip and get trampled, please ignor my scaredness noises it was only human to be scared shitless while getting chased by a 700 lbs animal that has four legs to run on versus my two. It's actually a shame CX season is over because I felt that was the fastest I've run in years, and the first time my HR was hit 200 in months!

On another note there is all these new "Sh*t __ Say" videos coming out on YouTube..Oh Canada Eh!

2012-01-21T14:47:00.001-08:00

Well SunDance is now in full swing here in Park City. In case you know Is kind of sweet. My grocery shopping is now happening everyday..as I like to watch the important people buy food. The #1 pick seems to be a 30 pack of bud light, honey but Cheerios, and chips. The people need to come bu our place an try out some real food! I would have to figure out a way to be not creepy, different, pretend I don't know who they are and suggest a food eating session. But in a way that's sounds a lot better and not as retarded as I just put it.

It's snowing here too and it's seems that since winter is only just arriving no one remembers how to drive. For example; don't go into a corner with 5 inches of fresh snow faster than posted speeds and slam on your brakes thinking your car will automatically turn and maybe stop for you just because it's AWD. Don't tail gate people on a steep hill and slam on your brakes when you think the guy in front of you is going to "maybe" brake. Don't drive 15 mph in the fast lane, people get agitated and pass you and then crash themselves. Don't start to actually drive conducive to road conditions after you've driven through them and now are on dry roads. Stop sucking at driving and carry on. That is my see, think, laugh, enjoy, get agitated and write down story for the day. Byeeee

2012-01-17T12:59:00.001-08:00

Little update from this past week. I watched girls in tight clothes do some cool tricks, went bicycle riding on some snow to see a sweet reservoir and the today I made a tasty lunch. Yum yum yum.

Best of 2011

2012-01-11T07:57:00.004-08:00

Well we are into the 2012 and 2011 already seems way back. For myself I had probably the funnest year of my life. Traveling around, enjoying the Okanagan, friends and family..you know all the good stuff.

The travels went like this:
Peachland-Victoria-Peachland-Tucson-Peachland-Vancouver BC-Peachland-Sunshine Coast BC-Peachland-Mt Tremblant QC-Baie-St-Paul QC-Barrie ON-Peachland- Mt-St-Anne QC- Albany NY-Peachland- Canmore AB-Edmonton AB-Peachland-Champery Switzerland-Peachland-Seatle WA- Peachland-Vancouver BC-Peachland-Boulder CO-Peachland-Kamloops BC-Peachland-Toronto ON-Peachland-Park City UT-Peachland-Park City UT. Whoa, there was a few trips this year..So mad I didn't hunker down and get my Elite status with Air Canada.

The year started off with some local snowshoe racing with the mang Aart:

Kept snowshoeing with the attempt to get fit:

It snowed like record amounts so that meant driving was fun and my biceps liked all the shoving too..:

Spent a week at casa a la Plaxton in Victoria riding bicycles:

I also kept hydrated, as most people forget to throughout the winter:

Then I went to Tucson to ride bikes in the desert:

Team Bike Barn won the Okanagan World Champs, the Ski2Sea (http://ski2sea.ca/):

Riding bikes in the best place on earth!

Spent May in the Quebec and Ontario and had learned to cut hair, raced bikes, watched Caunks loose:

In June I shotgunned beer and raced Super D`s:

In July I was in Quebec, New York and Alberta racing bikes with the National Team while pretending to be hockey players for the flights:

Did some hiking in Canmore, caught some air, won my first Pro race in Edmonton and watched two boys develop love for eachother:

Went to Switzerland in September, racing World Champs, Slept on the floor in an airport, Watched a Catharine Pendral win Worlds, Cheered my voice away, Did a mountain top border crossing with the US of A guys, had coffee explosions, loved life.

In the fall I raced some euro`s in cyclo-cross, raced Axel Merckx on mtb`s, grew mullets and moustaches for cx nationals, moved down to Park City for the winter, went skeet shooting over Christmas:

Well I must 2011 was hard to beat, but I will do my best to make every year better until I can't anymore, which will probably be when I have to start a 9-5 job.. Which means I am looking for some support to help make this cycling thing I do the #1 income and full time job to be fit and race around the world.

Pretty thankful to all my supporters that make this happen, being my parents, grandparents, friends, Rocky Mountain Bicycles, The Bike Barn, Canadian Cycling Association, Cycling BC, Haywood Securities, Canadian Metis Society, some helpful un-named amazing people!

Here is the Best of 2011 highlight video! Check it out and give me some views please!!

2012-01-06T12:49:00.001-08:00

Putting my brain to work while enjoying a delicious lunch. Next up is getting my tan on under these blue bird skies. Some days life is just too stressful.

Beauty Save! This is guy knows how to drive....

2012-01-04T19:26:00.000-08:00

Warning course language, with this kind of video you have to expect it!

Guns, guns, guns

2011-12-27T19:50:00.002-08:00

2011-12-22T08:56:00.000-08:00

Well it's be a great 6 weeks here in Park City. I am heading home for the holidays tomorrow to enjoy some food and winter beverages with family and friends. I think come down here was really the best and funnest thing I could have done. I've explored some amazing new terrain, set new records for the highest I've ever climbed into the sky(not in a plane of course) at 3070860mm. Set new riding bikes in the winter records, along with most weird meat consumed in a week. I also tried yoga for the first time with the hopes of meeting some of the femail kind, but that turned into a sweating session as I didn't realize it was hot yoga. I already run a pretty high temperature so mixed in with a bunch(like a lot of people, you know more like a herd) of shirtless sweaty men&women in a room that you thought could only fit 10 people and all sweating, of course it rubbed off on me and then I was sweating and doing some awkward poses in a pile of my own smelly liquid. I wouldn't recommend it for hunting, as you can't really get girls smiling and laughing in a good way when you looked like you were just swimming in your own smelly liquid.

When I get back home the first thing on my list is to drink some of Granville Island's Lions winter ale. I will give Max Plaxton full credit for getting me hooked on this beer, my grandparents even know I love it some much they stocked up their house. I'll probably just have a 6 pack of that of our local Okanagan Tree Brewing Vertical ale sitting in the trunk of my car for emergencies incase I get stuck and need to hydrate while digging my car out of the ditch, but of course avoiding drinking in my car as that illegal I believe.. It's also sounding like riding and mountain biking is in the "set to f*%$ing rock" category back home. There is definitely going to be some winter DH shuttling.

Tried to hike is a ridiculous storm yesterday with winds that were blowing me over and freezing my face so I couldn't even eat my goodies!

There was also some good food consumption the other day.

And mad respect for this dude:http://www.adventure-journal.com/2011/12/35031/

Little Park City mid-winter shred session!

2011-12-21T06:39:00.003-08:00

Hiking 10,000 ft peaks

2011-12-16T08:19:00.000-08:00

People are definitely awesome

2011-12-15T08:06:00.001-08:00

sUPER aWESOME fUN tIMES ep 2

2011-12-12T07:30:00.002-08:00

2011-12-09T07:47:00.000-08:00

I am currently entering a career of painting for the next few days or so, we'll after how much time we spend together if we want to carry on with things or go our seperate ways.

2011-12-06T13:35:00.001-08:00

Little gluten free I guess is what they call this. There's a chance a might have to have some gluten loaded crackers after to feel a little normal.

This puppy is loaded with roasted asparagus, peppers, carrot, mushrooms, coliflower and broccoli. Top with some salad, chicken, avocado and bleu cheese. Yum yum yum I want you in my belly.

2011-11-30T14:06:00.000-08:00

Check out a great video my neighbor Mark Jennings-Bates put together for his upcoming Flight4Life. Check out more info at http://www.rally4life.org/

sUPER aWESOME fUN tIMES ep 1 !!!!!!

2011-11-25T15:31:00.000-08:00

Well it's official, I have now launched my super under budget non licensed no profit show. Evan Guthrie's Awesome Inc has launched the show sUPER aWESOME fUN tIMES, all rights reserved to Evan Guthrie Awesome Inc. So let the good times roll, maybe grab a beer, a soda or a non fat soy caramel shot extra whip w/ splenda latte from Starbucks(not judging...) possibly some chips, chocolate, chocolate covered pretzels, bananna or spinach if your trying to loose weight.

Exploration Day a la Park City

2011-11-23T12:53:00.000-08:00

Well I did my first real ride today in Park City, explored some quiet mountain roads, jumped some fences into gated communities, and just enjoyed the sights. I can't even explain how awesome the roads were, for 1 hr while I was in the mountains I saw one car. I did take a wrong turn and had to ride it out on a icy and snowy road down a hill with switch backs, Once I got in the groove I was crushing those turns. Think I rode up to about 8,500 ft today. Need to hit 10,000 before it snows too much!

2011-11-20T20:13:00.002-08:00

My Lastest technique for training. Note the herding noises:

Movember Canada

2011-11-14T09:22:00.000-08:00

Please check out my Movember page http://www.movember.com/m/1842816 and join the team and help raise awareness. There is also a donation page to help with cancer research.

Park City Utah!

2011-11-13T18:50:00.001-08:00

Well I finished off the 2011 race season last Sunday. And I am now in Park City Utah until December 23rd. I'm lucky enough to have some amazing family friends that have given me a pretty awesome opportunity to stay with them until just before Christmas. I spent most of last week running around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to get ready and organize. I've brought down XC skis, CX bike with fenders, rollers, trainer, snowshoes and gym gear.

So pretty much everything I own. Arrived to 4 inches of snow and a absolutely beautiful area. Can't want to get out and explore the area more. First little walk/hike today:

On my last day in the Okanagan I was lucky to have an no work day so I could accomplish all the last minute stuff. Every year in Penticton there is a Jose Memorial ride on Remembrance Day for everyone to share their silence and remember those who have been lost. It was a cold day, but many toughed out the weather and gather at the top of local mtn. It just so happens the mtn is great for hiking/riding/driving up.

'Cross Nationals, Nationals Revenge 2011

2011-11-07T12:36:00.001-08:00

Started off this last race trip of 2011 from the famous Kelowna International Airport. YLW is a pretty big deal now, as there are even direct flights to Toronto not once but twice a week. I was meeting up with Rocky Mountain Factory teammate Kevin Calhoun in Vancouver before we were off to Toronto. With blue skies and sun in the forecast it was looking to be a perfect race weekend ender of the year. I like muddy races, but clean ups not the favourite thing after you've badly hurt your body pedaling. I would go as far as saying the course was pushing some major limits to climbing in 'cross. They had a small park venue and put together a pretty good course with what they had, not going to say the three 25% climbs each lap suited me or that I liked it, but the downhill after was super awesome. It has been the only course in my four years worth of 'cross racing where I had to use the drops going downhill. It could have also been the fact that I had over 30 psi in my tubes, as most with tubulars were rolling low 20's.

Mr Evan Mcneely, Mr Connor O'brien and Mr Jeremy Martin and I had all been planning for the last month to show up with mustaches and mullets. We showed up looking dirty as can be. Sounded like the word got around as people were asking about on facial and behind the head hair competition within the 'cross competition. In the weeks leading up I was almost more amped for the hair showdown than the race!

Our U23 National Championship was set to be a hard one with about 5 riders having the chance to pull on the red and white. After a slow and cautious start Mcneely went to the front through the tight stuff and start riding away, Stafford was the only other one able to ride away from the group, since my legs were not feeling super hot I missed the move and didn't even have the chance to try and bridge. So I sat in a chase group and took turns with Jeremy Martin, Andrew L'esperance, Bailey and a new first year rider. Right when things were settling in and I started to feel a little more comfortable my chain decided it was time to break, and it was 2.5 km to the pits. Which meant I would have gotten lapped if I tried to ride and jump on my spare bike. DNF'ing is one of the things I hate the most doing in cycling. I can count on one hand how many DNF's I've had, and I hate that number when it rises. I've been through some hard times and always come back because I feel it truly shows your character. From broken handlebars, 3 broken chains in ten minutes, flats, broken seats, cuts, sprains and so on that I've made it through a broken chain just sucks, but that is 'cross, one dab of foot can lose you the race. I was pretty down all day but I needed to turn that around. Went out for some beers and giant calzone downtown Toronto. Even saw the CN tower.. Thanks to the legend Scott Kelly for a wonderful evening. Congrats to Mcneely, him and Jarred were in a league of their own today, as well as congrats to teammate Jeremy Martin for 3rd. We also did some major heckling for the Elite race, all of the top 6 U23's are good buds so we made of people, tried to make Watson quit, made fun of Glassford's Paleo diet, and even got Shep to give a mustache salute at the finish, in what he called on his last lap “a salute to a pube 'staches”. Way to go for shep taking the W back to back years.

Waking up Sunday with a no pressure and a “I don't give a sh*t” attitude I was ready for the National Revenge race. Had my beautiful Rocky Mountain Team 'cross steed all ready to rock, along with my spare bike. Pretty fortunate to have two bikes, equipped with full shimano dura-ace drivetrain, carbon dura-ace wheels, maxxis tires, easton cockpits, fi'zi:k saddles, honey stinger products, planet foods, fox racing shox to name a few of our sweet sponsors. Rolled over the start early to see if anything had changed. Someone had broken the bike wash and it had created two giant mud bogs on corners. Then the rest of the course was perfectly dry and fast. Rode some laps and felt way way better than yesterday. Contemplated hopping barriers but didn't want to crash and embarrass myself in front everyone. Today was the mixed U23/Elite race. I was fortunate enough to get a front row call up. From the gun I was good and in control. Stuck 2nd wheel to Mcneely and then took the leading heading into the hills and corners, didn't want to get caught up in the chaos. Then I could also ride my own pace and sort of rest a bit. Once Mcneely started riding away myself, Mike Garrigan and Aaron Schooler formed the chase group and rode together for a couple laps. Once Garrigan fell back, in which it saw like in pictures he was doing running 360's over the barriers..) Schooler and I took turns, we kept Mcneely at about 15-20 sec for a while, but then with about 3 laps to go we slowed a bit not wanting to do tons of work, then with 2 laps to Schooler laid down a huge dig on one of the climbs and I was hurting but for this I had to absolutely turn myself inside out to hold his wheel, I knew if I did that we would stay together to the end. I took the lead into the run up we were riding the next lap and I crested the hills with jelly feeling legs, but I kept the pressure on through the tight technical downhill switchbacks. With a 3-4 sec gap there I laid everything I had down trying to not make any errors and pushing the limits on every corner, riding faster than I had all race. I had to ride to the top of the next two climb like they were the finish. Then the gap opened more through the mud bog corners and I cruised in for 2nd with a 20 second gap on 3rd. I definitely got some revenge today. It was still unfortunate yesterday, but today made up for that. Plus Evan squared got to stand on the podium together with our gorgeous mustaches and mullets. I even raced with a chain breaker this race just in case something happend again..!

Ended off the 2011 race season with some higher spirits than I thought I would after Saturday.

It's now time for a good break that consists of some Denny's breakfasts, some DH shuttling. So pretty much everyday will be a super awesome fun day!

Since its now official, I am moving to Park City Utah for the winter! Staying with some great family friends and going to live the life. Skis, bikes, snowshoes, and gym clothes are packed and ready for some use! I am a winter person so being somewhere with snow is key for me.

Stay tuned this fall/winter some videos I'll be making to keep everyone everyone updated on things. They will be called sUPER aWESOME fUN tIMES.

BC Cup hits the interior finally!!

2011-10-31T09:00:00.000-07:00

Well after a race free weekend last weekend with some awesome MTB rides under the blue skies and sun I was ready for some more cx racing. Catharine Pendral had her BC Cup CX race in Kamloops yesterday. Other than thew ridiculously strong winds it was a great day. Costumes were flowing in the wind, our cookie medals were being ate on the podium and there was even a kids race!! With a total of 4 people in the elite race..it was interesting, along with a big battle for the podium. It was pretty dissapointing that not many coastal racers showed. As interior people drive down all fall long and the coastal people can't drive up once...sad I know. Thanks to the ones who did.

Anyway after Keith Wilson won his race, Catharine won her we needed to keep the win within the interior riders, and that meant myself or Matt Hewitt. We started somewhat fast and I wanted a clear shot at the barriers to have my first superman hopping experience. I was worried because Our favourite cross dressing Matt Hewitt was on my a*s the first couple laps, until he opted for a wheel change..why would be do that when he was so close.. I have always have motivation when someone is chasing to try and get further away, but when you have a cross dresser chasing at your behind I always seem to have a little more energy to try and distance myself...

After our first couple lap battle I was riding solo in the front, trying to have a good time and give some kids some high fives along the way. As well as throw out some uber sweet cx bike tweaks in the BMX track. As well as getting heckled by Keith Wilson, telling me his wife was riding faster. Probably true, but fine with me as shes has one of them multi coloured rainbow looking jerseys, shes supposed to be pretty fast.

As you see my forward akward podium pose here, there was a certain tight crotchle region in this suit, as it was a kids one. So I was trying to be a decent human being and not show my certain areas to everyone.

Some of the little tearing up the course! this guy is going to be making the big bucks in 20 years!

Hey buddy where's you bike!? I guess is doesn't matter, he's having fun and were having fun watching!

2011-10-24T18:36:00.001-07:00

After a sweet single track ride yesterday with some friends I got the pleasure of driving home to a nice f 350 in the ditch. No one no skids and bloody bandages led me to believe something was fishy. Did some future police investigating and came to the assumption that the driver was a moron.

I had another holy Evan day today. Massage, coffee, chiro, clothes shopping, car work and tv. Refreshed and ready for another good week of good training and work.

Race Clean, Own Your Victory

2011-10-22T07:58:00.001-07:00

You just can't say it enough. As an athlete trying to make it in a sport as clean as one can be, it just puts a smile on my face when hearing of other athletes getting caught for doping. Lets just call them Dopers not athletes, because they are taking short cuts and making the rest of the cycling world look bad. But as you can see it will come back to bite them in the A**.

http://www.canadiancyclist.com/dailynews.php?id=18624

Big Local Weekend

2011-10-17T08:49:00.002-07:00

After a pretty relaxing weekend after Fort Collins I was feeling now half decent. Hopped on the big bike for a couple sweet mountain bike rides this week. It's definitely cold now, it went from shorts and jerseys to leg warmers and long sleeve's pretty quick.

Saturday was the 2nd annual Le Tour De Okanagan Spinathon, which is a charity spinathon for http://rally4life.org/ It's for a great cause so there was no way I wasn't going to be there. Pinnacle Elite Athlete was nice enough to sponsor it and let everyone use their gym. We had bikes hooked up to power tacx trainers and 4 stages lined up. With 4 man teams it was set to be a good battle. With one member from our team bailing I stepped up and rode two stages, so that was 2X50 min races on a trainer totaling 2:15. So my trainer riding went from 0-massive amounts pretty quick. Luckily it was pretty fun out there so I enjoyed every minute. We had lots of money raised so it was a success! I came out of that pretty tired, but i rested up for the big CX race the next day.

Sunday turned into another Okanagan bluebird day, other than the freezing cold morning temperatures it was a great day. Organizers really stepped up and brought one of the best CX races into the interior yet. With an awesome course, coffee, live band and tons of spectators it was the best reaction yet from crowds and racers. We all had a pretty fun time out there, had pop tart, dill pickle and bacon hand outs at the top of the run up. And some good heckling forsure. I had some good legs today and was able to take the win, Mrs Catharine Pendral took the womens as well. I won a plate sized cookie, which I started eating right away..

Fort Collins USGP Rounds 3&4

2011-10-12T20:27:00.000-07:00

Well I have now completed my first US Grand Prix weekend of Cyclo-Cross. Couldn't of done it without Maxxis-Rocky Mountain mechanics Gary and James. Not used to having a trailer, let alone one that's heated. As well as 2 pit people. Did my first bike change during the Saturday race as the nice mud started to turn into nutella halfway through..

I flew into Boulder Thursday and stayed the mechanics house. Geoff arrived Friday morning and we got out for a spin at the local bike park. Did some sweet laps on their CX course and contemplated laps of the 4X course, but we thought all the "cool" young dirt jumpers would make fun of us. So we rode the mini non see-able 4X course and tried a mini wall ride on the CX bikes..

Saturday was a slow morning with coffee shop interwebbing followed by the drive to Fort Collins from Boulder. We heard it snowed overnight in Denver and was sleeting in Boulder. I was hoping for snow on the ground but I settled for rain and mud. We arrived to a beautiful course layout on the side of a hill(racer's garmins showed about 950 ft of climbing each race). The trailer was warm. I sort of did a junior move this weekend and brought clothes for winter conditions, just not clothes for wet winter conditions. Made pre-riding, changing, riding, racing, changing kinds tough. Lots of layers proved best against the wet and mud. I wouldn't call Sunday my best race so far this CX season. Set my sights high after a 9th at Starcrossed..since then things have seemed to not be as good. I would have called Saturday my perfect race consitions, but with not snap in the legs and no massive horse power that meant slow riding in the mud. I had to settle for 20th and 4th U23. I really wanted to be on the U23 podiums..but I failed there..I guess riding in your 38t small ring all race doesn't say 'fast'.

Saturday night was a tough clean up with our bath tub looking like someone dumped a wheels barrow of dirt it. I had the blow dryer just sitting in my shoes for long periods of time to dry off. Dinner out seemed to fill my belly well and good sleep led to me waking up feeling pretty dam decent. Another coffee shop morning, with a whole foods visit and beer run for post race. Had to get Geoff to buy beer for me, sucks being legal for almost 2 year in Canada and then going to the states seems like I'm still in high school. Showed up at the course with it looking like a crew came and paved it. 100% opposite conditions for both days. I would have thought I would sh*t the bed even worse Sunday but I had better legs and actually used my big rings which meant I was going faster. I started to feel better near the end, almost wished for the first time in my life the race would have 1 more lap. Finished a way better day for 16th, I missed 3rd U23 by a matter of feet at the finish, and 2nd U23 was only 20 sec away. Balls. Came close to the goals but still empty handed. Good weekend of knowledge put into my head as well as some more motivation. Although I now get to go home and tell me friends that Sunday I made a whopping 29 dollars...they couldn't even make it an even $30 for my dignity. After a pretty quick clean up and watching Barry Wicks do a reverse donut to burnout and spary mud all over the Kona trailer in a Gran Marquis we were off to Boulder. Settled for pink burgers for Thanksgiving dinner. Had the nice 4:45 AM wake up, bonus was I finished my 10 HR travel by 3 PM.

Had some days back at work, followed by a wicked long travel bike ride in the rain. Trails were minty! This week focus is some good food and some sweet downhill trails.

-Gossip Girl

2011-10-11T07:35:00.001-07:00

Found another sweet cheering shot from MTB Worlds. This was the start of how I lost my voice for a couple days..

Racing with the Big Boys

2011-10-06T12:33:00.002-07:00

Just hanging out in the Vancouver waiting to head on down to Denver Colorado for some USGP action with Mr Geoff Kabush and Gary Wolff.http://www.usgpcyclocross.com I thought I would just jump into some big CX races this fall and see what happens. I've already enjoyed it and seeing now what I can do with it.

Last time I updated I was just getting ready for a big weekend of local CX/MTB racing. Saturday was the local CX race, which is a apart of Catharine Pendral's interior 'cross series. Event was great, and Jeff Plant the course designer put in a ton of man hours and bobcat hours making sure the course was 100% dialed as can be. I didn't hear one complaint all day, just saw smiles. Especially when their names were called the most waited prizes of the day, The pie's. After that I decided that eating a pizza at 2:30 in the afternoon was a sufficient enough of food for the rest of the day, even though there was a 4 hour enduro MTB the next morning. Race went well, I was able to take the W infront of Kamloopian Mr Keith Wilson. I was also able to turn a little hill top roller into a sweet spot for a boosting CX bike tweaks..

Sunday came quick and so did the bonk...Funny enough on Saturday I was talking with Mrs. Pendrals husband Keith Wilson and he was giving me tips on how to create and conquer the perfect bonk, I was thrilled to get these tips I had never experienced the full blown bonk. I was up early and out the door early to get to the event to help if needed and get our Bike Barn team area all set up. I was hoping to get in a solid 4 hrs hard ride today, and hopefully not dig myself a big whole of fatigue. But immediately there were guys sticking my wheel and staying there, I don't like riding in groups so I was made a couple little efforts to get out alone, I was really trying to just get away from Axel Merckx, as I was talking some smack before hand. Him and his wife came away with the mixed team win. I carried on along for the first 4 laps and all I sudden I thought hey its 2:15 into 4 hrs and I eaten and drank like its a 1:30 XC race..and ridden a pace for like a 2.5 hr race..Then the body started shutting down and I tried to eat cookies, drink red bull for wings and takes gels for a quick boost until all the other food kicked in. I lost the lead while eating and drinking in the feed zone. And started lap 5 and then Boom! the bonk came knocking, I slowed down and tried to not cramp up. Then all of a sudden I found myself walking the steep hills, then walking the flats and then almost having to walk the downhills. I was full on into the bonk zone and pain cave at this time of 2:45. I was doing steady 30 min laps and then my 5th, which turned into my final, was 50 min..I just so made it back to the team tent and decided for a sit down. Not being able to eat because my gut was like a washing machine with jet fuel in, I just laid there and tried to soak in and enjoy the bonk as much as possible. After an hour of this I decided it was time for the self-assisted throw up so that I could eat! After successfully accomplishing the emptying of my stomach I had a nice bowl of rice and started to get back to real life. Then I opted for the double cheesburger with mushrooms. This seemed to solve all my problems, as within a half hour I was back to normal, a shame I know. Not the best personal day, but the event, the smiles, the kids, the families it was amazing. I was truly glad to be apart of such a great event. Hopefully its a go for next year!

After a week of some junior style recovery movies(i.e. nothing..)Moving some heavy furniture, trying to sleep at 6,000 in prep for Fort Collins, later nights, early morning drive to the race, 20 min warm up and 1 lap on course I was ready for a great day! I was still convinced in pre-ride that I was ready to kill it. But after lap 1 when I couldn't even follow a simple move I knew I was done for. I just tried to ride and get back on that front group for the first 4-5 laps and after I knew that was never going to happen I just settled and tried to smile for people and pretend I was didn't want to throw my bike. Tyler Trace once again 3 years in a row took the convincing win with Andrew Pinfold not too far off. Kevin Noiles in third Kevin Calhoun in and 4th and myself taking the final podium spot. I was pretty pissed with having to drive 7.5 hrs in total that day for a 1 race of shitting the absolute bed. After driving a friend back to UBC I was on my way home, opting for some better recovery food and some stretching before/during/after the race I'm hoping to come around for this weekend, it's a big trip, big races and lots on the line. Need some show myself this weekend for sure. After the most rain I've ever seen in the Okanagan in 1 week I should be rested, as that meant a couple easy days on the trainer and some good cooking!

Out for now

-eg

Fall time = Fun time!

2011-09-23T18:19:00.007-07:00

First day of fall and 29 degrees!? Yep that's why we live in the Okanagan, can't get enough of this place.

Well MTB season and has now transformed into Cyclo-Cross season. My other love in the sport of two wheeled pedal bikes..next comes the adult trikes. I took little rest time after my trip home from Worlds, but it turned out to just be a 'get over the jet-lag and learn to mount and dismount my CX bike again'. I had a unreal package show in the mail from my team Rocky Mountain Bicycles www.bikes.com and in there was this:

We on the Factory RMB team are luckily enough to have the best sponsors in the world with Shimano drivetrain and wheelshttp://www.shimano.com/, Easton cockpit(because you need something good to grab-a-hold ofhttp://www.eastoncycling.com/en-us/road/) and Maxxis tires to keep me uphttp://www.maxxis.com/ and of course Fi'zi:k saddles to get my special place safe.http://www.fizik.it/

I made the decision for 1st CX race of the year to be Starcrossed, and Rapha-Focus GP, two UCI C2 races. Definitely the right decision as I surprised myself with a 9th on Day 1 and not quite as stellar 13th on Day 2. I was beyond pleased with the weekend, as I now know with some real training I can be right up there. Fox Racing Shox, one of our other wicked sponsors, put up a nice race report: http://www.foxracingshox.com/news.php?m=bike&id=1271&ref=newspageThe highlight of the weekend was taking the holeshot in Starcrossed ahead of Bart Wellens, Rob Peeters, Ryan Trebon, Jon Page, Todd Wells etc...! And if you watch the video you can see I almost didn't make the first turn!: http://wn.com/2011_Starcrossed_CX__Full_Race_Recap__Part_1 I had a little bit of an explosion after that and it took me a while to recovery and fall back in the field and then caught the 2nd wind and rode back in for 9th. I've gotten close to mastering my 2nd stomach, where I can really push the human food eating limits. So now I just need to apply some of that to racing.

Decided to take 'cross a little more seriously this year, so I have booked for the Fort Collins USGP on Oct 8th-9th. Exciting, as it seems to be the most MTB style course according to Mr Kabush. Just need to find some way to deal with breathing up in the sky. And now its internet official according to Evan Mcneely http://www.evanmcneely.blogspot.com/ we have decided to grow mullets and moustaches for 'cross Nationals, so look out for a Moustache/Mullet attack from Evan2, that is Evan Squared incase you didn't didn't get it..

I've enjoyed getting back to work at, the bestest place in the world, The Bike Barn. One of my great supporters that is gracious enough to give me a job when I am at home. We have a great crew at the shop, we even have them aussie's around to keep it light. We are currently planning our Movember ideas.. We also have also have a big deal triathlete, Jeff Symonds, you may have head of him. He just got 3rd at Ironman 70.3 Worlds. World Championship medal is alright I guess...http://jeffsymonds.blogspot.com/

Right now I am thinking back on all the Tim Bits I had today, I had a good 4 day streak there of no sweets but caved badly today. Now I'm eating a massive salad to try and make myself feel well balanced on all levels. Tomorrow is our first local CX race, which is part of Catharine Pendral's BC Interior 'Cross series. We have a ton of local's coming out and some great people that have put together a great course with what they had to work with. And on Sunday is a race we are trying to get everyone in town behind, The Test of Humanity, a great way to help support and raise awareness for Canadian Humanitarian efforts in Ethiopia. In its first year there is 188 entries, going to be a fun exciting day.

Other than that life is rad, weather's good and its almost time for me to start thinking about sunny weather in January/Febuary for some pedaling.

Here's a couple cool shots from Starcrossed:

Evan out.

2011 MTB Season a Wrap.

2011-09-06T05:06:00.002-07:00

Well 2011 has been great, met me goals for races to be at, never met the goals of how I wanted to place. But its a great start from a nothing year of 2010. This year I needed to make it back to racing at the international level, that I achieved after consistent early season Canada Cup. Afetr a somewhat dissapointing World Cup showing in North America and a average Nationals race everything came together at the Canada Cup Finals in Edmonton where I took my first pro win. From then on I was thinking World might be a possibility now and I was all ready to train for it, but a nice sinus infection took the best of me for 2 weeks, with having lost that form that I was hoping would take me to Worlds for a good results I was just trying to stay healthy, keep rested and get the stoke level up to a 10/10. With everything achieved except for rest..I was ready to go when I got the Worlds confirmation email. It was 6 U23 riders, the biggest U23 team Canada has had since 2006 I believe. So it was great to have so many high end riders with many opportunities of seizing the day for Canada. With a great Junior womens day, 7th in Team Relay, solid junior mens day it was time for the espoirs to put in their digs. It was going to be tough as the U23 World Cup champ was lining up along with a consistent top-10 Elite World Cup rider. After the start loop I was sitting near the back of the field, having not raced in almost 6 weeks and having no snap in the the legs it was shaping up for a tough day in the saddle, I slowly worked up a little gaining time on the technical areas and the descents, but loosing more time on the steep climbs. If only I was able to climb somewhat better than a cadet sport rider I was maybe have had a great day. But our racing is about fitness not technical ability, although this course is the most technical course on the circuit next to Monte-Sainte-Anne, QC the ability to suck suck while going downhill over roots and rocks fast did help me have an average day with flat feeling legs. We had some amazing support from the Canadian Juniors and U23 women, I was definitely able to put on a little bit more of a hurt face while riding past them, and tried to slay the downhill for them to make it somewhat interesting when watching the riders near the back of the field come through. Jeremy Martin and Leandre Bouchard of QC both had stellar races, Leandre was the first U23 Canadian to crack the top-30 at Worlds since Raph Gagne was 7th in 2008. There seems to be a bright future of U23 coming through, as I was the oldest at Worlds as a 2nd year U23 riders, I was 2 years left and all the others have 3! Crazy I know, but it is the best way for things to be, as the development will be crucial. And with having the CCA(Canadian Cycling Association) and such great staff for these projects there is no reason why Canada can not have future World Champions in any cycling discipline. Having a DH World title with Lauren Rosser in 2010, and now an Elite XC World title with Catharine Pendral. We as Canadians I think are now hungrier than ever. Also can't forget to mention two Bronze medals for Dh with Lauren Rosser in junior women and a huge Elite women DH break through with Claire Buchar in 3rd...wow I know.

Catharine's ridiculously excited cheering squad at the podium:

Thanks to Rob Jones @ canadiancyclist.com

Had an awesome celebratory night for Catharine with some Pizza this past Saturday night with all of Team Canada. There was lots of emotion flowing through the place, I was hardly able to talk as I had to used all my voice screaming for Catharine during her race. I was speechless after, as its something she and coach Dan Proulx have been chasing for a while, and I was so glad to be there and able to in some way be a part of it. It will be with us all for a long long time.

Cheering on our Canadians, Emily rode a solid 8th place. I swear we were cheering louder than the Swiss crowds!

We enjoyed a great post race day ride with our southern friends from the USA. Did a wicked ride up and over the tail end of the alps into the land of french speaking people. Did a quick photoshoot and rode back in time to watch our Canadian girl become World Champ.

We were lucky the CCA had us in such a great location, minutes from the course, beside a grocery store and near some of coolest areas to ride I been to:

More Champery

2011-08-30T08:32:00.000-07:00

Team Photo for Nick Geddes

3 days later of Travel, arrival a la Champery!

2011-08-27T01:20:00.001-07:00

So after tornado warning and lightening storms, my travel day last Wed. stopped in Toronto at 3:30 AM. I had been travelling since 6 am too..Once flights were delayed, after we boarded and the pilots had gone past their duty time and after they found a whole in the cargo hold we departed to a hotel for the night. Thanks to CCA staff for helping us! We started sleeping in the airport pick up area..

Thanks to the CCA we all received priority check in:

Finally back in Europe from a 2 year hiatus:

Antoine got a little too excited for his morning coffee..:

View from our deck:

2011 Mountain Bike World Championships

2011-08-24T10:20:00.003-07:00

Champéry, Switzerland

Well the prep and season long goals have been achieved and now its time to put everything I have into a basket, sadly not my wicker beer basket on my beach bike. This has been up and down year with lots of ups and a couple downs. Having results that put me in the World Cups with the National Team, and having bad races in them, then to winning my first Pro race at the Canada Cup Finals in Edmonton, to being sick and now off to the World Championships in Switzerland. I have been totally satisfied with how the season has gone, but not over the top excited. With having last year crossed off in the record books due to a not so awesome case of mononucleosis. I put pressure on myself going into this season to show to people that my 2009 year was not a fluke season, this season has gone in the right direction putting me back at the level where I want to be, I still feel I have not even gotten close to form that I know I can achieve. I guess that is what the cyclo-cross season is going to have to be for this year, maybe this year I will put in some training time for it. Anyway thanks to Rocky Mountain Bicycles, all the factory team sponsors and all their support they haven given me over the past 3 years. And an even bigger thanks to sticking with me and helping me get back on track. I definitely would have had a hard time making it back to this level without all the people around me. Family, friends, The Bike Barn, Rocky Mountain, Planet Foods, Cycling BC, my coach Dan P, the Canadian Cycling Assocation and my Grandad!

Race Site:

Right now I am sitting in YVR, just landed from and left from the one and only Kelowna International Airport YLW. Sitting with the one and only current Junior World Downhill Champion. We are discussing how we are going to make the crowds go wild on the technical sections on the worlds course..

As most people know I am from Peachland, BC and ride bikes. I started off with soccer, somehow almost stuck with playing rugby and then got into wearing spandex and shaving my legs, on the plus side I can almost beat any regular people at tan lines contests. I am starting a long journey to a little place they call Champéry to ride bikes at the biggest race of the year, kind of like stanley cup finals. Its what I tell people as I'm travelling with a hockey bag..some people question it and some people have no clue..yah I know. I'm excited to be back on a CCA project, as most of my best travelling memories are from those projects. Apparently we are staying in a full board hotel with views from mountain tops and 200m from the course, life is hard I know. Excited to get out and slay this course, I know it will be a good race even in the legs aren't there because of the 5 ft drop, roots, and just all around technical course. Just help me pray for the rain gods, as I'm going to need the nutella like conditions! I brought the perfect bike choice, my Rocky Mountain Element Team RSL. With Maxxis rubber, shimano drivetrain, fox squishy stuff and a fi`zi:k saddle to protect my no no place I should be set to rock it. We are there to have fun, but we are also there to win medals. I think all of us Canadian athletes will do everything in our power to put Mrs Pendral in the position to do so.

It was tough leaving the Okanagan as summer is finally in full swing. Waking up to blue skies everyday and drinking a bottle everything 30 min is nice in that 30 degree. Plus having a lake anywhere you go makes life easy. Last week Cycling BC, with the help of Ron Hayman put on a Future Champions camp in Penticton, BC where I work. So I spend most days working, riding and hanging with the group. It was great to see the depth of people in the camp with all having the same passion. Having guys from Rob Britton, to athletes who haven`t even been on a provincial level project. Richard Wooles is changing the way of cycling in BC and that is spreading across country to for the best possible scenarios in the future. It felt great to have gone through the Provincial program and dipping back in to help whenever I possibly can.

Last week my bicycle shop that I work at and that supports me, The Bike Barn (www.bikebarn.ca) hosted one of the final toonie races here in the Okanagan. With tents, chips, smokies and beer we were set for a good night. I just cruised and tried to have a race to be the slowest with some of shop boys, I came 2nd, close. But on the plus side I did win the post slow race beer shotgun. As the oh so knowledgeable Geoff Kabush says “bigger hole, fast flow”, I used that my advantage and beat my aussie shop buddy. But not before he thought he had won and put the can above his head and some excess beer was left and dripped on his head...With that accomplished I feel better about being a non-excessive beer shotgunning extraordinaire athlete. Better rest up Geoff as I will be challenging you post Worlds!

Not really more to say other than last week I raced a local crit, which was a event success and self fail. Tried to light it up for the crowds and friends that were out, mission unaccomplished. Had the suffer face on and gritted through the pain. Needed to flush out those cob webs from the lack of racing this month.

That will be all for now,

EG

Apex Mtn MTB ride. Some of the best local singletrack!

2011-08-22T07:25:00.003-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqMSsi5VlYM

Apex Mtn MTB ride. Some of the best local singletrack!

2011-08-22T07:25:00.001-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqMSsi5VlYM

Ski2Sea Video--MTB leg

2011-08-15T16:25:00.000-07:00

Its been a while, but I'm already excited for next years Kelowna Ski2Sea. This year I was lucky enough to apart The Bike Barn team, which was filled with youthful and somewhat not so youthful talent!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y7nKwn0lk4

F--- Cancer is right!

2011-08-11T06:57:00.000-07:00

http://vimeo.com/27355975

Summer Finally

2011-08-10T07:12:00.000-07:00

Everyone complained summer in the Okanagan was not living up to its standards. 2 years ago I would expect to wake up everyday with blue skies and sun. But the last 2 years that was dwindled. But ever since I got home late July weather had been unexplainable. 30 + degrees everyday and no cloud. We get this lake effect in town where if there`s clouds they get pushed the edge of the valley so consistently have blue bird days. Stopping at the lake for swim has become part of the routine and drinking lots of water and riding at weird times as well. Yesterday I tried intervals at 35C and almost fell off my bike, drinking 2 bottles an hour, stopping at The Bike Barn for mid ride hose down and even stopping by the lake to soak the hands, feet and head. Crazy but its why we live here. After almost 2 weeks of an awesome sickness post Edmonton CC I am back at it and doing the final preparations for the World Championships coming up here in a few weeks in Champery, Switzerland. I head out on the 24th and return on Sept 6th. Then its straight into CX season.

Edmonton Canada Cup Course pre-ride:

2011-08-05T19:31:00.001-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jom4V685lZs

MSA/Windham Highlights

2011-07-25T19:20:00.001-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIYS5ZGc890

Post Relay Nationals Super Awesome Fun Day!

2011-07-25T17:10:00.001-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bA-pg-MQAXg

Edmonton Canada Cup Finals

2011-07-25T17:06:00.002-07:00

Our BC Team was fortunate enough to stick around in Canmore until Wednesday afternoon before we made the short haul over to Edmonton where we were staying in less nice places then Canmore. We were now home to the U of A campus and living in Res for 4 days. There was kitchen, but no cooking supplies..so we were on the Uni breakfast plan, made sandwichs for lunch and went out for dinner. I do like cooking, but it nice to not have to worry about food for those few days. I did enjoy the batch made fake eggs with processed cheese mixed though..I still have my bodum so that was something to really look forward too while watching the Tour on the slow internet. We pre-rode the course in blue bird conditions Thursdays and then it rained all afternoon and all night. So Friday we decided to ride on the road in the pissing rain for our pre-race prep. I decided it might be good to do a quick section of the course in the mud, I was now stoked and ready for the race in the those conditions.

Saturday morning I chatted with the BC coach while he watching the cadets race..He said some sections were like fresh jars of nutella straight from the fridge. We had a slow morning, watched Cadel win the Tour for the MTBikers out there. I said to all the juniors that today is going to be a good day for us all, no matter how our legs feel. That is was, My legs just felt great from the gun and stayed that way the whole race. I was able to make the front group the first lap, get the lead into the singletrack and just slowly started increasing my lead until the end where I able to take my first Pro win. The U23's really showed themselves today with 3 of us in the top 5. With Evan squared goign 1-2 (Evan Mcneely), and Leandre Bouchard taking 4th. It was just one of those days where things all went well. Couldn't have done with without help of Rocky Mountain Bikes and all the team sponsors along with Cycling BC.

Canmore

2011-07-19T14:23:00.000-07:00

My road trip had continued from Windham NY onto Canmore AB. Where the National Championships were held this past weekend. We had a wicked couple days in Canmore for some race prep and sun tanning. I was forced to ride my last years hardtail after my bike and luggage bag didn't make it on the place when I left NY. But luckily my bullsh*tting skills have increased over the past couple years and I told the Air Canada girl that I needed my bike for an "Olympic Qualification" race this weekend or pretty much I was giving up an Olympic spot..she quickly put me on hold and 2 min later had my bag traced, found and put on the next flight to Kelowna. I should have done that on Tuesday...Andd lucky my parents were coming to Canmore Friday night so I would have my awesome Rocky Mountain Element team bike for the race..haven't not ridden it on the course I knew it was a duely course. It was great watching some of the early races, those juniors sure can go fast! And Catharine of course taking the womens title again. For the first time in 3 weeks I had a pretty decent race. Being in the top-5 from start to finish and not quite able to make that 3rd podium spot. Jeremy Martin outclimbed me so bad it was almost embarassing, and I was able to close the gaps each lap on the downhill but the last lap he hit the climb so hard I wasn't able to catch him until the very bottom and he took off again. Still happy to ride in for 4th..

Sunday was the Relay Nationals, we had a pretty sweet Team BC entered. with Neal Kindree, Quinn Moberg, Mical Dyck and myself. We took the lead after lap two and with Ontario and 3Rox having anchors like Adam Morka and Derek Zandstra we were just hoping for a podium spot. We grabbed 3rd and made some $$$. After a group of about 20 awesome canadians went out for a super fun slow contest ride. With some wicked descending, bib short mini cliff jumping, coasting competition and dirt jump sesh we ended a fun Nationals weekend. Video coming soon..Here's a shot of the flyover, tried to style it out a little..

Here's some picture's from yesterday rest day:

Little Go Pro footage from the World Cups

2011-07-15T07:44:00.002-07:00

Windham pre-ride:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJkdE5uD_aA

Monte-Sainte-Anne pre-ride:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtqlzhTEdkA&feature=related

Post Windham

2011-07-12T08:51:00.004-07:00

Well I have to say New York state is quite beautiful. I had an unbelievable time down here for the Windham World Cup with some of the National team gang. The CCA put us up in a wicked half board accomodation, felt like we were on vacation with catered dinners, breakfasts, live outdoor music, pools, creeks, sunny weather and some bike racing. Felt like a solid week heading into the race, rested more than the previous week and sensations were better, but hey I guess that made me race worse..felt like a young kid trying to ride a bike against some super fast dudes. I didn't feel like I even got to race. Pretty frustrating to have two super important races go to shit. But what are you going to do, I feel like I've done the work and now its a waiting game to see when the legs come around and treat me well. I flew home from Albany, NY lastnight for a .5 day turn around back to Camore. My suposed to be short travel day turned into 22 hrs, no bags, missed flights, emergency landings and delays like no other. Get this, had to make an emergency landing in Calgary on our way to Van from TO, but the plane was no longer able to continue..so we switched plans and that one had too much has so we waited 2 hrs until the tanker came to empty gas and then we finally got to Vancouver, missed my original flight and had to catch the latenight one. Plus my bags didn't even make it on the plans from Albany. So who knows where they are, and I leave later today for another two week trip..uh oh I know. Lucky I have 30 lbs trail bike.. So to sum up the trip here are some photos:

Lake Placid

2011-07-07T07:48:00.000-07:00

After our Monte-Sainte-Anne adventure we decided that we would stop halfway to Windham to make it an easy double travel day. What better place than Lake Placid. All I could think about though was giant alligators from the movie Lake Placid...We were lucky enough to coming into the US of A on the 4th of July. Nothing says american more than going out to 1 of only 2 original Howard Johnsons with the full original buffet dinners. That is $9.99 for all you can eat fatty foods. Since most of us cyclists eat somewhat healthy it was nice to binge or some awesome fake beef, bleu cheese sauce, mac&cheese and sausages. After we filled our tanks we headed downtown for some 4th of July action. I didn`t thin kit was possible to get bored of fireforks, but after 25 min we decided to head back to the hotel.

An early morning continental breakfast had me laughing at some very rude couple who were complaining about their eggs. As 14 of us cyclists though they were good, maybe a little greasy..so you would think this American couple would have loved them..but nope they decided to be a pain in the a**. So I got some of the Canadian team to fill out the review form saying everything was satasfying...This couple I could have laughed at all day.

We then headed out for an awesome MTB ride on some local trails, with the sun shining and a great group of people it was turning into a great day. We then packed up and headed for Windham.

We arrived to an absolutely hotel. Haven`t been to a place so cool before. All the building are from the late 1800`s early 1900`s. With catered breakfasts and dinners, river, pool, mini put,
outdoor bands, pool table, and movie nights! I`ll get some nice pictures the next couple days!

Monte Sainte-Anne

2011-07-03T10:50:00.000-07:00

I've been fortunate enough to be apart of the National Team for the Monte-Sainte-Anne and Windham World Cups. This past week I've been in MSA training and racing. Since MSA is my favourite course I put some pressure on myself since it was Canadian style conditions with mud, rocks, roots and some sweet singletrack. There's a few sections on course that have become famous on the world cup circuit..with some top high paid pros not even able to ride some lines..

This section is called Beatrice, she seems to be unkind to the riders who have a tough time with technical. Here's a link to a video of highlights from a lap of the MSA world cup course:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOuhYBQXzbo

Our U23 mens race went well for Canada, with the goal of having 1 rider in the top 20 and we put 5 in the top 20 I believe. With the highest place to Leandre Bouchard. Evan Mcneely had a great race, if it wasn't for the warm crash into a sign that turned into post race stitches, and a good old bonk on the last couple laps he would have been nicely in the top 10. Jeremy Martin also with a great race to 16th, at one point in the start being 2nd wheel. As for myself there was a bike race going on and I didn't really start to participate until the 2nd lap once I was in 36th spot, and thanks for a burped tire which led to a decent crash and two stops for some air and finally a pit stop for a new wheel and some hammering of my brake caliper I was on my way and the day got better lap by lap until I rolled back into 18th. Satisfied but not excited as I know that trainings been going well I wanted to be up near the top 10. We all have another shot next week though in Windham, NY. Our U23 goal is now 3 riders in the top 15.

It was a great day to be a Canuck, with Catherine Pendral absolutely dominating the women's field and winning by nearly 2 min, MHP with a 5th and a career best for Emily Batty with a 7th! Geoff Kabush coming back for a burped tire to 7th, U23 women with 3 in the top 10, and today with the junior women sweeping the podium and a 3rd place for junior men with only the World Cup leader and Pan American champion besting him.

Thanks to some great crowds, unreal cheering and spirit our races we instantly better. Nothing like racing in your home country. And huge thanks to the Canadian Cycling Association for helping out us young-ins.

Here's a few photos to check out the venue..Crash compilation, and race recap videos coming soon..

2011-06-22T20:47:00.001-07:00

The Grandad and I looking like were both about to burst out laughing

2011-06-20T08:39:00.003-07:00

It was a shame, last week Penticton's most famous local restaurant burnt down, White Spot..It put a smokey haze over the lake. Something we get very accustomed to here in the summer with all them fires in this desert.

Last Thursday I pulled into downtown Kelowna and was getting ready to ride out to the local crit, and while enjoying the beautiful view and the two 'cool people' smoking illegal stuff on the dock..3 bike police happend to role up and surprise the heck out of these girls. With one throwing her stuff into the lake the other trying to hide it behind her back while the smoke was coming up behind her head..smart I know. The officers slowly picked apart her joint and threw it into the water. It was even more hilarious when the girls were trying to reach into the water and retrieve their stuff after the cops left.

Spent the week with some gorgeous weather. Finally we are getting Okanagan weather, with highs of 30 hopefully this week! http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/cabc0149 Yesterday we made the father a great brunch, and a wicked steak dinner. Nothing a like a BBQ in the sun and plate sized steaks.

Thinking it might be time to get back to my roots and make some DJs, and start doing some big hucks again! Or foot plants:http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1095591/

And thanks to Mr Kris Sneddon for getting me hooked on real maple syrup in the coffee! Just for rest days though..

2011-06-14T07:12:00.001-07:00

Canada Cup Trip highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22pD7W5RdJw

The Okanagan is unbeatable to live in

2011-06-13T09:11:00.004-07:00

In the last week I've been home its been so awesome I don't want to leave for a while!

Here's a few late photos from the trip through Ontario:

Last Wednesday was the first toonie race of the season, good thing I decided to ride before in the pissing rain for an hour and half and show up at the start with it only to stop raining and everyone is dry and smiling...I didn't even have the energy to shot gun a beer after. I will next time, and I'll in keep in mind some great advice from the legend himself. Geoff Kabush once said "bigger hole, faster flow"...

Had a wicked BBQ sesh last Thursday night.

Sunday was Kelowna's one and only Super D. It's a long one at around 20 min for most people. The record last year was 19:07 set by Kelowna's Seth Cowie. I was getting ancy all week prepping for this race, the guys at the shop did a full overhaul on the bike, rebuilt the fork, changed tires, and put on some shimano brakes, those avid brakes were doing me no good! Thanks to Rocky Mountain for hooking me up with such a sick trail bike, I love that my 5 inch bike descends as good and as fast at the local boys on 8 inch DH bikes..I was lucky enough to have a super clean run other a couple super man slides on my chest, I missed the rain and slayed the DH as best I could with a 1986 fluorescent Bike Barn skinsuit and rainbow socks. And since my skinsuit had no pockets I put my multitool on the back and it slipped down my a*s and I couldn't sit on my seat..But I was able to make a new record of 17:50 and make them loose clothed big bike people jealous of xc bikes, skinsuits and saddle bags...

Here's some great shots from the race, there was a prize for best dressed so there were a couple costumes.

Luckily its raining today, and I have a rest day and a day off work. So what better to do that share pictures with the world, drink coffee and make pancakes! As Matt Paziuk would say that is some good livin'.

Johnny Canuck!

2011-06-10T20:09:00.001-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-WQx2N1aXA&feature=player_embedded#at=38

Barrie is Cool

2011-06-04T06:58:00.000-07:00

So pictures explain better than words..

Center of the Universe?

2011-06-01T09:12:00.005-07:00

Clip from our Mt Tremblant pre-ride: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-sBySns7Oo

Last weekend I did a bike race. It was muddy, cold and technical. I was lovin' it and just slaying the descents...riding in 2nd too. Then my tire decided to go flat. I was having one of those days where the legs felt unreal. Too bad but I kept calm and used my tire changing skills to put a new tube in and only let my big air inflate me tire to like 15 psi. I was off riding in like 12th or something and then put the jets on and starting running a lot because mud was shin deep. I felt like Forrest Gump out there. Rode myself back to 5th, excited on that..tough though because you don't know how things could have went..Forrest says it best "life's like a box a chocolates, you never know what your going to get.

On our drive from Montreal to Quebec City we came across some dude in a car, and tried to get him to race us. He was too afraid of the roof racks and diesel smell though.

This past week in Baie-St-Paul I enjoyed some good livin' as Matt Paziuk would put it. Every morning Mr Haviland would welcome us all to 'Flavour Country' with his 12 cup bodum.

Also on the menu in a rustic house was Pancakes. And not just regular pancakes, I'm talking peanut butter, mocha yogurt, bannana and real maple syrup.

There is nothing to joke about when consuming these:

Post race on Sunday I met up with Cycling BC, they were staying in a rad mansion on the side of a mtn. No big deal that there was a waterfall beside the house.

We also had a nice view, and found a lucky treat in the fire place:

One of my 100% Paleo dinner I had last week:

And some nightly hydration:

Monday was the day I finished my two week stint in New France, and started with week trip into the center of the universe. We arrived to humidity and of course smog. Yesterday was 32, and 37 with humidity. So we hit the beach and got burnt. Darn I know. We decided to buy some Canuks swag and represent while were out here. We have the window attachments for the van and going to look for tattoos and marks to make ourselves nice get ups for the local Wed. night race. By the sounds of it people take this Wed. nighter as serious as a world championship..going to have to figure out a way to make them tone it down. Possibly spd sandals? shirtless wit bibs? wig? We'll figure something out.

Since it was sunny yesterday we thought it might be a good time to loose the tan lines and gain a v-neck tan.

Dear Paleos'

2011-05-26T10:44:00.002-07:00

Lately I've been feeling like I need a change. And I believe that change is going to come from a diet change, which I have been thinking should be the Paleo diet. I hear it consists of lasagna type meals, cookies, beer, choclate bars and so on. This is better than the kind of diet where you only eat meet, veggies and sweet potatoes for carbs. We have been trying this out on our Canada Cup trip. And by we I mean Andrew L'esperance, Zach Hughes, Matt Paziuk, Jarred Stafford and the one and only Havy. We have been feeling bloated and tired after dinner, but the next day we feel like we have an unlimited amount of carbs at our disposal. Demonstrated below is how I caught a meal and used it to my advantage last year before CX Provincials:

Since Matt Paziuk has been the master at teaching us “easting into the day” so far this trip we have become great at catching our food while easing. A little while back I caught this in the bulk food section. She was a hard one to reel in, but I conquered it in one night:

Back in April I was doing a bicycle race on skinny tires, and after being out front the whole time have that group chase me I felt like I needed a break on my way home to watch some Gossip Girl and fuel up. Luckily in Ricky Federeau's hometown there is a Schnitzel burger joint. This was probably my easiest catch yet:

Sometimes while I'm working at The Bike Barn people tend to hide these Paleo meals into our mechanic area...and since I work in the mechanic area these tend to land right in our laps:

I was lucky enough to get involved with Matt Paziuk in the making of a new website! Check it eh!

http://dogthepaleohunter.tumblr.com/

Anyway back to bicycle trip Quebec. After our little creekin' sesh last Sunday night. We decided it might good to give our little Zachy Hughes a haircut. Now you can all imagine how well we brainstormed. But Zatch was a little iffy on some of the ideas. We decided this might be a good situation to use the helmet cam.

Then Mr Havy stepped in and perfected the absolutely stunning mullet. He came up with a new cut called the 'freedom strip'. We were all impressed and excited on this.

We arrived in Baie-St Paul Quebec on Tuesday evening to a beautiful rustic country home. And since I am tagging along with a group of beautys, there's wasn't an extra room available. So I have to stay in the basement. Its a little chilly, and tricky to get in and out of, but it has a dirt floor.

Hello again Quebec

2011-05-23T08:17:00.005-07:00

So to start off my trip my mother made me a very nice vegetarian meal the night before I left.

Since I was going to be heading out east I needed a lot of stuff, and by stuff really just crap I think I think I am going to need but not really. But luckily I have a sweet weight scale and my hockey bag. I was able to get through the airport with 0 $ in charges and left them lovely check-in girls with some made up goalie stories..

I put a lot of pressure on myself for the first Canada Cup race as it was my first big race from the 2010 year of Mononucleosis. Plus is was my Grandad's birthday and he found out a few weeks ago he has lung cancer, and my buddy Nick Geddes and amazing young DH'er who has been recently diagnosed with Leukemia. So I put some special stickers and peices of paper on my bike that were going to make me think of that and how life is too short and take everything out of it while you can!

As most people know cyclists are coffee drinkers. And not the usual lets go hit Timmys and get a triple triple. If you were to come and stay at our place and listen to bean types, specific grinds, bodums, stove tops and coffee makers. We found a 1 cup bodum but thats crazy. So Mr Haviland invested in a 12 cupper. Which I call the Man Cupper.

Oh and when I was in the Calgary airport I heard a guy order an 8 shot espresso with 1 shot mocha, and his gf order a non-fat soy latte with non-real sugar..and a shot of caramel. What happend to ordering a coffee?

Anyway I also wanted to sent a huge shout-out to my unbelievably awesome team and Maxxis tires..they are the best hands dowm. Nuff said.

Race Recap:

-Listen to Ricky Federeau starting yelling "7 layer cheese cake, 7 layer cheese cake" with 30 sec to go before the start.

-Burst out laughing

-Start in the high 30s

-Start, lose positions, gain positions, loose positions, stay put, have an "awesome bike handler" fall infront of me before the singletrack.

-Somehow a french guy managed to get sideways and t-bone me on a straight stretch and yell "tabarnac" at me.

-It was so hot my hands felt like they were melting

-Laugh at Ricky again when his way of getting us to pass people is by saying "move! you have two BC guys behind you!"

-rode slow behind some technically un-gifted riders on the decent one lap

-tried to drift a cobbled corner through the village in-front of like 100 people and slid out and got some beauty road rash

-picked people off

-almost had a wicked two-up bike throw sprint

-sat on the ground after the race and drank a coke

-wore a skinsuit for the first time ever in a mtb race

-thought about cooling down but decided it would be better to eat my sandwich

Sunday came around and we went creekin'. I was accompanied by the ever so wonderful Andrew Lesperance, Zach Hughes and Jarred Stafford.

We've also been learning the art of easing into the day from Matt Pazuik. Which consists of long mornings with coffee, food and laptopping.

New Go Pro Video: Pete Bogg DH Shuttle

2011-05-16T18:46:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yjoyx6nG3Jg

Little clip from today's DH shred

2011-05-09T19:17:00.001-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DM3hVC4czbc

2011-05-09T08:24:00.002-07:00

So last weekened was the first MTB race of the year. To sum it up, Snapped chain twice, crashed, took wrong turn and bonked hard from chasing too hard. But the trail were so good over there on the Sunshine Coast that it was hard to be mad. I was planning on racing the DH Sunday to make it a double header but my chain broke again after the race, so I wasn't really in the mood anymore, and apparently I needed a fullface..how lame. They also didn't want me to race Pro because I was an "XC'er".

Last week our weather decided it was time to catch up on some not needed rain. I did get in a nice rainless ride Wednesday. I think I've already said, but who cares, the Okanagan right now is so good for riding I feel that not enough people are taking advantage of it. So I'm trying to accomplish that by myself.

On a side note. I think I found the best thing ever to help keep cool during a hot race. Last week we had a massive sale at The Bike Barn (http://bikebarn.ca/)and someone came across these wonderful pieces of history:

This morning I did a little hike-a-bike. Found a sweet trail yesterday and thought it might be good for dh shred on cam. It was such a bluebird day here I decided to do a little Go Pro photo along the way. The cool thing about automatic photo on the Go pro is you get some cool photos without having to search for it.

yes?

2011-05-05T18:59:00.001-07:00

http://www.cyclingdirt.org/speaker/6081-Highlighted-Video

New Go Video:

2011-04-28T18:12:00.001-07:00

This is in Penticton BC, On Seperatist Mtn, and down Rebellion Trail. Stoked my new xc bike rides downhill as good as a big bike.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muGfhsJtIvs

2011-04-27T21:06:00.000-07:00

Vince decided to come to the dark side I guess...

Super Rad?

2011-04-26T19:30:00.001-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAz4RYxDc8s

Last 2 days = Best 2 days on the bicycle yet this year

2011-04-25T07:55:00.000-07:00

So yesterday I was able to get sunburnt while riding on of my favourite trails in town. So you make you wish you lived here, I present you Rose Valley:

2011-04-24T07:41:00.004-07:00

So yesterday was the best day yes this year, I got to ride for hours on my mtb in shorts and a tee shirt..it was cool. I also found out that bike racks are good for more than just carrying clothes and food:

Some guy came to work the other day and said he couldn't pedal...mm..

Also came across this mint condition Rocky Mountain RM7 Wade Simmons edition, its for sale at The Bike Barn right now too:

Yeserdays drive in was unbelievable, couldn't imagine being anywhere else right now, the trails are at their absolute finest and road riding is as good as it can be. And my favourite hill to go up and down lots is getting cleaner by the day!

I also found an unreal Go Pro video the other day. Its inspiring me to do a cool video with mine, I just need 10 ft of snow and a 2,00 ft cliff to make it as cool as this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwbP9WLX3fY&feature=youtu.be

Also got this link from a friend the other day. WARNING: do no watch if you don't want to see a stick go through a guys mouth...http://www.break.com/index/biker-wipesout-into-branch-2043758

2011-04-12T17:58:00.003-07:00

It was a beautiful day on the Guthrie ranch this morning:

Picked up some new special parts for my car today!

It was Ski2Sea this past weekend in Kelowna. I would love yo do a race report, but it would not compare to my buddy Jeff Symonds report: http://jeffsymonds.blogspot.com/

I was fortunate enough to be interviewed by the local Kelowna Capital News and get the name dropped a few times: http://www.bclocalnews.com/okanagan_similkameen/kelownacapitalnews/sports/119713174.html

Yesterday I got out on a sweet little MTB ride with Axel Merckx. Super rad dude, funny and quite the dandy little mtbiker. We rode some awesome trails in Summerland BC. With a few laps of the http://www.testofhumanity.com/ Race course, this is race that each and every person should be out to support!

Today I enjoyed the sun, drank coffee, made french toast, did yard work, and more yard work, ate pizza, watched "No Strings Attached"(need to watch because of Natalie Portman!!) and went to bed.

Video Time!?

2011-03-31T07:35:00.000-07:00

Little clip of my bicycle ride last week:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fjpozcd8yGs
Little clip of the 2012 Olympic course:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQWzy522yCM&feature=youtu.be

2011-03-28T15:54:00.005-07:00

Lately I've been chef'ing it up. My mother is currently out of commission. So that means instead of eating cereal and toast for dinner I have turned into the chefmiester for now. Not that I compare to my mothers cooking by any means. But I try. Here's a few shots:

Last week I decided the blown rear speakers in my car needed to be replaced. And little did I know that with a Civic Couple you have to remove the upper and lower back seats, both side panels, the upper rear panels and the back deck panel. A couple youtube videos later I gave it a shot. Took me almost 2 hrs to figure it all out, but now I know the sweet spots in case that happens again. I felt a 4 year old learning to hand write..

Lately the weather has been getting better, which means soon I will actually be able to mountain bike. Done a couple little roads climbs with DH runs. But nothing that has satisfied me yet. I've been using the helmet cam a bit lately, check the lower posts to see the videos.

As the year goes on my drive to work gets nicer and nicer. Here's what it looks like in March, you won't even believe what it looks like on a sunny July morning!

Today I finally got around to building a hipster bike, the one and only bike I don't have. And my dad had the perfect one sitting in the garage from 1980. A Raleigh Competion. Can't wait to cruise the Okanagan beaches in the summer with wobly pops in the cage!

New Go Pro Video:

2011-03-26T07:15:00.002-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hlQmSghE20

2011-03-20T18:47:00.001-07:00

Today I rode my bike and drank coffee in the sun. Then I came home and built a trail and rode my other bike down it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdJLHInA50Q

New Helmet Cam Video:

2011-03-16T16:20:00.001-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq1PxFKDpC0

2011-03-14T09:24:00.001-07:00

So I finally got out on a ride with my new Go Pro that my super awesome Grandparents got me for my birthday! Tried to MTB on the snow and ice in the Okanagan in March...And of course I got a sick crash on video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2PWySgUNXI. More video to come later, I thought this would be a good little teaser.

Bikes, Guns, Cars, Golfing..My 2011 Tucson Trip:

2011-03-09T21:17:00.001-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Wd5t9YCecU

2011-03-09T14:37:00.008-08:00

As funny as it sounds I am actually sad to be leaving Tucson. I've been here for 15 days, and 14 of them were just beautiful, and one had some snow...I stayed my first few days in a hostel, but once a heroin addict started staying the same room as me and deciding that it would be a good idea to puke everywhere, roll in it and then piss on the other beds I thought it would be a good time to leave and move into a suitable training environment. I found a gracious lady who was willing to put me up. I was so excited I forgot to even ask if she had internet. And most of you know how dependent us cyclists are on inter-webing for a couple weeks of training. So that left my pre and post ride time spent reading, cooking and hanging out with a couple good buddies Boris Martin and Jacob Schwingboth. Boris is down here for 2 months and has a wicked tweaked out VW Golf. So it was a treat when he would be pick me up/drive me home. And sometime we would drive very safely and of course abide by the rules of the law. Who says that when the speed limit is 80 k/ph you can't do that through an intersection while turning??..

So firstly the riding down here is pretty good, not going to rave about it..but you can't beat the consistant sunny skies. I have not been this burnt in a long time, and I have also not had such a sore a** in such a long time, due to the very smooth well paved roads. I have logged some serious miles, as unlike last year I was able to ride long and feel good and strong throughout and after all the rides. Once I got down here I was a little disapointed I didn't decide to bring my mtb, but I think its for the best. I needed to really get some hrs on roadie bike in. I think my best ride was yesterday, I saved Mt Lemmon until my last day. Because no matter how easy you ride up its still dam hard, especially once you hit up around 7,000 ft I could definitely feel that thing they call altitude..I have to say my favourite part of that ride was the absolutely massive chocolate chip cookie at the top. Nothing says burst of energy more than a cookie the size of a dinner plate that is probably somewhere around 600 calories of deliciousness. Here are my meals for my Mt Lemmon day:

And here are some more photos so you can see what I saw!:

And some food of course:

2011-03-04T18:34:00.006-08:00

Sun tanning's been going well, trying not to get them cyclist tan lines just yet. Hoping to look like the boys from Jersey Shore by the time I head home. Oh yah and the bike riding has been going well, like 28 degrees the last fews days. Anyway I'd like to share some of the favourite moments of the past few days:

Tucson is like Warm

2011-03-01T13:09:00.008-08:00

Well Howdy there,

I've been in Tucson for about 6 days, 22 hours, and 14 minutes so far. And up to this point its been warm, its snowed, I've roomed with drunk heroin addicts, cooked some awesome meals and done a bunch of pedaling in the desert.

My first couple days I decided to live like a cheap cyclist, although I did live cheaply..I also shared a 6-bunk hostel room with some "interesting people". And by people I really only mean one dude. You can read the full story here:http://evanguthrie.blogspot.com/2011/02/drunk-heroin-addicts-in-my-room.html. To sum up quick, I had an experience with a drunk herion addict puking and peeing all over the room. And it was a good thing I had a top bunk, otherwise I would have smelt pretty interesting.

After this incident I decided it was time to relocate. I luckily found an open room to rent in house for the same price as the hostel. Thanks to the one and only Cody Canning, yes he is from Alberrrrta. Luckily right before I left the hostel I spotted a nice bird eating another bird.

Now to the reason I am down here. I decided it might be nice to get out of the cold and snowy Okanagan for a couple weeks and ride my bike, as the season is approaching quickly. And since 98% of my endurance work has been done on the snowshoes I knew it was time to actually ride the bike and why not in the sun. So far everything's been going great, the rides are getting longer and feeling easier. Which is a good thing, because this time last year I was down here training with Mononucleosis, and of course I didn't know. But to ride 4 hrs with 2 hrs of coasting I felt like I had just raced a 24hr solo. So this year things are back on track, and I'm ready to race again all healthy and mentally fresh!

I've had a couple chill coffee rides so far, and we tend to ride over to the University and people watch. We sit on a street corner and do this:

I experienced my first Shoot-Out ride on Saturday. It was hard and it was damm early in the AM. I was on the bicycle at 6 am sharp for my hr commute to the start. Then we proceeded to ride out of town in the Master group, having not done the ride before I didn't know why we were so much faster...Then it hit us. So we stopped and waited for the actual normal ride. I would have rather kept rolling slowly because the "normal group" had Todd Wells in it and oh boy let me tell you, never try and stick his wheel on a long uphill sprint for your "endurance ride". I think I did 1000 watts for 20 sec trying to stick it. Then I quit.. Honestly it was a wicked ride. A bunch of US U23 National Team guys were out for a training ride as well. We finished 140 km by 11 am. Then headed to the University to watch some local crit's.

Oh and by the way, the people down here are interesting. Half of the time I have a Canada vest on, and people keep asking me " Are you from Canada...Eh? haha" Sometimes I reply with no, I just like their clothing.. I've also heard some people down here talk about "ice hockey". Yes "ice hockey", not just "hockey". Had some master guy roll up beside a group of us the other and asked the same "are you from canada" question, but this time we replied with "yes". And he asked "do you kids know the Sedin sisters?" And we were all like said hold on a minute there buddy. But he quickly came back with "do you know what colour skirts they are going to wear for the playoff?" I gotta give it to him, it was somewhat funny.

It actually snowed down here a bit the other night. Just a light dusting. but it was funny how big of a deal it was. Haven't seen a day that nice back home since like Oct.

Saw a beauiful redone Model T the other day:

Mr. Cody Canning showing us how its done when your from Alberta:

Enjoying some fine coffee:

Blending in like the part-native I am:

And some of my chefing:

Drunk Heroin addicts in my Room.

2011-02-24T08:03:00.001-08:00

So a new guy showed up at the hostel yesterday. some black gangster dude. He was pretty effed up. Introduced himself like 3 times in 10 min to me. Then lastnight he comes in just when I was going to bed, drunk as can be, high on heroin and taking his "recovering heroin medicine" as well. So he went to bed breathing like he was running a 100 M dash. Then he wakes up and starts telling me he was almost shot and stabbed. Then he sleeps again. Then he starts saying I"ll kill you all". Then its quiet again. Then he throws up all over himself, the bed, and the floor. He starts hacking and spitting everywhere. Lucky I am on a top bunch. Downside is I'm the only one in the room and scared to move, so I stay quiet. This bastard of a guy lays down in his puke....totally normal I know. He's still talking jiberish for a while. Then says "get me outta here! don't keep me here!" Then stands up and says "I gotta piss now" and pulls on that junk and pisses all the floor and in some dudes bed. By this point my HR was beating like deer when its running from a cougar. And not the good kind of cougar your thinking of....And all of sudden hes on his hands and knee's walking around the in the piss, I think he might have even been crying..Then gets back into his bed and lays in the puke. I really didn't know what to do at this point. Other than lay their quiet and hopefully he won't know I'm there. When I'm about to fall back asleep he yells "get up, get up you fuck!" so I pretended like I was sleeping and said "yah what huuh?" and hes just said he had a bad dream, and apologized for waking me up. Then introduced himself again and went quiet. So I got up and went out to the manager and said hell no am I sleeping in their tonight. So one of the girls said I could sleep in the ladies dorm with them. So that is my best hostel story of my 20 years on earth so far. This has prompted me to move and rent a room at someones house now.

Now time to enjoy the 20 C weather and ride bicycles.

Last week of below 0 c

2011-02-23T15:26:00.003-08:00

Had a my first outside rides in the Okanagan since last November. I have been drinking excellent coffee, having unreal breakfasts and even better dinners this past week. My awesome mother had probably done one of my best dinner weeks of all time.

2011-02-16T07:12:00.000-08:00

Gathered all the best clips of 2010, check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8-AeuwKJsI

Food

2011-02-14T08:11:00.003-08:00

So food is a topic I like to talk about every once and a while. Its one of my all time super awesome favourite things to do. What about you? Every morning I wake up I think about to what to eat for breakfast and what to take to work for lunch. Then I let me Mom do the even better cooking for dinner. I won't lie, I am a sweetsaholilc. I have been told I should be some counciling or go to therapy. I am expecting an intervention one of these days...And yes I had 6 of these cinnamon buns before 9 am on Christmas morning.

Do you eve have those days where your out doing a long snowshoe or ski and all you can think about is getting back to that warm up and making like the best sandwich ever? Anyway, here's a couple nice little meals I've had the last few days..

I've also found an awesome new beer: Kelowna's very own Tree Brewing Vertical Winter Ale. Which had a nice hint of vanilla. http://treebeer.com/home.php

2011-02-09T08:17:00.004-08:00

So last week all the snow was melting, and it finally seemed like it was time to ride the bicycles. But I guess God granted my wish late, and it dumped snow Sunday/Sunday Night. We got another like 8-9 inches. So that meant more snowshoe exploring for this weeks weekday weekend.

So for starters, I work at a XC Ski Hill on Sundays and this past Sunday happend to be the Western Canadian Championships. Caught some good racing while sitting in a chair. The kids would embarrass the hell out of me, so I decided not to ski after work that day.

After work on Sunday, and by work I mean the last hr was doing chores on the snowmobile. Sweet I know, Anyway there was so much snow I couldn't make it up my hill. Attempted it 3 times, my last resort was reversing up, which usually works but not that day.

Monday morning came along and I caught a ride to my car, dug it all out and was ready to go shovel my Grandparents and of course I left my keys at home. Luckily my super wicked awesome neighbor was plowing with his tractor and told me jump on and he would give me a ride to get my keys. So I hitched a ride on my neighbors tractor hitch.

2011-01-31T18:22:00.006-08:00

Another work week done, and I am now on my weekday weekend. Yesterday I made it to the big 20. I am now no longer a young teenager. The parents got me Vespress, stoked to be able to make some even better coffee at home now, and it will be better when on the road.

Got out for a nice little snowshoe today, high of -6 meant too cold for a bicycle train day.

Snow is deep, this is at 2,000 ft. Should of seen it at 4,000 ft.

Gotta love having this right in your backyard.

So I was just walking along this slope, minding my own business. And BAM I hit a patch of ice, landed on my ass and slid down a hill, luckily stopping before the clif. Last time I slid down a hill on my ass I was greeted by a sharp rock on my right cheek, there was blood, there was pain and there was laughing from the others.

After I slipped, slid down the hill and almost went off a cliff, I figured why not try and do a snowshoe slide? Of course where a cliff wasn't present.

Snowshoe Race on CHBC

2011-01-30T18:26:00.000-08:00

http://www.chbcnews.ca/video/index.html?releasePID=5Y5gr6c8NOc0Si6loREcB5boTh_BSKEE

Snowshoe what?

2011-01-29T16:00:00.005-08:00

So that past week I've been tired, sick, and sleeply. So I've bought myself a bunch of my new favourite beer:
I felt good drinking it and training last week, and it helped me rest up this week I guess. That was the quickest and least sick sickness I've had.

So this led me to definitely racing the annual 5 km Crystal Mtn White Rabbit Snowshoe race , AKA Snowshoe World Championship of the Universe. For years I have raced it, and always finished 2nd and 3rd, so it was nice to finally get the W. So this year is the first time I have not trained for it, actually I can't say that. Lastnight at the gym I did a 15 min run on the treadmill. Which was tiring. This body I have built is not accustomed to running. Which I felt today, my right ass cheek went numb very quickly and my left quad felt like I had an extra 45 lbs plate dangling off. Anyway to sum up:

-15 min of training
-4.45 min of warm up
-BIG non-racing snowshoes
-Idioticly fast start
-192 AV HR
-Almost collapsing
-Cookies
-Long hottub and beer.

Whats up Cadel

2011-01-29T07:06:00.001-08:00

Hilarious.

2011-01-25T15:31:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmu1CZEN6Yk

2011-01-23T18:20:00.006-08:00

Had a little rim explosion on the last day of the camp. It was a little comical.

And this is what my passenger seat looked like on my ferry ride. Little belgian treats, some granola and a flick.

Western National Team Camp a la Victoria

2011-01-21T14:52:00.004-08:00

Well there is way to much to talk about. So here's some quickness:

-Lots of miles with the westerners
-2 days in the pissing rain, the mtb day was the best ride I've had in months though.
-Legs are tired
-Found my new favourite beer: Granville Island Lions Winter Ale
-Special sessions with Geoff Pendral and Drew Mackenzie(yes the single world champion Drew)
-Lots of sleep
-BBQ's everynight at The Max Plaxtons(who is graciously housing Kris Sneddon and I)
-So all in all a good week, and definitely a boys week at Plaxtons.

This is HILARIOUS!

2011-01-20T14:54:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmu1CZEN6Yk

Cross Country Snowboarding!

2011-01-14T19:59:00.002-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4w7sVSMbjyM

Santa Wish Comes True!

2011-01-12T17:35:00.003-08:00

Well on Christmas Eve I made 1 wish and that was for a HUGE dump of snow. And last night we unexpectedly got that. It was over 30 cm by this afternoon. Luckily today was my 100% day off work and training. But that turned into over 3.5 hrs of shoveling and de-stucking cars. Haven'y had my heart racing that hard in weeks. But it was a good day of high intensity interval shoveling that's for sure.

2011-01-11T15:18:00.003-08:00

Got in another nice little snowshoe right behind my house today. I love living in what most people call "the boonies". Lots of snow up there today, thinking around 3 ft. Luckily I had some of my moms chocolate chip muesli cookies to hold me over.

2011-01-10T15:18:00.002-08:00

Sometime when I'm snowshoeing by myself I need to do something exciting, and this rock face made for the perfect excitement.

2011-01-08T07:18:00.002-08:00

Don't you just love those days off when you have nothing on the schedule and you can drink that second cup of coffee, bake some granola, cook some pancakes and sit on the couch and watch Gossip Girl?

Solid New Years Day

2011-01-01T17:08:00.003-08:00

After a reasonably New Years eve it was time for some business today. Got out with my #1 training guy Owen Harrison. We finally did a snowshoe in a spot I have been talking about going to for years. And it lived up to the expectations. Other than us freezing by the end, it was a successful day!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-28T15:15:00.005-08:00

Definitely enjoyed the last couple weeks, had some solid training days along with some monster days of eating home baking. Tried to limit myself with the eating of the baking. But that fell through long before christmas began. Christmas morning I had a coffee and 6 cinnamon buns...yah I know.

I also got this weird beer from my mom, yet to try it though.

Anyway there's been some fun snowshoes and some not so fun riding the trainer days. Today I was able to get in a solid snowshoe with some of my favourite training buddies from town. Had to get one in as I work 7 out of the next 8 days. So instead of explain how awesome it was, how the deep the snow was and how beautiful the views were. Here's some pictures:

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