I'm so proud of my wife...

I'm really proud of my wife. 

She is fairly new to cycling.  Like many, she has known how to ride a bike, but only in the last year has she focused on cycling as a discipline of triathlon.  She's never done really long rides, never had mountain epics, or big climbs but the other day she said....

"I think I'd like to do Deep Cove and then ride up Mount Seymour"

I can't say I was surprised....she tends to "go for it" in life....and this ride, is one of those..."go for it" types

So off we went...deep cove first....then mount Seymour (1040 meters in 12km)

and about 50 miles later and 5000 feet of climbing

She did it!

Way to go Heidi!  I'm so proud of the progress you are making in such a short time!  You're a stud!

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Whistler Gran Fondo Race Report

The 2012 RBC Whistler GranFondo was really fun!  

122km from Vancouver to Whistler

an elevation gain of 2267 meters (7437 feet)

and 4:19 minutes later...finished!

Since this was my first time doing this race, I didn't have any real expectation for a finish time other than that I could probably avoid being the last person to cross the finish line.

You might be surprised to know this....but I was actually out of shape for this race.  The longest ride I had done during the month leading up to this race was 60km (half the distance) on a mostly flat route.  The other training I did was on a bike trainer a few times a week for 30 minutes.

we call that:  unprepared.  

I was on track for a 4 hour finish but around 80km, I lost a few key pelotons (a larger group of riders, who are able to travel faster, together) because I didn't have the power in the last stages of the race to stay with them...and that cost me severely. I ended up cycling mostly solo for the last 30km. No biggie though.

my results are here:

All in all....glad I did it.  Had fun.  Heidi and the kids were HUGE support, cheering me on and after the day was done....Heidi even drove me home!

These are good days

p.s. If you found this blog with a google search and are looking for tips or race reports for your upcoming Whistler Gran Fondo....here are a few thoughts:

1.  Taylor Way - don't sweat it.  It's steep but not terribly steep...and you'll have fresh legs. 

2.  Britannia felt harder than Furry Creek

3.  Brandywine climb felt harder than both Britannia and Furry Creek

4.  For your training, don't miss your long ride workouts with an emphasis on big-ring lower cadence climbing specific workouts, especially after 90km.

5.  Know how to ride in a group.  There were a lot of inexperienced riders doing many dangerous things...be careful!  

6.  For simulating the type of ride this is....do Horseshoe Bay and include Cypress Mountain.  If you can do that efficiently...you are gonna rock the Whistler Gran Fondo.

Hope this helps!  

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Cycling memories (LOTS of photos)

I'm missing this.

Riding 150kms per day with my friends for a week.

It was a memory I will (can) never forget.

   

Watching Jay work so hard he almost threw up

Trying to catch up with Trevor

Every day was special.

This was our last day 

...and it ended with a celebration and a catered meal

I'm still celebrating and eating (I've gained about 10 pounds since 4 weeks ago)....yes, that will stop when I get back to Vancouver.  But seriously, 3 bags of candy = daily, plus beer....will really do a work on ya.  But hey, we're doing Ironman....so 4 weeks of bliss can't be that bad in the scheme of things. hehe

I really don't want to forget this week!

Here are some pictures to remind me:

These were good days...

and they'll continue to be

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Still alive, and.....

....so happy

But cycling hasn't been the story on this trip.

We've actually done very little.  But, there is ONE thing we have done with an intense commitment:  We have spent every day, all day, every hour....together.

For us, this has been so great and there have been some amazing results in these last two weeks.  I have noticed that Elizabeth has been more snugly and Heidi and I have laughed more.

There is something about the way time is an investment in a family's covenant to one another.  It's a family's currency.  No time together...and you're broke.

These are good days....

And soon we will be speaking at Pioneer Pacific Camp for a week called "Breakaway" for 100+ high school students about Jesus.  

These are good good days....

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Epic and Sickly but Siked and Ready...

This weekend, I leave for an epic ride with Ride2012.  Many of you readers of this blog have helped me surpass my goal to raise $1000 to support church communities on Vancouvers downtown east side.  Specifically, a church called The River.  Listen to their story:


The River in Vancouver - Ride 2012 from C&MA in Canada on Vimeo.


I want to seriously THANK YOU for supporting me.  I love the idea of supporting churches that are desiring to facilitate the growth of christian community in every neighbourhood of our city.  This is a church that inspires me.

I will be cycling about 800 kms (500 miles) with over 5200 meters (17,000 feet) of climbing over 4 mountain ranges in 6 days


My schedule will look like this:

Calgary to Canmore - 149km
Canmore to Radium - 161km
Invemere to Golden - 120km
Golden to Revelstoke - 148km
Revelstoke to Vernon - 155km
Vernon to Kelowna - 75km


Detailed maps of the routes, here:

Things that I am trying to remember while riding:

1.  Every tough hour in the saddle is easier than every tough day as a pastor/ church planter

2.  Choosing to suffer on the bike is different from really suffering 

3.  Talk to as many people I can about why I have chosen to ride

Thanks for all the love, readers!

p.s. Yes, I am still sick.  Got unpleasant bathroom experiences, headaches, and today I went on a short 1 hour ride and my body isn't quite feel right.  So, to the doctors I go....Pray for healing! 

Something I am learning is that endurance tests (like the one I am about to partake) is not simply about the level of fitness I have achieved in preparation, but its about what I bring on the day.  And my goal needs to be to achieve my best effort according to what I had on the day.  I need to feel proud of my effort.  That's going to me my mantra come Saturday...    

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Cycling Mount Seymour & Deep Cove

Went on a really nice ride today with my friend Jay.  Jay and I have been on many adventures together (rockclimbing & cycling)....and he is a pastor too!

We decided to cycle to Deep Cove and then cycle up Mount Seymour.

We generally followed this route (except that we included a loop around Stanley Park and the hill climb to Prospect Point) as opposed to going right through. 

The cycling to deep cove could be classified as rollers.  Short climbs and short descents make it a really nice ride to warm up the legs and stop in a really beautiful town next to a gorgeous inlet.  This is a highly recommended ride. 

Then it was time to get the business done...

The Mount Seymour climb is 1045 meters (3430 feet) in 12.5 kilometers (7.8 miles).  It is unrelenting with a constant grade of 8% and the first five kilometers amping up to between 9-10%

For the ride profile (click the photo below)

photo taken from here

We chatted the whole way, sweated under a 25 degree Celsius sun, and enjoyed the BEAUTIFUL ride.  Saw a few deer on the way up (and one on the way down...that was not so fun.  Careful cyclists!)

At the summit we used the bathrooms, found some shade, and refilled our water bottles.

The descent was really fun.  

15 minutes at 70 kmh (43 mph)

After the ride (86 km and 5000 feet of climbing), some hamburgers and beer were a nice surprise from my good friend Jay!  Thanks brotha! 

...and dude, you gotta love it, right?  A mid ride espresso plus power bar.  Great combo! 

This was one of my favorite days on the bike...

These are good days, friends

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800km on a bike...can someone say, "saddle sores"?

Big day coming....
160km and 11,000 feet of climbing
It's called Vancouver's Triple Crown

Just waiting for a free Saturday with stable weather.

Stay tuned....


It's these types of rides which are helping me prepare for a big ride I am doing this summer, trying to help raise money for a Church plant on Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.

I'll be riding with these good friends (Jay and Trevor)

800km over 6 days

from Calgary to Kelowna 

Amount Raised:	$420.00 (42% of my goal)
Fundraising Goal:	$1,000.00

Here is the church I am raising money for....

I'd love to meet my goal!

Consider helping give a tax receiptable donation HERE! 

It's really easy to do...online - secure - and fast :)  I really appreciate it!

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