Forgot to mention on yesterdays post that Kevin Calhoun was the best man of the day when part way into the first lap he saw one of the masters riders lying passed out from the heat on the side of the trail and also saw a couple of kids running of with the guys bike and was able to put it together and chase down the kids get the bike back and then go back and pour water on the masters rider and get him to the hospital to be treated for heat stroke. (the masters rider had been there for an hour when Kevin found him).

Kamloops in the heat

Sooo hot out today! The course we raced in Kamloops was pretty flat with one longer climb and a another more gradual climb with a steep pitch at the end. The weather was super hot though and in the end it was the heat that did me in. The start of the race went well for me and was able to be in fourth for the first lap and then on the second lap the heat set in for me and I slowly moved backwards. With two feed zones per lap I was taking two bottles per lap and also having wet sponges to cool me down. At the end of the second lap I had to stop in the feed zone and have water dumped on me to help me with cooling down and then on the fourth lap stop to re-lube the chain (as well as the 5th lap) and also have more water dumped on me. I did finish though and it was insanely hot 41 degrees.
Next race is in Canmore and lets hope I can achieve a better result there (today I was 10th)

Kluane to Chilkat

The Kluane to Chilkat bike relay is a bike race from Haines Junction, Yukon to Haines Alaska. With a total distance of 240km. Competitors are able to ride in 8, 4 or 2 person teams as well as solo. I rode in a 2 person team with Jesse Reams and since it was a staggered start with over 1200 participants the 4 person teams left 15 minutes ahead of the 2 person and solo riders. This meant that in order to win the overall we also had to put some time into the 4 person teams.

Off the start I went at a good tempo into the first climb and at the top there was a group of 8 including two solo riders. for the next 100km we worked together to close the gap on the 4 person teams to 5 min. going into the last climb the group broke up more with only three of us making it over the top together.

The Second half of the race Jesse rode well through lots of rain and wind and took it in the sprint at the end giving our team the overall and the 2 person.

It was a super fun time and nice to do the race again!

Hopefully more pictures to come!

Dawson City and Kluane to Chilkat

Yesterday I went to Dawson City Yukon to visit my sister Annie. It was my first time there in the summer, every other time I have been up it has either been in the -40's or in the late fall when its cold and rainy during the day and below zero at night. So seeing Dawson in the summer was a nice experience! It was also nice to see my sister who I haven't seen since last summer!

I flew up there with my Dad and then biked with him from the Airstrip into town. He had been sure it was only about 4-5km which is fine but distances get a little skewed when you're driving at 140 or flying...Anyways it was more like 20km. Fine for me but my Dad doesn't ride so much. Basically when we got out of the plane I was happy to be sitting on a bike while my Dad was dreading the bike part and then it switched for the return to me not looking forward to the flight but my Dad could hardly wait. We had fun though and its always nice to see the Yukon from the air.

This Saturday is the Kluane To Chilkat bike relay. It's a relay for some, an individual event for others and goes from Haines Junction, Yukon to Haines, Alaska a distance of 240km. I'll be participating in a two person team with Jesse Reams. I'll do the first half up the Haines Summit and then he'll finish. This year it will also be interesting since they are starting the 4 person teams 15min in front of the 2 person teams so let's see if we can catch them! I also haven't done the event for 7 or 8 years, I'm looking forward to it!

Whitehorse

Arrived back in Whitehorse last night and even though its June its still for some reason a little chilly. It is warmer at times but this morning when I woke up it was raining and about +4. With fresh snow once again on the mountains...not just a dusting either. Training was a rather chilly at times, mostly because I decided to wear knee warmers and no rain jacket as it had stopped rainign by the time I was dressed. Still got soaked though from the leaves. It's funny actually because the last time I was riding on the trails in Whitehorse the weather was almost identical, only it was October not June. Sunny now though and yes it is warmer!

This past weekend I did a race in Baie St Paul and the legs were great (and the weather was 29 with lots of humidity) Anyways I was leadign the first lap when I flatted. I fixed it and kept goign slowly workign my way back up when I flatted again. Not much I could do once I had already used my tube and CO2. Anyways I ended up with a DNF. Not happy about that but considering it was my first flat in three years.

Anyways I think thats all for now...just trying to unpack and get everything organized this week.

The eastern portion of the Canada Cup circuit is now over concluding with the Hardwood Hills event near Barrie Ont. It was a chilly start to the day with light rain, wind and some cooler temperatures. I was able to have a good start and was sitting in 5th position going into the singletrack. At the end of the first lap there was the main group of ten of us and then a big gap until the next riders. Unfortunately for me I went down in a corner just entering the long straight flat section with a headwind making it extremely difficult to catch back on. I spent the rest of the race chasing finishing in 10th. So far this year we have had three Canada Cups with three completely different courses, the first a slower race withtwo very steep climbs, the second with 1 steep climb lots of mub and a long gradual clim and yesterdays course at Hardwood which was rolling but no major climbs and I have been consistent with two 10th place finishes and an 11th. So I guess I am consistent so far this season!

It was also nice to have my brother, his wife and my niece Kaitlyn there ringing the bell and cheering on the racers!