Friday, September 6, 2013

Standing at Mile "0" (in Km that's "0" too).

Imagine 7800 km along the Trans Canada Highway you would end up in St. John's Newfoundland Labrador. In miles I believe that is 4850 miles for my U.S. friends. I said to my wife as we waited patiently for our turn to have our photo taken in front of this landmark, I suppose this is where Terry Fox would have ended his journey. Mile Zero in Oak Bay (immediately south, not by much of Victoria).

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

DQ'd at Orillia Sprint Triathlon

After a few weeks the official explanation for my DQ in Orillia was I crossed the centre line.

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Took the Old Gardin Out for a Spin today






Cervello S5

Cervelo S5
The bike you see to your left was used in the Race Across the West (aka RAW) just two months ago. Ridden from Oceanside California to Boulder Colorado by Mark Herbst. The aero dynamics of the frame and smoothness of the ride are quite remarkable. The stiffness of the cranks allows you to gain maximum speed almost instantaneously. Most of all the electronic shifting is indeed a luxury that you find yourself wondering how you ever did without. I will confess it takes a little getting use to, but after a short while it becomes second nature. I took the S5 out for a test run on a route I do often with my other road bike about 34 km. To my surprise without even trying I knocked two minutes off my previous best time.

Monday, July 29, 2013

Bala Falls Sprint

Bala Falls Sprint 2013

After a disastrous Gravenhurst Race, taking third in my age category of 50-55 was a sign that i'm not dead yet. Knocking off two minutes from my 2011 Bala time ; i finished with a overall time of 1:44:32. Swim 15.33, Bike 51.46 (34.7kph avg.), Run 34.39 (4.30/pace/km). I will need to knock off three more minute to take first. Looking back at Guelph Olympic Race which was also very satisfactory for me, i noticed when i get to bed early the night before, eat a good size breakfast the morning of, I have energy ; feel great ; and I can I rock it.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Tandem Sky dive

July 18th 2013 i jumped from 10,000 feet, or as i accidentally told someone yesterday in my shopping Centre circles 10,000 square feet. Yes it drew a laugh. On my fiftieth birthday my wife surprised me with this magical gift. To the guys at Toronto Sky Dive, I'd like to thank you again. 100 % joy. A rush that surpassed my expectations far and beyond. What frightens me is you get the itch. I hear myself saying "i could get into this." The best part is actually jumping out the "one seater" plane. The experience takes your breath away momentarily and even though you haven't really done anything your heart beat races. It was pure freedom other than this guy Aussie Dave strapped to my back closer than most men would like to omit.

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Mark Herbst - Mr. RAW

In just two days Mark Herbst of Horseshoe Valley, On. will ride his bike 1384 km (860 miles) from Oceanside California to Durango, Colorado in the "Race Across the West" aka RAW. If geography wasn't your forte this would be equal to riding your bike from Toronto to Ottawa, back to Toronto and then back to Ottawa. JEEZ! What twisted demented individual does this to himself I cry out in shivers? Mark Herbst that's who. I had the pleasure of being on Mark's crew when he did the 2011 Race Across America and set a new record for Two Riders in his Age Category. We rode once this spring together. It was suppose to be more often but unfortunately our spring has been horrible and I know Mark was training regardless. My rides are two hours maximum, frankly all that's I need in this years training. For Mark, that's a warm up. He was doing 10 hour rides with a little sleep in between and then venturing out at midnight to ride with the constellations. I was going to suggest he do loops around Line 5 [Oro Medonte, On.] so he could take in the Shows playing at the Drive-IN. Spunk, grit & all out determination describe Mark. Mark is the one that got me hooked on Skate Skiing. Mark's the one who suggest I climb Mt. Lemon in Tucson, Ar. Mark is now 57 years young. How good is he? He could beat most 30 and 40 year old guys in any race. Follow Mark's progress. http://www.raceacrossthewest.org/raw3/racerlist.php?s_N_Race_ID=3