Well, I had a very interesting doctors appointment recently. But it answered so many questions.

It all goes back to June 2005. In the best shape of my life. Putting in huge mileage, riding 2 a days, hammering friends into the ground that used to drop me. It was like a dream. I was planning a full assault of the endurance circuit. First big race was the 24 hour that June. I had a great month in May putting in over 3000km's of training and in June was beginning my taper about 2 weeks out. Exactly 2 weeks before the race I did a huge group road ride...in the rain.....and I crashed...and I hit my head. Didn't think too much of it, a little woozy for a few minutes but was able to continue on. 2 weeks later started the 24 hour. 1st lap, 40 mins in, totally flying, hit a downhill rock garden and went over the bars taking the full impact on my head and right shoulder. Looking back I was totally out of it wandering around the course. My shoulder was wrecked (which is still a problem to this day, but I can live with it), my race done, and off to the hospital. Actually last weekend I was talking to the safety guy for the 24 hour and he said my story actually made it into a magazine about the worst crashes they've ever seen....I was honoured....if they only knew how bad it was.

I've never been the same since. Migraines became the biggest problem, especially over the last 12 months. That led to difficulty training, some weight gain (or inability to drop winter weight!) etc. 3 catscans later and still nothing to tell (other than only rocks in my head for every wanting to race 24 hours solo!). Finally got in to see a neurologist as the migraines were getting worse. She said the 2 concussions (mostly the 2nd) triggered everything (I never used to get migraines ever). She said most people genetically will have the possibility of getting them or not....and sometimes a trigger is needed to start them up. Mine was the severe crash. She said most of my issues stem from all of this (including neck/shoulder problems). So I am glad to finally have some sort of diagnosis and some medication to hopefully solve the problem. Seems like there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I might get things back to normal. I'm not sure what this season still holds at this point....just taking it one day at a time as the medication can take 3-4 months to really start making a difference. But I hope it is sooner, I can starting riding more, and kick things off with a bang at the 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo in February. I'm a bit disappointed with how the season has been going and don't like to let down the people and companies who support me, but I'm doing my best and even if the results don't show it I still get great opportunties to talk up product. So thanks to all of you.

Steve

24 Hours of Summer Solstice

Raced at the 24 Hours of Summer Solstice this past weekend and had great fun. It felt a little strange doing it on a 5 person team when all I have done is solo's (and one tag) in the past 4 years at this race. Since training has been a little sketchy this year and a bad back (put it out in early May) it was probably best just doing the team thing.

I was 3rd in the rotation and the team had a little internal competition.....slowest average lap (of 4 laps each it turns out) hosts the team BBQ....so we had a little motivation.

My 1st lap I went out hard. Started out in the Dog and tried to keep it there for as long as possible. That lasted until the Sugar Shack climb and popped it into the middle ring for awhile. Shortly after that section we made a left hander to go over a wood bridge. This bridge had some boards that were about 2 inches higher in spots running parallel to the bridge. My tires got hung up on the them and down I went. I managed to save it somewhat and my bike took most of the blow. I regrouped and got going again. There were only a couple of semi-long climbs, but long enough to remind me I'm not good at them. Finished that lap in 59 minutes.

2nd lap I figured would be slower than the first. I went out in the dog again but put it in the middle earlier on and left it there for longer. There were plenty of double track sections with begged for it and I complied. I could feel that I was going slower on the climbs, but felt like I might be doing the singletrack a bit faster than the 1st lap. The last 2 or 3km of the lap are really fast. I looked at my watch and I was making good time so I hammered as hard as I could. Amazingly, I finished that lap in 59 minutes...same as my first. I was really happy to be able to do that.

My next lap was a full night lap. I strapped on the Princeton Tec Switchback lights and got going. It was really dusty for sure. I had several bobbles...mostly missing my line and hitting the deeper sandy bits which slowed me down but all in all turned in a respectable 1:10 for my night lap.

Lap 4 started at 5:45am. I had only slept about 2 hours at this point so was pretty tired. My back had been on the fringe of being problematic for the first 3 laps but I was able to keep it under control. Not this lap. Early on it was very problematic....especially on the climbs. Then I started having pain shooting down my right leg....I started pedaling mostly with my left leg at that point. It was sheer agony. Really slow climbing....taking it easy on the flats and trying to stretch it out. The end of the lap was a welcome sight. Finished the lap in 1:10....same as the night lap...not as bad as I thought.

Now at this point I thought I was done for sure. We knew the whole team would go through 4 rotations, but 3 riders would still need to do a 5th lap. No way it was going to be me. Well....never say never as I was guilted/pressured...whatever you want to call it...into doing a 5th lap. At least I had the honour of the final lap of the race. I did a bunch of stretching and massaging and popped some Advil....all which ended up helping. It was a really slow lap (1:13) but the pain was okay. I chickened out of the mud pit....there was just no way it was going to happen (although one of my teammates did it and won a t shirt).

All in all the race was a good time. Totally different experience that doing it solo. I haven't decided what I prefer but this was a nice change. The August 24 hour is 2 months away. I haven't signed up and won't make a decision until the last minute. Need to see if I can get some quality riding in and get my back pain under control before I commit to that.

Some positives did come out of this race. I wasn't the slowest. I didn't get hurt. My laps were more consistent than I expected. I even did a couple of laps faster than Dave (one of my goals at the beginning of the year). Now I don't think I am faster than Dave....he was sick this past week and had some bad luck....but I'll still count it as a goal reached!

The family is going away next week so I might get in some sort of training camp if all goes well. We'll see.

Until next time...

Steve

Well I did the epic 8 hour today. No not the race, but my own version of it. Actually it only lasted 7 hours but still it was a pretty good ride. Did lots of exploring. Headed into the St. Helena Rd section of the trails to see if I could figure them out. I couldn't. But did some decent trails. Then went in the back way to Hilton Falls and proceeded to get lost for about 2.5 hours. It was fun...I wasn't actually in Hilton for most of the time....it was the agreement forest that is connected. It got a bit frustrating trying to get into Hilton....seemed like I was constantly doing circles. But still did some great trail that was super rocky technical. It is really amazing how the 29" wheels help with that stuff. I never used to be a good technical rider but I have more confidence with this bike and was able to ride the majority of sections. Eventually exited Hilton and went over to Kelso. I was at about the 5 hour mark by this point and getting a little tired. Managed to ride up the escarpment and did every trail at Kelso which only too about an hour. Then headed home which took another hour. Overall it was a pretty good ride....especially in Hilton. Rode much of the trail in my big ring with the exception of a few really rocky areas. But I felt like I was motoring along most of the time which was fun.

Going to get out to one of the Tuesday night races soon. My son is doing the kids race at the 24 Hour so I want him to have a go at the course he will be riding. He's doing really well for being only 6 years old. We're hitting singletrack behind the house and he is handling it really well. Biggest thing he needs to work on is slowing down for the corners....we've had more than one crash from taking it too fast, going wide, and clipping a tree. He always gets right up and keeps going. So much fun....my prodigy!

Steve

Long time since the last post. New job keeping me pretty busy and limiting my riding time to the weekends right now. But since the mornings start early now I'm thinking of trying to get out for some early morning rides for 1.5-2 hrs. Maybe to some sprint and interval stuff. We'll see. I've been getting lots of riding in on the weekends though. Last weekend did 3.5 hours Saturday and Sunday. Also got in a 5 hour ride today, although I was starting to feel pretty tired from the Saturday ride. Speaking of the Saturday ride....I took out my Cervelo road bike...and decided that is the last time I am going to ride it. It's officially up for sale. I just am not enjoying riding it at all. I just think about wanting to ride my mountain bike instead. So I've put it up for sale on Canadian Cyclist classifieds: Here are the details:

2005 Cervelo Soloist Team 56cm (anno black frame)
Dura Ace Shifters
Dura Ace front and rear derailleur
Dura Ace Brakes
Dura Ace Cassette
FSA Carbon Team Issue Crankset
Cervelo Carbon Aero post with SLR XP saddle
FSA handlebars
Carbon stem

Asking price is $2300 which is a pretty good price for top of the line bike and components.

So what am I going to do with the money? Build a hardtail with a carbon rigid fork. Going to put the old King wheels on it with the XT disc brakes I had. Then I am going to move the current drive train on the Asylum over to this bike. I plan to buy the new XTR shifters and derailleur for the Asylum. I've had the old stuff for a really long time (about 6 years) so it was time for some new stuff. It still works well and will go with the hardtail.

Anyways, that's the plan....as long as the Cervelo sells. If you know anyone who might be interested just have them post a comment with contact info.

Steve
Easton Circuit wheels with

Got out for another ride yesterday. 4 hours this time. Rode up to Kelso, did most of the trails, then rode home. The trails were in pretty good condition for this time of year. Still a few trees to be removed and some debris on the trail from broken branches etc. Almost went down a few times on some corners that had small pieces of branches on them....they act like rollers and completely throw you off track. Got home and a few hours later my rear tire was flat. Had a 1 inch thorn straight through the tire. I'm surprised I even made it home. Weather isn't looking too good for the rest of this week so not sure how much riding I'll get in. Probably good to have some extra time....we have the "big" garbage on Saturday. You can throw out anything you want (except for metal items....that is a separate pickup) including tables, dressers, couches, toys...anything. It is a garbage pickers dream....good thing because our garage is pretty full of junk that needs to go.

Still haven't signed up for the 8 hour at the end of May....starting to reconsider doing it solo. Maybe 2 man?

Steve

Put in the longest ride of the season on Saturday. Rode into Toronto from Oakville to meet Mark for a ride in the Don. It was really the first time out on the trails this year as well. Everything worked well including the new Industry Nine wheels and Kenda Small 8. I had the tires pumped up pretty hard because I was doing all pavement into the City (takes 90 minutes), but they had great traction in the trails as well. I think I am really going to like these tires. Anyways, found Mark downtown and we headed up to the Don trails which were in great shape. No mud, but still tacky...great conditions. Rode North to Sunnybrook then crossed the river and took the flats back down. I was getting a little tired by this time so we started back down to the lake. Mark and I parted ways a little later and I rode home. Total ride time was 6.5 hours. I was originally dreading the ride home a bit but felt better than I thought. Today we took the kids to the zoo but I was a little worried about how my legs would feel, but it turned out okay. Although I don't know if 4.5 hours of walking is ideal active recovery.

So I got a new job and start on May 1. That leaves me a little bit of time to get some good riding in now that the really good weather is here. Training is going to be interesting once the job starts but I still think I'll be able to ride a fair bit. Hopefully I will start the Tuesday night series soon. I won't do the first one as that is my first day on the job....don't think they would be too happy with me saying I need to leave early for a bike race.

Steve

Got in a great ride on Good Friday with Dave. We started at about 9am and the temperature was about -5 celsius but about -12 with the wind (about 30km/h). Oh ya, it was a blizzard to when we left. It's a good thing he came out or there would be no way I would have ever gone on my own. We ended up riding right on 5 hours and I must say my feet were just about frozen by the time we got back. It was pretty fun though....longest ride of 2007 so far. Dave was dropping me on the longer climbs which really was no surprise. But I didn't feel completely exhausted at the end which is a good thing.

Got in about 3 hours yesterday....really good ride down in the trails/paths of Erindale Park which was fun. Got totally lost but wasn't worried about it....just having fun getting a solid ride in since not much happened during the week on my vacation due to weather and a couple of other things going on. Hopefully better conditions will be coming our way in the next couple of weeks....I might have some extra free time on my hands.

Still screwing around with the race schedule this year. I was hoping to do the Boler Mountain 12 hour in July again but I found out they moved it to the weekend before the 24 Hour in August so that probably won't work. I might just do the 8 hour at Hardwood that month. What I am looking forward to is the Tuesday night race series....should do wonders for my speed. Many years ago when I had one of my best seasons I put in lots of base in the spring but then really only raced during the season. Usually every weekend and the occasional race during the week. Basically I raced my way into shape. I hope to do a little better than that but hoping some extra racing will improve some of my weak areas....namely short term speed.