Regina

On Tuesday we went for our last ride on the awesome trails of Camore and were on our way to Regina. During our stay in Canmore we were fortunate enough to camp next to one of the organizes of a sask cup race held in Regina. We got chatting and it turned out we had definately landed on our feet the entire family was amazing, and invited us to stay for the week in Regina.

The week was great, Kim cooked awesome meals and kept us occupied while Jeramy took us biking. They had 2 kids which meant we got to play heaps of games as well in our down time (and everyone knows kids games are actually fun).

Regina is completely flat, the race on the sunday was held in a vallley, as they say you have to go down first in Regina to find hills. The track was really fun, and every one in this town is friendly and out to help you in whatever way they can.

Race day went well for both of us, taking out first in the elite women and men categories. The track was hard and hot with a 30 degree day which was even hotter with the humidity. The feild was not as big and stacked as the other races but it was still a really good training hit out, preparing us for the bigger races and getting speed into the legs. (also generally making us tougher especially with the heat).

We can't thank Kim, Jerramy and their family enough they have been great to us, Its been a really good week.

Big drive ahead of us, starting today 2600ish km, over to Toronto.

We are now in Fort Frances getting some free WiFi about to cross into the US

Will keep everyone posted

Canmore

For the last week we have been based in Canmore, a small town in the rockies where the Canadian national championships have been held.

We were unable to compete in this race due to being kiwis not Canadians but it was an impressive race to watch and we were able to get in some of the best training this year. Geoff Kabush and Catharine Pendrel dominated their races.

The riding in the mountains is endless, the terrain is technical and not surprisingly steep. The week has come to and end tho and we are off for our last ride early tomorrow morning before we hit the road to head further east and onto our next race in Saskatchewan.

Edmotnon Canada Cup

Arrived in Edmoton on Friday and found the track pretty quickly right in the middle of town. The Track was technical but hard packed and fast. There were roots and off camber sections. On the Friday the track was dry which made for a good few laps.

Edmonton however, has seriously quick weather changes and by Friday night it was belting down with rain. on Saturday morning when we went to ride the track it was clear that the rain didn't do any favors for this track. It was barely ridable.

By lunch there was another change in the weather and it was back to scorching hot. The sun stayed out until Sunday race day so the track was nicely dried out except for one climb which was a mud pit that seamed to get worse and worse.

Katie's Race

I cant recall a time I had been as nervous as I was pre race. The set up at the event was great, music and a good atmosphere, they definitely know how to put on races over here. This was my first lap format race since oceanias with only base training under my belt I think this created the reason for all the nerves.

I was called up on the front line and before I knew it the race was off. I handled the start well and settle behind Emily batty. Too good to be true and it didn't last. The first lap was messy the combination of going my hardest uphills was not agreeing with the descents so I was not very controlled. during the race I managed to inflict a bit of pain not only to the legs and because of the heat but with the muddy climb which most riders (everyone) had to run and with my new shoes I would struggle to clip back in. my right foot slipped off the pedal causing my leg to straighten out (for those that know me my right leg does not straighten due to a back injury, so it stop me in my tracks until the pain eased. It gave me a big fright). That lap was sketchy probably from loosing concentration. I managed to put on a show for carl crashing down a rooty section right in front of him, talk about timing.

It was a pretty hard day, and not a very good result finishing up 11th. Having our first race be a UCI Canada cup race was not the best timing (especially with all the Candians prepping for their nationals the week following). However, the only way that we will get better is lining up against the best.

Carl's Race

As Katie said we were nervous as, the most we have ever been just because of the lack of preparation I think and going into a UCI race having done no speed work at all, and having all of them peaking for there nationals the next weekend,we knew right from the start we were in for the hardest day. Thats how our season starts.

I also was called on the front row because of the UCI points I already had. I thought that would at least delay the ass kicking a little bit, but I pretty much went from 3rd wheel to like 15th in the first few hundred meters. felt quite shit to be honest never had a caning like that before.

After a lap I pretty much blew from trying to keep up and not riding my own race, Scott boosted past me and ripped time into me, had a bad time from lap 2 to the start of lap 5 but then what ever I had left and my peakfuel caffeine hit kicked in and I was out of there started catching back up to others and with my eye on Scott. In the end I just past him and put a few second on him to finish 23rd? and a big 16mins down on the world cup boys lucky Burry or Nino weren't there :)

Vancouver to Edmonton

What a journey, we left Monday night with the van all kitted out and made it to Abbotsford a town just out of Vancouver. Trained there that night and Tuesday, which the heat nearly killed us it was over 30degrees.

Tuesday afternoon we headed to Kamloops, and early Wednesday morning we went up sun peaks. The riding was sweet and the views were spectacular.

Causally that afternoon as were cruising along in the intense heat BOOM BOOM BOOM, 3 loud backfires and that was the van. We biked 50km back to the nearest town Clearwater where we stayed at a country inn and arrange a tow truck and mechanic for the next day. It was straight from a movie, all the people were overly nice but it worked out for the best. Turned out it was just a small electrical problem so it wasn't to expensive.

We were back on track to Edmonton, via the rockies where the sights were off the sicktor scale.

Canada 2010

This year has gone so quick, but finally we are both in Canada ready to get back into race mode and gain international experience.

Arrived in Canada July the 1st and had a good catch up at the airport after 3months apart. We were picked up my cousin Alana and her partner Shane as we had arranged to spend a few nights at their house in Vancouver.

An early Christmas for Carl

It has been great staying here by the second day we had brought a motorhome its a pretty mean van, perfect for our adventures.

Saturday 3rd we went on our first bike mission, headed up Mount Seymour on the North shore of Vancouver for some of the famous North Shore riding. Pretty intense with man made structures.

It was pretty scary being way to far from the ground for either of our likings. The riding was fun tho especially when we learnt to stick to the xc trails after having to walk some of the massive structures and jumps on the first track we picked. Its not like anything in NZ roots and rocks everywhere, its awesome how technical it is.

Our first race Edmonton this weekend, Keep ya posted when we can get online.