SingleTrack 6 MTB XC Stage Race 2016 @ Kootenay Rockies BC: Recap

General Classification
I did not finish all six days so I don't get a general classification in Solo Open Men. I did finish the first four days and at that point in the GC I was in 40th place out of 49 Results and that overall took me 13hours & 58minutes and was a total of 145 Kms with a total elevation gain of 16,692 Feet of climbing. 

Recap Of The Race

My coach Heather K had a great program for me since January 1 2016 and I peaked for this race because I was just getting stronger with each day until the crash on July 26th (Stage four) I suffered a grade two AC Joint sprain on my right shoulder from a crash on day four as I had gone to the Hospital in Golden on July 27th and did X-Rays. I decided that I was going to withdraw from the race because I could not hold the handle bars for multiple hours and I did not want to risk crashing on the shoulder again. It was a shame because this was the best that I have ever raced and felt before. That's racing and sometimes these things happen. I am happy I tried my best.

I did receive a singletrack 3 medal and finisher T-shirt as the first three days were the same start times and same courses. I do not get a solo open result in that race (Single track 3) as I registered for the 6 days. Stage 1 @ Fernie BC, Stage 2 @ Fernie Alpine Resort BC, Stage 3 @ Cranbrook BC, Stage 4 @ Kimberley BC. Stage 5 & 6 @ Golden BC and I did not start the Golden days. There were racers from over sixteen countries and a very strong field came to this great event. The final banquet was held in Golden BC. I sat with Trevor P and Michelle. There were great stories to share with the racers and volunteers, and the slide show was fun to watch.

Thank You
A huge thanks to Transrockies for putting on the race and to all the technical, mechanics, medics, masseurs, ambassadors and finish & checkpoint marshals as there was so much effort put into organising a huge first class event like this. One volunteer made me PB&J sandwiches at the finish line each day, very thoughtful.



Me in a sling @ Golden BC unable to finish the final two days. Pic by mom
 

SingleTrack 6 MTB XC Stage Race 2015 @ Thompson Okanagan BC, General Classification & Recap

General Classification
I finished 47th place out of 49 in Solo Open Men Results, (One racer did not finish one stage so he does not get a General Classification) Overall It took me 26 hours and was a total of 240 Kms with a total elevation gain of 26,553 Feet of climbing. In the timed descent general classification I finished 171 out of 172 in Open Men Results, and it took me 1 hour and 53 minutes for all the timed descents combined. Stage #5 did not count in the general classification due to some racers going the wrong way so the race organizers called it a neutral stage (Stage #5 results are un official), I know I went the correct way so I added that stage total to get all my final totals. You still had to complete all six stages in order to get your finisher medal and T-Shirt.

Recap Of The Six Days Of Racing
This was my first ever stage race and was by far my hardest race that I have ever done. August 1st, the day after stage #6 I went to the Penticton Hospital to get an X-Ray on my bruised right knee. Turns out It was infused and all kinds of fluid was all around it. The doctor there said that I have to stay off it for a couple weeks so that I don't damage the ligaments. It happened on a crash when I flipped over the handle bars hitting my right knee and head only 8km's into Stage #1. I road the remaining 232km's no where near 100% because my knee was so sore. By the time I got to stage #4 I had no power in my knee at all, It hurt like heck to pedal and I could barley jump off my bike to run up or down sections that were too technical, and I could not stand up on my bike when I was doing down hill descents. I had to change my pedal stroke with me using my good knee more than the bad one for generating power. Coach Heather K had me do dominate leg spin exercises over the winter and that came in very handy. I have trained really hard to get myself to peak for this event and I sure did. I was not going to stop and not finish, even though there were times where my body was saying NO, It was my mind and my perseverance and will to finish every day. I was powered by IB Profen and the help I got from the therapists by wrapping up my bruised right knee with red tape.

Stage 1 @ Salmon Arm, BC, Stage 2 @ Silver Star, Vernon BC, Stage 3 @ Kalamalka Lake, Vernon BC, Stage 4 @ Myra Bellevue, Kelowna‏ BC, Stage 5 @ Campbell Mtn, Penticton BC, Stage 6 @ Three Blind Mice, Penticton BC. I really enjoyed the race because every stage had different style of trails. All six days were long days for me and I like that. My favourite part was all the long climbs. All the races were fairly close in distance to drive to. There were Racers from all over Canada (BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Yellowknife) USA (Illinois, North Carolina, Montana, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Washington, Texas, Nevada, New Mexico) and other Countries including Mexico, Brazil, Great Britain, Australia, Belgium, Switzerland, New Zealand, Germany, Norway, Austria. I really have to work on my technical riding, I knew I was weak in that area but I have never done a race with timed descents to see just how much time I lose so it put things into prospective for me. The final banquet was held at the Penticton Lakeside Resort and had amazing food, great stories to share with the racers and volunteers, and the slide show was fun to watch with this song playing through out the week by Lilly Wood & The Prick and Robin Schulz - Prayer In C (Robin Schulz Remix). This event was worth every penny. Two racers that I have met prior to this race and look up to were here racing including Cory Wallace who won ST6 in open Men (Yes that was my category) and Catharine Pendrel who won ST3 in Open Women.

Thank You
A huge thanks to Transrockies for putting on the race and to all the technical, mechanics, medics, masseurs, ambassadors and finish & checkpoint marshals as there was so much effort put into organising a huge first class event like this. One volunteer made me PB&J sandwiches at the finish line each day, very thoughtful.





I was so proud that I did not quit and powered on to finish all six days. Pic by http://raveneyephoto.com/.
 

Thank you

Happy Mothers day Mom !!!!!!!!!!!!!

This blog is to thank my support system because with out them I would have been able to do what I do.

My parents for everything and especially when they came out to the Perogy MTB XC and Edmonton Canada Cup MTB XC races last year. They handed my water mix to me as I was coming around for a lap.  On the start of the third and final lap of the Canada Cup my legs had popped and I did not want to let my parents and family friend Ray D down by quiting.

My Grandparents and uncle Tony back home in Saskatoon for supporting me in this journey.

Martin P. for coming out to Canmore for the Nationals MTB XC race last year, he handed me my gatorade as I was coming around for a lap and took pictures. Also because My legs popped the first lap and I had two more laps to go I did not quit. I wanted to finish and have more pictures.

Howard C. He came to a number of my AMHL hockey games and it seemed like I played way better when he was there watching for some reason.

My River Valley Cycle racing team for all the group rides tips and tricks of the trade they have showed me and the guys at the store for their support.

The Global Devils AMHL hockey team, for helping me out along the way and having a fun season.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me , and at times it must be hard to be my friend because I am on my bike or in the rink alot, however that is what keeps me going and it is my passion and I can afford to do theese sports now so I am doing them and enjoying every minute.