Day 4

Blair and Peter have many bruises, scrapes, and worst of all blisters on their feet from lots of "hike a bike". But spirits and energy are holding up. We're all still friends!!!

The country is rugged and the Kootneay River is a beautiful turquoise color, breathtaking, as well as the snow covered mountains.

The bike crowd is very international..Not many Americans. We've met people from Scotland, Germany, Austria, Costa Rica, AItaly, England, South Africa, and France.

There have been no RV hookups, water or stores where we camp, so it's very primitive. Every 2 days or so we move on to the next site and are able to "dump" our wastes, get more water, gas and ice and survive the elements.

Karen and I were able to get a shower at one of the natural Hotsprings en route . The guys shower in a mobile water truck unit provided at the campsite.

We've been eating gourmet, with efforts from both Karen and I: Salmon, chicken marsala, burgers, shrimp and past, etc. The word is the food is really bad that is provided for the racers. They are jealous of our good food!

Well, that's all for now. The guys remain in the top 10 in their age group. Their ride time was around 6 hrs. yesterday, and will be even longer today and tomorrow. Can you believe they love this stuff? You've got to to do it!

Ciao and love to all that read this and support us!

Mimi

This entry is from Karen and Mimi, the SAG wagon domestiques. Intenet access is very limited, as is our cell phone access to the U. S.
The weather is awesome, rainy and even some hail 2 days ago, but, clear, cool and blue skys today. Days are in the low 70's and we had freezing temps at night in Panorama.
We've had one moose sighting and one baby black bear sighting.
The guys had a reasonable day yesterday, getting by with some scrapes and a minor amount of bloodshed, but very grimy and dirty from head to toe at the finish line. Their time was about 3 and a half hours which put them in 6th place in their age group of about 20 + groups.
Today's stage is twice as long.
Karen and I will try to indulge in the natural hot springs today. Shower facilities are at a minimum.
I hope to leave another entry tomorrow as we found internet access the information center here in Radium HOt springs.
We will be staying in Nipika for the next 2 nights for the 2nd and 3rd stages.
Ciao!

First Day of TRC

It took 3 and a half hours to do 30 km ... definitely the ride from hell. After the initial climb on single track, there was a 3km vertical ascent. At the following ridge, the trail was off-chamber ... next was single track with 32 switchbacks, followed by a service road for 5km. Some of the single track trail was set back 1m from a cliff face which dropped off a rather dramatic plunge. Tough stuff, but gorgeous scenary. Met folks from Richmond and Harrisonburg ... riders are from all over, with probably half from international locations. Everyone is fit and in great shape. One day in the books, with more climbing ahead ...

4 DAYS UNTIL

Let's pick it up on Sunday - I started out riding with Conte's to Red Mill Commons where we met the Fat Frogs' ride. That ride gets quick, quickly, so off we sped. I'm suppose to be tapering but, it didn't work out on the way to Creeds - very fast. So, I rode easy on the way back and called it a day when Robert S. saved me by offering me a auto-ride home. I was done, which tells me I had pushed the limits and once again, I made a good decision to get in his Pilot and enjoy the conversation home.

Monday was definitely an off the bike day. My computing environment took a hit from the storm on Sunday evening. I spent most of the day waiting on Verizon, who never showed. I had an appointment for some A.R.T. with Jim Browning, to work on my neck - suffering from all that cycling - just in time - another close save.

Tuesday, I rode a couple of easy hours alone, letting everything go right by me and I'm feeling much better. Verizon did show up and replaced my modem - which they could have recommended in the first place - cheap test.

This is probably the last post for a couple of travel days. We'll be in Canada from here on out. Thank for tagging along and I hope we can entertain you on the next couple of weeks. Peter's picture arrived with too much (pixels) quality so, I had to work on it a little just to get it in the page. However, that's Peter "The Italian Climber" and he looks like Chipo when he wants to. Believe me, you don't want to get into a climbing contest with him unless you're very fit.

Comments are now allowed until someone pisses me off.

Love our troops, pray for them, they're forever on my mind. Ciao, VB

7 DAYS UNTIL

The intervals were with the team today and/or the team ride. This ride was definitely my last hard ride until the race starts. It is getting warmer but, I felt good to great and had lots of power and stamina for an old guy. I'm still working on the little bike stuff but, the day does seem to get consumed with little to show. Peter hasn't sent a picture or bio. I spoke to Karen about it and she on it for now. I'm running out of time to update the blog before we take off.

Forever on my mind, our troops in the theater, God bless them. Ciao, VB

8 DAYS UNTIL

I rode to Creeds this morning. There were a lot of dead snakes in the road meaning that it must have either gotten a little cool last night or someone was a little horny and they made their move across to greener pastures - not making it. I picked the Fat Frog ride up on my way back. Friday is said to be the family ride but, the "A team" is hidden in the crowd. I did get to push as hard as I wanted in the last few miles. I've actually been successful at cutting my ride times back as I should while maintaining the intensity. I went to see the godfather of mtn biking today, Meredith, in order to get his blessings for the race. Being a chef, he said to hurry up and get this race over so, everyone could get me fattened up again. Boy, I'm looking forward to getting fatter. I've reminded most that the Shenandoah 100 follow up the TRC - Sept. 2nd. It's always great seeing the godfather. All other stuff continues - we're exchanging a dozen calls with K & P everyday as we finish off the final travel plans.

Please continue praying for the troop and a U.S. resolution to our campaign. Ciao, VB

9 DAYS UNTIL

I've been to the gym, to the pool swimming and to the beach running over the last couple of days. I think both my body and mind appreciates the different activities. We're pulling our list together and checking it twice. The physical training should have been done by now. The logistical components come into play now - airlines, hotels, race transportation, packing, bike box fit, racing intake - liquids & food, living stuff like food, bedding, clothing. This is a vacation for us and we're looking forward to sending time with Karen and Peter out in the wilderness. Last fall, Peter and I mtn biked in OR so, this late summer, early fall in Canada we'll just be mtn biking together again.

Please remember our troops in your prayers, Ciao, VB