Boys Chillin After Practice

With the Nationals last weekend and racers sticking around all week; this weekend seems chill as practice rolls on.  Due to some rowdy antics from the Juniors last weekend they spent Wednesday buffing, raking and preparing the course for the Canada Cup. This weekend’s course is different since it is a bit shorter and a lot dustier.  As the weekend has progressed holes are becoming deeper and roots polished waiting to catch an unsuspecting rider.

Jen Keeping Low in the Corners

As I sit here at our tent writing this little article praying for rain, all I can see is blue sky.  Since the course is pretty much the same as last weekend, but with The Cliffs of Insanity pedal section taken out, times are going to be fast.  The course is getting blown so riders are getting ready to hold on.

Cody Looking Real Fast this Weekend

The competition for this weekend is going to be exciting.  Jamie Biluk is feeling fast, Adriano is ripping through the rock garden and Andrew Mitchel is hoping his body is recovered enough from his breath taking crash at Kicking Horse during the week. Our tent Neighbors from Quebec (Lama Cycles) are taking bets to see whose Juniors are going to be the fastest.  Once the dust settles it’s going to be exciting to see who wins.

The Lemer

I’ve been to a lot of Canada Cups and this one seems to be the most laid back.  Its gonna be a good day.

The Girls

All Photos taken by Tanya Crocker.

bryson

It was a wicked weekend for racing on both sides of the country. While Nick and I were racing here on the North Shore Brett and Tyler were racing in Tremblant Quebec. Both great weather and both with the French. Just when you think the French will all be on their home track JS from Transition shows up to race the North Shore Bike Fest.

Ready to ride

It was a great weekend of riding with Sam Phill, Nick and JS doing the odd man out shuttle on Ned’s. There were so many people riding the course on Saturday but it didnt feel any different then any regular weekend. The pace was fast and people were very respectable when it came to getting out of each others way. I pretty much had the course down 7 years ago, a year after moving to the shore so all I had to do was get up to speed. That is the scary part since all the dirt and loam is long gone. You always ride Ned’s for a warm up or use it as a beginner trail but for some reason it always scares me.

Sunday (Race Day) was a bit slow getting started but since we didn’t use the shuttle service we were able to get in a couple of runs in the morning with no problems. The line ups were long with at the start area while the marshal’s let everyone go in 30 second gaps to avoid congestion. It was a great idea. The Marshals and race officials were very friendly answering questions and making sure people were at ease during the race. Something I wasn’t use to.

Nick hitting the Neds gap in his race run

When it came to my race run I was pretty relaxed. Nick said to me before we left the shuttle to head down to the start “the day seems right”. The start line was pretty relaxed shaking hands and catching up with old race buddies from last year. Its pretty cool telling everyone about the team.

Me in second spot

I would like to say my race run went smooth but riding Ned’s never is. I rode the course with confidence flying off of everything with speed and pedaling where I could. I came across the finish line with knowing I put everything I had into my run. Finishing second to Tyler Morland was an accomplishment. Even though I was 4 seconds off of him I would take it. Nick left the gate one in front of me clearing the way. The spectators must have been wondering who these two racers were in their pajamas.

Stay tuned for a Tremblant race report.

bryson