Ontario Fatbike Race Series #3 - Georgian Nordic

So, I wasn't going to do this race due to the long drive to get there.  But Jenn & Mark said they were going and that I could ride with them...so I entered.  This is a Substance Projects (Dan Marshall) race...and, in case you haven't heard from anyone yet...Dan's races are awesome.  The courses are always a challenge, the vibe is always a fun, relaxed, form of race anticipation, and the people involved are so down to earth...and this atmosphere tends to attract racers who truly love the sport, and the camaraderie that comes with riding 'together' and enjoying a beer and stories after.  So many great people who just love to ride their bikes in the woods.  Can't beat that.

And the race was being held at Georgian Nordic Outdoor Activity Centre up in Parry Sound.  Parry Sound...where there is proper fatbike snow.

And all reports of the Georgian Nordic mountain bike trails are super positive...and somewhere I had never ridden.  It looked great!!

And the folks up there spent the night grooming the trails!!

So I entered.  Single speed cat.  (I love my SingleSpeed Fatbike!  If you have never tried it...you gotta...you will be hooked!!)

And then, Mark & Jenn bailed (something about feeling that it wasn't proper to leave their single digit aged children alone)...and I faced the prospect of doing the 2.5 hour drive alone.

And then PowerPaul entered, and talked me into riding up with him.  Awesome!  And then EnglishJim entered...wow!!  In case you were not warned years ago to not follow this blog...EnglishJim has a bit of a history here...his name is actually ancient Metis for 'He Who Enters Two Races' (ooops...pun not intended!!), or 'He Who Randomly Races', or 'Hey, I Wear Nipple Tape' (long story...you will have to ask Jim...).  Anyways...travel crew established...early last Saturday morning we headed up to Parry Sound.

We pulled into the Georgian Nordic parking lot around noon (2pm race start time!!).  Hey, there was Jenn & Mark!!  They had 'un-bailed...with Jenn racing and Mark parenting.  Cool!!  Actually, it was cold...around -12 Celsius I think.  But the sun in the wide open parking lot and staging area seemed to warm things up.  And then we went for a pre-ride loop into the woods...out of the sun it seemed like the temp dropped at least 5 degrees...it was bloody cold!!  Off back to the truck to put on a warmer balaclava...warm head = warm everything ... or so they say.

The pre-ride also established that the trails were well groomed, but still soft enough to create significant drag...which would get worse as the trail got chewed up.  (The race course was a 7km loop that we would race for 4 laps).

Then it was start time and the race was on!

Seth leading the way with JeffS in hot pursuit...the FAST guys!!

(Photo GetOutdoorsParrySound)

Sarah...fastest female on this day (She is always fast!!)

(Photo GetOutdoorsParrySound)

Who dat??

(Thank you to GetOutdoorsParrySound)

Of course, the course was crowded for the first lap...a bit of a cluster with folks with too much tire pressure for conditions getting squirrelly on the track up front...trying my best to get by them, and stay on the best groomed sections of the track.  The track was mostly rolly double track, with several punchy climbs, and a couple of longer lung busting climbs...then dove into some glorious, very narrow single track...which also included a couple of longer climbs.  Actually it almost felt like the entire course was uphill!

I was rolling along at a pretty good pace (for me)...in fact, probably too fast...my heart rate was red-lining, especially on the climbs.  But then somewhere mid-lap I spotted TimM within eyesight.  Tim is a deceptively fast dude on his fatbike...and I thought if I could keep him in sight...that would be a worthy goal.  So I pushed on in that pursuit...again...probably too much.  I went to take a swig of water...but my camelback tube was frozen solid (despite my best efforts to ensure that didn't happen)....so no drink for me.

Also...I had started the race alongside PowerPaul...but somewhere during the first lap he had dropped off...so I kept a consistent look over my shoulder expecting him to come zooming up on me.  WillA racing for FatboyNation was also right on my tail for the first lap...pushing me.  So I had plenty of motivation to push it...although my heart rate was telling me that might not be the best idea.

I really had no idea where I stood in this race amongst the SingleSpeeders.  I knew JackB was here...and he is outta my league kinda fast...but otherwise I wasn't sure...so I was keeping my eye out for other bikes with a distinct lack of derailleur...(had TeamColin shown up singlespeed???) Otherwise, in my head I was racing against other racing friends that I recognized...

Out of the single track...and back into the double track that lead to the end of the lap...as I approached the lap end...there was Jenn starting lap 2 (the route converged for the first/last 100m or so) perhaps a minute in front of me...and there was Tim...perhaps within reach??  (He wasn't...I never saw him again...).

Into lap 2...the course was getting chewed up, and so much more work to ride through.  But I continued to push it...to stay ahead of PowerPaul and WillA...and to try to catch Tim, and possibly Jenn.  However, I was pushing too much...making mistakes on the chewed track as I was getting beyond fatigued.  Proof was provided when I got near the edge of the track on a fast curving descent...and went to dab just off the track...and poof!!!  It was like there was no bottom to the snow...I sunk at least three feet...and swam like a floundering fool to get upright, fish my bike out of the snow and get going again!  I am a slow learner though...I continued pushing my limits, not want to give up any gains I might have made by pushing so hard up to this point...but back in the snow to make snow angels I went...at least 3 more times.  I was also trying various efforts to thaw my water supply, but to no avail...it stayed frozen...I stayed dry.

Finally, I realized it was faster to play it safe, and stay on the trail, and on the bike.  As I finished lap 2 (the laps all finished with a long false flat ending in a steep nasty little climb!) there was Jenn starting lap 3 still maintaining her distance on me.

Into lap 3...there was not much pushing it left in me.  In fact...I don't know if it was my pace for the first two laps, or the softening course conditions but it felt like I was riding a flat tire...or dragging a piano behind me (a couple of quick checks revealed no pianos...).  I was now walking all the longer hills....and on one of them Seth went sprinting past me...he had lapped me!!  I felt like a fat slug!  I relented on...I was sure I saw Jenn cresting a longer climb as I was pushing up it.  Then 3 more fast dudes, including superfast JeffS lapped me.  Damn!!  OK....no more getting lapped...get your slow ass moving!!

Seth...ended up so far ahead (first overall!!) we couldn't see him...seriously!!

(Photo iSparkStudios)

(Photo iSparkStudios)

I am...but I'm working on it!

Into lap 4...there was Jenn...just in front of me!!  I pulled up directly behind her, and let go with my best BatDad routine...'JENN!!'.  She must have been lost in a daydream...cuz I think I startled her more than I intended...she might have even swore at me some.  She pulled away from me...I strove to keep her within eyesight.  However, my leg and lower back muscles were rebelling.

These shorter, sprinty, red-line races are not my specialty...I was hurting at the intensity of the effort.  I was also thirsty!  And besides the deteriorating course conditions (the single track had become particularly nasty!!), it had also clouded over, gotten dark and blizzardy with wind and snow.  It was getting difficult to properly see the nuances of the trail.  In fact, race officials had started to pull racers off the course as they finished their third lap as it was getting too tough to see.

At this point...Jenn was still within eyesight...I could see no one in sight behind me...my legs and back still screaming at me I relented choosing to ride to ensure a safe, upright finish.  I saw Jenn exit the single track ahead of me...heard the clicks of her shifting gears...and she was gone outta sight.

I exited the single track...up that now stupid false flat...and the stupid steep little finish climb...and across the finish.  Where Dan stood...congratulating me on finishing...and for staying on course for the entire race (get lost one time...in one race, years ago...well maybe 2 different races...or 3...).

Anyways...I was finished...and beyond spent.  And there was JackB, he had totally kicked my arse...finishing almost a full half hour ahead of me...he is a speed machine on his SS Fatbike!!  Keeping him in sight is a stretch goal for me to strive for!

Anyways...the the podium celebration was held down the road at Trestle Brewery, yes...a brewery!!!  I tell ya...Dan's races are awesome!!

The winning ladies...Sarah first, Jenn second, Hollie third.

I managed second place singlespeed, eeking out a spot ahead of Dean.  

Jack was first but was so fast he skipped right past the podium!!  

(He left his beer prize though....)

Beer prize with silver medal...Dan's races always great prizes!!

And always great swag and draw prizes...

there was even an EagerBeaver mouse pad!!!???  

(These were not my prizes...I scooped the pics of someone elses treasure.)

So there ya have it...another great day at another of Dan's races.  There is one more in the Fatbike Series...Kingston.  Be there...or you will miss it!!???

Otherwise...
Stay posted!!

OK...not that posted!!

Wendigo

As I get prepared for the third race of SubstanceProjects Ontario Fatbike Race Series being held at the Georgian Nordic trails in Parry Sound, there is another type of Fatbike race coming up for you to consider.  An Ultra race....the Wendigo.

Ultra basically means long.  In this case 155kms...across snowy gravel and trails of North-Central Ontario (the start is out of Cobden, ON...from a brewery no less!!), and in fact the route travels 75kms into the province of Quebec.  (There are also 50km, and 100km route options.)

Full details of the Wendigo can be found here...    https://wendigoultra.blogspot.com/

For reference the wendigo has its roots in native Algonquin folklore.  The Wendigo is a mythical man-eating monster or evil spirit native to the northern forests of the Great Lakes Region of Canada, a possible relative to the Samsquanch (Bigoot/Sasquatch).

So a mysterious, dangerous, tough, entity...with a touch of evil...

And by definition, the quick gist of this race is that it is tough...an honestly difficult test of skill, fitness, and determination.  It's through snow...and not necessarily groomed surfaces...(the first and last 10kms are across a frozen lake surface...Muskrat Lake)...so don't expect to maintain a 30km/hr average speed.  In fact 10 may be pushing it.

A couple of years ago OndrejB and I challenged the Wendigo.  Ondrej did great...I barely survived.

Seriously, it a true test with a just enough of a hint of danger to make it even more compelling.  In fact there is an extensive compulsory required gear list:

Rules/Gear (From the Wendigo webpage) 

​MANDATORY GEAR LIST (MEANING "MUST HAVE" AND NOT A "SUGGESTION")

NOTE THAT ALL RACERS ARE REQUIRED TO DISPLAY THEIR GEAR TO A RACE OFFICIAL AND HAVE IT CHECKED AND SIGNED-OFF. THIS IS MANDATORY IN ORDER TO PROCEED TO THE START LINE.

GEAR PER CATEGORY

50KM 

1. MINIMUM 8 SQ INCHES OF REFLECTIVE MATERIAL ON FRONT AND ON BACK OF BIKE OR RIDER

2. RED BLINKING LIGHTS (X3BULBS) ON FRONT AND BACK & BLINKING AT ALL TIMES (24/7). BRIGHT WHITE LIGHT ON FRONT ACCEPTED.

3. TWO LITERS (2L) OF INSULATED WATER IN A WINTER-RATED INSULATION SYSTEM (CAMELBACK DOES COUNT). BE SURE IT WORKS IN -20C. INSULATED "CHILL BOTTLES" DO NOT COUNT, UNLESS FULLY WRAPPED IN WINTER-RATED CLOSED CELL FOAM INSULATION OR A COZY DESIGNED FOR FULL BOTTLE COVERAGE. (NEW FOR 2019)

4. 12X12" INSULATING FOAM PAD OR INSULATING INFLATABLE PAD FOR RESTING/SITTING OFF OF THE COLD GROUND (NEW FOR 2019)

5. EMERGENCY BIVY OR BLANKET THAT CAN FEND OFF THE COLD/WIND. (NOT FROM DOLLARAMA).

100KM & 150KM 

1. ALL OF THE ABOVE (NO NEED FOR THE 12"X12" FOAM), PLUS...

2. 3/4 BODY LENGTH (MINIMUM) INSULATED FOAM PAD OR Z-REST, OR INSULATED AIR PAD, "R" VALUE OF 3 OR GREATER. 

3. WINTER-RATED SLEEPING BAG. MUST SAY -18C OR WARMER ON IT AS ITS 'COMFORT RATING' AND NOT ITS EXTREME RATING (NEW FOR 2019)) 

4. HIGH POWERED LIGHT SYSTEM (IDEALLY 500LUMENS OR MORE) WITH BACK-UP BATTERIES FOR EXTENDED USE IN COLD TEMPS.

5. WINTER COOK SYSTEM THAT YOU'VE PRACTICED WITH AND TRUST TO WORK IN THE COLD.  (MSR/PRIMUS LIQUID FUEL, FIRECUBE/BIO FUEL STOVE, ETC..)

IN OUR OPINION, CANISTER STOVES ARE USELESS WHEN THE TEMPS HIT THE FREEZING MARK. BE SURE YOU KNOW YOUR STUFF WORKS BY PRACTICING WITH IT, IN THE COLD. 

6. MUST FINISH WITH 800 SPARE CALORIES (EI: 4 CLIFF BARS). WE WILL CHECK YOUR CALORIES AT THE FINISH (NEW FOR 2019)

7. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS: SPARE LAYERS/BATTERIES, FOOD, VAPOUR BARRIER SOCKS, TOOLS, ZIP TIES, GPS, CUE SHEET, PHONE.

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE YOUR LIGHTS  BLINKING AT ALL TIMES, YOU WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE COURSE!!!

So...proper preparation is not an option.

Check with these wily local podium finishing veterans of this race...

 AdamF...first place in the 150km long race!!

JackP...second in the 150 (yeah...only second!!)

So it's tough...ultra tough.  It really is a test on many levels...physical fitness, mental/emotional toughness, endurance/nutritional discipline, temperature management, logistical preparedness.  So...yeah it's difficult...a test worthy of challenging.

And it's all on a fatbike...how fun is that??

The fastest riders will complete the 155km course in 10-15+ hours.  On a fatbike.  In a winter wonderland.  It's a mountain biking winter lovers dream!  There are similar races in Alaska/Northwest Territories...but this one is in our own back yard.  And promoted by one of our own well seasoned ultra-endurance riders, CameronD.  If ultra endurance events are your forte, or have ever been on your radar, this is a great opportunity!!

Again, check out the details, pics from past races, and register here.

https://wendigoultra.blogspot.com/

And then conquer the mystery and spirit of the Wendigo on February 9th!!

And we will stay posted!!

Albion Fatbike Fest Weekend

So....following up on last post...I plan on getting back into racing for 2019.  I am currently woefully out of shape...so the plan is to get into shape.  To get my 215 lbs arse (as at January 2nd)...down to race weight (180lbs...or less!!), and to get my cardio fitness back into racing condition.

So I knew that this was happening on January 12th.  The Albion Fatbike Festival...which was the 2nd race in DanM's Substance Projects' Ontario Fatbike Race Series.  

Sean of SuperflyRacing, used to promote this event.  However, he is focusing on working on the Crank The Shield multi-stage MTB race taking place later this year (a great topic for a future blog post!).  So Dan has taken over the Albion FatFest.

Anyways...as I mentioned...I am woefully out of race shape...plus the race was only 20km long (two 10km laps).  Short sprinty races are not my forte, (that means I really suck at them!).  I really prefer the longer endurance races...at least 75kms...or at least 6 hours. 

However, Dan's races are awesome.  Always fun, yet very challenging courses; and always a fun, relaxed vibe.  Plus, great people attend Dan's races...some of the fastest folks around...yet fun people to hang out with, people who love to ride and it shows.  

JackP one of the fastest cats on 2 wheels in these parts

The race also had a non-race polker run option, which required costumes...

Sean, Jenn, Raf???

So, yeah, you see the fun component here...

So when these fine folks made an effort to convince me to sign up...

Mark 'n' Jenn

I did.  I hit that switch...

I absolutely love my single speed Fatbike....so into the Single Speed category I entered...(sorry about the Yoda speak...).  I had no illusions of grandeur...my plan was to just have fun, enjoy the ride...and to ride safe and stay upright.  Having just recovered (still recovering) from a significant injury, this wasn't a race to be taking any chances in.  The word was that the course was icy (it was cold!!)...so it was fortunate that I had just installed my studded fat tires.

And as I ambled into the start gate...I noticed JackB on his single speed...and CarlN on his...two superfast folks.  Superfast Sarah was riding a geared Fatbike, and superfast AdamF wasn't racing (he had entered the non-race poker run option).  I tried to talk TeamColin into racing single speed earlier in the week...but he came out on a geared bike.  So...it was just going to be a cold, but enjoyable ride.

So off we went...and yes it was icy.  It really wasn't a typical Dan race course....it was relatively flat, only 130ish metres of elevation over the 10km loop.  Mostly doubletrack...with only the occasional newly created single track meant to circumnavigate dangerously icy double track descents.  It really was a very single speed friendly course.  Despite the departure from a typical Dan course, it was still huge fun.  It was a rather casual start...somewhere a little farther back in the start corral, behind the mayhem that always happens near the front.  In fact, started the race chatting with TimTheDukeM, and TeamColin.  Then the trail opened up, but there were several obvious, multiple signs of wipeouts on the icy course, usually on a fast corner or off camber section...and I was witness to a couple of wipeouts of riders near me (and checking to make sure they were ok), had me focusing on riding within my limits, even with studs, and maintaining my primary goal of safely finishing the two 10km loops.

It was great to see ApexTed and his crew (Neil I) out there on the trails capturing all the cool pics!

 Sarah

Jack...so fast he got two pics!

And finish I did (damn Yoda)...safely and upright for the entire course...in just over an hour...and great fun had along the way!

Then it was time for the typical SubstanceProjects after party, with great food and sponsor supplied beverages...and mostly the camaraderie of fellow riders.

Sarah celebrating her podium finish...chasing KS

Seth...celebrating his win...and the treasure supplied by Caledon Hills Brewing

If you missed this one you missed a good one.  In case you haven't noticed all of Dan's races are good ones.Make sure you catch the next race in Dan's Fatbike Race Series on January 26th in Parry Sound.  The word is that there is a ton of base snow on groomed trails there!  Perfect fatbike conditions!!  Will we see you there?  Check it out at www.substanceprojects.com

Also coming up soon, if you want another Fatbike challenge, or rather ultra-challenge, as I mentioned in my previous post, there is the Wendigo coming in February.  Check it out at https://wendigoultra.blogspot.com    I will provide more details on this in my next post.

Time for gratuitous cat pic??

dog??

No?  OK, sorry...let's carry on then...

As for me...recovering from injury, trying to get back into race mode/race shape.  As I mentioned earlier on Jan 2nd I weighed in at 215 hefty lbs.  This week I am down to 210...only 5 measly lbs but that was basically the result of cutting out alcohol...no real change to nutrition.  The next step will be to implement a nutrition plan that will have me cut weight with minimal catabolism (loss of muscle).

Other than that I also need to work on increasing and maintaining my top end speed/power.  I have worked heavily on base...but my top end is weak.  So I need drills that will work on this area.  If you have any good ones feel free to share with me.  (Outdoor though, please.  I have a trainer, but I really despise having to use it.  I ride to be outside...).

So there you have it...another successful Dan event...and another coming up soon.  There are many winter riding/racing options this season!!  Let's see you out there!!

Stay posted!!

Bringing On 2019

So...2018 is gone.  Goodbye...yer done.  2018, the year I was to take as a year mostly out of racing, to ride lots but all for fun...stay safe...no injuries.  And in 2018 I did ride for fun...but still managed the injury thing...a couple of times.  Spent weeks living in a reclining chair, recovering...(recovering = gaining weight....at least it does for me).

So now as we all suffer together through the rash of 2018 Strava summaries, heat maps, and stats...let's look forward to what 2019 has to bring.

2019 I will be getting back into racing.  And if you enjoy winter/fatbike racing there are a few already going on...and coming up.  Locally (mostly), there is Dan Marshall's SubtanceProjects (Dan's bike race promotion company...weird name, I know...but Dan is like that...) 45NRTH Ontario Fatbike race series going on.  In face Race #2 of this series is happening very soon...January 12!!  In Albion Hills.  Dan's races are always a howling good time...and a worthy challenge.  If you love hills, you will love Dan's races...Dan has a knack for finding the nastiest hills.  He could make a hill out of an airport landing strip...but luckily his next race is at a flat sounding venue, like Albion Hills.

Anyways check it out and sign up at www.substanceprojects.com

If you are a little deranged...and want an ultimate winter/fatbike challenge you really need to check out the Wendigo!  150 kms of fatbike ultra marathon (they also have shorter routes) out of Cobden, Ontario.  The route takes you across the Quebec provincial border, in what is possibly -30 degree weather...or colder.  Truly an extreme undertaking.

Local racers JackP and AdamF (no, not AdamH...different fast Adam) have both kicked ass at this event in the past...so if you want to challenge them, go for it!!  (What is with guys named Adam always having to be first???  Since the dawn of time, it seems...)

Check out the details here...    https://wendigoultra.blogspot.com

And if you search enough, individual clubs and bike shops are holding fatbike events/races around the province.

Then once winter ends (that is if it ever really gets here), the 'real' MTB race season will begin.  And, as I mentioned, I plan to dedicate myself back into the race scene.  Which means, getting back into training...and getting into race shape.  I am not terribly out of cardio/fitness shape...but I am woefully overweight.  I tipped the scales last week at 215lbs.  That's all kinds of nasty...need to get down to at least 185...possibly as low as 165.  Actually, other than 185 being a bit of a reference goal, as I told Lois, I don't really have a hard goal weight in mind.  I told her I just want to be lean enough that you can see my pancreas beating.  But pancreases don't really beat, I don't think...they just kinda sit there all squishy as a placemat for Islets of Langerhans...managing blood sugar and stuff...I think.  (Ask KateMC...she's the doc on this stuff).

Anyways...yeah...so I need to get back into training, getting in race shape...losing fat pounds.  The big part of that is diet of course...getting the nutritional intake more disciplined, which includes turning off the booze tap.  Yeah...right off...I'm not good at the moderation thing in any regard.  All in, or all out.  At least now there are legal, calorie free alternatives...

So...currently working on training plans, and nutrition plans...and considering the value of coaching for both, or either. 

As far as races in 2019 go...there continue to be more options each year...which is awesome!  There are the always popular Epic8Hour races...of which I hope to attend all.  There is the always sold out (and it almost already is!!) 24 Hours Summer Solstice.  I have signed up to solo this thing again.  If you want an ultra endurance test...do it!!  But do it soon, cuz as I mentioned it's almost already sold out.  (You know you can do it as a team too, right?)

The 24 Hour is actually my favourite race...a huge challenge in a fun atmosphere...wish there was at least one or two more locally.  (There used to be.)  Now I think the closest one is in Alberta...

Anyways...tuff KarenD talked me into also signing up for the Quebec Single Track Experience.  She actually got a group of us to go.  6 days of mountain bike stage race tortuous bliss.  And Lois is coming along to make a vacation of it.  Gonna be fun times!!!

There is also the returning Crank the Shield...3 days of Stage racing north on Ontario's Canadian shield.  I haven't signed up for this...but it's on my radar.  (I have done them in the past but missed last year, so...)

I have signed up for this new one!  The BT 700!!  A 700 km unsupported route in the style of a Ride the Divide bikepacking race/ride...right here in Ontario!  Check out the details here at http://www.bt700.ca/

Then there is Dan's SubstanceProjects MTB Marathon race series, which I hope to attend each one!

And there are a host of other race options, including the O'cups (which are not my forte...I get my arse kicked at these!)

Anyways...I guess I've bored you enough for one post.  But it's been a long time...I'll be posting more frequently again...

So...bring on 2019...let's get our MTB on!!

Stay posted!!