lisa morgan

The 3rd Canada Cup round didn't work out for me unfortunately.  The course was superb - dry, smooth, crazy fast rolling, with the 'Boneshaker' thrown in for that little bit of extra challenge we all need when race-fatigued.  But after heading down early to get in more laps of the course, being the best prepared I've been at a race here yet, and having the best start I've had yet, I ended up losing my chain in to my spokes only 5 or so km in to the first lap.  I spent a long time trying to get it out on the side of the course trying to ignore everyone go past but the pins on the back of the Shimano cassette wouldn't let it out (so, I have to ask, why did they let it in in the first place???).

So I had about 3km to hike my way back to the start/finish as the wheel wouldn't even turn.  Very frustrating and very disappointing - a long way from how I expected things to go.

On the bright side it was pretty awesome the number of riders who asked if I was ok (yeah, it's not me it's the bike), and I was able to fill in the time of my 'walk of shame' chatting to friendly and concerned spectators whilst heading for the feedzone to let my feeders know I wasn't dead, just a bit distraught at that particular point in time.

I also ran in to a couple I met back in 2009 in Nelson and got to spend a bit of time with them before heading back to the course to get some footage of the afternoon race so I've included that with some of my pre-race footage.  It includes the boneshaker, although the afternoon race only came down the second half of it - but you get the idea.  Also gives a pretty good idea of how many riders are on course at the same time - each of these events has around 700 riders over 4 races on the day. 

The following week I tried to get a ride to another race not far from Hardwood Hills (an Ontario Cup race) but no one had room so I spent my first weekend in Ottawa since arriving.  Probably a bit of a blessing in disguise as I've developed a bit of a twinge and have had to go and make friends with the local physio (as luck would have it 1200m down the road).  I blame the car that didn't have cruise control... But, still tapping out the miles - sometimes a few more than expected on any given day as I underestimate how far away something is or how long it will take to get there.  Not to mention what I have come to refer to as the 'fine Canadian detour' - the type that send you somewhere with a few official looking arrows and then... '       ' (nothing - no more arrows!).  Always good for some extra volume.

No moose yet, but quite a few racoons - I was admiring one when someone (correctly) recognised my accent and approached me - and interesting story followed...

Other news on the wildlife front, I haven't seen any but it would appear turtles might be something else to watch out for now that I've ventured down a road with signs like this:

I kept an eye out today but didn't see any sign of them.

Next weekend I'm heading to Ganaraska which is in the same vague direction as Hardwood Hills, but I think a but south.  It's a 67km single lap race that the locals have told me is a 'must' - to be honest I'm a bit worried with all the talk of poison ivy - apparently some lather up with baby oil, others wear long socks...

Vid of Hardwood in the Vids section shortly.