Hammer Nutrition Missoula MTB XC Race 2013 @ Montana (USA Pro XCT) #1

Saturday June 22nd, I finished 23rd place out of 23 in Cat 2 (that's Canada's Sport) results. It took me 1hr 40mins. It was three laps long for a total of 14 Kms. The total Elevation gain was 2,434 feet. I earned 590 place points. One word to describe the course would be ''wow'' nothing like that at home. This is my fourth season of racing and this was the most difficult XC race I have done thus far. I could take a little bit of Canmore and Hinton to compare some of it. I remember hearing the announcer saying this course will test your climbing ability, your fitness, and your technical riding skills, he also said if your not good in one area you won't do well, (me not great at technical) I am glad they let me finish the race (as I was under one minute before the time cut for lap #2) to post a time, It let me feel that proud moment of finishing the race. The winner was done in under an hour and I have to say the local Montana racers have the comfort level on this course and are used to breathing at this elevation, it was impressive to watch and there were some accomplished road racers in the field. It felt like the racers were faster than Canada's sport field. I had a really good second lap and pulled in more than six minutes compared to my first lap. I stayed in my clips for most of the race except for one really steep switch back with a log drop so I un clipped and bounced off the trail and wiped out sliding down the mountain on lap two, thank fully I was ok, just shook up. The race was held at Marshall Mountain and the temperature was 22 deg C. A huge thanks to USA Cycling and all the volunteers for putting on the race. There was a BBQ after the Men Elite race at 6:00pm with hot dogs, pork, ribs and beer and pop. Then a live band was on stage, it was a great way to celebrate the day. I got a chance to say hello to Geoff K and Derek Z the Canadian pro racers of Scott racing team, also really cool people. 

Video of me grinding it out, up the Mountain in Missoula Montana by Martin P (24 sec) 

 



Mass start, pic by Martin P

Down hill section, pic by Martin P

The ramp, pic by Martin P

The ramp, pic by Martin P

Rolling along, pic by Martin P

Pic by Martin P

Pic by Martin P

Suffer face & wishing I could use the chair lift, LOL, pic by Martin P

Pic by Martin P

Suffer face & wishing I could use the chair lift, LOL, pic by Martin P

Pic by Martin P

Organ Grinder MTB XC Marathon Race 2013 @ Canmore (Western National Marathon series) #1

Sunday June 9th, I finished 33rd place out of 43 in Solo Open Men results , Overall I was 58 out of 82 for solo open and master open men category. It took me 4hrs 13mins, (Lap1= 1hr 14mins) (Lap2= 1hr 26mins) (Lap3= 1hr 32mins) I went a total of 36 Kms. Total elevation gain 3,678 Feet. My average heart rate was 165 and max was 190. I earned 58 points in the Western National Marathon series. I had one hour left on the clock but I knew I could not complete another lap in that time. About forty minutes into the race it started to rain light and then a bit harder, it remained this way for most of the race, with about a thirty minute period with sun. The rocks and roots were wet and slick. I stayed in my clips for the bulk of the race exept for the four really technical descents, or I road it part of the way then un clipped. I am very proud I did not quit today with the tough riding conditions, it would have been easy to do so or go put my flat pedals back on. I decided to grind it out and I was enjoying myself and learned alot about my determination. I had a good day. This was my second ever MTB Marathon. The race was held at the Canmore Nordic Centre and the temperature was 9 deg C and raining. A huge thanks to Cyclemeisters for putting on the race and the BBQ chicken sausage hotdog was great and all the volunteers for staying in the rain.

Tight switch back section, pic by Jordan Bryden

Tight switch back section, pic by Jordan Bryden



 

 

 

Mountains in the back ground, pic by Jordan Bryden





Pump track, pic by Jordan Bryden

Pump track, pic by Jordan Bryden



Iron Maiden MTB XC Race 2013 @ Canmore (Alberta Cup) #2

Saturday June 8th, I finished 46th place out of 51 in Sport results. It took me 1hr 34mins. It was three laps long for a total of 18 Kms. The total Elevation gain was 1,634 feet. My average heart rate was 185 and max was 196. I stayed in my clips for most of the race except for one really small steep up hill section and the (three down arrow section after that, I un clipped and still flipped over the handle bars on my first crash) and the (tight switch back section beside the organ donor, I tried it clipped in and crashed) I was ok after both crashes. I road the technical Devonian Drop and many other tight hard sections. The race was held at the Canmore Nordic Centre and the temperature was 17 deg C. A huge thanks to Spin Sisters and all the volunteers for putting on the race, and the BBQ burgers after were great.

June 2013 Training

Sun 30th, Road ride @ Colchester Hall for 2hrs 26mins, Average heart rate =156 max =187. Total elevation gain 886 ft. Kms 61

Mon 24th, MTB ride up Marshall Mountain in Missoula Montana for 2hrs 1min. Average heart rate =165 max =199, Total elevation gain 2,428 ft. Kms 20

Fri 21st, MTB ride pre lap Hammer Nutrition Missoula race course in Montana for 1hr 6mins. Average heart rate =153 max =189, Total elevation gain 1,115 ft. Kms 9

Mon 10th, MTB ride @ Canmore to Spray Lakes for 1hr 15mins. Average heart rate =164 max =181, Total elevation gain 1,601 ft. Kms 17

Video of me as Uncle Buck drives my truck and records, edited by James S (2 mins)

Tues 4th, MTB ride @ Millwoods Ravine for 1hr 30mins. Average heart rate =114 max =157, Total elevation gain 535 ft. Kms 21

Sat 1st, Road ride @ Colchester Hall to Beaumont area for 2hrs 36mins, Average heart rate =141 max =162. Total elevation gain 666 ft. Kms 62