FULL CYCLE

Team Juvederm-Specialized

2011-02-24T20:02:00.002-05:00

Local racing with an amazing team this season! (Could never fully retire :)

Thanks to all our fantastic sponsors...

Juvederm: www.juvederm.ca

Specialzied www.specialized.ca

Mazda: www.mazda.ca

Samson Groupe Conseil www.samsongroupeconseil.com

Hincapie www.hincapie.com

DeFeet www.defeet.com

E-Load www.medioncorp.com

Headsweats www.headsweats.com

Usana www.usana.com

Thule www.thule.com

Back in the Saddle with Team Nanoblur/Gears

2010-01-10T21:58:00.008-05:00

Yes I've "retired" from full time racing and teach once again at GCI (an incredible highschool)... but I couldn't stay away from cycling for long! When the opportunity to race with Nanoblur/Gears came about, I just couldn't resist. Under the direction of my former coach and good friend Frank Fogolin, this "made-in-Canada" trade team has all the ingredients of excellence - both experienced and promising riders, excellent leadership, fantastic sponsors and a commitment to the team above all else. Stay tuned for pictures from our training camp in South Carolina this February!

The Coffee Peddler is coming to town...

2009-05-28T20:25:00.003-04:00

Our next big adventure is just around the corner, in fact We're in renovation-phase and looking to have the doors open July 6 2009. As Leigh's crazy, event-filled year comes to a close (the count-down is on!) we look forward to having our friends drop by for some of the best coffee and tea in the world! (OK I'm shooting high there but the best coffee in the world... is oganically grown, fairly traded, and locally roasted, and that's what we're all about) along with some dynamite baked goods. We hope you'll come and see us at 48 Ainslie South, right across from the Ainslie St Transit Terminal and in the same building as Norm's Key Shop.

Move over honey...

2009-03-05T19:47:00.008-05:00

...it's my turn. Supportive husband turned 'dirt dawg'. I bought a mountain bike and discovered a playpen called the Hydro Cut. Then we went to South Carolina over Christmas and played on and off the road down there. Back home we had to face the reality of winter so my wife taught me how to skate-ski. Then we found a velodrome in London, 138 metres of track with 50 degree banks!! Now we're going back to South Carolina with the OCA roadies for a spring camp. Then a couple of enduro O-cups and the 24-hour summer solstice with the crew from King Street Cycles. All this as prep for the BIG show, Crank the Shield in September: 250 km's of trails over 3 days in northern Ontario to cap the season. We're pumped. This is my year to play, and we're doin' it all.
No matter what, finish strong.
Jeff Evans

On to the next stage...

2008-09-12T21:43:00.000-04:00

Back to school two weeks now and starting to get into the flow of the next stage of my life. It's really good to be back with everyone at GCI...can't wait to start up a mountain bike team!

Beijing 2008

2008-08-24T23:27:00.000-04:00

At long last, I've put together a web ablum of my incredible experiences at the Beijing Olympics. (You'll find it to the right under Web Albums) Again, I can't thank everyone enough for all their love and support as I ventured along this path. To share this journey with you and to see the excitement that it generated meant more to me than you'll ever know...thank you!

Back from Beijing

2008-08-18T19:59:00.002-04:00

And VERY jetlagged...will post more pictures and a web album soon. It's good to be home!

So Cute :)

2008-08-03T08:31:00.000-04:00

For more photos of Kyoto, check out the web album to the right!

Some more sights along the way

2008-08-01T23:15:00.003-04:00

One of the MANY Cicadas! You could close your eyes and feel like you were in the jungle.

A statue guarding one of the MANY Temples.

Yesterday we rode to Lake Biwa (the largest lake in Japan). We came upon these Lotus flowers along the shore - absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

A preserved Bamboo forest in the outskirts of Kyoto.

One of the many mini-temples set delicately within the walls of the buildings.

Kyoto

2008-07-30T23:39:00.004-04:00

One way to beat the heat :)

We're staying in the East side of Kyoto just off of Gojo-dori (Gojo Street)

The Kamo River runs north/south throughout the city. There are lots of bike paths along this river - some paved, some dirt.

We're heading north to one set of mountains.

This is the view from the top of the climb we did yesterday.

We've Arrived!!

2008-07-30T06:09:00.002-04:00

Vincent, Svein and I went out for our first ride in Japan today :). Vince Flannigan, our guide, took us up a beautiful climb from which we could see Kyoto to the south. It's very hot to say the least - should be perfect for Beijing! I'll post a web album of the Tour de Thuringen on this blog shortly...it was a super fast race with lots of opportunities to stretch our limits. Felisha won the mountain jersey and our whole team stepped up to the challenge of Euro-racing. :)

I'm Off! :)

2008-07-20T08:49:00.004-04:00

From one end of the world to another :)

Thanks to all the generous donations, I'll be seeing my coach Frank Fogolin in Beijing!

And my husband Jeff :)

See you when I get home Oby!

How I imagine parts of China...in my Dad's own backyard!

WOW!

2008-07-14T10:02:00.000-04:00

I can't begin to express what an amazing day the fundraiser was yesterday!!!! Thank you soooooooooooooooo much to everyone who joined us and to those who weren't able to make it but still sent their support. I was telling Jeff that it was a lot like our wedding day - spending time with so many wonderful friends! More pictures to follow soon :)

Onward and Upward! :)

2008-06-28T12:53:00.001-04:00

On June 19th I was officially selected to represent Canada at the Beijing Olympics for road cycling! I can't believe I'm actually going :). I've said it many times in this blog but I really couldn't have done any of this without the support of my friends and family. On Sunday July 13th we'll be having a fundraising BBQ to help bring my husband Jeff Evans and my coach Frank Fogolin with me to China. Drop by to 3 Dayton St. if you're in Cambridge that day -I'd love to see you! :)

One last race...and what a race!

2008-06-21T22:13:00.000-04:00

Nature Valley Grand Prix is one of the toughest stage races in the NRC. Cheerwine once again won overall team! It was my last race with this amazing group of people...I'm going to miss you all!

Couldn't have done it without you Jeff!

2008-06-08T15:09:00.004-04:00

The best race of my life... 3rd at the Montreal World Cup!

Thank you Hugh and Linda...

2008-05-21T20:19:00.001-04:00

...for such an amazing stay while racing Mount Hood! You've definately set the bar for host housing :).

From desert to rainforest

2008-05-13T00:09:00.000-04:00

We're now in Portland, Oregon awaiting the start of Mount Hood, where the weather has been anything but dry. Looking forward to a great week of racing!

Does this helmet make my face look thin? :)

2008-05-09T12:51:00.000-04:00

We Won! We Won! :)

2008-05-06T14:10:00.000-04:00

1st Place Team at the Gila!

Getting ready for the Gila :)

2008-04-28T13:40:00.002-04:00

The Mur de Huy

2008-04-21T03:56:00.000-04:00

The penultimate climb of Fleche Wallonne! This road will look much different on Wednesday :)

Beautiful Belgium!

2008-04-16T15:53:00.000-04:00

We're now in La Gleize, Belgium (about 45 km from Liege). It's wondeful to see the hills again! Today was beautiful and sunny, but my friends at home would be happy to hear that it's much colder than Cambridge! :)

Only in Holland...

2008-04-14T08:41:00.003-04:00

...are there more bikes in the parking lots than cars.

...can you fit a peleton of 140 women on roads this wide

...will the organizers seek out a garbage hill for the QOM

...do you find such an innate passion for cycling :)

1st Place Team at Redlands

2008-04-09T05:35:00.000-04:00

Yaaaaah!

2008-04-05T13:38:00.000-04:00

What a day! Redlands 2008 Stage 2...poduim finish - thanks to the awesome teamwork from Cheerwine! Looking forward to the next two days of racing :)

One of these have got to be Catnip!

2008-03-25T19:23:00.000-04:00

Until Redlands...

2008-03-19T09:17:00.000-04:00

Back home now and it certainly doesn't look like this outside :)...but it's really good to see everyone again!

The California Poppy

2008-03-13T18:20:00.001-04:00

Well, it's been a fanatastic stay with Sarah and Terry. I couldn't have asked for better weather, riding or company. We're off tomorrow for the Sequoia Cycling Classic in Visalia. We race a 40 km time trial on Saturday and a criterium on Sunday. Looking forward to the first race as a full Cheerwine team!

Breakfast at Bam's :)

2008-03-10T17:48:00.000-04:00

Mornings are fun at Sarah and Terry's home. I'm greeted in the kitchen by Sebastian and Pasquale, patiently waiting for a crumb of cereal to drop on the floor...or better yet a piece of banana!

From Desert to Coast

2008-03-06T22:28:00.001-05:00

I'm now in San Francisco staying with my teammate Sarah until our first race in Visalia. What a beautiful city! Sarah and her husband Terry live just outside of the Presidio, an old military base which is now a National Park. Looking forward to biking across the Golden Gate Bridge tomorrow!

Mount Lemon

2008-03-02T21:12:00.000-05:00

The infamous Mount Lemon is a "fat" mountain...you climb and climb and climb and really never see the top (even when you get there)...but the view as you climb is incredible!

Breakfast at Tooley's Cafe

2008-03-01T18:27:00.000-05:00

One really good reason to get up at 5am and hook up with the Shootout ride today :)

The Sonoran Desert

2008-02-28T20:00:00.000-05:00

Another World

2008-02-27T20:20:00.000-05:00

Today we climbed the infamous Mount Lemon...26 miles from desert to snow. It was one of those climbs that you could enjoy all the way up, with gentle grades and incredible vistas. It took us three hours to go up and only 45 minutes to come back down :).

Team Cheerwine

2008-02-26T11:23:00.000-05:00

Top row (left to right): Robin, Ally, Sarah, Me, Anne, Kelly, Marissa
Bottom row (left to right): Tash, Stacy, Laura
Absent: Cath

Cool Cacti

2008-02-24T18:31:00.000-05:00

Long roads

2008-02-23T18:35:00.000-05:00

Another beautiful day cycling in the desert. Riding out of Tucson is so deceiving - the roads look flat but in reality, you're climbing the entire time...makes for a fun ride home!

Trusty Steeds

2008-02-22T23:15:00.001-05:00

Today we climbed up Medara Canyon...a 12 mile climb. It's one of those climbs that just eat away at you, starting out with 10 miles of false flat which seemed to go on forever to the base of the climb and then (as if the road builders got impatient) pitching up steeply for the last 2 miles! The view from the top and the fast descent back down made it well worthwhile.

Warm at last :)

2008-02-22T11:11:00.000-05:00

I've never trained in Tuscon before and I can now see why so many people love it! Yesterday we rode in Saguaro National Park. It has a well-paved, eight mile, one way loop that meanders through some increcible Sonoran desert vistas. Looking forward to exploring this incredible place for the next two weeks!

It's pretty, but...

2008-02-14T17:22:00.000-05:00

it's getting kind of heavy to shovel - especially when the snowplow comes by and deposits a mountain of snow that definately wasn't there to begin with! :)

Just Being...

2008-01-28T23:10:00.000-05:00

When things get a little crazy, I look to my cats for clues to living in the moment...they definatley have that art mastered!

Cool Ratz!

2008-01-27T21:24:00.000-05:00

This is Sebastian and Pasquale or Pasquale and Sebastian (I'm not sure which one's which :) They are my teammate Sarah's pet rats and they'e soooooooooooo cute! Laura, Robin and I stayed with Sarah at her home in San Francisco the final night of our training week. It was great to see Terry again (Sarah's husband) and to meet these little guys that we've heard so much about. I'm already looking forward to my stay with Sarah later on in March! :)

Yes...this is California!

2008-01-22T21:18:00.000-05:00

Having only 6 days to ride in this amazing place, we went out today rain or shine. Luckily it wasn't rain...but as you can from the snow on the mountain tops and from Laura's newly purchased snowmobile gloves, it was pretty cold. Pictured here from left to right are Anne Samplonius, Robin Farina, Laura Van Gilder, myself and Sarah Bamberger (absent today is Stacy Marple...but she's rejoining us tonight).

Sonoma County, California

2008-01-21T17:12:00.000-05:00

This week some of my Cheerwine teammates and I are staying in Forestville for some early season training.

We're staying in a beautiful little place along the Russian River (not this house...but I thought this house was beautiful too :)

Yesterday we did an incredible ride that went up, and up, and up King Ridge Road. For a more indepth description with picutres, check out this link put together by a gentleman from England who did the same trip http://www.lkjh.org/bike/california/sonoma/king_ridge/index.html

The best part of the ride was descending to the coast (on roads with pitches of up to 22%)

And then back to our little home surrounded by these majestic trees. For more pictures check out this web album I've put together http://picasaweb.google.com/cyclehobson/SonomaCounty?authkey=y-Tx4VCo6Kc

South Carolina

2008-01-12T20:06:00.000-05:00

While home was looking a little like this...

South Carolina was looking like this!

I joined Julia, Christine, Ana and Dave in Devil's Fork State Park for 10 days of incredible training...there's no better place than South Carolina for early season riding in the mountains. The weather is mild (by Canadian standards), the roads are smooth, and there are group rides with 80 plus riders!

The triathletes in our group even got in a little swimming :). Dave and Christine kept the Polar Bear tradition going with a New Year's Day dip in the lake.

Julia, Christine and I then hiked up Table Rock Mountain for an incredible view of the Appalachian foothills. Until next time...

Catching up from Christmas

2008-01-09T11:07:00.001-05:00

Oby opening presents Christmas Day.

Visiting family (Cynthia, Deb and Josee)

The irresistable game of Twister!

A little hockey on the front porch with Alex and Jeff.

Jeff and I getting out for our Christmas Coffee ride :)

Kansas or Kansas-City-Kansas :)

2007-12-21T16:39:00.000-05:00

Just got back from a fantastic weekend visiting Kelly and Bill at their home in Kansas City (Kansas). Laura and I made the trek for a fun-filled weekend of hiking, eating BBQ (from which I'm STILL full), shopping at the Plaza, meeting Kelly's mom and step-dad and watching the National Cyclocross Championships. After spending some time in this place and not knowing which direction I was heading half the time or even which state I was in, I can see how Dorothy got lost! :) Thanks for everything Kelly!

Winter Riding

2007-12-02T20:45:00.000-05:00

Winter arrived in full force today...10 cm of snow overnight! Luckily my riding partner Julia was not deterred from making the trek to Cambridge. We took to the trails, but soon had to abandon them for the few ploughed roads, as the snow was better for making snowmen than for riding. Until next weekend :)

Wake up Cat

2007-11-21T13:38:00.001-05:00

When the heat isn't working...

2007-11-05T10:48:00.000-05:00

Dougy curls up in our bed.

And Oby plants himself beside the oven :)

Wedding pictures

2007-10-31T19:12:00.000-04:00

Our "leaf" girls Jenna and Maddie threw fall leaves down the "aisle" rather than flower petals. Stuart Summerhayes waits patiently as they finish.

Alex and Julia carry our rings - note the difference between the way they carry them :)

Jeff and his Mom (all the way from England)

Me and my Dad (who also managed to take all these amazing photos...except for this one :)

Jeff and I - MARRIED!!!! :) :) :)

Sights of Tuscany

2007-10-28T21:51:00.001-04:00

Jeff and I in San Gimignano

A little lunch in front of the chestnut house we stayed at in Casa del Sole.

Jeff shopping at the market in Pescia.

One of the incredible fishing villages in Cinque Terre, a National Heriatge site.

One of the many Tuscan sunsets :)

Germany at last!

2007-09-27T04:11:00.001-04:00

A view of Herrenberg - the town we're staying in before the big race.

Getting the pumpkins ready.

Fall colours.

Great training roads!

Herrenberg

Memories from France

2007-09-25T11:40:00.000-04:00

A welcoming committee as we started out through Villeneuve de Berg on our first ride...oh the questions they asked :)

Our chalet in the campground...we had to walk up this hill EVERY morning!

A mountain top departure.

The last stage of Tour de L'Ardeche. From left to right : myself, Julie, Moriah, and Erinne (missing Alex :)

Sunset from the patio of the campground.

We made it!

2007-09-24T08:10:00.000-04:00

At last...internet :). After two weeks in Villeneuve de Berg, France racing and preparing for Worlds we travelled by van to Stuttgart, Germany. Now we're sleeping in real sheets (don't ask) and enjoying a beautiful day before the rain comes. Yes, it's going to be raining and cold all week...fingers crossed that Accuweather.com is more accurate than Weather.com and Saturday will be rain free.

This morning started out terribly for the Espoirs when they awoke to find all their bikes stolen. The theives choose the van closest to the street. Fortunately Thomas (our German coach) has extremely good connections and borrowed top of the line Specialized bikes from the Gerolsteiner pro men's team. It doesn't make up for the loss (as there is no CCA insurance for the bikes) but at least they can race on good equipement this week.

Tomorrow I'll post some pictures from our adventures in France...missing everyone and counting down the days until I get married :).

One last day at the beach...

2007-09-07T22:01:00.000-04:00

The Labour Day weekend was beautiful this year! We all took advantage of the weather on Monday and went up to the Pinery (where else :)

It was fun playing in the water with Alex, Maddie and Nini (or Nicholas as he now prefers to be called)

Mike and Val - two of the best parents I know!

Jeff...after a late night at work.

And now onto the final stretch of racing...I head to Ardeche, France once again to prepare for the World Championships. Looking forward to some great racing...and when I return I'm getting married!! (28 more sleeps :)

How not to park your hang glider

2007-08-27T22:03:00.000-04:00

Sometimes trees get in the way for beginner hang glider pilots...this was a particularly large tree that Yinni (a friend of Jeff's) happened to snag. Fortunately he landed softly and was helped down the tree by a great group of instructors!

Jeff's up in Pickering for a few days getting as much flying time in as the weather will allow. I'm home from Chris Thater (my last race with Cheerwine for this season) preparing for Worlds at the end of the month :).

Our Stag & Doe :)

2007-08-23T11:21:00.001-04:00

Last Sunday our family and friends got together for a great afternoon of festivities. Here Val (my sister-in-law) is guessing Jeff & my combined weight -easier said than done :)

The ever-so-popular Crown & Anchor.

Jeff, Jason and Chris (my soon to be brother-in-law)

Jenna and Nini...a little romance or just trying to balance :)

Ah yes...pictured here on the left in the yellow top is my brother...responsible for this! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnPbAiuRveg

Frog or Toad?

2007-08-17T20:57:00.000-04:00

Birthday Images

2007-08-11T22:01:00.001-04:00

Once again Jeff and I went up to the Pinery...this time for my birthday :)

It was cool watching all the kids at the beach...

and all the stuff they were building!

...and watching Jeff at the fire...and all the stuff he was making for dinner!

...until next time!

Perseverance

2007-08-06T18:08:00.000-04:00

From day one Oby has not let Dougy's growls deter him from his quest for brotherly love - even if it means getting the very edge of this table. It's a lesson in perseverance! One that, as a cyclist, I've returned to many times.

I had a great weekend in Charlotte with Cheerwine discovering the life of a crit rider. The team rode really well, with Laura placing on the podium in both races! They're now off to Chicago for the US Crit Nationals (while I'm home attending my Stag n' Doe :). Good luck Cheerwine!!!

An amazing end to an an amazing race!

2007-07-29T22:52:00.000-04:00

Today we raced one of the fastest crits of the season averaging 41 kph. Once again, Laura proved she truly is the fastest woman in this race by taking the win. Our team worked incredibly well for this hard fought win and left with a great feeling of success. Contrary to the negative quotes in Cycling News by a director who wasn't even IN the race, the women in this year's Tour de Toona raced one of the most aggressive races in it's 21 year history - congratulations to everyone!

It's all in the team

2007-07-28T16:24:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was an awesome team day! Unfortunately Laura had many flats (4 to be exact)...with help from everyone, we made sure she finished the day with the peleton. Meanwhile, Betina, Chrissy and Cath represented us in the break off the front - with Cath finishing 2nd in the stage. And to top it off, we moved into 2nd overall Team GC! :)

Yahoo!!!!

2007-07-26T20:32:00.000-04:00

Yes that's our Laura in the middle of the podium...in 1st place today :)

Team Time Trial

2007-07-24T09:50:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was the first stage of the Tour de Toona. It was unique in that we started with a team time trial...the first many of us had ever done. We learned a lot today and really enjoyed the team dimension of this event...it's definately one of the most tactical races we do! We finished in 6th overall, further down than we had wanted to be at the start of this race, but ready to race hard over the next few days!

What a cool book...

2007-07-20T20:26:00.000-04:00

Jeff and I went to Long Point Provincial Park for a couple of days before I head off to Altoona. We found this book at a store close by. (Long Point isn't actually in Northern Ontario, it's on a sand spit off of Lake Erie - almost as south as you can get in Ontario). But it was fun to read about the history of one of the most beautiful places in Canada, written in such an entertaining fashion...knowing one day we're going to move up to North Bay :).

If you could read his mind...

2007-07-16T09:21:00.000-04:00

...he'd be telling you how utterly happy he is that I finally took that "psycho" kitten away :). Oby went to the vet to get neutered the other day and Dougy was his old happy self again...unfortunately it didn't last long. Oby's back and ready to play!

Nationals 2007 - Saint-Georges, Quebec

2007-07-12T12:47:00.001-04:00

For the second year in a row Jeff has been my team support at Nationals...from working in the feed zone to following me in the time trial. I really couldn't do it without you Buddy! :)

The start of the road race...3pm, 30 degrees, 127km. A challenging course both physically and tactically! Gina Grain took the win, I was 7th and Betina was 11th.

A Bronze medal in the National ITT :). It was nice to share the podium with Anne and Lynne.

Dinner with Betina and Dan at Maison Vinot, our B&B.

A fond farewell to our hosts and new found friends Raymonde and Philippe...I'm already looking forward to our evening chats next year when we return for the 2008 National Championships!

Rain at last...

2007-07-04T12:51:00.000-04:00

My dad has the most beautiful garden in the WORLD :) Here are some pictures of the plants that are loving the weather today.

This is Sophie enjoying the garden.

The fish and frog pond (just behind the flowers)

The rose garden

And more beautiful flowers that I don't know the names of :)

Our Wedding Venue

2007-07-02T22:22:00.000-04:00

Jeff and I are gettting married under this maple tree in Mike and Val's backyard. If you look on Google Earth at 31 Irvin St. in Kitchener that's all you'll see...a HUGE maple tree :).

This weekend we did some major backyard renovations while Alex and Maddie were checking out the fossils in the rocks.

Nini was a little bored.

"Just a little to the left Honey....no maybe over there instead" :)

Now THIS is more like it!

Down time...

2007-06-29T22:32:00.000-04:00

Jeff summed up the life of a professional cyclist really well when he said you're either working unbelievably hard or resting unbelievably hard. Here's me resting "unbelievably hard". We went up to Pinery Provincial park earlier this week and had an amazing time...eating, swimming, eating, resting, eating, walking among the sand dunes, and eating :)

At last!

2007-06-24T18:46:00.000-04:00

So I made it to Nature Valley and I conquered the race that cracked me last year! It's one of the hardest stage races we do all year, I think because the stages get tougher and tougher as the days go on.

To get to the races our host "Dad" escorted us by bike along one of the MANY bike paths in Minneapolis-St. Paul. In all the places I've visited, I've never seen such an incredible network of paths throughout the enitre city.

This is Speedo - our team mascot for the week :)

This is one of our many podium shots. We ended up with two stage wins, a stint in the yellow jersey, the best young rider's jersey and the most agressive rider's jersey.

And these are some of the most adorable kittens I've ever seen. Our tenant and friend Paul is selling them, but I think they'll still be there when I get home :).

Waterloo-Wellington Airport

2007-06-19T13:23:00.000-04:00

It took me 20 minutes to get to the airport today (and that's only because I went the long way :). The Waterloo-Wellington airport now has 2 carriers - Westjet (for Canadian destinations) and Northwest for connections from Detroit. It was so nice to park within 100m of the entrance and then to have breakfast with Jeff at the Runway Cafe while watching the planes take off!

COLD water at the Elora Gorge

2007-06-17T20:26:00.000-04:00

This one's for you Brooke :)...I was thinking of you telling me about soaking your legs in a glacial fed river after your rides. Well...this river definately isn't glacial fed...but it felt good all the same.

Ah...camping

2007-06-16T09:45:00.000-04:00

One of the best things about having a Monday/Tuesday weekend is that you can go camping and nobody's there!

Guess Who!

2007-06-13T20:11:00.000-04:00

Yes...this IS my fiancee Jeff :). We went to his staff party and were asked to dress in our best Hawiian outfits...Jeff won best costume by far!

For Sale

2007-06-12T11:51:00.000-04:00

Just a little aside...I'm selling my Cervelo P3 (reluctantly :). It's a super fast bike with 650 wheels, Shimano 105 and HED racing wheels (including disk). I'm asking $2000.00 CAN for the bike and two sets of wheels. Email me at cyclehobson@aol.com if you'd like more info.

Along the bike path...

2007-06-06T23:57:00.000-04:00

Today's 3 km time trail was in Lachine along the bike path. It was really pretty and really windy! Times were incredibly close, with Judith Arndt winning over Dotsie Bauche by only 4/10th of a second! This evening we raced a criterium in "Little Italy", Montreal. To me, criterium riding can be like running through a mine field...crashes happen everywhere and you're just plain lucky if you don't go down. Betina and Cath went down today...fortunately they didn't hurt themselves too badly and are in good spirits for tomorrow.

Fast, raining and mucky!

2007-06-04T23:19:00.000-04:00

Three words that sum up todays first stage of the Montreal Grand Tour. We made 23 turns per lap (in an 8 lap race)...thats 184 accelerations in under 3 hours at an average speed of 40 kph. Forget feeding in the feed zone :). We all stayed upright and finished in the main group, with Cath our top finisher in 14th.

After the race...

2007-06-04T10:52:00.000-04:00

We went to the top of Mont Royale for some pictures (Chissy was STILL trying to pee for Doping Control :)

The Olympic Dome

The mountains

A little critter taking bread from the tourists

Brooke's birthday dinner :)

Thank you!!

2007-06-03T12:25:00.000-04:00

My mom and Winnie once again made the marathon trek to Montreal to watch me race the World Cup. Fortunately the start/finish was at the bottom of the hill this year so they didn't have to carry all the fruit they bought us up the mountain! Thanks so much for coming to the race, it really meant a lot :).

Our friendly neighbours!

2007-05-30T18:29:00.000-04:00

Just outside our window is a tree with a perfect spot for squirrels! Lucky for us it's only 3 feet from the house and we can watch them without scaring them away :)

Learning to Fly!

2007-05-29T08:41:00.001-04:00

As I'm off racing, Jeff's been taking hangliding lessons! Yesterday I got up at 5am to go watch him :)

This is the barn where they store the gliders.

This is the field where they launch. They're attached to a winch which pulls them up and then releases them (kind of like flying a kite)

This is Jeff (on the left) getting ready...they also get to ride an ATV :)

And off he goes!!!

Summer at last!!

2007-05-24T11:40:00.000-04:00

The weather is much nicer than when I was last home...we're all enjoying the backyard now. BBQ dinners, swimming (thanks to our generous neighbour Deb), hot tubbing and just hanging out...it's GREAT to be home!

Tri Peaks Wrap Up

2007-05-23T11:52:00.000-04:00

The view from our beautiful host home.

Morning stretches :)

Stage One finish at the top of Mount Magazine...Chrissy placed 2nd!

A little R&R between stages.

A fantastic finish...Betina won the stage and moved into 2nd overall with Chrissy just behind in 3rd overall. :)

Recovery Day!

2007-05-15T10:58:00.000-04:00

One of my favourite parts of racing is the recovery day. Chrissy, Beth, Brooke and I took a relaxing ride along the bike path in Fayetteville.

We saw turtles everywhere soaking in the sun....

...and frogs catching some rays...

...even the leaves on the edge of the trail were taking in the sun. Unfortunately we realized a bit too late that this was poison ivy and our bikes had been leaning against it!

Fortunately Chrissy and Brooke had the solution! :)

Joe Martin Podium

2007-05-13T17:22:00.000-04:00

Well it was a battle today! We went into the crit with 5 of us in the top 10, (just off the podium thanks to Brooke's stellar time trail yesterday!) I've got to say that this crit is the hardest one of the entire year, with its grueling hill top finish. We launched attack after attack from the start of the race. Chrissy made it off the group solo and was so close to winning if not for Aaron's surge in the last lap to pull her back - it was a valiant effort! We ended up with 4th (Brooke) and 5th (myself) GC and 2nd overall team (only 10 seconds from Webcor). Looking forward to Tri Peaks - the stage race with a total of 18 000 feet of climbing :)

Joe Martin Stage Race

2007-05-11T11:00:00.000-04:00

The stage race team has been reunited with the crit team! We're here in Fayetteville, Arkansas awaiting the start of the Joe Martin stage race. Friday is a 100km road race, Saturday is 110 km road race AND a 3 mile uphill time trial, and Sunday is a crit with a kicker of a hill. Looking forward to racing all together again!

Images from the Gila

2007-05-09T22:11:00.000-04:00

Post-crit...we made it through some gale force winds!

Our view while eating breakfast

The Gila National Forest

One of the best places to eat in New Mexico!

The drive down the mountain on our way to Joe Martin in Arkansas

Good bye

2007-05-08T08:44:00.000-04:00

So I haven't had internet all week, but I've taken lots of pictures which I'll post over the next couple of days. I did want to send out a HUGE thank you to our hosts Gloria and Joe Beltran, our newly adopted Apache parents :).

The Tour of the Gila went well, with Brooke finishing in 5th, myself in 7th and Betina in 15th overall. We're off now to Arkansas for the Joe Martin Stage race this weekend.

And how long do you plan on staying in there?

2007-04-30T13:42:00.000-04:00

At long last...the hot tub! :)

Sunrise on the Grand

2007-04-25T11:13:00.000-04:00

Up at the crack of dawn with coffee in hand, Jeff and I head to the river for a "dawn watch". There's something magical about seeing the sunrise while drifting along the river.

Ok...so we weren't just drifting...Jeff was rowing! :) (He's still asleep here)

Limestone cliffs

Canadian Geese

And Dougy...waiting for breakfast :)

Until we get a deck :)

2007-04-24T19:55:00.000-04:00

Jeff and I have been enjoying this AMAZING weather on our driveway in our lawn chairs :). The spring brings out the entire neighbourhood...it's great to see everyone again!

Spring is Here!

2007-04-19T18:33:00.000-04:00

At last a warm day!!!! And it's going to be warm and sunny for the next four days :).

Inspirational!

2007-04-17T21:39:00.000-04:00

So I watched the Freedom Writer's tonight...what a great movie! And what's even better is that it's based on a true story. It reminded me what a gift it is to be a teacher...to have the chance to make a big difference in someone's life...and in turn have your life affected in such inspirational ways! This is a picture of some of the cross-country runners I coached a year ago...they're amazing people and I miss them!

This week...

2007-04-14T13:27:00.000-04:00

Hanging out with friends and family

Trying to do the laundry

Eating like a Queen (thanks to Jeff :)

Planning our wedding

Dreaming of warm weather at the Gila!

Some amazing people in my life I'm grateful for!

2007-04-09T12:04:00.000-04:00

Ziggy...my first coach who's passion for cycling is surpassed only by his will to share his experiences and knowledge with all those around him!

Frank...my coach and confidante who's "zen" approach keeps me grounded and focused when I need it most

My mom...who gives me unconditional love and support in all I do.

My dad...who's inspired me from day one to live your dreams!

And Jeff...with you, my life has risen to a whole new dimension of happiness :).

And to all my friends and family who I couldn't picture here because I can only post 5 pictures at a time :)...thank you...I love you!

Good Friday Road Race

2007-04-06T17:28:00.000-04:00

The first road race of the season in this area is typically cold...but rarely this cold! The temperature was -6 celsius, but the windchill made it feel like -6000! Luckily the 1/2 women were grouped with the M2 men so that the peloton was bigger and warmer :). The first lap (of three) felt awful...so awful that after the first hill my friend Tara announces that "that was waaaaay harder than it should be" and that "she's going home!" :)...if I'd lived closer I might have joined her! Luckily after cresting 4 more drumlins we warmed up enough to start racing. There were various attacks from various people, but none could withstand the gale force headwinds to stay away. We came to the last corner as a big group and sprinted for what seemed like forever going into the wind - I won the women's race :).

Thanks to the organizers and all the volunteers for doing such a fantastic job today!

A Warm Winter's Day!

2007-04-04T16:52:00.000-04:00

In order to stay sane after spending a month in warm places, I've had to completely change my weather perspective! Today I set out in my thermal tights, fleece long-sleeved jersey, raincoat, ear warmer, booties and gloves...dressed in this manner, I could almost convince myself that Canadian April's aren't THAT bad. :)