Me and My Element

Me and my Element on Porky Blue, what a view

Lately it's been just me and my Element on the trails... my Rocky Mountain Element that is. The silver, pink and white bike has seen a lot of mileage this year and treated me well. But it's starting to get lonely out there, and while I'm excited for the TR3 to arrive, I'm also looking forward to the rest of summer. Golfing, hitting the lake, BBQ's, and of course the Element, but hopefully with some buddies and without a heart rate monitor.

With less than two weeks to go it's fast approaching. Training hasn't been optimal, but what exactly does optimal entail? I'm no professional when it comes to "racing" and have had some ups and downs with the process of getting ready for this event. I have fortunately learned some things along the way, and of course enjoyed myself.

When it comes to increasing mileage so significantly you have to trade a little fun for a little TLC and attention to detail. Booking those Athletic Therapy/Physio/Chiro appointments, massages, and keeping up with cross training and CORE! I've been pretty good on all fronts, but recently there were a couple of weekends that I covered distances I normally cover in a week and felt the affects.

Weekend one was the group ride of TR3 Day 2. We met at Freshies at 9am on a cold, rainy day and the crowd continued to grow until it reached 15 people. We headed out Coal Creek and having just written about Porky Blue in the Fernie Mountain Bike Guide, I had the distances of each section in my head. Stopping along the way to regroup, soon my hands and feet were frozen. Shifting gears or clipping into pedals was no longer a realistic option (the ice and mud didn't help). When we reached the trail, 3 hours of biking and regrouping later, I was a shivering mess with blue lips but happy to finally ride some singletrack. One of the bonuses was finally meeting Keith Brodsky, the Rocky Mountain rep that helped me get my Element. Thanks again Keith! See you at the Race :-)

Dorian "powering up" before the singletrack climb to the Porky Blue trailhead... notice the mud, long sleeves, mitts...

At the top of the one week old Porky Blue, Paul Attalla (Fernie machine with an accomplishment list too long to include) and Derick Berry (previous TR participant and upcoming TR3 competitor) decided to go ahead and return to town. They took one look at me and said, "You should come with us." If you haven't heard of these two characters you might not understand why one would be apprehensive biking "with" them on a 12.5km descent followed by 10km cross country back to town. Fortunately a low body temperature took care of any inhibition and I managed to keep pretty close to these speedsters, until we hit Ridgemont Road. Derick and I did all that we could to keep Attalla in sight with no luck (although I'm pretty sure Derick stuck with me to keep me company). Even with the hot shower, blanky and Breakfast Banger within reach, this was most definitely the hardest portion of the ride.

The following week consisted of short 1-2 hour chill rides leading up to another big Saturday. The plan was to ride Phat Bastard-Mushroom Head-Dem Bones-Hedonism-Brokeback Ridge-Project 9-Verboten, and what a fun ride that was! Hills are so much easier to face when a wicked downhill is on the other side. Even climbing Gorby, the last haul, we were stoked to get to Verboten.

After riding Monday and visiting Heather, the Athletic Therapist, it was pretty clear a few days off were mandatory. Ouch! A little stress and worry doesn't help loosen things up but thankfully Kim Shopland - wicked local rider and previous TR competitor, called and talked me down. "It's just a few days. It won't affect your fitness. You kick ass..." I responded, "Are you free to talk August 8, 9 and 10?"

The first rides back were spinning, shorter rides and then onto Day 2 again, but with a shuttle. Porky Blue is a fun and long descent with wicked views and some amazing terrain but I'm not huge on long road rides, and neither is my back. Shuttling is a great option and you can get right up to the US Steel Road, a 20-30min bike to the singletrack ascent to the trailhead.

Tyler, Kim and I regroup on Porky Blue - on a SUNNY day

Tyler takes in Hosmer from a new angle

Now, with less than two weeks to go, I'm getting excited, a little nervous, and realizing that while I want to giver' in the race, I want to make sure I can bike the rest of the summer and fall as lets face it... biking Fernie's singletrack is pretty sweet and I'm guessing after three strenuous days, me and my Element will appreciate riding... just for fun.

Come down and cheer on the competitors of this year's 9th annual TransRockies. Fernie is the only town that has been involved every year since its inception, which I think is pretty cool. There is a lot going on downtown over this weekend in Fernie... from the Fernie Museum's bike exhibit to the launch of the Fernie Mountain Bike Guide to the TR registration, reception, Time Trial start and finish for Day 1 and start for Day 2... downtown is going to be buzzing with energy. I think my stomach just did a few flip flops...

Blackstone Fernie TransRockies

Fernie is the only town that has been a part of every TransRockies since TR first hit the trails in 2002. This year, for the 9th annual TransRockies race, Fernie is eagerly awaiting 500 racers ready to take on the best mountain biking in the North America.

On August 7th, the day before the TR and TR3 begin, Fernie will be hosting a number of events to welcome riders to the Rockies. TR and TR3 participants will have plenty of opportunity to enjoy the century old town and unwind before the gun goes off and they take to the trails! Among the events planned to celebrate the TransRockies are a historical bike show on Victoria Avenue next to Straightline Cycles, Fernie's host bike shop of the TransRockies; a dine-around in the restaurants of Fernie from 7-10pm on the 7th featuring special meals prepared for competitors and a morning breakfast banquet for the riders.

On Sunday August 8th, the beer garden and bike show will continue throughout the day as part of the opening Time Trial stage. Riders are included in the action as each Time Trial finishers will be treated to a cold Fernie Beer as they cross the finish line.

Hosting two stage starts and one stage finish, Fernie is going to roll out the red carpet and show all TransRockies competitors the best of Rocky Mountain hospitality as they set out on their adventure.

Saturday August 7th
1pm to 7pm – Registration at Fernie Community Centre
6pm – Athlete Welcome and Briefing at CP Station Square
7pm – Dinner at Fernie restaurants

Sunday August 8th
9am to 4 pm – Public breakfast, lunch and beverage gardens at CP Station Square
9 am to 5pm – Time Trial on Victoria Avenue
10am to 12pm – 4th Annual Blackstone Kids Bike Rally
6pm to 9pm – Banquet at Fernie Community Centre

Monday August 9th
9am – Stage 2 Start on Victoria Avenue

They are looking for volunteers to help with setting up/tearing down and marshaling. Email transrockies@fernie.com for more information.