Still no sign of land

I think that is a line from an old Monty Python sketch. Anyway, I'm still searching for a partner for the TransRockies. Less than 3 weeks to the start, but if you are in reasonable shape then a fun time can pretty much be assured.

If you are interested, or know some one who might be, please let me know.

Thanks,
Simon

Living by your own advice (Or looking for a partner for TR 2012)

It is tough to live by your own advice. And I'm a living example.

Every year I tell people that if they want to get the most out of the TR they should ride with their partner as much as possible before the race.

And this year, due to injury and personal reasons, I've had two partners drop out. My youngest brother fell down the stairs at home and broke his leg. My other partner had to pull out for personal reasons.

So here I am, 5 weeks from the start, with no partner.

Anyone interested in riding with me this year?

What can I bring to the table? I'm a very experienced mountain bike stage racer. (8 TransRockies and 1 BC Bike Race.) I'm competitive and was on the podium for 5 stages in 2010 and came 3rd over all in the 100+ category.

What am I looking for? Ideally you'd be either 45+, so we could race in the 100+, or 25+ and female so we could race in the 80+ mixed. In one day races my target, that I usually hit, is the winner's time plus 50%. (So if they finish in 2 hours my target is 3 hours or less.)

So if you think things might work out, drop me a line.

The Updated First Timer's Guide - Part 12 (Safety)

We’re in the middle of nowhere riding long hard days. Well guess what, things happen and we all need to be prepared.

Safety

With 500 riders pushing themselves in hard technical terrain it is inevitable that accidents will happen. People will get injured and it is up to all riders to make sure that they can help their partner, and themselves, if things go a bit “pear shaped”. These are a few of the essential things to carry with you. With luck you may not need them, but as the Boy Scouts says, “Be prepared”.

• A whistle. – In the event that you get into trouble and need to call for help a whistle is the best option. The international distress signal is three short blasts. While you can’t call for help for hours, you can blow a whistle indefinitely. The Fox whistles, a great Canadian invention, are light, plastic, “pealess”, and just about indestructible. Clip one on your hydration pack and with any luck you’ll never need it.

• Matches or a lighter. – If you are cold and wet, a fire is great. Also if you are lost the smoke will tell a search party where you are. But remember, it is summer time and it can get very dry. If you do need to start a campfire make sure it does not get out of hand.
• Emergency blanket – These things way next to nothings and are wind and waterproof. If your partner gets injured, wrapping them up in the blanket can mean the difference between a bit of discomfort and life-threatening hypothermia.
• A flashlight. – It does not need to be huge, I bring a little LED light, but if out are stuck out after dark it gives you something to signal with.
• Pressure/triangular bandages. – These have been a staple in first aid kits for years. You can use them as a pressure bandage on a wound, or craft a sling or splint. Your use of these will be greatly aided by a wilderness first aid course.
• Pay attention to your partner. – Everyone will be hot and tired and the risk of dehydration is high.  I’ve had partners get dehydrated on more than one occasion. You must make sure they are drinking and sweating. The biggest problem with dehydration is that by the time you think it is a problem you’re often too late. You have to drink before you are thirsty and keep drinking all day long. (And all evening and night too.)
• Pay attention to the course descriptions. – The course descriptions are vital. Every year someone does not pay attention to the warnings about cross ditches and wipes out.
• Pay attention to Drew Parker. – Drew’s crew of medics have a tonne of experience with the TR. When they tell you to drink a lot, drink a lot. You really don’t want to be waiting for them to stick a saline drip in your arm.
• Check in. – If you don’t check in at an aid station, or the finish, the organizers will send out a search party. If you need to drop out make sure that someone knows where you are, what problems you have, and what you plan to do. If you get lost the best advice is always to stay put. A search party will have a much harder time finding a “moving target”.
• Have fun. – The TR is my favourite seven days of racing/riding each year. I am so excited about this year’s TR. I’m expecting things to be even better. For 2009 I created the Ambassador Program to try and make sure that everyone had as much fun as me. In 2010, much to my surprise I ended up on the podium in the 100+ category. This year I’m looking forward to racing with a new partner, and seeing friends both old and new on the trails.

So, there you have it. My advice for all it is worth. I hope that this is useful.

The Updated First Timer's Guide - Part 11 (The Evening Meal)

You’ve finished your day of racing, showered, changed and dealt with whatever bike issues you might have. You need to get fed and informed every night, so make the best of it.

Evening Meal

The evening meal is more than just a chance to fill the belly. It is a great opportunity to meet and talk to new people and find out about the following day’s route. The route descriptions can be a life saver. Paying close attention can save you lots of grief.

• Don’t panic about arriving when the doors open.  – There will be lots of food and standing in line for ½ an hour may not be the best thing for your legs. But you can’t turn up at 8:00 pm and expect to be fed. I usually eat around 6:30. This gives time for the initial rush to clear and still gives me plenty of time to eat, and get seconds, before the awards and videos.
• Eat a lot. – The food is great. By the time you get to day three or four eating becomes a bit of a chore. Luckily good food makes it an easier chore to endure. Considering that we’re in the middle on nowhere for a big chunk of the week, the food and service is remarkable.
• Drink a lot. – From the time you finish until the time you got to sleep you should be constantly drinking. If you don’t have to get up in the night to pee, you are not drinking enough. I always have a water bottle for H2O with me and usually manage about two to three litres between the afternoon and evening.
• Sit with different people. – You are doing the race with some really fascinating people. I love talking to new people every day, and dinner is a great chance to meet some new faces.  (Or see familiar faces without their helmets and glasses.)
• Stay for the awards. – I always find it remarkable how some people manage hobble up on stage to collect their certificates. By the end of the week about ½ of the top finishers seems to be sporting bandages in one place or another. They all deserve our support.
• Stay for the photos and videos. – Some of those shots are amazing. And while we are going hell-for-leather we might not be paying quite as much attention as we should to the beautiful country we are riding through.
• Pay attention to the route previews. – The Google-assisted route descriptions are great. I don’t think there is a mountain bike race that takes riders through such spectacular and remote country. One of the side effects of this is that the route finding can be a bit challenging at times. (Well, it is the TransRockies Challenge.) The route descriptions are detailed and entertaining. Pay attention and you’ll benefit.
• Pay attention to Drew Parker. – Drew’s crew of medics do so much to keep the racers going. They are in the middle of nowhere keeping track of people and making sure that everyone is safe and sound. Their advice is based on a tonne of backwoods experience. Ignore it at your peril!
• Get an early night. – You should be tucked up in your sleeping bag and asleep by 10:00. Have your headlamp and water bottle in the tent pocket for those necessary trips to the toilet.

So, only one more instalment to go and it will be on safety. A critical area for everyone.

The Updated First Timer's Guide - Part 10 (Travel)

With 500 riders from over 20 counties, many people are going to have to travel long distances to do the TransRockies. Whether you are flying or driving you will have to be far more organized than if you are doing a local race.

Travel

Between 2004 and 2007, I drove to the TransRockies from Vancouver. I was dropped off at the start and picked up at the finish. (I did the race while my wife visited family in Calgary.) In 2008 I flew and it was a real eye opener. But regardless of how you are travelling here are few tips to make your TransRockies more enjoyable.

• Use a list when packing. - I have a ridiculously complete list in an Excel spreadsheet, and I still manage to forget a few things every year. Discuss the list with your partner to make sure that you are not duplicating things, or leaving out key items assuming that they will bring then. (Of course, she'll bring a pump!)
• Practice packing and unpacking your bike - Only by doing this will you make sure that you can fit your bike into the case/box etc that you have. If you've never packed your bike in a box before, it might a good idea to visit your local bike shop. Most bike shops will pack up your bike for a reasonable price and they'll have all of the packing materials to protect you bike in transit. Even if you pack the bike yourself, go to your local shop to get a bike box and all of the doodads that manufacturers use to protect bikes in transit. (I recently saw a large plastic disc that fits into the axle to protect the disc brake rotor. Very smart indeed,)                   
• Bring any required tools - If you need a tool to put your bike back together, bring it. Three years ago I planned to change my pedals before the race, but my crappy little multi-tool didn't provide enough leverage to remove the old pedals. A kind mechanic helped me.
• Arrive early - I'm not talking about getting to the airport, but that's never a bad idea. I'm talking your stay in Fernie. You should plan to arrive at Fernie no later than Thursday. Unless you are coming from Calgary, you will have been in a car or airplane for the better part of a day. You'll be stiff, sore, tired and dehydrated. You body will need time to recover before your start racing. You'll also almost certainly be at a higher altitude than you are used to. The more time you have for acclimatization the better.
• Plan ahead. - If you are flying there are many things that you won't be able to bring on the plane. The airlines tend to frown on CO2 inflators (Pressurized gas) and chain lube (Flammable). If you are flying and plan to use CO2 inflators you will need to buy them in Calgary or Fernie. A trip to The Bike Shop (http://thebikeshop.com/) might not be a bad idea.
• Check your travel insurance. - If the airline loses your bike or your luggage what happens? How long to they have to find it? Read the fine print on your ticket to make sure that you won't be left high and dry. Some supplementary insurance could be a real life saver.
• Get to the airport early. - When flying with a bike you are not the norm. You'll have to drag your bike box all over hell's half acre to drop it off. (Be sure to bring a roll of packing tape as you may be required to open up the box for security.)
• Book your start/finish transfers - If you are flying into Calgary the easiest way to get to the start and from the finish is with the TR’s transfer partner.  There are lots of choices this year, but you need to book by July 15^th. (See the TR website for information on how to book your transfers. (http://transrockies.com/trc/transfers)
• TransRockies and TR3 Pre-Race Shuttles – Calgary to Fernie
•  Wednesday, July 25 – 2:00 PM
•  Wednesday, July 25 – 8:30 PM
•  Thursday, July 26 – 2:00 PM
•  Thursday, July 26 – 8:30 PM
•  Friday, July 27 – 2:00 PM
• Canmore to Fernie – Saturday, August 4 – 10h00 – $99 per person plus GST
•  TR3 Post Race Shuttles – Fernie to Calgary
•  Fernie to Calgary Airport – Tuesday, July 31, 07h30 – $99 plus GST
•  TR4 Pre-Race Shuttles – Calgary to North Fork Recreation Area
•  Tuesday July 31
•  Calgary Airport 8 am
•  Hilton Garden Inn 8:15 am
•  TransRockies Post-Race Shuttles Canmore to Calgary
•  Canmore to Calgary Shuttles will be offered by Banff Airporter. Banff Airporter runs a regular schedule every one to two hours from Canmore to the Calgary Airport. Use the link below to book your transfer. Be sure to book the “extra luggage” option to cover your bike. The fare including the bike is $63.37 including taxes.
• Book your hotels. – People who’ve done the TR have their favourite hotels in Fernie. There are lots of choices from funky B&Bs to luxury suites. I’m partial to the Park Place Lodge. It has a pool and hot tub and that hot tub feels so nice if you are trying to keep your legs in shape for 7 days of racing.

In the next instalment, I'll cover the dinnertime meal and then in the final instalment I'll deal with safety.

The Updated First Timer's Guide - Part 9 (After the Finish)

You’ve made if through the aid stations, dealt with a flat or two and now Drew Bragg has called out your names as you cross the line. Now comes the most important part of your day.

After you cross the finish line

The TransRockies will take more out of you than you expect. By the time you cross the finish line you’ll be all in. But what you do over the next hour or so will make all the difference in the upcoming days. You need to pay the most attention to the three Bs; body, bum, and bike.

• Body – There are lots of schools of thought about recovery however most people agree that you need to get some protein as soon as possible. At some of the stage finishes there are people selling burgers etc., other people will rely on a recovery drink of some sort.  I bring along a couple of 35mm film canisters with my recovery drink powder and mix it up right after I finish. Either way, you need to get some protein in you within the first 15 minutes after you finish. And a litre or so of liquid will also help your recovery. This is also the time when you may want to book your massage, assuming you have not pre-booked them in advance.
• Bum – Get out of that wet chamois ASAP. I know, you’ll be tired and feel like just lying down and having a snooze, but your bum will thank you for the change. After downing my recovery drink I grab my duffle bag and find a spare tent. I pull out my clothes and towel and head for the showers. With the new shower truck the wait times are usually very reasonable. (The wait time is usually under five minutes.) If, for some reason, the shower line-up is too long, get out of your riding gear before your shower.  After your shower dress in clothing that is, as they say, cool and breezy. The “commando” option is to be recommended as it will allow plenty of air circulation to the nether regions.
• Bike – I have seen too many people in their stinking, soggy riding gear standing in line to wash and detail their bikes. Unless your bike is going to need a long session of TLC from the mechanics at The Bike Shop, your bike can wait until after you’ve showered and changed. When cleaning your bike the want to get the mud out of the drive train. Apart from that, the rest of your bike just needs a quick once over. In some locations the hoses are pretty high pressure, so you need to be careful that you don’t drive water and dirt into the bearings, bushings and pivot points.  After you clean your bike, dry the drive train as much as possible and give the chain a quick coat of lube.  Then check the tire pressure and you’ll be ready to roll for the next day. If the line-up for the bike wash is huge, you and your partner may want to share the waiting. One stays in line with the bikes while the other showers and then you swap.
• Massage Therapy – Even if you don’t use a massage therapist any other time of the year, on the TR the massage therapists can be a life saver. The time blocks are usually 30 minutes. I usually start with shorter blocks at the start of the week, and work up to 60 minute blocks by day five or six.
• Swim – In a few locations there is water on-site or very near. Even if it is cold, the water will do your legs the world of good. You’ll need something quick drying to wear that will preserve a modicum of modesty. (So light coloured shorts that go transparent when wet are right out.)
• Put your feet up - You do need to get off your feet, out of the sun and relax. As I mentioned in an earlier instalment, a faster finish will give you more time to rest and relax. And good relaxation, with your feet elevated, will make you feel much better. Some people like to read; others listen to their iPods and relax. But no matter what you do, you should avoid walking around as much as possible and let your legs recover.

Well, only a couple more instalments to go. I’ll be covering the evening meal, travel, and safety. These instalments are based on my experiences, mistakes, and hard earned lessons on the TransRockies since 2004. I’d welcome any suggestions, corrections and/or additions from other riders.

The Updated First Timer's Guide - Part 8 (Racing)

Everyone has counted down the final 10 seconds, the starting gun has fired, Drew Bragg has played Highway to Hell, and now you’re off and racing. What do you need to do to make for a happy day’s racing?

On the course

Racing in the TransRockies, and racing with a partner, is a big change for many people. There are a few big things and lots of little things that you need to pay attention to in order to have a great experience.

• Dress alike. (If possible, you and your partner should dress in similar jerseys. This will make it easier to locate each other. Wearing the TransRockies jersey you got when you registered in Fernie is the surest way to lose your partner in the crowd. The jerseys don’t have to match, but if they similar in colour you’ll have an easier time keeping track of each other. This can also help if you lose your partner and need to ask passing teams if they’ve seem your partner. “In a jersey like this”, is a much more useful description than “In a TR jersey”.)
• Stay together. (This is easier said that done. Not everyone climbs or descends at the same speed. It is very easy to get separated from your partner if you are not paying attention. Staying together is made easier if you have distinctive jerseys.)
• Call out to your partner. (Let you partner know where you are. When riding behind my partner I called out regularly to let him know I was right behind him. The last thing I want is for him to turn around to look for me and crash into a tree.)
• Have a plan for separation. (Even with the best of intentions people do get separated on the course. The rules say that you should be within 2 minutes of each other but it does happen that one team member gets delayed. You should agree that if you do get separated to meet just before the next aid station. )
• Share the load. (People ride at different speeds. Each rider should be self-sufficient, but teams that are weight conscious will pare down a bit. You’ll only take one multi-tool, one pump, one patch kit etc. Some teams shift the weight to the faster rider but each rider should have a derailleur hanger and be able to deal with a flat, i.e. one with the pump and the other one with the CO2 inflator. But the rider with the team’s toolkit should go last.)
• Make sure you eat and drink enough. (In all of the excitement it is easy to ride hard and not eat and drink enough. This is especially important early in the day.  And in addition to making sure that you eat and drink enough, you also need to keep an eye on your partner. This is critical when it is hot and dry. On three or four occasions I’ve had to give water to other riders who were hot and dehydrated. Luckily in all but one case their partner had been keeping an eye on them, the situation was not too severe and the riders recovered to ride the next day.)
• Make sure you check in at the aid stations. (Failing to check in at the aid stations can cause huge headaches for everyone. The organizers can spend time looking for people who missed checking in. It is your responsibility to make sure that the volunteers at the aid station get your team number. Call it out to them to be sure.)
• Have a plan for the aid stations. (Some people like to stop and chat at the aid stations; I like to get in and get out in a couple of minutes. I drink two cups of water and refill my water bottle and grab a couple of chunks of fruit. Then I refill my hydration pack bladder with water and top it up with Gatorade powder. Finally, if necessary, I lube my chain and my partner’s chain and roll out. The faster rider should have the lube in their pack as lubing your chain and putting the lube away can take a minute or so. Easier for a faster rider to catch up with a slower one. It also gives the slower rider an easier start from the aid station.)
• Don’t be a hero. (There comes a time in every TR when one member of the team will try and convince themselves, and their partner, that they are doing fine and don’t need a hand up that hike-a-bike. If you are doing well and your partner is lagging behind then offer them assistance. At times I’ve pushed two bikes up the hill, carrying one bike while pushing another but I’ve also surrendered to fatigue and let my partner push my bike for me.)
• Remember, the team does not finish until the slowest rider crosses the line. (As 2008 80+ winner Jon Gould remarked, it is the job of each team member to make the other faster. Everything that you can do to make your partner faster is worth considering, and vice versa.  The sooner you finish the happier you’ll be. I’ve done the TR and had times of over 55 hours; I’ve also finished in 37 hours. Faster is better. You have more time to rest and recover and on a long race like the TR rest and recovery becomes essential to survival.)
• Stop to help fallen riders. (The TR takes you through some of the most isolated areas in southern British Columbia and Alberta. For three days there will be little or no mobile phone service. As you might imagine, this can make evacuation of injured riders a huge challenge.  If you see someone stopped by the side of the trail make sure they are okay. In most cases it will just be a flat or a minor mechanical problem, but if someone is injured extra help may be needed. Or it may be like the case of the rider that I helped in 2008. He was by the side of the trail converting his bike into a singlespeed. He’d snapped his derailleur hanger and didn’t have a spare. We rode the same brand, but different models and lucky for him my hanger fit his bike and I was carrying a spare. And you never know, the racer who takes this advice may be the one who stops to help you.)

Next time I’ll cover the most important part of the TR, post-race recovery. Do it right and you’ll be happy and healthy. Do it wrong and you’ll be sore and miserable.