Week 3 in Costa Rica

Sooo, for week 3 my dad got a cheap flight and flew down to join in on the fun. We went for an unsuccessful fishing trip (hooked one but Sam let it get away haha), but got to see dolphins and manta rays so it wasn't a wasted trip. 

Later in the week, I got the chance to go scuba diving with a friend (I'd never been before), and it was amazing. Got to see so many cool rays, eels and fish, I will definitely be going again next trip!

Our last day we decided to do a long ride north to the Witch's Rock Canopy Tour to do the zipline. It ended up being totally worth the ride. They had 11 zips and lots of swinging bridges and ladders. Their longest zip was 1400ft from ridge to ridge, which Sam and I got to enjoy hanging upsidedown with the help of the guides.

We were all pretty sad to come home (me the most) but I had an amazing time and I know I will be back soon.

"I'm not strong enough"

Photo: Rolbin Garcia

Ready to go

Bye Coco

Week 2!!!

Another week over and only one more until we have to head back to the snowy north. Time is going too fast.

We decided for some cross training that we would rent some kayaks and head out to a private beach just north of Coco. It was a short paddle but the next day my arms and shoulders were feeling it.

Our epic bike trip of the week was to Tamarindo beach to do some surfing. Thursday morning we did the 50km trek on our mountain bikes with backpacks, got settled into our cabina, and went SURFING. It was nothing like snowboarding but it was awesome to finally try! We got up Friday morning do to a couple more hours of surfing and then packed up for the long ride back to Coco.

We haven’t gone fishing yet but now that my Dad has arrived, we will definitely be going soon!

Costa Rica Week 1

Swagler, Cole, Taylor and I all landed safely on Monday and were greeted by 35 degree weather and our Tico friend Diego. Our bikes made it safely too and on Tuesday we built them up and headed out for our first hot CR ride. Diego took us along a trail with lots of river crossings and ended up at a beautiful waterfall.

Since then we have done rides South to Playa Ocotal, Sardinal and Playa Zapotal, and North to Playa Hermosa and Playa Panama. When we’re not riding, we’ve been keeping ourselves busy with snorkelling, the beach, pool and hanging out on Hector’s boat.

The boys and their new tank tops

Plans for this week are kayaking, sunset boat cruise, fishing, surfing and more riding!

I never want to leave!!!

Leaving Tomorrow!

Tomorrow is the day we're off to Costa Rica! So excited to do some training in the sun before the long winter of trainer rides.

I also got to do some testing with Steve Neal this past Monday and sweated just a little!
Heres a couple pictures, will post again once in CR!!!

Shhh, Be Verwy Verwy Quiet, I'm Hunting Wabbits

Last week I got to head out for my first hunt up in Singhampton. I don't have my hunting licence so I was more just along for fun but the group got a couple of bucks so it was a good day.

Cole's buck from last year

Pretty bummed to wake up and see snow on the ground the other day, but then I remembered that we leave for Costa Rica in two weeks and I wasn't so upset! Looking through some pictures from the last time we were there made me even more excited.

First Year of U23 Over and I Survived!

After a long and somewhat disappointing season, its time to start looking forward to next year. Taking what I learned from 2011, I am very excited for another great off-season and a much better race season for 2012.

Training is starting to ramp up again and trying to beat the cold weather, Sam Wagler, Taylor Near and I have planned an amazing 3 week trip to Costa Rica for the end of the month!

Me in a Costa Rica cave last January

The 2011 Ontario Ride Guide episode is up! Check it out: Ride Guide Bike TV Ontario

A couple of Halloween pictures:

Tremblant, Baie-Saint-Paul and Hardwood Canada Cups

Mont Tremblant

After a long drive, we made it to Tremblant and got settled into our condo. We opted for a spin on the road as the course was a bit too hilly. Friday was preride day and after 2 laps I felt confident with the course. It was my 5th year racing at Tremblant and the course has always been the same loop, either dry or muddy. This year about 1/3 of the course was muddy and the rest was bone dry. I went to bed with high hopes for the next day.

Right from "Go" I knew it wasn't going to be a great day. My legs were holding me back greatly and on such a punishing course a bad day is a terrible day. By the start of my 4th lap I was really looking forward to that finish line. I ended up 14th but was very disappointed with my ride. The next week I decided to take it easy and let my body and my mind get over the bad race.

Elite Women's Start



Pretty much sums up how I felt

Baie-Saint-Paul



After spending most of the week at the Bromont Cycling Centre, we headed to Baie-Saint-Paul. The sky was cloudy when we arrived but when we went out on the course for a few laps, it was fairly dry. The next two days leading up to the race were rainy and cold so the course changed considerably. On the Saturday preride the course was all rideable. By Sunday morning it was a mudfest. Most of the singletrack was running with some mud puddles over a foot and a half deep (I almost drowned in one).  The singletrack descents were slippery but super fun. At the end of the day it was another disappointing race but there is still lots of racing to come.

Hardwood Ski and Bike

After a week of back to normal at home came the local Canada Cup at Hardwood. Saturday the Trek Canada team had a great preride and autograph signing with the racers. Despite the pouring rain in the morning, the course wasn't too slippery. I had the chance to ride with six young girls and one talented lady for our prerides. It turned out to be an awesome day and the racers' enthusiasm inspired me.

Youth Preride









Autographs!

Sunday turned out to be a beautiful day. The course was dry and fast, and I was very excited to race. The start of our 5 lap race was fast but I settled into a good position that I kept for the whole race. I ended up 13th and 4th U23 so I was pretty happy with my result. It is nice to have the confidence boost after a couple of disappointing races. Thank you to all the Trek Canada team supporters and to Pulse Racing for putting on such a great event!

Photo: Julie Rossall





Photo: Julie Rossall

Homage to Ice

The Homage to Ice was supposed to be the first mountain bike race of the year but it turned out to be more of a running race. A good chunk of the course was covered in snow which made for some interesting riding and lots of wipeouts. The course had to be changed because of all the snow so instead of 50km we did around 35 with only a couple pieces of dry singletrack. Despite the condition of the trails it was a great race and it felt good to get out on the new bike.

It was my first ride on my new Trek Paragon 29er (waiting for my Superfly to come in) and it felt amazing. I didn't get much chance to get a feel for the ride as we were on the doubletrack for most of the race, but the big wheels were great on the long open stretches.

I'll be heading out to California for Sea Otter next Wednesday and will post after race. Can't wait!

Team Ontario South Carolina Training Camp 2011

Back to snow after another awesome training camp in sunny South Carolina. We had eight great days of riding to get the last of our base miles in before race season starts. On Saturday night we headed out to the local bowling alley for some fun. It was karaoke night so we had some entertainment by Sam Wagler and Haley Smith singing "I'm on a boat", and Stu Loney and Ben Perry singing "Hero". Too funny. 



At the top of Blueridge Parkway



The Gang



Bowling!

Daily Reports from OCA