Tour of the Battenkill

200km of race…ouch, 40km of gravel road…ouch, coming back with a dust mask…priceless!

Finished, 38th, going good, need coke, and clean.

The trusty steed ready to go

Just in case we thought this was bad enough, we had to do it all again on the second lap

Epic.

That one word pretty much seems up the 200km of Battenkill, in addition to its gravel roads, not to mention the 8hr, one hit drive to get back to Quebec. I’m not sure if my talking helped keep Tivers awake, or the fact that it kept me awake so I could be the human GPS  when we missed that exit on the motorway. Rolled in at 2am, after a combination of 5hrs racing and 8hrs driving, and one border crossing…fair to say I was pretty well sleep walking by this stage.

After spending a few days in Saratoga, NY before the race, where finally my legs managed to see some sun after being confined to a pasty change up here in Quebec, the team lined up for our first race of the season. It would have had to have been the most entertaining races I think I have done. The combination of bombing downhill on gravel at 80km/h, whilst constantly wondering how much longer my front teeth would be intact with the flying stones…I was thriving on it! I even watched my team mate go off the road at 65km/h, wondering how he managed to hold it up, only for me to do exactly the same thing, in the same place, the next lap. Karma.

So while ending up with dust and dirt clogging my eyes, nose, teeth, clothing, hair and ears, and admittedly some pretty tired legs at the end of it, it was a pretty successful race for Team Garneau-Quebecor. With a team mate in the top 10, myself and Brett in the bunch of 40 behind, and keeping it upright for the day (BMX skills coming in handy), I’d class it as a solid start. I don’t think I have enjoyed a cold coke so much after a race, it did a pretty good job of dissolving the grit in my teeth, though a day later I’m still finding road crap in my eyes.

Back to semi-reality for a few days now here in Quebec, before our mammoth 28hr drive to Arkansas next week. Could be an entertaining trip to say the least!

First race of the season done and literally dusted. I’m sure I’ll find some remnants of those gravel roads for a few days to come yet.

Over and out,

 

 

Marky

 

Oh Canada!

Since its been two weeks since I’ve re-accustomed myself with my limited French speaking abilities here in Canada, and the fact that its not looking decidedly welcoming outside today in Quebec, now is probably the best time to start the ball rolling with these updates once again. Cut a deal with myself, if I can keep this below 300 words then I’ll indulge in this Cadbury Creme Egg which somehow didn’t get demolished yesterday!

Fair to say that since arriving here in Quebec to be a part of team Garneau-Quebecor for 2012, apart from the risk of frostbite upon stepping outside, it has exceeded my expectations. Set up in a sweet little three-storey condo, bigger bedroom than I have at home, indulging in date slice specially made for us Kiwi boys at the sponsors factory, and the occasional snowball being hurled around outside. Even whipped up Hot Cross Buns the other day, not bad for a first attempt, kept me occupied for a few hours at least.

It’s been enjoyable getting lost in a controlled manner in a new place, getting my explore on. Though I didn’t expect to see a rather large lake still fully iced over yesterday. Might have to have a crack a curling, don’t go half bad at lawn bowls so it can’t be too much different…right?

Slowly I’m settling in here, found an “actual” cafe down the road, not a Starbucks, so might have to venture down there later on. Just need to get a NZ flag to hang on the house now, and a bag of Pineapple Lumps from somewhere. Have ourselves a fully fledged NZ territory in Quebec.

First race next weekend, 200km Tour of the Battenkill. Get to mix it up on a bit of gravel, maybe my adventures out the back of Te Miro will come in handy!

                                                                                                                                                     

Well, I want this creme egg so the official part of the update ended up there, shortest in the history of my updates!

I’ve even tracked down a genuine Maple Syrup Sugar Shack less than 5km away, may have to go and see how bad the Maple Flavoured stuff we get in NZ actually is soon, might as well experience Quebec while I’m here.

Until next time,

Over and out.

Marky

Wondering when Summer will arrive

Barrel Room at Escarpment

Pearler of a day between the vines

Morning Wine Tasting

Early morning start as the sun rose over the hills

Road to Ngawi

Ngawi, highest number of bulldozers pre capita in NZ

I’m the first to admit, Summer hasn’t been too forthcoming since I’ve been home from the US. It seems as soon as I start getting a tinge of brown on me, its back to cloud, rain, and wind. The whole back-to-back summer’s just isn’t happening this time round; guess it’s just karma, coming back to bite me after the golden run I had for a few years there.

 

In a way, summer hasn’t arrived but, my horizons haven’t got any dimmer. This year, I decided for once in my young life I needed to man up, stop playing this game of “pretend pro cyclist” for the summer back in NZ and try to combine both work and cycling, and pretty much see how I handled it. Because if we don’t try these things I suppose we just get caught in an ever-deepening rut and it makes it that much harder when it’s time to climb out of it.

Well, that was me being philosophical.

Following the Tour of Southland in November last year, I packed myself up and headed down to the Wairarapa for what I thought would be a small wee venture lasting all of a couple of weeks. Considering I’m sitting here writing this in the Wairarapa still, might show how well things are going for me down here.

I’d been toying with the idea of involving myself in the wine industry for a number of years - reading books, admiring vineyards, analysing wine through the course of drinking it; and finally decided to find out what it was all about, taking the humble grape (well not so humble now that I’ve been through the process of growing them) and creating a smooth, well-rounded wine. I was lucky enough to be put in contact with Larry McKenna at Escarpment down here in Martinborough, and fair to say that since I have been down here, I have been loving every minute of it!

From day one, where I felt like a fish out of water, literally thinking “f@#k me, it would be far easier to just buy the bottle of Pinot than to sit here shoot-thinning this vine” and looking down the row to see I’d only moved thirty metres in an hour, and I still had over 100 metres left to go…through to now where I understand what happens at certain times of the year, why certain things occur, and why it is so satisfying to know that by going through the day-to-day life at Escarpment has given me a greater grasp on what exactly goes into that bottle of Pinot or Chardonnay.

It’s quite satisfying to have finally found something I passionately want to do once I have finished my cycling career.

I’ve even suprised myself actually, normally the training motivation disappears after 10am and I might as well call it a day off, but I think what 2012 has in store for me has given me that motivation. I honestly thought I had spoken my last few words of French to a French person in 2009, looks like I might have to brush up on that again this year as I managed to gain a spot on Team Garneau-Chassures in Canada, so even though my French is very much of the pigeon variety, hopefully the people of Quebec will be able to understand me. I’m sure I can still ask for “un pain aux raisin sil’ vous plait” and I’ll be “tres bonne”. Genuinely I’m pretty bloody excited about heading to the team, something tells me that its going to be a good year!

At least if summer doesn’t roll round by the time I head to Canada on March 25th, I’ll be slightly acclimatised. Though I would be highly disappointed if it was a “high” of -9 degrees still then. “High” probably isn’t really the right word, more of a “little bit less chance of slipping on ice” temperature.

Anyways, time to hit the pit and get ready for another day tomorrow.

Over and out

Marky

Quenching my writing dehydration

I’m first to admit that its been a long time between drinks since my last update, I’m starting to feel a bit dehydrated after a few weeks of struggling to find those writing notions. Though since I’m sitting here in Salt Lake City, in a pretty comfortable office chair, with copious amounts of time on my hands this afternoon, now is probably a good time to take that second drink and get started putting fingers to keyboard. I’ll have to simplify somewhat the occurences over the last month and a bit…so here goes.

 

So after being a part of Scotty’s win at Tour de Toona in Pennsylvania, and finding myself some form in the process, due to significant periods of time riding the front, it was back to Boulder for a few days before journeying up to Bend in Oregon for the Cascade Tour. One knows they are in for a good week when the lady your staying with at the host house sees it neccesary to make sure you get a daily intake of quality red wine each night. Fair to say, my tastes broadened somewhat…Oregon does some good Pinot. The first couple of days were a bit of an uphill struggle, litterally. But managed to claw my way through, avoid crashes and promptly find some legs for the last two days of racing.

 

Following Cascade and a couple of awesome days away up in Montana after the Tour visiting and hanging out with a wee friend I’d met down in Arkansas earlier in the year. Visiting little ski towns nestled in the mountains, hanging out at The Red Door, and just all round relaxing. Great times. Wednesday rolled round and it was back to Boulder where reality kind snuck up on me.

 

In three days we managed to evacuate our apartment, scored a box of Coca Cola from 1999 in the process, migrated into town to set up camp with Jimmy and Shem, and re-light the Weber to celebrate somewhat coming full circle back to where we started it all. One positive of moving in, was the accessibility to the Espressoria across the road. Dangerous but good all the same. Not quite as dangerous as playing ‘Boulder Chicken’ though, sitting in the creek just as a thunderstorm starts is probably not the best idea. Water is quite conductive to electricity apparently, though we didn’t stay in long enough to find out. At least one of the above is only dangerous to the contents of my wallet.

 

With only a few days left in the US season for us over here, I’ve spent a bit of time looking back at where the team has come from, and where I’ve come from. We’ve all met some incredible people over here, not only in Boulder but from all across the United States. Seen some amazing places and experienced a new way of life. Its pretty hard to top Boulder as a place to live as a cyclist whilst here. I came over here not knowing what to expect, and so far all my expectations have been exceeded.

 

It’s a bit daunting sitting here in the hotel, knowing that tomorrow I’ll be starting the biggest race I have taken part in all year. Though at the same time as being nervous, I’m excited about the opportunities the week ahead will present and how I make the most of them. But with one more race to go, I’m ready to give it everything. With the incentive of free pizza at Pizzeria Locale back in Boulder if we win a stage here in Utah, why wouldn’t one be motivated??

 

Anyways, its probably going to be my turn on the massage table soon. Get these knots and tweaks rubbed out of my legs before starting tomorrow.

 

Thanks so much to all the people I have met in Boulder to make my time spent there so enjoyable, you will know who you are. Special thanks to Sarah, for the use of such a sweet car for our time in the US. Claudia and Mark, for all your help and hospitality during our stay in Boulder. As well as all the guys in the team for the BBQ’s, rides, coffees and whatever else we’ve done here. It’s been great.

 

Again, thanks to Pure Black Racing, Avanti, Shimano, Kenda, Peak Fuel and now Atlantis Healthcare for making my 2011 US season such a highlight and giving me the opportunity to further myself, not only as a cyclist, but also as a person.

 

One more race to go…LETS DO THIS!!!!

 

Mark

From West to East and back to Boulder

 

Currently I’ve resorted to my dark little dungeon of a room. The choice of having it in the basement was a good move I’ve decided, its significantly cooler down here than the 30+ degree temperature outside, or at the top of the stairs for that matter. Boulder has seriously turned it on lately though, however when it gets hot, snow melts. Its seriously restricting the opportunity to go tubing down Boulder Creek, I’m not too keen to hit up rapids on an inner tube.

These last few weeks have been pretty full on, from one side of the country to the other. America really is a pretty big place when it takes a day to fly across country. Mind you though, the pilot didn’t exactly take the most direct route possible.

Four of us headed up to Portland for a few days before we hit up the Mt Hood Cycling Classic in Oregon. Its an amazing part of the country, though the rain did cause a bit of frustration upon arriving. After a pretty successful few days racing, and for me  finding the old Mark again in the process, we had a few days before we jetsetted across country to Washington DC. Good thing we refrained ourselves from all those treats till we got back…I’ve come to the conclusion that if you’re ever in Portland, you have to visit Voodoo Doughnuts, if not for the doughnuts than at least for the experience. Insane!

For me though, it was another birthday spent away from New Zealand. Though Portland did offer up the most amazing French Boulangerie which we happened to stumble upon, for three days we visited the cafe of delectable coffee and treats, including the obligatory birthday visit as well. It is hard being away during this time of the year, but when you’ve got a wee little custard and strawberry treat in your hand, you forget being away for a delicious little second. It would have be the most authentic French Boulangerie that I have been to outside of France.

Washington DC. Humid. That almost sums it up really. The hotel air conditioning pretty much had two settings - Full or Super Full; which proceeded keep me awake for the majority of the first night. The racing though was pretty hard, the temperatures unlike anything I have experienced before. We gave it a nudge, but it seemed the weekend turned against us, with bad luck playing a part throughout the course of the two days. The cold coke at the end was at times a motivating factor to get through.

So after a day of exploring the nations capital, we returned to Boulder I was a bit disappointed that they had drained the memorial pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial, the sight of heavy machinery just doesn’t have the same effect. These last two weeks have been great! Visits from awesome friends I’ve met on my travels, BBQ’s almost every single night of the week, exploring new roads after living here for almost four months, hiking in the hills around the town, the afternoon walks up and down Pearl St, or just sitting in the park with a beer just admiring the stunning summer beauty of Boulder.

Fair to say, I’ve discovered that putting on a bit of weight, actually is paying off. All those hours hitting up the gym, grunting and looking at myself in the mirror must be doing something for me. Seriously…grunting and mirror watching…those are the people I laugh at inside. I haven’t lowered myself to that level.

Anyways, time for me to end this little novel and relieve everyone by doing so as well.

Thanks very much to Pure Black Racing, Avanti, Shimano, Kenda, and Peak Fuel. Still keeping us going as per usual.

Over and out,

Mark

Few Photos from the past few weeks

Bikes before start of Tour de Grove Night #1

Start of Tour de Grove Night #1

Heading up St Vrain Canyon

Road to Brainard Lake in mid-May

Looking back from where I came from

3hrs in and a fair bit of elevation gained already

Definitely above the snowline still

Hitting up the gravel road to get home

Roman and Mark – Tour de Grove

First lap done – Tour de Grove

Photos courtesy of Benny Devcich and Patricia Bitter Young

Pure Black Racing Flickr Page – http://www.flickr.com/photos/56332909@N06/

Marky’s Mid Term Report

I’ve been here in the United States now for a little over two months, which means that my mullet has currently acquired an extra two months length to it. It’s getting pretty long now, maybe it’s time for a haircut. I reckon I’ll save money on sunscreen by keeping it though, its come to be quite the handy neck protector.

Anyways, currently Im sitting outside on our deck, sun blazing above me, shirt off, listening to some New Zealand music…I’m sure doing all this at the same time is classed as multi-tasking. Productive day already.

So whats happened since I last sat down here, put fingers to keyboard and distributed my version of life abroad across the internet. America really is proving to be the land of first’s for me, I dont think I can recall ever doing a criterium on a 2km closed street circuit, through the appropriately named “South Compton Ave” in St Louis with a police escort both front and rear of the bunch…just to make you feel that little bit more safer.

St Louis and Fayetteville in Arkansas have been probably the biggest highlights of the past few weeks, not only to get back into pedalling my bike in anger once again, but to see the diversity of America as well. After a short-lived conversation with Scotty in Fayetteville, we came to the conclusion that it did remind us of the Dordogne region of France, with its rolling hills, forests lining the roads and the smell of agriculture again. Which unlike here in Boulder doesn’t mean its going to snow in the next few hours.

After proceeding to ride myself into some sort of form by the end of Joe Martin Stage Race in Arkansas, meeting the locals and exploring Fayetteville, we hit St Louis. It’s always good to be a part of a team that shares each others success, the view of crossing the line at the finish to Tour de Grove, seeing Carl with his fist in the air, Mike with a massive grin on his face, and the knowledge that it was time to perform a haka following the win was incredible. I’ll have to get the other boys into some haka practice, it doesnt have quite the same effect when only two of us skinny little white boys get up and start unleashing in front of a bunch of American’s.

Boulder, it appears, has finally decided to get rid of the crap weather and let us enjoy some sunshine. To be honest, I was over riding in the rain, getting cold, wondering whether the basement I was in would flood during the night, and getting pelted by hail ten minutes from home.

I’m still seeming to be acquiring a number of team fines since I’ve been back here, I still haven’t been caught out by the “high-five above the shoulder”, I’ve kept myself aware of that. But apparently my sock height has been bought into question. They might have a point.

So before I drift off to sleep out here in the sun and get myself scorched to a crisp I better close this off. My eyes are already sore from staring at this screen in the sun. That’ll learn me for trying to get rid of my tan lines…whilst avoiding fines for rolling my sleeves up out riding.

Cheers Pure Black Racing, Avanti, Shimano, Kenda and Peak Fuel once again. Time to head off on Monday to Oregon and represent you guys at Mt Hood.

Sun’s gone behind a cloud, thats my cue to go.

Over and out,

Mark