Thrills, Spills and Bills

This past Tuesday I took part in the Midweek Cycling Club season opener criterium in Missassagua. My thinking was to use this weekly series to supplement my existing interval workouts I performed while at the same time, curb my appetite for racing and maybe save a few bucks from travelling across Ontario. At this event, typically two races are held. An early race for those wanting a slower pace, new to the sport and mandatory for all first time attendees, and a late race for those who have done well in the early race and have been promoted. Due to the limited day light as I later discovered, a single race was had. Although I had no immediate issues with a single race, the first few laps would be crucial as slower riders are shelled out the back. Positioning towards the front would be important.

The hour + 15 lap race began at a modest pace but soon picked up speed on the back stretch of the 1km circuit. With only two corners to contend with, it was not a technical course but due to the elevation changes and direction of wind, speeds in excess of 60km/h could be reached very quickly yet slow down just as fast. For the most part I felt really good during the race. I maintained my position towards the front, negotiated the corners and held the wheel in front of me well, and at times, put a few efforts off the front for fun. The sensations I felt brought me back to the days I use to ride on the track. I was having a blast! With one lap to go, we approached the first right hand corner at speed. Later I would learn we were travelling through the corner at 40km/h. No sooner did I have a chance to think, I felt tangled and caught with someone to my right. Before I knew it, I was on the ground and the only things I recall clearly was the sensation of being pulled, the thump of the rear left of my head striking the ground followed by the feeling of being run into from behind. As I lay there trying to comprehend what had just happened, I was quickly surrounded by people and being told to lay still. My initial fear was something was terribly wrong and thoughts of a fellow cyclist who years earlier shattered his leg on this same course went through my mind. But as I lay there, able to move my arms, legs, neck and head and without the feeling of blood oozing, I knew nothing was wrong and I began to sit up.

With local volunteers surrounding me, they began asking me a number of questions. Who I was? Where I was from? Was anyone here with me? Where's my car? What's my phone number? Who's my emergency contact? All of which I was able to answer without hesitation. As I think back, I have to laugh. As I was being asked, I was putting a significant amount of effort to answer their questions correctly and with conviction! Not only did I want them to believe me, I wanted to believe myself that nothing was wrong. It was time to call home and tell my wife the bad news. Oh shit!!!!

Because I hit my head, an ambulance had to be dispatched and I had to get checked out at the local hospital. While in the ambulance, they monitored my vitals and continued to ask questions. By this time, the adrenaline had all but dissipated and the pain now became apparent. I had road rash up the left side of my leg from the calf to my left hip, on my left elbow, on my right butt cheek and as I would later learn, a nice tire rub/skin tear on my left shoulder blade. My nice new Erace Cancer team kit was ruined and my helmet was shattered! But more importantly, I was okay. By this time, with the adrenaline gone, I began to feel tired and nauseated, but not because of the blow to the head. Unless I'm driving, I get nauseated in a car. To make matters worse, I was in the back of am ambulance riding backwards. Argh... give me a barf bag! Fortunately, everything stayed down and I was quickly moved through Triage and waiting to see the doctor. Perhaps one of the few benefits of hitting your head, you get to see the doctor before everyone else! Within a matter of moments and after she went through her shpeel of questions, she said I was free to go after my wounds were attended to by the nurse. I had half expected to have a scan to the head done but all she seemed to be concerned with was that there was someone at home to monitor me throughout the night. There was even no concern that I had to drive home alone! Arriving home later that night I spoke with my wife and surveyed the damage to the bike. For the most part it looked all cosmetic yet would require my mechanic to fix as I neither had the time nor tools. A few hundred bucks later, my mechanic made my bike look and feel new and gave me a good deal on a replacement helmet. Thanks Joe @ Impala Richmond Hill!

So where does this leave me? Good question. Two significant crashes in the span of a year leave you considering your options. Fortunately nothing was broken this time; however a blow to the head is not something to dismiss either. As I look back upon this journey it started with the desire to return to some level of fitness. Next it led to a desire to become competitive once again. Having achieved that, my next goal was to reach the highest level in the Master racing category, that being Master 1. Although not officially achieved, when I look back upon the year and in particular this Midweek race, I can say it has been achieved. I raced with the top Master A (30 - 39 year old) athletes in Ontario at the Ontario Road Championships last year and in this Midweek race, competed with a number of top level Master 1 cyclists. I know I can compete with them and know within myself I would be competitive. The question I have to ask myself is whether I need further proof of this and at what cost?

Good Friday Road Race 2012

The 2012 cycling racing season began this past Friday in Flamborough, ON. Presented by the Hamilton Cycling Club, the annual Good Friday Road Race has a rich history, being the oldest organized cycling event in Ontario. With the course travelling over the infamous Strabane Drumlins just north of Hamilton, with the cold and windy conditions, it is a great test of early season form, skill and determination.

In my second year of competitive cycling since my hiatus, I was anxious to learn how my form has progressed from the previous year. The last 5 weeks have been emotionally draining and my training although not disrupted, was more unstructured than I had originally planned. Throughout the winter all my riding was performed indoors. Only in the last two weekends did I actually get outside and road some challenging routes to test my legs. I felt good.

Although the day would be sunny, it was cold with a brisk north wind. For the most part I felt rather relaxed as compared to last year. This race last year followed two previous early season races with Easter falling later in April, but this year the race was the first of the season and a confirmed 97 participants in this Master 3 category had me a little concerned. Master 3 being the entry level into competitive master cycling, there would be a few first timers which would make for some nervous conditions. It was imperative to stay towards the front!

For this 2012 cycling season I am racing with Erace Cancer Cycling Team, established to bring cancer awareness and raise funds for The Princess Margaret Hospital. I had 3 teammates in the race but for the most part, I had expected us to race independently. Needless to say, it was nice to see familiar jerseys. We set off at approximately 8:30am for our 3 lap 55km race. From the start I ensured I was placed well within the peloton sitting within the first 15 cyclists. The pace was moderate which resulted in the peloton riding shoulder to shoulder and leaving little to no room to advance and requiring more attention to avoid potential hazards. As we approached the first drumlin, you could sense the anxiety settling in as the pace increased. Last year I recall standing up on the pedals, forcing them over and gasping for air on the climbs, however as I crested the first climb, I was sitting comfortably in the saddle, feeling strong and breathing comfortably. An indication my fitness has improved.

For the first lap and a half, we maintained a rather moderate pace such that towards the end of the second lap, we were neutralized to allow the following Senior 4 category to pass. Somewhat embarrassing but hey, as I overheard a spectator on one of the climbs say; these must be the old guys. I had to smile… I was officially an old guy!

For the remaining part of the race, I concentrated more on maintaining my position or moving closer to the front. A few times on the climbs there was some bumping of handlebars which left me a little uneasy. However due to the size of the field, little opportunity presented itself to move up. Along the last 3rd of the race, I tried to position myself towards the front up the left hand side of the road while attempting to observe the yellow line and avoiding being disqualified. It became a little too dodgy for my liking so I proceeded to move through the peloton towards the right and again attempt to move towards the front. I began to make some headway and with approximately 1km remaining, I was positioned nicely for the sprint finish. Sitting within the top 15, suddenly two cyclists crashed directly ahead of me. I saw one fly head over heels and other appearing on all fours on the road. With no where to go, initially I thought that was it, I was going down. At the last moment, I pulled up on my handlebars, clearing the front wheel over the downed cyclists, and thrusting the rear of the bike over him. I made it! OMG!!! In the past I have had some dramatic recoveries, but this one had to be an all time best! Either that or someone was looking out for me. With the crash avoided, I was then confronted by sudden cramps in both calves likely the result of the exertion to avoid the crash. I stood up and pushed both heels towards the ground to stretch them out. It provided some relief. With the last corner in sight, I did what I could to move up further as I had dropped back considerably. Leaning shoulder to shoulder with another cyclist, I almost go down again but manage to stay up. With the corner taken, a long line ahead of me begins to sprint. I do what I can and make up a few positions to take 11th place; a respectable placing for the first race of the season.

For the most part I was satisfied with the race. I felt good and strong on the climbs but admittingly did not feel like I had much energy. Understandably, its difficult to get up and motivated for an early race start when its 1 degree Celsius and the moderate pace may have been an indication of such.

Up next is Calabogie Classic in Calabogie, ON on April 22, 2012. Held at the Calabogie Motorsports Park, 11 laps of a 5.05km asphalt track with 20 turns, 20 meter changes in elevation and up to 6% cambers in turns, it is sure to be a good time. Looking forward to it!