TransRockies Stage 7 and 8

Start in the rain end in the sun, always. Seems to be the sucker punch in the TR. It leaves you with a huge smile on your face and a thought that maybe it wasn't that bad, which of course it wasn't.

Here are a list of thanks that i can remember:

Alana-for just about everything
Tyler and Bert for somewhere to stay and an excuse to buy good cheese
Terrascape for the camaraderie and laughs along the way
Dave-for your witty banter and invaluable help servicing the "Jeffhammer" and free beers, well almost free.
TransRockies for another fabulous summer vacation.
Pam and Linda for coming all the way back out form Calgary to move the Big Blue Truck
Jason and Deanne for you poor laundry machine.
Deadgoats for always being there for a shuttle or water bottle
Heather and Dave for again moving the Big Blue truck.
all my fellow riders for stories, pumps, hands that work, and sharing the joy of cycling.

Day 7

Started at Rafter 6 and smartly avoided the cow pasture cicuit in favor of the road. It was cold, wet and tight in the peloton.  I think it is a blast when someone from mid-pack comes up to the front and makes a "break" for a stage win. good chuckles though turned to a bit of fear as the fellow tried to join the front and was all over the place trying to get it right. Decided it was time to go and made a break for the right hand corner that would be a gong show of rocks, gopher holes, tall grass, elbows, tree branches and mud. Made the corner first and settled into a good pace till the road.

Geoff and I made a plan to ride safe and smooth until check point 1 as the course is a bit treacherous along the Trans Canada Trial. What makes it cool also makes it dangerous. single track, roots, sharp rocks, bridges, fall away slopes, and stairs. Travis Hauck was down with a flat and would eventually hammer back to be down only until seconds. He would finish 4th in the TR4 but 3rd in the unofficial TR7. Heroic efforts and a huge heart from our little buddy from Nelson.

Geoff kept attacking me!!Why??? He needed 8 minutes to get back on the podium in 3rd spot. The race was on. I rode with him to help keep the pace up and to give myself some focus for the day. We had fun at times but the hills were getting pretty intimidating near the end. A normally benign trial like EKG has uphills!! I never noticed them on a weekend night ride.

We rolled into town together adjusted leg warmers and jerseys for the photos and sprant for the finish. Geoff got me by 1.3 seconds enuf for the stage win and his 8 minutes.

Alana and Nicole had a great week and were all smiles at the finish. 

Stage 8

It's what we call the ceremony and after party. I thought I was only going to stay for one but it was one of the first times all of us were warm, fed, and had nothing to do. Conversation flowed easy and so did the drinks. 2am say Alana and i at the Canmore Hotel eating Poutine with some Goats and friends.

Breakfast with Jason Deanne and Zach and back to life.

We are on our way to Ontario Cottage country for a week of lakeside eating, resting, and visiting. Buckwallow cycling center is just down the road and Ryan Draper may be able to hook us up with some Scott's as they are HQ'd out of the town 15min away. Or pass una mas cerveza Por Favor!


Thanks for reading. I found the Stats page and someone is actually reading this. Helps to know that. I will let you know when the next adventure happens.

Ciao!