Redemption

My Garmin had just ticked over 150 kilometers, and I’m all alone. I was fighting cramps and watching the lead group of ten riders slip away from me. The thoughts going through my head ranged from, ‘wow that was a pretty good ride’ to ‘you should probably stop bike racing’. So where did this leave me? Well, it left me with 30 kilometers to go and a gap of just under two minutes to the chasers.

So how did I get there.

Entering the end game

This nationals trip was first on my mind in January. My teammate Will Elliott came into my room during our Spain training camp and shared with me that Nationals had been moved from Kamloops, BC to Saguenay, QC. I had originally planned on skipping the event in Kamloops due to logistical reasons. However, with the change, I was excited at the prospect of returning to Saguenay, a place where I have tasted success before in 2016. The goal of chasing the U23 jersey was back on the board.

Coach Jon looking majestic

After my return from Europe I really had my hands tied up with my computer science courses that I had left way too late and had to get started on. The extra work load was taking some time out of my training, which was actually beneficial as I was also sick during those first two weeks of being home. I really did need to relax.

Racing on the bike path with a local

The past few weeks leading into nationals had been going really well. I managed to dodge all illness and training has been a perfect mix of good fun (mountain biking) and serious work (intervals and strength). The support of the up and coming Nova Scotia provincial team program, led by Jon Burgess had also been great. The motor pacing sessions combined with some mock Critérium races had been a critical part of ensuring that I was not at a disadvantage having not raced in the past 40 days.

This national’s trip marks the start of part two of my 2018 season. I was both excited to get back into the craziness that is racing, but also upset to be leaving behind all the people back in Nova Scotia and the simple structured living that comes with being at home. Nothing good ever comes without sacrifice though, right? So here we go.

Juniors see a squirrel

Skipping the time trial was an easy choice this year, the course was extremely difficult and would suit riders with excellent pacing capabilities (not me). Not to mention, my track record in the event is sub-par. So instead I took the Nova Scotia junior riders out for a few laps of the road race course. If there is one thing I can say I’ve learned over the past few years, it is not to get stressed about things that are out of your control. When I saw the climb, I knew it would be extremely hard, but I did a max effort up the climb, roughly 1m10s at 700 watts and I knew that this is what I could do. I was quietly confident that it would be enough and semi-repeatable.

Deep in the pain cave

Friday came and went, and I was all systems go, went for an easy activation ride with former teammate Derek Gee, one of team Canada’s team pursuit line up. The juniors; Calum, Ian, and John had a tough day in a very aggressive junior race. John managed to finish after spending all day chasing the leaders. Derek, Ed Veal and I spent that evening dreaming up scenarios of how our race would unfold, mostly trying to predict who teams would be working for and placing bets on who might win! Of course, we excluded ourselves to keep our confidence from hitting rock bottom.

I’ll have a part two where I go deep into how the road race and crit unfolded. I would also like to say thank you to all the people who supported me over the years, they are the reason I am able to even attend these events and ensure that my stress levels are as low as possible. There are too many to list fully, but all the way from Java Blend racing for letting me join their team (well before I discovered the joy of coffee), to Oakley Atlantic where Terry Tomlin taught me how to read and compete in races. To my coach Luc Arseneau for taking me on as a junior and forging a path for me to compete in Europe full time with Team RaceClean. To my personal sponsors, Global Relay’s Bridge the Gap Program to support Canadian riders aspiring to reach the highest levels. Also, thanks to Sweet Ride Cycling, T-Palm PCW, and of course my family for being so supportive, also bonus points for my Dad lending me his bike for the weekend!

Criterium Start line

Thanks for reading