Race Start Day - 1

To clarify, the title of this blog means that we are 1-day away from the start of the TransAlps event. Just got off the phone with wife. She interpreted yesterday's "- 2" title as 2-days into the race. When I clarified, she then asked why we were "practicing in our uniforms". Love it.

Did our race check-in at the start of day. After some futzing and organizing, rode 25km to the neighboring town of Garmisch (famous German winter sporting town).

More kaffe and kuchen (Haas tradition).

After the ride back to Mittenwald, took the tram up to the top of the peak that towers over our start town. At 2250meters, it's approximately the height of the top of Whistler. We'll reach that elevation on bike during the 2nd stage.

If on menu back home, would never eat sauerkraut and bratwurst. To my surprise, this afternoon, quite enjoyed the traditional Bavarian fare. This is the fuel that will get us over the Kuhtai tomorrow - stage defining climb that's 23km and 1400meters (consecutive Cypress and Seymour).

Hope to get more sleep than last night's 90minutes.

Gun goes off tomorrow at 8:30am. Lots of race plan talk today. Share that tomorrow when we can compare to actual execution. Race partner and I currently having some light hearted debate as to our game plan.

Race Start Day - 2

Very lucky to get 7-hours of sleep despite the time change. Built the bikes last night. Today's agenda very complex. Breakfast. Ride. Eat. Acclimate.

We learned today that Jamie's German cousin is quite famous in these parts.

Rolled the first 25km of the Day 1 course. Starts with a short climb that will serve to break up the pack on Day 1. The top of the climb is marked by the German/Austria border. This year's course includes only 3km on German roads. After 15km of flat, plateau terrain, a fast descent into Telfs. A theme for the 7-day race - what goes up, must come down. Here we are going in reverse, climbing back out of Telfs, returning to Mittenwald. Ran into this skinny guy named Wilf who happened to be sporting the same flash kit we wear. We let him ride with us.

50km round trip, capped by a very important post ride ritual - kaffe and kuchen. Critical topics covered such as Day 1 race plan, tan line management and ice bath recovery benefits.

Strolled through town. Ate lunch.

TL, Wilf and Jamie then decided to explore more of the local culture. They found these great outfits in one of the stores. When in Rome.

Travel Day

Long day (actually 2-days) starting with Wednesday 4pm departure from YVR. TL, Jamie and I traveling together on an overnight flight to Frankfurt. Fortunately I was able to manage 4-hours of sleep on the way over. On Kenny's recommendation, filled the rest of my time watching the first 4 Season 1 episodes of The Wire.

After a 3-hour layover in Frankurt, quick transfer to Munich. Always a relief to see the bikes make the connection.

Another tour lead by Joerg and the Magic Places team. Joerg picked us up from Munich and drove us 2-hours down to Mittenwald. Arrived in the start town at Thursday, 6pm local time.

Beautiful Mittenwald in the heart of Bavaria. Very quant town that is definitely a world away from Vancouver. Clouds in the sky and water on the street. In 2 previous tours, yet to see one drop of rain during the 7-day events. Fingers crossed for this year.

Ended the day with dinner. Notice the food selection similarity of 6 nerd cyclists.

Obtained my Cat 2 upgrade earlier this June - just in time to compete with the Cat 1/2 racers at the TNA Westside Classic p/b MOSAIC Homes. Had to represent as both sponsors also sponsor our household income.

Though one of the easier courses (12 laps of an 11.5km course with one 2min climb/lap), still quite a shocker when compared to racing Cat 3 (lower category). Very little "off the gas time" with the big boys.

I'm wheel #2 in the photo. Race day was day #1 in the new kit. Love the flash. If one is to be flamboyant, the bike is definitely an appropriate place.

Fly in 3 days. Wilf (partner in team TNA 2) already landed in Mittenwald Germany. Report from the host city is sunny and 28degrees.

Completed last training ride today. Kept the rubber down. Was in full winter gear on the winter bike in mid-June. Really hoping the better weather in Europe sticks.

The Run Up To TransAlps 2012

Year 3. This season focussed more on upgrading within the local racing ranks. Racing fitness is peaking but didn't put in a lot of steadier state consecutive day training blocks as in the past 2 years.

Goals for this campaign are simple.

1. Be safe (as in dial back the 80km/hr switchback descents when surrounded by nutty Euros)

2. Have fun (ride to enjoy the terrain, scenery and end of day beers)

3. Perform (while adhering to #1 and #2, push physical limits)

Funny how a Seymour/Grouse/Cypress can become just another training ride.

Photos from one such ride completed a couple weeks back. Started with Seymour dawn ride.

Finished with a late morning Cypress.

No photos from Grouse, but it was claimed in the middle.

Day 7: Kaltern to Arco

117 km, 2,239 meters of climbing.

It's done. Like 2010, no crashes, no flats, no mechanicals - very fortunate.

For the last couple of years, Day 7 has been an easier day. Not this year. Big climb out of the gates (Seymour +), followed by another sizable climb (Cypress +) and ending with 400 meters of punchy rollers before the 17 km downhill to the Arco finish line.

A bunch of us chose to ride together today. We spread out on the first two climbs but regrouped at the summits. Unfortunately saw a couple bad crashes with less than 40 km to go. Both were minutes from each other and involved riders veering into the oncoming lane. Smashed windshields, medivac helicopters and stops at closed roads told a sobering story. Can't believe riders out of contention would be that reckless so close to the finish line.

Some of the gang savoring our last 9AM start to XXXX's Barbara Streisand Club Remix.

GM posing down at the top of the first climb while we waited to regroup.

Saw some different riders on the road today as we were not with our usual group. This GUYS hair was worth a photo.

The final 10 km of TransAlps are downhill with Lake Garda in full view. It's a beautiful sight on several levels.

We were a little looser and hung around the finish line a little longer for obvious reasons. Max showing off his circa 1988 NV gang signs.

All in all, another great experience. Though peak performance was not attained, completion became a worthy result when all's considered.

My most significant lesson learned based on this 2011 TransAlps experience:

- set a goal

- when it gets really tough, bare down and grind it out

- even if it feels too far/big/high/long, you'll eventually get there and feel better when you do

Simple stuff, but with a little more personal meaning after the past 7-days.

2012?

Day 6: Ponte di Legno to Kaltern

145 km, 3092 meters of climbing.

Canada Day. Howie and Philip looking sharp in their red + white Axel's Granfondo kits. The next time we'll all be on bike together is a week Sunday in Penticton for Axel's big ride.

2nd hardest stage today. Didn't feel great for a chunk of the ride. Back very sore. 6-days of compensating for the injury catching up.

Over 4,000 meters of descending resulted in some bad crashes today. At least one rider was helicoptered off the course. Everyone in our group safe and looking forward to the last stage tomorrow.

Haas sampling the competition's wares. These guys deserve it. Riding very strong. Currently TNA/Shape - 1 (Haas/Leblanc) sitting in 14th place in the Masters (combined age over 80) category.

Final shout outs to a few who helped along the way.

AP - coach, psychologist, training companion, first aid attendant.

KE - the ultimate Le Domestique.

Jer - delivering parts and clothing during the last minute crunch.

CG - providing the best recovery fruit + nut bar.

Put the prosecco on ice. Almost there.