CTS Day 3 - Final Day...

Ok, now I'm rested, let's back track...

After crossing the finish line on Day 2, I found my duffle and tried to get into my bathing suit to wash the mud and blood off in the river.

Had to jimmy the ratchet open on my bike shoes with my survival knife, as my shoes (like everything else was packed with mud). Each attempt was met with a leg cramp, kind of like a scene in an action movie when the injured hero is struggling to get this gun on the ground - just out of reach as the villain is looking the other way.

Taking care of post-ride chamois hygiene was like trying to clean a crankcase with a Q-Tip.

Took extra time to wash the bike down with a hose, long bristled brush and soap, even removing the wheels to get in everywhere. When it dried, it still seemed dirty.

Lugging the duffle to our cabin (maybe 300m) was exhausting and I had to rest several times.

Dinner was nice (great food) and I sat with various others from Ottawa.

Later in the evening, Mike A. (another Ottawa racer) and I got a little fire going which we sat at in front of the cabins and chatted.

Mike and I knew of one another but had never really talked. Knowing that he was a well conditioned Ottawa athlete, I kind of had my sights on "giving him a run for his money" in the race, but it wasn't to be. Though I outweighed him by about 70lbs, it was not a course that would have favoured the light. Coming off an impressive IronMan performance a few weeks prior, he put in very solid days, bettering me by about 15 minutes per day. All would have's/could have's aside, I just didn't have the drive to make it happen.

Seems that most were in bed by 10:00 (or earlier). Funny how so many people that are just better than middle-of-the-pack feel the need to keep it all business.

The social aspect of this race was the most fun part for me and shooting the breeze over a campfire is more valued that trying to fall asleep in a cabin with a dozen other restless people.

The night was scattered with people fumbling through the squeaky door to take a leak outside. Then as the morning approached, it became very cold in the cabin. Though I had a toque only inches away, the hassle of fumbling with the light and bag seemed harder that curling up and trying to fall back asleep.

After the first unanswered morning alarm, I finally put on my toque and feel asleep. 7:23, I was up and heading to breakfast.

White Pines was a very nice camp and high-end from what I was told. Someone suggested that it would be about $3000 to send a kid there for a 2 week stay!

Like the other camp, common areas and the dinning hall were lined with crafts (carved plaques, clay masks, small paddles...) with the names and events of participants dating many years back. The exposed wooden beams in the buildings, rustic signs with cabin names, canoes stacked at the shore, and smell of pine - all flashed me back to the Beaver/Cub Scout camps that I'd attended as a child.

I remembered the helpful counsellors and experiences, though filled the gaps of my memory envisioning the plethora of challenges and emotions that a child would experience being away from mom and dad at such a camp. Putting your trust in competent staff could result in positive life experiences that would always remain with your child.

The people were nice overall, though some did take quite a while to warm up. From barely getting a grunt from riders on Day 1 to chatting along the course by the last day.

Most were courteous on the track, some didn't know better, and many were just too tired or focused to interact.

By Day 3 the slow leak in my rear tire (losing about 25 psi/day) seems to have sealed itself. Nonetheless I filled the 2.2 Fast Trak to 45 psi and headed to the start line. Today's race was to start with a 17km neutral police escort. It was cold! The peloton cruised along the pavement taking up an entire lane. While the pace seemed stop and go, it was likely completely due to the dynamics of group riding (one that stretched probably 500m) and not due to the pace car at the front. At one point the whole thing came to a stop for about 7 minutes while people ran into the bush to relieve themselves. Kind of ironic when police could fine you for that behaviour.

Once we arrived at the actual start, I lay down my bike in the starting gate and went to shed my arm and leg warmers at the drop.

Appropriately positioned in the gate, familiar faces were sprinkled throughout the crowd. Then off we went again.

First the doubletrack/fireroad climbed several loose sections, wheel-to-wheel with other riders. Struggle for traction and maintain your spot, then perch in the attack position navigating loose rocks and gravel for the descents. Positions shifted as riders tried to locate to their appropriate location.

Legs were tired, my right knee sore from a torquing the day before, but mostly I recognized my own defeatist attitude as we churned through the road under the hydro lines. 2 days of crappy terrain had taken their toll and I just couldn't muster up the incentive to push it - but I would try. Everyone is tired, we all have sore legs and don't expect to be a competitive racer if you don't train like one - you p*ssy!!

Ahead was the second place female who I'd finished a few minutes ahead of on day one. Seeing that I could close the gap on the climbs (?? I know it doesn't make sense), I'd told myself that I could stay with her. Recognizing that she had many years of racing experience all across Canada (now on a road team) the idea of the mental fortitude that it would take to complete this task over the next - possibly 4 hours would be tough.

Fireroad turned to ATV trails, the odd bog but mostly dry - wow!! As the day went on, I began to snap out of it and realize - these are good trails. Too bad that I was so fatigued. Hold it steady, push when you can and you will end up where you should. Enjoy yourself Mike! At one point about half way in I heard a voice behind and saw 2 riders on the road a couple of hundred meters back - I yelled "Hey guys" thinking that it was Stew and Dan. Turns out that it wasn't.

So the day continued with snowmobile trails and eventually hilly singletrack. The terrain was challenging and included several hike-a-bike climbs up rooty ridges, but was then followed with flow similar to what we ride in Gatineau. Knowing the "12km remaining" info from a volunteer at the last feed station was probably 21km or so in reality (it is inevitable, but a major annoyance to get misinformation from well-meaning volunteers) I talked to myself picturing giving a pre-race briefing to the volunteers, "... now remember, if you aren't certain of something, keep quiet!)

Though I ground up more ascents in granny than most, I readily surrendered to walking others.

Wow, some of those singlespeed riders are strong!!!

Finally a fellow rider confirmed that we had about 2 km left. At least 2 km of singletrack. My pace quickened and we passed several riders who seemed surprised at being passed at this point of the race. Finally the "1km to go" sign, I was not going to be overtaken.

As I closed in on the rider who'd passed about 2 km prior, I let him know that I wouldn't sprint by him. As I pulled up beside him at the finish, we high-fived and I ensured that his wheel crossed first (he was in the over 40 class anyway).

Wash the bike, grab a sandwich and coke, get changed.

A band, "The Speakeasies" played some good music but most of the racers were busy chatting about the day and shovelling in the chicken and ribs that were provided at the outdoor BBQ. The warm sun shined on our backs and sore muscles as we reminisced the last 72 hours.

Worth mentioning; the food during this adventure was wonderful - from basic sandwiches post race to a wide selection at the evening buffets. Trying to get coffee was a pain though...

Before loading on the bus, I got a picture with Chico, congratulating him on a very well organized event and stating that the last day made up for quite a bit.

We loaded on the bus and headed back to the original start line.

Thank God - we're done!

UM

NEXT POST - LOOKING BACK - changed perspectives???

I'll add some more content a little later, but this should satisfy the many "Where's Day 3?!" emails that I've received in the last 24 hours.