OK, Let's keep this thing going...

It's been a while!

Initially I didn't have anything to write about, I enjoyed living life, I swam, biked and ran a bunch but I didn't feel like writing about it. Eventually I started to feel like blogging was a bit self indulgent and really, who cares about what I was doing athletically?

Now, as I'm getting close to toeing the line for the 2009 season I guess I'm hoping that someone (hopefully more!) cares.

I'm pretty motivated, not just for this year but the years to come. Competitively, I'm looking at this season as both a measuring stick and a stepping stone. If it goes well, maybe I'll look at racing "pro" (the quotations mean I'm keeping my day job!).

In any case I will not be satisfied with mediocrity. In my constant drive to be better I may be looking to expand my support team by way of sponsorships, training opportunities, etc. - I think keeping a blog (and having people read it) offers a nice platform to help facilitate those relationships so here I am!!

At worst, my Mom will be happy to keep up to date with my FTP, CTL, and HTFUs. At best a few more will be watching as I race at the pointy end on the West Coast!

Life is good!

Things on the west coast are starting to come together! I have just accepted a job with the City of Vancouver running the fitness and sports programming and managing a community fitness centre in the west end. It sounds like a great opportunity both now and into the future...I'll be glad to get back to work!

I'm also making some contacts within the tri scene and have already started working with a couple of clients, hopefully more to come!

I took the picture above while riding on Sunday, I'm really enjoying finding my way around by bike, the riding around here is great. There's a little more traffic than I'm used to but the scenery is beautiful and I can ride hills, mountains or flats depending on which direction I head.

The sun's still shining in Van City and so far I (we) love it! The true test will come over the next few (8) months when the rainy winter rolls around, right now though life is good!

Cheers, IY

RACING!!

After a summer in which I encountered many life experiences/stressors I finally got a chance to pin a number on this past weekend!

I lined up for the first BC Cup Cyclocross race of the year in Delta on Saturday in the Men's B category. Cross is a bit more relaxed regarding categories and I had thought about racing with the A's but considering 1) I am out of shape and 2) this was my first real CX race I decided to race with the Killa B's!

I went out for a pre ride and quickly found this course to be much more like a mountain bike course than a typical 'cross course. After a nice open grassy section with 2 sets of barriers and a couple of switchbacks we were into some pretty gnarly single track (for a cross bike) with big roots, rocks and logs and lots of tight turns. This was followed by a short, open climb and then we were back into some more swoopy hard pack single track before hitting the meadow again.

Tire pressure is always a hot topic at a 'cross race and today would be no different. I'm still running clinchers (waiting for the tubulars in the mail!) so ran about 45psi in both front and rear tires.

Turns out I probably was running too low for that type of terrain and after a good start and what I thought was a pretty clean ride through the rocky bits, I got a pinch flat going into the second single track section on the first lap while in the lead.

I shouldered my bike, tried to keep out the way and jogged to the start finish area. Not wanting to waste the day I asked an official for a start with the "A" race, assuring him that if I was embarrassing myself or endangering the other racers, I would withdraw to fight another day.

The nice man let me race and I was actually doing OK for the first :40 minutes or so, riding in the top 10, suffering like a dog and loving every minute of it!

The last :20 minutes were a bit ugly and my legs couldn't keep up with my heart. My core and arms were getting pretty worked too but all that will come as my fitness gets better.

Cyclocross is probably the best type of racing for me right now. After a few months with too much on my mind it was nice to clear that all away and just GO! I enjoyed the nerves prior to the start and the numbness in my body as the fatigue took over and the satisfaction of crossing the line (without embarrassing myslef!)

In the end, the official told me I rode well and that I should stay with the A's for the rest of the season...guess I'd better get out for some intervals!

Back in the saddle,
IY

Update time

It's been a while since I've been able to sit down at a computer for an extended period of time, thus the lack of updates.

E and I arrived in Van safe and sound and were just getting settled in when I got a phone call to come back to Ontario as my Dad had taken a bad turn and things weren't looking good. We knew it was coming but I'm the type who doesn't deal with these things until it's absolutely neccessary.

I arrived to find my Dad a VERY sick yet peaceful man, he seemed ready to give up his fight; it looked like it may be hours or at the most a couple of days. Never underestimate a strong (or stubborn) heart and soul, here we are a week later and while very weak, he is still alert and relatively comfortable. He will spend the rest of his days in palliative care but at this point no one really knows how long it will be.

At Dad's request, we are heading back to Vancouver in a couple of days-it doesn't yet feel like home but it will. It's a great city and we can't wait to explore it. I've also got a shiny new cyclocross bike (see above) that I can't wait to make less shiny in the rain and muck of the Wet Coast!

Cheers, Ian

Quick Update from Swift Current, SK

With Uncle Neil providing a great Canadian soundtrack, we've almost made our way through the Prairies. Tomorrow we'll hit the Rocky Mountains and from there it's all down hill to Van City.
The trip has been good, Ontario was BIG, the North Shore of Lake Superior was BEAUTIFUL and the Prairies have been...OK :0)

Some other quick updates for those concerned: the house is SOLD, the dogs have been great and E and I are enjoying ourselves! Oh yeah, and I turned the big 3-0 today!

Will check back in from our new home on the West Coast!

Cheers, IY

Buy Me!!!!

1 Man, 1 Bike

It's a sad and empty day in the Young household today. For the first time in a long time I own only one bike!

I'm trying to simplify this move as much as possible so I've unloaded a lot of the extras. A bunch of little parts that have been sitting in my tool box, some extra wheels and rims - all gone. My cyclocross and single speed MTB - gone. My road bike (as of last night) - gone.

I'm not sure how much space we'll have in Van but rest assured, once we get there and figure out where we're gonna put our stuff the collection will begin again. Until then, the Seduza is the only arrow in my quiver, lucky for me it's the deadliest one!