by admin | Aug 14, 2008 | Fernie TransRockies
Oh what fun! …109 kms of single-track, double-track and flying gravel road. There were hazards galore with cross ditches and seven stream crossings, one which was threatening to sweep me down river. As I stood crotch-deep in the middle, Shayne thankfully came out to take my bike before I pitched in for a glacial swim. In fact, Shayne has proved himself to be a wonderful Sherpa on several occasions… not to mention reminding me constantly to stay at 80%, drink and stand up to save my butt. Surprisingly I’m listening. The most important goal of the Transrockies is to finish healthy and raise money and awareness for asthma nationally. And since there are 27 countries represented at this year’s race, maybe internationally.
-Pepper (Blackstone Fernie – Breathe Easy 1)
Hello Fernie! Day 4 out here in Whiteswan, with the longest day of riding done. Everyone is healthy, and we are managing to have a good time when not riding. We have met folks from South Africa, the UK, Belgium, and the island of Jersey (look it up), all here to ride and have fun. The rides are going really well, Pepper gives me too much credit – I’ve seen her shoulder her bike and carry it up an avalanche slope the length of 2 football fields. And she was only a little breathless. I still have the moustache, and I am also now sporting a cheesy goatee until we hit $20,000 on the asthma.ca website. Please donate so my wife will let me in when I get home – she may not recognize me. Thanks for all the good luck wishes, see you all soon.
Shayne (Blackstone Fernie- Breath Easy 1)
by admin | Aug 13, 2008 | Fernie TransRockies
It was a relief to get onto some flowy single-track and there was lots of it! The time trial format was really cool and it let all the teams have some space to prove their handling skills.
Michele- I finally solved some of my nutrition bugaboos and found my legs for the first time this race. We raged on the single-track and schooled a few of the men’s teams about the right way to ride a log & steep downhills. We found our team rhythm and felt we put in a good time on the course, passing a few of our competitors and making up some time on others. There were definitely a few technically challenging spots and some amazing scenery. There was one portion of the course which ran above the Kootenay River about 200 meters atop of a cliff wall which were absolutely no slip zones!
Seb- The course was absolutely amazing, some of the most beautiful scenery I’ve seen and some of the best single-track I’ve ridden. I’d definitely like to come back and ride here just for fun. There was about 60% single-track, 30% quad track and only about 10% gravel road, but just enough hike-a-bike to qualify it as a TransRockies day! I feel we made some time on our competitors and should move up a couple of places in the standings and I’m quite happy about that.
It was a good day to be representing Blackstone Fernie and raising awareness of Asthma Canada. W
by admin | Aug 12, 2008 | Fernie TransRockies
I sit under the awning of the RV, the rain coming down again, waiting for Pepper, Shayne, Michelle and Sebastian, the riders of the “Breath Easy Teams” in support of Asthma Canada.
Pepper is my partner and I love her very much….but right now the word is RESPECT…respect for her dedication to Asthma awareness, respect for her tenacity and courage and respect for her commitment to take care of herself and be an example for other Asthma suffers.
Today, the race is more than 70 KM and over two mountains with 3800 meters of climbing but that does not explain the challenge. There are grades that would challenge a mountain goat and swift rivers to cross. There are swamps and bogs and rain and snow. The descents are full of roots and rocks and mud and many times bordering deep canyons.
I sit and wait…it could be a 10 hour day today and then 5 more days to go after that…my heart goes out to Pepper and all the Breathe Easy Team and wish them a safe journey.
Please help them to reach their goal by donating to Asthma Canada .
Will Matthews
Breathe Easy Support Team
by admin | Aug 12, 2008 | Fernie TransRockies
Day one from Panorama to K2 Ranch was a typical “Transrockies” day. We left with the music blaring, “The Highway to Hell”. From Panorama we immediately began a relentless 2-hour hill climb ( the steepesta dn longest climb in the race) where we were rewarded at the top with snow, hail and fantastic vistas. There was the expected assortment of single-track downhills, rocky climbs, side- mountain shale tracks and muddy bogs. Best of all was the spectacular scenery and my favourite… the rolling fast gravel descent for 20 kms.
All the Fernie teams were in from just after 6 hours to 6:45. All came over the finish line with smiles; tired, but happy to be done for the day. Doug and George had mechanical issues that cost them an hour.
I am tired, but ready to ride tomorrow. Kudos to my partner Shayne for helping on the long climbs often pushing two bikes. Sebastian and Michele are downhill demons and made up several places on those stretches of single track and the Evolution girls are all around good riders.
My goal to arrive before 7 hours, but still ride within my limits was completed. What more could you ask for on the first day of the ‘toughest mountain bike race in the world’. It is an honour to ride for all those that have sponsored the ‘Blackstone Fernie Breath Easy” Teams and to represent Asthma Canada .
by admin | Aug 9, 2008 | Fernie TransRockies
Pledges for the Asthma Society of Canada are starting to roll in as bikes from all over the world are doing the same. Brightly-coloured jerseys decorate the streets of downtown Fernie as riders gather before the first stage in Panorama Sunday morning.
The Blackstone Fernie Teams had a successful Fundraising Dinner Wednesday evening. The generous donation of a wonderful 4-course meal by Park Place Lodge and wine from Tinhorn Creek, allowed all the proceeds from the evening to go directly to the Society of Asthma Canada. Over $3,700 was raised as friends and supporters purchased tickets for the $75 a plate event.
Stories were shared, Dr. Virginia Robinson spoke briefly on the benefits of a non-profit Asthma Society in Canada, and a $1,000 donation was made by the Blackstone Transrockies Society in memory of a well-known local, Peter Sturmhoesel who died of asthma in his early thirties. Peter was a skier, mountain biker, husband and friend to many active Fernie residents. As someone who has struggled with an asthma attack fearfully at times in the Emergency Room, it was a very real and touching moment for me.
The Volunteer Canadian Ski Patroller Association, whom Michelle is an active member, also presented a cheque for $200.
Park Place Lodge’s fundraiser dinner
Gordon Sombrowski presenting Shayne, Pepper, Sebastine & Michelle with a cheque
Ken McRitchie (Blackstone) & Dan Savage (Fernie Event Director) presenting a second cheque
Now Shayne and I are packing his camp trailer, gathering the extra bike parts and nutrition supplements and generally keeping too busy to be nervous. At the last minute yesterday, picking up the motor-home that was pre-arranged, we were turned back at the border on a technicality that Canadian residents can’t use a motor-home rented in the US for Canadian recreation. Is a 7-day mountain bike race through the Rockies raising awareness for asthma recreation? But to no avail, we tried everything … so time to change plans at the last minute.
Michele and Sebastian are dealing with their own preparation issues as Sebastian awaits a new bike frame or the loan of another bike to solve the problem of a last minute cracked frame on the bike he has been riding throughout all the training.
We’ll all get it together in time to join the throng of 500+ colourful, tuned athletes at the race start. One day at a time, one obstacle at a time in preparations and throughout the race.
See you in the mountains.
Pepper
