After a pretty sweet year in 2011, being the first year that I planned to race bikes and tried to do the best I could, I thought I might as well go at it again after having tons of fun last year and pushing myself beyond what I thought I could do. There was a bunch of descent results and I got to travel to some really cool places to ride and meet a bunch of cool people.
As last years racing was coming to an end, I needed to think about what would give me a good start on the 2012 season. I did get into a bunch of trainer riding, as well as a considerable amount of ski touring, xc skiing and yes, even running. Running's cool. I even started to eat WAY healthier and I think that has brought about the biggest change to my overall health. Though there were a host of activities to keep me busy ,especially living in the Kootenays, this winter seemed to be the hardest to stay away from a bike. It seems that every year it gets harder and harder to put down the bike for the entire winter. This might mean I need to move to a warmer destination in the cold months.
Summer riding was being planned. What was I going to ride? I have been on a hand full of different bikes and the ones that always stuck out to me were Giant's. They just have the feel, you know? Different companies do things differently and I like how Giant does their thing. I've been on their Reign X, Trance and, until recently, my favourite was the Anthem. Getting racy for sure. There is a new bike in town for 2012. The XTC 29er composite model. This thing hauls! I needed a few minutes on it to get used to it since I haven't rode a hard tail since I was a kid, but once the Giant feel was back, it was game on. This is sure to be a favourite. Who hooked me up with this steed you ask? Well, I don't shop often, but when I do I prefer to shop at Favorit Cycles, right here in Cranbrook, B.C.
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| 2012 Giant XTC Composite 29er. Hell Yeah! |
After a long and cold winter, finally the time came to ride bikes. To start off the season an awesome group of friends and I headed down south to Utah/ Arizona. We rode a bunch of great trail. Gooseberry, Bootleg Canyon, and Jem Trail to name a few. It was a great way to spend 10 days on an awesome bike with a good group. It wasn't nearly long enough though. When we came back to Cranbrook there was still snow on the ground and temperatures were not as high as I had hoped. Oh well.
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| Jem Trail |
So what's planned for 2012? Well I am not too sure yet. I know there are a few key races I want to attend and a lot of other ones that sound really good too. Here is a list of potentials for this year:
May - 13th - Coulee Cruiser - Lethbridge, A.B.
20th - Herron Hammer - Kalispel, M.T.
26th - Summer Solstice - Calgary, A.B.
26-27th - Round and Round 24Hr. - Spokane, W.A.
June - 2-3- Kananaskiker - Canmore, A.B.
17th - North Face 6Hr Enduro - Kamloops, B.C.
24th - Round The Mountain - Kimberley, B.C.
July - 14-15 - Canada Cup XC - Canmore, A.B.
August - 3-5 - Great Northern MTB Stage Race - Whitefish, M.T.
18th - Lost Boys Lungbuster - Fernie, B.C.
September - 9th - Kootenay Krusher - Nipika, B.C
28-29th - Kaslo Sufferfest - Kaslo, B.C
October - ? - Six In The Stix 6Hr Enduro - Cranbrook, B.C.
The stoke keeps building for the spring and summer months to get here. It is not far off now.
Stay tuned. This is sure to be one awesome year.
Thanks for reading my blog. Peace out.
