Week 15 - We are all Champions
August 19, 2024
Another weekend of weather warnings, tornado watches, and rain gave way to renewed fears for a wet and sloppy evening of racing in advance of our championship race of the 2024 season. After an early season that saw a rare race cancellation and several weeks of rain-drenched double points nights, the prospect of a soggy championship race night brought mixed emotions. On the one hand, mucky evenings generally reduce attendance for all of the obvious reasons - and that is never a desirable situation. The flip side, however, is memorable and challenging races that often completely defy expectations and definitely create lifetime memories.
In an effort to thwart the nasty weather, an early morning ensemble of lycra-clad pedal pushers trekked deep into the woods on Monday and completed the ritual sacrifice by pouring one bottle of Skratch Labs hydration into a puddle created by 18 Clif Bloks arranged in a small circle. The group then joined hands and circled the carb-loaded concoction in a counter-clockwise direction while singing Queen's legendary song Bicycle Race.
"I want to ride my bicycle. I want to ride my bike!," extolls the legendary frontman, Freddy Mercury. We concur absolutely.
Despite my broad reservations about rituals and paganism, the ceremony apparently did the trick. The overnight cloud cover evaporated as the sun's beams began piercing the dreary skies and by noon the forest was awash in sunshine. Coupled with strong winds, the trails dried out in no time and by early evening, course conditions were nearly perfect. Some corners remained a little slick and there were definitely a bunch of slide-outs over the course of the event, but, broadly speaking, conditions were exceptional given the surrounding weather trends.
What a gang we had out for our championship race!
The evening began with riders studiously evaluating attendance and carefully marking opponents who posed threats to their championship standings. As the final race is always a double-points night, there is often a significant shuffling of the series standings and several riders had championship podiums hanging in the balance and their upcoming results. At the risk of needing to issue a spoiler alert, there were indeed a few ridiculously tight and exciting finishes that did indeed shuffle the results within the last few feet of the season. Imagine a span of four months of effort, pain, and focus culminating in a sprint for glory that defined the entire season. After hundreds of kilometres racing wheel-to-wheel, a half-second would determine whether or not a rider collected some shiny hardware and a well-earned Spoke O'Motion gift certificate.
We had not only one such finish, but several. One could not have scripted a more thrilling ending to a memorable season.
Nora McCague is gunning for gold
The glory begins with little Nora McCague who has now completed her first season of racing in her blossoming cycling career. While participation in the Mini-Me field was a little less dense than we had hope for this year, Nora was a consistent standout regardless of who else showed up. After an early season start with some second- and third-place finishes, Nora got her groove on and blasted through the latter chunk of the season with seven consecutive wins, an infectious smile, and a general air of positivity mirroring that of the entire McCague family.
Jolene Goodyear ambitiously begins her Novice career
Nora had a competitor lined up for a demanding final race but, to her enduring credit, Jolene Goodyear, chose the last race of the season to make the monstrous leap from the kids courses - that eliminate technical feature and climbs - to our "full" course that, in this circumstance, delivered 4.5km of tight singletrack, big jumps, and very challenging climbs that were both technical and steep. Talk about diving into the deep end! Kudos to Jolene who finished the course without surrender and began paving the way for continued success into 2025.
Cameron English is a trooper who never gives up
Another young trooper who always competes to the utmost of his abilities is Cameron English, who finished one place ahead of Jolene, and delivered yet another performance highlighting his competitive spirit and "never quit" attitude. Prior to the race, Cam's dad expressed concern that Cam may not be able to finish in a reasonable time to which we responded that Cam was welcome to ride just as far as his little legs would carry him. In a hard effort that surprised no one, Cam finished with an utterly respectable time and made it clear to all that he fears no challenge.
Olivia guides sister Alison McCague through the singletrack towards a podium
Just ahead of Cameron came two sisters that form the remainder of the McCague trio. Alison (4th) and Olivia (3rd) both continued their relentless podium march and finished only 7-seconds apart from one another in a sequence that played itself out again and again all season long. These young women are fierce competitors who approach it all with a maturity and ease that belies their tender age and an attitude that commands respect and admiration. Never has anyone seen a cross look or heard a frustrated utterance from these young riders who simply relish the experience - every time. Through their consistency and persistence, Olivia won second place and Alison third place overall in the series championship and can dream of 2025 when they will both likely be looking to occupy the top step of the podium.
Liam Cullen in attack mode
That honour, this year, fell to Liam Cullen who won a striking 10 of 12 races. Not only did Liam demonstrate that he could win at will, in a demonstration of dominance that most could only dream of, Liam spent many races riding with fellow competitors chatting and socializing on the course and biding his time until he felt like dropping his fellow racers. It was a commanding show of skill and fitness all year long but one that will not be repeated for a while as Liam will be moving to the highly competitive Sport field for the 2025 season.
As is consistently the case, the tightest and most thrilling race drama lived in the Sport category. In fairness, the top spot was locked up fairly tightly from the mid-point of the season thanks to consistent podium finishes from Ethan McFarlane. Ethan, who finished last season in second place, racked up a significant points margin by racking up ten podiums over 13 races and rarely being completely out of contention. While a couple of lower finishes left the door open for other riders to scoop up some extra points, Ethan's 98-point lead was an insurmountable mountain to climb.
Ethan McFarlane holds the lead through the woods...for now
But none of that mattered as the sport class prepared to begin their race, plates hung from bars, bottles filled, and nerves on fire. 2023 Sport-class champion Craig McFarlane, and father to Ethan, was insatiably hungry for a podium finish that could catapult him past a pair of Sampsons and back into contention for an overall podium. Craig has had a topsy-turvy season with some very strong races and several podiums but was in points arrears thanks to a mid-season lull that delivered only moderate results. But he was back in fighting form over the past six weeks and scrambling for every available point.
Craig McFarlane ripping through Log-a-Rythm
Alex Sampson, on the other hand, began the season in a moderate state of fitness and made consistent, steady progress over the ten races he completed. Since notching his first win back on July 8th, Alex has failed to podium only once and it was imperative for Alex to capture maximal points in this race if he was to surpass Craig in the standings and set the stage for future success. Further to those goals, Alex was also focussed on quashing his inter-familial rivalries with his dad, Dustin Sampson, and younger brother Kaiden.
While Alex had clearly defined goals before the race began, the reality was no different for Dustin. If Dustin could win outright, he could topple Craig McFarlane from the overall podium and secure his first championship podium. Kaiden was likely not quite within reach of the points total accumulated by his dad and brother but, sibling rivalries being what they are, Kaiden was no less motivated to put the hurt on his big bro. Depending on how things played out, Kaiden could have been the spoiler that tore the whole race strategy - and championship podium - to shreds.
Nikita Tashchilin was a surprise entry that swept the field
As fate would have it, a new rider, Nikita Tashchilin, joined the series for our very last race to rock the apple cart fiercely and throw all of the pre-race calculations to the wind. An unknown quantity to our series regulars, Nikita took to the series after a season of Ontario Cup races, and blasted out three very consistent laps right around the 17:30 mark. With impressive pacing, Nikita dropped only a handful of seconds per lap and, by the end of lap three, had accumulated a healthy 1-minute gap on the field.
With first place out of grasp of the key contenders, the race was on to capture maximum points. Second through fourth place was occupied all night long by the trio of Alex, Ethan and Kaiden. The early advantage went to Kaiden who, after serving up his best race of the season last week, put forth another exceptional effort to hang onto the wheel of the lightning-quick Nikita. Ethan followed closely on his tail while Alex slipped into fourth where he could watch the drama unfold in front of him.
Kaiden's first lap effort, however, did what they tend to do: Sap the legs and mind of the ability and will to continue suffering. On lap two, Ethan made a move and forced Kaiden to his rear wheel while the trio cruised through the start/finish area in tight formation. On their last lap, the stage was set for an epic finish as all three were evenly matched and ready to deliver.
These three riders rounded the last bend in a cluster so tight that it was anyone's game and each rider pushed with all of their might to eke out the smallest of advantage. On this occasion, it was Alex that snatched the sprint finish, followed by Ethan and then Kaiden with all three riders within inches of one another as the penultimate race produced the tightest, most competitive finish of the entire season. Two-way sprints are relatively common in racing, but a three-way finish that is utterly unpredictable until the last few feet is the most exciting possible ending for participants, spectators, and organizer alike. Yet another Hollywood ending that seems unlikely until you see it happen.
Alex Sampson wins the three way sprint
But wait...there's more.
At the conclusion of last week's race, Chris Graham had produced another solid result whose collective points total saw him nudge past Chad Madaleno and into 3rd in the overall standings. This created a perfect competitive storm for these two who were focussed entirely on one another and were equal in their resolve to not surrender a single meter of trail. To make matters even more interesting, Chris had just returned from an epic three-day stage race called Crank the Shield where he covered a few hundred gruelling kilometres in Northern Ontario with teammate Dave Knights (they won their category, by the way!). Chad was in a similar state of fatigue having just returned from a demanding endurance race that required him to climb a ski resort hill...repeatedly all day.
Chris Graham (r) edged Chad Madaleno (l) to the line by inches
To say that it is remarkable for these two riders to return from these massive endeavours and race the following day is obscene understatement. To watch these two not only participate but thoroughly annihilate one another in a ridiculous photo finish sprint is a testament to fitness, willpower, and the incredible potential we all possess. This is a model we should all aspire to emulate. Give life your all and then come back and give it some more! What an amazing finish and, with it, Chris secured his overall standing just ahead of Chad with a mere 4-point margin.
Unfortunately for Chris, his was not the only remarkable story in the Expert field on this night. That ride of the season belongs to Craig Hoddy who joined us for his first season of racing at Coulson's Hill in 2024 and certainly made his mark. Only in his first race of the year, back on June 10th, did Craig fail to podium. Since that race debut netted him a fourth place finish, Craig has consistently stood on the podium and has been methodically chasing absolute victory in the 8 races since.
Craig Hoddy seals the deal
On this night, in his last opportunity of the year, Craig blasted out of the starting corral with a hard sprint and his intentions were immediately clear. This was his night. This was his course. This man was on a mission. From start to finish, Craig lead the race with only Kyle Rae able to cling to his rear wheel. While there were places that Kyle could make ground on Craig, there were also consistent displays of outright power on exits from singletrack where Craig dropped the hammer hard and really put the hurt on the field. Over their course of four laps that challenged technical acumen and pure fitness, Craig rode error-free and with the utmost consistency. These two factors made him an unstoppable force and, on this night, Craig rode away with his first Coulson's Hill win and the pride of having timed his ultimate performance for the most important race of the season.
Kyle Rae and Craig Hoddy both celebrate different victories
This result netted Craig not only bragging rights for winning the championship race but also rewarded Craig with the (perhaps unexpected) bonus of ejecting Chris Graham from 3rd place overall and securing a Championship podium in the process. Worthy of additional note is that this was Kyle's first race after an horrific early-season crash put his entire riding future in jeopardy. After weeks in a hospital bed and staring down the barrel of a potentially life altering injury, Kyle (with the loving help of his amazing partner Lindsay-anne Townsend and his mom) not only returned to his beloved two-wheeled steed months ahead of schedule, but he has already brought himself back to extraordinary form and is, once again, one of the fastest riders anywhere. To have made such progress in such a compressed timetable is a profound gift. Never take for granted the blessing that is good health - life can change in a second and the courage required to pick yourself up from a tough spot and return to your passion despite the pain, the work, and the mental challenge is simply monumental. I speak for everyone who knows you when I say, "Welcome back, Kyle!".
Wrap it up and put a bow on it! Across several categories, the overall standings remained hotly contested until the very last second of riding. Nothing is sweeter than thrilling competition and nothing is a more pure expression of passion and vulnerability than putting your absolute best on display and letting the chips fall where they may.
In keeping with a pre-COVID tradition, the recommendation was made that we go back to hosting an annual awards banquet where we give out our medals and prizes and spend some time socializing with one another without wearing helmets and lycra. To that end, we will be planning to get together on Monday, September 9th at Boston Pizza at Yonge/Green Lane for a celebration of another fantastic season. We hope to see you all there to swap stories, show off war wounds, and help bring the community even closer.
Lastly, a few words of thanks. Thanks first off to my family for helping me run this whole show. Seamus and Kelly, specifically, help with both trail marking and maintenance as well as organization and I couldn't do this without their support. Thanks to Dave Knights for all of the mowing over the course of the last decade - the series would literally not happen without you. Thanks to Al Muma and Lisa Sampson for taking all of the great photographs that make the event seem so much more "pro". Thanks to the Wright family and McFarlane family for helping us tidy up so often.
And, most importantly, thank to all of the participants who make this all worthwhile. There is no series without participation and I am optimistic that this season represents a turning point where organized riding returns to a more prominent role in the realm of organized sport. The thrill of seeing some little rippers return to the course this year bodes well for the future of the sport we all love. Thanks also to the parents and the family members who transport little one to and from the venue and are always standing by ready to cheer on all of the competitors. You may not know it, but you inspire us all to push even harder - even when every fibre of our bodies are telling us to stop. THANK YOU.
Complete results with lap times, splits and more can be found at the link below.
Thanks to Lisa Sampson for photography. The complete photo gallery can be found here.
Week 14 - Behold the Sampson Sweep
August 12, 2024
When the leaves start to fall, the days begin to shorten, and the children begrudgingly make their way back to the classroom, our family attention is refocussed on a new activity - hockey. With two kids participating in rep programs, our weekly grind transforms from bike racks to stinky hockey bags as we face a cold, and often boring, eight months of faceless arenas in nameless towns across our great frozen land.
This is not intended as an indictment of hockey. As a family, we are super stoked for our children to have another outlet for their competitive fires outside of the two-wheeled landscape. However, the crucial point of differentiation is this: When we go to hockey, as parents we are mere spectators and providers of transportation. Our sole task is one of transportation and passive observation. For game times, this is at least moderately entertaining albeit often frustrating. For practices, however, this is a mindless slog that is as tedious as it is time consuming. Most parents simply hang out at the rink and utilize the time to chat about their budding hockey superstars and the scholarships and opportunities that are soon to come.
Ryder Cullen hits the drop and pulls the Expert field along
Contrast this utterly passive sporting experience with that of the typical cycling family. Packing up a family of bikes and gears is, unquestionably, a more complex and space intensive task - a little organization goes a long way! However, once you arrive at your destination and slip into your gear, it is not only the kids who get a chance to stretch their legs. Parents and kids alike get to explore the majesty of our forests, to develop and improve their fitness, and to experience the pure exhilaration of pushing the limits of bravery, traction, and handling. There is nothing passive here!
To make the case even more compelling, for those willing to test the waters of competitive cycling - like at our weekly series that like brought you to this page - family members can compete directly against one another if their skill levels and fitness are well-aligned. What could possibly be sweeter than not only participating with family members but competing against one another? The dinner table conversations will never be the same once you have battled your kids for victory...and lost!
Huge kudos to Dave for being so fast and helping with grass cutting!
This prologue all dovetails beautifully into another highlight story for the Sampson family who, for a remarkable third time this season, managed to sweep an entire category by taking the entire Sport podium. Particularly interesting is the fact that the finishing order between these racers has never been the same twice. Everyone has had the opportunity to sit on both the bottom and top of those magical podium positions.
This week saw Alex Sampson take his second win of the season as he took off hard from the start and created a substantial lead on lap #1. With a little over 20-seconds in hand after the first lap over Jon Weening - who put together his best race of the season so far - Alex was faced with the challenge of maintaining the torrid pace he had set for the entire pack.
On lap 2, it was Craig McFarlane's opportunity to shine. Always a podium threat, Craig began his second lap in 7th place and was facing a 1:35 deficit. Within. single lap, Craig managed to claw back 20-seconds on Alex and spun the fastest 2nd lap of the Sport field. This incredible performance saw Craig climb two spots in the results and made his competitors acutely aware of the threat he posed.
Jon Weening was on fire!
That said, Jon was also absolutely killing it on course and managed to hold onto second place for another lap and was very much looking forward to capturing a podium spot before Kaiden and Dustin Sampson lit the afterburners and posted massive negative splits on their last lap, turning some of the fastest third laps of the race in the process, and made it to the line just 6-seconds ahead of Jon. While it was certainly a heart breaker for Jon after a tremendous effort - and huge progress - it was cause for celebration in the Sampson household as all three family members owned the podium and finished less only 11-seconds apart from 1st to 3rd. This was, by far, the highlight performance of Kaiden's season so far.
In the Expert field, it was another exemplary show of strength and power by both Chris Staniewski. Not only did Chris eclipse the field with a solid 1:18 gap over his closest competitor, but he also delivered the fast lap, every lap and no one other than Craig Hoddy stood a chance. Craig has worked his season perfectly and his fitness has been improving by leaps and bounds every week. With his consistency and overall capability, Craig is always a rider to fear at the start line and the past several weeks have it clear that he is ready and itching to capture his first win of the season.
Chris Staniewski rides the drops and drops the field
There is one chance left to bring his ambition to fruition as we close the season with next Monday's championship race. This race will be worth double points and there are several potential overall positions that are subject to change. If the weather is a challenge, the race may be worth even more.
Cycling presents our families with a unique proposition where we can all participate, we can all get something out of the trip, and we can all appreciate the benefits of exercise and time spent outdoors - together! There are very few sports that bring multi-generational participation to the forefront of the experience and there is nothing that brings a family together like a shared experience of pure awesome! Just ask the Sampsons.
Complete results with lap times, splits and more can be found at the link below.
Thanks to Lisa Sampson for photography. The complete photo gallery can be found here.
Week 13 - A New Queen is Crowned
August 5, 2024
As we head into the home stretch of our racing season at Coulson's Hill, it was an absolute pleasure to deliver another course jam-packed with exciting technical features - including big drop-offs and 3m gap jumps. Another interesting twist this week were the section of trail that prioritized precision over power.
Whether it was the tight, twisty nature of Log-a-Rhythm that presents bermed, tight corners for several hundred meters or the knuckle-catching narrow trees of our nothernmost section of trail (opened for the first time in a few years), this course commanded rider's full attention and the utmost from their bike handling skills. The climbing was similarly demanding and those without the lungs and willingness to suffer just made their time spent in the pain cave that much longer.
At almost 4.5km in length, the course was another colossus and the cooler temperatures were a welcome change from the suffocating heat of the past few weeks.
Chris Staniewski looking chill and satisfied after a big win in Expert
In the Expert field, the podium was contested from top to bottom and, while Chris Staniewski proved to be the man of the hour, Craig Hoddy took advantage of his strength and not only held Chris to a tight 16-second margin of victory but was also able to claw back time from Chris in several sections of the course. This back-and-forth flow of momentum created exciting racing as any single mistake could have easily changed the outcome and the finish was never certain until both riders passed the line after 60 minutes of pure cycling bliss.
Seamus Cullen finally beats his dad, Myles - we knew it was coming!
The Expert podium was rounded out by a hard-charging Seamus Cullen who maintained close contact with Myles Cullen throughout the race despite a conservative first lap effort that left a bit of hole for Seamus to climb out of. However, his persistence and consistency paid off and, by lap three, Seamus was right on Myles' wheel as the duo departed for their last two laps.
On lap 4, Myles had increased the tempo in hopes of putting Seamus into his rearview for the last time. By the time Myles had reached the drop off and jumps, the threat of an attack had seemingly dissipated and Myles began the ascent back towards the finish with confidence that the threat had been neutralized.
That is where the matter stood until the final straightaway a couple of hundred meters from the finish line when Seamus accelerated by an unwitting Myles with enough momentum that any will to counterattack evaporated in an instant. Seamus cruised to the line with his first race day victory over Dad! Kudos to Seamus for never giving up and finding a way to make his move in an unimpeachable way.
Ethan McFarlane looking relieved to secure another victory
Another tremendous battle - that is an ongoing weekly affair - took place between Ethan McFarlane and Alex Sampson. Much like many previous weeks, these two took turns on the course challenging one another constantly and jockeying back and forth for position. When the final results see two competitors just over 1-second apart, you just know that the on-course battle were relentless and ongoing.
While Alex took control of the race on the second lap, Ethan recovered and recaptured his position when it mattered most and was able to roll to the finish line with a small gap that precluded the drama of a final sprint. It was an epic showdown and we will surely see repeat performances over the remaining two weeks of racing action.
Annette DeVries secures her first career win!
Drama and tight finishes belong to everyone at our series and this was no different for our racers in the Novice field. Much to the dismay of Liam Cullen, he dropped a chain after a stick found it's way into his spokes on his last lap. After a quick bit of mechanical help from Myles, Liam, in second place, remounted his trusty steed and began the hunt to recapture the wheel of race leader, Annette DeVries.
After a couple of second place finishes where Annette fell victim to Liam's youthful energy and competitive nature, Annette stood poised to notch her first Coulson's Hill victory. All that stood in her way was the remaining 1.5km of climbing back to the finish line. When Myles came upon Annette in the thick of the forest, she breathlessly asked, "How far back is the little guy?".
When Myles had left Liam, the gap stood at about 30-seconds. This margin prompted Myles to reply with, "You've got a comfortable margin. Liam a quite a ways back." Little did Myles grasp Liam's fierce determination to recoup his losses and recapture the time lost to a hyper-motivated Annette.
Much to Annette's surprise, by the time these two approached the next climbing section, Liam had caught Annette and the true battle had really begun. The caption in the photo above may have spoiled the outcome, but it takes nothing away from the amazing effort Annette put down to fend off Liam's relentless pressure. A huge congratulations to Annette for her first career win! Talk about a great example of fitness progressing consistently through the season - amazing stuff.
Nora McCague leads her cousin James Clarkson to the line
If you need a photo to convey the joy that Annette likely felt as she crossed the line, look no further than the expression on the face of young James Clarkson above. In addition to our regular compliment of McCague family all-stars, including Nora McCague who took another Mini-me victory, their cousin James joined us all the way from the Yukon. Not only did James compete in an amazing race almost 5000km from home, but he rode with a priceless expression of joy and awe that is bound to bring a smile to anyone's face.
This is the unencumbered joy that exercise and the outdoors delivers every time and the exact reason we spend 25 hours a week sculpting exquisite trails from kilometres of overgrown brush. James' face is what makes the blood, sweat, and tears eminently worthwhile.
More exciting racing action takes place next Monday - there are only two races left in the season. If you want to feel like James, join us before it's too late!
Complete results with lap times, splits and more can be found at the link below.
Thanks to Lisa Sampson for photography. The complete photo gallery can be found here.
Week 12 - The Coulson Crushers
July 29, 2024
Racers young and old enjoyed another week in heat and sunshine this week on a course that rides even better backwards than in it's initial orientation. At 5km per lap, this is not a race for the feint of heart. For those with the legs to blast the entire event at full tilt, the rewards were podiums aplenty and a sense of accomplishment that can only come from pushing oneself to the limit - and then pushing even more.
Alex Sampson pulls Ethan McFarlane through the singletrack
By this point in the season, the battle lines are mostly set and riders are jostling for gains amongst their direct peers rather than aiming for dramatic changes in positions. Amongst the most tightly contested battles of the season lies the competition between Ethan McFarlane and a varying cast of characters vying for Sport-class gold. Of late, the biggest challenge to Ethan's dominance comes from Alex Sampson who had made tremendous gains this season.
While Ethan retains a steadfast grip on the overall championship, Alex poached a victory in race 9, and was looking to add another notch to his belt this Monday as he traded positions with Ethan through the race and successfully overcame the pace of Craig McFarlane who lead after the first lap.
Craig McFarlane strikes the podium two weeks in a row
After several weeks of mechanical failures and lower than anticipated results, Craig was back in the captain's chair and driving forward with conviction and confidence. This week, Craig took off from the start like a man possessed in an effort clearly designed to break the will of the field. His ferocious approach to the first lap saw Craig turn the fastest lap of the entire race for the category, but the tactics began to unravel on lap two when, as hinted above, Alex attacked with a commitment to suffering rivalled only by his father's commitment to Dad jokes.
Alex burned the fastest second lap in his cat and took the lead of the race as Craig's lead evaporated and he dropped 80-seconds from his first lap. It was an impressive showing for Alex, who is still learning how best to implement race tactics and handle the most technical portions of the course. In a similar vein to Craig, however, Alex's strain in moving to the front resulted in a huge fade on the subsequent lap.
Ethan, ever the patient and strategic rider, clung to Alex's wheel throughout the surge and made his move on lap 3 just as Alex was running out of steam. Managing an impressive 50-second negative split on the last lap, Ethan left the field in his wake and rode on to glory with a commanding 75-second margin of victory.
Olivia McCague leads the way
In the Novice field, Olivia McCague continues to make progress and hold her sister, Alison McCague, at bay. On many nights, this dynamic duo can be seen ripping wheel-to-wheel through the forest but on this Monday Olivia turned on the jets and rode comfortably away with a strikig 4-minute victory. The whole McCague family is the perfect embodiment of sportsmanship and camaraderie that defines the sport of mountain biking. They are always giving it their all on the course but finishing with smiles and their faces and hugs all around once the event has concluded. You couldn't ask for better cycling ambassadors.
Phil Goodenough is back on two wheels
There were also some riders who returned this week after a hiatus. One particularly happy return to the series was the remergence of Phil Goodenough. Phil was a tremendous Sport competitor for the past several years but 2024 saw him face an early season injury that waylaid his participation for much too long. But time has worked it's magic and Phil was thrilled to be thrown back into the ring for three rounds of flowing singletrack and demanding climbs.
Speaking with POhil prior to the race start, he was unsure if his conditioning would allow him to complete all three laps and he was prepared to retire early if his body demanded it, so it was simply fantastic to see Phil finish the race and post some solidly consistent times through his laps. Welcome back, Phil!
Myles Cullen fends off Chris Staniewski and Craig Hoddy
The Expert field was also full of action this week with heavy hitters Chris Staniewski and Craig Hoddy lined up to take a bite out of Myles Cullen's championship points lead. This last time this trio hit the line together, Chris took the "w" followed by Craig with Myles in third. Tensions were high as the group lined up for the start and no one ever knows what the complexion of the race will be before the gun goes off.
From the outset, Myles soft-pedalled the start in an effort to coax Chris into taking the lead and defining the pace. When Chris declined to accept pace-setting responsibilities, Myles surged off of the front and tried to create a gap from the outset.
The course creates many opportunities for riders to double back alongside trails just previously ridden and gauge distances to their competitors. This is both a blessing and a curse, however. On the upside, it allows one to keep tabs on just how close competitors are to one another. But, on the other hand, it makes it that much harder for a rider to "disappear" out of sight from their pursuers.
In the racing world, "out of sight, out of mind" is a mantra almost as important as running negative splits. If one can attack hard enough to get beyond visual contact of a competitor, it becomes much more challenging for said competitor to keep motivated to obliterate themselves in their pursuit. If you can catch a glimpse of your rival, it is much easier to maintain focus on the hunt and to remain optimistic that they remain within reach.
Once out-of-sight, the game changes completely. It is easy for your pace to falter if even only by a few percent. But this tiny margin of reduced output makes all the difference in the world over a 60+ minute event. So Myles' attack on lap 1 was relentless and intentional in hopes of losing contact with his chasers and breaking their will to counter his offensive.
The sacrifice of negative splits may prove worthwhile if you can make this effort stick but the gamble can also result in a last lap disaster where competitors catch you after you have completely diminished your power and mental sharpness.
On this night, the move was the right one as Myles was able to maintain sufficient pace to ride to victory without a final lap showdown whose outcome would have been uncertain.
Next week we will debut a brand new course that will be a little shorter and likely a little easier as we prepare for the next several weeks of gradually shortening daylight. Rest assured, there will still be some challenges and adventure but the toughest course of the season is now in the rearview mirror.
Kudos to all and thank you for your participation. See you next Monday!
Complete results with lap times, splits and more can be found at the link below.
Thanks to Lisa Sampson for photography. The complete photo gallery can be found here.
Week 11 - A Midsummer Night's Dream
July 22, 2024
As an event organizer, my season's dream is to bring riders into the sport in order for them to develop new skills, expand their peer networks, and have a pile of fun along the way. Our series is a labour of love that demands an extraordinary commitment of time and resources to plan and execute with a modicum of professionalism. One look at our immaculately cut and groomed trails reveals the extent to which we will go to ensure that our participants are treated to a first-class riding experience. Our current course, for example, has over 40 hours of hard manual labour invested to maximize sight lines and traction while minimizing the sting of the encroaching brambles.
As a competitor lining up with everyone else, I long for the challenge - whether that be internally driven to remain focussed, pushing hard, for the entirety of the race or an external pressure from a fierce competitor who is looking to wrench me from my comfort zone and push me into a zone where the constant, dull ache in your legs is a constant companion imploring you to give in and give up. At the end of the day, the biggest battle is not between a rider and the hills or a rider and the technical switchbacks that litter the course - the toughest hurdle is in the leap of courage to dispel the pain, ignore the devil on your shoulder telling you to surrender, and to find the conviction to JUST. KEEP. PEDALLING.
Cameron English shows Darryl Kaszper the optimal line
This narrative theme arises in recognition of the battles that all of our competitors face and, in most circumstances, conquer. One fantastic example of this positive outlook amidst a daunting task is personified in Cameron English. This is Cam's first year of racing and he joined us in the Mini-Me category - where he spent but a single race. After his victorious debut in week #6, Cam immediately made the monumental leap to Novice where he has raced since. The transition to the "full" courses is a massive leap in both the technical skills required and the fitness needed to endure the most challenging terrain our tract of forest has on offer. To his enduring credit, Cam has taken it all in stride and every time I encounter Cam on-course, he is positive in spirit and prepared to keep ripping. On our current course - likely the toughest in our 30 year history - Cam keeps the throttle pinned for the entire event and always crosses the line with a smile. I cannot overstate the accomplishment this represents for a young rider tackling organized cycling for the first time. Cameron joins the likes of the McCague family and Jolene Goodyear as new riders that have seized the bull by the horns and embraced the sport for everything it has to offer from the joy to the suffering. The future is looking bright for all involved!
Olivia McCague earns another podium ahead of her sister, Alison
Speaking of the McCague family, Olivia McCague continued her championship series pursuit this week, edging out her sister Alison, to secure another podium finish with only a 3-second margin. There must be some tense car rides home as these two atheletes now stand only a single point apart on the overall standings and will soon pass Kayliegh McFarlane and look to tie up second and third overall. The consistency of performance of the whole McCague family is amazing to watch and everyone always finishes with a big smile on their face - and likely some tired legs! These girls are champs in every sense of the word.
Vince Borg is untouchable in Sport class
Another rider who has shown tremendous fitness improvement through the summer is Vincent Borg. While Vince entered the 2024 series as a seasoned cyclist with a vast history of cycling exploits, it took several weeks for him to definitively put his stamp on the series. Since he established himself as an outright winner in race #6, Vince has proven himself an unstoppable force and has now won four races straight - and by margins that seem to grow with each passing week. As a result of this success, we are thrilled to see Vince take the next step and hoist himself up to the Expert ranks beginning next week. It will be fantastically entertaining to see how the rankings shake out next week and I'm sure that a few Expert racers will approach the next race with trepidation at the "new guy" making inroads into their territory. Congrats on the tremendous progress, Vince!
Annette DeVries rises to the challenge
In Novice class, Annette DeVries, showed her daughter how to get the job done in fine style and delivered another second place finish this week trailing only series leader Liam Cullen in the Novice field. With two very consistent laps differing by only 10-seconds, Annette had the strategic presence of mind to ride hard but smart and to ensure the legs were ready to handle any of the stress that would build over the nearly hour-long race. With two races under her belt this season, and two second place finishes, there is no limit to the potential shown by this dedicated bike mom. Like many of our young participants here, Ellamarie is lucky to have a parent supportive of their passions who can also hit the starting line and rip it up with the best of them. One of the most amazing aspects of cycling is the longevity of the athletes - age is rarely a factor! Only your willingness to push yourself is a barrier to maximizing performance.
Annette DeVries (l) and Ellamarie Belcourt (r) both had a ride to remember
More stories of glory from the Sport field emerged as Ellamarie Belcourt put her fitness and technical skills proudly on display as she bested her season's best 7th place with an exceptionally impressive 4th place and trailed 3rd place finisher, Darryl Kaszper, by only two seconds. Riding progressively faster on each successive lap, Ellamarie took the bull by the horns and put in a tremendous effort. Darryl, who notched his second podium finish of the season, had better keep an eye peeled for a hard-charging Ellamarie next week. With the podium so close, the motivation will be high and the battles will become increasingly tense as we approach the final races of the season.
Jon Weening edges Ethan McFarlane to the line
Right behind Darryl and Ellamarie, spectators were treated to a spectacular final sprint between Jon Weening and Ethan McFarlane. On paper, one might not have thought that Jon, who is currently sitting in 5th overall, would stand a chance against the dominant series-leader, Ethan. However, as your financial advisor will remind you: Historical performances are not necessarily indicative of future realities. These two riders launched their sprints about 150m from the line and both riders were fully engaged from the outset. Ethan, whether by necessity or choice, took the outside left of Jon that pushed him to the higher section of grass off of the primary line. As soon as he made this move, his speed suffered the effects of the longer grass and Jon pulled alongside. As the two riders accelerated towards the finish line it was wheel-to-wheel for 50 meters as Jon slowly crept past Ethan's front wheel. The night belonged to Jon and as they passed the line mere inches apart, Jon was thought to he heard saying, "Hence, get thee gone, and follow me no more." (Whew...there's my A Midsummer Night's Dream reference in case you missed it. Took a while to get there!)
To make matters even more exciting, Ethan and Jon trailed Ellamarie and Darryl by only two seconds. That means the gap from 3rd through 7th was only 15-seconds - talk about exciting racing!
Next week, we will be treated to the same masterpiece of a course and the racing should be tighter and more exciting than ever. Remember that only your top 12 races count towards the championship points, so the final standings are anything but set in stone. It's not over until it's over. Join us for the ride of your life.
Complete results with lap times, splits and more can be found at the link below.
Thanks to Al Muma & Lisa Sampson for photography. The complete photo gallery can be found here.
Week 10 - Character Counts
July 15, 2024
Sometimes we face a challenge that can seem daunting. A task that will put us under enough mental or physical stress that the act of actually starting the task takes a massive mental hurdle to simply start the process. These mental battles occur in any and all aspects of our lives. The critical take away here is that if one shrinks away from facing these challenges, one can never live up to their potential or realize their utmost potential.
Whether you are staring down a huge work project whose complexity and scale seem impossible to conquer - or a hill on a race course that seems impossible to clean - the job needs to be done and bemoaning it's difficulty only prolongs the inevitability. The option to turn tail and run exists, of course, but that storyline is one of failure and self-sabotage. People of character recognizer the difficulty, embrace the challenge and do their utmost to persevere not despite the difficulty but because of it.
The most rewarding activities in our lives are the moments permeated by difficulty. Much of the time, upon post-activity reflection, we realize that the sacrifice, the pain, and the stress are exactly the elements that make the accomplishment worthwhile. Nothing good in life comes easily and the easy road may feel like the best path in the moment, but it can never deliver the fulfilment and growth that derive from pushing your limits and boundaries. If you are reading this, you likely can identify these sentiments innately because, let's face it, this course was tough! But you made it and you gave it your all. Knowing the intensity that was to come, you lined up at the start, put your best foot forward, and pedalled through until the end. This is character and people possessing the strongest character are the ones who rise to the top.
Craig McFarlane snapped his hanger at the deepest part of the forest
A couple of stories this week highlight the "never quit, never surrender" mantra. First off there is Craig McFarlane, who is stoically chasing down his Championship-leading son, Ethan McFarlane, in hopes of regaining podium dominance. As the current course descends north and riders cross the creek, participants ride a few dozen metres and are then confronted by a monster of a hill - a hill demanding technical perfection, strong legs, and meticulous line selection. Craig stared down this nemesis, began gearing down to prepare and then - bang! - the derailleur wrapped itself into the spokes and the derailleur hanger snapped leaving Craig unable to proceed and facing a long walk back to the starting area. Even worse, this incident forced Craig to lose more championship points to his series-leading superstar son.
Despite it all, Craig emerged from the forest with a resigned smile on his face and an enduring positivity that reflect his optimistic approach to adversity and misfortune. Inevitably, mechanical things will eventually suffer failures and Craig is a great model of taking bad luck in stride and carrying on despite the circumstance.
Seamus Cullen aboard his BMC Fourstroke - before it died
A second similar story transpired in the Expert field where Seamus Cullen was putting down one of the strongest races on his season. The race began with the customary hot start from Steve Prosser who was followed closely by Craig Hoddy - who was hungry for his first race win. By the time the field approached the first corner by the parking lot, Craig shot to the front of the race and had already created a modest gap. Myles Cullen accelerated by Steve so not to lose sight of Craig and Seamus Cullen followed closely on his wheel. By the time the train had made it to the first singletrack - an epic switchback-packed, bermed odyssey that strains both handling and fitness - the three riders were tip-to-tail again.
Every time the track opened up to fireroad, Craig would create a gap that Myles struggled to keep closed. Seamus, however, sat quietly on Myles' wheel and did his thing. The trio held this configuration for the next two and a half laps until the moment came when Seamus went to upshift to a taller gear to accelerate on some doubletrack. A quick tap of the shifter pod generated...nothing. Another prod at the buttons yielded the same frustrating result. Seamus was now staring down a lap and a half in fourth gear. Not ideal for either the steep climbs or the high-speed fireroad sections.
Currently holding second place in the championship standings, Seamus could not afford to drop a race by quitting or even to have a poor result. Faced with limited options, Seamus clamoured to the finish line and, losing a few precious moments, hopped onto his brother's Cannondale Scalpel - a bike whose suspension tune and seat height are very poorly suited to the taller and heavier big brother. On the upside, it had functional gears! Seamus attacked the last lap in hopes of fending off a quickly improving Jamie Davies who had made significant ground while Seamus managed his shifting conundrum.
In the end, it all came down to a glorious sprint finish as Jamie had closed the gap to Seamus on the last straightaway. As the duo rounded the last corner, Seamus dug deep and powered his way to the line and was able to fend off Mr. Davies to secure himself third place in a race that rewarded his perseverance and problem solving. A little luck didn't hurt either!
Quitters never win and winners never quit.
Next week, we turn it all around and ride a course that will feel like nothing else that came before. Hope to see you all there!
Complete results with lap times, splits and more can be found at the link below.
Thanks to Al Muma for photography. The complete photo gallery can be found here.
Week 9 - As Good As It Gets
July 8, 2024
"New course week" is always a special occasion. After a month of grooming, massaging, and racing a trail in both directions, the chance to explore new lines, face new challenges, and attempt to find the chinks in your competitor's armour. Our newest creation is one of the longest and most demanding courses ever featured at our weekly series and delivers almost 5km of switchback filled climbs and descents and a few high speed sweeping trails that can be handled with as much speed as your bravery allows.
This longer course traversed the extent of the forest and crossed the creek for the first time this season and explored all sorts of trails that have been untouched in 2024. Approximately 1/3 of the course was properly groomed and, as the next few weeks progress, we will continue to hack away at the overgrowth and deliver the ultimate riding experience with excellent sight lines and maximum traction.
Eric Simpson was simply untouchable
The competitor of the day was, unquestionably, Eric Simpson who attended his first race of the season and ensured that his performance would act as a reminder to the field about exactly why he needs to be feared and respected. While most attendees were runnings laps close to 20 minutes in duration, Eric rolled an almost unfathomable pace averaging just a little over 15-minutes per lap. Chris Staniewski was Eric's closest competitor and, as quick as Chris always is, he lost 3:30 over the course of four laps. Eric was just in a class of his own even when facing formidable competition.
Wheel-to-wheel racing: Chad Madaleno towing Dave Knights to the finish line
Outside of the Expert podium, the action was as hotly contested as the weather was humid. Dave Knights went with the "slow burn" strategy for the night and took a highly moderated first lap that saw him settle into 8th place behind some hard charging riders. While Dave took a moment to stretch his legs, other riders, like Steve Prosser, came out flying. After one lap, where Steve sat in 6th, Dave began his second lap in 8th. However, this initial flash of power soon revealed that Steve had overextended himself and lost dramatic chunks of time as the race wore on. To the contrary, as Dave's race progressed, he climbed from 8th to 6th and in his last two laps turned some of the fastest laps in the field. As Dave closed in on the finish on the last lap, he had reeled in Chad Madaleno, erasing a 40-second deficit in the process and earned himself a solid 6th and preaching the power of racecraft and negative splits.
Alex Sampson mixes style and speed with VICTORY!
Another rider delivering the goods (by Air Mail, no less), is Alex Sampson. After a Sampson family sweep of the Sport category last week, the clan of chaos was eager to prove that their result was no fluke and to state their intentions of establishing a dynasty with absolute clarity. The result, however, was something that no one saw coming. After decades of dominating his kids, Dustin Sampson must now bend the knee at the throne of the new Sport king - Alex. Every parent relishes seeing their children grow and succeed in their chosen passions, but few parents are excited to lose their alpha-status at the top of their family athletic hierarchy. It's looking like time to secure Dustin a spot at the local retirement community with Alex serving as the executor of the estate while younger Kaiden Sampson nips at Dustin's heels, looking to make the succession complete and ever-lasting.
Joking aside, kudos to the Sampson's for another amazing race and a second record breaking podium sweep.
Alex, Dustin, and Kaiden celebrating their love of Dustin losing. My turn is next!
As has been written many times on these pages before, our stories are not only for those sitting perched atop the podiums. Cycling is as much about pure joy and exhilaration as it is about winning. Too often we obsess about owning the latest and greatest gear, managing our nutrition to the gram, and training until we cannot bear to look at our bikes. Ultimately, as we blast through the forest, doing our utmost to corner faster, climb harder, and brake later we are competing not against one another but ourselves. Finding the mental peace that allows ours legs to spin relentlessly, exploring the edges of our courage to lean that bike over just another few degrees, and trusting our tires to cling to the loose soil without pitching us into the rhubarb are all elements that unleash our daily burdens and live completely within the moment. This state of flow is the magical place where the world around us melts away and the only reality of relevance is the 10 meters of trail in front on your eyes.
Maria Picotti embodies joy on a bike
Few people so boldly and plainly embody this joy of riding and love of outdoors as Maria Picotti who continually laps our courses with a sparkle in her eyes and a ready smile on her lips. While Maria is not fighting for podium positions, this does nothing to diminish her efforts on the course or to reduce her passion for riding in our series. There is definitely something about Maria! Riding is personal expression and a reflection of our approach to life itself. Aim to push yourself to your highest of highs. Never quit. Find the positive in the most challenging circumstances. Whether on the bike or in your daily life, these are messages that transcend our event and will bring us all happier and more fulfilling lives.
Until next week - when we line up again to bring out our best and transcend the daily toil.
Complete results with lap times, splits and more can be found at the link below.
Thanks to Al Muma & Lisa Sampson for photography. The complete photo gallery can be found here.
Week 8 - We put the syrup into Canada Day
July 1, 2024
Canada Day marks a time when people across the country embark on road trips, explore local cultural venues, crowd the beaches, and otherwise find ways to capitalize on the bounty of beauty our magnificent country delivers. As avid outdoor enthusiasts, cyclists are poised to enjoy these fruits more than the average bear as our recreation time tends to begin and end in the great outdoors.
That said, even when we find regular occasion to relish our vast and diverse landscape, Canada Day is a moment to pause and reflect on just how lucky we are to be situated in a country that gives us such gifts. We are free to discuss anything and criticize any aspect of our systems, our government, or the people involved. We are safe to vehemently disagree with another's opinions without risk of punishment or persecution. Travel is unencumbered, virtually endless, and our landscape affords us an incredible diversity of terrain - from the mountain ranges in the west to the rolling Ontario terrain - there is something for everyone to enjoy. We can follow whatever belief system floats our collective boats without persecution. We can love freely and openly without threats of violence or exclusion. Healthcare is available to all and we have tremendous access to education. In short, when reviewing the global options of places to call home, Canada delivers on almost any front one could lean into.
While it is no Utopian paradise, Canada is a pretty amazing place to hang your hat and it is up to us to both appreciate the glory of what we have and to protect our progressive and inclusive ideals in the face of a rising trend of global tyranny. Let's always look to elevate our debate rather than denigrate those who disagree. Let us treat one another with courtesy and respect. Let us respect our natural environment and ensure we are conscientious stewards of our precious resources. Let us never be the home of angry, fearful, hateful zealots. This is not the Canadian way. We are a nation of peacekeepers and bridge builders. A nation where good ideas can grow into great executions. A people welcoming of newcomers (as we all are) and open to new collective experience.
Happy Canada Day to all and thank you for joining us for another week of enjoying our natural forested treasures.
Alixe Courville is batting 1000 - one race, one win!
For the first time in our history, the Mini-me category is being dominated women. Of the seven Mini-me riders who have joined us this season, all but one is female. After far too long of being a male-dominated sport, cycling truly seems to be realizing a seismic demographic shift. Lead by enthusiastic and athletic moms, these young athletes are hitting the course with smiles from ear to ear and unending enthusiasm. This week, the star of the show was 5-year-old Alixe Courville who rode a brilliant race and not only took the win but also showed her competitors how to dial in some solid negative splits. But Alixe and Nora McCague pulled a full 2-minutes off of their first lap place as they completed their final laps. Most impressive!
Beth McCague also scored a podium in her first race (3rd place)
One of those amazing women bringing their little tykes out to the races is Beth McCague who, for the first time, took to the course for herself after several weeks of escorting her rippers through the forest. Needless to say, it's clear where the kiddies get their athletic genes from! Beth played her hand almost perfectly and managed to snag a podium position for her efforts. Her position slipped from second to third on the last lap when another McCague - Olivia - managed a pass and defended her lead on her mom all the way to the finish. This was Olivia's best finish to date ad she likely took particular satisfaction in beating a parent.
Liam Cullen is smashing the Novice field - were he older, he'd be getting a forced category bump!
Ahead of both Olivia and Beth was Liam Cullen who has committed himself to a season of domination in the Novice field. While his lap times would keep him reasonably competitive with the bottom third of Sport class, Liam has long yearned for an outright championship victory and his efforts so far this year see him poised to realize his ambitions. While he starts every Monday evening with, "I don't want to race tonight," once the race has set off Liam is a competitive little tiger with a strength of will that causes everyone who knows him plenty of challenges. For someone who never wants to race, he sure knows how to drop the hammer!
Kaiden Sampson outsprints Kelly Cullen at the line
In Sport category, we had a series first this week and that's not something I can say too often as we approach three decades of hosting races at Coulson's Hill. Dustin Sampson continued down his road to fitness and managed his first win of the season. Each week Dustin has managed to take another step towards victory and this week he got the job done in fine style as he went out hard right from the start, commanded a lead from the first lap, and maintained sufficient pace to fend off all competitors. The interesting part, however, is just who those competitors were. In second place, trailing Dustin by a little over a minute, was his oldest son Alex Sampson. Both Alex and Dustin lost pace over their three laps at a consistent rate and the battles between these two will only get tighter over time.
The trifecta was complete when Kaiden Sampson - the youngest of their clan - was able to fend off a hard-charging Kelly Cullen at the finish line to nail his first podium of the year and a huge step forward from his previous best finish of 8th place. Kelly made an admirable effort to reel Kaiden in and was chipping away at his lead with stellar times on lap 2 and 3. As the duo rounded the last corner, they were wheel-to-wheel and the final chapter of the story had yet to be written. Kaiden rose to the occasion with a monstrous final kick that Kelly could not counter and sprinted to the line for his first podium of 2024. And with that, the Sampson podium sweep was complete and history was made as one family swept the entire for the first time in history.
Craig Hoddy was on fire!
With every other category producing epic battles with fiercely competitive riders, the Experts had their work cut out for them to deliver an equally compelling narrative. Thanks to the massive efforts of Craig Hoddy the Expert race was the tightest we have had all year. While Seamus Cullen set the pace early on and drove the race for the first two laps, the hounds of hell were let loose when Myles Cullen attacked shortly after rounding the bend after the timing tent to jump from third to first. Expecting to create a gap on the downhill sections that lead towards the creek, Myles settled into a sustainable pace and was shocked to discover that no gap was forthcoming.
Seamus popped shortly thereafter as the terrain pointed uphill and Craig gradually reeled Myles back in on the sustained fireroad climb on the eastern edge of the forest. Recognizing the substantial threat on his rear wheel, Myles dug deep but was unable to fend off a passing attempt from Craig where the trail splits into two alternate uphill paths. With Craig now leading the race, Myles struggled to hold his wheel and recover from the climb at the same time.
This duo rode tail-to-nose for most of the fourth lap until Myles launched an unexpected attack on the same fireroad climb noted above. With a keen sense of panic driving him relentlessly forward, Myles kept it pinned through the remaining singletrack and was well-positioned to hold the lead as the leaders exited the forest for the last time. The gap by the time the race ended was a mere 20-seconds. Craig had made it abundantly clear that there would be no "gimmies" and that if you were going to set foot on the line, then you had better be prepared to race and leave it all on the course.
Now THAT is the Canadian way.
Complete results with lap times, splits and more can be found at the link below.
Thanks to Al Muma & Lisa Sampson for photography. The complete photo gallery can be found here.
Week 7 - New Kids on the Block
June 24, 2024
The racing game is one of ever-changing eddies and currents. Sometimes we are caught in a magical flow that propels us forward with an easy pace that belies the slope. Other times, we are spinning helplessly in circles and cannot seem to make progress on our fitness goals while those around roll steadily onward.
There are other times when the stars align for clusters of riders and the path ahead is lit clearly for all to follow. In these moments of synchronicity, when opponents are equally prepped and primed, and everyone has a great race on the same day - these are the ultimate days on the race course.
Darryl Kaszper hot on the heels of Alex Sampson
This spectacle of tight racing with clusters of riders working tirelessly to make even the smallest of gains on their competitors is exactly what we witnessed this week. To make matters even more exciting, several of these battles involved riders new to the series or new to racing altogether. Just off the podium in the Sport category, we have a number of such battles to report on. Take, for example, the amazing three way showdown between Alex Sampson, Darryl Kaszper, and Richard Vinnels-Bell. In this trio, Richard, in his first race of the season, took to the course like a comet blazing through the sky and crossed the line in fourth place after the first lap to lead this group. Unfortunately, he shone too bright, too early and fell back to earth on lap two after surrendering 25-seconds to both Alex and Darryl, relegating him to sixth.
Alex Sampson takes it to the line after a demanding effort thanks to Darryl & Richard
Alex and Darryl continued to maintain a torrid pace on lap 2 - and managed to finish with identical lap times. The entire evening would come down to the last lap as all through riders maintained close contact through the course. Alex rode with composure beyond his years and managed to ignore the constant threat of attack from behind his rear wheel. As the three riders began ascending the eastern fireroad climb for their third and final effort, Richard was slowly making progress on recapturing the ground he lost and clawed back a few seconds but it was not enough for him to regain sufficient ground to participate in the final sprint. Alex and Darryl pounded their pedals all the way to the line but the day belonged to Alex as he pressed onwards to eek out a 1.8-second win over a hard-charging Darryl. Richard trailed these two by only 16-seconds when all was said and done, marking an impressive return to form late in the game.
Vince Borg is on fire with his second consecutive Sport win
Most importantly, several similarly tight battles happened all over the Sport field and the competition is really coming into focus as our participant's fitness improves over the course of the season. What a thrill to watch these rivalries evolve and to see people making tremendous strides on their fitness journey.
A fantastic example of fitness returning over the course of the last month - and with it, results - is seen in Vincent Borg. In the first couple of races Vince attended, the top of the podium was tantalizingly close but remained out of reach. But with his consistency in attendance and max attack efforts on the course, Vince now approaches the starting line with confidence in his mond and a swagger in his step. Every week, he is pumped and primed to let 'er rip! And that he does. For the second week in a row, Vince has etched his signature onto the race and walked away a winner.
This week, he did face substantial pressure from Dustin Sampson who launched like a Falcon rocket on lap 1 and was staring down a 41-second deficit after the first pass through the start/finish area. However, Dustin did not have the boosters required to fully launch him into orbit and Vince regained the ground lost on lap two when Dustin's fuel was spent and he fell back into the ocean of pain after losing 3-minutes (yikes!) on lap two. But, wow, did lap one look amazing!
One race, one podium! Annette DeVries is off to a great start
Another rider who joined us for their first race of the season this week was Annette DeVries. After two weeks of watching his super-speedy daughter, Ellamarie Belcourt battle it out in Sport class, Annette decided to put her hat in the ring and challenge herself to compete. (Perhaps Annette was just smarter than the rest of us and waited for decent weather!) While unable to reel in the impossibly quick Liam Cullen, Annette rode a fantastic race producing a 45-second negative split on her last lap and taking second place ahead of yet another newcomer, Luis Fusco.
Chris Graham outsprints Jamie Davies for his best finish of the season
The Expert field was not immune to the infection of super tight battles this week and several riders are making big progress on their race speed. Coming off of a team win in North America's largest 24-hour race, Chris Graham hit the line sporting his well-earned champion's jersey and with legs fresher than they should have been thanks to the early termination of the 24H race due to weather conditions. Feeling a little ripped off by the lack of suffering after riding 6 hours instead of 24, Chris approached our weekly series with the intent of absolutely smashing himself to exorcise the demons of disappointment.
And that he did! Chris approached his first lap somewhat conservatively while he found his rhythm and groove but, as the race wore on, he lap times didn't drop a bit. Not only did Chris manage his efforts and produce impressively consistent lap times - with a last lap negative split thrown in for good measure - but Chris also had the opportunity for a fantastic sprint finish with Jamie Davies.
After walking away from the rest of the field in the first couple of laps, Chris began to slowly lose pace against Jamie who is clawing his way back into race shape after an off-season filled with family time instead of trainer time. For those not "in-the-know", in peak form Jamie is one of the most intimidating riders to hit the start line in our series. For most of 2023, Jamie would ride to the race from Holland Landing, absolutely dominate the field, and then ride back home. He is the personification of a two-wheeled weapon that can rip your legs off on a climb and work you over in a technical section with equal grace.
So, on lap four, when Chris was caught by a hard-charging Jamie with little race course left, he let out an audible battle cry (which may have actually been a cry of desperation), and absolutely committed to crushing himself all the way to the finish. On the final straight, Chris stood up and initiated the sprint early and, with 50m to the finish, Jamie knew his goose was cooked. Chris took third and his first podium of the season in a ferociously competitive Expert field. Well done to both riders for the "full send" efforts.
Craig and Ethan McFarlane rode from Newmarket and then ripped up the race!
On the topic of riding to the race and then also getting the job done on the course, a huge shoutout is due to Craig and Ethan McFarlane who, following in Jamie's footsteps, elected to ride their bikes from Newmarket to attend the race. To Ethan's enduring credit, even with this lengthy pre-ride in his legs, Ethan managed to snag a podium position (3rd) only four seconds behind Dustin Sampson. Similarly, Craig earned a very respectable 8th place finish, sandwiched between Sarah Matheson and Ellamarie Belcourt.
See you all next week for an epic rematch on our extraordinary course!
Complete results with lap times, splits and more can be found at the link below.
Thanks to Al Muma & Lisa Sampson for photography. The complete photo gallery can be found here.
Week 6 - Hot Stuff
June 17, 2024
If one were to listen to the experts on Monday morning, you would not have left the house and would have spent the day cowering in fear in your basement, head covered with a cool, wet towel, waiting for the heat to break. As extreme heat warnings inundated the airwaves and internet headlines, the public was urged to avoid physical activity in the outdoors and to stay sheltered wherever possible. Sounds like a lovely way to spend the rest of our summers...in perpetuity. The reality is that weather events like the current heat dome are the new normal - not an outlier of an event - so we had better just acclimatize and carry on with our lives or we will be hiding in our basements forever. (For a discussion on fear, click here.)
That said, it was a super hot day with temperatures hovering around 30 degrees but, given the extreme weather, turnout remained pretty strong even through the goal of the day was survival as much as running the best possible lap times. Sometimes, life is all about trying to find the right balance of priorities and I can thankfully report that no one suffered any consequences from exercising in summer weather.
Chris Staniewski earned the top spot with a blistering pace
In Expert, Chris Staniewski continued his march to the championship podium with a brilliant effort that eclipsed his lap times from last week. Aided in small part by the extensive grooming efforts to improve sitelines through the woods and provide ample runoff space for blown corners, Chris tore the course up and had little difficulty dropping the field and pulled the fastest lap of the field on each of his four laps.
Craig Hoddy towing Seamus Cullen through the mucky section
Also on the Expert front, kudos to Craig Hoddy who handled the heat with aplomb and attacked Myles Cullen on the second lap as Myles wilted under the sun like an unwatered flower. In the same move, Seamus Cullen also managed to squeak by Myles and the duo looked poised to cruise to the podium under a cloud of lactate and perspiration. Through the third and fourth lap, Craig did an admirable job of maintaining his pace and dropping minimal time per lap. Seamus, however, overextended himself slightly and had to pull back the pace the manage his heat load. In so doing, Seamus opened the door to a counter-attack from a passed and forgotten foe and Myles managed a comeback pass through the finish area on the third lap. The Expert podium was locked from that point onward with Chris and Craig making inroads in the Championship standings.
Dave Knights is back and looking to regain his pre-vacation form
Participants this week may have noted the rather pristine state of the grass on the fireroads and start/finish area. There is a good reason for that: After a two week trip to Iceland and Ireland, Dave Knights is back behind the bars and eager to work his was back to a high level of fitness. On top of that, Dave is a relentless volunteer and gift to the community. On Friday night, Dave drove his truck and trailer, loaded with a commercial tractor, to the trails in order to do some lawn maintenance for us all. While we had attacked these areas with a push mower the week before, these efforts pale to the speed and efficiency of a big machine for clearing massive amounts of grass. Dave's efforts are appreciated beyond words and his tireless commitment to helping others is an inspiration for me to be better every day. Thanks, Dave!
Mike Deangelis fears nothing and rode obstacles he had never tackled before
Another rider making notable progress this week was Michael Deangelis. Prior to the race, Mike and I chatted momentarily about a feature on the course that has caused him much consternation. On the uphill fireroad prior to the bridge crossing there is a huge tree that fell across the trail at some point last year. Rather than cut it up with a chainsaw, we turned this fallen hero of shade and carbon capture into a trail feature by building up the leading and trailing faces with logs, sticks, and dirt to allow riders to get over the obstacle.
The reality, however, is daunting. While crushing yourself up a steep hill, you must correct for the angle and then keep those cranks spinning - as smoothly as possible - to clamour over the tree and not lose traction. Ideally, you approach this challenge with speed so as to need less acceleration over the log but this is super tough as the climb continually saps your energy - and sometimes your will to live.
However, on this steamy and demanding night, Michael took no prisoners and stormed over the peak of that fallen tree with courage and confidence and nailed it on every lap. If life is about making progress and tackling the things that intimidate you, then Michael is a champion on this occasion as he accomplished his goal and conquered his personal obstacle. Here is yet another example of cycling as a metaphor for an effective approach to life.
Liam Cullen continues to rip regardless of conditions
One last shoutout to Liam Cullen who rode another super strong race to solidify his firm grasp on the Novice championship where he is commanding a stout 35-point lead over his key competitors. Kayleigh McFarlane, who is currently holding onto second place, and Owen Lutzen, who has proven to be a fierce rival, both missed this weeks race and have seen their deficits grow as a result. At this point, Liam is looking poised to tie up the Novice category and set the stage for a move to Sport in 2025.
Thanks to everyone who denied the pessimists on the radio and internet by braving the elements to continue their pursuit of fitness, adventure, and the love of flying through the forest.
Complete results with lap times, splits and more can be found at the link below.
Thanks to Al Muma for photography. Complete photo gallery can be found here.
Week 5 - New Course Brings New Challenge
June 10, 2024
With our season well underway and a new course due, it was definitely time to increase the challenge level for our weekly series. For the uninitiated, our early season courses stick to the southern confines of our tract of forest as this section dries more quickly from the early season storms and it allows for a lower barrier to race participation as we keep things flatter and easier.
Hopefully, with four weeks our racing under our belts, the spring cobwebs are being beaten back and our riders' legs have begun to spin themselves into shape. With this goal in mind, our new course ventures a meandering 4.3km into the forest and consists of much less tight and twisty singletrack that relies on low-speed handling prowess. Instead, this course delivers high speed corners, blazing fast downhills, and a mix of short, punchy climbs and long, lung-busting fireroad ascents.
It's a demanding course that rewards a different skillset and gives different types of riders opportunities for success. Not every course can play to everyone's strengths.
Owen Lutzen Edges out Liam Cullen for his first win of the year
The tougher course allowed us to return to our more traditional lap counts with the Novice category needing to complete two laps. After joining us last week for the first time and earning himself a stellar second place finish, Owen Lutzen hit the starting line looking to improve upon this finish and continue racking up championship points. Thanks to his remarkably consistent lap times and solid fitness, Owen managed to hold off his chief rival, Liam Cullen for the entirety of the race. These two finished only 0.5 seconds aparts by the time the race concluded so I expect we will continue to see this exciting rivalry evolve over time.
Jolene Goodyear took the bull by the horns and slayed the competition
The "big kids" weren't the only ones facing a more demanding race course this week. The same relative increase in difficulty was faced by our amazing Mini-Me riders. While they may have been spared the most vicious of climbs and the most technical section of the adult course, they still had to conquer substantially more climbing and more length than in previous races.
In a category completed dominated by young women this year, Jolene Goodyear and Nora McCague both rode solid races this week. Kudos to Nora for a monstrous negative split on her second lap - she managed to shave more than a minute off of her second lap on her way to another podium. While Jolene did not turn a negative split, she rode a remarkable race and completed the event in just under 30-minutes. This tremendous pace was far too quick for her competitor and Jolene has shown tremendous potential in her second race win. These results have brought Jolene to the top of the championship series standings.
Lindsay-anne Townsend
On the topic of women kicking butt, there is no better poster child for this reality than Lindsay-anne Townsend. Not only does Lindsay-anne crush most of our road club on our weekly rides, but she is an unstoppable force on the MTB trails as well. Her fitness and technical acumen make her a fearful adversary on the trails and, when combined with experience, make for an exciting athlete to follow. For some perspective on the difference between a veteran and rookie rider, consider that Lindsay-anne's second and third lap times were 0.1 seconds apart. After more than 4km, these lap times were, literally, identical. Crazy stuff.
Matias Mena Diep podiums in his race debut
But that wasn't the only highlight in the Sport category this week. Newcomer Matias Mena Diep rode a super solid race - the first of his young career - and hung on to Lindsay-anne as best he could. While this exceptional first race effort is impressive in it's own right, Matias also needed to fend off some tough competition. On the first lap, series-leader Ethan McFarlane came across the line in second-place, trailing only Lindsay-anne.
Matias dug deep on lap 10 and managed to dig himself out of a 10-second hole to pass Ethan as the two rode through the finish line wheel-to-wheel while heading out for their third and final lap. Matias was able to retain his lead on lap three and eeked out a 4-second win over Ethan. Also of note here was that Vince Borg has made tremendous ground on the podium trio and was trailing Ethan by less than 20-seconds. Without a doubt, there will be some heated racing between these three riders as the season progresses.
Chris Staniewski (red gloves) is back and as fast as ever
The Expert field had a big shake-up this week as 2023 superstar Chris Staniewski made it back out for this first race of the year. Chris rode a conservative first half of a lap before lighting the jets to capture first place on the long, high-speed descent heading northbound towards the creek. Taking advantage of a lack of pace by Myles Cullen, Chris slid by on the fireroad descent while Myles tried to recover from his earlier efforts.
Myles and Chris created a sizeable gap on the rest of the field as they chased each other through the uphill singletrack and fireroad climbs. It was a maximum effort pace where any drop in pedal effort by either rider saw gaps shrink and grow accordingly. There was no option for rest or relaxation amongst this duo as they tore towards the finish line and no margin for error.
Unfortunately, rider error is exactly what happened. There is a point in the trail where rider's need to make a sharp 180-degree turn and Chris missed this trail marker, went straight, and then had to stop and turn around to return to the course. This cost Chris precious time and at least of couple of positions.
Chris' effort to return to the front of the race was admirable and he managed to close the gap to Myles appreciably, but, when all was said and done, Chris did not have the time or legs to erase his one tiny error.
Racing is a game of inches and even when you think you ar eon the rivet and cannot possibly keep going at the pace you're at, keep it pinned! You never know what may happen. From a navigational error, to a mechanical failure, to a simple handling mistake that brings you to the ground, anything can happen and the race is never over until you cross that finish line in a haze of adrenalin, lactic acid, and relief.
Next week: More guaranteed shredding!
Complete results with lap times, splits and more can be found at the link below.
Thanks to Al Muma for photography. Complete photo gallery can be found here.
Week 4 - Check Out Those Splits
June 3, 2024
World Bike Day arrived in Ontario resplendent in blue skies, sunshine, and heat aplenty. And there could be no better way to celebrate all things bike than with a fantastic night of racing through the woods in an expression of love and passion for our incredible two-wheeled machines. Whether it is a quick trip to the mailbox, a ride to school or work, or an evening challenging yourself with friends, the humble bicycle delivers an escape from the stresses of our everyday world and provides unending joy through it's simple combination of endorphins and time spent outdoors.
Nora McCague heads out for another race and notches another podium with mom on her heels
The gorgeous weather brought a healthy 35-rider turnout to the series and the action on course was almost as heated as the 27-degree weather. Huge kudos today go to our Mini-me field which has been totally dominated by young women this season. This week, we watched Nora McCague complete her second race of the soggy season and, with another successful showing, move her way to the top spot in the championship standings with a second place finish. Also notable was the fact that Nora's older sisters, Alison and Olivia, both made the bold move to jump up to the Novice field after only one race.
Olivia McCague moves up to Novice and podiums on her first effort
The confidence these young riders demonstrate in looking to tackle more challenging and longer races is impressive for riders so young and the whole McCague family has been ripping up the series and quickly making a name for themselves as key competitors. In fact, not only did Alison and Olivia move up a level, Olivia notched a podium with her remarkable third place finish trailed by Alison who came in fourth. Talk about a dynamic duo to watch out for!
Liam Cullen continues to dominate Novice and may be the next rider to make a category upgrade
In the Novice field, newcomer Owen Lutzen joined the fray for the first time and made a solid debut. Most notable was Owen's remarkable race management. Often when people begin racing, the biggest challenge is to figure out how hard one can afford to push early in the race without jeopardizing their performance as the lap count climbs and the body fatigues. If you go out too hard, then your lap times disintegrate as the race continues and you leave yourself exposed to attacks from your competitors. Should you conserve too much, however, you may just have gas left in the tank as you cross the finish line and have, therefore, left performance potential on the table. The Goldilocks balance is to find the pace that allows you to get quicker as the race progresses and yet leaves you totally tapped as you cross the line that final time.
Owen, in Novice, was tasked with three laps on this current course and delivered two fast first laps and then elevated his game for lap three and gained more than 20-seconds on the race winner, Liam Cullen. While Owen's tactics did not quite earn him the win, his racecraft and fantastic late race efforts suggest that there is a lot of latent talent there just waiting to be tapped. By contrast, Liam rode two ridiculously fast early laps but his last lap was almost a minute slower. Had Liam not built such a large gap early, he would have been desperately exposed to a hard surge from a peaking competitor.
Cole Geisler pulls the mid-pack of the Sport field across the line
While the McFarlane clan looks to be nearly unstoppable in the Sport field - with Ethan holding a commanding championship points lead at the moment and his father, Craig, holding onto second place with a small margin - tonight's Sport victory belonged to the always powerful Lindsay-anne Townsend. In keeping with our theme of pacing, Lindsay-anne took to the course at a blistering pace and simply maintained it all night long. Her first two laps were less than 2-seconds apart from one another and her third lap only 5-seconds slower yet. Despite running into some lap traffic (that all riders had to contend with), only on Lindsay-anne's fourth and final lap did pace slow even a smidge - although she still kept it within 9-seconds. This consistency is a testament to Lindsay-anne's experience and overall fitness and sets the bar for how to approach a race for maximum impact.
Dustin Sampson hits his first podium of 2024
Also noteworthy in the sport class is the battle for second through fourth. In this space, we saw Ethan McFarlane turn every lap into a negative split (when each lap is faster than the last lap). This is beyond impressive and makes it very difficult for challengers to catch and then attack Ethan as he will always looks to have more in the tank. While this may or may not be actually true in any given night, the perception that one could unleash more fury the moment it is necessary has a significant psychological impact on the field and creates just enough hesitation that one may maintain a lead without challenge.
On this night, the final gap between Ethan and Dustin Sampson was only ten seconds. That time was given away entirely on lap 2 and Dustin and Ethan were going toe-to-toe on every other lap. That just goes to show how a couple of mistakes can really cost you dearly. With a couple of blown corners taking you out of your rhythm, you must work exponentially harder to recover the ground lost. This effort burns up available resources that could otherwise be used to launch an offensive manoeuvre or apply added stress to a competitor. It's a fine line between pushing to your maximum and then overstepping that boundary and costing yourself time with mistakes.
But regardless of that 10-second hole, Dustin rode his best race of the season and was thrilled to both fend off his boys, Alex and Kaiden, who placed 6th and 8th respectively, and climb into a two-way tie in the championship points race with Nelson Papel for fourth place.
Vince Borg leads Alex and Dustin Sampson through the woods
Hot on Dustin's heels in Vincent Borg who is already making his mark on the series. Vince rode a very consistent race and laid down a particularly quick third lap and was poised to capture his second consecutive podium when Dustin dropped the hammer on lap four making a big move and closing the door of opportunity with a bang. This is another example of learning to expend energy when it is most advantageous and trying to conserve at every opportunity. Dustin and Vincent are so close in fitness and skill that it is shaping up to by either rider's win on any given night. It will be intriguing to watch this battle unfurl as the season progresses.
Aaron Wright and David Van Schie in the tightest sprint of the night - Aaron won by inches
The Expert field was not without it's share of drama on this evening. Not only did we see an extraordinary sprint finish between Aaron Wright and David Van Schie that produced a winning margin of mere inches for Aaron, but within the first 100m of the race start, we witnessed a big crash from former series champion Steve Prosser. As the Expert field barrelled towards the heavily-bermed first corner, Steve lost front wheel traction at high speed. As his front wheel pushed through the corner, Steve crashed to the outside of the trail, leaving a nasty raspberry on his elbow, while he haplessly watched the field roll away.
Being the trooper he is, Steve was upright and remounted in moments but the spill had taken it's toll mentally and the resulting chase to the pack would inevitably take it's physical toll as well. Having to try and make up ground from the back of the pack, Steve pushed with full commitment and began dancing his way through the field, regaining 4 spots on his first lap. While his second lap remained consistent and he was able to reel in two more riders, it was at this point that the wheels started to fall off of the wagon. The intensity of his first two laps, coupled with shaken confidence in the traction of his bike, saw Steve start to drop through the field as he fought for all he was worth to maintain the highest possible pace.
Ryder Cullen takes down the man, the legend, Steve Prosser for the first time
As is often said, one man's pleasure is another man's pain and bike racing is no different. This night, Ryder Cullen was another athlete demonstrating elite racecraft. Riding totally within himself and competing in a considered and calculated way, Ryder came across the first lap in 9th place. On his second lap, he posted a 9-second negative split and had snuck by two more racers to find himself in 7th. Allowing himself some recovery time on lap three (+15 second pace), Ryder re-ignited his rockets on lap four. He had Steve Prosser in his sights and, with only 20 seconds separating the two, had the pace, the motivation, and the reserves to make his move and to make it stick.
While Steve's pace softened, Ryder only attacked harder and by the time the race finished, Ryder had created a healthy 33-second buffer between himself and Steve. Before becoming too cocky about this result, however, I'd advise Ryder not to poke the proverbial bear. Steve will be back and looking for vengeance come week five!
Hazel Van Schie and Maria Picotti are all smiles all the time!
The last photo needs no explanation: Cycling is joy. Cycling is freedom from your worries and the daily grind. Cycling is self-improvement. Cycling is the most energy-efficient transportation on earth. Cycling can relieve urban congestion, promote a healthier lifestyle, and create massive economic upsides. On International Bike Day, each of you lived this truth and relished the adrenalin created by your two-wheeled partner in life. Thank you and keep on smiling!
To top it off, Hazel Van Schie not only took time to smile for the camera, she went on to win her Mini-Me race despite a nasty crash. Keep those wheels rolling! (And Dave...raise her seat.) ;)
Complete results with lap times, splits and more can be found at the link below.
Thanks to Al Muma & Lisa Sampson for photography. Complete photo gallery can be found here.
Week 3 - Perseverance = Performance
May 27, 2024
I met a young person in the store last week who had faced some difficulty on a bike and was adamant that they were never planning to climb onto the saddle again. His parents were there to buy the lucky child a sweet new ride, we had picked out an appropriate model, and, try as I might, I simply could not convince him to take it for even the briefest test ride. Fear ruled his mind. A recollection of a minor crash while at a summer camp had morphed into a monster locked into a closet that the poor kid dare not open.
Realizing that there was more at stake here than selling this family a bike, I just stopped talking about buying stuff and tried to engage our young customer in a conversation about life. My fundamental approach was an effort to make this person comfortable with the idea of failure. While many of us go through life trying to avoid failure at all costs, I would suggest that any cost is too high. Failure is fundamental. Failure is a constant. Failure is, I argued, a valid measure of your success.
This pronouncement may sound counterintuitive, but consider the athlete/employee/academic who meets every expectation they set for themselves. While it is inarguably satisfying to be successful, if you meet every expectation there is only one reasonable conclusion: The goals are not sufficiently demanding. A target easily met is an opportunity wasted and this is where failure lies. If you set out to ride two hours a week and have nailed this for weeks, double the load. If you target an 80% grade in your most challenging class and are running on autopilot, make it 90%. Goals should inspire us, motivate us, and, most importantly, push us to dig deep, battle our internal demons of doubt, and emerge from the other side as one who has grown. The growth is not a result of meeting some subjective goal - the growth comes from the doing, the struggle, the work.
I fail every day in myriad ways - in my personal life, my professional life, and in fitness. But those small failures don't define me and they don't scare me. These are the challenges and opportunities from which we emerge as better people. Failure is not the enemy. Fear is the biggest inhibitor to accomplishment. Fear is not measuring up to your peers, fear of looking silly, fear of what people might say, fear of a crash, fear of losing. While fear comes in many different guises, the takeaway is that fear, if you let it, stops you from being the fullest version of yourself. Fear handcuffs you to self-doubt and that extra weight you lug around may just keep you from reaching the heights you otherwise could.
Absolve yourself of fear, take the plunge, and get back on that bike! Liberate yourself from doubt, attack what you do with passion, embrace both failure and fear as paths to growth, and never surrender your emotional and intellectual freedom to a myth created by your mind about all of the bad things that may happen. They won't.
In many ways, perseverance is the perfect antidote to the poison of fear. To acknowledge the pain in your legs while climbing a monster hill, is not failure - it's an acknowledgement of fact. But to embrace that pain as inevitable and to push relentlessly onward despite the discomfort, this is the moment of victory and the essence of success. Eclipsing personal limits - real or perceived - is where we discover ourselves and, in so doing, allow our journey to even greater things top continue. Often times, we also inspire others along the way. Bonus!
Steve Prosser being hunted by Seamus Cullen
One story from this week's race that highlights these philosophical musings belongs to my eldest son, Seamus Cullen. At 15, Seamus is coming uncomfortably close to the precipice of kicking my butt (and I will relish every week that I remain the top dog in the household!). This week, in advance of race night, Seamus' training load was perfect and he arrived at Coulson's ready to rumble and confident that he would be taking home some significant championship points.
Seamus had a very strong start and entered the singletrack in first place with his hand on the helm of the race. As the Expert field slipped and slid through the mud-drenched twisties, tires clawing for traction while the bars went lock-to-lock looking for directional control, the race was clearly going to be a relatively slow affair with slogging singletrack efforts leading to open air attacks on the firmer fireroads. Once the Experts hit the fireroad, I (Myles Cullen) attacked Seamus hard and made a pass on the 400 fireroad before the trail veered right back into the forest.
Fully intending to make my attack stick, I kept the throttle pinned for the remainder of the lap and created a sizeable gap from the field. Behind me, Seamus and Steve Prosser were engaged in a fierce competition for space and time. Seamus managed to control the pace on the first lap until, on lap 2, Steve lit the wick and exploded past Seamus on the same 400 fireroad where I made my pass on lap 1.
Throughout moments of my first lap, my Garmin computer kept connecting to Seamus' bike and reporting that the rear derailleur battery was "critical". Holding my breath that Seamus could make it through the race with functional shifting, I was super disappointed when, while Steve, Seamus, and myself were clawing through Log-a-Rhythm, Seamus shouted a question to me, "What can I do when the shifter stops?".
"Rip it single speed style!", was the only help I could offer. In his time of great opportunity, I knew he felt great. I knew he desperately wanted to beat Steve. This was going to be his night before the great dead battery debacle of '24. When I passed through the twisty section at the start of the race, I saw Seamus passing through the finish area - only about a minute back - spinning his cranks like a hamster in a wheel: Moving fast but going nowhere.
The only question in my mind was how Seamus would handle the adversity. Would fear of failure make him pull the plug and surrender the race? Would he be able to tough it out with only one gear? On my fourth lap, at pretty much the same spot, I saw Seamus careen into the finish area and holler at his 9-year-old brother, Liam Cullen, to give him his bike. Liam weighs 50 pounds less than Seamus and stands about 7-inches shorter. Needless to say, Liam's bike would not deliver the appropriate suspension tune or seat height. Despite these unavoidable realities, Seamus rode fearlessly on that last lap. Every climb was tackled at a full standing sprint (as he couldn't sit and pedal!) and every technical track saw Seamus take big risks in an effort to close the gap on Steve.
While Steve Prosser did indeed hang on for a second place finish on this night, Seamus fought to regain almost 40-seconds on Steve over the the last lap and a bit to deliver an astonishing 3rd place - even with his pit stop for a bike change. What a remarkable show of character and grit on many fronts. First, to manage the disappointment and frustration of a mechanical problem while still maintaining the best possible pace with what he had. Second, to find a creative solution to his issue even though it struck me as a gamble due to the sizing issue. Lastly, Seamus not only completed the race but he fought and struggled through much of it. In this internal battle, he smashed doubt to pieces and won the ultimate victory: Overcoming adversity with intensity and vision.
This is perseverance and this is the metal from which outstanding character is forged. Fear is NOT an option.
Sarah Matheson (L) and daughter Jolene looking muddy but proud!
Another little tiger showing no fear at all was Jolene Goodyear. This rainy, demanding Monday night was the first race of Jolene's young career. Tackling the shortened Mini-Me course, Jolene did an exceptional job for is first effort. While over-extending herself slightly on the first lap and taking the second lap to recover just a wee bit, Jolene came back on her third lap to post a solid negative split. This is the sort of performance we expect from a seasoned veteran - not a rookie! What a fantastic effort despite the challenging conditions and a true testament to Jolene's competitive spirit and love of two wheels.
Vincent Borg is ready to make waves in the Sport category
It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Darryl Kaszper, Vincent Borg, Sarah and Jolene into the Coulson's Hill family this week and we look forward to watching you all develop over the season. That said, Vince doesn't have far to go as he has already shown he has the goods with a solid second-place finish against Ethan McFarlane.
Darryl Kaszper performs soil sampling tests mid-race. That's dedication!
Next week, as promised, there will be NO RAIN. I already checked in with Mother Nature and let her know that we have had plenty - especially on Mondays. I'd also like to extend thanks to Gord & Aaron Wright, Craig & Ethan McFarlane and Darcy Anderson for helping break down our setup after the race. Darcy also did the timing so that our whole family could race. Thanks to everyone for the support and to the 20 brave souls that strapped on plates to race in the soupy mess!
Complete results with lap times, splits and more can be found at the link below.
Thanks to Al Muma for photography. Complete photo gallery can be found here.
Week 2 - Mud, Sweat and Gears
May 13, 2024
In inclement weather, there is a moment when a rider surrenders absolute control and must allow gravity, friction, and a little luck to take the helm. This was not the discussion we were planning to engage this week, but such is the hand we were dealt. When I arrived at the forest late yesterday morning, the skies were deep blue and the forest was awash in sunshine. The rainfall from the previous days was but a memory and the stage was set for a fantastic night of racing.
One filthy group of riders post race
Halfway through the day, when I was taking a short break from trail maintenance, I noted an email from a new rider who informed me that, due to concerns about the weather, he would not be participating. Glancing up at that gorgeous sky and wiping some sweat from my brow thanks to the midday heat, I admit that I found his concerns tending towards an over-abundance of caution. When I checked the weather app on my phone, I did, however, note the thunderstorm warnings before returning to my duties of ensuring a fast, fun, and safe course for all.
Given the rarity with which active weather actually hits a little tract of forest, I was confident that we would be spared anything too nasty. By the time 6pm rolled around, it was clear that we were likely to see a little moisture but the darkest skies seemed to be skirting our southern boundary and I remained optimistic that we would be spared the worst of it. By 6:30pm, registration was well under way and a few new riders had even signed up despite the ominous weather.
Then, it happened. With several riders out on course warming up, and a dozen or so more milling around the registration area, the temperature dropped precipitously while the wind started whipping the trees and tents around us. Moments later, the first balls of hail started to fly. As the fury of the storm grew, people flocked to the tents for shelter to avoid being pelted by dime-sized hail that was now pummelling the area. Riders who were pre-riding fled from the fireroads to find shelter in the forest. It was a wild and blustery ten-minutes that put the event into question. In my almost 50-years, I have never seen hail in the volume, size, and ferocity that we experienced last night.
Fortunately, within 10-minutes the chaos had passed and even the rain was behind us. With the skies looking clear and active weather behind us, we declared a much-beloved "double points" night and got down to the business of getting dirty. And what great business we did! The great irony of bad weather riding is that most people do NOT want to start riding when it's miserable out, but once you start turning the pedals and your blood starts pumping, the cold is chased away and, with it, your doubts about racing.
Within the first couple of corners, riders quickly came to understand that your bike will squirm and slide when you change direction. When you apply torque upon corner exit, you will accelerate from the apex in a lurid power slide with a rooster tail of mud coating your back, your butt, and your bike. Hands need to be loose and relaxed on the bars to enable lightning fast counter steering when the traction is lost; your weight needs to be immaculately balanced front-to-rear to make the most of your available grip; braking needs to delivered with a delicate and measured touch to avoid skids.
The Sport class was a source of both heated battles and a legitimate blow-out. Let's start with the amazing news: David Van Schie rode a blistering race and posted times that would have netted him a spot on the Expert podium. In week 1, David was also smoking fast but gave up his own success to ride with his young daughter Hazel Van Schie who ride exceptionally to finish the adult Novice course at only 8-years-old. But this week, Dave's maniacal laughter could be heard throughout the singletrack as he took full advantage of his super aggressive tires to out-grip, out-accelerate, and out-climb the sport field. You may be thinking, "What kind of reward would David get for such a performance?". The answer is obvious to those who know me: More suffering! We focus on creating competitive events where athletes of similar fitness levels can enjoy tight battle, so David has been rewarded with a mandatory category bump to expert. It is tremendous to see David's return to form this year and I am sure there will be some amazing battles tom come from this transition.
Cole Geisler is a rider to watch out for
While Ethan McFarlane was similarly untouchable in Sport, he was being hunted by both Jon Weening and his dad, Craig McFarlane. Whether through courage or better bike handling skills, Ethan was able to lock in a 40-second margin of victory over his chase pack. The surprise performance in the category belonged to newcomer Cole Geisler who went out hard and came through the finish area in third place on lap 1. This great display of potential should raise some eyebrows amongst the series veterans who will have yet another emerging threat to keep on their sights on race day. The Sport category is always a home to fantastic battles and tight championships. Ethan is the rider with the biggest target on his back right now, but he has a slew of riders just primed to take him down should he falter.
Olivia and Alison McCague rode like champs!
On another positive note, it brings me great pleasure to welcome the entire McCague family to our event. All three girls (Olivia, Alison, and Nora) were keen to get underway and were smiling from start to finish as they slipped and slid their way through the Mini-Me course trailed by their loyal mom who took the opportunity to motivate and encourage her little rippers before hopefully joining us to race herself next week. The whole family was a model of adventure and competitive spirit as they braved the hail, the rain, and the wind and carried on with a spark in their eyes and cheeky grins on their faces. It's easy to be happy when you're not the ones doing the laundry! With shockingly few women joining competitive/organized cycling activities, it is absolute treasure to see an entire family of young women out their pushing themselves and having a blast doing it.
No one could hold this wheel tonight!
In Expert, Chad Madaleno scored a pile more championship points with his second place finish and has taken an early but substantial lead in the championship points. But as more races rack up, he will be under increasing pressure as rider's fitness improves and some other Coulson veterans return in the (inevitable) nicer weather. This week, Dave Knights, Chris Graham, and Eli Weening all returned to offer a challenge to Chad's early dominance. While none could hang onto the pace that Chad dished out on this occasion, the season is young and there are several challengers just chomping at the bit to demonstrate their true capabilities.
Next week, we will have an entirely new experience for our riders when we reverse the course. Hopefully, we can go without the weather madness!
Complete results with lap times, splits and more can be found at the link below.
Thanks to Al Muma for the photography. Complete photo gallery can be found here.
Week 1 - The Geese Are Running Wild
May 6, 2024
Oftentimes, spring races present riders with a wet and mucky welcome to the season punctuated by muddy bikes and clothes that reflects the conditions - some due to tire splatter and some due to the inevitable slide outs. Those who raced Paris to Ancaster a couple of weeks back can certainly attest to this overview.
Given the statistical likelihood of a tough start, it was a thrill to launch our race season under blue skies and trails that offered "hero dirt" with enough moisture to be compacted and incredibly grippy while being dry enough to stay where it belonged - on the ground.
These fantastic conditions were complimented by a typical early-season course that stuck to the southern, flatter end of the forest and incorporated Coulson classics like Log-a-Rhythm - a trail whose purpose is to help you dial in your bike handling and help you get into a rhythm and flow found by carving from apex to endless apex. The two hundred corners over a few hundred metres may not test your legs, but will certainly separate the bike handlers from the pedal pounders.
Scott Morton leads the Sport group into the first singletrack
Just under 30 riders hit the course for our season opener with an exciting mix of grizzled veterans and a handful of new-to-the-series riders putting down a serious effort to make their mark and figure out where they stand amongst the pack.
Intimidation and self-consciousness is often a big hurdle for new racers to overcome when they begin to attend organized cycling events, so kudos to everyone who looked beyond their fear of failure and brought themselves to the line in the spirit of friendly competition. At the end of the day, your fiercest competitor is often the lump of grey matter between your ears. This mass of cognition can either drive you to extend yourself beyond your comfort zone and experience the "new" where fresh neural pathways are formed and exhilaration drives you forward, or can paralyze you with the fear of the unknown.
Those who join us, choose a life worth living. The cast of characters at our series is always welcoming, open, and passionate about riding and, once people push through their insecurities and join us, this group will inspire you, motivate you, and encourage you to aim higher and push harder than you ever though possible.
Lila Van Schie rocked her 2023 gold medal (Mini Me) while shredding the course
Of course, rider error is also par for the course if you will pardon the pun. In my pre-race spiel about etiquette, safety, and rules I always lay out guidelines about best race practices. A theme that I revisit regularly is to keep your head up and to keep your eyes trained on trail signage in order to keep yourself on track. When you are cross-eyed from the effort and your brain is starving for oxygen, it's easy to follow the wheel ahead of you into oblivion like the proverbial lemmings being lead over the cliff.
Jon Weening leads Dustin Sampson...to nowhere
So let's just preface any performance discussion by making it clear that in order to be effective, one must actually complete the course without any unnecessary detours. While Jon Weening started the race in a solid sixth place position and was looking poised for podium glory, instead of staying the course (whoops, I did it again), Jon took a key competitor, Dustin Sampson, under his wing and lead them on a wild goose chase through some beautiful trails...that were not part of the course.
While Dustin managed to get himself together and claw himself back into the game with some great riding and contested a photo-finish sprint with Ethan McFarlane for a fourth place finish, Jon took a second detour later in the race and cost himself an additional minute. By that point, his goose was cooked. (Jeesh...enough already!).
Anderson Liddle dominated the Sport class
The performance of the night belonged to Sport rider Anderson Liddle. While his dad, Dave Liddle, joined us for his first race and notched an impressive 7th place finish in a highly competitive field, Anderson picked up right where he left off last season: Fast! Turning laps right around the 9:30 mark, Anderson lead the race from start to finish and built an uncatchable 2+ minute lead on the field.
As riders return year after year, their cumulative experience and fitness increases performance almost without intent. Cycling is a sport that rewards long-term consistency and, if you keep riding regularly, the payoff is substantial. Anderson's performance is proof positive of this long held certainty and Anderson will now be moved to Expert where he can stretch his legs a little further with longer races and tougher competition. He won't find that his next results come so easily! Congratulations to Anderson for his exceptional riding and we look forward to seeing continued growth.
Chad Madaleno (Expert) made it clear that victory is the only option
Now that Anderson is being bumped up, he will face the unenviable challenge of battling a field of talented and diverse riders in the Expert field. This race began with Steve Prosser, a multi-time series champion, setting the pace as the athletes entered the forest for the first time in 2024. Being the tight field it is, Steve's attempt at dominance was quicky thwarted by Mark Cairns who made an assertive pass and was first across the line after the first lap with a ridiculous lap time of 8:48.
Even this was not enough as the lead quickly changed hands again as Chad Madaleno countered Mark's offensive by getting around second-place rider Seamus Cullen and then catapulting himself into first by the end of the second lap. Seamus had slipped into third by this point and was faced with the daunting task of having to regain a spot while carefully managing his effort so as to not blow up by the fifth lap.
From this point, Chad clung to his lead with an iron grip and refused to give another rider a chance at the top spot. Seamus made a hard effort on lap three to regain second and this is how the podium sat when the final bell tolled.
What an exciting bit of racing to start the season!
Kudos to Dave Liddle, Cole Geisler, Rob Gentile, Kevin Briscoe, Sadegh Hadiasgasr, and Jan Lutzen for pinning on a plate and joining our big, crazy family for the joy, pain, and organized chaos that is MTB racing. From the smiles on everyone's face, it looks like we are primed for another amazing season.
Thanks to everyone for their participation and I look forward to our next race.
Complete results with lap times, splits and more can be found at the link below.
Thanks to Al Muma for the photography. Complete photo gallery can be found here.