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Made it home on Tuesday without much trouble at all. Definitely was worth the dollars to stay at the plush Marriott hotel at the Prague Airport - made the 3:30 am wake-up a little bit more manageable. Though what really woke me up was the $400 US charge I had to pay for my two bikes... Sigh and we wonder why we have an obesity crisis - fees like this make it challenging to be active. Ah well, I suppose it is a small price to pay for the life experiences I had over the last couple of weeks.

I had an easy flight to Frankfurt and then a rather long 6.5 hour layover before my next flight. I must admit this was a bit long. I got in my share of shopping (with my hands in my pockets) and reading - but even still it was a long time to be sitting around. I think this long layover made my eight hour flight to Ottawa seem a bit long as well. But in the end the travel was super easy - bikes arrived, no problems at customs and best of all - I was home.

Today has been a bit of a blurr of laundry, some unpacking, training, working and adjusting to the time. I thought I was doing very well until around 5:30 and now I must admit, my eyelids are getting a tad heavy. But the goal is to stay up until 9:30.... 

So the trip was good. I've had a lot of time to think about it and I'm really glad I went. It was expensive but it was worth it. The racing was good. It was great to hang out with my racing friends and to strengthen these relationships. I thoroughly enjoy the Czech Republic and find it an easy country to be in. Yes, it was a good two weeks and I am so very fortunate to be able to travel like this and experience so many different people and cultures. It can be easy to lose sight of how lucky I am to travel and race my bike all over the world - I suppose this is because most of my friends have the same opportunities...

Alright, I'm off to write another blog post and I think I might cave and go to bed at 9:00 pm... Currently reading Suddenly by Bonnie Burnard - so very good - really you must read it. 

Tabor World Cup and Prague

Sorry for missing you yesterday... Ended up being a bit of a hectic day and I only managed to post to my ottawa.cx website... So today you get double-the-fun with a post about Sunday's World Cup in Tabor and my final day in the Czech Republic.

Alright, lets roll the clock back a bit to Sunday - race day - World Cup #2 in Tabor, the Czech Republic. Tabor is a source of many fond memories for me. It was in Tabor in 2010 that I racd in the World Cyclocross Championships - it was a dream day, a dream race and just a top-notch experience. So Tabor holds a lot of meaning for me - on and off the bike. I really wanted to have a strong ride on Sunday - one that I could be proud of and happy about.

Well, in the end I'd have to say I have checkmarks in both columns. Initially after the race I was slightly disappointed because I believed that the mistakes I made in the final two laps really did impact my result. But after reviewing the race with Marc and looking at my lap times, I realize and understand that although my last two laps were my slowest - they didn't really impact my final result. In fact I can learn a lot from these last two laps - that when I'm over my limit, mistakes are going to happen and I have to able to rebound from these.

Okay, so you're likely wondering how I did... Fantastic news - I finished on the lead lap (didn't get lapped) and I even beat four other girls. I was chasing a couple of girls for the entire race and really just gave it my all. So it was a good day on my bike. I did have a couple of crashes and made some mistakes but this is what happens when you're riding hard. I really enjoyed the course and felt comfortable on it. I tried to push my limits in the corners and to use my power and strength to my advantage.

Perhaps the best thing about the race was having a number of people who really know cyclocross tell me that I had a good race and that I'm improving. This means so much more to me than the result on the piece of paper.

Luc took some photos from the race:

A big thanks to everyone who has made this past two weeks so doable: Marc, my sponsors, Ignace, Andy, Nancy, Gabby, Gregg, Luc, Christine and Jonas. It helped so much to have support and friends to keep me focused on the racing and to hang out with and share some laughs and good stories with. Couldn't do this without Marc's amazing support - I am one lucky girl!

And now on to today... After a brief night of sleep I was up and out the door with two packed up bikes and a loaded car. Fairly easy drive to Prague and I had the rental car returned and now I'm sitting my cushy and comfy hotel room. I decided to stay at the airport to keep things simple for my 6 a.m. flight on Tuesday. Not often I get to stay at the Marriott and have a king sized bed to myself!

After a bit of relaxing in the hotel I hopped a bus and then the metro and found myself in downtown Prague. Today I explored the area around Wenceslas Square. I really just walked around - taking photos and poking around in different shops. It was nice to stretch my legs and just chill out for a bit. Had a nice chocolate latte (with soy) and a tasty chocolate macaroon (the real French macaroon) at Paul's bakery. Also ate a strange open-faced sandwich with "who knows what on it" for the princely sum of 14 Czech Krowns.

As usual, I snapped a few photos (all of the photos on Facebook)...

So the trip is ending tomorrow with a 6 a.m. flight to Frankfurt and 6.5 hour layover in the Frankfurt airport... 

(Did an interview with the National Post this afternoon for an article running on Saturday in the Toronto City section of the newspaper...)

Here is a link to the race on Sunday: Tabor World Cup women's race. 

Tabor World Cup Pre-Ride

Just relaxing in the hotel after getting out for some laps on the Tabor World Cup course. The course is very similar to the one we raced on for the 2010 World Championships. There are some changes that have made it more challenging and technical.

The course features some long draggy climbing sections, a bunch of corners, a series of steep bumps, a set of steep stairs, some uphill barriers, one steep descent, and a bit of pavement at the start. Really it has everything. The ground is very hard and should be fast tomorrow. The only problem is that there is some glass on the course as well as some sharp rocks that can result in flat tires. 

I got in a couple of easy laps and a couple of harder laps. It was very nice to be able to ride to the course and back. A big thanks to Andy and Nancy for the help and friendship this week - it has been really nice to hang out with them and just feel completely at easy. Ignace has also done so much for me with cleaning the bikes and just making sure that I have everything I need.

I'm feeling a combination of mixed emotions. I want to have a good race tomorrow but I can't put any pressure on myself. I have learned not to expect miracles to happen on race day. I just need to go out and race like I can - the long power sections really do suit me and if I can stay relaxed in the corners I can put together a good ride. Like all cyclocros races, it is about minimizing mistakes.

Looking forward to relaxed evening and I will stay in tonight to eat. Nancy has brought a portable hot plate and burner so I can cook some food here and not have to go to a restaurant. I find that at times it is hard to find food that is free of gluten and dairy.

I'm not flying home until Tuesday so it is also nice to not have to check out and get packed up tomorrow. I can relax and watch the elite men's race and then pack my bikes in the evening. Most people are leaving on Sunday but Christine and Jonas will be here so I'll connect with them for supper. Not sure what I'll do on Monday - likely I'll go to Prague for the day (I'm staying at the Marriott at the airport on Monday night since I have a 6 am flight...).

Alright, time to sign off and relax a bit. Hope you're having a good weekend. Thanks for all of the support. comments, emails and speedy vibes.

Today in Tabor

I'm  having a very good day. It all started with a great evening last night with my Belgian friends - this helped me relax and today I'm just going with the flow. I'm not stressing about the race or even thinking about it. I have to say one of the big highlights today was hearing a voicemail message from my brother Gregory and young Henry - very nice to hear their voices!

Today was all about taking it easy. So afer a bit of work this morning I went out for an easy ride with Andy (husband of my friend Nancy Bober who races on the Belgian team). We took a quick look at the course as we rode by - looks very similar to the World Cyclocross Championships course. After a good ride we were off to the old town square and a very nice cafe. 

As is usual, I've snapped some photos so I'll let them sum up the day:

The Mocca Cafe:

The Old Town Square:

As you can see, it has been a good day. Wrapped up the evening with a good meal with Nancy, Andy, Gregg and Gabby. 

Tomorrow I'm off to the course to pre-ride the World Cup race course. Looking forward to another good day. I'm feeling good and my spirits are spot on. Can't ask for much more. The only thing that would make this better is if Marc was here. Yes, I'm missing him a lot. Here is a photo Marc sent me this morning (sorry I don't know how to rotate it...):

Have a good weekend and remember to cheer loudly on Sunday!

In Tabor, Czech Republic

Well, I made it to Tabor, Czech Republic today. This morning after a chilly and not very inspired ride in Plzen, I loaded up the car and made the two hour drive to Tabor. The drive was fairly easy - though the roads were rather narrow and definitely twisty.

Found the hotel easily and I was pleased to see my Belgian friends Nancy and Andy outside. They helped me get unpacked and settled. I'm off for supper with them later tonight - crossing my fingers for the famous Indian restaurant in Tabor!

It feels a bit strange to be in another hotel. I can see why people tire of business travel - it does get a bit tiresome. But the bonus is that I'm in Tabor and I'm racing the World Cup on Sunday. The last time I raced here it was 2010 and I was racing in the World Cyclocross Championships. That was an amazing day. It will be interesting to race this course when it is not covered in snow and ice. 

Strangely I'm feeling a bit lonely and homesick today. Suppose it is because I left an environment in which I was very comfortable to a new one. I'll be fine I'm sure once I sit down to a good meal and get some sleep. I wandered around the main street of Tabor this afternoon and took some photos:

Hope you're having a good one. I'm heading out in a few minutes for supper. Looking forward to a good road ride tomorrow!

 

Prague Day Trip

 

On Tuesday I traveled to Prague with Gabby and Gregg for a really great day. After a good ride in the morning, we set out for Prague - a chance to see the city and stretch out our legs. We really lucked out with the warm weather and brilliant blue sky. It was a great day to be a tourist in such a great city like Prague.

Prague is a city that really defies expectations. Most would imagine a grey and bleak city. This couldn't be further from reality. As you'll see, Prague is defined by amazing architecture and stunning statues, bridges, and colors. And to top it off, Prague is easily walkable - with a compact core, you can easily get around by foot and see all that you want to.

We went with no fixed agenda or list of things to see. I had been to Prague in 2010 but only for an evening and a couple hours in the morning - so I did have some memory of how amazing this city is. After a good lunch together, we split up for a bit and I wandered here there and everywhere snapping photos and picking up a few gifts for those at home. 

Anyway, I'll cut to the chase and get to the photos. My apologies for not being able to give great descriptions of these photos - I did this visit without a guide book and just looked at things that seemed interesting and intriguing. As you likely know I'm the type of tourist who likes to wander down little side streets and I'm always looking up to see what statues are on the top of buildings. Okay, here are the photos (the entire set of photos is posted on Facebook).

As you can see, Prague is truly amazing. I took 75 photos - so really you should visit the Facebook album....

Today was a bit more mundane: riding and working. I had an excellent ride with some good hard intervals in the drizzly rain. Supper was most excellent - the three of us went to the Andel Cafe - a vegetarian restaurant. It was so very good. 

I'm off to Tabor tomorrow - I've got a busy morning of training, packing and driving ahead. Looking forward to visiting Tabor and catching up with the folks already there. Racing again on Sunday in the Tabor World Cup and then flying home on Tuesday. I'm having a great time here but I really do miss Marc - looking forward to seeing him and Mr. Murphy on Tuesday.

Plzen World Cup

Sorry for the delay in getting this blog post done. Admittedly by the time I sat down in front of my computer last night it was rather late and I was a bit worn out. All in all, it was a good day on the bike.

I wasn't last. I raced so very hard - hardest I've raced in a long time. I felt good. My power was good. My technique is better but still holding me back. I duked it out with one other girl the entire race. I had a decent start. I learned some more about what I need to improve on and what is working well for me. Most importantly I really felt like a bike racer out there.

It was fantastic to hear all the cheering and to have people yelling my name all over the course. It felt good to feel my legs ache and my lungs burning. I had a lot of fun on the bike. It would have been great to have not been lapped - but I was only 1 lap down - this is not so bad. Much better than I was last year in Plzen. Small steps forward is what I've got right now.

I took a bunch of photos yesterday so here is the day in photos:

Fidea Women's Team RV stuck between cars:

Me Racing (thanks Luc for the photos):

The Food Vendors:

The 23 Steps:

Out for coffee and cake with Ignace, Katie and Gabby after a fine meal at El Cid in Plzen:

Today was  a pretty quiet day. I didn't get much sleep last night - terrible jet lag and my body was still full of adrenaline from racing. I took it easy on the bike today and settled into some work this afternoon. I also tackled my laundry situation... Lots of dirty clothes and no clean clothes - I had planned on using the hotel laundry service but it is very expensive (unlike everything else in the Czech Republic) so then I settled on a laundromat (well there aren't any laundromats in Plzen)... So I ended up taking my clothes to a nearby laundry drop-off service and now I'm crossing my fingers that they come back okay... 

This evening we went into Plzen for supper again and I had a grand array of vegetables for supper (was feeling a bit tired of meat) and then we went to Cafe O La La for some hot chocolate. That's really been the day. Tomorrow will be another easy/medium ride and then four of us are going to Prague for the afternoon - should be a good time.

Thanks for all of the support, kind emails, comments and loud cheering. The race on Sunday was good and I'm hoping the race this Sunday in Tabor will be even better. I'm looking forward and I really can't believe how lucky I am to be racing my bike considering how ill I was last year. Just goes to show that anything is possible.

Plzen World Cup Pre-Ride

These were the most popular questions I was asked today during my pre-ride session:

Where is your Dad?

How is your Dad?

Boy oh boy did I ever feel badly that my Dad is not here on this trip... But everyone agreed that my parents should come to Belgium for the World Championships! Dad, you are lucky because Christine brought you a massive jar of specculous and some specculous cookies!

The pre-riding at the Plzen World Cup course went well today. I stuck to my plan and got the type of ride in that I wanted. It was good to chat with folks and to see so many friendly faces. I have to say having Ignace here makes a big difference for me - he is taking care of my bikes - cleaning them, making sure they work and he is even going to the manager's meeting and picking up my numbers for me - this allows me to relax and just hang out at the hotel, rather than spending so much time down at the course.

It will be a quiet night here tonight - eating at the hotel and likely I'll watch some videos on my computer. 

I'm feeling good. I'm not over confident but I'm content with the course and what I need to do to have a good ride. I didn't take any photos today but after my race I'll stay to watch the men's race and I'll take some photos for you.

I started reading a new book: In the Kitchen by Monica Ali - so far so good. And this is what I'm going to do now - get off the computer and read for a bit. Thanks for the kinds words and all of the support. If you see Marc while I'm gone - give him a hug and a kiss for me!

A Top Day

Today was a good day. It was just full of lots of good stuff. 

A better night's sleep was followed by a good breakfast at the hotel. Don't tell Marc but they had chocolat mousse on the breakfast buffet this morning! I had a small portion just for Marc!

I had an excellent ride - I found a good bicycle path that ran along the river. It was so relaxing to ride along the river. Imagine cycling with the river on one side and these houses on the other side:

After my ride I took a taxi to the centre of Plzen and met up with Nikoline. Nikoline is a Danish cyclist who I met at the Treviso World Cup in 2009. We've become good friends since then and this year we're living together in Blauberg. We had a good lunch at Cafe Fellini (dad, we went to this cafe last year and had some tasty desserts....) and then we wandered around Plzen. I snapped a few pictures:

Plzen town hall

Plzen Opera House

Tempting desserts

Just in case:

After a bit of a wander I hopped a taxi and settled into a bit of work here at the hotel. My friend and mechanic Ignace arrived from Belgium at around 5:00. It was great to see him and to meet his girlfriend. We had a good supper and chat in the hotel restaurant. It is awesome to have Ignace here - he is a top-notch mechanic and takes a lot of sress off of my shoulders - since my bikes will be in top shape and I'll have him in the pits as well. (I must admit it was nice to eat supper with other people as well!)

And because I know you're curious to know what  had for supper this evening:

And now, I'm going to chill out and watch some episodes of Modern Family. Tomorrow I'm off to pre-ride the World Cup course and then the race is on Sunday.

I'm feeling good. Nerves are in check. Legs feel good. Fatigue is not too bad - hoping to get a good solid nght of sleep tonight. 

Hope you're well and having a good Friday afternoon!

A Day in the Life

 

Well, today is my first full day here in Plzen. And so far so good. Had a rather fitful night of sleep but woke up ready to take on the day. 

Thanks to the helpful hotel staff I was advised to come down for breakfast at 7 since it was to be a busy day for breakfast. Well, it was packed! Rather entertaining really watching people eat and mingle - there were Czech business men and a tourist group of Asian women - made for an interesting mix.

After a good breakfast - why can't American and Canadian hotels provide breakfasts that are as good as European breakfasts - I decided to linger in my room for a bit and finish my book. Well, I've finished the Cookbook Collector. It was a good read though I'm not sure I would recommend it. It was good but not outstanding.

I had a really good ride today. I decided to drive over to the race course and start my ride from there since I remembered there being some bicycle trails starting at the park. Well this was a good decision since I managed to follow trail/path #3 for my ride. This route too me through the countryside, on quiet roads, up climbs, down hills and up more climbs. Just what I was looking for. I had a few thoughts about getting lost, but I kept a close eye out for my route markings and I always had the trusty Navigon for a back-up.

I snapped a few photos on my ride. (These are taken with my iPhone so are not the best...)

View from the bicycle path:

Some houses along the route:

Cool building in an industrial park:

Picture of me on the bicycle path:

A sign in the park. I think the park is some kind of nature conserve - there are signs identifying the different birds, animals and vegetation. I think this sign is showing the bicycle path system:

My car and one of my bikes:

In case you're wondering what I had for supper tonight (beef goulash and salmon with spicy vegetables and corn cakes - the little yellow pepper was very very spicy!):

 

So there you have it -my day in photos! After my ride I had a quick lunch in my hotel room (really easy thanks to the Tesco's grocery store) and then I did some work. After a bit of work it was time to build my other bike and then I was off to the nearby mall. I had hopes of eating in one of the restaurants at the mall but they were far too spicy. I did see some very snazzy shoes though... I was surprised with how cheap shoes and clothes here - a pair of Salomon hiking/trail shoes are around $60 - these would be at least $90 at home...

Has been a pretty quiet night with some work accomplished and a bit of reading. I did watch an episode of Modern Family (thanks to Marc for uploading a bunch of shows onto my computer) - this show is so funny.

Well, that's about it for today. Tomorrow will likley be more of the same with one big exception - people are arriving tomorrow! The quiet has been nice but I'm ready to talk to some other folks and to catch up with my friends. 

Hope you're having a good day. Oh, and if you're thinking of a trip - I highly recommend the Czech Republic - beautiful, so much history, good food, highly affordable, and Prague is amazing. (Hoping to go next week for the afternoon.)