Rolf Devinci

The weather could not have been more perfect in the Annapolis Valley for the Provincial 40KM time trial held in Centreville. Sunny skies,moderate winds and temps in the 20C range. The race was delayed due to some unforseen circumstances,including a spike in attendance over last year`s event.Registration fell behind schedule but the hosts, Annapolis Valley Cycling Club,had absorbed the waiver/insurance fee to registered triathletes with Triathlon Nova Scotia.That did result in some additional delays in processing and bike check.Good idea though...a little cross pollination among sports is always beneficial to all. Off the start ramp I felt good and the first 10KM went well. I fell into a good cadance, the new skinsuit felt great and the legs responded well to the start delay. It was the second 10KM that hurt. In my category,Master B, there are several strong riders and three of them started behind me at 1 minute increments so I knew I would get caught. At 12KM Donald passed me, J...

Lousy wet rainy weather notwithstanding I opted to ride the Brooklyn time trial today. It was one lap of the road race course and consisted of rolling hills with a couple big climbs on the back stretch. I was the second Master B to depart and had some strong riders following at one minute increments. Fear(of being passed)is a great motivator so I pushed myself right from the start. It was only a 20 km loop but the rolling hills made it tough to get in any groove as you were in and out of the aerobars. Knowing the couple big climbs on the home stretch I did drop to the small ring on the third leg to try and save something for the climbs but sacrificed some speed as a result. It worked out well since I did make it to the finish line without being caught which was my main objective. That alone made the race a success. I managed to catch and pass the first rider off the line so that was good,though in his defense he was without aerobars. I`m not sure what my final stats are since I...

Indeed! This is my Friday night non post. I`m sorry but considering it is the SPRING long weekend and feels more like March with wet, cold, damp miserable weather I just don`t have the motivation to even remotely sound optimistic. Add to it the fact I got some kind of annoying chest congestion and cough, a time trial scheduled for Sunday in the rain and the fact my spouse is actually scheduled to work a Sunday day shift(that never happens)I cannot help but feel I`m the victim of a vast conspiracy to keep me off the bike. So in complete rebellion I bought myself a six pack of Corona to simulate sunshine in a glass and intend to set my chamois-less arse in front of the TV and drink beer and eat Little Ceasar crazy bread while avoiding the glare off my fish belly white legs. That should be prime.........pack on some more pounds so that BPCC skinsuit I ordered in January and will get tomorrow at the club kit party will make me resemble an overstuffed Octoberfest sausage even more. (SIG...

Woe is me. It`s Sunday night already.(sigh) Got out for the club ride on Saturday. Was running late so I hoped to catch the fast training group on the climb out of Bedford so I parked on a side street and planned on jumping in as the group passsed. In getting ready I realized I was underdressed as the gusty wind kept the temps cool. I neglected to bring any water and forgot my spare tube.......ugh! Then I saw the guys pass and, completely annoyed, I decided not to gear up and chase but just go the shop and ride the 10AM social ride. That went better as I was in a moderately fast group of eight riders and managed to get in a fast 40k ride and salvaged the day from a lousy start. Sunday there was a fast training ride over the Brooklyn race course but I opted out as it was Mother`s Day and Mon didn`t have to work. It would be a family day but I did get out for a quick cycle around the city in the morning.Spent the afternoon out in the yard with Chelsea preparing my garden and flower be...

It was a perfect day for the opening night of the Cyclesmith crit series at Shannon Park. Even though the former military housing base was vacant the streets were in good shape. I rode in the novice/intermediate group for 30 minutes and one bell lap. It was fast, fun and safe with an average speed around 35kph. I felt good and confident taking the corners at speed and hung with the pack but did get lapped by Gerard, along with everyone else. Mr. W was flying around the course. I had to get home so opted out of jumping into the intermediate/elite race. Jeanne, Eric, Gerard and Kris all joined in for some additional training. On nights when I don`t need to rush home I intend to do the same. It`s an awesome training opportunity. Geo

It was a good weekend for cycling and getting that burning desire back in the belly. I got out for the (faster) training ride on Saturday at the last moment. I was heading to the gym when, at the car, decided to suck up the iffy weather and go cycling. In hinesite it was a good call. Felt good riding with the fast guys and didn`t get dropped. Even managed to hang with the pack on the hills, albeit moderate rollers might be a better description. This morning I got out with Murray and three of his med school buddies early at 7:30 for a spirited jaunt around Peggy`s Cove. We dealt with a gusty head/crosswind for most of the ride that also included a wide spectrum of weather;sun, cloud, light rain and even some hail. May in Nova Scotia.....go figure! My cycle computer suxs but based on Murray`s stats I figured it got in about 94K`s with a 30kph average. Respectable numbers considering the weather conditions and my lack of distance training. I`m feeling it in the legs but it is a good fee...

It`s Friday! My selection tonight is a fine Nestle strawberry spring water. C`mon folks......it`s time to get serious about training.(wink) In all seriousness it looks like the weather will be good for the fast training and club ride tomorrow and with the Cyclesmith Crit series starting this Wednesday and the Brooklyn ITT less than three weeks away I need to be ready to roll in the morning. I also developed a cough and some congestion in my chest today(sigh)so it`s best to hydrate, eat my garlic and rest for the weekend. Getting sick now would really suck. Geo

Ok...new month means a new me. Stop the whining and time to get a fire back in the belly. So what if I can`t allocate the time I need to train because of work/family obligations. Guess I need to become creative and adaptive in my regimen. It was a nice night so I took advantage of my window of opportunity and got out on the bike for a quick Tour of Clayton Park; some Fairview hills, Dunbrack sprints and Mainland Commons criterium practice(fast corners)in just over an hour for 20km of saddle time. I could have got a better workout at spin class but I need to get my comfort factor on the real bike and, to do that, I need to get outside and ride. Tomorrow Josh has karate and Mon`s not working so I`m hoping to do some Purcell`s Cove hill climbs while he is in class since I won`t have Chelsea to cater too.....lol. The Brooklyn ITT is less than 3 weeks away so I really need to get on the bike. The weekend is looking good weather wise so I`m anxious to spend some time suffering with the fas...