Rolf Devinci

I am nothing if not consistent.Under rainy,albeit fairly warm,skies I competed in the 2009 running of the Riverport Duathlon(4km/28km/4km). My plan heading into the event was to better my benchmark time set last year; a 49th overall placing(14/21 in my age group)with a time of 1:38:07. That said my running has been sporatic at best this summer as I admit I was definitely lax about my training.Part of it had to do with my purchase of a new road bike in late July and my desire to get the "bike fit" zoomed in for the remainder of the cycling season. Time spent on the bike should have been time spent on the run knowing the duathlon was soon approaching. The good thing is I am loving the new Giant and feel so much stronger as a cyclist. The carbon fiber frame, fork and seatpost make for such a smooth comfortable ride. Knowing that I expected to suffer more on the runs but expected better results on the bike.With that mindset I headed off to the South Shore with some trepidati...

Under cloudy skies and chilly conditions I joined my clubmates in attendance at the 2009 edition of the Joe Howe Century, a 100 mile ride around central Nova Scotia. A somewhat challenging route with a decent amount of climbing I planned on a intermediate pace between 30-31 kph over the 163 kilometer distance. To facilitate that plan I opted out of the fast group and left Dartmouth with the first BPCC group on the road made up of some of our female riders who have consistently been riding in the 30kph range this past season. The faster guys mentioned a moderate tempo but from past experience I felt certain it would quickly escalate to race pace. The first 40km to the first checkpoint was good and,more importantly,was a perfect warmup on a chilly morning. We all left for the second 40 kms together but a slow speed crash at an intersection fragmented the group; SF had to abandon with a warped wheel and SM left to visit the doctor after a fall.Thankfully he is perfectly OK.....just s...

I`m not sure why it took so long but I started to cycle commute to work. My intentions were to use my Devinci road bike but I just fear it being stolen.It then occurred to me to use my old mothballed Schwinn MTB that was just taking up space in the basement. Other than the big Panaracer XC tires it would be perfectly suited to city commuting, no big loss if it was stolen and quite capable of shuttling me to and from work. In fact it would be a good workout climbing the hills of Fairview on the return home. Purchased a laptop bag when I bought my Dell and never used it until this week. It makes the perfect backpack with the single wide strap and ergonomic design. Quite comfortable slung over my shoulder it has enough room for a change of clothes,some personal effects and my lunch. On the bike it is supported by my lower back and works like a charm. Having cancelled my gym membership it will add another element to my offseason training with some cycling to compliment my winter runnin...

Yup. Not only has this summer been unseasonably wet and cool but I also came down with a head cold. BLECK! A nasty piece of work I`m still feeling awful a full five days into the malady. After backing off the running for a couple weeks I had hoped to get my duathlon training ramped up with the Riverport Du six weeks away. Sick with a cold this week was a complete writeoff. Despite the lingering illness I am commuting to work tomorrow. At some point it occurred to me that my old mothballed Schwinn MTB in the basement would make an ideal bike to travel to and from work. Not quite sure why it took me so long to consider the option? While not the ideal choice for a commuter bike it would not be a huge loss if stolen. First priority would be to add some "slick" tires to expedite better rolling resistance. Mostly downhill to the Armdale roundabout and my workplace it is mostly uphill on the return trip to home. With some detours to extend the trip I can conceivably make it a tra...

....it is the destination that is important and not the journey. In this case at least. After a convoluted summer of old bike/new bike issues that began with my cracked Velomax Orion 2 rim in June I have come full circle as of today. With the purchase of EW`s(used but nearly new)Shimano Dura Ace wheels I now can officially say my new road bike is complete. Between the full carbon frame and sweet,smooth as silk wheelset the bicycle is absolutely awesome. Many thanks to the guys at the shop, BM for setting me up with the new ride and EW for the deal on the wheels. The only negative is I no longer can blame my lack of fitness on anything but the rider.(wink)

Just a few pics from July.......have camera will cycle.

We got the call last night at 1:30(ish)that Nannie Gilmore passed away in her sleep after a courageous battle against cancer. A strong woman possessing a keen intellect and a heart of a lion she battled on after falling in the Spring and the resulting diagnosis of cancer. Living on nothing but ginger ale and small amounts of Boost it was amazing the strength she exhibited in her remaining days. Etta Gilmore was ninety eight years old. Goodbye Nannie.You will be missed but not forgotten. I decided today was the day to pick up my new bike after attending the TdF morning at the shop watching the stage to Ventoux. Since the morning was misty and wet some of the lads opted for a later day ride so I jumped in for my inaugural ride on the new bike. It did not disappoint - the carbon frame was super stiff with a beefed up head tube and bottom bracket but had a smooth pleasant ride. Rough pavement and train tracks no longer threatened to pop out my fillings. Nice! Managed to get in 70 kilomet...