Actif Epica: Words & Pictures
I can’t recall the exact moment I decided to do Actif Epica, a 130 kilometre winter bike race inspired by the even epic-er 135 mile Arrowhead. I do, however, recall thinking 130 kilometres wasn’t really that far. In the summer,…
A Winterpeg Wonderland
Winnipeg is my home – I was born here and the entire Cycle Clan is here. Granted, if things were different and I was given the choice of anywhere in the world to live it wouldn’t necessarily be the top…
Dressed to Chill
Well this is more like it. THIS is badass Winnipeg winter. Since I started this madness that is winter commuting, I’ve had all sorts of people asking what I wear when I ride. Needless to say I am always delighted…
When the Going Gets Tough, The Tough Ride Some Bikes
Winnipeg winters are one of the few things in this world that actually deserve the word “epic”. Our badass motherfucker winters are what defines us Winnipeggers, and we embrace them like a nice frozen moose carcass. An unseasonably warm and…
Actif Epica – Lessons in Survival
“You don’t have to be a fantastic hero to do certain things — to compete. You can be just an ordinary chap (or chick), sufficiently motivated to reach challenging goals.” -Sir Edmund Hillary If I learned anything at last night’s…
Riding with Fatties
This February I have committed to doing (or at least attempting to do) the 130-ish kilometre Actif Epica winter race from St. Malo to Winnipeg. Because if something has the word “Epic” in it, I’m in. Of course the challenge…
Vitamin G
Riding the 4km back to the hall in Bruxelles, I am behind Young Luc, a racer in his early twenties on a single speed; and Lindsay Gauld, an Olympian road racer in his 60’s. They are chatting about the race, how hard…
Bring On The Frites!
All right boys and girls, it’s time for your yearly Belgian facial. This Sunday in Bruxelles, our home-grown version of the Spring Classics will leave us all begging for mercy and drowning our misery in beer and mayonnaise. God willing….
Cold as Hell
When I was in high school I learned a lot about hell. Not in the figurative or romantic sense, like by being tortured by bullies or suffering unrequited love. I mean in the literal sense. We learned about hell through…
Gluttons Cross
There is something I love about contradictions. If I didn’t think astrology was total horse shit, I might attribute it to being a Gemini. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons I like bike races so much. They are a perfect…