Bruce Trail Hike – Part 1 Queenstown Heights – Kelso

Back before I was born, in answer to the US Appalachian trail a huge team of volunteers in Southern Ontario pitched in to create the Bruce Trail.  My father spent one of his University summers as part of the volunteer team working on the trail.  Today it reaches some 700km across the southern width of Ontario following the Niagara Escarpment.  Growing up I have day hiked the trail in many different parts, some times not realizing until I had seen the white flashes painted on trees.

This spring after the snow melted, and before the bugs came out I decided how much of the trail I could hike.
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Jan 16 Race?

Tomorrow could be the first race of the season.  If it is, it won’t be pretty.  I’ve just gotten down south and in a distraction free environment.  In my second ride over 3h since IM Canada (that’s in August if you’re counting).  I tried a few efforts to open the legs up this morning.
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Hawaii Adventures pt 3: Maui

Here is a story that I started last November.  It’s been in the draft bin for a while, now, and I thought that I’d finish it off.

I am very sad that there will be no Maui for me in 2009.  I loved Maui.

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you never know where you’ll be sleeping

Simple Schedule:

1) Pack my bike and myself for a 5 day road trip and 4h race.  We’re headed to the tropics, so 2prs shorts, swimsuit, race suit, bike shorts, done.

2) Get to airport – then follow directions.

Despite my best procrastination step 1) went off without a hitch…  traffic was smooth so Sean and I found ourselves 2h early for our Orlando – Miami – Puerto Rico – St Croix Flight.  Snack.  It’s the first occasion since January that I’ve been rested enough, and had enough time to read.  So I read….
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New Orleans 1/2 IronMan

Last November when I was setting the ’09 schedule inaugural half IronMan New Orleans seemed so far away.  10 weeks of warm weather training, 21 h of driving later, Sean, Marcello and I arrived and unfolded ourselves out of cars to meet Bobo’s in-laws for what would end up being a spectacular 4 days in the Big Easy.

Crime, Mardi Gras, Partying, Hurricanes, we saw none of those, but what the city was spread thickly with was character.  Lots of color, ‘southern hospitality’ exceeded even my expectations.  I’ll start with a race report and get you more on that later.  Long time associate Bobo had graciously let us stay with his In Laws, and we had a great, but too brief, visit with Ken and Linda.
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Hawaii Adventures pt 2: In, Under, Above Vocanos

1 Mile Lava Tube:

Hike 2.5miles down a path leaving from mile 23 on the saddle hwy.  On your right is a hole in the earth.  Climb down the rocks, take 3 flashlights, and a friend: Super hostess Michelle.  You just keep heading down this long ‘culvert’ through the earth.  Stalactites, and stalagmites have a shiny silvery-black look.  Really cool, but being out here by yourselves, and seeing the frequent spots the roof has collapsed (this young rock here ain’t strong) is a little un-nerving.
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Hawaii Adventures pt 1: Drive, Hitch Hike, Fruiting & Surfing

Hawaii is dangerous, but really fun and cool.  Sort of a cross between North America (Walmarts, McDonalds, pickup trucks) but the added danger, and relaxed nature of Guatemala and Central America (sure you cliff jump there, but the currant could take you to Antarctica).

Driving:

I started things off with a driving tour of the island. Leaving Kona behind, I drove uphill, and was immediately met with tin shacks, giant ferns and heavy rain. The area looked nice, though, and the road (Hwy 11) was twisty with a decent verge. I later realized that these verges aren’t super safe for cyclists as the locals use them as slow vehicle lanes.
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And he raineth on them K-Swiss to run with, Yea, Xterra in one day

Mrs Loeberg taught me in grade 9 that I should not to start a sentence with ‘And’.  And look where it’s gotten me!

So I received a K-Swiss care package today.  I was expecting a set of track pants, one pair of shoes, and was hoping for maybe a pair of socks or a t-shirt.

The box was so big that it took up more than it’s half of the front of the rental car (my mtb was in the trunk, and a Specialized super sweet 18.5 lb Carbon Stump Jumper was taking up the back seat).  I need to clone myself 7 times to wear all this stuff.
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