A couple of key TransRockies web sites to watch...

Hey gang - it's getting closer... a week Friday and we're off!

While we're going to endeavour to keep the blog updated as much as possible... let's be honest here: not sure if there's going to be a Starbucks with Wi-Fi access everywhere. We're doing this race in the middle of BC - not Unionville to Oakville. So, if there's a couple of days where there's no posting going on, don't fret.

The TransRockies web site, however, should be updating their Race Report daily (http://www.transrockies.com/trc/race/index.htm) with results, a few pics and a stage review and preview. As well, the 'About' page (http://www.transrockies.com/trc/about/index.htm) has a ton of event info... such as where the stages start and stop, how this event works, and if you're super-curious, what we'll be eating.

Another thing: We've linked up with Roger of Spectrum Imaging (http://www.specimage.com/) and will be carrying a video camera for him. We'll see what we can do about posting some short video clips on the web site.

We'll also be posting the route as a screen grab from Google Earth, as well as the elevation graph... I've done one here as a 'test' from this past Saturday (a road bike ride... in the rain... and more rain...) just to see how it looks, etc. I'd love to post it in more detail... but I can't post files. So, you'll just have to deal with this (unless I or someone else figures out how to do it differently).

Cheers!!

Ted.

Three weeks to go...

Blaine and I met Monday to go over all of the final plans: where we are meeting, confirm the itinerary, RV rental and what we still need to do. The crucial week will be the week leading into flying out on August 8th - when we have to pack, stack up the bikes, pick up our jerseys, etc.

Again, thanks to everyone's support - cheers!

Thank you Team Sponsor Jeff Wright Insurance Agency

Thank you to our friend Jeff Wright for coming on board as a team sponsor. Jeff has been a lifelong friend and we sincerely appreciate his support on this adventure!!

Jeff is also Blaine's insurance agent, so he knows what this team is truly capable of! Surely there won't be any snowplows in the Rockies this time of year??

(Jeff, what's our deductible on the RV?)

Please consider Jeff Wright Insurance Agency for your insurance needs. Visit Jeff's website at www.jeffwrightinsurance.com

Two months to go...

Two months. By this time in two months, we will be waking up in Tunnel Mountain Campground in Banff National Park, on our way to Panorama to register for the 'big race'.

All in all, I'm actually feeling pretty good: I think everyone wishes they had a little more time to train, but with the help of many people (I guess helping at a mountain bike event promotions company has benefits here), I've definitely come a long way. This time last year, I definitely would have balked at a 100km ride - now, I have been doing them routinely... and am starting to do them on my mountain bike (and hitting some trails in between!).

I also weighed myself this morning: I'm sitting at 175 lbs - the lightest I've been in YEARS. Like, since high school. That's going back awhile. I'm also developing some killer rider's tan... eat your heart out, Haydn.

Anyway, we'll start posting a little more regularly... or at least I will. I always have trouble figuring out what to write -which, if you know me, is really, REALLY hard to believe.

Cheers!

Ted.

Heritage Lake Solutions, our athletic supporter!

Heritage Lake Solutions, a Phoenix, Arizona based IT solutions company has generously underwritten the support team's travel expenses. Thank you, thank you! Look for update posts during the race thanks to HLS.

Our home away from home!

We are a mere 74 days away from meeting in Calgary for the beginning of the Transrockies Adventure. There will five of us, Blaine and Ted, the racing team and also Blaine's girlfriend Laura, Mark and myself. We will be navigating the Canadian Rockies in an RV, meeting up with Blaine and Ted every night and driving to the next stop during the day. Here are some pictures of our home away from home!

Lifebridge helps out in a big way!

Lifebridge Canada (http://www.lifebridgecanada.com/) has signed on as a major sponsor for our TransRockies team. A big thanks to everyone at Lifebridge - your support is greatly appreciated! We definitely could not do this without you!