Ride on, Highway Cat !!

Thursday, September 11, 2014

GETTING DIALLED IN FOR A CHALLENGE

DAY 3
Sat Aug 23

Day before the event. Time to get gear bags and bike to the transition areas. A bit stressful, but this is my 7th long coarse Tri, so I'm not too freaked out. Somehow I still end up taking longer than I should to prepare which drives me nuts. Nice to have my sister around to offer a different point of view to a problem. HWC has ideas also, but they are not very helpful. She means well, I think.

T2 looks more like a bloody graveyard. Should fill up a bit still

Get these damn balls in place.

HWC inspects low budget T2 bag

Tried many times to add more pics but this terrible blog software won't allow it. Junk.
I guess that I will keep adding posts until all my content is logged. Sigh.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

CHALLENGE TRIED 2014

DAY 1
Thursday Aug 21

Heading out to Penticton BC via HWY 3 as I usually do. It's a nice route with a strategically placed rest stop also named "Manning Park Resort." The road is twisty and hilly with interesting views and a high probability of head on crashes or cliff diving. Being awake is key as I almost went off the road one year. Me and HWC are taking it slow and hugging the white line.

I've Been here before... Lovely

Arriving in Penticton always brings back memories of past visits good and bad. The weather was great for the drive, but turned sour as we rolled in to P town. (I just made that up).

HWC remained dry but not happy

A soggy Lakeshore outside the motel

The motel we stayed at was called "Rochester Resort" I picked this place for the location and relative cost effectiveness. It has terrible lighting, a TV locked to low volume, Stupid AC placement Unpredictable WI FI connection and no "half kitchen." Other than that, it served its purpose but I won't be going back. Of coarse HWC was furious.

Home Base

DAY 2

Friday Aug. 22

After getting settled in and somewhat organized, I took the Tarmac out for a short spin up HWY 97 towards Kelowna. It's mostly a mental thing, but knowing for sure that nothing odd has happened to the steed during the travel time is gold. After my ride, I returned to Home Base and had found that my cycling jersey was void of the very keys I needed to open my front door. I assumed that the keys had popped out (along with a money pouch). So, of coarse I am furious and need to fix this. After heading over to the office where fatso owner is nowhere to be found, I sit and boil over. After some yelling, it all turned out fine. My money/ key pouch was still in the room. No hospitality points for the owner though. Goof.

My sister arrived and will help keep me dialled in. It is also a nice break from her "Simpsons World" She will hang out with me in Penticton and enjoy the goings ons. I told her that this race is nothing like Ironman. The streets and cafes would be much more packed. This is a much quieter affair. I hate it. I need the bizarre energy. At least the coarse hasn't changed (except the finish).

Sketch depicting my confrontation with the motel owner

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Getting Challenged

Okay....

"Valley First Challenge Penticton"

(So much easier to say IRONMAN") ... sigh,

is less than 4 days away. Aaarrghh!!

With new tires for the bike portion (Continental 4000 on the front and Vittoria Open Corsa) on the rear . I need all the help I can get but would have bin much better off losing10lbs of "Fat Bastard" fat and saving $150.00 but I LOVE BEER!! and would rather go the weak route.

This is why the chant "Your All Winners!" was born.

Also got new"leak proof" goggles for the dog paddle, (Aqua Sphere Kaiman) This wont improve my terrible biomechanics but maybe I can see who I'm pissing off in the water.

As for the marathon run portion of said event...I really have no idea . The shin injury that I acquired last month through a wrench into the final critical moments of the "toolbox of training" (Like "The suitcase of courage, but different)

In normal talk, it robbed me of some critical run time.

As usual, I am looking forward to the drive to Penticton with HWC. She is sooo excited!
Also looking forward to whining about the race the next day. And how great it will be to go camping afterwards. Ha ha
Will be great to share the week with my sister no matter what happens. It will be a long day for sure.
Long day #7 even if I gotta walk it. ug.
Please God Ogopogo, give me a calm lake this year!
Seaneroniithicuszoolokus

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

CHECKING IN

Highwaycat has bin laying low for a while. She absolutely hates winter. During those months I've bin consuming barley and hops in a liquid form to speed recovery from weightlifting. Actually, the effectiveness of said elixir is in question seeing as both rotator cuffs are damaged and my left glute is upset.

Highwaycat looks on as Shirley's friend Trek Paris Portland gets a triple bypass...

Shirley's day will come soon, until then, we must stick together.

HWC refused nourishment on this day. Perhaps to simulate the pain felt by Paris.

A sign of solidarity.

Being cooped up for so long, sigh. I am so looking forward to the summer months. I know that I will visit Penticton BC again for that ridiculous triathlon. The event itself is pointless and downright embarrasing to all humans.

Anyway, the triple bypass for Trek is food for thought. What if Tarmac finds bad transmission? This would be problematic.

Money doesn't grow on trees ya know.

It's funny how climate effects human behaviour. Less rain and higher temps cause movement. Bowel and other.

What I am saying, is that we are getting dialled in for the season...

My duty as an observer is exhausting.

Meow.

Said the cat.

Sunday, December 29, 2013

HWC Christmas 2013

Well, what can I say, except 2013 is coming to an end...

I haven't seen cool vistas, strange landscapes, potholes from hell, psychotic truck drivers, roadkill ghosts, or crazy town images for a while now.

Being stuck on top of this tree seems somehow fitting. ...

What an insult to finish an otherwise pointless year.

I MUST get back on the road before it's too late!...

Like being moved down to a lower limb is gonna fix things!

Exmas is for fools!

Mainline Trail LSCR North Van

OMG! Not only am I stuck in a bloody tree, but Bossman is out and about with Terry.

Trek aint got nothin on Shirley! Aaaarrrgghhhh!!!

It's like "A Christmas Carol" but without everything plus a bike!!

Highwaycat and I are currently experiencing some "Cabin Fever" symptoms.

The 5 Celsius plus rain is a "Game over scenerio"

No, it's not the minus 30 of Alberta, but...Blah Blah Blah. I need not explain myself!!

Happy New Yeer all of Yewwsss!!(Archie Bunker)

HWC/Seaneroni

May the pedals of progress turn slowly and effectively. Or just friggin turn for 2014!!!

Monday, September 23, 2013

HWC visits OgoPogo for a "Challenge"

Heading to Penticton for the first "Challenge Triathlon Penticton" 2013....


HWC enjoys the ride into Penticton

The drive through Manning Park On HWY 3 was beautiful as always. Cruised this route in the past several times by car, bike and bus.
The descent into Penticton evokes a sense of nostalgia.
HWC was happy to be apart of history, although, it should be noted that taking pictures while driving is dangerous at best.
Note my speedometer...

A fine place to call "Home Base"
A 1950's throwback Motel just off the strip. Built entirely of concrete blocks and sitting amidst a couple of car dealerships, this gem is quiet as hell and walking distance to Tim Hortons, Starbucks the Convention Center and OK Beach. It boasts a WI FI connection and a kitchenette with a lame micro fridge and homemade fixtures.
Saving about $600.00, me, sister Julie and HWC will find refuge here. At "EL Rancho Motel"
The staff were friendly but useless. The room never got a makeover

Picked up my race packet at Gyro Park. One of such items was my bib # as seen here.
It is worth noting that as a returning participant of Ironman Canada I find the town's atmosphere lacking in energy. The beach is almost empty and Lakeshore Drive is devoid of anxious cyclists and runners. The few days leading up to the race have traditionally been filled with frenzy and freight. I guess that more than half of participants decided to follow the big "M Dot" to Whistler. I am feeling quiet depressed as I walk the strip.
The Walking Dead comes to mind.
HWC was fine with the bib #.

My sister, Julie came along for the spectacle. She is seen here wearing my Ironman 2006 hat as strange children do the Ogopogo Dance in the background. Sporting a "Livestrong" shirt (a gift from me last exmas I think). Later, she would find herself wondering if it was proper to wear such a logo following the Lance Armstrong scandal. Disgusted by her thought (Lance is the greatest amongst a level playing field-do yer homework) I told her that the foundation should not suffer. Stupid to boycott. Long Life Le Lance!! Anyway, it was a somber day as we strolled the strip. Highwaycat stayed at homebase to see if staff did their job. Man she was pissed!

Me and Julie at the "Peach". A well known meeting place at Okanagan Lake. HWC was snoozing.

Getting transition bags ready before the race... HWC is OK with this location... or is she???

Running the "Channel" the day before the race. Idiotic to run/jog 45 min. the day prior to an Iron Dist. race....Sigh...Won't do that again.

Parking my bike late morning. I found it scary quiet in the corral. I returned to remove my fluids to pre-freeze them. Which were eventually stolen anyway. Even though it was late morning, I found the lack of steeds to be unsettling. Once again, ...Walking Dead. sigh

Old man waiting for doom... Field of nothing...I miss the Ironman craziness!

Lovely calm on the lake. HWC ponders a different scenario...

Race morning would be frott with HEADWINDS,WAVES and FORGOTTEN BOUYS!!

F***ing Nasty!!

Not a selfy fan. Don't even know how to spell it. Just exiting the "First Choice Haircutters" dealy with my pre-race hair cut. It didn't help one bit but felt nice and was happy to improve the town's economy by $15.00. Note: My shirt has a bike pictogram on it, ha ha. So friggin hilarious.