For the TT I entered mostly to get going and have a race pressure Gate Start with a ride in the lower 39 sec. range that was my best of the year. For the Pursuit with a much lower than expected time to beat the track and conditions were not fast and my preparation was not adequate. I had not considered that slow a time so did not know the speed to ride. Started to fast then corrected a little to much and had a slower than expected final time placing me 4th in qualifying. The final went perfectly with a 2 + lap excell at the end to comfortably win the bronze.

The Scratch race with several attacks going up the road I was conservative and when Mark Rodimaker went with 2 laps to go I didn’t think he could hold on that long so chose to stay with the group and win a bunch sprint. The bunch sprint worked out as I wanted however Mark was stronger than expected and came away with a well deserved win.

The Points Race was a ding dong affair with myself just missing the crash in the last 2k. I believed that I would collect enough points during the race to win as long as no laps were taken so I did more work than wanted closing the gaps otherwise I was comfortable during the race. In the last sprint I felt quite strong and only had to hope I had done enough or that the race order behind was right for me.

That’s about all the inside on the races.

These events are a great opportunity to make friendships or renew friendships from around the world. I recommend to all that can afford to go to take the opportunity.

Chris Anstey

Now that I had a bike I could register for the Self transcendance race. I went swimming a few times a Thetis Lake and I managed to go around without vomiting so I figured I was ready. I approached the race with a very relaxed attitude, since I was overweight I would aim at finishing and not competing. On race day, once I got to the site I felt really relaxed… probably because it was only 6am and I wasn’t awake yet! When the horn went I jumped in the water and as usual received and gave a few elbows and kicks (it might sound curious but I dont mind that part, might be my hockey background!) and once things settled down I had a nice and relaxing swim. After the swim I ran into the transition to grab my beautiful bike, Jamis xenith pro(did I mention bike of the year, available at Cycles West) and took off.

As some of you know the route was out of Elk Lake into West Sannich Road. That route is not made for overweight people but since my bike is light and repsonsive it went well! The run on the other hand was a different story. My injured hip flexor (from a marathon that I did but wasnt ready for, I completed but paid the price) fell awful and the pain went away at the 7km mark. I had a very strong finish on the run and was happy.

Overall I had a good day, the race is very well organized and the post race food is the best in town! It was also nice to see that few Schwalbe members also raced. I would like to encourage all the members to participate in the Juan de Fuca duathlon. Simon from Cycles West is one of the organisers.

Stef Moreau

We ran 5 Km, biked 20 Km and ran another 5 Km. The run was on a chip trail, so it was easy on the legs, and the bike part was along the Esquimalt Lagoon and back up the hill to the Juan De Fuca Rec. Center.

My first run took me 30 minutes, and although this was the first time I’ve ever run competively, I was able to run without any distress. I stayed with one runner who was running with an easy pace, then I slowly worked my way up the line.

Once I got on my bike, I didn’t have any trouble getting into the rhythm of pedaling. Going down the hill towards the lagoon, you could really pick up some speed, and if you were REALLY courageous, you could use that speed to carry yourself down along the flat stretch!

Once I finished my 2 loops on my bike, I was coming into the Transition Zone, I forgot all about having to get off my bike, and that’s where it went from smooth to disastrous. And when marshals yelled at me to get off my bike, I grabbed my brakes, and I must’ve put my front brake on.

I went over my handlebars, and did a face plant. I’m glad I wore my aero helmet with the visor, because I looked at my helmet after the race, there was a scratch on the visor.

I scraped my right knee pretty bad, as well as my left palm, but after I picked myself up off of the ground, I ran into the transition area, put my running shoes and started another 5 K run.

There was a few spots where my legs started locking up, but, I think, because I do a lot of long distance Time Trials, I was able to push thru the pain, and I even managed an uphill sprint to the finish line!

My time was 1:35:35. And, my placing was 15th, out of 16 for my age group 40-49.

I will definitely do another one, because it’s something new!

Thanks for the sponsors for a great year of racing!!

Vaughn Marshall