meli-melo designs

Snow Day!

First snow of the year is like Christmas morning... with hot chocolate and bailey with marshmallows! I got up this morning and my little world was covered in this thick white blanket. Everything was at a stand still and silence everywhere. I just wanted to take this deep breath to get it all in. And then yell at the top of my lungs!

I went digging around the house to find my winter layers, ski boots and skis. Oh and my ski poles. Need those! Once i found everything, in no time, i changed myself into the winter ninja. Ninja stars not included.

Most of the time i walked to get to the park but this time around, i actually skied the streets. How stellar is that. I can just imagine people snow blowing away their driveways/back lanes and this red flash passing by them. That was my jacket, not a cape. By the way, the streets where empty so no harm done.

I arrived at the park, and for as far as i can see was virgin snow. Untouched. Undisturbed. Unstirred. It was calling my name for me to come and do snow angels. It was deep snow for skate skiing purpose but it was perfect for today. Lots more work but well worth it. I was smiles ALL DAY LONG!

Now that was fun play time part 1 of my day.

 

 

Part 2 was the first Nordic Cross Race of the season! Too much excitement in a day! Make it stop!

The race course was drawn out and we decided on 4 laps. 3 laps too many considering that half the course was made up of snow that was deeper than my hobbit legs! I am glad that i decided to wear my winter boots and not my cycling shoes!

Prize: is a loaf of Hal’s famous Velo Artisan Bread.

Winner: most creative descent.

Not only did we have to dodge random snow balls but there was a Yeti on the course tripping unaware racers.

Well i did not win the bread. I might go home and start up a sketchbook of a repertoire of how to descent a hill with style to win myself some treats. It might be helpful as the nordic season progress.

 

Part 3 fun time did not happen...well for now at least. These are images from the Oneil Coldwater Classic in Tofino. I have surfed in Tofino and these images are a constant a reminder of how much i love where i live. Yes  i may be crazy but i am a crazy canuck girl at heart!

Koppenbergcross

Koppenbergcross! Koppenbergcross! Koppenbergcross!

This video clip demonstrates on how it would be like to ride one of the legendary cyclocross courses in Belgium. In short, cobbles, greasy mud, hilly and bumpy bump cow pasture, and a switchback descent.

Ryan has family in Belgium, so i have no excuse not to go one year and fly the Belgium Lion Flag!

Check it out below. And don't forget to watch this morning if you are able. Check cyclingfans.com for live streaming options.

 

Crosstastic!

I am keeping this post short. The hair on my head hurts, my brain hurts, earaches and i have kleenex up my nose. Not feeling so hot today and going to bed early.

There was some rain, some wind, and eventually some sun come out to play with us at Whitier Parc for the Crosstastic Cyclocross Provincial. Mud and thistle were also on the look out for their next victim.

The course has been updated from last years layout, and i preferred it. Thanks to Gary and FOG for all the work they did to make it happen.

The usual suspects where once again at the sidelines cheering me on!

photo credits: Cynthia Menzie, Ryan Loiselle and me

Southern Cross

Oh Southern Cross. You were awesome! It is all about the mud pit, sand pit, Meat Grinder, farmer sausage and of course the beer!

The course was well laid out, and through the course, several challenges were to be met and conquer.

The mud pit was greasy and everyone got covered from head to toe.

Sand pit, well once again some of us were attacked by the sand worms. By default i still run it. Hmmm, guess it is time i should maybe try to ride through it. I do have the power. I just need to put on the race face and angry face and just plough through the sand pit with confidence.

Meat Grinder, also know as whirly whirl, is when you whirl in a big circle and then you whirly you way out in a big circle. Makes you head spin all right.

Well farmer sausage and beer were prizes that were handed out to the winners. For supper the next day, guess what i had?

 

This is some of the dirty girlz that came out to race at Southern Cross. Dirty bunch!

 

On the hill, there was some off-camber riding as well as a railway tie bunny hop.

 

I love this course. Scenic and they make good use of what is available to them. This year, they especially made good use of the hill. We were crossing that hill from every angle!

In case you are wondering, that is a free beer coupon that she is holding in her mouth. They were giving them out at the top of the hill. Who could pass that opportunity!

Jy and Pickles roughing it out on the side lines.

Eyes of the Tiger, race face... combination of them all but that is an intense/focus look!

 

 

A BIG thank you to ABES for hosting the Southern Cross race. LOVE IT!

And to our commisaires and volunteers... MERCI!!

Beach Cross

The Beach Cross race was on this past Saturday. P-E-R-F-E-C-T weather for cross racing. Well if you like it wet, cold and shitty!

Jy was happy as pig in mud.... well as a dog in snow? In case you haven't noticed, there is nice dry grass all around her and she decides to lay in the cold wet snow. That's my little snow angel!

 

That's me, attempting to properly go up the steep hill. I definitely need more lessons in that set of skills for cross. Not so fun trying to go up hill, holding your bike with both hands and falling flat on your face. Not so graceful, Mel.

 

 

La creme de la creme David demonstrates how to properly carry your bike while running up a steep hill. He makes it look so smooth, fluid and flawless... beautiful. It does help when you have spent time racing with the greats in Belgium...

 

 

Wall of Pain.... need i say more...

 

Now for the A race, the fasties. It was a goodder. I believe that at every single lap, there was a new leader leading the race. It was suspenseful and intense... till the very end! Dan was in the lead on the second last lap till he had mechanical problems! Merde! Magically, he was able to climb his way up the ladder to a very respectful 3rd place.

 

Below are images of the usual suspects of the A Race

 

 

 

 

...again David demonstating the proper skills acquired for cross racing... I could watch this guy race all day...

 

 

On a side note, this was Dan's first cyclocross race, and placed 3rd! In the A race! That is just crazy talk. In fact, it deserves a Ninja awesomness! Every triathlete in my corner of the world knows Dan, and every roadie knows Dan. Now every cross racer knows Dan. They will be seeing this view of him more often then not. He is a dangerous contender out there...

* photos cortesy of Ryan 

 

I thought i would show this image... makes me laugh out loud every time. That was me in 2010 at the Beach Cross race in the sandpit where the added sand worms to attack racers. I fell victim several times.

 

Oh ya, i will leave you with this. I received this in an email from my friend Jared. The email was titled "Welcome to the start of something Viral‏". At the time that i viewed the video, it was at 300 views. Now, as i am writing this post, 112 132 views. Jaw dropping...

 

 

 

Next up, Southern Cross. Details here.

Republic of Manitobah

 

Republic of Manitobah is race numero deux in the Cyclocross race calendar. Unfortunately, i missed the first and the bestest of the best, la crème de la crème, race last weekend: Dark Cross. My body was in Toronto but my heart and soul was out in the dirt racing at Dark Cross. Oh i was so disappointed i missed Dark Cross, of all the races in the calendar. Et bien, c'est la vie. World renown Winnipeg CycleChick summed up what happened at Dark Cross. 

Now to race my little heart out to get a good seeding position. It is all in the start...

Cross-Tastic

I felt like Jule Ann from Robert Munch's Mud Puddle: being swallowed by the Mud Puddle on several occasions. It came to no surprise, and yet i still forgot to bring a change a clothes. Needless to say, the ride back home was cold. These are the days i wish i had a proper "mud room". It would be all tiled and have a drain in the centre. None of this having to strip outside, shower and then wash my bike outside in the cold. So not fun.

I was all my smiles for this race, and that was pretty much all i can do. I just could not mustard it. I must have forgotten my cyclocross legs at home.

Thank you Nik Pham for the beautiful photography!!! Must say i look pretty Ninja awesome!

 

And then there is me, getting distracted with mushrooms, moss, leaves and mud and forgetting to take pictures of the racers...

À la boue!

Southern Cross

Only 3 more cyclocross races in the 2011 season! Only 3 more and then i have to wait till next September! That is just too long! Boohoo!

Start line pictures are kinda funny to look at... there is always something going on somewhere. Everyone has their routine at the race line.

 

The race course challenges riders with grass, trails, sand, a smidge of mud, climbs, and barriers. Not to mention we saw the return of the "swirl". Loved the "swirl"! Makes me smile everytime!

It was a gusty day, gusts up to 60 km/h wind. Being out in the open, i'll blame all my incidents out on the course on the gusts of wind. I tripped over the gusts of wind... that's what happened. It grabbed my ankle and threw me down to the ground.

Also who can forgot the BBQ Farmer Sausage! Nom nom nom nom!

Thank you Altona for hosting this stellar race once again and all the community support! You did and awesome job and always a joyful time coming out there to race!

mennocross

 

We've set a new record for participation at a cyclocross race in Manitoba!  There were a total of 178 riders at Mennocross (175 at Darkcross). Well done trikes and tykes!

The FGBC put on another great race at CMU. The bunker run up is always a good time and year after year, at the last minute, i cannot decide if i would rather run or ride through the rocks.

I had a few hiccups at the race, but hey, that is cyclocross for you. I am still waiting for that "perfect" race! First, I was tangled up in a messy start. Then those rope gremlins decided to tangle the rope around my drop bars as i was passing by them, no way of getting untangled in time and ram into the tree ( i believe something similar happened to another racer but i forgot whose blog i read). Nothing bad happened to the bike and i was able to finish the race. Kinda wish that was caught on video because it would be funny to watch, in slow motion, in reverse.

Results for MennoCross are available here.

Also, make sure to check out Marc Reimer's photos and these as well.

skirt or no skirt

Well i am somewhat expected to wear a skirt at the office but how do you explain THIS. Never mind, they don't even seem to understand why i would want to commute to work by bike!  

Did i mention that this did not even occur at La Barrière Cyclocross! It was on my way back from it! It has already been a long day... i was at La Barrière since 10 am. On my way back home i took the bike trails and took one of the corners waaaay too fast and baboomza!! I tried to save it by going into the ditch but little did i know that there was 2 culverts and rocks! Merde...this is not going to tickle! It looked safe at the time, honest. And right then and there, my bike and i made love, and i like it rough! I noticed that there was some blood on the ground and the first thing i checked was if i still had all my teeth. All my teeth where accounted for. Phew, close call! But i did have a bloody nose but no broken nose. Ahhh, my bike, HOW IS my bike! Luckily, no scrapes, just a flat tire with a big gash in it and a dented wheel. Wowzers, that could have been WAY worse. Bruises and scrapes can heal but broken teeth and bones AND bikes do not heal. Now to get a new tire and try to fix my wheel for the MennoCross this weekend.

Well at least i was not this poor guy!

 

Be careful out there little tikes!