Riding 5,000 KM in one year

Well, I did it, I reached my goal of riding 5,000 km in 2013. I didn't originally start with this goal when the year started, but in September I looked at my Strava year-to-date distance and noticed I was at 4,000 km. Could I reach 5,000 km by the end of 2013? I don't really set goals for myself but decided to commit to achieving this target. It's been a really rewarding experience and helped me push myself to ride on days I normally wouldn't.

It's pretty hard to believe I've pedaled this much in one year. The majority of my mountain bike rides tend to be under 15 km, so most of my distance was put on my road bike. I commuted a lot to work (20 km each way) and would routinely add a loop of Stanley Park before heading home. We've also had a very dry fall and early winter, which has allowed me to ride more than I normally would this time of year.

Riding in the Chilcotins

I really love exploring new places on my bike. Some of the highlights from 2013 include six days in Sedona, the Rapha Women's 100, my unofficial Tour de Cortes Island, the Hot on Your Heels Enduro race in Squamish, my second float plane drop in the Chilcotins and exploring the amazing trails in Revelstoke for the first time. But my top achievement for 2013 and the one I'm most proud of was road riding to the very top of Mt. Baker, a total of 110 km and over 1,800 m of climbing.

Top of Mt. Baker with my husband, Dan

I know a lot of cyclists out there hate Strava, but I really love it and attribute meeting this goal because of the website. I found it very motivating to see how many miles I could put on in a week or see how much elevation I climbed on a long ride. Sure, you could do this on your own with any simple bike computer and Excel, but Strava made it easy and fun to share. Seeing my friends ride on miserable days motivated me to suck it up and get out on the trails. It may not be for everyone, but Strava has allowed me to easily track my rides, follow my own progress and that of friends, while motivating me to get out more and yes, feeding my competitive side.

Somewhere near Cornville and Cottonwood in Arizona

It's been an amazing year on my bike. I've explored a lot of new trails and rediscovered old ones. I've really gotten to love road riding and found enjoyment in long, slow rides. I'd like to thank all my awesome riding partners, especially my husband and the Ponies. Can I ride 10,000 km in 2014?! Stay tuned!

Couldn't ask for better friends and riding partners

Bikes, Beer, Bacon, and Babes - A Team Danger Pony Weekend

It had been a while since I’d gone away with Team Danger Pony for a girl’s weekend, so I jumped at the chance to head to Vancouver Island with Isabelle and Cheryl for the Remembrance day long weekend. I’d heard great things about Cumberland from a number of people and the fact that it is one of the stages in the BC Bike Race made me even more stoked to go check out the trails.

We left Friday afternoon and despite getting to the ferry an hour and a half early, we were still lucky to make it. After arriving in Nanaimo, we loaded up on groceries and adult beverages for the weekend. The selection at the cold beer and wine store in Nanaimo was mildly overwhelming, but everyone still managed to walk away with some winners and losers in the craft beer department. 

Unfortunately Uber Blonde was a miss

We were super lucky to have Isabelle’s local friend Amber offer to show us around on Saturday. We met up at Dodge City Cycles, a friendly well stocked bike shop located in Cumberland and set off to explore the trails from there. The trails in Cumberland offered a little bit of everything; fun climbs, flowy descents, and a surprising amount of woodwork.  We were incredibly lucky to be some of the first to ride Truffle Shuffle, a fast flowy trail with steep berms that left everyone smiling. Everyone was like BRAAAAAP! After exploring for nearly four hours, we got back to the shop just before running out of light. Time to drink some beers and eat some food.

Ladies love wood ;)

Truffle Shuffle left us with smiles for miles

Forbidden Plateau was a hit with all of us

Sunday things were a little slow to get going in the morning, perhaps due to some of the aforementioned beers, but with the help of some bacon and coffee, TDP rallied and managed to get out the door. Boy was I ever glad we did. Forbidden Plateau was amazing. You can shuttle it, but since we had little bikes and only one vehicle, we pedaled up. It’s an easy road climb, but light was fading fast and none of us was quite sure where the trail head was, but it all worked out in the end. According to Strava, we rode Cabin Fever, Slither, and Puntledge Plunge.  It was a total blast and offered a little bit of everything- loam, roots, booters, rock faces, and all of it was fast fast fast.  I can’t wait to ride this in the BCBR. The ride 
finished with big smiles once again just as the sun disappeared.

Cheryl and I on Forbidden Plateau

Bacon cures what "ales" ya

Unfortunately most of Monday was spent in the ferry line-up; we’ll be making reservations next time. Nonetheless, it was a small price to pay for a weekend or bikes, beer, bacon, and babes!

Pumpkin Cross

One of the best cyclcross races in Vancouver is the Pumpkin Cross hosted by the Local Ride bike shop in Maple Ridge. A really fun course combined with hilarious costumes and a well run event make it a really good time.

This year, TDP was represented by Aja, Isabelle and Siobhan, who was participating in her first ever cyclocross race. Siobhan finished mid-pack in beginner women, while Isabelle was happy not to finish last in intermediate. Aja turned on the jets after her first lap and made up 10 spots to take 5th place in the intermediate category. Way to go Aja!

See full results here.

Capitol Forest Enduro

One of our favorite races of the year is the Capitol Forest Enduro put on by the Cascadia Dirt Cup. Five of the ponies headed down to Olympia, Washington, for a weekend of camping and riding. The conditions could not have been more perfect, with mid-teens and tacky hero dirt. All the ladies rode great and it was a near sweep of the women's elite podium with TDP finishing 2-5. The race was won by Olympian and Yeti-sponsored rider Rosara Joseph (whose place on the podium was taken by an adorable black lab).

Here is a great little recap video from pinkbike.com

Full results here.