tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91241631486823630322024-03-13T05:02:51.524-07:00My Quest For Fun!Kevin Champagnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14861625648797635131noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9124163148682363032.post-82497171869721323432014-12-08T12:50:00.000-08:002014-12-08T12:50:56.239-08:00Still alive!<b>Still alive!</b><br />
Wow life has been busy this year. Too much work and not enough play. I have not been riding as much as I would like, but time is sure flying by lately. I spend much time reading other people's blogs but have not written a blog for a while.<br />
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This year I have done the complete Brevet series with the Manitoba Randonneurs and that was quite FUN. It was a lot of great rides with a lot of great people. I have a few medals to show for it, but I have a lot more great memory's <b> </b>that mean even more to me. Life is too short so let's all have FUN...Kevin Champagnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14861625648797635131noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9124163148682363032.post-53516674478919596312014-09-14T20:16:00.000-07:002014-09-14T20:18:39.483-07:00Ride, Ride, and Ride some More!<b>Ride, Ride, and Ride some More!</b><br />
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<b>August</b> has been a busy month. I had a ride each weekend. <b> </b>The month started off with a 1000 km Brevet (last <b>Blog)</b>, followed by a 100 mile charity ride called Muddy Waters, a 200 km Brevet and another 170 km charity ride over 2 days.<br />
Muddy Waters 100 started about 25 years ago as a fun Century ride put on by a local club. You paid a small amount of money and you got a Tee shirt and some coffee, drinks and some snacks at the beginning, one check point and at the end. You rode 100 km or 100 miles. It was an unsanctioned road race to most people. It was cheap FUN!<br />
About 5 years ago a Charity took it over and it got very big. They offered a 20km, 40km 60km, 100km and 100 mile (160km) distances. It went from less than 100 riders to over 500 riders. The cost went up along with no free tee shirts. The 100 mile still remained a race to most of us. No trophy, just bragging rights. Last year I had leg cramps. This year I am in better shape.<br />
We started off at 7:00 am. There was no wind at all. The one large group soon broke up into 3 groups. I moved up into the front group for a while. Nobody could draft off me so I stayed off the side and the back for a while. I got tired of having to slow down and speed up so I passed everyone and pushed the pace a bit. For the first 120 km I stayed out front until I got passed on the uphill section of a tall bridge by a small group of really fast riders. After that, I fell behind a little bit as I stopped at all stop signs that they rode though. I finished about 10 minutes behind the fast guys and 30 minutes ahead of the next group.It was a fun ride anyway. <a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/562232346" target="_blank">Muddy Waters Garmin link</a> I finished in 4 hours, 53 minutes and 04 seconds.. Not my best time, but better than last year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_WR4lrbiY6DyyOcUvcek9GaDvqKlSwExYWztnWtvdG0PkUvi-NQSZrx52UJP-dPlQNrO4ypjmXEGZE_7-IMkc2sB0G400JqUwDRHwLmk9D_i1MbhbuHvqZ5bOF1y8wKjLQ2Entst994B/s1600/Muddy+Waters+100+mile+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_WR4lrbiY6DyyOcUvcek9GaDvqKlSwExYWztnWtvdG0PkUvi-NQSZrx52UJP-dPlQNrO4ypjmXEGZE_7-IMkc2sB0G400JqUwDRHwLmk9D_i1MbhbuHvqZ5bOF1y8wKjLQ2Entst994B/s1600/Muddy+Waters+100+mile+020.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the Recumbent Group at Muddy Waters.</td></tr>
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The following Saturday was our August 200 km Brevet. It was a slower ride with some new members. I had lots of fun riding with a couple of fit ladies. For one of them it was her first time to complete a 200 km Brevet., and the other was her second.They rode at a steady pace, where I would speed ahead and wait for them
where ever we might have to turn. No one got lost that day. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A couple of the new riders at the first control.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another of our first time riders!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out the COW between controls.</td></tr>
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The next weekend was the MS charity ride. It's called <b>Biking to the
Viking</b> . The reference of the Viking is because the town we ride to was
settled by people from Iceland.
It's a fun ride from the town of Stonewall
to the town of Gimli, and back the
next day. Just me and 700 close friends? It was a wet ride with a strong head
wind too. The start was divided into several groups and I was in the back of
the second group. There was a lot of people in front of me to pass. I recorded
some video at the start, but with the rain it's not the clearest.<br />
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After I passed the first two groups of people I shut off the video camera to
save the battery. I even passed a few cyclists that left 20 minutes early. I realized I was at the front after I passed a slow moving
motorcycle and I had the lead car with a flashing light on top of it. I had the route loaded into my Garmin, and 4 liters of fluids aboard so I didn't need to slow down or stop at the many rest stops they had along the course. Having an motorcycle escort was different and an front escort vehicle gave me lots of protection on the highway from high speed traffic. I tried to keep my speed over 45 kph, but I had to slow down for turns and sometimes my escort vehicle got in the way. It took 2 hours and 24 minutes to cover the 85 km. I guess I was too fast as I got to the finish they were still setting up stuff. I helped out carrying in stuff and setting up tables. The next guy to show up was about 25 minutes later and he was one of the group that left early. He was complaining about the head wind. I grinned and asked "What Wind?"<br />
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The next morning we woke up to a 70 kph wind and a downpour of rain. My tent poles were bending in the wind. They decided to cancel the rest of the ride. It was the first time in 25 years that they had to cancel. Buses and a couple of trucks were brought in to transport people and bikes to the start in Stonewall. My sponsor Woodcock Cycle had a van with a mechanic helping out, so the Quest had a private ride. Of course the van was yellow.<br />
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August was busy. I rode a total of 2304 km. I got to ride with a lot of great people and see lots of our country side as well. And that was a lot of FUN ....Kevin Champagnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14861625648797635131noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9124163148682363032.post-24744404599857982072014-08-11T21:18:00.002-07:002014-12-08T10:14:19.459-08:00My First 1000 km Brevet!<b>My First 1000 km Brevet!</b><br />
If somebody had asked me 5 years ago if I could do a 1000 km Brevet I would have answered <b>No! </b>But I did it! We started our club schedule in the month of May with two 200 km Brevets, followed by two 300 km Brevets. Then came our 400 km that took us into the USA. That was followed by our tough 600. And finally our 1000 km Brevet. As the distance goes up our numbers got less. For our 600 there was just 2 of us.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speeding to the start.</td></tr>
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But for our 1000 km we had 4 of us going. Two of us had done it before and two of us had not.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to Right: Mark, Sam,Pete and myself at the start.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Winnipeg at 6:00 am</td></tr>
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The route had been used before so we had a plan to borrow on. And we had a volunteer to drop off and pick up our drop bags at our planned stops. There was still lots that could go wrong but everything worked out great. The plan was do 400 km on the Friday with a 6:00 am start, do 300 km the second day and 300 km the third day to get us back to the start.The route was set up to use the town of Neepawa twice as a control and allowed us to keep the hotel room.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Control</td></tr>
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Our first control was a coffee shop in the town of Mordon after 106 km. Great choice as I run on coffee. They also have food too. After this we start to climb in elevation heading in a westerly direction.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for the others to catch up in Cartright, Manitoba</td></tr>
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Our second control was in a town called Killarney at the 246 km. This was where we had an early supper.<br />
From here we headed north to a town called Glenboro for our third control at 315 km. On the way to Glenboro I came across a valley where they had made lots of round hay bales. Now a lot of times I might have to stop and use the ditch for a bathroom and I find people will often stop to talk and delay your call to nature. I quickly jumped out and ran behind the hay bale for some privacy. When I was finished I walked back to the Quest only to find 2 cars stopped taking pictures of it. A lot of time was used up in this trip talking to a lot of nice curious people.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of my fan club leaving.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for the others to catch up at control 3</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1DSzoQB2RZb5rcZFeq-Nj5pb1mu3DE0aj62Cv3MY8kG65tW-SLYLbQfvlhxwbVaZQfD0O00HO8EtEMsP33Lgi64Xf8ejgUYAsiMn7YSt1cskRpakn26-bIr5onTl2ijHJEuSOy9KxRcmO/s1600/10342428_741111852602144_3771118929739754801_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1DSzoQB2RZb5rcZFeq-Nj5pb1mu3DE0aj62Cv3MY8kG65tW-SLYLbQfvlhxwbVaZQfD0O00HO8EtEMsP33Lgi64Xf8ejgUYAsiMn7YSt1cskRpakn26-bIr5onTl2ijHJEuSOy9KxRcmO/s1600/10342428_741111852602144_3771118929739754801_n.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading north to Neepawa as the sun goes down.</td></tr>
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This last 50 km turned out to our only night riding. I am not great riding fast in the dark as on coming cars sometime blind me. I slow down and follow the other closely.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6fifotroombM1Arw6X8-RMMkgBeYD8kENY0WEU2qE9fa6kO7SHFTtzIoDUHvYPco9Ynl9FQTYrehP_yNCx7Ox3h2mNH8LIbM7ViFuL4oP79oKJN7N9qd68z6HJz4m-jHwqKl2_RXNqcy/s1600/10583789_741111895935473_312049213603920734_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6fifotroombM1Arw6X8-RMMkgBeYD8kENY0WEU2qE9fa6kO7SHFTtzIoDUHvYPco9Ynl9FQTYrehP_yNCx7Ox3h2mNH8LIbM7ViFuL4oP79oKJN7N9qd68z6HJz4m-jHwqKl2_RXNqcy/s1600/10583789_741111895935473_312049213603920734_n.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our hotel by night as we arrive.</td></tr>
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We checked in to our hotel after 401 km of riding. The pool was closed so they let us store our bikes indoors by the pool. Talk about a luxury ride, showers, sleep and indoor parking.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr34u9Ac6EuJLE9BBvOqq1oiR9wIMQbu8N74GTOD1Cf9E6BGEk8ynTBpBvm6HRu_iBL7ieerXwgwtmd4Nu13Cm_4i6E8E1qRXLcJicOX_WUGp7xl2AwlYki_ruozviq8-SznNYZbokIytU/s1600/1000+KM+Brevet+032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr34u9Ac6EuJLE9BBvOqq1oiR9wIMQbu8N74GTOD1Cf9E6BGEk8ynTBpBvm6HRu_iBL7ieerXwgwtmd4Nu13Cm_4i6E8E1qRXLcJicOX_WUGp7xl2AwlYki_ruozviq8-SznNYZbokIytU/s1600/1000+KM+Brevet+032.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indoor parking.</td></tr>
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<br />
We were on the road before 6:00 am chasing the clock but with the shower and 5 hours of sleep I felt great. It was also great having the drop bag with a change of clothes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4c4nCRyfHz_xS-EkRfz7fsAwYaCDULUDznB0HPGE0EeXkXLyPQnsQkM-xuUwIYtpug4XcLfcd6ivsrlv8WyizMUjArT8wgLhOYGCivsMYJw34k1AvDGF3qVggbE5u8_w73qHyfiGOteh/s1600/10557385_741228832590446_445823413923226101_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4c4nCRyfHz_xS-EkRfz7fsAwYaCDULUDznB0HPGE0EeXkXLyPQnsQkM-xuUwIYtpug4XcLfcd6ivsrlv8WyizMUjArT8wgLhOYGCivsMYJw34k1AvDGF3qVggbE5u8_w73qHyfiGOteh/s1600/10557385_741228832590446_445823413923226101_n.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the road to Dauphin.</td></tr>
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After the control in Dauphin we were heading though Riding Mountain park where there is a lot of climbing. I left the others behind on this stretch as I wanted to get a head start on the climbing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsF16a6MZ6hw71M_HY_2z24ypuY5B6Z5Lm4_Th-FwyQf_ezTf6gRDf_vVqxL5ByKt28vm9anORYh-o0QT8OhWs7TUh5wGcg4L_ZeUQW3HMhpZhisTi3RoEywkkFG8yFz9memC53VIote6Z/s1600/1000+KM+Brevet+036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsF16a6MZ6hw71M_HY_2z24ypuY5B6Z5Lm4_Th-FwyQf_ezTf6gRDf_vVqxL5ByKt28vm9anORYh-o0QT8OhWs7TUh5wGcg4L_ZeUQW3HMhpZhisTi3RoEywkkFG8yFz9memC53VIote6Z/s1600/1000+KM+Brevet+036.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The town of McCreary on the way to Dauphin</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
I arrived at control 5 about an hour ahead of the others.I was at 541 km. I grabbed a quick lunch and headed for the climbs. At the park gate to lady warned me about them. I was prepared. I took "Da Hood" off and taped it to the hump on the Quest. Now <a href="http://a3manh.blogspot.ca/2014/08/vakantieweek-2.html" target="_blank">Adri</a> is used to climbing and he would laugh at what I was climbing but he lives in Norway. I geared down and pushed on. I could stop and take pictures and keep going as I felt. The others could not stop on a 11% slope like I could. It was + 30 C as I started to climb. There were some long slopes and some short slopes that were less steep but more climbing than this flat lander was used to. I took it slow and easy in my lowest gear.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQavUU98W4cuPrJkcnTax0A5oP5JxP5c07cZXpWR9-gPhwR-txJ9qIW2leZbLjW1v63jClzI7EvRYrhSlg_IvM2Iz6F1oszgNkJNjOMlh6rKgXZjN3MGhRsBNT4RW9kvzofNmi_tjNQg3/s1600/1000+KM+Brevet+039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQavUU98W4cuPrJkcnTax0A5oP5JxP5c07cZXpWR9-gPhwR-txJ9qIW2leZbLjW1v63jClzI7EvRYrhSlg_IvM2Iz6F1oszgNkJNjOMlh6rKgXZjN3MGhRsBNT4RW9kvzofNmi_tjNQg3/s1600/1000+KM+Brevet+039.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part way up one of the climbs at about 8%</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQYMHL6iQE3SOQ7VakzuLz11Y_5vCyb7pFl-bm73_YGLbPOwvrmnBvgGFi9Mje5ROkKToYVW2z4Ge7Kyep3v09eiazvTEAT0tnPdI9fVuCk2AyCN03_LgioGFYKysne-cy7qdXk00Pwr2/s1600/1000+KM+Brevet+042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQYMHL6iQE3SOQ7VakzuLz11Y_5vCyb7pFl-bm73_YGLbPOwvrmnBvgGFi9Mje5ROkKToYVW2z4Ge7Kyep3v09eiazvTEAT0tnPdI9fVuCk2AyCN03_LgioGFYKysne-cy7qdXk00Pwr2/s1600/1000+KM+Brevet+042.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back as I was climbing.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxFTOrSwBtYK2pkJc_Z4SxeVr2vRqfdwreigP3B7wGkljCZWL-WDpf0fLMdMMabYk_FaoxsSIDyi4YVf_Mpy4e7AmlvDqnCAPOP_58ZmhHB7gI-HFqnbgwNG8zFs6LcWwKJk6pTI2Q51r/s1600/10351238_741517685894894_6184273242956491789_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxFTOrSwBtYK2pkJc_Z4SxeVr2vRqfdwreigP3B7wGkljCZWL-WDpf0fLMdMMabYk_FaoxsSIDyi4YVf_Mpy4e7AmlvDqnCAPOP_58ZmhHB7gI-HFqnbgwNG8zFs6LcWwKJk6pTI2Q51r/s1600/10351238_741517685894894_6184273242956491789_n.jpg" height="316" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A black bear watching us go by.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfFI0usDgqPxe1EZldLE3F5Bc0Nk01KV07eA21KPt-Um9uSSnb8kC8U0au2hOt75NMqsdHhxuNrMN0w8T39bGTFnjNTRmZCaLgK7zrmkruSQP6f99tWxhT95WcUzEVBGsAiUzdklF__fO/s1600/1000+KM+Brevet+047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfFI0usDgqPxe1EZldLE3F5Bc0Nk01KV07eA21KPt-Um9uSSnb8kC8U0au2hOt75NMqsdHhxuNrMN0w8T39bGTFnjNTRmZCaLgK7zrmkruSQP6f99tWxhT95WcUzEVBGsAiUzdklF__fO/s1600/1000+KM+Brevet+047.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of these signs but only one camera shy moose seen.</td></tr>
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<br />
Part way though the park Pete caught up to me on his recumbent. Pete is a very strong rider with lots of Brevet experience. We rode for a while until some of the down hill sections and I pulled away. We met up and waited for the rest to catch up at the next control at Erickson at 628 km. From here it was mostly down hill to Neepawa and our hotel room. It was on Little Mountain Road that I hit my fastest downhill speed of 90.3 KPH. Lots of FUN! It made up for all the climbing. Here is the link to this days Garmin file <a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/556732283" target="_blank">Garmin file link</a> I sprinted back to the hotel before 10 pm and got the first shower in before the next person showed up. That was control 7 at 690 km. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8uhs4EDxKULbsIx4F_-nvjAbmW24iXViZ1rf4sOyJMG8CfZ0e3_veGFqgadHWIhARTlvZsSlHxBw_oNbfViu_WpHoAMJIst2Up4GYRZyplK1snMDvfbj_st4O9qqdX4FCOWn3lX7yv63/s1600/1000+KM+Brevet+034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8uhs4EDxKULbsIx4F_-nvjAbmW24iXViZ1rf4sOyJMG8CfZ0e3_veGFqgadHWIhARTlvZsSlHxBw_oNbfViu_WpHoAMJIst2Up4GYRZyplK1snMDvfbj_st4O9qqdX4FCOWn3lX7yv63/s1600/1000+KM+Brevet+034.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pete and the Quest ready to leave for the final stretch home.</td></tr>
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The final ride home was started with an early departure again. The next section would have lots of rolling sections but less long steep climbs. A late Breakfast was in the town of Austin where I was last to get there as I was taking a picture of this old steam tractor mounted high up as a sign.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHebmqeGUup8DUkBkWyLdaezMTtqBzuqERpv-Pod74uq_7sSHRdfEJ1FaFmF29EPBGvMLc18DXlWYgMl5kuR4mPyWRlNY9fxj-mDjlzA3l7I7TH4pcNCnRVms4yvI94iHWS6-mGp8BNmdX/s1600/1000+KM+Brevet+061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHebmqeGUup8DUkBkWyLdaezMTtqBzuqERpv-Pod74uq_7sSHRdfEJ1FaFmF29EPBGvMLc18DXlWYgMl5kuR4mPyWRlNY9fxj-mDjlzA3l7I7TH4pcNCnRVms4yvI94iHWS6-mGp8BNmdX/s1600/1000+KM+Brevet+061.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steam Tractor sign at Austin</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6QNgVxyy61CI_Px-ntNNCirNX35atptos4U5Y6EoKjXG5TrPjLT-sEeXZV5WTzDnGOVZw7yeiD4b0vQ4LuoGnD6mx3vmMrGc8tKNll-rL349bK4ewUQBWXGN2bebimZbgSRMjnRoklGZ/s1600/10527687_741983789181617_8919099170412902657_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6QNgVxyy61CI_Px-ntNNCirNX35atptos4U5Y6EoKjXG5TrPjLT-sEeXZV5WTzDnGOVZw7yeiD4b0vQ4LuoGnD6mx3vmMrGc8tKNll-rL349bK4ewUQBWXGN2bebimZbgSRMjnRoklGZ/s1600/10527687_741983789181617_8919099170412902657_n.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture of me being last for breakfast in Austin</td></tr>
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After a great brunch we headed for our next control in Holland Manitoba. Control 8 was at the 799 mark. There were a few river valleys to cross along the way. More climbing!!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLs1-hYY3zXqcnGM9p_xlTcsHntFiQPECj3VyBoJATcRblG2bGyl7xn-qMQtiqIjxyNzYv34Z0mztLS8EAyP7J7cPlNcVI_lFDrTNbDs7CFycwX5pXZ1yMljEDyW5E9CrFkEvBvydmhhQD/s1600/10522006_741983842514945_322041982044935881_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLs1-hYY3zXqcnGM9p_xlTcsHntFiQPECj3VyBoJATcRblG2bGyl7xn-qMQtiqIjxyNzYv34Z0mztLS8EAyP7J7cPlNcVI_lFDrTNbDs7CFycwX5pXZ1yMljEDyW5E9CrFkEvBvydmhhQD/s1600/10522006_741983842514945_322041982044935881_n.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stopping for pictures again.</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55Hi5EL2lOlamEpiAbO2KvNETfe5hu0iC9kxbDAXCD1oesmTqfU0T4gMuqMkLqV5e_ra_ZPSWIRhP4UennNWM8Gd4aLpOLAQlKkV4iuChFlKbsWxPBb6fFVpAmNRYzZXXT3W4n6fr3JHq/s1600/1000+KM+Brevet+069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55Hi5EL2lOlamEpiAbO2KvNETfe5hu0iC9kxbDAXCD1oesmTqfU0T4gMuqMkLqV5e_ra_ZPSWIRhP4UennNWM8Gd4aLpOLAQlKkV4iuChFlKbsWxPBb6fFVpAmNRYzZXXT3W4n6fr3JHq/s1600/1000+KM+Brevet+069.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back at another climb.</td></tr>
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<br />
Just before Holland I had a pinch flat on my right front tire. I told the others to go on as I would catch up later. I emptied out the Quest to get at my spare tubes. I put the Quest on a blanket on it's side and I had no less than 6 cars and trucks stop and offer help. Those country people are real friendly and curious. It turned a 10 minute job into 1/2 hour job.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQESf8zCDKiPJM4KaVYvf1qlbTV3tdVHAh-Yryo-xNpTLSvj8zGOyxQe2VJXWRL0vgqp6-CNxyECIhAfCmy7yybdHp5C_w1BYnVvB-gvy7EuSXXh5-NsPSPpubWHmW4vgJea5UpDRYq68/s1600/1000+KM+Brevet+095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQESf8zCDKiPJM4KaVYvf1qlbTV3tdVHAh-Yryo-xNpTLSvj8zGOyxQe2VJXWRL0vgqp6-CNxyECIhAfCmy7yybdHp5C_w1BYnVvB-gvy7EuSXXh5-NsPSPpubWHmW4vgJea5UpDRYq68/s1600/1000+KM+Brevet+095.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Empty Quest ready for tire repair.</td></tr>
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In Holland I was delayed at the control. The local bar owner had to take some pictures and I got interviewed for the local paper. The price of fame!<br />
I got to travel though La Riviere but I couldn't speed as I had a truck in front of me in town.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTuITEfb3vrqAKTrUuyXtGj1DalXRICq0s431W3MBL2WjRMRFJcCIr8RLNfmbidKZal4TKInM2NSKLNGZelethhj0kLuK3-3JDwd9vpLgb3KjEpcIUCb3pYlBUZ2-uSz3Y5mTGsFQa6vB/s1600/1000+KM+Brevet+099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTuITEfb3vrqAKTrUuyXtGj1DalXRICq0s431W3MBL2WjRMRFJcCIr8RLNfmbidKZal4TKInM2NSKLNGZelethhj0kLuK3-3JDwd9vpLgb3KjEpcIUCb3pYlBUZ2-uSz3Y5mTGsFQa6vB/s1600/1000+KM+Brevet+099.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going up my favorite hill in La Riviere Manitoba.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I caught up to the group just before Morden which was control 9 at 902 km.We had coffee and sandwiches for Supper. It must have been good coffee as I sprinted the rest of the way home. On the final stretch sports writer Gregory C. McNeill met us along the way to take photos in several places.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1H2AOsdT5cpWxI1s1FAqccW3ecZFqY_uUzTqt3hWXXQU0rFeXMxWi7NZSXnTBXKNEv8XWDC6K6TKf4xBuBxDuwMD_7isID4jehKoeu7SMC7puYY9ZYngMU2y6b386dhvIlTCPxHvdZu4/s1600/10547406_10152545939764194_7194800930508264402_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1H2AOsdT5cpWxI1s1FAqccW3ecZFqY_uUzTqt3hWXXQU0rFeXMxWi7NZSXnTBXKNEv8XWDC6K6TKf4xBuBxDuwMD_7isID4jehKoeu7SMC7puYY9ZYngMU2y6b386dhvIlTCPxHvdZu4/s1600/10547406_10152545939764194_7194800930508264402_n.jpg" height="208" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speeding to the finish. Photo by Gregory C. McNiell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qHDMVyQkIeqfLnCfft07PQUoDnksa0mx3P5egguKJ9ghKFv2UbuV_lKonEeeUnmmxgGga5j93CvPgF6bUYChyXeMuJLXZ9rTw1nhKiV-925vl_EgzFcJldEQpdzNVX7SyKGgn5TGB7-8/s1600/10540827_10152545938894194_2437274197907777215_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qHDMVyQkIeqfLnCfft07PQUoDnksa0mx3P5egguKJ9ghKFv2UbuV_lKonEeeUnmmxgGga5j93CvPgF6bUYChyXeMuJLXZ9rTw1nhKiV-925vl_EgzFcJldEQpdzNVX7SyKGgn5TGB7-8/s1600/10540827_10152545938894194_2437274197907777215_n.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rest of the group drafting Pete. Photo by Gregory C. McNiell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3oKxNujLA0QaXPHWJIOc8e2kOQA1VPh7Z_NxUxyJ9rUf3Bw-3K-cwvm63wWuZkWOoGMyj-1V8x_sIDT1sWisq_rlxIVhyphenhyphen8asq9OEhLFRWTawaI6XkfqJLRzZwf_js9jxzDe7c5RO-CDG/s1600/10527446_10152545940084194_4362881307254481144_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3oKxNujLA0QaXPHWJIOc8e2kOQA1VPh7Z_NxUxyJ9rUf3Bw-3K-cwvm63wWuZkWOoGMyj-1V8x_sIDT1sWisq_rlxIVhyphenhyphen8asq9OEhLFRWTawaI6XkfqJLRzZwf_js9jxzDe7c5RO-CDG/s1600/10527446_10152545940084194_4362881307254481144_n.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Gregory C. McNiell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26Itm0NZ3l_PI_pySNk1VZwK4DQ8D6YFsxwkwVcjuy-LctwJk7dEa9g-gP5027ccFFeCAE8WfGs__mBgA96o5quoWd5zKs1zmnUGeb005aQNjKozCzopD_j9TMG9mfda_CWw32QBPPgCU/s1600/10409542_10152545942519194_7551343905908908058_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26Itm0NZ3l_PI_pySNk1VZwK4DQ8D6YFsxwkwVcjuy-LctwJk7dEa9g-gP5027ccFFeCAE8WfGs__mBgA96o5quoWd5zKs1zmnUGeb005aQNjKozCzopD_j9TMG9mfda_CWw32QBPPgCU/s1600/10409542_10152545942519194_7551343905908908058_n.jpg" height="400" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam's son greeting his dad. Photo by Gregory C. McNiell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I got back to the final control at 10:15. I change my jersey and waited for the rest to show up. We toasted the great ride with some apple juice. It was Sam's and my first 1000 and it was sure great to have a great finish. Great people, a great plan and great weather. It sure was FUN...<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDaGHv8IjTIB0JzorZq35ZLgbHEsfKhUgoCLNK6-jHpSfTRarzY7OwkCdRDRuloGnS5nt8R9Ns0s_NZ5PcyuNHheGVg56QQ1USAuO-nMapFK3JOHprCd4fBDO-5QnDxb8PrWSBx4fbSTj/s1600/1000+KM+Brevet+109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDaGHv8IjTIB0JzorZq35ZLgbHEsfKhUgoCLNK6-jHpSfTRarzY7OwkCdRDRuloGnS5nt8R9Ns0s_NZ5PcyuNHheGVg56QQ1USAuO-nMapFK3JOHprCd4fBDO-5QnDxb8PrWSBx4fbSTj/s1600/1000+KM+Brevet+109.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A toast to great ride.</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
<br />Kevin Champagnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14861625648797635131noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9124163148682363032.post-22029580177836949662014-08-04T12:06:00.000-07:002014-08-04T12:06:27.547-07:00A New Look!A New Look!<br />
I am doing a charity ride later this month and have taken on a sponsorship. Woodcock Cycle Works has given the MS Charity a large donation and I am advertizing for them in exchange. Therefore I have decals now. Woodcock cycle has been active in sponsoring races and our clubs as well. <br />
I just finished my 1000 km Brevet. I will write up my report as soon as I catch up on my sleep. Lots of pictures to sort out too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyBrGtZ2hSkldU-pfVowJZhBaI2Fk_-2_BWDBIYiolQGxUJtJ5VTlLc7LSgrCXosx9REHWqWSlbYBh7HpCmo7MAxi56SGIyZYzVrGliirfN_EK-F7r6v90FYUk8s7OAu0YNBkq6wXHYYH/s1600/995614_10152545939309194_4235685547153855363_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyBrGtZ2hSkldU-pfVowJZhBaI2Fk_-2_BWDBIYiolQGxUJtJ5VTlLc7LSgrCXosx9REHWqWSlbYBh7HpCmo7MAxi56SGIyZYzVrGliirfN_EK-F7r6v90FYUk8s7OAu0YNBkq6wXHYYH/s1600/995614_10152545939309194_4235685547153855363_n.jpg" height="366" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A New Look.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Brevet was real FUN.Kevin Champagnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14861625648797635131noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9124163148682363032.post-39381505096979504082014-07-29T14:44:00.003-07:002014-07-29T14:44:42.788-07:00News Update!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Wxdj-jIoCq34yTt_DXBuwmm4SAlgmUxIq8_DFT61mnzEmpfC6vQJjBYW4svIjXQjsp_fw0PKYqQVQ_vyab83z2ygvfikYuS941vZk5X0LKX6OTgPnc_DDB1IezBnbdYukUicaLv9ZECV/s1600/craig-premack-rcmp-news-conference.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Wxdj-jIoCq34yTt_DXBuwmm4SAlgmUxIq8_DFT61mnzEmpfC6vQJjBYW4svIjXQjsp_fw0PKYqQVQ_vyab83z2ygvfikYuS941vZk5X0LKX6OTgPnc_DDB1IezBnbdYukUicaLv9ZECV/s1600/craig-premack-rcmp-news-conference.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This is a update a blog I wrote a while back. I have the link to the newest news from the CBC news. The CBC news titles it as a race, which it was not. It was a Brevet. <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/craig-premack-recounts-being-shot-during-cache-creek-bike-race-1.2721483" target="_blank">Link to News story.</a> The good news is he is expected to make a full recovery. The bad news is they have not caught the shooter. The RCMP have a good record of solving these type of crimes. Lets hope they find the nut.Kevin Champagnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14861625648797635131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9124163148682363032.post-83558514414971148622014-07-18T20:26:00.000-07:002014-07-18T20:26:26.083-07:00Forgotten Video!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/5RQXTj-y9UE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
I forgot to add this video link to my last blog. It just a small crossing of a valley with a small village in it. I usually speed when I go though it It also gives my legs a great workout climbing out of the valley. Kevin Champagnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14861625648797635131noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9124163148682363032.post-74974814536261413532014-07-15T19:04:00.000-07:002014-09-14T20:19:52.560-07:00Yawn, Just another 600 km Bervet.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Yawn, Just another
600 km Bervet.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Not!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>This was not anything but a routine ride.
The ride started to fall apart earlier in the week when our club coordinator
Sam crashed his bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily he was not
hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sam is usually the youngest rider
and only in his third year riding Brevets. He is raising 2 young boys and is
the only income in his family. His frame was bent and a new bike or frame was
not in his budget. Sam is really tall and needed a 64 cm frame. The call went
out on Face Book and a used frame was found by one of our members on Thursday.
A late night was spent with Jasen Carter and his son, and Sam’s bike was whole
again. He would ride Saturday.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6srEp9JX-eYrurhsebYtU9s9Bs-20ZbHuVAGavefq_k2CnE7Op01ViX8Vx5eS-Xq6SNefwi4bJ91fPnnbXaCZ3go8WTvFI_DispSSflxfJRyDuzJ7LcxqFfKbjrozvPxoSjv8grq3IKp-/s1600/2014+600k+Brevet+A1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6srEp9JX-eYrurhsebYtU9s9Bs-20ZbHuVAGavefq_k2CnE7Op01ViX8Vx5eS-Xq6SNefwi4bJ91fPnnbXaCZ3go8WTvFI_DispSSflxfJRyDuzJ7LcxqFfKbjrozvPxoSjv8grq3IKp-/s1600/2014+600k+Brevet+A1.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
good thing Sam got his bike fixed. One member was sick, another was still not
back from a tour, and the weather forecast scared the rest of them off. It was
just Sam and me doing the 600 km. It was a beautiful start. The sun was just
rising in the east, no wind, no clouds and it was about 18C already. We started
southwest to our first control in Carman. I let Sam set the pace. His bike
speedo got damaged in his crash so he did not know his speed. I told him to
travel at what ever felt comfortable. He was doing about 27 KPH. Sam and I are
opposites. He is normally in the back group and I’m out front.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mI3KCIzwdzIQUHrI8JxtJLjUoYEErfeQ0sbqZsGYShnoe1uVN2QGUG3PReU2KFTvWDDIulBzil7Qk5sTfxJ6Sjpakgao-wykl2dvsnhrT9mCDuwlyXurAscDALpeC8ZQmfAKF0worpL0/s1600/2014+600k+Brevet+G.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mI3KCIzwdzIQUHrI8JxtJLjUoYEErfeQ0sbqZsGYShnoe1uVN2QGUG3PReU2KFTvWDDIulBzil7Qk5sTfxJ6Sjpakgao-wykl2dvsnhrT9mCDuwlyXurAscDALpeC8ZQmfAKF0worpL0/s1600/2014+600k+Brevet+G.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise behind us.</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we were
going to complete this ride we must stick together. The ride to the first
control in Carman was about 80 km on flat highways with no wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So far, so good. We left the control at 8:08 am.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IRBnCXhXecfcJvpBaAtX45RiTVJJMH13SXH5RGPQA-pnI9qhXlwRs9OZwEaTiJv0_7c-dlmJJS932IfnFJLGPypX_GZyOiU5EjOccehyXf2MHSNfHVNOhTDOEJGhaIB08z9eb72Ue4rU/s1600/2014+600+km+Brevet+030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IRBnCXhXecfcJvpBaAtX45RiTVJJMH13SXH5RGPQA-pnI9qhXlwRs9OZwEaTiJv0_7c-dlmJJS932IfnFJLGPypX_GZyOiU5EjOccehyXf2MHSNfHVNOhTDOEJGhaIB08z9eb72Ue4rU/s1600/2014+600+km+Brevet+030.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Control - Sam on left</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3SNGynWiOrmkNf9OdocI9zfZ5oEmJlI7717qCrXsyE47LdizKMpZXT7MZ9p2dT8WVOqVr6InI8g7XnCO2C-5OD8VPPKOLHQeBQrk85PzBGnhY1jQXmdawQQJCBhkwAaJZ2mH-F6F2QNU/s1600/2014+600k+Brevet+F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3SNGynWiOrmkNf9OdocI9zfZ5oEmJlI7717qCrXsyE47LdizKMpZXT7MZ9p2dT8WVOqVr6InI8g7XnCO2C-5OD8VPPKOLHQeBQrk85PzBGnhY1jQXmdawQQJCBhkwAaJZ2mH-F6F2QNU/s1600/2014+600k+Brevet+F.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGWT-bkAN5o6ySKyYSXlIAiHmtEoFMlgLvjXu53sTen7jKv0Fz4PF1z4WZ8UlaMuiVW6blQxSEFK-iuNrkznKYI_jkGjcjLpZqL1aK_W0V59ILDaufIJSUkNC3f2QZpsW2SN-m2xPMWGz/s1600/2014+600+km+Brevet+034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGWT-bkAN5o6ySKyYSXlIAiHmtEoFMlgLvjXu53sTen7jKv0Fz4PF1z4WZ8UlaMuiVW6blQxSEFK-iuNrkznKYI_jkGjcjLpZqL1aK_W0V59ILDaufIJSUkNC3f2QZpsW2SN-m2xPMWGz/s1600/2014+600+km+Brevet+034.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went
about 20 k west and the climbing started. A few valleys and hills but mostly
climbing. We continued another 20 km and then turned south heading to our next
control in Manitou. More climbing and we passed a wind farm along the way.
Every time I see these 75 wind turbines I am impressed. Our high
point is passed and it is only 500 meters above where
we started in Winnipeg. Sam is a
better climber than me. I am carrying more weight than him, but if I get a run
or have rolling hills I can keep up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdLMQdzYss1KMcFO84pRcwOwDfKqu0-hbIBXQBHIo785NEgJjuLvlwGCKhLMPaAIo7AM05LQzzaUK5oVhLzWV4LbZp1KcoZx8f3WWcQhfMVkwrpJjoaKmccJ9Hrqm8soWRf_NjqJLkwqr/s1600/2014+600+km+Brevet+046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdLMQdzYss1KMcFO84pRcwOwDfKqu0-hbIBXQBHIo785NEgJjuLvlwGCKhLMPaAIo7AM05LQzzaUK5oVhLzWV4LbZp1KcoZx8f3WWcQhfMVkwrpJjoaKmccJ9Hrqm8soWRf_NjqJLkwqr/s1600/2014+600+km+Brevet+046.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2u3k8yQlR2mb94aoKQsL65BSVf54KlFCTY3HydfOdfmjSGI-h73V8ZQJDHvkUS3F51U8l1u1YMBYe2-ylXED-1bRHN0Ytd2joUmqm12GeI3alAhmTx3VGAqmfcpM1t3yzBHAH57qoaoDT/s1600/2014+600k+Brevet+B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2u3k8yQlR2mb94aoKQsL65BSVf54KlFCTY3HydfOdfmjSGI-h73V8ZQJDHvkUS3F51U8l1u1YMBYe2-ylXED-1bRHN0Ytd2joUmqm12GeI3alAhmTx3VGAqmfcpM1t3yzBHAH57qoaoDT/s1600/2014+600k+Brevet+B.jpg" height="297" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Quest at the high point. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQg32ighrF6Oto1oOqFtP32zGkMGQiWK6lab7FQVioYZTEdoV4CIay419V9Bl_ErWZBfEkmu58TUdvGkTiSFriiqdTEZdTTVIspBruXaQI9DKTPIr0fjCiLGF7gV5_RncJ919gJnEWVM9/s1600/2014+600+km+Brevet+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQg32ighrF6Oto1oOqFtP32zGkMGQiWK6lab7FQVioYZTEdoV4CIay419V9Bl_ErWZBfEkmu58TUdvGkTiSFriiqdTEZdTTVIspBruXaQI9DKTPIr0fjCiLGF7gV5_RncJ919gJnEWVM9/s1600/2014+600+km+Brevet+003.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv66qIgExQ_TKo5f9bHVJzPLHm-FAkaWQqUdzwT-4Wajy_H04-91rng09e899oVCXDGZREULt3zHx5jU9AbKAiOZcd5eAeaO9IT_kd2XepqBTOWfvp2-xKbc5lNH-soyxi9acDeyguL7sr/s1600/2014+600k+Brevet+C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv66qIgExQ_TKo5f9bHVJzPLHm-FAkaWQqUdzwT-4Wajy_H04-91rng09e899oVCXDGZREULt3zHx5jU9AbKAiOZcd5eAeaO9IT_kd2XepqBTOWfvp2-xKbc5lNH-soyxi9acDeyguL7sr/s1600/2014+600k+Brevet+C.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wind Farm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span>We arrived
at our second control in Manitou at noon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just in time for the lunch rush at the Burger
Shack. After we refueled we headed west though a town called La Riviere. It is located
in a valley so I shot some video on the fun down slope Of course I shut off the
camera for the boring grind out of the valley. I am getting faster every time I
do this slope, but lower gearing might help.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrcfCk3eZawCv3ur0JnTFd7TCBiwE3nxyqv5fyH5s7uzvKTOp4DXWZ8kYkMg5uTz9dNqiRdgdNoVWsbYMi2PBkFqsNbmngNa6Q1qz6PhAWrDX1c8scwiYumSdhkaCs0QMsbTI_aHmLXvx/s1600/2014+600+km+Brevet+049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrcfCk3eZawCv3ur0JnTFd7TCBiwE3nxyqv5fyH5s7uzvKTOp4DXWZ8kYkMg5uTz9dNqiRdgdNoVWsbYMi2PBkFqsNbmngNa6Q1qz6PhAWrDX1c8scwiYumSdhkaCs0QMsbTI_aHmLXvx/s1600/2014+600+km+Brevet+049.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9LjwZWf5FIPxij0UtciIES6yZV_ckhqfeTnwHe0gV7ggPq0f39RgDkTpluOtCDyLCjmfCyfz7KFFSruieP9t7rs8lqNjaFymrB7p1UB7K5kjDR-K8_-mZ6k1GiGaXww4hy91KaozFkCa/s1600/2014+600+km+Brevet+050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9LjwZWf5FIPxij0UtciIES6yZV_ckhqfeTnwHe0gV7ggPq0f39RgDkTpluOtCDyLCjmfCyfz7KFFSruieP9t7rs8lqNjaFymrB7p1UB7K5kjDR-K8_-mZ6k1GiGaXww4hy91KaozFkCa/s1600/2014+600+km+Brevet+050.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See the road across the valley that I had to climb. 8%</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From here we were treated to brand
new asphalt that they were working on last week when I did a pre-ride. The bad
news is we now had a bad headwind. When we reached a town called Pilot Mound we
headed North to wards Glenboro. Part way there we ran into a Thunder storm and
got separated. Sam found an open barn on a farm to take shelter in, and I
continued on to the next town. With “DA HOOD” on I stayed dry. I stopped at the
local store and had coffee with the local farmers while I waited for Sam to catch
up. I learned about making Hay that day.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4anBuBIMGb0sKCl7qKpxHUTWWJI0TLKR3_JE3AmXf6C2VxhrG8M6kOOKT3Rm5KGezkAuCuVEaMNZvxU1Qsv8eYFbhvxpApR_MRwl2kyRmMoD-yXZpA__d_DgNzzP9EnhNcGx3nt0kMO7z/s1600/2014+600k+Brevet+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4anBuBIMGb0sKCl7qKpxHUTWWJI0TLKR3_JE3AmXf6C2VxhrG8M6kOOKT3Rm5KGezkAuCuVEaMNZvxU1Qsv8eYFbhvxpApR_MRwl2kyRmMoD-yXZpA__d_DgNzzP9EnhNcGx3nt0kMO7z/s1600/2014+600k+Brevet+A.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The storm approaches.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Supper
was at the control in Glenboro at 6:59
at the 247 km mark. Sam was riding slow as the heavy winds had him riding in
first gear a lot of the way. The wind seemed to change as we changed direction.
Always a head wind. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFnRUf6vb6Qu9hUVhtZtT-bWgMuS_m1V9po724G0Y5LzuPQmghTprWZWz_oqhJCY7QJx9p4qIJTPnUe7_4MInkwR7nUhfGt-rltBIRFrrfTMNCPMtqvtha1IVT3ioNKPDd734qv12moM7/s1600/2014+600+km+Brevet+063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFnRUf6vb6Qu9hUVhtZtT-bWgMuS_m1V9po724G0Y5LzuPQmghTprWZWz_oqhJCY7QJx9p4qIJTPnUe7_4MInkwR7nUhfGt-rltBIRFrrfTMNCPMtqvtha1IVT3ioNKPDd734qv12moM7/s1600/2014+600+km+Brevet+063.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passing by a lake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After we
ate a great meal we headed east to wards Rathwell passing though Holland
Manitoba. By now the wind had died down but
Sam was tired. We got to the next control in Rathwell at 10:52 pm. We were at the 302 k mark there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From
Rathwell we headed south towards Manitou again. We would be climbing some of
the same hills again and passing by the wind farm once more. This time we were
in the dark. Climbing one of the longer slopes in first gear I had the RCMP
pull me over. Flashing lights and everything! I pulled over right away of
course. He asked for my license and registration. I said I didn’t have any as I
was riding a bike. He was wondering why I was going so slow. He thought I might
be an electric vehicle. We talked for a bit and he took a couple of pictures. I
had to start again from a dead stop up the hill.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped
along the way for an hour nap along the road. I brought my cover out and
covered the Quest. I stretched out with my feet in the nose and my blanket over
me. It was a very comfortable nap with no bugs thanks to the cover. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon
waking up we continued on to the town of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Morden. We arrived at the
coffee shop control at 3:45 am. At
this point Sam was falling asleep on his bike so<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we got a motel room to get 3 hours sleep and
a shower. Witha fresh change of shorts and jersey, I felt great. We left into a
strong side wind again and headed north and east to our next control. We
arrived at the town of Rosenort
with only a hour to spare. At this point we had only traveled 464 km. Sam was
dead tired now and called it quits. There was no way he would finish on time.
That and it was starting to rain again. He called his wife to pick him up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I headed
east at a good pace and picked up quite a bit of time despite the pouring rain.
I had four more controls and about 140 km to go. I made it back to the Winnipeg
control at 15:21.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnvuITtDkmeaf9kSvAVWvSIN6OgyVhN_W7oQS0I8EA-KGw-W3iP99scL4bGd0g0JMXMN8CNDUci5qCpyKSe6gFK02b7sUnGHbtw8MOZw0DTxENvblbaoMgv-L13h0pjBcJ_lk-_cJOw9U/s1600/2014+600+km+Brevet+068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnvuITtDkmeaf9kSvAVWvSIN6OgyVhN_W7oQS0I8EA-KGw-W3iP99scL4bGd0g0JMXMN8CNDUci5qCpyKSe6gFK02b7sUnGHbtw8MOZw0DTxENvblbaoMgv-L13h0pjBcJ_lk-_cJOw9U/s1600/2014+600+km+Brevet+068.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last Control!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was one of the
worst weather conditions I have encountered on a Brevet. I stayed dry and still
felt great when I got home. It just proves that the Velomobile with “DA HOOD”
is the best suited bike for these adventures. And despite the weather I still
had FUN… </div>
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<br /></div>
Kevin Champagnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14861625648797635131noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9124163148682363032.post-41933201152892150912014-06-22T16:20:00.001-07:002014-06-22T16:20:12.110-07:00I do 400 km Brevets for FUN...<b>I do 400 km Brevets for FUN...</b><br />
A 4:00 AM start and a weather forecast for a strong South wind made for a small group this time. One of our strong female riders had crashed and broken her collar bone so she had to miss also. Any Wind is not good as we are fairly flat like the Netherlands. WE started with just 4 of us.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTdqV92t2JTJLA6PApr7jofdcqraJhNqsA7EYfUyABid95GcwYtInCrcAKRNJCCbF33KnzAYVqsCi-NdH0SDy4jU2X6wvVHGU4UOf0eg0l4vLQ0SdaqQ-seJQQbamig9Tta1hMN-jiu0x/s1600/10426583_714319831948013_1175479756940327759_n.jpg" height="298" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 AM start.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTdqV92t2JTJLA6PApr7jofdcqraJhNqsA7EYfUyABid95GcwYtInCrcAKRNJCCbF33KnzAYVqsCi-NdH0SDy4jU2X6wvVHGU4UOf0eg0l4vLQ0SdaqQ-seJQQbamig9Tta1hMN-jiu0x/s1600/10426583_714319831948013_1175479756940327759_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">T</a></div>
<br />
The group consisted of 2 recumbents, 1 Quest Velomobile (ME) and my photographer Sam on a road bike. As we rode south we ran into a bit of road construction and I had to slow right down on the loose surface. Then I missed the turn off and rode right past it. Of course Sam had a photo of the event.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4Y0CQys30dWQF_ExTkBdkH4iSJI4u4QxInY1hCK0OpbGmlOULjfOFWfRnv8xkAjvYXduqPRC5yAKhw_x0HuCDSZr3NwjEwA-RQVHehwyenDv8FjQA3HvxGdlBJCBTdFo01PxJUkKTQAB/s1600/10411958_714319858614677_1910885939008790682_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4Y0CQys30dWQF_ExTkBdkH4iSJI4u4QxInY1hCK0OpbGmlOULjfOFWfRnv8xkAjvYXduqPRC5yAKhw_x0HuCDSZr3NwjEwA-RQVHehwyenDv8FjQA3HvxGdlBJCBTdFo01PxJUkKTQAB/s1600/10411958_714319858614677_1910885939008790682_n.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture of me about to miss a turn!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We stopped at our first control for Breakfast. It was a planned stop and we extended it a little bit because of some rain. One of group had a new recumbent and kept on going while we ate. He wasn't too used to it and was a little slower.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipa8Z_Zr18lBLL030ZSI4qA4EHro1f0G6TI7Z9HqvB9FoRUKVFI6gUadoQSE4qllQgFVlMKDkjulkeZAd9x_FVnefUT4dcBUkbTxThGSQlI9ftPXNnWiC65RhyDY1BCi7bdIXcVu5la_oX/s1600/10408867_714319915281338_3816597262679650563_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipa8Z_Zr18lBLL030ZSI4qA4EHro1f0G6TI7Z9HqvB9FoRUKVFI6gUadoQSE4qllQgFVlMKDkjulkeZAd9x_FVnefUT4dcBUkbTxThGSQlI9ftPXNnWiC65RhyDY1BCi7bdIXcVu5la_oX/s1600/10408867_714319915281338_3816597262679650563_n.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How the sky looked at Breakfast time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After breakfast we continued on trying to catch David who kept on going. We never did catch him as he made a wrong turn and went the wrong way. When the sun came out he figured out his error and turned around. He then ran out of water and got heat stroke. He finally stopped at a farm and got water, found a tree to lye down under and went for a 3 hour nap. He made his way home after that and still did 300 km.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxpRhNBQQGqaFIAP1djC6sRcIPlBy0jis6p89VKH9DBOkbRgZchOiGeYWxLjud0-zPuNzPQN6WsyIHYuOlMg0YU5g4lZB37Cd_kvSBZlF_GRpjhoL7kaVc9AZhOp8X3iEnLlQ7AlOwRWz/s1600/10370347_714614471918549_6164434957906890570_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxpRhNBQQGqaFIAP1djC6sRcIPlBy0jis6p89VKH9DBOkbRgZchOiGeYWxLjud0-zPuNzPQN6WsyIHYuOlMg0YU5g4lZB37Cd_kvSBZlF_GRpjhoL7kaVc9AZhOp8X3iEnLlQ7AlOwRWz/s1600/10370347_714614471918549_6164434957906890570_n.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering the US border station.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We crossed the border and headed for Roseau Minnesota USA. for lunch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiJcxFrZ_bw2Abv9R4LZMVgs2qiExBWrZm8m8O_GqIWV7ZFuhgnkVsTEtmYPSqMHMWPU5Y5VHjb4oOHIeMfDyoVTgWWhwPi1y-0gJznR0aEzf9ZhC1knRmmfih1mftWMOo9MZnCV_8Ybb/s1600/10407830_714614428585220_200229840187596909_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiJcxFrZ_bw2Abv9R4LZMVgs2qiExBWrZm8m8O_GqIWV7ZFuhgnkVsTEtmYPSqMHMWPU5Y5VHjb4oOHIeMfDyoVTgWWhwPi1y-0gJznR0aEzf9ZhC1knRmmfih1mftWMOo9MZnCV_8Ybb/s1600/10407830_714614428585220_200229840187596909_n.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the border in the USA.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnowl-qegOavMXjwEKdyY5su2MiqRvrNBBbMCMhXMMIhVDKcImtcnYZAE003sEqrPWeXx3HTwXXESi0Mx7LuJoAJ_iodhNSYEtuEL15MxoFnaBZCw0xchO-CEfl-TB5nP1uCCOv0356vG/s1600/10155600_684036261643037_7061177111997893956_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnowl-qegOavMXjwEKdyY5su2MiqRvrNBBbMCMhXMMIhVDKcImtcnYZAE003sEqrPWeXx3HTwXXESi0Mx7LuJoAJ_iodhNSYEtuEL15MxoFnaBZCw0xchO-CEfl-TB5nP1uCCOv0356vG/s1600/10155600_684036261643037_7061177111997893956_n.jpg" height="352" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our route.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SgM6KpunT-yQg9Y6FYEskzS4It_HiAoWxA8jBgLc3kBEBVyYGaFfwh2x8TdjiKQIm95y2HJ9ee5_RVPDRW9cpE7hT4zks9c57Q-0jxOxbbUigvZ3B_fc0U07KoyCcLaQ_0K9nPG6iyXT/s1600/10501659_714677191912277_4261572442814773123_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SgM6KpunT-yQg9Y6FYEskzS4It_HiAoWxA8jBgLc3kBEBVyYGaFfwh2x8TdjiKQIm95y2HJ9ee5_RVPDRW9cpE7hT4zks9c57Q-0jxOxbbUigvZ3B_fc0U07KoyCcLaQ_0K9nPG6iyXT/s1600/10501659_714677191912277_4261572442814773123_n.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The weather turning stormy.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We had wind and heat to contend with but closer to home storms started to brew. The last stretch was a dash to ride between two storms. I made it without getting wet <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thunderstorm</td></tr>
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They had a severe thunderstorm watch out but we had no choice but to dash home. It was a different type of ride, a challenge but it was FUN... <br /><br />Kevin Champagnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14861625648797635131noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9124163148682363032.post-23488619846263559372014-06-21T01:36:00.000-07:002014-06-21T01:36:08.559-07:00In the News and on TV- The Quest<b>In the News and on TV- The Quest</b><br />
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I have been busy as usual and no time to blog. I have a few minutes before I leave on a 400 km Brevet. Commuter Challenge was a couple of weeks ago and I got interviewed by a TV station. They shot 1/2 hour of video and used the worst 10 seconds of it. Here is the link:<a href="http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid2327383113001?bckey=AQ~~,AAACBlOt5ok~,AlWsmi6xnYPYUmJR_mgJ_EIRQT7EZBtF&bctid=3602937375001" target="_blank">Commuter Challenge </a><br />
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Yesterday was Bike to Work Day and I volunteered at a pit stop instead of working. Another TV station was doing the weather report from there and did the report from inside the Quest. Here is the link for the web page picture with the Quest.<a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/1406528/cycling-enthusiasts-flood-streets-with-events-pit-stops-other-fun/" target="_blank">Global News</a> I had lots of questions about the Quest.<br />
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And now I'm off for 400 km of Fun.<br />
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<br />Kevin Champagnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14861625648797635131noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9124163148682363032.post-19796969711841170092014-06-03T08:40:00.000-07:002014-06-03T08:40:59.212-07:00What is this world coming to?<b>What is this world coming to?</b><br />
When I ride on a Brevet I usually get waved at by passing cars. I get my photo taken by passing cars very often. I even have people stop to ask about the Quest and our ride when we do stop. Everyone is friendly. Canadians for the most part are like that. That's why I was shocked when I heard that a cyclist in another province was shot in the arm while riding his bike in a Brevet.<a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/1367330/cyclist-shot-while-participating-in-cache-creek-600-cycling-event/" target="_blank">Link to news story.</a><b> </b>I also found another story that was shared on our facebook page. <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/craig-premack-b-c-randonneur-cyclist-shot-during-cache-creek-600-1.2661218" target="_blank">Another story with a map too.</a><b> </b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Craig Premack</b></td></tr>
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<b> This is very un Canadian! </b>We pride ourselves as a peaceful country. I hope to post soon that they caught this nut with the gun. I will post any news as I get it. The cyclist will recover, but he should never have had to go though that. Our thoughts and prayers are with him!Kevin Champagnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14861625648797635131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9124163148682363032.post-89457784607728572532014-06-02T17:33:00.000-07:002014-06-02T17:33:28.895-07:00 <b>And Now 300 KM of Wind, Heat and Rain</b><br />
Now it was time for our first 300 km. Brevet. The day started early and we left the start at 6:00 am promptly. We were a small group of only 5 this week. This week Sam took the pictures as I forgot the camera at home.The story of the day was a warm head wind (strong) and lots of heat.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to start.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding into the wind on our flat prairie roads.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great picture by Sam of me. My new profile photo!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving in Vita, our half way point.</td></tr>
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This was close to where we turned back north and had a tail wind finally. The tail wind only lasted 40 km and turned back into a head wind as we rode into some thunder storms.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The storm we riding into.</td></tr>
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We decided to wait out the worst of the storm and stopped for some supper and tire repair.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tire repair while sitting out the storm.</td></tr>
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After the worst part of the storm passed we continued on and the only event was having to wait for a mile long train in the rain.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for a long train in the rain.</td></tr>
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I will have to a box to stand on next time I get my photo taken with these tall guys.A later finish, but we all made it. And as usual I had FUN riding my Quest.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We finished.</td></tr>
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<br />Kevin Champagnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14861625648797635131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9124163148682363032.post-20327517710651818242014-05-26T20:20:00.000-07:002014-05-26T20:20:43.212-07:00200 KM of FUN!<b>200 KM of FUN!</b><br />
Here in our part of Canada our Brevet season starts later in the year than other parts of the world. Our local club the Manitoba Randonneurs, usually has the first Brevet on the first Saturday in May. It was a cold but sunny day with lots of wind. Our second one was a perfect day for a Brevet. Sunny, a little wind and not too hot or cold. Our second Brevet brought out only 9 of us, but only 2 of us had ridden the previous Brevet.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Start at the coffee Shop</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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No Recumbents this time so I rode at the back at the start and let the group find their own pace. Of course I stand out very well being the only Quest Velomobile. The group has given the Quest a name. They call it the Human Powered Banana or H.P.B.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first Control.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm at the back again.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back at the finish.</td></tr>
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I rode with the group until our brunch stop. We ate and then broke into two groups. I rode with the faster group for a while but found the pace too slow. I picked up my pace and I soon found me at the next control ahead of everyone else. I continued on and arrived at the final control which was the coffee shop where we started. I had some coffee and apple pie and answered questions about the Quest for an hour before the first group showed up. I had my best time to date. <a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/497031907" target="_blank">Garmin map and numbers </a><br />
And as always I had lots of FUN...<br />
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<br />Kevin Champagnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14861625648797635131noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9124163148682363032.post-18064452995603619002014-04-24T07:30:00.000-07:002014-04-24T07:30:34.053-07:00What's New?<b>What's New?</b><br />
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I haven't written a blog for a while, so I had to write this one to say I am still alive. Not much happening. It's mostly work, ride and more work. Most of my riding has been on the Trike, as I have been waiting for the Air shock to come back from Risse. I never like to say anything bad about a small company<b> </b>as I know what type of things happen. They haven't returned any emails or phone calls yet as to what is the hold up. I finally called Bluevelo last week and bought a stock shock so I can ride the Quest again Bluevelo shipped it the same day and I was riding again a couple of days later. Thanks Randy and Ray for the great service.<br />
It's been a long winter and as I write this we still have some snow left in the yard to melt. It raining today and that should melt the rest I hope. Then if it ever warms up the yard work will start. And when you have dogs you will know what lurks under all that snow.<br />
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I have been following a blog from down under called <a href="http://rvvelonaut.blogspot.ca/2014/04/day-15-eucla-to-40km-w-nullabor.html" target="_blank">Rotovelo Across Australia</a> . He is hoping to be the first person to cross Australia in a Velomobile. I know I could never afford to do that ride so it's nice to see his pictures. Check it out if you have time.Kevin Champagnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14861625648797635131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9124163148682363032.post-42933351115832192322014-03-12T10:18:00.000-07:002014-03-12T10:18:35.244-07:00More Winter Racing: With the dogs Now!<b>More Winter Racing: With the dogs Now!</b><br />
This last weekend I had a choice of doing two things on Sunday. Either I go racing with the dogs to Kenora or go on the Polar Bear Run with the Monster Trike. Well faith decided it for me. The fuel pump quit Saturday night on the truck and the Monster trike <b> </b>won't fit in the Toyota like the Dog sled does.<br />
So Sunday morning I loaded up the Dog sled in the Toyota and took 2 dogs for the ride. No room for the wife so she stayed home to paint. We traveled two hours east to the town of <a href="https://maps.google.ca/maps?q=Kenora,+ON&hl=en&ll=49.766187,-94.487915&spn=0.510924,0.883026&sll=49.853822,-97.152225&sspn=0.509999,0.883026&oq=Kenora&hnear=Kenora,+Kenora+District,+Ontario&t=m&z=10" target="_blank">Kenora</a> located on Lake of the Woods. The race was held at the local ski hill<a href="http://www.skikenora.com/cc/" target="_blank"> Mt Evergreen</a> on their cross country ski trails.<br />
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Perfect weather for the race on a perfect trail. The trail was only 4 km long but it had lots of curves, uphills and great down hills with tight corners. There were more than a few curves where the sled was touching the bushes or trees as I went by. We had the third fastest time of the day and we were first in our class.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPEmoIpD_snvvNsM6b9_med9Bybz8E2QMKUpybembP1c03yXboIWZ-aRIEj7Dxy94XwFsbRT0_yUpbCoV33XJ7vfQQMMJ-QuJO5VieyCQQjpDRlB6pEPzzVSu9rKesHRBeXwo1Kc9S3_a/s1600/Belle1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPEmoIpD_snvvNsM6b9_med9Bybz8E2QMKUpybembP1c03yXboIWZ-aRIEj7Dxy94XwFsbRT0_yUpbCoV33XJ7vfQQMMJ-QuJO5VieyCQQjpDRlB6pEPzzVSu9rKesHRBeXwo1Kc9S3_a/s1600/Belle1.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made the front page of the local paper.</td></tr>
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I made a video of the run and left in the natural sound. I didn't realize how much I talked to the dogs until I heard my self on it. This is the first edit and I cut it down quite a bit, but it could be shorter. We used a kick sled but we caught up and passed some teams on skis who left a couple of minutes ahead of us. It was a close finish, but time wise we were much faster as we left 2 minutes behind the team that passed us. Here is the link to our <a href="http://youtu.be/lb898YNm_1k" target="_blank">Kenora Race</a> video. The race was also a fund raiser for the local dog rescue. The trails were the best ones we have ever raced on and we really had lots of <b>FUN</b>...Kevin Champagnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14861625648797635131noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9124163148682363032.post-25327342935741411822014-03-01T09:37:00.000-08:002014-03-01T09:37:01.600-08:00My Big Race in the Snow.Well it's been a busy winter and for me it has flown by. For most other people it has been a long cold snowy winter. As I type this out it's -35C outside and I just got back from a dog sled ride with my Huskies. They don't care how cold it is outside, they just like to get out and run. I have to dress for it. Early morning at this temperature there is not many people moving outside.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsQK0G_X1mBpaWF28nul7EsvUYQd-gC450DmT-MSFXLMNf-KWu-BgRHbHdFPBM8H62y-Ac0fCGE5Nn28sH64DoYHjicBaET1fDy6BtX454f1oXtBss-7AdwhwdP_DK9B43VeRgSHHTHcY/s1600/534075_10151988655612263_1415407810_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsQK0G_X1mBpaWF28nul7EsvUYQd-gC450DmT-MSFXLMNf-KWu-BgRHbHdFPBM8H62y-Ac0fCGE5Nn28sH64DoYHjicBaET1fDy6BtX454f1oXtBss-7AdwhwdP_DK9B43VeRgSHHTHcY/s1600/534075_10151988655612263_1415407810_n.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a><br />
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Since January I have been spending a lot of time outside working and riding the Fat tired trike. This year I decided I wanted some challenge in my life and decided to do the Actif Epica Race. I have been pre-riding the race route in parts to learn it. I knew what to expect so I thought. There was almost 70 people who were starting this race on bikes and 20 runners. Yes, as you read this you are thinking who would ride a bike 135 km though the snow, never mind who would be crazy enough to run it. Some of the riders came from far away, from the US and other provinces in Canada. All the runners were local.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvQsNOekyFBx0fppsjiM4DECGeH9ufLyniydc2IC5Jl1yumfJMRmFysllXG7khjyDkiteHJxilo0_854B1dZ-z1oAUFpH_o7QldZZ4nZ9qLt5SxTfGPR0sZUjGdRo-oq8P98p4XIeKNVn/s1600/Actif+Epica+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvQsNOekyFBx0fppsjiM4DECGeH9ufLyniydc2IC5Jl1yumfJMRmFysllXG7khjyDkiteHJxilo0_854B1dZ-z1oAUFpH_o7QldZZ4nZ9qLt5SxTfGPR0sZUjGdRo-oq8P98p4XIeKNVn/s1600/Actif+Epica+2014.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready for the start.</td></tr>
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Now the week before the race we got lots of snow. The trail had a hard crust that was ride able for me before it but that was all different now. In the race there was mostly fat tired bikes and a few mountain bikes. It was about -22C at the early morning start and it warmed up to about -14C later in the day. The runners started at 7:00 am and we started at 8:00 am.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ui3ykEHy2c6VL5zg8SNmDVG149AzIoTWt3JELgzOLNjcG-GBNiX_SJ8D0lH4sPdai9FXQHRi36MCdjBGOhwXv3o0v96pnl0It_hD-tniJ8gdyUhBOdQMB8wTVoFtnrsn47XvkNAtT1mn/s1600/Actif+Epica+2014c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ui3ykEHy2c6VL5zg8SNmDVG149AzIoTWt3JELgzOLNjcG-GBNiX_SJ8D0lH4sPdai9FXQHRi36MCdjBGOhwXv3o0v96pnl0It_hD-tniJ8gdyUhBOdQMB8wTVoFtnrsn47XvkNAtT1mn/s1600/Actif+Epica+2014c.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Start</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtSAJEgCX_yF0sb_ZHMbF6u1506teHs6b99ldScukysG7GKpbFAF5TSpZxSbSDcJsicVv97sGZ-jbr4MSXbwORcqcELThcswW6SsDyrfyc-bmq8jt1NXKOsxnwku5jklNxiilFVTU3QkM/s1600/Actif+Epica+2014d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtSAJEgCX_yF0sb_ZHMbF6u1506teHs6b99ldScukysG7GKpbFAF5TSpZxSbSDcJsicVv97sGZ-jbr4MSXbwORcqcELThcswW6SsDyrfyc-bmq8jt1NXKOsxnwku5jklNxiilFVTU3QkM/s1600/Actif+Epica+2014d.jpg" height="178" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we Go.....</td></tr>
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The race started along some roads, across the frozen snow covered lake at St. Malo and then onto the Crow Wing Trail.<br />
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Now I had ridden the trail in the week previous but on race day the conditions were different. The runners who went before us broke though the crust of snow, and made the first couple of miles not ride able. I had to pull the trike though waist deep snow in some places. It was tough going but I knew if I didn't push it I could do the distance. I was so warm pulling the trike though the snow I made the mistake of taking off my outer jacket. About 5 km later I had to cross an open field and the wind was really starting to pick up. I went to put my jacket on and discovered it was gone. I had to turn around and back track to find it. It was 5 km back where I had taken it off. It was 10 extra km I did. By the first check point there were quite a few cold tired people who dropped out. I was last in, but I wasn't tired or cold. The second section was mostly snow covered gravel roads. It was faster except for a couple snow covered fields I had to pull though. I passed a couple of runners in this section. At the second checkpoint there were more people who dropped out. Not me. I was warm and not tired. I changed my socks as they were damp. Ate more food and away I went. On the third section I had to cross a long section of open field. The wind had really picked up and the snow was really blowing. All the other tracks from the people ahead of me were covered up all ready. It's a good thing I knew where I had to go. It was slow going into this blinding snow. I passed some more people here who looked very tired. I rode down some drifted over mud and gravel roads and made it to the third checkpoint at 7:19 pm. Unfortunately that was 19 minutes late. I missed the cutoff time by 19 minutes. I was out. The hard part of the race was done. At that point I was warm and not tired at all. It was disappointing but it was my own mistake that put me out. I had taken 11 hours and 19 minutes to do 72 really tough km. As they say this is a race where the conditions can really change as you go. I had some really great soup and food and caught a ride home. Next year I will go faster and finish !!!<br />
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One of people who helped out is making a video of the race. Here is a trailer he made. The full video will come later. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yfj0rdtyuo&feature=share&list=UUA5FHmGpMuouAOlM0x2sGMw" target="_blank">Actif Epica Race trailer.</a> <br />
Only 33 cyclists finished out of 69. Only 5 runners out of 20 finished. It was the toughest year so far they said about this race. The important thing to me is I stuck to my plan, ate well, and drank well and came home warm and in good shape. I met some great people and had lots of FUN.... <br />
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<br />Kevin Champagnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14861625648797635131noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9124163148682363032.post-11797389070186090012014-01-26T20:53:00.000-08:002014-01-26T20:53:50.146-08:00The Quest is Down<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The Quest is Down</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">It’s January and it is winter
in </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Winnipeg</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">. There are frozen cars. Massive ruts in the snow
covered roads. Roads that are more slippery than a politician. Broken down
buses. Downed traffic lights. Wind chills of -47. And when it does warm up we
get 10 cm of snow and 70 km winds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to stop riding the Quest.
The shock sticks and has to go back to Riss. Even with the studded tires it has
been hard to drive. I can dress to stay warm at -32 but the roads are too
rutted to ride safely on. I am sending the shock in and I might ride the trike
if the roads improve.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMRM4wheIeV_wEBgy0kc7XLmGKlnD2HAWToqhkcZLUhnw7i8x9tdwL1ELUbogBcgL9bXxqZZ9yADbBRnWE_OfkWT0f-K299oCDbElGLmPRRyqCdMOJclX70aCmDsNo8oORi1Rp5mQ2uXw/s1600/1616630_10152130739184194_1974839165_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMRM4wheIeV_wEBgy0kc7XLmGKlnD2HAWToqhkcZLUhnw7i8x9tdwL1ELUbogBcgL9bXxqZZ9yADbBRnWE_OfkWT0f-K299oCDbElGLmPRRyqCdMOJclX70aCmDsNo8oORi1Rp5mQ2uXw/s1600/1616630_10152130739184194_1974839165_n.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting to start the ride.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span>I have been training on the trike
for the race in February. Pete McAdam of Peterbuilt Bikes machined up another
set of rear drop-offs for it. It now works great. As well as I have laced up
the 3 speed Strumley-Archer hub to the rear wheel. With the 9 speed cassette
and the 3 front chain rings I have 81 ratios to use. The rear hub has a .75, a
1.0 and a 1.25 ratios. I mostly leave it in the 1.0 ratio, but the .75 comes in
handy on some hills. I think this hub would be great on my Quest for the hills,
if one could figure a way to mount it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite the large tires on the
trike I have run into places where I get stuck in the snow. I have found I can
get moving by using my hands on the front wheels like a wheel chair. I call it
3 wheel drive. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I went on a pre-ride on part of the race course. It warmed up to -18C but there was a good wind. It was fun but I had a rear valve leak and had to stop and pump it up several times. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgNf-kPC82rIQque6ka6176BokOX7Ov3DwjJV5eNGd4arNlUjOcIHEs0LGdWR75RDGSEiNX23gpFM2tndn-xJQ02Hf6odZ8i1BFcsMa22Q9o7tploRQ1f6NBjZqRN30k5getbbK3-qkSq/s1600/1616745_10152130739034194_1563329808_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgNf-kPC82rIQque6ka6176BokOX7Ov3DwjJV5eNGd4arNlUjOcIHEs0LGdWR75RDGSEiNX23gpFM2tndn-xJQ02Hf6odZ8i1BFcsMa22Q9o7tploRQ1f6NBjZqRN30k5getbbK3-qkSq/s1600/1616745_10152130739034194_1563329808_n.jpg" height="277" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rough rocky section and a tip over.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I had a tip over in one spot where there were uneven rocks. Nothing hurt just my pride. My friend Gregory C. McNeill took these pictures. More of his pictures can be seen <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/111566998@N06/sets/72157640154003196/" target="_blank">here</a> This was a good test and I have learned a few things and will make some changes before I ride again. The skis I made I didn't have to use. The tires float very well if I have to pull it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mduFx9MIe8OSjIvMmuxS6hn7qkOZUdoOZ3gT7Nd5rhgZO9HQb8QW4hbbvUOUPWfdIw2CTiINx0yL-5ahLMux_dr8auQdzrUcrD8AGGCmeiP5v0Ulnwwl7OJ5F60Bgl6vkOS0bdqcuXQW/s1600/912553_10152130738854194_549502303_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mduFx9MIe8OSjIvMmuxS6hn7qkOZUdoOZ3gT7Nd5rhgZO9HQb8QW4hbbvUOUPWfdIw2CTiINx0yL-5ahLMux_dr8auQdzrUcrD8AGGCmeiP5v0Ulnwwl7OJ5F60Bgl6vkOS0bdqcuXQW/s1600/912553_10152130738854194_549502303_n.jpg" height="306" width="320" /> </a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">I don't think they are worth hauling the extra weight around. More commuting and testing before the big race on February 15th. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEFrNQBp_tRWX_nGOrwGn-z-P48WxRnfH13pOVAbm0x-X5WADr8PjjLKJQTHuHNk_IgueraFVLW1SIlhNIFF3uaoNtGxd8hUJR4l0cuZz9ddoZHUp9gAI1_8ZnkLwWDY__1c-AEcwI4_DZ/s1600/Epica+pre-ride+2014+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEFrNQBp_tRWX_nGOrwGn-z-P48WxRnfH13pOVAbm0x-X5WADr8PjjLKJQTHuHNk_IgueraFVLW1SIlhNIFF3uaoNtGxd8hUJR4l0cuZz9ddoZHUp9gAI1_8ZnkLwWDY__1c-AEcwI4_DZ/s1600/Epica+pre-ride+2014+001.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Until next time keep warm and have FUN.....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieH8jGsCM7lwZ_FJh-68I-375yO3uAvwhzbea8eYYa4KlSFD3myyPO8ZWAD11eY56t87ng_HdYdPQpsjoIaUB29cWp_juOa3dEbB5rTFER4OuC-1Y9IUoPtkJPv0D1qsJjbKueXyVxOrlz/s1600/Epica+pre-ride+2014+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieH8jGsCM7lwZ_FJh-68I-375yO3uAvwhzbea8eYYa4KlSFD3myyPO8ZWAD11eY56t87ng_HdYdPQpsjoIaUB29cWp_juOa3dEbB5rTFER4OuC-1Y9IUoPtkJPv0D1qsJjbKueXyVxOrlz/s1600/Epica+pre-ride+2014+011.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
Kevin Champagnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14861625648797635131noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9124163148682363032.post-31110615220325258572013-12-05T12:17:00.001-08:002013-12-05T12:17:47.023-08:00The First Year with My Quest XS!<b>The First Year with My Quest XS!</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCj-9mKHTVh35YoUdD6mDEf_HvkFOnwcLxSofa-MSzLCoNFym92LvpGqNHqkaG3Xfl05wEDOC4zGyiTEyWQtAYqEVWUQOFdZLn7nOXUY08o7j8fBKJjzuMuIppVZeGFilK206MIfCGWIH/s1600/April172013+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCj-9mKHTVh35YoUdD6mDEf_HvkFOnwcLxSofa-MSzLCoNFym92LvpGqNHqkaG3Xfl05wEDOC4zGyiTEyWQtAYqEVWUQOFdZLn7nOXUY08o7j8fBKJjzuMuIppVZeGFilK206MIfCGWIH/s1600/April172013+023.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along the Frozen Red River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b> </b>December 01, 2012 I got to unpack a crate containing my new Quest XS. It had been a long wait. Now a year later I look back and think what a great ride I have been on. There have been a lot of fun km's ridden this first year. In fact it's the most distance I have ever done in one year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDfDizSsBUIDlDNkSBB6G-WeJQxA_YkbJQlu_KNYNrOjhKUPt1v4cM6pJM-koCCyaZkuiph6jNiGyeM7WTCGT5rblZo2pGOQVnfbOETC4OB33nk5A0elUbV6vfrFKWsoTzIHa7IbRN_RK/s1600/Dec032013+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDfDizSsBUIDlDNkSBB6G-WeJQxA_YkbJQlu_KNYNrOjhKUPt1v4cM6pJM-koCCyaZkuiph6jNiGyeM7WTCGT5rblZo2pGOQVnfbOETC4OB33nk5A0elUbV6vfrFKWsoTzIHa7IbRN_RK/s1600/Dec032013+004.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I have to say it's the best money I have ever spent. The year has been full of a lot of firsts for me. Thanks to the Quest, I have finished my first 400 km Brevet and my first 600 km Brevet. I have gone from being the old guy that finishes last to the guy that can finish an hour ahead of everyone else in a 200 km Brevet. My picture has appeared in 3 newspapers that I know about. I still get my picture taken every time I ride. I no longer look at the wind forecast, I just ride to work anyway. The list goes on and on. It's been a great first year. The most important thing is I have had FUN...Kevin Champagnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14861625648797635131noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9124163148682363032.post-84170884553214122312013-11-23T20:52:00.000-08:002013-11-23T20:52:42.464-08:00Crazy Winter FUN!!!<b>Crazy Winter FUN!!!</b><br />
Well as a Canadian I am not the most crazy person around these parts. This year in the Quest I have dine some long rides. And it's been a real fun time for sure. My fitness level is better for all the extra km I have ridden this year. The snow is here but that won't stop the Quest. Bring on winter, I'm ready!<br />
With those words said, my fellow rider said to me: "You should race that Quest this winter!"<br />
And I replied: "What race would take me?"<br />
Pete said: " The Actif Epica. "<br />
"It's a 135 km endurance event with no bike rules."<br />
"It takes place in February. I ran a Recumbent in it in 2012." <br />
Well that sound great to me. No bike rules! Well I checked it out. Most of it runs on roads and bike trails, but some of doesn't. Part of it runs on a snowmobile trail. How did he run a recumbent? This is how!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjve-smkBjy5gFSuuI3KNiuIC7szxJUOASyttW_iwyE-xDOiz33rDciiacNvXjHy3OivFemGyTDmVepknkCi_qP6zjJ7rlqIDwpdfv23RHhBzNlsj1V9LTSYN7B8B6py2HU5sJ8WDBxHkxS/s1600/Monster+Fat+Bent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjve-smkBjy5gFSuuI3KNiuIC7szxJUOASyttW_iwyE-xDOiz33rDciiacNvXjHy3OivFemGyTDmVepknkCi_qP6zjJ7rlqIDwpdfv23RHhBzNlsj1V9LTSYN7B8B6py2HU5sJ8WDBxHkxS/s1600/Monster+Fat+Bent.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monster Recumbent of Pete Mc Adam.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I checked out the rules on the website. <a href="http://actifepi.ca/the-race/race-bible/" target="_blank">Actif Epica 2013 site.</a> and sure enough I could run the Quest in it if I was crazy. Well I'm not quite that crazy. The real crazy people are those who run the race instead of riding. I found a video on YouTube about the race and that made me think.<br />
Here is a link to the Video: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxSQqxoswfg" target="_blank">Actif Epica 2012</a>. I could do it but not in a Quest. You need a bike that you could carry or drag though the deep snow but could be fast on the roads. Something that could handle the rough trails. So I got on the internet and this is what I bought myself for Christmas.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUZtHWkA8rQV0MB778jEwMnJRTp-uZE2oLCZfpPy7y728C6DqK-7maVy2XD13B-ZRX9OV_25FpZU2cdg2cETZiSCQdxx5vPxssrKJ9bnKjaMFNndvtSguuqVzxxhRTCfHbqQrE31hdeol/s1600/Trike1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUZtHWkA8rQV0MB778jEwMnJRTp-uZE2oLCZfpPy7y728C6DqK-7maVy2XD13B-ZRX9OV_25FpZU2cdg2cETZiSCQdxx5vPxssrKJ9bnKjaMFNndvtSguuqVzxxhRTCfHbqQrE31hdeol/s1600/Trike1.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
The Trike was built for me with some extra changes. Larger front wheels for the off road portions of the race.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdoUMfE9J0isudp17uKfu9cAXwZSB9yNIifYaFBMb8bkoh0ZLjnfwBYrVfkK_5YKM5aZu4m1zGZNc9-aFO_yixJum7q6Pkxot00bGa7runWpNEhaw-_nXVo_2S86lirgPSX0FpLFoU9bj/s1600/Trike+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdoUMfE9J0isudp17uKfu9cAXwZSB9yNIifYaFBMb8bkoh0ZLjnfwBYrVfkK_5YKM5aZu4m1zGZNc9-aFO_yixJum7q6Pkxot00bGa7runWpNEhaw-_nXVo_2S86lirgPSX0FpLFoU9bj/s1600/Trike+2.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
Notice the two twist shifters for the 9 speed cassette and the triple up front. There is also a small shifter on the left bar for the extra 3 speeds in the SA hub. This setup would give you 81 possible ratios. Of course some would be duplicates. But this gives me some really low gearing to push the bigger rear tire I want to run for the race. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4U-cgDsCUzLbj2ZYSx0TtZSluqsPLwP4TCwkXgdeVisbD-DAh2ZWW-8synMp3EWJeZFsfcd8M2EMMjOc_qvDv4cTLq5fIy54tXPKyMhluwzr5-6DywiTrNwtnprU6wyN7kc8X_Pvij8au/s1600/Trike+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4U-cgDsCUzLbj2ZYSx0TtZSluqsPLwP4TCwkXgdeVisbD-DAh2ZWW-8synMp3EWJeZFsfcd8M2EMMjOc_qvDv4cTLq5fIy54tXPKyMhluwzr5-6DywiTrNwtnprU6wyN7kc8X_Pvij8au/s1600/Trike+3.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
Now you will also notice the rear wheel has a brake on it. Well in a race with no rules why can't I build some skis to put on the front wheels for when I have to run on snow. Of course with skis on the front I need a rear brake to stop. The bike is being shipped right now so it won't get here for at least a week. That gives me a couple of months to modify and test every thing. I have to also mount a rack to carry the skis and other stuff I need for the race. I will report as this crazy project goes on.<br />
<br />
<br />
Kevin Champagnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14861625648797635131noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9124163148682363032.post-54716319605995205552013-11-22T12:40:00.000-08:002013-11-22T12:40:06.969-08:00Snow, Snow Tires,and Winter shoes<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMVqM8YjTh8fyBVi5FH9e2jdGeKNRfP7Wu4k15qKG3BL4J11SH4WDhTsG6HooD6Q8C8oUJjg9djgOHbKAyxmAMyJ0jn5phBdzAB_KE_rUNo7k0eoEM32Ra6nbuV0CZueQMn8i2mQqK7Rm/s1600/Nov222013+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMVqM8YjTh8fyBVi5FH9e2jdGeKNRfP7Wu4k15qKG3BL4J11SH4WDhTsG6HooD6Q8C8oUJjg9djgOHbKAyxmAMyJ0jn5phBdzAB_KE_rUNo7k0eoEM32Ra6nbuV0CZueQMn8i2mQqK7Rm/s1600/Nov222013+007.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a>This week the snow came to stay. Monday was the start of my
winter cycling. I say it was the start because it was the first day commuting
on the studded snow tires. With the heavy tires I am slower and working harder.
I also find the noise from the tires is very high now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The good side is I am getting more exercise
and the legs should get stronger.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After
reading about <a href="http://a3manh.blogspot.ca/2013/11/crash.html" target="_blank">Adri's Crash</a> , it reminded me of my crash last winter. I was
lucky as the snow bank was softer than what Adri encountered..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <a href="http://myquestforfun1.blogspot.ca/2013/02/slow-down.html" target="_blank">Slow DOWN!</a></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never to repeat that, I am trying to
drive slower.</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span> </span>Even
though Adri and I have an ocean between us, unknowing, we have both bought new
winter cycling shoes to test this winter.. The shoes are Celius Artic GTX and
today was the first ride for me with them. It was -14C this morning and I found
the shoes warm with just one pair of this wool socks. I will have to adjust the
bottom bracket as the shoes are thicker than my summer shoes. I also found the
adjustment cord too long and it has to be tucked under the Velcro. The
important thing is they are warm so far. I will post more on these shoes as the
winter goes on. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrp0R1O2oThTs6iO3uwSlpDxppa6_nfRJ5mTgCQAN1KhI6DDz7Q8jblzUfoKe4pBFd9jXczFA2x9gd4ZtPA-6HdYd4WEmygDHujR4z9ZgMlaRG_RLaEIyvfh19CuC0MQNVaqK81Y9vlInV/s1600/Northwave-Celsius-Arctic-GTX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrp0R1O2oThTs6iO3uwSlpDxppa6_nfRJ5mTgCQAN1KhI6DDz7Q8jblzUfoKe4pBFd9jXczFA2x9gd4ZtPA-6HdYd4WEmygDHujR4z9ZgMlaRG_RLaEIyvfh19CuC0MQNVaqK81Y9vlInV/s1600/Northwave-Celsius-Arctic-GTX.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></div>
For a few months now I have been putting in some long hours at work. The Quest seems to only get ridden in the dark lately. There has not been much time for fun, just work. But now that winter is here the fun should begin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> There may even be some racing for the Quest this winter. There will be some dog sled races too. T</span>onight
I will hook up the Huskies and we get a dog sled run in. That’s another way for
us to get some more winter FUN…
Kevin Champagnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14861625648797635131noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9124163148682363032.post-3886240898890908622013-11-06T14:26:00.000-08:002013-11-06T14:26:07.242-08:00Dogs, Polar Bears, Tundra Buggys and Snow<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OzW7-4hjJSKjgpWiIQet7X07tFxVzhFZPHpJjYFF9qVrO9_-ID5Q3QufxjYnsT3C1I8ymYbXDi2d07HXPfFrX_WGkKroN6oq2Z5lJ322W9ZWPfVhFKqWPFirDSFbL2t-YFk1uy_MFQ_E/s1600/iTundra+buggy+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OzW7-4hjJSKjgpWiIQet7X07tFxVzhFZPHpJjYFF9qVrO9_-ID5Q3QufxjYnsT3C1I8ymYbXDi2d07HXPfFrX_WGkKroN6oq2Z5lJ322W9ZWPfVhFKqWPFirDSFbL2t-YFk1uy_MFQ_E/s1600/iTundra+buggy+4.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
It's winter up north. In the north part of our province of Manitoba winter has arrived. Down south where I live there is no snow yet. Some friends just returned from a visit to the northern community of Churchill. To get to Churchill from where we live in Winnipeg, you either have to fly or spend a couple of days on a slow moving train. Churchill is Manitoba's only port and a lot of grain is shipped out of there. The season is short because of ice conditions.<br />
Being sled dog owners they had to check out the local sled dogs. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD46rxHjph3uVD2d_oEZLvl5Hp1YIE4h7rLRZuSohaZ83_oVi5srVbJMwqZQJV3ps56Ohs1IUI5VplmsbhSP_P47ccaYBwjddSitdlbQ4AD37gazoLOUWFFnHBAtb4JH5SHEhZw3DCN7iS/s1600/Churchill+dog+sled..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD46rxHjph3uVD2d_oEZLvl5Hp1YIE4h7rLRZuSohaZ83_oVi5srVbJMwqZQJV3ps56Ohs1IUI5VplmsbhSP_P47ccaYBwjddSitdlbQ4AD37gazoLOUWFFnHBAtb4JH5SHEhZw3DCN7iS/s320/Churchill+dog+sled..jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sled dogs in action.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitU0n4rHIQ0t68kStl0BDB3J29WLjQLeSGIQJZGeAuMYTqwhcdNzi8ftC4zCe46DIBVGYiN8HcIJw6gzuQRxr0ztgoYlAHSJs6hQWN9oUEn3xhwrBJgSDNImFZFzBGvudW63qBz69QOEEy/s1600/Churchill+winter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitU0n4rHIQ0t68kStl0BDB3J29WLjQLeSGIQJZGeAuMYTqwhcdNzi8ftC4zCe46DIBVGYiN8HcIJw6gzuQRxr0ztgoYlAHSJs6hQWN9oUEn3xhwrBJgSDNImFZFzBGvudW63qBz69QOEEy/s320/Churchill+winter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Polar bears congregate every year along the shores of the bay, waiting for the freeze up and to feed on ringed seals. The safest way to see these large bears is from a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tundra_Buggy" target="_blank">Tundra Buggy</a> . Our friends went on a tour and got to see these bears up close from a Tundra Buggy. The average Polar Bear is about 8 to 10 feet tall standing on it's hind legs. For that reason the Tunda Buggy has very large tires and is built very tall. Most Tundra Buggies are 4, 6 or even 8 wheel drive. The latest Tundra Buggy was built is Winnipeg and shipped by train to Churchill. Check out the link for more Tundra Buggy information..<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMMJoKOAvEaxohKqULqtnEKTRdZxqxdmENwq8oTA6J37XrFShAykUIlf-yGB5LdS0qbdcF9tSPnMwEtFv0-DB2fvjXsg7jRLwK4kCIg8LoWDAwHhtAdzVzluaAb0aDekimMCrE8EaqqbY/s1600/iTundra+buggy+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMMJoKOAvEaxohKqULqtnEKTRdZxqxdmENwq8oTA6J37XrFShAykUIlf-yGB5LdS0qbdcF9tSPnMwEtFv0-DB2fvjXsg7jRLwK4kCIg8LoWDAwHhtAdzVzluaAb0aDekimMCrE8EaqqbY/s320/iTundra+buggy+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTlVJ0gKeA4BIBIc_TJP2GbS5Tfm3X0bi96leyx29lXG0jzhJs5Pe39ICNwNpqUBho6KJFGtxzWJhIvTg-XegOqf6mCkIAUh3wkkFRKHAGLGyHwisebC4p-R7BxRTaNu78MayzyyUkwDN/s1600/Tundra_buggy3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTlVJ0gKeA4BIBIc_TJP2GbS5Tfm3X0bi96leyx29lXG0jzhJs5Pe39ICNwNpqUBho6KJFGtxzWJhIvTg-XegOqf6mCkIAUh3wkkFRKHAGLGyHwisebC4p-R7BxRTaNu78MayzyyUkwDN/s320/Tundra_buggy3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-K4bIAKWMf-4wWUfnIsUYYfgQtcYLPU8si5Lzet5uHbVpLfx9hDVhZ7KGPGQ55XVFUwX2LvugxC5c-7JH_Rr7qSZqiD-wUfqg3E_qZjdle8HX6k1GM9QmzhTryVgwcpcCMZhyUVGxEcR/s1600/tundra-buggy-polar-bear-tours.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-K4bIAKWMf-4wWUfnIsUYYfgQtcYLPU8si5Lzet5uHbVpLfx9hDVhZ7KGPGQ55XVFUwX2LvugxC5c-7JH_Rr7qSZqiD-wUfqg3E_qZjdle8HX6k1GM9QmzhTryVgwcpcCMZhyUVGxEcR/s320/tundra-buggy-polar-bear-tours.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The bears in the pictures don't look very big or dangerous but they are. They are not something I would want to meet riding my Velomobile. Fortunately they don't migrate down south where we live. In the town of Churchill they have an alert system and armed conservation officers to handle any bears that might stray into town. <br />
It's getting cooler out and in a weird way I am kind of looking forward to some winter fun in my Quest and with the dog sled. It makes the winter go by faster if you are having FUN....<br />
<br />Kevin Champagnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14861625648797635131noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9124163148682363032.post-14866984833743033442013-10-24T08:17:00.000-07:002013-10-24T08:17:53.447-07:00Winter is Coming<b>Winter is coming!</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKsD9WgcdQ-NjE8DVrHw3Z19Dh9wNNlwOw9MT7IVtBtZCJct4nE4Z-vUmtJJyQKgpRMe-ACvqw7Ft_TkBt-9hL1CJmrfRyjbuveHrhoUG5796LwkwRbhToSlfOaL2zdQCVZTrmYO8aAWZ/s1600/Snow+Warning+Oct+23,2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKsD9WgcdQ-NjE8DVrHw3Z19Dh9wNNlwOw9MT7IVtBtZCJct4nE4Z-vUmtJJyQKgpRMe-ACvqw7Ft_TkBt-9hL1CJmrfRyjbuveHrhoUG5796LwkwRbhToSlfOaL2zdQCVZTrmYO8aAWZ/s400/Snow+Warning+Oct+23,2013.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
We had some snow this morning on my commute into work. It melted as soon as it hit the road, but at -3C it looked white in the lights. Snow warning of 25 cm for an area north of our city for tomorrow. If stays to the north by the lakes all is good. If it changes direction, I will have to get the snow tires and the dog sled out of the shop attic. <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
. I have to say its too early for the snow to stay. The ground is not cold
enough yet.<br />
With "Da
Hood" I can still commute to work is a pair of shorts and a cycling Jersey
at -3C. The Durano tires are doing great so far with no flats yet. I have over
4000 km so far on this second set and they wearing better than the first set. I
already have 4 new front tires and 2 new rear tires for next year in my shop.
Now I wonder if they will last until Winter gets here...<br />
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Kevin Champagnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14861625648797635131noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9124163148682363032.post-22312018132075921602013-10-15T12:48:00.000-07:002013-10-15T18:30:36.573-07:00Freedom Trike<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maurice and his Freedom Trike</td></tr>
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<br />
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Freedom Trike.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This blog is about someone else today. This blog is about a
recumbent Trike instead of a Velomobile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Most of us reading this blog take our personal freedom for granted. When
we want to do something, we just go out and do it. When we want to go somewhere
we just get up and go. This is not the case for people in wheel chairs. They
must have someone else take them places or travel by bus. This limits them as
to what time they go or where they go. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I met Maurice
this summer on my way home, one nice sunny afternoon. He had his trike loaded
with bags, lights and a bright flag. He explained he lives in the same area as
I did and was on his way back from the Fort
Whyte center. Up until this spring
when he got his trike, he was wheel chair bound. Now he is building up his legs
and going further and to places he could not go before. And going when he wants
to go. But taking off his front fenders he can take his Trike right into his
apartment. He stores it in his living room. He has been on two of the rides
with the recumbent group that I have been on. Both times he traveled the
furthest to get there. Maurice<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>has shot
a couple of videos showing how he goes from wheelchair to his trike, and on to
the great outdoors.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://youtu.be/UBs9H7xhD1E" target="_blank">Getting Out</a> </div>
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</div>
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The second video is his trip to the store to buy food. He
rides right into the store with his trike where the store gives him an electric
scooter to shop with. This is all stuff we do without thinking. I have to
admire him for his new independence. He is a great example to all of us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://youtu.be/aRlqrctVCws" target="_blank">On the trail</a></div>
Kevin Champagnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14861625648797635131noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9124163148682363032.post-87673546409597497072013-09-25T12:06:00.000-07:002013-09-25T12:06:22.996-07:00The Power of Social Media!<b>The Power of Social Media!</b><br />
<b> Not much to blog about, and even less time to do it! Two events in social media to write about. The first was news on facebook about the police sending a bylaw amendment to city council. The amendment was to require groups of 10 of more cyclists to take out a parade permit. This was to allow cyclists to have parades as they were left out of past parades because of the wording of the old bylaw. This wording was worse as it would effect club or group rides as well as parades. The protest spread like wildfire over social media. By the next morning city council had taken to social media to say they were rejecting the amendment and sending it to review for proper wording. It was a quick victory for cyclists.</b><br />
<b> The second was strange. I had several emails and facebook messages that the CBC radio was looking for me. It was mentioned on live radio and on their Facebook page. It almost reads like a UFO sighting.</b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CBCInformationRadio/posts/653590377998519" target="_blank">CBC Radio Facebook page</a> </b><br />
<h5 class="_6nl" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}">
<span class="fwb"><a class="profileLink" data-ft="{"tn":"k"}" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=200362893321272" href="https://www.facebook.com/CBCInformationRadio" id="js_38">CBC Manitoba Information Radio</a></span></h5>
<div class="_6a uiPopover _dxr" id="u_jsonp_4_2">
<a class="_5kan _p" data-ft="{"tn":"p"}" href="https://www.facebook.com/CBCInformationRadio/posts/653590377998519#" id="u_jsonp_4_4" rel="toggle" role="button"><i class="_dxs img sp_8bhs1s sx_cb5ca6" title="Options for this story"><u>Options for this story</u></i></a></div>
<div class="_6nm userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">
<div class="userContent">
Bright
yellow, looks like a bobsled, driver wears goggles, spotted on Winnipeg
streets. Does anyone know what the story behind this vehicle is? Our
traffic guy is enamoured...</div>
<div class="userContent">
</div>
<div class="userContent">
I left a comment, so I will follow this up in my next blog. </div>
</div>
Kevin Champagnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14861625648797635131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9124163148682363032.post-15358177731729259142013-08-30T20:30:00.000-07:002013-08-30T20:30:19.315-07:00I Finally Did It !!!!<b>I Finally Did It !!!!</b><br />
When I got my Quest XS I was told it takes about 1000 miles to get your Velomobile legs. And I soon discovered I was using different muscles than I did on my recumbents. But I slowly got faster as time went on. Now I am so much faster than the other groups I ride with. I just go along to enjoy the company. It's when I ride by myself that I get to push myself. Every day I do some <b>S</b>pecial <b>H</b>igh <b>I</b>ntensity <b>T</b>raining. <b>(S.H.I.T.). </b>On one stretch of flat road I do it and my maximum speed get faster. My goal was to hit 60 kph on that <b>(S.H.I.T.). </b>This week I hit 67 kph. Now after hitting that speed my legs felt like butter the rest of the way home. The conditions were no wind and 32C. and no tour cap. I am now going to push for 70 kph but that might require more <b>(S.H.I.T.) </b>and the tour cap. Most people that see me think I have an electric motor because of the speed I am now going. They are quite surprised to find out I am the motor. My afternoon/evening route has lots of stops so the average speed is not as good as my morning commute. But Now I can say my commute is lots of <b>FUN! </b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/366868420" target="_blank"> My Garmin link to my new personal record.</a></b> Kevin Champagnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14861625648797635131noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9124163148682363032.post-77075452299638849212013-08-26T09:28:00.001-07:002013-08-26T09:28:09.806-07:00Relaxing 200 Km for FUN!<b>Relaxing 200 Km for FUN!</b><br />
On Saturday our club had our last Brevet of the year. It's a 200 km and we typically have some new people come out and try it. This year that was the case. We also had some people who used to ride Brevets come out this year too. It was a large group this time. My plan was to stay with the group until we ate lunch and then go at my regular cruising speed (40 to 45 kph) until I finished. I noticed a small group of riders falling back after about 50 km. I turned around to check things out. It turned out some of them were just doing a 100 km ride and heading back. Two ladies were going on to do their first 200 km. They brought food with them and their plan was to ride steady, eat on the bikes and finish. At this point I decided to play tour guide and help them finish. Neither one had ridden more than a100 km ride this year. They couldn't draft off me of course so I just rode along side them to make sure they went the right way. They rode at a steady pace and we arrived at the lunch stop just as the group was heading out after their lunches. The ladies carried on determined to finish. The pace was easy but he temperature was hot. It was a strong wind from the south which was not good for some of the ride for these ladies. For me I was having trouble keeping my heart rate over 100 and staying awake. My Mp3 player quit so I had no Music either.<br />
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They carried on and I made sure they didn't get lost or miss any turns. We got into a rain shower before we finished but it felt good to them so they just kept on ridding. They finished and I turned in my slowest time ever. It was worth it to see how happy they were to complete their first Brevet.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two happy finishers!</td></tr>
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Next spring they will be back because they had FUN....Kevin Champagnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14861625648797635131noreply@blogger.com5