St. Georges, Quebec. Well Christian did it, he's won his first national championship as an elite at only 23yrs of age. Just like Cam did last year. Today's race was pretty intense, as we suspected it would be. It was a large field and a relatively short course at only 9.8km around with a steep hard climb each lap.

This was the same course we did on stage 5 in the Tour de Beauce, so we knew it well. We were very worried about the course, but it was also very suited to our abilities. With the heat and the distance though… you never know what is going to happen. The plan in races like this is really kind of simple-you do what you can, work the numbers. (more…)

Tour de Beauce - stage 3. The stage that inspires the most oohs and ahhs of fear in la Beauce is without a doubt Mont Megantic. Wether or not this beast of a mountain deserves its rep in recent years though is in doubt. Biking has changed a lot since the 90s… and more and more it seems the strong TT men can climb with the waife like climbers. (more…)

Here's a one minute one question interview with Jake and Pinner. The question - What's the non-bike thing you don't leave home without when you go to a race and why? (more…)

Every Reaction…

I thought I'd write about my best ride of the year in 2007. It wasn't at a race. In fact that's usually how it works isn't it? 365 days in a year and less than a hundred days of racing. So it's quite likely that those special rides are when you're all alone, averaging 40kph with your mouth closed and peaking like there's no tomorrow. Mine was one of those days.

It was a Thursday after BC Superweek. The team had just finished a nice little run at Nationals where Cam won the jersey and Randell was 2nd. And Superweek itself was a great success overall. It was good to be back home and the weather was perfect for my favourite ride: The Bridge of the Gods. The Bridge of the Gods is an actual bridge located east of Portland that crosses the Columbia River. It's great to travel over on a bike because it's a metal grate, which is see-through way down to the river below. At first, it was a bit nerve-wracking to look down, but I've since become accustomed to the floating feeling. The journey out there is mostly along another river on the Washington side, the Washougal. Then I drop down to the 14 highway and take that to the Bridge. Once I cross over, the ride becomes even more majestic with a 10km stretch of bike path that is the old Scenic Highway through the trees. This stretch was abandoned after the I-84 plowed its way through to make way for progress. But the rest of the Scenic Highway is still intact as it meanders past 6 different waterfalls, including the famous Multnomah. I am so lucky. Eventually, I climb up to one more viewpoint and then drop down towards Portland once again. On a good day, the ride takes about 5 hours 15 to 5 hours 30.

On this particular Thursday, I had no intention of riding hard. I was taking it easy after the long stint of racing. But the Bridge was calling, so why not ride easy, but for 6 hours? However, after about an hour, I found myself rolling along effortlessly up the false-flat beside the Washougal at a steady 35kph. Usually, that takes a bit of effort to sustain and usually when I'm training hard, I try to hold that pace to the top, which takes about 45 minutes. The false flat came and went and I crested easily. On any other day, I would struggle along the 14 until stopping for a snack at the Chevron. And then hopefully, I'd recover later in order to get home on the Oregon side with some remaining dignity. I motored right past the Chevron and was now on a mission to see just how long I could ride tempo. I couldn't deny my legs a chance to show off. I crossed the Bridge well ahead of my best schedules and entered the bike path. Sections I usually coast down were now fraught with peril as I railed the corners. The path itself seemed eerily missing of any climbing sections. I was quickly onto the Scenic Highway and zipped past all of the waterfalls. No time to look today. I'm on a bike ride. My final test was the climb up to Crown Point. Small ring? No. Let's set a new best time instead.

The ride was absolutely splendid and my average speed was a thing of beauty. Riding through town I was concerned that it might drop at the lights, so I kept drilling it to keep it high and to get home in 5 hours. Finally, nearing home I was racing down 92nd Ave. A number of cars were stopped waiting for a light change. But one car had left a gap for an oncoming vehicle to turn left into a parking lot. Suddenly it was right in front of me. No time to stop. Kaboom! 2 seconds later, there I stood, clipped out of one pedal. I was not lying on the ground. I was not broken. I was just standing there. The vehicle was an old wagon from the 60's: the kind that was made from a single piece of iron. Not a scratch. I spun my Shimano front wheel. It was perfectly true. My Maxxis tire was not flat. My Ritchey fork was not snapped. My Norco frame was not buckled. Absolutely nothing had happened from an impact at 35kph. If every reaction has an equal and opposite reaction, where was it? During my bike inspection the driver of the car had left the scene. Oh well, I figured. Everything is all right. What a marvelous day.

A few days later, I ventured out on another one of my favourite routes: east again but through some splendid valleys. Tree-lined roads everywhere. The snap I had in the legs wasn't really there. Perhaps it was the 100-degree heat. I tend to leave kind of late nowadays seeing as I ride alone. There is little incentive to be out the door at 8 am. The next day, after loafing about yet again, checking and re-checking the internet and watching Frasier, I headed out at high noon. It was already over 100 degrees. The Bridge was calling once more. I started the journey much like the last time, rolling along nice and steady up the Washougal. But this time, the lights went out at about halfway. I crested and noticed I was perhaps 10+ minutes slower than usual. The 14 was unforgiving, with new climbs I'd never noticed before. The Chevron couldn't come too soon. The Snickers didn't really satisfy me. I don't think I bothered to look down when I crossed the Bridge. The bike path was a brief respite from the incessant heat and once on the Scenic Highway, I stopped for water for the 3rd time. At every waterfall, people were really laughing it up and enjoying themselves. Hooray for summer! I hated them. No big ring up to Crown Point this time. I struggled the rest of the way, stopping for water twice more and finally arriving home after 6 hours. I think I gave myself heat exhaustion.

There was my equal and opposite reaction. My greatest day of 2007 was perfectly balanced with my worst day. The same ride took one hour longer. It was truly awful. So perhaps science hasn't failed us yet. But did I learn a lesson from this? Don't train super hard after a long stint of racing? Take some rest? Leave the house before the sun melts the roadway? Well I already know all that stuff. I've just completed my 17th year of cycling. But I think it's these types of ridiculous days that keep me going.

I've known a lot of guys through the years that get into the sport and train so specifically, I can't even tell if they're enjoying it. I've seen guys ride the trainer in San Diego when it's 25 Celsius outside because their coach told them to do so. I've heard stories from my wife of a woman crying during intervals on the trainer because she felt she had to do them. And I've known a guy who would not do the group ride on Saturday in San Diego (which is an absolute blast) because his coach had him ride easy that day, and then ride hard on Sunday. Well there's no group ride on Sunday. So on Saturday, as 100 people would race by, there he would be all alone. And then on Sunday, when a few of us would be cruising along the coast, having a nice chat, he'd pass us all alone again at 40kph. He eventually quit racing.

I enjoy riding above all else in cycling. For 2008, if I can pass along any advice, it would be to enjoy the ride. Some days, you do have to train hard when you don't want to. Some days, it's raining sideways and +2 and you might need to go out in it to balance the joy of riding with the necessity to be fit for racing. But at the end of the day, if it's going to crack you right out of the sport altogether, do what you can handle mentally and enjoy the ride. My training after Superweek was not textbook. But to have a day like I did last summer, it was worth the lousy reaction I had down the road.

From sleeping in my garage to living in a trailer (a.k.a. The Unit): The whirlwind success story of Svein Tuft.

Jacob: Svein, although everyone loves your story about being a hobo and riding to Alaska, this will be your first interview NOT about that. Instead we’ll fast forward to 2002. A bunch of my buddies in San Diego have decided to rent a house. A room is offered to me, which I can only afford if I get a roommate. I talk to you and arrange a deal to take the room for both of us. Then you called me after I moved in and said you couldn’t do it. A new plan is hatched where we get a new guy to take the room, and I move into the garage. Can you verify my version of the events?

Svein: Well Jake as I like to say Good things eventually happen for a reason. Your version sounds pretty bang on, but I seem to remember my reason for not moving into the La Mesa palace was a decision of whether to be able to eat Kraft dinner for the next month or have a room and not have any of the said dinners.

Jacob: Eventually, I settle into a garage living lifestyle. Giant shelves are moved around that are draped in cloth to form walls. A bedroom of sorts is created. And rules are developed for my housemates such as the dryer will be turned off at 9:30pm regardless of the condition of the clothes inside. In time, contact is reestablished with you and a new offer is put forth: Move into the garage with me. And you accepted.

Svein: Jake It was the greatest decision of my life. I think I was waiting for my 1st cheque from Prime Alliance before I could start living the posh lifestyle you were enjoying in the garage. Man we owned that washing machine, and remember the stories I would tell you and Laura at night about the hobo days (sorry I had to get something in about my true roots) better than TV I'm sure you would agree.

Jacob: Absolutely. I wish I had taped those stories. So now back to present-day, Symmetrics has just finished up a blindingly successful season that culminated in your UCI overall America Tour victory as well as the team title. Did you foresee this kind of thing happening at the start of the year?

Svein: Awwhh Man! It's always back to the biking with you isn't it? I thought we were going to talk more about the good ol days. It's funny how this year ended up. For me it was a bit of an experimental year, I actually trained through the winter and hit the track pretty hard. I was surprised in Cuba and just tried to roll with that form for as long as possible. I never had any idea I would be riding for the Americas Tour jersey until the US open where I was surprised again. I'm always surprised to be in any kind of winning situation because everyone else always looks like they have way more hustle than me.

Jacob: Yeah, I hate go-getters. I imagine that there was a lot of stress involved with taking the lead of a season-long Tour. Was having the leader’s white jersey a motivator for you or a big weight on your shoulders?

Svein: There was a part of the season ie: Philly week and Beauce that the jersey was a motivator, and after that I was falling apart physically and it became a bit stressful. I'd started racing so early that my form was coming undone and there was nothing I could do but just hang on. Then we did the "greatest trip in the world" down to Venezuela and I think we all took a good 5 years off our lives. It was hard to come around after that.

Jacob: Things have been a lot different from your workhorse days on Prime Alliance to a lead role on Symmetrics. How does it feel to go into a race with 7 or 8 guys firmly dedicated to supporting you, assuming it’s not a sprint of course? Hell, I can beat you in those.

Svein: Well Jake I happen to know you were the Junior provincial flying 200 meter champion for Alberta, so when I'm up against you there's not much I can do but just watch the fireworks. This team has been the greatest 2nd family a guy could ask for, and I've never seen a bunch of guys so dedicated to the one goal. We've all been through quite a few crazy situations while racing and these guys keep amazing me with how far they push themselves, and I know because I'm suffering on their wheel.

Jacob: Teams come calling every year, “Sign here, and you’re dreams will come true”. What keeps you in Symmetrics colours? Is it Geoff’s Tour de France stories? Is it Pinner’s talk about the climbs only being highway grade? Is it Christian’s mesmerizing texting prowess? How about Matt Barth’s insistence on group hugs? We never saw the Navigator’s do those at Superweek.

Svein: All of those things are fantastic! Pinner has a magical way of convincing you that a Hor's Categorie climb is somehow only going to be highway grade, which always gets my motor going. Us bigger boned folk always need all the help we can get in that department. I always felt a little awkward about the group hugs. We're a tight knit unit but that's just a little too far.The Youngman's (Christian) texting ability has only progressed throughout the season. I think I could get 2 words done by the time he would have a couple paragraphs sent off to his special ladyfriend. GB's (Geoff) stories can keep all entertained for hours while sitting out in the hotel parking lot picnic style eating some of Amarigo's (head chef and GB's assistant) delicious risotto. Yeah like I said before these guys are all my 2nd family and I wouldn't leave this for the world.

Jacob: What would your dream schedule be for 2008? And you can’t say, “Loafing about in your trailer until TT nats”.

Svein: OHH so I just like the TT's eh Jake? What about the sweet short hillclimbs that I look forward to all year? I can't really think of a dream schedule. It's all just biking around to me. I like to go out and just hit it and hope for the best. That's about as far as I look into it.

Jacob: My mistake. I guess you're already doing repeats up the Delta Hill Climb course. So I was up there this past weekend and saw Christian hitting the trainer and then heading to the gym. What’s with the exuberance of these young fellers? Are you still tired from 2007? Personally I’m still drained from dodging asteroid craters in Venezuela.

Svein: Well the Youngman I think is more dedicated than anyone I know, so it's pretty hard for us old guys to compete with that vibrant youth. 2007 was pretty tiring for sure, but there's nothing like being home in BC and doing hikes and some backcountry skiing to get the head together. I do not recommend anyone to go to Venezulea to ride a bike. Those were by far the biggest potholes I've seen in my life.

Jacob: I hope that 20 years from now people won’t be saying, “Do you remember that Symmetrics team? How come no one else did something like that?” Where would Canadian cycling be without the Cunninghams?

Svein: Me too, Jake. Me too. Kevin and Mark have poured so much of their life and time into this team and their would not be a program like this today if it wasn't for the Cunninghams. I've never been part of an organization where you have such a tight relationship with the owners, and that's one of the things I love about Symmetrics.

Jacob: So how much propane are you using to heat the Unit these days? Are you going to put up some snow-fencing for the ‘Park’?

Svein: Actually it's been a pretty sweet November. A lot of sunny days and good biking conditions. I want the snow to come so I can get a ski on.

Jacob: The Unit is on Kev’s property. Do you really have a leg to stand on during contract negotiations? I mean, he could just put a lock on the gate can’t he?

Svein: Well the unit's on wheels so if you don't like your neighbours you can just pull up and leave..Just kidding, and Kev wouldn't do that would he Jake?

Jacob: Good Simpsons line there. Well done. I think if Kev could pull the wheels off your unit altogether, he'd do it. "Oops Svein. Looks like you're stuck there. I'm gonna have to hit you with some mad rent charges unless you want to chat about next year". Okay that should do it. Well Dwayner, it was another great season being your teammate. And just remember, if the form is there to win another stage race in ‘08, you don’t have to take the lead until the last day. Think of the wee ones like myself.

Svein: That would be a perfect world wouldn't it Jake? Thanks for your time Buddy, and here's another Simpsons quote for you. "Whew all this computer hacking is making me thirsty. Where's my Tab?"

Went in for surgery today. The doctor came in after awhile just before the anesthetist started his work and moved my shoulder around. I have a lot of mobility and basically no pain. So they hauled in a portable x-ray machine and zapped me one more time. Now the bones are parallel to eachother and a bit closer together. So he felt the surgery would be unnecessary. I skipped my morning cappuccino for nothing…but home by 10am. I am glad however that I didn't have to get the metal tube shoved down my throat.

It was a crazy idea to sign up for both the 2 week long Vuelta a Venezuela and the 6 day Tour of Missouri in the first place. It was even crazier to do it when we realized that there was only one day separating them. But the thought of racing 20 days in 21, on two continents, in what we called the 'Grand Tour', was an appealing thought. I for one figured it would be the closest I shall ever come to simulating one of the Big Three: the Tour de France, the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a Espana. So, why not?
We started our journey by flying to Miami. Eric and I met up in Denver to find a broken plane and the inevitable delay. Word went out to the crew in Vancouver that their trip was doomed even before taking off. So after waiting all day at the airport, Svein, Brandon, Cam and Sherby were whisked off to L.A so that they could catch a Red Eye to Miami that night. Eric and I met up with Bill, Sophie and Kevin Field that evening in Miami. The next morning, we found the Vancouver boys laying on the floor at the airport, in a little room they built out of bike bags. Off we went to Atlanta and then Caracas. We landed at midnight. Upon exiting the airport, we found a small bus. Luckily for us, had we all brought TT bikes, we'd still be there trying to jam it all in. Everything got inside the bus somehow and then we were told that the trip to the start town was 8 hours. Another Red Eye.
After driving for an hour or so, we get off the "highway" and start driving through some neighborhoods. Eventually, the driver stops and we realize that we're at his house. He disappears for a little while and then hops back in. Off we go, but only for a moment. We soon stop again on the highway and, through our combined limited Spanish efforts, learn that the driver feels unsafe driving with the bus packed to the gills. He's called his brother who's coming with a bigger bus. Eventually we load up onto his bus and begin our adventure again.
Venezuelans love to blast the AC. It's even noted in Svein's Lonely Planet book. Our bus driver had the temp down to about 10 Celsius. We asked him to turn it off and slowly, all of us passed out. Late into that morning, I awoke freezing again but too tired to complain. In the distance, a woman's voice rattled off in Spanish to the driver. I didn't know that Sophie could speak Spanish so well. But when the sun rose, I peeked towards the front and saw that the driver made another stop during the night and found a friend. A look behind me found Brandon passed out, using his yoga mat for a blanket. I was jealous.
This was just 2 horrible days out of 14. Unfortunately, Venezuela really is in a state of decay. Looking at every building, every hotel, every road, you could see that perhaps in the '70s, and I stress perhaps, these things may have been kinda cool. There was one particular hotel that was an old resort near the Andes. It had an open design overlooking the pool and mountains. At one time, I am sure it was nice. Sophie set up the massage table under the veranda and I was enjoying the evening until she told me to take another shower after the massage. There were bugs crawling on me. Nice.
Towards the end of the race, I was skipping lunch so that I would be hungry at dinner. When you're hungry, and it's day 10, spaghetti and chicken becomes delicious again. I will say this. Not once, not ever, was the spaghetti overcooked. That is tricky to do for 150 people. Every night we'd come down for dinner at about 7pm. Every night the head organizer would say to us in Spanish, "Here come the Canadians. They don't understand me. Look! They are hungry!" Then he'd point to me. "This guy understands a little!" Then he'd laugh and tell the story to anyone in earshot about the Canadians who want to eat at 7pm instead of 9. But at least he'd go into the kitchen and have the waiters bring us something to eat.
Brandon was out of the race on day 4 with full intestinal malaise, as bad as you can imagine. He needed to travel with us for another 4 days until finally getting word that the organizers may have a way for him to the airport. We started the stage that day and essentially left him in a random town. I guess he sat there for three hours until finding his ride. Then he began the scariest trip I've ever heard about to the airport.
Everyone was having various problems throughout the race. Bill got sick and then blew out his back. Sophie and Kevin were getting sick. Everyone else had various digestive problems and were succumbing to a bronchitis as well. Sherby also had some chemical chamois burns from the sink washing with mystery detergents. The hardest man in the world, Eric Wohlberg, said uncle on day 10 after being up all night and Cam pulled the plug with fever chills during the stage. Svein, Sherby and I rode one more day. After the stage however, my left eye began to close shut. Was it sickness or just some crazy diesel spray infection? I was up all night stressed about finding eye drops in Venezuela. Svein got the chills and then the sweats that night and Sherby was working on getting pneumonia. Our alarm woke us at 6am. I peeled my eye open and proclaimed, "I'm out". Svein said he was too and then Sherby coughed up some phlegm and agreed. Our disastrous tour was over.
But sadly, it really wasn't. We had to follow the race until the last day in the bus. 6 hours a day. We couldn't do any short rides, as our bikes followed the race separately and showed up later in the day. But as sick as we were, there was no possibility of riding. Eric was the only one to venture out on the last day in a city choking with traffic and pollution. The rest of us said, No thanks.
It was time for a final packing of bikes and clothes, stinking of mildew, that never once dried in two weeks. Sherby was heading home while 4 riders and 3 staff prepared to start Missouri in 2 days. With the death virus firmly ensconced in my head and lungs, and having not ridden in 4 days, I seriously doubted whether I could even finish the first stage. At least my eye was getting better.
Oh I mentioned bad roads. What can I say? Imagine two weeks of riding through a construction zone. Giant man swallowing holes. Wheel breaking, bike breaking holes. Look out! There's a sign in the middle of the road! Oh the cuban hit it. He showed up an hour later covered in gauze. Tough little guy. Oh, that other dude hit a dog. Poor guy. Poor dog. Every town has about 5 or 6 speed bumps but imagine broken 2 foot high little mountains. Now I know you think I'm joking about them being 2 feet high. Well, go to Venezuela and have a look. Uh oh, Svein was pushed into the gutter. It's a 6 inch drop into a trench actually. Can't get out of that. He's going to have to stop…but not in time before slamming into a pile of garbage.
Well I know that I sound really down on Venezuela. It was regrettably the most difficult travel and racing conditions any of us have experienced in our careers. I guess that I feel the organizers are biting off more than they can chew. Money is, of course, very tight. However the same budget could go into a week-long race instead and things could be improved. Most of the stage distances were off by more than 20km. The organizer was even calling finishing towns during the stage to find hotels for the riders! "Hi there, do you have room for 150? Tonight. Well in 2 hours actually". And the UCI regulations were thrown out the window regarding teams. Most of the squads were coming from various provinces of Venezuela. Each province had three teams each and they were all working together. Some teams even had the exact same kits. Imagine having the leaders jersey and having 17 guys roll on the front for you. Imagine attacking while 17 guys chase you down.
Missouri was pure joy in comparison. As sick as the 4 of us were, we were as happy as my dog Emma in mud to be on smooth roads and in good hotels. Every time the race went single file, I said,"Yeah sure. Chuck it in the ditch. I don't care. You can't hurt me anymore. I'm on stage 16 here". And the team did really well too. Three podiums and Randell 8th overall. It was a great success. The stage where we chased down the break for 40k was actually fun to me. I was enjoying being a part of the race and my head was starting to clear up too.
Unfortunately the Grand Tour came to an abrupt end for me on the last stage with about 30k to go. A media motorbike clipped my shoulder while attempting to pass the field through a gap only a few feet wide. Clearly the driver didn't have enough room when he hit me. My hand came off the bars and I veered into some large construction barrels. Upon hitting the ground, I landed on my shoulder, took road rash on both sides of my body and whacked my head for good measure. The diagnosis was a complete break of my right clavicle.
I got into the doctor back in Portland about a week after the crash for a check-up. I went in thinking that I didn't want surgery unless it was necessary. After all, the season was nearly over. The doctor was leaning towards surgery however given the distance between the bones. We decided to do another x-ray and see how things were going. I was surprised to see that the bones were now even further apart. Surgery seems necessary now to prevent a possible non-union of the bone. So it's scheduled for Wednesday morning. I'll try and do a one-handed update later next week. The pictures below show my X-ray initially after the crash. Then, a week later shows that the bones are even further apart now.

Well we're finished with stage 3 now. It was supposed to be an 80k circuit. But I think they couldn't quite close all of the road. So we ended up on a much shorter hot dog. They didn't add any laps though and the stage ended up being about 40k. It was a welcome event however, as the trip to get to the race was fraught with lengthy transfers, most notably an 8 hour bus ride beginning at midnight, immediately after arriving in Caracas.
I don't do very well with taking days off, so 2 days without getting a bike on really shut down the system. We rode a bit on Sunday and I tried to shock the system back into action. It was quite painful…and entirely innefective. The time trial was okay I suppose as Geoff Brown made up some TT bars for our road bikes. And it seems to me that Rabobank has been rolling the shallow front Shimano wheels in TT's the last couple of years. I can't understand why but figured they must know something. So I put faith into my Scandium wheels that they would roll quickly. After the TT, we had an afternoon circuit race. I was totally blocked still but combined this with a total build up of lactic acid and just hung on.
The next stage was a long 195km in sweltering heat. I was still in pretty bad shape and nearly lost contact on the first climb after 10km. So I rode last man for about 130km, praying that the remaining KOM's would not be a factor. Eventually the legs did come around a hair, giving me hope that I can get into this race over time.
Svein flatted today with about 4 laps to go. Sherby and Brando went back for him and brought him up to the 5 cars that followed the race. That was when I decided I could help out and dropped back too. I think some guys really lit it up when they saw Svein flat because we were barely making any headway at 54kph. Luckily the roundabout at the end of the course was jammed up and we closed the final 10 seconds through there. Eric flatted too but in the last K so he was given pack time and his GC is intact for another day.
One of the dudes on another team speaks english and told us that the guys who've done well here before do essentially nothing for the first week. That sounds like a good plan, but for me, it's not by choice just yet. I hope to sit in down the road because I want to, not becasue I have to.

Here's an interview I did in the winter with Pinner that got lost down the pipeline. Check to see if his predictions for 2007 are holding true.

Interview with Andrew "Pinner" Pinfold. Just another Pinhead?

By Jacob Erker

Jacob: So Pinner, that's an interesting nickname. I’ve been racking my brain on how it came about. Give us a hint.

Pinner: Probably 'cause I am so skinny…just kidding. In high school some friends of mine started to call me Pinner and it stuck. What is sort of funny is that my father, my uncle, and my two male cousins all have been called Pinner at some point. Some people even call my dad Mr. Pinner, and my wife Keltie, Mrs. Pinner (she hates it). Some people on the team think my nickname should be changed to the broomstick, but I think Pinner sounds better.

Jacob: I like Pannier too, but it’s easier to say Pinner. So, you had quite a season in 2006. Many great victories. Are there any that slipped away that keep you up at night? And if so, will you keep racing until you get those victories?

Pinner: Thanks, yours wasn't too shabby either. It's funny, because even though I had my best season to date, there are still a lot of races that I would love to have back, and yeah I do have trouble sleeping after them. One that sticks out is the last stage of Chihuahua where I crashed with 400m to go. I was in perfect position, I was sprinting better than anyone in the race (the day before I was second after my sprint was messed up by a motorcycle in a corner) and before I went down I was thinking I had this one nailed (big mistake). Anyway, I crashed costing me the win, but I also caused the guy in 4^th overall on GC to fall, which unfortunately, with help from some Mexican commissaires, bumped Christian to fourth in the GC. Of course you profited from my misfortune, managed to dodge all the carnage, and got 2^nd. Call it a Pinner lead out.

Jacob: Yeah I could go for some more of those next year. Problem is, I can't sprint around anyone so I would need to be in 1^st position and have everyone behind me fall down. One of your wins last year was the last stage of Beauce. It was quite an interesting and circuitous route that lead to the win. As I recall, I had been in the break for a while and eventually you came across with a few other guys. Then you and I debated who should work for whom. But it wasn’t “You should work for me!” “No, you should work for me!” Instead it was, “I’m cracked. I’ll work for you.” “No, it’s too damn hot out here. I’ll work for you.” Eventually we settled on me working for you. And in the end, I was right. Next time, will you listen to me sooner?

Pinner: If I listened to you all the time, life would be too easy.

Jacob: After your great victory, I found you to celebrate. You picked me up and swung me around in circles like I was your soon-to-be wife. You know there’s no way that could’ve looked cool. Are you aware that I was uncomfortable with your spontaneous gesture and just wanted to be put down? What ever happened to High-Five? Your ‘Frank the Tank’ impression on the podium was, however, pretty awesome.

Pinner: Sorry I embarrassed you, but when you win a big race this year, I’ll expect no shows of emotion from you. Perhaps a friendly handshake, but no smiling. As far as Frank the Tank on the podium, it is kind of ironic because Parisien slagged me pretty badly in the French media after my win. Oh well.

Jacob: Yes, for those that don’t know, Frank was mad because he thought that with Symmetrics having two guys in the break, we should have both ridden ourselves into the ground so that his teammate could win. That’s like having your sprinter help out with the leadout train. Anyhoo, I owe you and Svein a bit of thanks for getting me on board with Symmetrics. I didn’t think I stood a chance when I made fun of Mark Cunningham’s tan in Arizona the previous April, and then later found out he would be my future boss. Did you have to do a lot of smoothing over to clear the way for me?

Pinner: We pretty much had to put everything on the line for you. The vote was close but we got you in and you are forever in our debt.

Jacob: There are two Andrews on the team, two Jeff’s and two Kevins. This has lead to a lot of confusion. Do you see this potential for conflict continuing to spiral out of control until we have total chaos? And if so, is it possible to return from the depths of hell by simply firing you to stop the bleeding?

Pinner: As we all know on the team, Randell in known as Andrew the Lesser and I am Andrew the Greater. I would say you’d fire the ‘Lesser’ first.

Jacob: First I’ve heard of that. My questions deal with reality so your answers should do the same. When we drove down for Tour of Utah last August, you wanted to stop halfway and sleep. But Cam, Brandon and I forced you to continue all the way to Provo. When we finally arrived, there were no hotel rooms available and we had to sleep in the van in a parking lot. Did that event contribute to your loss to Lagutin on stage one? Keep in mind, I was only trying to get us there so we could have a nice morning instead of driving again all day.

Pinner: The lack of quality of sleep is the reason for getting second that day, and fourth the next. That’s my story and I am sticking with it.

Jacob: You missed the Tour of Hokkaido in Japan because of your wedding. I thought all cyclists were supposed to get married in the off-season.

Pinner: It’s kind of hard to find an off season when you race road, track, and ‘cross. That date was open when I got engaged. Kevin just pulled some strings to get that project so he could guilt trip me for not being committed to the team.

Jacob: So the boys are doing some track these days to try and qualify for the Olympics. You are also listed on the roster. I’m wondering why I was left out. Does Kevin not know that I was Canadian Junior National Flying 200m Champion in 1993? Okay, so some guy actually beat me but was DQ’d for not going through some painted line. Big deal. I was still pretty fast. Do you have any plans on the track this season?

Pinner: I plan on contributing to the team pursuit squad and hopefully getting the call to race at the PanAm champs in May. I am sure you were fast…everyone after this winter of track is fast. Fast, fast, speed, speed, we now have a team of sprinters. Doesn’t anyone like to climb anymore?

Jacob: Not me. The Columbians keep making me look like a worthless sack on the climbs. I’m going to switch to full-time leadout man this year. So if you weren’t a bike racer, what would you be doing right now?

Pinner: So much of who I am and what I have done comes as a result of cycling that I can’t really imagine what I would be doing otherwise. Right now I am finishing a master’s in medical geography (similar to epidemiology) and my interests outside of cycling are in the health field, so maybe I would be doing things along those lines but who knows.

Jacob: What has been your all-time favourite race? And don’t just pick something you’ve won like, “Oh my favourite race of all time was the Provincial 100km Headwind Challenge”.

Pinner: Call me crazy but Beauce is probably my favourite race. So much about it is challenging, the weather usually sucks, the roads are horrible, and the competition is fierce but year after year I love to go back. It is just plain hard which seems to suit me physically and mentally. Plus, you stay in a great hotel for the whole tour (no packing and unpacking), and the food is great.

Jacob: Okay, so we differ on that one but it is true that the hotel is really good. Alright buddy, thanks for your time. It’s up to +3 now so I better head out the door.

Pinner: What were you waiting for? I did four and half hours two days ago in -1. Sounds like you’re getting soft. Thanks for the interview. Cheers.

Eric, Zach and I had a quick trip up to Calgary on the weekend for the Tour de Bowness, which takes place in a friendly neighbourhood that was long ago, gobbled up by the big city. I did this race in 2005 with Christ, Marsh and Sherby and it went pretty well for us. I promised Eric and Zach cowboy hats from Bow Cycle if they attended, so for them, it was a no-brainer.

We started off with a 3-up hill climb up Canada Olympic Park. It's only 1.3km but that just gives you a false sense of security. With about 300m to go, my legs were screaming. Zach proved the quickest on the day. I was 2nd and Eric, 4th. Thanks to my buddy Chad for setting the pace on the "lower slopes". And by the way, I figure Zach cheated. He also poured salt into the wounds afterwards when he told me to go on a diet.

For the criterium on Monday we raced around the biggest bike shop I have ever seen; Bow Cycle. This place is as big as an MEC. Two floors. It's enormous. Outside, Norco had the tents set up as did Shimano. So we had a nice place in the shade before the race. The La-Z-Boy guys drove out for this one too. We were able to break up the field after a bit and settle down to all 3 of the S-Team in the break along with Jamie Sparling (La-Z-Boy) and Jeff Bolstad (H&R Block). Eventually, the move split again with Zach and I up the road with Sparling, while Eric escorted Jeff back to the peloton. When the lap counter said 10 minutes plus 5 laps to go I attacked to start putting the pressure on Sparling. A lap later, they changed the counter to 15 minutes to go. So a little more work left than we thought. Jamie put up a good fight but eventually had to give in and let Zach ride away. I finished up 2nd while Eric won the bunch sprint for 4th. There was an omnium too and the S-Team managed to sweep the podium.

After the awards I had lunch with my family who drove from all over Alberta to take in the race so that was pretty cool. Later on, Eric, Chad and I ventured back to Bow Cycle to take in April Wine in concert. The shop had been nearly emptied of bikes for the show, which was in celebration of 50 years in service. The drum solo was the best part. The guy is in his 60's, did a hard-core solo for 15 minutes, blew himself to bits, and then came back for more. Awesome.

A big thanks goes out to Tom Bastable, the Alberta Norco rep. Eric's bike didn't make it in time for the hill climb so Tom offered up his Norco which was the same size. Bow Cycle donated some Shimano pedals too. Much appreciated guys. Hope to see you in '08.

There's talk of maybe adding a road race next year too. Sounds great. I hope the event continues to grow and that we'll see the emergence of an Alberta superweek in August. Come on Edmonton. Two weekends of racing and perhaps a mid-week event too works rather well in B.C.

by Jacob Erker

I thought that this might be a good time to comment on the issue of doping that has taken hold of our sport. Having just flipped through the cycling websites and seeing that Vinokourov has tested positive for blood doping at the Tour de France, I admit to not being shocked or surprised. The World Anti Doping Agency has forged ahead in recent years to catch the cheaters. The International Cycling Union has pledged to eradicate doping. Testing labs have new weapons with more sophisticated tests. So for those who still choose to skirt the rules, I can only say that they deserve what they get. It seems though that more time will need to pass until cycling has fully eradicated this old win at all costs attitude.

There's a bit of a joke going around on the team right now that Symmetrics will soon get the call-up for the Tour, as Europe is quickly running out of squads and riders. While the situation is indeed sad, the atmosphere on the team remains evermore optimistic. There was a time, only a couple of years back when every rider on the team had little hope of one day competing in the world's biggest races. And yes, this even means powerhouse Svein Tuft. In not choosing to head down the doping path, many of us older guys on the team were more or less heading towards an uneventful and quiet retirement. Svein and Andrew Randell both stopped in 2003. The Saturn team dynasty ended for Eric Wohlberg. And I was shopping around for 2004 with limited options, despite a resume that I thought didn't look too bad. During this time, there really only seemed to be a few lateral or step-down moves for us.

In April of 2004, I headed off to the Vuelta de Bisbee in Arizona with Team Seasilver. We were doing our thing there, racing along, and then I noticed that a certain squad had missed a move and began to chase. It was the Symmetrics boys captained by Andrew Pinfold riding in an organized line, quickly putting right their mistake, and all the while not blowing each other out the back. I'd never seen a Canadian team before race with any sort of clue as to what they were doing. In July of that year, I ran into them again at Nationals. Svein had joined them and had just won the Time Trial. I later raced the Criterium there where I broke away with Cam Evans, who promptly dropped me and caught up to the field. 3 of us were left adrift still chasing until Svein pulled us back thusly guaranteeing the victory for Cam. In the Road Race, Symmetrics put 2 riders up the road in the early move. Now even an old dog like me was beginning to learn the new tricks of this powerful young squad, so I attacked to get up to the breakaway before the imminent show down happened behind, in the bunch. Another guy I've known since way back, Andrew Randell also sensed this and tagged along. And so did young Cam Evans. We eventually made it across to the break and were later joined by Svein, Eric Wohlberg and Gord Fraser. Symmetrics had put 4 riders into the winning move as a young start-up amateur team. I wanted in.

There was no question that this was the team I wanted to be involved with. All Canadian boys and 2 great guys that I've raced with in the past: Svein and Pinner. And even better, was my first talk with Kevin Cunningham. Svein says you're a clean rider and that is the most important thing to me I was pleased to hear it. Then I got word that Wohlberg had signed on too. This was getting really good now. I saw how good the young riders were during the season and now I was also going to ride with all of the guys that I'd done National Team projects with that clicked together; Wohlberg at Hokkaido, Svein at Okinawa, Malaysia, Beauce and Guadeloupe, and Pinner at Hokkaido and Beauce. And then Randell came aboard in 06 with whom I'd raced in Malaysia.

As each season passes, we become a tighter-knit group. We have bbq's during BC Superweek, and we call each other in between races to see what's up. I think our desire to do this sport clean and our successes have really been aided by the family network of the S-Team. We all feel like we can win a race clean because our teammates are in the same situation. The feeling is that, yes, there may be someone doping in a race we enter. Why would the races we do be immune to it? Well, we're not here to waste our time, so how do we beat them? The answer is that we can only win as a team and that a team of clean riders can beat a doper. Maybe that won't happen every time. But we won't be disillusioned. At the end of the day, I have a healthy lifestyle, riding my bicycle for a living with my good friends and doing it rather successfully from time to time. BC Superweek was extraordinarily successful for us this year, as has been the entire season. So when a doping positive turns up, I don't get down about it. I think it's good for the future for the young guys. I hope that they can see a light at the end of the tunnel where their abilities as super talents will be truly recognized.

And I hope that Canada will stand up and support these guys too. We have a couple of great Canadians that already do in Kevin and Mark Cunningham. None of this would be possible without them. Of course, the same must be said to all of our incredible sponsors. This wonderful family continues to grow every day and everyone involved is helping the S-Team realize something special. I am extremely thankful to be a part of it.