My apologies for the lack of blog updates... a lot of water under the bridge as they say and I am not sure where to start.

Likely the most significant event was the recent visit to the UK. It provided a break from structured training although it is now really difficult to stay out of a gym, pool,bike saddle or running shoes! What is happening?

In July we were able to visit Goodwood with the Bowler Team and I had the opportunity to drive the Nemesis for about 12 hours in total which was great. The weather was hot, the driving was continuous and the team were at their best. Watching the whole team work efficiently to move so many people through the Bowler display and round the track was great. Of course the cars are not always running at peak performance, the track over the fours days we were there turned into a motocross type of track and so was a lot more destructive to the cars than a more typical Dakar stage, but the service crew handled the challenges brilliantly and kept the cars moving all weekend.

It was a good opportunity to do some media interviews including the Hungarian equivalent of Top Gear, a clip of which we will post on the website soon and a segment with Land Rover TV who should be positing their work on the internet before too long.

We also witnessed the launch of the new Bowler EXR, the road going cousin of the Nemesis.... what a thrill. The car really turned heads at Goodwood and you will see some reviews in the coming months on Top Gear which should be fun... it is a very fast 4x4 Supercar that is stunning to look at too. So perhaps you like the Dakar, but can’t see yourself entering... you can now drive it everyday at the controls of a Bowler EXR... ask us how!

There will be a few more articles coming out about the team on both sides of the Atlantic soon and we will do our best to post links as soon as they are available.

While in the UK, I did have a chance to spend the day with the Mick Extance Honda Offroad School. That was a total blast to see Mick in his element which included a gauntlet thrown down at a particularly boggy section. I can’t resist a race, but I also knew that with my relatively weak riding skills and Mick’s pedigree background, I was likely to get trounced. I think Mick gave me an ample headstart, but I do recall about half way around seeing something come flying by me on the rev limiter with thick brown gooey welsh mud getting thrown all over the place... that was Mick showing me how it is done in his world... it was a treat to watch and I think I may have provided more than a little entertainment for the rest of the students as I laboured up the last hill a few minutes after Mick!!!

Jackie and I were able to also spend some time with some consultants who are helping us with the project and a super meeting with Just A Drop to ensure that our plans to view some charity project work in Kenya are on track and we have been able to confirm a visit to a project site in October. We will give you a few more details as the time approaches but it will certainly be exciting to see what you have been able to assist with through your support.

We are now back into the extremely busy routine of training, preparing and negotiating sponsor arrangements which is the critical task for the next two months. The Dakar is a big draw for many sponsors, but our economy has naturally stifled that enthusiasm and so, like many things today, there are a few more miles to walk and few hundred more doors to knock on to finalise the budgets... compared to the Dakar itself, we know it is achievable.

Don’t forget to check out our Facebook and Twitter sites and register as a “friend”.

The day finally arrived, the culmination of a years worth of training and a test along the way to see how the training is working.

Of course the objective is to prepare for 15 days of driving through harsh mountain and desert environments with little time for rest or food. The team to help us along the way has been Pinnacle Elite Athlete, Pinnacle Physio and Kelowna Cycle. Without the support of this "training group", I would not be able to participate in these triathlon events or even finish the half ironman.. now I have given the ending away!

As usual, my co-driver Mick Extance has been busy on his motorbike teaching students most days of the week at the Mick Extance Honda Offroad School in the UK, but for me here in Canada, I have to operate with a stringent program designed by our strength and conditioning consultant, Leanne Manlove from Pinnacle Elite Athlete. Basically the training routine has been 6 days a week with up to 2-3 hours per day on the heavier scheduled weeks. The goal was to finish the first half iron man triathlon I have ever entered and by far the longest physical endurance race I have ever entered.

For those of you who are not familiar with a half ironman or what is more commonly known as an ironman 70.3, there are three legs. First is a 2 km swim in open water followed by a 92km bike ride and ending up with a 21.2km run. The race I entered was the Oliver half ironman in southern British Columbia. Not too hot but warm enough to make the swim enjoyable.

The da started early, 5:30am for body marking and putting all my gear into transition and then for me time to relax and get my head into the right frame of mind. Finally the time came to put my new wetsuit on and walk to the beach. Starting in a triathlon is always a testing time for many athletes. The first part of the swim can be like the first few rounds of a UFC match unless you start at the back and I am not accustomed to starting at the back. The starter counted down and we were off. A few kicks to the head and pokes in the eye over the next few hundred metres ensured that I became accustomed to protecting my swim line. It ended up after 2000m being the best long swim I have had. My time, beach to beach was about 42 minutes and I was very pleased and quite relaxed as I came out.

The bike course in Oliver is one of the best you could find. It is an approximate 40km loop traversing the infamous Golden Mile in southern BC, a dense area of vineyard and winery operations, stunningly scenic as you peered through sweat laden eyelids... I was off to a brisk pace and managed to catch a lot of people without fading at the end. The important thing was to keep taking nutrients and fluid. The bike ride ended up being solid and I finished in under 3 hours again another best time for the distance.

The final leg was the half marathon run. I left the transition area and noted that my heart rate was higher than it should be and I didn't want to tire myself early. So I kept a steady pace with the intent of picking up in the last 7km. I was certainly concerned about my pace but want to 1. Keep running and not walk and 2. Protect my pace for the last 7km. In the end, partly because I was being too cautious and partly because I had a tight hip flexor, I set a poor time running, just under 2hrs and 30 mins. My goal was 2 hours and 15 mins, so a little disappointing. I did finish though and I am certainly proud of that first time around. I achieved a time just under 6 hours and 30 minutes. While I was a little sore immediately after, I ended up feeling great the next day which surprised me.

The great news is the training is paying off. I know I can do a lot better and after a discussion with Leanne, we have decided to do another half ironman later in the year to improve on the pace. Check out our Facebook page for updates and calendar.

Now, I am sitting contemplating the next three weeks. It is a very important time for the project. Three weeks in the UK, many meetings, a few media interviews and hopefully we come home with some serious partnership agreements in place to secure the project completely... time will tell. The stories of the Dakar are always focused on getting to the event. Endurance mentalities always pay off.

 

 

Historically this May rally is called the Rocky Mountain Rally, but this year, you could change the descriptor to Muddy or Snowy... such was the 41 year record breaking cold and wet weather in Calgary, Alberta this year.

Thirty teams showed up from across the continent to compete in a challenging rally; the second in the National series in Canada. The Rally4Life team runs a skinny budget for Canadian events and compared to many other teams, we have to make do with less... such was the case this weekend where tire choice in Calgary is typically every tire you have in inventory and it can make or break a race!

Recce went very well for us on the Thursday choosing to write recce notes without a second safety pass whereas most teams opted to amend the organiser provided JEMBA notes. We were happy after the many hours of driving through the Alberta countryside, but not happy with the constantly wet and snowy conditions.

Friday was a little brighter but no less damp... With the rally taking place at higher elevations, the team opted to shod the car with a set of old winter tires, a decision that would haunt them for the afternoon as many teams gained one to two minute advantages on the Rally4Life team on each stage.

After the infamous Powderface stage, a long, fast and committing mountain stage, the team had the chance to service the car and change tires to more suitable gravel tires for the end of the days stages. The Forest loop proved to be more friendly and although muddy, allowed the team to finish the day confident that they could find a good pace on Saturday at the Skyline Ranch.

Saturday was worse weather again. After the punishing weather spewed snow all over the teams tents in the evening, there was clearly no respite on the rally stages. The team bravely opted for Mud Tires for the warm snow and slippy muddy conditions, a brave move that paid off early as they quickly set some fast stage times even besting Canadian National Champion, Pat Richard on one of the stages who himself was struggling with tire selection.

The rest of the day played into the teams hands as stage after stage allowed them to catch a car on the stage or in control and moved them from 9th place in the regional standings from Friday to 2nd in the Regional event and 9th overall in the national event... a very strong finish in challenging conditions after a difficult start.. a true Dakar weekend.

It has been a busy time, hence the lack of blog updates for which we apologise.

Two weeks ago, Antares media organised a fashion show fundraiser for the Rally4Life project at the Cove Lakeside Resort in Kelowna. The show was supported by some of Canada's top fashion designer, jewelry and accessory manufacturers and grammy nominated bands and musicians. Featured outside in the gardens of the Cove Resort, the back drop to the magnificent designs was equally stunning.

For the inaugural event, we were really excited to see people enjoying themselves and many local companies supported the event by donating items for our silent auction.

Click the photo to follow a link through to SNAP Okanagan where you will find a collection of photos from the day.

Stay tuned for details of more fashion show activity in the Vancouver area soon!