02.21.10 - Tucson Winter Training Camp - Blog Entry – Feb 21, 2010

By: MTB Athlete Andrew L’Esperance

The last day of riding of our 2010 National Team training camp was today. It was different than all the other days because there were clouds in the sky, yes clouds, and it was less than twenty degrees, we have been really lucky with weather, it has been gorgeous every single day. But today was more interesting, and maybe I even liked it.

We rolled out from the hotel in small groups, with most of the team, and headed out towards Gates pass and did a new loop. Some of the other riders decided to do the famous shootout ride in the morning instead so we were missing a few bodies. I rolled with the first group with some of the best mountain bikers in the country, and world, which by the way is really cool. When we left we could see dark rain clouds all around us, luckily we were riding towards the sun where it wasn’t raining. We rode on a nice rolling road with a few tight winding climbs and descents always aware of the weather around us, just waiting for it. It was also really windy so we were fighting strong cross winds the entire time. About halfway through the ride, after it started to rain we decided to cut the ride a little short and head back home over Gates pass, we grabbed clothing at the car and kept on trucking. It didn’t start raining hard until about Gates Pass but when it did it was cold, especially on the way down, but that might have just been me, severely underdressed. I’m sure those that were warm enjoyed every bit of the ride, even the end; splashing through the puddles, hammering the whole way to get to the hot tub, it was all fun. We all kept a positive attitude, joking the whole way home, the older riders giving us (or just me) words of confidence, “Just imagine warm fluffy bunnies,” suggests Geoff. He must have seen the look on my face that showed I was freezing! We were soon back at home and we rode right into the pool area and jumped in the hot tub with most of our kit on, Max didn’t waste any time taking off clothing he just hopped right in shoe and helmet in all. I was a little more civilized and took my shoes and helmet off, just goes to show how much I, and perhaps the less experienced riders have to learn. In the hot tub we thought of all the other riders behind us still out on the cold wet roads, while we were sitting in 100 degree water. I’m sure everyone else on the ride approached it with a smile and had fun with the ride.

With that day, it was the last of my riding in Tucson, many riders are staying in this gorgeous place for a little longer; rooming with friends or doing another training camp. A lot of us are going back to Canada or on to other parts of the world to continue our training. Even though we won’t be together as a full team again this year the relationships that we made, or solidified will keep us as a team all year long. When we see that one our teammates does well, or finishes or wins on the world stage we’ll know that person and it will mean a lot more to everyone of us.

Look for more camp updates from road, MTB and Para athletes. You can also follow the team on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CanRoadCycling