Canadian Nationals - Win!

7/5/2009 | Here's how Taz aka Dan took it all:

The nationals were once again held in Beauce, Quebec. I had the advantage of racing on the same course two years ago which definitely helps.

In that race I got in a break early and had it down to just two of us left on the last climb. I could have went solo, but decided I needed the speed of two in the downhill 7km approach to hold off the chasing pack. Once over the climb my breakmate decided to sit on my wheel though. Doh! We got caught by two others that came out of the pack and it became an attack after attack fest and I ended up on the short end for 4th. I was so frustrated, words can't describe it, and I decided never to return.

Well two years passed and I am now racing on a new team sponsored by ultra-supportive Safeway and the best bike shop in the world, Bicycle Plus. The new team has energized my quest to get the national title.

My dad, brother, sister and best friend suffered the 9hr drive from Toronto to come cheer me on. I could not have been more motivated for a race.

At the start line there were about 55 starters. The race is so hard to get to, that you only get the riders who think they can win. There were at least 5 teams with 4 or more riders. I collected as much info from google and a competitor I met in Green mtn. stage race back in 2007. Paul told me that this field was the best collection of masters riders he has ever seen. Great... The team to beat was "wheels of bloor" and another top team was Randal. Good info to know.

At the start line, the sky, like it has been doing all week, grew dark. There were call ups and then the field. I won the race to the race and got front row. Things were tense with the announcer taking in French about the rider's accolaids. No mention of me, which was good. However, a guy from the Bloor team congratulated me on my solo attempt at Mt Hood in the pro field, so there went my invisible status. My race plan changed on the spot.

The announcer drove my blood pressure through the roof also with a count down from 20 in French. Vent, dix-neuf, Dix-hewt,... ,deux, ons, partez! I was in my pedal and full power before I knew it myself. Gone!

Up the starting climb I opened up and could see the pack getting over the initial shock and getting it together. Eventually two riders got across to me and the race was now officially started.

We worked well together until we hit the main 3km climb on the backside of the 28.5 loop. First one rider can't match the pace, then close to the top the other blows. There is no slowing down waiting this year! Add to the fun the sky grows angry and the rain comes down hard. Today is not a good day to be in a pack.

I open up a minute gap, but into lap 2 they are starting to close it back down. Once I realized they have the choke collar on me, I back off slightly. Up the backside climb the are within 15 seconds and I am caught by the top.

Immediately there are counter moves with all the multiple-rider teams calling the shots now. A Bloor and a Randal rider get a growing gap. I rest in wait and watch. They get about 20 seconds and we are cooking into a steep roller. Once the momentum effect is over, and while everyone is throwing their chain from the big to the little, I light it up for all I am worth! One rider can match me and two are in chase. It takes us the remaining 7km of the lap to close the gap. I was so fried at this point but knew this was the move I needed to be in.

Going through the S/F we were now 6 with 50 seconds on the pack. Two more laps to go!

My never helped the bridge mate turned up the pace on the first climb and kept me hurt. Everyone survived though. For the first time the confident thinking leading up to this day was being tested. I felt the weakest but also knew I was the most stubborn and motivated.

Another lap down and we were not getting much over 1 minute on the wolves. I was recovering and finally started to see fatique setting in on the others. Shorts pulls, skipped pulls, etc. I didn't care. I kept driving the break like I owned it.

Up the first climb we are in shambles as a break. I was holding back a bit not wanting them to know my true intention. Take them out to the back of the shed one-by-one and beat them silly! Because of that we were slowly losing our gap. I needed us to survive to the backside climb and then hope my legs can do what my mind had played out now for two years.

Some coaxing and pokering got us holding a 30 second gap. I knew the pack was playing with us. I still had a sledge hammer for them though. :)

We hit the start of the climb with only 20 seconds and I never hesitated I didn't even accelerate like normal. I just never left my 53-19. Our 6 shattered like the crust on an apple crumble. I forced myself to look ahead and commit everything I had given myself through training.

At the top of the climb I had 45 seconds on a pack and 20 on a solo chaser. Now my planning takes over. 7km left Dan with no one to blame this time! I preroad this part of the course 5 times the day before just for this moment! I was not just pushing hard. I was digging into an anger that I had stored up. A frustration of life, when it doesn't go as you hoped. You are ready for a change-up but get a slider. I forgot about the race and the suffering and road angry. Everytime I clicked into the 11, that was on my bike just for this, I spun that baby like I was trying to break the chain.

At 5km I had 50 seconds! Music to my exploding ears. In my dreams it was only 30. Another km down and it went to 55. A glimmer of hope came to me, but I pushed it aside. I did the next 2 km like it was the last, to put this baby to bed once and for all! I don't think I left my 11 and it was pretty flat at this point. 2km check was 1 minute! I smiled for once and gave the lady in the follow vehicle a thumbs up and a mumbled thank-you. She was with me pretty much the whole day, providing time checks at every crutial point. I think I was in love with her at that point. :)

I kept the effort going until the 1km banner and the 55 second check, and then backed it off slightly to enjoy the final approach, wipe off the drool, uncross the eyes, calm down the panting, and zip up the jersey!

I came into the last 100m howling to the cheers of the spectators and ,more importantly to me, my Dad. It was his 64th birthday today and this was the best present I could give him. He has only watched me race once before in cycling were a crash took me out of the pack and forced me to chase the national level field the whole race for 30th place.

This was my day, one were the world acknowledged my sacrifices and gave me the reward. It hardly works like this, but when it does, you have to hold it tight and cheerish it forever.

Dan (Taz is resting)