Trans Rockies Report

It's over - and although Marty wanted to ride the course back to the start in reverse the Trans Rockies challenge has concluded.

Ed and Marty completed Stage Seven in 4:34. Both looked strong at the finish line; showing proof that they had the right stuff.

Team Tuckermen completed the entire route, from Fernie to Panorama without a single "mechanical" problem - not even a flat tire. I didn't mention that earlier for fear of jinxing the Team.

I can't sign off before I mention the hot springs!

We stopped at two on this trip - the first was the Lussier Hot Springs near Whiteswan. The second, Radium Hot Springs, we drove to last night (Friday). Lussier is a natural spring, very hot and smells like sulpher. Radium is more like a swimming pool - but very therapeutic for weary legs.

Here are the hot spring highlights, and a finish photo from Invermere.

"Patience" is for you Mona.

1 & 2) Radium Hot Springs
3) "Patience" - 6 stages complete, 1 to go.

Here are a few more photo's before I sign off (cost's 3.50 per 1/2 hour - time's almost up).

1) Ed with bikes
2) Nipika Start
3) E & M Nipika Start
4) Laundry - it's been wet the last two days. Done laundry the last four!

Don't forget - this is Stage 6 (I already posted Stage 7).

Some of you express concerns about Ed's "special cream". Not to worry - he went to the medical tent today and got it "taken care of" (photo).

This post is a bit out of order. I am including today's start from Invermere.

Ed was a little nervous today, the boys had really learned to relax the last couple of days (thank God. It has been low key, they have found a groove and stuck too it. This has been a great training session for 2008. Oh yeah - did I forget to mention we plan to take 3 teams from the County.

Photos:

1) The medical trailer.
2) Edmund preparing for Stage 6
3) Start sign at Inveremere
4) Jitters
5) Final start Marty

Today's race ends in Panorama. Check in time at the Panorama resort is 5 p.m. This place is fantastic (I drove over there this morning and tried to get in). Edmund promises a night of debauchery...wish you were here.

Hopefully the room has wireless and Ed and Marty can answer all your responses.

Maybe I should have titled this blog "sorry for the interruption". The last two stages Whiteswan Lake and Nipika were in wilderness areas, and this is the first chance I get to blog.

"Steady as she goes" describes the progress so far (it's also a song that I hear a lot up here and really dig). I am happy to report that Team Tuckermen is steadily moving up the field - on Stage one we were ranked 72 - now after 6 stages 55. The Team had a strong ride yesterday, Nipika to Invermere, coming in at 6:12 despite a long "hike-a-bike". They placed 46 for stage 6 - their best standing to date.

Stage 5 was full of chills and thrills, literally. 41 participants braved the "naked mile" Marty and Ed were not shy. For their displays Syncros provided hats, tee shirts, and a bike stem. I even got one and didn't even have to take off my shirt. Ed and Marty made the highlight reel of the DVD so get out your credit cards if you want to see it...

I am sending the blog from the Blue Dog cafe in Invermere once again - here are the photos

1) Whiteswan Start with helicopter.
2) Trail Photo.
3) Ed and Marty at Nipika Finish.
4) Ed, Nipika.
5) The fire - good place to dry shoes.

Here's a few photos before, during, and after the longest leg of the race.

1) Support life - it's not always glamorous as the picture suggests (sometimes I have to rub stuff on Ed, let's not mention the "special cream" again)
2) Joy
3) The Start of Stage 3 at Blairmore (Crowsnest pass)
4) The finish at Elkford (more accurately 15 minutes after the finish)
5) "

Well Tuckermen faithful - I feel lucky that I got these photos posted - it has been a challenge finding a terminal. I know how much you need the news - so I will do my best to continue posting. C U in cyberspace...

These photos are from Stage 2 - Sparwood to Blairmore. Stage 2 was 77K 2140 m.

1) Marty - loading as many calories as possible
2) I found them! This is where I met the team on Stage 2. About 5k to go (all downhill)
3) The 2nd to last uphill
4) Team Finish
5) Edmund at Blairmore Finish

I am having truble adding photos - here's another try

Well race fans I have a lot of catching up to do. Not sure where to begin. I am yet again in Fernie - this seems to be my best blog spot. I am at the Mugshots Bistro on a pay computer.

Ed and Marty headed off for Whiteswan Lake at 8:00 (10:00 EST). There was nearly a delay due to the food line being very slow (patience). I have a lot of photo updates and will submit them in several batches. E & M have not yet read any messages - but keep them coming.

Today's race is 94.5 K and will take the team to Whiteswan Lake - which is a wilderness area. We will probably not have another blog for a couple of days. I have to travel 4 hours myself to get to the finish line - and have to scoot out of here soon. I am still on a gel quest since I could not find any yesterday. Ed was happy (patience). I am also on a Pizza quest - Edmund suggested I have one at the finish line.

Yesterday the boys finished 54 and improved their standing to 53rd (we questioned the math - but that was official). I missed the finish because I was out on the course looking for them - their finish time was 9:38. Team Tuckermen used their "special cream" in mass quantities.

By the way - this area is fantastic. When not running errands, I get a chance to experience the local sights (the laundry mat is nice). I am told that the skiing here is off the charts - we might have to schedule an alpine adventure here.

Well - if I am successful there will be plenty of photos - enjoy. Look for a blog from Nipika Resort - Stage 5.

Oh Marcia, thanks for the warning. Low blood sugar does funny things to Ed ;-)

Photos this blog: 1) Waiting for Marty (patience) 2) " 3) Start at Elkford 4) Ed at Start

Photos:

Edmund - time for a shower

Welcome back Trans Rockies watchers - sorry we no post yesterday it seems that Blairmore does not have wireless service. I can almost guarantee that there will be no post tomorrow since we are staying at the White Swan lake wilderness area. I'll do my best to send the news today.

The boys improved their performance - and their standing today. They finished the 77k course to Blairmore in 7:28. They finsihed 54 in the division - overall they are now ranked 59. Ed said that the key was hydration...

I am in Sparwood right now doing laundry, and on a quest to find some energy gel. Ed used the last of it today. I may end up in Fernie - It does not look like any place sells it here (South of here). Ed and Marty are burning a lot of calories, needing to eat to replace what they have burned (Marty photo). Day one Ed burned 5,196 calries, Day two 4,949.

(it looks like I have to post photo's later, not sure what the glitch is. I am also running on a trickle of power on this battery - could quit at any time).

Joe

I must be getting sleepy - forgot to post those photos...

More photos for our fans - hope to have more tomorrow

Eleanor - if you are reading. I LOVE YOU. Your the best. Daddy

Tent City
The Watermelon Reward
Bridge Crossing

Hope to post another Report tomorrow. Good night Maine.

1) The Winner of Stage 1
2) Start
3) Start
4) Broken Rotor (Ed couldn't watch so I took pictures)
5) Pain

Hope you like - more coming...

Here's some highlights of the day - the best and the worst...

The Trans Rockies has begun!! "This is the toughest thing I have ever done", Ed Therrien.

The Tuckermen concluded stage one racing with a demonstration of perseverence and guts like never before seen.

Set upon the most beautiful backdrop in the world - racers faced a grueling 61 km, 1225 m race.

Team Tuckermen's first try at the Trans Rockies yielded a 72 place finish in their division. The team is 155 overall. Day one was a learning ecperience - the team had to contend with trail congestion that negated their formidible techinal skills. Ed's trademark downhill dominence was stifled for the same reason.

Tomorrow the route will take the team to Blairmire Alberta through Crowsnest pass. This ride is a bit longer and steeper than today...

(to be continued)

We took a ride to Invermere where we plan to meet Marty. Stopped at the Blue Dog Cafe to access the internet.

To give you an idea of where we are, photos: Red Dodge near Invermere, Ed waiting to register for the Trans Rockies, The "Deluxe Package" trailers (some riders paid a premium to ride in style), The Mountain scene is the parking lot of Tim Horton's (don't have quite the same view in Presque Isle).

We learned a few things today after getting the course guide and transportation maps. More than 750 riders are racing this year. Ed made friends with some riders from Seattle and Holland.

That's the news today - we probably will not blog again until after the race tomorrow. If you don't hear from us we didn't find a internet connection...but don't worry the Report will continue...