Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Day 7 - Fresh and Clean!
Looking through my pictures, I don't really have many good ones to post. It was so cloudy and rainy, and all the pictures I took of Jeff finishing just seem too personal to post. Exhausted, dirty racers aren't really all that photogenic - Imagine that!
This one was taken near Hart Creek on the way into Canmore. Check out that good looking Speed River club kit. I know my friend Noel has some better pictures than me of the finish, I'll see if I can grab any.
Mud Mud and more Mud
This is Jeff's bike after the fourth day - and this is after crossing the Sheep River!!
After recovering from some mild hypothermia, Jeff proceeded to spend 3 hours cleaning and rehabilitating his machine. This race is crazy hard on bikes. One week of racing probably caused a year's worth of wear. Even the derailleur cage has been worn down... geesh.
Monday, August 15, 2005
Mulling it over - After the Transrockies
Well, I didn't find any more small town public libraries and then when we got home, laundry and food took priority over posting! Wow, what a race. It's very strange to be around people in a continuous competitive mindset - it's all a bit more subtle.
Jeff had a good race and, thank goodness, had no injuries or major mechanical issues all week. Sure his knees are a bit sore, but compared to the range of possible injuries he sailed through! Unfortunately, on Wednesday morning it was clear that Jeff's race partner Paul was going to be too busy with his media relations duties to compete, so Jeff was left to ride on his own. The world of a single rider in a team race gets pretty murky. On Wednesday, though he finished with a time just over 7 hours and 10 minutes, he was given the 12 hour disqualified time in the standings. Luckily (in a sick way) they let him keep racing for the rest of the week but he picked up an hour penalty at each of the feed stations, adding another 12 or so hours to his overall time. There were about a dozen other riders in similar positions, and let me just say that the desire to finish this race is boardering on the fanatical! There were people riding on with bronchial infections, broken collar bones, mid-range fevers.... geesh!
Given all this determiniation it was stunningly inspiring to see them all try so hard. Almost everyday I found myself in a position to help people out in times of bad luck and I was more than happy to do it. I gave out towels and clothes to those with lost luggage, chain lube, chain lube and more chain lube out on the trails, pedals, wheels, rides home to warm beds for a few locals, etc... Although there were many times when it was clear there were problems with the race organization, people really band together and the offering of goodwill, mutual appretiation and well, simply good karma, is terrific. It was so encouraging that by the final dinner on Saturday night in Canmore even I was thinking of starting to train to try and race it next year. As a girl who has just gotten her own mountain bike this year, I think this might still just be out of my league... hee hee
I have been playing around with the video functions of my digital camera and will spend the next few lunch-hours this week working to get the perfect stills for posting. After the first few days I realised that I simply do not have enough practice with the split-second delay of a digital camera and was getting some great shots of Jeff's back after he passed by. Hence, the movies.
If you are interested in more details of the race, Keith Bontrager wrote a great diary for cyclingnews.com
Although sleeping in the back of the matrix was miles better than sleeping in the old GTI, next year I am excitedly thinking about renting an RV. Those things are really living in the lap of luxury. Warm dry beds, your own bathroom, heat, space to stretch, cook, wash dishes.... i've got stars in my eyes!
I'll post some pictures soon :)
Jeff had a good race and, thank goodness, had no injuries or major mechanical issues all week. Sure his knees are a bit sore, but compared to the range of possible injuries he sailed through! Unfortunately, on Wednesday morning it was clear that Jeff's race partner Paul was going to be too busy with his media relations duties to compete, so Jeff was left to ride on his own. The world of a single rider in a team race gets pretty murky. On Wednesday, though he finished with a time just over 7 hours and 10 minutes, he was given the 12 hour disqualified time in the standings. Luckily (in a sick way) they let him keep racing for the rest of the week but he picked up an hour penalty at each of the feed stations, adding another 12 or so hours to his overall time. There were about a dozen other riders in similar positions, and let me just say that the desire to finish this race is boardering on the fanatical! There were people riding on with bronchial infections, broken collar bones, mid-range fevers.... geesh!
Given all this determiniation it was stunningly inspiring to see them all try so hard. Almost everyday I found myself in a position to help people out in times of bad luck and I was more than happy to do it. I gave out towels and clothes to those with lost luggage, chain lube, chain lube and more chain lube out on the trails, pedals, wheels, rides home to warm beds for a few locals, etc... Although there were many times when it was clear there were problems with the race organization, people really band together and the offering of goodwill, mutual appretiation and well, simply good karma, is terrific. It was so encouraging that by the final dinner on Saturday night in Canmore even I was thinking of starting to train to try and race it next year. As a girl who has just gotten her own mountain bike this year, I think this might still just be out of my league... hee hee
I have been playing around with the video functions of my digital camera and will spend the next few lunch-hours this week working to get the perfect stills for posting. After the first few days I realised that I simply do not have enough practice with the split-second delay of a digital camera and was getting some great shots of Jeff's back after he passed by. Hence, the movies.
If you are interested in more details of the race, Keith Bontrager wrote a great diary for cyclingnews.com
Although sleeping in the back of the matrix was miles better than sleeping in the old GTI, next year I am excitedly thinking about renting an RV. Those things are really living in the lap of luxury. Warm dry beds, your own bathroom, heat, space to stretch, cook, wash dishes.... i've got stars in my eyes!
I'll post some pictures soon :)
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Tuesday Morning at TransRockies
Three cheers for public access internet at small town public libraries!
This morning sees the racers off into the cold and wet. There was a big rain storm last night in Elkford and luckily I bought the last tarp from the hardware store when our old one was ripped apart by the wind. Unfortunately the last tarp in town was a 12'x18' behemoth, so we were well covered.
The race is perking along well, and those who were top contenders are showing their colours. Probably the most amazing thing in my eyes is the large spread of finishing times. There are certainly two separate crowds here - those who race to win, and those who race to finish. Yesterday was a long stage mostly on a dirt road, and today again has something like 80% of the riding on gravel and paved roads. After this though, the stages get shorter but are almost all single-track. A second perk to this is the riding will be getting better around the camping areas so us support people can go entertain ourselves too!
Jeff is still alive, having fun and, knock on wood, has had no major issues and nor has his partner. Jeff's partner Paul is writing the Stage Reports for the main website. Check them out to get all the news and gossip actually related to the racers.
I'll post pictures soon!
This morning sees the racers off into the cold and wet. There was a big rain storm last night in Elkford and luckily I bought the last tarp from the hardware store when our old one was ripped apart by the wind. Unfortunately the last tarp in town was a 12'x18' behemoth, so we were well covered.
The race is perking along well, and those who were top contenders are showing their colours. Probably the most amazing thing in my eyes is the large spread of finishing times. There are certainly two separate crowds here - those who race to win, and those who race to finish. Yesterday was a long stage mostly on a dirt road, and today again has something like 80% of the riding on gravel and paved roads. After this though, the stages get shorter but are almost all single-track. A second perk to this is the riding will be getting better around the camping areas so us support people can go entertain ourselves too!
Jeff is still alive, having fun and, knock on wood, has had no major issues and nor has his partner. Jeff's partner Paul is writing the Stage Reports for the main website. Check them out to get all the news and gossip actually related to the racers.
I'll post pictures soon!
Saturday, August 06, 2005
long time no post
Howdy!
I don't know how many friends will be cheking in on this anymore as nothing all that exciting has been happening. I had a few saved drafts about my field work, but they seemed a little too mundane. There are only so many ways to describe rocks and trees and gas rig trailers. But now i do have somehting to write about. Jeff (my absolutely amazing partner) is starting the TransRockies Challenge tomorrow!
So here I am, hanging out in a B&B in fernie with an internet connection and a bit of guilt about my dropped blog. I have my camera, but sadly in the packing rush i forgot the cord to dowload the pictures. Fingers crossed that i am organized enough to post photos when we get back to Calgary.
Hanging out at the community rec center in Ferine where the registration took place was totally mad! There are 300 racers (or there abouts) all trying to register. This race certainly takes some serious organization. The parking lot is crazy too - all told there are approx. 75 RVs with racers, organizers, media etc.. all hanging around. This really is part race, part carnival. All the hotels and hostels are packed with people taking their last nice hot shower and getting ready for their last good sleep, with racers riding around the streets wondering if they need to just spin the jet lag from their legs or eat a big meal, or maybe some spaced out small meals, or do one last pre-ride of the start loop near town before dark. People are stopping each other in the streets and running into friends from last year's race. I don't think there will be much of a party tonight as people are nervous about what to expect tomorrow. Even I'm starting to get nervous! geesh! :)
Hopefully there will be great stories to come over the next week. Stay tuned!
I don't know how many friends will be cheking in on this anymore as nothing all that exciting has been happening. I had a few saved drafts about my field work, but they seemed a little too mundane. There are only so many ways to describe rocks and trees and gas rig trailers. But now i do have somehting to write about. Jeff (my absolutely amazing partner) is starting the TransRockies Challenge tomorrow!
So here I am, hanging out in a B&B in fernie with an internet connection and a bit of guilt about my dropped blog. I have my camera, but sadly in the packing rush i forgot the cord to dowload the pictures. Fingers crossed that i am organized enough to post photos when we get back to Calgary.
Hanging out at the community rec center in Ferine where the registration took place was totally mad! There are 300 racers (or there abouts) all trying to register. This race certainly takes some serious organization. The parking lot is crazy too - all told there are approx. 75 RVs with racers, organizers, media etc.. all hanging around. This really is part race, part carnival. All the hotels and hostels are packed with people taking their last nice hot shower and getting ready for their last good sleep, with racers riding around the streets wondering if they need to just spin the jet lag from their legs or eat a big meal, or maybe some spaced out small meals, or do one last pre-ride of the start loop near town before dark. People are stopping each other in the streets and running into friends from last year's race. I don't think there will be much of a party tonight as people are nervous about what to expect tomorrow. Even I'm starting to get nervous! geesh! :)
Hopefully there will be great stories to come over the next week. Stay tuned!
Sunday, January 30, 2005
That's my job! - take 2
I was all excited that I could post pictures, and looking back at those last posts I had some revelations - I'm a poor typist and I should clarify that I do spend hours and hours at a desk looking at a screen just like everyone else. Most of my days are spent trying to predict what will happen or what did happen relating to who put what into the air, and many tasks more mundane than that. I do like it, but it's not exactly exciting :)
Well, I am feeling myself slipping into exactly what I said I did not want this blog to be - my thoughts on mundane life. I will end it here. Other 'adventures' that you may soon see posted are: 1) my learning to snowboard, 2) my taking an environmental law course, or 3) my next trip up north. Stay tuned!
Well, I am feeling myself slipping into exactly what I said I did not want this blog to be - my thoughts on mundane life. I will end it here. Other 'adventures' that you may soon see posted are: 1) my learning to snowboard, 2) my taking an environmental law course, or 3) my next trip up north. Stay tuned!
What an acid job looks like...
I'll admit, when I first headed up to a site I had no idea what to expect. This picture is from my fourth site and I'm starting to be more comfortable with what goes on. Basically, there are alot of really explosive things in a small space with dozens of people doing thier specific jobs really well. This is the smallest drilling rig I had seen, but the most trucks per square inch. Watching them maneover and fit together with high pressure lines everywhere is somewhat impressive. Whdn you break it apart into each job/piece, nothing is all that difficult. It's only when you stand back and look at the whole thing - yikes!
If you look closely behing the first trailer you can see a tiny anemometer atop a very straight-looking 'tree' - that's my job!
If you look closely behing the first trailer you can see a tiny anemometer atop a very straight-looking 'tree' - that's my job!
Met Tower
So this is what I babysit when I'm up on a rig. The Met Tower. The small beehive-thingy above the solar panel is the thermister (temperature reader) and 10 meters up there is the anemometer. They are wired into the white Campbell box (facing north) to the data logger. It runs off the car battery, charged by the solar panel, and in this case there is also a satellite modem attached. I was not staying at this site, (just set up and take down) the data was being downloaded to Richmond and they were advised by email. ooooohhh technology :)
Snowy Roads 2
This was a few days later, but about 300 kms farther north from the last photo. You'll notice only one set of tracks. These roads are two-way, but you use a radio to call your position and slow down/move over when someone is coming. Following logging tradition, most roads call 'loaded' or 'empty' to distinguish which direction you're traveling. This photo makes me laugh because the road was called 'Bubbles'. So this is me, driving 'loaded on Bubbles'. hee hee
Snowy Roads 1
O.k. clearing the backlog I am finally getting to the few pictures I took when I was in the field in November. I'm heading back up on Tuesday, so there might be more soon. This is generally the same area as I am heading to next week - though next week I'll be on a different road, just on the other side of that mountain ahead of me. Unfortunately for this lovely area, the reserves are super-sour and so the potential to harm through flaring is very high. I don't want to comment on my job or the companies who hire us on this blog, but some days I really question the definition of 'profitable'.
Connecting Space
This is the last peice. Standing next to the mirror in the hallway, this is the bedroom/living room transition. Oh yes, and the bikes in the living room :)
Kitchen
True to my roots, no apartment description is complete without a picture of the kitchen. The sink is directly opposite. All in all, about 4 square meters.
Backlog 1
Okeedokey, I think I've got this photo posting thing figured. I can't seem to post more than one at a time though, so that'll be my next goal. For those of you who care, Jeff and I seem to be a bit famous for the tiny spaces we live in. I thought that this one wasn't too bad, but looking at the photos I took right after moving in, this place is less than 2/3rds the size of Arthur St. (maybe a bit more than half)
Friday, January 28, 2005
Baby Steps
I'm getting ever closer to my goal of sharing my adventures. So much for a christmas present eh? This happy lady I'm using to test my photo uploading abilities is scanned from a gorgeous japanese tea towel my mom gave me for christmas. More to come :)
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
Hold your Horses!
Hi all,
So much for my posting things for christmas eh? I have a good excuse though! I'm not particularly taken by the "opps, I left my diary on the coffee table" aspect that blogs have these days, so i'm not going to give you my opinion on every little thing going in my life. However, I am still interested in posting pictures and relaying my adventures - but, I can't seem to post pictures at the momment (and usually I'm pretty good with error messages, working tech support and all). The one guy I know who definitely knows how to do it is away in Thailand (he's O.K.!), so I'll try to corner him when I can and get this site on it's way.
Happy 2005 - I hope it's going well.
Zoe
So much for my posting things for christmas eh? I have a good excuse though! I'm not particularly taken by the "opps, I left my diary on the coffee table" aspect that blogs have these days, so i'm not going to give you my opinion on every little thing going in my life. However, I am still interested in posting pictures and relaying my adventures - but, I can't seem to post pictures at the momment (and usually I'm pretty good with error messages, working tech support and all). The one guy I know who definitely knows how to do it is away in Thailand (he's O.K.!), so I'll try to corner him when I can and get this site on it's way.
Happy 2005 - I hope it's going well.
Zoe
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Testing
Hello.
It's getting close to christmas and I figure instead of writting a bunch of same-old same-old letters to family and friends, I'd start a blog to log my stories. Who knows if I'll stick with it, but I intend to... any bets?
More to come. So far so good.
z
It's getting close to christmas and I figure instead of writting a bunch of same-old same-old letters to family and friends, I'd start a blog to log my stories. Who knows if I'll stick with it, but I intend to... any bets?
More to come. So far so good.
z
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