Catharine Pendrel

Our Nissan Quest Rental car Rocks! A very crowded hotel room. Ricky, you're missing out!!! 4 people, 4 bikes, 4 boxes oh yeah The Saguaro Cactus is a constant companion out here.

Picture by Rob Jones at Canadian Cyclist We are racing near Fountain Hills Arizona. The venue is placed within an old growth Saguaro Cactus forest. Many of the Cactus surrounding us at any point during the races are hundreds of years old. The weather is clear skies and a gentle breeze which helps keep riding comfortable. Races got underway with the Pro men at 12:15. The top ten were sent at 1 min intervals starting with last year’s Norba series winner JHK. It was a fast 6 mile (~10km) loop with lots of turns and undulating terrain. JHK (Sub –gary) held the lead the entire time with a smoking 19 min 44.1. Adam Craig (Giant) followed in 2nd at 9 secs back and Ross Schnell (Trek) Rounded out the top 3. 4th and 5th places went to the U23 riders Sam Schultz (Sub-Gary) and Sam Jurekovitch (USA). Sam S “The course was really fun…there was a limit to how fast you could go ...but it was really fun”. Matt Hadley was the only Canadian racing and finished in 23rd. Kabush, Talousse, Sneddon, McGra

Today as I leave Kamloops for Phoenix Arizona and the first stop on the NMBS (Norba) circuit, Kamloops is the hotspot of BC at 15 degrees. We have been teased for the last month or so with warm days followed by cold systems and fresh snow fall, iced windshields and seemingly untouchable trails. Today all but one ride area in Kamloops is good to go. This weekend’s race will be in the Fountain Hills area outside Scottsdale Arizona. There is a 6km TT Friday, but I’m planning to skip it to give it all in the next two races. The Short Track is slotted for 7:30 Saturday night in downtown Scottsdale. It should be interesting. 1 lap is supposed to be 1 min or less as we loop off and on pavement. It will no doubt be fast and painful and my first real chance to see how the legs are going to react to racing. Sunday we race the xc. Women are slotted for 3 laps at prime time heat 1:00…and it is supposed to be a hot 98 degrees F. So that’s 30 something - closer to 40 for us? We get the c

My friend Brendan and his wife Amanda recently moved to Revelstoke. After getting over the initial shock that there was so much snow this year their Jack Russel could hop over the 7ft fence surrounding their yard, they decided not only to stay, but to follow a dream of having their own bike shop. They are two wonderful people and are going to be carrying some good lines so definitely stop by and Check them out. Opening Day is April 1st. Revelstoke also has some of the best XC trails I’ve ridden so make sure to take your xc bike and get a trail map of Macpherson…well maybe wait till May for the Snow to clear.

Ahh...looks like spring on the coast....this was the day I road raced. There were posted road flooded signs as we entered armstrong With me back to 3 days a week of work and Keith on Spring break it was a good time for us to get away and hopefully get in some mtb miles. Scanning forecasts around the province we decided to start our 4 day trip in Penticton. Penticton has to be one of the lesser discovered riding mecas in BC. It has both phenomenal road and mtb riding. We were on a mission for trails though and got 7hrs in over 2 days there. Next time your in the area stop at the Bike Barn and ask them where to find a trail called Rebellion. You won’t be disappointed. We stayed with the Prowses, who were once again amazingly hospitable and a great example of how to live life as they continually pursue their passions – be it bicycles, pottery, music or starting their own vineyard. It would have been easy to stay in Penticton longer, but I was scheduled to be at Norco Tuesday morning. So

Every Tuesday starting in April at 5:30 I’ll be at the Home Depot Gate to Kenna Cartwright ready to go riding! So if you’re a women and you live in Kamloops – or are passing through - please come out and join me! The ride will be a moderate pace with breaks and a great chance for local women to get to know some more ride buddies, have fun and have some extra motivation to get out after work. Depending on trail conditions, daylight and desire we might hit trails on Kenna Cartwright, Peterson, Aberdeen or Batchelor. Hope to see you there

H&R Block signed on this year as one of the Canadian National Cycling team sponsors. A couple weeks ago I received a letter saying they’d do my taxes for free! Pretty sweet. So today I swung by the local branch in Kamloops and about 10 minutes later my taxes were done. So if you need to get your taxes done take them to H&R Block and let them know I sent you! You even get $10 for each person you refer.

4 weeks to go to my first race. Norba #1 will be Mar 31/Apr 1 near Phoenix Arizona. Everything’s all booked and I’ll be meeting up with Mical Dyck, Matt Hadley and new comer Joele Guynup (USA) for the weekend of racing. Got out for my first mtb ride on real trails yesterday and it felt sooo good. Still a bit snow covered, but enough to get a taste and some of the feel back. Can’t wait for my new bikes. The Norco EXCs just feel sooo good and we’ve got some great sponsors lined up again next year…Sram (Avid, truvativ), Marzocchi suspension forks, Wtb, DT Swiss, Kenda and sixsixone. Just got my new shoes the other day and they’re wicked. SixSixOne Pros- they’ve totally revamped the stingers giving them a stiffer sole, deeper tread pattern and removable toe cleats. They’ve also added a buckle strap on top – nothing worse then having your foot move around when you go to stomp on the pedals. All the changes with the newer flashier, sexier shoe and they’ve made a great affordable product eve

The tragically hip came to town in January and Keith and I went to check it out. The opening band was kinda fun, The Sadies – folky and funky – but better seen in a small pub rather than a big arena. The Hip on the other hand was awesome in a big venue. They had so much sound and presence.

So after the wedding it was back to work for a couple days- slaves to having an income for at least ½ the year! But then it was Christmas and after a fun couple of days in Revelstoke with the Wilson’s and lots of skiing and baking we were off to Rossland in 30 cm of fresh powder to do some DH skiing at Red Mountain. We stayed at the Ram’s Head inn. It’s a super nice log inn with great inn keepers and some fantastic breakfast. The common area was beautiful with a warm rustic feel enhanced by the large stone fireplace. The hill was great with the new snow and we got in 4 days of DH skiing and a couple xc skis to boot. Our friends Eric and Kathleen had just moved to town, some other east coast friends were there visiting them and my bro arrived on New years so we got in lots of visiting too. New Years we spent a full day on Red and Granite mountain then it was hot tubing and champagne to bring in the new year. We headed back to Revelstoke to pick up our cats on the way home and got snow