Last night Matty e-mailed to touch base and give us his toughts on Canada, the Trans-Rockies experience and everything about the event so far.  Here is what he had to say.  All being well a blog for stage one will appear shortly!

Contributed by: Matthew Blayney 

Well I’m all set for the start of the race tomorrow. This place is amazing. I’ll definitely be back.  It’s probably the nicest place I’ve ever been to.  There are Mountains everywhere and so much to do.  In the winter Panorama is a ski resort but at the minute it is a cycling paradise.

We went for a ride yesterday into the nearest town Invermere.  It was 13 mile in and all downhill, unfortunately that meant uphill the whole way back but I ended up meeting 2 more Irish guys and yet more Brits.  I think there are about 5 Irish teams and maybe a dozen British.  We are the only Northern Irish though.

The sign on today was brilliant.  They gave each rider so much free stuff and I ended up blagging another tent out of it, which is excellent.  We’ve met so many people already from all over the world - The accent is going down a storm!!

The mountain we are at the foot of is class.  Went on the ski lift to the top today and the weather was fantastic, just like home but slightly hotter though not as hot as I expected.  Toronto was extremely hot.

The course has had to be changed slightly due to forest fires, which now means day 3 will be a 120km. some of the climbs we are expected to do are ridiculous.  Tomorrow starts straight into a 26km climb then ‘hike-s-bike’ which I don’t like the sound of, and then a seriously long downhill.  Apparently there are 36 double backs on the downhill.  Ross you would love this place.  Have seen a good few roadies as well.

Oh and I found out this is on live TV out here so it’ll be on back home in a few weeks I think.

Anyway I’m away to bed now for some much needed rest, very nervous but I will try letting you know how I am getting on each day but I’m not sure if it’ll be possible.

Matty

Category: Mountainbike » Canada, Matthew Blayney, Matty's Trans Rockies Diary, Trans Rockies |

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