Here it is then. The last day of one of the hardest things I will ever do. I was starting to feel proud of myself already.

With a later start everyone was well energised and raring to get it over with. The race got off to a fast pace again and with a few drags early on I realised I still had to do this stage and had to concentrate as my mind began to wonder.

With nothing too difficult the race finished with a lovely piece of downhill single track. It summed up the week in the Rockies - the best mountain biking you will do. As we came down the main street in Fernie it was amazing. Their street was lined with loads of people and the cheers were great. The congratulations and handshakes at the end last for a long time as we waited for a few of the guys we had became friends with to come in. One of our friends, Ian, from Wexford came across the line on his ass. It was probably one of the funniest things anyone there had ever seen. MORE »

Matty has checked in with his thoughts on the event after the sixth race…

Contributed by: Matty Blayney

Well it’s nearing an end and I’m starting to come out of the dumps. I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. Today however was one of the hardest if not the hardest. The Altitude gain or elevation gain was over 2000m. I’m not sure of the exact number but it was far bigger than any other stage. I’ll put up the graphs of each stage when I’m home. (check cycleseen.com for that)

The mood among the riders was good. Everyone knew if they could make today they were more or less home as tomorrow is an easier day. I felt weird; in one hand I was glad to be doing the last big stage and in another hand I was annoyed at myself for not enjoying it more. The more I talked to people the more I realised lots of people were on the same boat. MORE »

Matty has checked in with his thoughts on the event after the fifth race…

Contributed by: Matty Blayney

Today we reached Elkford. Happy days. 1528m of altitude gain today and it was tough as expected.

It was a relaxed start for 15km then our 1st climb. It last 15km and almost at the bottom the heat hit after another cold morning. I had little in my head today other than getting to Elkford to make contact with the outside world. The river crossings woke me up though. The water is very cold and the current is surprisingly strong. I was sitting behind an Australian guy heading into one and he decided to ride it. He went off a sudden underwater drop and went straight over the bars into the water. Anyone who knows me knows I’m easily amused and couldn’t stop laughing at him. He didn’t see the funny side. The climb winded again and again but it meant some shade and other views.

The descent was great as usual. Some of them last longer than a lot of races I’ve done. Ur wrists get very painful and my left hand has gone numb a few times. MORE »

Matty has checked in with his thoughts on the event after the forth race…

Contributed by: Matty Blayney

Another freezing morning, another race. today takes us from Nipika to Whiteswan Lake. Nipaka, though I moaned a lot, is actually a very interesting place. It is built using 100% natural materials from within its own forest! That includes the milling etc. They pride themselves on being self-sustainable. A great ski holiday point. MORE »

Matty has checked in with his thoughts on the event after the third race…

Contributed by: Matty Blayney

Today the race went from Nipika does 90km and back to Nipika due to forest fires. This is so tough. Waking up at 530 and lining up for breakfast in the cold is not easy after yesterday. And the tent was soaked with the dew. Putting sun cream on in the cold wet tent wasn’t a joy either but I knew once the sun broke over the mountain the heat would pile on. 

As expected it went from cold to extremely hot very fast.  Today was probably the toughest yet and this challenge is really starting to break me. Physically I am good but mentally I’m a wreck. They give u these books with a diagram of the elevation against distance. Some people here swear by them and there’s nothing worse than climbing beside some guy who frequently tells you how far and how high you’ve yet to go. And they are so chirpy. “Hey man, not even half way there. How u doin”?  “Well considering that I feel like I’m riding on the sun and you keep telling me how long I’ve got to go, I don’t feel too great”.  MORE »

Matty has checked in with his thoughts on the event after the second race…

Contributed by: Matty Blayney

Today we travelled out of Invermere and the last real place with civilisation in it. It was freezing this morning and mentally i was not looking forward to the race. 

Of course as i sat on the line didn’t I discover my back brake not working! The mechanic said he sorted it but it was to come and go all day. The ride out of town was spectacular. 600 riders going through this small town with every1 out was a good feeling. It wasn’t to last long.

Straight into the first climb I was trying to find a pace to suit me. Like a light bulb the heat came on and I had to get the arm warmers etc off. It was a very long drag with a slight hike at the top. I was cursing the organisers but again i met some people on the way up which helped. MORE »

Matty has checked in with his thoughts on the event after the first race…

Contributed by: Matty Blayney

The race started today and it was brilliant.  There were loads of people to see us off.  It was straight up a mountain though so things got tough quick.

The heat was killing me and it got a lot worse when we had to hike up climbs with the bikes.  You couldn’t ride down these hills never mind up them.  The 2.3km climb took well over an hour.  I felt like cryin’ and packin’ it in but an American guy kept me going. MORE »

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