Lighting Up the Night with Onlia

I have been involved in a lot of cycling events over the years but recently I was a part of a different kind of cycling experience. It didn’t involve mountain biking or a competition and took place in the heart of downtown Toronto in -15 degrees Celsius on the dark night.  Sound a bit weird? Actually, it was quite the opposite. Onlia is a new digital brand offering a safe driving app and digital auto insurance in Ontario. With roots in The Netherlands, a known safe cycling capital, Onlia hosted this event to promote road safety for all in Canada… yes, for drivers AND cyclists.  They have a mission to always put safety first, a value that is CRUCIAL for all while we share and enjoy our Canadian roads. 

A couple years ago, I was cycling back from school when my perspective on road safety changed dramatically.  It was nighttime, pouring rain, and I had to bike along a very busy road that had no shoulder or bike lane.  Forced to ride on the sidewalk, I was not seen by a car and was hit at a fast speed from the side.  This scenario had always been a, “What If” moment for me, then comes the moment you feel your body dent the side of a car and then you’re rolling off the hood.  So much can happen in a fraction of a second, seemingly out of your control.  This is a terrifying and horrible situation for everyone involved, cyclist and driver. Everyone makes mistakes but many accidents can be prevented.  I was insanely lucky to walk away relatively fine physically, with my commuter bike fixable and a greater sense of bike safety awareness for the future. 

Although I race mountain bikes, I spend a LOT of time road riding for training. It’s so easy to hop on your bike and head out on the roads day in and day out without giving a second thought for the risk you endure.  I know I can speak for myself and my elite-level cyclist friends by saying that each year there are too many close calls and accidents that could have been avoided.  Compared to the country side roads, the city can feel like a war-zone between cyclists and cars.  Infrastructure is lacking in most urban areas, discouraging people to even consider cycling as a convenient or safe mode of transportation, for their work commute, or as a hobby.  

Onlia provided Torontonians with a supportive and fun environment to learn about safe, nighttime city cycling.  Proper lights on bikes are VERY important for cars to see cyclists.  At a minimum, all cyclists should have a white light on the front and red light on the back (this is actually the law at nighttime).  With the help of Onlia, four colourful lights were installed onto the wheels of bikes for everyone that attended the cycling safety event; hence the event name “Light Up The Night”. Not only do the lights look super cool when the wheels are spinning, but you are much more visible and safer on busy roads. 

Cycling as an alternative to driving offers so many benefits to peoples’ individual health and society as a whole.  How can we expect to transition to a greener and more sustainable city without cooperation between drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and city planners? Generally, drivers DO want to be kind and share the road. It should be a collaborative effort between drivers and cyclists to make our roads safer. Events like Onlia’s, “Light Up The Night” are needed to raise awareness about road safety issues, influence cities within the GTA, remind drivers to support and look out for cyclists, and finally to teach cyclists how to ride safe and be seen. 

Thank you, Onlia, for advocating for a safer community for all. 

Want to get involved? Learn more about Onlia’s safety movement at Onlia.ca and follow them on Facebook, Twitterand Instagram!

Rollercoaster Season

Here is yet another one of my blog posts, attempting to summarize the busiest and most exciting months of my year without writing a 1000 page book.  This one is more of a collection of photos, following a timeline of my summer race season and adventures.

Overall, my 2017 season went like this: big up, big down, little up, little down, big up. It was quite a rollercoaster of performance, confidence levels, and jet lag from jumping around the globe.

Here is a brief (ok, as brief as I could make it) explanation of my summer's Who's, What's, Where's, and Why's: 
(Exact results are in point form following this summary)

I had some amazing races at early season Canada Cups with the Trek Canada team in Quebec and Ontario, which really boosted my confidence and I set my goals/hopes high as I embarked on a 2 month journey living out of my bike bags. First, I went to Andorra then Switzerland for 2 World Cup races with Team Canada.  I was very disappointed to perform relatively poorly, as I wasn't responding well to these locations at altitude. As always, disappointing races provide opportunity for the best kind of learning.  It was straight to Canmore next, where I stayed with family friends for one week, then met up with my Trek family for National Championships. A flat tire on the first lap partnered with feelings of still not being 'on form', made for another upsetting race day at Nationals.  But using 'failure' as fuel and staying focused forwards, I set off to Winnipeg with Team Ontario for the Canada Summer Games! Things started to take an upwards turn at the Games. I was selected to be the Flag Bearer for the province of Ontario at the Opening Ceremonies, which was an immense honour and incredible experience. In the XC race, I was beginning to feel a little more like myself, having my strongest race since those Ontario Canada Cups.  Directly to Mont. St. Anne, Quebec I flew next, for Canada's World Cup event.  The day before the race as I was practicing on the slippery course, I went down and my elbow took the blunt of my weight, hitting a rock.  Even with stitches in my swollen elbow, I had hopes of being able to race the next day... but I couldn't hold onto my bars the next day even on road bumps, so racing was out of the plan. Luckily, it was the end of my big trip and time to go home anyways, so I had time for my elbow to heal. A week at my cottage for a family reunion was a perfect mental/physical break from all the travelling and racing over the past several weeks. After the cottage break, I had 2 weeks at home to train (and race Provincial Championships) before leaving to Australia for World Championships! Australia was INCREDIBLE before, during, and after the race with Team Canada. My coach Jeff Ain helped me prep well, and I felt like I was "on it" physically, mentally, and tactically. I didn't have a break through performance by any means at Worlds, but I finally was able to race to my normal potential at the international stage. My World's race was a much needed positive way to end the season, and I got to celebrate with a few days of vacation around the Cairns area post-race before heading back to the reality of University in Ontario.

Check out a whole wack of photos at the end of this post!

Results in chronological order (since last blog post):

• Horseshoe Canada Cup: 3rd Elite / 1st U23
• Hardwood Canada Cup: 2nd Elite / 1st U23
• Andorra World Cup: 35th (U23)
• Switzerland World Cup: 38th (U23)
• National Championships: 4th (U23)
• Canada Summer Games: 3rd (U23)
• Mt. St. Anne World Cup: DNS
• Ontario Provincial Championships: 1st Elite
• WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: 16th

I have major support networks that helped me get to all these races, be prepared for these races, and have the best equipment for these races. 

Trek Canada MTB Team has been my rock of support for the past 4 years, and I'm continuing onto my 5th year with this group that has become a tight knit community of mine. Equipment is a huge aspect of cycling at a high level, and Trek Toronto Store is always taking the best of care of the team with the highest quality.

Trek Canada meets the Canadian Rockies (at Nationals)

A successful race season is created in the off season.  For the past year, the NextGen program has helped me every single day in some shape or form. With my coach Jeff Ain and all the other IST services such as nutrition, strength coaching, mental performance, physiology, and physio, the NextGen program has helped it's athletes on the path to international success.

Just finished the dusty race at Worlds, looking quite wrecked, but so happy to see Jeff there at the finish for me!

This past year I continued to wear Smith Optics on every single training ride and in every race. When I think about it, its ridiculous how much I depend on my riding glasses; feeling completely naked without them.

Apparently also always wearing my casual Smith Optics (and enjoying my cottage with these awesome ladies)

OF COURSE I cannot forget about the two most important people of all: my mom and dad with their unwavering support and love. 

I definitely met some major goals this season that I set out for myself a year ago, process and result wise.  However there was much I was hoping to accomplish that I didn't. These goals carry over and bring momentum into my off season training which starts now. 

I have been at school for the past month now, in my third year of studies for my Kinesiology degree while dabbling in cyclocross and cross country running races. The school year is always very difficult to maintain a high performance lifestyle while studying full time, volunteering, and keeping sanity.   Even though sometimes I feel unstoppable, invincible, and like I can go, go, go.... my body says otherwise and I get sick with my immune system as my weak link. So here's to the next half a year of fall/winter/spring training, midterm/exam studying, and taking time to slow down and smell the roses along the way.

OK NOW FOR THE PHOTO REEL......

Helping out with the Trillium Trailblazer's event before the Canada Cups.  Love hanging out with these young girls who are so excited to be on their bikes!

Racing at Hardwood Canada Cup

My results from the Canada Cups in BC, Quebec, and Ontario landed me as the overall Elite Women Canada Cup Series Winner!

Jumping for joy with other Team Canada teammates because we were in Andorra!

Thin air up here... oh wait that's just my breath being taken away from the beautiful views

Fired up

Suffering during Switzerland World Cup course (zoom in for the full effect)

When you're all alone and have a 15 hour layover in London, England ... you ask strangers (who may not actually speak any English at all) to take "artsy" photos for you

Arrived in Canmore, Canada, and happy to be spending some time with family

Getting in the zone pre Nationals race

NAT CHAMPS LEGGGOOOO

yup shit happens

OK NOW THIS WAS REAL COOL.... hiked a mountain at sunset, slept outside under the stars, woke up to watch the sunrise.  Thanks to this rad chika in the blue hat

We had a tent, but didn't use it.  Except for this awesome photo. So obviously it was worth setting up

More camping pics... just trying to justify how COOL this was

Seriously, I could just keep posting photos from this sleepover and never get bored (but this is the last one I swear)

Yet still more beautiful views with Sarah!

With the Team Ontario Staff at the Canada Summer Games, trying to figure out how to not look awkward holding a flag everywhere

About to enter Opening Ceremonies with the best province

JUSTIN TRUDEAU TALKED TO ME RIGHT ABOUT NOW

Now it was all business racing at the Canada Summer Games

Thanks to that IKEA in the distance for giving us their construction dirt so we had a hill to race on in Winnipeg

So proud of our Team O ladies

Now in Mt. St. Anne Quebec... wasn't my day with the stupid elbow issue, but THIS ROCKSTAR RIGHT HERE FINISHED 4TH AS A FIRST YEAR U23!!!! Proud girlfriend on the right

After a whirlwind of travelling, so relaxing to be at the cottage with family

Nothing quite like the long travel days to get to Australia... but beyond worth it to be there, with Team Canada, and racing at World Champs!

Tropical

It's go time

Suffering and I love it

weehooooo

Post race endorphins are so high right here.

Just one of the many people behind the magic of Team Canada... Thanks to Jenn and the rest of the Team Canada IST!

OFFICIALLY OFF SEASON!!!! (But lets go run up a mountain and see how fast we can do the "2 hour" hike)

You seriously have no idea how much Sidney and I freaked out with happiness when we found turtles 

hot stuff am I right

Just trying to find Nemo.  Or was I looking for Dory?

Harsh reality check coming back to university (& 2 weeks already behind)... but the fact that Erica and Quinton are now at McMaster made it 99% less painful

AND obviously my face hurts because I've been smiling so much since I'm seeing all my best friends at school again!!

Oh ya, there's this other sport I like to do a lot in the fall... XC running! I didn't just forget my bike, don't worry.

Ok I ALSO run a bit WHILE carrying a bike (no its not broken, I will start to race actually riding it again very soon after this photo)

Catching a bit of CX fever

(and XC (running) fever... I guess the order of the letters is interchangeable)

Thanks for reading! Until later... ☮ out

The Early Season

Hellllooooooooo from the summer-vacating, stress-free Soren!
Can't say I was anything better than stress-ridden just over a month ago during exam time, finishing up my second year at McMaster University. After coming back from B.C. mid-semester, I was annihilated by midterms, labs, and then exams every week. Training was tough with uncooperative weather and I got sick a lot. It definitely wasn't easy, but with my great friends at school, we were able to persevere until the end of exams. And in the end, I was very happy with my final grades and seeing my hard work pay off. During exam weeks I had my first races in Ontario!

The Ontario cup season began at Woodnewton where we had the full Trek Canada Team together for the first time of 2017! I had a great battle that day with Elyse Nieuwold and played my tactics just right to come away with the win! It felt amazing to be back on my beloved Trek Procaliber for the race season and to look so FAST in our new team kits!

That weekend I also did a Fast and a female Champ chat in Dundas, ON! It is amazing seeing all the young girls faces and attitudes light up as they get involved, active, and inspired throughout the afternoon. 

After finishing off my last two exams that week, I was racing Paris to Ancaster. The 70 km spring classic road/cyclocross race definitely had classic spring conditions that's for sure. It was pouring rain before the start (luckily lightened up for the race), was very cold, and there was STRONG west-ward wind that made for a nasty head wind 90% of the race. Let me tell you, that was not a good day to have bad racing legs. After a couple weeks of heavy training and school, all the physical and mental stress made for a tough race. It was still a fun time in a masochist type of way, but I was so happy just to be done.

But wait, after draining all my energy in that gruesome weather, I ALSO had to move student houses right after the race. I seriously cannot thank my dad and Tyler Orschel enough for helping me move houses after they both raced as well.
After moving student houses, I finished off my day driving 2hours home to move back up North to Orillia for the summer.

I was so beyond excited for chill time at home - I was desperate for it. After a good week of physical and mental re-cooperation, I was starting to really soak in the summer vibes. It is just sooooooo nice to be able to train on my bike and at the gym, then ACTUALLY have time to do some recovery after!!! What a novel feeling!!! No more running from classes to training, then back to classes, then quickly making food, then training, then cramming in homework..... at least until I'm ready for that crazy busy schedule again in the fall. I really do love my university life, but a lonnnggg summer is needed to reset.

The next weekend was the second Ontario Cup at a new venue in Kingston! Unfortunately, the insanely rainy weather made for floods that ruined the course despite the race organizer and local volunteers best efforts to keep it mostly ridable. After how ridiculous the second Ocup with because of snow last year at Duntroon, I have deemed this the #CurseOfTheSecondOcup.  Both the past two years at the second Ocup, I have had to run with my bike more than ride it. The trail could have easily been mistaken for a swamp. Luckily for me, my XC running background came in handy yet again and I was able to finish with my second Ontario Cup win!

After a couple weeks of training, I was driving out East again for Canada Cups #2 and #3 at Mt. Tremblant and Baie St. Paul.
At the same time as these races, the first two World Cups were happening over in Czech Republic and Germany.
These are the early season world cups I went to this time last year, but I decided not to go this year. It was a difficult decision as I always want to aim for the highest level and represent Canada, but  it was in my best interest for overall season performance and long term development to stay home and get quality training and recovery for this time of the year.
I definitely felt like I was missing out of all the European action, but I loved my time in Quebec with Trek Canada as well! Over the long May 2-4 weekend in Tremblant, I had a decent race and was content with my 4th place finish! This was my first top 5 result in an Elite Women Canada Cup which was awesome, but I also didn't feel completely on form during the race... like I just couldn't tap into my top potential and the legs weren't there.



ALL RESULTS: http://www.cyclingcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/RESULTATS-CC2-CQ1-r1.pdf

The next few days I went to Bromont for some training with Peter Glassford and Molly Hurford. It was great hanging out with these two, and hearing all about Molly's Shred Girls books! She put her photography skills to use with our team photo shoot in Tremblant and took some great shots of me in her Shred Girls shirt at Bromont. You can order the Shred Girls book and order one of these t-shirts here: https://shred-girls.com/

 I absolutely love staying at the National Cycling Centre and riding the Bromont trails... it was so hard to make sure I wasn't riding too much so I would be race ready for that coming Saturday!
The Baie St Paul Canada cup was another late 4pm start on Saturday, and the course was the most dry I had ever seen it. This highly muscular, rocky, rooty course was so much fun at the high speeds in the dry conditions.
As soon as the whistle blew, I knew I finally had good race legs. Off the start I was in second on Maghalie Rochette's wheel and we got a gap. This gap grew throughout the race, and Mag was able to get a gap on me. For the entire race I was riding by myself in second position. I was very impressed with myself during the race and how good I felt ... I kept thinking it was too good to last and I would blow up soon, but that feeling never came!

However, things got a bit exciting on the last lap. I have never experienced cramping during a race before, and my quads started to twitch on the last lap, threatening to seize up completely. I wanted to push super hard to the finish, but I knew I had a good gap between myself and 3rd and should find places to spin easy to avoid completely cramping. I was successful at this, and 1km to go on the last descent I went off the big gap. Every other lap I felt like I hit this gap really well, but I landed nose heavy and completely face planted. I was up before I had registered that I was down but felt heat from my nose. I looked at a guy on the side of the trail and asked, "Is my nose bleeding?"  All I got was a wide-eyed, shocked face with aggressive nodding. My thought processes started off with: I need to get to that finish line and not waste this great race on a stupid mess up. I decided I was good enough to ride downhill to the finish, so there I rode, with a waterfall of blood pouring out of my nose.  I still haven't seen a picture of this finish line horror scene.


I quickly cleaned myself up and headed over for the podium! (Wearing the checkered Quebec Cup Leader's jersey)

ALL RESULTS: http://www.cyclingcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/RESULTATS-CC3-CQ2-R1.pdf

Congrats to my Trek Canada team mates on their strong races, and a big thank you from all of us to Taylor Near for coming out to be our trusty mechanic and race-feeder! We couldn't be doing all this without the support and amazing equipment from Trek Store Toronto. The Trek Store is hosting the 4th Canada Cup at Hardwood Ski and Bike on June 18th, so come out and check out this awesome event!

Saturday was also an amazing day for Quinton Disera! So proud of him for winning his first Elite Canada Cup, and as a 1st year U23! Also incredibly happy for Peter Disera who rode to 3rd place earlier that day at the World Cup in Germany!

UP NEXT:

June 10: 
Fast and Female Champ chat at Horseshoe Resort on June 10! ALL girls 8-18 are invited for an afternoon of fun activities and inspiration with elite-level, super inspiring ambassadors.  REGISTER NOW at https://www.fastandfemale.com/

June 11: Canada Cup at Horseshoe Resort
June 18: Trek Store Canada Cup at Hardwood