Its finally time to release #ProjectThreePointZero…..
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7 years ago my life was turned upside down as I fought for my life after a catastrophic airplane crash. Though it is an event I would never have chosen it also gave me a rebirth of sorts. Adversity and tragedy does not have to be the end, it can also be a new beginning; learning, growing and accepting the fate that was handed to you and finding a new way to thrive. I consider myself a very private person so sharing part of my journey has also been a struggle but I am forever grateful for being pushed to do so. If this film can help just one person navigate their way through tragedy then it is a success.
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Presented by @guenergylabs @argon18bike
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Produced By @caperemedia
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Directed By @briancaissie…..
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@bn3thapparel @mypowerdot @velotoze @magnafire @jakroocanada @haute_route @ryderseyewear
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Invictus: William Earnest Henley
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Out of the night that covers me
Black as the pit from pole to pole
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul
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In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud
Under the bludgeoning of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed
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Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid
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It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll
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I am the master of my fate
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I am the captain of my soul
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Follow the journey of my
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#LifeFromUpHere #lfuh #racingclean #velotoze #argon18 #argon18bike #saltyssquad #guforit #guenergy #speedtheory #justgiver4pd #moltenspeedwax #jg4pd #deansworld #lookgoodgofaststaydry #outsmarttheelements #cycling2019 #bn3ththesurface #schmolkecarbon #mypowerdot #activateyourlife #bn3thapparel #bn3th #ryderseyewear #tourtransalp
Just a few weeks away from heading back for another summer of racing in Europe stories like this make me realize why I continue to push myself so drastically. Its the constant struggle to try and re-write the past by controlling the future as best we can. I know that likely does not make sense but its a complicated process.
Life is like a game of cards. The hand that is dealt you represents determinism; the way you play it free will – Jawaharal Nehru
After nearly 2.5 weeks the race has more then come to a close but with a wifi black out and a mental black out, finally its time to post Stage #7
In October 2011 I called up Branko and told him I had a race for us to do in Italy, the Tour Trans Alp. It was to be an amazing 7 day journey in itself regardless of what lied ahead in life.
We quickly paid our deposit and what happened next was something I had never imagined. Not only the race by my entire life had somehow crashed to a halt, literally. Long story short as I grasped for days for my life and finally become aware of what had happened the only thing in my mind was to get too and complete the Tour Trans Alp. Somehow within 8 shorts months I found myself along with Branko as my support grinding my half dead body up and over the Dolomites in Italy. One of the longest and most painful 7 days that I can barely remember. To get through this race healthy and in shape with a year of training is an accomplishment, what I did a can not recommend to anyone ever, not even to myself as I look back.
The thing with cycling is it never gets easy you just suffer for less time as you get faster but the suffering never ever goes away. What I will say is I would much rather suffer for 4.5 hours in a day then for 7 or so hours a day which I did back in 2012.
This Tour Trans Alp had been a target since Stage 7 of last years tour. Once again I had found myself with the perfect partner (Dermot Barry Murphy) but failed on my end as I rode almost the entire race with severe Bronchitis. I have yet to do Ironman but what I have heard is people who race it begin the quest for the perfect race. I found myself on the exact same journey with Tour Trans Alp. After 4 attempts and all sorts of mishaps I had yet to complete a full 7 day race that I felt covered all aspects of completeness. Not just in the race but health, weather, partner, etc it all makes such a huge difference to returning home feeling like you had the near perfect 7 day race. Last year was amazing with Dermot but my health failed me literally from day #1 and the weather failed us almost the entire time.
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In 2012 my only goal was to grind my way through 7 days and I managed to do so finishing in 417th place in a tad under 39 hours. Somewhat of a miracle to have even gotten through such a grueling 7 days.
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After meeting Travis Ruggiero nearly 5 years ago I never imagine that we would be here today racing and now living in Italy. Travis has taken the same approach as I do with riding, training, living etc. Its been an an incredible 6 months leading up to this event and an even more incredible 7 race days. Yes the time on the bike has been amazing just as the time off the bike has been bust most of all I finally got my health to cooperate for a full 7 days. I finally got to ride the race as I had imagined and completely under my terms. Yes suffering everyday but suffering by riding and racing hard, not fighting sickness and injury as I had done in the past.
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So on to Stage #7. They usually call this stage the parade of any stage race but this was no parade. With app. 30km flat and rolling to the base of the first and only major climb of the day we knew it would be full gas. Full gas was an understatement as we hit nearly a 50km avg speed to cover the first 30km. The beginning of Stage #7 was literally the scariest 30km I have ever ridden on a bike as the entire front group lit it up and was full gas to the base of the first climb. With nothing to either gain or lose as 4th overall was 20 min ahead and 6th overall was 15 min behind us so we just played it safe but still managed to stay towards the front for the death defying 40 or so min at 50km an hour.
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The plan for Stage #7 was stick together after 5 days of leap frogging, we managed to do so and paced up the crew from Denmark up the last few grinding climbs. Coming over the last Passo Ballino and seeing Lake Garda below is something that is hard to describe. After 7 days of 30+ weather, suffering and riding up and over 20,000m and nearly 900km its almost hard to imagine its over. The first day seems like eternity and by day 7 you wonder how it all went by so quick.
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Travis and I had dinner the eve before the race and figured a top 10 was a realistic goal. In the end 5th GC and a podium on the Queen Stage was more then we ever expected. We rode hard, we rode smart we rode to the edge, we sometimes rode past it but in the end both on and off the bike I had what I call the perfect 7 day stage race. My health being a big part of that after suffering for so many years. Travis and I can definitely say we gave it our all and were smiling from beginning to end.
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A huge Congratulations to Geoff Duyker and Jamie Armstrong the @grandtourclowns who led the race from sunrise to sunset, was fun to mix it up a bit and on Stage #6 have the first ever double Canadian podium. Also A huge hi five to Chris Merry and Greg Parent who came in well above expectations and rode and incredible 7 days. Overall a huge 7 days for all the Canadian teams and one not to be forgotten.
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As we unwound in Riva for a few days the next journey is to remain in Riva with Travis and we live, race and prep for our next 7 day stage race which starts soon!
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Enjoy our pics along with the official Tour Trans Alp race pictures. Some incredible shots.
Today looked to be different on paper then it turned out to be. The first 6km climb was neutralized but what that means in paced by the lead car/motorbike and full gas on he climb so had to push 300+ watts to stay with the front group. Travis and I both managed to stay in the front group as we crested the climb. What happened next was something unexpected as we rolled from km 8 to km 37 at near full gas in the front group. With a few small rolling downhills Travis decided to push off the front and see what happened. Well for the next 10km Travis found himself off the front of the race with almost everybody forgetting he was out there.
With another small 5km climb and then a descent before we started up the main climb of the day. The Menghenpass on paper looked to be a difficult climb but it turned out to be much worse. In the first few km of the climb I decided to attack of the front of the race and see what happened knowing that Travis was up ahead. Problem was in the initial 5km of the climb were some less steep sections so every time I would get some time on the front group they would then reel me in on the flatter sections. This went on until I got to Travis and I pushed on again. Was fun for both Travis and I to animate the race a bit until we settled in and found our place on the climb. The 14km ascent was one of the more difficult climbs I have done as it got steeper as it went on. The last 8km rarely dropped below 12% and with headwinds for most of it. I finally backed off to the let the lead group go but managed to keep them in sight until the summit.
After the summit we had an incredible fast and fun 15km descent before a 5km climb. Then yet again another amazing descent. In 40km of descent Travis got back to me and had the Belgium’s in tow with him. Yes the Belgium’s that a few days ago did not want to work with us. At this point they had 20 min on us overall so I guess they figured we were not a threat but could help them gain time on the stage result. Issue was other then The TNA Leaders there was no other teams in front of us so the Belgium’s, Travis and I were essentially 2nd and 3rd on the road. Things got a little tricky as I could not manage to stay with Travis and the Belgium’s on the long fast descent but knowing we had a 10km flat section before the final climb to the finish. Travis tried to convince the Belgium’s to ease up and let me get back to the group as 4 is better then 3 on the flats but they decided to push on without me. In the end that may have cost them the stage win as they missed it by only 15 seconds. I finally managed to get back to Travis just before the grueling final climb to the finish.
This was one of the most punishing and cruel finishes of any Trans Alp I have raced. A relentless 3km climb with the final pitch hitting 17% right to the finish. Along with temperatures reaching 35 degrees. In the final 2km we saw a team just behind us so managed to pushed the last km to keep them behind us. Glad we did as we crossed the line in 3rd place with the Denmark team only 20 second behind in 4th. After 33 Trans Alp stages, being recused off the Stelvio and suffering in year #1 to 417th place, finally a podium in one of the hardest stage races in the world. Travis and i both heard the 3rd place as we crossed the line but wanted to wait for official results.
It was official, we crossed the line in 3rd place with the Belgium’s just a bit ahead and also Geoff and Jamie who were tightly holding onto the leaders jersey. At the beginning of this race Travis and I both agreed that we had a good chance at a top 10 result and that was the plan but was very little talk of a podium, we just wanted to ride consistent and gain a position a day as other teams faded. That is exactly what we did as we took the 3rd place podium on the day and gained enough time to move to 5th in GC after 6 stages.
Kaltern is always one of the most pictures places that we stay, as we look out from our balcony at the pool its as though somebody painted what we were looking at. A quick dinner then off to what I could never have imagined 7 years ago when i started this journey, A Trans Alp podium ceremony. With Geoff and Jamie from TNA Method winning the stage and taking another leaders jersey it was the first time in 17 years 2 Canadian teams stepped on the podium at the same time.
Overall GC (5 days) – 6th Place (and gaining on 5th)
Stage 5 looked to be a long day on the bike as we had 150km and 3,100 meters ahead and the heat was starting to play a factor hitting 30 to 35 the day before and expected again today. I was looking forward to the first climb of the day, the Foza as it will be the third time I have raced up it. Its always fun to see how much time i can cut off each repeat climb from years past, 10 min or so this year up the Foza!!!! About 20 or so switchbacks at a very constant 8%… very much like Cypress but 14km. As expected the first 25km flat to get to the climb was bonkers as all the top teams tried to position themselves at the front to reach the climb first. Somehow we managed to stay toward the front and made our way up the Foza towards the front of the race. As we reached the top we found ourselves in a small group as we had app. 25km along the top before any major descent. In the group the Belgium team sitting in 2nd place notices us in the group and repeatedly called his team off the front. I guess they figured we were chasing their position so they did not want to do any work for us so they kept making myself or Travis go to the front. I mentioned something to the affect of “lets work together” but that did not work. Overall a very quite 25km with the Belgium’s (more on this in the coming stages). This was fine as in the end Travis and I did not do much sitting in, preferring to increase the pace of the small group we were in until we would reach either a descent or a climb.
Through this fast section though as we followed out lead motorbike all the sudden the motorbike realized he took a wrong turn, the problem was at 45km an hour with a motorbike coming to a very sudden stop with 12 cyclist right behind him. Somehow we all managed to stay upright after some hockey style body checking as we all cut through a small path and got back on the main road.
After another big descent the 2nd main climb of the day loomed. 22km at a pretty constant 8% but surprising it went by fairly quickly as not a single person passed on the climb. the next 50km was a series of stair steps downhill to the finish in Trento. The descents were super fast smooth open roads which is great but it also represents high speeds on roads we do not know.
On this day, one of the front teams in the race from Russia pushed it too hard. Somewhere behind us one of the Russians managed to missed a hairpin and hit the guardrail at full speed catapulting him off what seemed to be a life ending cliff. As the first riders started to get to the scene the thoughts were horrific as the Russian cyclist lay hundreds of feet below. As we finished the descent into Trento we soon realized what the yellow emergency helicopter was for. The rescue team explained it was one f the toughest cyclist extractions they had done as the cliff was inaccessible any other way then by repelling from a helicopter then lifting the cyclist to the helicopter. Hours later it was unknown if the rider had survived or not so there was a very uneasy feeling among all the riders.
Travis and I also felt like we were coming home as we rode into Trento as we spent plenty of time riding in the area and will spend more time again this year!
Once settled into Trento Travis and I took some time for ourselves to share dinner and a local beer at a great little place we found by the hotel. As much as riding is the focus of these races being able to enjoy the company of who you are racing with is super important. Through the day we are all at max stress levels so its nice to spend a few hours each night unwinding and reminding ourselves that enjoying the time off the bike is just as important. Its always a great time to also recap the high and lows of the stage behind us. 5 down and 2 to go and in a better GC standing than expected so we were both enjoying the night! We were so relaxed that Travis forgot his passport at the restaurant but the amazingly nice lady chased us 2 blocks to find us and return it with a huge smile!
By morning news had broke that the rider was in very rough shape but was not longer critical and was stabilized. Hearing this news before the next stage made for a much better start to the day knowing those that we were racing against, their life was not in danger. It was also a stark reminder of the risks we all take in these races but I still feel its calculated when you within yourself and your limits of both ability and comfort
Stage #4 – Fiera De Primiero > Crespano Del Grappa / 100km / 2,300m / 28km avg
Finish Time 3:41:49:09
4 days GC Time – 16:07:49
Stage Result – 5th
Overall GC – 6th Place
Stage 4 was very much like Stage #3 but in reverse order. With an 8km climb and large descent and then a 26km climb with a huge descent Travis and I rolled the dice yet again and played leap frog. I managed to catch Travis on the climb and peaked the ascent ahead but not by much so Travis got by me on the descent. With clear roads and nobody behind me I weaved my way down the descent from Monte Grappa. The last 10km into Crespano was a long drag with 6km of 2 to 5% climbing which does not seem like much but after 30km of climbing and 32 deg these last Km’s can seem grueling. Knowing that Travis was ahead and keeping in mind that the goal was to rejoin each day and cross the line together I went into Time Trial mode. After about 6km and about 1km from the finish line I looked up only to see Travis all alone and literally looking over his shoulder just as I did the day before. I few hi fives and some yelling and we sped off to get to the finish line in as little time as possible. We had both been to Crespano before and realized the heat had played a factor as it was app. 34 deg at the finish. We also both realized the hotel we had stayed in use to be a hospital or institute of some sort so neither wanted to be left along in the creepy setting. Overall another huge day and another consistent 5th place finish which jumped us to 6th place after 4 days.
Although the hotel feels haunted it has one of the most amazing views as you look out to the flats that lead out to Venice. One of the fun things about mini grand tours is experiencing being in a new town each night and catching an hour or so each night to just lay and relax in your our room. Another issue just crept in after stage 2 was my inability to shift from my small ring to the big ring. The TTA mechanic tried there best to fix ut but realized there was no fix other then to stop and manually move my chain from the small ring to the bring ring at the top of each climb. Not the most ideal but cost us about 5 seconds per shift……….
Was finally able to capture a few seconds of the pre race vibe as well; we listen to the same songs each morning….. this one seems to be a hit with most of the crowd!
After a great day 2 but a transition to a different race game things started off in a hurry on stage #6. As you can see from the profile there was no major climb for the first 47km. This is one of the scariest parts of this race as in order to remain in the top 10 day day after day you have to commit to stay in the front group to the base of the first climb. This is always easier said than done as that is everybodies plan so the pace is always nail biting and scary. If somehow you get split and into the second group on the road you could easily loose 5 min in just the first 47km. Our plan was do stick with the lead group but still play it safe as the speed are nuts and there is always a few people who do stupid stuff at 50km an hour inches away within a group of 80 or so. As expected things were beyond nuts on the front group but we positioned well and stuck mainly towards the front of the lead group. Things got a bit crazy on a fast downhill section where I managed to hit a full water bottle at 50km an hour and luckily somehow did not go down. After a bit of a regroup and a bit of a climb as we reached the base of the first climb all the sudden I saw Travis on the side of the road……. I yelled “flat tire” and he said yes. This is where things get complicated as we made a plan and this was the moment to test the plan and ride it with out second guessing. There is nothing one can do when their partner has a flat and knowing we had so much downhill (where Travis always makes up/gains huge time) on the day I made the decision at km 45 to continue forward and hope our plans worked.
The Passo Giau is one of the most beautiful passes so I have included a picture I found on the internet. After a huge 40km descent off the pass I started to make my way up the 2nd and then third climb of the day, The problem was I had yet to see Travis get back to me or pass me one of the descents. As I approached the last climb I started to doubt my decision to push forward, I realized there was no reason to push it hard up the next climb as finishing ahead of your partner gives you no time advantage as time is taken when the 2nd team mate crosses the line. As I went somewhat easy up the last climb of the day I started a battle in my head of deciding maybe I made the wrong choice to ride on without knowing the fate of Travis on the day.
I crested the climb and started the final descent and then the 2km flat section into the finish in Fiera De Primiero and was solo for the entire last 30 or 40 km. I slowed up as I rolled the last few Km to the finish only to look back after i heard “wholly f@#k its Kelly”. I looked back and it was Travis racing like a man possessed to get back to me. We both were elated to see each other as I made a promise to do all I could to finish together each day. Travis had pretty much ridden a 85km TT up and over 2,700 meters looking ahead to get back to me and I rode 85 km looking over my shoulder hoping I would see Travis. And as perfect plans never really end up how you hope, on this day it did. After 85km now knowing each others fate we hi five’d then buried it the next 2km to the finish. Riding a bike at this level is not all about fitness, there is a fair amount of emotions that you also go thru each day. Today was emotional as it felt like either the end of what I was hoping for in the week of racing……………. but it ended exactly as planned ……………. crossing the finish line together for the 3rd day in a row.
There is always great pizza and Aperol Spritz waiting at the end of every stage after an hour of 2 of regrouping, showering and sometimes just laying on the floor like Greg!
Another stellar day to ride a bike in Italy with a goal of ending at the finish in one piece with a smile on our faces and running out of gas literally at the line in Sillian Austria. Overall a great day and performance for both Travis and I as we finished 6th on the day but remain in 7th after 2 days but only sit 3 seconds out of 6th place. Our original plan was to ride together most of the day on both climb and descent but what started to naturally occur today was the Kel-Der method used by myself and Dermot last year to great success. The idea is if I wait on the climbs (my strength) for Travis were loosing time and if he waits for me on the descents (his strength) were also loosing time. So today we started the leapfrog method. After 4 passes the plan worked perfect as we reconnected at 25km to go and basically full gassed the last 25 km after a few leg cramp issues. Even with road closures and motorbike escort trying to control traffic its not always perfect.
As we rolled into Sillian we were greeted bu Tisha and Kim who are always on point and ready to shoot a few pics and get us sorted and off to the hotel. The Sport Hotel in Sillian was over the top and was a treat. Great food, great rooms and a view you would not believe. Each day the routine gets a little easier to unpack get cleaned up and ready for the next stage after a good meal and at least 1 or 2 glasses of wine. Although its a race were here to experience and enjoy our time both and and off the bike. At the begging of this we set a goal to finish top 10, so far so good but in the end its safety first, fun second, performance third. So far we are winning in all 3 of these.
Chris and Greg continue to ride strong, more of an update from them on Stage #3.
Stage #1 – Brixen to St Vigil / 89km / 2,200m / 26km avg
Finish Time 3:22:09
GC Time – 3:22:09
Stage Result – 7th Place Masters, 29th Overall
GC Results – 7th Place Masters, 29th Overall
Warning – these are written under severe tiredness, please excuse the typo’s and misspelling, its type once and hit post……..zero to very little proof ready.
Today we finally got under way and right out of the gate was an incredibly steep climb with the first km coming at about 15 to 18% and pretty much a gravel goat path. But before the climb was the often common 10km neutral roll out controlled by the lead motorbikes and race directors car. Neutral = fast and nervous in the front group with 200 riders and everybody trying to be at the front to hit the climb first.
Plan for the day was stay safe, ride hard but not blow our brains out. At the top of Passo Gardena we found ourselves only 4 min off the lead group. With 40km to the finish not being in a large group cost us some time but we stuck with our plan. The plan through the week is ride within ourselves and be steady each day, not too hard at the beginning that we grind to a halt too early. The idea each day is to be running on fumes pretty much at the finish…. and hold that through 7 days. Easier said then done as it so easy to go just a little to hard and pay the price later in the day but today I think we nailed it.
Tomorrow suites us much better with 4 major climbs and less descending so were looking to gain a few minutes back as 5th and 6th sit only 1.5 min ahead of us. In a 30 hour race week lots of time to gain that back and make a run for a top 5. But most of all were enjoying the time, riding safe and putting performance and result 2nd to having fun and being safe.
With such a short day on the bike we had a ton of time to just sit in the room, relax and enjoy the downtime before a big day tomorrow! Weather looks to be perfect nearly all week as it gets hotter as we go! Also try and find my #armleg in these pictures 🙂
Congrats also to Greg and Chris who had a great first Trans Alp day finishing 26th in Grand masters (old guys as Chris puts it) and 134th overall. A great first day to build on after the nerves of day one have been tackled.
Its been a great week in Brixen and the guys are ready along with 800 riders to take on the next 7 day stage race of the Tour Trans Alp. The week has been spent riding, relaxing, sauna’ing, eating, drinking and prepping for the big week ahead. Most of all a ton of laughs, great food and fun during the last 6 days.
Greg, Chris, Travis and I get along well and are all looking forward to the next week. There will be ups and downs and lots of edge along the way but that is what makes these events so addictive is they put you into places you can never find without digging so deep within yourself to get through each day. The weather is looking to be almost picture perfect but we ride day by day and never count on anything as weather can change in a moments notice as we experienced last year.
Next blog post will hopefully be Stage #1 update but the hotels in these small towns sometimes have horrible internet so no update just means no internet.
Willpower is the key to success. Successful people strive no matter what they feel by applying their will to overcome apathy, doubt or fear – Dan Millman
Never Give Up, Never Surrender, Never Forget 