Introduction + 2012 recap

Hello reader,

     I have started this blog as a way to keep track of my racing experiences this season and as a way to keep myself busy after my crash at the Burnaby 4.  

     For those that know me, they probably know why I was given the nick name "Probie". For those that don't know the origin of this I will explain. Probie was a nick name given to me as a junior cyclist by the dEVo coach at the time. I was the new guy on dEVo and my dad was a fire fighter it seemed appropriate because it is like being the probie on a fire crew.

 I am a aspiring professional cyclist, sports science student at Douglas College, and currently work for the Burnaby Velodrome Club. I am pleased to announce I will be part of the Elite team for Russ Hays/Accent Ins presented by Pacific Cycling Centre for the 2013 season. If your on Facebook please like our team page here
 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Russ-HaysAccent-Inns-Elite-Racing-Team/320201954669609?group_id=313214832052050

My 2012 Season Highlights Included
Palm springs with the Cycling BC junior program, this was my second time helping out the talented juniors in a warm weather camp. Thanks Jeff Ain for letting me help out!

Aidan and I on the longest ride of the camp

Did my first of many AutoX events this past year. Thanks to UBCSCC for putting on these events. This photo was from autox 101 driving school. That much track time made a world of difference to my driving and I would strongly recommend anyone do this. Even if you don't plan on being a competitive race car driver it is a fun way to improve your driving skills.

Banff bike fest with the Garneau boys, this was my most enjoyable team race for the entire year. The whole experience was incredible. "Its business time" in the criterium

                                          Before this we had to check out Lake Louise

Right after Banff I had the chance to try out rowing at Burnaby lake, I don't have any pictures but it was an awesome experience and I want to do it again! The next day I left for  Philly to race at Trexlertown or T-Town for short. The racing was incredible with star studded fields and prize money I have never seen in Canadian track racing. Thanks to the Walton family for putting me up.

I got a pretty serious lung infection after that which put me out for Speed week in Philly, BC Super week, Alpenrose and Marymoor grand prix. On the bright side I was able to race in August. GVVA put on 2 events Track Fest and B.C Provincial Track Championships.

What are the odds that Track Fest and BC drift finals happened on the same day in Victoria! Super rad getting to race bikes and watch drifting all in the same day.

2 weeks later this happened! I won B.C Provincial Match Sprint Championships

October this happened- Aidan ripped his left pedal out of the arm in front of me while training













3 days after my last exam I went to the Russ Hays team camp. It was great to meet most of the team, do testing with Houshang Amiri, and explore Victoria's awesome roads.
2 weeks later was the Superior Glass Burnaby 4. I had a knee injury that developed during team camp which prevented me from training the 2 weeks leading into the race. So I had my knee taped up just to attempted to ride the event.

 Night 3 I got caught up behind a crash which put me over the bars into the officials table, garbage cans, and even a ladder (so I am told). At the time I thought I was ok but I later found out I had a concussion.(Thanks to everyone who helped me out after the crash Meghan Grant, The Mulder family, and everyone else)

(It was super cool getting to race Tyler Farrar after the crash he gave me some advice on concussions)

That was the quick version of 2012, right now I am still feeling the symptoms from falling at the Burnaby 4. I am doing physio for my knee and trying to limit doing anything else to get over my concussion so I can start training again.

Thanks for reading,
Mike