So long 2009....

So there is now a potential of a Carcross Reunion in 2014….so it gets me to thinking about the Dempster again. It was quite a trip, regardless of the disappointment. About a year and a half of energy, planning and anticipation gone with a lot of smoke….so yes, I was disappointed and feeling a bit bummed about the whole thing.


There are a whole lot of things that were right. Gear, food and bike for sure. I have mixed feelings about the BOB trailer. It is great for around town…trips to the grocery store and such but I think I would be more mobile without it and with a set of front panniers instead.


I would know what to expect this time too. I think my expectations on the distances I could achieve were a little high. I had read many blogs about guys doing the trip in 10 days or better but those guys are 25 years younger than me and most have far more touring experience than me too. In fact, for most of them, the Dempster was just a small part of an extended trip.

I would also do it before the Reunion instead of after. I was emotionally drained to begin the trip from the high of the Hippy School reunion and I think that also played a part.




If, and it is still an if, I do this in 5 years time, I will fly to Dawson and ask Doug to drive me to Tombstone and start riding from there. That would eliminate the 100 km of uphill I have already done. Maybe the goal with be the Arctic Circle instead of Inuvik…but I do have time to consider that.

I have done little since my return but gain some weight. I am so out of shape right now.



But it is New Years and time to turn the corner. Ski season is now here so I need to dig deep and start getting healthy again. A new year and some new goals. Starting with a bit of a deficit but no where to go but up.

Here's to 2010!

Year end list

It is the time of year when every music magazine shows off their top list. I am feeling a little out of touch.

I got my Rolling Stone magazine yesterday in the mail complete with multiple year and decade ending list. Top 50 songs of the year, top 50 albums of the decade, top 100 songs of the decade and so on…
When I had a look at the top 50, I realized that I could only recognise about 10% of the artist. Most of them I had never heard of. Sure I have heard of Lady Gaga, Beyonce, and the Kings of Leon but if I heard them on the radio, I wouldn’t be able to tell Gaga from googoo. There are lots of artist that I have never heard of….Gorillaz, OutKast, The Flaming Lips???
I am really that out of touch? I do have teen age boys but two of the three listen to what I listen too. So it got me to thinking….

There are a few artists who have been around forever and they still show up on the year end list. I am glad they still have an impact. Springsteen…U2. When it comes to top albums of the decade, I recognise a few more…Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Arcade Fire…
Most of the artist I listen to, I got tuned onto very early in their careers. I was hooked on Springsteen’s when “Greetings from Ashbury Park” came out….way before anyone had heard of Bruce. I loved U2’s rawness in “Boy”. Just listen to The Hip’s “Up to Here” and you will know what I mean.
My music tastes are still deep in the folk scene. Willie P Bennet, Cockburn, Neil (of course), Mitchell…etc.
I do keep my ear to the ground to catch new emerging artist. Folk Festival line ups, club listing are a good source but the best source is the good old CBC. Patrick Watson, the Great Lake Swimmers, Kathleen Edwards and Fiest are just a few artists that introductions came through CBC.
Lately, I am hooked on the sound of Karyn Ellis.

Her new album “Even though the Sky was Falling” is just a gem. This Toronto based indie artist has created a sound that is both new and sentimental. I love her quirky twist of word. Songs of love lost and longing memories. Joy and beauty. All this and a stunning voice too. (sort of Jane Siberryish…if that’s a word!)The surprise also comes with the soft cello, subtle singing horns. From “Be my Girl” to Motorcycle Ride”, this album is full of intimate tunes that pull at your heartstrings. Ordinary life gone better.


Check out the link and have a listen.
http://www.karynellis.com/

..ok...it can stop now....

This is the third "snow day" in a row. The roads are a mess and the highway closed.

Staying home with some red wine it the right thing to do.



Form this last Sunday....
To this Sunday...

Snow....Finally!

Snow….wonderful snow.
It has been a warm snowless fall but it has finally arrived!
This time last year we were already skiing for a few weeks. Snow today and the long range looks good.

We are volunteering at the Ontario Winter Games in January and well as skiing in the Muskoka Loppet the week later. A week after that is the Parry Sound Sounder….a beautiful up and down course.

Two weeks after that is the Canadian Ski Marathon in Montebello Quebec. There is quite the entourage from Muskoka making the trip. This is our third time going and we will be trying to ski 100 kilometres in two days this year.
But first, we needed the snow. It is tough to keep in shape between bike seasons and ski season. No excuses now! Especially with the season of Christmas upon us…too much eating, visiting and a few beers to work against staying in shape.

Ski Marathon 2008
Bring it on!