Apres Tour Nortel 2007

The Tour Nortel 2007 is now over, and it went quite well for me on that Sunday morning (May 6). Many thanks to all who so generously sponsored me for this fund-raiser tour! I reached a good pledge level of 80% of my fund-raiser goal.

On that bright and warm Sunday morning, there were about 5000 participants in the various tour events. Mine was the 12km bicycle/rollerblade circuit, which started at 10:00. Being on rollerblades, the 2nd quarter of the route was sort of challenging with the rolling hills (especially, going uphills). Fortunately for me that morning, I had at my disposal a new efficient rollerblade technique for steep uphill climbs which I perfected during practice just the day before. So, that section of the route wasn't that bad after all, although it was certainly a challenging stretch. I managed to complete the circuit in 57minutes, averaging at approximately 12km/h. I think my attained top speed was only a mere 24km/h then. I was probably in the middle of the pack in this circuit, since there were a number of bladers who were way ahead of me (in fact, many went pass me), meaning that I'm at an advanced blading level but certainly not a professional blader.

It was really a good challenge. So, I plan to do more blading this summer, to prepare myself for a race on the Labour Day weekend in early September 2007, tentatively speaking.

Tag # 3609 - Tour Nortel 2007

Tour Nortel 2007 tag # 3609: Well, that's me. I went to pickup my participation materials this morning, and I just finished rotating my rollerblade wheels, cleaning and lubricating the bearings on them. One more practice this evening, and I'm ready to roll tomorrow morning.

Preparation for Tour Nortel 2007

Knowing that the Tour Nortel 2007 12km route is quite challenging with rolling hills, I believe that I need more stamina and endurance than speed, keeping in mind that this is not a race, just a tour. With just one more day to go, I'm still preparing myself on rollerblades for the Tour Nortel 2007 (this Sunday). I had just practiced my run at a leisure pace for an hour this evening on the Ottawa River Parkway for about 6km and back, totalling about 12km only. This means that I was skating at a mere 12km/h on the average, with moderate headwind when going east, which became a tailwind going west (return route). Having done this run, I still have to service my rollerblades, i.e. rotate the wheels and clean and lubricate the bearings (this service is actually long overdue). Will see how this goes tomorrow.

My participation in Tour Nortel - May 6, 2007

FYI, I will be participating in the 12km Tour Nortel 2007 fund-raiser event on Sunday morning, May 6, 2007, on inline skates. If you wish, you may sponsor me by making a pledge of any amount online (please click on the link below), all of which will go to the listed charities.
http://www.cgiottawa.com/ERDS/Donation.aspx?evt=9&i=105447

Thanks very much for reading my posting!