(Ya-Chan and Darcy Turenne)

This weekend I attended the Shimano Bikers Festival in Fujimi Panorama... I knew I had to go because two famous Canadian riders were going to be there. Darcy Turenne, free ride goddess and Ryan Leech, trials god, both fellow Canadians who are the best of the best. Lucky for me, I got to race with Darcy and become friends. She is a great rider and a great person... as well as, catch part of Ryan's trial demo.. wow, can he do some tricks!!!!

I raced the "Super D", which is a mass start downhill and witnessed several big crashes in front of my eyes... I managed to stay on the bike and make it safely down the hill in 9th place. Men and women were mixed in one class. It was a great time but I am still wary of these types of mass start races... arrrgggg!!! Dangerous........

(My new Specialized Demo 8 I )

The next day I race the DH and took a sweet victory! I was so lucky to get my hands on the new Specialized Demo 8 I ........Oh my godness, what a sweet ride..... so smooth in the corners, handles so nicely and it' s so light!!!!! Thank you to all who supported me!!! After the first run in the morning I seriously had my doubts because I felt all over the place ... but I managed to pull it together and have a pretty smooth run for my final! Yeah... and I have to brag... I was 15th in elite mens time... he he.....oh well let's see what I can do in the next big JCF DH race in September!!!!

(Yeah, top three!!)

This week is very busy for me.. final exams to give at the university and then marking and grading... help!!! However, after that I am off, yippee!!!! I race in the XC here in Hakuba on Sunday.. wish me luck.. these cross country girls are way fast......yikes....Then summer begins.....riding, swimming in the lake, BBQing etc... can't wait.. come on down and join us at Sweet Riders this summer!!!!!!!! More photo's here....