By Jasper Blake
April 23, 2007 -- 2006 Ironman Canada Champion Jasper Blake is contributing to Triathletemag.com monthly as he prepares for the 2007 season, where he hopes to add another Ironman title to his resume and to tackle the inaugural Victoria International Half Iron on May 26th. Jasper loans his insights as a full time elite athlete on training the big miles, with a keen eye for the lighter side of triathlon.
Everyone can train hard and put in big miles, but it’s the ability to recover from the madness that makes you faster. I have two workouts every week that I would consider among my most important. One is a 2km easy swim after my big ride day. It stretches out my back and flushes out the legs. I would guess that it cuts my recovery time in half. The other workout is a 90-minute easy spin on the bike. I do the same loop every week and I do it as much for physical regeneration as mental inspiration.
So I invite all you readers to join me on my favorite ride of the week. If you’re ever in Victoria I will take you through it personally and we can speak of memories past. I head out my door in Vic West, which is located on “the other side of the bridge”. It’s a bit rougher over here if you can call any part of Pleasantville rough. The lawns are less manicured and the houses are often older and in the process of being restored. I like this side of the bridge, there’s some good character over here.
I start by cruising down the street past one of the best restaurants in town, Spinnakers Brew pub. They brew some fine ale and the burgers come from grain fed cattle – the same grains they make their beer from. To top it off, the place is in a century home right on the ocean. I’m a sucker for a good view so this spot is on my frequently-visited list. I spin over the swing bridge, which leads into downtown. I round the corner and head by The Joint – the finest pizza establishment in Victoria. It’s run by a man with the longest dreadlocks I’ve ever seen and he will deliver pizza to your door in exchange for a beer.
I pedal through the busiest part of downtown Victoria, past the float plane docks, around the visitor center where the buskers do their thing in the summer. I’ve seen everything from marimba bands to Darth Vader playing the violin. I am on the “scenic route”. The one you drive on if you are a tourist checking out the sites. The Empress hotel, one of Victoria’s finest landmarks is on my left, and I wave to the Queen who stays here when she comes to visit.
I round another corner down where the huge cruise ships dock and dump thousands of anxious people clad in sun hats and flowery shirts as they snap photos at a fierce rate. This is Ogden point, home of another great café and the break wall which extends about a kilometer into the ocean. I run out the break wall every week rain or shine. Some days the waves crash over the edge and make things more interesting. The views from here are nothing short of spectacular. The Olympic mountain range pushes up majestically from the ocean, adorned with snow capped peaks. It’s a view I will never get tired of. I’m in awe every time I’m down here.
I’m heading east now and I pass a statue of Terry Fox, one of Canada’s greatest heroes – a man who was diagnosed with terminal cancer at the age of 18. In 1980 Terry began a run across Canada that will forever be remembered as one of the most inspiring journeys by a Canadian. His goal was to create awareness for cancer and raise funds for cancer research. He wanted every Canadian to donate one dollar to the cause. Terry ran a full marathon every day for 143 days. Sadly he died in 1981, but his legacy will outlive all of us. The Terry Fox Foundation has raised over 400 million dollars to date, and Terry was the first person other than the queen to be represented on a Canadian coin.
I keep heading east by Beacon Hill Park where on windy days, the para-gliders come out in full force. I ride up the hill past Gonzales Beach and drop down into Oak Bay. I cruise past one of the swankiest golf courses on the island. I head past the Oak Bay Marina where they have legendary Sunday brunch, but it costs $30. I’ve decided I’ll go there after my next big win.
I’m pedaling into the uplands now – the part of town with the biggest houses. I don’t think I would like to live here, it’s a little too uptight for me but I know there are some NHL players that have places here. I wonder if they enjoy the view.
I’m heading out of the uplands now and down into Cadboro Bay. I cruise past Olive Olio’s, a funky little café with great cookies. I’m just down the hill from the University of Victoria, one of Canada’s finest educational institutes and site of many track sessions. Gyro Park is on my right side and I remember racing there a few years ago. The swim was in the nine degree (Celsius) ocean and I think that sometimes this sport is ridiculous.
The road through Gordon Head is mostly uphill. This section of the ride is very tough at the end of a long day. Mount Doug Park borders Gordon Head and the road dives into a dark rain forest for a couple kilometers. Mount Doug has a gnarly road that winds to the top. The record is just under 5 minutes set by World Mountain Bike Champion Roland Green. I avoid this road for now and continue my easy spin across to Lochside trail.
I take a left down the gravel path that will lead me back to my house. Lochside trail extends from downtown all the way out to the ferry terminal some 35km away. This trail connects with another more impressive bike path that extends from Victoria down into Sooke, offering 65km of traffic free riding into one of the most beautiful spots on the island. All that is for another tale. I’m almost home now. All that’s left is a quick section across the trestle bridge and a wave to the rowers who are out every day cruising up and down the gorge. I’m back in Vic West now with my body slightly worn, but my mind fully recovered.
Jasper Blake is a long time national team athlete and Ironman Champion. Jasper is supported by Adidas (www.Adidas.com), Gleukos (www.Gleukos.com), Shmiano (www.Shimano.com), PowerBar (www.PowerBar.com), Orbea, Computrainer, and 7 Systems Endurance Sports Supplements.