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2x IronMan Setting the Pace
Written by Christina Smith
Sunday, 05 June 2011 13:44
June 1, 2011
> Long time friend, mentor and realtor Michael Wetherup, not to mention 2x Iron Man athletic machine, took me for my second road cycle from Waldorf School, along Springbank to the 22X then up Hwy 1 to Calaway Park and back to Waldorf - 42km on a sunny moderate windy day.
> It was bike ride #2 for me with my new Specialized self powered vehicle, named Amira! Pronounced - ah-MEER-ah, of Arabic and Hebrew origin meaning "Princess; Prosperous". I feel like one atop her saddle riding like the wind. I also feel extremely fortunate knowing that pleasure, adventure and success awaits me no matter where I venture on my two wheels...ahhhh! My confidence has escalated since putting 4000km of road behind me last season with her sister Amira 2010. I must say, I like this year's colors, very Canadian Red and White!
> To think that last year in June, I feared going fast downhill on these thin wheels. The nervousness didn't escape me for months until I put more miles and hills on the bike. Michael just informed me that he and fellow rider / wife Sylvia Wetherup, couldn't believe I was scared after having a history of extreme sports like Bobsleigh to Bungy Jumping. I am a calculated risk taker and I normally get to know my equipment inside and out (or have a qualified technician to do so) before I risk life and/or limb to high speeds with limited self protection. My confidence augmented as I realized the brand of my bike was called SPECIALIZED for a reason...they're the best in the field of bikes and know what they're doing! I also had qualified technicians from BowCycle to tune up my ride in addition to provide a thorough bike mechanics course so I would be proactive, prepared and useful to others if and when I would be out on a ride in a group or alone and encounter some mechanical difficulty. Who says a girl can't work tools and be techie? Show me a stand up tool box with multiple drawers and organized tools...now that excites me! I'll need to go for a refresher course soon. Anyone want to join me?

PS: I added a picture of Michael and I - it is a do it yourself portrait which I was trying to squeeze in the bikes and our faces. I see that Michael has great choice of gloves and shoes bearing the big S logo! We'll have to work on the bike next ;)

Can't wait for another day of nice weather for ride #3! Are you riding yet? Want to come for a roll? Drop me a note via the new comment form.





Sent from my iPhone
 
The Ultimate Specialized JetLag Remedy
Written by Christina Smith
Tuesday, 31 May 2011 15:04
>>>>>> After 42 hrs of travel and airport transfers from Kathmandu, Nepal to Delhi, India (including diversion to Jaipur, India first due to horrific thunder storm weather and the inability to land), our first phase of my long flight was just starting to be eventful! Our eventual return flight to Delhi which to this day I thought the previous flight would have been my last due to violent turbulence, I went to the measure to record on my camera my final message to family thinking it may end up being the little black box found from the crash. I figured we may have had help from all the praying passengers and the holy Indian man (YogiRaj) on board who looked like Jesus (minus the beard) who was accompanied by his 83 followers occupying most of the plane, who had just done a Manasarovar pilgrimage to Lord Shiva's abode, in Nepal. I was fed fried almonds & Chana (chic peas) in addition to being treated to an introduction to their great humored Yogi.
>>>>>> Layover in Delhi was long and I may have eaten something with food poisoning that reared it's ugly head later in Frankfurt, my first official violent intestinal experience while away which will entertain my friends who I had climbed to Everest basecamp with, as they had said I had an iron stomach and able to eat and experiment with anything, who had unfortunately struggled with intestinal upset and an unfortunate emergency squatting experience in the woods on the trail (earning the nick name of Poopsie), therefore all but I resorting to safe food staples like Dahl Bat & rice and Sherpa Stew.
>>>>>> Once on my way to Frankfurt, home seemed so much closer, but I was fooling myself. The next flight was also eventful, but this time I couldn't comment first hand about it, as I was so exhausted, that I had fallen asleep before takeoff for at least a couple of hours. I awoke with the serving of food, go figure :) ...rarely miss the chance to eat again- my Grannie would attest to!
>>>>>> After several hour in flight, I took a walk about to lessen the effects of fluid retention/buildup in my ankles (thrombosis) which was far too progressed and my ankles were now 'cankles' - when your calfs end up the size of your ankles! Not a good situation as blood clots could occur and work their way to your heart or brain and cause a stroke or aneurism - known as death by sitting! These flights may in one way shape or form be the end of me yet (LOL)! On my stroll, I met a Canadian man at the back of the plane waiting in line for the washroom. We chatted and proceeded to comment on how the flight so far had been the worst experience of his life. I asked, which flight? He said this one we were on. I questioned what he meant. He looked at me in disbelief that I didn't know what he was talking about. He had mentioned takeoff, on how for the next two hours the plane was thrashed all over the sky, dropping 100s of meters in single instances, while people were screaming, yelling, swearing, crying and praying out load. He had said that he travelled often during the year with business and that this flight had scared him so much that it was enough for him to never want to fly again. I said I must have been sleeping the hole time and missed it! He said it was a good thing for me, as he wished he had missed it too!
>>>>>> I next asked to compare stories with the flight attendants. I heard the same confirming stories in addition to what had happened to them while they were on break in the back. They had been thrown to the floor, one injured, screamed cried and were scared to death! One loved turbulence, however, this scared her beyond words! One flight attendant had been working for 35 years and had never experienced an episode like this in all her flights.
>>>>>> I then confirmed with one last source, the people I was sitting beside. They shared similar stories and the woman actually had wondered why I was sitting quietly, not disturbed by the experience. She thought I was quite composed. I said I was in a coma! (LOL)! Wow! My Mom was always concerned if I lived on my own, I may not wake up if a fire alarm would go off because I slept so soundly...try a tornado or earthquake! Incredible! I thought the only setbacks might be the ash from the erupted volcano from last week in Iceland which cause visibility concerns and flight delays. Never expected thunder and lightning, however, we are entering monsoon season in this part of the world!
>>>>>> In Frankfurt, I resorted to the most economical meal experience which ended up being at McDonalds, however the most costly and best tasting McGriddle & coffee in history, still set me back 3 Euro (~7$).
>>>>>> The suspected tainted food eaten in Delhi airport became a toilet bowl reality! The jet lag was also weighing me down and the urge to snuggle up on a bench was very tempting, but the thought of missing my next flight, now delayed an hour, was not very appealing! I searched for ways to pass the time and entertain myself. Shopping was at this point out of the 'budget and room in my bag' question...until I came across a sample table for the unique product of a one of a kind beverage. I tried a small sample, next I found myself hanging out with the product rep brushing up on my German and drawing in passersby to try the sample. We had so much fun interacting with the people, he almost wanted to hire me on the spot as I had done several sales, however, in the meantime I almost missed my flight! One second later, Frankfurt may have been my new home!
>>>>>> Miraculously, I made it on the plane, Nepalese grass hat and all, and who would I be sitting by but, fellow Olympian and Bobsleigher, Heather Moyse (2006 and 2010 (Gold medalist)). We had 11 hours to catch up and pitied the poor guy between us who was trying to sleep...however, he ended up as part of the long amusing conversation! He was the proud father and coolest Dad of the youngest female music rock band in the world called 'Done With Dolls'. Kirby Miller was also the Vice President and General Manager of House and Home Magazine...go figure! Kirby was headed to watch his girls rock Mac Hall at the University of Calgary! I listened to some of their songs and they Kick! Can't wait to catch them live next time when they are in town!
>>>>>> The flight 'flew by' fast and later upon arrival ended up with a great welcome home reception by not only both my great parents, but Calgary airport host Jo-Ann Stimpson who greeted me with high pitched delight! I felt like a rock star with a groupie (LOL)!
>>>>>> So 4 hrs later I found myself in my own bed and sheets, not a sleeping bag and the need to put mosquito repellent on before bed in order to avoid being an evening feast to the night blood suckers!
>>>>>> 65 hrs only since my departure from Kathmandu, my most cherished event that I had been looking forward to since my last big 4000km bike ride Calgary to Santa Monica, California after raising funds for the Red Cross (lasting 40 days Sep/Nov 2010) was the new edition of the Specialized Amira bike I would be privileged to christen on it's inaugural ride! That day had come with Alberta Specialized Rep Barry Mah and 6 other of his friends and family. My first cycle since that epic ride on the 2010 Amira across the Rockies of Canada and down the coast of the United States with Miss Galaxy Canada and for a stint with fellow Olympians, occasional guest riders, Celebrities and our magnificent support staff. I feel like I have been reunited with an old friend - Amira 2011! She's looking sweeeet and riding smooth! Can't wait to go see Dave at Bow Cycle to get my Specialized Lazer Bike Fitting based on my previous measurement recorded from my first fitting done back in September - the beauty of technology! I look forward to resumed pain-free seat experiences due to the Laser Fit technology! Avoiding discomfort is the name of the game when it comes to the hind quarters. 'Spoken' from a true believer and one who knows!
>
> Riding my bike 50km that day in the sunshine, Cochran to Ghost Dam and back ended up being the best JetLag remedy ever!
>>
>> Over and out,
>> Christina
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Date: 30 May, 2011
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
 
Chitwan Nepal National Jungle Park
Written by Christina Smith
Friday, 20 May 2011 09:13
Hi from the Jungle of Nepal!

After a successful Summit Climb of Everest from friend Bill Borger and my
safe return from the Khumbu Valley in the Himalayan Mountains (downhill
most of the way - thank goodness!), I am now in the deep Jungle of Nepal
riding Elephants, floating in a carved out tree canoe amongst deadly
crocodile, walking among the thick trees and vines in search of Bengal
tigers, sloth bear, wild elephant, Rhinoceros, monkeys and deer. Adrenaline
packed adventure when the guide tells you how to deal with animals in case
we encounter any. Rhinos have poor eye sight, so zig zag while running or
climb a tree, bear - stick around in a group and scare off or fight off,
elephant - run like hell, tigers - don't run....off to the Annapurna
mountains hopefully tonight if I can get a bus as there is another political
strike which affects all forms of transportation in Nepal. Paragliding is
yet to come!

Geronimo!
Christina
 
Dingbuche, Nepal
Written by Christina Smith
Friday, 06 May 2011 09:40
It is out of this world and an AMAZING experience. I have tears in my eyes
just thinking about it as I write.
The terrain is changing to a more desolate kind of place with small shrubs
and many stones and boulders. I quite like the scene as it's like a film
scene from Star Wars.
The air is thinner and our pace is slower and heart rate increases as we go
higher in altitude. We are taking a drug called diamox which helps us
acclimatize and prevents dangerous conditions like swelling of the brain
(cerebral edema) or lungs (pulmonary edema).

We are (as a group thrilled to be together and experiencing this trek from
start to finish being basecamp. Once we part from there (Adrienne and I will
hike back to the Lukla airport approx 3-5 days down (vs 11 days up), it will
be a sad day as we have shared amazing memories which have changed our
lives. We are in our final few days of a long and winding road marathon. Our
prize is to see Bill and his lead guide John before their departure from
Basecamp to reach the top of the world. I seriously can't wait to share all
our stories. I could stay as my heart is at peace here and my thoughts
stress free. I wish this experience upon every child to see how hard
children work for a living here and I wish this experience upon every adult
so they appreciate all things that they currently have or complain about.
Beauty is all around me...from the dirty feet of the porters in flip flops
hiking up mountains with 30-50kg on their backs and still with time to smile
to the women scrubbing their clothes on a rock doing laundry and laying them
out to dry on a nearby bush....I've taken 1922 pictures as of now...amazing!
Sending love back home and sending prayers from Nepal,
Christina
 
Mountain life!
Written by Christina Smith
Monday, 02 May 2011 17:05
I will be out of Internet range until basecamp Everest possibly on the 9th....and may be same day that our friend Bill Borger will be having a weather window to summit Everest early! So far we have had sun, rain and everything in between (no snow yet, but hail). The life in the mountains is without vehicles, except for Yak and these cow like big horn creatures ( sorry cant remember the proper name lol) that carry supplies. The women and men all carry everything on their backs also with a strap across their forehead which puts tremendous strain on the neck (I've tried it!) in addition to walking up mountains, it adds to strain to the lower back and hamstrings. They carry 50-120+ kg of weight - 1/2-2/3 their body weight!
I will touch base on the trek down unless we all helicopter back to Lukla and fly back to Kathmandu if Bill decides to bring us along for the ride down. That of course after we celebrate his victory summit! If we don't fly out, I'll be huffing it down which will only take approximately 3 days and loving every minute of it!
Keep you posted!
Headed to Tenzboche 3900m altitude tomorrow!
Sent from my iPhone
 
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