Vancouver International

Travel Day 1

Up at 445 am today, ready for 19 hours of travel to Beijing international, then at least another 3 to get to the Jundu Tourist Villa by the race site. Ordered a limo to get to Winnipeg Airport as there was no way we'd get all our stuff in 2 taxis. The driver pulled up 15 minutes early, soft spoken senior, dressed in a suit, initial impressions very favorable. Then he sees all our suitcases, and the bike box and starts to tell me that i should have known to order a larger car. This after I had carefully explained to the dispatcher the luggage we were bringing and the dimensions. Well,OK, there was the additional guitar that we brought. On Thursday, My colleague in Beijing asked me to kindly return his son's guitar that he left in Winnipeg. There were a few moment's of desperation as I tried to track it down. He had left it at a friend of another's doctor's son in Winnipeg, and the doctor's wife (who knew where the guitar was) was out of town. Managed to track it down, but it's in a soft shell case and I hope it makes it safely there.

Anyway, the flight was uneventful, was able to catch up on the latest exploits of Flash Gordon and the evil Emperor Ming (seriously), and we arrived right on time to beautiful clear Vancouver skies. I emphasize on time, when we were getting ready to leave Winnipeg, my trusty Blackberry Travel app sent me an urgent message that the flight was delayed 75 minutes. Knowing that my Blackberry could not possibly be wrong, I hoped to get up and stretch my legs and get a Tim Horton's, fortunately my travel companions suggested I actually check with a boarding agent to ensure the flight was delayed. It wasn't, and I was saved from the humiliation of having to hear "WOULD JIMI NEWTON PLEASE REPORT TO GATE P FOR IMMEDIATE DEPARTURE".

5 hour layover before the 11 hour flight to Beijing, booked time in the Plaza Premium Lounge, which so far tops the Maple Leaf Lounge for comfort and food selection. No hard liquor, but beer and wine available for those morning tremors. I'm alcohol free for the next 7 days though,but I note that most of the business men are having a wee nip with their scrambled eggs and Thai Chili Sauce.

Next stop Beijing.

New Blog Site

Recieved some news from my next door neigbour Dr. Mike that blogspot may not work in China, and he suggested www.my-diary.org and search for Beijing Adventure. It appears this website may not allow graphics of any kind, but at least it works.

Last night in Winnipeg, unfortuneatly with memories of the the mighty swaggering Bombers losing to the lowly greenies from Saskatchewan. Oh well, that's what egomania will get you.

10 Days to go!

The training all done, the bike is packed away, and the World Tri Championships are only 10 days away. I qualified for the sprint championship last year at he Canadian Nationals held in Kelowna last year with an unexpected 3rd place finish. It was quite an honor to stand on the podium, with my ragged Blue Bomber T-shirt, til the Gold Medalist hollered "Go Riders!!". Too bad there wasn't 12 laps to complete, he'd likely have done an extra lap, and I might have squeaked into 2nd.
I wasn't initially planning to attend the World's in Beijing this September, but a number of things fell into place. I was working with some doctors from Beijing, who were enthusiastic that my family and I may come to visit. My boss told me I could have the time off, and possibly could use some of "conference time" instead of my vacation time. Finally, when I brought up the possibility of travel with my 2 boys, they thought I was a great Dad for inviting them to come. pretty hard to let them down after that.
the course is the same as the 2008 Olympics. The men's final was the most exciting race I've seen of any kind. The lead changed at least 3 times in the last kilometer, and our man Simon Whitfield almost won it all, only to be nipped out in the last few meters.
The start of the triathlon year started rather ignominiously for me. Had to pull out of a duathlon after injuring my calf, couldn't seem to get my goggles to stay on in the 1st 2 events, but things picked up later in the season.
Manged to get a 2nd overall in the short course at Morden, passing a couple of young bucks in the final kilometer. Had my best time ever at riding mountain triathlon in the Olympic distance, and surpassing my performance at the Canadian Nationals with a faster time and a 2nd place in my age group. (I've now qualified for the world's in 2012 in Auckland, but that's another blog)

The hard part now is ensuring we have everything packed. Can't forget the neccessities like electric converters, copies of all our documents and deodorant. (According to one of the many travel guides I read, it is almost impossible to find deodorant in China)
I'll try and keep this blog up while away, from what I hear, internet access can be choppy and unpredictable.
Flight leaves Labor Day at 7 am. Booked a limo because it would take 3 priuses (?prii?) to take all our luggage and us and my bike box would likely have to ride on the roof.