I am back

After a rather long day of travel yesterday I have arrived back safely to Ctown. It was planes, trains and automobiles plus a couple of busses for me, but overall it was a pleasant and trouble free journey.
My journey began with Tino taking me to the train station in Liedekerke by car, then a 45 minute train journey in to the Brussels international airport, a BMI flight to Heathrow, a AC flight to Calgary, the #53 bus to Whitehorn station, the #73 to a stop 5 blocks from my house and then a short walk to my door. 18 hours.
My load was a bit heavier than when I left thanks to the loads of team gear I received, 6 bottles of Trappist and 4 kilograms of Spekuloos.
My bicycle box technique again worked trouble free and didn't cost me a penny. The only slight complication was an Air Canada employee stopping me at the gate and not allowing me to board my flight out of London as she didn't understand that I could be born in Canada and a Canadian citizen, but at the same time hold a Norwegian passport. After a few conversations with colleagues and a quick phone call it was understood that she didn't really know her stuff and I was waved on with an embarrassed smile. The drug dog at the Calgary airport also targeted me and jumped all over my carry on backpack just after I cleared the passport control. I was pulled into a side hallway and in turns out the apple I had failed to eat on my journey really excited this narco trained canine. The apple was promptly confiscated and after a quick lecture on failing to declare food products on my customs form I was released. I never declare anything regardless of what I bring in. I never exceed the limits requiring duty, but I find that if you do declare just small things they always want to "take a peek at your bags".
Its kind of nice to be home, but I already really miss Belgie. Its depressing to know that I wont be racing for almost 2 weeks then after nationals its another 2 weeks til Superweek and after that the season is either done or I have to fly back out east to do only a couple more races. As I mentioned earlier I was offered a spot on the Pictoflex- Hyundia continental team for the rest of the season a few weeks ago. At the time I said yes, but they were still not 100% sure if they could take new riders. They initially needed two riders due to injuries and riders leaving the team, but as it turned out the injured riders are within days of returning to competition now and the rider supposedly leaving the team was not released from his contract so he had to stay. Therefore my services are not needed this time around, but I am confident that next year has the potential to bring great things. There are several options for teams in Belgium if I stay for an entire season, which I plan on doing in 2007 so it should be exciting.
Another downer is that everyone in Calgary that races also works... This means no morning 4 hour group rides on Tuesdays anymore. If anyone wants to get together let me know though. This week I am riding just easy until Saturday and then I will be doing two 4 hour rides on the weekend with lots of hills. Are the crits still going on, I think I might spin up to the research park this evening to view the action.