The Blossington Olympics

(Left to Right) Sana's thumb, Jeff-co reciprocates, a thumbs up

For the past week Sana, a.k.a., Suana and Jeff-co have been screwing. They are really taking their time, making sure they do it right. Jeff-co is more experienced, so he helps Sana out, taking the lead, and showing her how the old schoolers do it. Sometimes they screw at Jeff-co's place, and sometimes they screw at Sana's (even when her roommate is watching).    

Sana apprentices under Jeff-co's germanic instruction

It's all in the name of Valentine's Day. Well, actually, what used to be known by bike couriers as the Valentine Day Massacre, an annual ice race that took place on Toronto Island. For the past several years, however, the ice race, Icycle, a.k.a. Bikes on Ice, is held at Dufferin Grove Park. This year's race will take off on Saturday February 13th between 7:00 and 10:00pm.

As our nations Olympians conglomerate today in Vancouver, so do our Blossington heroes prepare for their big race in our neighbourhood's neighbouring neighbourhood. Though we'll have to venture out of Bloorcourt to pay witness to this grand event, we know we are well represented by Sana and Jeff-co, a current bike courier and a retired one, respectively.   

Sana studs her wheel

Jeff-co pumped up and ready to win the race

"I'm super fucking stoked," says Sana, who is a virgin to the ice race.

Sana was just a toddler when Jeff-co was partaking in the two holiday themed races, the Halloween Alley Cat Scramble and the Valentine Day Massacre. For Jeff-co, who spent 10 years couriering, tomorrow's race is just a peddle in the park, but for Sana, who's been on the road for just a year, this race will be a slippery slop to circumnavigate.

Time is not on her side. With two nights to go before the meet, Sana and Jeff-co head to Christie Pitts with their freshly studded wheels and padded knees, to give shredding the ice a go. After crashing several times, and getting right back on her bike, Sana impressed the Oak Tree.

"I'm proud of her," Jeff-co says. "She asked me about technique, and I told her, 'there isn't one.' Everybody crashes. But you just get up."

Sana smiles but her eyes speak fear

The event itself is divided into four categories, women's studded, and women's rubber, tire race, and the same two tire distinguished categories for the men. Traditionally, the race was for couriers but these days anyone can test their luck.

Sana has a heavy bike to bear, she will be representing Blossington in the women's studded tire race. Jeff-co will represent Blossington in the men's studded tire race. None of them use rubbers. We are counting on our debaucherous athletes to make our block proud. And, although the official after party (open to the public) will take place at Bike Pirates, our expected victors will celebrate in true V.I.P. fashion, a private party held at Cyclemania.

Jeff-co poses for an unlikely loss

We don't think Jeff-co will lose, but as the classic saying goes, "If you're not first, you're last." That may be a lot of pressure Jeffie, but if he can't do it, the Blossington Post doesn't know who can. Either way this race is particularly fun to watch. Win, lose, crash, or burn we'll be rooting for our neighbourhood heroes and will celebrate the action, not the outcome.

As part of the Olympic Creed reads, "The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."

(All photos by DmD)