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June 27 Canada Day Long Weekend Wrap UpCanada Day : Points Race at the Leg
In typical fashion, we were treated to great weather, good crowds, a fantastic course and exciting racing on Saturday. Each 1.2 km lap of the course featured a twisting descent up to 50km/hr and a 15 m climb. Too short a descent and lap to recover from the repeated efforts up the climb. Racing began at 1 pm with the Masters C and Women's race. We were treated to a two man battle between United Cycle's Wayne Long and Edmonton Masters rider Ed Heacock for each of the sprints. Ed narrowly edged Wayne for the win.
The Masters A & B race was just as exciting. It featured Jamie Thomas's debut as a recent convert to road racing. Sinh Chim, JC Coupal, John Encarnacao, and Zibi Szymanski accompanied Jamie to the start line. After a fast paced first four laps, Zibi bridged up to the lone rider in front, then proceeded to drop him on the climb up to the parliament building. Zibi rode the remainder of the race solo to claim a convincing victory.
Peter Knight and Richard Carr raced the Cat 5 race. The finishing corner was barricaded with 2 large orange road blocks that made a bright target for Richard but not the most comfortable to ride through. Thankfully both he and his bike came out of it better than expected.
The highlight of the day was watching Tim Heemskerk, Evan Sherman, and Roddi Lega race the Cat 1/2 event. Early on Evan took off to bridge up to the lone attacking Bruce Copeland. Tim followed suit with his own attack and bridged up to Bruce Copeland and then proceeded to ride him off of his wheel. Evan and Roddi factored in forming the first chasing group of 6 - 8 riders that diligently tried in vain to real in the flying dutchman. Unfortunately for them it was to no avail as Tim lapped all of the riders in the race on his own to win the event convincingly. Photos from the event will be posted tonight! Sorry Tim, there's only so many photos of you on your own that I can take. June 25 Summer Solstice Strikes BackAn absolutely gorgeous day, 28 degrees, in Kanaskis country greeted racers for the annual slaying of legs on the Sulphur Springs loop. THere was no shortage of excitement today from feedzone disqualifications, heat exhaustion seizures, EMS airlifts, mud faceplants, double flats, black eyes and huge prize money fines for listening to marshalls instructions!
A great turnout from Edmonton drove down to challenge the loop that eats legs, chains, 34 tooth sprockets, and 24 tooth chainrings for snacks!!! Evan and Zara Wischoff along with Clayton and Kevin Stafford had a blast also taking home an umbrella that was quite necessary to stay out of the sun today. These young guys have too much energy! Simon Richard had a terrific result desite taking a header ( check out his shiner this week), Clayton Stafford finished hot on his heels in 6th, Trevor was really training for the tranrockies by double flatting on a limestone ledge at the furthest point away from the start. This earned him a long relaxing solo 5km jog on shale, loose rocks, and down a slick mud descent (which he did do a complete face plant into on the first lap).
THe expert category saw blistering Cody Canning win in a close battle. Brys and Kevin Noble fought through broken components. Kevin broke his 34th tooth sprocket (not that it's needed on this course) in the preride. So much for XTR quality. It didn't hold him back from leading out the first lap today! Check out the shot of the broken 24tooth chainring. Ouch.
The Elite race saw quite a bit of action. The dynamic duo of Tim and Evan again finished 1st and 2nd today. Despite going over his bars in the mud, Evan stayed close enough to take the lead when Tim flatted on the 3rd lap. While leading the race, Tim and Evan were directed around the helicopter on the course by a marshal on ly to be fined (the exact same amount as their prize money, hmmmmmm) by the commisaires at the finish for "disobeying instructions, and leading other riders into danger". Meanwhile the chopper pilot was shouting encouragement at the two of them up the brutal last climb!!!!
What a day. Check out the photos in the latest album. The race day pics are of everyone clean, changed, and relaxing. There are only so many photos of "suffer face" that one can look at. June 19 Weekend Results - Magin Bus - UCI Marathon - Alberta MTB XC & Road RaceSince the weather's cleared up for the week it should be a terrific opportunity to get on the saddle again. Good luck to those racing in Bragg Creek this weekend.
Magic Bus Summer Trips? Get a load of this, Magic Bus (www.magicbus.ca) has begun a summer trip program consisting of both single day and weekend trips to some amazing cycling destinations! On Saturday June 24, they emabark to Jasper for $99, a day of events that includes:
Check out their website for more details!
UCI Marathon #2 Mont Sainte Anne Congratulations to Roddi Lega (Can) who finished 17th leading up to next weekends cross country World Cup!
Prairie Steamer Road Race - Calgary Rich Sitter, Wayne Long, and Tim Heemskerk raced Saturday in the hilly Cochrane classic. Congratulations to Tim for winning the Cat 1/2 event!
Down 'n Dirty XC - Edmonton A large contingent turned out to challenge the traditional Father's Day mudfest in Terwillegar Park. Matt Crib nad Sharon Hutchings were instrumental in marshalling the course to keep us on the right track! Congratulations to Peter Knight 2rd place Novice Men (see photo), Evan Sherman 3rd place Elite Men, and to Tim Heemskerk 1st Place Elite men for pulling off the double this weekend. Photos are trickling in today, keep checking back to the gallery section to see more. In case you have any candid shots from the event, please forward to raceteam@unitedcycle.com
June 14 Inspirations - Ontario Gov. Debacle - James Rasmussen Racing UpdateProject Yellow Jersey Update
Every once in a while there's a story that catches our attention. Below is a copy of a release from Mike Hietpas, Trek's Canadian Sales Manager, describing a project that they've been supporting for the last two months. Have a look at the banners below and the yellow jersey display recently erected in Thunder Bay as a result. To learn more about this inspirational journey, log on to www.cycleforlife.ca. You can begin to increase your own awareness by logging on to www.laf.org and continue the push towards a cure. THis terrible disease does touch all of us.
June 14, 2006 Dear Friends, I am approached, throughout the year, for corporate sponsorship of many very good causes. In April I was made aware of a promotion being done by the Thunder Bay Fire Fighters. I was impressed with the simplicity and potential impact of their effort. - The Thunder Bay Fire Fighters have acquired a yellow Jersey autographed by Lance. The jersey is being donated to the Thunder Bay Regional Cancer Care center as a symbol of hope and inspiration for Cancer patients. (see attached photograph) - Prior to the presentation of the jersey on June 20th, they are running a Thunder Bay Yellow Jersey campaign that asks “what makes you livestrong?” Concurrently they will run an awareness campaign through the local schools. - This campaign is all about education, awareness, and sharing the survivorship message. The stories collected are being complied into a book. - This book will be hand delivered by one of the story participants to the LAF in Austin Texas during the annual Ride for the Roses. T o raise the funds for the cancer center display case and to send the book to Austin they asked for item donations that could be included in 500 “goodie” bags that would be sold for around $20.00 each. Trek donated much of the contents of these bags. By coincidence, John, a 46 year old Fire Fighter from Lethbridge Alberta had bee diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer. John decided to ride his bike from Victoria to St. John’s NFLD in an effort to raise money and awareness for cancer awareness and survivorship.http://www.cycleforlife.ca/index.php/site/about/ I am sending a Pilot 5.2 to Demarco SFS in Sudbury today. John will be there next week on Tuesday and will finish his ride to St John’s in style. Thanks to our friends in Sudbury for building the bike up for him. I know John will be getting great support from is Fire Fighter friends along the way. I encourage my friends in the bike industry to help out where you are able. I suggest you call your local fire department if he is coming through your town to offer your assistance or go out and break the wind for him for a while. I am told he is an amazing individual and that he will appreciate your assistance. Mike H.
Ontario Government to Ban Bicycles from Provincial Parks
Courtesy BTAC Bill 11, the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act has been amended in such a way that it will effectively ban bicycles from Ontario provincial parks until such time as the Minister of Natural Resources passes regulations permitting existing cycling activities to continue. The amendment changes the word non-motorized in the existing legislation that allows park visitors to, "...travel primarily by non-motorized means...", to the word non-mechanized. Bicycles, though un-motorized and muscle-powered, are nonetheless mechanical. The Bill is now slated for third reading. Janet O'Connell, Executive Director of BTAC notes that, "...the 11th hour amendment to Bill 11 ejects a most enthusiastic, supportive and active segment of Ontario provincial park users. The effect will be to disenfranchise a highly motivated demographic group of advocates that have been actively engaged in protecting green spaces throughout North America." Ms. O'Connell adds that, "Access to Ontario provincial parks and conservation areas for cycling builds a sense of pride and ownership in those parks. We want Ontarians to interact with the natural environment because through their interaction they gain a sense of the inherent value of the natural environment and the need for its conservation and preservation. Cycling is a healthy, environmentally friendly and sustainable way for that interaction to occur." Scientific evidence from numerous jurisdictions that have undertaken systematic assessments of various land-use activities shows that mountain bikes ridden on designated trails have no more ecological impact than hikers. Paul Nielsen, President of BTAC remarks that, "Given what we know about the impact of bicycles of designated trails the public policy rationale for this amendment is perplexing", adding that, "The objective should be to get more Ontarians to enjoy parks and conservation areas and thus become their proponents and defenders, not less." BTAC's position is that the language in the Bill should revert to the use of term "non-motorized". However, should the legislation be passed as currently drafted BTAC will be advocating that the regulations allowing existing cycling activities in provincial parks and conservation areas be enacted upon implementation of the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act. ACT NOW! Before this bill goes to final reading on Monday (June 19th) in the Ontario Legislature contact your local MPP and ask them not to ban cycling from Ontario Provincial Parks. Imagine what's next out west?
Dino Series Race #2 Results
Emigrated rider James Rasmussen placed a respectable 19th, 2:13.33 in the second event of the Indianna State Mountain Bike Series. The Expert category in Indianna is equivalent to a composite of Elite and Expert here in Alberta. Attached are photos from the event. James, what's with the yellow? June 13 Tuesday Night Racing Results - Upcoming Weekend EventsTuesday Night Race Series The first road race event of the season went as scheduled last night despite the foreboding weather. Thank you to Trevor Pomber, Richard Carr and Dave Burkin who parked their bikes for the greater good. As well, Sean and Tammi Sinh, thanks for giving up a free evening to marshall and time the finish. Next Event, June 27 - 2 man Time Trial at the Polar Park course. See you there. Weigh Scales Road Race - June 13, 2006 Results A Group - 20 Starters - 4 x 10km Laps 1. Tim Heemskerk United Cycle 54min 30s 2. Matt Osbourne Pedalhead s.t. 3. Cody Canning ERTC s.t. 4. Evan Sherman United Cycle s.t. 5. Shaun Goulet Pedalhead s.t.
B Group - 21 Starters - 3 x 10km Laps 1. Paul Ermatrout Velocity 44min 13s 2. Justin Middleton Juventus s.t. 3. Lance Adamson Juventus s.t. 4. Ron Ellis Juventus s.t. 5. Axel Hallbauer ERTC s.t.
Down 'n Dirty - June 18, 2006 The annual Terwillegar Park mudfest is upon us once again! Online registration closes at 6pm friday June 16, walk in registration closes Saturday June 17 at Red Bike (Noon - 5pm). Day licenses are available in case you want to give it a try! www.dirtgirls.ca
Summer Solstice Mountain Bike Race - June 25 - Bragg Creek Apparently there are still spots available to race in one of the most outstanding mountain bike venues. This event is a highlight of the season with its tremendous terrain, technical climbs and descents and spectacular views. www.deadgoat.ca |
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