Well, Stew and I made the early drive to Calgary Sunday morning for the Terrascape cyclocross race. I have always had fun at this race and it is one of my favorite venues for cross racing in Alberta. Held in a community league park, there is enough climbing, off camber sections, the baseball diamond, and the "jumps" right by the start/finish area that always play host to the Big Air Competition.
Terrascape, as always, did a great job keeping everyone going with costume awards for each category and a pair of announcers with wireless mics that roamed around and tried to race with the mic on. That was hilarious. You would go a few minutes with nothing but heavy breathing coming through the speakers. The colorful banter the rest of the time kept everyone smiling.
Stew won the best costume in Sport men with his Cross' bones kit and face paint, then proceeded to stay in costume for the rest of the day waving a plastic sword at anyone who looked, or did not look his way.
I won the best in the Elite men by Cross' dressing, hey, if you can't win might as well look good.
Ryan Hopping could win though, not saying that he does not look good. He also moved into the lead in the Alberta Cup Cross points with that win.
Unfortunately no United Expert cyclocrossers were able to race this weekend. The expert race really showcased the big air comp with many a crosser going vertical.
After the race there was some delicious chili available, with beer if you wanted it. Random 11th place awards were also handed out, and there were so many draw prizes I think almost everyone who stayed got something.
Excellent day had by all, with many a funny moment and good weather. Could not ask for more. Thanks Terrascape!

My arms a still tired and my throat hurts. I don't know what's more work, racing or organizing/cheering. Huge thanks to everyone that came out to race, spectate, and help. We had a pretty good turnout with over 70 racers. For once the Sport men had it easier than the Elite men because the mud was still frozen for their race. The downhill was quite the spectacle later on in the day and watching the Elites come down was great. It certainly shows who is more comfortable when the rear wheel starts sliding sideways.
Unfortunately the Heemer Humps were removed at the last minute by the commisaires because of safety concerns.
Fortunately almost everyone really liked the course otherwise.
I think next year the "Agitator" will have to be bigger and even more agitating with more cowbell. One racer, only known as 'awesomepants' was overheard saying "I Hate This" while riding it. Because he was smiling while saying it, I will disregard his comment.
Speaking of smiling, I think I was able to capture a rare glimpse of Sutton Smile while he was picking his way through the field after breaking a chain on the start line.
Those Hardcore riders must have been having a blast because Ms. National Champ Baldwin was never seen without a grin.
It was really good to see the womens field almost as big as the expert men. Just goes to show how big cyclocross is getting in Alberta, and there was only one mountain bike in the sport category.
United riders included Ryan Hopping getting second in Elite, and Mike K, Steve, and Stew racing in Sport with Roger in Expert.
Special mention to the brave volunteers who came out Friday to set up and again out in the dark, cold early am on Saturday: Alyssa, Josh, Mark, Trevor, Stew.
Thanks to all the other volunteers who stood on various corners with bells, served food, did registrations, played music, took pictures, cleaned up and ran around like crazy to make sure the day went smooth. I don't want to forget anyone so you know who you are, and it means a lot to me.
There is some pics here as well as here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/43977725@N04/

Hello all you interneters. The Devon course is looking about 80% complete with just some taping and trimming to do. Some parts are a little slick from the rain but it is mostly just awesomeness. Registration closes today at 6:00pm so sign up soon!
It will be a crazy course with lots of fast sections, tight corners and wide open sweepers. So basically everything you love about cross racing!
See you on Saturday!

Well, Gary and I loaded into the van early Sunday morning and headed down to Calgary for the cyclocross race at the Calgary Olympic Park. It rained almost the whole way down and we were constantly looking ahead, hey maybe the clouds are less dark up there!
Turned out not to rain while the races were happening, but that did not stop the course from being a little slick, and it did not seem to really dry up as the day went on.
Gary ended up in 22nd spot with some ridiculously fast guys up front lapping almost half of the field.
Cory was lapped as well not doing so great on all the off-camber corners and very long sandpit. The only time I really made time was on the paved climbs, but that was not enough to keep ahead of the great pace set by Ryan Hopping. He rode away from the front of the group and pretty much led for the entire race. Good to see Ryan doing so well.
I had a chance to snap a couple pics in the morning, but not many turned out. The kinda neat blurring effect is not on purpose, my camera is just not that good.
Hope to see everyone this weekend in Devon for our cross race. Should have good weather and an interesting course for everyone!

Good weekend had by all. I have yet to receive a negative report from someone who raced. The course was fast, interesting, and had enough technical bits to keep you on your toes(literally). Thanks Juventus for a great couple races. Nationals goes to Toronto next year, road trip anyone??
I unfortunately did not make it out on Saturday but heard from many people that the course was drier for Sunday's race. Then it started to snow real good. It's quite neat because since I was at the back of the race, there was quite a defined line from all the racers before.
The atmosphere in the bowl was superb. Another announcer and music to pump the fans up and make noise. I heard one comment after the race saying that that the rest of the course was lonely because everyone was at the bowl. I heard that there was pie, but never had any.
Thanks to all the United boys and girls who came out to race and support over the two days of racing. Hope you all had an awesome time and are pumped for the rest of the season!
Saturday
Master 50+
Roger Clemens 6th
Gary Piller 10th

Master 40-49
Mike Kohlenber 29th

Master 30-39
Marc Bailey -19th

Elite Men
Ryan Hopping -18th

Nice to see Edmonton's Aaron Schooler standing on the podium in 3rd Elite men, and Pepper Harlton in 2nd Elite women.

Jim Horner Grand Prix
Master 50+
Roger Clemens -5th

Elite Men
Ryan Hopping -20th
Cory Dickinson -34th (woohoo, did not get lapped!!)

If anyone has any pics of their favorite racers, send them in and I'll put them up.

Well, that was cold.
Despite the howling wind and near zero temperature, we still managed to pull off a race and have 31 people show up to ride.
Thanks again to everyone who came out to support the races and who came out to help. Stew and I could not have done it without any of you. We are for sure already looking forward to next year to make it bigger and better, and probably longer.
We want to encourage feedback from anyone who raced or came out, please send to raceteam@unitedcycle.com
 Results A Group                      
1.Paul Tichelaar                        
2.Matt Krahn                            
3.Nick Jendzjowsky                  
4.Mark Rumsey   (that's for you Mark)                     
5.Shaun Adamson                     
6.Sean Barr                              
7.Peter Knight                          
8.Andre Sutton                         
9.Jason Redfern                        
10.Jason Proche                       
11.Jash Krabbe                         
12.Trevor Pombert                    
Unclassified: John Clark

B Group                                                 
1.Kevin Stafford
2.Ken Germaine
3.Rob Found
4.Clayton Stafford
5.Duncan Cameron
6.Eric Lastiwka
7.Travis Anderson
8.Brendan Romano
9.Bridget Linder
10.Gerhard Jacobs
11.Steve Dunkley
12.Brian Wallace
Rich Sitter????
Emils Muehlenbachs?????
Sheldon Smart????????

C Group
1.Brian Loewen
2.Lesley Baldwin
3.Steve Bourdeau

Sorry if there is any errors, I guess just fight it out amoungst yourselves. See ya'll at the races!

During the mens Sport pre-ride the organizers decided to take out one long side hill section (they thought we would have 17 minute laps). Good choice or I would have just left the wheels and seat off my bike to make it easier to walk with. They  put the side hill back in for the later groups. Once I started riding it really was better riding than it was standing around watching with a camera. If I can only figure out how to clip back in with a pound of mud on each shoe that would improve things a bit.  Cold, wet and needing a hot chocolate we left after the womens elite and expert race so I unfortunately didn’t see much else. Enough to see Mical Dyck and a few others ride the part that myself and many others in Sport had a hard time walking.

Thanks Gary!

Join Matt Decore tomorrow night at 6:30 with your running shoes for the first cyclocross night leaving from DeCappo at 6:30. The remainder of the training will likley be in Kinsmen park but look for deatail in Matt's updates and on the web site.

As noted in the Provincial Race Results, Tim Heemskerk has represented us for the last time in Alberta. Tim and his lovely wife Deb are returning to Holland to take up their respective careers back home. Tim has had a major impact on cycling in Alberta winning MTB, Cross and Road Race events. He and Evan finished second in the Trans Rockies and with Roddie the next year they won the TR challange. I have been privileged to watch Tim ride and win Provincial titles and major international events.
Brys was able to interest Tim in our club when he arrived here and it has been nothing but thrilling to have him represent United Cycle. Tim's always upbeat personality, sportsmanship and friendly dememor are a rare combination. Tim has freely helped our club with his training rides and professional instruction. I know I am a better rider and have a greater understanding of the sport as a result of Tim's efforts.
As always it is with some sadness we see our friend and mentor leave but at the same time we wish him and Deb the best in the future and will continue to follow his career and look back fondly on what he has done for us.
Thanks Tim