VCC Update – May 21, 2021

Better Than Bacon

That’s what I think when I see warm weather being forecast for a long weekend of riding!

Of course, if you’re vegan, bacon would be the furthest thing from your mind – sorry about that my vegan friends!

Now that the touch of winter this week has melted away, and you’ve done the bike maintenance I suggested last week – you did that, didn’t you? …

… It’s time to get some steady long distance rides accomplished this weekend. No group riding yet, as we’re still waiting for the current round of restrictions to loosen up. But your club will be back into COVID-safe riding as soon as we can.

In the meantime, maybe this weekend you could plan to drive further from the city to start a ride?

Perhaps sample the roads around Drayton Valley in anticipation of the DV100 this fall? Here’s the route they’ll use for that event:

https://www.strava.com/segments/5506417

Or, remember the good-old-days when the Pigeon Lake Road Race was actually the “Race Around the Lake?” Park in Mulhurst Bay and ride clockwise around the lake. Here’s that route for some long weekend inspiration:

https://www.strava.com/routes/2830603334429918288

GoFundMe for Brian Cale

The May long weekend also marks another old racing tradition on the prairies: Bikes On Broadway in Saskatoon. The event slipped off the calendar even before the pandemic hit. It’s a fitting time this weekend to remember a tragic crash that happened in the 2015 edition.

Brian Cale is a Canadian Armed Forces veteran who served in Afghanistan. Bikes On Broadway was his first big cycling stage race. In the final criterium stage he crashed on-course into a large tree and was left a paraplegic.

Today, he’s trying to get back to enjoying the outdoors. A typical hand-cycle does not work for him though. Calgary-based Bowhead Corp makes 3-wheeled e-bikes that would suit him well. But the price is beyond his family’s means.

Brian’s mom has started a GoFundMe campaign to Help Brian Ride Again. Please take a moment this long weekend to read more about the campaign and consider making a donation. Every dollar will be appreciated.

Old Velocity Clothing Needs to Go

Ed Heacock has a few items of our previous kit designs that needs clearing out.

This is new Louis Garneau clothing unless specified otherwise. The design of most items is the older black/white colour style unless noted otherwise. Retro implies the even older style clothing that was the black/white/red/yellow colour.

If interested in any of this kit call/text Ed (780 860-6469).

Here’s the list of what’s available:

BMX Clothing

  • 1 BMX long sleeve Retro jersey used, size XS –  (free)
  • 1 BMX long sleeve Retro jersey used, size Youth L – (free)
  • 1 BMX long sleeve Retro jersey used, Size L  –  (free)

Road/Cross/Track Clothing

  • 2 wind vests, size S – $10 ea
  • 1 wind vest, size M – $10
  • 1 long sleeve track top, size L – $15
  • 5 large Retro wind vests, size L – $10 ea
  • 1 skin suit, size XL – $15
  • 1 short sleeve jersey, size XL – $10
  • 1 retro wind vest, size XXL – $10

Equipment

  • 1 Garmin Edge 500 bike computer complete with wiring charger mount and instructions – $50

I don’t ride a bike to add days to my life. I ride a bike to add life to my days.

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