If you’ve missed the last couple of updates, it wasn’t just you. A link was blocked between the email server and our website. It looks fixed now. Not that you were missing too much in the meantime. A couple of soggy weekends in a row had cancelled our regular weekend ride plans. It’s looking 50/50 again this weekend. I’m still away, but will do my best to watch your local weather and post cancellation updates to our website if needed.
And here’s another reminder about Air Quality warnings. The ABA mandates we cancel when AQHI readings reach 8+. Our club policy is to cut rides short and ride easy if the AQHI is 7 and cancel if it’s anything higher. That’s also a good plan for any of your solo training rides. There is no known safe level of wildfire smoke particulate exposure. So common sense says less time and less intensity will always be safer as the AQHI rises. Here’s the link to our policy: VCC Air Quality Policy
While I’m away, make sure to pick Ride Leaders for each club ride. Usually we split into a faster-paced A group and a second B group, each with its own leader. Download and review the routes. Don’t leave riders behind.
Saturday Ride
Meet at 9am at the Olympiette Centre for a 102km route south to Coal Lake Provincial Park.
Sunday Ride
Sunday we’ll head southwest. Start from Riverbend Square at 9am. Use the bike paths to get across the North Saskatchewan and head out on a loop north of Devon.
VCC Track Sessions
Here’s another reminder about AVA’s electronic member cards. Download yours to your phone wallet. If you haven’t found your card yet, navigate to your Member Account and you’ll find the downloadable version of your card. Here’s the login link for your account: AVA Client Portal
For velodrome session access, you’ll need to start scanning your card at the front desk of CPSRC. And eventually, you’ll also be able to use this member card for AVA-linked benefits at local Edmonton businesses. Stay tuned as these programs roll-out in future months!
Our July 15 session will run again in an Open Track format. Our Track Monitor Burr Ho will be responsible to unlock the rental bikes and watch for safe riding habits.
Remember the etiquette of Open Track:
- Hard efforts in the Sprinter’s lane
- Endurance and easier efforts up above the blue Stayers line
- Keep shoulder checking whenever you move right or left on the track
- Over-takers call out “STICK” as you pass up and over on the right.
Thursday Hill Circuit
Join our hill circuit on Thursday evening at 6:30pm. Meet up in the north parking lot of Hawrelak Park.
Thursday, July 16, Track League
Races this week:
- Win & Out
- Antioquena ( look it up!)
- TBD
Haven’t heard of the Antioquena? Neither did I! I found the description here (as well as descriptions of most race variations on track): Velodrome Race Descriptions
Register before 6pm on race night:
Youth Summer Camps at the Velodrome!
Youth Summer Camps registrations are open on an on-going basis now.
If your family or friends have kids ages 11-15 who already know how to ride, check out what these day camps have to offer!
- Introduction to track cycling (but it’s not all about track riding)
- Dynamic mobility and movement skills
- Court sports and team games
- Athletic development and physical literacy
- Confidence-building challenges and activities
The camp should gives kids a head start in sports and life. The program is built on trusted Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) frameworks, ensuring youth build essential skills, hit key developmental milestones, and establish healthy, active habits that last a lifetime.
All the details are on the Alberta Velodrome’s Booking Portal:
iGregari at Strawberry Creek Raceway
iGregari has two more dates booked at the Strawberry Creek Raceway (2042 Township Road 504, Thorsby, AB). Cost is $20/rider.
The riding times will be 6pm to dusk (nothing later than 10pm) on the following dates:
- Wednesday, July 15
- Saturday, July 25
If there are any updates or changes to their plans, check out their Instagram feed @igregaricyclingclub.