Special Labour Day Monday Ride

Looking for a long weekend adventure without straying too far from home? Then let’s take a day trip to Drayton Valley!

Perhaps you’re one of the club members riding the DV100 next weekend, and you’d like to scout out some of the course. Or you just want to ride somewhere different for a change. Drayton Valley isn’t that far away.

Where: Meet at the Drayton Valley Omniplex

When: 10:30am on Monday, September 2.

Route: Details for an 85km (3-4hr) route to be posted soon. Will include the Lodgepole Hill that’s on the DV100 route.

Expectations: Every rider is expected to be self-supporting. This means you have spare tubes – even if riding tubeless – at least 2 CO2 cartridges if you don’t also carry an actual tire pump, and enough food and drink to sustain you for a 4hr ride. Don’t expect to buy food and drink anywhere on the route.

The Monday weather forecast is looking hopeful for this ride, and I will be making the trip out there myself.

‘Cross Clinic This Weekend

Remember there’s a ‘cross clinic happening in Edmonton this weekend for both new and experienced cyclocross riders.

Starting on Saturday, August 31, this is an ideal clinic if you’re interested in trying ‘cross for the first time, or brushing up your skills to be ready for racing in September.

Check out the Facebook page from the CXtravaganza organizers for more details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1291608371017228/

Velocity ‘Cross Race

Details are being worked on to host a cyclocross race this fall on Sunday, October 20. Current plans are to set a course in the Strathcona Science Park.

Organizational help is needed – please email club member Jason Redfern to let him know you’re interested: Jason.e.redfern@gmail.com.

If you’ve got some interesting ideas, then help make this an exciting event. Without the worry of public roadways, ‘cross races are perhaps the easiest type of bike race to organize! Use your imagination – food trucks, Halloween costumes, citizen and kid categories – celebrate the last days of riding before the cross country skis come out.

And watch soon for a Volunteer Signup form, as more help will be needed on race day.

Club Equipment Sale

We’ve still got a few “big ticket” items that need to go. A few ‘cross bikes, some BMX bikes, steel frame track bikes, and a 10speed PowerTap hub in need of a little servicing to get it running again. Also just discovered, a Garmin 500 bike computer complete with manual – going for about $100.

Please reach out to Ed Heacock to get more details: president@velocitycyclingclub.ca

Club Weekday Ride Schedule

Daylight will be shortening our weekday rides in September.

With the special Drayton Valley ride on Monday, there will be no Hill circuit this week.

And the Thursday Thresholds will also drop from the regular rotation.

Coming up on Monday September 16, club member Dave (Doc) Watson will lead us on his super-secret city hill circuit ride – which will probably be our last Monday night ride this season. More details will be posted next week.

If anyone is interested in leading a weekday ‘cross ride, please let me know so we can post some details.

All rides will be posted on the event calendar.

Weekend Rides

Your winter fitness will still benefit from riding on the weekends as long as the weather permits. So we’ll continue with our regular weekend programming until the snow falls.

The Saturday ride starts 10am at the Olympiette Centre. Two hours, about 60kms. Strava Route posted HERE: https://www.strava.com/routes/20365444

The Sunday ride tends to be hillier, harder and faster. Starts 10am at the Acheson PetroCan/Truck Stop area. 70km hilly Strava Route posted HERE: https://www.strava.com/routes/19516571

 

Success is going from failure to failure without a loss of enthusiasm.