VCC Update – July 23, 2021

Olympiette Ride

The smoke has cleared … for now. And the roasting temperatures have abated … for now. Looks good for a regular Saturday ride.

The road work around the Olympiette Centre should be finished, so let’s head out from there. We’ll start at 9am.

I’m back from the Okanagan now, so I’ll be the main ride leader. Please consider raising your hand to lead too, as we’ve been getting more than 10 riders each week. Group sizes and ability levels make the rides safer when we can split them up.

The route is similar to one we did about a month ago on some new pavement along TWP 510:

https://www.strava.com/routes/2853332791911052824

Please save this link and/or download it to your GPS bike computer.

Smoky skies could return. If that happens, we can cut the ride short by turning back earlier along TWP 510.

Please pre-register by 7:30am Saturday morning for the ride >>>HERE<<<

VCC Track Night

As mentioned last week, the club will be starting a regular 6pm Monday night track booking beginning next week on July 26.

This first session will be all about getting introduced or re-acquainted with riding a fixed gear bike on the velodrome. New track riders are very much encouraged! We have track bikes to lend you. Just bring your own pedals, shoes and helmet.

To make set up go faster, measure your own road bike from the middle of the bottom bracket to the middle of the seat post clamp. Then fill that number in, along with the rest of your details, on this >>Track Session Sign-Up Form. The deadline to sign up is noon, Monday, July 26.

Tuesday Night Time Trials

Also mentioned last week, Juventus Cycling Club is running a short summer series of Tuesday night 15km time trials. They’re also using TWP 510 that we’ll be riding this Saturday.

The tech guide is posted >>>HERE<<< with all the registration and event rules. The next one will be Tuesday, July 27.

Wednesday Hill Circuit Night

The club’s challenging weeknight hill circuit returns next week! Test yourself on Zoo Hill, the Ledge Grounds and finally Emily Murphy Hill.

We’ll be doing repeats on these hills. You set your own pace, and ride wheel-to-wheel with other club members if you like. We always regroup before attacking each climb again, so no one gets left behind.

Sticking with the COVID group riding guidelines, I’d like each of you to pre-register for this ride too. Complete this form >>>HERE<<< by noon, Wednesday, July 28.

Slowly, carefully, our regular ride programming is returning. Get your double-vaccinations completed. And let’s get the COVID-19 pandemic left in the ditch far behind us!

WTSE Urban Fondo August 22

One last announcement that you might be interested in …

The World Triathlon Series Edmonton hosts the World Triathlon Championship Finals the weekend of August 20 to 22.

Organizers will also be hosting an Urban Fondo just for cyclists, the morning of August 22. They’re offering 20km, 40km and 60km options that loop down Emily Murphy Road, north up Groat Road and back down Groat Road with the Start/Finish in front of Hawrelak Park.

If you’d like to test your fitness sooner than later, this event is worth considering. The top 3 men and women in each distance category will receive medals. But as with any fondo, it’s your choice if you want to compete or ride. Registration is capped at 400 total and closes August 13.

Here’s the link to the WTSE Community Events Registration page where you can >>>LEARN MORE and REGISTER<<< (pull down the “Community Events” menu tab to see the events handbook and course map too)

The bicycle is no longer a beast of steel… no, it is a friend… It is a faithful and powerful ally against one’s worst enemies. It is stronger than anxiety, stronger than sadness. It has all the power of hope.

Maurice Leblanc, late French novelist

Our PRIMARY fundraiser - March 25 & 26 - Grand Villa Casino

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