October 3/06 9:14 am - Forest City Velodrome News

Posted by Editor on 10/3/06
 

Forest City Velodrome News - London, Ontario
Courtesy Mike T.

Here is the latest news from the dynamic Forest City Velodrome in London, Ontario Canada www.forestcityvelodrome.ca.


Welcome! This is the first newsletter for many new people - new members and new riders to the track. Thanks for joining us. Thanks also to those who have renewed their memberships and an even bigger thanks to those who made very generous financial donations while renewing their memberships. You know who you are!

There is a lot happening at the Forest City Velodrome and we're just entering the fall and winter riding season with expanded riding times and sessions. Please take the time to read the Velodrome's website as it contains much information on our programs. Check back often!


FC Velodrome phone - 519-878-7849
For updated information, track closures, weather related emergency closures, upcoming races, training camps and other news.


Donations - Support the Forest City Velodrome with a generous $1000 donation and you will receive a family membership and a tax receipt for the whole amount. We have had many members take advantage of this great way to assist in the operation of our Velodrome. Contact Rob Good for details.


Can-Am-Que Challenge, Open House, BBQ, Swap Meet....
October 7th & 8th. A whole weekend of fun activities.

Featuring Ned's famous BBQ'd Hamburgers and Piers' Bike Swap & Equipment Sale!

Stay for the evening's racing and watch the Can-Am-Que Challenge racing.
Check out the "47x17 Challenge" race between Ontario, Quebec and the USA! We'll find out who are the true pedalers.


The Bike Swap & Sale will feature a silent auction of 4 frames, wheels and bike parts from Canadian Olympian and current world record holder Curt Harnett. His equipment can be viewed at the track on the podium. The frames can be seen here along with the FGF thread - Here. Rob Good says "Out of towners can email me their bids before 7:30am Saturday October 7th to be included" - info@forestcityvelodrome.ca. Money raised from Curt's generous donation plus a percentage of others' auctioned equipment will go towards the FCV's youth programs.


New Fall-Winter Track Schedule - the new session schedule is now up on the Velodrome's website. The start date is Sunday October 8th - Here. Features include:

Recreational riding sessions - every day but Friday including Saturday 1 - 4pm and Sunday noon - 3pm. These new weekend Rec sessions are because of direct requests from our many Out of Town riders! We reacted. You must use them or lose them!
- a new Sunday Sport Recreation "High Performance Paceline Riding" session.
- Monday 3pm - 5pm Recreational Riding.
- Wednesday 9pm - 11pm Recreational Riding.


Reading material - if you read nothing else this year, be sure to read this article. It is a great article by cyclist and writer Dan Dakin. How can we measure the benefit of having someone of Gord Singleton's calibre riding the FCV and passing on his knowledge to our young riders? **I've been involved in bike racing a long time (don't ask) and the FCV's young people are incredibly fortunate for a world champion to be taking an interest in them. Oh to be forty years younger! This is your big opportunity. Very few people are ever as fortunate.

Last weekend's Cadet & Junior Camp and Coaching Session was a huge success. A group of our young people made the trip to Niagara Falls for a weight training coaching session with Gord Singleton and a BBQ afterwards at his house. The next day was a training session on the boards of the FCV.

Gord's proven expertise in the sprint events at world level will reap many benefits for our young riders in months and years to come. There are more camps planned and Gord is very enthusiastic about volunteering his time so that he can pass on his vast knowledge to the future track riders of this province and country.

A heavy subject - from last weekend's extremely popular and successful camp in both Niagara Falls (Saturday) and the FCV (Sunday) came Gord's weight training information.

Trackfact - due to the limitations of a single fixed gear, the rider with the most strength and fastest pedalling speed will win the race. A winter of riding a low fixed gear (both on the road and the track) and lifting weights will reap huge benefits. Just ask Gord! He's living proof.

New Track Record. At the Festival of Speed on September 23rd, FVCA member Gord Singleton, fresh from his gold medal winning performance at the world masters' sprint championships, broke the Flying Lap record with a time of 8.05 seconds.


FCV booth - the FCV and Coach Chris will have an information booth at the London and area XC running races on October 19th from 11-4pm. Venue TBA. This will provide information and posters to potential new members. If you would like to volunteer at this booth contact Rob Good - info@forestcityvelodrome.ca


Bike Purchase & Position - Don't rush into the purchase of your new track bike. Take an extra day and do the homework to find out whether your intended purchase is ideal for you and the FCV. Both its sizing and equipment are very important. Many newer people to the track who buy new bikes, arrive with those bike badly set up for themselves and this track. If you're unsure about your intended purchase or would like help with correct setup, feel free to consult with track manager Rob Good. He will either give you the information or refer you to a trusted member. You will receive much help. Conact - info@forestcityvelodrome.ca. Our Track Partners are the ideal places to obtain your new bike - www.forestcityvelodrome.ca/partners.html


Warm clothing reminder! It's getting chilly inside the Vel again so you're reminded to bring warm riding clothes. Last night it was warmer outside than inside.


Torontonians Car-Pooling. Kevin Forstner has a car and would like some passengers to share fuel money for Saturday ride sessions and evening racing. Reply to his phone number - 416-910-7929


Painting Volunteers - Ernie needs a pool of painting volunteers who he can e-mail when need arises. Last week he was the only painter who showed up. If you can help with the painting now or in the future please e-mail artiste Ernie Regan - thevelokid@rogers.com. Please be part of Ernie's painter list!