February 3/06 8:52 am - Blizzard 2006 Schedule

Posted by Editor on 02/3/06
 

Blizzard Bike Club 2006 Schedule
Courtesy Pat Ferris

Fort St. John, BC

The Blizzard Bicycle Club unveiled their 2006 race schedule Wednesday night, offering local and regional cyclists 91 different events, from March to November.

Of the 91 events, there are 9 Challenge Cup races, 4 local area triathlons, 5 duathlons, 10 randonneurs, 5 mountain bike races, 3 BC Summer Games Selection races for 15-16 year olds, 19 mass start road events, 3 official club social rides and 22 time trials.

The Blizzards saw part of their shadows, today, so are hoping to get out for the first race March 5, in 5 weeks time. Last year's openers went under sunny, warm skies.

The season starts March 5 with a road race at Cecil Lake. Next is the cold and tough 'Roubaix Cup' Series, held over snow, ice, gravel and mud.

Challenge Cup competition will welcome back the Dawson Creek Club, absent since 1993. They have a lot of eager new cyclists to challenge last year's winner, the Grande Prairie Wheelers as well as the Blizzard Bike Club. Each club will have three races: road, time trial and mountain.

The BC Summer Games are happening in Kamloops July 27-30. This zone is looking to send 5 riders ages 15-16 to ride a time trial, road race and mountain bike race. Call Pat at 785-3711 if you are interested.

The BC Seniors Games are also available if you are ages 55 and over. They take place August 23-26 in Abbotsford.

Wim Kok will lead those long distance experts for the season's randonneur events. They vary in distance from 25 km's to a seat busting 1000 km's.

There are four triathlons in the region. Grande Prairie is the first one, followed by Dawson Creek, the Tri-Co-op in Fort St. John and Fort Nelson. Six Blizzards will be doing the Penticton Ironman August 27th.

The cyclo-cross circuit has been expanded to 13 events. Robin Baillie will lead the locals in club, provincial and national competition for this off-road cycling - running event.

Stephen Ferris is getting ready for the racing season by training in Tucson while the rest of the Blizzards are on the turbo trainers until spring comes. Call up www.dawntech.bc.ca/blizzard or www.ferrisfastcycles for more information.