June 7/06 11:35 am - Pigeon Lake Spring Classic Road Race

Posted by Editoress on 06/7/06
 

Pigeon Lake Spring Classic Road Race June 4th, Mulhurst Bay AB
Courtesy Jeff Davis, Organizer

Photos by Alan Schietzsch, ARS Technical Images

Calm winds make for exciting bike racing

On Sunday June 4th, 230 of Alberta's best cyclists came to Alberta's Pigeon Lake to contest the 12th Race 'Round the Lake, as the Edmonton Road and Track Club (ERTC) and its sponsor redbike Cycle put on the Spring Classic bicycle race at the Mulhurst Bay Community Centre in Mulhurst Bay on the northeast side of Pigeon Lake.

For several years, this race has been the largest bicycle road race on the prairies, attracting riders in Men's and Women's categories. Because of the event's popularity, the race has added Category 6 for male and female cyclists younger than 17 or older than 50. Another innovation this year is a revised structure for the race.

Devised by experienced National Commissaire (cycling official) Chris Wood, the 2006 race structure uses the 9.4 km short loop through Mulhurst Bay at the beginning of the race, then sends the more elite race groups for one or two 58 km loops around the lake. Says race organizer Jeff Davis, “We extended the Category 4 race from 96 to 117 km but they were up to the challenge, finishing less than 2 minutes behind the stronger but smaller Category 3 group. Because of the light winds and pleasant temperature, all groups had good times, with the low-level Category 5 group holding just over 40 kph for its one trip around the lake. The Women and the entry-level Category 6 races maintained a respectable 35+ kph.”

He continues, “Mr. Chris Wood and I crunched a lot of numbers to make sure the groups stayed out of each other's way for a safe and fair race.” Contributing to a safe and fair race were lead motorcycles ridden by members of the Blue Knights Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, official vehicles following the race groups operated by members of the Community Police Radio Network and mechanical support vehicles with first Aid staff from the Canadian Ski Patrol System. “We're happy to work with the pro's from the organizations who support the race. Their diligence and experience really adds to the class of the event.” says Davis.

A good team of racers and support workers on the road is important but the team beside the road is also important. Davis relays a compliment from Alberta Bicycle Association Technical Delegate Andy Holmwood. “Mr. Holmwood said that the race was very well marshaled, so that's good news for the people who stood for several hours on corners or near intersections making sure the riders stayed on course and that other road users were aware of the race.” The Wetaskiwin Constabulary supplied additional support, assigning a Constable and car to lead the race groups around the short loop.

After all the effort by riders and workers, there was the reward of a BBQ hamburger lunch at the Mulhurst Bay Community Centre. “The people of the Mulhurst area did triple duty today. They registered a record number of riders in record time. They guided the riders safely through the high-traffic area by the lake. Then they fed us all with 400 hamburgers with all the fixin's including potato salad and coleslaw.” More than 70 volunteers work on the race.

Additional rewards were courtesy of ERTC and its sponsor, Edmonton's redbike bicycle shop. “redbike is a big supporter of ERTC and of cycling in Edmonton. This year they supplemented their box of draw prizes with some cold, hard cash. We passed that on to the riders with more generous race prizes”.

Even after twelve editions of The Race 'Round the Lake there are still things Davis would like to improve. “Smoother registration. Better communication. Faster results. More potato salad.”