March 3/99 12:30 pm - Talent Search, Info Session, Cycling Legend Dies

Posted by Editor on 03/3/99
 

Canadian Cycling Association Talent Search

Ottawa - March 2nd, 1999 - The Canadian Cycling Association, in partnership with RacerMate USA, the manufacturer of CompuTrainer, announces a cycling "talent search" as part of the Toronto International Bike Show which will be held at the National Trade Centre from March 5-7th, 1999.

The objective of the talent search is to identify potential top level athletes who demonstrate natural physical attributes suited to the sport cycling. This initiative is yet another step in the commitment to Athlete Development opportunities in Canada.

CompuTrainer has been the official training simulator of the Canadian Cycling Association since 1995. It is the backbone for our physiological testing and specific conditioning. CompuTrainer equipment is used at all National and Regional Development Centres affiliated with the Canadian Cycling Association.

In addition to the talent search activities, representative from the Canadian Cycling Association and Computrainer will be available to meet with the public. Several top provincial and national level athletes will also be in attendance throughout the weekend including three time Olympic medallist, Curt Harnett, who will be on hand to meet with the public on Saturday and Sunday between noon and 2PM.

Curt is one of Canadas' best know and most successful cycling athletes. Although Curt retired from competition following the 1996 Olympic Games, he still holds a World Record for the fastest timed 200m sprint in history. Come meet a living legend.

For additional information please contact the Lisa Davey at the Canadian Cycling Association at (613) 748-5629 or by e-mail events@canadian-cycling.com.

(Editor's Note: You may have seen the banner for Computrainer on our site - they are doing a special promo in conjunction with the Bike Show, so click on the banner and fill out the form to receive a free video.)


Ontario MTB Devo Team
(courtesy Hardwood)

Due to the great number of inquiries regarding Ontario's first MTB Devo Team, Hardwood Hills National Cycling Development Center will be hosting a free information session and open house on March 21st, at 1:30 pm. Please call to confirm your attendance (705) 487-3775.

More details are available on the Hardwood Hills website. www.hardwoodhills.on.ca Steve Neal and Glenn Meeuwisse will both be at the Toronto Bike Show Friday evening to answer questions as well.


Pocket Rocket Cycle Ace Dave Dies in Saddle

Some ex-pat British Bike riders may be interested to learn of the death over the weekend of Dave Bedwell, a prolific pro rider in his time. I have attached the article that I pulled from the web page of my old local paper in England.

Mike Doble

Cycle Iron Man Dave dies at 70

BRITISH cycling legend Dave Bedwell has died the way he wanted ... riding his bike through the lanes of South Devon. And he will also be cremated in the way he would have wished -- wearing his cycling gear. Former Tour De France competitor Mr Bedwell, 70 and from Marldon, was with a group of Cycle Touring Club members when he suffered a massive heart attack near Barton Hall on the outskirts of Torquay at the weekend.

Today his widow, Pauline, said: "He always said he would go on his bike -- and that's just what he did. He was the love of my life. I don't know what I'll do without him."
She revealed that the former British champion, known as the sport's Iron Man because of his fearless and explosive sprint finishes, will be cremated in his cycling gear -- complete with the winner's sash he picked up in the Lester Young Memorial Race in 1964.

"He never kept all the trophies he won. He was not that kind of man. He did what he did because he loved the sport," said Mrs Bedwell. Roy Hopkins, a contemporary who lives in Teignmouth, said: "I'm devastated. Dave was the greatest sprint road man this country has known." He added: "He would come out of the bunch at the end of a race and finish like a rocket. You couldn't believe what you saw." Paignton-based ex-British professional champion Colin Lewis said: "Dave was a legend. I'd known him more than 30 years. He really was an Iron Man -- something special."

Mr Bedwell, who had five grown up children, spent 17 years as a professional racer before retiring from Essex to South Devon more than 20 years ago. He won the breakaway British Professional Road Race championship in 1949, pioneering weight training techniques to build up his 5ft 2in frame. His speed at the finish also earned him the nickname of the Pocket Rocket. Headhunted by the French Hercules team, he shook the top European riders with his power, determination and dramatic acceleration. He held the yellow jersey in the Tour Of Britain, rode in the Tour De France and included, among his many domestic honours, a record six wins in the coveted Criterium Des Vainqueurs event which always attracted the best riders in the country. He worked as a wheel builder for Colin Lewis after running his own shop -- Preston Cycles in Torquay Road. (Ed. Note: I remember visiting that shop in the mid `70s!)

"In his day he could win whatever he wanted to," said Mr Lewis. Mr Lewis revealed that the famous French cycling magazine L'Equipe was planning to do a feature about Mr Bedwell. He said a medical examination at the time by the French revealed that Mr Bedwell had a heart murmur. He only completed two stages of the classic race.

Newton Abbot rider Jackie Brodie was among the riders who were with Mr Bedwell when he collapsed on Sunday's ride. The group were riding from Kingskerswell to Dawlish when Mr Bedwell collapsed after riding up Fluder Hill. Mrs Brodie said: "Dave had been coming out with us for a few years. He was very nice and never boasted about what he'd achieved."

The funeral service wil be at Torquay Crematorium on Friday at 10.30am. Any donations should be made to the Woodland Trust.