May 14/99 10:39 am - Cycling in the News, B.C. Track Meets, Peace Race, Industry News

Posted by Editor on 05/14/99
 

Cycling in the National Media

Will wonders never cease! The Globe and Mail (who bill themselves as "Canada's National Newspaper") have deigned to cover women's cycling. The story is in their web version, and is primarily about Leigh Hobson and how she continues to race after her latest collarbone injury. Too bad they couldn't do this on a more regular basis (unfortunately, that might cut into their golf coverage too much...). You can find the story Here.

And in today's Toronto Star (print edition) there is a fairly extensive report (page D5) on grassroots time trialling.

Thanks to David Cathcart of Team Elita for passing on the Globe tidbit.


Brantford Riverfest Race

The 1st Annual Riverfest MTB Race is on May 30th. Registration forms can be found at this address "http://members.home.net/bladman/cchome.html" on the main page at the bottom and to find out more info about the race follow the events link. If you have any questions you can call organizer Jim Davis at 519 756-8527.


Swing Your Partner 'Round and 'Round...
(courtesy Andre Steinhausen)

Saturday Night Madison Track Racing Series in Victoria, B.C.

May 15 Madison Intro / & Refresher for past madison riders
June 5 Race #1
June 19 Race #2
July 10 Race #3
July 24 Race #4
August 7 Race #5
August 21 Race #6

- Warm-up and novice clinic at 6:00pm
- Racing Starts at 6:45pm
- $20 for the series
- $5 for single night
- Cumulative individual points

At the Juan de Fuca (Commonwealth Games) Velodrome Victoria, B.C. Hosted in conjunction with GVVA and JDF Rec. Centre Info Contact Rob or Sam at the Fairfield Bicycle Shop: 250-381-2453


Peace Race, Czech Republic

Michael Barry and Matt Anand are competing in the Peace Race (with their Saturn team). Barry finished 37th in the 25 kilometre ITT 7th stage, and Anand 74th. Overall, Barry is 27th and Anand 47th. Anand leads the Climber's category.


Bell Sports Closes Canadian Helmet Assembly Plant

Bell Sports Canada, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bell Sports, has announced that the Granby, Québec helmet assembly plant will be closed by September 30th of this year. The move is part of an overall consolidation plan for helmet manufacturing by the company, which produces Bell and Giro helmets.

By the end of the year, Bell Sports will have gone from 5 factories to 2. The Giro plant in Santa Cruz, California has already been closed and production moved to Rantoul, IIlinois, which has a capacity of 8 million helmets per year. Granby production will also move to Rantoul later this summer, and the Irish Giro factory production has been folded into the French-based Bell factory. A much reduced Granby facility will continue to manufacture helmet parts, for assembly in Rantoul. The closing of the Granby assembly plant will mean the loss of approximately 100 jobs.

With the closing of the Granby assembly plant and warehousing facility, Bell Sports Canada will do some restructuring of their operation. The administration and sales offices will move to Montréal, warehousing and distribution of the many specialty bicycle brands carried by Bell Sports Canada will be out of the Calgary, Alberta facility, and a new public warehousing office will service the Bell mass merchant market. Bike dealers (and consumers) should see almost no difference in the way they are currently serviced by Bell Sports Canada.