January 8/19 13:52 pm - The Real Deal 24 Hour Track Attack

Posted by Editoress on 01/8/19
 

How long can you ride? Two hours? Four hours? How about 24 hours? This seems like an insurmountable feat; a feat that Ed Veal is willing to take on.

Ed "The Real Deal" Veal is a multi-time national and provincial champion in both the road and track cycling. He is a World Cup gold medalist and won a bronze medal at the Toronto 2015 Pan-Am Games. Ed is the current Canadian Hour Record holder and World 40-44 Age Group Hour Record holder, and this past season Ed won the Ontario Cup Road Series Championship for a record sixth time.

On Saturday, February 2nd, at 11:11am, Ed has set his sights on an even bigger goal, a goal to give back to the sport that he has had enjoyed much success at. "I want to use my bike as a tool for good, to bring awareness to a need and to help out in any way I can," said Ed from his home in Hamilton.

"The group at Forest City Velodrome (FCV) in London are doing an absolute fantastic job for youth cycling and youth development programs. They have a wonderful facility that is in desperate need of upgrades and repairs for it to stay open. It would be a real shame if the area lost one of the most unique sporting venues in the world due to lack of funding."

The FCV is only one of five indoor velodromes in all of North America. The FCV is a nonprofit organization and all programming and operations are administered by volunteers.

The idea to have a velodrome in London, Ontario, came from Albert Schelstraete-Coulier, inductee of the Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame in 2017. With the help of his sons Ron and Bob Schelstraete, Rob Good, and small group of people, they were able to bring the track to life in 2005 with a goal of providing a centre for youth to develop skills and train future Olympians. The FCV has produced riders that have completed at all levels of competition around the world. The FCV does not only train athletes, it provides programs for recreational riders from ages 8 to 88.

The FCV also has a unique program called VeloKids. The VeloKids program is the most important program at the FCV as it introduces young children to the lifelong sport of cycling. The VeloKids program gives kids a chance to be a part of something great while developing the multitude of skills that comes from being involved in a sport-based activity. The facility needs to be warmer and more inviting for kids and their families.

The FCV is currently looking to update both the heating and the lighting infrastructure. Originally built in 1955, the London Gardens was home to the London Knights for many years, and most of the building hasn't seen any significant updates in that time, leaving the infrastructure dated and inefficient.

The FCV is always looking for fundraising opportunities and this is where Ed Veal comes in.

"When Ed Veal, former member of Team Canada's track program and all-around cyclist, approached the FCV about riding the track for 24 hours in support of us, we were so excited," said Tony Fangeat, FCV board member. "Riding the FCV is unlike any other track in the world."

At 138m, the FCV is the shortest permanent indoor track and, as a result, also the steepest, with banking of 51 degrees in the corners.

"The G force plays a large part in keeping riders on the track but will also be a huge factor in Ed's ride, this could possibly be the toughest 24 ride anyone has ever done anywhere," said Craig Saari, FCV President.

Do you want to be part of this historic event? Do you want to see how long you can ride?

Join us on February 2nd, and ride along with Ed. The track will be open to the public for tours, as well as open to riders to have the chance to ride with Ed.

Attempt your own 24hr distance challenge, and collect donations on a per hour basis. Collect pledges and come ride your own hour challenge.

Donate to Ed's ride on a per kilometre basis. 5 cents, 10 cents, even 25 cents would go a long way in helping achieve our goal. It would also give him incentive to stay riding in the early hours of the morning. 5 cents X 500 kms = $25 - when has a $25 dollar donation ever gone so far?

For more information, please visit www.forestcityvelodrome.ca. To donate through the GoFundMe campaign, please check out www.gofundme.com/the-real-deal-attacks-fcv.

There will be a "Guess the laps" 50/50 draw and a silent auction, where bids on items will close on lap 1000, lap 2500 and how far will he actually go?