January 16/20 11:37 am - Valley Velo Training Group & Team Launched (Ontario)

Posted by Editoress on 01/16/20
 

Former Canadian Elite National Road Team members and coaches Sue Palmer and Julia Farell are pleased to announce the formation of Valley Velo, a training group and road team for women by women based in Dundas, Ontario. Picturesque and quiet Dundas Valley, nestled by surrounding roads and hills, has a lively cycling community, history and culture. This setting provides an environment that continues to develop excellence and deep passion for all things on two wheels.

The Valley Velo group emerges from this longstanding fertile cycling environment - a training group and team founded on a pedigree of elite national and international road racing palmares, evidence-based coaching success, a deeply connected community, a pro-social ethos, and the highest levels of respect.

Valley Velo consists of two synergistic branches:

• A weekly/biweekly Euro-modelled road training group and ride with NCCP certified and evidence-based coaching and mentorship for UCI Licensed and race focussed Female athletes including para athletes (Learn to Compete through Cycling for Life of the LTAD model and Alternate Pathways). This is a continuation of the highly successful 2019's Women's Cycling Initiative in Dundas, Ontario, that saw Olympians, World Tour riders and Ontario wide athletes attend.

• A podium focussed Elite and Development Racing Team. Valley Velo invites participation from females who are committed, driven, and community-oriented endurance athletes.

Leads and Coaches: Sue Palmer, Julia Farell

Requests for information and invitations to join the structured training group can be made at dundasvalleyvelo@gmail.com; on an ongoing basis through out the winter into the spring and summer 2020 season.

Applications to fill remaining positions for the Road Elite/Devo Racing Team are currently being accepted with a cover letter and cycling resume at dundasvalleyvelo@gmail.com; and will be accepted until February 14, 2020.

The 2020 season begins with a training camp in March and ongoing winter bike league training rides. The group and team are currently supported by: www.arg-sports.com, Argon 18 Bicycles, Cyclepath, Oakville, Esteem Fitness, Grupetto Cafe, Farell Athletics and donations from community fund raising activities (Krys Hines and Jeff Archbold). Team funding raising activities will contribute raised funds in support of Rygiel House (www.Rygiel.ca)


About Valley Velo

Purpose - To unlock the potential of female endurance athletes and give them unlimited opportunity in the sporting world

Mission - To mentor, coach, lead and develop female road cyclists through passion, international experience and knowledge and proven podium success

Vision - To create a strong connected group and podium focused female road cycling team that fosters all stages of development and to develop symbiotic relationships within a female centered cycling team and community

Ethos
• A commitment to treat others in a respectful manner regardless of differences
• A commitment to the highest standards of honesty and personal integrity
• A commitment to the highest standards of athletic performance, preparation and cycling ambassadorship


Roots - grounded in the following successes from the Dundas Valley:

• The Legacy of Ontario's road cycling Golden Era when Provincial athletes trained with Mirek Mazur out of the 'valley town' and dominated the racing scene in North America and developed into multiple time National Champions, International competitors with Pro Tour podiums and Olympic Games medallists.

• The Rise Racing Team, a ground-breaking winning Elite Women's Road team that was one of the first teams to provide mentorship and direction for women by women.

• The 2019 Women's Road Cycling Initiative run by Coaches Julia and Sue, where female endurance athletes came to Dundas for structured and supported training to learn, develop and improve. Podium success was achieved at the Quebec youth project with effective female led mentorship, evidence based coaching and proven track records and race experience at the elite international level.

• The Domestique Cycling Café that germinated, cultivated and supported cycling culture and the cycling community. Rebirthed to form Grupetto Cafe which continues to be an active, busy and cycling community hub for many visiting and living in the Valley and beyond.