June 7/03 12:18 pm - Coast to Coast Against Cancer, CHFI Charity Rides, New Ontario Women's Team, SARS SMARS as Kelos Prepares for 24 Hours of Adrenalin

Posted by Editoress on 06/7/03
 

Coast to Coast Against Cancer, Support Riders Needed!

On June 10, 2003, 6 riders will be leaving Vancouver on a 10 day odyssey across the country. 3 riders on the road at all times in three hours shifts for 24hrs a day for 10 straight to raise money for cancer research. We are looking for riders across the country you link up with this cross country caravan in each town to give them a pull and help speed them on their way. To accomplish the feat of crossing the country in 10 days, they must maintain an average speed of close to 32km/hr, all day every day.

We are hoping that all the local cycling clubs along the route will organize a small peleton of riders to help our team get across the country on time. For a detailed map and schedule, and for more info on the ride and the charities, please visit coasttocoastride.com and click on the "give us a pull" link to lend a wheel along the way.

As a special note to the clubs in Hamilton, Oakville and Mississauga. All 6 members of the team are from Missisauga and we are really hoping to have a large group escort them from Hamilton to east of Toronto. They will be passing through their hometown on Friday June 20. We hope to see a full pack of riders escort them along the lakeshore to the other side of T.O.

Thanks for your support, and happy riding.


Charity Rides Raise Funds for Canadian Food for the Hungry International (CHFI)

Cyclothons will be held during the summer to raise money for a Canadian charitable organization, Canadian Food for the Hungry International, an organization dedicated to aid and relief.

For more information go to: www.thecyclingconnection.com


New Women's Cycling Team in Ontario: Team Animus
Courtesy Team Animus

We are proud to announce the formation of a new women's cycling team in Ontario. Team Animus is a Toronto-based road racing team featuring four talented riders dedicated to racing and to making a difference in their community. As members of Team Animus, Sarah-Jane Chilton, Holland Gidney, Maogosha Pyjor, and Karina Sacca will compete in local and regional races, including the Ontario Cup race series and the National Road Cycling Championships, in addition to conducting a series of cycling workshops for youth. The team was created with the mission of developing a grassroots cycling team that would encourage women and youth to ride, race and enjoy cycling. The Team Animus riders hope that by acting as role models and by sharing their knowledge and love of cycling, they can encourage more people to discover the enjoyment and health benefits associated with cycling.

Team Animus will make its official debut at the Ontario provincial criterium championship in Welland on June 8, 2003.

Team roster:
Sarah-Jane Chilton
Holland Gidney
Maogosha Pyjor
Karina Sacca

Sponsors:
Mountain Equipment Co-op
The Bike Joint
Vittoria Racing Cycles
Ideal Bike

For more information about the team, please visit our website at www.teamanimus.cjb.net.

For sponsorship opportunities, please e-mail teamanimus@sympatico.ca


SARS Fears Snubbed by Mt. Bikers
Courtesy Trilife

Ignoring current health concerns spurred by SARS and "Mad Cow Disease," 700 mountain bikers and 2,500 spectators from all over North America will travel to Kelso Conservation Area in Milton, Ontario, June 14 and 15 for the fifth annual 24 Hours of Adrenalin mountain bike team relay and festival presented by Jeep.

The weekend revolves around a 24-hour team endurance mt. bike race starting at noon on Saturday and going until noon on Sunday. For racers wishing to file all-nighters under "Been there, done that," there is the 7th annual 12-hour race starting at noon on Saturday and ending at midnight.

The majority of endurance racers ride on relay teams of up to ten people with an objective to complete as many laps as possible on the 14-kilometer course. League-of-their-own solo racers slink past the competition deep into the race when fatigue bewitches unprepared riders. Spectators take shifts urging riders back onto the trail or into the pit area for food and rest breaks. With as many as 2,500 racers participating in a single event and spectator crowds swelling to 7,000, endurance mt. bike racing is the new weekend getaway for weekend warriors, dedicated mountain bikers and outdoor enthusiasts.

The weekend kicks off at 9 a.m. on Friday when fans and riders are welcome to set up camp and stretch their legs on the race course. As the sun dazzles with another famous sunset, the expo area sparks the action at 7 p.m. with product demonstrations and sponsor exhibits. Presenting sponsor, Jeep®, will be on-site supplying participants and spectators alike with cow bells, posters and loads of other great give-away items. Oryx Bicycles will be offering onsite demos of their exceptionally crafted Canadian bikes. For the curious, glow-in-the-dark tires and trail blazing bike lights will be on display for participants to test and sate their curiosity.

At high noon on Saturday racers line up on foot for the Merrell LeMans Start: a sprint to their waiting bikes. After the starting horn sounds amid a wildly cheering crowd, tones of the Lone Ranger send riders on their way while fans settle in for literally, a day at the races.

Festivities zero in on the pit area throughout the afternoon as racers must dismount their bikes and pass through the Start/Finish to have their lap times recorded. Pit crews busy themselves with feeding and supporting racers and dressing up their pits and themselves in pursuit of the event's "Best Pit Theme" and "Louis Garneau Best Helmet" awards.

Kids win big at "24 Minutes of Adrenalin" where prizes are awarded to each participant by race announcer, Krusty the Clown. Parents, no need to enforce the "early-to-bed" rule as the after-dark hours usher in age-appropriate movies on the awards stage screen with free hot popcorn. At the stroke of midnight, freshly roasted corn-on-the-cob should stave off late-night munchies until camp cooks return to their posts in the morning.

24 hours and roughly 25 laps later, weary racers cross the Start/Finish line for the last time by noon on Sunday. A post race pasta party starts promptly at 12:30 and fuels riders for that last trek up to the awards stage. For more information, visit: www.24hoursofadrenalin.com