January 13/04 12:27 pm - Track Controversy, BMX Win, OLN, IceBike 6, Off-Road Freezer

Posted by Editor on 01/13/04
 

Track Nationals Controversy

In early December we reported a potential glitch in the hosting of the 2004 Track Nationals by Victoria, B.C.. The CCA Events Committee (headed by Louis Barbeau of the FQSC) instituted a policy, to start in 2004, requiring that, whenever possible, Road Nationals and Track Nationals be held one week apart in the same region. A major reason for this was to cut down on travel costs for provincial associations (and individual riders). This would require Victoria to hold the Track Nationals on the July 1 weekend (July 1-4 in 2004).

While the intent is good, for Victoria there are problems with this date. First, it was sprung on them late in their planning process, and the facilities have other activities going on. Second, Victoria is a tourist destination, and the July 1 weekend is particularly bad for accommodation, flights, etc. Victoria informed the CCA of these impediments,and asked to remain with the original date (early August).

The Events Committee has decided to stay with the proposed july 1 weekend date, and has gven Victoria until tomorrow (January 14th) to agree to it, otherwise the event will move to Calgary (which has agreed to the July 1 weekend).

The Victoria organizers have pointed out that Calgary will suffer from even greater accommodation and transportation problems, since the Calgary Stampede is beginning that weekend, and the Calgary Mountain Bike World Cup will also be taking place at the same time!

This puts two of the three Canadian national championships in conflict with the only two North American Mountain Bike World Cups - not a receipe for increased exposure of either event. The Track Nationals in particular are likely to suffer, up against the Stampede and a World Cup (the last one before the Olympics).

Maybe the Events Committee needs to postpone implimentation of this policy until 2005, giving them time to fully explore the ramifications of the proposed schedule? It is also worth noting that there was almost no crossover among senior athletes at these two events last year (ie, very few road nationals athletes participated in track nationals).

Vote in our poll on the subject, by clicking the Vote! button at the top of the page.


Cools Wins in Nevada
Courtesy Mike Martens

Samantha Cools of the Airdrie, Alberta BMX club captures her first and second Pro women's win at the Silver Dollar Nationals in Reno Nevada last weekend (January 10-11).

Other results posted by Canadians include Drew Mechielsen 1st in 6 girls, 11 year old Tory Nyhaug 3rd in Cruiser and 2nd in class. Scott Erwood of Langley B.C. was 5th in 15-16 open in a main that included a number of future AA pros. Patrick Lebel had a great day on Sunday with a 6th place in 16 expert and in 15-16 open.


www.airdriebmx.ca


OLN Follows Lance

Reader Alex Pond sent the following e-mail:

Dear Canadian Cyclist,

I just noticed on Lance's web site an article notifying the readers of a weekly OLN documentary following Lance and USPS from April 29 through to the end of the Tour. How can we go about getting OLN Canada to broadcast this?

Alex Pond

Time for everyone to get on to OLN Canada! E-mail them by going to their website and filling out the form on the link below, or telephone them at 416-332-7660.

E-mail: http://www.tsn.ca/oln/contact.asp


Icebike 6 - Winnipeg
Courtesy Robert Nagy

Hey the 2004 6th annual Icebike Race is coming to the Forks, Winnipeg, Manitoba on Feb 01, 2004 please visit our website for information and your downloadable entry. Website is icebikewinnipeg.tripod.com

Hope to see you there

Rob Nagy-Icebike Organizer


Liberty! Bicycles Off-Road Freezer - St.Catharines, Ontario
Courtesy Nathan Chown

January 11. 2004

This was the first year for the event and it was great. In order to not destroy the trails the temp. had to be -3c or below, and race day temps. were -9c - no, not the prairies, but pretty cold for southern Ontario.

It was a fun event that was run in time trial fashion, the course took about 30 minutes for the fast riders and riders left in 1 minute intervals. There was fresh snow on the trails so the course was a bit of an adventure for the first lap. There were riders of all abilities, 60 in total (including five women) who did the event. Mountain bikes were the steeds of choice for the day, and since my bike was in pieces I rode my cross bike, very bumpy ride! and I got a lot of funny looks for riding "a road bike" as I heard many saying.

The "Old Man" of the short hill, Marv Srigley, won in a time of 26:51 but was too tired to do a second lap (he actually had a flat and was too lazy to change it a for another go around), Tom Freure was second with a best lap of 27.00 and I was third on my cross at 27.01 ( timing error? haha ). In the women's race Nancy Zuliani won in 41.42 with Lesley Honsberger close second at 41.59.

There was hot soup, hot chocolate and all participants seemed to have a good time. The main focus of the event was to have fun and get outside and enjoy the season. Thanks go out to Liberty! bicycles and all volunteers at the event.

Full results available at www.libertybicycles.com/freezer/index.html