April 13/05 8:29 am - King City Grand Prix, Forest City Velodrome Update

Posted by Editoress on 04/13/05
 

King City Grand Prix

On Sunday April 24th 2005, the Ontario Road Racing season continues with the King City Grand Prix! A 12 km loop just north of King City that utilizes several roads used by the famous "Donut Ride". The course is quite hilly and should be selective.

The schedule includes two start times, with a morning session for the Juniors, U17, Master BCD and Senior 3's, and an afternoon session for the Women, Master A and Senior 1/2's. All races have generous distances and a share of a modest prize pool.

Shoeless Joe's in King City is hosting an after race party. They are offering half price appetizers and Pasta specials. As well, OLN's coverage of Liege Bastogne Liege will be on the big screen TV (and 27 other TVs as well).

Based on the turn-out at the Mosport Ontario Cup, we are offering on-line pre-registration in order to make the sign-in process as smooth as possible on race day. Visit our website for registration information.

We are in need of several volunteers: We require marshals (age 16 and over) to ensure that the riders remain safe at all times. Also needed are drivers and assistants for the neutral wheel service vehicles. Marshals are mandatory. Without enough marshals to ensure safety, we may have no choice but to cancel the race.

If you would like to volunteer, please visit the website mentioned below and fill out the volunteer form.

For more information and to access the technical guide for the event, please visit:

www.bikeraces.info or call Scott at 905-778-9393

Thanks, and we hope to see you on the 24th!


Forest City Velodrome Update

It is truly a pleasure for Albert & I to announce that the riding surface arrived at the Forest City Velodrome at the London Gardens in London Ontario this afternoon. The installation started immediately and will take approximately 1 week to complete. "We expect riders to be riding on the track by Thursday April 21st" said Albert Coulier the 87 year old, who is spear heading the project. Coulier's sons, Bob & Ron Schelstrate, have designed and constructed the track to conform to all of the UCI's standards (World governing body for cycling). " The surface will be fast & smooth, every bite as fast as any Olympic Velodrome in the world" indicated Coulier. Apollo Construction have built over 25 velodromes around the world in the last 50 years, including the 1976 Montreal Olympic Velodrome.

London, Ontario will soon be the destination of thousands of recreational & racing cyclists from around North America who will experience the thrill of riding on a world class velodrome. "Programs are in place for children, youth and adults. Paralympic athete's will also be able to ride, train and race at the facility", said Coulier.

During the opening weekend, a training camp for experienced track riders is being put on by the Ontario Cycling Association and supported by the Canadian Cycling Association. Over the coming weeks we will have many Learn to Ride clinics for cyclists to come out and experience the Velodrome.

The opening night of racing will be Saturday April 23rd at 7 PM. Many events are planned for the opener, Handicap & Chariot Races will feature the London track League riders, with the Detroit based Nas-track Madison League also putting on several Madison's throughout the evening.

Adult admission is $10.00. Children under 15 are Free. The Grand opening is scheduled for the following weekend, Saturday April 30th. The grand opening is being run in conjunction with the 37th annual Springbank Park Road race put on by the London Centennial Wheelers Cycling club.

For more information go to www.ForestCityVelodrome.cafor regular updates.

The Brampton Cycling Club has sent a donation of $500.00 to the Forest City Velodrome.

We at the F.C.V.A. wish to thank the efforts of the club for their support and hope to see the members at the track in the coming months.

Yours in Sport
Rob Good