Hamilton Cycling Club Newsletter

September 2000

H.C.C. TIME TRIAL CHAMPION 2000

F"RED HOT" PEPPER SPICES IT UP!

September 10^th, 2000

Fred ended a superlative season of time trialling today with a 4^th placing at the Provincial Time Trial Championships near Port Hope, Ontario in the "Master B" category. Fred was six seconds out of 3^rd place on the hilly 30 km course. Rob finished 6^th, forty seconds back of Fred. Now this was an "O-CUP" competition and all the top time triallists gave it their best.

Fred took the H.C.C. T.T. Championship by finishing 2^nd to Rob in May at Scotland (40 km), 2^nd to Randy at Binbrook (80 km) and winning at White Swan Road in August (15 km).

Fred topped this achievement by winning the C.T.T.A. crown in the "open" category. Randy was a very close 2^nd and Rob 3^rd giving H.C.C. a 1-2-3 finish over our Brampton and Oakville rivals.

Dermot Kelly of H.C.C. also completed the C.T.T.A. Series and appears to be a contender in the "age handicapped" division . . . these times have not been tabulated.

Ø Final STATS will be in the November newsletter.

RACE RESULTS 2000 - a Chronological Sequence of Events

2-UP TIME TRIAL, EMPIRE CORNERS, JULY 20^TH, 2000

our I.R.S. Team Time Trial

Teams were made up at registration. A turnout of 14 riders was "not bad" at this remote location (for Brampton members anyway). We all discovered that we need more practice with our teammate to achieve the results a team time trial should net us. Thanks to volunteers Heather Pepper, Albert Penrose and Barb Morrow.

80 KM ROAD RACE, SATURDAY, JULY 22^ND, 2000

9:00 A.M. AT STRABANE, B.A.R. EVENT

Unlike the very hot day we had for this race in 1999, a cool (cold!) morning greeted us; at least it wasn't raining! A fairly decent field of ten competitors started the race at 9:00 a.m.

Garnett Abbey and Fred Pepper both flatted, putting them out of the race. Steve Narasnek broke his rear derailleur and Desi stopped to help. Bob Davy and Frank Morrow both were victimized by our hilly course. Brian Chewter showed us a glimpse of the form he had back in his hey day, to pull off a victory in the four-man sprint finish and win the ANDY KEYES trophy!

Thanks to Albert, Don and Keith who came out and marshalled and Fred, who marshalled after flatting! Albert also lent shoes and pedals to Desi.

HOGBEN 80K T.T., T.T.C. EVENT, BINBROOK

ALSO A C.T.T.A. EVENT, HOSTED BY OAKVILLE C.C.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 6^TH, 2000, 8:00 A.M.

A cool, damp and windy morning seemed less than ideal for our 80K T.T. event. Only three H.C.C.'ers were up to the challenge, Randy and Rob on their fixed gear bikes, Fred on his Da Rosa. Randy was strong to the finish while Rob, on track through 60k for a good time, bogged down during the last leg of the race. This is the second year we have run our 'HOGBEN' jointly with a C.T.T.A. 80 km T.T., to spare us from doing more than one grueling "80". HOGBEN trophy to RANDY BROWN!

40 KM C.T.T.A. EVENT, ALSO AUGUST 6^TH, 2000, 9:00 A.M., BINBROOK

H.C.C. HILL CLIMB, B.A.R. EVENT, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16^TH, 7:00 P.M.

AT SYDENHAM HILL, DUNDAS

The midweek evening format at Sydenham drew a good turnout last year, not as many this year. It was still a success though, a pleasant evening and we lured Sue out from her busy racing and training schedule. She'd had a full day of hill work and travelling already. Tony Yang and his muscular legs powered his bike to a win in this 1 ½ km climb. Heather Pepper and the boys cheered us on as we puffed and gasped up the grade.

Thanks to timekeepers Albert and Sandy (at the bottom) and Barb and Martha (way up top).

80/40 KM C.T.T.A. EVENT, AT HARLEY

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20^TH, 2000

This event replaced the "rained out" July 9^th event. It was hosted by the Brampton Cycling Club.

80 KM

THURSDAY NIGHT TIME TRIAL SERIES RESULTS

SUMMARIES OF RACE RESULTS ARE UPCOMING IN THE NOVEMBER ISSUE OF THE NEWSLETTER.

THANK YOU, ALL WHO HELPED OUT! WE COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU!

I.R.S. - INTERCLUB RACE SERIES

One event remains in this competition of the Hamilton, Brampton and Oakville Cycling Clubs. It remains to be determined if a "winner" will actually be picked, due to the various nature of events and handicapping systems. I have yet to receive results from the Oakville Club's Road Race of August 9^th (rescheduled from a rained out August 2^nd). The remaining event is listed as a 44 km Road Race on Brampton's hilly "Cheltenham" course on Sunday, September 24^th. See you there!

DUNDURN CASTLE CYCLOCROSS

This event is a "rider favourite" and is set for SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1^ST at Dundurn Castle. Parking is at the East parking lot. . . take Rolph Gate off York Boulevard to access the parking.

Racing starts at 11:00 a.m. for Juniors, Women and Masters (over 40), with Seniors (includes Master A 30 - 39 category) going at 12:00 noon. The "CITIZENS SANCTION" FOR THE Cyclocross Series events means that NON-LICENCED riders can race.

Riders always enjoy this race and it draws out people to watch, being in an urban park. This is largely a GOOD thing, but it means that MANY MARSHALS are needed to help keep the race safe and prevent injury to other park users unaware of the race. We'll see how it goes and decide if we want to do it again . . . this will be our sixth year here! Please give me a call if you can help out! Thanks!

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (A.G.M.) & BANQUET DATES SET

At our most recent meeting, your H.C.C. executive decided on SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2^ND for our BANQUET, at "The Plainsman Restaurant"  (changed to Winchester Arms as Plainsman was not available on chosen date) at 6:00 p.m. An "all you can eat" buffet will be followed by awards presentations and a guest speaker.

The club's ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING is set for SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9^TH at the WINCHESTER ARMS in Dundas. This is the function where the people who run the club activities (the executive) are elected for the coming year, and the club's direction and activities are discussed and revised. Anyone proposing changes to the way things are with the club is urged to consult the Club Constitution and submit your proposals to the Newsletter Editor so that the membership can be notified about the proposals a month ahead of the A.G.M.

WHO'S DOING WHAT IN OUR WORLD OF CYCLING

SPENCER SILVEIRA, new club member from Brantford, and a regular at the Thursday Night T.T.'s, recently competed in a 24-hour "Enduro" Mountain Bike race at Hardwood Hills as part of a five-person team. Spencer, who (like Randy and Rob) usually uses a fixed gear for road time-trialling, goes for a single gear on the mountain bike as well. He chose a 32 x 16 for the Enduro and completed 2 laps (about 3 hours) before a back injury flared up. Why a single gear? . . . You don't need derailleurs, cables and shift levers, reducing weight and eliminating the chance of collecting weeds and mud in your derailleur.

DESI DESROCHERS crashed at the Cobourg Stage Race, early August, re-breaking his collarbone, which he had previously broken two years ago. This ended another banner season for the 53-year-old phenom, who continues to amaze us all with his cycling fitness.

KEITH OLIVER missed our September 3^rd club ride with a case of "shingles". Being married, it's unlikely he picked this up at a "Shingles Bar".

Haven't seen much of PAUL BOWKUNOWICZ or JOHN RASMUSSEN at club events this year; they've both been busy with work etc. . . but both are keen on doing some CYCLOCROSS events.

SUE PALMER has been racing internationally after giving birth in February to daughter, Trinity. Chris tells me she is regaining good form and recently trounced her competition!

The Southern Ontario Cyclocross Series, run with a "citizens sanction" allows non-licenced racers to compete. The calendar of events is as follows:

The events are usually 45 minutes to an hour in duration with laps of 5 to 10 minutes over variable terrain including roads, grass and trails with barriers and running sections.

WORLD MASTERS MOUNTAIN BIKING

BY HAROLD OSBORNE

I decided that I would make this year the year of the mountain bike. I rode cyclocross last year but soon realized this was not going to take me to a Worlds. Unfortunately I had to pick the year of the "rains" to take on my mission, but was at least fortunate to have a riding partner and trainer in Randy Brown to crash the bush with. Instead of worrying about myself on these training rides I was more concerned that Randy was not going to make the season. On our return trips home I listened to him diagnosing his body. Is my rib cracked? Should I go to the hospital? How bad does my leg look? In fact after one ride on returning home I had to wash his blood off the side of my car. In the end I had progressed steadily but time runs out and the race day was here.

Judy and I arrived in Bromont, Quebec on Thursday and went directly to the site of the downhill event. I had pre-registered without ever seeing one or riding one. Another great idea, and to take full credit, I thought this one up all by myself. My first problem was that my x-country bike just wouldn't cut it. First thing Friday morning I rented a downhill version put on my armour and rode the chair to the top. I know Bromont was rated as one of the most difficult downhill courses in the World Cup circuit, but seriously how difficult could it be? Well I rode some, walked some, rode some, walked some more and did the right thing and returned the bike and became a spectator. Later I read where one competitor rode the course 295 times in preparation this year.

On Saturday we had over 300 competitors from 21 countries ready to race. The training rides had been in full sun and 28 degree sweltering heat but when we awoke on race day it was 13 and threatening rain. The first class was off at 08:00 with my start scheduled at 4:00 p.m. The day just never wanted to warm up and in mid afternoon a torrential rain came down and never let up. When my class lined up at 4:00 p.m. the Gods were bowling overhead. The course now had the mud stirred up, the downhills through the rocks were grease, wheels jammed tight on the flats and most hills ended with you spinning as if you were on a wind trainer. Even when you threw the bike on your shoulder it never felt like the lightweight bike you spent the extra dollars for.

The end result for me was a very satisfying 5^th place finish which I was very happy with. Would I have done better if I had earlier conditions? I will never know for sure. My quest did start in the mud and finished in the mud! I have now raced every current road and mountain bike World Seniors and Masters Championship. Listen up Rob! You will be pleased to hear a Hamilton jersey has been worn at every one of them now.

TUESDAY NIGHT CRITERIUM WRAPS UP

This summer, as in previous years, the Hamilton Cycling Club hosted Tuesday Night Criterium Rides each week for 17 weeks. A total of 66 riders came out to this event paying $1.00 each week. These rides took place on a loop in the High Point Industrial Park in Milton. The usual format was 35 laps which took approximately one hour to ride. Points were awarded as follows:

1^st place6 points

2^nd place5 points

3^rd place 4 points

4^th place3 points

5^th place 2 points

All other participants received one point each. Help with the lap cards also earned one point.

The standings were shaken up on August 22^nd, when Fred Pepper and Colin Matsalla took a huge lead and left everyone in their dust at the finish line. Fred also earned two extra points on a prime lap.

On August 29^th, we had the Awards Ceremony on the start line. The winners were:

For complete results see our 2000 Results page under Tuesday Night Criterium.

CONGRATULATIONS!

We also had a draw for eleven prizes by a name draw and a spin of the wheel, which Rob designed using one of his bicycle wheels. Three of the prizes were supplied by Tim Hortons and Swiss Chalet - OK, OK, OK! Thank you for these donations! Jane Stansbury, Frank Morrow and I (Sandy) supplied pizza, pop, veggies and dip, fruit and cupcakes. Everyone had a fun time and we're looking forward to seeing more of Chris Komar next year!

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