24 Hours of Falcon Ridge report

July 16-17th 2001 we (Jonny, Cheryl, Cindy and I) attended and competed at the 2nd annual 24 Hours of Falcon Ridge MTN bike race.  Before anything else can be said I'd first like to thank all the folks from Fort Garry, Birch and Red River for putting this even ton.  It was fantastic!

Cindy and I arrived shortly before noon on Saturday to find riders already gearing up for the start.  After a bit of unpacking we witnessed the Le Mans start to therace (riders walked their bikes up a ski hill before hand and at the start had to run up the hill, retrieve their bikes and then start the race).

The Le Mans start

Cheryl took the first lap for Team Abes and Babes.  Our lap times ranged from around 40 to 50 minutes throughout the race.

Cheryl logging in a lap at the big board

Each lap consisted of a fairly rocky, hilly and technical course of apx. 6.25 Km's.  Challenging, especially during the midday heat.  Each rider checked in at a checkstop midway through the course to have their race card punched and then logged their completed lap at the main board.  Between laps people relaxed, swam in the lake, ate, drank and generally hung out and had fun. 

Team Abes and Babes did laps throughout the day until we all stopped for a dogfest hosted at the welcome centre.  Dogs, pitas, chips and beer.  A feast.  Food was hardly an issue at this event since eveerywhere you turned people were feeding you something.  It was awesome.

After a few more evening laps Cindy attempted our first night lap.  Unfortunately our borrowed lighting system didn't do so well and she had to abort.  Jonny then borrowed another light (thanks Unger!) and completed our only team night lap.

Morning brough more laps, coffee, and general relaxing in the lesser heat.  The race concluded at Noon and prizes were handed out.  We managed a first place finish in the Co-ed category!  $25 gift certs. to Olympia Cycle for us all!

A great event and one I'm sure we'll be back at next year.  Put it on your calendar Abes, its not to be missed.

Thomas...too sexy for this rcae

DNB...knocked out early but still smiling

Jonny drinking

Jonny sleeping

Long uphill....

...leads to sweet downhill

Thomas, Marcus and Jonah

The High Lake checkstop

Tomas...the author of our jerseys!

This hill was hard...to walk every time

The big board sign-in

Tuesday Night ride?

Ran into Steve B. at the post office and he was wondering if anyone was up for a MTB ride in the Hills tomorrow.  I'm out (birthday party) but if anyone's interested lets say meet at Jonny's place at 6PM.  Comments on who is interested and who can drive would be appreciated.

DS

p.s.  24 Hours of Falcon Ridge report coming soon!

24 Hours of Falcon Ridge

We'll try and keep you updated on how the lone Altona team (Abes and Babes) is performing at the 2011 24 Hours of Falcon Ridge race.  It all depends....connectivity and batteries.  Technology.  Blessing or bane?

Want to check us out?  Sign up for Twitter and follow me....username of hiebzky.  It's that simple.

Thursday Night Ride - Post Game Edition

CFL headquarters failed to consult ABES headquarters when preparing the Bomber calendar.  So, due to a conflict in scheduling, the ThNR will take place after the game – 10:00’ish.  This will allow us to watch the game and still get our ride on.  In the extremely unlikely chance that we suffer our first lose of the season, we can vent our frustration with a therapeutic group ride and drown our sorrows at the clubhouse, or more likely, we will joyfully spin our legs as we discuss the awesomeness that is our beloved football club and cheers another Blue and Gold victory at the clubhouse.  GO BOMBERS!

The ride in the hills was sweet.  Perfect night for a ride.  We saw about 22 riders out on the trails last night, not including our ABES contingent of: Curt, Curt F, Chaz, Austin, Steve, Jared, Evan and myself.  We rode a new trail (to me) that the Tinker Creek Cycling crew has prepared – it was so nice – at least the parts that I could ride.  BIG props to TCC for making an excellent trail system – it’s the envy of those that know.

Tuesday Mountain Bike Ride

It's time to hit the trails.  We're actually well overdue.  I need to ride at least once before the 24 hours of Falcon Ridge this weekend.  Meet at my place at 6:00 and we'll load up the bikes and go to the trails off the 201.  Post a comment if you are coming, if you can drive and how many you can take.  JS

Thursday Night Ride report

Details are sketchy, much like most of our rides.  The peloton departed Johnny's around 8:15 and included W, Shaun, Evan, Curt, James, Tom and Jeff.  Or so I believe.  A chase group of one (me) departed around 8:30 and pedaled around town until 9 when meeting Steve W. created a chase group of 2.  We rode for another half hour before finally hooking up with the main group.  Great night for a ride. The Duker was spotted at some point and eventually made his way to Grumpy's.

Some of the topics of discussion included fireworks and decapitation (yes, they go together!), vinyl siding/decks/destruction at Jeff's place, the difficulties of clipping in, H's big gig at Folkfest Friday, the many splendored glory of murdering small rodents (never ask Gerald Toews for assistance), sewer check valves (shit flows downhill) and G + J's big moving day (Saturday). 

And a good time was had by all.

Submitted by EP

Thursday Night Ride

Tuesday road ride on a perfect night.  Visited a darp, then old friends.  Good times.

Shaun and DSwat

Neuhorst Avenue

Appreciating our neighbours to the South

Steve

Ned - the exception to the rule

This is what's happening at The TdF...

Thursday Night Ride is on.  My place at 8:00.  I'll be away at the folk fest until Sunday.  

Go Bombers!

Tuesday Night ? Ride - UPDATE

6:00 at my place - either skinny or fat tires depending on the conditions.  Stay tuned for more details.

The Tinker report indicates that the trails need time to recuperate.  The road report calls for dry and smooth conditions.  Lets go for a road ride to Neuhorst Avenue for a pee break onto the U.S. side of the border.  Meet at my place at 7:00.  The more the merrier (easier).

Our new BC chapter (Kelsey) should join us for another spin and our Saskatchewan chapter just rolled into town last night – I’m hopeful we’ll see the Loepky’s at our post ride meeting at Dukes rooftop patio.  JS

Route 55 Alleycat Review

There were a lot of ABES out this week.  The lure of racing and prizes from the "dry cleaners" won us over.  Mike, Chaz, Steve, Gavin, David, James, Ben, Shaun, Curt, Tom, Steven, Duke, Kelsey (welcome to ABES) and myself started the race.  Most of us finished with the exception of a few DNF's including one hospitalization.  Dan the Terminator went down hard on a gravelly corner and it was not good - broken finger/bloody shoulder and knee - and worst of all, a ripped jersey.  Be careful Dan, that's a new jersey.  The race was won by Steve who had a flawless route and reading comprehension skills - unlike me - again.  Steve won $55 and some shwagg.  Newbie Kelsey and I took the silver medal (flask of whisky/shirt/cooler bag/CD case/lemon juicer) and David took the bronze.  Notable moments included Chaz looking inside Movie Haven for his token, Shaun's DFL with 25 minutes in penalties, and the difficulty finding the tokens at the MEC.  It was a great race and everybody went home with multiple prizes, including whiskey.  Well done Paul.  It was also Pole Vaulters last day as a 55 year old - hence Route 55.  Happy birthday Paul/Canada!

Paul B joined us at the clubhouse where minutes included: the letter to the editor, the 5000 water-balloon fight at the park, I nipple Canada, Tour de France, the Altona hills (plural), 24 hours of Falcon Ridge, Nazareth's Greatest Hits - the Christmas album, $400 worth of looking for a coffee table, town employee caught spraying Roundup on the street, The Back 40 race, DSwat is a nut grabber/biter - unfinished business with Steven, ABS, and the bag of beer and inflatable penis at Dukes stag.  Good times.  JS

 

Tom eyes Kelsey's goodies

Jokes, jokes, jokes

Nash was feeling the Canadian spirit

Dan returns to share his war stories

Mr. Congeniality

The tickle trunk of prizes

Saturday Morning Breakfast Ride - Meet at my place at 8.  Unfortunately I'm not available.