Thursday Night Report

I missed the ride due to official MUCR business in preperation for the upcoming cross season.  The meeting was held at the Belgian Club while a band was playing, the tv was on, VLT’s were ringing, and a pool tournement was taking place.  I have the attention span of a housefly to begin with so it was hard to focus, hear, stay on topic and finalize anything.  I’m not sure if anything was finalized bit it was clear that cross is a growing and popular cycling event, it will be even better in 2011, and we all enjoy visiting and drinking beer.  Minutes from the meeting included Hal “polling” women at Southern Cross, a possible new racing division – so, any dude that want to start racing will begin in C-men (TWSS), possible Mud Fest cross race in St. Agathe, the idea of a Grand Prix was discussed but won’t happen with Altona, an evening race will take place at the Speedway under the lights with a canteen and bar open for business; the grandstands, novelty of a cool venue and the drama of racing under the lights should make this the most anticipated race of the year.  Southern Cross will take place October 16.  I also heard rumblings of a short track series that might start up on 2011.  Short track is a mountain bike race similar to a criterium where riders do multiple laps on a short 3-5 minute course.  Sounds like fun.  I also came away from the meeting with a loaf of Halbert’s delicious bread. 

I made it to our clubhouse in time to see Duke, Albert and Paul B.  Paul has not ridden his bike for months and walked to bike club (remind me to give that guy a punch in the gut).  Our brief discussions included The Spicey Noodle House, long underwear, shoe store grievences, and nooners.  Good times.  JS

Thursday Night Ride

We should ride around town 10 times as fast as we can.  On an unrelated note, I won't be at the ThNR.  I MIGHT be at the clubhouse.  Meet at 9 at ABES headquarters.  JS

The good times...

and the bad. 

Unrelated but related

If your going to fail, fail big.


see more funny videos

ABES Sunday Edition

A couple of bike related commercials and a hater who made me laugh.  JS

Altona Village Time Trails Pictures

Thursday Night Ride Report

The moon was full, the sky was clear, the temperature was -39 and our bikes were sluggish.  Despite the frigid temperatures, the Thursday Night Ride crew persisted with an hour of peddling around our beloved town.  David, Shaun, Curt, Dan, Albert, Wolters, Tom and I took to the streets to test our mettle.  Albert had freewheel issues caused by the low temps and we lost Tom and Wolters early (sorry boys).  It was a good night to test what clothing worked for winter riding – if you could keep warm AND dry last night you are dialed in just right for anything winter can muster.  Since Myron was on house arrest we decided to go there for our weekly meeting but Tom, Wolters and Steve were ensconced at the clubhouse and not prepared to budge.  Alternative clubhouse minutes included: the power and the glory of merino wool, the power and the potential glory of buying $90 alpaca wool socks from a cute girl, Happy Harry’s Christmas eve madhouse, Dan taunting Americans, athletes eat vereneka, pretty curlers talking dirty, The Rhineland Area Pastors for Poker (RAPP), Dswat is a quitter, Sloth Cross (February 19 – 20), ABES Winter Bike Festival (Saturday, March 5), Arlene “Stookie” Woodcock, the Sabres are undefeated, MUCR bigwigs, and being snowed in in Fargo for three days.  Good times.  JS

Pre-ride nap

Pre-ride drink?

Jacket buddies

Shaun continues to pimp his ride - leather wraps

Blinking was problematic

Myron leads the ABES prayer

Bud 

ThNR

Winter is more enjoyable if you keep riding bike.  It keeps you warm.


Thursday Night Ride is on.  See you at 9.

Attaboys

A shout out to two ABES who like to ride bike - a lot.  


Dan has put in 6000 km's.  Impressive.  It's down a K from last year be he's been injured for 8 months so we'll cut him some slack.   


Shaun also likes to ride - he's on pace for a 12 month total of 6001 km's this year.  On pace being the key - his year ends in April (I think) so he's not there yet.  Dan is still the man until further notice.


I'm too lax to keep track so I'm impressed with anybody that is diligent enough to keep track of these things. 6k is pretty good.  Way to go boys.  The DB must also put in a lot of spins a year.  Anybody keep track?  JS

Thursday Night Ride Report

James, Myron, Wolters, Shaun, Charles and David gathered to ride and race but it all started on the driveway where two Christmas reveals took place.  Charles picked up some bike mitts that attach to the bike, and Shaun showed his new saddle.  Nice.  I sat out the ride - my gimp knee gimped itself out - my knee is really starting to piss me off. - but I digress.  Apparently the ride lapped the town - Myron had a slo-mo fall in a drift and James had a more violent flip over his bars but managed to land on his feet.  James is pretty nimble for a tall guy.  I drove to the race and watched the boys race it up at Chez Hiebzky.  The first laps were to determine the course layout.  The second lap was raced for seeding purposes.  The race was a two-lapper but you had to attempt the longe riser cleanly at least once or a 15 second penalty would be added to your time.  Shaun rode a clean race to take the title, Chaz took second and Duke ranked third.  Wolters bowed out of the races due to a knee injury suffered on last weeks ride.  DSwat rode a good time but his time could not be determined due to technical (incompetence) issues.  David really knows how to shwag up an event and this was no exception.  Winners were offered a garbage bag full of mystery goodies that could only be revealed at the clubhouse.  Most were filled with halloween/xmas candy, chips, ABES shirts, books, tools, and underwear (and a the garbage bag).  Nice.  Tom and Thomas joined us at the clubhouse where Minutes included: MEC bike program/staff discounts/ theft (unrelated), "the little faggot with the earring and the make up" controversy and Jeff Reinbold (related), Shaun is starting to embrace his inner bike geek by breaking his vow to never wear cycling gear - he was sporting tights and a jersey - ha - right on, Poker destinations, Halbstadt bonspiel temperatures, the decapitated snowmobiler?, Scotties volunteer assignments, Keith Richards autobiography, Canadian population, FXR domination, and a-hole blow-outs.  Good times.  pics are being troublesome.  JS 

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

^2:1 In those days El Presidente issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire ABES world. ² (This was the first census that took place while Mel K. was mayor of Altona.) ³ And everyone went to his own garage to count.

How many bikes do we have?

We've all discussed Albert's penchant for collecting.  And PW's collection seems to be growing exponentially (if he ever claims them from Menke's).  So what do we all own?  Even better, what do we all ride?

My own garage/shed/livery contains at least 10 bikes that I know of off-hand.  Possibly more.  Weekly trips to the MCC seem to be my weakness.  EBAY is others.  PV Online works.  Garage sales.  Inheritance.  Any way is a good way.

So here's my plan.  Collect our data.  Names, descriptions, models, colours, and maybe even photos.  A photo collage would be sweet.  That way, when someone comes down on Thursday and announces a new member to their family we'll be able to add him/her/it to the annals of our history.  For posterity's sake.

So send us your poor, your tired, your de-chained and we'll give them a place in ABES history.  Our children will thank us.

EP

altonabikeclub@gmail.com

THURSDAY NIGHT RIDE

Meet at Johnny's at the regular time.  We'll cruise around Town for a bit to limber up and then off to the South Village for 2011's first time trials.  Should be fun.  Prizes might abound so be there or be sorry.

EP

Thursday Night Ride Report

James, Steve, Wolters and I took to the streets for some bike therapy.  James was the knockdown champ at the pond, Steve was the short lap champ at the West Park rink, everybody struggled on the village race track and nobody joined me on the village pond.  Mid-ride snacks at the senior centre were delicious, Dan joined us mid-ride but left early, Wolters chain siezed and he walked for the rest of the night but won the race to the clubhouse.  David joined us for rehydration where Minutes include: Another new bike for Wolters - don't tell his wife, Heathrow airport harassment, Steve’s new engine for his sled, Steve driving his sled into his truck, goggles, burning down the house, $8.50 for a glass of beer, stupid Lac du Bonnet, swamp portage, roller racing, rink dogs, oh those Russians, and the hate for MTS.  Good times.  JS

Victory Lap

 

WWJD - eat rice krispie squares

James rides his first fixie

James, Steve, Wolters and I took to the streets for nice ride in town.  James was the knockdown champ at the pond, Steve was the short lap champ at the West Park rink, everybody struggled on the village race track and nobody joined me on the village pond.  Mid-ride snacks at the senior centre were delicious, Dan joined us mid ride but left early, Wolters chain siezed and he walked for the rest of the night but won the race to the clubhouse.  David joined us for rehydration where Minutes include: Wolters new bike (again), Heathrow airport harassment, Steve’s new engine for his sled, Steve driving his sled into his truck, goggles, burning down the house, $8.50 for a glass of beer, stupid Lac du Bonnet, swamp portage, roller racing, rink dogs, oh those Russians, and the hate for MTS.  Good times.  JS

THURSDAY NIGHT RIDE

Same time. Same place.  Be there.

Happy New Year - late edition

Another hellagood year of riding bike.  Our recipe for good times can't be beat.  Bikes are already awesome for so many reasons, but you when you throw in the opportunity to goof around in 24 hour "races", winter shenanigans, spring rides, mountain biking, alleycats, cross, then add in some beer, dogs, chips while hanging out with good people?!  Dang!  It all adds up to good times - every time. 

I've also enjoyed all the new bikes that have been added to the ABES stable.   Many an ABE got a new bike in 2010.  It makes sense.  If you like bikes you need at least 3 - and that's being modest.  5+ bikes would be better, but we can't all live the life of Albert with his untold fleet of bikes squirreled away in his house.

There will be plenty goodness is brewing in 2011.  Some benchmark events that you should try to attend include: dung cross (or whatever they call the January bike race to be in a horse barn), sloth cross (24 hours of riding/movies/hanging), the ABES Winter Bike Festival, the spring ride,  24 hours of Falcon, the Penner MS fundraiser, Head for the Hills, Back 40, AD/DC, and the entire cross season.  That doesn't include the Thursday night good times that keep us rolling every week.  I'm liking that lineup of good time!  Like I said - Dang!  JS

Teamwork (including the smoke)

Thursday Night Ride Report

The north wind was strong and the chill was intimidating but a few brave souls managed to spin around town for the ThNR.  We started the night with some Southern Cross Ale in the kitchen – it seemed like the right thing to do with Jonny G in town.  G and I were joined by Myron, Wolters, and Albert as we cycled around town trying to avoid the wind.  There were a lot of drifts on the paths that were unridable.  Albert took a nice header trying to ride through a drift - even when he crashes he smiles.  Jonny had a nice stop sign slip that had him sitting on his A in the middle of an intersection – funny guy.  When the ride concluded we regained our right to enjoy salty popcorn and listen to bad music in the comfort of our clubouse.  Charles joined us and Paul B was aloof.  Minutes include: 29’er bike projects, Ice Bergans birthday party, Vince-sanity, Frank and Maria at the Cambridge, Wolters new bike, wine = baby sleepy juice, the 5000 piece millenium falcon lego set, Schweddy balls, snowboard cross, 1965 Massey Ferguson tractor with a three point hitch, Swatty (still) stuck in Fargo, Pat Smear, punching DB in the head (because he likes it), tattoos and back stubble at the Steinbach pool, smoking v not smoking, Duke new years eve party in Regina, Altona’s Most Underated, kissing women with big mouths, overdressing for bike rides, Christmas bike presents, sirens of Altona, and bathroom design flaws at the clubhouse.  Good times.  JS