THURSDAY NIGHT RIDE

HOPEFULLY THIS WILL NOT BE NECESSARY TOMORROW NIGHT...

SAME TIME, SAME PLACE, SAME FORMAT, BLAH BLAH BLAH...

OKAY, A FEW ORDERS OF BUSINESS FOR ANYONE WHO MIGHT READ THIS BEFORE THURSDAY.  IN OUR LAST FEW RIDES (EITHER ON THURSDAYS OR OTHER DAYS) A FEW ITEMS HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED AD HOC.  I'D LIKE TO SHARE THEM WITH THE LARGER GROUP FOR POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AT THURSDAY'S POST-RIDE GATHERING.  

1.  ABES SHIRTS.  JOHNNY HAS PURCHASED A BUNCH OF T-SHIRTS AND WE'RE DISCUSSING PUTTING OUR LOGO ON THEM AND SELLING THEM.  INTEREST?  PRICE?  WE'VE TOSSED AROUND THE IDEA OF $15/SHIRT.  GOOD?  BAD?  THE COSTS INVOLVED ARE THIS.  T-SHIRT, IRON-ON LOGO, PRINTER INK FOR LOGO, LABOUR.  I'VE VOLUNTEERED TO DONATE MY TIME FOR THE LABOUR PART AND WE'RE THINKING THE TOTAL COSTS FOR ONE SHIRT WOULD BE ABOUT $7.  THAT LEAVES US APPROX. $8 PROFIT PER SHIRT SOLD.  WHICH BRINGS ME TO #2...

2.  MONEY.  SELLING T-SHIRTS IS EASY BUT WHAT DO WE DO WITH THE MONEY?  WELL, WE'VE ALREADY SET A SMALL PRECEDENT (THANKS TO THE INITIATIVE OF SHAUN) OF RAISING FUNDS FOR BIKES WITHOUT BORDERS.  NEVER HEARD OF THEM?  CHECK IT OUT...

http://www.bikeswithoutborders.org/

Bikes Without Borders is a Canadian organization using bikes and bike-related solutions as a tool for development in marginalized communities.

THINKING GLOBAL IS AWESOME.  BUT LET'S NOT FORGET TO LOOK LOCAL EITHER.  ANOTHER IDEA THAT HAS COME UP WOULD BE TO COME UP WITH SOME TYPE OF LOOSE PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR BRETHREN AT MOTO PARK X (YES, THAT IS SPELLED CORRECTLY!)  COLIN B. HAS MENTIONED THAT THEY'RE ALWAYS TRYING TO RAISE MONEY FOR IMPROVEMENTS AND SINCE THEY'RE A NON-PROFIT, VOLUNTEER BASED ORGANIZATION (WHO JUST HAPPENS TO BE KIND ENOUGH TO LET US RIDE THEIR SWEET TRACK) MAYBE THEY SHOULD RECEIVE SOME CONSIDERATION.


ANOTHER REVENUE STREAM MIGHT BE TO CONTINUE WHAT SHAUN DID WITH HIS ALLEYCAT AND SPLIT THE ENTRY FEE.  A PORTION WENT TOWARDS PRIZE MONEY WHILE A PORTION WAS DIRECTED TOWARDS BWB.


3.  TINKER CREEK.  JUST A SHORT DRIVE TO THE WEST OF US LIES SOME BEAUTIFUL, ROLLING, FLOWING SINGLE TRACK TRAILS THAT ARE EAGER TO BE RIDDEN.  EVEN BETTER?  THESE TRAILS ARE POPULATED BY A BUNCH OF GUYS WHO ARE MORE THAN WILLING TO LET US TAG ALONG WITH THEM ON TUESDAY EVENINGS!  I THINK A MASS ABES GATHERING TO JOIN OUR BRETHREN OF THE TINKER CREEK FARM TEAM MIGHT BE IN ORDER.  DISCUSS.


4.  SNEAK ATTACK.  TO BE DISCUSSED "IN CAMERA" ON THURSDAY.


HOW MANY OF YOU ACTUALLY READ ALL THIS?  LETS FIND OUT AFTER A SWEET, POSSIBLY WET, RIDE ON THURSDAY.


DS

For Ben

Remember Duke's Star Wars Alley Cat? That was awesome. JS

From the desk of Bruuuuce

Grand beach race report...

We left a little late on Sunday morning. Sheesh, I'm usually always on time for church! We started with 110 km/h, but by the time we left Selkirk we were well under 140.

Rory and I have signed up for the Cup races and we couldn't have hoped for better riding conditions in sand! On the other hand watching someone go by every half hour in the cold rain takes a little wind out of the fun.

Rory is in the under 11 category and he finished 6th out of 10 racers. He's started his own water bottle collection thanks to the boys at Olympia.

I had no idea where I was ending up in the race. Ok, I did have an idea. Some dough-head told me I had an early lead and that I should go hard. I wound up 14th out of 17.

I found out what the 'rock garden' was. I was very thankful for the XAM and it's full suspension, especially on those big uphill walks.

I didn't crash and didn't get hurt. I guess that means I didn't go hard enough. Brandon is next! 13th place is mine!

Bruce

Well done boys. That's great.

I noticed that ABES and Back Alley have both registered as clubs with the MCA. Two bike clubs in town!? HAHAHAHAHA! JS

The Sunday Post

Crazy Hippy Hipsters

Burrito Project from Jon Chou on Vimeo.

Green Death Alley Cat Review - Part 2

Export ABES

From the desk of Shaun D...

The weather conspired against the ABES last Thursday and the option to delay again was open, but the teams The Duker and Dave, Johnny and Paul, Lorne, Steve and Charles, Tom and the newest ABE Craig would have none of it. The second Spring Alley Cat Green Death was a go, exploring complex themes related to the intersections between biking and smoking: getting winded, spending your cash before the essentials, giving your body a pounding because there seems to be no other way, taking a break in the midst of an otherwise panicked schedule and so on. The race went on without a hitch, save the coordinators lack of knowledge regarding the clinic. Perhaps I should pay them a visit more than once a decade.

Race times were all pretty close:

Paul and Johnny rode a perfect race at 35 minutes and all questions answered correctly – even with their race sheet was in the process of complete disintegration.

Dave and Duker rolled in next after 38 minutes of riding and answered all questions correctly.

Steve, Lorne and Charles, while getting to the bar a little before The Duker and Dave to answer the arithmetically related question in comfort clocked 41 minutes. The trio added 3.5 minutes to their time with 1 incorrect answer.

Tom and Craig took the honourable (in the minds smokers anyway) DFL after finishing a minute later, at 42 minutes. They added 10.30 minutes to their time because of 3 incorrect answers.

But smokers are never perfect: we’re slow, easily winded, we’ll never win a race where the heart and lungs are a major contributor and our minds’ start going when the nicotine levels get low. Plus, the tobacco industry isn’t known for its virtuosity. So, to maintain the consistencies in the Green Death Alley Cat between smokers, Big Tobacco and racing bikes I had to take bribes to level the playing field. And only one team took the opportunity with Dave, while chugging a beer, doled out $15 for ‘Bikes Without Borders’. Not only did that bribe grease the wheels for a victory, but it’ll help buy wheels and grease along with the rest of the bike for a rural medic in an AIDS stricken part of the globe. ABES fight AIDS. 3 minutes and 30 seconds (the cost of an incorrect answer) were taken off of their time allowing them to squeak into 1^st, with only 30 seconds to spare.

With the bribe and the remaining entry fee cash $40 was sent over to ‘Bikes Without Borders’. http://www.bikeswithoutborders.org/

Nearly everybody took home something. Steve got the shaft as cash and prizes got snapped up. I’ll send a mug your way next time I get one that’s unsellable. Tom had inquired a few weeks ago – I’ve got a 9” x 11” x 2” pan with your name on it.

Thursday night pics...

The racers meet at Johnny's...

Pre-race preperations...a smoke and a beer!

The only existing action shot from the race itself...El Duque guides his charge towards the finish line.  Wet, but triumphant.

Race coordinator/genius Shaun tallies the final results.

The Duker pontificates...

Team CSL (Charles, Steve and Lorne..not to be mistaken with DFL)

Johnny lays the blame for their team's 2nd place finish squarely on Paul's shoulders.  Deep pockets win races...losers.

The crew(around the horn from the bottom left...Steve, Lorne, Duker, Shaun, Paul, Johnny, Tom, Charles and our special Tinker guest Craig.)

Some of the lovely parting gifts.

Lorne prepares the depart while the Duker demonstartes to young Paul the proper technique for copping a feel.

Green Death Alley Cat Review - Part 1

That race was crème de le crème. Shaun did a great job incorporating a few loves of his life: biking, smoking, beer and pottery. He failed to incorporate one of his other passions - bacon - another great race theme yet to be explored. Maybe his report will explain the complex nature of bribery for charity. Ironically the race which had a smoking theme was the inaugural race for Craig Doell, Respiratory Therapist. Glad you made it Craig. A race report from the coordinator will be forthcoming.

Conversation at the clubhouse included: NHL playoffs, Duke's new screen-printing prowess, utility trailers, hitches and bike carriers, classic 1970's cuisine (marshmallow/cheeze whiz/jell-o casserole), Bieber fever, the AMU (Altona's Most Underrated) hip-hop crew covering Paul Bergmans Birdsong, the upcoming Bomber season (21-0), and we discovered that Spin Magazine named U2's Achtung Baby the best album in the last 25 years. Thanks for the great race Shaun. The pottery prizes were a nice touch. JS

Thursday night something something

The weather is looking rather ominous for the Thursday night Green Death Alley Cat. Maybe that's appropriate, maybe not. Weather is rather tricky to predict and the future is no better. People should just show up, BS, and we'll figure it out. If the numbers aren't there because the weather is shite, then we'll go for a ride and race another time. The races do take some time/effort to organize and its nice if the numbers are there to enjoy the fun. The more the merrier. Like I said, show up, BS, and we'll figure it out. JS

True Mennonite.....cheap!

Thanks to Colin at the Farm Service for graciously donating the parts for this project - a very crude bike mount for my digital camera.  A reflector mount, a 1/4" bolt, and two wing nuts.  Bike now has three wing nuts total.

Sunday Ride videos

I'm no Stu Jeffries but even I can intro these video gems...a non-riding video (from a ride of course) involving creek crossing and one that needs no introduction...just a dirty mind. Enjoy.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duX5T-xmVAg




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeIqob4NHbk

local mountain bike track closed for repairs

FYI

Colin Braun informed me that the Altona moto cross 10 track will be unridable with bicycles as the motoheads are prepping (deep tilling) the tracks for a race on May 9. JS

Het Grote Ras Report

I missed the ride at lake Minnewasta, but I did enjoy the the big race in Bruxelles. 45 racers spun on the gravel roads covering both hill and dale. I bought an MCA citizen license this year and this was my first road race. The race started off with a blessing by the local priest who also sprinkled holy water on the group. There were 5 different groups riding between 1 and 3 laps based on bike choice and abilities. See the race results here. I battled hard for the win in the citizen class. The secret to my success was simple: speed + endurance + skill + luck + strategy + holy water = win. OK so maybe I was the only dude in the citizen’s category but that’s where my superior strategy put its foot in the door and said,” Just finish the race dummy”. I suppose I also won the less prestigious DFL title, so really I won twice! Not bad for my first road race. The trophy, gravel in a Mason jar, and biking shwag from Olympia were appreciated. When all the riding was done, the community hall hosted Belgian dancers, belgian beer stew/potatoes/carrots, and the awards ceremony. The community which doubled in size for the race, seemed to enjoy hosting the event. It was good to see Jon G, Kevin K, Brad the I, Craig, Adam, and other bicycle enthusiasts. It was a beautiful day for a ride. Very good times. JS

Another reason we don't ride fast...especially in our current volcano-paranoid society...

Sunday afternoon ride at Lake Minnewasta

I'm planning on heading out to Lake Minnewasta for about 1:30.  Are you still interested Lorne? Everyone's invited. Should be fun hitting the lake trail!  If anyone needs a ride, let me know, I'll be leaving town around 1:00.   CK

Thursday Night Ride Report

Mike, Charles, Lorne, Tom, Gavin, Steven, David, Steve, Jeff, Shaun, Curt, James, Kyle (welcome to ABES Kyle) and I (who did I miss?) enjoyed a beautiful night of spinning in and out of town. Shaun did not have his newly purchase bike ready for its debut and was given a one week extension for his alleycat. Another week to anticipate the fun of huffing and puffing. Kyle and Lorne were riding fat, knobby, mountain bike tires and were working twice as hard as everyone in the skinny tire club. DSwat took some pictures that may make it on the blog. It was a big ABES crew that grew when Bruce tracked us down for the last minutes of the ride and Duke and Paul joining us at the clubhouse. Conversation topics at my third of the extra long table included the Bruxelles race, a Sunday ride at lake Minnewasta, the good times of the moto park 10, the fear and realities of loosing your wheel while riding, searching for arrowheads, bike purchases, hockey card collections, Lorne moving back to BC this summer, planting potatoes with santa and mexican elves, and the blessings/curses of the alpha male/salesman. Good times.

If anybody wants to join me for The Big Race in Bruxelles, let me know. JS

The pre-ride gathering begins.

Ride break at the south end of the Village.

Steve B. dominates the pavement.

Dismount time at the post-rdie headquarters.  New rider Kyle looks eager to rehydrate.

The end of the ride.

The sweet crew finishes another fine Thursday night ride.

Wednesday Night Ride report

Okay, it wasn't really much of a ride. More of an amble. A few shortened, slow laps of the motocross track (both kids and adults) but still a good time. If you haven't checked it out, do it. Well worth the short drive out from town.

Watching the kids ride the little track.

Mia, Cheryl and Jacob on the big track.

Jacob and Cindy ride the big track. William enjoys the Softride approach.

Jacob riding the moguls.

Oh yeah...and especially for Johnny...seems like someone is a little on the dumb side. Hey dumb dumb. How's this sign look?

Note the name....

Thursday Night Ride

There's something about spring that makes me smile.

I believe D'Shaun is preparing an alleycat race for Thursday. Can the race coordinator confirm or deny these reports? JS

More good times on a bike

Have I mentioned that I love the Altona Moto X Park (or as David’s Gospel of Truth calls it, Moto Park X). It’s a fun, new biking option, it’s basically a mountain bike trail, and its a mile from town in the flattest part of Canada. I’m super pumped!

Last night I took my daughters to the Moto X Park. Kate is still working on her push bike skills, but Mia rode 5 laps of the kids course. She said “this is so awesome” about 5 times per lap. I was grinning like an idiot watching her ride the course, grinning like an idiot.

The track is open to motorbikes: Tuesday & Thursdays Noon - 9:00 p.m. & Saturday noon – 6:00 p.m. ABES are permitted to use the track all other times. Right on. JS

Sunday Morning Coming Down (and going back up...and coming down...and back up...)

Johnny invited me to come out for a little recon ride of Altona's Moto Park X. Very nice. We rode the 1.83KM course twice (once in each direction) and found it both flowing yet challenging. The climbs are doable for the most part but also include a couple of possible foot-climbers for us less able riders (see video posted below!) All in all a nice little place for this years Dirty Double Cross and a potentil site for the Southern Cross as well.

Johnny surveys Moto Park X

A nice hill.steep bank combo. Tough to hit hard and still make the descent into the corner.

The food service facility with a mogul section in front.

The main grandstand (great views of the whole track!) and the announcers tower. Play-by-play anyone? Duker?

View down to a 2nd hill from one of the higher hills. Very fun descent.

Upcoming Events...

Lots of riding opportunities happening these days.

Let's get right to it...

1) Sunday Morning Ride - I'd like to ride some of the Trans Canada Trail (between Hwy 201 and Hamm's property) this Sunday morning for church. I'd like to leave Rocktona at 9:30 and return around 12:30. Anybody interested? Everybody is invited.

2) DShaun is planning what sounds like a smokin good alleycat race for this Thursday (April 22). I'm sure ridiculous ABES awesomeness will ensue. Plan to be there.

3) Ian Hall, Hall Loewen and the boys at Olympia are organizing the first MCA road race/ride of the year. This is the first time this event is taking place and there are some delightful details that should should be noted:

- the local parish priest will proved a pre-race blessing (that's a good thing)

- a race announcer (in English and Flemish) will broadcast the race

- homemade beer stew and the Winnipeg Belgium dancers at the community hall post race ceremonies

- it is anticipated that beer will be sold as a fundraiser for the local school. Yes, really

- What better excuse do you need to get out and ride these unique, beautiful and challenging Manitoba roads and hills with a bunch of awesome people

If anybody wants to start riding at MCA events, this sounds like a great place to start. If you buy an MCA citizens license at the race ($40 which entitles you to participate in the lower/est categories at most 2010 MCA events), the race registration for this event will be complimentary.

Here's what Ian had to say about Het grote Ras (The Big Race)...

The first bike race of 2010 is coming up on April 25th will be something special. Hosted by the Belgian-Manitoban community of Bruxelles , the course comprised of some of the most scenic (and most hilly) roads in Manitoba.

Styled like the "spring classics" that take place in Flanders at this time year and involve steep hills and rough cobbled roads, Manitoba's own Belgian Classic will substitute gravel for the cobbles and includes sections of the Trans-Canada Trail. A winding lap of about 30 km will challenge riders with over 1,000 feet of climbing over nearly a dozen short, steep hills. Nobody will leave unchallenged.

The event is classed as a Manitoba Cup race and we're expecting all the top riders from around the province to compete for series points. Elite riders will complete 3 laps, with novices and intermediates doing 1 or 2. A participation-oriented tour, led by experienced cyclists, is also taking place the same day for riders who want to try out the course at a more leisurely pace.

The Manitoba Belgian community and the town of Bruxelles are both involved in the event. A short awards banquet in the community hall following the race will include a performance by Winnipeg's Belgian Folk Dancers. Locally-prepared Belgian beer stew and other treats will await hungry riders and spectators. Tours of historic St. Gerard's church and cemetery will be available throughout the afternoon, and a large playground is nearby.

AND: A few people have asked about equipment. For the race categories, you are required to use a road (or cyclocross) bike. The roads are in excellent condition, so regular road tires (700x23) should suffice (a group ride last weekend that included about 7 people on 23mm tires did not result in any flats). That said, 25-28mm tires would probably be more comfortable and would be less prone to pinch flats. There will be a separate "open" category race (1 lap) for anyone wanting to race on a mountain bike. Oh, and... glasses and gloves are recommended to protect against the odd little stone that gets kicked up.

Sounds very nice, no? What do you say? Team ABES draft crew?

4) May 2 - Fast Old Guys are organizing a Time Trial race in Birds Hill Park. You don't need an MCA license for this one. More info here

All these biking possibilities and it's only April. I love it. 2010 baby! JS