ThNR Report

Duke, David, Steven, Steve, Albert, Chaz, Ike, Shaun, Bruce, Dan, Bruce, Gavin, Ben, Mike, the G-boys, and I met up to ride.  Bruce had seen the weather forecast of 10-15 mm of rain and decided to save Ian a trip out to Altona, but the weather turned out to be gorgeous and we decided to check out the grass track and race it up on our own.  We had an evenings worth of scratch race heats with varying distances and a last-man-out race.  Next time we'll try some team pursuit races.  It was agreed that grass track racing is super fun.  The dilapidating schoolhouse in the middle of the grass track gave the races the old school, old school flavour.  Official standings were not recorded but Steven, Gavin, Charles and Bruce all looked strong.  Evan suffered a taco'd wheel early on but muscled it back to a ridable state.  Some realized that slick road tires with 120 psi were not the right tire choice for the grass track.  We retired to the clubhouse where we were joined by Tom, James and Paul B.  The minutes at my end of the table included: Steven's video that might get him fired, Ike needs a variance for the new addition to his house (congratulations), pembina valley online ad for beaver removal, suspicious boxing results conversations kept Tom away from the races, Southern Cross details were revving up, Duke's house is on the market, David loves a dude without a shirt, Steve B suggested grass track roller derby, does double jeopardy apply to Lance Armstrong?, Paul goes electric at the Back 40 folk fest (it's a trumour), golf/soccer/nascaar on tv = the nap channels, the ABES dirt velodrome will be put on the upcoming town council agenda, and Jillian Welch is having a concert at the Jerrick.  Good times.

I'm still enjoying my stupid summer cold so I'm out for the breakfast ride.  Post a comment if you're interested in cycling/eating. 

ThNR

If the rain stays away we'll be racing on grass.  If not, plan B will be in effect - whatever that is.  Either way, we'll gather at 8:00.

Rumour Du Jour

Bruce is organizing grass track bicyle races for the Gretna Hot Spot Festival.

The races will be on Saturday, July 21 and take place sometime between the tractor races and Cornie the Elvis impersonator.  Cool.  Local cycling enthusiast and public works supervisor SWiebo has agreed to help prepare a track in Altona for the ABES crew where we can practice, ride and race.  The track will be half the distance of the WC Miller running track (200m V 400m).  Grass track racing formats are varied from sprints to endurance, solo to team events.   


Grass Track Czar Ian Hall has agreed to come to Rocktona this Thursday to organize 
our races and make it as legit as we get.  

Ian "powered by perogies" Hall 

How sweet is that?!  See you Thursday.

ThNR Report

DB and I rode the flowy trails at Lake Minnewasta.  They're so fun and I'm out of shape.  Curt, Evan and Jared were there too but we only met at the end of the ride - sorry dudes.  Former Rocktona resident Craig Doell was also ripping up the trail in his lovely leisure suit.  Most of the other ABES had weak excuses and settled for the same old, same old with a ride around town.  James, Paul B, Paul W, Steven, Dan, Shaun, Steve, David, Duke, Tom, DB, and I met at the clubhouse where the minutes include: Tom brought two bags of delicious homemade samplings of beef jerky which inspired an upcoming Jerk-Off with Pole Vaulter to see who has the best meat, Schiesse is a Bomber hater, the doctor who retired to become a farmer, they don’t make anymore land, DB loves to listen to DB, teachers that are snappy, stale popcorn, Tom bought a hazmat suit from the MCC, saying the word bedbugs makes Paul B itch, why can’t cheap hotels be clean?, why can’t that moose jump over the bison?, Duke’s Pizza, Chicken, Burgers and More, and Steven’s gift to Tom – kicking Davids butt July 2013 - declairing “I will rewrite The Tortoise and the Hare”, Duke is on the undercard – “I will fight anyone named Paul” and David bites a mouthful of sack.  Good times.

Saturday Morning Breakfast Ride.  I'm camping this weekend but Dan is going to ride the Rosetown loop and have breakfast at Oakview.  If you want to ride you'll figure it out.

Thursday Night Mountain Bike Ride

Our next Thursday Night Ride will consist of riding the trails at Lake Minnewasta.  We'll meet at 6, load our bikes, go to Morden and giddy-up.  It's going to be a blast.  The weather may change our plans so stay tuned.


Post a comment if you need or can supply a ride to Morden.  I can take 2 more people/bikes in my dirty Malibu.

ThNR Report

Gavin, Pole Vaulter, Duke, Steve, Giles, Shaun, Ben, DB, Mike Bruno and I rode the local roads in and around Altona.  Cycling in the country was delightful and included an illegal airport sprint that saw Gavin win with ease.  A break was taken at Dswats to regroup and unhydrate but we continuted to ride until we hit 31 km’s to outdistance Altona’s fairer bike club.  We retired to the clubhouse where we were joined by Steven, Tom Dan, James and David.  Minutes include: Paul W fell through his deck a la Wile E. Coyote, Pilsner was available to our delight and Coors Light Ice Tea was available to our concern, leafblower fire starters at the spring ride, Shaun uses a shimmer of lard for cooking (using his lard rag – patent pending), Schiesse’s late night Bomber rant was caught on video, mouth breathers, DB knows his AC/DC, Dumb Dumb David is dumb, Greg Dahl ran, Nik Wallenda to cross Niagra Falls on a tightrope (550 meters - ha), knots and slacklines, Man on a Wire documentary, Steven cycled over the Golden Gate bridge with a golf cart escort, Tom guaranteed to supply beef jerky at the next ThNR, and the new Altogther Altona sign anagram alternatives include: Granola Teat Hotel, A Angel Alter Tooth, Aloha Tango Letter, Anal Galoot Tether, Halo To Elegant Rat, Altar Athlete Goon, Eagle Throat Talon, and Elongate That Oral.  Good times.

Saturday Breakfast Ride, 8:30 at my place.

Moose Lake and ThNR Invitation

Who's excited about the ride?

Bruce and co. are planning the Altona to Moose Lake bike ride and he wants you all to know you’re invited.  Save August 11 on your calendar and enjoy a group ride that will end with a well deserved supper, rehydration therapy and stories to brag about to your co-workers.  

DSwank’s alleycat was deluxe but now we’ll get back to doing what we do best, linger at headquarters, get split up on the ride, and meet at the clubhouse.  It’s going to be a good day.

Who’s claiming the June alleycat?

No Gut, No Glory report

The No. Gut, No Glory Alleycat/Time Trial saw 15 riders put up the $5 entry to race.  Leaving at staggered intervals of one minute they set out to the village to down a hot dog and a Pepsi (some begrudgingly) and then proceed to race around Altona answering ABES-related trivia question.  Right answer and you were pointed in the right direction; wrong answer and you back tracked a little and then had to steer yourself towards the correct answer for directions.

Post-race comments went well.  Most seemed to enjoy the newish format and the fact that they didn't have to carry a pen and paper!  The results were as follows:

1. Jonny  - 35:27
2. Steve B. - 36:49
3. Steven W. - 38:26
4. Mike  - 39:54
5. Ben  - 41:17
6. Jeff  - 41:36
7. Gavin  - 41:37
8. Shaun  - 41:38
9. Ike - 41:51
10. James - 42:17
11. Charles - 46:50
12: Albert - 48:06
13. Dan - 51:03
14. "Bruno" - 53:06
DFL  The Duker - 1:05:44

Prizes were of a cycling and cash nature.  Hats, beer glasses, socks, lube and a book.  Now Jonny will have to learn to read again.

Sorry for the lack of pics, Blogger would not allow me to put them up.

No Gut, No Glory

The details...

Start :  8 PM
Location : the usual (Jonny's)
Bring : $5 and a light. Might need it, might not.
Don't bring : pen, paper, clipboard, IPad, or any other note taking/writing device
Prizes : Hell yeah!

Victoria Day Road Ride

Dan, Albert and I plan to cycle the road through the valley near La Riviere on Monday morning.  We'll be leaving Dan's place at 8:30.  Post a comment if you'd like to join us so travel arrangements can be made.

NO GUT, NO GLORY

WNR Report

A boatload of us showed up for the ThNRWE - 23 to be exact.  Our second biggest rally ever.  David tells me that Dan’s allecat holds the record at 24.  It must have been the beautiful spring weather that brought so many cyclist out.  That, and we knew Ryan Leech was interested in sipping from the ABES green kool-aid.  In true ABES form he was 15 minutes late.  Bruce gave him his cross bike and we showed him what we do in these parts – cycle around town then go to the clubhouse for giggles.  It was a beautiful sight to see so many cyclists taking part in a ride.  A small part of me was sorry Ryan didn’t do his trials riding - not many people do what he does, but mostly I was glad he was on a road bike spinning and visiting like the rest of us.  It would have felt weird making him work for our amusement – dance, monkey, dance!  I’ll report what everybody says – He’s a really nice guy, full of smiles, stories, warmth, but not punctual.  The reviews from his school shows have been top-notch.

Everybody of age (even Mike) joined us at the clubhouse where we rehydrated and gushed over our guest.  The minutes included: Blue is the McDonald’s of beer, who is the creepy old man on the farthing, DB wants to lay on top of Dennis for Ryans high jump, big drops on road bikes, yoga, yoga, yoga, the prestige of the half marathon, the penny farthing and 52” unicycle fundraiser ride from Rocktona to Stinkler, the popcorn machine only works on Thursdays, Curt’s sweet chops, Bruiser’s garage contents are worth more than his house, BAC bought Ryans bike – Gavin was nominated to ride it, our cycling bibs should be here for Road Ride 2012, Ryan teaching pastor near-beer and DB to bunnyhop, and David was rallying the troops around his time trial / alleycat race next week.  Good times.  JS

Upcoming events:

• ThNR – I’ll ride if you do – my place at 8:00
• Mountain bike ride – Saturday is looking rainy – Sunday looks better if the trails are rideable – details TBA
• Family Bike Club – Sunday at 6:30 – postponed one week.  Next week: scavenger hunt
• Monday Road Ride –  Dan wants to ride the cement and gravel near Manitou/La Riviere – details TBA

A flurry of activites to report…

ABES wannabe Ryan Leech is scheduled to audition for club affiliation at the ThNR – Wednesday Edition.  Meet at ABES headquarters Wednesday at 8:00 for the hazing ritual.  The Leechmeister will ride whatever bike he wants - we might be giggling like schoolgirls if he rides his trials bike, visit if he takes a road bike or laugh if he chooses the penny farthing.  The evening is as loose as a goose. 

 

When things were looking bleak on the local alleycat scene, race coordinator extraordinaire DSwank announced he is planning a race that promises to be super-happy-fun for next Thursday - sweet.

 

Families and members of the dark side are coming to visit Rocktona.  A ride to the hills of Tinker/Morden this weekend are being planned.

The Family Bike Club takes place on Sunday, 6:30 at the SawKoopsky’s house.

 

Dan is planning a Victoria Day road ride that will include cement, gravel, hills, burgers and fries.

 

Ryder Hesjedal became the first Canadian to capture the pink jersey as overall leader of the Giro Italia, the world's second most prestigious annual cycling race after the Tour de France.  Beauty eh.

 

Will the weather cooperate for all this goodness?  It better or we'll get Bruiser to give it a punch in the throat!  JS

Thursday Night Ride – Special Wednesday Edition

We will ride on Wednesday this week to accommodate guest bicycle enthusiast/yoga sage/pretty boy - Ryan Leech.  He is in the greater Rocktona area and wanted to do two things after his performances: sleep in a barn (check) and cycle with a gaggle of awkward yokels (double check).  Plans are being made so stay tuned.

Remember alleycat races?  They were fun right?  We should do that again.  Charles is still thinking (clap), David has made promises (ALLYcat), and many have been coasting since I don't know when.  It seems like something should happen soon.  Volunteers appreciated.  Shunning is an option – just look at what’s happening to Pastor near-beer.

Jeff Krahn reports...

I've been asked if any of the ABES would like to volunteer for the Walk/Run to Remember. So far Dan and myself are in, and they were hoping to get at leaset two more of us. It would be a support role where the riders lead/follow the runners. Can check out the info here.  It would be awesome to get at least two more.  Oh yeah, volunteers get free food and a beverage at the end.  The date is May 26 and the race starts at 9am (runners register starting at 8).

ThNR Report

A bunch of dudes rode bike around town - you know who you are.  We had trouble staying together.  The warm weather was nice - until it wasn't.  You should have been there.  David brought a bag of free pizza.  Dan drinks near beer - HA.  Good times.

Saturday Morning Breakfast Ride - meet at 8:30.  Sweet CK will be there if we can find childcare.  JS

Upcoming Super Happy Fun Times!

Thursday Night Ride – Sunshiny hours are in effect – 8:00 pm start - it will be good.

 

Saturday Breakfast Ride – 8:30.  Bikes and bacon - also good.

 

Sunday at 6:30 - Family Bike Club - parents and kids are invited to cycle together, socialize, develop cycling skills and promote the awesomeness of bikes (have fun).  Feel free to invite any families that likes good times.  We’ll gather at the SawKoopsky`s house (31-2^nd St. SE) every Sunday in May and June and we’ll figure it out as we go along.  Sound good?

 

ABES Cycling Gear

If anybody wants to order an ABES jersey, now is the time.  

Additional cycling costume options found here.

The order goes in Saturday.

ThNR Report

Steven, David, Gavin, Schiesse, Rudy, Albert, Paul W, Curt, Mike, Steve, Ike and I headed out for a nice spin around town.  Duke found us, and we escorted Chaz and Ben through the village as they were returning from Gretna.  David was sporting the new bike club technology – a video camera to document events  - too bad it wasn’t on for the penny farthing endo.  Steven and Gavin made sure we had a healthy pace and most followed – some needed extra time preparing at the clubhouse and headed in early.  Minutes include: old folks home V. new folks home, Las Vegas youth retreat, brave Segway riders, Formula One Team Hyundai, Gavin is getting a new carbon mtb frame on warranty, upcoming housewarming events, hot goalies win playoff games, Shamwad Sawatzky, Schiesse was evasive about commiting to the breakfast ride, flapjacks and melons, “Why is there grass in your helmet?”, fat bastard theatre (the Burt), and Duke lost his bike computer - again.

Memory card instructions are hard  

Sweet Cheryl Koop and I are riding to Letellier for the Saturday Morning Breakfast Ride – meet us here at 8:30 if you'd like to join us.

ThNR

This is the last week to sample the bib sizes and place your order.  Get your orders in this weekend, this weekend, this weekend or you'll be out of luck.


See you at 9.  


Anybody interested in a Saturday breakfast ride?

The Little 250 Report

Well done team

Highlights:

- Kids riding bike, playing with mallets, and hiding in our car to get out of the wind

- DSwank and Duker fixin all the fixins

- Athena goddesses kicked ass

- Cool gales kept things memorable at best, but did promote less sitting and more riding

- Grade 3 super kid Thomas Wiebe rode 42 laps like a boss

- Riding bike with good people 

- Being able to slow down to catch up

- County Cycle's Peter and James representing the best of the 325

- 2 year old Leo's one lap was the best showing for the Dyck-Thiessen family 

- Shaun, Albert and I finished our 250 laps in the rain with a double rainbow (what does that mean?)

- Lowlight - not seeing Cindy fall gently in her clip-less pedals and David endoing in the sand pit on a penny farthing

These are the good-old days.  JS