First Group Ride 2012
While the riders on Team Whistler have all been out on the trails and roads together, May 15th was the first formal "group road ride" of the year. All elements came together to see dry roads, warm weather and good friends out on a ride. Thanks to all who came out. See you each Tuesday this summer for a 6pm departure from Summit Sports.
By the way, it's nice to see some of Canada's best bike riders on the roads in Whistler these days who are currently riding in the professional peletons ... you never know when they may join the ride.
Whistler Rider named to London 2012 Olympic Team Long List
Congratulations to Will Routley who has just moved one step closer to riding in the London 2012 Olympic Games by being named by the Canadian Cycling Association to the London 2012 Long LIst of athletes eligible to compete.
“With a record number of Canadian riders competing in professional cycling either at the WorldTour or the pro-continental levels, we are confident we will have a competitive cyclist selected to represent Canada at the Olympic Games,” added Jacques Landry, Director of High Performance at the Canadian Cycling Association.
Olympic Selection Pool – Road Cycling, Men
Michael BARRY (Toronto, ON/Team SKY Pro Cycling) [Road Race, Time Trial]
David BOILY (Québec, QC/Team SpiderTech powered by C10) [Road Race, Time Trial]
Guillaume BOIVIN (Longueuil, QC/Team SpiderTech powered by C10) [Road Race, Time Trial]
Ryder HESJEDAL (Victoria, BC/Garmin-Barracuda) [Road Race, Time Trial]
Bruno LANGLOIS (Québec, QC/Team Garneau-Quebecor) [Road Race, Time Trial]
Christian MEIER (Sussex, NB/Orica-GreenEdge Pro Cycling Team) [Road Race, Time Trial]
Dominique ROLLIN (Boucherville, QC/FDJ-Big Mat) [Road Race, Time Trial]
Ryan ROTH (Cambridge, ON/Team SpiderTech powered by C10) [Road Race, Time Trial]
Will ROUTLEY (Whistler, BC/ Team SpiderTech powered by C10) [Road Race, Time Trial]
Svein TUFT (Langley, BC/Orica-GreenEdge Pro Cycling Team) [Road Race, Time Trial]
David VEILLEUX (Cap Rouge, QC/Team Europcar) [Road Race, Time Trial]
With results like his 10th place at the Tour of Turkey, I'm sure it will be tough to overlook him when the team is selected. We all wish you continue success and health!
Ore Crusher Success
Congratulations to all Team Whistler riders who raced the Ore Crusher Saturday in Brackendale.
The course maximized the terrain possible in the Brackendale Fan Trail system. While bottom to top was only about 100m of climbing, they managed to route the course that way many times per lap. There was little chance to rest in the course because if you weren’t climbing you were descending in rooty/rocky terrain. The event was well organized and was certainly a great kick-off to the “Hell of a Series”.
See our results page to view the success of our riders.
Squamish Toonie #3 - a report from David Reid
This was one of those perfect race days in Squamish. It was sunny but there was a chill in the air; trails were dry. The course was a
Squamish toonie favorite. Three hill climbs with three very different types of descent. The trails were Half Nelson (a machined built
trail that rides like a bmx track), the Plunge (a cobble stone type trail – the mtb version of the Paris-Roubaix) and Hoods in the Woods
(an incredibly fast long descent). I would recommend any of these trails to anyone wanting to test their riding skills in Squamish.
I managed to be shoulder to shoulder with Tony Routley for most of the race. We are on the same team but neither one of us was willing to act the part of domestique. I discovered that Tony definitely knows how to drop the hammer on climbs and roads. I found myself pedaling harder then ever on these sections to not let him get away.
Fortunately, I had home town advantage and was finally able to sneak away on the last descent and I ended up 9th overall.
Unfortunately, some of my friends/rivals helped out with an injured rider. So unofficially my good friend and rival (Matteo) beat me (he
reminded me of that at the end of the race).
The post race après was sponsored by Extra Foods and consisted of an incredible back-yard BBQ. As always, we are spoiled rotten by Sorca. Two dollars gets you a well marked course, a timed result and an excellent meal.
Another Sunshine Coaster Race Report
A race report from David Reid...
I had a fantastic race on the Sunshine Coaster this weekend. I managed to come 4h in the 30-39 category. This is the closest I have ever been to a podium spot. I know a couple of things have definitely made the difference which are:
1) Having Brandi as a riding and running partner. She gets me out the door during the Squamish torrential rain events <ed - "it rains in Squamish??">
2) A new bike. I purchased a 29 inch Rocky Mountain Element (i.e. Element 950). I am stunned with how fast and aggressive this bike rides.
3) A team. Everyone on this team is super supportive. More importantly they all contribute to the Sea to Sky communities.
4) Spandex. I used to swear I would never wear it (other than road riding). There was a moment in the last race when I looked down and thought "you look like a racer, now start riding faster".
5) A four year old son who keeps telling me to try and get a medal.
I will definitely race the Sunshine Coaster again. Not a single hike a bike section and the whole race is spent on the throttle without any respite. There were moments in that race when my riding descents were verging on suicidal.
