WHEN: Saturday, January 21, 2012 (21-1-12)
Doors open at 7pm, racing starts at 8pm.

WHERE: Cyclelogik Powered by Caffeine 1111A Wellington St., Ottawa

Cold beer for sale.

WHAT: (on-site registration only)
Men’s and Women’s 500-m fixed rollers
Men’s and Women’s 1000-m free rollers
New for 2012: Spinning Instructor Showdown

This WQW event is a fundraiser for the Sélection Québec Ouest (West Quebec) women’s team in the Gatineau Grand Prix 2012 international women’s bike races.

ENTRY FEE: A cool $10 for riders and non-riders

Cheers!
Nadia

Start/Finish is at Gavan’s Hotel: 1157 Clarendon St.
Quyon, Quebec — We ride rain or shine!

Two distances: 150 km and 100 km (approx.)
Both distances involve a $3 ferry crossing from Fitzroy Harbour to Qyuon. Exact change appreciated by the ferryman.

Registration opens: 8 a.m.
Departure: 9 a.m.

No pre-registration (cash or cheque onsite)
WQW members: $25
Non-members: $30

Includes: A great day of riding, hot homemade food (meat or veggie options) and John Large’s freshly baked bread and freshly baked cake with cream cheese icing. Post-ride food doesn’t get any better than this.

Here is a map of the long route:

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/10378726

The short route is similar: the Calumet Island loop is skipped.

Friday morning starts out overcast and a bit cool and stays that way but no sign of rain.I even put on Hot balm and wear arm and leg warmers.They open the track for warm-ups at 9 am for Para athletes and 10am for the rest of us.I stay the hell off the track because more riders are arriving who have not ridden on this new surface yet.I’m sticking to my rollers for a warm up and just as well because people started sliding off again in no time.Chris Reid narrowly avoided a second pile up which was bad enough to end one riders nationals.Too bad as well since we need every rider we can get.My category was left with only me, Mike Nash and Julian Base from Vancouver.So as usual they combine the Master A and B riders to make one field of 5 riders.What sucks more is that only myself and Julian have signed up for the Omnium-which means we ride all the events.

At 11am we get started with the Flying 200m to qualify for the sprints.That takes only a few minutes since only a few riders are doing the sprints.My flying 200m time sucks ass compared to what I’ve been doing in training but no big deal.It is only me and one other in Master B sprints so I my time only counts if we get rained out and cannot race later.
Up next is the 3Km Pursuit-where two riders start opposite sides and chase each other.
I’m against Nash which I know beforehand is going to involve him passing me at some point.This is his “money”race which he is training hardest at for the World Master Track Championships in Manchester this coming October.My goal is to ride a good evenly paced pursuit and post a respectable time for me.I start out with good acceleration because of my small gearing and quickly put 1/4 lap into mike but I know that will evaporate once he winds up his massive 104inch gear.I manage to hold him off until the the last Kilometer by which time I’m in my special pain place hanging on.I post a 4:04 which is great for me any day and Mike rips a 3:42:93 which is where he needs to be now to win at the worlds.Mikes day is done so he offers me the use of his Brand new Mavic Carbon front five spoke wheel for the match sprints.I ask if he wants a Visa imprint but replies with a chuckle,”no I’ll just take the Aztek if you smash it up”-I kinda think he is serious and I figure the book value on it is probably around what the wheel is worth.WTF-”How long will I be dead?”,so Off I go.My competition is only one guy-but Julian from Vancouver Won the scratch race so I know he is smart and I know he has a good kick.I ask him if he wants to”put on a show” and do some track stands to entertain the crowd but he says,” no-I’m not much good at those”.HMMMMM I’m glad to know that-thanks for the info-that’s an ace up my sleeve.To make a long story less-long our sprints were pretty clean with no big drama.He took out the attack in the first one and I nipped him at the line-it was really close.After a short rest while some others sprinted we toed the line again and this time I wanted to keep him pinned against the railing but he was going so slow I was worried he was going to slip out and we’d both go down-but I kept him pinned against the rail so he was trapped and had nowhere to go..luckily our tires held on.As the bell rang coming into the home straight I dove hard straight down the steepest part of the banking getting the most benefit from the steep slope to help me accelerate to top speed.He could not match my jump and never closed the gap to challenge me so That was it.Sprints are best two out of three and I had the GOLD!
We hit a local Brew -pub “Le BROUEMONT” for some eats and drinks and recounted the day and told tales from the big ring -the kind that only other riders can truly relate to and understand.
Day two was sunny and hot.Instead of hot balm I applied Sun Block and tried to stay in the shade.Heavy itinerary today Scratch-kilo-points and kierin
Up first is the Scratch Race, 7km 28 laps .My strategy is stick to Mike the MOTOR Nash as he has the most under the hood of all of us.It was a great strategy and would have paid off with a podium but I cracked on the last lap when he accelerated to catch the 3 guys 1/4 lap ahead of us and all my bullets were gone.A five man Scratch race is a shitty place to get any shelter for a strategic racer like me, (read not very strong).We averaged over 44kph and we were all pretty beat after.But my legs were really opened up for the Kilo which came way too soon after for all of us.I was still breathing hard while swapping my bars wheels and gearing for the 750m ITT.Mike was off first with a good time of 56:24 but I was not worried-I was about 3 seconds faster last year -next up was Julian and he was dragging his ass way behind mike.My turn And I knew all I had to do was just do it-nothing fancy-just the basics,a solid start with arms locked out for 3/4 of a lap to accelerate, get on the aero bars and hug the black line at the bottom going nice and smooth,upper body still,chin up eyes forward and finish with my last pedal stroke my legs have in them.The last lap should be unbearable but not so bad you slow down or lose form.55:983 later and I squeaked by Mike!
I had hopes for a faster time-but it was fast enough to do the job.
This time It was my MONEY race and my turn to skool Mike Nash.You really have to savour and appreciate these moments in life because you know they will not come around very often-not against Mike Nash anyhow.He was very happy for me.
I should mention that all the guys in my field are GREAT competitors and sportsman.They all truly rejoice with their competitors successes.Even when accidental scary shit happens we always give the benefit of the doubt.Never a harsh word is heard between Masters’ racers at the track.
Points race was next, 30 laps with a sprint every five laps points awarded for top 4 riders. 5,3,2,1.This should have been a good race for me but my tank was getting low fast.It may have been partially the heat but I was going BACKWARD.I could not muster one good challenge for a sprint position.I blew apart and waited for the pack to come around to jump back in.After a few laps and the bell rang for the next sprint and I could not answer the acceleration.Time for Damage control modei pulled out and went to the medical tent Save the legs for the next race the Kierin.I got some ice packs on me and cold drinks in me to cool off.Julian won the points race and looked totally wiped out-That’s good because he is my only competitor in the Kierin.
Kierin time rolls around fast and I got a 52×14 on.My original strategy was to jump early and surprise but with only one other guy that strategy is kinda shot.Plus last year I went to early and the wheels came off before the line.Thankfully on the start line two other Master A riders volunteered to join us and make it a real race instead of a motor paced match sprint.Chris Reid and Ian Robertson join us on the line.We drew our start positions and waited to jump on the motor bike as it came by.It’s only 8 laps and the motor bike paces the group up to 45kph and pulls off with 2 3/4 laps to go.Everyone seemed happy to stay where they were with Ian first followed by Me,the Julian then Chris.The bike pulls off on the back straight then it is game -on.I’m waiting for Julian to start to come by me -my plan is to take him up to the rail and trap him again like I did in the last match sprint.But he comes by too fast for me to react in time enough to force him up the track.I get on his wheel no problem and he is committed.He is going for the win and I’m on him like hair on a frickin Gorilla.The Bell is ringing and we are alone-Ian and Chris have missed the boat.Now I just gotta come around him.Coming into the last bank I start to jump and come around him but halfway through the bank a wall of wind hits me in the chest and he starts gaining.I drop in behind him for a second.I am running out of real estate fast!I hit it again out of the saddle and now we are in the straight and I am passing him.My front wheel is even with the back of his front wheel and I’m coming up slowly -and the finish line is coming up FAST!!
A pedal stroke later my tire is at his front hub and still gaining ground- My nose is reaching over the stem getting ready to throw my bike at the line.This is too close to call-
I throw-he throws But he gets it by about six inches.Hard guy to come around.
Oh well-Silver is nice! We give each other props on the bike.
Another year’s Nationals is over again.Provincials is coming up in two weeks though!

Once again the Wheelers fielded a team in Le Challenge Garneau, a 110km (or so) race from Quebec City to Trois Rivieres. This was the second year we entered and after last years experience where we realized what a fun race and great experience it was, we were eager to return.

The riders this year were myself, Rico, Marcel, ex-prez Chris and Hans. We would not have been able to do this race without the great support form the club in general, but Graeme and John in particular who provided car support.

As eager as I was to do this race, I was also extremely nervous starting. I have not had a great year on the bike, feeling at times totally unmotivated to train and ride, and also suffering from some minor medical things that kept me from maximizing training when I did go out. Still, I wanted to enter this race. The distance and generally flat course are within my range of ability. And the weekend away and the team atmosphere, well, it’t just really fun!

So 6 weeks out training got serious. Cynthia helped me out with a set plan that I followed pretty much to a “T”. The date was circled in the calendar, and that was that.

Most of us drove to Quebec Friday night early enough to enjoy a group dinner. Those that didn’t met us at the start line early Saturday morning.
I know I am going to have a good day on the bike when I feel loose and happy. When the jokes and smiles flow easy. That was not happening. I was really nervous… very quiet. And just kind of rolled around alone hoping the soreness in my legs would go away. I saw a few friends from other teams.. Robbie O from Ride With Rendall, who rode as a Wheeler last year, had brought his own team with John Gee, Peter Conn and a couple others. We said hello chatted and hung out a bit. Of course the Ottawa area was also represented by the ladies from the Re:form body clinic team, my lovely wife Cynthia, Marcel’s partner (and Wheeler) Kelly and the others. I tried to just relax, eat and drink and stay calm, but it wasn’t happening. In the back of my mind I was wondering if I had enough fitness to finish the race, never mind be active. The goal today would be to get a decent pack finish….. and I was not sure I could actually do that.

about 5 minutes before start we lined up in the start gates. Cynthia and I were together. Hans came down and gave us all a pep talk. His experience is exceptional and we were all really glad to be racing with him. His goal was to do well today, and in my mind I decided to help however I could. He told me he would help me achieve my goal.
5…4…3…2…1 and we’re off. A right turn out of the Louis Garneau factory and we began our journey West towards Trois Rivieres on the Highway 138 – straight into a head wind. This kept the speed in check around 40km/h which was good as everybody settled in. I found the first 10-20 minutes really nervous. I was watching everybody else, looking for good wheels to follow, and bad wheels to avoid. There were a few of the first, many more of the second. John Gee along with a few other guys was trying an early breakaway, but the headwind and fresh legs in the peloton kept things together.
The race route is mostly flat but there are a couple of long roller type hills along the way. The longest and steepest is at Donnaconna about 28km from the start. I knew this and was nervous. I have been climbing hills like a brick this year so I was really afraid before this point. Hans found me in the pack and together we made our way to the front on the run-in to Donnaconna. I found a place about 6th in line from the front and stayed there before the hill. And I was really happy to find my legs were good – I came up out of the river valley feeling fresh and not having had to use all my energy. Confidence: +1 for me. I was able to now sit in the peloton, relax, stay away from riders that scared me because they were making jerky movements. I kept moving closer to the front. The constant headwind meant not too many breakaways were going and this was fine with me. About 50km in there was a long straight section of road open to the St. Lawrence river on our left. The wind forced everybody into a long line of 2 or 3 riders wide as the speed went up here. I could see some people suffering, but I was fine. I found myself beside John Gee and we chatted about the wind as we were doing about 45km/h. No problem for me, another +1 on the confidence meter. The peloton massed again and I was feeling fine.

By now, 60km in, my legs were feeling really good. And I got word that John Gee, a rider from the CIBC team and our own Hans were off in a breakaway. I could see it up the road, maybe 20seconds away or so. I saw Chris in the pack, told him about Hans, and then went to the front. Marcel was near there, along with the RWR guys making sure any chase attempts were kept in check. I joined in here, sliding in about 10th wheel behind riders from two of the Quebec masters teams that did not have a guy in the break. And that was how things stayed for about an hour. The three guys in the breakaway never got more than a one minute lead and the chase was being led by other teams, while RWR, myself and Marcel in particular kept the chasers from gaining ground as best we could. Marcel, in his first year racing, did a fantastic job blocking for Hans in the breakaway. He did not make any friends, but hey – that’s racing.

I started to feel really good too. Like I could have pedalled for hours at the front. Having Hans in the break and trying to help him was inspiring. I was hoping with our help he could stay away to the end and I was going to do whatever I could to help. The RWR guys and us kept trying to block, but eventually the break was caught. I did not have enough in my legs to counter a move, but I was able to stay at the front. I saw Hans in the pack, gave him a bug thumbs up, and kept moving forward. At about 100km into the race we crossed a bridge with a steel deck….. crap those scare me but I was at the front of the pack and made it over with no problem only to be one of the first over a short section of gravel. Again I was glad I was at the front here as I wasted little energy and had great position in the pack coming near the finish. My confidence was really high here.

The final 10km and it was clear the race was going to come to a pack sprint. The speed picked up and stayed high. There was lots of elbows and shoulders bumping. At moments it felt like a roller derby not a bike race. I kept losing position then fighting to get it back. Generally Marcel and I stayed good but it was tense. My race-spidey-sense told me there was going to be a crash. At 5km to go I told Marcel “game on!” and he made a little dig at the front. It was quickly shut down, But I was able to stay in the front few riders nearing the finish. Gave a little dig myself too, but not too much. Did not want to burn up too early.

At 2km to go there is a hard right turn towards the finish… this is where my day ended last year, but this year I was through the corner and with the front of the pack no problem. The next challenge was 500m later where there is a short, but steep hill. I was determined to stay in with the pack here… I followed Hans and the RWR guys leading to the hill and up. But…. my lack of fitness showed through and as hard as I could go I was not able to stay right with the pack. But I kept pushing as they rolled on. At 1km to go I went around the final left hand corner chasing the group only to hear that awful sound that only crashing bikes at speed makes. I looked up the road and saw bikes down across the whole road width at about 750m from the line.. Dam. The RWR guys were all standing in the middle of the road. One of the first people I saw down was Cynthia….. it’s hard to describe the feelings that go through your head when you see your wife down in a massive bike crash. I stopped… she had gone down hard, but after a few minutes it was clear she was not badly injured. So I remounted, and finished.

Up the road, the race had continued…. Hans made it through the carnage and in the sprint became the second Master B. Chris was the 4th Master C. Rico and Marcel also finished in the pack. My final time is something like 5 or 7 minutes down… I don’t know and don’t care. Cynthia was my first priority, but I did finish. Without the crash I would have been pretty close to the pack (my goal).

Overall it was a great day for the Wheelers! A silver medal for Hans and a near podium for Chris is excellent. I think we all worked as a team and that helped contribute to their success. Personally I did not quite make my goal, but I was really happy nonetheless… I got stronger as the race went on, and in the last 1/4 of the race I was right in the mix. Satisfaction, yes. 112km in 2h40m…. fast race.

In typical Wheelers style, our support crew had found some beer that came in cans with the club colours… gathered around the back of the car and celebrated. We cheered when Hans got his medal, and enjoyed the day’s events. Moments like this are why we are Wheelers. Cynthia got lots of positive vibes from the guys too… she was headed for another win this year before the crash.

So once again, thanks to the club, to the guys racing, and to John and Graeme for all the support. I know I could not have done this without you.

John had my camera for the day, here are some pictures.

https://picasaweb.google.com/100121083087753796722/WheelersQTR2011

Brent
Ps Marcel you would have done well at this race.Maybe next year?

James is making these belts for the Wheelers for only $50 plus taxes.Most JMB belts start at $100.

For those of you not farmiliar with the quality of James’s belts I can honestly say without any
reservation-you will never wear a JMB belt out even if you live to be a hundred years old.In fact they look better with age.

For ordering and sizing information contact Brent. brentchrys -at- gmail.com or
819-684-2260

The Wheelers are pleased to welcome new members Kelly Knowles from Ottawa, Lenore Pipes from Guam, Olivia Dillon and Caroline Ryan from Ireland, and Arlene Marchildon from Toronto. to the club. The Wheelers are honoured and humbled that Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli recognizes the Wheelers as her Canadian club, as do the other ladies.

Mme. Longo’s palmares are legendary, and her appearance in Gatineau is a testament to the level of competition the event attracts.

Jeannie finished 4th in the time trial and 10th overall in a race that was won in a bunch sprint by the current world champion, Georgia Bronzini. Jeannie is still a force in any women’s field.

We look forward to Jeannie showing us how it is done at our next roller race. Remember, once a Wheeler always a wheeler….

More pictures are available here

Ladies: thank you, good race, and continued good luck. The Wheelers are proud that you joined us and represented us well for a great weekend of racing in our hometown. We hope to see you again next year.