Many people from Vancouver Island are looking for coaching qualifications in their chosen sports. Pacific Sport is offering a number of courses in different disciplines, including ones for those who are new to coaching. Go here for information
Nanaimo has a number of excellent bike shops catering to the roadies, tri-guys and to mountain bikers and BMX fans. Now there is a place where you can buy second-hand bikes, or even have your own bike sold on consignment. Three months ago serendipity brought three individuals with a common vision together; opening a community bike shop in downtown Nanaimo. Jawn Lafratta, Justin Francis and Keegan Metheringham are the founding members of the Hub City Cycles Community Co-op, which just opened March 1st at 12 Lois Lane, just off Terminal Avenue opposite the library. They wanted to find a different way of doing business, one focused on human need not human greed, where users and members of the community (who own and govern the business) collectively enjoy the benefits.
The trio are all residents of Nanaimo and avid cyclists. They felt they could offer a bike shop with a more convenient location and with the quality of services and products which best served the unique personality of the downtown area and south end community. With the impending closure of the Pedal Pusher, the only other bike shop downtown, the timing was perfect.
Aside from all the stuff you can expect from a regular bike shop, this will be a place where people can find, donate and sell on consignment used parts and bikes. Co-op members can learn how to fix their own bikes through a variety of programs, and also use the shop space and tools at their leisure. Also of note is the mobile bike mechanic that can come right to your door to fix your bike, and hopefully in the future there will be food delivery by bike too!
It’s not necessary to be a member to enjoy some of the services, but there are benefits. Becoming a shareholder/member is easy. Visit the shop, fill out an application, and with the minimum purchase of one share, which costs $5 (refundable upon leaving the co-op) almost anyone can become a lifetime member.
A member of the co-op is entitled to use the tools and shop space for an hourly, monthly or annual fee and can also attend free workshops. All members have a say in how the business is run, can attend meetings of the association, run for a position on the board of directors, vote for board of directors and vote on other important issues at meetings. Regardless of how many shares each member has, they only get one vote. Here, every member’s voice is equally recognized regardless of amount invested.
Hub City Cycles is a non-profit community service cooperative who’s purpose is to be a resource that nourishes the neighbourhoods in and around downtown Nanaimo by providing affordable bicycle-centric services and advocacy that build, empower and support healthy and sustainable communities, providing a safe and welcoming space for people to come to learn, share skills and network with other community members.
Your editor used to be a good hill climber but age and a bad accident three years ago have robbed him of much of that ability. In a search for advice that would help him maximise what little power he has left, a myriad of articles on how to improve hill climbing ability were read. Some of the advice was in the form of motherhood statements. Other well-meaning tips turned out to be way off the mark and a lot of information given by so-called experts was downright wrong!
Here is one of the better articles on the art and skill of climbing all types of hills. Read it and then go out to your favourite hill and try out some of the ideas you may not have used before.
The photo is of Frederico Bahamontes attacking one of the legendary ascents in a Grand Tour. He was one of the all time climbing greats of the post-war era and won numerous races in the mountains.
Plans are already underway for the first criterium to be held at the centre of Nanaimo since 1986. One of the MIVA members, Bill McMillan, rode in that event and we are sure he will be on the start line this year too! If any more of our readers rode in the previous downtown race, please let us know.
Field tests will not offer the wealth of information that clinical tests deliver, but they are easy to administer, inexpensive (or free), practical, and can be performed more frequently. The purpose of a field test is two-fold: to accurately gauge progress of fitness, and to establish accurate training zones. It is important to note that some protocols are used to predict clinical values. These are just that - predictions or estimates, not actual clinical results – and should be taken at face value. The great thing about field tests is that you are using actual performance to predict peak performance, and if executed correctly, field tests can give very relevant and useful information to the athlete. Formula-based training zones (ex. 220-age) can be highly inaccurate and should not be used for athletic training. Field testing generally uses a percentage of the tested value, not an age based formula, to created heart rate training zones. Training zones are moving targets that can fluctuate throughout the season as well as year to year as the athlete ages or becomes more fit. Many good field testing methods are non sport specific so cyclists can get much of the information they seek without necessarily having to have a stationary bike set-up.
Pacific SPORT is holding two of these valuable training sessions this spring. The first is at Shawnigan Lake Community Centre on April 2nd. from 5.30pm to 7.00pm. The second is at Oliver Woods Community Centre in Nanaimo on April 3rd. from 8pm to 9.30pm. Aspects to be tested include: speed-strength, speed-endurance, aerobic stamina, strength endurance, flexibility, agility, balance, and coordination. The cost is $10.00 for non Pacific Sport athletes and free for Pacific Sport athletes.
For more information on these sessions and other Pacific Sport programmes go here.
Register today at 250-740-6572 or aguzak@pacificsport.com