Many of our readers either come to or have friends who visit the Nanaimo Region on holiday or business. Some of the more scenic riding is on Gabriola Island, the road routes caressing the shore and the mountain bike trails rising to the highest points on the island. A new B & B and bike rental is set up to cater to Gabriola visitors, whether or not they bring their bikes. For information on The Garden B & B, go here
This documentary on the legendary Eddy Merckx, perhaps the best road cyclist of all time, gives a vivid view of the sixties and seventies era of era of road racing when Eddy was the king. The film is often grainy and the French commentary gives viewers a chance to practise their school French. However, if you want to soak yourself for a while in the days of toeclips, friction shifters and Mafac centre-pull brakes, click here
See how many of yesterday's stars you can spot, make a list, with team and time spot on the video, and submit to info@bikeracing.ca. The most complete list will win it's compiler a MIVA skin suit! Deadline for entries - March 1st.
NEWS RELEASEFebruary 12, 2013 For additional information, contact: Pieter at 250-792-2874 or boomerslegacy@gmail.com Boomers Legacy Announces Registration Now Open for 2013 Bike Ride Fundraiser Courtenay—Boomer’s Legacy, a Comox-based Foundation, announces the 7th annual Boomers Legacy Bike Ride fundraiser is scheduled for June 14-15. Registration opens February 15. Boomer’s Legacy is a foundation started in 2006 by Comox residents Maureen and Hans Eykelenboom in memory of their son, Andrew, who was killed in Afghanistan during his tour as a medic. Ms. Eykelenboom was inspired to start the Foundation to raise funds for troops to help civilians in areas where they are deployed; this was an effort started by Andrew when he asked her to send money to help the soldiers help people in local villages—telling her that even the poorest people in Canada have more than the people where he was deployed. The two-day, 240-kilometre event begins on the Friday at Canadian Forces Base Comox and finishes at the Brigadier Sergeant Armoury in Nanaimo. On Saturday, cyclists will continue the ride, finishing in downtown Victoria. Hourly rest stops will be incorporated along the route to ensure riders are properly hydrated and fueled for the subsequent leg. The Boomer’s Bike Ride is not only a fundraising effort to provide funds for Canadian Armed Forces to “do good” where they are deployed, but the Ride also serves to honour military members who have given their lives while serving in Afghanistan. Each cyclist will ride in memory of two fallen soldiers, displaying a picture and bio on his/her bicycle. Boomer’s Bike Ride unofficially began in 2007 by one military member who rode from Victoria to Comox with the aim of building greater awareness of the Foundation. Since then, Boomer’s Bike Ride has grown steadily in the number of participants, pledges and donations, adding more sponsors wishing to be part of this important cause.
Our Nanaimo cyclo-cross participants in the world championship cyclo-cross events acquitted themselves very well. In the womens' 35-39 category, Janna Gillick (MIVA) finished a very creditable 7th., ahead of a number of the "name" riders. The men's 45-49 event saw Normon Thibault (Frontrunners) almost breaking the top ten, finishing eleventh. in a large field of over eighty starters. Derek Steel, riding in the 70-74 race, finished fourth, a remarkable placing since the top three all had spare bikes ready in the messy conditions whereas Derek was handicapped by having t o keep his muddy machine throughout the race. In the elite women's event Wendy Simm (Kona) was involved in a bad crash on the first lap but worked her way back to finish 22nd. Full results and photos here.
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March "Baby Tailwind"ride
FRIDAY MARCH 8 THROUGH SATURDAY MARCH 16/ 2013 |
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| Due to all our March rides being full we have introduced an extra event in the West of Cuba | ||||
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Flying in and out of Varadero and cycling west with the trade wind.
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| Come and join us on a great cycling holiday here in Cuba. Pass through cities, towns and villages on quiet country roads. Spend your evenings in hotels and casas. Be catered to with a nice sag bus to jump on and off as you please. On the ride you will be accompanied by a cultural guide to handle all your hotel check-ins as well as cultural questions and mechanic to take care of your bicycle . All you have to do is ride your bike and enjoy our beautiful island.
This route is an easy rider, with a gentle tailwind taking you on your journey through the west of Cuba. On our route we will be joined for a day by a group of youth cyclists from the south of Havana barrio of "Punta Brava". This cultural exchange will bring you in contact with young Cuban cyclists and their families.
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| There are 8 spots left on this ride to Vinales. If you'd like to join in, please contact me ASAP | ||||
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