Announcement

One BCC Members TdF Adventure

Comments Off 28 July 2010

Tour de France Beyond the Peloton Cervelo Tour.

I will try to give you a fast, brief outline (non – grammatical) of my fantasy once-in-a-lifetime trip arranged for me by two sons Darcy and David who accompanied me. The trip is run by Cervelo in combination with a tour company they hired to process it along with their own employees. I traveled with my son Dave on Friday, July 16 to arrive in Toulouse on Saturday to transfer to the Château built in 1640 to meet the group. I will not describe the hotels in any detail except to state exceptional luxury. If they’re good enough for Dr. Sanja Gupta, (CNN) Cameron Diaz and Tom Cruise they ought to be good enough for a boy from Barrie.

I will not also bore you with the gourmet French meals that lasted three hours biting into our riding time and devoid of pasta. I was in doubt whether this was a bike tour which had gourmet meals or a gourmet tour that happened to include some biking.

On arrival we were met by mechanics and bike fitters to choose from one of 39 Cervelos (including some experimentals) to be fitted plus receiving a full kit and a helmet. You will now get to see me in glorious Cervelo black with the big E. After receiving our bikes including Zipp wheels we had the opportunity to have the mechanic adjust them. The slower less accomplished riders had to have the cassettes changed to give them more spin power on the hills.

We participated from stage 14 to the final in Paris stage 20. Our group primarily consisted of nine riders five of which were capable of riding to the top of any stage and four who were not. I did not make any Cols. You are able to go on any stage and ride it in the morning of the race. Our rides consisted anywhere from 40 K. to 90 K. on portions of the stage. Some days we did not ride any portion of the stage but would set up a country ride and then take the bus to a portion of the stage to watch. We did not ride any of the time trial stage 18 or 19 and 20.

The first two days of riding we had Carla Ryan with us an Australian who rides for the Cervelo women’s test team. You can look up her biography on the cervelo.com web site. My summary is a well oiled steady pumping machine when she got on the front.

For the next three days we are at the Hotel Rex in Tarbe which was also housing the Bbox family and team. I did get somewhat annoyed by Thomas Voeckler asking me at breakfast on how he should ride the stage. Across the hall was the Bbox team masseur next door to ours. On these three days we had as our riding Cervelo person Roger Hammond who is a most knowledgeable, personable individual. On the rides he would discuss his history of biking how we should be riding and indeed when I came to the 1 km 16% grade put his hand on my back and up I went. He also went down and did three more and then down again to check the gradient. The fact that he has placed up high in the Paris- Roubaix would answer a few questions.

Some of the transfers between stages would be done by bus and others by the fast TVG train.

When I was in the hotel in Tarbe returning from a ride with my full Cervelo kit on a TV show run by young people pretended that I was Thor Hushovd and did a mock interview with me much like a Jon Stewart interview. I had many amusing comments from my riding partners. I later apologized to Thor for any repercussions.

For the Paris- Champ Elysees section we had grandstand seats at the finish line. That was my lucky day in that I along with four others were chosen to ride in the team car for one lap along with the coach yelling out commands. On each lap many of the team cars come in switch tourists then go right back out on the course. It gives you a different perspective riding in the team car. After the race we were hosted by the team at the team bus. Later in the evening we had a Seine river cruise again with the team sponsors and family. I sat at a table with the team doctors (don’t use Preparation H) and other personnel. At this time I met and talked to such people as Thor Hushovd, Carlos Sastre, Brett Lancaster, Eric Zabel, other team personnel and the owners.

I thank the members of the Barrie Cycling Club for their assistance in getting me prepared for this trip which I wished you could all be on.

On the Monday I did a historical trip to the beaches of Normandy to review the landing areas of D. Day. What brave young men they were to jump in the water with a full pack on run across a sand beach of 150 yards while being slaughtered and peppered with bullets from what appeared to be impenetrable bunkers.

I returned this past Tuesday where my luck held and I was upgraded to first class

George W.Taylor

Announcement, Group Rides

Thanks, from Brad Watts

Comments Off 21 July 2010

Hey everyone,

Had a phone call just now from Brad Watts. As some of you know, Barb had a fall while crossing some railway tracks on our group ride last night. She bumped her head, and gave many of us quite a scare.

I’m happy to report that she is feeling much better already today. She has some wicked road rash, and a cracked collarbone, but no breaks! I am sure that I speak for all of us in wishing her well, and to get better soon!

Brad wanted me to pass along his feelings of thanks, and appreciation for the way everyone came together to help yesterday. It’s great to be a part of a club where everyone pulls together in times of crises.

I have to agree. Thanks to everyone who was out on the ride last night, especially the Bailey’s, and Todd McDonald who provided the first response.

Brad will be out next week, and we can expect to see Barb in a couple of weeks, so lets send our healing thoughts to her until then!

cheers,
robb

Announcement

Some of us!

Comments Off 09 July 2010

Photo Credit: Mark Wanzel

Announcement, Club Events, MTB Rides, Time Trial Series

No Monday Night Ride this week-TOO HOT.

Comments Off 05 July 2010

Tonight’s Monday night MTB ride is being cancelled due to the extreme heat & humidity today. We will return next week at 6:30pm.

Look for updated TT results to be posted later today, and a note that there is a TT this week, Thursday night at 7pm, please arrive at the Oro Fairgrounds by 6.30 to get signed in. Big thanks to Mike & Judy Doble as always for keeping the series running like a swiss watch!

In other news, I rode my bike yesterday, first time in three weeks since breaking my leg, and 2 weeks since having surgery on it. Hope to see you all out on a group ride next week!