Date posted: August 12, 2008

News

Summer is winding down but the Wheelers will keep rolling. Get ready for our Fall classic - the Tour des Ponts will be back. And regular weekend rides will continue. Stay tuned for details.

Date posted: August 12, 2008

We have a winner!

So I'm a week late posting but Pat won the NRC race on Tuesday Aug. 5 in a very close sprint. He thanks Peter for the great lead-out and Sarah for the hard work throughout the race. The win was celebrated with post race beers in the Wheelers fine tradition.

Date posted: August 12, 2008

Racing news

From John Large:

This past weekend the Echelon Project had the Wheeler colours flying in full force in a classic weekend of racing in QC.

Saturday was a point to point 115km QC - Trois Rivieres. The race is for Women, Masters 40+ men and junior men(17/18 yr old ). Unable to field a team of our own the Wheelers own Sarah Kirby and Werner Visser were joined by Vicki Thomas, Michelle Gauthier, Jon Gee and Craig Burge. After driving from the hotel to the start, partly in the rain, the weather cooperated and the riders enjoyed a fast, secure, tail wind blast up the St Lawrence. The race averaged 45km/hr. There were lots of attacks and most had a WHEELER in the action. Tauran and I had front row seats as car #1 in the caravan. Here are some highlights.

SATURDAY, QC - 3Rivers 115km

• 14 police motorcycles moved the traffic out of the way for the field of almost 100 + 14 team caravan, as close to a classic as you will get

• In the lottery for caravan position we drew #1 on Saturday and #2 Sunday. (busy front row seats)

• Michelle suffered a flat tire at the most inopportune moment (is there ever a good time??) and was not able to catch the fast moving group but rode into finish with a group she caught after an 18km chase.

• Craig had a flat and with a speedy wheel change from Car#1 and his experience he was one of only 2 riders to get back on.

• Sarah and Vicki stayed out of trouble in the action up front with Vicki sprinting her way to 3rd place. Jon Gee gave her a great leadout in the last km. Sarah's side of the road came to a stop in the sprint but she was pleased with the result and thrilled with the race.

• Photo finish problems caused troubles with results but all the real money was in the women;s top 5

• Great to represent the region in that race. No reason that our club full of 40+ year old riders not to have a team in such a classic

SUNDAY MONTREAL-QC 230 km

This is the real race of the weekend. The strong east-west winds blew hard in the face and made for a 6 hour race.9 riders registered and 7 who showed up. An Echelon Project that lacked only a few WHEELERS on the roster to venture into the 230km avenue of pain.

• At 220 km the race drops down to the shore only to climb back up one of the steep escarpment WALLS to finish at the Louis Garneau factory.

• Full police escort for 230km - great to push all the cars off the road for the bikes to race by

• 19 teams and we drew car #2.

• Roster included alumni WHEELER Joel Sidhu, Sudbury's James Larmer, OBC Michael Dekelver, Rouleur Charles Bougie, EUROSPORT Mike Bennett, Matt Deluco and Frank Clarke, (MIA UltraLink Andrew Lees and EuroSport Francois Demers)

• Charles and Joel both flatted but were able to get back on through the caravan

• Matt flatted with 30 km to go and could not get back ( perhaps a lesson of bike compatiblitiy as shimano 9 speed meant he needed his own wheel.

• Joel, Frank and Charles all finished in what was left of the peleton

• Mike Bennett cracked at the 200km point but was riding really well till then

• Michael Dekelver worked great with James Larmer to drive the decisive break - Mike;s sacrafice busted him but help set James up

• James Larmer, 21, made it to the bottom of the WALL with 10 km to go in a group of 10 just 30 seconds behind the 2 leaders. He road agressively up the hill but got popped a little and finished 12 on the day. FANTASTIC ride for a young guy.

• Many races go up to 170km, but this 230km takes guys 60km deeper than ussual and you could see it hurt.

• Tauran and I were really busy with a few flats and may feeds from the car.

This will remain a mainstay on the calendar for the project so hopefully we can fill some of next years spots with club members.

At the end we were all tired but everyone knew we were part of a very special race. THE COLOURS were flying proudly. Cyclingnews link

Date posted: July 23, 2008

Racing news

From: Brent Atkins

Quebec Track Provincials

Lone intrepid Wheeler Brent Atkins ventured to the Bromont Velodrome for two days of championship racing. Rain was a threat at times and did shorten the second day by at least an hour and canceled the final sprint heats.

The result was the best two out of three races became the best of one.I lost my first sprint in the gold silver heats and had to settle for a silver medal. I managed second in the flying 200. in 12.50 a personal best a 1:15 kilo (4th place) a 4:17 3000m pursuit (4th) -I dropped out of the points race after getting dropped.Overall I think I came fourth in omnium classification.

There was some really excellent riders there and some smoking fast kids that I will expect to see on the National Team if they continue.One Minime in particular posted a 500mITT that was within 2 100ths of the Master world and European Champion.Yes thats right the World Master's Champion is Canadian and regularly shows up in Bromont. He is a super guy who helped me out selecting gears for my events which made a big difference in my performances. There are two Track events left in the season.I'll be heading to both-hopefully not alone.I invite any Wheelers to join in the fun and share expenses.Track Racing is a very exciting and entertaining way to spend a day.

Thanks to all my friends who loaned me their equipment.

Brent

Date posted: July 8, 2008

Racing news

From John Large:

Well the Tour of Martinique fell flat as they opted for a team from Japan rather than some Wild Wheelers. Not to be too pissed what pieces can we pick up and run with?

August 9/10 weekend is Montreal/Quebec. WQW need a team in the race. In the fall is the Tour of Tobago that only needs a plane ticket there to have you riding a 5 stage event. Not quite the difficulty of Martinique but a great international experience.

Let me know your interest level.

WQW team needs not only riders but managers and support to pull off these sorts of events Starting with Mtl - Que, I will take a team but want to know who is keen to jump into such adventures as riders, managers or mecanos.

Lets keep it moving.

THIS SUNDAY is the Ontario Criterium Championships at the NRC. Doug Corner is looking for a few volunteers for the day. IT is a closed circuit so easy to marshall but still needs a few bodies.

Let’s show we can contribute to the racing community as well as just show up. I am going to Marshall and try and ride the senior 1/2 race as it is the Alan Large Memorial race.

Who’s in?

Date posted: June 20, 2008

Wheeler of the Week

Rick Bourgeault

You know him as Rico, and the only thing he loves more than the Wheelers is his Colnago.

Rico has had a rough time lately.... a bad crash at Preston St. has left him with a broken femur and off the bike for a while, but we hear he charmed his nurses while in the hospital. This was his second bad crash in a year.... recover fast Rick. We want you back in the pack.

Date posted: June 20, 2008

Aylmer Time Trials

From: Brent Atkins

Back due to popular demand is the Aylmer Time trial. The series is aimed at young riders with really great prizes for best combined times.

If you know an athletic teenager who does not race a bike but would enjoy a new challenge this is a great non-intimidating event. Experienced riders will be on hand to help out first timers. Equipment is of minimal concern -any old bike will do and there will be lots of riders on old clunkers. Consistency is a must to take home the dough as on or two quick rides will only get you a pat on the back.

The course is an out and back 6.6km time trial course on Perry Rd. between Bailee and Pink road. Start line is near the corner of Bailee @ Perry. There is plenty of parking and room to warm-up on adjacent neighborhood roads.

See map here

It is on OPEN PUBLIC ROADS riders must respect the rules of the road to ensure their own safety. Dates are: June 16 & 30, July 14 & 28, Aug 8 & 25 (second and last Monday of each month) Distances are TBA but will include a variety of distances. Cost FREE, Registration at 6:30, First rider off at 7pm, Rain or Shine, Brent Atkins, West Of Quebec Wheelers, contact me by e-mail if you have questions.

Date posted: Feb. 26 2008

Online Photo Gallery for the Wheelers

There is an online gallery of some of the photographs I have collected of the Wheelers over the years. Go to the Pictures page to check it out.

Contacting the Wheelers

The main e-mail address for the club is
wqwheelers
@gmail.com.
This is not an automatic link because we get enough spam as it is. Copy the address to your mail program to contact us.