The SRCC Annual General Meeting will take place Monday, November 28th downstairs at The Shakespeare Arms. It’s at this meeting that we’ll hear end-of-year reports on club operations and, importantly, elect our 2017 volunteer executive, encompassing the positions identified here. All members are welcome and encouraged to attend, and anyone wishing to seek election to—or nominate another for—the volunteer executive can either submit their (self-)nomination to member@guelphcyclingclub.ca or declare as much in person at the AGM. The meeting will start at 7:00 p.m. sharp, and shouldn’t last more than an hour, tops. Come on out!
Author: James Stewart
Year-end Club Social set for November 18th
Let’s get social!
Our annual club social will take place Friday, November 18th, 7pm, at the Italian Canadian Club. Come for the light fare, cash bar, awards presentation, door prizes, and The Annual Presidential Address, but stay for the all-night reveling and witty banter. All for a modest, $5.00 cover charge that will be collected at the door.
Care to join us? Please click here to ‘répondez s’il vous plaît’ to rsvp@guelphcyclingclub.ca so we can get a sense for numbers. Oh, and it would be ideal if we could hear from you by Sunday, November 13th, but not imperative.
Hope to see you there!
Calling all CX race fans!
We’re thrilled to announce that cyclocross racing will return to Guelph this fall, and at a great new venue to boot! Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 22nd, and plan to join us at the Guelph Lake Conservation Area for Guelph Cross 2016.
REGISTRATION IS NOW LIVE! For additional race information please click HERE.
Some details are still being finalized, but here are the highlights so far:
- Presented by the SRCC with promotional support from Risolv IT Solutions, Royal City Brewing Co., CVD Engineering, Frank & Stein’s Pub & Grub, and Speed River Bicycle
- Exciting new course at Guelph Lake Conservation Area will feature varied terrain and some tricky, technical challenges… including a natural sand pit!
- Electronic timing provided by Racetiming.ca, complete with live, online, lap-by-lap updates
- Full day of CX-racing action will include five, 30 – 60 min. races encompassing 14 competitor categories; first race starts at 9:30, final race at 1:55
- Spectators get in for $6 each (i.e. the GLCA day-use entry fee)
- Rider registration available via CCN – click here to register
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! We’re in need of race-day volunteers to assist with things like course set-up and tear-down, marshalling, and the like. Want to get involved? Contact Gabhan at gabhan@guelphcyclingclub.ca with your interest.
Again, we’re super-excited to be bringing CX racing back to the Guelph area, and hope to see all of our valued members out in attendance. There will be more information to come… watch this space for updates!
Niagara Ride – Sunday, September 11th – 10:00 am start!
The Sunday, September 11th ride will be an ‘away ride’, launching from Queenston Heights Park and taking in the beautiful roads of Niagara’s escarpment, farm and wine country. We missed this ride last year due to weather… let’s hope we can get it in this year! Here are the details:
OFFICIAL RIDE
The ‘official’ ride will follow the established format of the ‘Sunday Long’ ride, with a 124k route on the docket. The group will roll at a faster pace, likely averaging 30 – 32 kph at ride’s end, but with cruising speeds in the mid- to high-30’s on the flats. We’ll have a mid-ride cafe stop in Beamsville.
ALTERNATE ‘UNOFFICIAL’ RIDE
A 66k alternate route—a ‘Tour de Niagara on the Lake’ of sorts—is offered for those interested in a ride of lesser distance and/or pace, but this option will have no Ride Leader and therefore not be an official SRCC ride. Nevertheless, the suggested route does cover some pretty sweet roads and take in some beautiful sights, with the prospect of mid-ride milkshakes to boot! Oh, and it’s also mostly flat.
LOGISTICS
We’d like to get a sense for attendance, so would ask that those considering either ride and/or looking to arrange carpooling post to the comments section of this entry or click here to send me a message.
Finally, please take particular note of the 10:00 start from Queenston, which will give us a bit of extra travel time. We’ll park and meet in the circular drive area—it’s convenient to the washrooms, where there’s room to change if desired. The drive to Queenston Heights should take about 1h 20m with no traffic. Anyone running late or needing en route nav assistance can call or text me at 519-400-5401.
Hope you’ll consider joining us!
James
LONG ROUTE – Official Club Ride
ALTERNATE ROUTE – Not an official SRCC ride, no ride leader
FINAL Tuesday B ride of the season – Sep. 6th – 6:00 pm start
It’s the final week of weekday club rides for 2016 (but Sunday rides will continue in earnest). We’ll head southwest for this last Tuesday-B instalment in deference to the forecasted winds. Lights are a must, as we’ll be flirting with sunset by ride’s end.
Tuesday B | July 26th, 6:30 pm start
Heading south for a tour around Puslinch Lake, and covering some nice stretches of road that we’ve rarely (if ever) ridden… I know, it’s exciting. Note the 2k gravel section between Victoria and Gordon, and be prepared to exercise extra caution as we negotiate the intersection of Maltby and Hanlon Pkwy.
Thursday, July 7th A/B rides | 6:30 pm start
A back-loaded route that features the Col du Watson, Watson Rollers, and (newly repaved) Watsonburg in the final 14k. This will undoubtedly make for an animated A-ride finish, while the B-ride will take it all in steady, organized, attack-free stride. Note the 2k gravel stretch between Concession Rd. 4 and CR 34.
Sunday, June 19th long ride | 9:00 am start
Headed to Detour Cafe Dundas for Father’s Day brunch… with an Ancaster detour en route. We’ve ridden a similar route before, and it features some beauty roads on the outbound leg. (The return route is pretty fine too.)
Weather looks to be sunny and hot, so we’ll look to roll at a steady but civilized endurance pace. Plan for maximum hydration, and remember the sunscreen!
Test your ride fitness in one (or both) of these upcoming time trials!
Here are two opportunities to put your legs to the test:
Waterloo Cycling Club Sunday Time Trial
Sunday, June 12th | 9:30 am check-in
Our friends at the Waterloo Cycling Club are opening their Sunday morning time trial series to members of OCA clubs (such as SRCC), with the first event running this weekend. This 40k ‘Race of Truth’ will be run on a flat stretch of country road about 50k west of Waterloo, with check-in at 9:30 am. Want to know more? Click here for details (scroll down to ‘Sunday Time Trial’).
SRCC Individual Time Trial Series
Wednesday, June 15th | 7:00 pm
Our SRCC Individual Time Trial series resumes this week, with instalment two of four scheduled to run on Wednesday, June 15th, at 7:00 pm. This series provides members a great opportunity to benchmark and test their fitness over the course of the ride season, as each event is fully timed and run on the same stretch of road. Please note that this year’s series has been moved to 6th Line East, which runs north from County Rd. 51 toward Inverhaugh. This is one concession west of last year’s course, which is currently unavailable due to road closure. Click here for more details and watch the homepage for the official ride listing, which will be posted by end-of-day Tuesday, June 14th.
Thursday, May 26th A/B rides | 6:30pm
RIDE IS ON! A straightforward run down 6th Line to Campbellville, and then back on 1st Line. Anyone new to the Thursday A/B format should review the description found here and choose their evening festivities accordingly. Basically, the ‘A-Ride’ will be fast and spicy before it likely gets faster and spicier beyond the half-way mark… dropped riders probable. The ‘B-Ride’ will seek to remain organized and intact at the advertised, average pace, regrouping as needed along the way. Both rides will be fun… just different!
Please ride safe at all times, and take particular care on the 6th Line descent. Also, watch this space for the potential of a weather cancellation… call will be made by 5:30pm at the latest.
Club kit overstock and pre-ordered caps now available!
A limited selection of jerseys, bibs, vests, caps*, and arm/leg warmers is now available from the online store. Looking for the latest in SRCC apparel? Head to the ‘Shop’ page to kit up!
* Cap overstock is not yet available for purchase, but will be added to the online store within the coming days. Those who pre-ordered their SRCC caps can retrieve them from Speed River Bicycle beginning Saturday, May 21st. Please be prepared to show your membership card and proof of purchase.
Group ride orientation/clinics offered in May and June
Are you new to the group riding scene, or perhaps simply want to refresh on the SRCC social paceline in a small-group setting? Then we’re here to help with two, distinct offerings!
Group Ride Orientation Sessions | May 18th & 25th
On May 18th and 25th we’ll be running brief, group ride orientation sessions ahead of the scheduled, Wednesday rides. All sessions will start at 6:00 pm at the East Side Library and be of an informal nature. We’ll review the basics of group riding, answer any questions or concerns, then take to the road for a bit of live practice. Ultimately, we’ll hook up with the 6:30 group to enjoy the Wednesday evening ride. These sessions are open to all current SRCC members or those on a ‘try-a-ride’ waiver*, and no pre-registration is required. All participants should be on a drop-bar road bike, capable of riding at Wednesday ride minimums, and familiar with our safety and skills requirements.
Learn to Group Ride Clinic | June 4th
On Saturday, June 4th we will offer a more formalized intro to the group riding via the SRCC Learn to Group Ride Clinic. This event is also open to both members and try-a-riders* alike, but pre-registration is required. Click here for more details and to secure your spot in the clinic.
Questions? Please pass them along to James or Gabhan.
* Non-members may try one club ride per year, maximum, by taking advantage of the OCA’s ‘Try-a-Ride’ program. We would encourage this be an orientation and/or Wednesday ride. Simply speak with the designated ride leader at the start of the session/ride to register as a ‘Try-a-Ride’ participant.
Club kit overstock coming soon to the SRCC online store!
Just a quick note to our members to advise that limited quantities of 2016 club kit overstock will soon be available for purchase. We hope to have the shelves restocked and the store reopened by the end of this week at the latest. Watch this space, your email inbox, and the ‘Shop’ page for further updates.
Sunday, May 15th long ride | 9:00 am start – CANCELLED
RIDE CANCELLED – Sub-zero windchill, gusting winds, and bands of light snow on the radar… wouldn’t make for a super-enjoyable day in the saddle. The afternoon’s looking somewhat better, and the latter part of this week is looking beautiful. Another day…
What the WHAT? Forecast is calling for mixed precip in low, single-digit temps and 35+ kph winds… not ideal. We’ll clearly not ride if this holds up, but should things take a turn for the rosier then we’ll head to St. George for coffee and fritters. Watch this space for a go/no-go call to be made by 8:00 am Sunday at the latest.
Wednesday, May 4th ride | 6:30 pm start
NOTE the later, 6:30 pm start! Straightforward route that features a good stretch of 2nd Line, a spin through Moffat, and—for the first time on a 2016 Wednesday—the dreaded Watsonburg! Remember your lights, membership cards, and smiles… looks to be a nice night for a ride.
Sunday combined ride | April 3rd, 11AM start – CANCELLED
RIDE CANCELLED IN FAVOUR OF SHOVELLING AND X-COUNTRY SKIING! There will be many, better road riding days ahead, perhaps even this week. Check the ‘Events’ page for the complete ride schedule, and watch this space for official ride postings and confirmations.
In the meantime, here are some things to remember/review:
- all club rides meet at and launch from the East Side Library; please try to arrive 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time
- rides are conducted as per the descriptions found on the ‘General Ride Information’ page
- all riders should be familiar with the SRCC group ride guidelines and safety/skills before joining a club ride
- all riders should be SRCC club members in good standing, with 2016 membership cards on hand (membership can be purchased here)
- ride routes will be posted in advance; all riders should familiarize with the planned route (or load it into your Garmin)
- lights are always a good idea, regardless of conditions and time of day
