Tag: Race report

KWCX Race Report Oct 24, 2021

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It has been quite some time since most of us have participated in mass start bicycle events. Fortunately for a group of our club members, they didn’t have to go far to try it out again. Waterloo Cycling Club put on a stellar cyclocross event this past weekend and the weather cooperated nicely. The KWCX wrapped up Sunday afternoon with a good contingent of SRCC racers having tested themselves and their bikes against a classic cyclocross course and some hearty challengers from across the province.

On a scale of zero to ten, the day’s temperatures progressed… in that order. The morning began under thick fog with frost on the ground as the Men’s M3 category hit the course (on occasion and unintentionally) to beat the grass into a slippery ribbon the rest of the day’s racers would follow.

First up, under frosty conditions, Lorenz Calcagno started back of the grid in M3 (masters – read olde) Men’s race to finish middle of the pack and third in his aged category. Pedal harder next time buddy!

By half past noon, the track was fully exposed to blue sky and sunshine when SRCC rider Erik Holbik took to the course placing 23rd in a competitive field of young men. Track conditions turned muddier as his race progressed, making for some increasingly challenging sections. Sand in the drivetrain was problematic all ‘round. I hope he has a good connection for parts!

Next up was the women’s race where SRCC was well represented with five competitors, two of them brand new to the club this year. In a stunning accomplishment, natural talent Sarah Baert topped the Women’s E3 podium winning her first cyclocross ever… EVER – unheard of! New member Riley Claire Sato found her rev limiter at the end of the race and placed eighth on a hybrid bike, whoa!! She was directly followed by another new member, Maxine Oleka, who finished well on file treads putting her awesome bike handling skills to the test in the mucky conditions (talk to your local bike shop owners for a tire sponsorship Max!). A strong effort in master’s Women B category was delivered by famed and longtime SRCC racer Heather (so many trophies) Lylyk as she took third place in her group. And finally, board member, recent birthday girl and SRCC ride lead coordinator Meg (sand bagger) Thorburn took 14th and won the 67+ age category. I mean seriously.

The clouds rolled in for the afternoon and conditions cooled over a well muddied course for the grueling 60 minute Men’s Elite race. Club president James (rainbow jersey) Fedosov put in a solid effort. His hill sprints were something to behold as his massive frame bore down on lesser opponents.  James took 11th (7th Elite 1&2 Men) in the highly competitive event… also on file treads(?) (apply same editor’s note for Max here)! 

And the hard luck trophy goes out to SRCC member, Alex (teflon) Lefebvre (wearing a Peterborough Cycling Club jersey – ptui!) for riding the wheels off his bike in 5th place for most of the race… until he actually rode a tire right off the rim. He ran half the course carrying his unshod bicycle to switch for a spare (recumbent) bike in pit lane. Alex finished a respectable (and fittingly unlucky) 13th (8th Elite 1&2 Men) at the end of the race. But in a surprising turn of events, he did top the podium in the 5K run. In a post-race press conference he stated he will be cutting ties with sponsor ‘Elmer’s Glue’.

Kudos to WCC for putting on an excellent event and to all the SRCC members who competed. And a special thanks to other SRCC members, friends and family who came out to cheer on our stalwart competitors.

Until next time!

Rusty Knutts

 

P2A Race Report – 2019

The 26th annual Paris to Ancaster Multi Surface Bicycle race looked as if it were to, yet again, run under grey and miserable skies. But as a very last minute entry, sunshine made a rare appearance. And Sol was not the only unusual entrant. This year’s race attracted some 30 professional racers. To put things in perspective, the 2018 top position was won at an average speed of 32.5 kph and this year was won at 34.9 kph – the game has changed!

Testing themselves against the pros and a field of 1,560 competitors were 17 Speed River Cycling Club members. Taking the top SRCC spot in 30th position overall (5th in the ‘day job’ class) was El Presidente, James Fedosov with a remarkable speed average of 32.7 kph (his 31.7 kph average earned him 16th in 2018). 2nd SRCC (& PCC) finisher in the 87th spot overall was Alex ‘Flave O’flave’ Lefebvre! Rounding out the SRCC podium was long time board member and P2A veteran, Mike Dennis who took the 122nd spot overall and 39th in the largest class of the event Male 40–49. Fourth SRCC member was Robert McLay (you are signing up again this year, right… Rob?). Followed by a valiant effort of weaving through heavy traffic starting way back in Wave 4, was Phil Harvey in the 5th SRCC spot. And Jim Brogden took 67th out of 355 in the 2nd largest class of the race, Male 50–59 (this is not your father’s Autumnal years!) Next fastest SRCC finisher (and first year with the club) with a monumental effort and a first place win in the Female Single speed class was Chancie Knights. She was also 25th female overall against a fully geared field of 131. Well done Chancie! Admirable finishes respectively continued with Andrew Krucker, Michael Muffels (on a SS – also first year with SRCC – welcome!), Rich Lyle, Mike Marcolongo, Wilfred & Ron Ferwerda (continuing their single speed sibling rivalry) and Lindsay Robinson (47th Female overall!) completing an excellent showing of our fine fellow SRCC members in the 7o km race. And extra special acknowledgements are in order for the father and son teams of Andrew and Noah Wayne and Gord and Sheldon Drewitt who rode the 46 km course. Well done all! Be certain to congratulate these fine club members when next you see them. Kudos all ’round, may the sun shine upon you for many more.

Full 70 km Results here and Full 46 km results here

Rusty Knutts (pronounced: kahnoots)

9 SRCC Members Damn the Torpedoes in 7th Annual Steaming Nostril Bicycle Race

From Environment Canada’s Special Weather Statement for Waterloo Wellington: “Freezing rain warning in effect… significant rainfall likely… precipitation may start as snow, ice pellets or freezing rain… winds gusting to 70 km …ground is still partially frozen…with a high of plus 1.” That was the weather for Cycle Waterloo’s Steaming Nostril multi surface bicycle race held today in Waterloo region. And what a great day for a bike race it was not! Speed River Cycling Club was well represented in, ahem, less than ideal conditions. El Presidente, James Fedosov, was our highest finisher in 9th position suffering the loss of feeling in both feet and brain for most of the race. Mike Framst took the next best position for the club at 42nd overall. And third best went to long time club member Ron Ferwerda at 67th all while on a single speed bike, impressive Ron! Speaking of impressive efforts and results, brand new club member Chancie Knights was fifth place Female overall, also on a single speed in a field of entirely multi speed bikes! Well done Chancie! Frozen digits were complimentary for all participants and thawed with bowls of chili afterwards. Hats off to Gord Drewitt, Marco Niro la Toretta, Kelly Legge, David Harvey and Andrew Krucker who gave it their best in what can only be described as some of the worst cycling conditions imaginable. Organizers promised that next year’s weather will be better. I am not a fan of finisher’s pins, but survivor medals may have been in order. When next you see these fine fellow club members be sure to congratulate them on their performances, or chide them for their maniacal sense of adventure, I trust they will accept both. And hopefully by then, they will have stopped shivering.

A wet and cold Gord Drewitt and racing fans at kilometer 38 near picturesque Linwood, ON.