Courtney Arcadian Omnium Sat/Sun July 11 -12 2009

Comox Valley Cycling Club set an example of community oriented cycle racing. Racers ranged from age 11 to 71. A post-race meal together is an important part of promoting athletic fellowship and our noble sport. Thus the Saturday evening buffet dinner at the soccer clubhouse adjacent to Isfeld school was a good feature of the weekend omnium. Excellent conversation and food. Enjoyed chatting with May Jung (at the front in the B road race and hard on the wheel of Bill Yearwood in the hill climb) compact, powerful Ironwoman, North Vancouver Fitness trainer, and mother of 3 junior athletes.

In the pre-road race warm-up, Saturday morning, liked talking with tall Louis Watson (30s) Nanaimo, former UK Henley rower, and especially giving him a lead-out for a practice sprint. Louis discovered that 500 metres was too early to go. I like to think this preview aided his win in the A race. Pleasant discussion Sunday afternoon with Trevor Perkins (3rd A road race, 3rd A omnium) former pro downhill racer, Fort McMurray worker, in delightful Lewis riverside park Courtney – family swimming. Trevor confirmed Louis was the strong man in the As, often at the front.

As with the As a lead group of 12 or so stayed together to the end in the B road race. David Mercer got a gap of about 150 metres on the hill on the 3rd and 4th laps but was absorbed again by the highway. Bill Captain Helijet Yearwood was doing powerful surges at the front on the downhill, and instructing younger riders on the etiquette of also doing a turn. In the sprint Stuart Lynne (55) Vancouver, prominent at the front throughout, led out at about 600m with Mercer on his wheel. Mighty Mike Sevcov (56) Duncan roared by, then Bill, and Bill just got it as Mike faded in the last 40 metres.

The 60s were unlucky with Ray Morrison (Kelowna) puncturing twice, gentleman coureur Charles Sinclair and Swiss Canadian Chris Hahlen (Vancouver) former Ottawa Parliament chef and dairy farmer also flatting.

Magnanimous Duane Martindale (see separate blog) dropped out of the Bs with 1 lap to go even though very comfortable in the lead group. This was to take photos and help with the placings.

An energizing aspect of the Bs road race was the mix of riders – fast juniors, women, 55-59s, together with stately 60s. A bonus of cycle racing is getting to indulge a liking for athletic pulchritude arrayed in brightly coloured, figure-enhancing clothing. Redolent of archetypes of Homeric adventures and Olympian festivals. Remember Keats’ ‘Ode on a Grecian Urn’. Good to see Icelandic Canadian Lisa Ingimunson returning to Masters after Maple Bay. Amazonian triathlete beauty Audrey Erlandson scorched the tt in 25’ 39’’ after graciously stopping in the B road race to give Ray Morrison a spare inner tube. Tall, lissome Amanda Wakeling 15 had one of the most stylish finishes in the mountain climb – hands on drops, photos # 81-3.

In the Sunday morning time trial David Mercer received a humbling shock when at 12 k he thought he heard a car approaching. It turned out to be Ray Wagner catching him for 2 minutes! Another appropriately operatic display by Ray to add to the saga. Super aero Don Gilmore (42) Shawnigan Lake hadn’t realized the tt start was moved up but fortunately was allowed to ride late. Don bolted round the 16 k loop in a breath taking 21’ 12’’ for course record (to add to his Nanaimo River Rd., and Old Lake Cowichan Rd. records). It would add interest and incentive to assemble overall and age group records for all Masters courses, circuits, and hill climbs.

There is something mythical, mystical, epic about bicycle mountain climbs. The symbolic ascent to Olympus; Mt.Everest. Riders ahead of you spread all over the mountain labouring as frozen in slow motion. Hugh Trenchard (Victoria, 40-44) went from the gun as though in a track pursuit. Ray Wagner and others quickly found this pace was suicidal for them. Many found it difficult to gauge their efforts, not saving something for the last 3 rises. Mike Sevcov looked to be overgeared. Some wished for a gear between 39 ´27 and 39 ´24.

Winner of the mountain climb and 2nd A omnium Peter Stevenson (Duncan, 40-4) again demonstrated his seemingly easy hill devouring form. Perhaps the best overall performance was by 15 year old Jordan Duncan (son of gourmet spinach lady Joanna) – 4th B road race, 24’32’’ tt, and 9th hill climb in 35’ 50”. Nevertheless Bill Yearwood’s (Vancouver, 57) victory in the B omnium was well-earned and deserved. In the mountain climb Bill alongside David Mercer helped both recover early lost ground. Mercer moved ahead on the later ascents with Bill pounding back on the brief descents (see Clafleur photo # 0826).

Gutsy rides from Thomas Andrew age 13 (3rd C road race), Jake van der Vliet also 13, and Kia van der Vliet 11 on very jazzy yellow bike - more budding Flying Dutchpersons! The racing contribution of hippy endurance man Ernie Klassen Black Creek was appreciated.

The hardest worker of the weekend was perhaps Linda Sinclair (ex- Western Washington University Bellingham teacher) who took on both registration and results coordinating for 3 races each embodying 3 separate categories. The lovely Susanna partner of Casey Ryder (Victoria, 40-4) versatile racer and jazz guitar maestro added charm to the medal ceremonies.

Best viewing spots : Road race and tt – top of Piercy Rd. climb before decline to highway. Mtn. Climb – top of penultimate rise looking down on hairpin bend; take binoculars.

Photo Pick. RR. #14 Louis Watson in superb tt position leading Ray Wagner.
B sprint. From East side: #18 –36, especially # 22 – 29. Excellent study of Bill Yearwood hurtling himself across the line. From West side: #38 –41.
A sprint. From W. side: #58 –73. Note Louis Watson head and shoulders down in beginning. Fine aggressive aero form from 4th place Jeff Natell. From E. side: #74 –81. Note #77 good low back, elbows out, and line lunge by 3rd place Trevor Perkins.
Hill climb finish. #7 winner Peter Stevenson on drops out of saddle for finishing burst. Best power finish – Bill Yearwood on drops out of saddle # 49 – 51.
Best finishing smile – Mike Sevcov # 46.
Clafleur RR # 0746 Louis Watson tt position leading at lap end.
B sprint. # 0751. Also other beautiful dramatic shots during mountain climb.

Kelowna Cherry Kermesse Sat/Sun July 4-5th 2009

Lithe muscled figures in vivid figure-hugging jerseys and shorts streaking down vineyard slopes. Below 4 k away a rippled holiday resort lake. Olive hills and yellow ochre villas. Mountain backdrop, cherry trees, bone-warming sun, semi-desert air. Don’t need to be in Tuscany, Greece, the Giro D’Italia, Milan – San Remo, or Tour of Lombardy. You have all this ambience in Kelowna cycle racing.

To the Winfield Criterium course, 1.7 k safe, fast, challenging : East on Beaver Lake Rd., south on Jim Bailey Rd. Best viewing spot : top of the incline by the corner, back stretch, where the breaks occur and riders are shed.

The 60s were invigorated by the presence of delectable younger female racers - David Mercer being sufficiently stimulated to lap the field. Eric Rayson (71), ex-Geordie and rock/mountain climber was last to be picked off. Rose Filiatraut of the euphonious appellation was a classy 7th out of 13.

In the under-60 crit David Kirk made a valiant solo attack at about midway to gain 80 metres only to be absorbed after a couple more laps. The field of 19 was whittled down to a lead group of 14 with 15 minutes to go. The lung-bursting last lap saw this bunch strikingly strung out. A sprint of 4, then Gary Wade, then the sprint for 6th to 11th. Peter Tonkin (45-49) ex-patriate South African, younger brother of Bruce a Victoria cycle race stalwart, was a scintillating 2nd to younger men Steve Kraetzer (35-9) 1st, and Simon Craig (40-4) 3rd. Jovial, jesting Janusz Grelecki (55-9) imposingly accoutred with classic Mercedes was first of the 50s at 11th.

To the S.E. Kelowna 9 k road race circuit : S off KLO Rd. on Spiers Rd. Viewing spot : last and steepest part of the June Springs Rd. climb at the McClain Rd. intersection. The 60s duo of Roy Quade, Calgarian ex-mathematician now violin bow maker, and David Mercer were surpassed by nimble Nordic notable Olav stunning Stana near the top of June Springs Rd. on the 5th lap. A lap later the tiring 60s tandem were caught by a lead group of 8 40s plus a single 30s rider – Trevor Haaheim. Olav’s supremacy shows in that the lead 40s riding as a strong group were able to regain only 1½ minutes on Olav racing alone. Again the run-in strung out the lead chasers. First a sprint for 2nd – 4th won by Tom Stewart (45-9) Vancouver, then another 3 at 4 seconds, followed by Anton Kew (40-4) Grand Forks about 15 seconds adrift.

Further enhancing female presence in the rr of Tanille Stickley – 1st woman.
Phil Macdougal (50-4) crashed early on a descent but courageously remounted for 16th overall and 2nd in the 50s. Elegant ex-Parisian veteran Robert Dumalanede made a wrong turn just before the finish but was close to his cosmopolitan Italian-Canadian colleague Rino di Biasio.

Combined results for the weekend’s 2 events would be :
Under-60s : 1. Tom Stewart. 2. Simon Craig. 3. Trevor Haaheim and Gary Wade – tie.
60+ : 1. David Mercer. 2. Roy Quade. 3. Des Snider.
Women : 1. Rose Filiatraut. 2. Carol Chester. 3. Barb Penner.

Photo pick (courtesy duanebc.com) : Under-60 crit : #135-6, Tom Stewart classic roadman sprint, head and shoulders way down, arms outstretched, thrusting his bike at the line. #138, powerful Anton Kew out of the saddle, on the drops, head down, flat back, throwing his bike around. RR : #113-4, again Tom Stewart in superb sprinting position.

Using my system for awarding overall points for crits (see Cedar Bowl blog May) Peter Tonkin 2nd in the under-60s crit could have received 4 ½ bonus points for beating 9 riders of younger age categories plus 3 ½ regular points (half of 7 since total field divided into 2 crits) for a total of 8. By the same reckoning winner Steve Kraetzer would have gained 5 regular points (half of 10) but only ½ bonus point, for a total of 5 ½.

Organisers Ray Morrison and Eric Rayson had to pay over $100 for the services of one flag person. Clearly, BCMCA and Cycling BC have to coordinate with BC Ministry of
Transportation to ensure that municipalities recognize the validity of our own marshalling courses.

Metchosin Australian Pursuit Cycle Race June 28th 2009

Metchosin Road Race. Australian Pursuit. 55k. Sunday June 28th 2009.

In Australian pursuit BCMCA cycle races riders start in 10 year age groups in reverse order of age. 60s start 6 minutes after the 70s, 50s 5 minutes after the 60s, 40s 4 minutes after the 50s, and 30s 3 minutes after the 40s. This is for courses of about 64k or 1 hour 45 minutes winning time. Women start in the 10 year age group next senior to their actual age. An exciting, satisfying aspect of this format is how the faster 40s, 50s, and 60s often come together with about 10k to go. Pity the 70s though who tend to get caught by halfway, and the 30s who are left in the wake of the fast riders amongst the 40s. How about 1 minute more start for the 70s, and 1 minute less delay for the 30s?

Out of the large 40s contingent of 17 an allegro trio of Don Gilmore, Steve Bachop, and Hugh Trenchard soon steamed away after about 2 laps con brio. The rival 50s trio of Chris Cameron, Ray Wagner, and Derek Tripp had likewise shed their colleagues early on. With about 2 laps to go Don and co overhauled the 50s threesome with Chris Cameron showing his power staying with the lead 40s and taking 3rd in the sprint. The lead four had swept by the 60s tiring tandem of David Mercer and Ray Morrison (Kelowna) just before the top of Kangaroo Road – 1 and half laps to go – with Derek and Ray trailing at 40m.

Many found the headwind stretch on Rocky Point Rd. challenging. Also, the steep climb of Lindholm though short comes just after a long rise up Kangaroo with nasty kicks at the end. Mike Korb, having a recent cold and lack of miles, didn’t make the 40s cut. Similarly, David Emery, a bit of asthma, wasn’t up with the 70s leaders. John Smith, however, celebrating his 74th birthday a day early, had breath enough to greet a gasping David Mercer as the latter went by up the steepest part of Lindholm. An impressive ride by Eric Rayson age 71 (Kelowna) who at 14th overall finished ahead of all the 30s and 45-49 group.

Good to see Fernwood Inn hotelier Scott Martin again – only his 2nd race of the year. Scott marshaled a smooth 30s quartet to a finishing sprint and then gazed to his left to admire Larry Wilson stomping by. The 30s group was the only one to finish together apart from the first four.

Stephen Muir (Kelowna) 45-49 was a welcome return rider as was comeback racer Alix Read (Duncan) bringing along her cheerful daughter for support. Conny Strub the only other woman racer finished 3rd out of her starting group. A coed atmosphere is very energizing. Let’s have more female presence – balance, charm, wholeness. (Refreshing for instance to see Chris Paul, no mean racer himself, marshalling in the Sidney Velo tt while partner Rhonda Callender streaks round the course in very fetching maglio rosa.)

Duane Martindale’s photos of the sprint finishes (duanebc.com/raceresults.html or bcmasterscycling.net) repay study. Most winning riders favoured on the drops and out of the saddle – really get your back into it. Former national track sprinter Don Gilmore, cruising the steep climbs without an inner ring, stayed in the saddle at the end as usual, but note the flat back and head down as he lifts off from the others with 200m to go. Cyclo-cross specialist and former 800/1500m runner Steve Bachop also looked powerful at 2nd in the final sprint.

Gratifying to see the work of veteran course lay-out man Dave Garrick recognized with a $60 gift voucher from Market On Yates. Also happy to see Jim Holtz magisterially commanding the tricky Lindholm - Happy Valley marshalling spot. Hopefully Jim will be getting a much lighter bike soon so he can float up the hills more fluently. Unluckiest racer - guitar virtuoso Casey Ryder crashing on the descent trying to avoid a motorist coming out of a driveway abruptly.

Good to see Bill Ethier out recuperating from his crit. crash discovering that crutches make an excellent directional aid for racers too stunned by the severity of the course to distinguish one turn from another or from a hole in the ground. Next time Bill intends to wear an eye patch, cocked hat, and have a parrot on his shoulder. Partner Sarah West lent a touch of class to the medal ceremonies.

The entire athletic symphony was orchestrated and conducted by experienced Kim and Joe Gard. Tripleshot (remember the ‘h’!) Peter Lawless time-trial maestro – when on an extremely flat course and his brother’s Cervelo P3 – mc’d with éclat.

Satisfaction, enjoyment: calm, repose, solitude eating my Wasa Rye and dates next to majestic cedars by the children’s play area as Bill Yearwood soared overhead in his helicopter. Each race a dance celebrating vitality. Those who can no longer perform replaced by others who have learned the moves. So the festival or saga continues in honour of athletic exhilaration and physique, sensuous connexion with body and nature. Racers grow old and die but the race goes on.