Entries Tagged 'AECC Club News' ↓

Alter Ego’s new club jersey and shorts kit for 2010

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Alter Ego Jersey-Short

My season began on my trainer in February.  I am always keen in the spring as I will have been cooped up all winter in my basement with the exception of the once or twice a week I xc ski in my back yard with my dogs.  I watched tour de France videos and spun till my heart was content.  From what I can gather not alot of people can sit on a trainer for 2-3 hours at a time, not a problem here.

My spin came back after 3-4 weeks as it always does and I was looking forward to the race season on my Mountain bike.  Living where I do I tend to only ride my road bike unless I’m racing in which case I am on my MTB obviously.  I did ok in the first few races of the year finishing in my usual mid-pack expert form and was not expecting to do any major damage with all the usual suspects looking fast as usual.

Being lazy and not wanting to drive  out to the hills (of which there definately are within 1.5-2 hours away) every weekend I tend to focus on the Wednesday night series at the bur oak trail in Birds hill park.  This for me has always been the most enjoyable racing  by far.  If you want to try mountain biking and don’t want to put your job, family, and life at risk riding some of the silly courses that can be set up at times , this is the series for you.  I spend my mountain bike days riding at the bur oak because its close, it’s dry and if its not challenging enough for you….go faster.

I would also like to mention how much I enjoyed The Alter Sunday morning shop rides.  This was our second summer running them and for most who attend they seem to become a regular.  Our pace is quite casual relative to the paces that I’ve been told many other group rides  are performed at.  We do not consider these rides races by any means so much as a casual conversation pace gathering of like minded cyclists.  Having said that, for those who have been on these rides know there are a couple of areas where the speed will jump up considerably for a short period of time for a few of the riders before settling back down and re-compressing the peloton.  These are not sprints of course as this is a “casual” ride .  Merely a chance for those involved to create a platform from which to brag aloud post ride.  Hope the bridges are repaired by spring.

I really had a great summer of riding despite the great farming weather.  I do have to say though (and I may be a bit biased here) my favorite race of this year, as it was last year had to be the 8 hour race held at the birch bike park, put on by the alter ego club. Shawn, Moni, Al, Team Seier and others laid out a great course for the event (true flow).  Mother nature took the opportunity pre event to ensure that the number of racers who came out were limited.  Despite that the comradarie and attitude of all who attended just seemed to be about having fun.  The keg of beer may have aided to that end as well.

All in all a great season of riding bicycles.  I now need to change my focus and pull out the misery sticks for another season of xc skiing.  We had tried to have a regular night of skiing at windsor park nordic center in the past but have been very hit and miss.  We’ll see this year I guess.  I need to learn to like classic skiing.  It’s tough to strap on the shufflers when I know I can go skate skiing where I may be a little more proficient.

I did manage to win the Wednesday night point series in The Expert men category somehow.  Perhaps due to all my mtn bike riding being done there.  I guess I’ll have a bit of a target on my back next year….oh well (maybe next year Steve ).

For those who are of similar stature to me [5 foot 8 ish] .  I have a couple of bicycles that need to leave the comfort of my home.  I have a gently used  Specialized 2009 Tarmac SL2 with world champion Paolo Bettini colors (special edition) with full Sram red groupo, Roval fusee star wheelset and schwalbe ultremo tires for sale.  Size 52 cm.  I have a new bike on the way (yes we’re very spoiled at Alter).                                                            dave@alteregosports.com

I also have My beautiful hardtail for sale.  A 2007 Secialized stumpjumper comp frame 17″ in arctic cat green with full XT components and an XTR rear derailleur.  FOX rl 90 fork.  The wheels that will be sold with it have not been used with the exception of the rear that was used for one race by a member of Team Seier.  Obviously mechanic owned and maintained.  $2500.00 retail approx.  $1200.00 price                          dave@alteregosports.com

The wheels I put on that bike as soon as I received it are going as well.  Stans olympic ZTR rims laced to DT Swiss 240 hubs 6 bolt via DT swiss revoloution 1.8-1.5 stainless spokes with blue anodized aluminum nipples.  I built these myself and have not had to true them.  Max rider weight is around 190lbs.          dave@alteregosports.com

Don’t need to sell this stuff however with my current ride being a Trek top fuel 9.9 ssl I haven’t been using much else.

Again ,Thanks to everyone who was a part of one or all of my adventures this year and we’ll see you next year.  Rumor has it I may have access to a coach for the winter .

Dave.

The Cross season continues at Bourkevale CC on Sunday Oct 4. Hop to the MCA website for more info on this event – not just a race day. Hope to see you at the first barrier. CG

Congratulations to Alter Ego team member Leah Kirchmann and Woodcock team member Karlee Gendron for dominating the podium in their last race in P.E.I yesterday. The medals cap off a long, hard week of racing for the entire Manitoba team. Full results from the Games can be found here.

Wpg Free Press article – click here.

Woot, woot Team Toba!

• Where: Birch Ski Hill (Roseisle MB)
• When: July 26^th, 2009
• Meet Location: Humpty’s/Petro Canada corner of McGillvary  and Perimeter
• Time: meet at 9:00 am

This ride is anticipation of the 8 Hour endure race the Alter Ego is hosting in August. After our ride and minor trail maintenance, we will have a BBQ and the club will bring drinks and burgers.

Please RSVP to Moni and Allan at: mubouch@shaw.ca

Come out this Monday with your mountain bike and check out the fantastic obstacles that have been built this summer for the purpose of practicing all manner of off-road riding skills! Last Monday was awesome and this Monday Shaw Cable is coming out to film some riding and interview riders of all abilities. These rides are great for the very “green” to the much experienced as our obstacles can be altered to suit all levels of ability and courage!

Ride a little or a lot. Stay late or leave early. Just come on out and have some fun on your bike!

MOUNTAIN BIKE SKILLS – Shaw Cable session
Date: Monday July 20, 2009
Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: Whittier Park
Bike: MTB
Skills: We’ll use some props and obstacles to practice slow speed technique, wheel lifts (over logs etc.), basic wheelies/drops, riding skinnies & teeter totters.

N.B – This session is being set up for a Shaw Cable segment on cycling.

Thanks!
Allan

We will meet at the Forks (in front of Johnson Terminal, by the winter skating rink) at 6:30 and determine a route form there. With the rain again yesterday likely not many river routes available to ride but we will do our best.

At Whittier Park there will be the option for a skills workshop. We’ll use some props and obstacles to practice slow speed technique, wheel lifts (over logs etc.), basic wheelies/drops, riding skinnies & teeter totters.

Have a great weekend and enjoy the weather!

Last night was our first MTB bike ride of the season.  You’re probably thinking “first ride of the season?” well as you know the weather hasn’t been all that great, all the trails have been flooded and most of our ride leaders are involved in our Kids of Mud program.  That aside it was a beautiful evening with 8 members converging at The Forks to take to the trails of Wpg.  We took it easy for the first ride as we worked out some of the kinks, broke a chain and got up close and personal with the dirt (Rene never really did divulg what happened).  The ride lasted an hour and half and the pace was very comfortable with one rider using it as a recovery ride for her 2:01 half marathon time on Sunday (Great Job Carla).  Post ride we found ourselves enjoying the wonderful evening on a patio at The Forks munching on wings and washing them down with a cold beverage. 

Next week…same time, same place.

Thanks for the ride,

Allan

Okay I know this is a little late but here are the details.  We’ll meet at The Forks in front of Espresso Junction (Johnson Terminal) on Monday, June 22nd at 6:30pm sharp.  We’ll start and end the ride at The Forks as this is as central as it gets.  If you’re interested bring some cash as some of us may stick around for a coffee afterwards or maybe something a little colder as it’s supposed to be another pretty hot day.

Aright that should cover it.

See you tomorrow.

Allan

Although we have been running MTB rides concurrently with the KOM program, our first MTB club specific ride starts up Monday June 22.

Mapped route and other various information to be released!