Thursday, October 23, 2003

our alter ego bike club in Winnipeg

Yup, it looks like it's for real. They drink beer, steal beer logos, write haikus, race (on any bike you've got), drink beer, have shirts. After you read the manifesto, go to the "olde team brown site" where they have the haikus and race results.

Team Brown

Wednesday, October 22, 2003

Bike Club Stratification (editorial)

Well, in the course of amicable discussion last night at club headquarters, a certain sentiment rose again, which has not gone unnoticed since our inaugural ride as a club in spring...

It seems some members believe that their commitment to the Club is, well, superior... with all the attitude and tone that goes with the air of superiority. It has to do with the amount some members ride versus the amount some members do not. Dont' get me wrong, I don't begrudge the "committed" riders their little trip down pious lane. In fact, I wish I was in a position to be part of the ueber-faction.

The only points I want to suggest are that, 1. just like the workers in the vineyard, we all do what we can with what we have, and 2. that I hope our communal memory can serve us to recall that the FGBC really didn't start off as a bike club anyway. Well, yes, a bike club, but not one that really rode bikes. One that talked about riding bikes. Without that time, we would not be where we are today. One ueber-member didn't even have a bike, and probably still wouldn't.

So, perhaps this is a natural evolution. Perhaps us lesser members will get a pink triangle painted on our foreheads. Perhaps the greater members will strike out on their own to become a legendary Canadian racing dynasty. But we'll remember the genesis, at least some of us will. And when the great dynasty crashes due to in-fighting, and who gets the interviews on TSN, there will still be a few little people who will sit at the Fox and Hound, happily BS'ing about riding bike, and happily drinking FGBC dark.

Monday, October 20, 2003

Fort Garry (Bubba) Cup #1 Results

The first ever race of the Fort Garry Bike Club was held this past Saturday. After some rules clarification and agreement on the exact route of the race course, 5 riders took to the start line: Juan Eppstein and Dave Unger, Jonny G, Anita, and Chris. Right off the start, Jonny set a blistering pace of 35 km plus, which quickly fractured the pack. Chris managed to bridge up by Omands Creek with Juan only a few seconds back. An untimely puncture by Jonny left Chris alone in front, with Juan still only seconds behind and charging fast. After the mandatory off-road section (Devil's Ditch to the footbridge) Chris and Juan were back together, but still riding way-too-hard. Despite some turn-taking at the front the lead group of two stayed together all the way back to Omand's Creek. Chris attacked on the climb up to the footbridge and again on the hill up to Wolseley Ave, both times gaining a few seconds on Juan. Jonny was still fixing his tire at this point. Though flirting with a heartrate of 187 bpm, Chris managed to hold off Juan for a narrow 14 second win. Dave took a provisional third place and Anita, after an incident with a parked van back in the park, brought up the rear. But things were not over just yet. Jonny protested for a second opportunity, and was granted a chance to ride solo against the clock to see what he could do. Unable to be pushed by other riders in the group, he came in a couple minutes back, but good enough for third place.

Final Results:

Chris - 26.59
Juan - 27.13
Jonny G - 29.22
Dave U. - 32.15
Anita - 38.17

Series standings after race #1:

Chris - 10 pts
Juan - 9
Jonny G - 8
Dave U - 7
Anita - 6
Everyone else - 0

A couple more things:

1) One significant rule issue came up: tires. The question was raised whether "slicks" were a legitimate tire for this race. It was decided that they were not. But that was before Juan showed up with slicks on his bike. We allowed him to race with a "this time only" clause. This will need to be taken up at the next meeting, before definitive action can be taken. Does Juan need an asterisk posted beside his time, like the one beside Roger Maris's home run total in 1961?

2) Bubba? Whither art thou? Sadly, a trip to the vendor by the Fox and Hound yielded no Bubba. Our official sponsor was quick to step in and supply us with a 12 of FGD for the post-race festivities. Do Bubbas no longer exist? What implications does this have for the name of our race series?

3) A few pictures were taken and will be sent to the secretary as soon as possible.

4) Next race date and place to be discussed on Tuesday after hockey. Possible venues include Garbage Hill, Birds Hill Park, Whittier Park.

Chris.

Wednesday, October 15, 2003

Fort Garry Bubba Cup - Oct. 18

Yes, even though membership response has been limited on this website, it has been determined that the event shall proceed.

Meet at Chris' place @ 1:00pm There will be a pre-race meeting to bring everyone up to speed on the details.
Mountain bikes only - to keep the competition a little more even.

Juan Eppstein and Chris are the route coordinators. There are a few fine details to work out, but it promises to come together as an event. Please see the comments on the previous post to get a sense of what route is being tweaked.

This was the nature of the formal business. Well, that's not entirely true. Since Chris was the FGBC rep to the World Road Race Championships in Hamilton, a report was expected, and duly given. Intricacies of road race strategy were examined and dissected. (James wondered why they wouldn't just pretend that they had a mechanical problem so they could cheat and hang onto the support car for a while.) Outside the integrity question, an excellent report on all counts.

Wednesday, October 08, 2003

Items requiring membership input

Please hit the comment button below, and post your thoughts on these issues which arise from the minutes below:
  1. is Saturday October 18 a suitable date for the Fort Garry Bubba Cup?
  2. on the flats in the park, or a hilly, garbage hill like course?
  3. how should the handicap system be implemented?
  4. what should the name of this event be? is a Bubba (see the Bubba at the inaugural ride at Ingolf.) a good idea?
  5. should we sue the g4s people for some sort of logo infringement?

Remember to put your name at the top of the comment form so it's not anonymous.

MINUTES of October 8, 2003

Present: James, Juan, Chris, Vic P, Jonny, Glenn, Luke, Darryl

First Hummelt hockey evening of the new year, with corresponding meeting at the Fox and Hound, post-game. Thank goodness that's started again.
Significant disappointment to the start of the gathering. Out of Fort Garry Dark. As Jonny and Glenn will attest, I was cast adrift amongst inferior options. Stunned. It took me a few minutes to actually communicate a concise order. Rickards Red was the follow. A second best. Sorry that these minutes have turned slightly personal. It was a difficult few minutes. Now back to more appropriate Bike Club form.

Some exciting developments:

The Fort Garry Cup!
  • The technical director presented the work of a dedicated sub-committee. A bike ride with more than just cameraderie. A spin without drift. A purpose: to beat the clock, (and fellow bike-club members). Yes. A race.
  • When: Saturday, October 18.
  • Where: Wolesely -> Assiniboine park and around that region, or garbage hill.
  • Other details:
    • the idea of a handicap system was included (good show on Unger's part) with the initial proposal. However, that dream wavered when James, usually an upstanding man of integrity, (but it's true, he has been away) suggested he might not try very hard so he would have a stronger handicap. A shocking thought to all the other attending, pure spirited members. Now what? No conclusions have been reached. Perhaps a consultation is in order.
    • Fort Garry Cup is a nice name, but does not work out to an FGBC acronym. Along with that thought came the question of the nature of the cup to be won. An awkward silence was broken with the insightful suggestion, "What about a bubba?" Yes. Thus, perhaps Fort Garry Bubba Cup, or Fort Garry Bike Cup, or just Fort Garry Bubba. The members will need to speak on the issue of name.
    • of course, if there is to be a prize, be it of liquid nature or otherwise, there will be a small, upfront cost.

World Cup Road Biking Championships (or something like that)
  • the technical director will be attending these races in Hamilton on behalf of the club
  • can be viewed on CBC daily between 4 and 6 pm.
  • of course, the Fort Garry Bubba Ceg/Cup will need to be monitored carefully in case it turns into a World Bubba Cup. The last thing we want is racers joining our club and spoiling the chances of faithful members who will get burned because someone wants to abuse the handicap system.

Useful link:www.g4s.org
  • the new online resource for Manitoba cyclists.
  • seems well and good, but they have also used a sprocket in their logo. Perhaps legal action would be appropriate.

October 11 ride
  • Jonny, Juan Eppstein, and Unger seem to be the only ones who can commit. The rest of us will ride along in spirit. Some pictures might be nice.