1) The biggest highlight of the season will no doubt be the return of 24 hour racing to Falcon Lake. The FGBC, RRR, and the Birch Club are collaborating on this one. It will take place on July 24-25. And it will be awesome. Probably even more than awesome. Put it on the calendar. Now. More info coming soon.
2) There is some talk about a spring classic race that might actually be worthy of the name. It would take place in the hills in and around the Belgian hamlet of Bruxelles. And it would feature a finishing gravel road climb up to a church that tops out at 16%. Not quite the Kapelmuur. But it's probably as close as we can get in these parts.
3) The Impaler and RRR are also talking about putting together a spring classic race of their own. It would be an off-the-grid race, but no less a priority because of that. In fact, that might make it even more of a priority.
4) Tinker Creek's urban operative, Kevin B, reports that the Back 40 will be back. It will be on June 6. This year, we take the butter belt.
5) And of course, there is The Spring Ride. This year marks the 8th edition of our beloved spring rite. The countdown clock recently passed under the 200 day mark. We're almost half way there.
But before we get to next year, we need to celebrate the 2009 FGBC - RRR FGD Challenge. If there is any one factor to which we could attribute the awesomeness of the 2009 race season, it would no doubt be The Challenge. So it seems a windup event is in order. In addition to a dogfest and the usual party fare, there will be a relay race that will provide one last opportunity for the FGBC and RRR to go head to head in a fierce battle. The FGD we won has been thrown back into the pot and the ante has been upped. Double or nothing. Winner takes all. Everyone who contributed to The Challenge is welcome to attend. The rest of you can stay home and think about how much fun you missed.
23 comments:
You're right, Chris. Anticipation and memories are not to be over-shadowed. Most of my personal highlights didn't happen on the bike, but in the lawnchair with others recounting our race experiences.
Speaking of anticipation, I like the colours used for the wind-up poster—one of those moments where anticipation and prophesy come together.
2010's going to be awesome for so many reasons.
July 24/25...check.
super sweet! I'll be wrecked from the jet lag, but there!
check where I'm headed in a few hours to prepare:
www.swahilihouse.com
Right on D, looks amazing. When do you get back?
I've been thinking about a scotch club. hankering even.
sp?
Hmmm Spring classic... just in time for my arrival back from Maui with 2000km in me.... excell-ent..
Is that the same weekend as 24/9?
9-Mile is the following weekend. And it is farther away.
What time is the windup? Is there going to be a trophy presentation to all who participated, like when I played soccer in grade 2?
The idea grew out of some conversations Mike and I have had over the years while riding the country roads of East St Paul. We love riding out there and thought an early spring race would be fun. Maybe to call it a classic is a bit much.
About 60 to 80 kms. (it's early in the year) on country roads with some gravel mixed in, probably start and finish at my house. Fire, dogs, and bevvies should probably be a part of something like that too.
Time to be determined.
It sounds like it will be at my place.
No trophies. But maybe the Impaler will blow you a kiss.
We will determine the course and all the rules next Tuesday.
as far as 9 mile goes...it used to be the race...new organizers didn't blow my mind last yr....Laird did brag that he had a better sound system though, I asked him if it went to 11, he didn't get it, I shoulda known then...
glad the 24's coming back, I wished I coulda kept it going.....
that said, if you've never raced 9 mile, you should....maybe just not every year for 5 or so yrs....not that there's anything wrong with that....
Paddy, we would gladly welcome your expertise. And since you are an FGBC'er, consider yourself part of the planning committee.
We will have a sound system. And we will see if we can make it reach 11.
Paddy's 24 was easily the hardest endurance course I have been on. Monies muddle was scary as shit at night.
Man that was a fun course.
Dallas " looking forward to getting my ass kicked again at falcon ridge." Sigurdur
I think to pay respect to the only 24 hour mtb races in Manitoba we should reprint Paddy's kick ass shirt for 2010.
cool that there will be some new race in MMX - I just gotta survive the coming off season... should be fun.
BOG MONSTER RETURNS!
july 24/25 check!
July 24/25 - double check!
Impaler Spring Classic - [:-)
RedAss300 --> 2010??? Please sir, can I have some more!!!
Hey Darryl, just saw your swank rest spot ... really roughn it! Enjoy
Is it possible to do 2 24 races on back to back weekends? I might have to find out.
A Spring Classic Cross like road race sounds awesome, but might not be such a ‘classic’ if it is only a paltry 60k of gravel. Sound like a group ride to me. For my 2-cents worth I say make it worth the effort. Race a full 100-miler 5-6 hours in the saddle working like a dogs is just the ticket to kick the season off right with as many sick hills as we can find. Add it in to the MUTERO calendar. Suffer should be in all caps. SUFFER through Manitoba mud and mayhem! Unfortunately, however, MB Nationals are usually around the weekend of July 24th and they are in Canmore this year. If Nationals happen to be earlier in the month the I will be sure to come out and ride ‘some of’ the 24-hr, cheer a lot, and work the pit for people.
Thanks for your input Dave. I was just throwing out some numbers. What is the length of the Provincial Road Race? 120 kms for elite? For the older cats it is less. Don't they schedule centuries later in the season so people have worked up to the longer distance?
Final details can be worked on all winter. But for an off the grid race in early March, 80 to 100 km will probably be lots for most of us. You could always ride the course twice...
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