July 2, 2008 – The latest cycling news from Atlantic Canada and the world has arrived from Atlantic Pedaler. You may also be interested in the region’s upcoming rides, current km leaders, and the top stories of the last two weeks; if so, scroll down and enjoy the ride.

Cycling Lane to Open at Victoria Park on Monday
It has been three weeks since the press release by the City of Charlottetown with regards to the opening of a cycling lane in Victoria Park effective June 30th to September 30th of this year.

Cycling PEI would like to invite you and your families to be first to navigate the new the lane. Please join us at Victoria Park for the official opening and ribbon cutting this Monday June 30th at noon.

In this day of healthy living and active lifestyles, we are very pleased with the City of Charlottetown stepping up and contributing to a… click here for the full story.

Across the Highlands 2008
AHC ’08 follows a challenging course through a range of wild landscapes. It leads you on a journey of climbs and descents and awesome double-tracks, guaranteeing a fun and memorable adventure sure to provide bragging rights for all finishers!

There are three course options ready to challenge any level of rider:
– Odyssey 60km goes through Rhodena, Camerons Mtn, and Judique;
– Adventure 50km loop around MacIntyres Mountain;.
– Long Point 40km loop designed for the first-time participants.

You can click here for more information and to download their 2008 flyer.

Dairy Farmers of Canada supports BFBC
The award-winning Biking for Breakfast Challenge (BFBC) obtained Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) support yesterday when DFC agreed to encourage the organization with moral and financial support behind the event that has grown 75 per cent per year in rider participation and fund-raising efforts since the event’s inception — four years ago.

DFC will be the Presenting Sponsor for BFBC for the next three years.

“Supporting the BFBC simply feels like a natural thing to do for Dairy Farmers of Canada,” says Nathalie Roy, Registered Dietitian and representative for DFC in Atlantic Canada.

“Not only does this activity encourage a healthy meal like breakfast, but it also encourages active, healthy living like bicycling”.

This… Click here for the full story.

A Week before the NB MS Bike Tour
Here it is, a week before the New Brunswick Bike Tour and a month before the Nova Scotia tour and I thought I’d give you a little more info about MS.

First of all, it is a disease of the central nervous system, affecting the brain and spinal cord. The myelin sheath, which is an insulator and protector of the nerves in the CNS, gets eaten away by one’s own body. As the myelin grows back it leaves a scar, much the same way that scars form on our skin surface. The scarring interferes with the conduction of impulses along the nerve and to other nerves. Just imagine an electrical cord with some of the insulation around the wires missing and then patched up with electrical tape. Not terribly efficient, but sometimes enough to get the job done. But that leaves the cord more prone to short outs.

Because the brain is a vast network of electrical wires, there is plenty of potential for things to go wrong. Strip away the myelin and… Click here for the full story.

Ride of a Lifetime ends 2 cyclist’s lives
Police are investigating a weekend accident that claimed the lives of two cyclists and injured two others taking part in a cross-country charity ride.

RCMP say the group did not have a charity bike permit or the required safety vehicles to warn drivers. The gravel shoulder however meant that the cyclists had to bicycle on the main highway and could not cycle on the shoulder.

The cyclists were heading east Sunday on the Trans-Canada highway just outside of Virden, Man., west of Winnipeg, when they were struck… Click here for the full story.

Deaths of 2 cyclists on fundraising ride trigger calls for Trans-Canada fixes
A crash that killed two cyclists on a cross-country fundraising tour has led to renewed calls for the Manitoba government to pave the shoulders of the Trans-Canada Highway in the province.

RCMP said a group of four cyclists were struck by a Honda Civic just after noon Sunday on the Trans-Canada Highway just east of Virden, in western Manitoba near the Saskatchewan border.

Two men were killed: a 50-year-old man from St.-Bruno-de-Montarville, Que., and a 45-year-old man from Kelowna, B.C.

Two teens, the children of the Quebec man, were sent to hospital; a boy has been released, while his sister remains in hospital in stable condition.

RCMP have not released the names of the cyclists in the crash, but posts on the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s website and the… Click here for the full story.

King of Kinkora Crowned to Ottawa Rider; 2 riders set PB
KINKORA – The dreaded route 225 was home to today’s Summerside Cycling Cup event. Seven riders came out (and one rode earlier in the week). The reigning King of Kinkora, Paul Wright, was on hand with the ceremonial crown and had an original poem that read like a battle cry for the official launch of this annual contest. Wright has been hampered by sickness for the first two months of the cycling season and did not participate in this event; thus, ensuring that the beloved Crown would become bestowed upon a new rider.

The field was fresh with energy on yet another windy and chilly morning on PEI. The Northeastern winds tore through the land but not even the winds… Click here for the full story.

Submit Your KM Biked
Every year, Atlantic Pedaler encourages cyclists to record their distance cycled during the year and to submit it to AP. It is amazing to see how active our cycling community is. Take a few seconds today and login and update your profile and km biked. Update your km’s today here.

Upcoming Atlantic Events
Take advantage of our Calendar by planning your vacation around an upcoming ride or submitting your own ride for free. Please visit Submit Rides FAQ for directions on how to submit your ride. The rides are limitless; the option is yours. Click here for the complete calendar.

Quote of the Week
“I’m so proud of the team and the way we’ve ridden. We’ve proven that a professional cycling team can be built out of a small cycling nation, ride clean, and have great success.” ~~ Sussex, NB, native Christien Meier after tying for first in the week long Vuelta a Chihuahua but came in second place on points while riding with Symmetrics, 2007

April 16, 2008 – Here are the latest stories submitted to Atlantic Pedaler this week from Atlantic Canada and around the world. You may also be interested in the region’s upcoming rides and current km leaders. Scroll down and enjoy the ride.

Sussex Looking to Attract Bicycle Tourists Through New Partnership
Sussex-area councils are throwing their moral support behind a concept to develop the region as a cyclotourism destination.

Both the town of Sussex and village of Sussex Corner have been briefed on the potential of making the area a draw for visitors and locals who like to peddle. And they like the idea being spearheaded by the Kings East Development Partnership.

While cyclotourism is just a vision at this point, the partnership is gauging support for the project and plans to seek government funding… Click here for the full story.

New Stories From The Road
On Monday, I explained how it was that I found myself on a boat headed down the Rio Mamoré in Bolivia. It is January, and I have been forced for logistical reasons to temporarily stow my bike and take a boat as I make my way from Argentina to the Amazon.

It is my second major cycling adventure. This one began in October and should end when I reach my destination in July. Before that, I cycled from my home in St. John’s to Patagonia – a journey I chronicle in my book “A Life on Wheels – Biking Alone from… Click here for the full story.

Souris (PEI) MTB Club Getting Started
Souris is starting a youth cycling club for ages 12 to 17. The following is the registration information. Please feel free to contact me or Marguerite with any questions.

Mountain Biking Registration/Meeting Thursday, April 24 at 7:00 p.m. at Access PEI in Souris. Cycle PEI will be coming out to help get a … Click here for the full story.

Hub City Wheelers – Spring Activities
Here are a list of some great cycling rides and related activities put on by the Hub City Wheelers: April 8 – 7 – 8 PM Bike Safety seminar. Sobey’s Community Room , Main St., Moncton

April 15 – 7-8 PM- Bike Maintenance demo -… Click here for the full story.

Celtic Mountain Bike Association Kicks off in Cape Breton
Another new cycling club has sprung up this spring. The goal of this club is to promote Mountain & Dirt Biking in Cape Breton.

They formed a group on Facebook and plan on using the site to post rides, Pictures and video’s .

To learn more, become a member, or… Click here for the full story.

Team Ontario to Compete at 2008 Tour de PEI
It is with great excitement that we announce our entry into the prestigious Tour de PEI from June 8-12, 2008. This is an amazing opportunity for the top riders in Ontario to gain International experience on home turf. Because of the quality of the event, Team Ontario will select a team of 4-6 riders based upon competitiveness. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email Denise Kelly – Provcoach@ontariocycling.org.

Please click here for more information and… Click here for the full story.

Norco To Exclusively Distribute Topeak Brands in Canada
Norco is pleased to announce their new partnership with Topeak for the Canadian Market. As of September 1st, 2008 Norco will exclusively distribute the complete line of TOPEAK accessories, ALLAY saddles (by Topeak), and JANGO bicycles (by Topeak) to specialty bicycle retailers. “At Norco, our supply chain policy has always been to develop strong relationships with world class vendors who share the same vision to… Click here for the full story.

Lynskey Builds Custom Bike for Police
Chattanooga, TN – Lynskey Performance just built a themed custom bike for Sgt. Lee Robbs of the Chattanooga Police department.

Sgt. Robbs will use it to ride in the 2008 Police Unity Tour, a fund-raising bike ride from Florham Park, New Jersey, to the National Police Memorial in Washington, D.C. The Tour’s main goal is to raise awareness of police officers who have died in the line of duty. It also is a fundraiser and supports the… Click here for the full story.

Online Auction to Benefit Tara Llanes
Boston, MA – Go211.com, an action sports social networking and online video share site, is partnering with BMX pro rider Tara Llanes in hosting an online auction to help raise funds towards Llanes’ growing medical costs.

The auction begins April 25 at 5 p.m. (EST) with the bidding ending on May 9 at 5 p.m. (EST). The auction takes place at www.go211.com. Llanes was seriously injured on September 1, 2007 while racing at the Jeep KOM Finals. At the present time she is paralyzed from the waist… Click here for the full story.

Thule to Power Office with Solar Energy
Seymour, CT – Thule will put the summer sun to good use this year with a 318-kilowatt solar system installed on the roof of the company’s Seymour, Connecticut headquarters.

The system will generate 26 percent of the power used at the 108,000-square-foot warehouse. “We are experts in maximizing a vehicle’s roof space and we are pleased to be able to use our building’s roof space to reduce and stabilize… Click here for the full story.

Will Committee Deny Commuters and Road Cycling Races off of Mount Royal?
Montreal, Que – Montreal’s Mount Royal rises only 230 metres but looms much larger in the city’s collective imagination. The “mountain” has been called the city’s heart, soul and identity.

So it’s little wonder that city hall announced this year it is taking new measures to protect it.

Mount Royal is constantly under assault – by bricks and mortar, commuters, mausoleums and grandiose schemes. Now civic officials are seeking ways of limiting the damage and inviting public input on how to go about it.

The city’s public consultations bureau is tapping Montrealers’ views about how to protect the mountain. Since the process began three weeks… Click here for the full story.

Push to Convert Cycle Path to Parkland Draws Protest
In a move that drew protests from lawyers for a controversial shopping development on the east waterfront, Toronto and East York Community Council yesterday (April 8) recommended changing a bicycle path along Lake Shore Boulevard East into parkland.

The move, to be debated at city council this month, would preserve the cycling lanes, but turns the narrow strip of land they occupy from part of… Click here for the full story.

Bike Race in Former al-Qaeda Stronghold ‘made us happy,’ Schoolchildren Say
About 150 students wearing colourful T-shirts competed in a bicycle race in Falluja yesterday, an unimaginable event a year ago in the former al-Qaeda hotbed, once one of Iraq’s most dangerous cities.

The local police chief fired the starting shot to set the racers from 15 intermediate and secondary schools off on the five-kilometre course.

Police motorcycles escorted them along the road and scores of officers in blue uniforms were deployed around the start and finish lines. … Click here for the full story.

Submit Your KM Biked
Every year, Atlantic Pedaler encourages cyclists to record their distance cycled during the year and to submit it to AP. It is amazing to see how active our cycling community is. Take a few seconds today and login and update your profile and km biked. Update Your KMs Today here

Upcoming Atlantic Events
Take advantage of our Calendar by planning your vacation around an upcoming ride or submitting your own ride for free. Please visit Submit Rides FAQ for directions on how to submit your ride. The rides are limitless; the option is yours.

Complete Calendar here.

March 12, 2008 – Here is the latest cycling news from Atlantic Canada and around the world from Atlantic Pedaler. Items include weekly news, upcoming events, and how to submit your km’s biked. Scroll down and enjoy the ride.

B. C. Cyclist first conquered Canada and now has sights on Prince Edward Island
Port Moody, B.C. – Peter Frouws of Port Moody, B.C., the man who completed a pan-Canada bicycle journey in ten weeks in 2006, has marked 2008 the year he will take on a one day challenge that would have Anne of Green Gables waxing a melodramatic narrative of poetic adventure.

On first glance, Frouws journey may appear a little anti-climatic: the man who conquered Canada by bicycle is now bicycling across Canada’s smallest province, Prince Edward Island.

But make no mistake: this will be a lifetime challenge for Frouws. P.E.I. offers Frouws something the Canada trek was unable to match: 278 kilometres in one day. That’s right: Frouws, at 54 years of age… Click here for the full story.

Moncton MTB Park Wins Praise, Grant
Moncton, NB – Efforts by a group of Metro Moncton volunteers and biking enthusiasts have earned the Centennial Park Bike Zone a $5,000 grant from the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada.

The grant is one of six awarded across Canada to projects that put more people on bicycles and promote community bicycling activities.

The project to create the province’s only mountain bike park began a year ago through a group of dedicated volunteers with the support of… Click here for the full story.

Randonneurs Nova Scotia Releases 2008 Calendar
Halifax, NS – The Randonneurs Nova Scotia long-distance-cycling club is entering its sixth season this year. The 2007 season was a banner year for club participation, the best yet, and we hope to carry the momentum forward into 2008.

“Randonneuring” is long-distance, non-competitive cycling. Riders push their limits to achieve long rides comfortably. The emphasis is on teamwork and efficiency – to arrive at one’s goal, not necessarily first or fastest, but with the most efficient use of one’s resources.

Randonneuring is a growing sport around the world. This was evidenced last year by the planet’s participation in the grand-daddy of all… Click here for the full story.

Lots of Heart for Heartland Tour 2008 Riders
NS – Heartland Tour’s mandate is to get people involved in any physical activity leading to a better personal lifestyle. Heartland Tour, lead and founded by Dr. Nicholas Giacomantonio Director, Cardiac Rehabilitation & Cardiologist, QEII Health Sciences Centre in 2007. In 2007 there was core of 20 cyclists who rode over 1,000 kms, the length of Nova Scotia from Yarmouth to Sydney, over a week of promoting Heart Health and better lifestyles through activity in exercise.

Heartland Tour participants, sponsors and supporters know that we can all have a healthier heart though: exercise, cessation of smoking… Click here for the full story.

Help Shape the Future of Sport in New Brunswick
NB – New Brunswick’s Department of Wellness, Culture and Sport, in partnership with Sport New Brunswick, has contracted Colin Higgs Consulting to develop a sport plan for New Brunswick. This discussion document has been developed following a provincial brainstorming session, nine regional consultations, and stakeholder meetings.

Send your comments on the document or thoughts on what needs to be done to develop sport in New Brunswick to Colin at Chiggsconsulting@mac.com

February News from Biker Bob White in N.S.
The days are getting longer, or at least the daylight portion, and soon all of us will have dusted off the old steed and head out on the roads. Actually a number of us have plowed along all winter and are welcoming the improvement in weather.

I find during the winter is a wonderful time to focus on what needs to be done to make Nova Scotia better for cyclists. The “better” is measured in both improved infrastructure and education for all stakeholders. To this end, there is lots going on in this neck of the woods; I’ll provide a brief update:

– The new Halifax Cycling Coalition (HCC) is off and running. We have had 2 meetings, at the last one in February, we signed up over 70… Click here for the full story.

Halifax Groups Urge City to Buy Old Rail Line
Halifax – Views on what to do with an abandoned CN rail line running from Joseph Howe Drive to Lakeside differ, but there seems to be a consensus that Halifax Regional Municipality must buy the land for future use.

For everyone from hikers to cyclists to rail enthusiasts to supporters of an improved commuter system, the seven-kilometre stretch of rail, known as the Chester spur line, is considered prime real estate that the city should grab for its own use, according to those who attended two meetings on the issue two weeks ago.

“The corridor will be sold by CN to somebody, so we’re now trying to decide if we want to take advantage of having first crack at it,”… Click here for the full story.

MacBurnie & Team RACE Pro Report
Last Saturday, Team RACE Pro rode its first event on Flemish roads – the 11th edition of the Beverbeek Classic, for a total of 168km consisting of 200 riders of 33 teams. As expected a hard cross side Flemish wind was blowing from the start. The peloton rode full speed from the gun, pushing the riders to echelon formation. Buck Miller punctured around the 30km after avoiding a crash in front of him and was unable to get back to the peloton. Mark Walters and Ryan Roth stayed in front of a decisive split in the race and continued to participate strongly to the finishing circuits… Click here for the full story.

WBI Offers Extra Pro Bike Mechanic Course
Winterborne Bicycle Institute (WBI) is pleased to announce an additional offering of our “Pro Bike Mechanic” course, to be run July 7 to 18. We’ve had a number of requests from enthusiast home mechanics who’ve asked us to run a summer course when they’re able to take some vacation time.

We’re hearing that it’s getting tougher to find experienced and well-trained bike mechanics in shops, and it seems that more home mechanics are willing to invest the time and energy to ramp up their skills and confidence to look after their own bikes as well as those of their families and friends. The increasing popularity of WBI’s bike job postings at www.WinterborneBikes.com/job-board reflects the shortage of mechanics across… Click here for the full story.

Pupils Challenge Teacher to Cycle Globe
Toronto – It took a class of high-school kids to tell Rob Cassibo to go live his dream of cycling around the world.

Cassibo knows how to listen to kids — he didn’t become Ontario High School Teacher of the Year in 2000 by luck — and now, six and a half years, 81 countries and more than 110,000 kilometres later, he’s come full circle.

Cassibo, 38, was recently visiting family in Oakville, Ont., west of Toronto, after completing his marathon zigzag trip around the globe, at peace and his dreams of seeing the world from a bicycle fulfilled.

Of the students who sent him packing, Cassibo, who’s still in touch with many of them, says simply: “I challenged them. They challenged me… Click here for the full story.

Canadian Olympic Committee Job Opportunity
The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), a national, private, not-for-profit organization committed to sport excellence is seeking a Director, Finance based in its Toronto office. Reporting to the Executive Director of Operations, the Director of Finance, acting as controller for the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Olympic Foundation (COF), will: – Oversee the Finance function through effective management support, financial planning and budgeting, internal/external reporting, internal and cost… Click here for the full story.

Bikes Aren’t Just for Summer Months
Portland, OR – Studded tires for bikes? Sure. You can also get chains if you want to join the intrepid cyclists who commute to work on two-wheelers during the winter, or who just want to have fun in the snow.

“I’ve been riding a bicycle for my main transportation for over 30 years. It’s a force of habit,” says John Schwenker, a 51-year-old aerospace engineer who lives near Boulder, Colo.

He rides 6.5 kilometres to his office and 6.5 kilometres back, even in the snow.

“It’s a matter of going slow in the stuff,” he says… Click here for the full story.

Police Cruiser Kills Two Cyclists in California

Two cyclists were killed on March 9, when a police cruiser crossed the centreline of a winding road and struck three of four riders, who were descending near Cupertino, California. Matt Peterson, 30, of San Francisco, and Kristy Gough, 31, of Oakland, died as a result of their injuries. Christopher Knapp, who was also in the group, suffered serious injuries, but was last reported in stable condition. The fourth rider was unharmed.

Peterson and Gough were bourgeoning talents on the road, coming off recent wins in the category 4 men’s and category 3/4 women’s races at the Merco Cycling Classic. Gough was an accomplished triathlete, placing third at the 2006 UK Ironman before recently switching to road racing. For the complete story click here.

Canadian Olympic Committee Starts Games School Program
Ottawa – Canadian high-school students will learn Olympic lessons about athlete doping and Beijing’s pollution challenges.

And elementary schoolchildren will be taught stories about athletes like Surrey gold-medal wrestler Daniel Igali and Victoria-based rower Silken Laumann as part of the Canadian Olympic School Program, launched in Steveston yesterday.

“At the end of the day, do we want to be talking about doping?” said David Bedford, marketing boss for the Canadian Olympic Committee. “It’s part of our world and an anti-doping message is an important one.”

He said the COC had “significant discussions” about using a scenario where a Canadian athlete wins a silver medal but the gold-medal winner… Click here for the full story.

New NCCP Transition Tracker Officially Launched!
The Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) is pleased to announce the official launch of the new National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) Transition Tracker. This invaluable tool will help CAC and its partners communicate the latest developments and targets for completion of all new sport-specific programs within the NCCP and can be found here. The NCCP Transition Tracker is a key milestone for CAC and its partners as we work towards the delivery of a leading-edge coaching system… Click here for the full story.

Another Incredible Community Sport Funding Program: True Sport
Next Deadline: May 31, 2008

If you want to increase opportunities for children and youth to play sports* in your community, the True Sport Community Fund can help.

Focusing on communities in Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland, the True Sport Community Fund is a four year $1.89 million community investment program that provides opportunities for Canadian communities to access funds for sport programs for low income, Aboriginal and new Canadian families. True Sport and The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation believe in the power of sport to connect communities. We also believe that people like you want… Click here for the full story.

Sport Nova Scotia Launches Awareness Campaign: Without Volunteers, Kids Can’t Play
Without volunteers, kids can’t play. This is the message Sport Nova Scotia hopes to bring to homes across the province through their annual Sport Makes a Difference Campaign running during the month of March.

“Everyday across Nova Scotia tens of thousands of our youth participate in sport programs,” says Jamie Ferguson, CEO of Sport Nova Scotia. “But it is because of the volunteer coaches, officials, administrators, fundraisers, and event organizers that our youth have the opportunity to keep active so they can be healthier people, do better in school, stay out of trouble, meet new friends and learn skills that will benefit them for life.”

Volunteerism is the backbone of Nova Scotia’s sport and recreation system. Volunteers have been, and continue to be, a vital component,… Click here for the full story.

Arrival of “1 World 2 Wheels” Bicycle Advocacy Program in Canada, Praised by BTAC
Toronto, ON – Trek Bicycle Corporation delivered good news to the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada (BTAC) on the eve of one of North America’s largest bicycle show, the Toronto International Bicycle show.

BTAC’s Executive Director, Janet O’Connell announced that, “Trek Bicycle Corporation has extended its 1 World 2 Wheels program into Canada. Shared by BTAC and the Canadian division of the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) the funding will be used for bike related advocacy efforts in Canada. It is earmarked to play major role in BTAC’s advocacy, outreach and public education work, which is an exact match with Trek’s expectations.

This Canadian initiative is a natural evolution of Trek’s work with the IMBA and the League of American Bicyclists in the USA. The … Click here for the full story.

Host Society Seeks Ceremonies’ Producer
Charlottetown, PEI – The Host Society is seeking an individual or group for the role of Producer for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. This individual or group will be responsible for the successful development of ceremonial elements that celebrate the spirit and ideals of sport and showcase the Island nature of the 2009 Games as well as successful completion of both Ceremony productions. Submission packages outlining the scope of the services required may be obtained by contacting the PEI 2009 Canada Games offices at:… Click here for the full story.

Symmetrics Back in 2008; Gearing for the Big ‘O’
After an historical season last year, highlighted by a win in both the individual and team competition at the UCI America Tour, Symmetrics Cycling is ready for 2008.

2008 is an enormously exciting year for Canada’s top professional cycling team due to the 29th Olympiad in Beijing in August. The team is focusing on qualifying as many riders as possible for the three available spots. Following such an impressive year, the roster for 2008 will stay largely the same. Once again, Svein Tuft, winner of the 2007 UCI America… Click here for the full story.

Shauna MacKinnon’s Road to the MS Bike Tour
Halifax, NS – If it weren’t for having MS, I would’t be a cyclist. Ken kindly asked me to write about my experiences with cycling and having MS, so until the bike tour I’ll be writing a regular column about this illness, my journeys with my bikes, and how I’ve become a recreational biker.

In January 1998 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. For the past 10 years I have been extremely lucky to have had little effect from this disease and hopefully it will continue to just remain fairly benign.

Since my diagnosis I have been a volunteer with the MS Society Atlantic Division in many capacities, mostly as a speaker or MC at events like the Super Cities Walk. Last year, though, I participated in the Rona MS Bike Tour, biking 100 k over two days. Considering that I had been a couch potato until the year before that, it was a great accomplishment. I also managed to raise over $15,000 for the MS Society in the process.

My quest to ride began when my boyfriend, John, decided to ride in the 2006 bike tour. I said I would train with him so I hit the gym for… Click here for the full story.

Submit Your KM Biked
Every year, Atlantic Pedaler encourages cyclists to record their distance cycled during the year and to submit it to AP. It is amazing to see how active our cycling community is. Take a few seconds today and login and update your profile and km biked here.

Upcoming Atlantic Events
Take advantage of our Calendar by planning your vacation around an upcoming ride or submitting your own ride for free. Please visit Submit Rides FAQ for directions on how to submit your ride. The rides are limitless; the option is yours.

Click here for the complete calendar.

March 5, 2008 — The latest cycling news from Atlantic Canada and the world has arrived from Atlantic Pedaler. You may also be interested in the region’s upcoming rides, current km leaders, and the top stories of the last two weeks; if so, scroll down and enjoy the ride.

Tour de PEI Returns in 2008
Charlottetown, PEI – The Tour de PEI organizing committee is gearing up for the return of world-class cycling across Prince Edward Island. Presented by Scotiabank, the Tour de PEIshowcases the lush, rolling countryside of Prince Edward Island as a premiere cycling destination loved by elite riders and tourists alike. Last year’s inaugural event won the praise of the Canadian Cycling Association, which recently named it the 2007 Road Event Organizer of the Year, over every other major cycling event in Canada. Part of the proceeds of Tour de PEI will be used to support the Prince County and Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundations. International media and the participating cyclists gave last year’s event rave reviews. Once again, organizers are receiving requests from… Click here for the full story.

N.B. Fire Fighter who Delivered Groceries by Bicycle as a Youth is Remembered
Saint John, NB – There’s a good reason why retired fire lieutenant and family man Francis L. (Frank) Harding enjoyed a reputation as a “hard-working, well-liked and well-respected” firefighter during his 31 years with the Saint John Fire Department, says a former colleague and friend.

“Frankie was a true gentleman, very soft spoken,” Lieut. Joe Armstrong of No. 5 station said Tuesday. “He was a father figure for many guys in the department. He took many firefighters under his wing and taught them how to become good firefighters, as well as good basic life skills.

“He was a joy to work with at the station and joy to work with at fires, as well.”

Harding, who had suffered respiratory problems in recent… Click here for the full story.

Engineers Checking N.L. Portion of Trans-Canada Trail for Safety Deficiencies
St. John’s, NL – Teams of engineers were busy Monday inspecting all bridges and trestles along the Newfoundland portion of the Trans-Canada Trail after Transport Canada warned some of them are so dilapidated they are on the brink of crumbling and pose “an unreasonable life-safety risk.”

The provincial government shut down all structures along the 883-kilometre trail from St. John’s to Port aux Basques, N.L., last week after Transport Canada found 14 of them hazardous to people traversing the waterways below.

“Many of the structures we looked at clearly have not been maintained,” Dan Shea, Transport Canada’s navigable waters protection manager,… Click here for the full story.

Include Transportation Hub in Complex: Cyclists
Saint John, NB – The police-justice complex should include a hub for pedestrians, cyclists and bus riders, says a community group that promotes cycling and walking.

“You’ve got to be smart about how people are getting in and out of there,” said Dean Price, of the group Active Transportation Saint John.

Price sent the group’s four-page proposal to the Telegraph-Journal. It lists eight recommendations for the city to consider during public… Click here for the full story.

Two Wheels, One Olympic Cycling Dream for NB’s Meier
Sussex, NB – Ever thought your dream could come true? Ever spend years working towards that dream when one day you realize, “Wow, this might actually be it. This might just work out.”?

Well, this is where I am now. For those who don’t know me, I would like to introduce myself — Christian Meier, 22 years of age, Kings County native, son of Maria and Reinhold Meier, grandson of the founders of the Gasthof Old Bavarian (the German restaurant way out in the middle of nowhere), graduate of Sussex Regional High School and former bike and ski technician for both Source for Sports and the former Broadway Intersport.

I started mountain biking as a younger man when as a member of the Kings County Wheelers we used to meet at the Sussex Corner skating rink… Click here for the full story.

Petition for Halifax to Purchase Abandoned Railway Line to Make Trail
Halifax, N.S. – CN Rail is abandoning its railway line from Joseph Howe Drive to Lakeside. HRM Council now has the option to purchase this land, but must do so by March 6, 2008.

This is an amazing opportunity to make a really positive change by converting rails to trails in HRM! You can walk, run, cycle or get out in a wheelchair or mobility scooter to enjoy the eight kilometres of proposed trails. Part of the trail will run adjacent to beautiful Long Lake Provincial Park and will link to existing trails all the way to St. Margaret’s Bay. This trail will be a great asset for the community.

In order for a rails to trails conversion to be considered, City Council needs to know people support this opportunity. Please take the… Click here for the full story.

British Cyclist Smashes Speed Record for Cycling Around the Globe
London, England – Imagine getting up tomorrow, climbing bleary-eyed onto your bike and cycling from Bath to London; or Birmingham to Liverpool; or Belfast to Dublin. Then imagine doing it again the next day. And the next day and the day after that. For six months.

Now picture doing the same thing, but in the mountains of the Indus Valley, the torrential rain of Thailand and the mind-melting heat of the Australian outback. Throw in a few nights in a police cell in Pakistan, a collision with a moped in India and a mugging in a Louisiana crack house, and you’ll have some idea of what it takes to cycle around the world in record-breaking time.

One person who knows what it takes is Mark Beaumont. A 25-year-old politics graduate from Perthshire, he began his epic ride on August 5 last year and – barring accident – will smash the world record when he rolls into Paris on Friday.

For an attempt to be valid, Guinness World Records stipulates that cyclists must ride at least 18,000 miles, and that the route must form a… Click here for the full story.

Korean Cycling for World Peace
Korea – Korean cyclist Okhwan Yoon is on an important mission. In his quest for world peace, he is cycling around the world. Trinidad and Tobago is his latest stop on this global adventure.

So committed is Yoon, 45, to the cause, that he quit his job at a trading company so he could have more free time for his gruelling attempt to solve the problems of the world.

He claims to have cycled through 45 countries in 375 days, covering almost 40 000 kilometres. Thus far, he has travelled through 151… Click here for the full story.

MacQueen’s Cycling Studio put Rears Through the Gears
Don’t miss some great opportunities for spin classes at MacQueens Spin Studio. Below you will find all the info on their specials, prices and times. So if you want to get a jump on the season while it is oh so cold, give Kelley a call and book a spot that is convenient to you. Click here for the full story.

CCES Doping Control Results October to December 2007
Ottawa, ON – The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) conducted a total of 843 doping control tests between October and December 2007. The domestic doping control program accounted for 662 of these tests, with over 99% of athletes testing clean. The commitment of Canadian athletes to doping-free sport is clear. In addition, the CCES conducts fee-for-service testing for a variety of clients. During the quarter, the CCES conducted 44 tests on behalf… Click here for the full story.

16-Year-Old Builds Wooden Bicycle
As a 16-year-old high school student in the International Baccalaureate program, I am required to complete a ‘personal project’ on a non-academic topic that is of interest to me. I have always enjoyed woodworking and design, so I decided to build a functional wooden bicycle. There was to be no metal used in its construction, only wood and glue. I wanted a project that would be a challenge. This project came to mind as I was reflecting on the many stories my opa, Case Vandersluis, told me about his adventures in Holland during… Click here for the full story.

Average Cyclist Goes International for a Worthwhile Cause
Kingston, ON – Fifty-eight-year-old Dorma Grant may call herself an average cyclist, but this Corrections Canada parole officer is the first international rider to participate in the 2008 Rotary Connection Ride from Empangeni to Cape Town, South Africa. Grant left Kingston Saturday, Feb. 16.

“I’m only an average cyclist so I’m not special,” she says. “You just need the will and energy to do this.”

Grant is a member of the Cataraqui-Kingston Rotary Club as well as the Kingston Velo Club. Having lived three years in Blantyre, Malawi… Click here for the full story.

Suarez Canada Named Official Clothing Supplier of Team Ontario
Ottawa, ON – The Ontario Cycling Association is pleased to announce that Suarez Canada will be the official clothing supplier of Team Ontario for the 2008 and 2009 seasons. Suarez has over 15 years experience in the cycling industry, focusing on design, production and commercializing garments for cycling, triathlon and skating. The company’s main philosophy is to offer products of maximum comfort, using always the highest technologies on the developments of textiles, fabrics and materials. Giving to the athletes the better experience during the ride. Suarez has a production plant with 85 employees giving them a production capability of 12,500 garments a month. The OCA and Suarez are both dedicated to the development and promotion of the sport of cycling in Ontario.

As well as supplying clothing,… Click here for the full story.

K-Town Commits $5,000 to Host Tour de P.E.I. Stage
Kensington, PEI – The Town of Kensington has embraced competitive cycling.
Councillors recently approved spending $5,000 over two years – 2008 and 2009 – to host stage races in the community.

The 2008 stage will be held June 10, with the start near the train station next to the Confederation Trail.

The Tour de P.E.I. features… Click here for the full story.

“Science” Confirms It: Biomechanical Energy Now Ready for Prime Time
Burnaby, BC – A new start-up company is commercializing a breakthrough invention that generates electricity from the natural motion of walking and uses it to power a broad range of portable devices.

The Biomechanical Energy Harvester is the focus of a peer-reviewed article in the February 8 edition of the academic journal Science. The device, which resembles an orthopedic knee brace, can generate up to five watts of power without creating any noticeable effort for the wearer.

By way of example, one minute of walking with the device could deliver enough power to support 10 minutes… Click here for the full story.

And Now, a Bike by Chanel
The coolest Chanel accessory this season isn’t even an accessory, at least not in the conventional sense. And even if you broaden the term accessory a little to include plush notebooks or silk-covered hot water bottles, it still wouldn’t cover this object.

Its chain won’t hang on your shoulders like that of the 2.55 bag and its quilted calf hide, like that on Chanel pumps, you cannot wear to a dinner party. But you could go to a garden party with it – or rather, on it – and bet that all eyes will be on you. The sight of this ultra-chic accessory will turn heads, stop traffic and even prompt stylish fashionistas to abandon their yoga mats and… Click here for the full story.

SOLE OPTion Training Seminars with PEI’s own Wes Jackshaw
Cycling PEI is holding two training sessions, facilitated by SOLE OPTion’s Wes Jackshaw. SOLE OPTion a company which deals with HIGH PERFORMANCE in Lifestyle, Occupation and Sport Training and Conditioning will be the presenter.

The first cycling information session will be held Wednesday, March 12 at 7pm in room 212 at Sport PEI. Wes Jackshaw from Wes will… Click here

BRAIN Gears Up to Produce Dailies at This Year’s Sea Otter Classic Set for April 17-20
Once again this spring, Bicycle Retailer & Industry News will produce dailies on site at the April 17-20 Laguna Seca event. Sea Otter, the first major outdoor consumer event of the season, is expected to attract upwards of 40,000 racers, guests and consumers. To date, more than 120 companies ranging from Bellwether to Zoic will be on hand at what is the second largest gathering of industry companies outside of Interbike. Last year was BRAIN’s first effort at producing dailies for the popular event. And Marc Sani, the magazine’s publisher, said, “We learned… Click here.

Submit Your KM Biked
Every year, Atlantic Pedaler encourages cyclists to record their distance cycled during the year and to submit it to AP. It is amazing to see how active our cycling community is. Take a few seconds today and login and update your profile and km biked. Update Your KMs here.

Upcoming Atlantic Events
Take advantage of our Calendar by planning your vacation around an upcoming ride or submitting your own ride for free. Please visit Submit Rides FAQ for directions on how to submit your ride. The rides are limitless; the option is yours.

Click here for the complete calendar.

February 14, 2008 – This week’s Atlantic Pedaler News has arrived. This newsletter contains the latest local stories from Atlantic Canada and many other articles and news items submitted to Atlantic Pedaler from all over the world. Scroll down and enjoy the ride.

Mind over miles: New Brunswick Couple to Bicycle Across PEI in One Day
Riverglade, NB – There is something special in the air of the Getson family living room in Riverglade. On first glance, it may look like any other living quarters: television, couch, end tables, two dogs on the floor, and one cat sitting on top of the couch. But look closer.

Their living room has been transformed from a solitary entertainment centre to a bicycle training zone: two bicycles lay against the wall like removable wallpaper and a carefully placed trainer all act as visual reminders about the challenge the Getson’s will be facing this summer in Prince Edward Island.

In December 2007, Allan (32) and Fay (28) Getson registered for the Biking for Breakfast Challenge (BFBC). They will be attempting to… Click here for the full story.

Rare World Class Training Coming to Newfoundland & Labrador St. John’s , NL – Memorial University are looking for a few good cyclists to participate in world class physiological testing. This is an incredible opportunity for cyclists who are 19 years old or more. The cyclists can be less than 19 years old with parental approval. This could be a potential gem for cyclists competing at the Nationals as well as those hoping to qualify for the Canada Games in Prince Edward Island in 2009.

The following is a letter to Bicycle Newfoundland & Labrador by Geoff Power:
School of Human Kinetics and Recreation, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s NL, A1C 5S7

Dear Coach and/or cyclist:
Our laboratory… Click here for the full story.

BNS Looking for Webmasters
Halifax – Bicycle Nova Scotia is looking for two talented and enthusiastic webmasters to help this non-profit organization maintain their website. The salary is $0.00 but the rewards are many.

– Positions available: 2
– Salary: $0
– Location: anywhere with internet access

Job description:
– Maintain the BNS website
– Add content provided… Click here for the full story.

NS Cyclists in Canada Games Training Mode
Preparation for the 2009 Canada Games team is well underway as athletes headed off to New Brunswick’s Kougibouguac National Park for some incredible full-body training this past weekend. The attendance of the core-team’s newly signed (Team Apogee-Kuota) riders Geoff O’tool and Garrett McLeod ensured that all would experience the endorphin high of ricocheting off the bodily rev limiter at minus 20 degrees. Accompanying the experienced riders were some of Pictou’s finest, namely Paul Slaunwhite, Justin MacDonald, Adar Grealey, and Lucas McCulloch. Professional instruction in the dance of cross-country skate skiing was provided by the Atlantic Cycling Centre’s Luc Arseneau on Saturday…. Click here for the full story.

Velo Cape Breton Abandon Provincial Insurance for International
Insurance Plan
Sydney, NS – Velo Cape Breton is changing their insurance from their local provincial cycling association to an international organization. This year your Executive has chosen to subscribe to the Insurance program of IMBA (International Mountain Bike Association) through a … Click here for the full story.

Lake Charles Ice Race has Nova Scotians Braving the Cold this Sunday
Lake Charles, NS – It is rare to read the description of an event and instead of a storm date, the organizers have a “in case it is sunny date.” Well, this is exactly what is happening in Lake Charles this Sunday. Iditalake is taking over Nova Scotia this Sunday and Lake Charles will never be the same after cyclists participate in the Lake Charles Ice Race. Click here for more information.

CAC Looking for Bilingual Communications Coordinator
Ottawa, ON – The Coaching Association of Canada is seeking a suitable applicant to fill the position of Communications Coordinator. See details below.

The Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) is seeking to hire a Communications Coordinator to support the… Click here for the full story.

Hit-from-behind Death of Newspaper Publisher Rattles Whistler Community
Whistler, BC – The death of the co-founder and publisher of Whistler’s largest weekly newspaper in an accident while on holiday in New Zealand has sent shockwaves around the resort.

Kathy Barnett, who along with her husband, Bob Barnett, began Pique newsmagazine 13 years ago, was cycling with an organized bike tour when she was struck from behind by a car on Jan. 30. Her husband, Pique’s editor and co-owner, was not injured in the accident, which occurred on the State Highway 1 near Lake Taupo, on New Zealand’s North Island.
The couple had taken most of January off to travel in the U.S.,
Australia and New Zealand, and had been due back at the end of this
week, said… Click href=”http://www.atlanticpedaler.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1140&Itemid=159″>here
for the full story.

Garmin to Sponsor U.S. Cycling Team
Garmin International will sponsor one of professional cycling’s most-promising teams. The Olathe navigation company said Monday it would sponsor Slipstream Sports, likely to be racing in this summer’s Tour de France.

Slipstream riders, based in Boulder, Colo., will use Garmin’s bicycle computer, the Edge 705. Support vehicles will use Garmin’s Nuvi 770 navigators.

“Technology plays a key role in our training, traveling and communicating as a team,” said Jonathan Vaughters, Slipstream’s chief… Click here for the fully story.

World Bicycle Relief: It’s History & Work
World Bicycle Relief was founded in 2005 by SRAM Corporation and Trek Bicycle in response to the December 2004 tsunami that swept the Indian Ocean. Read about how you can become involved in this creative response to people humanPOWERment. OUR MISSION: EMPOWERING PEOPLE. Simple, sustainable transportation is an essential element in disaster assistance and poverty relief…. Click here for the full story.

Sports Participation Plummets Since 1998 (except for P.E.I.)
As far as organized sports go, Mike Yerxa can usually muster enough enthusiasm to play one game of tennis a month, and that’s in the summer when the weather is good.

“I think I kind of live vicariously through people playing sports on TV,” said Mr. Yerxa, 25, a self-described Olympics addict who skips work to watch his favourite events (tennis and figure skating) and can rhyme off Olympic moments stretching back to 1994, when, a month before the Lillehammer Games, Shane Stant clubbed Nancy Kerrigan in the knee – and Mr. Yerxa was hooked.

According to a new study, Mr. Yerxa is part of a growing number of Canadians who are moving from the tennis courts and the soccer fields to… Click here for the full story.

Driver Given Max Sentence in Cyclist Death After Laughing Jailhouse Phone Call
Tuscon, AZ – In a recorded jail phone conversation, an acquaintance said the driver should get a medal and a parade because she had “taken out” a “tree hugger, a bicyclist, a Frenchman and a gay guy all in one shot,” then the driver laughed. When the man said he knew it was a terrible thing to say, she responded, “No, it’s not.” The judge in the case said the call was “breathtaking in its inhumanity.”

A judge sentenced a woman to nearly the maximum prison term for negligent homicide after hearing a recorded jail conversation in which she… Click here for the full story.

New Toronto Bike Mag Looking for Name
Toronto, ON – It’s a gloomy time of year to be a cyclist, but Dave Meslin and the Toronto Cyclists Union are still finding time for projects in between their slushy commutes. The group is about to launch its own magazine, and they’re looking for a name. They’ve narrowed the list down to 11, selected from over 250 names submitted by Toronto bike fanatics (Torontoist’s official vote is for “Spoke &… Click here for the full story.

Final Week for Making Dreams Possible Applications There is only one week remaining to apply for the next wave of GM’s Making Dreams Possible Club Coaching Grants and High Performance Coach Grants with the deadline of February 14, 2008!

In its first year, the General Motors (GM) Making Dreams Possible initiative, in partnership with the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) has awarded 115 – $2,000 community club grants and 10 – $10,000 high performance grants across Canada! These grants have already provided funds for coach training and development to over 5,000 coaches, ultimately affecting nearly 70,000 Canadian athletes. The goal of the Making Dreams Possible program is to enhance the sport experience for our Canadian athletes at all levels through coaching… Click here for the full story.

AthletesCAN Announces Team ACAN Program
Ottawa, ON – AthletesCAN is pleased to introduce the Team ACAN Program which matches athlete representatives (reps) with AthletesCAN board members to encourage ongoing dialogue.

The program provides athlete reps with mentorship from proven athlete leaders and with benefits such as network building, learning about other sports and gaining leadership skills. On the flip side, the program will help AthletesCAN to keep a pulse on what’s happening with athletes across all sports and to foster athlete leaders.

“Athlete reps play an important role in the Canadian sport system by acting as a link between their national sport organization (NSO) and… Click here for the full story.

1.8 million Coaches Support Canadian Sport with Female Coaches Outnumbering their Male Counterparts
Ottawa, ON – The Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) is encouraged by today’s Statistics Canada report, Sports Participation in Canada, 2005, which revealed that the number of amateur, volunteer coaches in Canada has reached 1.8 million, or seven per cent of the total population. Female coaches outnumbered their male counterparts by a slight margin with 882,000 women and 874,000 men coaching.

The 1.8 million coaches is an increase from the 1.7 million reported in 1998 and is more than twice the 840,000 reported in 1992. The… Click here

Sandro Buys a $7,000 bike but Please Don’t Tell his Wife
Sandro doesn’t want you to know where he lives, where he works or even what his last name is. He has a secret – a lie, some might call it – that mustn’t get out.

But here it is anyway: Sandro paid $7,000 for a bicycle. Why the cloak-and-dagger act?

“My wife would probably kill me if she knew,” he says discreetly from work. “I told her I bought it with my sister.” Like many big-spending weekend warriors, he fell for Cannondale Bicycle, a company whose bikes have been ridden to stage victories at the Tour de… Click here for the full story.

Upcoming Atlantic Events
Take advantage of our Calendar by planning your vacation around an upcoming ride or submitting your own ride for free. Please visit Submit Rides FAQ for directions on how to submit your ride. The rides are limitless; the option is yours. Click here for the complete calendar.