November 25, 2009 (Toronto, ON) – Here is the latest news from the OCA, including an appeal for participation in an Ontario Cup DH survey, announcement of a partnership between the FCV and Tri-Ontario, Orangeville Indoor race series info, and 2009 Hespeler Grand Prix of Cyclocross race info. Read on for all the details.


2009 Ontario Cup Downhill Survey – Input Needed

After a successful and exciting 2009 Ontario Cup Downhill Series presented by Peter Appleton, Sir Bike A Lot Racing and sanctioned by the OCA, we would like to get some input from the series participants. Please click here to participate in the survey. The survey will close December 2 at 10 am.


FCV and Tri-Ontario, in partnership with OCA

The Ontario Cycling Association and the Forest City Velodrome have been working hard to fulfill the mandate of their recently awarded Trillium Grant. The largest mandate of the grant is to bring new riders to the Velodrome over the winter.

OCA staff member Nicky Pearson contacted Tri-Ontario to see if they would want to send their athletes down to the track, and Provincial Tri Coach Craig Taylor and Executive Director Linda Kirk met with Nicky to discuss this partnership.

On Saturday November 21st the first group went down and had an outstanding experience under the leadership of Track Guru Rob Good and his outstanding volunteer staff.

Letters from Coaches/Parents that attended:

Good Afternoon,

We had a fantastic experience and the kids were thrilled!!

I would like to pass on a few photos and thanks to the good people at Trillium for allowing the youth racers to experience the thrill of the velodrome and the top drawer instruction from Rob Good.

Yet another reason to love cycling and this was a highlight of the weekend.

Thank you very much,

Brian S.

Rob,

Thanks so much for taking our triathletes through a session at the velodrome on Saturday. Everyone benefitted from the experience, and they were energized and excited after the experience.

I’ve posted a short video on our blog, here.

Hopefully it will help us generate some more interest amongst the younger kids. I’ll keep you posted on upcoming dates that we’d like to send some athletes.

Thanks again,

CT

To see photos of the event, click here.

If you have any athletes that would like to take advantage of this great opportunity, please contact Nicky Pearson at the OCA, bmx@ontariocycling.org 416 426 7247


Orangeville Indoor Dirt Series Starts This Weekend

Last winter was a ton of fun up in Orangeville – so easy to get to, so much fun to spend part of the winter with your friends. Bring jackets as there is minimal heat in the new building. New for winter 2009 – REAL DIRT ! FOUR straights of fun, 4 man start gate, officials, photographers, newbies, pros – how much fun can you have in one day?? Same grounds as last year, but in new building: “when you are looking at the front of the buildings from the parking lot – it is the building on the very far right. It has a rounded white roof. Looks kind of like a barn.”

Directly from organizer Brent Smith, and available on Facebook at “Orangeville Indoor Mountain Bike and BMX series”

* All riders, race and practiceopen ride must have 2009 OCA membership. One Weekend permits are available on site for $10 per weekend. 6 Races booked for this season. 3 Weekends.

2009 Orangeville Indoor Race Series

– Race 1 – November 28, 2009
– Race 2 – November 29, 2009
– Race 3 – December 05, 2009
– Race 4 – December 06, 2009
– Race 5 – December 12, 2009
– Race 6 – December 13, 2009 – Finals, Double points.

Schedule
– 10 am – Noon – Registration
– 10 am – 12:30 – Practice Training
– 1 pm – Racing starts

Please note this is a slight change from season one, an hour earlier race start time. We will be staying tight to this timeline to help get long distance travellers out in good time.

– Open Ridepractice – $15
– Am Racing – $25, Medals to 4th place
– Pro Racing – $40, 50% payback

So far HARO bicycles and KONA bikes have stepped up as sponsors, committing to some cool merchandise prizes for the series. The more sponsors, the better for the competitors, this event will get lots of exposure in the Ontario bike scene for any area companies. If anyone is interested in joining as a sponsor, please get in touch.

We also have room for some vendors to set up. As we near Christmas, this is a great time to show the riders the latest goodies. Any shops interested in vending, please inquire.

For more information, post message on the facebook site, or contact Brent brent.smith4@sympatico.ca.


2009 Hespeler Grand Prix of Cyclocross – Dec. 13, 2009

Think the ‘Cross season is over? Think again, announcing the 2009 Hespeler Grand Prix of Cyclocross presented by the Hub Bicycle Shop, taking place on Sunday December 13th, 2009 at the Hespeler Arena in Cambridge. Since there are no Ontario Series points up for grabs, the emphasis will be 100% on FUN, but prizes will be a plenty for everyone who joins in (not just the race winners!).

Format will be a 2 mass race starts, no seeding or time gapped classes. Please be honest with yourself and register for the race you will have the most FUN in.

– 11AM race for all women, cadet men, beginner men, Master 3 men and slower M2 men.
– 12:30PM race for elite men, Master 1 men, Junior Men, and the faster M2 men.

Course will be a mostly flat, technical, grassy circuit with a few small bumps. Be sure to take your time through the Money Trees as you could be rewarded handily! Awards will be given to the riders who appear to be having the most FUN on the course.

Prizes for the top 3 and the last 3 in each race, as well as other intermediate race prizes! Women, Juniors and Cadets will have their own prizes also.

Come on out have some FUN and keep some of your cross fitness into the Holiday season.

Click here for the event flyer.

December 17, 2008 – Here is the latest cycling news from Ontario, including the OCA Spring DH and BMX camp announcement, a chance for you to vote for your favourite Ontario cyclocross course, and the O-Cup DH awards nominees and awards night details.

OCA Announces Spring Downhill and BMX Camps
BMX Project
2008-2009 Team Ontario Athletes will be attending an 8-day camp in Orlando, Florida from April 7 to 15. This time frame allows participation in the NBL Easter Classic that takes place April 10-12.

Downhill Project
Selected Ontario Athletes will be attending a 7-day camp in Bootleg Canyon, Boulder City, NV from February 9 to 16. This time frame allows participation in the MOB N Mojave Race and some solid early season training. For more information please click here.

Cyclocross Ontario Poll – Favourite Course
Visit www.cyclocrossontario.com to vote on your favourite cyclo-cross course of 2008.

O-Cup DH Awards Nominees Selected – Dont Miss it Dec. 17th!!
Well folks here are the top 2 selections in each category. These selections were selected by you, the riders of the O-Cup DH circuit!

We hope to see all the nominees at the awards, so don’t miss it.

PLUS!!! We have our special Ontario DH Team going to train in Nevada at Bootleg canyon, in order to help with some of the costs with this trip we are going to have a fundraiser at the awards. We will be charging $2 per person attending the awards, selling 50/50 tickets and doing a silent auction for some sweet prizes. Be sure to come out and support your friends and fellow riders.

Just a few of the Silent auction prizes so far:
– Case of Want energy drink
– Titec Hellbent DH bar
– Deity Dirty thirty handlebar
– E-13 Chain Guide
– Hutchinson Scorpion DH Tire
– 20 session passbook for Industry bike park

Details on camp and who was selected here.

Nominees as selected by you:

1. Most Promising young rider (fastest young ripper)
– Matt Zdriluk
– Brad Zdriluk
– Rob Fraser

2. Best breakthrough Pro Performance (fastest newish rider in Pro)
– Harold Woolnough
– Tom Kakamousias

3. Most Outstanding performer. (best Male and Female riders in ontario)
– Shiela Morris
– Kristen Courtney
– Drew Pautler
– Justin Brown

4. Top Performing Team: (both on and off the hill)
– Poison frog
– Adrenaline Racer

5. Best O-Cup DH race course (which course rocked it the most)
– Camp Fortune Provincial Finals
– Heights of Horseshoe

6. Best hardtail performance (which freak on a HT can keep up to squishy’s )
– Mike Hermanovsky
– Dean Thompson

7. Most promising Minime rider
– Graeme Duff
– Ed Beemer

8. Funnest character on the O-Cup circuit (that person that rips and always has you laughin and havin a good time)
– Tommy Lucas
– Andy Robinson
– Shane Joachim
– Greg Karges

O-Cup 2008 DH Awards
WHEN: Dec 17th, 7pm start, 8pm awards start, then a couple
movies and brown pops. 10pm their DJ comes on, so we can stay if we want.

WHERE: Ogrady’s Pub at 171 College Street, Toronto Ontario www.ogradysoncollege.com
1 416 596 0327

WHAT: Medals/prizes handed out to the winner in each category, draw prizes for those who attend, surprise MTB video showing!! and movie footage from the 2008 series to watch.

WHAT TO DRINK/EAT:
– $4.50 Pints of Steamwhistle (one of our great sponsors!)
– $3.25 bottles of Corona
– $7.50 Large platter of Nachos!

WHY: keep the community feel going, reward those putting in the extra effort, keep our sport growing, beers with DH buddies

WHO: anyone is invited, racers, series sponsors, organizers, etc