May 8, 2008 – Here is the latest news from Chico Racing. Get the latest info on the Dukes Epic 8 Series, Opus Spring Relay, Crank the Shield, and Plastiglas Ontario Cup Series.

Dukes Epic 8 Series, Opus Spring Relay – Mansfield Outdoor Centre, Saturday, May 24
A Super-fun Relay!

Chico Racing is excited to host one of Ontario’s most popular relay events, the Opus Spring Relay at Mansfield Outdoor Centre. Pre-register prior to Saturday, May 10 to get the early-bird discount pricing on solo, tag team, 3-4 person team, and 5-6 person team entries! Mansfield offers the perfect 8 hour course with lots of twisting singletrack that is exciting and fun for riders of different ability levels. Every participant will get a chance to win an Opus bike courtesy of OGC Canada as well as a Specialized cross bike courtesy of Dukes Cycle.

New for 2008!!! No licences, citizen permits, one days or extra costs required..we have taken care of this to speed up your registration process. Every participant receives a number plate, beautiful event t-shirt, and a fantastic day of fun racing as part of their entry.

Crank The Shield – September 19-21, 2008 – Buckwallow to Haliburton Forest
Check out the new website www.CrankTheShield.com for information on the event and registration.

Plastiglas, Ontario Cup #1
Sunny skies, great course conditions, over 700 participants, and chocolate milk at the finish all tied together to pull off a seamless day of racing for Plastiglas Ontario Cup #1. In the Elite Men’s race Andrew Watson/Barrie Cycling Club showed his early season fitness to take the win, followed by Adam Morka/3 Rox Racing and Mike Garrigan/Jet Power/Epic Ride. The Elite Women’s race saw Catherine Vipond/Norco Bikes take the win over Mikaela “Fudge” Kofman/3 Rox, and Heather Gray/Cycle Solutions/Angry Johnnys. Our Junior Expert Division had Zachary Hughes/Hub Bicycle Shop take the win in the men’s division, while Laura Bietola/3 Rox Racing dominated the women’s field. Congratulations to all participants, and a special thanks to Mansfield Outdoor Centre, Canadian Ski Patrol, Allan Hawley timing, and all of our sponsors/volunteers/staff for pulling together to make this a fantastic launch to the season!

Plastiglas Ontario Cup #2 this Sunday!
Event day registration is available on site for the Plastiglas Ontario Cup #2, Sunday, May 11 (pre-reg is closed). It looks to be another excellent weekend of mountain bike racing for participants of all ability levels.

Is this your first time trying racing? Maybe you’ll want to try a Beginner (8:30am), or a Try-an-Ocup category (9:30am) to get your feet wet with Ontario Cup Mountain Bike Racing! The Albion course is twisty, exciting and close to Toronto, so it makes it an excellent Ocup to enter and be your first!

For more information on Plastiglas Ontario Cup #2 click here.

I have had a wonderful time getting out and racing a few weekly series events this year including Iceman’s Thursday Night Races at Durham Forest (www.bikenxs.com), my brother’s Tuesday Series at Albion Hills, or his Wednesday Series at King (www.superflyracing.com). If you want to increase your speed give one of these events a try as they are a blast, and they certainly help to break up the work week.

Enjoy the trails, respect others and we’ll see you out at the events!