January 23, 2014 – All of us at Superfly Racing trust you braved the ice storm and had a memorable holiday season. With 2014 well underway we’d like to refresh your memory on some of the fantastic Mountain Biking opportunities just around the corner! While many of you may still be riding (the industry has sold more “fat” bikes this year than all others combined), the majority of you are huddling around the radiator with dreams of singletrack dancing through your heads.
Superfly Racing and our associate organizers have an action-packed season ahead, capped off with Ontario’s ONLY MTb Stage Race, Crank the Shield. On top of a great season of Ontario/Canada Cups, Epic 8 Hour and 24 Hour events.
Crank the Shield offers 3 days of riding, relaxing and enjoying world class amenities at a true celebration of the sport! Superfly Racing is even involved in offering a fun week-long Riding/Training Getaway in Tucson, Arizona!
Check out this newsletter, see the feature on winter training courtesy BIKENXS, and send me an email with any questions you may have!
Spring is just around the corner – What’s your New Year’s resolution?
Keep warm and stay active!
Best,
Sean Ruppel
Sean Ruppel of Superfly Racing has been, and is also still actively part of Chico Racing, bringing you the 24 hours of Summer Solstice, and the past 12 years of the Ontario Cup Series.
Sean’s Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions
10. Get up earlier and spend less time cuddling the kittens on the couch.
9. Find a place to put my wallet when I get home, so I don’t spend 20 mins looking for it every morning!
8. Attend every Ontario Cup event for 2014!**
7. Ride my bike more than in 2013.
6. Be less fat in 2014 (see #7).
5. Make sure to mix as much non-cycling as cycling at the Superfly spring training camp in Tucson, Arizona. (Also where my favorite childhood movie, Can’t Buy Me Love, was filmed)!!
4. Continue to strive to make all my courses the best they’ve ever been! (and maybe a little easier!)
3. Curtail my ADHD by all means necessary. This will benefit everyone.
2. Be kinder to the riders that opt’ to ride “Chico’s mud bog” at the 24 Hours of Summer Solstice.
1. Attend Ontario’s spectacular 3-day Stage Race, Crank the Shield!**
** This shouldn’t be too hard, as I am the organizer!
Whatever your goals or resolutions are for 2014, just be sure to match Resolutions numbered 8, and 1 in Sean’s resolutions and you’re sure to have a spectacular 2014 riding season! (Shameless self-promotion!!)
We’re Ramping Up For The 2014 Ontario Cup Series
As we settle into our office and work routines, the riding season keeps feeling closer and closer. Work is underway to update Ontario Cup course maps, find a venue for race #6 and solidify sponsorships. Anyone wanting to be a part of the action, and be prevalent as a sponsor of the series please contact Sean at <mailto:sean@superflyracing.com?subject=RE%3A%20O-Cup%20Sponsorships>sean@superflyracing.com.
We are pleased to announce that Plastiglas is again on board as the series’ title sponsor, for the 10th straight season!
Superfly Racing and Chico Racing would also like to thank Steve Baker for his continued support and passion for cycling in Ontario. As a special keepsake, Steve and Superfly are offering Limited Edition Tech T’s to all riders signing up for the entire 7-event series! Registration for the series will be available as of Feb. 1.
We’re is excited for the 2014 season, and here is a look at the updated schedule:
Saturday, May 3
– Learn to ride clinic courtesy Superfly Racing and the OCA
Sunday, May 4
– Dukes 100th Anniversary Dashiki Ontario Cup #1 – Woodnewton
Sunday, May 25
– Ontario Cup #2 – Mansfield
Sunday, June 8
– Ontario Cup # 3 – Sir Sam’s Ski and Bike
Sunday, July 13
– Canada Cup/Ontario Cup #4 – Sudbury
Sunday, July 20
– Canadian Championships/Ontario Cup #5 – Hardwood Ski and Bike
Sunday, August 17
– Ontario Cup #6 – TBD
Sunday, September 21
– Provincial Championships – Horseshoe Resort
We’re looking forward to seeing you at the races!
More O-Cup Details
Superfly Racing also helps out with Chico Racing’s awesome 24hr! Check it out here!
The Benefits Of Winter Trail Riding
by Eric Orschel, BikeNXS MTB Coaching & Racing
While many mountainbike riders hibernate to the confines of their basement trainers and spin studios, I like to mix it up and get the Bikenxs riders out to take advantage of optimal snow trail riding opportunities when conditions are ideal. Over the last several weeks the trails of Durham Forest and Walker Woods have became frozen and hard packed offering the ideal chance to experience a snow trail ride. Here are a few benefits to braving the cold and snow for the occassional winter trail ride:
1. Improve Your Balance And Learn To Fall!
Riding hard snow on narrow cross county ski packed, or snowshoe trampled trails, allows cyclists the ability to work on balance and smooth cadence to maintain traction. Veering off the hard pack into the soft snow introduces the classic endo where your front wheel actually stops dead in the snow, a safe way to work on falling off your bike and landing on snow as opposed to hard ground!
2. Perfect Your Climbing And Downhill Techniques
Climbing snowy hills requires riders to use an easy gear and keep that rear wheel traction, similar to attempting a muddy trail climb. Downhills help riders accentuate the “attack position” where you bring your hips back behind the seat and stretch out your arms, minimizing weight on the front tire to reduce the chance of a “snow endo”.
The best part of experiencing snow trail riding is that it allows us mountain bike addicts an escape back to the forests and trails that we long for. So scout your local trail conditions to make sure the snow is not too soft (or icy), and take your next training session to the snowy trails!
Be careful out there!
Iceman (aka Eric)
Check out our exclusive spring training week in Arizona!
Superfly Racing is pleased to be teaming up with Barrie Shepley on a spring riding getaway in sunny Tucson, Arizona! Join Sean and other Superfly cohorts as we ride, relax, and enjoy the warmth of the Arizona sun! This is a camp for riders of ALL abilities, and we encourage the everyday rider to join us in Tucson! Fun activities such as nights out and taking in a Phoenix Coyotes hockey game will all be part of the fun!
Learn more here.
Email Sean For More Details at sean@superflyracing.com
Crank the Shield is selling out fast!
Register now and save before the next price increase!
Many of the regular Crank the Shield riders have already registered for what promises to be the BEST Crank the Shield ever! We’re also seeing new riders take the plunge, but with the accolades of previous Crank participants loud and proud, this is no leap of faith.
With 4 years of previous Crank’s ironing out the bugs (and drying up the mud), Crank the Shield is a formidable 3-day event featuring diverse, challenging riding, outstanding organization and incredible cabin accommodations. Add to this the incredible food, socializing and beautiful country, and Crank the Shield is a no-brainer for the intermediate to advanced rider!
Be sure to check out the awesome schwag available at affordable prices!
Thank You From Superfly Racing