June 16, 2018 (Notre-Dame-des-Pins, QC) – A time trial stage is always more complicated, logistically. Besides every rider having a different start time (and finish time), and having to have a follow car, there is also the matter of having to get the time trial bikes prepared. While on a regular road stage the the bikes have to be washed, bolts checked, and drive train tuned daily (at minimum), for a time trial stage, the bikes have to be set up completely for each rider after having been packed for travel. Of course, this adds to the workload for the mechanics on what are already long days.

This morning at Beauce, it was a time trial stage. On top of that, it was a split stage day, with the time trial in the morning and a shorter road race in the early evening. This meant that both the TT bikes and the road bikes had to be prepared today. Even more work for the mechanics.

Here’s the thing. On a small budget team like Ride with Rendall, we don’t really have mechanics. Well, we do, but they are the same two guys who are the coach, director sportif, administrator, treasurer, driver, and more: Glen Rendall and Jason Cheney.

The big budget teams here have a dedicated mechanic, or two (and a real soigneur who is a registered massage therapist, instead of some schmo like me.) We have Glen and Jay. Every morning, they are the first to rise, and are out in the parking lot before everyone finishes breakfast, getting things ready. Then they hop in the car and work the race – Jason driving and taking DS duties and Glen sitting in the back as the mechanic. When the race is done, these two return to the hotel and start prepping the bikes for the next day. They often miss meals, and they stop only when they run out of light.

This is just the work they do during the Tour de Beauce. The rest of the year, they are supporting riders, finding sponsors and equipment, scouting, fundraising, ordering kits, and organizing races hosted by RwR, like the Clarence-Rockland Classic.

Glen and Jason’s dedication and selflessness is a model that makes Ride with Rendall work. We are a team dedicated to the development of senior elite riders, with the support of club members.The club has a significant Masters contingent, and the example set by Glen and Jason leads the Masters riders to want to support the young guns however they can.

Our Masters team is in fact pretty accomplished, with frequent wins and podiums. We have provincial champions and podiums at Nationals across disciplines, and an age-group world-hour record holder, among other accomplishments. So, from time to time, there is a bit of prize money. And almost without exception, whenever one of the Masters club members receives prize money, they donate it back to the team to support the riders on our elite team so they will have the opportunity to test themselves at races like the Tour de Beauce.

So far, this model has worked for RwR and its riders, with several of our alumni having turned pro. These include current Canadian national road champion Matteo Dal-Cin, Jordan Cheyne, and Conor O’Brien.

Of course, an amateur sports organization being supported and run by dedicated volunteers is not an uncommon story. It happens every day in Canada, whether it is a peewee hockey team or high school cheer squad. But having an amateur sports team compete against professionals on equal footing, as we are at the Tour de Beauce, completely supported by volunteer time and effort, is a little more unique, and certainly special.

Sure, we may not have the big trailer, or the bus, or the professional team staff. But thanks to volunteer time, effort and money, we are here and competing, and the bikes were flawless today. Both time trial and road… cheers.

Stage 3a results here and 3b results here.