Sorry everyone, I was sick all week, so no column last weekend – but now you get twice the amount of info as you usually do to make up for lost time…

Here's the scoop…
1.Where are they now? Pedal has the scoop on Melanie McQuaid:
2. NEW Junior Program in Victoria
3. Whistler News
4. Canadian Results at Red Bull!
5. BC Cyclocross provincials
6. UPCOMING EVENTS


Where are they now?
Melanie McQuaid, a Past National Cycling Team member of six years, is now hosting her own TV show, “Get Out there” on the New VI. The New VI is a TV station based in Victoria that is part of CITY TV operations. So far I've only seen short TV spots between some commercials breaks on the station. The show promotes a healthy and active lifestyle. McQuaid still competes, although these days it's mainly as an adventure racer in the NISSAN XTERRA USA Championships Series. She is currently ranked 2nd in the women's pro division. After a few podium finishes last year in the 2001 series McQuaid's top goal this year is to win the 2002 XTERRA World Championships in Maui, (October 27th).

New Junior Program in Victoria.

The Pacific Sport National Cycling Centre has just started a new junior development program. Dan Proulx (coach of National past and present junior sensations Andrew Davidson, Laura Yoisten, Jenny Trew, Nick Corcorarn, Cam Mckinnon, and Ryan McKenzie) moved to Victoria in December of last year. He has been working towards building a similar junior program to the one he coached for five years in Calgary ever since.

Based on the success he had in Calgary, Proulx is excited about the new challenge in Victoria. The program is unique to the area and he describes its future as a “swim team on wheels!” The program is modelled after the junior program Proulx designed for the National Cycling Centre in Calgary. The goal of the group is to develop young riders and introduce them to the all aspects of the sport. Riders will be encouraged to ride a variety of different bikes on the road, track and trail in a fun and positive
environment.

The program will offer two to four training spots per week. There are two groups available, one for 14 and under, the other for 15-17 yr olds. The program runs throughout the winter and spring. In June, all of the local clubs will have the opportunity to present their junior programs to the group. The athletes will then choose a local club to join for the racing season.

Proulx is a level 4 NCCP Graduate Coach and is ready to start recruiting juniors interested in the program. No experience necessary. You can contact him at DanPrlx@aol.com or through the Pacific Sport National Cycling Centre.

Whistler News
The Whistler Mountain Bike Park closed for the season last weekend after a very fun-filled weekend. The Whistler Huck Fest took place Thanksgiving weekend – organizer Paddy Kaye comments that they didn't actually host a 'huck' element to the weekend since most of Whistler's “hot-doggers” were competing at the Red Bull Rampage, also the same weekend, (see below for more details!)

Nine hundred riders showed up to ride on Saturday, (a record day for the park). Rob Cook and Brook Baker won the Max Vert Enduro, a three-hour downhill endurance event on Sunday hosted by WORCA. The Whistler premiere of Freewheel Burning sold out to an estimated five hundred viewers. Wade Simmons and Joyride Productions hosted the premiere.

The Bike Park is now closed for the season.

Canadians Take 7 of the Top Ten Results at RED BULL
The Red Bull Rampage took place last weekend and Canadian riders were up against some of the best
riders in the world. (See article in news section October 14th at pedalmag.com). One could argue however, that the Canadian riders are the best riders in the world!

Canadians Darren Barrecloth, Shaums March, Dave Watson, Richie Schley, Thomas Vanderham
and Robbie Bourdon made the top ten. France's Cedric Gracia managed to oust some by finishing second overall behind Abbotsfordís Tyler Klassen. The UK's Steve Peat, Californiaís John Cowan, Australia's John Waddell, Utah's Josh Bender, and Holland's Bas de Bever were just a few of the well-known riders on the 28-strong start list. Other Canadians on the scene included Gareth Dyer, Mike Kinrade, Dave Fleming, Brett Tippie, and Andrew Shandro.

Top 10 Results
1.Tyler Klassen
2.Cedric Gracia
3.Darren Barrecloth
4.Shaums March
5.Dave Watson
6.Kyle Strait
7.Richie Schley
8.Lance Canfield
9. Thomas Vanderham
10. Robbie Bourdon

BC Cyclocross Provincials
The BC Cyclocross Champs will be held in the middle of the city of Vancouver October 26th. Vanier Park (located under one of the main bridges in the city and right by the beach) will host the event. There will be a 2.1km loop on a combination of fast open trails and tight twisty singletrack! The course opens for training at 8:30am. There will be a mountain-cross start at 9:30am; a kids-cross start at 10:30am and the champs are at 11:00am. Only cyclocross bikes will be allowed for the championship race. For mo' info go to the cycling BC website, www.cycling.bc.ca.

Upcoming Events

Vancouver Critical Mass
October's Critical Mass ride will take place at on the 25th of October. Cyclists will gather at the Vancouver Art Gallery on Georgia Street side around 5:30pm. Keep in mind that in the spirit of Halloween, some riders will be out in costume. The ride will leave at six. For moí info go to www.monkeywrenchcafe.org/cm.

The Bill Landry Memorial Loonar Enduro
The Squamish Off Road Cycling Association (SORCA) is holding the Bill Landry Memorial Loonar Enduro on October 26th, 2002 from 2-8pm at the SORCA Shelter above Alice Lake.

Burnaby Velodrome:
Burnaby Velodrome hosts their first race weekend of the season November 8-10th. Go to
www.burnabyvelodrome.ca for moí info.