News Archives - 2012

Early bird rego closes May 13. Save some $$ and make sure you don't miss out on this great event.

There is racing for all categories and a very popular fondo.

This is also the first event in the GS Tour of Vancouver - a club challenge where you pit your total time from three events against others in your category or age group, putting it all on the line for the coveted GS Tour of Vancouver podium socks.

Check it out and register here.

Morgan wins the overall (Credit: Ted Matson)

Report by Erin Redl

The latest exploits of the Glotman Simpson Cycling Team come from charming Maple Ridge, BC. Only a short hour’s drive from the more-familiar Cuppa Joe’s parking lot, a total of 17 GS club members were kitting up on the morning of Saturday, April 28th for the 10th edition of Local Ride’s Race the Ridge.

North Shore rides meet at Cafe Crema in the North Shore (15th and Bellevue ave, one block south of Marine Drive) (Credit: Google Maps)

 

Starting Saturday April 28, 12012 and continuing to be held the last Saturday of every month for the remainder of the summer Glotman Simpson's Saturday ride will be leaving from the North Shore.  
 
The ride will meet 8:30 at Cafe Crema (Located at 15th and Bellevue ave, one block south of Marine Drive). The ride will head out along Bellevue Ave and until 25th Ave where riders will head along Marine Drive to Horseshoe Bay. The only stop and turnaround point will be the washrooms at Whytecliff Park. The ride will then return along Marine Drive and end at Different Bikes West Vancouver location (Located at 15th and Clyde Ave, one block north of Marine Drive).
 
We will be maintaining the same groups (Racer Cat 1/2/3/4, Enthusiast, Recreational, Novice). Due to the narrow roads and limited shoulder space the ambassadors will likely be sending riders out in smaller than normal groups to ensure the ride does not become a hindrance to other cyclists and drivers. It is very likely that the ride will split up a great deal due to the nature of the route. We ask that riders try to avoid traveling the route in groups larger than 8. 

Starting next Thursday May 3rd the ever popular skill sessions will be returning for 2012.

The skills sessions cater to both beginner and seasoned riders. The sessions work on bike handling skills, teach group riding skill and ride tactics that can be used to sit in a pack or attack the group at the local Tuesday nighters!

  • Starting May 3rd and running to August 30th
  • Open to all Glotman Simpson Club members
  • 6:00pm to 8:00pm Every Thursday Night
  • Meet at the GS Club Office (1637 West 5th Ave)

$15 a Session Drop In
$150 for the Season (18 sessions)
* No session if its raining, updates will be via the Glotman Simpson Twitter feed and updated by 4:00 each Thursday. 

 The session will be capped at 30 riders, so if you're planning on attending please sign up early!

 

Jacob throwing his bike for the prime in the men's pro,1,2 crit at the 2012 Tour of Walla Walla. (Credit: plushphoto.ca, Jacob's mum)

Walla Walla by the numbers:

  • Miles Driven = 3,300
  • Hours in the saddle = 119.2
  • Speeding tickets avoided = 1
  • Expired Power Gels consumed = 57
  • Expired power gels left stuck to Erin’s back seat = 1
  • Bibs washed in hotel room sinks = 14
  • Max capacity of a standard room at the Walla Walla Holiday Inn = 6
  • Inappropriate comments from our beloved star male athlete = 321
  • Value of overdue racing debts from last season paid back entirely in quarters = $100
  • Flats = 0
  • Chains dropped at inopportune moments (AKA “Schlecking”) = 1
  • Crashes during the Holiday Inn Parking Lot Criterium = 1
  • Quinoa consumed (dry basis) = 14.8 lbs
  • Well-cultivated tan lines = 36
  • Time spent analyzing Marc and Emil’s power data = 7 hours
  • Time spent debating optimal training strategies = 59.3 hours
  • Longest uninterrupted period wearing same pair of bib shorts = 15.2 hours


The 2012 kick off party was a roaring success.  We learned about all the great upcoming events the club will be putting on this year and then we got down right social!

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Good times lay ahead at the St. Regis Hotel this April 18 (6 PM onwards). Don't miss out! (Credit: Google Maps)

Our Season Kick Off Party is fast approaching! The event is being held this Wednesday April 18th at the St. Regis Hotel. Doors open at 6pm and the event will begin at 6.30pm.

We will be announcing details about the clothing, new rides (including a new North Shore ride), team bikes and helmets. This is an essential meeting for all new or returning riders and racers who want to be informed about the club happenings for 2012. Last year it was also one of our most popular social events to welcome new and returning riders.

Date: Wednesday April 18
Venue: St. Regis Hotel (602 Dunsmuir St. Vancouver in Downstairs Bar/Pub)
Price: Free Entry (Food and Drinks Extra)
Time: 6pm - doors Open. 6.30pm - Official Announcements

Club rides start points have returned to Cuppa Joe's once again. (Credit: google maps)

Please note that this Saturday the group ride will be back at its regular location. We will be meeting in the upper parking lot of Cuppa Joe Coffee on the corner of 4th and Alma. Due to the expected high turnout this season we ask that riders do not crowd the lower West 4th sidewalk but instead gather up top.

The ride will be the regular Richmond loop and riders will again be heading off in groups of 10-12 starting at 8:30am. Please remember to point out road debris and other obstacles to your fellow riders, the Marine Drive section of road seem improved since winter but still treacherous for tires.

If you have not turned in your waiver for 2012, you must do so Saturday to participate in the ride.

Download Waiver

The amazing thing about cycling is all the amazing charity events put on, such as our very own Cypress Challenge.  We were recently extended an invitation to participate in the Wheel to Heal event.  If you live in the PoCo or Tri-Cities area you may be especially interested.  More details follow below:

MEA Forensic plans to crash test about 1000 used helmets to understand how helmet performance degrades with time and use. Your old helmets can be part of this study.

We are accepting donations of used helmets that have not experienced a crash – anything from a helmet worn a couple times to that old helmet from the 90’s that is collecting dust in the garage. Bicycle, ski, snowboard and skateboard helmets are needed.

With donation, Glotman Simpson club members get $10 towards a new Lazer helmet at Different Bikes.

Drop your helmets off at Different Bikes’ Vancouver (1421 W. Broadway) or West Vancouver (1437 Clyde Ave.) locations.

Thank you.
MEA Forensic

Questions?
helmets@meaforensic.com

This week end, the sun came out in full force (well, full Vancouver April force) for
Barry’s Roubaix, the Paris-Roubaix tribute race hosted by Local Ride bike shop
every year.

The course was a 10km loop, 5km of which were held on a narrow loose gravel trail.
The course is flat, but it certainly doesn’t feel that way. As far as I’m concerned, 5km
up Seymour mountain per lap would have felt easier.

The women of GS were representing bright and early with Madeleine in yellow for
the cat 4 race at 8:30am. She rode strong, had fun, and took a wrong turn down

It was a perfect day for racing as the GS contingent headed for Stave Lake, the site of the Mission Town Hall road race held on Saturday. 11 GS racers made the trek (5 of them opting to squeeze into the Glotmobile for an epic trip through the Lower Mainland).

By the time we arrived in Mission, the perfect day had taken a turn for the worst as the wind picked up and sleet began to fall… Despite these conditions, our ten racers put on brave faces and all the spandex they own and headed out on the course.

For the first club ride of the season ONLY we will be starting Different Bikes on 1421 West Broadway. (Credit: Google maps)

The ride will be starting at 8:30am from Different Bikes on West Broadway. The shop will be opening at 8:00am and we will be providing coffee and food.  This is a great chance for many of you to meet your fellow club members, sponsors, and ambassadors. With good weather and some of the best riding company around you don’t want to miss out!

If you have not turned in your waiver for 2012, you must do so Saturday to participate in the ride.

Download Waiver

3 Stage Omnium Event for Club Members Only.

Stage 1: Westside Classic

Pre-Fondo Road Race (NON RACERS -  6  laps), Road Race (CLUB RACERS) -  time for laps of  RR course

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/62345206

June 10

Stage 2: GS Iona Individual Time Trial  -  combined time of two best ITT

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/62342416

June  17 , July  15 , July  29  , Aug  12 

 

Stage 3: GS Cypress Hillclimb - Aug - time for hillclimb   

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/62348336

Aug 18

2012 is already well underway with well attended Saturday group rides, Spring Series Racing and a large contingent of club riders in San Diego working on their tan lines. I would like to welcome all new riders to the club and make everyone aware of two important dates:

April 7 – The first official group ride of this season (full details in the next newsletter)
April 18 – The Glotman Simpson AGM

Bob and Wendell in the snow at the top of Cardiac Hill

The first official Glotman Simpson mountain bike ride took place Saturday 25th. The weather leading up to the ride was dreadful and I was sure no one would turn up. Happily I was wrong, Wendell Challenger was there to lay the challenge down.

[Editor's note - wow this is the first time I have ever heard that quip about my last name before!]

Bob showing the double track gravel trail who is boss. Don't worry he will take you on lots of pretty single track dirt trails too.

Attention potential mountain bikers!

Bob, our Dirt Ambassador is currently compiling an email list of Club Members who may want to join him for some mountain bike rides this year. He will only send group emails about upcoming rides, clinics or races so do not worry about being bombarded with lots of annoying conversations etc.

All levels and abilities welcome.

Please reply to Bob via email: bw101@triumf.ca

We've had a large portion of the Club renew their membership for 2012 but unfortunately only a small handful have handed in their waivers. In order to participate in Club rides, spin classes and any other activity we must have a signed waiver from you. Before taking part in your next Club ride please download this waiver, sign and bring to the ride leader.

 

Looking to loose the skinny tires? Riding on the road without fenders just not getting you dirty enough? Own a mountain bike or a carbon fiber dogma you feel like taking off some sweet jumps?

Race Ambassador Bob Welbourn will be heading up the mountain biking division within the club this year. Bob will be taking the lead within GS and will be hosting clinics and group rides as weather permits. Bob has been with Glotman Simpson Cycling since 2009, a Category 2 racer with a passion for mountain biking and cyclocross; his personal goal for the 2012 season is to win the national cyclocross title. He is motivated to promote mountain biking within the club and is looking forward to many fun days on the trails. If you are interested in being part on any of these rides or looking for more details he can be reached at bw101@triumf.ca.

Racing this season? Want a lead out train like Cav has? Dreaming of having a loyal climber like Rolland to pull you to the top of the climbs? The GS Race Ambassadors are here to make it happen. Contact the Ambassador of your race category to get involved:

Pine Creek Road from loop three of the route, as featured in the Mount Laguna Bicycle Classic logo. (Credit: AdventureCORPS)

Some of us are planning to meet in San Diego March 18 to 25 for some early season cycling in the sun. Come join us and get a head start on your 2012 season. Group Rides will start at 9:00AM each day from the designated starting location and follow the route that we have mapped out for the day.

The links I have provided below are to Mapmyride - files can be downloaded to your garmin or there is a Mapmyride app available for blackberry & iphone users.

This notification just came in.

Team Glotman Simpson,

My name is Sabrina Wilkie, and I am conducting an exercise physiology study at UBC investigating the effects of breathing on cycling performance.  I am wondering if any of your members (men & women) would be interested in participating.  They would receive a free VO2max test on a Velotron cycle ergometer.  I can be contacted at: sreeve@interchange.ubc.ca for more information.
Regards,

Sabrina Wilkie

Also new for 2012 will be a stage race event open to all club members who wish to take part. The event will consist of four events scheduled throughout the season including: two Time Trials, the Westside Classic Pre Fondo and the Cypress Hill Climb. The event will be open to all club members with various age and ability categories. At the end of the season your cumulative time will decide the winner1.

It's going to be an exciting 2012 for the GS club! Based on the popularity of the group rides last season, we will be introducing 16 Club Ambassadors to help with rides and various club events. The Group rides will again cater to Racers (A group), Enthusiast Riders (B + and B group), and Recreational Riders (C and novice/junior). We will be introducing a North Shore ride leaving from West Vancouver's Different Bikes location. This will be a special event held once a month, stay tuned for details.

Other special club ride events are (tentatively) scheduled as follows:

http://www.differentbikes.ca/news/different-number-5/

As you may have already heard, Different Bikes is happy to announce an ALL NEW addition to the DB family of Metro Vancouver shops. The FIFTH store will be centrally located in Kits on West 4th Avenue near Burrard very close to the GS Headquarters!

Read on...

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