2009 Results
May 5th - Hwy 830 20km ITT
The first event of 2009 turned out to be quite eventful. From 5:30 pm until 6:30 pm the normally reasonably quiet Highway 830 was virtually a nose-to-tail continuous stream of cars, pick-up trucks and buses in the southbound direction - nothing to do with the fires burning to the northeast, just Scotford construction workers heading home. The guys who were out warming up at the time said they had to make very sure that they stayed well to the right on the narrow shoulder all the time - something to bear in mind the next time we ride on this course. Jim Yeske was out early with a brush, trying to sweep away the sands of winter-time at the start and finish, and also spruced up the course markings with some nice new paint. We had a visit from Bob McGrory of the Edmonton Seniors newspaper, who took in the whole event and interviewed several people - look for an article on EMCC sometime soon. And finally we had a courteous visit from the RCMP! It seems there had been a complaint about cyclists riding dangerously far out in the traffic lane, but the officer left after being satisfied that we were riding alone and single-file. However, this should be a wake-up call and another reminder that we have to ride safely and defensively at all times - your safety is in your hands.
As for the event itself, a stiff cross-wind put paid to most hopes of a fast time, but Liza Miranda and Anna Paton both won Age Standard medals for their first ride at 20 km. Mike Burton also got a medal for his first plus - amazing what nice new go-faster toys and a bit of training can do! John Dawson-Edwards also wins a medal - a chocolate medal for equaling his previous best plus.
May 21st - Track
Despite the fact that it wasn't snowing, the turn-out for the first track meet was very poor. The officials decided to run just the Track Championship-counting event, then everyone had a training ride and went home . . .
May 26th - Crit
For the third Tuesday in a row the weather affected the racing, but at least we were able to run the first criterium of the year. There was rain and hail during the first race, and all the riders looked like coal miners at the end. Several riders decided not to start the second race, and it was pretty much like a parade for the rest that dared to start on the wet road.
June 2nd - Villenuve 20km ITT
June 9th - Northern Bear RR
June 11th - Track
June 16th - Hwy 830 20km TTT
June 23rd - 'Prom' Races
On a perfectly good night, with a newly surfaced and perfectly safe course, there were as many riders as there were volunteers out to experience promenade races for the first time - except for Heinz, who said he used to ride "prom" races regularly back in the 1950's. As those who did turn out found out, this is a simple, safe, fast - and also hard! - format, with plenty of spectator interest. Those of you who didn't turn up, well, you don't know just how much fun and hard work you're missing.
In the D/E/W races, Erich had the measure of Heinz on the night, but Yvonne managed to ride away from them all in the handicap. The two lonely C's engaged in a track-type omnium, where Richard Henderson demonstrated how effective all that track work and track league racing has been, in converting his strength into speed on the bike. Dave Watson was desperately close in all three duels - perhaps the hill wasn't quite long enough or steep enough for him . . .
June 30th - Graminia 20km TT
The volunteer who caused the Graminia course to be short was concerned enough and gracious enough to apologize for his mistake. It seems that on his way out to the turn he stopped to sweep gravel from the corner on Golden Spike Road, then realized he was very short of time to get to the turn, and in his hurry simply made a mistake.
July 2nd- Track
July 14th - Hwy 803 20km TTT
July 19th - Keephill RR Championships
The Keephills course was at its selective best for the road race championships, with a raging wind adding to the hills. The raw results of the two races don't do justice to the many small personal battles that were fought out, both between riders and against the conditions. The poor turnout also doesn't do justice to the volunteers who came out to run the race.
July 21st - Crit Championships - Revised
Another small turnout, on one of the most pleasant evenings we've ever had at the Research Park. Nevertheless the racing was fiercely contested, as befits a championship event, and the medals were well won.
July 28th - Hwy 803 40km TTT
It was about 27 degrees C at sign-on, but by start time it was a dark and stormy night and 10 degrees colder. However after a short delay for a passing shower, the race got under way on mainly dry roads. The NW wind made for a headwind going out, and rather inconsiderately dropped as the evening went on, giving less and less assistance on the way back.
August 4th - Northern Bear RR
August 6th - Track
August 11th - Graminia 20km TTT
August 16th - WMTTC
Provisional results. Note the plusses of our counting team of five are not shown, pending completion of all the WMTTC rides in September.
August 18th - Crit
The rain, hail, thunder and lightening that started halfway through the event justified the small turnout, I guess . . . But we had a couple of good races, as usual. Thanks to the full slate of volunteers who stood out there through all the rain.
August 25th - Northern Bear RR
September 1st - Hwy 803 20km ITT
It must have been a near-perfect evening, for everyone either did a personal best on actual and/or Age Standard, or at the very least a best of the year on actual and/or Age Standard. Twelve Age Standard medals were won, and two riders equalled their personal best on Age Standard.
The Maurice Johnson Memorial Cup has been won by John Edmunds, riding his first 20 km TT of the year, with the third best-ever plus at 20 km, behind Maurice Johnson and Werner Fenske. John is going to the World Masters Games in Australia in October, and on this form should do well.
September 8th - Crit - Photos
September 15th - Hill Climb - Photos
The last event of the 2009 season - the Beer and Pizza hill-climb - attracted more riders than ever before, probably due in part to the glorious weather of late and to the promise of a new and interesting course. Unfortunately the new course up from the Anthony Henday bridge was rendered unrideable by the resumption of grading work alongside the trail, and the race was held on the E.L. Smith access road hill. Next year the new paved trails accessing the AHD bridge from Cameron Heights and from Riverbend should both be completed and open, giving the option of two new courses for the hill-climb.
This year's King of the Hill was Brian Countryman, who had ridden the Provincial hill-climb championship at Banff on the preceding Sunday, and briefly - for all of 45 seconds - held the Master B record for the Mount Norquay climb.
The beer and pizza social went down as well as the race went up. The final score was Beer 22, Pizza 5.