This event is open only to club members and racers with a UCI licence. Each stage will have a prize for the top finisher and it will be a burger.

Ride Protocol

Volunteers will be riding an even pace throughout the event. Stay with your fellow riders, and remember that each stage has particular challenges so save your energy. If you see someone lagging behind, go back and help.

Support

There are no aid stations, but lots of gas stations and variety stores where we will be able to fuel up. Make sure that you have enough fluid and fuel on you at all times to cover 2 hours of riding (that’s 2 bottles and 2 snacks). Don’t bonk and if someone else is, share our supplies. Ride with about $20 in your pocket each day. Carry 2 tubes! Cross bike friendly, for some.

Stage 1: Riverdale Crybabies 6AM Riverdale Park

Edgars will be leading 2 hours of hurt in Riverdale park, meet at the track. Expect hill climbs, dismounts, single track and lots of sprints.

Stage 2: In Town Torture 7 AM DH East

Paul has designed a 50km course, with lots of technical, the odd hill that can only be walked up or down, some fast road stretches and city hydro-cut. Bring 2 bottles, this one is a burner. http://www.bikemap.net/route/1158021. Pace for some of the sections will be all together, if only for safety’s sake.

Stage 3: Out of Town off Road – location TBD, either Albion Hills or Duntroon.

4 hours of hard trail riding, take the time to do all the technical and improve your skills. Bring extra clothes and some food, we can have a picnic at the end of the ride.

Confirm your participation here: Click here to take survey

This event is open only to club members and racers.

Ride Protocol

Volunteers will be riding an even pace throughout the event. Stay with your fellow riders, and remember that the final day is a doozy, so save your energy. If you see someone lagging behind, go back and help. If you are passing someone, give them your wheel so they can get back on. We will split into ability levels at the start of the ride.

Support

There are no aid stations, but lots of gas stations and variety stores where we will be able to fuel up. Make sure that you have enough fluid and fuel on you at all times to cover 2 hours of riding (that’s 2 bottles and 2 snacks). Don’t bonk and if someone else is, share our supplies. Ride with about $20 in your pocket each day. Carry 2 tubes!

Stage 1, Friday July 8th, 6:30am start :Ride from Dark Horse Espresso Bar East in Toronto to the Holland Marsh, just a little bit longer than our club ride to Mary Lake. This is a hilly one, but the only challenging section is at Dufferin and Hwy 9. The road turns to gravel and there is a very steep pitch to get out of the valley. You’ll make it, just be patient.

http://www.bikemap.net/route/1087162

Stage 2, Saturday July 9th, 6:30am start: Ride to Ajax from DH east. There will be a little more traffic for this one, but the section outside of Pickering and Ajax is wonderful. Only one major hill, on Whitevale road.

http://www.bikemap.net/route/1087138

Stage 3, Sunday July 19, 10 AM start: Starts At Albion Hills Conservation Centre and rides up to Creemore and back. This ride isn’t all that hard until you get on to #21. This is the unfriendly giant. From kilometre 40 until about 62, you’ll be climbing. The road conditions are good, but pace yourself. A quick descent into Creemore for a snack and then back on relatively gentle road. There is a fee to park at Albion Hills. Car pool with your friends, enemies and frenemies to get there.

http://www.bikemap.net/route/1087114

Click here to let us know if you are participating. Those that are not do not need to complete the survey.

One of the quickest and stickiest tires around, the Continental Race King comes in a superlight “Supersonic”, UST with great sidewall protection and a few models in between. I rode the middle weight tubed versions in the TransAndes Challenge , and they always had enough grip without trading off speed. Supple bead, great tread pattern, simply a top tire for when it is dry to just a little bit wet.

The only time that I don’t recommend the tubed, lightweight versions are for long technical downhills with lots of loose rocks and boulders. There is a risk of puncture due to the thiness (though I never did and the descents were sometimes 20km). Pick one of the stouter tires and you’ll be fine.

More here: http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/general/home/index_en.html

The Respiro from Selle Royal (makers of Fizik saddles) comes in gender specific models, has a ventilated cut out and channel and provides firm support. Firm support is often the key to ride comfort as this saddle will not compress under a rider’s weight (as many others do) and it provides a platform for your sits bones, keeping soft tissue contact to a minimum.

This is our most popular saddle for charity riders and those looking for a wider base of support for their riding adventures.

More here: http://selleroyal.com/Anatomy_And_Ergonomics.aspx (safe for work, but don

Tamarra from Flaunt Boutique shows off the great styling on hair salon floor (they are located next door to us). $699 for the bike. Available in multiple colours and step-through or regular top tubes.

More details: http://www.feltbicycles.com/Canada/2011/Cafe/Cafe-Series/Café%208%20Deluxe%20W.aspx

4 different levels of arch support, 2 different metatarsal buttons and a base made for cleated sports, these were the answer to all my foot problems. For the month of April, these are $59.99 at the shop, regular $69.99 or higher at other places. Fits in all shoes and we have sizes from 38 up.

I’ll be putting my current set in the wash this week and I will report back with how they hold up.  More details here: http://www.esoles.com/products/efit_supportive.aspx

Club memberships can now be purchased at the shop. $55 will cover your insurance for the year and entitle you to a 15% discount on products (services and labour excluded). Those with a UCI racing licence do not need to purchase a club membership, and those with membership in another OCA affiliated club need only to show their card to be permitted to ride with us.

Club Rides

First club ride is April 2nd, leaving from Darkhorse Espresso Bar on Queen East at 8AM. All levels.

Want to know when the next ride is? Everything is posted on the Ride Board: http://www.hellovelo.ca/blog/2009/09/21/the-ride-board/

Our Current Schedule:

• Sunday: 10 am intermediate road ride from Darkhorse on Spadina. Mountain bike ride leaving from the same spot.
• Tuesday: 6pm intermediate night ride from the shop. Bring your lights. Absolute beginners are not permitted, but Beginners can join for the first 20km.
• Thursday: 6:30pm skills ride from the shop. All levels. Learn the bicycle bump!
• Saturday: 8am long-ride from Darkhorse Espresso Bar on Queen East. All levels.

Note that rides will get earlier and earlier as the season progresses so watch the time changes on the board, and we will be adding more rides through April.

Rider Levels

Not sure where you stand with the rest of the group? Here are some notes on the levels of rider.

• Absolute Beginner – first bike in a long-time, kind of nervous on the road, looking to build fitness slowly.
• Ride with the Beginner Group, you’ll progress quickly.
• Beginner – Experienced but not as fast, you have good bike handling skills and are looking to improve significantly this season
• Intermediate – The middle level. From very experienced riders to those coming up, this group is for those with good fitness and who have already completed a few charity rides or triathlons
• Master Racer – You are racing, and can ride 100km easily with an average speed above 30km/h including starts and stops.

———————Please read the following——————-

Cycling is inherently dangerous. Even on a closed course there exists the risk of injury and even death. Riders are responsible for riding within their limits as well as assisting others to make sure our rides and events are safe and enjoyable. Racing is even more dangerous and everyone who goes to the start line should be ready to crash, have their bike broken and to be significantly injured. Not everyone will, but you should be prepared. Just because you haven’t yet or you participate in events that do not permit drafting (like triathlon) does not mean you should be complacent and forget about the risks. Always use good judgement and do not endanger others.

The club does not recommend riding in non-sanctioned rides or with clubs and teams who are not affiliated with the Ontario Cycling Association. Participating in any of those events is like driving your car without insurance. While eating a sandwich. And drinking hot tea. With a cigarette in your mouth. And the windows down in a snow storm. While wearing flowered culottes. And high heeled shoes. Listening to Celine Dion (the horror!).

Safe Riding. Thanks for turning the pedals with us.

The Hello Velo Family

Last night, with these attached to Loverboy (my Lemond Fillmore Fixie), my short commute home on darkened streets showed just how intense these little lights are. Bright enough to trail ride with? Probably not, but plenty bright for night road rides with the club. What remains to be seen is if the rubber bodies hold up to constant removal and mounting, as I have torn up my share of Bettle and Frog lights.

More: http://knog.com.au/gear-lights/boomer.phps

Paul's Test Shoes

Men’s and women’s road and mountain bike shoes arrived.  Paul has been riding them for about a month and here is what he has to say:

On the road last year I wore the LG custom moldable shoe, a Sidi Ergo 2 and a Mavic something or other. Off-road, LG T-Flex and Mavic I don’t remember what they were called. They were all very good shoes, the best fitting for me were the Mavics and so I was almost set for 2011. Giro recently launched their shoe line in Canada and I jumped at the chance to demo two of their models.  Great fitting shoes that have the finish and stiffness of the Sidi shoes with a slightly wider fit in the forefoot. Their top-end shoes also come with a customizable insert that allows you to select the exact level of support that you need. Something no other shoe manufacturer is doing.

Available now in men’s and women’s. More details here: http://www.giro.com/us_en/products/cycling-shoes.html

Overview: When a customer walks into the shop, you ask yourself, “what can I do to make sure that nothing is in the way of them being on their bike”? You are at the front of the shop, making first contact with cyclists and working to eliminate obstacles to performance and enjoyment on the bike.

Work: Sales including processing transactions. Bike sizing, fitting, soft-goods selection, recommendations for equipment upgrades as well as consulting on riding in general. Inventory management, coordinating orders with the repair bench. Interacting with customers via traditional channels and social media.  Riding your bike.

Remuneration: Market rate.  Part-Time to Full Time Hours

Apply: Short cover letter and a resume that highlights how you line up with the job.

Send to: fit@hellovelo.ca | candidates are encouraged to visit the shop before applying | paper applications will not be accepted

Deadline: February 26, 2011

About Hello Vélo | hellovelo.ca

We are a small shop, focused on the pursuit of excellence in cycling.  We ride, we race, we raise funds for charities both big and small; we love being on our bikes.  Ride Beautifully. ]]> http://www.hellovelo.ca/blog/2011/02/14/job-posting/feed/ 0 http://www.hellovelo.ca/blog/2011/02/11/race-tested-2010-virtue-one/ http://www.hellovelo.ca/blog/2011/02/11/race-tested-2010-virtue-one/#comments Sat, 12 Feb 2011 00:32:09 +0000 Paul http://www.hellovelo.ca/blog/?p=2130 Renamed, though unchanged in 2011, the 2010 Felt Virtue One is Felt’s top of the line All-Mountain-XC 26″ full suspension bike. Note: In late 2011 their top-end bike will go all carbon, this one is super light aluminum front triangle and a carbon rear triangle. I have been on it for about half a year and this January, had the opportunity to test it (and myself) out on one of the toughest mountain bike stage races in the world, the TransAndes Challenge.

In short, this bike is definitely race ready, able to tackle technical climbs, serious downhills and still nimble when the course flattens out in between. Unique to Felt is the equilink suspension in the rear, that in use, doesn’t fully lock out, but does not suffer from extreme power sapping pedal bob. In fact, the extra bit of squish gave me the grip I needed to climb while out of the saddle on long loose climbs, not because I was rocketing through the stage but because my @$$ was so sore from training and racing that I needed a little relief. TMI, I know, but on this race being able to get out of the saddle on a technical climb lasting nearly an hour was important.

Reviews out there on the internet have told of linkage issues with bolts coming undone and either Felt fixed the problem or it was user error. My suspension has never shook loose and it definitely had ample opportunity to during the race.

Over the past 2 weeks since returning from the race, I have been thinking about replacing it, perhaps going 29er or finding a super light XC bike to race the local circuit on. But I just do not want to part with the bike. Not simply for nostalgic reasons but also because there is nothing about the bike that is holding me back. This bike will remain the flagship off-road bike for the shop into 2011.

Read more: http://www.feltbicycles.com/Canada/2011/Mountain/Virtue-Series/Virtue%20Expert.aspx

My current build

• RD: XTR Rapidrise MD951 (3 generations old! definitely an upgrade)
• Brakes, crank, FD, shifters, wheels: XT
• Fizik Tundra saddle
• PRO ergo grips
• PRO XCR riser bar – aluminum
• PRO XCR carbon seat post
• Crank brothers Candy 3
• Arundel carbon bottle cage
• PRO PLT carbon composite stem
• Fox RP23 rear shock
• Fox F32 RL fork
• Kenda Nevegal tires, raced Continental Race King and new X-King during the race

Mass including pedals, cage, two tube and mini tool repair kit, remnants of mud from the race: 12.76 kg/28.13 lbs, size 19.5

We are pleased to announce our 2011 team kit.  Along with the continued support of Gryphon Partners, AgentSam.ca, Dark Horse Espresso Bar and the staff at the shop, Mercanix: Tools for Engaging Work have come on to support our high performance program.  With their additional support, new riders will be added to our elite Triathlon and Road Racing teams, the teams will travel to more competitive races and support is renewed for our masters men and women’s team. A special thanks to Dragonfly Design Communications for the design work.

Pre-orders are taking place until Jan 15, please come by the shop to try on a size.  All reds are “BMC Red”.

A signed copy of Canadian Cycling Magazine

Ryder Hesjedal is one of our favourite things, ermmm people. Follow him here: http://www.twitter.com/ryder_hesjedal or here: http://ryderhesjedal.ca/ , be part of the Tour de Victoria May 28, 2011 http://www.victoria-cycling.com/ or grab a Wheelmen Ride Bicycles shirt here: http://www.wheelmen.ca/store.

And if you’d like this signed copy for yourself, be the first to make a $100 or greater donation to Trails Youth Initiatives and it is yours. Just swing by with a copy of the donation confirmation and we will hand it over. Donate here: http://trails.ca/content/howtodonate.html

The PRO Bike Repair Stand is made of alloy, has a sturdy clamping head and when not in use, folds away in a handy bag. Get it and struggle no more with gear and brake adjustment or cleaning. In a pinch it also works as a drying rack for your bike shorts. $219.99 and available in the shop right now.

Road bar wrapping is definitely an art, but starting with the right tape can make things simpler and result in a more comfortable ride. I never really loved the options out there, it was always too thin, not stretchy enough or too absorbent, until this year when PRO upgraded their already very good microfiber bar tape with a layer of smart silicon underneath.

The surface of the tape has just the right amount of grip (and is easy to clean) and that magical layer of silicon adds the right amount of cushion, ensures that it stays put on the bars and leaves no residue behind when changing it.

Available in black, white or silver.