2020 Time Trial and Hill Climb Summary - The Year of The Pandemic
This was a year like no other in the history of the Eagles. Group riding was adversely impacted as we learned to live with the pandemic. I hope that everyone is observing the protocols and staying healthy. This year the Time Trials had excellent participation considering that the TT series started late on July 4th but it ran 3 weeks longer until September 12th. Overall 43 different riders took part in the series, and there was a total of 250 entrants at the 11 TTs. Our maximum turnout was 29 riders, and there was an average of 23 participants. It was a super hot and dry summer, with only 1 TT cancelled because of rain. The format was to have the riders pre-register and pay online to avoid contact. The TTs were run in 2 Heats to meet the OCA’s Covid requirements, and the fast riders went first. It worked out quite well and the consensus was to repeat the Saturday format next year. Some riders preferred Tuesdays, so next year there will be a few extra Tuesday TT dates in the schedule. After expenses and donations, $1008 was raised at the TTs for the club’s treasury.
In addition to Time Trials, there were 3 Hill climbs on Bathurst Street on Tuesday evenings plus an extra hill climb at Hockley Valley. The Hill Climbs on average attracted on average 10 riders. I think participation will grow, and we will continue to hold the Hill Climbs next year at the Bathurst location. The Hockley location was fantastic; it will be our Championship location. More hill climb locations have been found, information will be coming next year.
It takes volunteers to run the series. Thanks to the efforts of our Race Team Co-Ordinator Dan Lundenberg, and our President Dean Robertson, they got the OCA approval for the Eagles to hold Time Trials. Initially we were one of only four clubs permitted to do so. The OCA imposed Covid compliant conditions upon us such as the fastest riders going first, and having 2 Heats to reduce gathering sizes, which meant they had to be held on Saturday mornings. The OCA must be thanked for making our TTs possible. They had do do a lot of work to get the approval from the government. The OCA conditions were well thought out, and we will incorporate them next year. The pre-registration and pre-payment also made organizing the TTs a breeze. It was also great that Victor Tolgyessy was the time keeper for the second Heat, I got to ride in the TTs this year. Sarah Grimes and Andrew Szafranski also did some time keeping, our TTs are in good hands. As for volunteers spotting and working the turn around, I never had a problem finding someone. Consequently I will run the series next year. Sadly we lost the services of Tony Osborne. Tony was passionate about cycling, his enthusiasm will be missed.
Regards,
Bob Spencer
Canadian Hour Record - Mattamy Velodrome
Last Friday triathlete Lionel Sanders broke the Canadian Hour Record riding a distance of 51.3 kilometres on the track at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre in Milton. Club members Steve Fleck was the announcer, and Ed Veal, former hour record holder was the expert colour commentator. There are links to the video of the event at Canadian Cycling magazine, and Triathlete Canada magazine; I attached the link below. The video is excellent, its very professional. Steve and Ed did a great commentary, they are naturals. There were also guests on the video such as the CEO of Zwift, and 2 riders participating in the Giro, Victor Campenaerts, the current UCI hour record holder at 55 km/h interviewed while on the massage table, and Alex Dowsett a former record holder. There is lot’s of information besides a camera following Lionel. What amazed me was how quickly Lionel recovered. He was interviewed minutes after stopping. Lionel challenged Ed to break his record, and Ed said maybe, but not at Milton due to the altitude. However Ed, there is a velodrome in Bolivia at Cochabama. It's elevation is 2600 metres where records have been set by the Canadian track team, after they acclimatized to the thin air. This is a great video, you will like it.
