By now, the bikes are tuned, the legs are

primed and hundreds of road cyclists from

across Ontario are on their way to the 58th

annual Good Friday Road Race.

The first race of the 2010 Ontario Cup series,

Good Friday is proudly hosted by the Hamil-

ton Cycling Club on the deceptively draining

drumlins of Flamborough on Friday, April 2.

What’s to love, you

ask? We answer.

1. The course. An 18.5-

km loop with 150 me-

tres of climbing per lap,

covering roads such as

Brock, 5th Concession,

Middletown Road, 6th

Concession, Westover

Road and Safari Road.

The course includes five

drumlins of up to 40 metres high. You may not

worry much the first time up them… but ask

the Elites about the 10th or 12th time, and they

explain.

2. The history. The race is in its 58th year,

and has gone through so many changes it is

hard to keep up. We have had big purses, small

purses, routes in and out of Hamilton, and the

race has even been named after our former

lead sponsor, the Hamilton Spectator. Former

winners and racers include local Olympians,

such as Brian Chewter, Adrian Prosser, Sue

Palmer-Komar and many more great cyclists.

3. The scene. This year, we are expecting an

appearance by a friend of HCC named Roger

Tupper, who is bringing his 19th century

bikes — with their big-front-wheeled antique

look — to the race. He has a set of recently

repaired bikes that include seven from the

1800s, including an 1860s boneshaker. He also

owns some 19th-century Hamilton cycling

memorabilia. Look for Tupper, a member of

the bike-history club the Wheelmen, at Flam-

borough Speedway.

4. The future. HCC has

dramatically increased

the support it is giving to

young riders, after dis-

covering that unless we

support riders in their

teens, they will go else-

where or, worse, leave

the sport before reaching

their full potential. We

are sponsoring five

young, promising youth

riders this year — some of whom you can

meet in the pages that follow. We are also of-

fering free spin classes and race entries to all

HCC youth riders.

5. The field. The race continues to draw a stel-

lar elite field, with top names in 2009 includ-

ing Andrew Randell and Ryan Roth (both of

the promising Canadian pro team led by Steve

Bauer, Team SpiderTech/Planet Energy). See

if you recognize any of the top amateurs that

the race attracts at the Ontario Cycling Asso-

ciation website for online registration

(ontariocycling.org).

And to all racers, volunteers and Good Friday

Road Race fans — a big THANK YOU on

behalf of the Hamilton Cycling Club!

Five Reasons to Love theFive Reasons to Love theFive Reasons to Love theFive Reasons to Love the

Good Friday Road RaceGood Friday Road RaceGood Friday Road RaceGood Friday Road Race

I n s i d e t h i s I n s i d e t h i s I n s i d e t h i s I n s i d e t h i s

i s s u e :i s s u e :i s s u e :i s s u e :

HCC Adds

MTB Wing

2222

Youth Rider

Profile

2222

Bike Parks:

A How-To

3333

Youth Rider

Profile

4444

Cycling

Courses

4444

Recall Janu-

ary Riding

5555

The Last

Word

6666

A p r i l 2 0 1 0A p r i l 2 0 1 0A p r i l 2 0 1 0A p r i l 2 0 1 0 H a m i l t o n c y c l i n g . c o mH a m i l t o n c y c l i n g . c o mH a m i l t o n c y c l i n g . c o mH a m i l t o n c y c l i n g . c o m Abo u t HCC :A bo u t HCC :A bo u t HCC :A bo u t HCC :

• A fast-

growing

OCA-

affiliated

club.

• Serving rid-

ers on the

road, trail,

track...

• Support for

youth with

sponsorship,

training…

• Calendar

packed with

time trials,

races, more

P a g e P a g e P a g e P a g e 2222

Youth Rider Profile: Patrick HennessyYouth Rider Profile: Patrick HennessyYouth Rider Profile: Patrick HennessyYouth Rider Profile: Patrick Hennessy

HCC Injects New Life into MTB WingHCC Injects New Life into MTB WingHCC Injects New Life into MTB WingHCC Injects New Life into MTB Wing

HCC’S executive took a big

step forward this winter to

build its mountain bike ini-

tiatives. HCC joined the

International Mountain Bi-

cycling Association and

added two new MTB posi-

tions to its executive ranks.

Both motions received

unanimous support from

the executive Jan. 13. It

came amid discussions be-

tween area mountain bikers

and HCC. The directors

agreed that the future of

HCC will include

more MTB events, trail-

pleased: “Hamilton has

always stood out in south-

ern Ontario for lacking a

mountain bike club and

we’re really excited that the

Hamilton Cycling Club has

taken these significant steps

towards welcoming a whole

new group of riders.”

Risdale is the HCC exec

member overseeing advo-

cacy and trail-building; Jeff

Landry joins the executive

as a general MTB rep.

“In the next year, we are

going to build something.”

this season.

I finished second in the

overall youth-cup series last

season. I was looking for-

ward to the first race of the

season but unfortunately

due to a knee injury I will

not be taking part in the

Good Friday Road Race.

Bummer.

“My hopes for

the upcoming

racing season

are to finish

every race with

the other racers

and hopefully

win a few.”

The Hamilton Cycling Club

is sponsoring five young

riders this year to help them

develop in the sport.

By Patrick Hennessy

Hi, I’m Patrick I’ve been

riding with the Hamilton

Cycling Club for almost a

year now and I absolutely

love it.

I love to ride my bikes,

Mountain, Dirt Jump, and

Road. The exhilaration of

being on only two wheels

instead of four is what lured

me into the sport, and that I

didn’t have a driver’s li-

cense at the time.

I am just starting into my

third year of cycling and I

am planning to participate

in most of the O-Cup races

I along with several other

Hamilton Cycling Club

riders have been taking part

in spin classes twice a week

at Freewheel Cycle

throughout the winter

months.

It’s a lot of fun and gives

us some time to train and

interact with other human

beings, rather than being

stuck on the trainer.

My hopes for the upcom-

ing racing season are to

finish every race with the

other racers and hopefully

win a few.

I am hoping to have healed

by the Paris to Ancaster

race so be sure to look for

me there.

Visit hamiltoncycling.com.

building and advocacy for

access to public land.

“There is a perception out

there that the club is only

for roadies,” explained rac-

ing secretary Henry Dudko.

“And that is just not true,

because so many of us are

also riding mountain bikes

because it's a lot fun.”

The decision left mountain

bike racer and executive

member Marc Risdale,

HCC added two new

executive positions to

aid mountain biking.

P a g e P a g e P a g e P a g e 3333

“Don’t be fooled “Don’t be fooled “Don’t be fooled “Don’t be fooled

into thinking that into thinking that into thinking that into thinking that

it’s just for kids. it’s just for kids. it’s just for kids. it’s just for kids.

Riders of all Riders of all Riders of all Riders of all

stripes can stripes can stripes can stripes can

benefit from the benefit from the benefit from the benefit from the

bike handling bike handling bike handling bike handling

skills, balance skills, balance skills, balance skills, balance

and even fitness and even fitness and even fitness and even fitness

you can you can you can you can

develop.”develop.”develop.”develop.”

Indoor Bike Parks: A HowIndoor Bike Parks: A HowIndoor Bike Parks: A HowIndoor Bike Parks: A How----to Guideto Guideto Guideto Guide

By Marc Risdale, HCC Ex-

ecutive Member and MTB

racer.

Just a few years ago, a

Cleveland-area carpenter,

Ray Petro, had a vision.

Tired of putting his moun-

tain bike away as soon as

the snow started to fly, he

decided to do what he did

best and build a place where

he and his buddies could

ride all winter long.

Fast forward a few short

years and Ray’s Indoor

MTB Park (raysmtb.com)

has evolved into a must-do

tourist destination for riders

from across the United

States and Canada. Featur-

ing challenges ranging from

the cross-country loop, to

the jumps and the pump

track, the park has some-

thing for riders at all levels.

Inspired by Ray’s success,

two local riders, Mark Sum-

mers and Scott Bentley,

sought to bring the same

brand of excitement to the

GTA. Just in time for

Christmas, Joyride 150

(joyride150.com) was born

in Markham. In a “similar

yet totally different” way,

Joyride offers the same di-

versity of challenges while

giving them their own par-

ticular Canadian flair.

If you haven’t yet been to

either of these great facili-

ties, the logistics are simple.

From Hamilton, Ray’s is a

quick border-crossing and

four hours away in Cleve-

land. It’s best experienced

as an entire weekend and

there are great rates at a

nearby hotel to ease your

financial burden. Joyride is

even closer, clocking in at

just over an hour’s travel

from Hammertown.

So, now that you’ve de-

cided to make the trip, what

does one do at an indoor

bike park? The options are

limitless but bringing the

right equipment is impor-

tant. Although some na-

tional-level cyclocrossers

use these facilities for train-

ing, they really are best

enjoyed on a mountain or

BMX bike and both parks

have great models for rent

at a nominal fee along with

helmets and protective pad-

ding.

If you’re a road-oriented

rider or occasional moun-

tain biker, you will want to

spend some quality time

familiarizing yourself with

your bike in the beginner

area. These zones are spe-

cially constructed to ease

you into riding on various

forms of wooden structures.

They are progressive in that

each skill builds into the

next one.

Once you’ve become com-

fortable in the beginner

area, the time has come to

explore the wider world of

park features.

A personal favourite is the

“pump track.” The purpose

behind a pump track is to

teach you how to “pump”

— using your arms and legs

— the bike around the

track. You’ll know you’ve

got it when you don’t need

to pedal to complete a lap.

There are also “skinnies,”

highly technical lines that

emanate from a central

“deck”, or platform. Each

line features a different ar-

ray of rocks, logs, ramps

and stunts that will test your

balance and your resolve.

Some of the special features

included in common skin-

nies are teeter-totters, sus-

pension bridges and drop-

offs.

That’s just a taste of the

adventure that awaits you at

an indoor bike park and

don’t be fooled into think-

ing that it’s just for kids.

Riders of all stripes can

benefit from the bike han-

dling skills, balance and

even fitness you can de-

velop in just one visit.

More details:

Joyride150.com

Markham, Ontario

905-294-1313

info@joyride150.com

Raysmtb.com

Cleveland, Ohio, USA

ray@raysmtb.com

Visit hamiltoncycling.com.

Photo: Stephen Hayes

Photography

Youth Rider Profile: Erik DickensonYouth Rider Profile: Erik DickensonYouth Rider Profile: Erik DickensonYouth Rider Profile: Erik Dickenson

P a g e P a g e P a g e P a g e 4444

By Erik Dickenson

My name is Erik Dickenson. I

am an 18-year-old, first-year

engineering student at McMas-

ter University. More impor-

tantly, I am a cyclist and a

member of the Hamilton Cy-

cling Club. Both commitments

can be grueling at times; but the

truly exhilarating commitment

of racing begins in spring while

the other winds down.

I joined the Hamilton Cycling

Club in the summer of 2009.

Right from the start as we raced

up Sydenham Hill each week, I

knew this enthusiastic, competi-

tive group would make me a

better racer.

Coach Henry Dudko provided

me with a rigorous, personalized

training plan to follow through-

out the winter, which included

nutrition, weight training and

stationary riding.

When I

became a

little dis-

couraged

during the

winter

months —

juggling my

training

program with endless assign-

ments and studying — I would

hear from Henry.

He would remind me that jug-

gling commitments and time

management is an essential part

of racing and these pressures

challenge all racers to push be-

yond your perceived limits.

We would meet

periodically at the

YMCA, or David

Braley Athletic Cen-

tre to see how I had

progressed and to

modify my training

program when re-

quired.

Late this winter I

applied for HCC

sponsorship and was

thrilled to receive

their support. This

year I look forward

to participating in

the new Eddy

Merckx time trial category

launched by the club. [It bans

aero equipment.]

Like everyone, I am counting

down the days to the Good Fri-

day O-Cup race, to welcome a

new season of competition and

camaraderie. See you at the start

line!

Erik feels Erik feels Erik feels Erik feels

the love on the love on the love on the love on

a 2009 a 2009 a 2009 a 2009

Sydenham Sydenham Sydenham Sydenham

Hill Climb.Hill Climb.Hill Climb.Hill Climb.

HCC, Freewheel Team for Cycling CoursesHCC, Freewheel Team for Cycling CoursesHCC, Freewheel Team for Cycling CoursesHCC, Freewheel Team for Cycling Courses

“Like “Like “Like “Like

everyone, I am everyone, I am everyone, I am everyone, I am

counting down counting down counting down counting down

the days to the the days to the the days to the the days to the

Good Friday Good Friday Good Friday Good Friday

OOOO----Cup race, to Cup race, to Cup race, to Cup race, to

welcome a welcome a welcome a welcome a

new season of new season of new season of new season of

competition competition competition competition

and and and and

camaraderie.”camaraderie.”camaraderie.”camaraderie.”

day at the Dundas Driving Park

learning cycling skills using the

available terrain and some man-

made obstacles.

What to bring besides yourself:

● your bike (mnt. bike is best)

● helmet

● water bottle(s) or camelback

● wear comfortable clothes (no

baggy pants)

Riders are outside for most of

the day so be prepared. If rain

forces cancellation, a decision is

made the Thursday before. An

alternate date will be posted.

Check the Freewheelcycle.com

website forum or call the shop

directly at (905) 628-5126. The

forum is also a good place to ask

questions about the course.

The Hamilton Cycling Club is

thrilled to partner with Free-

wheel Cycle this year to offer

cycling-related courses.

The first — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sunday, May 16 — is aimed at

women and covers basic cycling

skills for female riders.

If you received a new bike and

want ride confidently to work,

the corner store or the trails, this

one-day course we will cover

the essentials you need.

Topics covered include stop-

ping and starting, changing

gears, braking, climbing, de-

scending and clearing small

obstacles. There will also be

time for one-on-one coaching.

Riders will spend most of the

More details:

Cost is $65, including instruc-

tion, lunch and snacks. Register

at (905) 628-5126 or by visiting

Freewheel Cycle (9 King St. W.,

Dundas).

Remembering... A January RideRemembering... A January RideRemembering... A January RideRemembering... A January Ride

P a g e P a g e P a g e P a g e 5555

By Phil Szczepaniak

Saturday. 7am. My alarm goes

off and I'm lying under a thick

duvet. My phone shows the

morning high to be -18C with a

windchill of -25C. The joys of

riding bikes in the winter.

Most of it is psychological —

breaking the barrier between

you and the outdoors. After four

shots of espresso and a giant

bowl of oatmeal, I check the

weather again. Still -18C.

Starting with a merino wool

base, I don layer upon layer of

clothing. I fill up two bottles

with electrolyte liquid

(hydration packs with hoses are

useless when it’s this cold.) A

few bottles stashed inside my

jersey will work. Time to load

up the bike, head to the LBS

(Freewheel Cycle in this case)

and collect the crew.

The first step outside makes

you wonder what the hell you

were thinking. At the shop,

everyone from last night's email

is here, running through their

gears and lubing their chains.

They are all here because they

don't want to be 'that guy' who

sucked out because it was too

cold. But deep down, we all

think: if someone called it off

now, we could all happily return

to hibernation.

Another coffee, some banter

on the drive and we are at the

trailhead. Everyone starts to

change into their riding gear —

no one dare sets foot outside

yet. It’s priceless to see every-

one twisting and contorting their

bodies to get on that one last

booty. Bikes are unloaded,

coffee is finished, and the seven

of us ride into the woods.

After 300 feet up the trail, it's

evident that people have been

riding here. A tight ribbon of

knobby tracks wind their way

through the pines. Winter riding

here is all about the traffic; if

you're hitting virgin snow you'd

better be prepared for a long

slog. The odd ice patch keeps

you alert, but for the most part

it's a grippy, crunchy layer of

snow glued on top of an icy

base. Leave your pricey studded

tires at home.

Ten more minutes in and many

of us are overheating. It's tough

to nail down the perfect

combination so we put on some

extra, just in case. The hissing

sound of expelled air is heard as

people try to gain extra traction

for the rest of the ride.

Further into the trails, the flow

is apparent due to high traffic.

What was once a technical

rocky playground in the summer

has been smoothed out. Holes

that would normally eat a 26

inch wheel are filled with ice

and snow. Rocks are still very

much in the mix, but are

somewhat subdued. Everyone

quickly picks their way through

each section with confidence.

Things are warming up. We

ride a 20 minute stretch of

technical singletrack with not a

word from anyone. Everyone

is in their zones, taking in the

scenery, amazed at the

outstanding conditions. The

section of trail we are on is very

tough to 'ace' in the summer, yet

this train of riders is hitting

every obstacle with poise. Most

everyone cleans it, some with

one or two dabs here and there.

Not bad! We cross paths with

another group; it's obvious

they're fun just like we are.

On the next trail, we find some

sketchy bridges and

skinnies. What would normally

be trivial becomes a test of

balance, and wit! A few of the

skinnies — coated with a thick

layer of ice —

are avoided by

most of us.

Just one

skilled acrobat

negotiates a

slick log.

At this point,

we've been out

for over two

hours. We

start making

our way back to the trailhead

with more fast and flowy trails

on the agenda. The train of

riders confidently carve turn

after turn of sweet 'wintertrack'.

Everyone's on their game now

and the grip on corners has

become very predictable. To

think I could just be rolling out

of bed now.

I may take an afternoon nap.

A mild win-A mild win-A mild win-A mild win-

ter made ter made ter made ter made

for some for some for some for some

great rid-great rid-great rid-great rid-

ing, even ing, even ing, even ing, even

in January.in January.in January.in January.

“The first step

outside makes

you wonder

what the hell

you were

thinking.”

This article and photo

originally appeared at

Dropmachine.com.

President

Wayne Atanas

wmatanas@yahoo.com

905-574-8603

What is the Hamilton Cycling Club? What is the Hamilton Cycling Club? What is the Hamilton Cycling Club? What is the Hamilton Cycling Club?

Founded in 1881, the Hamilton Cycling Club is

an amateur club of about 120 members based

in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. We are active

in road racing, mountain biking, time trials,

hill climbs, track cycling, cyclocross... and

having fun.

We run weekly club events and also work

hard to host top-quality regional events such

as the Good Friday Road Race (an Ontario

Cup series event). HCC is the place to come if

you want to learn to ride, to ride faster and to

enjoy the wonderful sport of cycling.

For more details about the club, visit our web-

site hamiltoncycling.com, which has a forum.

We are also on Facebook and Twitter.

The Hamilton Cycling ClubThe Hamilton Cycling ClubThe Hamilton Cycling ClubThe Hamilton Cycling Club

Pushing the Pace Since 1881

Youth Rider Profile: Greg ArchiYouth Rider Profile: Greg ArchiYouth Rider Profile: Greg ArchiYouth Rider Profile: Greg Archi

trying to turn myself into a serious

cyclist, and now the chance is

here to see if the hard work has

paid off.

Of course, getting a new bike in

the winter helped motivate me

through the LONG winter

months. Going into my first race,

I’m unsure what to expect. My

goal is to finish in one piece, and

anything after that is just a bonus.

No matter what happens, I will

take as many lessons from this

race as I can, so that I can con-

tinue to improve.

I’m really excited for this sea-

son, and I wouldn’t be anywhere

near ready for racing this week if

it weren’t for Henry and everyone

else at the HCC who have helped

A native of Brantford, Greg, 19, is

a student in the Bachelor of Com-

merce (Business Administration)

program at the University of Win-

dsor.

By Greg Archi

What a great year 2010 is going to

be for racing. It’s only March and

already it’s nice enough out to be

training outside (without 10 layers

of clothing).

The famous HCC Good Friday

Road Race is just around the cor-

ner, and if it’s any indication of

what the rest of the season will

bring... look out!

I’ve been working all winter to

improve my fitness, my form, my

cycling knowledge — basically

me out, so THANK YOU!!