Paris to Ancaster, Spring Classic

Ancaster, Ontario

Ogee takes a mud facial as Gus cracks a smile. (Photo from @JeffreyNeven). Rob MacEwen... best beard in the race. 

With about 2,000 racer participating, the Annual Paris to Ancaster (point to point), event is a huge attraction for cyclists of all levels. Inspired by this classic Paris to Roubaix race, the Paris to Ancaster has taken place for the past twenty two years over the roughest farm lanes, trails and gravel roads in the area. Combined with unpredictable spring weather and the largest field of riders assembled in Canada, it has become a classic race experience for everyone from average riders (many doing their first race) seasoned professionals such as Jeremy Powers, Mike Garrigan and Christine Vardaros (to name just a few). 

Your Duke’s Cycle Cannondale LapDogs had a huge presence at this race with 19 racers taking part in the event. The ‘Dogs were certainly recognized as enthusiastic participants, especially when several photos made the rounds of Twitter and other social media feeds, including a special shout-out from Jeremy Powers. 

We even had LapDogs in the Hamilton Spectator in their article about the race. 

Well done everyone!

The Men's Race:

• Steven Martin, 66/1188
• Rob MacEwen, 104/1188 (5th in the Mixed category with Kathleen)
• Marckus Schroeter, 161/1188
• Oggie Sokilovic, 168/1188
• Lorne Anderson, 181/1188
• Marcus Boyle, 190/1188
• Steve Hart, 196/1188
• Alex Sanchez, 214/1188
• Thomas Hughes, 219/1188 (4th in Singlespeed category)
• Michael David Lamb, 242/1188
• Miro Zgavic, 281/1188 (2nd Place in the Clydesdale category)
• Sean Ganann, 316/1188
• Barry Cox, 354/1188
• Gus Ryan, 356/1188
• John Roy, 474/1188
• James Irwin, 666/1188
• Stuart Duncan, 843/1188

The Women's Race:

• Kathleen MacEwen, 24/110 (5th in the Mixed category with Rob)
• Thea Mizuhara, 33/110

Lone LapDog @ Frog 65 (100k) MTB Marathon

Southeastern Tennessee

Robin Kay looking relaxed and ready at the start of the Frog 65. Bruno gives her a big well deserved hug after 100k on the bike. 

The Big Frog 65 makes its home in the Appalachian foothills of Southeastern Tennessee's Cherokee National Forest. Staging for the race takes place along the banks of the beautiful Ocoee River -- site for the 1996 Olympic White Water Events.  The 65 miles (100k) of race course traverses the mountain terrain with world class single track and fire roads. The single track is fast and flowing, but can get tight and technical in spots. The fire roads are demanding but rewarding with long ascents, fast descents, and spectacular mountain views. 

With the start of the race taking place in the rain, the day was going to be challenging at best. These were obviously perfect conditions for our veteran racer, Robin Key, as she rose to the challenge and finished on the podium. So far this season Robin has already podium at two races and seems to be well on her way to another very strong season. 

• Robin Kay, 3rd Place, Women

Road O'Cup #2, Calabogie Road Classic

Calabogie, Ontario

Members of the LapDogs Road Squad, looking relaxed a ready prior to the Calabogie Road Classic. 

This past weekend saw a very large contingent of from the Duke’s Cycle Cannondale LapDogs Road Team heading out towards Ottawa for the Calabogie Road Classic. 

Always a favourite, this race is run on an old car racing circuit which features a very wide surface smooth surface. Ideal for bicycle racing with just about every race ending in an exciting field sprint. 

Amongst the highlights, this race also featured one of the largest women’s fields in recent history. This bodes well for our sport. 

Your LapDogs put in a great collection of results across a wide-range of categories:

Elite 4 Men

• Ayrton Dick, 12th
• Matthew Bucci, 26th
• Dan Bandurka, 35th
• Tim Anema DNF
• Nicholas Sidhu, DNF due to a crash (he's okay, no serious damage other than scrapes and a damaged kit)

Master 3 Men

• Steve Hart, 13th
• Ian Ptolemy, 16th
• Bevin Reith, 32nd
• Richard Lee, 55th

Elite 3 Women

• Thea Mizuhara, 11th

Master A Women

• Ola Mazowiec, 7th
• Jocelyn Stephen, 9th

Elite 3 Men

• Chris Dunbar, 19th

Master 2 Men

• Roderick Grant, 34th

Upcoming Races...

Next Weekend we'll have many folks from both the Club and Race Team participating in the annual Paris to Ancaster Classic. The Spring "right of passage" is alway a popular event for races from all over the province.

The next race on the Road Squad's calendar will be the Springbank Road Race in London Ontario on May 3rd. The XC Squad also makes their 2015 O'Cup debut with the first race of the MTB Provincial Series taking place at Woodnewton on the same day. 

MTB Uxbridge Icebreaker

Uxbridge Ontario

The Duke's Cycle Cannondale LapDogs Race Team had a small but strong showing at The Uxbridge Icebreaker on April 19th. Its great to see this race back on the calendar for 2015 after several years laying dormant. Thanks to SuperFly Racing (Sean Ruppel) and Bikenxs Productions (Eric Orcshel) for reviving this Spring MTB Classic. 

• Mark Brusso, 1st, 30k Enduro category
• Bill Packham, 6th 15k Sprint category.

Well done both!

XCM #1 - Homage to Ice

Dufferin County Forest, Mansfield, Ontario

Larry Woo, on the top step of the podium at the first MTB Race of the 2015 Season. 

The first race of Substance Project's Cross-Country Marathon Race Series was blessed with sunshine and rising temperatures. While a fair amount of mud is typical of early season races, the real treat of Homage to Ice was the 5km of pristine single track. A special thanks to our sponsor Mill Street Brewery for their very generous donation of podium prizes - there were a lot of happy people.

Also, a special mention to Andrea Bowker who personally knit scarves for all the winners. Bravo!
 

30km Half-Marathon Results:

• Larry Woo, 1st, Single Speed
• Kate Morgan, 7th, Women Open

60km Full Marathon Results:

• Robin Kay, 1st, Women Open
• Steve Hart, 5th, Men 40+ (2nd Clydesdale)
• Barry Cox, 11th, Men 40+
• Dan Bandurka, 10th, Men Open
• Miro Zgavc, 14th, Men Open (2nd Fatbike)
• Andrew Ryan, 18th Men Open

Rasputitsa, East Burke, VT

This early season, 45 mile gravel race came with spring snowfall and a long, 3 mile, unrideable, snow-covered climb. Our Andrea Bowker persevered and finished the race in 13th place in Women 40+. Congratulations!

Road O'Cup #1, Good Friday Road Race

Ancaster Ontario

The Provincial Road Racing season began on a cold and windy day on the roads in and around the Ancaster Fair Grounds. The sun did come out for the later races, but the air remained cool all day long.

This initial race are of the season is the often a very tricky event as many participants are testing their race legs for the first time. Add to this first-race nerves and a technical gravel section, this event has been known to be have several crashes and tumbles. Fortunately for all concerned, this years event was a very clean affair little incident. 

Special thanks to the folks at the Hamilton Cycling Club for once again put on a fantastic event

Your LapDogs put in a great collection of results across a wide-range of categories:

Elite 4 Men

• Ayrton Dick, 18th
• Dan Bandurka, 22nd
• Nicholas Sidhu DNF

Master 3 Men

• Tim Griffin, 8th
• Steve Hart, 29th

Elite 3 Women

• Thea Mizuhara, 12th

Master A Women

• Jocelyn Stephen, 11th

Elite 3 Men

• Markus Schotter, 11th
• Chris Dunbar, DNF

Master 2 Men

• Ciprian Scriuba, 18th
• Michael Cranwell, 57th
• Roderick Grant, 59th

Steve's Good Friday Race Report

Great day today. I left early because my ride back home had some family commitments. Missed the end of M2 / E3 race. Looks like everyone made it through the day intact. Except Michael, couldn't find him on the results. Saw him on the second lap looking strong. Let me know how he finished.

Congrats to Aryton Dick, competing in his first race ever. Even crashing, and getting back up, and rejoining the peloton.

Well done Thea, crashing two years in a row and never hitting pavement. She just finds a lady to land on top of. Nice move!

Thanks to Jean for his team support. And Kudos to Barry for his excellent commissar work. I was tempted to fake a mechanical and enjoy the sweet ride, but remembered, that would involve, sitting in a car with Barry.

Last week after the Steaming Nostril, we had several riders write a race report. I enjoyed reading them, especially Miro's. So in the interest of keeping it going, here's mine. I'd like to read yours.

Good Friday 2014

I raced good Friday last year and spent most of my time in the back 1/3 of the peloton. It was a day of hard braking, crash avoidance maneuvers, hard accelerations and plenty of fear and apprehension. I spent the whole race telling myself this was stupid thing to be doing, it's time to pull over and stop the madness. I finished the race, but promised to skip it in 2015. 

Good Friday 2015

So this year, it was stay @ the front, avoid danger and try to join any break away that formed. The race started, the peloton decided I should break away alone. It was not my decision. No matter what I did the gap remained about 50 yards. So I rode at a reasonable pace for about 12km. I then, applied the brakes and forced my way back into the pack

Anyways... the race continued, I stayed at the front, using a lot of energy, covered every move, bridged any gaps (usually alone or with Tim) rode in the wind to avoid getting sucked back into the pack. I basically rode a stupid energy sapping race, that was also a very safe race. When I did get sucked back into the peloton, it was 2014 all over again. So I got out as fast and safely as I could.

Tried to break away with one other rider, with for 4km to go. Fun, but a big failure, and that, was race over for me. Did recover enough to finish with the pack and more importantly close enough to the front to avoid a five bike pileup with 2k to go.

Special Thanks to Tim Griffin who rode with me the whole day, taking a lot of wind being safe and still managing an 8th place in the end.

Steven Hart - LapDogs Race Team, 2015