New Year's Eve Cyclocross

Toronto, ON

Some of the LDCC Pack braving the cold and snow to ring in the New Year. 

Cyclocross in December?  In the snow?   Sure, why not!   The New Years’ Eve Cyclocross has become a tradition for the past 8 years and always promises, er, challenging conditions.   Although warm out, racers were treated to soft, slushy snow which was a real slog to pedal through, a couple of ramps in the course to launch off, and a “choose your own adventure” maze with three possible ways through.  Your Lapdogs Cycling Club Race Team was out, and had a strong showing both on the course and at the pub after the race.   

Race 1

• Markus “Chien Chaud” Schroeter, 7th place
• Steve “Zebra Slayer” Hart, 17th place 
• Barry “Slain Zebra” Cox,  21st place 
• Tim Anema, 28th place
• Lise Muncie, 40th place 
• Kathleen MacEwen, 41st place

Race 2

• Sean Poulter, 8th place
• Markus Schroeter, 9th place
• Steve Hart, 18th place

On behalf of the entire LDCC Club and Team, we wish you all a very Happy New Year. We're very excited about the coming season of Racing with the Pack. 

#RaceWithThePack, #emPoweredbyGears, #RideCannondale, #GeorgetownVW, #MillStreetBrewery, #CherryBombCoffee, #Monvida, #Sugoi

Cross In the Park

Buffalo, NY

Cassandra and an unknown local at the Buffalo Cross Race. 

Cross in the Park is a long-standing fixture in the ‘Cross racing calendar in Upstate New York.   The folks at Campus Bicycle Works put on a top-notch race replete with mud, technical climbs and twists, a really nasty runup, hecklers, bacon hand-ups and more mud.   The Lapdogs Cycling Club put together a small but determined border raiding party and put their mark on the event.  A few brave souls even raced twice – once in the masters’ race in the morning and again in the open category race in the afternoon.   

Our Team's Results:

• Barry Cox, 13th, Masters 40+ men,  20th CAT 4 men
• Steve Hart, 12th, Masters 50+ men, 21st CAT 4 men
• Rick Otway,1 3th, Masters 50+ men
• Jean “The Bullet” Michaud, 18th, Masters 50+ men
• Alan Reain, 1st, CAT 4 men
• Mark Brusso, 10th, mens’ open
• Cassandra McWade, 4th, CAT 4 women

Steve, enjoying the course, and Alan takes a win from the locals. 

CX Canadian Nationals

Sherbrooke, QC

Marcus at speed, and through the tent at CX Nationals. 

With the Ontario Cup series finished, and a week to go until Provincials, there was no Cyclocross racing in Ontario this past weekend.  But that didn’t deter the Lapdog Cycling Club cyclocross race team from mixing it up between the tape.  We just had to travel out of Ontario to find some action…

Canadian Nationals
This is The One.   The Show.  The Canadian National Championship, where all of the best Cyclocross racers in Canada line up on the same start line to determine the best of the best.   And two members of the LapDogs Cycling Club cyclocross race team – Sean Poulter and Marcus Boyle, were there to do battle.

In the words of Sean:
“Amazing, humbling course.  So much mud and elevation.  Good fans, and Marcus was probably the loudest one there.  So awesome watching all that talent….it was muddy like we haven’t seen yet but Marcus kept it rubber side down”

Sean, pushing hard through the sand/mud. 

Congratulations on both Sean and Marcus for representing The Pack at the national level of competition.

Our Team's Results

• Sean Poulter: 35th, Elite men
• Marcus Boyle, 25th, 40+ men

CX O'Cup #7 - Dam Cross

Woodstock, ON

In the words of Lap Dogs Race Team member, Oggie Sokolovic:

"Race course was setup in Pittock Conservation Area near Woodstock. It included a looooong beach sand pit, the longest I have ever run in the sand for reason other than to save my life. It also included an awesome fly-over, that was wet enough to punish any mistake promptly... It included natural log obstacles which was a nice touch for those with good bunny-hopping skills where we could save some significant seconds over the competition. Lots of nice corners, mandatory off-camber stuff, short asphalt section just in case one needs a sprint finish to duke it out, some gravel to spice it up entering some corners, a root or two, overhang tree branches and relentless hecklers. The rain was on and off but never too strong... Just enough to keep everyone honest with their skills... A great bunch of racers, as always on the CX circuit... LapDogs were well represented. Good job everyone."

Our Team's Results:

• Oggie Sokolovic, 3rd Master 3 men
• Rob MacEwen, 14th Master 3 men
• Steve Hart,  20th Master 3 men
• Finlay MacEwen, 4th Minime Boys
• Benn MacEwen, 3rd, Peewee Boys
• Sean Poulter, 7th, Elite 3 men
• Marcus Boyle, 9th, Master 2 men
• Alan Reain,  13th, Master 2 men
• Markus Schroeter, 14th, Master 2 men
• Kathleen MacEwen, 1st, Master  women
• Mark Brusso, 3rd, Master 1 men
• Thomas Hughes, 3rd, Singlespeed men

CXTO Cookie Cross

Christie Pits, Toronto ON

Tim... checking out the field prior to "launch."

This was a big one, folks.  Cyclocross has been absent from downtown Toronto for the past few years but on Saturday, October 29, 2016, that all changed.   This race was the culmination of almost two years of work from a group of dedicated volunteers, a number of whom are LDCC members.  The course was twisty, technical and fun, and included the longest run-up of the season yet.  226 people and one inflatable dummy came out to Christie Pits Park to join in an all-day celebration of the return of cyclocross to downtown Toronto.  The LapDogs cyclocross race team were out in force, and a number of them found out that the only thing more fun that putting on a cyclocross race is participating in it!

Mike, Ian and Steve... all smiles before the storm. 

Our Team's Results:

• Matthew Bucci, 15th, Elite 4 Men
• Tim Anema, 22nd, Elite 4 men
• Bevin Reith, 4th, Master 3 men
• Tim Griffin, 8th, Master 3 Men
• Ian Ptolemy, 14th, Master 3 Men
• Barry Cox, 21st, Master 3 Men
• Phil Torres, 26th, Master 3 men
• Mike Chalovich, 33rd, Master 3 men
• Steve Hart, 35th, Master 3 Men
• Yves Bonnardeaux, 36th, Master 3 Men
• Rick Otway, 46th, Master 3 Men
• Duncan Rands, 51st, Master 3 men
• Benn MacEwen, 2nd, Under 13 Youth
• Sean Poulter, 4th, E3 Men
• Alex Sanchez, 2nd, M2 Men
• Marcus Boyle, 6th M2 Men
• David Michael Lamb, 10th, M2 Men
• Finley MacEwen, 11th, M2 Men
• Rob MacEwen, 13th, M2 Men
• Richard “Beeeef” Bowers, 14th M2 Men
• Marcus Schroeter, 16th M2 Men
• Gus Ryan, 3rd, Singlespeed Men
• Cassandra McWade, 14th, Elite Women
• Darcie “My Sombrero is choking me!” Watson, 3rd, Masters Women
• Mark Brusso,  3rd, M1 Men

Alex, Gus and Mark... all in all a very awesome day. 

Riverside Rumble CX

Belleville, ON

Chris Macfarlane... pushing the pedals hard in Bellville. 

In the words of Chris Macfarlane...

"After lining up it was a go for my first CX race in 6 years. On this day I had only the simplest of goals; first finish this race with close to the same splits on every lap and second avoid being lapped by the leaders before 2 laps where completed. 

The race was in the north end of Riverside park and included the toboggan hill. Which would on the first lap prove to be at least in my mind the crux point to each lap. Sharp short steep hill run with the added joy of a barrier right at the bottom and one right at the top. Which got progressively harder each lap as the race progressed.

I managed to hold off getting lapped not two but 3 laps by the race leader.  By the end of the race I had accomplished both my goals and completed 6 laps in 63 minutes by the end. While it wasn't enough to get me on the podium it was a great race to get back into the swing of riding and racing in that style of race."

CX O'Cup #5 - Firemens Cross

St. Catherines, ON

The boys... Rob, Oggie, Barry, Rick and Alex... the calm before the storm.

The Ontario Cup Cyclocross continues, and the Pack continues to be a force to be reckoned with over the barriers and between the tape.   This past weekend’s venue was Fireman’s Park in Niagara Falls.  The forecasted rain held off, and there was another strong showing by the Lap Dogs Race Team.   

Colin and Barry, in full flight. 

Our Team's Results:

• Benen MacEwen – 5th Peewee Boys
• Finlay MacEwen – 3rd Minime Boys 
• James Griffin – 6th Cadet Men
• Rob Macewen – 4th Master 3 Men
• Alex Sanchez – 10th Master 3 Men
• Colin Matthews – 11th Master 3 Men
• Oggie Sokolovic – 12th Master 3 Men
• Tim Griffin – 20th Master 3 Men
• Barry Cox – 30th Master 3 Men
• Jean Michaud – 34th Master 3 Men
• Rick Otway – 35th Master 3 Men
• Kathleen MacEwen – 5th Master Women
• Marcus Boyle – 6th Master 2 Men
• Richard Bowers – 17th Master 2 Men
• Markus Schroeter – 18th Master 2 Men
• Mark Brusso – 3rd Master 1 Men

Mark Brusso... a strong race and a well deserved 3rd step on the podium.

CX O'Cup #4 - Hardwood Cross

Hardwood Ski & Bike, Barrie ON

The Boys (Marcus, Markus and Michael-David), hitting the climb... 

Hardwood Hills Mountainbike and Cross Country Ski Centre hosted the second half of the Thanksgiving Weekend Double Header.   The course was unforgiving with sand, steep climbs and a particularly fiendish run-up that caused competitors to dig deep.   Although many of the Lapdogs Race Team had raced the day before at the Baseball Cross, the Pack was out in force and putting the hurt on the competition…

Our Team's Results:

• Benen MacEwen:  6th Peewee Boys
• Finlay MacEwen:  2nd Minime Boys
• Alex Sanchez:  6th Master 3 men
• Oggie Sokolovic:  7th Master 3 men
• Rob MacEwen:  8th Master 3 men
• Rick Otway:  25th Master 3 men
• Kathleen MacEwen:  2nd Master Women
• Darcie Watson:  8th Master Women
• Marcus Boyle:  7th Master 2 men
• Markus Schroeter:  9th Master 2 men
• David Michael Lamb:  14th Master 2 men
• Mark Brusso:  3rd Master 1 Men
• Thomas Hughes:  3rd Singlespeed Open

CX O'Cup #3 - Baseball Cross

Barrie, ON

Kathleen attacks one of the run-ups on her way to a 2nd Place finish.

Thanksgiving weekend was a cyclocross double-header, with Ontario Cup races on both Saturday and Sunday.  The first half of the double-header was the Baseball Cross, held at the Barrie Sports Complex.  The course was fast and flowy, with a lot of sand forcing riders to dismount and run with their bikes in several places on the course.   The LapDogs Race Team was, of course, up to the challenge.

Our Team's Results: 

• Finlay MacEwen:  1st Minime Boys
• Matthew Bucci:  11th Elite 4 men
• Colin Matthews:  8th Master 3 men
• Oggie Sokolovic:  10th Master 3 men
• Yves Bonnardeaux:  11th Master 3 men
• Alex Sanchez:  12th Master 3 men
• Rob MacEwen:  13th Master 3 men
• Barry Cox:  24th Master 3 men
• Rick Otway:  41st Master 3 men
• Jean Michaud:  44th Master 3 men
• Kathleen MacEwen:  2nd Masters women
• Sean Poulter:  8th Elite 3 men
• Marcus Boyle:  10th Master 3 men
• David Michael Lamb:  12th Master 3 men
• Mark Brusso:  3rd Master 1 men

CX O'Cup #2 - Centennial Cross

Centennial Park, Etobicoke, ON

A bit of congestion right of the start of the Men's M3 Race. 

The second race of the Ontario Cyclocross season was held at Centennial Park in Toronto on October 2, 2016.  Competitors were treated to a twisty, technical course which favoured bike handling skills over power.  Rain before and during the event made keeping the rubber side down a challenge.   Of course, as this race took part in the LDCC’s backyard, the Pack was out in force, and was a force to be reckoned with for the competition

Our Team's Results:

• Benen MacEwen:  3rd Peewee boys
• Finlay MacEwen:  2nd Minime boys
• Oggie Sokolovic:  11th Master 3 men
• Rob MacEwen:  14th Master 3 men
• Colin Matthews:  21st Master 3 men
• David Michael Lamb:  32nd Master 3 men
• Barry Cox:  40th Master 3 men
• Rick Otway:  45th Master 3 men
• Mike Chalovich:  47th Master 3 men
• Jean Michaud:  52 Master 3 men
• Kathleen MacEwen:  5th Master women
• Darcie Watson:  8th Master women
• Sean Poulter:  6th Elite 3 men
• Marcus Boyle:  7th Master 2 men
• Markus Schroeter:  14th Master 2 men
• Richard Bowers:  21st Master 2 men
• Mark Brusso:  6th Master 1 men
• Thomas Hughes:  6th Singlespeed open

CX O’CUP # 1 – More Cowbell Cross

St. Catherines, ON

Mike, Barry and Steve... working hard at the first CX event of the season. 

Although the mountainbike race season is over, the Pack is still racing on dirt!   That’s right, cyclocross season is here, and the first Ontario race was held in wine country on Sunday September 25.   The More Cowbell Cyclocross featured a huge turnout of racers and a fast but technical course with enough sand, technical features and barriers to keep everyone on their toes.   The LapDogs Race Team were, of course, out in force and putting the hurt on the competition.
Results

• Yves Bonnardeux, 8th place, M3 men
• Colin Matthews, 11th place, M3 men
• Steve Hart, 17th, M3 men
• Mike Chalovich, 27th, M3 men
• Rick Otway, 28th, M3 men
• Barry Cox, 35th, M3 men
• Matthew Bucci, 13th, E4 men
• Markus Schroeter, 11th M2 men

Fall Epic 8

Hardwood Hills, Barrie ON

What better way to wrap up the Fall Epic 8 and the end of the MTB Race season than with a brewery tour at Barnstormer Brewery. 

The Fall Epic 8, an 8-hour mountainbike relay, is one of the last races in the mountainbike race calendar, and the Lapdogs were out in force.  Members of the Pack spend the day racing one another around a fast, flowy 10km race circuit at Hardwood Hills Mountainbike Centre on a number of different teams.   Podiums were stood on and a good time was had by all, but more importantly there were several riders competing in their first mountainbike race ever.   It won’t be their last!

Our Team's Results:

• Dan Bandurka, Michael Cranwell, Ian Ptolemy, Jouko Happanen:   3rd place, male 3-4 person, combined age 160-199
• Oggie Sokolovic, James Irwin, Linnley Clark, Guy Leclair:  1st place, male 3-4 person, combined age 200+
• Darcie Watson, Sara Pargari, Charlotte Davet, Robin Maile: 7th place, female 3-4 person open
• Wendy Bain, Shelley Knox, Jennifer Walsh, Laura McWade:  11th place, female 3-4 person open
• Lenka Branichova, Alex Sanchez, Andrew Ryan, Andrea Bowker: 4th place, mixed 3-4 person, combined age 140 and over
• Barry Cox, Lise Munsie: 10th place, mixed tag-team
• Jason Ma:  25th, solo male under 40
• Richard Bowers:  7th, solo singlespeed

Hampshire 100

Oak Park - Greenfield, NH

Robyn, in silhouette, awaiting here 3rd Place Prize.

A true endurance event. Open and nearly flat road/dirt road for a fast 4 miles of warm-up, followed by a great combination of rideable woods doubletrack and singletrack, with plenty of passing opportunities. Then enough fun and challenging singletrack, mixed with enough doubletrack after that, to keep you smiling. Among the notable new trails included is Big Rock Trail, expected to quickly become a rave favorite among competitors. It is approximately 1.5 miles of mostly downhill, with one of those giant New Hampshire boulders dead center that is bridged on both sides, making for a great ride over. A brief stint of dirt woods road sets the rider up for the home stretch of the "Triple F" singletrack (Fast, Flowing, and Fun) that Greenfield Trails Association is so well known for. This should be considered an adventurous ride of no small measure, as New Hampshire is known to dish out. Plenty of singletrack to test the skills and soul. There is also approximately 3900 feet of elevation gain on the loop, translating to nearly 12,000 feet for those taking on the 100 mile challenge.

We are thrilled to have our very own Robyn Duke finish 3rd overall in the Master Women's Category. 

Orillia Duathlon

Orillia ON

Melissa on course following a 2k run. 

The Orillia Duathlon featured a 2k run and 33k bike and then a second 7k run.

In Melissa's words, "Raced hard, first run should've been faster, transitions took too long too but I killed the ride climbs. First time passing people on hills :)" 

Well done Melissa! We think all these Tuesday evening ride sessions you've been leading really payed off on the bike section. 

Leadville Trail 100 MTB

Leadville CO

In typical fashion, Ian leaves nothing on the coarse. A huge accomplishment. 

South of the border in the Colarado Rockies, one lone lap dog spent Saturday August 13th participating in what is considered by many to be the most difficult single-day mountainbike race in the world.  The race is the Leadville Trail 100, otherwise known as the “race across the sky”.    This race starts at 2 miles above sea level and continues going up over a 100 mile out-and-back course that is designed to make every participant dig deeper than they ever knew they could.  

Fortunately, veteran LapDogs Race Team member Ian Ptolemy was up to the task, completing the race in an impressive 8:56:39, and in the process, landing 39th in his age category and seizing the previous LDCC record for this race from the Big Dog himself, Michael Cranwell (whom we understand started training for Leadville 2017 this morning…)  

Congratulations, Ian, on an epic ride.

LDCC at the Eager Beaver

North of Toronto

Thomas, Jouko, Andrew, Celine and Derick... post race faces. 

The Eager Beaver 100 is an endurance gravel race which takes place on the roads and farm lanes south of Collingwood.   This event offers three distances to challenge everyone from the novice to the seasoned racer – 50km, 100km and 160km (100 miles).   Regardless of the distance, the course offered tire-shredding downhills, lung-busting climbs, beautiful scenery, and for much of the race this year, what can only be described as biblical amounts of rain.  Ten members of the LapDogs Race Team and Cycling Club were up to the task. Congratulations to all who participated. From all appearances, it was a tough long day on the saddle. 

100 Mile Course

• Jouko Happanen – 6th, Masters’ Men
• Thomas Hughes – 31st, Mens’ Open
• Barry Cox – 44th, Mens’ Open
• Andrew Ryan – 2nd, Mens’ Singlespeed
• Lenka Branichova – 3rd, Womens’ Open
• Andrea Bowker – 4th, Womens’ Open

100 km Course

• Derek Stadnicki – 30th, Mens’ Open
• Darcie Watson – 6th, Womens’ Open
• Celine Bourdon – 12th, Womens’ Open

50 km Course

• Albert Wong – 5th, Masters’ Men

Albert... shows off a little "battle damage" to body and bike. 

MTB O'Cup #2, Nordic Highlands

Highlands Nordic, Duntroon, ON

Brian, Bevin and Larry, take home some bling after a tough day on the trails. 

Snow in the middle of May? Yes… that’s what happened this past Sunday. Both racers and gear paid a heavy price in what must be described as the toughest O’Cup MTB Race ever. Unseasonably cold conditions and snow covered trails quickly turned the race course into a muddy quagmire, making for a huge challenge to both man and machine. Despite these horrific conditions the LapDogs MTB Squad pulled off a very impressive collection of results. 

• Parsa Morini, 13th Place, U17 Cadet
• Bevin Reith, 1st Place, Master Sport Men (40-44)
• Brian Moosie, 3rd Place, Master Sport Men (40-44)
• Richard Lee, 12th Place, Master Sport Men (40-44)
• Tom Beck 4th Place, Master Sport Men (50-54)
• Derrick Cho, 11th Place, Master Sport Men (50-54)
• Larry Woo, 2nd Place, Single Speed Men
• Mark Brusso, 1st Place, Master Expert Men (30-39)
• Dan Bandurka, DNF, Master Expert Men (30-39)
• Oggie Sokolovic, DNF, Master Expert Men (50+)

Not even snow in May can dampen the spirit of the LapDogs. 

Road Racing, May 7th & May 8th

Mother's Day Weekend of Racing

Big Steve Hart, putting power to the pedals.

Benn MacEwen, 19th, PeeWee Boys, Time Trial, Morning Glory Youth Cup

Steve Hart, 15th Place, M3 Men, Mother’s Day O’Cup Road Race

Spring Epic 8

Mansfield Outdoor Centre, Mansfield ON

The LapDogs pretty much took over the podium at the Spring Epic 8 in the 4 Person Open Category

The Spring Epic 8 is one of those unique mountain bike events that brings together riders of all levels of ability and fitness. From Elite Experts to Weekend Warriors, this event provides challenges for all. 

Taking place at the Mansfield Outdoor Centre, not far from Collingwood, this venue features a 10 km course built onto the side of the Niagara Escarpment. Loaded with fast singletrack, well spaced doubletrack for passing and several gruelling climbs to separate the pack, this year’s course truly tested all who raced.

This year’s event saw a large contingent of LapDogs from our Team and Club in attendance with a terrific collection of Team and Solo efforts. 

Gus Ryan was this year's "Come Back Kid." Back on the podium in the Solo Single Speed category.

Team Efforts

LapDogs, The 6ix, 6th Place, 6 Person - Open
- Dan Bandurka, Sean Pulter, Sarah Fasullo, Darcie Watson, Bevin Reith, Barry Cox

Nucking Futs, 1st Place, 4 Person - Open (200+)
- Oggie Sokolovic, James Irwin, Guy Eclair*, Blair Blair*

Grey Hounds, 3rd Place, 4 Person - Open (200+)
- Mark Thurston, Tom Beck, Jouko Haapanen, Ian Ptolemy

Lets Go Raptors!, 1st Place, 4 person Mixed
- Damian Fleetwood, Craig Fleetwood, Linda Shin
(This was a Family Team with Damian’s father and step-mom joining the fun)

Herding Cats, 1st Place, 2 Person Open (70+)
- Alex Sanchez, Derrick Harding*

Solo Efforts

Richard Bowers, 9th Place, Solo Male 40-49
Gus Ryan, 2nd Place, Solo Male Single Speed
Lenka Branichova (Energizer Bunny), 5th Place, Solo Female

* Friends of LapDogs

Fun and Focus... two sides of racing at the Spring Epic 8.

MTB O'Cup #1 - Woodnewton

Woodnewton, ON

Mark Brusso and Larry Woo picked up the Teams first two podiums of the 2016 O'Cup season.

The LapDogs MTB Squad took to the dirt for the first race of the Provincial series at a location that has become an LDCC favourite, the past few seasons. With purpose-built single-track and trails, this venue is all about cross-country racing. 

Pre-race sunshine on Saturday was replaced by overcast sky and rain on race-day Sunday. Conditions on the course remained ideal as the terrain at Woodnewton is very good at absorbing vast amounts of water due to the sandy soil. 

The Team put in an impressive collection of results including the first two podiums of the 2016 O'Cup season. 

LDCC Results: 

• Parsa Moeini, 16th Place, U17 (Cadet) Sport Men (15−16 years)
• Bevin Reith, 7th Place, Master Sport Men (40−44 years)
• Brian Moosie, 13th Place, Master Sport Men (40−44 years)
• Barry Cox, 15th Place, Master Sport Men (45−49 years)
• Tom Beck, 5th Place, Master Sport Men (50−54 years)
• Derrick Cho, 18th Place, Master Sport Men (50−54 years)
• Larry Woo, 3rd Place, Single Speed
• Sean Poulter, 21st Place, Master Sport Men (30−39 years)
• Mark Brusso, 1st Place, Master Expert Men (30−39 years)
• Dan Bandurka, 17th Place, Master Expert Men (30−39 years)
• Oggie Sokolovic, 8th Place, Master Expert Men (50+ years)