Tripleshot Women's Cat 4 clinic goes to the velodrome

[Lister Farrar]

According to GVVA Director Brenda Hobor, last night’s women’s beginner session beat the previous record of 13 women on the track at once by a wide margin. 20 participants and four women coaches from the Tripleshot Women’s Cat 4 clinic attended the track last night in beautiful weather, and had a blast. To quote one: “Damn, that was fun.”

Big thanks to GVVA members who helped out:
· Director Brian Belcher who loaned a bike, pumped tires, swapped pedals and collected bike rental fees
· Junior David Brown who installed pedals and set seat heights
· Eiry Bartlett who pumped tires and swapped pedals
· Director Minda Richardson who loaned her bike, helped with bikes and collected waivers
· Director Brenda Hobor who collected waivers, Wayne Walker who demonstrated accelerations from the banking and rode alongside the new riders
· junior Brenna Pauly who loaned her bike
· Director Mark Shepard who got held back at work but came later to show his support and is editing a video of the rider’s reactions
· Dave Shishkoff who offered to help but I got his message when I was en route and missed it.
· Thom Ward who offered three bikes, but didn’t get the word from me in time. Sorry Thom! We could have used them.

And we needed all that help. We started getting bikes ready at 5:25 and were still fitting for latecomers at 6:15. The four coaches gave up their chance to ride so riders could use the bikes. A missed opportunity to be sure, as two had not ridden the track before and we might have been able to grab these leaders if we’d had more bikes.

Special thanks to Jenn Erlendson of Tripleshot who pushed for the women’s cat 4 clinic in the first place and coaches, clinic coach Amy Dearden who helped persuade her colleague at Canadian Sport Centre Pacific Kurt Innes to coach last night. And to Kurt Innes who went beyond his initial offer to help at the track with juniors, to help the women’s group.

The Tripleshot Women’s Cat 4 clinic is an 8 week program leading up to Bastion Square women’s Cat 4 race. The goals include to have a healthy field in Bastion so local women can race and earn upgrade points, and to introduce women to group riding and racing. 30 women are registered in the program, and it is coached by Jenn Erlendsen, Amy Dearden, Glenowyn Carlson, and Megan Rathwell. Shannon Berg filled in last night for Amy who had to be away for work.

The next stop in the program is next Monday night in the Tripleshot event at Western Speedway, in the VCL Beginners Monday Night Series. 6:00 registration, 6:30 racing. The program will be a mix of several shorter events so new riders can try stuff, rest up and race again. Experienced riders are invited to come and ride and be pack fill for the beginners. All ages welcome. $10 entry fee, free to under 18. Cycling BC license required. One day licenses available on site, $30, creditable to a full license after. U18 must have a waiver signed by parents. http://www.tripleshotcycling.com/club-i ... documents/

[JohnT]

Lister,

I considered bring Clare last night, but in the end, figured it would be beyond her. Was I correct? She had a great time last Monday and will be out again for the Speedway session next week.

John

[Lister Farrar]

No I think it would have been perfect skill and speed wise. They were all adults though. Maybe get her to come Thursday 4-6 for the youth session by the same guy. I'm riding out. Easy along the goose. Want to join us? Or see you there? Kurt's great. He can easily handle a complete beginner while the stronger kids do something else. I'm hoping to get my daughter and her friend out.

[BearPope Recruit]

A big THANK YOU to all those who made last night a success as there were many out to support!

Cheers, Jen