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
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
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.
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:
Paris Ontario
The Boys... settling in prior to Race Start (Photo: Peter Kraiker)
In what was planned by our LDCC Directors as the 2016 LapDogs Race Team and Cycling Club’s Debut Event, this year’s Paris to Ancaster Race featured what is likely the biggest presence we’ve ever assembled at a racing event. With 40 Team and Club members participating in the 70k, 40k and 20k events, its safe to say we had LapDogs everywhere on Sunday. The day was also terrific celebration of the LDCC’s new relationship with Gears Bike Shop, who provided one of their vehicles for the squad to help with racers transportation.
A hugely popular event in Southern Ontario, The Paris to Ancaster has taken place for the past twenty three years over the roughest farm lanes, trails and gravel roads we can find. 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 to Canadian Olympians and International Pros.
Oggie navigates the mud shoot. (Photo: unknown)
This year’s race was hugely popular with well over 2000 participants taking advances of beautiful spring conditions.
Special thanks to all of our 2016 Sponsors:
Additional special thanks are also due to MTB Director, Dan Bandurka, who drove the Gears vehicle and provided transportation and support services for our racers.
Working hard through one of several farmer's field sections. (Photo: Peter Kraiker)
70k Reace
This years event features 1491 participants in the 70k Race. We had a huge collection of LapDogs doing this race and they all pulled in an impressive collection of results and personal bests.
Male 11-15
Male 30-39
Male 40-49
Male 50-59
Male 60-69
Female 30-39
Female 40-49
Male Single Speed
40k Race
The 40k race featured 688 Participants. A "small" field when compared to the 70k, but still a hugely popular event. We were very pleased to see Kathleen and her young son Benen pulling in a couple of very impressive results.
Male 11-15
Female 40-49
20k Race
This event distance was new for the P2A organizers and was treated as an opportunity for participants to "get their feet wet" and to gain some race experience. The 20km event is self timed so there are no posted results.
St. Catherines ON
Young Benen takes a well deserved 3rd Place in his rookie season. Team veteran Mark, takes a hard fought 2nd place. (thanks to Rob MacEwen for the photos)
The 2015 Cyclocross season is beginning to wind down as signified by this past Saturday’s Cyclocross Provincial Championship race, held in St. Catherines Ontario.
True to form, this race course was designed to bring out the best in all who participated. Racers needed speed and power to negotiate a fast track with long straight sections, making it ideal for passing and putting in that big move on the competition.
Oggie and Steve, pushing the limits and each other. (thanks to Rob MacEwen for the photo)
Racers we also treated to some amazing mid-November weather with temperature well past 10 degrees C under sunny skies. Not exactly the traditional cold, damp and often snowy conditions one normally expect for last season ‘cross racing.
As expected, your Duke’s Cycle Cannondale LapDogs Team, were once again a highly active presence at the race and we are very proud to see two of our the “pups” (okay, one pup and one old dog) make it to the podium at this year’s Provincial Championships. Not to be overshadowed, the rest of our squad also put in an impressive collection of results against many of the best in Ontario. Well done all.
Marcus battles his way up the technical climb in true 'cross form. (thanks to Rob MacEwen for the photo)
Vaughan, ON
Kathleen rips it up once again as she has to yet another podium finish (photo by Peter Kraiker)
Only 24 hours after the Baseball Cross, we were very pleased to see the squad fielding a larger team at the new Vaughan Cross race, just north of Toronto.
As has become the habit of the Duke’s Cycle Cannondale LapDogs, we saw the team pull together a fantastic collection of race results... a great finish to a double header weekend.
Barrie ON
Sean charges up the stairs on his way to the podium (photo by Peter Kraiker)
The Duke’s Cycle Cannondale LapDogs Cyclocross Squad headed to Barrie Ontario for a rare Saturday Race and participated in the 9th Annual Baseball Cross Race.
This event has become steadfast fixture on the O’Cup circuit and the ‘Dogs once again came away with a great collection of results.
Midland ON
The calm before the storm... Rob, Richard and Oggie lining up with the rest of the M3 Men.
Time for a bit of a road trip as our Duke’s Cycle Cannondale LapDogs headed up to Midland Ontario for the 6th Race in the Provincial Cyclocross Race Series.
Our Team put on a great show and once again pulled together a fantastic collection of results…
Rockton ON
Young Benen on his way to a podium finish. (photo from Rob MacEwen)
Another fall weekend and another great ‘cross race was on the agenda for your Duke’s Cycle Cannondale LapDogs. Once again, the squad had a very impressive presence at the race with a large and enthusiastic group.
The Team had a hugely successful day on the course with six podium spots collected (three from our First Family of ‘Cross..., the MacEwens) and an impressive collection of results by all.
St. Catherines, ON
What began as a local grass-roots race has in just 5 short years, become a regular spot on the Provincial Race Calendar. The Firemen’s Cross Race offers up a race courses that is fast and flowing, with several technical elements to keep things interesting.
Once again, our Duke’s Cycle Cannondale LapDogs gathered an enthusiastic squad for this event and together pulled in an impressive collection of results.
Hardwood Hills, Barrie, ON
Just when you thought the MTB Season was over for the 2015 season, several intrepid members of your Duke’s Cycle Cannondale LapDogs MTB Squad had one more race up their collective arm warmers.
The SingleTrack Challenge at Hardwood Ski and Bike gave the Team one last chance to race on the amazing trails at this venue in a race that uses the best trails that Hardwood offers.
Hardwood Ski & Bike, Barrie, ON
Kathleen, take 2nd Place in the Master Women's Race at Hardwood Hills.
The long Thanksgiving weekend brought with it some amazingly warm fall weather for cyclocross’s Ontario Cup #4 at Hardwood Hills. Often the scene of Provincial and National mountain bike races, the venue was transformed into a challenging cyclocross race course.
Features of the course included four forced diss-mounts per laps with hurdles, a double sand trap, a sand climb and a stair climb. Ouch!
While this may have been the toughest course of the ‘cross season so far, it certainly didn’t deter your Duke’s Cycle Cannondale LapDogs from putting together a most impressive collection of results, including 5 podiums!
Marcus and Russell, take two of three spots on the Master 3 podium.
Sean and Stephen place 1 & 2, in the Elite 4 Men's race
Milton Velodrome
Rick flies the colours at the Track National Championships.
We are very please to have our Track Veteran, Rick Froner flying the colours for the Duke's Cycle Cannondale LapDogs at the recently held Track Nationals. Rick’s precedence at this event was highly notable as he participated in number of race disciplines and pulled in a great collection of results.
It was also great to see Rick’s son, Axel participating in his first National Level event.
Axel Froner
Rick Froner, Master C Men
To help give you a better sense of what the Nationals were all about, here is an overview of the races in Rick’s own words…
“It was a fun two days of racing at the National Track Championships. Friday started off with the U17 Team Pursuit for Axel, who, although now racing for the Kallisto Youth Team, still considers himself a Lapdog at heart. Axel was teamed up in a composite Ontario squad with fellow Kallisto rider Kobe Liberty, NCCH rider Spenser Straughan and Ottawa rider John Stuart. With little to no practice in an event that requires heaps of it, they finished 6th and posted a respectable time in the process. Just an FYI, Axel was granted a Cycling Canada upgrade for this event as he is a U15 racer.
The Master C category began with the 500m TT. This is basically just a full out sprint covering two laps of the track from a standing start. I was stoked to finish on the podium, but losing the gold and national title by 2 tenths still stings a bit. I guess there is consolation in knowing I nosed out The Legend for second. Next up the Scratch race which I fell asleep in and finished a disappointing 13th. That evening I competed in the Points Race and finished 4th. Although I was tied on point for third, the tie breaker is the final points sprint, which I finished well down in.
Saturday brought the 2K Individual Pursuit and the Madison. I had the honor of being paired with The Legend in the IP, so I was super motivated to set a good time and not get caught. I got a good start, and with Axel calling out my schedule I was able to set 5th fastest time and not get caught. The Legend won, which I attribute to him having a really good rabbit to chase (lol). Last race was the Madison, which I rode paired with my old partner Dan Lefebvre. 30 years previously we had won the Provincial Madison Championships together, but we harboured no lofty ideas of victory or high placings as this event combined Elites and Masters and we were going to be racing against the likes of Remi Pelletier Roy, Jacob Schwingboth and of course The Legend. It didn’t take long for the elites to light it up, so it was a game of survival for Dan and I.
If you have never seen a Madison, I suggest you look it up on Youtube. It is basically a points race, with point sprints every 20 laps, except that it is raced by teams of two riders who sling each other into the race via hang slings or sometimes hip slings. So as one rider on the team races the other rests by riding slowly at the top of the banking. With only 6 teams on the track at the Nationals it was easy to keep track of where my teammate was, and safe as well, with little traffic to contend with. The 80 laps flew by and it was so much fun to race this event again even though we finished last.
All in all it was a fantastic weekend of racing at a truly exceptional facility. I strongly recommend to all my clubmates/teammates to get out and ride the track. Come to the LapDogs training nights and enjoy the fast, fun times and the laughs. You won’t be disappointed.”
(Writers note. The Legend = Steve Bauer)
Rick Froner
Centennial Park, ON
A large Pack participates in the Toronto Cross Race.
Presented by the Midweek Cycling Club, the Toronto Cross Race takes place at Centennial Park, which is also the scene of the local ‘cross community's weekly race series.
Always a challenging course, this race also featured the infamous and much feared stair run-up. With this event talking place very much in our backyard, the Duke’s Cycle Cannondale LapDogs fielded our largest squad of the season to date, including the entire MacEwen Clan… our First Family of Cyclocross.
Competition at this rase was fierce, but we are very glad have our Team finish the day with a fantastic collection of results, including three podium positions... two of which were for the MacEwen Family!
Finlay, Sean and Kathleen... three podiums collected at Toronto Cross.
Woodstock, ON
The Big Man, Mark Brusso on his way to the top spot on the podium.
A small local event taking place in Woodstock Ontario, we only had one racer at this event. Mark Brusso, our ‘cross veteran, put on an impressive race and gave the Duke's Cycle Cannondale LapDogs it first podium of the season with a 1st Place finish,
Milton Velodrome
The Duke's Cycle Cannondale LapDogs Track Racing Squad has been quite active recently at the Milton Cycling Academy participating in the Tuesday Night Races. Already we've seen some impressive early results from the squad.
Tuesday September 22nd:
Group C Results
Group B Results
Group A Results
Tuesday September 29th:
Group C Results
Group A Results
This racing has been heaps of fun and a great way to learn and gain experience for O-cups, Provincials and Nationals
Next up, the Canadian Championships this weekend!
St. Catherines, ON
The 'Cross Squad at "We Need More Cowbell."
A Fall Classic, the “We Need More Cowbell” race is a favourite for Southern Ontario’s ‘cross community. Featuring a relatively flat course, this race is all about sustained power and speed.
Your Duke’s Cycle Cannondale LapDogs once again had a full squad out flying the colours and together they put in a fantastic collection of results and several "near-misses" on podium positions.
Vermont
Robyn takes the top step on the podium at the Vermont 50 MTB Marathon Race.
The Vermont 50 Mountain Bike as started in 1993 by Laura Farrell and just a hand full of participants. It has since grown to over 1300 Mountain Bikers. Folks gather the last weekend of September every year to race this challenging and Vermont-Scenic Course.
This race is a benefit for Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, which was also founded by Laura.
We are very pleased to have our very own Robyn Duke participating in this MTB Marathon Race in which she placed 1st overall in Women’s Veteran Category.
Christie Park, Dundas, ON
The Duke's Cycle Cannondale Cross Squad, enjoying the warm fall weather at the Dirt Squirrel.
And all of a sudden, the cyclocross season is here…
The 2015 Provincial Cyclocross season started this past weekend with a highly anticipated event taking place at Christie Park, just north of Dundas Ontario. Home of the famous Turkey Cross Race, this venue is a favourite for the Duke’s Cycle Cannondale LapDogs ‘Cross Squad. The course was flat and fast, with some highly technical twisty corners and a tough sandy beach crossing section that tested the power and handling skills of the racers.
Our Team looks forward to this time of the year as it brings together members of both the Road and MTB Squads and unites them into combined group for the next couple months of racings.
The weather for this first event of the ‘cross season was perfect with warm temperatures and sunny skies. If anything, it was actually a bit warm for ‘cross, but no one complained. With this late-summer weather, the post-race treats of chilled Mill Street Beverages was extremely well received by our racers.
Our ‘Cross Team started the season with a great deal of enthusiasm and put in some very impressive results at this first O’Cup.
Our Team's Results:
Ganaraska Forest Centre, ON
Alex, Barry and Bevin, prior to Paul's Dirty Enduro. Andrea models some fashionable socks.
Paul’s Dirty Enduro is a unique event founded as a mountain bike festival celebrating life, and a way of discussing suicide awareness and its prevention. Exceptionally well organized and supported year after year by volunteers and riders alike this year’s 20th anniversary edition was an amazing day. It’s a full spectrum event with kids races, 15K, 30K, 60K and 100K options for racing. The pink directional arrows keeping riders on the right track have become an icon for the event and adorn most of the swag -- including sweet long wool socks!
Storms threatened leading up to race day which weighed heavy on riders minds after the very wet conditions in 2012 took a heavy toll in DNFs. However, a little rain is good in the sandy Ganny (GFC - Ganaraska Forest Centre) and heavy rain held off until 4PM so conditions on the day were excellent! The 100K loop starts with 40K of trails that are normally reserved for motocross bikes -- bring your dynamic bike handling skills and heads up in high speed sweepers for big fun. Looping back through the GFC the 100K riders head back out on the 60K course which was filled with more singletrack this year than ever before. The Lapdogs were very well represented at this event both as riders, fundraisers and shelter for the final feedzone crew under one of our orange tents!
Fundraising
We are very pleased to see that members of the LapDogs Cycling Club raised a huge amount of money in preparation for this race and were amongst 3 of the top 4 fundraisers at this event.
Race Results: