More Rides and Jersey Updates

There will be a group ride tomorrow morning at 10:00 am from the SW Corner of the Westside Church Parking lot (3939 69 Street SW).  Shack will be leading the ride and Lorraine has confirmed as well, so if you show up, you won’t be alone.

 

There will also be a group ride on Thursday night at 6:00 pm also leaving from the same spot.  The new Wild Rose Rye Saison launches on 25 September, and will be available for your post ride enjoyment.

 

For those who ordered jerseys, they are scheduled to ship on 28 September.  The final cost is $75 per jersey.  Shack will coordinate pick-up when they are here.  Please make sure you pay him at that time, as he’s funding the whole jersey adventure.  Thanks again Shack and Kelsey for getting this done. 

 

Finally, I’ve talked to some people recently who haven’t joined the group rides because they are worried they are too slow or not in good enough shape.  Please don’t let that stop you from coming out.  While there are some faster racing types who ride with the Draughters, we make sure group rides work for everyone.  Our whole goal is to have fun riding, then hang out afterwards over the beverage of your choice at the Taproom.

 

Fingers crossed for continued good weather,

 

Mike

 

 

Thursday Night Rides, Jerseys and Cyclocross

Please note that next week’s ride has been moved from Wednesday night to Thursday night, leaving at 18:00 from the SW Corner of the Westside Church Parking lot (3939 69 Street SW).  Shack, Lewis, Gabe and I had a great ride last night, and after a long and intense discussion at the Taproom, agreed we should keep the ride on Thursdays as long as the weather permits.

For those of you who haven’t ordered your jerseys yet, please do so before next Wednesday.

Also, for those with any interest in cyclocross, there is a fun race series running on Tuesday nights that you might want to check out at http://midweekmayhem.wordpress.com/.  If you have no idea what cyclocross is, go here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclo-cross.

Best regards,

Mike

Group Ride this Thursday and next Wednesday

I figure no one will be around for the long weekend, including me, so for anyone interested, there will be a group ride leaving at 18:00 on Thursday night from the SW Corner of the Westside Church Parking lot (3939 69 Street SW).  We'll find some fun places to ride around Springbank and then go to the brewery to rehydrate around 8:00'ish.  The following week there will be a group ride on Wednesday night again at 18:00 (because I can't ride Thursday).  After that we'll likely stick to Thursdays, although I welcome feedback on what days work best for people, and what time.  Weekend group rides will start again next weekend, and we'll try to keep riding until the weather sucks.

See you Thursday,

Mike

Draughters Jerseys

Yeah!!!   We are finally ready to order jerseys.  Just in time for cyclocross season and/or Christmas.

Attached please find the design of the jersey.  The only small change is that we are working on a way to recognize that these are the jerseys of the founding riders of the Draughters, probably with something on the sleeve, so you won't want to miss out on these bad boys.

The final cost per jersey will depend on the number of jerseys, but assuming we order at least 9, will be no more than $80 each.  Features of the jerseys include:

High quality technical Q1400 fabric

3 back pockets (not 1 or 2, but 3)

19" hidden zipper (but not so hidden that you can't find it to unzip your jersey)

Classic fit, Pro Fit, Men's & Women's cut

Full sublimation printing

The sizing charts are available here:  http://www.bikeatac.com/ordering/sizing.htm

If you would like to buy a jersey, please e-mail Mike Shackleton at mikes@quadrantaccounting.ca, and let him know the quantity, fit type, and size you want.  Please get your orders to Mike by next Wednesday, 05 September.  This is so important I've even clicked on the high priority icon above.  Mike will let you know how to pay in due course.  I've included everyone's e-mail addresses on this in case Mike wants to wade in or send a reminder later.

Thanks,

Mike

Draughters - 15 August WNRS Time Trial

We are now confirmed as the hosts for the 15 August WNRS Time Trial in Springbank.  I am talking to Wild Rose to set something up at the Brewery.  I think I have convinced Kari to race that night (and it is not too late for the rest of you), and to date Shack has volunteered and Kari might get a couple of her daughters to come out.  We could still use a couple of more volunteers, so if you are interested, please let me know.  Thanks and I hope everyone is having a great summer and getting lots of riding in.

 

Mike

Draughters Group Ride on Sunday, and other stuff

Group ride:  Gord will be leading our first mountain bike ride on Sunday, 22 July, leaving the Station Flats parking lot at 10:00 am.  For those who don’t know the location, it is West of Bragg Creek on Highway 66.  Google ‘station flats parking lot’ and it is on Google Maps.  The ride will be no more than 2 hours, and it will be on trials no harder than intermediate at times, so should be good even if you are not a strong technical rider (i.e. me).  As usual, we will swing by the conveniently located brewery on the way back into town if people are interested.

 

Jerseys:  Attached is the final design for the jersey (thanks Kelsey and Shack).  Once we have approximate pricing and delivery times, we will be sending out the sizing chart and asking for orders.

 

WNRS:  The Draughters will be hosting the final race of the series on 15 August.  It will be a 16 km individual time trial taking place in Springbank.  Ideally we would have five volunteers, two at the start, two on the course at a couple of corners to make sure people don’t get lost, and one at the finish.   The race will start right by Springbank High School at 18:30, and depending on the number of riders, will likely be done no later than 19:30 (riders will leave every 30 seconds and the course takes less than 30 minutes to ride).  You wouldn’t need to be at the race until 18:15 and I’m trying to set up something at the brewery afterwards.  Please let me know if you can help out.  Once you see how laid back and fun it is, you’ll be signing up for next year.

 

Thanks and all the best,

 

Mike

Re: Draughters Update

Hi there,
Not sure how many of you mtn bike too but we are biking the fun new trails in west bragg Tues night.  Meet at parking lot for telephone loop at 6:45. The new trails are on the other side. We have a 2 tone brown outback.
Wilma

RE: Draughters Update

Dear Draughters (and Mike in particular)

First off, thank you very much for keeping on this list despite my inability, thus far, to show up.  Most of you haven't met me yet but I look forward to meeting you before the days shorten and we all start thinking about tuning up the trainer again.  I just quickly wanted to mention I rode the Highwood Pass Gran Fondo yesterday.  Anyone else do it?  For those of you who haven't ridden this road (from Longview to Stoney Nakoda Casino on HW1), you simply *have* to, as soon as possible.  It is nothing short of awesome and I am confident in saying it would (with some extension, maybe on to Banff) rank as one of the top stages of any of the grand tours.  I was riding 'domestique' for a friend's father who was riding to celebrate his 60th birthday, so I had plenty of time to look around and enjoy the ride rather than the more usual focus on someone else's derailleur and threshold hear rates.

Thanks, keep spinning, and hopefully see you soon,

Dominic Orsler 

Re: Draughters Update

Hi there - If anyone is interested in a ride tomorrow morning, I will be heading out around 930 -10 on Lower Springbank Road. Would be interested in other rides too after work if that suits anyone.

Enjoy the heat.

Cheers,

Alex

Mike - I could be available to volunteer depending on the date.

Draughters Update

Sorry for the recent lack of e-mails.  I’ve been out of town the last few weekends and with the exception of 22 July, will not be able to make a Sunday ride until 12 August.  On the odd chance anyone else wants to organize a group ride, I’ve included everyone’s e-mail addresses on this message.  Feel free to hit reply all to set something up.  I’m also happy to give anyone who wants access the ability to post on our blog.  Just send me a quick e-mail.  A few updates on some other things:

Group rides:  Hit reply all now and set something up.  It will help work off the mini-donuts from Stampede.  Lots of people ride both road and mountain if you want to mix things up.  And it doesn’t have to be on the weekend, if weekdays work better.

Jerseys:  Kelsey and Shack have created some preliminary designs that look really good.  Once a final design is agreed upon, we’ll send out a separate e-mail regarding orders.

WNRS:  The Draughters will be hosting a race in early August, either on the 1^st or 15^th.  Please let me know if you have any interest in volunteering, usually at the start or on the course making sure there are no wrong turns.  More details to follow once I have them.

I hope everyone has a great summer, and I look forward to sharing the odd ride as schedules line up,

Mike

Draughters: 15-21 June 2012

The weather continues to looks sketchy, but that’s what rain gear is for:

 

Saturday the 16th: Lorraine has toned things down and is riding at 5:30.  Veronica is joining her for at least part of the ride.  Why aren’t you?

 

Sunday the 10th: We were thinking about mountain biking this weekend, but the rain has convinced us the road is the place to be.  Once again the Sunday ride will leave at 10:00 am from the SW Corner of the Westside Church Parking lot (3939 69 Street SW).  The ride is approximately 1.5 to 2.0 hours, we usually ride together for the first half of the ride, split up on the second half depending on how hard people want to go, and then reconvene back at the brewery.  Lorraine is also doing a 6:00 am ride that morning, but going for coffee afterwards is not as good as going for beer.

 

Wednesday the 13th:  This week's WNRS race is a two up sprint competition, which means you ride less than 2 kilometres in total, but feel sooooo much pain.

Best regards,

Mike

Draughters.blogspot.com

 

Draughters: 08-14 June 2012

The weather looks a bit sketchy for the next week, but here is the plan to date:

 

Saturday the 9nd: As part of her training for the Banff Grand Fondo, Lorraine will be hosting a shockingly early ride again.  If you want to join, send her a quick e-mail at lchan@conroyross.com to coordinate.

 

Sunday the 10th: We were up to five riders last Sunday, which was awesome.  Once again the Sunday ride will leave at 10:00 am from the SW Corner of the Westside Church Parking lot (3939 69 Street SW).  The ride is approximately 1.5 to 2.0 hours, we usually ride together for the first half of the ride, split up on the second half depending on how hard people want to go, and then reconvene back at the brewery.

 

Wednesday the 13th:  This week's WNRS race is a team road race starting near Priddis.  Teams are made at random of riders from each level, and you have to get your entire team to the finish as fast as possible.  It’s a fun race where the teams have to work together and the faster riders have to support the slower riders if they want to win.

Jerseys:  I have handed this off to Kelsey and Shack.  Yeah!

Try to stay dry in the week ahead.

Best regards,

Mike

Draughters.blogspot.com

 

RIding 01-07 June 2012

The plan for the next week is as follows:

Saturday the 2nd: Lorraine is in a course this weekend, so her ride will be starting between 5:00 and 5:30 am tomorrow.  She's not sure where she will be riding yet, so if you want to join, send her a quick e-mail at lchan@conroyross.com, then go to bed.

Sunday the 3rd: Based on participant feedback, the Sunday ride will leave at 10:00 am this Sunday from the SW Corner of the Westside Church Parking lot (3939 69 Street SW).  We'll find some fun places to ride around Springbank and then go to the brewery to enjoy the sunshine.

Wednesday the 6th:  This week's WNRS race is an individual time trial starting near Cochrane, but riding standard road bikes.  If you've ever thought about coming on Wednesday nights, this might be a good way to try racing, because all you have to do is show up with your standard gear and then pedal your guts out.  Fun, fun, fun.

Jerseys:  Since I've totally dropped the ball on this, Kelsey, who is riding with us and also works in the Wild Rose Brewery marketing department, has graciously offered to help design the jersey.  Once we've got a design and cost estimates, we'll come back to everyone to confirm orders and then get this back on track.  And just to reconfirm, yes, there will be separate women's sizes so the jerseys won't fit you like a tent.

Sunday Group Ride - Volunteer Leader Needed

... and since it will beautiful Sunday, everyone should be out riding.  Sadly, I will be away this weekend so won't be setting up the group ride.  If you would like to volunteer to arrange the ride this weekend, please let me know.  You pick the location and route and I'm happy to do up the post and map if that helps.

WNRS - Woodland ITT

Kari and I represented the Draughters tonight at the first race of the WNRS season, and did our best impressions of cyclistsicles.  Holy cold and windy Batman.  By the time we finished up it started snowing.  Cycling in Calgary is awesome.  It's supposed to be 24 by Sunday...

Sunday Group Ride

Last Sunday the weather cooperated with us so much that I ended up burnt all along my left side, not from the ride, but from sitting on the patio at Wild Rose testing Foothillz Pilz as a recovery fluid.  It worked.  A big shout out to Michael and Rick for coming out for rolling, wind swept, somewhat dodgy because of the gravel ride, and for coming for a beer afterwards.  Apparently Wred Wheat is also a good apres ride beer.

Jerseys

I apologize for dropping the ball on this.  Here is a link to what I think the basic design of our jersey will be, except with the colors adjusted for the official Wild Rose orange, plus lots of cool beer stuff added to the jersey.
http://www.bikeatac.com/semicustom/recoloring/RetroTwo_recoloring.htm

Here is the size chart.  Please use the classic fit size chart for guys and the women's specific chart for women.
http://www.bikeatac.com/ordering/sizing.htm

I've lost track of who has ordered what, so please put your order in as a comment below. Then I'll have a convenient record of everyone's order, plus it will help ensure everyone gets the right size.  Please place your order no later than 14 May so I can get these bad boys ordered.

Sunday Group Ride - 06 May 2012

This Sunday's group ride will leave at 2:00 pm from the Westside King's Church (3939 69 Street SW).  Please park on the far SW side of the parking lot.  Below is a map of the route.  Depending on who shows up we may shorten or lengthen the ride accordingly.  There may also be an optional run to the brewery afterwards to rehydrate and replenish carbs.  Please let me know in the comments below if you are planning to join.  My cell is 403 660 9463 if you have any problems finding the start.



View Larger Map

Get off your butt and go sign up

In case you lost (or never got) my first e-mail, here are updated instructions on how to sign up for the Draughters.  Everyone needs to sign up as a recreational rider at a minimum to ensure we are insured for group rides.

Recreational riders:

Go to the ABA website and purchase a general membership https://www.zone4.ca/reg.asp?id=2594&lan=1&cartlevel=1 by:

a.      Clicking on the button saying you have joined an AMA sanctioned club

b.      Choosing the 'Wild Rose Brewery Draughters' on the pulldown menu under 'Club/Home Track'

c.      Choosing the General Membership for $40

d.      Skipping everything else except for reading and checking the boxes for the Waiver and Declaration

e.      Checking out

For Recreational riders and Racers who want to race in the WNRS

Go to http://www.karelo.com/register.php?BID=327&BT=10#Ev10166 and buy a Calgary Crankmasters secondary club membership for $35, which entitles you to go on all Crankmasters group rides and race in all 15 races in the WNRS.

For Racers who want to ride in ABA events

Follow the recreational rider instructions, except under 2)c. choose the Citizen Cycling Licence or UCI Licence.  Only do this if you are planning to ride multiple ABA races, as there will be day licences available for many events if you only want to do one or two races.

Wednesday Night Racing Series Update

Kari and I attended the kick-off meeting for the WNRS at Speed Theory tonight.  Nothing new to report other than the ABA now requires that all racers be a primary or secondary member of Crankmasters, no exceptions.  If you are racing, please make sure you sign up accordingly.  All the money collected from secondary memberships is put in a pool, with more than $1,000 given back as cash prizes at the end of the racing series.  But more importantly, it's a fun and low stress way to try racing if you are interested.  Click on the link to the right for more information.

Let's get this party started...

The Draughters are up and running.  Please sign up for the team and also please follow the blog so you know what is going on.  I will arrange a meeting at the brewery in the next month or so to go for a couple of beers and organize things further.  Ride hard, Mike