November Newsletter

Webmaster note: Sorry for poor formatting. This is imported from what is probably the world's worst word processor MS Word into Frontpage another MS product. Evidently they cannot talk to one another! Sometimes we get a clean import other times it gets hopelessly messy. We have cleaned out as much of the crap as we can and unfortunately lost a couple of items. The only answer is to join the Club and get the original sent to you!!

 

"Morris Moments" Story as told to Dave Harrison by Zack Morris

 

As an aspiring young junior the World Road Championships in your hometown is as huge an event as you can imagine.

With the schools closed and all the who’s who of cycling arriving in Hamilton, daily Zack took to the streets to catch all the action.  He, like many Hamiltonian’s were not disappointed.

Wednesday morning, October 8^th was a day for the road course inspection/training.  Zack was hoping to see the squadra azzurra and race favourite Paolo Bettini. 

From afar he could see the blue train up the road and set off in pursuit and soon found himself alongside la Grillo.

After a brief exchange of greetings, Paolo produced and signed a cycling cap which he handed to Zack.  It was at about this time the Italian newspaper, Corriere Canadese began taking some photos of Zack riding alongside the aforementioned Bettini.  Later in the week, Zack was spotted by some Italian fans at the Azzurra Plaza on Main Street and soon found himself signing dozens of copies of the paper!

Thursday brought the race of truth to the Hammer, and many of us marveled at the sheer speed of the worlds elite time trialists.  Frigo, Rogers, Rich – they were all here as well as one of Zack’s heroes David Miller of Britain.

After an outstanding performance, the rainbow clad world champion Miller made his way back to the team tent where Zack had been waiting and talking with some trainer in hopes of garnering a photo or autograph.  As Miller approached the pit area one those trainers handed Zack a UK national jersey and said “here, have David sign this for you.”  It was just another sign of people oceans apart coming together in a common arena and sharing their love of cycling and sport together.

It didn’t take long for Zack to show his kindness to a couple of American riders he noticed heading onto the highway back tracking their way back to the hotel they were staying at in Grimsby.  Knowing a MUCH safer route back, not to mention more scenic, Zack quickly caught up to the pair who happened to be none other than Levi Leipheimer and Bobby Julich.  After a short ride, Zack parted ways with his new mates but not before Bobby gave him a signed hat for the helping hand.

Yes, it was just one of those magical weeks for Zack.  Who knows maybe in the not-too-distant future he may be signing a few hats himself.

 

World Road Championships

by Dave Harrison

A week worth waiting for Giuseppe Ferrara and Giancarlo Seffafero layed the groundwork for the 2003 World Championships way back some 5 years ago.  Monday morning came – Thanksgiving day after digesting a weeks worth of memories.  I know I speak for many when I say it was worth waiting for.

My week of volunteering started on Monday.  I worked as a course ambassador, basically an info booth on roller blades donning a Louis Garneau TT helmet and bright yellow shirt.  I soon found myself surrounded by dozens of non-cycling spectators asking who was racing today?  What countries? And which one is that Armstrong guy?  Well, it was an impressive crowd I’d addressed with many answers – “they’re just practicing today, tomorrow you’ll start to see them racing in full flight”, oh and that Armstrong guy, people stopped asking about him by Wednesday.

The week was an international kaleidoscope in which I met old and new friends (see article by Cecelia Carter-Smith).  At the Pheasant Plucker on Augusta Street, we socialized with a pub full of Belgians including pro Dave Bruylanduts and later in the week the cannibal himself Eddy Merckx. 

What a festive atmosphere, celebrating cycling and friendships. The bands played until the wee hours of the evening as we mixed together and traded stories, pines, and good cheer.

 

It was a pleasure to volunteer my time showing people our City.  The Hamilton 2003 team I worked with, in particular Katie Coulson,  Community Relations Coordinator, were outstanding and everything came together beautifully.  We should all be proud of what is being called one of the best world championships ever.

 

Thank you, Giuseppe and Giancarlo, it was most certainly a week worth waiting for.

 

International Scene

by Dave Harrison

 

September and October is traditionally the months that most of the worlds’ top riders will use to fine tune their World Championship preparations.  One such race is the October 5^th Paris-Tours World Cup classic.

 

This flat race a week before the Worlds is usually won in a pack sprint as was the case this year.  German Telekom sprinter Erik Zabel finally got the better of Fassa Bortolo speedster Alexandro Petacchi.  While Patacchi, hands covering his face, couldn’t believe he’d lost this sprinter’s classic, his fellow countryman Paolo Bettini took 8^th place and subsequently enough points to win his 2^nd consecutive World cup title.

 

October 6^th to 12^th, World Championship week in Hamilton.  Paolo Bettini was the elite mens favourite, but many others were ready and able to challenge him for the title of World Champion.  Although the elite mens road race is the showcase event, many of the thousands who lined the streets would agree that all the weeks races were outstanding from the brilliant time trialing of the young German Espoir Marcus Fothen to Hamilton’s own Sue Palmer-Komar’s brave run finishing up 13^th top among Canadian women.  Read some personal accounts of the weeks festivities in this newsletter.

 

A week later the rainbow jersey arrived at the Giro di Lombardia, the 10^th and final round of the World Cup.  The “race of the falling leafs” was for the 2^nd year in a row won by Italian Michele Bartoli.

 

As many as 100+ riders DNF’d the race.  Most noticeably World Cup Champion Paolo Bettini and the rainbow clad Igor Astarloa.  I’m sure Bettini will be looking to trade his World Cup jersey in for the rainbow colours next year in Verona, Italy.

 

Ciao!

 

 

 

 

Opera Tickets – Special Offer to Hamilton Cycling Club Members

 

Five members of the Oakville Cycling Club and friends attended performances of Carmen and all thought it was a great show. 

 

The same offer of 20% discount on tickets is now available on the Royal Opera Canada productions of Nabucco on November 15^th, 16^th (matinee), 18^th, 20^th and 22^nd at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga.  Or at the Toronto Centre for the Arts on Yonge Street in North York on November 27^th, 29^th, December 4^th and 6^th.

 

Please contact Terry Rooney by e-mail (trooney@cpdn.ca) or by phone at 905-465-3890.

 

The Opera has a great deal of rousing tuneful music and features the beautiful Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves (Va pensiero) often regarded as Italy’s second national anthem.

 

 

 

					December   1 – Don Sloan 2 – Jan Ullrich 4 – Frank Morrow 6 – Anna Garnett 14 – Desi Desrochers 24 – Sandy Cheskey 26 – Ken Nuttley				January   1 – Tony Marriott 8 – Les Humphreys 12 – Mirek Mazur 22 – George Garrett 25 – Adrian Davis 27 – Sue Palmer-Komar
	Hamilton Cycling Club Kit   The club is looking at some winter/fall jacket options.  Should have full details soon.  The club kit costs are still the same low prices.  Jersey - $45, Skin suit - $85, Shorts - $55, Bib Shorts - $70.  Please contact Keith at 905-335-5278.   Also remember that if you do have a club jersey, wear it at the events and be proud of the fact that you’re a strong link in a chain of great cyclists dating back 122 years when we were originally founded as the “Hamilton Bicycle Club”.
		EVENTS CALENDAR   DECEMBER & JANUARY   Date Event December 6th HCC Banquet – 6 p.m. Winchester Arms 120 King Street West, Dundas December 13th HCC AGM, The Dickens 423 Elizabeth Street, Burlington December 25th Ho! Ho! Ho! January 1st Happy New Year!!

 

	Annual Banquet & AGM Dates Set   Mark December 6th on your calendars and plan to attend our annual banquet to celebrate the end of another wonderful year of cycling and socialize with other club members in a more casual setting at the Winchester Arms, 120 King Street in Dundas.   As well “The Dickens” located at 423 Elizabeth Street in Burlington will once again host our AGM on December 13th.  Come out and join us for a free brunch made available by the Club.   Please note that the Club is still seeking a Race Secretary to replace Randy Brown.  If you are even slightly interested in the position, join us on the 13th.

 

		Central Cycle   Great end of season sale.   Savings on bikes, frames, accessories, and shoes.  HCC Members mention this ad for even better deals!!
	ARTICLES WELCOME… The Hamilton Cycling Club Newsletter is published at the beginning of January, March, May, July, September and November.  The deadline for each issue is the 20th of the month prior to publication.  Please note that submissions are welcome anytime.   Dave Harrison, the editor of the newsletter can be reached by phone at 905-529-6420 or via e-mail at dchcycling@aol.com or snail mail at the following address:   5 Chatham Street Hamilton, ON  L8P 2B3