Team905 Website is on The Move!

Team905 website is on the move. We are very excited to announce our partnership with runbikerace.com.
 
Runbikerace.com has built great brand recognition and following, which fits well with the brand recognition Team905 has established over the last 3 years. The shared commitment and passion for an active life style made the decision to combine our efforts easy.

The new site will have more of a website look and feel rather than a blog with a new style, new authors, and expanded content.  We will provide more multimedia offerings in terms of video reviews and photography along with written content.  What we cover will still mainly be focused on all disciplines of running and cycling (and multisport) in terms of gear and racing.  The expanded breadth of content that will come with the addition of two new authors, will give a much broader range of experience, knowledge, and insight.  Through each of our networks, we also hope to leverage contacts to share guest posts from time to time.  We are excited for this to translate into wider ranging content and an appeal to many readers.

Rest assured, Team905 will continue to have a dedicated web presence with all the team updates and news that we’ve provided in the past. Our goal in this transition is to provide a wider breadth of content for both runbikerace.com and Team905 visitors!
We are currently building the new website design, with a soft launch planned for late-November.  The current timeline is to do a full launch of the new website at the start of January 2014.

Who are the authors?

Dan Dakin is the former Editor of Canadian Cycling Magazine.  Dan has a long history as a professional journalist, writer, and athlete.  He is a cyclist (road, mountain, cyclocross), runner, and multi-sport competitor.  He has years of experience testing the heck out of all sorts of gear and is excited help build runbikerace.com.  Dan will bring his killer multimedia expertise to runbikerace.com and is sure to enhance your experience while visiting our humble abode.

Kent Keeler is responsible for the existing content on runbikerace.com, and Kent will continue doing what he does.  Running as far as possible, riding bikes in the meantime, and sharing thoughts on some of the best gear and races around.  Kent is excited to share the runbikerace.com reins in hopes that his infant website can grow into a bigger, better adolescence.

Jamie Schuman is currently the team director and a racer for Team 905, based out of the Niagara Region. The new runbikerace.com site will also be the home of Team905 and their existing web presence that Jamie has built.  Team905 competes in a variety of racing disciplines, encompassing all of the sports we focus on at runbikerace.com.  Team905 is also proud of their community involvement with events like their annual Kids Build a Bike event, and other charity work.  Jamie’s background and knowledge will round out the core of the content on the new and improved site.

We Need More Cowbell VII Cross - Team Race Report

Team905 Cycling powered by Steelmark Business Services kicked off the 2013 Ontario Cup Cyclocross season Sunday in St. Catharines.

The Niagara-based cycling team had five riders in the various fields at the season-opening We Need More Cowbell VII Cross 2013 held at Burgoyne Woods and finished the day with four one win, two Top 5s and a Top 10. The course was relatively flat with a few unique obstacles that made it more challenging.

Jamie negotiating barriers

In the top Masters 1 field, Jamie Schuman rode to fifth place Sunday, finishing two minutes behind the winner, Robert Holmgren. Schuman also had the second-fastest lap of the day for his field, completing the opening loop just one second slower than Holmgren. Fellow Team905 rider Steve DeBoer finished 13th in the Master 1 race.

"It looks like the Masters 1 field is going to be deep and fast this year," said Schuman. "I was both excited and nervous to kick-off the OCup CX season on home turf. It was great to get the official season started after a long summer of training."

Making his debut in the Over-35 masters category, Dan Dakin took the win in the Master 3 division.

Dan on the podium

"I'm happy to start the season with a win," said Dakin, who plans to upgrade to Master 2 before the next Ontario Cup race in two weeks. "I know the competition will be significantly more difficult in M2, but I'm looking forward to the challenge."

In the Master 2 race, local Brock University professor Stephen Cheung finished 8th, two and a half minutes behind the winner. Cheung also finished fifth at a cyclocross race in Buffalo three weeks ago.

The M2 race was combined with the Senior 3 field including Team905 rider Robin Watt. He had upgraded from the lower Senior 4 in the off-season and finished fifth in his debut.

"It felt great to start the new season. Starting with a faster group this year I wasn't sure what to expect, but it seems I fit in well with the group and I made the right decision on the upgrade," he said. "I have new rivals to compete against and improvements I can make throughout the season."

Robin being chased

Stephen at the triples

The Ontario Cup season now takes two weeks off before Race No. 2, which will be held Oct. 6 at Firemen's Park in Niagara Falls. The event is organized by local cyclocross racer Jeff Moote.

"Jeff lays out a great course and I'm excited to race it," said Watt.

In a doubleheader weekend at the Firemen's Park cyclocross event last year, Dakin had a win and a second in Senior 4, Watt had a win and a third in the same field, Chueng had a fifth and an 11th in Master 2, Schuman had a third and DeBoer had a fifth and an 11th in Master 1.

Team905 Results
We Need More Cowbell VII Cross 2013
Ontario Cup Cyclocross No. 1
Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013

Master 1 Men - Jamie Schuman, 5th; Steve DeBoer, 13th
Master 2 Men - Stephen Cheung, 8th;
Master 3 Men - Dan Dakin, 1st
Senior 3 Men - Rob Watt, 5th

Stephen Talking Over Training

Stephen spent some time with Canadian Cycling Magazines Andrew Randell to discuss the impacts of over training.

WNY ‘cross Kick-off @ Buffalo Ski Club: Stephen Cheung Race Report

That was an insanely hot and hard race @ Buffalo Ski Club this Saturday. Really good 2.6km course with lots of flow, power pitches, slalom descent, a never ending climb halfway up the hill (~70m climbing per lap), then through a forest with steep muddy pitches, then a fast muddy slalom descent straight back down. 

Thanks to the border and also Antje needing a visa, we missed the 10:00h race but we got to ride the 11:20h (45 min) S4 race for no results and starting 1 min behind everyone. I still managed to catch all but the top 5 and would've had the 4th place.

Then we had 30 min to recover before S1/2 and S3 60 min race. Got lapped by 3 of the S1 including Chown but surprised myself with 6th/24 in S3, about 15s behind a top 5. Last two times climbing I was just starting to have my back seize up but luckily no cramping up. Luckily getting lapped meant only 7 instead of 8 laps, and a total of 12 laps and 130 min of CX racing. So incredibly hot that it made my chamber fun in comparison!

Overall a great day of racing and gave me tons of confidence for the season!

Fall Mountain Bike Racing in Niagara!

We're looking forward to fall mountain biking racing returning to the Niagara Region in 2013. Even the cross guys are talking about it!

Click on the image below to find out more!

Chickpea Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chip Cookies

These are a great source of protein for a quick post ride snack and also satisfies that sweet tooth.

1 1/4 cups of canned chickpeas, well rinsed and dried
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 + 2 tablespoons peanut butter
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven at 350F degrees
Combine all ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth. Ensure all chickpeas are fully processed.
Add chocolate chips and stir into mixture.
With wet hands, form 1 1/2" balls and place on non-stick cookie sheet.
Bake for approximately 10 minutes or until a golden brown of your choice.

Dr. Stephen Cheung's Pez Cycling Tool Box Article

Click on above to read more.

Larkinville Crit Series - Race 3 Report

www.buffalobicycling.com

Here is Dr. Stephen Cheung's race report from yesterdays Buffalo Cycling Club Larkinville Criterium Series - Race 3.

Just did my first crit in about a decade or so! Rob Visser and I went across the border to the Larkinville crit near Exit 4 off I-90. Was a blast on a 1.1 km rectangle course. Well-organized and good price at $20US. They're running 8 of them, and tonight was the third. I surprised myself by how comfortably and easily I was staying in the top 5-6 riders (40 starters and 22 finished in pack sprint). The 4/5 race was 22 laps, so that's 88 corners in 24 km! Pack was generally safe except for dude clipping pedals and then rolling his tubs and taking another out with him on the very last corner. Visser kept going wide and fell over the curb at moderate speed, only one bit of road rash on left knee and some scuffs on bike. I had to brake to a stop for that, so rolled in at the end of the pack in 18th. Despite that, was a great time.

Was amazed that we averaged >40km/h for the 35 min race. Actually, I've hurt a hell of a lot more in the club Sunday hammers and Tuesday nighters.

1st Annual Youth Build-a-Bike Event - May 25th, 2013

Team905 Cycling p/b Steelmark Business Services, The EFN, and Inception Cyclery are working together to celebrate and support safe bicycle riding for youths by offering a clinic to teach each youth basic bike skills, road rules and basic bike maintenance AND an opportunity to win 1 of 3 bike packages including a new bicycle, helmet, lock and bell.

Team905 p/b Steelmark Business Services  will be bringing the 1st Annual Build-a-Bike event to Inception Cyclery site, an event celebrating the joy of bike riding, on Saturday, May 25.  Team905 p/b Steelmark Business Services  is a group of 8-10 cyclists who are passionate about riding whether it be training or racing. All team members are from the Niagara Region and want to see cycling grow and who share the vision of giving back to the community, specifically youth.  "Riding a bike for any youth is one of their first exposures to freedom and the excitement that comes with that freedom.  Every youth should have the opportunity to experience this and hopefully continue through their life”, says Jamie Schuman.  Unfortunately, this is not always the case. This is where Team905 p/b Steelmark Business Services  wants to make a difference.  Build-a-Bike will donate to 3 youths, ages 9-12, who might not have a bike or the means to own one.  The donation will include a helmet, lock and bell.  Each beneficiary will be invited to the May 25th event, with their family to participate in a clinic delivering bike skills, road rules and bike maintenance.  In the end, each youth will leave the event with an opportunity to feel the freedom and excitement of riding a bike. In turn, this will promote a healthy life style and positive environmental impact.

Julie Densham, Executive Director of EFN, was asked why she felt it was important for EFN to be involved in this event, she said " The Education Foundation of Niagara's vision is about a healthy and educated Niagara. Programs like these really lend to our vision and mission. We want our students out there and active, but safety is tantamount when it comes to bike riding. Riding safely, being aware of competing road traffic and properly tuned bikes are key to safe riding."

A big thank you to our title sponsor Steelmark Business Services and their sister company Steelmark Design for their hard work and time to design the first Build-a-Bike poster!

About EFN

The Education Foundation of Niagara (EFN) has been established to provide funding for special projects designed to enhance the curriculum, using new and creative approaches for students served by the District School Board of Niagara (DSBN). EFN is an arms-length charity supporting the DSBN schools.  The diversity of Niagara student communities presents many challenges, but by supporting the many programs and initiatives, we are supporting a healthy, vibrant and educated Niagara. The EFN is the way to support the community and the future.

EFN can provide an opportunity for you to participate in many ways, from becoming a "Friend of the Foundation" to signing up for an event, to making a gift to support the many causes.  Other fundraising activities, like events, sponsorships, promotional activities, benefits partners and third party events assist in the cause.    

About Inception Cyclery

Inception Cyclery exists to help you realize the perfect bicycle for your riding style and your riding aspirations. Be it a mountain bike to tackle the Ontario Cup circuit, an Enduro bike to take on Europe's best bike parks, or an all day road bike with the perfect blend of aggression and comfort.

Thursday Night Throw Down With Dan, Isaac, and Moote

A few of us gathered at Dan's place tonight for a Thursday night training ride. What was suppose to be a training ride turned into an all out throw down. We even spent 2km conspiring to work as a group so Jeff could take a KOM.....mission accomplished.

Dan(f) Jamie(right) Jeff(left) Isaac (back)

Inception Cyclery - New Year, New Rides, New Start: Video

 

New Year, New Rides, New Start Video

20th Paris to Ancaster - Race Reports

Dan Dakin, Dr. Stephen Cheung, Jamie Schuman, and a small group of Niagara region racers headed to the Paris / Ancaster area to brave the always harsh P2A! Stephen has shared his experiences from the day.

Dr. Stephen Cheung

The best part of P2A, besides the fact that it was sunny/dry and there was a slight tailwind, was that we got the chance to channel our inner Sven Nys and really play in the mud! The two chutes are always slimy mud baths, but the recent rains made a good chunk of the single track slick and fun to play on too. There was one "what have I gotten myself into?" moment when I screamed into a mud trench way too fast, but I ended up going with it and just letting it ride and got to the end safely. Oh yeah, thanks again to the kids who put up the jump ramps halfway through, and to Inception Cyclery for the perfect race overhaul and adjustment!

Jamie and Stephen

Picture provided by Kyra Paterson

Niagara's Cold 2013 Spring - Dr. Stephen Cheung

This is an email response from Stephen when asked if he wanted to ride this past Wednesday (April 10, 2013). It's important to note that Stephens research specialty is humans in extreme temperatures!

Well, you missed Noah's Ark coming out for a sail last night, not to mention some fun with hypothermia for me. Seriously, I have not been THAT cold outside of my own lab for at least the last decade (after a race in Nova Scotia April 2002). Was caught completely under-dressed too and bailed after the first lap of the club race after attacking like crazy didn't warm me up. I was shaking so uncontrollably that I either couldn't grip the handlebars, or else when I did I had the worst case of top-tube shimmy ever, such that I thought my front end was going to snap off. That made descending Haist really fun, especially with wet carbon rims!

Spent about 30 min freezing in a hot shower and hyperventilating/shivering before I got remotely close to warm again.

I've got a few degrees worth of experience with hypothermia, and that wasn't fun! So needless to say, I'm staying indoors tonight!

Tour of Bronte Race Report - Dan Dakin

Lessons Learned

All I remember seeing was a cloud of dust, and then a CHCH rider lying across the gravel road.

This is going to hurt...

It was my third Tour of Bronte and I've enjoyed racing it ever time I've had the opportunity to do so. There's something about tearing off of the pavement and onto a gravel road that's incredibly fun. I still don't know how to classify this race. It's not really a road race considering there are only a couple of kilometres per lap of pavement. But it's definitely not a cross race. It's just the Tour of Bronte.

My day started with a bit of chaos when I realized - one hour before the start - that I had somehow forgotten to register for the race. I'd signed up for 3 or 4 races a while ago and was certain I'd included Bronte in the list, but as I sat in my car frantically going through my email and Visa statements, I realized the mistake was entirely my fault - Lesson Learned.

After some pleading with the race organizers they let me sign up and I was off.

The Intermediate Race had all of the elite women, a pile of Master 2, Master 3, Senior 3 and junior racers in it. It was the largest field of the day and I knew staying near the front would be key.

Right off the start the jostling for position began and within the first couple of laps I had found myself in the front half of the race when the pack split apart.

A group of three CHCH riders took off up the road and built up an insurmountable lead. With each passing lap more riders from our chase group were dropping off. Avoiding flats were the biggest challenge of the day and I knew I just had to bide my time and ride smart.

As the bell sounded for the final lap, I was in the front 15 or so of the chase group and figured I'd try to make a move with a few other riders with a couple of kilometres to go. I knew the three lead guys were long gone, but I thought perhaps a Top 5 or Top 10 was pretty realistic.

Unfortunately, it didn't work out.

Just over a bit of a bumpy bridge on the gravel section of the course, there was suddenly a crash about 10 metres in front of me. I thought about going left or right, but there were guys down on both sides. Instead, I hit the brakes and hoped I could avoid it. A big cloud of dust in front of me cleared and there, lying less than half a metre in front of my wheel was a CHCH rider. It was too late to even attempt a bunny hop. I just slammed into him and violently flipped forward. I slammed down on my hands and knees and looked around to see around 10 people involved in the day's worst crash.

I was in pain, but after checking to make sure nothing was broken, I stood up and looked at the bike. Shockingly, my reliable Giant CX bike was intact. Not even a twisted handlebar. The commissaries were asking who wanted to DNF, but I figured I'd soft pedal around to the finish alongside a friend of mine who had caught up with me on the course.

We slowly rode the rest of the loop, until the final 500 metres when I realized a large pack of 30 or so riders was flying up behind me. I knew I had enough of a lead on them that if I pushed a bit harder, I'd stay in front. "Gotta go," I yelled to my friend.

I managed to finish a few metres in front of the pack and finished in a respectable 28th. Not exactly my goal for the day, but I was happy nonetheless.

I learned two things - make sure you confirm your race registrations before going to a race; and just because you crash, it doesn't mean you can't still have a good result.

Dan Dakin

Dan Dakin Clipping In for Inaugural Steaming Nostril Spring Race

Dan will be racing this Sunday at the Steam Nostril Spring Classic race. Read his race preview in Canadian Cycling Magazine.