When the Sunshine Coast Cycling (SCC) race team enters an event, and they make a podium finish - you hear about it. They're proud of their young racers and they want you to be proud of them too. The race team works extremely hard over eight months of training and the outstanding results they get show that the hard work and determination pays off.
At just about every event they attend, SCC is recognized as one of the best small town clubs in B.C. and it's partly because of the racers, but it's also because of the families that back them up and the reputation that SCC has in the cycling world in general.
People often comment on the level of support SCC riders have and that support not only comes from family and friends, but also from many generous sponsors who help provide the necessary funds for the club's operations.
The fact that SCC is involved in many aspects of recreational cycling other than racing, rarely comes out but the truth is, SCC has something for just about anyone who rides a bike and something to do just about every day of the week.
Mondays there's an evening youth/family ride where the focus is on the beginning and intermediate riders.
SCC's coaches Bob Stanhope and Sue Lamb lead these rides and everyone is welcome.
Tuesdays is the popular ladies ride that leaves Connor Park at 12:45 p.m. every week, year round in just about any weather (except snow). Also on Tuesdays during the spring and summer are time trials and hill climbs. This is an opportunity to work on your own personal goal of improving your speed at getting up the 3.4K Steven's Way hill or doing a few laps around the 4km time trial course. Timing and record keeping is provided so you can keep track of your personal best.
Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at B&K and the Powerlines is gravity night - a fun night for the "freeriders and downhillers" where the focus is on gravity and speed. Gary Jackson at Off the Edge is the one to talk to about gravity night. There's a $5 charge for this one and club membership is required for all the club events.
Saturdays the club ride is on the road with a three-hour steady paced ride on the pavement and Sundays the SCC Core Race team trains for the race season with a good hard two to three-hour steady ride on the trails. You're welcome to join the Saturday or Sunday rides, but beware, these ones are steady paced and you will have to keep up -or get left behind. You can always catch up to the group on their way back to the starting point though.
SCC also provides support for the trail building crews to help with the creation of new trails or the maintenance and improvement of old ones.
SCC members are involved in cycling advocacy and work with local, provincial and federal government representatives to improve cycling and make the roads and trails safer.
If the SCC interests you, consider a membership and join them for their annual general meeting this fall, date and time to be announced.
If you're interested in a fun event, on Saturday, Sept. 25, SCC, along with Off The Edge Adventure Sports in Sechelt presents The Brat Race Super D. This is a club race that can be ridden with just about any mountain bike and promises considerably more down than up. It's a fun, non-competitive event that finishes up with a pasta meal at The Old Boot in Sechelt. The focus is on fun and all club members are welcome. Membership forms are available at the race.
