WEEKLY BULLETIN – June 2, 2014
UPCOMING RIDES
Tuesday June 3
7:00 pm Evening Ride – Bring your lights in case we do not make it back before dusk
Thursday June 5
7:00 pm Evening Ride – Bring your lights in case we do not make it back before dusk
Saturday June 7
8:00 am – 85 km of “Pain and Suffering”: Faster paced and hilly this ride will get your heart pumping and expand the lungs. Keep up or you’ll get left behind.
Ride starts from Kleinburg Public School – 10391 Islington Ave.
Saturday June 7
8:00 am – The Diva Ride – This is a LADIES ONLY ride starting out from Kleinburg Public School – 10391 Islington Ave
If you have any questions, please forward them to me and I will route them to the group leader
Sunday June 8
7:30 am – Giro (Red) Company – This is the longer and faster ride
8:00 am – The rest of us
PLEASE PARK IN THE TENNIS CENTRE PARKING TO THE RIGHT OF THE MAIN DRIVE. PIC NIC SEASON IS UPON US AND OUR PATRONS NEED THE MAIN LOT.
MANY THANKS FOR YOUR COOPERATION
2. MEMBERSHIP – REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN – JERSEY SALES SUSPENDED
2014 Memberships are now on sale at CCN Bikes. Please use this link to arrive at our landing page: https://ccnbikes.com/2014-veneto-cycling-club-membership
The order for Jerseys and Bibs has been forwarded to our supplier. Any additional sales will be placed on hold until we achieve the minimum required number (I did not say anything about refunds). Thanks for your cooperation and understanding.
3. DEMO DAY – Tuesday June 3 – SAVE THE DATE THE DAY IS UPON US SO JOIN IN
Once again the Veneto Cycling Club will play host to Demo Day organized by CyclePath of Woodbridge. It will be held on Tuesday June 3 in the evening. Come by early and try a new set of wheels, a new bike, a new snack or drink. Please note that everything except the snack and drink must be returned in its original condition.
Please consult the attached flyer for more details.
4. SALUTI from RAYMOND BONGIORNO at GFNY
Raymond Bongiorno with view of George Washington Bridge, NYC, in the background.
Fellow rider recently participated at the Gran Fondo in New York City and sent along the following picture and write up. We congratulate him on his perseverance which earned him a 71st placement out of 417 riders. However, it is his tenacity that needs to be complimented. Raymond wanted to wear a VCC jersey for the event and we expedited one to him. This is why he looks so great in the picture and he would have placed first in the fashion category had the jersey not been confiscated by race organizer and then maliciously but unintentionally lost. Raymond lost his jersey out of jealousy and now someone in New Jersey is riding around with it bragging that it Once again the Veneto Cycling Club will play host to Demo Day organized by CyclePath of Woodbridge. It will be held on Tuesday June 3 in the evening. Come by early and try a new set of wheels, a new bike, a new snack or drink. Please note that everything except the snack and drink must be returned in its original condition.
GFNY is a prestigious cycling event organized by husband-and-wife team Uli and Lydia Flume .What a great and exciting event to participate in. The ride starts in New York City on the George Washington Bridge and makes its way to Bear Mountain in New Jersey which is the half-way point (my finish line) and turns around and heads back for New York City for the final hundred mile. It took multiple efforts from various persons to get the VCC jersey to me and I was proud to wear it, from Ponte Rialto to George Washington bridge the jersey looked great! I met people from all over the world (they came from 72 countries for this event), and thousands saw my VCC picture moment.
The gun time started at 7 :05AM and all the cyclists filled with adrenaline started to ride. I tried my best to stay out of harm’s way. The first thousand cyclists consisted of Pro riders and $1000 and over fund raisers participants. Out of the gates we rode well through all the turns , negated pot holes – communication from all cyclists needs to be commended! In the first 5 miles we came across many cyclist fixing flats. I started to think please not me, it was a Sunday so since I wasn’t attending church mass I started to pray to get me through it unscathed! All went well, lots of people in little towns cheering the train of 5000 cyclist through! The aid station filled with goodies, compliments of Powerbar. I took a small break replenished and rode off again. It was picturesque and rolling hills all the way to Bear Mountain park. I could see the big mountain ahead “montagna dell’orso”. I am not a fan of climbing but was not gonna quit! It was grueling – Many stopped and walked up. My portion included 3000 foot incline at 8% … Ouch! I was almost at the top and I saw a sign ” it’s ok to cry”! How fitting!! They had lots of volunteers cheering and music pumping out ” born to be alive “. When I reached the peak, I was glad to be alive and to be part of the whole experience. I replenished and regrouped with my cousins and a picture moment was had, then back down we road to the shuttle bus area. This is where riders pick up their drop off bag (including my VCC jersey) Well 4 of us checked and it was not there. I felt terrible because I never really got a chance to ride in the VCC jersey. I used it for the picture moment because GFNY jersey was mandatory. I accepted the facts and a much needed bag filled with snacks then off on the bus back to New York we went. This is where my legs fell asleep and so did I !
Everyone gets the gold – New York style bling! We relaxed back at the hotel and took a much needed rest. I found out my results and I came 71st out of 417 males in my age category. I’m very happy with the results. It was an enjoyable experience .
It started with a beautiful morning and ended in a glorious day! Thank you!
Article by Raymond Bongiorno
5. RISOTTO di BASSANO
So I miss one week at the VCC and I miss out on the first truly warm and sunny ride that we’ve had this season. More importantly, it was the first time (and probably the last) that Risotto was offered instead of the usual mortadella sandwiches. The picture speaks for itself:
But the YouTube video screams “Eat me!”
6. META FOUNDATION RIDE – June 22
On June 22, the Meta Foundation will be hosting its second annual ride (they have been hosting a Family Walk and Run for several years) in support of the Meta Centre. The Meta Centre, a not-for-profit organization, provides services and assistance to special needs children and adults.
Registration opens at 8:00am and there is an 80km Gran Fondo and a 40km Medio. The cost of registration is $100 with all the proceeds going to the cause. Part of the package of goods and perks includes a pair of Adidas shoes valued at $100 + entertainment at the finish line + food stations + lunch and … wait for it …. soft serve ice cream. So think of it as though your $100 purchases admission to the ride and you get a free pair of shoes OR you’re buying a pair of shoes and you’re getting a free ride. Either way, it all goes to a good cause.
Last year, the VCC picked up the torch and fielded a little over a dozen riders. Some did well, some, like me, finished in last place because I had to help a poveraccio with a flat tire. It may not have been the best finish, but we looked awesome at the start.
I invite you to come out and support this worthy event and make the VCC the No. 1 team (by sheer number) once again.
7. GIRO di VAUGHAN – VCC represented in full force
On Sunday June 1, the Giro di Vaughan took place in support of Villa Charities. A number of our VCC members participated and we received an honourable mention at the presentations. I believe that the speech went something like “They may not be the fastest and they may not push the hardest, but they welcome anyone willing to pedal a set of wheels.” I like to think of ourselves like “Cheers”, a place where everyone knows your name.
And what’s a VCC ride without the usual flat? Nothing.
There’s no story, no adventure, no nothing.
Even the paparazzi like a good flat – Steven gave them two of them.
8. CENTURION AT BLUE MOUNTAINS
Those interested in participating at the Centurion at Blue Mountains as a group this coming June and September, please contact Fausto at his address. Based on interest, Fausto will organize training sessions, accommodations, meals and an after-ride party. Well, he didn’t say he would do all that, but why not toss the stone into the pond? You never know how big of a splash you’ll get.
Ciao for now,
Sandro