I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for everyone’s help this weekend at our CX race this weekend. I’ve always seen CX as a celebration of cycling with the largest range of ages (from 10 to 67 this year!) competing, along with families and their kids, oftentimes in the same race!  This undertaking wouldn’t have been possible with the support of (and sorry if I missed you): Aaron F., Greg N., Greg P., James G., Kurt M., Wanda M., Mike C., Gavin R., Helen P., Michelle C., Morgan P., Robin B., Jay S., Jacob D., Ash D., Kat D., Burr H., Amanda S., Leo D., Heather M., Hanna D., Teresa P., Joe M., Danielle H. (and hubby), Jason C., and Michael H. The smiles on everyone’s faces made the effort everyone put in worth it! 

Onto a different topic - I had sent out a note about this awhile back but with the current goings-on in our schools, it was about time to remind everyone: ERTC continues to welcome any gender identity and sexual orientation into our membership.  Members observed to not support this direction will be asked to change their behaviour or be asked to leave the club. For all of our events (including the provincial level ones) that we host, all entrants may continue to participate as their self-identified gender. 

The WoERTC rides are welcoming of anyone who self-identifies as a woman, be it cisgender, transgender, or genderqueer -  if this definition doesn’t align with your identification, but you identify with the focus of this group, come join us! We value inclusivity over the requirement to be fully defined by this statement.

Picture: A young racer offering an incentive to take a terrible line around a tree at the School of Cross. PC: Leo 

Club Updates: 

  • With the new Indoor Velodrome opening up soon, keep your eyes on this space, as we will be launching a transitional program to help everyone interested get onto the track and be as familiar as possible. Word on the street is mid-late October, however this can change.

  • Cross-Curious? Ken is returning as our coach for another skills session aimed at those who want to get their feet wet! All you need is a gravel or cross bike and a can-do attitude! Session 2 will be September 23. 

  • Have friends interested in the club? We now offer reduced membership rates for the remainder of the year, so get them on board! This membership rate continues to enjoy all benefits of membership, until December 31.

Ride Updates:

  • Tuesday intervals have now transitioned into cyclocross intervals for the remainder of the year. All other road rides will continue until the snow falls (or people stop showing up cause it’s too cold)

  • Wednesday Gravel has now been moved to Tuesdays. Look for a chill time? Come out to gravel. Looking to get faster at Cross? Come out to the CX intervals at Kinsmen! 

Racing Updates:

  • CROSS IS HERE!! WEDNESDAY, ARGYLL, 7PM 

  • Sept 27-28 - DBA / HCB CX Double Header Weekend in Devon - See ABA for details. I hear Kurt is looking for more volunteers? Message him on slack and show some appreciation for all the work he puts into putting on midweeks! Volunteersignup here: https://volunteersignup.org/DPQ7F

  • Croken Classic Returns! October 18 - Volunteer here: volunteersignup.org/9AE7W

General Reminders:

  • Official Rides are posted on strava. If you haven’t requested to join, please do so here: https://www.strava.com/clubs/2845 if you’ve applied and haven’t heard back, e-mail me, but first, make sure your strava name matches your registration name.

  • Day to day communication and general chatter is via slack. You can join here: https://join.slack.com/t/edmontonroada-7u36621/shared_invite/zt-1t5qvezds-JotWB~e_EJcXrD9NArQarA - this is where you can get real time updates about unofficial rides, talk bikes with club members, and sell your stuff to other club members! If you identify as female and would like to be included in the WoERTC communications and event announcements, please message Heather Curtis on Slack to be added to the private WoERTC channel. Please remember to use the “reply in thread” feature when using slack (especially in the general channel, think about all the group chats you are in, general is like a 400 person group chat) 

  • Remember to review your insurance needs for the season if you registered before March 31st (if you registered after, it will have been an option on your registration. No action means that you will be covered for group rides only. You can learn more here: https://www.albertabicycle.ab.ca/insurance-info

  • Have a cool photo from the last week you want featured? Send it to me via email (I need the resolution) and I’ll make it the header photo! Cool way to show off what you’ve been up to!