About this website

A BIT ABOUT HOW AND WHY I STARTED CYCLING

​I started cycling back in 1980 when I decided to quit smoking once and for all. A few days beforehand I had pulled out my old yellow Canadian Tire Supercycle 10 speed, pumped up the tires, oiled the chain and gave it a once over, making it ready for my first trip into work which was 16 kilometers away. On my first day back to work, I woke up all prepared for my ride. The half pack of cigarettes I had left was put up in the cupboard along with the other four packs, the rest of my carton.

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It was a simply gorgeous morning, a little on the cool side in the shady spots, but bright and sunny otherwise. As I pedaled along, I listened to the sounds of nature, something one can't do while driving in a vehicle. I was really surprised how easy this felt, even though I had been smoking for fourteen years. This trip took about forty minutes to complete... I actually didn't want to get off and go into work. I was really looking forward to my trip back home at 3:30 p.m. 

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Once a few of the fellows at work found I was riding into work, they wanted to join me in my commutes. To my surprise, within a few weeks, 90% of the guys on our shift were all riding their bicycles to work. We became known as the "VITAMIN C" shift. On our days off we would get together and do longer rides in and around the area. The majority of our rides were out Lakeshore Drive or from KMart to Kakabeka Falls.

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Eventually, as a few of us became better riders, we started racing with the local club here in town. I was surprised how much I progressed in fitness as I did more races with the club. Usually ending up in last place, I slowly moved up in the ranks, over the years, to within the top 15, then 10, then 5, and eventually making to a podium placing in the top 3. 

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I don't race any more, but I do do a lot of cycling. I've been doing week long tours since 2000, in Wisconsin (GRABAAWR & SAGBRAW) and (Horribly Hilly Hundreds), Iowa (RAGBRAI), North Dakota (CANDISC), in Michigan (National 24 Hour Challenge). In 2012 & 2013 I crossed Canada, completely self contained, with two other amigos. (see My Tours) I've been to Italy twice, the second time I had a group of 22 riders join the core group. Also I've been to Gent and Berlin to watch some 6 Day Racing events. (see my 6 day website)

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THE REST OF THIS SITE

I would eventually like this site to contain a little bit of everything important pertaining to cycling. If you think there is something beneficial that could be posted here, feel free to email me your suggestion(s).