Bike repairs

A long time ago I worked in a bike shop for a few years. I learned how to assemble and repair bikes, and appreciate an 'employee discount'. Lots of people are intimidated by the daunting idea of repairing their own bikes but there is a plethora of do-it-yourself info on the 'net.
A good start is here . Another site with tons of info is from one of the big bicycle tool manufacturers .
Last but not least are your fellow club members. Many of them would be happy to help you by demonstrating and teaching you what you want to learn. Most repairs and adjustments require very basic tools and if you do require a special tool, someone around here has the one you need.
Sure we're not equipped like a pro-tour team but we keep our rides rolling even in the absence of a bike shop.

Thursday evening inland Gwaii TT Championships

Scott and I finally rode north to south on the 19.1km course. Last week Scott recorded a time of 34'29" and this week hammered to a PB of 30'44" and average speed of 37.29 km/h. My PB was 31'39", 36.2 km/h on June 5th, the last and only time I rode against the clock. Tonight I rode a time of 27'52", average speed of 41.12 km/h. Scott thought that north to south was faster and after tonight I definitely agree!

8 year Tlell Mtn. Biker

Tour de France Fantasy Pool interim results

The results have been tabulated up to and including day 6 of the TdF.
Here are the point totals so far:
David 93
Sandra 69
Brad 53
Jay 49
Kim 48
Terry 45
Abigail 29
Emma 28

Race at the Edge of the World – August 2nd, 2008

TIME TRIAL

· Registration for Road Race and Time Trial beginning at 5:30 pm TO 6:30 pm,

Balance Rock parking lot, (10 km east of QCC,) Friday August 1^st, 2008

· 1^st rider off at 7:00 pm, 1 minute intervals.

· Balance Rock parking lot to Miller Creek Bridge

· 5.1 km

ROAD RACE

· Registration 9:00 am to 10:30 am, Beggs residence, Saturday August 2^nd.

· Recreational ride starts at 10:00 am

· Road Race starts at 11:00 am

· Beggs residence to Masset Recreational Centre.

· 105 km

· Racers have access to the Recreational Centre to bathe or swim after the race.

If you want to find out more about what we're about and what is available on Haida Gwaii, check out the following links: the Queen Charlotte Islands Information Centre has loads of information about accommodations at (www.qcinfo.ca); the www.qcislands.net web site also has terrific links for accommodations and information about Haida Gwaii; the QCI Arts Council (www.qciarts.com) has info about events; and the local Chamber of Commerce (www.qcislands.net/chamber) is another great contact site. Hecate Inn in QCC is offering discounts for racers.

One event that happens close to the Bike Race is The Edge of the World Music Festival which takes place in Tlell on August 8^th, 9^th & 10^th. Tlell is a small community that stretches along Highway 16 which winds along the shores of Hecate Strait on the east coast of Graham Island. The islands are located about 60 miles from the coast of British Columbia, and about 600 miles north of Vancouver.

To get to Haida Gwaii you first have to get to the islands. Pacific Coastal Airlines flies direct to Masset from Vancouver. You can contact PCA at 1-800-663-2872 or book your flight at www.pacific-coastal.com . Masset is about a 1 ½ hour drive north of QCC.

Alternately, BC Ferries runs from Prince Rupert to Skidegate Landing. Prince Rupert is a 20 hour drive from Vancouver. You can also take the ferry from Port Hardy on the northern end of Vancouver Island to Prince Rupert. There is a 10 minute drive to QCC from Skidegate once you arrive there. Go to www.bcferries.bc.ca or 1-888-223-3779 for more information. The ferry trip from Prince Rupert takes about 6 hours. The ferries are often full, so booking in advance is highly recommended.

Air Canada Jazz also offers flights from Vancouver to Sandspit and you can find flight information at www.aircanada.com … it’s wise to be on the look out for on-line seat sales. If you come by air you can book the “limo” from the airport by calling Eagle Transit at 1-877-747-4461.

The Most Exciting Month of Cycling on TV

There are just a couple of days remaining until the start of the Tour de France on July 5 in Brest, France. There is daily tv coverage on OLN Canada starting at 5:30am PST on Saturday.
Here is the complete broadcast schedule.
Along with watching the Tour on TV, there are many TdF fantasy pools out there. I have been very successful in the free Canadian Cyclist Pool and encourage everyone to enter. Drop me a note with your username and I will track our results.