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January 29, 2008

Canada Games Team Cross-Training On Skis

Canada Games Team Cross-Training On Skis
January 26/27
By Jamie Lamb

Preparation for the 2009 Canada Games team is well underway as athletes headed off to New Brunswick’s Kougibouguac National Park for some incredible full-body training this past weekend. The attendance of the core-team’s newly signed (Team Apogee-Kuota) riders Geoff O’tool and Garrett McLeod ensured that all would experience the endorphin high of ricocheting off the bodily rev limiter at minus 20 degrees. Accompanying the experienced riders were some of Pictou’s finest, namely Paul Slaunwhite, Justin MacDonald, Adar Grealey, and Lucas McCulloch.

Professional instruction in the dance of cross-country skate skiing was provided by the Atlantic Cycling Centre’s Luc Arseneau on Saturday. Newfoundland’s Zach Garland, Andrew Feenstra, and myself also helped the riders realize that gliding sideways on one leg really is what we’re looking for! With everyone picking up the technique - but getting weary from the cold - the team headed back to the warm ski hut for a course in the intricacies of ski waxing. The hard day on the boards was complimented by observance of a hard day in hell as the 2003 Paris-Roubaix DVD served as a reminder to all that the day’s efforts pale to merely a nagging discomfort in the face of true suffering.

Sunday we awoke to minus twenty-five temperatures with another day of crystal clear sky. We waited an hour for the sun to erode the troposphere’s resolve and then with stiff ski boots crunching on the dry corduroy we ventured back out on the skis – this time focusing on classic technique. With nostrils clinging together in solidarity the riders again received instruction from Luc and quickly held down the original, less demanding, style of skiing for the rest of the day.

As Andrew pulled out of the parking lot exhausted riders sat rubbing legs and triceps to the aural massage of Daft Punk’s Homework - contemplating how much easier it is to go fast on two wheels. With two returning riders, lots of new faces, and no shortage of enthusiasm the 2009 cycling team is shaping up nicely.

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December 05, 2007

Canada Games Staff

Bicycle Nova Scotia is looking for candidates for the staff of the 2009 BNS Canada Games Cycling Team that will compete in PEI in August 2009.

BNS is accepting resumes for two coach positions and one manager.

Coach ( 2 positions available)

Both coaches must be fully certified as level three or higher, or the equivalent in the new NCCP, Competition stream, Development context (Trained status). The requisite certification must be in place not later than 90 days before the opening of the Games (May 17, 2009). In addition to the above requirement, one coach must be fully certified level two (technical & practical) for Mountain Bike, and the other coach must be fully certified level two (technical & practical) for Road. Equivalency under the new NCCP would be: Competition stream, Introduction context (Trained status) – one coach with a specialization for Mountain Bike, and the other coach with a specialization for Road.

Also, one coach must be female and the other male.

Manager (1 position available)

The manager does not need to have the same qualifications as the coaches, but ideally would have at least NCCP Level one or equivalent, and commissaire courses.

Please send your resumes to staff at bicycle.ns.ca by December 31, 2007.

Note: If you are not certified Level III, please include your plan on how you will become certified in time for the games.

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October 10, 2004

New Canada Games Website

Visit the new 2005 NS Cycling Canada Games Website:

www.bicycle.ns.ca/canadagames

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