Series 3 / Week 5 - GRANDE FINALE - August 14, 2013

THIS IS THE END. As many of you are already tricking out your CX bikes, preparing to shred some gnar this fall, the road racing season is all but over in these parts. However this Wednesday night, you get one more chance to lay a serious smackdown on your fellow WNS competitors...one more chance to see if you can actually go hard enough to make someone else puke...this WNS race is the finale and it's gonna be a wicked showdown and a killer workout! Below are the details to this epic bike tournament...

The Challenge:

Following a popular format from a couple seasons ago we're bringing back a single day stage race which we affectionately refer to as the "WNS Grande Finale Super Fun Time One Day Stage Race!" or "WNSGFSFTODSR" for short. This is a 3 stage event, and will take big "cojones" to complete, so obviously extra chamois cream is recommended. 

Stage 1: 5km ITT Warm Up.

We start at the usual WNS south location of Hwy 22x and Hwy 22 South. We then head East on 22x towards the mountain top finish... ok it’s more of a roller than a mountain but well worth shaking the legs out as you make your way down and back to the start for stage 2 - the Road Race.

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Stage 2: Millarville Road Race.

Everyone loves this one. Familiar to all you seasoned WNS aficionados, this is the 30km Millarville loop. The race starts by heading South on 22x, for some long distance only your Garmin really knows, then the road slowly veers West, giving you ample time to prepare for that late attack where you drop the hammer on Coalmine Rd W at 22x.

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Stage 3: 10km ITT Decider. 
This is where you wrap it all with a bow. It's simple. Head South on 22x 5km from the RR finish to find the start. This is it, loving it all the way north to 22x again; at which point you know you have done it! Another WNS Season in the bag!

View Millarville TT in a larger map

Our champion is the rider with lowest cumulative time over the three stages. We fully expect him/her to roll in to work on Thursday with a resignation letter for their boss, as they're probably "going pro" next year :)

Race Start:

We're starting slightly earlier this time, so show up by 6:15PM so we can get you all registered and ready to roll. First rider heads off at 6:30pm 6:30pm

Parking:

Park at the corner of Hwy 22x and Hwy 22. 

Post-race:

Our friends, and masterminds of the WNS, from Crankmasters have offered to buy a round of drinks for all racers/volunteers who turn up at the post race shindig at Wild Rose Brewery. 

Building AF23

#2, 4580 Quesnay Wood Drive SW

http://www.wildrosebrewery.com/about-wildrose/calgary-brewery.html

As always we'll go over the finer details just before the races start, but if you have questions feel free to post them in the comments section.

See you at the start line!

Series 3 / Week 4 - August 7, 2013

By now we trust the lactic acid has just about left your climbing legs...so this week we have decided to ditch the hills and get back to shredding asphalt in a high speed race against the clock! Keep in mind this is the last WNS race before our finale so consider this the perfect tune up before you gotta really throw down...like when Bruce Lee faces off against Chuck Norris in Return of the Dragon and they GOTTA FIGHT TO THE DEATH...okay maybe not that dramatic, but it's gonna be an epic show down! 

The Challenge:

All right racers, as I eluded to earlier, this week will be a TT, but with a twist...you will be racing with teammate in 2-Person Team Time Trial in Bragg Creek - Merckx style (cause aero stuff is for sissies!! ...and because it messes up results). You will choose a team mate in your same category (or one can be assigned for you), then the two of you will time trial like hell for approximately 15km. Good communication with your teammate, tight formation, and smooth paceline transitions will translate into fast times. 

The Course:

Check it out...

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Important Things to Note:

1) Due to the flooding, Highway 66 is closed past McLean Creek Trail, so we will turn left at the road closure on to McLean Creek Trail until we reach the parking lot before we turn around, assess the competition, and head back to the start/finish 

2) Teams must finish together 

3)You can bring aero gear, but you may be given a time penalty. Riders who show up with full on TT bikes and aero helmets will be given a 2hr time penalty and laughed at mercilessly. Just say'n...

Race Start:

First team heads off at 6:45 at 30second intervals. Race shouldn't take too long.

Parking:

Best place to park is in the Bragg Creek main parking area. You can ride down and warm up to the start area at Highway 66 and 758

As always, if you have questions feel free to post them in the comments section.

See you at the start line!