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Bike swap this Saturday

Buying a bike is expensive but WORCA's here to ease the burden. Every year, they hold their popular Bike Swap, which offers considerable deals on used bikes and gear. This year's swap will happen Saturday, May 21 at the Whistler Conference Centre.

As usual, organizers and volunteers need a couple of hours to sort through and tag all the gear before it goes to sale. The drop-off time is between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. The swap itself will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and people can pick up their unsold gear or their cheques until 4 p.m.'

The swap typically offers reasonable prices for bikes that could otherwise cost customers thousands of dollars. Last year, bikes sold from $20 to $3,441. The average bike price was $731 and the median was $600, meaning 50 per cent of the bikes sold for under $600 and 50 per cent for over $600.

"If we saw something shoddy coming through, we wouldn't put it in the swap. We obviously can't take any responsibility for the product... but you can get a good sense of the bike," said Craig Mackenzie, WORCA's director of youth and the swap's organizer.

Last year's swap offered every accessory imaginable: armour, helmets, gloves, tires, you name it. And once again, WORCA has opened the swap to local retailers as well.

"It's actually quite amazing the amount of stuff that people have accumulated," Mackenzie said. "There are actually some very smart people who clean out their closets of all the small stuff and they actually do quite well."

Selling an item costs $2 a tag, plus the price of commission - 15 per cent for the first $1,000 and 10 per cent for everything over $1,000. Cash and credit cards will be accepted.

In 2010, WORCA sold around $97,000 worth of bikes and gear in five hours, raising roughly $14,000 for WORCA's youth programs, including support for the high school team, youth Toonie Rides, eight weeks of WORCA Youth Dirt Camps and other programs.

 

Second Toonie race set

The next Toonie race will be on Thursday, May 19 through Lost Lake. Sign on will be at Spruce Grove at 5:30 p.m. with a 6:30 p.m. start, followed by Après at the Longhorn Pub.

 

Monday night rides return

Here's another reminder that WORCA's Monday night rides will begin on May 30 and run through the season (18 in total). The non-competitive rides will break participants up into groups based on ability. If you'd like volunteer guide, contact larryfalcon@hotmail.com

Race For Life

The last thing that 17-year-old provincial level BMX champion Nick Geddes expected was to be diagnosed with cancer.

But what has also taken him by surprise is how the biking community and his Whistler home have rallied to fundraise for a cure and offer their support.

Last weekend the BMX community rallied behind Geddes through a Squamish based Race for Life, a leukemia research fundraiser for B.C. Children's Hospital that's backed by a dozen clubs around the province.

"It is cool to see the mountain bike community and the BMX community band together and really get something going," he said adding a huge thank-you to friends, family, the Squamish BMX Club and his NORCO sponsors.

"And it wasn't just people out on their bikes at the event. There were people selling cookies and other little kids were selling chilli, which was delicious actually, it was everyone. And the Whistler high school did its own 'Cookies for Cancer' sale, which was cool.

"There has been an overwhelming amount of support not just for myself but for B.C. Children's Hospital.

"It really can happen to anyone you know. Obviously I wasn't expecting to be diagnosed with cancer at 17. It put things in perspective about how close it hits to home.

"It is interesting how small the world is and how everyone stands together when things like this happen."

Geddes, the national downhill junior champion, was diagnosed with leukemia after he was taken to the hospital following a crash in the Sea Otter Classic Dual Slalom. His blood tests showed evidence of the disease, at which point he was sent home to begin chemotherapy at B.C. Children's Hospital.

His sponsors at NORCO have already contributed $2,000, and the Squamish BMX Club raised over $5,500 at Race for Life on May 15.

"I do think (the rain) kept the numbers of riders down," said Vicki Schenk Squamish BMX Racing Club president.

"But there were so many family friends and his mountain bike friends who came out just to be there and that part was fabulous."

Fundraising will go on until August 15. Several of the BMX kids, many of whom are not yet teens have raised thousands of dollars themselves.

"The Squmaish kids, the BMX kids don't know Nick that well....but we had kids with their parents doing a chili sale, other kids baked cookies and Rice Krispie squares and another girl was making ear rings and friendship bracelets and selling those," said Schenk.

"I am amazed at what they are doing on their own.

"These kids, even though they don't know much about leukemia and cancer,... they care because it is somebody from their track. It is almost like a little family of BMXers."

The fundraising didn't stop with the Race for Life. Geddes own family is helping out too.

"Personally my household has brought in another $7,500," said mom Lisa Geddes who said the event was great despite the rainy weather.

Race for Life is an annual event that invites members of the public to come out and try BMX riding and racing, with the proceeds going towards B.C. Children's Hospital. In 2010, the Squamish club raised $3,140, while all 12 American Bicycle Association (ABA) sanctioned clubs in B.C. raised about $34,000. The Clubs hope to double that this year.

In addition to Race for Life, Squamish BMX will be collecting donations at the track through all sanctioned weekly races - and the Sea to Sky Nationals - until mid-August.

For more on the club and the fundraiser, visit www.squamishbmx.com .

 

Pemberton Equifest is Back
After a two-year hiatus the Pemberton Equifest is bringing back some horsey fun. Scheduled for Sunday, May 29 at Rohan Stables, organizers are ramping up for a fantastic event of friendly competition and community spirit.

The day starts at 10 a.m. with horse jumping at three levels of ability, then to the ever popular Hoof and Woof - a timed horse and dog team competition involving cross country jumping and challenging agility courses. After lunch there will be lots to see and do with the gymkhana games, a freestyle dressage performance by Canadian Youth Nationals 2009 Reserve Champions Esmee Ingham and Norseman, barrel racing, pole bending, scurry and keyhole.
The event has been designed for all skill levels of riding and handling, with fabulous prizes and ribbons to be given out.

The Whistler Valley Trail Run/Teddy Bear Trot - Saturday May 28

The annual run event turns 20 years old this year. Organizers are encouraging participants to don their best nineties outfit for the chance to win a prize.

All are welcome to participate in either a five kilometre or ten kilometre race around the Lost Lake trails.

The race begins at 9 a.m. and you can register on the day between 7 and 8:30 a.m. at Spruce Grove. Or, if you're organized, register the day before on Saturday, May 28 at the Run With It store at Nesters from 12 to 4 p.m.

The ninth annual Teddy Bear Trot for kids 10 and under will take place at 10:15 a.m.

To check out the race route go to www.whistlervalleytrailrun.org .

And remember, last year $2,800 was donated from the race to the Youth Community Foundation of Whistler. The race costs $25 per person or $45 per family.

 

Kids of Steel/Adult Try a Tri - Saturday May 28

Time is running out to sign up for the Kids of Steel triathalon.

The deadline is midnight on Saturday May 23.

The event is limited to 100 kids, ages eight and up. The event includes a swim at the Meadow Park Sports Centre, followed by bike course and rounded off with a run along the Valley Trail.

Entry is $40 per person.

The adult Sprint Distance Tri takes place on the same day and includes a 300-metre swim, 14-kilometres bike and a four-kilometre run. The event is limited to 60 entrants. Like the Kids of Steel, registration is online only.

To register and check out the route and distances go to www.whistlertriclub.ca .

Nimby Fifty - Saturday May 28

Is riding 35-kilometres of world-class Pemberton bike trails a good way to start your mountain biking season? If so, look no further than the Nimby Fifty.

There are climbs, double track and single track to keep riders on their toes and out of their seats.

Racers must check in between 8 and 10 a.m. on race day. The start is set for 11 a.m. sharp, rain or shine.

Space is limited to 300 riders. It is 80 per cent sold out.

For more information and to register go to www.nimbyfifty.com.

Crud to Mud Downhill - Sunday May 29

If ever there's a sign that summer is on the way, look no further than the annual Crud to Mud Downhill at the Whistler Mountain Bike Park.

Teams or individuals race on skis from the top of Whistler Mountain to the bottom of the snow line. When the snow ends, the biking begins through the park.

Pre-registration is mandatory through Whistler Blackcomb Guest Reservations or 1-800-766-0449.

There are several event categories and the event is geared to strong intermediate to expert skier, snowboarders and mountain bikers.

It's $50 for individuals. The price does not include bike park lift tickets.

For more information check out www.whistlerbike.com .

 

Stories by Alison Taylor, Andrew Mitchell and Clare Ogilvie