As we start our training for the 2020 season, we look back on an exciting past season that has seen UTRR
grow on the local racing scene. Newly affiliated with the Ontario Cycling Association (OCA) in 2019, the
outreach of the club has grown significantly beyond campus. Including the local Midweek Criteriums, we have
seen our jerseys starting 34 different races (71 starters), achieving 24
top-10s and 13 podium places.
The season started at the Philly Phlyer and the Bucknell Cycling Classic. The two ECCC race weekends were a
good preparation for the season ahead. For some, it was their first road race, and for others a welcome
refresher after months of winter. The collegiate racing scene is friendly and welcoming, and the relaxed
atmosphere makes it a better place to start bike racing compared to the OCups. If you’re still in school,
and you’re interested in bike racing, this is the place to start. Each ECCC road racing weekend provides
opportunity to race in three different events, so the trip is worth it! Check out our articles on the
website for each of these weekends of racing.
Our next block of racing was the Ontario Cup (“O-Cup”) road race series: six races spread from April 19
(Mosport) to June 2nd (KW Classic). We took part with all of them, and surprisingly the participation was
the highest for the race with the worst weather of the season, the Mosport Classic. The closed course on a
race track makes for a very good event, and we would definitely recommend doing it again in 2020 (fingers
crossed for warmer and drier weather). Having started the most races, David, Boris and Victor earned the
points necessary to upgrade from E4 to E3. Overlapping with the O-Cup road races, the OCA criteriums were
held from May 26 to September 1st. Attendance was also high, with the highlight at the Kitchener Twilight
criterium: two racers fielded in E4 and three in E3, with David winning the latter race. You can see a
recap of the race on the Norcal Cycling channel
here. Watch out for the winning move at the end.
KW Classic on June 2nd.
The Midweek Criteriums are a local series of weekly criteriums organised by Midweek Cycling Club. On Monday
nights, they also hold a Learn To Race program to teach racing skills to all levels. We highly recommend
attending! Our athletes also took part in the Tuesday night races, regularly showing our colors on the local
scene.
Although many of UTRR’s members race, not all of us do, and an important part of our mission is building
an inclusive cycling community in Toronto. During the summer we hosted weekly Wednesday night rides to
bring cyclists of all levels and abilities together to ride at a friendly pace and develop group riding
skills. Stay tuned for news on our 2020 weekly group rides, which will expand upon our no-drop Wednesday
rides with a faster, competitive, “drop” ride on another night of the week.
Wednesday social ride, joint with the UofT Triathlon Club