Squamishrock

Seeing as we are less than 7 weeks away from our first SORCA event of the year, we feel it is is important for our membership to know the types of events we are organizing in 2006. As you read through this list of rides and races it is clear that many of our events are not for the elite racer but instead for the average person just wanting to go for a group ride. As such, please forward this e-mail to all your friends who may have stayed away in the past from SORCA events because they perceived them to be exclusively for the full body lycra types. The official schedule is available on the sorca website at www.sorca.ca.

Types of events for 2006:

Toonie Races: These races are the roots of SORCA. Taking place on every other Wednesday of the summer starting April 12th, they attract approximately 70 participants per event. The courses vary every week and are generally between 1 and 1.75 hours for the average rider. All riding levels are welcome at these races. Points are awarded for the top 10 women and top 20 men. Along with the variety of courses that riders are exposed to, Toonie races are most renowned for the after parties that follow the event.

Warm-Up Wednesday Rides: Like the name suggests, these are rides not races. Working opposite the Toonie Races these rides take place on the Wednesday prior to the Toonie Wednesday. One or two SORCA volunteers will guide riders of all levels around the same course that will be used for the following week's race. Multiple stops along the route allow all riders to stay together for the duration of the ride.

SuperToonie Races: Unlike the Toonie Races, these races (STP and the Final Toonie) occur on weekends at the beginning and end of the season and attract twice as many riders as typical Toonie Races. This year, double Toonie points will be awarded at these races.

Technical (Off-road) Time Trials: New for 2006, on the last Sunday of every month (starting on March 26th) one course will be chosen to be used as a technical time trial. Riders will leave the start area at set intervals and will be timed against themselves. Winners will not be determined by who has the fastest time, but instead which rider has improved the most from the previous month. As the same course will be used every month of the summer, these events will be an ideal gauge for any rider who is trying to improve their fitness (regardless of their starting point).

Youth Loonie Races: New in 2005, Loonie races were modeled after the successful Toonie races but are strictly for youths. The success of these races in 2005 will be sure to increase the participation in 2006. Like the adults Toonie Race Series, Loonie Races award points to the top finishers in each of the experience categories. Riders of all levels participate in these events.

Special Rides / Races / Clinics: Along with the popular BVOD (Beyond the Valleycliffe of the Dolls) ride on May 27th, Squamish Epic ride on August 5th, this year SORCA will host free technical clinics offered to all members by Kevin Slaler beginning on May 9th and continuing for the following three Tuesdays. More information will be provided on all these events as we move closer to the dates. The 2006 SORCA event season will again conclude with the Bill Landry Memorial Loonar Enduro on October 21st.