TWC welcomes new member:

[ Chuck Garrett

It’s that time of year again

Time to renew your membership in TWC for 2008-09. Dues are still an amazingly low $20 for member renewals. Please mail your cheque to:

Kathy Davidson (Treasurer)

2944 Mt. Wells Drive

Victoria, BC

V9B 4S1

Any change to your address or telephone number since last year? E-mail wabbit.

TWC AWARDS 2008

The trophies are on display at Frontrunners Victoria

[ Fittest couple

- Greg Leiman and Kathy Davidson

[ Sri Chinmoy award (greatest improvement)

- Evan Fagan

[ Swim award

- Heather Hollman, Jim Bulmer

[ Duathlon award

- John Botelho

[ Triathlon award

- Avila Rhodes, Hillerie Denning, Bruce Turcotte, Mike Roth

[ Running award

- Bill McMillan, Graham Fisher

YOUTH TRIATHLON T-SHIRTS!

TWC has a number of youth t-shirts from previous youth triathlons. Do you know of a charity or church group who can use them? Contact waynecoulson@shaw.ca

VIRA series early registration

Early Deadline for the VIRA Race Series is December15^th. $100 FOR 8 races. Enter at FRONTRUNNERS and enter the raffle for a free entry into the 2010 race series. Free team uniform to series registrations while supply lasts. Contact Karen Knott karenvknott@shaw.ca

2009 Bazan Bay dates set

The 2009 Bazan Bay Race is on the calendar for Sunday, March 8th, 2009. We draw close to a thousand runners. This isthe major fund raiser for the club and a portion of our profits is donatedto a localcharity(Kids Sport, Runners of Compassion). TWC will need your help! Please mark this on your calendar and donate a morning to your team.

Wayne

Running across Canada?

Rob Reid (FRONTRUNNERS) is working on a Cross Canada Running Project. He will be looking for fit runners in the spring who are able to devote several weeks towards running to the centre of Canada to meet up with a team coming from the East Coast! Interested? Contact rob@frontrunners.ca

TWC Cycling News

Note. No abstract this week as I'm too busy unthawing a frozen foot and washing and drying my cycling gear.

Saturday Morning Ride: 7 December, 2008.

Sunrise on Saturday morning was magnificent but, to paraphrase an old saw 'A red sky at morn' is a cyclists warn', and I should have paid attention. However, the sky didn't look too threatening when our group of nine pulled out of Francelli's at 9 am for another of Maurice's Magical Mystery Tours. The group included Chuck ("my cheque is in the mail" ... but now in Wayne's safe keeping) and Steve, who usually rides with the Spin Doctors. More on these two later.

The plan was to go around the West side of Prospect Lake, taking Viaduct off Burnside, and then head to places north. Ignoring the No Exit sign on Viaduct, as my map indicated that the road went right through to Prospect lake Road (and Bob who thought that it didn't!), we pressed on. A short distance up Viaduct and we hit a hill that was so steep that it put my heart rate over the top (it doesn't take much at my age), one rider forgot to unclip and fell off and another chose to walk. What a start. Things went better for a while until the road ended in a barrier; a trail carried on through the woods. After some hesitation we pressed on. The trail narrowed, then became a quagmire and, riding behind Matt I scared him so much that he took to the trees. SORRY Matt. Oh for a mountain bike. Just before we reached the road again we came across a solitary walker coming towards us. Commenting "I bet you don't see many cyclists on this trail" she grumpily replied "You are not doing much for the trail!" and carried on. She needn't worry as she won't see us on this trail, probably ever again. So much for my map reading skills.

As we regrouped on West Saanich Road it began to rain and one rider wisely decided to turn back. Eight pressed on to Wallace, right onto Stelly's to West Saanich again, but not before three riders,being rather damp and cold,decided to call it quits for the day and went home. By this time Chuck's bike was making a significant noise from the rear, requiring several gear checks. It seemed that his rear 'Spinergy' wheel (one of those fancy fibreglass jobs with four blades) was the problem, but nothing obvious could be seen. Steve the Spin Doctor took a look at it but concluded that Chuck should consult a Spinergy Doctor when he got back to town. No wonder our medical system is in such a mess with so many specialities.

By now we were quite wet so the ride was cut short, returning via Tapping and Mills to Sidney. Pressing on down Lochside the 'Spinergy' wheel sounded as if it would self-destruct and by the time we hit Central Saanich it was decided that Chuck would wait at the Chocolate Shop while Tom rode home to get his truck and pick him up. The rest of us made it back to Francelli’s along the Highway, just in time to see Chuck arrive with Tom, so all worked out well in the end.

Next week I'll pay attention to the colour of the sunrise, but don't hold your breath for a correct weather forecast. Also, Tom suggested that I ask Santa for a GPS so that we don't get lost again.

The frozen foot happened because one of my booties ripped and had to be removed. What a difference those booties make on a wet day; the dry foot was toasty warm. Saturday rides will continue, meeting at Francelli's Coffee Shop in the Royal Oak Shopping Centre at 9:00 am.

Again we plan to have a fast group and a slower group. I intend to ride at the pace of the slowest in the second group so you shouldn’t feel intimidated by being part of this slower group. If you have any questions about the rides please do not hesitate to contact me.

Maurice Robinson

TWC Cycling Coordinator

Mauricegavin@shaw.ca

Winter Indoor Bike Training

Team West Coast Members are invited to join the indoor bike training program at Commonwealth Place this winter. The program offers 2 sessions per week with an option to attend only one session per week as well. This program is designed and coached by one of Victoria’s few Level 3 cycling coaches and is very popular with TWC members because of the considerable improvement realized in outdoor cycling, whether it be racing or recreational. Thursday night sessions also include an optional run after the ride. All abilities welcome. For more info, call 250-744-DOŸIT (3648). Options:

[ January 6^th – March 26^th, Tuesday and/or Thursdays, 6-7:15pm

[ January 6^th – June 16^th, Tuesday and/or Thursdays, 6-7:15pm

(Please note that trainer sessions are only on Thursdays after March 31^st). To register http://recreation.saanich.ca/reconline/Activities/ActivitiesDetails.asp?ProcessWait=N&aid=27046&From=fas or call Saanich Commonwealth Place at 250-475-7600

Day-Time Masters Swim

Looking for a great workout that isn’t too early or too late? Team West Coast members are invited to join the noon Masters Swim Program at Commonwealth Place, held Monday, Wednesday and Friday from noon until 1 pm. All abilities are welcome and the program is based on a structured swim progression that includes stroke improvement and tips for swimming in the open water. Whether you are training for a triathlon, a Masters Swim meet, or just for fitness, this program is for you. Designed and led by experienced coaches. For more info, call 744–DO IT! (3648). Options:

[ January 5^th – Mar 27^th, Mon, Wed, and Fri, 12-1:00pm

[ January 5^th – June 19^th, Mon, Wed, and Fri, 12-1:00pm

To register http://recreation.saanich.ca/reconline/Activities/ActivitiesDetails.asp?ProcessWait=N&aid=42138 or call Saanich Commonwealth Place at 250-475-7600

TWC Classifieds

As a service to TWC members, products or services that may be of benefit to the general membership may be advertised here. Items not sold must be renewed each week.

Rider's Special

Cold weather coming? Indoor spinning is the answer.Rider's has a great deal on the KENETIC FLUID TRAINER with complimentary SpinervalsDVD. Retail for $360+ tax. TWCprice at $280 + taxes.

TWC running vests

Louis Garneau has promised our vests before Christmas. Everyone who has ordered a vest will be fitted first!Cost $70.00 The balance of the vests will go on sale early in the new year.

Wayne

Cycling Shoes

"Specialized"bike shoes, Size Eu 44, US 11. Worn three times but too small! Retail $180+ Selling for $60. Wayne waynecoulson@shaw.ca

Lost and Found

Lost or found something that may belong to another TWC member? - advertise it here.

FOUND

At the Ambrosia Hall after the Christmas Party, one pair of spectacles, probably a lady's. They were left on Table 1. Contact Dan at dunaway@shaw.ca for return. Thanks to all who showed up for the fun Saturday night to make the evening a success!

Dan Paxton Dunaway

Something for Digest?

Have some news for TWC members? Send it to wabbit@shaw.ca by Wednesday at 6 p.m. for the next Digest. Items received late cannot be guaranteed to make it into that week’s edition.