Ryan McKenzie

Name: Ryan McKenzie

UCI Code: CAN19830531

Hometown: Calgary Alberta

First Alberta cycling club: Olympic Oval Cycling Club (NCTDC)

Current Residence: KIMBERLEY, BC

How did you get into cycling?
DAN PROULX. He was, at one point, my swim coach and then joined his triathlon club and was then introduced to cycling.

What was the first race you remember doing?
The first race I ever remember doing was a crit through Eau Claire in Calgary. I was wearing some black cycling shorts and a red t-shirt and was lapped so many times.

Where was the most memorable race you ever did and why?
It would have to be the tour of Qinghai Lake in western China on the Tibetan plateau. 10 days 1400km at 10,000ft. UCI HC

Where was the worst race you ever did? What was it like?
The road race at Bikes on Broadway. I can't believe I would drive 7 hours to Saskatoon to then drive two more out of town the next day for the road race which was in the middle of no where with howling crosswinds. My brain blew up before my legs. The crit was awesome however.

Who was your funniest teammate and why?
Martin Gilbert was a psycho. I still probably still quote him daily.
What, you don't like double cheeze? (in a french accent)

What was the greatest adversity you had to overcome in your racing career?
The Canadian Cycling Association. Nice people personally but function dysfunctionally as an association.

What do you remember most about racing in Alberta?
The backyard barbeque atmosphere.


How have you changed as a cyclist?
From when I first started I am now:
More patient
More aggressive
More bitter
Faster
poorer

Who are you racing for now?
Jesus

Any advice for young racers?
Don't fight the winter.

What are your goals for the future?
Do get paid to do only what I want to do.
Goal #1 Figure out what I want to do.

When—if ever—will you retire from racing?
I'll never retire from racing in general. I'm too competitive. But as far as high level bike racing. I quit. I am sorry I have to say it like this but I have an issue with all these riders who show up on bike news sites and forums stating their retirement. Lance Armstrong can retire, Wayne Gretzky can retire, Tiger Woods can retire. If you raced as a espoir and won a few races you just quit. Retirement says...hey I was here and I did something really special; things are different now because of my legacy. That's when you can 'retire' from something. All others just stopped, moved on, tried something different. I would just feel like Zoolander if I were to use the 'R' Word. " Excuse me People, I would like to announce my retirement from male modeling."

Alison Testroete

Name: Alison Testroete

UCI Code: 19830722

Hometown: Abbotsford, BC

First Alberta cycling club: Bow Cycle

Current Residence: Vancouver, BC

How did you get into cycling?
There are some popular trails behind my house in high school, we always saw mountain bikers going up there so my brother and I tried it. At first i HATED it, i couldn't understand why anyone would want to put them self in that kind of misery, on a rocky uphill, we did about, say 7 minutes of riding/pushing my bike and I had to turn back, my girls steel highbrid bike didn't help. Then i had a very persuasive class mate in gr. 11 that talked me into it, then the races, and here i am, i love it, a little bit tougher then my first go at it.

What was the first race you remember doing?
I believe it was a race in Kamloops, silver star. I think i did ok, and my confidence wasn't completely shattered.

Where was the most memorable race you ever did and why?
Good question, i would say Tour de Toona 2007 b/c it's where i finally felt i was riding at where i was capable of on that day.

Where was the worst race you ever did? What was it like?
Maybe bikes on broadway 2006, the wind was just terrible and i was cursing every person, everything i saw for 3 hours. Or Tour de Toona 2006, i suffered to just barely hang on... the first day, then the following.... 6 days. I couldn't comprehend what happened to all the training i had just done.

Who was your funniest teammate and why?
Gina Grain, she is so positive and finds humour in any moment. She's so funny b/c she has a different dry sense of humour than i do.

What was the greatest adversity you had to overcome in your racing career?
I would say living in Calgary in the winters, b/c it is SO cold! Mentally it's hard b/c you realize others are training in warmer areas.

What do you remember most about racing in Alberta and how have you changed as a cyclist?
In Alberta the racing/training was tough with the weather, also the womens scene really raced. There wasn't many of us, but we sure wanted to beat each other. It made me tougher, i look back and see the discipline and toughness I've gained. Additionally, the personal or mental ways i've become better with out realizing i needed to improve that in order to be physically faster. The community also sticks together, i miss that.

Who are you racing for now?
Total Restoration

Any advice for young racers?
I'm not so much good with advice, but I will say follow your heart and gut, do what makes you feel good, even if it doesn't always make sense or it's different than what other people are doing. Cycling wise, it's an uncommon sport in that the pay back takes a while, don't do it for results or recognition, b/c there generally is none. I've found I've become better b/c i truly do love it, and if you don't, motivation will be very difficult. Find your own way to be your best, ride on your own, or with your friends. There are no rules in my opinion. But i do know for sure, there is always a way, you just need to find it.

What are your goals for the future?
Basically to be my best in whatever i do, cycling wise, i would love to race in Europe in 2 years while doing architectural contract work.

When—if ever—will you retire from racing?
Can you ever say ever? I see myself always being active and riding, it's part of me now, it's my sanity. I would like to use my intensity in other areas like modern, sustainable design or home renovation.

Ryan Correy

Name: Ryan Correy

UCI Code: Waiting for my first license in six years to arrive

Hometown: Calgary, AB

First Alberta cycling club: Synergy (2003)

Current Residence: Bentley, AB

How did you get into cycling?
Like any child, I always had a bike to get me to practice, the corner store, and my friend’s house after school. As for the point that I consider when cycling became a bigger part of my life, it was when my father and I cycled across Canada. I was only 13-years-old at the time – the trip became affectionately known as “Manhood Training.” Many tours followed. On the suggestion of the CCA, I started training with at the National Cycling Centre (Olympic Oval) in 2002, and then started racing on the road and track the following season.

What was the first race you remember doing?
It was in 2003, the first criterium of the season in Calgary. It was also the first race for my teammate, Zach Bell (Olympic track cyclist). He went on to win the race. I came in a couple spots back. What an adrenaline rush – that’s what I remember thinking!

Where was the most memorable race you ever did and why?
This past summer I competed in the Race Across America. It’s a 3,000 mile (4,800 km) ultra marathon road race that crosses the United States. I finished in 11 days, 21 hours, 44 minutes, and in the process, I became the youngest Canadian to ever finish what a poll in Outside magazine called, “the toughest sporting event in the world.”

Where was the worst race you ever did? What was it like?
The Race Across America was by far the most difficult. Loosing 10 pounds in the first three days, and only getting three hours of sleep per day – it wasn’t pretty. That said, no race comes to mind as being the “worst.” I have always enjoyed pushing myself, and will take both the good and the bad as learning experience.

Who was your funniest teammate and why?
CP and me made a great comedy duo. If I told you why, you would loose all respect for me.

What was the greatest adversity you had to overcome in your racing career?
My identity crisis…I have flip-flopped back and forth in the past as to what direction I want to take my cycling career. Do I follow the traditional racing route, or do I take off on solo adventures around the world, and embrace the history that my father and I started? Not committing completely to one route may have slowed my progress early on. That said, I’m happy to have had a well rounded experience.

What do you remember most about racing in Alberta and how have you
changed as a cyclist?
I only raced one season before returning to my adventurous roots – next, cycling 25,000 km from Alaska to Argentina in 2005. What I remember most is the great sense of friendship that I had not experienced in any other sport. And the more I travel, I realize that feeling holds true around the world. As for how I have changed, I have a better grasp of the big picture and the goals that I hope to achieve.

Last Alberta cycling club: Synergy (2003)

Who are you racing for now?
Team Bow Cycle (2009)

Any advice for young racers?
Have a great excuse for why you shave your legs in the winter!

What are your goals for the future?
My current goal is to finish writing a book that I have been working on, make the national team for either road or XC, and hopefully go to compete in the 2012 Olympics.

When—if ever—will you retire from racing?
When it’s not fun anymore.

Travis Smith

Name: Travis Smith

UCI Code: 19800211

Hometown: Calgary, Alberta

First Alberta cycling club: Tri-Athletics/Olympic oval

Current Residence: Long Beach, CA USA

How did you get into cycling?
I switched from triathlon when I was 17.. I was riding quite a-bit while training for tri's but I could never seem to get that 3rd leg down! I hated running!! so it was all about bike from then on.

What was the first race you remember doing?
1997 canadian Track Nationals.. in Calgary. I remember being asked a couple days before if I wanted to try a track bike and enter the nationals the following weekend.

Where was the most memorable race you ever did and why?
2006 Commonwealth Games.. I think with the amount of press and fans that are associated with the games.. when I came home with two medals I was very excited!

Where was the worst race you ever did? What was it like?
Well in the past two years I have had nothing but bad races!! but the one that caused the past rough races was the 2007 world championships in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. I crashed quite badly and fractured my pelvic joint into many pieces! This crashed required two operations plates screws and about a total of one year off the bike recovering and another year on the bike riding everyday, every pedal stroke in pain! But I can finally say now that I ride with NO pain in my pelvis! finally!!!

Who was your funniest teammate and why?
Martin Gilbert... I dont know why.. but everywhere we go and everything we do.. he cracks me up!

What was the greatest adversity you had to overcome in your racing career? Obviously the 2007 crash and surgeries! not only is it physically tough... it is 99% tougher mentally. I know I could not go through that again.

What do you remember most about racing in Alberta and how have you changed as a cyclist?
I remember shoveling the track in may so we could race that weekend! BRRRRR.. were we crazy.
I cant say that I have changed that much as a cyclist.. the biggest difference is that now I'm the one young kids are looking up too, so I try and set a good example like my idols in the cycling world did for me. (Jim Fisher).

Who are you racing for now?
This year I ride on Hawk Relay Cycling team.
www.hawkrelaycycling.com
Its a professional Track team based out of California, USA. I have great teammates great staff and great coaches.

Any advice for young racers?
Yea. Everything in this sport takes time.. Keep your goals in sight and you will achieve them. One thing that I have learned in this sport on and off the bike! PATIENCE goes along way.. if you panic and rush your race mistakes happen! things have a way of unfolding at the right time.

What are your goals for the future?
Obviously the Olympics has plagued my career! So I would like to make those! But after my injuries I made some short term goals for myself with a check point at the 2010 Commonwealth games in India. I would like to one better my silver medal at the 2006 games in Melbourne.

When—if ever—will you retire from racing?
I for sure retire no later then after the 2012 Olympic Games. I would love to stay in the sport as a National Team coach.. But that will be the end of my CYCLING!!

Jamie Sparling

Name: James Andrew Sparling; the First and Only.

UCI Code: CAN19841228

Hometown: Calgary Alberta

First Alberta cycling club: The Olympic Oval/The Bike Shop

Current Residence: V-I-C the-place-to-BE

How did you get into cycling?
When I was about 12 or 13 Mark Macdonald and I would rip around fish creek park on our mountain bikes filming random stuff (I still have those videos). I loved to Mountain bike so much and was getting sick of playing div. 10 hockey in the winter. A good friend and neighbor of mine, Drew Gregory, introduced me to the cycling program at the Olympic Oval. I was hooked.

What was the first race you remember doing?
Prairie Steam road stage in cat. 5. There were about 8 of us in the field and I think I may have come 7th. CSparls (dad) has some great pictures of this race.

Where was the most memorable race you ever did and why?
The most memorable race I have ever done was probably the first stage of the 2007 tour de beauce. It was my first UCI race and a fairly substantial one at 180km. 7kms in my chain broke and I got a really slow and panicked bike change. I eventually made my way back into the group on a neutral Mavic bike. I rode the next 170, or so, kms on a foreign bike and finished inside the top 20. I didn't think much of it and went to our team car where I found some shade and plumped down. I then started to hear my name on the loudspeaker. Apparently I had finished the stage as the top young rider. My podium edict was so bad; I wore manpris (capris for dudes).

Where was the worst race you ever did? What was it like?
The worst race I ever did was the Ardrossan Stage race in 2002. This was a selection race for two Alberta Junior Projects: Abitibi and a Trip to Korea. I had a fever and a terrible cold but manned up and raced. My performance was terrible. This led to me not being selected for either project. It was unbelievably hard for me to watch my best friends go off to do these races while I stuck it out by myself. Ironically, out of the guys that went, I am the only one still racing. Weird.

Who was your funniest teammate and why?
Dave Brooks from Regina Saskatchewan. This guy tells it how it is and is able to bring some good ol' prairie flare to a Vancouver team. (I am really finding it hard to explain why while keeping it G rated)

What was the greatest adversity you had to overcome in your racing career?
Apathy. Sometimes it is really hard to put in tons of your life for something that most people don't care about or you get little recognition for. It can be even harder if you aren't able to live up to your own expectations. I usually try to focus on the positive and really learn from experience. I went through a few years where I wasn't very competitive at any level. I kept my nose to the grindstone and made my training as enjoyable as possible. Eventually I started to become competitive and bike racing became a whole lot more fun and rewarding. Even now, I hope I can take my competitiveness to the next level.

What do you remember most about racing in Alberta and how have you changed as a cyclist?
I remember all the super unique and special personalities. It is such an eclectic group of people. There are people that rage, encourage, complain, compliment etc. etc. It makes the experience that much more entertaining. When you start an Alberta race, you have no idea what is going to happen, who is going to snap or who will impress. I wouldn't have wanted it to be any other way.

Last Alberta cycling club:
BiciSport

Who are you racing for now?
Trek Red Truck presented by Mosaic Homes; out of Vancouver. This team has such an amazing group of people behind it. Seriously.

Any advice for young racers?
Attack. Attack. Attack. You learn nothing from passive racing. Don't be afraid to get dropped. One day it will click... and the attack will stick.

What are your goals for the future?
I would really like to throw down a good race at this years nationals... I would also like to drive a few breaks in the NRC.

What do you love to do off the bike?
Spinnin fresh beats, Mountaineering, Guitar and Fishing. I also love to keep it real and live the dream.

When—if ever—will you retire from racing?
I will always race. I have no long term plan on when I will ease out of the sport. Probably not for a while; I love to ride my bike.

Andrew Davidson

Name: Andrew Davidson

UCI Code: CAN19840608 (i think that's what it was)

Hometown: Winnipeg (but Calgary really)

First club: Dynamic Cycle on 17th Ave - beside Johnny Cruise Drum Shop

Current residence: Calgary until Feb.1st, then Montreal!

The elementary school I went to had awesome summer programs where the instructors would take us out mountain biking around the city - that was my first love

First race:
C.O.P. weeknight mtb series. I think i was the only one in my category (U15), so i was first and last!

Most memorable:
The time trial at my second year tour de a'lbitibi junior world cup stage race in Quebec- holy shit! such an epic stage. They drive you down a half kilometer into the ground - into the towns old mine, taking loads of 15 riders at a time, on this trippy mining-mobile. Then you sit in a cold, cramped, leg balm - infumed change room, waiting with all the other riders to take a turn on one of a couple exercise bikes, for maybe 5min tops, before the start of a 16km ITT that starts with the 10-15% grades climb out of this cave, on roads that are so moist with condensation that you can't stand up or you will slide out. l i did the same TT the first year and thought to myself, FUCK THIS SITTING AROUND b.s.! (pardon my english) - it's the total lack of warm up that kills you, so I locked myself in a bathroom I found, put on every peice of clothing I had, and did some seriously intense jumping jacks for a good 15-20min. I was SO warmed up by the time I got to start - I ended up finishing second out of the 140 or so field, 12 seconds behind Tyler Farrar, whose like big time now I think. woooo, jumping jacks!

Worst race:
Just like my most memorable, again raining like crazy, my morale was waining at the end of a long stint in France. As I'm warming up (more accurately, riding and getting cold and wet) - I am asking the gods in my head, "should I even keep racing?", and honest to god - I look up in front of me to see a huge green sign with a bicycle, and a "X" through it! It was a sign telling cyclists to keep off the sidewalk, but I knew it was a sign just for me. I ended up riding straight into a cement road divider within the first 1km of the race, just as the nuetral start ended, and ended up just chasing in the caravan by myself until I was spent and dropped. I had a friend who resembled Borat, who once had a bad race experience too.......

Funniest teammate: Jamie, Eric, Phil, Jeff, Ryan they are all pretty hilarious, probably some of the best road trip conversations ever. Lots of hypothetical question games. my coach Dan Proulx , super funny, he knew lots about kids in the Hall

Greatest adversity:
Pissing off a bike man! It's an important skill to have when races are 5hrs, but I never could do it, at least with other dudes around - it's just like when there's guy in the stall next to you, except he's on a bike and wearing tight lycra like you, and he has his hand on your ass - to push you along. I've actually stopped and gotten off my bike mid-race to pee, and just chased like the devil to catch back on.

I remember...
Alberta racing for the communal feeling - just getting to know lots of cool people and hanging out in randomville Alberta, road tripping it - and a weird feeling of an equalled playing field - i mean it's pretty awesome for a 16year old to be in a group of racers that range from their peers to men in their 20's, 30's 40's - and for the couple hours of racing, it's like, "now who's a punk?" ATTACK!

Last Alberta club: The Olympic Oval

Racing?
I am currently racing for myself, like to the store to buy milk before they close, or to the pizza place before they close, or the video store before they rent the last copy of Clifford (starring Martin Short as a very convincing evil 12 yr old boy) - basically I am a procrastinator with a bike. Team "I'll Do It Later", is what I'm calling the squad. We were suppossed to get matching clothes and gear, but of course we left it too late and just ended up getting a grab bag of old eighties track suits from the Mennonite Thrift Store

Advice for youngens:
Maybe it's all the PBS programming I watched as a kid that has ingrained this, but honestly, it's just got to be fun. There's so many cool things you can try in your life, sports wise and everything else, I don't think you should force it if you really don't have a natural enjoyment for it. that's first. Secondly, don't buy that nair hair removal, it does not work - razors all the way.

Future goals:
Start an all-bike musical busking band, that hits the street guerrilla style. hard and heavy. seriously, watch for it.

Off the Bike:
MUSIC! I love music so much. listening to it, making it, umm, dancing to it, making music videos. I played my first ever genuine gig in the Canmore Hotel the past weekend, as a drummer - the sound check guy did't really like us, we are kind of arty, and some dude yelled "PearlJam!!!!" right before we started. awesome.

Retired:
Well technically I am retired from racing, but that's just a technicality. I still race bike path "Armstrongs", and I have a lot of fit friends that kick my butt.

Jacob Erker

Name: Jacob Erker

UCI Code: CAN19751222

Hometown: Calgary

First Alberta cycling club: Cyclemeisters

Current Residence: Portland, OR

How did you get into cycling?
When I was 15, I actually called 411 and a real helpful operator found the number for Vitasport Cycles. Ed Novotni gave me Andy Holmwood's number and that was it. Good 'ol 411.

What was the first race you remember doing?
Provincial TT champs as a cadet. It was before they read the rule that cadets could only do 15k. So I did 40 and finished dead last by quite a margin. I couldn't concentrate that long and was going about 15kph just looking at trees and flowers.

Where was the most memorable race you ever did and why?
Tour de Beauce 2008. On Symmetrics, we helped Svein Tuft win the overall. It was always a goal of the team to win it, especially with Svein. Everyone on the team was on a mission to see him succeed and we were a perfect unit there.

Where was the worst race you ever did? What was it like?
Vuelta a Venezuela. It would take pages to tell the tale. Let's just say I won't go back.

Who was your funniest teammate and why?
Stuart Hughes aka Stix, Dustin Molicki, George Neuman and Cindy Klassen. We all lived together in San Diego in 2001 and I never laughed so hard in my life.

What was the greatest adversity you had to overcome in your racing career?
I had a lot of back problems in the 90's. I nearly quit racing but I realized how much I wanted to continue when it was being taken away. I've continued to work on my back 11 years on now, in fear of it taking me down again.

What do you remember most about racing in Alberta and how have you changed as a cyclist?
None of us had a clue about race tactics. And Calgary and Edmonton riders never talked to eachother. That seems ridiculous to me now. Having raced abroad since 1999, I've realized just how much riding it takes to do it at a professional level.

Last Alberta cycling club:
Bow Cycle

Who are you racing for now?
Kelly Benefit Strategies

Any advice for young racers?
Travel. Don't be afraid of trying races out of your league. Everyone gets their head kicked in from time to time. You need to do a big race to see where you stand and where you have to go. And there are no shortcuts in cycling. You simply have to ride your bike a lot to be successful.

What are your goals for the future?
Taking it year by year. I don't have any specific goals but to remain a dedicated teammate. This brings results to the team and gives me opportunities for myself from time to time. I hope to expand on coaching down the road also.

What do you love to do off the bike?
Drink coffee, walk the dog, play with my daughter and spend time with my wife.

When—if ever—will you retire from racing?
Immediately upon winning the lottery