FOG needs your help

FOG tries to make membership as easy as possible, but membership does not occur in a vacuum. You can help your club and cycling in general by competing in or helping with one of the three road events FOG is hosting this year. Although many FOG members never race, FOG has a long history of supporting competitive cycling.

The MCA through its various programs and through association with groups such as MPI, Bike to the Future, the Winnipeg Trails Association, and others advocates for better awareness, better safety, better acceptance, and better infrastructure for cycling in Manitoba. Although it uses some of its budget to do this it does not actually receive funding for these activities. Most of the MCA’s funding is based on competitive performance (numbers participating in competitive events and high level results). Anyone who rides their bike in a public area; commuting to work, riding on trails, or taking part in a group ride benefits from MCA races.

The three FOG events this year are:
1) Individual Time Trial, Bird’s Hill Park, Sunday May 3 (1 and 2 lap options)
2) Stony Mountain Criterium, Tuesday June 16
3) Provincial Time Trial Championships, Bird’s Hill Park, Saturday August 29 (2 laps for Provincials, 1 lap for non-provincial citizen’s race) Yes, it is a Saturday, but it has to be that date for a number of reasons.

It is the executive’s hope that FOG members will take part in the time trials. We have taken the first time trial of the year, and the last so members will have an opportunity to measure their progress through the summer. FOG will be purchasing additional insurance so that riders with only a general membership can still compete in the time trials. With family commitments, work, health issues, commitments to other sports, etc. it is not possible to do everything, but if I can make it out to several FOG rides a year, perhaps I can find a few hours to volunteer every year or so.