Hey everyone, I can't believe we're already a month into 2025!

Hope you're all keeping cozy and warm, it's been quite the dry spell - we're about to break a record for the most consecutive dry days in January, the previous was something like 15 days in 2004, and I think today we matched that, and have a few more to go.

Whaddya think, do you prefer the cool temps over wet conditions? I actually think I prefer it a bit warmer, even if it's wet....

Anyway, on to the main feature!

For our gravel and MTB fans, the Scrabblethon is back, and there's a four event series starting this Sunday, February 2nd!

There are three courses lined up (one will be reversed to be used twice), and we'll be starting off with a loop in Thetis up off Westoby.

Surprisingly there's really not much elevation on it, so those with PTSD from Royal Roads can enjoy a little relief (for now!) The other new loop is also fairly light on the climbs (tho has a soft gravel grind!) And we will likely be back to the Royal Roads loop for one event as well. 😉

Save the dates, the full schedule over the next six weeks is:

• Feb 2nd
• Feb 16th
• Feb 23rd
• Mar 9th

Your scores will accumulate over all four events, and it'll be exciting to see who our Tournament Series Champion will be!

Of course there's no commitment to participate in all, join in when you can. And if you have a family member or friend who might want to help out and hand out the tiles, please lemme know!

Sign-up is now online as well, head to the page for that and other details:

https://abouttheride.ca/scrabblethon/

Coming Up in 2025!

Here's a quick summary of what I've got planned:

• March will see the Spring season of the Segment Challenge return for the 3rd year, back on the road
• May will feature an all-new Climbing Challenge, it'll run four weeks, with two big road climbs each week, run similarly to the Segment Challenge
• June will see the Summer season of the Segment Challenge, also on the road
• Royal Bay Crits - they likely won't be a part of the VCL this year, but the plan is to run a couple practice or 'Learn To Crit' sessions earlier in the race season, and then our own mini crit series with 2-3 races
• My Cyclocross Skills School will return in late August, three Sundays focusing on cyclocross skills (also handy for gravel riders!)
• September will be the Fall season of the Segment Challenge, and back on the gravel!!
• And that's about as far ahead as I want to plan!! 🤯

Should be a fun year for cycling! The Island Cup MTB race dates have been posted (reminder to myself to update the ATR site!) The VCL will feature less races this year, basically two on each course, plus the longer courses out in Mill Bay, etc, for about 16 total. We should see those dates soon as well.

As always, keep an eye on the website; if unfamiliar there's listings of all the local clubs and teams, local group rides (including gravel and MTB), and all the local road, gravel, cyclocross and MTB races will get posted as well! Click around, some neat blog posts too!

Also be sure to follow the ATR account on Instagram and Facebook, where I post local and relevant news to cyclists, and feel free to tag @AboutTheRideCA any time, it's always fun to see what you're up to! 🤩

That's it for now, hopefully see you at the Scrabblethon on Sunday!!

Safe and speedy riding all! 🚲

- Dave

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