Atomic News & Events

Thursday May 2, 2013

Atomic Racing Club makes takeover bid for Strava

Thursday May 2 — Vancouver road cycling organization Atomic Racing Club has launched a hostile takeover bid for New Hampshire-based Strava, Inc. An unnamed source close to the transaction confirmed the rumor late Wednesday night.
“Yes, I can confirm that Atomic has begun takeover action for all shares of Strava,” the source said. “They seem to be very focused on this deal too, very aggressive.”
Strava is well known to athletes all over the world as a free online tracking tool which allows users to share workout and training data, which the company refers to as “social fitness”. Strava doesn’t release user data but industry estimates puts the number of registered users around one million.

People familiar with the situation say that Atomic considers it a natural progression in their club structure. Atomic past president and ex-pro rider and Hour Record holder Andrew Wilson has in the past given indication that a Strava takeover might be in the cards. Wilson was recently overheard at a fundraiser in Monte Carlo explaining a possible interest.

“Look, we are all over this Strava thing. If you look at the data, we have a number of our riders in the top 10 or 20 places for Strava performances. Holdy [Craig Holden], Harvmesiter [Erich Harvey], Adam-man [Cameron Adam], Benny [Ben Ford] and The Aveman [Avery Davidow] are all posting very high showings in Strava. And not just in Vancouver, but in the WORLD! I mean, these guys are beating almost all of the European pros, they OWN Strava”.

Atomic Racing Club members could not be reached for comment, but a European-based pro-rider denied on the condition of anonymity that Atomic members were showing as well as Wilson indicates “Who? I doubt it,” he was quoted as saying.
The hiring of new club treasurer Jay Murray and the fact that a long time Atomic member is active in global finance and market trading is seen as an indication the club is actively seeking financing to acquire Strava.

Strava, Inc. could not be reached for comment.

Thursday March 14, 2013

Learn to Ride/Race Clinic April 6 and 7

Local Vancouver shop Speed Theory is hosting two Learn to Ride/Race clinics on April 6 and 7. Both clinics start at Speed Theory and run from 8:00 am to 12:00.

These clinics are excellent sessions and cover important skills such as cornering, pack riding, race tactics, climbing & descending and generally how to ride in a group safely and efficiently.

The clinic will be lead by NCCP-certified cycling coach Allan Prazsky.

For more information go to Speed Theory’s website at www.speedtheory.ca/van

Wednesday March 6, 2013

Atomic rider being considered for women’s team

Vancouver, Canada — Veteran Atomic Racing Club Iranian rider Mohammad Mahmoudvazifehfezoornoozlachmalagilanizeh has been tipped as a potential new signing for the U.S. Women’s cycling team. The Vancouver-based cyclist was spotted over the weekend in Germany chatting with U.S. women’s Olympic champ Evelyn Stevens.

“Well, I hate to just throw gasoline on the fire, but I think he was likely meeting with her for some sort of recruitment initiative,” said Atomic membership director Andrew Wilson. “It’s no secret that Atomic riders are sought after in the pro ranks, and the community has their tentacles spread far and wide.”

Asked whether it was unusual that Mahmoudvazifehfezoornoozlachmalagilanizeh was being considered for a women’s team, Wilson said, “No, not at all. Mohammad is a good guy and a pretty good rider, but we always thought he rides a bit like a girl. I mean, no offence to the strong women we have in the club or anything, but Mohammad is, well, you know, girly. So the women’s squad is the right place for him.”

It is unclear whether the UCI or United States Cycling Federation would allow a male rider to compete in women’s competitions, and the UCI could not be reached for comment.

Saturday January 19, 2013

Atomic Rider Takes Wrong Turn

Vancouver — Atomic Racing Club rookie member Avery Davidow found himself at the top of a small mountain in Hawaii after breaking from his group and taking a wrong turn. The Vancouver-based cyclist left on what was to be a routine three hour ride but broke off from his riding companions when he slowed to unwrap some food. The local traffic was heavy, and Davidow quickly became separated from the main pack and mistakenly turned at a corner that wasn’t part of the route.

“I was looking down to get the paper off my Power Bar and when I looked up I couldn’t see any of my buddies,” the surprised cyclist explained when reached by telephone. “I thought they’d turned at one of the intersections, so I turned too but obviously it wasn’t the right road. I cycled hard for what must have been hours and hours and then finally thought ‘Oh hell, they can’t have gotten THAT far in front of me’, and decided to slow down and just follow the road”.

Davidow soon discovered himself peering over the edge of the Waipio Lookout in Honokaa, Big Island, Hawaii. “I thought Holy Shit, that doesn’t look like the Richmond SkyTrain bridge!”

“Well, Avery is pretty strong there’s no doubt about it,” said Atomic Racing Club Membership Director Andrew Wilson. “Once he goes to the front and puts his head down there’s no stopping him. All the way to Hawaii seems a bit surprising I’ll admit,” Wilson continued, “but it’s possible. I’ve said it before, Atomic has some strong riders.”

It was unclear whether Davidow is intending to stay in Hawaii, or simply have a bowl of soup and turn around and ride home.

Atomic Racing Club president Keith Tolhurst couldn’t be reached for comment.

Saturday December 15, 2012

Three Wise Men?

Vancouver, December 15 — Three wise men – or three foolish men – departed Musette coffee shop Saturday morning for a three hour suffer-fest around Richmond and Annacis Island. Past president Dominic Walsh, past president and current Membership Director Andrew Wilson, and Atomic member Mohammad Mahmoudzadehfiziemamoodhofezamalihizifeziloozohmoud set out proudly to fly the Atomic flag at 9:00 sharp amid rain, wind and, at times, snow.

“Oh yeah, it was intense”, said Wilson when reached for comment later in the day at Atomic Racing membership headquarters. “To be honest, it was never that nasty out when I was president and was running things. Our new president, he’s doing, you know, his best but it takes time to ease into the job. Being president of a club like this takes a lot of patience and skill. He’s going to need time, that’s all”, Wilson continued.

Atomic Racing Club currently boasts a membership of nearly forty riders, but only there could dig deep enough into their suitcases of courage to find the wherewithal to contend with the harsh winter conditions.

“It was meaner than the Ayatollah out there”, said Mahmoudzadehfiziemamoodhofezamalihizifeziloozohmoud.

Past President Walsh couldn’t be reached for comment, but his office did issue a statement which read “#$%#^ what a ride!”.

Vancouver weather continues to punish, with no sign of let-up in the current forecast.

Wednesday December 5, 2012

Atomic President tipped for UCI head

(Vancouver, B.C.)

Unconfirmed reports from Europe indicate certain factions within the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) have approached Atomic Racing Club president Keith Tolhurst and asked him to throw his hat in the ring to run for UCI president in upcoming elections. Current UCI president Pat McQuaid continues to be under fire to resign following his stewardship of the international federation during the Lance Armstrong years.

Atomic past-president Andrew Wilson indicated Atomic has often been the target of high profile global cycling activity in the past. “Oh sure, we’ve had some pretty big riders show interest in joining Atomic over the years, and it’s not unusual for our guys to be approached with offers of contracts and interesting management positions. Hell, it’s happened to me more times that you’ve had hot dinners”, Wilson said when reached from his home in Vancouver. “Keith only just started though, and while we don’t expect him to do a hell of a lot to be honest, it would be a shame to have to vote in someone new so soon”.

Tolhurst is a relative newcomer to the politics of cycling, though is thought to be well liked because of his squeaky clean image. “Sure, he can’t ride very fast and he talks a bit funny but he’s, you know, cleanish I think”, said a source who wished to remain anonymous. “Plus he’s got a PhD, and how cool is that? You can’t mess up an organization like the UCI if you have a PhD…”, the source continued.

Three time Tour de France winner Greg Lamond is also in the running to replace McQuaid, who remains defiant despite increasing pressure for his resignation. “Feck that” said McQuaid when reached to comment on this story, “Feck Lamond, and who the feck is this fecking Tolhurst anyway?”.

Mr. Tolhurst could not be reached for comment.

Tuesday September 11, 2012

Vancouver City Paves Road

Vancouver, September 11

In an unprecedented move, The City of Vancouver Roads & Engineering department has paved a road.

“Yes, I can confirm we have in fact paved a road” said a source with the City who wished to remain anonymous.

Atomic Racing Club has learned that the road in question is a short section of Camosun Street running uphill north-south between South West Marine Drive and 29th Avenue, the same section that features prominently in the popular June bicycle race “Westside Classic”.

“It’s a relief to be sure” said Andrew Wilson, president of Atomic Racing Club. “That’s been a nasty stretch for years, full of bumps and holes and terribly rutted sections, it’s about time they got around to paving it”.

When asked about the Westside Classic race and the effect the newly paved road may have on the challenging course Wilson continued: “Oh for sure, it’s going to make it much safer, and faster. I didn’t race the course in the last few years myself, but I did in the past, and that bumpy section was the only thing that kept me from the top place on the podium, I can tell you”. [this may not be true – Ed.]

No one at the City could be reached to confirm whether or not there are more paving plans in store for Vancouver roads.

Saturday August 25, 2012

Atomic Hosting 2012 BC Cyclocross Championships

Come on out to the 2012 Atomic Superprestige BC Provincial Cyclocross Championships. We are hositng the provincial championships again this year at Mahon Park in North Vancouver. Race runs on Sunday October 21.

Have a look at our Race Webpage for more information.

Monday May 14, 2012

Canadian cyclist Hesjedal tipped to be joining Atomic

Vancouver, May 14

Canadian cyclist and Garmin-Barracuda Giro d’Italia GC contender Ryder Hesjedal has recently been linked with rumors circling around his intentions of transferring to Vancouver-based Atomic Racing Club. Hesjedal can’t be reached for comment, but someone close to the situation told Atomic News that it’s a possibility. “I can’t comment on rumors”, the source said, “but I can tell you that in conversations I’ve had with Ryder he’s definitely interested. The exposure he’s getting at the Giro this year is going to help elevate him in every team’s eyes, Atomic included”.

It’s long been known that several Canadian riders including Michael Barry (Sky), Svein Tuft (Green Edge) and Hesjedal have been looking for a team closer to home. In previous conversations with Atomic News, president Andrew Wilson confirmed discussions have been going on.” Oh sure, we’ve talked with Michael and Svein and even Ryder from time to time. We had a chance to sign Tuft when he left Garmin, but the numbers didn’t make any sense at the time. Michael Barry has long been on our radar, but we don’t see him as a strong enough GC contender. Someone like Ryder would be good though, particularly the way he’s going at the moment”.

Atomic News caught up with Garmin-Barracuda DS Jonathan Vaughters this week at the Giro, but he had no comment on the potential transfer. “Look”, he said, “we’re right in the middle of something here, I need to decide what outfit I’m going to wear tomorrow and Ryder is up to neck in alligators with this race. Transfer season is miles away and at the moment we’re very happy with Ryder and I’m sure he’s happy with us. Atomic is a great team, sure, but I don’t think there’s anything to the rumors at all…”.

Atomic Racing could not be reached for comment.

Wednesday March 14, 2012

Atomic president smashes world record!

Los Angeles, March 14 – Atomic Racing president Andrew Wilson has broken the world record for climbing both the Topanga Canyon Road and the famous Stunt Road climb in the hills and mountains north of Santa Monica, California. The previous record of 3 hours 18 minutes was held by Colombian climber Miguel Cervantes de Rodriguez de Campo de Costilla Ramon. Wilson’s time of 3 hours 17 minutes shattered Mr. Rodriguez de Campo de Costilla’s time by one minute.

Attempting the rare Topanga/Stunt double is done by only a handful of pros and amateurs each year and is currently the domain of the real mountain goats. It’s taken nearly two decades for the current world record holder’s title to fall.

“Yeah, thanks, I’m really pleased” said an exhausted Wilson at the finish of the attempt. “I’m not normally known for being super fast on the climbs” he explained modestly, “so this is a real treat, to get the record and have such a fun time doing it”.

Wilson went on to explain, “With the Contador signing still up in the air, a lot of eyes are on us here at Atomic, so anything we can do to make the club look better and a welcome place for Alberto, the better. Sometimes a president has to do more than just talk, and I decided to put my money where my mouth is and went for gold on the climb. Today it paid off”.

The accomplishment is not without controversy, however, as exact proof of the time of the climb cannot yet be verified. The officials hired to clock the event are not available for comment, and critics have pointed out that without official, UCI approved timing the record my not be approved by the world cycling organization.

“Well, at the moment we don’t really have anything official, just the word from the Wilson camp”, explained Gilbert Gilbert-Lichtenstein, acting vice-semiofficial for the UCI; “I mean, we’re not saying we don’t believe Mr. Wilson’s time is accurate, we’re just saying that in these situations usually some sort of official time needs to be made available, by a reputable, recognized time-keeper. In this case, all we have seen is a friend of Mr. Wilson’s wrist watch showing the time. And there’s a slight smudge on his watch, so we just need to be careful and official is all I’m saying”.

When asked about the lack of official time keeping, a spokesman for Mr. Wilson explained: “Look, uh, we had someone keeping time and all that, but then she…I mean he went away, back to town and took all the official…you know, equipment with her…him, so it’s all there for sure – you can bank on it – but we just need to get all that equipment back and stuff, and then show it to the, uh, UCI and officials and the like”.

The record was also confirmed by two retired pro-cyclists who attended the event, Floyd Landis and Ricardo Rico. “Absolutely”, said Landis, “I saw him do it with my own eyes and I’m telling you he did it. You can believe me…I mean, why would I lie about it?”.

Italian racer Rico was less verbose, but did confirm the record had been broken: “Si, si” he said, “it’s a-true”.

Atomic Racing could not be reached for immediate comment.

Monday February 6, 2012

BREAKING NEWS! Contador rumored to be looking at Atomic Racing Club

Vancouver, February 6

Unconfirmed rumors circulating around the cycling community today suggest that recently banned Spanish rider Alberto Contador is interested in signing with Atomic Racing Club.

It was announced late last night that the Court for Arbitration in Sport, or CAS, has ruled against Contador in an appeal brough to the international body with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the world cycling body, the UCI. After a long-running saga, CAS announced that it had upheld the UCI and WADA’s joint appeal against the Spanish Cycling Federation’s (RFEC) decision not to suspend Contador.

The UCI and WADA both dissagreed with the governing Spanish cycling agency that Contador’s positive finding of the use of the steroid clenbuterol was a legitimate error and that no doping infraction had occured.

As a result of the CAS ruling, Contador has been stripped of his 2010 Tour de France title, as well as his Giro d’Italia win, and a number of other regional races. He is banned from competing at UCI sanctioned cycling events until August 5. As a result he will not be eligible to ride any of this year’s grand tours, or the Olympic cycling events.

However, a close friend of Contador’s who wished to remain anonymous said Contador was “seriously considering moving to Vancouver, Canada and riding with Atomic Racing Club until his ban is over”. The source went on to explain that “Alberto has always admired the Vancouver club – especially the way the executive group is managed – and some summer training with the team will keep him sharp and in shape for competition when all this nonsense is over”.

Atomic Racing officials could not be reached for comment.

Sunday October 9, 2011

Atomic Hosts 2011 BC Cyclocross Championships

Atomic will be hosting this years BC Cyclocross Championships at Mahon Park in North Vancouver. The race goes Sunday November 27, 2011. Please check out the Race Webpage for all the details.