Atomic News & Events

Monday August 30, 2010

Atomic Hosts Cross Race November 14

On November 14, 2010 Atomic Racing will present the first annual atomiCX cyclocross race. Held last year as Coastal Cross at Aldergrove Lake Park the action kicks off at 11:00am with the Open Citizens race and continues until 1:00pm with the start of the Men’s 1-2/Masters race. Come out to race, watch or volunteer and be a part of cycling’s fastest growing discipline. Pre registration opens at Speed Theory on September 15.

For more information, please visit our website at:

http://www.atomiccross.blogspot.com/

Bring your cowbell!!

Friday July 16, 2010

Mike Bandurchin captures 2nd in THU night crit

VANCOUVER – New-ish Atomic Racing member Mike Bandurchin (a.k.a.“Quiet Mike”) captured a well fought 2nd place in last night’s Thursday Night Crit series C race.

New to racing and group riding, Bandurchin has been placing well on both club rides and local races, with many more seasoned riders starting to quake in their boots at his arrival on the start line.

Atomic is still expecting a wild card invitation to the 2011 Tour de France, and finishes like this will go a long way to securing the pole position next year in France.

“Jolly good!”, said Atomic Racing president Dominic Walsh.

Way to go Mike! Keep up the hard riding and strong results.

Wednesday July 14, 2010

Atomic Racing continues its world-wide dominance of key climbs

SAN PELLEGRINO – Atomic Racing is charging ahead in its 3 year plan to conquer every single mountain climb in the world, with the recent addition of the monstrous San Pellegrino to the club’s palmares.

Vancouver-based Atomic Racing Club has launched a bold attempt to have its members complete an ascent of every mountain road in the world, within the next 3 years. Membership director Andrew Wilson explains that it’s fitting for a club of Atomic’s pedigree. “Sure, it’s a big goal, but we’re well on our way. We’ve recently had members climb hills in southern California, Alberta, France with the daring attempt up Alpe d’Huez, down in Washington (state), and now some of the big ones in the Dolomites. That’s 5…we’re getting closer all the time”.

United Nations geographic topographical data indicates there are more than 15,800 roads in the world that travel up mountains and hills, which makes the goal a hard one indeed.

“Oh yeah, it’s a big goal, no question”, admitted Wilson, “but like I say, we’re getting closer all the time. Rome wasn’t built in a day, or whatever”.

San Pellegrino was recently tackled by executive member Jeremy Wilson (no relation to Andrew Wilson), who also added several other key climbs during his visit to Europe. Atomic will compile a complete list of mountain roads climbed at a later date.

Tuesday July 6, 2010

Atomic member eaten by bear - reports unconfirmed

VANCOUVER – Unconfirmed reports indicate a rider from Vancouver-based Atomic Racing club has been eaten by a bear. Though it’s not clear at this time which team member has been chosen for lunch, news coming out of the Colville National Forest indicates a grizzly has stopped and eaten an Atomic member out on a training ride.

“All we have to show for it is a bike and a jersey”, said an official with the US Department of Agriculture. “No bones, no guts…nothing. It’s odd that a bear has gone for a bike rider type, as they tend to be too skinny”, he said. “And it must have been a real slow rider; the bears are kind of slow and confused this time of the year, so the guy must have been going awful slow”.

Andrew Wilson, membership director with Atomic wasn’t able to confirm or deny the early reports. “We do have a couple of guys riding the BMC type bikes that shows up in the photograph”, explained Wilson, “and they tend to be slow, so I suppose it could be possible, but I’m not able to say anything else at this point”.

Wilson went on to explain that the club issues clear guidance to all its members concerning interacting with wildlife. “Atomic Racing urges all its members to keep a look-out on rides for animals, but it’s usually squirrels and dogs and cats we’re concerned with. A bear is an entirely different issue. We’ll have to amend the club handbook to reflect the new reality. And we’ll tell our slower riders to stay away from areas where the bears might be on the hunt”.

Thursday June 24, 2010

New dress code and bike sponsor for Atomic Racing

Vancouver, June 24, 2010 – In an effort to add some formality and style to what is increasingly seen as a “Euro-fag-sheen” approach to team outfitting, Atomic Racing club has adopted a new look for the 2010 summer race season.

“We’re sick of looking cool but like everyone else…and there’s a tired, casualness that has crept into the cycling look in North America of late. We said Enough!”, explained Atomic president Dominic Walsh. “It’s time for a new look that talks to our reputation of being a formal, by-the-book club”.

Bike manufacturer Specialized has taken notice and inked a deal with Atomic to supply new bikes for several of the team’s elite riders. “Great style…real class. This is exactly the image we’re trying to push here at Specialized”, said Marcus Fetginzgerleitsummernoff, Marketing and PR manager for Specialized Worldwide. “Not too many of the clubs get it, but Atomic obviously has eyes wide open for what’s hot and upcoming”.

The deal with Specialized comes fast on the heels of other recent sponsorship arrangements with the Michael Jackson estate and Tim Horton’s.

Atomic Racing Club was also recently given a wild card invitation to the 2011 Tour de France. It’s unclear whether the team will wear the new kit and ride the new bikes at the start line next July.

Organizers of the Tour de France could not be reached for comment.

Wednesday June 23, 2010

Atomic rumoured to be included in 2011 Tour de France

Alpe d’Huez, June, 2010 – Unconfirmed reports indicate Vancouver-based Atomic Racing Club has been given a wild card entry to the 2011 Tour de France. Reports are also suggesting the fabled Alpe d’Huez climb will be back on the roster of mountain top stage finishes.

“It’s not all done and dusted yet, but it’s looking good for both Atomic and the Alpe”, said a source closely connected with the Tour organization under the condition of anonymity. “With a recent string of strong race finishes, they’re the logical choice; [they’re] always a factor in any race and have exemplary club executive organization”, said the source.

Recent scouting has turned up photos of Atomic members training on the Alpe.

Thursday June 17, 2010

Michael Jackson and Tim Hortons join to support Atomic

Vancouver, June 17, 2010 – Setting out on a long ride around Surrey on a cloudy Sunday morning, the last thing our members expected to find was support in the shape of a classic Jacko tune and the comforting arms of a Timmy’s donut. But that’s exactly what they found.

“Just when we thought we couldn’t get any lower, this great Michael Jackson song came on the radio, and the red and golden hues of the interior of the Tim Horton’s really came alive, giving us all hope and courage to carry on”, said Andrew Wilson, membership director.

The group found themselves unexpectedly waiting for a local bike shop to open, the result of a slashed tire on Wilson’s bike. “Boom!”, said Wilson, “I rode over something and my tire ripped. We had to do a sort of camp repair on it and limp to the nearest shop”.

Taking refuge in a nearby Tim Horton’s, the group was ready to call it quits and head home in taxis when the King of Pop came on the airwaves, spurring the group to continue.

Atomic wasn’t sure whether the Michael Jackson estate and Tim Horton’s were going to team up permanently to offer support and sponsorhip, but “it could happen, sure”, said Wilson. Representatives of Tim Horton’s and the Jackson estate could not be reached for comment.

“Great double bacon cheesburger”, said Dave Johnson.

Wednesday June 9, 2010

Atomic Racing hardens up at 2nd Annual Spring Camp

Atomic Racing completed its second annual Spring Training Camp, held in exactly the same place as last year in beautiful Penticton, B.C. The weather wasn’t as hot and clear as the year before, but it was very good, and the team enjoyed three days of solid training with hills, flats, rollers, climbs and speedy descents. When not riding there was plenty of time for team building and bonding, including communal meals, hot tub adventures and trips to KFC.

An ascent of Baldy was undertaken, a blistering pace was set along the lakeside from Oliver back to town, reckless and daring pulls were taken at the front of winding and dangerous downhills, and long slogs into vicious headwinds were a daily thorn in the men’s sides.

The toughest rides of all, it was unanimously agreed, were the grueling battles to the top of the hill where the team’s rental house was located. Facing grades exceeding 25% in places [this may not be entirely accurate – ed.], the men were separated from the boys on this torturous climb.

A wide selection of gonch and other undergarments were on display throughout the off-bike times, adding a casual air to an otherwise serious, form-building weekend.

At the end of the camp the men were ready to eat their own guts, and ask for seconds.

Applications are now open for next year’s participation.

Thursday June 3, 2010

Atomic Racing Club linked to mechanical doping

June 3, 2010, Vancouver, B.C. – Suspicions of organized doping have fallen once again on members of Vancouver-based Atomic Racing Club, this time with accusations of “mechanical doping”.

Suggestions that cyclists are using an electric motor to help them turn the pedals and so save precious energy, first appeared in the Italian press during the Giro d’Italia. The Il Giornale newspaper said that a small motor and battery that helps turn the cranks could be hidden in the seat tube of a frame, giving a boost of 50 watts of power.

An unnamed source has made accusations that several of the Atomic Racing members have been using bikes fitted with motors. “Look at all the new bikes those guys have in the club”, the source explained. “All of a sudden a whole bunch of guys are coming out with new bikes, fancy new equipment, and at the same time laying down some serious smack on club rides and training camps. They do have that connection with their bike shop sponsor as well…couple of good mechanics there, always working on the team’s bikes. I’m not saying nothing, OK? Just connecting the dots”.

Atomic Racing was in the news recently, linked to the Floyd Landis doping story. According to interviews with Landis, members of the Atomic Racing Club executive have been systematically using performing enhancing drugs, which helps explain why they’re riding so fast.

Atomic Racing Club officials could not be reached for comment.

Thursday May 20, 2010

Floyd Landis implicates Atomic Racing in doping scandal

Floyd Landis, winner of the 2006 Tour de France, has confessed to doping during his professional cycling career in an e-mail to USA Cycling chief executive officer Steve Johnson. In his letter Landis further goes on to name several high level cycling figures with accusations of systemic doping, including 7 time Tour winner Lance Armstrong, director and team owner Johan Buyneel, and ProTour riders Dave Zabriskie, Michael Barry, Levi Leipheimer and others.

Landis also indicated several Atomic Racing members may have been involved in doping as well. “Those guys ride so fast. I haven’t seen anything with my own eyes, but it’s just not possible for them to do what they do without being on the juice”, Landis wrote in his letter to Johnson. “Several of the guys in particular seem super-human. There’s an Asian dude, and a stock broker guy…those guys can move. All of the executive is using [performance enhancing drugs] too”, said Landis.

Atomic Racing officials could not be reached for comment.

Tuesday May 18, 2010

Atomic Racing Member braves brutal Alberta ride

Atomic Racing social director Laurence “Larry” Feist flew the team colours recently on a difficult and obstacle strewn road ride over the badlands of Alberta. Proudly following in the footsteps of membership director Andrew Wilson, Larry captured the moment on his Blackberry and dispatched the images from the front line, to the Atomic crew.

“Andrew is my role model, no doubt”, said Feist when reached for comment, “that guy rocks and is about as high up on my personal pedestal as a mere mortal can get…if he goes on crazy rides and takes pictures, then that’s what I’ll do”.

Feist is taking a temporary break from his duties to recover, planning to meet up with the rest of the team for their annual spring training camp in British Columbia’s Okanagan area.

Mr. Wilson could not be reached for comment.

Monday May 17, 2010

Atomic Membership Director gets legs ripped off on Marine Drive

Vancouver, B.C. – After a grueling ride along the flat and torturous roads of Richmond, Atomic Racing membership director Andrew Wilson was subjected to a relentless pace riding north along Marine Drive as the road gently rises up towards the main UBC campus.

“It was horrible”, said Wilson, a seasoned cyclist unused to such hardball tactics at the end of a tiring and punishing ride. “It was all I could do to keep my eyes on the wheel in front of me. I was going to pop any minute”.

Dishing out the pain and relentless tempo were team mates Stephen Meyer and Mike Fellows. “Sure, team mates…that’s a good one”, Wilson lamented when reached after the ride, “what sort of a team mate pulls his own buddy’s legs off on a ride, and leaves him to wallow in his own suferring?”. Clearly nose out of joint, Wilson continued, “thankfully there were some nice looking co-eds mingling around on campus, which sort of took my mind off it”.

Meyer and Fellows could not be reached for comment.