tashi

The City of Ottawa recently revoked our permits in the middle of a successful season. Other places are letting us run races it appears, but everything is up in the air and next year is in jeopardy.

Here's some info if anyone's interested:

I compiled some contact info for the outgoing and incoming councillors for any involved parties who wish to contact them and express their concern.

Mayor
Outgoing: Larry O'Brian Larry.OBrien@ottawa.ca
Incoming: Jim Watson info@jimwatson.ca

Capital Ward Councilor (my ward)
Outgoing: Clive Doucet Clive.Doucet@ottawa.ca
Incoming: DAVID CHERNUSHENKO david@davidc.ca

Kanata South Councilor (where the Kanata race was)
Outgoing: Peggy Feltmate Peggy.Feltmate@ottawa.ca
Incoming: Allan Hubley info@allanhubley.ca

Some useful info is at https://www.cyclocross.org/ as well.

pcfxer

Good old city of Ottawa. I was crushed by OC Transpo (They didn't let me bring my bike on-board) so I was stuck biking home at 6:30 AM instead of going to my first cyclocross and now they cancel it?

What was their reason? They HAVE to provide a reason.

crhilton

That really sucks. I know cross races can be a bit hard on the grass, but it seems to come back from one race weekend without much trouble. And it brings in some more use of parks that are often underutilized.

The point of parks isn't the be eternally and perfectly pristine, but for outdoor recreation by kids and adults. And to be open to the general public. I see no way in which a cyclocross race violates that, assuming you have a beginner category and one day licenses.

Bianchigirll 

yes just why did they cancel it? I am sure they had some reason or concerns they must have voiced. did you have trouble with spectators littering? parking in the wrong area? are there house nearby where the residnets might have had an issue witht he traffic and noise?

RacerOne

^^ Looks like the city was worried about damage to the grass. See the last link in the OP's post.

moralleper

There is hardly any mud compaired to our races in the PNW, USA.!

https://vimeo.com/16259685

tashi

Yep, it mostly seems to be concern over the grass. Apparently there's $6000 of work that needs to be done and they're not willing to see if it can recover by spring. I guess it's important to have real nice grass under the snow all winter!

In my professional opinion (I'm a landscaper): it'll be fine! It's grass! There's a reason we use it the way we do, it's tough!


pcxfxer: That sucks about the bus. My sister in law was planning an article for the Citizen about how f-ed people get by the busses not having racks when they're supposed to. Did you know that the driver is allowed to let the bikes on if he wants to? It's his discretion, but I'm sure the driver made the right decision - you would have been a total hazard blocking the isle with your bike at 6:30 sunday morning

Sign up for the A race and I'll give you a ride. Sorry I can't drive you in time for the B, that's just too early for Sunday!

tashi

I'm from the wet coast myself (Victoria) and I've actually been pretty impressed with how soggy it gets here - the rain comes hard and fast then leaves, as opposed to how it rains, rains, drizzles, and then rains some more back home. Kanata was a mess, a fun, slushy mess.