The Real Deal Attacks Forest City Velodrome
Donation protected
How long can you ride? 2 hours? 4 hours?
How about 24 hours?
This seems like an insurmountable feat.
A feat that Ed Veal is willing to take on.
Ed "The Real Deal" Veal is a multi-time national and provincial champion in both the road and track cycling. He is a World Cup gold medalist and won a bronze medal at the Toronto 2015 Pan-Am Games, he is the current Canadian Hour Record holder and World 40-44 Hour Record holder. This past season Ed won the Ontario Cup Road Series Championship for a record 6th time.
On Feburary 2nd 2019 at 11:11AM, Ed has set his sights on an even bigger goal, a goal to give back to the sport that he has had enjoyed much success at. "I want to use my bike as a tool to for good, to bring awareness to a need and to help out in any way I can" said Ed from his home in Hamilton. "The group at Forest City Velodrome (FCV) in London are doing an absolute fantastic job for youth cycling and youth development programs. They have a wonderful facility that is in desperate need of upgrades and repairs for it to stay open. It would be a real shame if the area lost one of the most unique sporting venues in the world due to lack of funding."
The FCV is only 1 of 5 indoor velodromes in all North America. The FCV is a nonprofit organization and all programming and operations are administered by volunteers.
The idea to have a velodrome in London, Ontario came from Albert Schelstraete Coulier, inductee of the Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame in 2017. With the help of his sons Ron and Bob Schelstraete, Rob Good and small group of volunteers, they were able to bring the track to life in 2005 with a goal of providing a center for youth to develop skills and train future Olympians. The FCV has produced riders that have completed at all levels of competition around the world as well as providing programs for recreational riders from ages 8 to 88.
The most important program at the FCV is the VeloKids program - it introduces young children to the lifelong sport of cycling. The VeloKids program gives kids a chance to be a part of something great while developing the multitude of skills that comes from being involved in a sport-based activity.
The facility needs to be warmer and more inviting for kids and their families.
The FCV is currently looking to update both the heating and the lighting infrastructure. Originally built in 1955 the London Gardens was home to the London Knights for many years and most of the building hasn’t seen any significant updates in that time leaving the infrastructure dated and inefficient.
The FCV is always looking for fundraising opportunities and this is where Ed Veal comes in.
"When Ed Veal, former member of Team Canada’s track program and all-around cyclist approached the FCV about riding the track for 24 hours in support of us we were so excited" - Said Tony Fangeat, FCV board member. "Riding the FCV is unlike any other track in the world".
At 138m the FCV is the shortest permanent indoor track in the world, and, as a result is one of the steepest with banks of 51 degrees in the corners.
"The G force plays a large part in keeping riders on the track but will also be a huge factor in Ed's ride, this could possibly be the toughest 24 ride anyone has ever done anywhere?!?" Said Craig Saari, FCV President.
Do you want to be part of this historic event? There are lost of ways you can be involved:
1. Join us on Feb 2 and ride along with Ed.
The track will be open the public for tours as well as open to riders to have the chance to ride with Ed.
Please visit www.forestcityvelodrome.com for rules on riding with Ed.
2. Attempt your own 24hr distance challenge ( www.forestcityvelodrome.com ) for details and collect donations on a per hour basis. Collect pledges and come ride your own hour challenge.
3. Donate to Ed's ride on a per kilometer basis. 5 cents, 10 cents, even 25 cents would go a long way in helping achieve our goal. It would also give him incentive to stay riding in the early hours of the morning. 5 cents X 500 kms = $25 when has a $25 dollar donate ever gone so far? Donations not based on km's are of course welcome as well.
4. Be a corporate sponsor for the event. Please contact us for information : [email redacted] and check us out at www.forestcityvelodrome.com .
For GoFundMe’s transparency requirement:
1. The organizer of this fundraiser is Janet Mason, Treasurer of the Forest City Velodrome on behalf of the executive board of directors of the Forest City Velodrome
2. All funds are to be deposited directly to the Forest City Velodrome bank account and are to be used to upgrade the facilities to make it more inviting and comfortable for riders and hopefully allow us to attract more riders. Specific uses: paint, flooring, lighting and heating.
How about 24 hours?
This seems like an insurmountable feat.
A feat that Ed Veal is willing to take on.
Ed "The Real Deal" Veal is a multi-time national and provincial champion in both the road and track cycling. He is a World Cup gold medalist and won a bronze medal at the Toronto 2015 Pan-Am Games, he is the current Canadian Hour Record holder and World 40-44 Hour Record holder. This past season Ed won the Ontario Cup Road Series Championship for a record 6th time.
On Feburary 2nd 2019 at 11:11AM, Ed has set his sights on an even bigger goal, a goal to give back to the sport that he has had enjoyed much success at. "I want to use my bike as a tool to for good, to bring awareness to a need and to help out in any way I can" said Ed from his home in Hamilton. "The group at Forest City Velodrome (FCV) in London are doing an absolute fantastic job for youth cycling and youth development programs. They have a wonderful facility that is in desperate need of upgrades and repairs for it to stay open. It would be a real shame if the area lost one of the most unique sporting venues in the world due to lack of funding."
The FCV is only 1 of 5 indoor velodromes in all North America. The FCV is a nonprofit organization and all programming and operations are administered by volunteers.
The idea to have a velodrome in London, Ontario came from Albert Schelstraete Coulier, inductee of the Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame in 2017. With the help of his sons Ron and Bob Schelstraete, Rob Good and small group of volunteers, they were able to bring the track to life in 2005 with a goal of providing a center for youth to develop skills and train future Olympians. The FCV has produced riders that have completed at all levels of competition around the world as well as providing programs for recreational riders from ages 8 to 88.
The most important program at the FCV is the VeloKids program - it introduces young children to the lifelong sport of cycling. The VeloKids program gives kids a chance to be a part of something great while developing the multitude of skills that comes from being involved in a sport-based activity.
The facility needs to be warmer and more inviting for kids and their families.
The FCV is currently looking to update both the heating and the lighting infrastructure. Originally built in 1955 the London Gardens was home to the London Knights for many years and most of the building hasn’t seen any significant updates in that time leaving the infrastructure dated and inefficient.
The FCV is always looking for fundraising opportunities and this is where Ed Veal comes in.
"When Ed Veal, former member of Team Canada’s track program and all-around cyclist approached the FCV about riding the track for 24 hours in support of us we were so excited" - Said Tony Fangeat, FCV board member. "Riding the FCV is unlike any other track in the world".
At 138m the FCV is the shortest permanent indoor track in the world, and, as a result is one of the steepest with banks of 51 degrees in the corners.
"The G force plays a large part in keeping riders on the track but will also be a huge factor in Ed's ride, this could possibly be the toughest 24 ride anyone has ever done anywhere?!?" Said Craig Saari, FCV President.
Do you want to be part of this historic event? There are lost of ways you can be involved:
1. Join us on Feb 2 and ride along with Ed.
The track will be open the public for tours as well as open to riders to have the chance to ride with Ed.
Please visit www.forestcityvelodrome.com for rules on riding with Ed.
2. Attempt your own 24hr distance challenge ( www.forestcityvelodrome.com ) for details and collect donations on a per hour basis. Collect pledges and come ride your own hour challenge.
3. Donate to Ed's ride on a per kilometer basis. 5 cents, 10 cents, even 25 cents would go a long way in helping achieve our goal. It would also give him incentive to stay riding in the early hours of the morning. 5 cents X 500 kms = $25 when has a $25 dollar donate ever gone so far? Donations not based on km's are of course welcome as well.
4. Be a corporate sponsor for the event. Please contact us for information : [email redacted] and check us out at www.forestcityvelodrome.com .
For GoFundMe’s transparency requirement:
1. The organizer of this fundraiser is Janet Mason, Treasurer of the Forest City Velodrome on behalf of the executive board of directors of the Forest City Velodrome
2. All funds are to be deposited directly to the Forest City Velodrome bank account and are to be used to upgrade the facilities to make it more inviting and comfortable for riders and hopefully allow us to attract more riders. Specific uses: paint, flooring, lighting and heating.
Fundraising team: The "Real Deal" Attacks FCV (18)
Janet Mason
Organizer
RAD For St Michaels
Team member
Craig Linton
Team member
Craig Saari
Team member
Attack Racing
Team member