08 Apr 2007 12:12 pm
About
I’ve been racing singlespeed mountain bikes and cyclocross bikes around Ontario, eastern Canada and the north eastern states since the mid 1990’s. I started racing singlespeeds exclusively in the summer of 1997 (I think???) after snapping 3 derailleurs in succession at 3 consecutive weekly races in Camp Fortunes Wednesday night series. I haven’t missed a shift since then!
Singlespeeding at the 2004 OBC - Camp Fortune cyclocross race.
After meeting Hugh Black, the owner of True North Cycles, at the finish of a 100km point to point race - Lost in the Rocks and Trees, I managed to snag a dream ride on the True North Cycles race team. True North Cycles is a true custom framebuilder located right here in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. All of True North’s frames are made, one at a time, by hand, in house.
In addition consulting on software development, simulators and 3D visualization, I’m working with True North Cycles to develop full carbon, full custom frames to add to TN’s steel and titanium offerings.
People who have given me support over the years:
- Fresh Air Experience in Ottawa - my first sponsor
- Greenley and Associates (now part of CAE Canada)
- True North Cycles - my current sponsor and employer!
That’s me, singlespeeding offroad on a fat tire clunker in 1978. I thought I was just riding to the school bus. Little did I know that I was simultaneously inventing the mountain biking craze, and then pre-emptively rebelling against it’s future popularity and over-commercialization by singlespeeding. Eat your heart out, Gary! Just kidding! ;)
on 15 Aug 2007 at 7:51 pm 1.Ann Unrau said …
I completely missed this page/area of your blog. Saw it for the first time today. Thanks Paul.
That hill down to the school bus was pretty steep and rocky. What was your mother thinking of to let you ride down that. I bet you didn’t ride up it.
on 16 Aug 2007 at 8:09 pm 2.Dave said …
I can remember TRYING to ride up it!
on 07 Jan 2008 at 3:47 pm 3.Wes said …
Hey Dave, I never knew your name until now. I think I have some action shots of you from this past cx season. eg. http://www.flickr.com/photos/wes/1519580866/ :)
on 07 Jan 2008 at 7:28 pm 4.Dave said …
Hi Wes - I was actually trying to figure out how to get in touch with you - I was wondering if I could get a high res version of that exact image!!!
on 28 Sep 2008 at 9:11 pm 5.Mike Clark said …
Hey Dave,
I was shooting at the race today and managed to get a decent photograph of you and the other singlespeeder. I know you take some great photos of people at races so I thought I’d try to return the favour and hook you up with one of yourself: http://flickr.com/photos/shapelike/2897397922/in/set-72157607565788489/
- Mike
on 06 Oct 2008 at 9:05 pm 6.Mike said …
Hey Dave,
Here’s a shot of you I took awhile back. I tried to post it on your blog awhile back put apparently the internet ate my post.
http://flickr.com/photos/shapelike/2897397922/in/set-72157607565788489/
- Mike