The BlackSheep Leadership Team
The Black Sheep Leadership Team (Executive and Coordinators) is a group of volunteers dedicated to the practical and operational affairs of the Club. That includes everything from critical (but somewhat mundane) requirements like budgets, banking, insurance, risk management, and memberships, to much cooler responsibilities such as course setting, trail maintenance, and running events. The Black Sheep Leadership Team loves biking and racing, wants the sport of cycling to flourish in Thunder Bay, and knows the Club is a key to achieving this vision.
After a few lean years, we are pleased that a number of new individuals have stepped up to assist with Club leadership. However, there are a couple positions still vacant. If you're interested in assisting, please contact Mark Maranzan.
The 2013 BlackSheep Risk Management Plan
The 2013 BlackSheep Executive:
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The History of the BlackSheep Cycling Club
In the beginning...
In 1998, mountain biking was already an internationally recognized sport in its own right. It was an Olympic medal sport, had an international governing body (since 1990 in the USA!), and dozens of national governing bodies all over the world. There were even movies and magazines dedicated to the sport. But Thunder Bay, a place with such great mountain bike terrain, still had no real mountain bike series of which to speak. Sure, there were races every once in a while, but there was little care put into them and the attendance reflected it. Mountain biking, with all of its success, was still considered a "fringe" sport, the ugly cousin of road and touring.
The local high schools had a great mountain biking series, but it ended in early June. Some students would scratch their racing itch during the summer months by travelling south of the border to compete in NORBA and MNSCS races. They would return from these intensely fun, big, well run, well marked, and competitive races with tons of prizes only to get depressed by Thunder Bay's meagre offerings.
So, in 1998, a group of high school aged riders started a ten race points series with local shop sponsorship, and called themselves "The Black Sheep" after the 1970s TV show about WWII fighter pilots (and because it sounded cool). It was an instant success. How could it not be?
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Fast forward THIRTEEN years . . .
The BlackSheep has changed a lot over the years. Although cross country MTB events are still our most popular, we run a successful downhill race series, and for the first time in 2009, we added two "Super-D" races to the event roster. Super D is a short, predominantly downhill (with some uphill sections) cross country race on slightly more challenging terrain than a typical XC race (but easier than DH terrain).
Black Sheep started as a racing club and racing still runs deep within our membership. Our 2011 event schedule includes 15 series races and multiple Squadron events. However, it is important to note that our series races are also great fun. They provide members with opportunities to chat with other cycling enthusiasts, to grow as riders, and to enjoy post-race draw prizes. We also run a number of less competitive events and activities (including Sunday pre-rides/group rides) where the focus is having fun, encouraging fitness and development of cycling skills, and learning about our local trails. One of our goals is to ensure that a Black Sheep member will not have to race to feel like a member of the Club and will receive great value for the membership fees they pay.
We have worked hard to make the 2011 season a great one and we hope you enjoy it. As always, we are open to advice and suggestions for improvement so if you have any, please direct them to the appropriate member of the Black Sheep Leadership Team below.
Join us! Visit the Membership page or contact us at:
BlackSheep Cycling Club
PMB # 308
307 Euclid Ave.
Thunder Bay, Ontario P7E 6G6
Or call our hotline at 624-4270.
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The 2013 BlackSheep schedule can now be downloaded directly to your Outlook, Google Calendar, iCal or whatever other Calendar app you use! Subscribe once and you will be the first to know of new BlackSheep events and future season schedules!
Thats right our President, Mark Maranzan, was interviewed about the BlackSheep and the article will be appearing in the spring issue of Pedal magazine. Because of this featured Pedal Magazine has offered BlackSheep club members a discounted subscription rate! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ BlackSheep MTB Cycling Club/Ped
BlackSheep Re-Cycle Bike and Gear Swap Dates: Friday May 10, 5:00pm to 9:00 pm Saturday May 11, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Lo
Blacksheep event #1 is the 5th annual Paradis Classic! It is extra special this year because it falls on Cinco de Mayo the 5th of MAY! Join us with your bike at the Paradis' homestead for a gravel road ride, BBQ and some fun festivities! Don't forget that you register for the club online before attending this event. There won't be any on-site registration due to OCA's n
For 2013 we are moving all registration online. Ontario Cycling (OCA) has made it mandatory for all clubs to use their online registration system. We will still be collecting signed waivers from ALL riders before their first race. If you need any assistance registering please contact either Mark or
Even though winter seems to be digging in its heels, the longer days and warmer sun bring about a sense that spring could be right around the corner. If you’re like me, this has you longing for hard packed dirt and long flowing single track. Yes, you could definitely say that I have mountain biking on the brain. For the last few months, the Blacksheep executive has been hard
2013 Blacksheep Board of Directors Announced! While many riders have put their bikes away for the season and winter is in full effect, there is still a lot happening behind the scenes with your Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club. The Annual General Meeting was held in October providing opportunity for all members to receive infor
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