The News
Stay on Course with Event Happenings.
Check back often to keep up to date on what's happening with Crank The Shield 2010!
September 2nd Update - Crank registration is close, however buy/sell your spot here .
August 12th Update - Crank The Shield 2010 Course Maps with Course Profiles Now Online!
August 5th Update - Crank The Shield with Seamus.
Will you “Crank the Shield” with a Canadian Mountain Bike Olympian?
Two-time Mountain Bike X-Country Olympian, Seamus McGrath is going to pass on his knowledge to two lucky participants or teams at Crank the Shield, September 17-19, 2010.
Seamus is available to shadow a participant for Stage #1 or Stage #2 of this challenging mountain bike event. This mountain bike legend will show you proper lines through the Canadian Shield, help pace you on the open sections and increase your skill and confidence while riding Eastern Canada’s most challenging mountain bike event. Seamus is available for solo or two person participants, but only for one stage.
To take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity please write Adam Ruppel by email at chico@chicoracing.com with Seamus Ride of a Lifetime in the subject line by September 1st. Please keep it to four paragraphs or less, and include some information about your training, and preparation for Crank, as well as why you want to ride with Seamus. The top 2 reasons will be selected by Adam and Seamus to win this fabulous opportunity.
Seamus is also available for coaching and camps and riders can visit his website at http://www.performancecyclingcamps.com .
Crank The Shield only has 50 spots still remaining, visit www.cranktheshield.com for more information.
August 3rd Update - Trek Store Tech Support Package
CLICK HERE for the Trek Store Tech Support Form.
July 30th Update - 2010 Stage 3 Course Preview Video Now Online! Only 50 spots left for this awesome event!
Be sure to check out this link to the 2010 Stage 3 Course Preview Video featuring one of Canada's top World Cup XC racers, Derek Zandstra (3 Rox Racing): CLICK HERE
July 16th Update - 2010 Stage 2 Course Preview Video Now Online!
Be sure to check out this link to the 2010 Stage 2 Course Preview Video: CLICK HERE
July 6th Update - 2010 Stage 1 Course Preview Video Now Online!
Be sure to check out this link to the 2010 Stage 1 Course Preview Video: CLICK HERE
May 20 Update -
Canadian mountain bike Olympian is “Cranking the Shield” in 2010
Chico Racing is very excited to announce two-time Olympian, Seamus McGrath’s participation at Crank the Shield, September 17-19, 2010. An Ontario native, McGrath brings a wealth of mountain bike racing knowledge – and also has a serious shot at winning the 3-day 235 km odyssey through Ontario’s cottage country.
“I’m thrilled to have a world class Canadian rider like Seamus at Crank the Shield this year. He and I raced together 15 years ago – so to see the success he has had over the years, and then to be a part of this event is just fantastic.” expressed Adam Ruppel, of Chico Racing.
In addition to participating in the Ontario’s only mountain bike stage race, riders will now also get to enjoy racing, and traveling alongside a Canadian mountain bike legend.
Seamus McGrath grew up on bikes and started racing mountain bikes in 1991. He has been racing professionally since 1995. In that time he has competed for Canada twice at the Olympic Games, won two Commonwealth Games medals, made appearances on World Cup podiums and won several 7-day endurance races, including the 2009 BC Bike Race. He has been on the Canadian national team 14 times. He has also competed with the national team on the road in Asia and Europe.
May 1 Updates -
Crank The Shield is approximately 70% sold out as of May 1st. You can now leave a $300 deposit to secure your spot until the balance is due on August 11, 2010. Register now to be part of Crank The Shield, Eastern North America's most popular mountain bike stage race!
April 21 Updates -
The Trek Canada Race Team has announced their team for the 2010 Crank the Shield, Ontario's first, only and best Off-Road stage race. Trek has put forth Peter Glassford and Eric Batty, two of Canada's top Mountain Bike racers to take on the 3rd running of CTS. For this years C.T.S. Digica.ca, a Canadian IT support company specializing in managed cloud services, will be providing additional backing for the duo. Their impressive resume of race results from around the globe is combined with a passion for huge rides and outdoor adventures, which makes them a considerable threat on the demanding Northern Ontario Course. The guys have set the goal of winning overall. Watch for updates on their preparation for the race throughout the summer and as the race approaches in September on both the Crank the Shield Training Blog (http://www.steveneal.ca/) and through the Trek Canada Site (www.trekraceteam.com).
April 16 Updates -
New Stage 3 Start location, and 5-7km of brand new IMBA designed singltrack added to this years event Click Here for the full story
February 23 Updates -
Custom Crank The Shield Louis Garneau cycling jacket (value $120) for all those registered and paid by April 30, 2010! This jacket will not be available for sale at the event and is being produced in limited quantities. Click Here for more information on the jacket.
January 18 Updates -
Andreas Hestler has put Crank The Shield on his schedule of races to do this year (former Olympic rider, Trans Rockies Champ, Cactus Cup Champ, Canadian MTB Icon). Check out his training camp at http://www.performancecyclingcamps.com .
January 6 News Updates -
Crank The Shield is on facebook and twitter ! Post your photos on our facebook page.
Trek Bike Store is back this year offering full cleaning, tuning and storing service for the duration of the event. We will publish details on how to order this service in the spring.
Register now to get the best cabins and pricing discounts that end March 21. We have already sold 100 spots for this event and spots are limited. Those who register earliest get the best cabin selection as well.
We are sending out promotional cards later this month to bicycle shops and cycling clubs. If you want to help promote Crank The Shield through your bike shop contact chico@chicoracing.com and we'll send you some promo cards.
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Registration is closed for the 2010 edition of Crank The Shield.
Crank The Shield Registration Closed! -
Updated course maps and profiles are now posted under each Stage!
Chico Racing -
Exciting course changes to Stage 2 for 2010 - No rail trail, and finish right at Camp White Pine.
New Stage 3 start location, Sir Sam's Ski and Summer Resort, more singletrack!
Sean Ruppel - Course Manager -
"Thanks for a great experience. All the effort you all put in showed in the fact that everything ran so smooth. The bar has been set pretty high for other Mtb Stage Races. I am sure as word gets out there will be line ups to sign on for next year."
Jim Brogden - 2009 Participant
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"Everything was absolutely perfect and spot on from the rider's perspective! From the bags and drop bags to the cabins, food, course markings, volunteers, course, etc - well it was one of the best ever."
Laurie Woodbury - 2009 Participant -
New - Crank The Shield offers a short course option with distances ranging between 50 to 60 km per day. It is still a tough ride but puts Crank within range for the average rider.
Crank - Short Course Option -
“Congratulations to the whole CTS team, as I rank this race (for course, accommodation, food,
Greg Andre-Barrett - 2009 Participant
volunteers, etc.) as tops on my list of completed races. The course was out of this world, including CTS trail, which I think is the best new single track I’ve ever ridden.”
Steve Neal Performance Presents 2010 Crank the Shield Training Plan - Starts May 31st
The 2010 Crank the Shield Plan is Almost Ready!
Are you Ready?
Starting May 31st enjoy 4 complementary Months of training and blog support from Steve Neal Performance.
Please forward any questions or suggestions for this years plan to peter@steveneal.ca
