Sunshine, sprints and strong legs in the North Peace

Spring Stage Race is a total points series of five different cycling events from Apr 2 to 9, 2026. This is the 41st running of this event.

Spring Series Stage 1 - The weather gods decided to grant the Blizzards with the gift of sunshine, which made the first race of the season a warmer than expected experience. Four riders headed out from Baldonnel school for the first time trial of the season. Pat Ferris came first in the 8km distance, which left Kristine Bock, Tim Ferris and Ard Hoogenboom to duke it out on the 16km circuit. Ard Hoogenboom, after his nearly no-start due to raging local loose dogs, managed to blast by the competition to cross the finish line first.

8km Pat Ferris: 15:46

16km Ard Hoogenboom: 34:52

Stage 2 - Four brave Blizzards took on the challenge of the Beatton HIll Climb on a warm Good Friday afternoon. George Gamble high stepped it early and Ard Hoogenboom tried all he could but wasn't able to catch him at the finish line.

Spring Stage Race 3 - the "Bick-and-Back" With some slightly unfortunate road conditions for the originally slated Frozen John race, the Blizzards instead went for a trip out to Bickford's and back to town. The riders took an easy group pace to the turnaround in the lovely sunny conditions and then cracked it open on the way back. George Gamble and Ard Hoogenboom gently increased the pace until they left everyone else in their dust. In the end Gamble started the sprint to the finish a bit early which caught Hoogenboom off guard and allowed him to pull to a definitive victory.

Spring Stage Race #4 - Complete - Three brave riders tackled the headwinds on the time trial circuit to take on the fourth stage race of the Spring Series. Ard Hoogenboom took off from the pack after the 10km mark and raced into first place. Pat Ferris and Kristine Bock on the other hand decided to do the civilized distance and rode in together.

Stage #5 is a wrap for the Spring Stage Race 2026 and the Baldonnel 16k time trial.

1. Jay Weber 30:19

2. Pat Ferris 37:31

3. Sam Keats 41:33

4. Richard Wood 42:05

Thanks Nigel Wray for timing!

Winners: Spring Stage Trophy Points. 1. Ard Hoogenboom 18 points 2. Pat Ferris 14 pts 3. George Gamble 10 pts 4. Jay Weber 5pts 5. Tim Ferris/Richard Wood 4 pts.

Women’s 1. Kristine Bock 20 pts.

Thank you Nigel Wray and Richard Wood for timing for us!

The club will feature cycle events from now and until the snow flies in the fall. 

Our big event is to send a group of cyclists to the National Masters Championships (riders over 30 years) in Calgary, August long weekend.