Roller racing kicks off Ottawa season

The Ottawa racing season kicks off Saturday night with roller racing and a world speed record attempt at the downtown YMCA.

The evening features head-to-head racing on four sets of rollers connected to a clock that measures distance. There are two distances: a 500m race on fixed rollers using fixed gears, and a 1,000m race on free rollers using the riders’ own bikes.

The top riders on the free rollers can hit speeds over 100 km/h.

It’s the fifth year of roller racing in Ottawa, organized by the West of Quebec Wheelers.

“For the Wheelers, Roller Racing is about keeping cycling fun and social as much as it is about competition,” said co-organizer John Large. “Rollers highlight fundamental cycling skills, and enjoyment is one of those essential skills.”

A highlight of the evening will be a world roller speed record attempt by another Wheeler, Brent Atkins, using an enormous custom-made 120-tooth chainring. He’ll be trying to beat the current mark of 126.6 miles per hour (203.7 km/h) set by British cyclist Dave leGrys in 1987.

The fully licensed event promises some raucous fun, but there is a more serious motive: Raising money for the Wheelers’ Echelon Project.

The project aims to help riders get to international events in Canada and overseas, as well as supporting former national team rider Jenny Trew transition to being a coach and helping a project to bring an indoor velodrome to Ottawa.

Doors open at 6:30 and racing starts an hour later at 180 Argyle Ave. in Ottawa.