Page 11 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 49

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #49 DECEMBER 2016 11

Continued from page 10 raced motocross and off-road GREAT
cross country before getting into GIFT

American and world level. cycling, racing all over Ontario IDEAS
and Quebec. Along the way, he Shirts, hats, jerseys, hoodies,
Kyle rides simply for the &
enjoyment of the sport but wants spent a month in Baja, Mexico glassware, Xmas items
riding the famous 1000 course.
to start getting serious with his in stock for most teams
During college he quit racing Memorabilia
racing.
full time due to the rising costs. 400 Second St. W. Cornwall
“I have been competing for two In 2001 he started cycling again 613-938-0001 • www.rookez-edge.com
seasons now in the U15 category,” with the Cornwall Cycle club.
says Kyle. “My first race was a He continues to ride and race the says. “I have been competing often due to the mud and sand.
Madison where I teamed up with motorcycle, but not as often as he in cyclocross since 2008, first as Depending on the crash, parts
my dad. I would do a lap and once did. a Master A now a Master B (age do break. Anyone can take up
then my dad would do a lap for related categories). My first race the sport if they have an off-road
the duration. I was nervous but Kyle, a Grade 8 student at was located at Britannia Park in capable bicycle. It’s a great sport
excited to ride with my dad.” Tagwi Secondary School, is Ottawa. It was cold, wet, and for newcomers.”
following in his father’s footsteps muddy but I loved it. I finished
“I let Kyle start the race to get as he actually learned to ride Just like Lemond said about
an idea of what a mass start race a motorcycle before a bicycle, top 20 but I can’t remember road racing, cyclocross athletes
feels like,” adds Jamie. “We when he was five-years-old. exactly.” need to embrace speed … and
didn’t come close to winning but Kyle rides a hybrid (cross make quick assessment of the
that’s all he needed to get hooked. Jamie trains year-round riding between a mountain bike and path ahead as they speed through
He and I had a smile all day. Kyle three to four times a week on his a road bike) with knobby tires. courses. They also need good
is getting stronger with every race bike hooked up to a trainer in According to Jamie he is already bike-handling skills.
as he tries to figure out pacing and the basement during the winter asking for a cyclocross bike, like
bike handling. Kyle is young and months. Road racing starts in his dad owns. A cyclocross bike “You need to be pushed past
is learning how to race and push April and finishes in September looks like a road bicycle only with your comfort zone by racing and

his body but I can tell he wants to with at least one race a week. more tire clearance to prevent riding with faster and skilled
win. There are no awards in this In September, he puts his road mud build-up. people,” says Jamie. “You need
series, only personal satisfaction bike away and starts riding the “The sport can be very to be able to push yourself to
and comradery.” cyclocross bike. exhaustion for an hour while
expensive but it doesn’t have to
Jamie, an electrician and control “With family commitments be,” says Jamie. “You can be trying to keep it on two wheels
tech for Transalta, has enjoyed a and work it’s hard for me to be competitive at the local level over a variety of terrain that can
lifetime on the bike (whether it consistent with my training but on a budget. Brakes and drive include ice and snow. Drive and
be a bicycle or motorcycle). He I make it work somewhat,” he chain need to be replaced more determination are key.”

MURPHY’S SPORTS LAW By David Murphy

There are some people you meet in life that leave a The CDMFL ceased operating three years ago but Sal kept in touch with
lasting, positive impression. several of his teammates like Brian and Randy O’Neill, Lorne Taillon, John
Some of them you meet when you’re young; Barr, and Shawn O’Neill. He and Brian O’Neill share a few passions like
later on in school; then when you’re into your the music of Elvis Presley, fastball, and most importantly, the willingness
work life; and some just happen by because you to help others through mission work with the Catholic Church.
have the same interests. One such person to me is Sal is proud of his Ojibwa heritage and even more proud of recently
a gentleman by the name of Sal Taylor. finishing off the schooling to become a lay minister, to work with people
who are into their final days and months.
I first met Sal when he signed up for the Cornwall This past Good Friday, on his way home from church, Sal felt like
and District Men’s Fastball League (so far, the last somebody was standing on him as his chest and face hurt like never before
incarnation of men’s fastball at King George Park). in his 60 years on the planet. He drove himself to the Cornwall Community
T h e league had a draft format and Sal was picked up as a Hospital where it was discovered he was having a heart attack. He was
pitcher/first baseman by O’Neill Painting. rushed to the Ottawa Heart Institute where he had a triple bypass performed.
Sal was effective, as nobody in the league had seen him pitch before (even For the first time in seven years, Sal was forced to miss time at work but
though he had been playing fastball for 20 years). He wasn’t overpowering he has been back at work, making tasty meals for residents of the Lodge
but did throw with very good accuracy and had some good “junk” pitches since mid-June, a little less than two months after the triple bypass.
that would fool batters more times than not. He went about his business He’s also continuing his mission work and responsibilities of a lay
without any fist pumps, high fives, or complaining. He was so quiet, I only minister.
found out in the play-offs that first season that he actually did speak. Sal Taylor never looks for the spotlight but for this one time, this one
Sal instantly proved a good teammate and good guy to play against. column, I’m shining a well deserved spot light on him.
He came to Cornwall from Curve Lake and the Peterborough area in He’s the kind of friend, teammate and co-worker we’d all be lucky to
2007 and eventually worked his way into a chef’s position at Glen Stor have.
Dun Lodge. Keep up the good work, Sal.