4 ~ Wednesday, August 20, 1997 — North Shore News Ab N. Van couple reach cycling mountaintop By Andrew McCredie Associate Editor andrew@nsnews.com A passion for cycling brought Larry Zimich and Barbara Morris together. Tomorrow morning, the North Van husband and wife team leave for Europe in pursuit of the pinna- cle of that passion. The Zimichs will be com- peting at the Radweltpokal St. Johann in Tirol, Austria, the 29th annual World Cycling Championships. For both it is the dream of a lifetime. “This is definitely the pin- nacle of our racing careers,” Larry said yesterday of the eight-day competition that gets in gear Sunday. The 32-year-old’s racing career began 13 years ago after being inspired by watch- ing the Gastown Grand Prix, the high-profile Vancouver road race that is no more. He joined a cycling ctub, and through it met Barbara Morris, an accomplished cyclist whose brother was a member of the Canadian Cycling Team. ' They’ve been together ever since, and not only at home and on the road — both work for MDS Metro Laboratory Services. Next week's world cham- pionships is the highest calibre competition cither has com- peted in, and with a field of over 2,000 riders, both know they are in for the test of a life- time. The Zimichs will be competing as individuals in two road nice events and onc icycie built NEWS photo Paul McGrath HUSBAND and wife cyclists Larry and Barbara Zimich are in high Championships in hillclimb race. Larry says they are both well-prepared for all three events and the hillclimb in particular. “Having the opportunity to live and train on the North Shore has been a real asset for us,” says Larry of the Zimichs’ move to North Van last year. e@ar for the World Cycling roi, Austria, next week. “Hills are the main factor in any race and the North Shore has an abundance of hill areas on which to train on.” The Zimichs often join world-class mountain bike rid- ers Alison Sydor and Lesley Tomlinson in training rides, and according to Larry, most competitive mountain bikers ar aa ri Rodin GOs tait ite use road racing as an integral part of their training. “I'd say about 60% of their riding is on road bikes,” he reports, adding that the fit- ness attained by grinding a road bike can’t be matched by their fat-wheeled cousins. With regards to the mas- sive growth of mountain-bik- ing in the pass decade, Larry says he’s seeing more and more mountain-bike riders coming back to the traditional road racing. “There’s been a tremen- dous swing of road riders to mountain bikes over the past few years, but after awhile they seem to come back to road bike,” he says. Both = Zimichs helped found the Seymour Bicycle Fitness Club and count 50 or so riders in the club's mem- bership. Six are on the competitive racing team. In addition to club sponsorship, the Zimichs have received support from Powerbar, Adidas = and Duofold for their world championship bids. In addition to weekly rides, the club hosts an annual Hillclimb Championship on Cypress and Mt. Seymour each fall. This year's events are scheduled for Sept. 6 and 7. As for their expectations at the world championships, Larry says they are both capa- ble of winning medals. Barbara rode well at a recent race in Idaho and Larry was pleased with his recent tide in 2 competition in Mexico. “We're both juste peaking with our fitness so we hope to have some pretty good results,” he says, “Especially in the 12 km hillclimb event.” Regardless of the resu'ts, turning, ¢sdals will continue to fuel the passion berwcen this North Vancouver couple. Exclusively at Regency Nissan Featuring air conditioning, power locks, windows, am/fm cassette, cruise, 60/40 split fold .down rear seat. First car in Canada to use Generation JI de- powered air bags. Refined 2.4 litre, 150 h.p. 7AYLORMOTIVE BRAKE SPEC. SERVICE LTD. Jn B.C.A.A.- ARA.- OVE BRAKES ~ LIFETIME WARRANT ‘on shoes or pads OUR S9TH YEAR = & CONSULTATION 176 PEMBERTON AVE.N.VAN. 9335-7455 (Zislsis, Give an underprivileged child the lasting gifce of an education Call 1-800-325-6873 2 Roome & Halboy fowaroen P] 5 Roce, 14 Sass kee ia) TRUCK MOUNTED UNITS. “with steam cleaning Gall Fawzi 984-7135 ~ HOMEOWNERS. + TENANTS +.CO COMMERCIAL « BOATS + le! Order Now!!. CUSTOMER APPRECIATION ‘97 CLEAROUT "97 QUEST XE REGENCY AUTO GROUP The Masia of minivan, featuring a 3.0 litre V6 engine » ¢ speed automatic transmission veith over drive © 4 wheel ABS ¢ ait conditioning » dual ait bags © privacy glass © roo! rack * power accewories inuding windows & locks + heated mirrors remote keyless entry system = anti-thelt syitem © 24 hour rouse assistance and much more. Regency 711 West 14th Ave., North Van. 985-9311 ..... 9. } chrome bumpers, gril and mirtors, doth bucket =: ‘yeats, cupholders, am‘fm | canette, . 7 TO CHOOSE FROATIIE JASeLG} 299-9000 Tae